WHereas sondrie seditious controuersies arise betweene them whoe haue receiued the like discipline , & are bounde to obserue one Lawe , no one broile is founde more pestilent and hurtfull , to any weale publique then that , which is betwixt the Nobility and Comminaltie . For this fyre brand hath so wasted many flourishing and noble Citties , that the estate of the common wealth hath ben thereby miserably mangled , then the which nothing can be imagined more hurtfull , and poysonous to the common societie of man . For if we call to memory what is reported in Histories of antiquitie , wee shall finde no one Cittie so happely founded & begonne , which hath not ben shaken and rente in sonder through ciuill dissention , risen betwene men of auncient Nobility , & the meanest sorte of the rascal and peuish people . In so mutch that sometimes but very fewe had the gouernment of the whole , agayne some other time , the multitude hauinge violentlye excluded those fewe , furiously abused the Empyre , and place of maiesty . Which alterations , and vtter confusion of al Estates , could not be without bloudye , and cruell slaughter of many , neither yet without the pestilent and ruthfull ouerthrowe of Noble Peeres . For what is hee if he were more folish hardy then the rest , which durst not attempte bou●olye the breach of lawes , whiche durste not wickedly violate the ordinaunces of the forefathers , whose conscience would be any thing moued , if he saw the sodayn change and alteration of all estates , if he might be perswaded therby to be aduaunced to higher estate . I let to shew in this place what mischiefe and miserye this kynde of sedition betwixt the nobility and the people hath wrought : wheras it is apparante that manye worthy cityes hath beene through sedicion & ciuil discord vtterly wasted & cofounded . For whyle the subiectes haue enterprysed to displace the rulers & Magistrats , as though their gouerment were rigorous and proude : on the other syde whyle their Lordes and Princes soughte with all extremitie to suppresse the outragious furye of the people : there is no facte so horrible , cruel , and odious , which hath not of both parties bene practised , and hauinge conceiued great rancker and malice against each other , haue bene at such defiance , that to bee reuenged , they haue to the enemie betraied their common safety , and peculiar liberty . And for this it is the more to be merueyled at , that they liue vnder one lawe , and are diuersly affected : so that there seemeth to bee no occasion of theire eygre strife and contentious dealinge . For in thys one poincte which merueylously encreaseth mutuall loue and amity , both of them , accorde together , that is in defendinge their country , and they altogether want that which causeth great discorde and enmity in the common wealth . For all displeasure , and deadly debate proceadinge from enuy and malice , is commonly founde amonge such as professe the same arte , and are entangled with the desire of the selfe same thinges . But there is no cause why men of high Estate should stomach such as are more base & of viler condicion whereas their endeuours be contrarye , and theyre myndes not ledde with the like affection . For Noble men are inflamed with the desire of renomne and glorie , but the multitude desyre not so mutch to exceed other , in worship , as in wealth , in pompe , as in power , and ability . Therefore whereas they stande not for the like promotion , there is no cause why they shoulde contentiouslye striue against each other : especially seeinge that neither of them may attayne his purpose and desyre without eache others aide & furtherance . For neither may the subiects liue in safty excepte they be defended by Rulers & Princes , neyther may men of Honoure and highe degree , maintayne their countenance withoute the people , whiche liue vnder their winge & iurisdiction . So that the multitude is allwaies preserued through the defence and power of Nobility : Likewise the Estate of Noblemen is of the People both through their trauell amplyfied , and also throughe prayse and admiration exceedingely magnified . Whereas therefore these both Estates should by the lawe of nature and man principally embrace the league of amitie and concorde : yet notwithstandinge as it appeareth by the testymonies of aunciente wryters , there hath beene no debate more spitefull and deadly , neither that hath more soughte the vtter ruine and subuersion of many commōwealthes , then that whiche ariseth oftentimes betwixt the Nobilitye and comminalty . Wherefore so oft as I consider with my selfe so great and common misery . I am somwhat perswaded , that all these seditions for the moste part do proceede from the intollerable pride of suche , as haue the prerogatiue of gouernment . For albeit the heade of the multitude is fraighte with fury , and their imaginations tendeth to owtrage & madnes : yet notwithstandinge whatsoeuer mischieue they imagine , or take in ha●be , is to bee imputed to Rulers and Magistrates . For wheras the common and baser sorte of men are folowers of the manners & conuersation of their Rulers and Princes , no doubte the people woulde not be entangled with such lewde liberty , licentious lust , and wilfull desires , except they sawe Noble Personages immoderately delyghted therewith. Herehence it commeth to passe that the wicked lyfe of subiects , which Noble men might by the example onlye of good liuinge represse , is through their loose life , mutch more encreased . And when the peoples mindes are poysoned with al kind of mischife , riot , & excesse , no lawes , no authority , no feare of punishement may stay their furious , & heady enterprices : neyther any reason may perswade them , but that one time or other , they will desperately breake out to the vtter vndoinge of their Natiue Countrye . All kinde of mischiefe therefore as from a fountaine first springeth from the Peeres & Noblemen , in whose power it rested to staye such vnbridled desires both by seuerity of lawes and ordinaunces , and by the good example of their innocent life . I cannot but meruayle in the meane whyle , what moueth many men to make so great accompte of their gentilitye , that they thincke theym selues worthye of suche honoure and estimation . For either Nobility by nature hath no renowne , or preheminence annexed thereunto , or els the greater parte of those who commonlye are tearmed Noble & of gentle bloude ( whose myndes are infected with manye maladies ) come nothinge neare to true Nobilitye . For it were not to be doubted them , but if Nobility were knowen by exercisinge it selfe in some notable exploite deseruinge due prayse and commendation , it would stirre vp the mindes of a greate many to embrace and loue the excellencye thereof : in so mutch that all men woulde willingely obey the lawes , and submit theymselues to the aucthoritye of their superiours . For ther is no man which would not exceedingely bée inflamed wyth the loue of vertue , and all men woulde thincke themselues moste happy and blessed , to be gouerned by the wisedome and vertue of Noble Personages . I haue thought it therefore must appertynent to my purpose , to search out diligently the nature , originall , right rule , and foundation of true Nobilitye , & the vertues whiche bee incident th●●●unto , in the inquisition whereof , it will eftsones appeare howe mutch it auaileth to dignity & worthines , & what oddes there is betwixt the counterfayt , and liuely image of perfecte Noblenes . But whereas this name of Nobility is , many and sundry wayes to be interpreted , that onely will I touche , whiche importeth the worthines and dignity of Noble Parentage .

THe first thinge that may be questioned of , is to knowe whether that Nobilitye may be accompted amongest those thinges , with deserue honour & estimation . For we may alledge many argumentes , whiche maye seeme to proue , that the Noblenes of byrth and worthines of Parentage , may neither conteine in it selfe anye superioritye , neither by any meanes to be reduced to those thinges , which in them selus are tearmed good . For as mutch as apperteineth to our nature , and the common course of wordly welth , wée cannot conceiue what gaine may growe , by this wonderfull shewe & admiration of Princelye porte . For as soone as we entre into this life full of lamentation and miserye , we are all ruled & gouerned by the same kinde of lawes , neither is any man exempted and set free from an infinite heape of miseries , wherewith the condition and estate of mortal men is afflicted , wee therefore make our first entrie into life , with blubberinge teares , and bitternes of sorow , wee from our natiuity are wrapped in woe and misery , wée sighe in sobbes , and liue in lamentation , and wée in the ende dolefully draw to death , through the continual affliction of mutch perturbation . But so farre of from Nobility is it to be preserued from such plagues and scourges , the mutch more slippery and daungerous is that estate , & the ende more intermedled with mischiefe and misery , then any other estate of mankinde whatsoeuer . For as euery vapour ascendeth more na●●●ally to the highest places : euen so sicknesses , murders , subtill vndermininges , perilles , poysons and a number other intollerable plagues & myschiues doe alwayes pursue theym , whiche are placed in hyghest roomes . But if any man ponder & weyghe in his mynde the natural qualities of the body , in the same truely shall he finde nothinge whye noble bloude shoulde bee preferred before base Parentage . For neither is he whiche is of gentle bloude more valiant then hee , which is of lowe degre , neyther in his race more swyfte , neyther yet in health more lusty , and of greater force . Nay rather the more daintily be feedeth , the weaker is his body made , the more apte to be troubled with extreme payne , in any kynd of infirmity . If then the case standeth thus , that neither the fauour of fortune , nor the comely feature of the bodye distinguissheth man from man , and as it were by distincte offices deuideth them , then no doubt the diuersity of man hys estate is knowen manifestlye by the qualities of the minde , or els it is no place els where to be founde . For the perfect shew of Nobility is to be seene by one of these thre vertues , besides the which there is none whereby it may be perceiued . But whereas wee see the pathwaye to vertue open vnto al men , and that Gentlemen descendinge of honourable families geue themselues to all impietye , and other of lowe and simple parentage excelleth the rest in honesty , vertue , and integritye of life : me thinketh therefore that , that Nobility which is generally so mutch aduaunced is but vayne , and grounded onely vppon the vnconstancye of peoples phantasie . These thinges no doubt may be obiected against the worthines of noble Parentage . But yet wée must thincke it to be for some great cause , that all men willingly do yelde the Souerainty to someone house and progeny so that the generall consente and agremente of all countries is to be taken for the lawe of nature . Which thinge that wée may perceaue more playnly , I will begin with nature her selfe .

WHosoeuer therefore wyll intentiuelye behoulde the woonderfull woorcke of Nature , and the degree of al liuinge creatures , shal finde that euery thinge is not of like qualitye , but that some one thinge in excellencye of nature exceedeth other , and some other thinge yeeldeth vnto other , in estimation and dignity . For so merueilously nature hath wrought in her creatures , that euen as they one in forme and shape differ from a nother , so they should in like manner be disposed diuersly , and not endued with the like power and vertue : in so mutche that some shoulde moue , other bee moued , some rule , other willingely obey . Principally therfore if you will more deapely ponder this matter , and aduisedly waygh the gloryous hue of Heauenly constitution , you shall vnderstande the partes thereof not to be of like worthines , or endued with the selfe same beauty and seemelynes . For it is most apparant that the Starres obserue not the some course , neyther are of like proportion , neyther of like operation , in so mutch that by their influences wée see the one as it were to haue domynion ouer the other , and to receaue of the partes more excellent and predominant light , power , and vertue . Further wée may find the Element of fyre whiche for the ex●ellentcy of his nature right worthtly hath the hygher place , to rule the bodies mouinge vppon the face of the Earthe , whose properties are diuers , and dislike eache to other . To descend to the Earth and the creatures therof , what needeth it to discourse howe diuersly they are disposed ? Are they of one nature , are they all endued with the same quality and vertue ? Neyther is this difference to be noted in those creatures alone which are of contrary natures , but also in those which are of one kynde and qualytye . For trees which are of one kynde spreadeth not their braunches in like fayrenes , nor euery Stede doth his carrire with the lyke loftines , neither euery Lion is of lyke strength . Finally in al the worckes of nature , there is to be noted some variety and alteration of degree , place , and dignity . This excellency of nature neuer decayeth in the thinges that be euerlastinge , but in the thinges which for a time doe florishe , nature most secretly throughe the quality of the parent conueigheth to posterity accordinge to the sayinge of that worthy Poete .

THerefore whereas the force of nature is such , & that the inclination thereof so mutche preuayeleth that it is seene in brutishe thinges and creatures mere voyde of reason and vnderstandinge maye not wee thincke it hath imprinted in man some thinge of greater excellencye , who is made by God his prouision reasonable , and lorde of al other Creatures ? I pray you is it not for great good cause that many are car●ful & haue an especial regard from what Tree they plucke their plante , of what kynde they choose their whelpe , or their horse ? And shall wee thincke it a thinge little to bee considered , of what Parentage a man taketh his ofspringe ? In good sooth if wée woulde obstinately deny it , the thinge it selfe would eftsones appeare , and conuince vs of errour , For it is most cleare and euident that euery Region and Country doth keepe the same accustomed maner & facion . A note whereof may hereby bee gathered , that nature hath so fastened her foote in euerye Nation , that it is not possible to withdrawe them from the , whereunto they ar● 〈◊〉 , and that the manners of men are conueighed euen to posterity . For example wée sée the Frenchmen with what fury and rage they runne vppon their enemies : againe how quickely they are qualified , & founde most curteous to their countreymen . This therefore is ●he nature & property of that nation hasty to be reuenged , & easy to be entreated . The Germanes haue bene euermore accompted a moste cruell and a fearce people , who nothing dismayed die desperatly . The Spaniards at this present as heretofore , are noted aboue other Nations to excel , for their diligence & industrie in martiall affairs , whoe euermore wyth a iollye stomacke and good courage wageth battayle . The Italians are preferred before all other in finenes of wit , & purenes of eloquence . So that there is no country which is not through the inclination and instinct of nature more apt to excell in vertue , or more prone to al impiety , with is through generation in al places continued . A more euident & clere profe wherof may be gathered out of some one stocke & familye . For this almost euerye where is seene and experienced , that those whiche are descended of a noble lyne , doe embrace those vertues , which chieflye brought to theyr auncestores greate renowne and glory . So that as manye as are of that linage , are moste commendable for their valiant stomache , other are notable for their liberalitye , some other atchiue to great glory for their knowledge , wysedome , and pollicie . Wherevpon it foloweth that vertue is not obteined so much by studye and industrye , as gotten by nature and by the good bloud of Noble parentage . And that we cal true Nobility , for as mutche as it is nothinge els then the glorious sparcke of vertue ingraffed in some Noble and renomned familye .