Whereof this fyrste Booke entreateth : Of the Royall and prayseworthie gouernmente of one sole Prynce . Of originall conseruation of Humane societie . Of prescribing politicke lawes and ordynaunces . Of maintayning husbandry , trades of marchandize , and handycraftesmen .

IT hath bene a very olde and published argument disputed vpon amongest excellente writers in Philosophie : whether it were better to liue wel , and safelye to bee gouerned by a good Prince , and to obey him rulinge in Iustice and equitie , or elles to liue in a free cittie and Communaltye established by good lawes & traditions . For vnto some it seemeth moore meete to obeye one man rulinge iustly , & lawfully , then many & almost infinite persons , & ( as for the most parte it falleth out ) vnskilful in handling affaires , and matters of gouernmente . For it chaunceth I know not how , that those seuerall persons , whom as it were workmen or porters we haue had in contempt , being lincked or knit together in vnitie of mynd , the same afterwardes hardly can we in assemblies reuerence . For they confirme this Sentence by the testimony of Homer , who ( in his second Rhapsodie ) saith .

A matter cannot well handled bee , UUhere as commaunders are manye .

MOreouer vnto this hapneth the imitacion of nature , Imitacion of Nature vnto Obedience of one Supe●io●● for as wee see and beholde one God the creator and fashioner of all thinges , by whose rule and commaundement all thinges are gouerned : So seemeth it meete and conuenient vnto vs al , to encline vnto and regard the commaundemente of one most excellent Prince , and to obaye the same . We see the Sun in his nature , is as it were the onely Lorde of the day , and the Moone to be the Ladye of the nighte , whome wee beholde to rule and raigne in the skies among the planets & starres , & the greater that their light is , the darcker do they make the lesser Starres .

But that we may descend vnto lesse matters , are there not some brute beastes which lyue subiectes to the rule of some one kinge , they disdayne not their obedience nor to do their duties and commaundemente enioyned them , and fighte as it were vnder a Generall . Who doubte the that the Bees haue their Kinge whych Gouerneth his people , and bringeth the other Bees to doe their dutye and to gather honye . For there can be nothinge more sweeter or better to bee wyshed vnto mortall men , then to leade a priuate lyfe vnder a good kinge or prince without iniurie or ambicion of the people . But because nature hath so ordayned , that Princes are not immortall or immutable persons , but some beinge brought vp verye delicately , geuing eare to flattering parasites do for the most parte proue worse and worse in their gouerning : Therefore I iudge , that the lyfe of a Ciuill and well instituted common weale is to be thought far more safer , then of euerye Prince , for that is a continuall and almoste an immortall state of lyfe . But this is finished in a small course by olde age and death .

Uerye seldome it hath hapned that a Prince gouerned and ruled still his common weale , in that minde as he did when he began first to take the gouernment in hande . For of so greate and almoste infinite multitude of Caesars , Hee meaneth of such as are careles for the common weale . whiche were all made worse by their continuall raignes , onlye Vespasianus of al the Princes that were there before his tyme , was chaunged better and better , as Cornelius Tacitus maketh mention . For their beginnings were easie and gentle vntill suche time as they had gott vnto theymselues the loue of their people , but when they had obteined their purpose , they made hauocke of all thynges by their crueltie and lust . No feare of god , no religion could restrayn them , neyther ceased they to rage vntill they were subdued and subuerted , yea euen by their owne subiectes .

Thales Milesius who was called the chiefeste of all the What thinge most difficulte in the life of man . Sages , being asked of a certayne familier freende of hys what thinge he had seene to bee moste difficult or harde in his lyfe tyme : Sayth he , a Tyraunt , an olde man . And in good fayth , not without a cause did hee saye so , for there is no rule or gouernmente exercised more harde then vppon men , as Xenophon maketh mention .

Undoubtedlye there is no brute beast so sedicious or rebelling against his keeper or feeder , that he will not obay him , or refuse to yelde his commoditie vnto him . But ( alas ) man is grudging alwaies at them which seeke to haue domination ouer him , deuiseth deceiptes and inuenteth newe matters or causes of disobedience . One Prince whyche The prayse of a Prynce . embraceth all vertues ( or hath all good qualities in hym ) is not at all to be founde lyuinge vppon the earth . Some one is commended for his Iustice , some other for his fortitude , or magnanimitie , some other for his liberality or gentlenes of nature : but when there are manye in a common weale , euerye one of theim hath some parte of vertue and wisedome . Wherfore the Citizens beinge gathered together into one societye doe make as it were one man , Society of Citisens . whiche with diuersitie of wytte and memorie doth excell , with many eyes seeth , with manye handes wor●keth , and with almoste infinite feete endeuoureth himselfe in his affayres . Xenophon when hee wolde prayse the ciuill societie of the Persians , affirmed that euen their children amonge theym did so learne iustice , that they both attayned vnto good letters & also vnto the studies of good artes and sciences .

It seemeth vnto Plato a harde thing to be done , to perswade those Cittizens to Iustice , which were not from their tender infancie , as it were trayned vp in the same . And vndoubtedlye if the iuste and perfect volumes of the lawyers were extant and abroade to bee hadde , and that they were not so broken and mangled as they bee , they woulde geeue vs moste cleare and ample lighte not onlye how to kepe and preserue this ciuill societie , but also they woulde teache vs morall wisedome , and howe to attayne vnto the vse of the greatest affayres in a common weale .

Man is a Creature farre more fellowlye and sociable , then Bees , Antes , or Cranes , and such kinde of creatures whiche are fostered and nourished by flockes and doe defend theym selues by troupes and companies . The firste societie is of the Male and Female for procreacion sake : which cannot be , except they bee both together : and scarce Societie humane profitable by procreation . is the one withdrawen from the other except by the ordinaunce of nature : for the pledges of the younglinges doe so greatlye cause mutuall Loue , that they are carefull to lyue together , and are affectioned towardes their fruict , as they be vnto themselues . For it hapneth not vnto man and woman as it doth almoste vnto all other liuinge creatures , amongeste whom the female sexe do take on theym the charge to feede and foster their younge children , and for a small tyme it is that they stande in neede of the mothers Example of societie in birds . helpe . For we see that birds do bring vp their yonge ones so longe as they bee vnfeathered , and not able to flye : But so sone as they perceue them able to vse their wings , straightwayes they bringe them forth of their nestes and goe before their younge ones , which flicker rounde about theym , vntill such tyme as with a stronger endeuour they be better able to shift for them selues , which when the old ones do see , they geeue those their yong ones libertie , at theyr aduenture to haunt the free scope of the ayre , neyther haue they afterwardes anye furder care ouer theym , or at any tyme thence foorth do acknowledge them as their own , but doe take their flight to seeke after the male birde , and geue their endeuour vnto a newe encrease or breede .

But man when he seeth his chyldren borne and comen into this worlde , is affected towardes theym with suche loue that hee studieth or careth for nothinge more then to get lyuinge for them and suche large patrimonie & Inheritance , Humaine care for his posteriti that for euer there be no lacke of any thing to them and their posterities . Of this did procede and rise the plentifulnes & frutefulnes of Cities inhabited , because when man and wife had edified for them selues a dwelling house and replenished the same with encrease of children and nephewes , they were dryuen to make other houses , because one house coulde not holde one lynage or ofspringe : and so they began to erect villages in the countrie and to establishe societie by meanes of many houses .

And when they did playnly see what commoditie was in the societie of man and woman : and howe more easlye and better verye manye liued together , then a fewe : yea more safer from the inuasion of wilde beastes : they began to ioyne Lordshippe to Lordshippe , and laye Familye to The first reason of Societie instituted . Familye , and also to ioyne in neighbourhoode for their owne common vtilitie . The first reason of them which instituted ciuil societie , or established cities , was that they might liue safely , & that they might be defended from violence & assaultes . For tranquillitie or peaceablenes was a guide of their lyfe , to finde out innumerable commodities . And yt is credible that mannes speache or language , wherein surelye he doth excell other liuing creatures , was not distinct & seuered , before humane societie was first founded .

Certainlye wee haue a common voyce , aswell as other lyuinge creatures haue , whiche doth eyther speciallye demonstrate and shewe forth ioye or sadnes , eyther els sometymes desire , and sometimes feare , whiche is in vs . But for to know and discerne thinges by their proper names by plaine and perfecte speache , to finishe or conclude aswell our cogitations as our effectes and meaninges , that for certaine could not be but inuented by ciuill society Studies of vertues and disciplines . of men . Mooreouer the studies of vertues and disciplines , or rudimentes of good Artes , and sciences , was not found out nor inuented by men which liued in solitarines , and of them whiche after the manner of sauage beastes led their lyues in the wooddes : but by the ciuil man , whiche was conuersant in companye of men whiche hearde many thinges , which discussed many thinges , and by whom they were inuented and first had in vse . For in such Citties as were well instructed and ordered : there were Rewardes bestowed on them which excelled in any manner of vertue and such as were also therby preferred to high promocion and adorned or made famous , with praise and commendation for their excellence . For honour as Cicero sayth , doth foster and mainteyne Artes and sciences , and we all Honos alit artes . are inflamed to endeuour our selues for prefermente and prerogatiue by praise and commendation in our trauailes . Finally what excellent exploite so euer mortall men haue by their studie and diligence in this life put in vre , it either had firste issue and originall practize from the Citties , or elles tooke the vfe and grace thereof , in the same cytties .

Man which is brought vp or trayned in common society , differeth verye muche from him that lyueth in a rude cottage , eyther elles in a hilly wildernesse , or wood : for this Difference of Societie humane . man seemeth to be borne as it were vnto crueltie , amonge wilde and brute beastes , but the other seemeth to be borne amongest men vnto Iustice and humanitie . For it is true that Aristotle saith .

He is a beast and not a man whiche forsaketh ciuill societie : and he that refuseth to be any parte or member of a cittie , he must needes be a wicked and vngodlye person .

For he shunneth the companie of men because he would not be compelled to obaye the lawes and Iudgement , and to obaye him that is a rightfull Ruler : then the whyche thinge surelye there can bee nothinge more pernicious or hurtfull . For of all good ciuill order the chiefe thinge is Iustice , whiche no doubt layeth the foundacion and ground worke of humane societie and withoute the whiche there can bee no ciuill congregation . For as the saide Philosopher sayth , as man is the best liuing creature of all others whiche liueth perfectlye . so is he worste and naughtiest of all liuinge creatures , which is sequestred from the lawe and iudgementes .

The Lawes of the Persians , ( as Xenophon writeth ) doe especially ordayne th obedience due to Iustice , and in such Obedience vn to Iustice . manner euen from their Childehoode , ( as we haue saide ) the Cittizens did learne to desire nothinge that was fylthye or vnlawful for man to do , whiche perswasion surely me thincketh is the best of all others . And if it might by any meanes be brought to passe , that all men mighte lyue instructed in this doctrine , wee should be exonerated and discharged of a great parte of our labour otherwise . For if euerye man woulde prescribe what were nedefull to bee done , and beinge so lincked and ioyned together were not affected or moued wythe couetousnes , nor other perturbations of the mynde : they shoulde doe rightewell . Ambicion shoulde not catche holde vpon anye man , couetousnes shoulde not snare anye man , dissencion or mutine shoulde not entrappe anye man , neyther shoulde enuie circumuente anye manne , to withdrawe hym from the reason of that wherein truthe and equitie consisteth : neyther should hee pursue and seeke for his priuate proffyte or inordinate pleasure , rather then a publique weale , or that reason order , truthe , and equitie requireth .

Anacharsis when he had heard say that Solon had geuen himselfe to the studie of publyshynge Lawes at Athens , exceedinglye deryded and scorned his industrie and diligence , affirminge that those lawes shoulde in tyme to This is meant of laws made and not obserued . come be like vnto Spiders webbes , whiche did catch and keepe faste the small flyes , but were broken and burste in sonder of the greate flyes : whiche sentence also Solon hym selfe would vse and not without a cause : for oftentimes in great Citties ( and wherein the studies of good artes and scienees do florishe ) we se there are very manye which liue worse , then as if they had beene brought vp in the woods , and w●elde countries . Dion in his bookes which are intituled , Of the state of a Kingedome , did saye that weightie matters were farre better handled by the councel of a few persons then withe multitude and power of most stronge and lustye younge men : whiche in deede is ratified by the sentence of Homer , where as hee broughte in Agamemnon as pertinent to his purpose , affirminge that hee could farre moore easlye destroye the Troianes common weale , if he had ten such as Nestor , or Vlisses were , then if hee had so manye suche as Aiax , and Achilles were , fyghtinge stoutly and valiauntlye .

That state of a Common weale wherein fewe doe gouerne , differeth verye little at all from the state of Tyrannye , for by their wealthe and their riches , the magistrates Oligarchia . are chosen , and onelye wealth beareth swaye . Neyther doth this prescribe libertie or ende of vertue , but onelye how to gette ryches , whiche Cicero affirmeth : Are the subsedies of warfare and the ornaments of peace . But the matter goes ill with the rich men , when no place is reserued for vertue , and the common people bee as it were altogether brought vnder foote & subiection . And it coms to passe now & then that in som cities , onely handycraftesmen & husbandmen do beare a sway , which because thei are moore in number , they doe decaye those that bee more noble of birth and callinge , yea and haue suche in derision and contempt which are zealous in any kind of vertue and learned in good artes or sciences . It maye bee brought to passe by fortune that such a Cittye which is so gouerned , may stand in safetye and quietnes for a certayn tyme , but fortune frowning on them , it is sone perceiued , how hard a matter it will be to lyue well amongest suche manner of men . For they that are broughte vp in fieldes , or in shoppes are voyde of experience in all thinges , and do beare aucthoritie with a seruile mynde , neyther are they furthered or furnished with doctrine , noblenes of race or with th experience of waighty affaires . And whyle they stande in feare of the nobler sort , they doe all thinges eyther rashlye withoute aduisemente , or cruellye withoute measure : for euery communaltie eyther serues in obedience with humilitie , or ruleth with great crueltie .

Furthermore it seemeth contrary to equitie the wheras the citie cannot consist of Nobles onelye , but farre greater muste bee the reste of the multitude , or communaltie , that onelye the Noble men shoulde bearerule , and all the Noble men ruling , the resi due duly obeyinge cause the citty to florishe . reste obaye .

For tillage of ground & husbandrie bringeth vnto vs , natural nourishement , and marchandize doth bringe vnto vs ; all other thinges necessarie for our vse : Whereby it comes to passe that neither without husbandmen nor without marchauntes , can ciuill societie bee amongeste men .

They therfore are not to be exempted away from publike offices , whose seruice is seene to bee necessary in a Common weale , leaste they thinkinge theymselues to bee had in contempte , shrincke awaye and withdrawe theymselues from the Rulers and Gouernours . For so often as the people of Rome did seperate theymselues from the Senatours , they were neuer withoute greate peryll and daunger eftsones renued .

Surelye the meane sorte of men , which are neyther to much abiect or base , neither yet boaste theymselues in the wealth of their nobilitye , doe farre more modestlye beare rule . But if it must needes ●ee that either the nobilitie , or communalty onelye , shoulde beare auctority , I thinke it farre more safely should the matter be handled , by gouernment of the Nobles , then of the commons : for seeldome againste comlynes or honestye dothe ●ee any thing , whiche seeth that by his doings he shall hazard the prayse of his auncestors with hymselfe , but he that being of hymselfe base and obscure hathe hys auncestors farre more obscure , seemeth to make vnto hymselfe a very smal losse if sometimes he do any thing amisse : And if ther wante no examples of rusticall persons , and men vnknowen which haue fought valiantly for their country .

For wee reade , that some haue beene called from the plowe , other some from the flocke of shepe or other heardes , which haue obtained great victories vnto that Romaines . But I am one of that nomber which account that to be the best common weale which is intermixt with al kind of people .

That is counted the beste common weale wherein not The best common weale . euery man that listeth or the more parte doe beare auctoritye , at the Becke and Checke of wyll , but that Common weale wherein the Lawe onelye shall beare a swaye : for equality of iustice amongest citizens maketh a stable & fyrme society , which euen then greatly florisheth when as all thinges are iudged and ordered with equall ryght and Iustice . For it chaunceth for the most parte , that affections doe trouble the iudgementes of men : some one , feare appaulleth : some others , hatred : some hope : some other , awe and dread : and some other , ambicion or couetousnes compelleth to iudge those thigs which are not only contrary to equity : but also contrary to that mind of him which iudgeth . For we see oftentymes , the Iudge moued wyth a certeyn affection , doth determin those things whych wythin a short space after he would willingly alter and chaunge .

Equality amongst Cytyzens causeth concord , without the whych , ciuyll societye is seene to be neyther firme nor Aequalitie in a Cytty causeth concorde . stable at al. For no force or strength can sufficiēily preuail , no sauegard , no riches , no reuen●es can suffice those cities which are disquieted or troubled with intestine warres . And agayn also , neyther shal that ●yty be sclender in power nor of smal continuance which is enuyroned & fortified with concorde of the Citizens . Therefore there muste bee great forecaste had , that the Citizens may liue with equal Iustyce & that some do not alwayes beare rule , & that other some do not remain alwais as inferiours , for al society is vnstable there , where all men doe not lyue in indifferencye of Iustice .

Man ( forasmuche as he loueth and fauoureth his owne kynne , and is congregable or geeuen to companye , & sociable or geuen to felowship more then other lyuing creatures : and seing no society can be firme or stable without iustice ) appeareth to be thereunto especially born , whych he fauoreth and is affected most vnto .

And the first duty of Iustice is Piety or godly zeale towardes God : pertaker of which vertue doubtles ther is no liuynge creature elles seene to be , but onely man . For man onely doth acknowledge God , and hym as the aucthour & The first dutye of Iustice creator of the worlde , & worckmaister of all thinges doth renerence & worship , by whom surely he acknowledgeth himself to be made pertaker of reason , in whom he seinge that Iustice is all in all , it behoueth that he show himself a folower of Iustice , if he would haue himselfe to be counted lyke vnto himself .

It bredeth great dissention , wher , amongst them which are found guilty in cryme alyke , som are greuously punished , & other som escape vntouched altogether : it should bee otherwise if th offences were not a lyke . For far more greuously is that gouernour or shypmaister to be punished , which ouerwhelmeth the same being laden with golde and siluer , them hee whiche hathe loste or perished a Shyppe laden withe Sande●or Potcers claye , and yet eyther of these hathe neglected hys duty . For thyngs of more value semes iustlye to require more diligence . For there can bee no better perswasion in ciuil societie , then that which toucheth the fredom of the city , whereunto the mind of euery Cytizen is to be dyrected , whiche surely shal be an easy matter to bee done if in maner all men wil hope and trust wel that somtyme they maye supplye the function of a magistrate : for euery man laboureth for renowme , which when he shal se hymselfe preuented of , and that hee is frustrate of hope , he is neuer at quiet in hys mynde , and eyther shall he bee the more negligent in a common weale , or appeare altogether euill affected towardes the same . Hereupon do sedicions growe amongest Cittyzens , from hence do also rise factions and Enimities , which things surely do weaken the state of a publique weale : therfore a magistrate ought to haue a determinate & prefixed tyme apointed for the gouernment & exercise of his office . For , to beare aucthoritie continuallye in a free cittie is hatefull : it muste also bee wisely forsene that the Cytyzens be found iuste amonge them selues , directyng all their doinges vnto vertue , and the beinge contente withe their owne goodes that they doe not desire other mennes .

Let there be no place for ydle personsin a common weale , No place for loyterers in a comon weale . for , surely by meanes of slowth and sluggishnes , they do commit all wickednes : wherupon true is that Oracle of Marcus Cato ,

By slouth and doinge nothinge at all , Men learne to do euill : great and small .

They doe alwayes enuie at the paynfull trauell of the good cityzens , vnto whom when they can not be like , they labour with hartburning and hatred how to weaken and disturbe their estate . Such therefore as lyue ydlye muste bee excluded from publique offices , because neyther can they rule worthely , & also do withdraw their duty from obedience . In which matters all ciull societie is conteyned .

Their opinion is not to bee commended whiche saye that by the faulte or offence of the parents , their posteritie shoulde bee for euer excluded oute of the publique weale , for in so doinge thei shall dispayre altogether of felicitie when they see that all hope of pardon is debarred : and that they cannot redeme themselelues by any vertue , or worthynes . For it oftentimes chanceth that their mindes are most ready and prone , to innouation , and desperation sometime is turned into mighty courage : for they whiche are in any extremitie , do easelye take hold vppon the sentence of the most learned Poet Maro ,

Una salus victis , nullam sperare salutem .

It is onely compted a safety vnto those which bee vanquished or conuinced , not to hope for any safetye at all .

Of al thinges , ( as Cicero writeth ) wherof there is any Husbandry profitable - commoditie to bee gotten , nothinge can bee better or more commodious then husbandry or tillage of grounde . Then this , nothing is more plentifull , nothinge sweeter , neyther yet more worthye for the state of a fr●man in a common weale : for onely husbandrye is such as vnto whome gentlemen & others ought to set to their hands , both for the necessity of sustentacion vnto our lyfe , ( forasmuch as with out the same we cannot lyue ) and agayn because it yeldes vs a moste honest gayne wythout deceipt or syinge .

Surely yonge men are made stronge with the exercise of tillage of the ground , and be far more healthy then such as are trayned vp in Cytyes , where as they vsinge sleepe and lustes of the bodye , are enfebled and vnhealthie .

Yt is not therefore to bee meruayled , yf the Romaynes brought forth youngmen hardened in the fieldes , when they conquered the whoole worlde , not by Idlenes and slouth , but wyth strength and fortitude .

But we in thesedayes do shonne the trade of husbandry as a fylthy lucre , yea and haue the husbandmen in derision , and do dispyse them as slaues or bondmen , and suche as are borne to perpetuall drudginge , and do esteme Brokers , Pedlers , Cookes , and Coblers , more then wee doe of a good husbandman , whose industrye we then do saye excedeth the industrye of al other worckemen , when the common people ready to sterue for hunger earnestlye craueth their helpe and nourishement , and when they beinge hungersterued and pynched wythe Famyne becommeth vnrulye and paste all feare : For husbandrye only yeldes vnto vs nourishemente , it helpeth and furthereth buildinge , and almost findeth sufficiency also of apparell : onlye the Husbandman is a breeder of Cattle : whiche thing was of such estimation among the auncient people that Cato being demaunded , in what thing doyng a man myghte bee quickely made ryche : yf ( sayth hee ) a manne feede well . And beynge agayne demaunded what thynge elles ? ( saythe hee ) yf hee feede well . By the whyche aunswere he sheweth vs , that euen a meane dylygence of the maister in feedinge his Cattell excede the other profytes . For in dede there is no Arte or Scyence nor any industrye of men sooner maketh a man ryche , then husbandrye .

Hesiodus and Homer , dyd more allow of the instrumentes , and necessaries pertayninge to husbandrye and of husbandmen , then of warryors or warlyke affayres : for the one promyseth vnto menne lyfe and felycicye , the other death and myserye .

Good housholders oughte to take accompte of theyr Sernauntes and Familyes Idlenes , rather then of theyr busines : and the moste learned of the aunciente fathers Good householders what they ought to doe . iudged that there was nothinge more odyous and hatefull then slouthe and drowsiues of the mynde : wherefore before they shoulde eate theyr meate , they called the yong men and seruaunes to the table , and tooke accompt of them what duety or what busines they had done that daye : and before theym onlye they set meate : whose dylygence they lyked & allowed , & those they thrust out of the place accustomed to suppe in , whyche by theyr slouthe and sluggishnes had done nothing : & commaunded that they should labour hard in som dutiful busines to earn theyr own foode . Let those take vpon them thys charge whych ( especially , in a common weale doe beare rule : to see that younge Good artes or scyences to be cared for . men do applye their myndes vnto the studie of good artes or Scyences . For in euery free Cytye there ought to bee a speciall care for the mayntenaunce of good artes & scyences . For Plato sayde : Blessed are those common weales which of wyse and learned men are gouerned .

Or at the least ( sythens we all cannot proue learned ) wherein Marchaundiʒe , seafaring trade , and other Scientes profytable vnto ciuill societye were frequented and vsed .

Euery man ought to labour asmuch as he may , to profyte himselfe , his famylye , and other Cytyʒens . For amongeste those most streite Lawes whyche DRACO made , there was especially one , that , they whyche were condempned for Ydlenesse , shoulde bee punished withe deathe .

DIOD ORVS wrytethe that there was a Lawe amonge A law among the Egiptians for due knowledge in order of lyuinge . the Egiptiaus , whereby all men were compelled to declare their names vnto their rulers , and to show by what arte , or by what manner of gayne they lyued . And yf anye man lyed or lyued by vniuste Lucre or gayne , the same was adiudged to dye : and truelye not withoute a cause : for those that bee ydle and slouthful youngmen , are the poyson of the cyttye : they are apte and proue to luste and pleasure , they doe enuye those that bee good , they cauet and desire other mennes goodes , and finallye they proue sedicious and troubles me , insomuche as the greatest troubles ryse vpon them .

Marcus Cato wrote verye well in his bookes of Manners , that mannes lyfe was as Iron , whyche if a man Exercise of mannes lyfe what it is do exercyse and putte in vse , is in wearinge made bryghte , but beinge vnexercysed and not put in vse , is withe Ruste consumed and canckered . So men with honest exercise are in like case tryed and worne and yf they bee not exercysed , slouthe and drowsines doth brynge to theym more detrymente and dammage , then dylygence or paynes taking , doth good .

For very well doth Cato touche the same in hys Oration made at Numantia to the Horsemen . sayinge : You Souldiours , consyder in youre myndes yf you shall doe anye thynge well by Laboure or Trauayle , the labour and trauail doth quickly departe but the good that you doe in the same laboure and traueil , stil doth remayn for euer : but if you take any pleasure in doinge euill , the pleasure quickly departeth , but the euill that you doe , remainethe for euer : whiche sentences declare that there is nothinge worse then ydlenes , neyther anye thinge more prayseworthy then industry and traueil . Merchants and handicraftesmen are to be fauored , which with their labour Merchaunts & workmen in a citty . and industry get their liuinge , and do make the cyties far more abundant in thinges which may profite al men : for , merchaunts are necessary which do carye awaye from vs such things as we haue superfluous or to much store of , & by exchaunge , and sales of their commodities do bringe vs those thinges whiche shal bee necessarye for vs .

The custome of the Belgians and lowe countryemen , doth seme ▪ to me verye allowable , because they wyll ▪ not suffer Merchauntes to come and traffyque with them Vayne traffiques . whiche shall brynge vnto theym those thinges that maye cause them to be effeminately mynded . For it chaunceth in oure tymes that the prouocations of venery and lustes , as entysementes to vayne pleasures , on euerye syde are brought vs from the furthest part of the Ocean sea . Certaynly such manner of nauigation or trafyque cannot be necessarye , and as I iudge muste needes be lesse commendable , but onely that whiche makethe exchaunge with superfluous thinges for such kind of commoditie , as may bee moste for our proffyte .

A certeyn Laconian did say ( as it is reported ) that there is an A measure & meane in merchants gayne . end or measure to be prescribed vnto lucre or gayne , for & in consideracion of the diuers chances of fortune : least that in a small momente of tyme the merchaunte doe loose and let slyppe that whyche in all hys lyfe tyme he hath gayned and be compelled of necessitye to consume and waste , the same in expences , whych thinge vndoubtedlye , cannot come to passe withoute reproche and dishonestye , althoughe the partye be nothynge faultye . Therefore to the ende that Merchauntes maye liue without sutch reproche , let them prescribe vnto them selues a measure and ende in their couetous attemptes , leaste they bee compelled to suffer pouerty in their oulde age , with derision also .

And yet notwithstandinge , Socrates iudgeth them that buye of those greate Merchauntes to th intent to sell the same again , to be worthy of disprayse , except by weaknes of age or by reason of their vnhealthfulnes of bodye they cannot put in practise any other kinde of trade to liue vppon .

The lawe of Solon is praysed especially wherin hée ordayned , that , that chylde was not bounden vnto his father , in any necessary duety of life , of whom he had receaued no Arte , Science or Trade , to get his liuinge withal .

Handy craftes men or worckemen which prouide those thinges that are profitable vnto vs , and without whome Certayne han dicraftesmen necessary in a commonweal we may lesse commodiously liue , are not onely to be borne withall : but also are to be taken and reputed amongest the most honest Citizens . Smithes , Founders , Caruers , Engrauers , Printers , Potters , Glasiers , Shoomakers , Curriours , Taylers , Weauers , Ioyners , Masons , Clothiers , Pargeters , roughmasōs , Ironmongers , & verye many other such like faculties are to be admitted , partly becaus they prouid such things as be necessary . Partly becaus thei make their citie more noble with diuers ornaments .

The Lacedemonians , to the ende they might withdraw their Cittezens from all filthy gaine , and prouoke them vnto Husbandrye , Huntinge and warrefare . did caste out of their Citty as well their Golde as their Siluer : coumptinge it a pestilence or plague vnto the Cittezens . And ordained to be made a certaine coyne of Iron which was more weighty , to the ende they might be extruded & sequestred from al company of their neighbours , and liue witheout the tradinge , to or with any forrayne Countryes . They which trade in Merchaundice with modesty and do take no vsury ( which thinge Marcus Cato declared was the next poinct to a murderer ? for to one that demaunded of him , what it seemed vnto him , to be an vserer , hee Vsury forbidden . aunswered , what is it to kill a man ▪ And they which doe not lye , neither deceaue others , with periury , orlyinge I deeme them worthy to be enryched wyth the benefittes of of a commonwealth .

Worckemen giuen to fylthye gayne and which are the ministers of pleasures , and do prouide for the prouocations of gluttony , & lechery , are not only not to be admitted , into a common weale , but also to be thrust out of a Citty : for wythe their typling houses and places of ryot , they do hurt vnto many , and profyt to no man .

And those that exercise or vse light arts and faculties , whereby riseth no profite , are to bee neglected and had in contempte and rather to bee derided then esteemed or rewarded .

The fyrste respecte or regarde of geuinge our voyces is to be had of honesty , and vertue . And the seconde of lyberall sciences which in a Citty bringe with them moste plentifull profit . The thirde consideration is to bee had of Nobilitye , for they whose auncestours haue florished famous Reasons of regarde in a common weale . with some kinde of prayse , their children and posterity are not to be neglected , except by their reproch or ignominye , they do darken & emblemish the prayse and commendation of their auncestours . And the fourth consideration , ought to be had of them , which profet the Citizens by trade of Merchaundice , worckmanship and industrye , makynge the Citye therebye more wealthye and renowmed .

Uulcane who was most skilfull in the arte of Astronomie , & which was also the successour of Mercury in the kingdome dyd inuent the mines of siluer , gold , and iron . The Grecians holde opinion that he fyrst made and deuised the fier tonges of brasse or copper , & other necessaryes touchinge husbandry .

And they saye that in the Arte of warre he could do verye muche : and that hee was , made lame , by reason of a wounde whiche he receyued in his foote : he also helde opinion , that the Planets and starres were fyery , and that all thinges were made and created of fyre .

It shal therfore behoue them ( which beare rule in a common weale , to be careful that there want no deuisers or chief Workmaystero and deuisers of Workes . worckmaisters in a citty : for when the sacred or publique buildinges , are by euill measure & proportion framed , yt ministreth occasion to straungers to thinke , that the chief princes and rulers of that common weale are cleane voyd of elegancy : but pryuate mens houses being euil tymbred , vnhandsomely seuered withe windowes and lightes , and beautified vncomely , are for habitacion nothing handsom and expedient . Let the chiefe master of the worke therfore respect and loke wel to the forme and fashion of houses in the city , & to the commoditye of the buyldings & houses , in time of peace and quietnes : but in time of warres an Architecte or chiefe deuiser of workes shall stande in so good steede for engines , gonnes and other municions , that hee cannot but he worthy of great preferment , honour , & publique offices : for we reade of some cittyes that haue bene delyuered from the siege of their enemies , only by the skilfull dylygence of the chiefe deuiser or workemaister .

Amongst other spectacles which throughout al the world Thebes aspectacle are praysed : the city of Thebes in Egipt was coumpted for the greatnes therof , for the walles and for building , most worthiest of admiration : for it had . C. gates by situation distinct & seuered one from another , with notable and artificial workmanship , wherupon it had so glorious a name , & was of such excellency , that al the whole prouince there was called by the name of the Citizens of Thebes : and yet the same was subuerted before the Empyre of Rome .

The brick walles of Babylon which Semiramis builded , Babilon . contayned in compasse . 385. f●● longs in height : betwene the towers fyfty cubites , and in bredth thirty foote .

The Art of payntyng sheweth in it selfe greate ●rudicion & learning & much resembleth poetry : For Sextus Empiricus ( after the opinion of Symonides the poet ) said that a picture is a stil or silent Poesie , & the poesie to be a talking picture : And certaynlye it is an arte of great wysdome and The arte of paintinge . doth touche neare vnto deuine knowledge so to conceyue in mynd the dyuers formes oflyuing creatures and other things , so to expresse them with pencill , and dyuers coullours that there seemes nothinge wantinge vnto theym , but lyfe and breathe .

For wee reade that an Oxe dyd lowe at the beholding of a certayn pyctured Oxe : and that not a fewe haue ben deceyued wyth the sighte of grapes pictured . And that byrdes haue also bene styrred vp to reioyce at the paynted proportion or similitude of their kynde .

For a pycture hath not onely a grace with it , and geeueth wonderfull delectacion : but also reserueth the memory of thinges that are done and past , and showeth perpetually before our eyes , the bystorye of thinges that are done . And moreouer in reading of paynted stories wherin notable exploytes are expressed , wee are excited vnto the studies of prayse , and to the endeuour of accomplishinge weighty and great matters . Wherfore it shal not be feared least that the hands of young men be stayned , or spotted wythe coullors , sythens payntinge commethe nearest vnto learninge it selfe .

Iulius Caesar being sent as Ouestor or Threasurer into Spayne , when he came to Gades , marking well and beholdynge The noble mynde of Iuli us Caesar . the Image of Alexander the great in the Temple of Hercules , sighed , & as it were bewayled his own slouth & negligence , that as yet in those yeares of his , he had not done any thinge worthye prayse : whereas Alexander before hee attayned to that age , had conquered the greateste parte of the worlde .

He required of the Senate that he might haue free lyhertye to ease hymselfe of those their affayres : and beinge pricked forward with memoriall of such like prayse , wythin a small tyme hee excelled and surmounted , the deedes & prowes of Alexander of Macedonie ,

Cato Censorius seemed scarce quiet in mynde because there was no Image erected for hym : and vnto one that demaunded hym why he had not hys picture or ymage aswell as a greate sort of others : he aunswered , I had rather that good men should muse and doubte , why I haue it not , then ( whyche is worse ) to murmure in their mynds , why I should haue it .

FINIS .