A treatise of schemes [and] tropes very profytable for the better vnderstanding of good authors, gathered out of the best grammarians [and] oratours by Rychard Sherry Londoner. Whervnto is added a declamacion, that chyldren euen strapt fro[m] their infancie should be well and gently broughte vp in learnynge. Written fyrst in Latin by the most excellent and famous clearke, Erasmus of Roterodame.

¶ A treatise of Schemes & Tropes very profytable for the better vnderstanding of good authors , gathered out of the best Grammarians & Oratours by Rychard Sherry Londoner .

¶ Whervnto is added a declamacion , That chyldren euen strayt from their infancie should be well and gently broughte vp in learnynge . Written fyrst in Latin by the most excellent and famous Clearke , Erasmus of Roterodame .

To the ryght worshypful Master Thomas Brooke Esquire , Rychard Shyrrey wysheth health euerlastynge⸫

I Doubt not but that the title of this treatise all straunge vnto our Englyshe eares , wil cause some men at the fyrst syghte to maruayle what the matter of it should meane : The tytle of thys worcke straunge . yea , and peraduenture if they be rashe of iudgement , to cal it some newe fangle , and so casting it hastily from them , wil not once vouch safe to reade it : and if they do , yet perceiuynge nothing to be therin that pleaseth their phansy , wyl count it but a tryfle , & a tale of Robynhoode . But of thys sorte as I doubte not to fynde manye , so perhaps there wyll be other , whiche moued with the noueltye thereof , wyll thynke it worthye to be looked vpon , and se what is contained therin . Sheme and Trope . These words , Scheme and Trope , are not vsed in our Englishe tongue , neither bene they Englyshe wordes . No more be manye whiche nowe in oure tyme be made by continual vse , Vse maketh straunge thinges familier . very familier to most men , and come so often in speakyng , that aswel is knowen amongest vs the meanyng of them , as if they had bene of oure owne natiue broode . Who hath not in hys mouthe nowe thys worde Paraphrasis , homelies , vsurped , abolyshed , wyth manye other lyke ? And what maruail is it if these words haue not bene vsed here tofore , seynge there was no suche thynge in oure Englishe tonge where vnto they shuld be applyed ? Good cause haue we therefore to gyue thankes vnto certayne godlye and well learned men , whych by their greate studye enrychynge our tongue both wyth matter and wordes , haue endeuoured to make it so copyous and plentyfull that therein it maye compare wyth anye other whiche so euer is the best . It is not vnknowen that oure language for the barbarousnes and lacke of eloquence hathe bene complayned of , Oure language falsely accused of barbarousnes . and yet not trewely , for anye defaut in the toungue it selfe , but rather for slackenes of our countrimen , whiche haue alwayes set lyght by searchyng out the elegance and proper speaches that be ful many in it : as plainly doth appere not only by the most excellent monumentes of our auncient forewriters , Gower . Chawcer . Lidgate . Gower , Chawcer and Lydgate , but also by the famous workes of many other later : inespeciall of the ryght worshipful knyght syr Thomas Eliot , Syr Thomas Elyot . which first in hys dictionarye as it were generallye searchinge oute the copye of oure language in all kynde of wordes and phrases , after that setting abrode good lye monumentes of hys wytte , lernynge and industrye , aswell in historycall knowledge , as of eyther the Philosophies , hathe herebi declared the plentyfulnes of our mother tounge , loue toward hys country , hys tyme not spent in vanitye and tryfles . What shuld I speake of that ornamente Syr Thomas Wyat ? which beside most excellente gyftes bothe of fortune and bodye , so flouryshed in the eloquence of hys natiue tongue , that as he passed therin those wyth whome he lyued , so was he lykelye to haue bene equal wyth anye other before hym , had not enuious death to hastely beriued vs of thys iewel : teachyng al men verely , no filicitie in thys worlde to be so suer and stable , but that quick lye it may be ouerthrowen and broughte to the grounde . Manye other there be yet lyuynge whose excellente wrytynges do testifye wyth vs to be wordes apte and mete elogantly to declare oure myndes in al kindes of Sciences : and that , what sentence soeuer we conceiue , the same to haue Englyshe oracion natural , and ▪ holpen by art , wher by it may most eloquently be vttered . Of the whych thynge as I fortuned to talke wyth you , The occasion of thys treaise . Master Brooke , among other matters this present argument of Schemes and Tropes came in place , and offered it selfe , demed to be bothe profitable and pleasaunte if they were gathered together , and handsomelye set in a playne ordre , and wyth theire descriptions hansomely put into our Englishe tongue . And bicause longe ago , I was well acquaynted wyth them , when I red them to other in the Latin , and that they holpe me verye muche in the exposicion of good authoures , I was so muche the more ready to make them speak English : partli , to renew the pleasure of mine old studies , and partelye to satysfy your request .

Beside this , I was moued also wyth the authorytye of that famous clarke Rodulphus Agricola , Rodulphus Agricola . whyche in a certeine Epistle wrytten vnto a frynde of hys , exhorteth men what soeuer they reade in straunge to●gues ▪ diligently to translate the same into their owne language : because that in it we sonar perceiue if there be any faute in our speaking , and howe euerye thynge eyther rightly hangeth together or is darkelye , ruggishly , and superfluously wrytten . No lerned nacion hath there bene but the learned in it haue written of schemes & fygures , which thei wold not haue don , except thei had perceyued the valewe . Wherfore after theyr example obtaynyng a lytle lesure , I red ouer sundrye treatises , as wel of those which wrot long ago , as of others now in our daies : fyndynge amonge them some to haue wrytten ouer brieflye , some confuselye , and falselye some . Mosellane Mosellane hathe in hys tables shewed a fewe fygures of grammer , and so hathe cofounded them together , that his second order called of Loquucion pertayneth rather to the rhetoricians then to hys purpose . Quintilian . Quintilian briefly hathe wrytten bothe of the Gramatical and rhetorical Shemes , but so that you may soone perceyue he did it by the waye , as muche as serued hys purpose . Cicero . Cicero in hys boke of an oratour wyth hys incomperable eloquence hathe so hid the preceptes , that scarselye they may be tryed oute by theyr names , or by theyr examples . Erasmus in hys double copye of words and thynges , Erasmus . hath made as the tytle declareth but a comentarye of them bothe , and as it wer a litle bil of remembraunce . Wherfore to make these thinges more playne to the students that lyst to reade them in oure tongue , I haue taken a lytle payne , more thorowelye to try the definicions , to apply the examples more aptly , & to make things defused more plaine , as in dede it shal ryght wel apere to the dylygente . I haue not translated them orderly out of anye one author , but runninge as I sayde thorowe many , and vsyng myne owne iudgement , haue broughte them into this body as you se , and set them in so playne an order , that redelye maye be founde the figure , and the vse wherevnto it serueth . Thoughe vnto greate wittes occupyed wyth weightye matters , they do not greatelye pertayne , yet to such as perchaunce shal not haue perfecte instructoures , they may be commodious to helpe them selues for the better vnderstandynge of such good authors as they reade . For thys darre I saye , no eloquente wryter maye be perceiued as he shulde be , wythoute the knowledge of them : for asmuche as al togethers they belonge to Eloquucion , whyche is the thyrde and pryncipall parte of rhetorique . The common scholemasters be wont in readynge , to saye vnto their scholers : Hic est figura : and sometyme to axe them , Per quam figuram ? But what profit is herein if they go no further ? In speakynge and wrytynge nothyng is more folyshe than to affecte or fondly to laboure to speake darkelye for the nonce , sithe the proper vse of speach is to vtter the meaning of our mynd with as playne wordes as maye be . But syth it so chaunseth that somtyme ether of necessitie , or to set out the matter more plainly we be compelled to speake otherwyse then after common facion , A figure not to be vsed but for a cause . onles we wil be ignorante in the sence or meaninge of the mater that excellente authors do wryghte of , we muste nedes runne to the helpe of schemes & fygures : which verely come no sildomer in the writing and speaking of eloquente english men , then either of Grecians or Latins . Many thinges might I brynge in to proue not onely a great profyt to be in them but that they are to be learned euen of necessitie , for as muche as not only prophane authors wythout them may not be wel vnderstand , but that also they greatelye profit vs in the readinge of holye scripture , where if you be ignoraunte in the fyguratiue speches and Tropes , you are lyke in manye greate doubtes to make but a slender solucion : as ryght wyll do testefy Castelio Vestimerus and that , Westimerus noble doctor saint Augustine . Augustinus I confesse I haue not made the matter here so perfecte as my wyll and desyer is it shoulde haue ben , and that I haue but brieflye touched , and as it were with my litle fynger poynted to these thinges , which require a lenger declaracion . For what can be hasted , and absolute to ? But if God spare me lyfe , I truste hereafter to make it an introduccion , wherbi our youth not onlye shall saue that moste precious Iewell , Time , whyle they wander by them selues , readynge at all aduentures sundry and varyous authors : but that also thei shal be able better to vnderstande and iudge of the goodlye gyftes and ornamentes in mooste famous and eloquente oratoures . For as lyke plesure is not to him whiche gooeth into a goodlye garden garnyshed wyth dyuers kindes of herbes and flowers , And apte similitude . and that there doeth no more but beholde them , of whome it maye be sayde that he wente in for nothynge but that he wold come out , and to hym which be syde the corporall eie pleasure , knoeth of eueri one the name & propertye : so verelye much difference is there in readynge good authors , and in sundrye sortes of menne that do it : and muche more pleasure , and profit hathe he whiche vseth arte and iudgement , then the other , whiche wyth greate studye indede turneth them ouer but for lacke of the knowledge of preceptes wanteth also the fruite and delectacyon that he more amplye myghte obtayne . The lyuynge God from whome all good giftes do procede , gyue vs grace so to order all oure words and speache , that it may be to his honour and glory for euer and euer . Amen .

¶ Geuen at London the .xiii. day of Decembre . Anno. M.D.L.

Schemes and Tropes . ¶ A briefe note of eloquciō , the third parte of Rhetoricke , wherunto all Figures and Tropes be referred .

ELoquucion , which the Greekes call Phrase , Eloquucion whereof also the name of eloquence dothe ryse , as of al partes it is the good lyest , so also is it the most profitable and hardeste : in the whyche is seene that diuine myghte and vertue of an oratoure , whych as Cicero in hys oratorie particions defineth , is nothyng else but wisedom speakyng el●quently . For vnto the maruelous greate inuencion of all thynges , bothe it addeth a fulnes , and varietie : it setteth oute & garnysheth wyth lyghtes of eloquent speche , the thinges that be spoken of , and also wyth very graue sentences , choyse wordes , proper , aptly translated , and wel soundyng , it bryngeth that greate fludde of eloquence , vnto a certein kynd of stile and indyghtyng . And oute of thys greate streame of eloquucion , not only must we chose apte , and mete wordes , but also take hede of placinge , and settinge them in order . For the myghte and power of eloquucion consisteth in wordes consideced by them selues , and when they be ioyned together . Apt wordes by searchyng muste be founde oute , and after by diligence conueniently coupled . For there is a garnyshynge , euen when they be pure and fyne by them selues , and an other , when they be ioyned together . To chose them oute finely , and handsomlye to bestow them in their places , after the mynde of Cicero and Quintilian , is no easy thynge . So Marcus Antonius was wonte to say , that he had knowen many wel spoken men , but none eloquente . Tullye and Quintilian thoughte that inuencion and disposicion were the partes of a wytty and prudent man , but eloquence of an oratour . For howe to finde out matter , and set it in order , may be comen to all men , whyche eyther make abridgementes of the excellent workes of aunciente wryters , and put ●istories in remē●raunce , or that speake of anye ma●ter themselues : but to vtter the mynde aptely , distinctly , and ornately , is a gyft geuen to ●ery fewe . And because we haue deuided eloquucion into two partes , that is , wordes symple , or considered by them selues , and compound or ioyned together in speache , accordyng to thys we saye , that euerye eloquente oracion must haue in it thre poyntes : euidence , which be longeth to the fy●st parte of eloquucion , composicion & dignitie , which belongeth to the other .

Of Euidence and plainenes .

Of these thynges that we put in eloquucion , lette thys be the fyrste care , to speake euidentlye after the dignitye and natu●e of thynges , and to vtter suche wordes , whych as Cicero sayth in hys oratour , no man may iustely reprehende . The playne and euident speche is learned of Gramarians , and it keepeth the oracion pur● , and without all faute , and maketh that euerye thyng may seme to be spoken purelye apettlye , and clerelye . Euerye speche standeth by vsuall wordes that be in vse of daylye talke , and proper wordes that belonge to the thinge , of the which we shal speke . Neyther be properties to be referred onely to the name of the thing , but much more to the strength and power of the significacion : & must be considered not by hearyng , but by vnderstandyng . So translacion in the whych comonly is the greatest vse of eloquucion , applieth wordes not the selfe proper thinges . But yet an vnvsed worde or poetical , hath also somtyme in the oracion hys dignitie , and beyng put in place ( as Cicero sayeth ) oftentymes the oracion may seme greater , and of more antiquitie , for that Poetes do speake in a maner as it were in a nother tonge , it is righte sone perceiued . Finally two fautes are committed in euerye language , whereby it is not pure : Barbarisme , and Solecisme . Of the whych , that on is committed , when anye worde is fautely spoken or writen : that other , when in many wordes ioyned together , the worde that foloweth is not wel applyed to that that goeth before . Of composicion and dygnitye , we wyll speake here after , when we come to the figures of rethoryque .

Of the three kyndes of style or endyghtynge .

Before we come to the precepts of garnishing an oracion , we thinke good , brye●●ye to shewe you of the thre kyndes of stile or endyghting , in the whych all the eloquucion of an oratoure is occupied . For that there be thre sundry kyndes , called of the Grekes characters , of vs figures , I trowe there is no man , though he be meanlye learned , but he knoweth , namely when we se so manye wryters of sciences , bothe Greke and latine , whych haue ben before tyme , to haue folowed for the mooste parte sundrye sortes of wrytyng , the one vnlyke to the other . And there hath bene marked inespecially thre kyndes of endightynge : The greate , the small , the meane .

The greate kynde .

The greate , the noble , the mightye , and the full kynde of endyghtynge , wyth an incredible , & a certen diuine power of oracion , is vsed in wayghty causes : for it hathe wyth an ample maiestye verye garnyshed wordes , proper , translated , & graue sentences , whych ar handled in amplificacion , and commiseracion , and it hathe exornacions bothe of woordes and sentences , wherun●o in oracions they ascribe verye great strength and grauitie . And they that vse thys kynde , bee vehement , various , copious , graue , appoynted and readye thorowlye to moue and turne mens myndes . Thys kynd dyd Cicero vse in the oracion for Aulus Cluencius , for Sylla , for Titus Annius Milo , for Caius Rabirius : agaynste Cariline , agaynste Uerres , agaynste Piso. But they that can not skyll of it oftentimes fall into fautes , when vnto them that seemeth a graue oracion , whych swelleth , and is puffed vp , whych vseth straunge wordes hardelye translated , or to olde , and that ●e nowe longe sythens lefte of from vse of daylye talke , or more graue then the thing requyreth .

The small kynde .

The small kynde of indighting , is in a subtile , pressed , and fyled oracion , meete for causes that be a lytel sharper then are in the comon vse of speakynge . For it is a kynde of oracion that is lette downe euen to the mooste vsed custume of pure and clere speakyng . It hathe fyne sentences , subtile , sharpe , teachyng all thynges , and makynge them more playne , not more ample . And in the same kynde ( as Cicero sayeth in hys oratoure ) some bee craftye , but vnpolyshed , and of purpose lyke the rude and vnskylfull : Other in that lea●es are trymme , that is somwhat floryshynge also and garnyshed . Cicero vsed thys kynde in hys philosophicall disputacions , in the oracion for Quincius for Roscius the Comedy plaier , & Tecēce , & Plautus in their Comedies . Such as can not handsomly vse them selues in that mery conceyted slende●nes of wordes , fall into a drye and feble kynde of oracion .

The meane kynde .

The mean and temperate kynd of indyghting standeth of the lower , and yet not of the loweste , and moste comen wordes and s●ntences . And it is ryghtly called the temperate kynde of speakyng , because it is very nygh vnto the small , and to the greate kynde , folowyng a moderacion and temper betwyxt them . And it foloweth as we saye in one tenour , distinguyshyng all the oracion wyth small ornamentes b●th of wordes , and sentences . Cicero vseth thys for the lawe of Manilius , for Aulus Cecinna , for Marcus Marcellus , and moste of all in hys bookes of o●●ices . In this it is fautye to come to the kynd that is nye vnto it ▪ whyche is called dissolute , because it waueth hyther and thyther , as it were wythout senowes and ioyntes , standyng surely in no poynte . And s●che an oracion can not ca●se the hea●er to take anye heede , ●hen it goeth so in and out , and comprehendeth not any thyng wyth perfecte wordes

Of Schemes and Tropes . Scheme

Scheme is a Greke worde , and signifyeth properlye the maner of gesture that daunsers vse to make , when they haue won the best game , but by translacion is taken for the fourme , fashion , and shape of anye thynge expressed in wrytynge or payntinge : and is taken here now of vs for the fashion of a word , sayynge , or sentence , otherwyse wrytten or spoken then after the vulgar and comen vsage , and that thre sundry waies : by figure , fa●●e , vertue .

Figure .

Fygure , of Scheme the fyrst part , is a behaueoure , maner , or fashion eyther of sentence , oracion , or wordes after some new wyse , other than men do commenlye vse to wry●e or speake : and is of two sortes . Dianoias , that is of sentence , and Lexeos of worde .

Figure of Dianoias , or sentence , because it properlye belongeth to oratoures ▪ we wyll speake of it hereafter in place conuenient , now wyll we entrete of the figure Lexeos , or of worde , as it perteyneth to the Gramarians .

Figure of worde .

Figure Lexeos , or of worde , is when in speakyng or wrytyng any thynge touchynge the wordes is made newe or straunge , otherwyse then after the comen custume : & is of ii . kyndes , diccion , & construccion .

Figure of Diccion .

Figure of diccion is the transformacion of one word , either written or pronounced : & hath these partes .

Appositio , apposicion , the putting to , Prosthesis . eyther of letter or sillable at the begynnyng of a worde , as : He all to bewretched hym .

Ablatio , the takynge awaye of a letter or sillable from the begynnynge of a worde , Apheresis of a letter , when we say : The pēthesis of thys house is to low , for the epenthesis . Wher note this the word pēthesis is a greke worde , & yet is vsed as an englishe , as many mo be , and is called a pentis by these figures , Sincope and Apheresis , the whole word beynge as is before , epenthesis , so called because it is betwyxt the lyght & vs , as in al occupiers shops cōmenli it is .

Interpositio , Epenthesis . when a letter is added betwene the fyrste sillable of a word and the laste , as : Relligion for religion , relliques for reliques .

Consicio , Syncope . contrary to Epenthesis , is when somewhat is cutte of from the myddeste of the worde , as : Proparalepsis . Idolatry for Idololat●y .

Preassumpcio , when a sillable is added to a word , the significacion of the worde therby nothyng altered , as : He vseth to slacken his matters , for to slacke his matters .

Absissio , Apocope . the cuttyng away of a letter or sillable from the end of a word , as : She is a wel ●ayr may , for maid

Extensio , Ectasis . the making long of a sillable whych by nature is short , as : This was ordeined by acte , for ordined .

Contractio , Systole . the makynge short of a sillable which bi nature is long , as He is a man of good perseueraunce : wher some men commit .ii. fautes at once , one that they take perseueraunce for knoweledge , whiche signifieth alwais continuance , an other that they make this sillable ( ue ) short , where it is euerlonge : and so do they erre in thys worde , adherentes , also , makyng ( he ) short , when it is alwayes longe , as when they saye : I defye hym , and all his adherentes .

Synolephe . Delecio , put●ynge oute , when .ii. vowels comyng together , the first is as it were put out : as th one and thother , for the one and the other .

Antisthecon . Littera pro littera . One letter for an other , as akecorne for okecorne .

Transposicio . Transposing of letters in wrytynge , as chambre , for chamber .

Figure of construccion .

Figure of construccion is when the order of construccion is otherwyse then after the comen maner . And the kyndes be these .

Prolepsis . Presumpcio , a takynge before , or generall speakynge of those thynges whych afterwardes be declared more perticulerlye : as , in the meane season that kyng Henry rode royally to Calais on a sumpteous courser , Lewes in a gorgeous chariot was cart●d to Boloygne .

Iunctio , Zengma . ioynyng , as Linacer sayeth , is when in lyke sentences a certen comen thyng that is put in the one , and not chaunged in the other is not expressed , but lefte out : as in Uyrgyll . Before I forget Cesar , eyther the Parthian shall drynke of the flud Araris , or Germany of Tigris : here is left out , shall drynke . Or to define it more playnelye . Iniunctio , is when the verbe in diuerse lyke sentences is referred to one : and that thre maner of waies .

Fyrste when it is set before , and is called Preiunctio , Presozeugma . as There dyd ouercome in hym , lechery , his chastitie , saucines his feare , madnesse hys reason .

Secondlye when it is set in the miodes , Mesozeugma . & is called , Media iunctio , as bewtye , eyther by age decaieth , or by syckenes .

Thyrdly when it is put in the end and is called Postiunctio , as bewtie by syckenes , Rypozeugma . by sorowe , or by age decayeth .

Diazeugma . Disiunctio , disiunccion , when of those thynges of whych we speake , eyther both , or eche one of them is concluded with their certen verbe , thus : The people of Rome destroyed Numance , ouerthrew Cartage , cast downe Corinth , and raced Fregels . Couetousnes hurteth the bodye , and corrupteth the mynd .

Silepsis . Concepcio , when in vnlike clauses a certeyn common thynge that is put in one of them , can not agre with the other , excepte it be chaunged . But thys is more playne in the latine because of the concordes , albeit in englyshe for the verbe we may vse this example . The Nobles and the Kynge was taken . Hys head and hys handes were cutte of : In the whyche sentences the verbe agreeth wyth the nexte .

Epergesis· Appositio , when two substantiues are put together immediatly with oute any verbe betwyxt , the one to declare the other , as in Uyrgyll . Coridon loued faire Alexis his masters darlynge .

Ryperbation Transgressio , when the ryghte order of wordes is troubled , & hath these kyndes .

Reuersio , Anastrophe . a preposterous order of the woordes contrarye to the good order of speakyng , as : He fell from of the wall , for he fel of from the walle .

Prepostera loquutio , Hysterologia when the that is done afterwardes , is set in speaking in the former place , as : plucke of my bootes and spurres .

Dissectio , Tmesis a cutting , when the ioynyng of a compound worde is losed by putting somewhat betwixt , as : Hys saying was true , as here shal appere after , for hereafter . He shal be punyshed what man so euer offendeth , for whatsoeuer man .

Interpositio , Interposicion , is a dissolucion of the order of the words by putting a sentence betwixt , Parenthesis as : The man ( I speke it for no harme ) wyl somtime haue his owne wyll .

Defectus , Eclipsis . when somewhat lacketh in speakyng , but commenlye vsed to be vnderstand , as : Good morowe , good nyght .

Casus pro casu , Antiptosis . when one case is putte for another , as me thynke it is so .

Faute .

Of Scheme , the second parte is in speach as it we●e a faute , which though it be pardoned in Poetes , yet in prose it is not to be suffered . The kyndes bee these : obscure , inordinate , barbarous .

Obscure and hys partes .

Obscure is , when ther is a darknes thorow faut , eyther of the wordes , or of the settynge of them , and these ben the partes .

Acyrologia . Improprietas , when a worde nothynge at all in hys proper significacion is broughte into a sentence as a cloude : as you shall haue syxe strypes you longe for .

Pleonasmus Super abundancia , when the sentence is laden with superfluous wordes , as , he spake it wyth his mouthe , he sawe it wyth hys eyes .

Perissologia Sermo superfluus , when a sentence is added , the matter therby made neuer the waightyer : as the Embassadours obteining no peace , returned backe home , from whence they came .

Inutilis repe●icio eiusdem , Tautologia . is a vayne repeting agayn of one word or moe in all one sentence , whyche faute by takyng lytle heede , Cicero also fell into , as in the oracion for Aulus Cluencius . Therefore that iudgement was not lyke a iudgement O Iudges .

Sermo ubique sui similis , Romiologia . a greater faute then the other , is when the whole matter is all alyke , and hath no varietie to auoyde tediousnes , as : He came thither to the bath , yet he saide afterwardes . Here one seruaunt bet me . Afterwardes he sayde vnto hym : I wyll consider . Afterwardes he chyd wyth hym , & cryed more and more when manye were presente . Suche a folyshe tellyng of a tale shall you heare in many simple & halle folyshe persons .

Ambiguitas , Amphibologia . when thorow faute of ioynyng the wordes , it is doutefull to whych the verbe belongeth , as : Hys father loueth hym better then hys mother .

Sedulitas superflua , Periergia . when ther i● in speakyng tomuch diligence and curiositye , and the sentence ouerladen with super●●uous wordes , whiche faute is the same , or verye lyke to that , Macrologia that is called Macrologia , whych is when the sentence vpon desyre to seme fyne and eloquent , is longer then it shulde be .

Inordinate and his partes .

Inordinate is , when eyther order or dignitie lacketh in the wordes : and the kyndes ben these .

Tapinosis . Humiliatio , when the dygnitye of the thyng is diminyshed by basenes of the worde : as if we shuld say to a greate prynce or a kynge : If it please your mastershyp .

Aschrologia . Turpis loquutio , when the words be spoken , or ioyned together , that they may be wronge into a fylthye sence . Of thys it nedeth not to put any example , when lewde wanton persons wyl soone fynde in owe .

Cacozelia . Mala affectatio , euyll affectacion or leude folowyng , when the wytte lacketh iudgement , and ●ondlye folowyng a good maner of speaking , runne into a faute , as when affectyng copy , we fall into a vaine bablynge , or laboryng to be brief , wax bare & drye . Also if we shuld saye : a phrase of building , or an audience of shepe , as a certen homely felow dyd .

Male figuratum , Aschematiston when the oracion is all playne and symple , & lacketh his figures , wherby as it wer wyth starres it might shyne : which faute is counted of wryters , not amonge the leaste .

Male collocatum , Cacosintheton . when wordes be naughtelye ioyned together , or set in a place wher thei shuld not be

Cumulatio , Soraismus . a mynglyng and heapyng together of wordes of diuerse languages into one speche : as of Frenche , welche , spanyshe , into englyshe : and an vsynge of wordes be they pure or barbarous . And although great authors somtyme in long workes vse some of these fautes , yet must not their examples be folowed , nor brought into a common vsage of speakyng .

Barbarie and hys partes .

Barbarie is a faute , whych turneth the speche from his purenes , and maketh it foule and rude , and the partes be these .

Barbarismus . Barbarismus is , when a worde is either naughtely wrytten or pronounced contrary to the ryght law & maner of speakinge . And it is done by addicion , detraccion , chaunging , transposynge , eyther of a letter , a syllable , tyme , accent , or aspiracion . Hereof we haue shewed exampels partly wher they be called figures , and partly , doute ye not , but both the speakynge and wrytyng of barbarouse men , wyll gyue you mow . Hytherto be referred the fautes of euil pronouncing certein letters , & of tomuch gapyng , or contrarye of speakyng in the mouth .

Solecismus . Inconueniens structura , is an vnmete and vnconuenient ioynynge together the partes of spech in construccion , whych is ma●ked by all thynges that belong to the partes of speche : as when one pa●●e is put for another , when gender for gender , case for case , tyme for tyme , mode for mode , number for number , aduerbe for aduerbe , preposicion for preposicion : whych because it is vsed of famous authores , in stede of fautes , be called figures .

Vertue .

Uertue , or as we saye , a grace & dygnitye in speakynge , the thyrde kynde of Scheme , is when the sentence is bewtyfied and lyfte vp aboue the comen maner of speaking of the people . Of it be two kyndes : Proprietie , and garnyshyng .

Proprietie and his partes .

Proprietie , is when in wryting and pronunciacion ther be no fautes committed , but thynges done as they shulde be . The partes bee proposicion , and accenting .

Proportio , Analogia . proporcion is , whereby the maner of true wrytynge is conserued . By thys the barbarous tonge is seperated from the verye true and naturall speche , as be the fyne metals from the grosser . To speke is no lawe , but an obseruacion or markyng , not leanyng vpon cause , but vpon example . For in eloquence , the iudgement of excellent men standeth for reason , as saythe Quintilian in hys fyrst boke .

Extensio , Tasis . is that wherby a swete and pleasaunt modulacion or tunablenes of wordes is kepte , because some are spoken wyth a sharpe tenure or accent , some wyth a flarre , some strayned out . This grace specially perteineth to a turnyng of the voyce in pleasaunte pronunciacion

Garnyshyng and his kyndes .

Garnishyng as the word it selfe declareth , is when the oracion is gaylye set oute and floryshed with diuerse goodly figures , causyng much pleasauntnes and delecracion to the hearer : and hath two kyndes , composicion , and exornacion .

Sinthesis . Composicion is an apte settinge together of wordes , whych causeth all the partes of an oracion to b●e trymmed al alyke . And in it muste be considered that we so order our wordes , that the sentence decrease not by puttynge a weaker word after a stronger , but that it styl go vp warde and increase . There is also a naturall order , as to saye : men & women , daye and nyght , easte , and weste , rather then backewardes . In thys muste be auoyded also to often comyng together of vowels , which make the oracion wyde and gapyng . To muche repetyng of all one letter in the beginn●ng of wordes , to much repeting of one word , and that they ende not to much all alyke , that the sentence be not hold on to longe , which werieth the hearer , and the speaker : nor that manye consonantes run not to harshely together , wyth many other , which Cicero speaketh of in hys thyrde booke of hys oratour , and Quintilian in hys nynth , wherof here to put examples were to longe .

Exornacion is a fyne polyshinge of wordes and sentences by disseueryng them with diuerse goodly colours and tropes or chaungings of speach .

Tropes .

Emonge authors manye tymes vnder the name of figures , Tropes also be comprehended : Neuerthelesse ther is a notable difference betwixt them . In figure is no alteracion in the wordes from their proper significacions , but only is the oracion & sentence made by them more plesaunt , sharpe & vehement , after the affeccion of him that speketh or writeth : to the which vse although tropes also do serue , yet properlye be they so called , because in them for necessitye or garnyshynge , there is a monynge and chaungynge of a worde and sentence , from theyr owne significacion into another , whych may agre wyth it by a similitude . The former par●es ben these .

Metaphora . Translatio , translacion , that is a worde translated from the thynge that it properlye signifieth , vnto another whych may agre with it by a similitude . And amonge all vertues of speche , this is the chyefe . None perswadeth more effecteouslye , none sheweth the thyng before oure eyes more euidently , none moueth more mightily the affeccions , none maketh the oracion more goodlye , pleasaunt , nor copious .

Translacions be diuerse .

Some from the body to the mynd , as : I haue but lately tasted the Hebrue tonge , for newely begunne it . Also I smell where aboute you go , for I perceyue .

From the reasonable to the vnresonable , as Uyrgyll in hys Georgere applyed the counselles and fashion of warres belongynge to men , to bees .

From the vnreasonable to the resonable . What whinest thou ? what charterest thou ? That one taken of a wolfe , that other of a pye .

From the liuinge to the not liuyng . The mouthe of the well , the fatnes of the earth . The lande wyl spewe them oute .

From the not lyuynge to the liuyng . Cicero florisheth in eloquence .

From the liuyng , to the liuynge . The iews winched against Moses .

From the not liuinge to the no● liuynge . The wordes flowe oute of hys mouth . He is good for a greue wounde .

Abusio , Catach●esis . when for a certeyne and proper worde , we abuse a lyke , or that is nie vnto it , as when we say : longe counsel , lytle talke , smal matter . Here maye we soone perceyue that by abusion wee take wordes that be somwhat nye , whych properly do belong to vnlyke thinges .

Transsumptio , Metalepsis . Transsumpcion , is when by degrees we go to that that is shewed as : he hyd hym selfe in the blacke de●●e● . By blacke , is vnderstande ful of darkenes & consequently stepe downe , and verye depe .

Metonomia Metonomya , Transnominacion , when a worde that hathe a proper significacion of hys owne , beynge referred to another thing , hath another : & this is done diuerse waies .

When the chiefe master or do●r of a thyng is put for the thing it self , as : Put vpon you the Lorde Iesus Christ . Also : You play Iudas with me

When the place , or that that conteineth , is put for the thyng that is in it , as : All the round ●arthe prayseth God . Oxforth ( some say ) hath not forsaken all popery , for the studentes therin .

When that that is conteyned is put for that that doth conteine , as : The fryer Austens is goodly buylded , for the house wher the fryers wer .

When the doer is put for that that is done , as : God brought the Israelites out of Egypte wyth a stretched out arme , and stronge hande . Also : Is gods hand drawen in ? for power and strength .

When that is done is put for the doer .

Synec●oche Intellectio , Intelleccion when one thyng is vnderstand by another that is of the same maner and kynd , and this is done many wayes .

When bi the whole is vnderstand a parte , as : Abraham set a calfe before them , for calues fleshe .

By a parte the whole , as : He receyued the straungers vnder the succour of hys house rofe , for into hys house .

By one many , as : The Frencheman in the batail had the ouerthrow .

By a kynd the general , as : If thou se thyne enemies Asse fal vnder his burden , for cattell .

By the general the kynd : Eue the mother of al liuing things , for of al men : Preach to al creaturs , to al men

By that goeth before , the thynge that foloweth , as : He set hys spurres to hys horse , for he rode a pace , or fled faste awaye .

By that that foloweth , the thinge wente before , as : I got it wyth the swete of my face , for with my labour .

By the matter , the thynge that is made of it , as : Fleshe and bloude shewed the not it .

By the signe , the thyng that is signified as : Lo , now the toppe of the chymneyes in the villages smoke a farre of : wherby Uyrgyl signifieth night to be at hande .

Pronominacio . Antonomasia , is , whych for the proper name putteth some other word As the Archebyshop confuted the errour , for Cranmer . The Philosopher lyed that the worlde was eternall , for Aristotle . The Apostle sayeth wee be iustified by faythe , for Paule .

Periphrasis . Circuicio , is a larger descripcion eyther to garnyshe it , or if it bee foule to hyde it , or if it be bryefe to make it more playn : by etimology , by sygnes , by definicion Example of the fyrste . The prouidence of Scipio , ouerthrew the might of Carthago . Here saue onlye for garnyshyng sake he myghte haue sayde playnlye : Scipio ouerthrew Carthage : Of the nexte . When Saule was doyng his busines , Dauid might haue killed hym . Doyng hys busines , ye wot what it meaneth . Of the thyrd , you haue the larger exposicions vpon the Gospels called by the name of thys figure .

By Etymologie or shewyng the reason of the name . Well maye he be called a parasite , for a parasite is the loueth other because of his meat .

By sygnes , as : when by certeine notes we describe anye thynge , as if a man vnderstandyng anger wyll saye that it is the boylynge of the mynde , or color , whych bryngeth in palenes into the countenaunce , fiersenes in the eies , and tremblyng in the members .

By definicion . The arte of well indyghting , for Rethorique .

The second parte of Trope .

Allegoria , the seconde parte of Trope is an inuersion of wordes , where it is one in wordes , and another in sentence or meanynge .

Sermo obscurus , Aenig●●a . a riddle or darke allegorie , as : The halfe is more than the hole .

Adagium , Parenna . a sayinge muche vsed and notable for some noueltye , as : The wolfe is in our tale .

Dissimulatio , is a mockyng whiche is not perceiued by the wordes but eyther by the pronunciacion , Ironia . or by the behaueour of the person , or by the nature of the thyng , as : You are an honest man in deede .

Sarcasmus . Amara irrisio , is a bitter sporting a mocke of our enemye , or a maner of iestyng or sco●●inge bytynglye , a nyppyng taw●te , as : The Iewes sayde to Christ , he saued other , but he could not saue hymselfe .

Astysmus . Fes●iua urbanitas , is a certen mery conceyted speakyng , as on a tyme a mery felow metynge with one that had a very whyte head , axed him if he had lyen in the snowe al nyght .

Mycterismus . Subsannatio , a skornyng by some testure of the face , as by wrythinge the nose , putting out the tonge , pettyng , or suche lyke .

Antiphrasis . Dictio contrarium significans , when the mock is in a worde by a contrarye sence , as when we call a fustilugges , a minion ?

Charicutismus . Graciosa nugatio , when wordes roughly spoken be molified by pleasaunt wordes : as when we saye to hym that threatneth vs : I praye you be good master to me .

The fyrst order of the figures Rethoricall .

Repeticio , repeticion , when in lyke and diuerse thynges , Epanaphora we take our begynnyng continually at one & the selfe same word , thus : To you this thyng is to be ascribed , 〈◊〉 you thanke is to be geuen , to you thys thynge shal be honour . In this exornacion is much plesautnes , grauitie , and sharpnes , & it is much vsed of al oratours & notably setteth oute , and garnysheth the oracion .

Conuersio , Antistrophe . conuersion is whych taket● nor hys begynnynges at al one and the same worde , but with all one worde styll clos●th vp the sentence , & it is contrary to that other before , as : Sence the time that concord was taken awaye from the citie , lyberty was taken awai : fidelity was taken away : frenship was taken away

Complexio , Symploce . complexion compriseth both two exornacions , both this , & that whych we declared before , that both all one fyrste worde shulde be often repeted , & we shuld turne often to all one laste word , as : Who t●ke Sedechias prisoner , & put out both hys eyes ? Nabuchodonozer . Who put Daniell and hys felowes into the burnyng furnace ? Nabuchodonozer . Who was transformed from a man into a beast , & eate haye wyth oxen ? Nabuchodonozer .

Anadiplosis . Reduplicatio , is a continent rehearsyng agayne of all one worde , or wordes , for the more vehemence , and some effect of the mynde . Cicero agaynst Catiline . Yet he liueth , liueth ? yea commeth also into the counsel house . It is thou , it is thou that troublest all the houshold . Also , dareste thou nowe come into our syght , thou traitour of thy contrey ? Thou traitour I say of thy contrei , darest thou come into oure syghte ?

Epanodus . Traduccio , Traduccion is , whyche maketh that when all one word is oftentymes vsed , that yet it doth not onlye not displease the mynde , but also make the oracion more trim in this wyse : Suffer ryches to belonge to riche men but prefer thou vertue before ryches : For if thou wylt compare ryches wyth vertue , thou shalte scarse thynke them meete to be called ryches , whych ar but hand maydens to vertue . Also , we are vnto God the swete sauour of Christ . To the one part are we the sauour of death vnto deathe , and vnto the other part are we the sauour of lyfe vnto lyfe .ii. Cor. ii .

Nominis communio , Sinonimia communion of the word , when we renewe not the selfe same worde by rehearsyng agayn , but chaunge that that is put wyth an other word of the same ●alewe , thus : Thou hast ouerthrowen the comon wealth euen from the foundacion , and cast downe the ●itye , euen from the roote . The iuste man shall floryshe as the palme tre , and shall be multiplyed as the Ceder tre . Cicero for . Q. Ligarius . Whose syde wolde that poynte of thy swerd haue pricked ? what meaned thy weapons ? what was thy mynde ? what meante thyne eyes ? handes , that burning of thy mynd ? what desiredst thou ? what wyshedste thou ? Lytle differeth thys figure from the other before , only because the wordes be chaunged , the sentence remayning .

Sinathrismus . Frequentacio , frequentacion is , when the thynges that be dispersed thorowout all the cause , are gathered together into ●ne place , that the oracion shulde be the wayghtier , & rebukefuller , thus : What faute is he without ? why shuld you O Iu●ges be mynded to deliuer hym ? He is an harlot of hys owne bodye , he lyeth in wayte for others , gredy , in temperate , wanton , proud , vnnatural ●o his parentes , vnkynd to hys frindes , troubleous to hys kynsefolke , stubburn to hys betters , dysdaynful to his equals , cruel to hys inferiours , finally , intollerable to all men .

Epiphonesis Exclamacio , exclamacion is , whiche sheweth the significacion of sorowe , or of anger , by callyng vpon eyther a man , a place , or a thynge ? Cicero in hys oratour : O deceitful hope of men ▪ and frayle fortune : & our vayne contencions , whych often tymes are broken in the myd way , rushe downe , and in the fal ar quite ouerthrowen before they cause the hauen . Hereunto belongeth expectacion , obtestacion , wishyng , rebuking .

Execracio , e●ecracion : O fye vpon Idolatry , Areia . that taketh away the honoure due vnto God alone , and geueth it to synfull creatures , and Images made by mans hand .

Obtestacio , Deesis . obtestacion , when for God , or for mannes sake we vehemently desyre to haue any thynge As Cicero for Publius Sestius : O I praye you , & for the Gods sakes most herteli besech you , y● as it was your wylles to saue me , so you wyl vouchsaf to saue them thorow whose helpe you receiued me agayne .

Votum , Euche . wyshynge : O wolde God that the adulterer had bene drowned in the ragyng sea , whan wyth hys nauye of shyppes he sayled to Lacedemonia .

Increpacio , Epiplexis , Cicero agaynst Catiline . Thynkest thou that thy counselles are not knowen ? and that we knowe not what thou dyddest the laste nyghte ? and what the nyghte before ?

Interrogacio , Euerye interrogacion is not of grauity , Erotesis . neither yet a Scheme , but thys whyche when those thinges de rehearsed vp whiche hur●e oure aduersaryes cause , strengthneth that thynge that is gone before , thus seynge then that he spake all these wordes , and dyd all these thynges , whether dyd he put away our felowes myndes from the common wealthe or not ?

Erotema . Raciocinatio , raciocinacion is , by the whych we our selues axe a reason of oure selfe , wherefore euerye thynge shulde be spoken , & that oftentymes we demaund of our selues a declaracion of euery proposicion after thys maner : Thys was well ordeined of oure elders to depryue no kynge of hys lyfe whome they had taken in batayl . Why so ? for the power whyche fortune had geuen vs , it to consume in the punyshement of them whom the same fortune a lytle before had set in hyeste degree , were agaynste reason . Yea but he brought a greate army agaynst you ? I wyl not remember it . Why so ? For it is the poynte of a valiaunte man , suche as contend for the vyctorye , them to count enemyes : suche as be ouercome , those to count men : so that fortitude maye diminishe war , humanitie increase peace . But he if he had ouercome , wolde he haue done so ? Uerelye he wolde not haue bene so wyse . Why shulde ye spare hym then ? because such foly I am wont to despise , not to folowe .

Subiectio , Prosapodosis . when we axe of oure selfe what can be saide agaynst vs , and answere to ourselues thus : Shall we tary in synne ? God forbyd . Or compell our aduersarye to answer thus : O Iewes , what can you say for denyall of Christe . Wyl you saye that you haue not youre Messias ? but your prophets say the contrarye . Your Types are cofounded . Whom wyl you be iudged by ? by Hystories ? Oures declare that you be out of the way , & shall come agayne to Christ .

Tacite obiectioni responsio . Antiphora . when we make answere to a thynge that myght priuely be obiected agaynst vs , as in the fyrst epystle of Ouide , Penelope wylling her husband Ulysses to come home hyms●lfe , and wryte nothyng vnto her . Wher he myght haue layed for hys tarying the warres , she priuely toke awaye that excuse , saying : Troy is destroied .

Aporia . Dubitatio , dubitacion , when wee doute of two thynges , or of many , whych we shuld inespecially speke of . Much hurted the common wealth at that tyme , whether I shuld saye the folyshenesse of the consulles , or the malyce , or bothe , I can not tell .

●pophasis . Expeditio , expedicion , when many reasons rehearsed vp , wherby a thynge myghte be done or not , the other are taken away , and one left that we entende , thus : It muste needes bee that thys controuersie touching the sacrament must stand eyther vpon the much pressyng and rigour of the wordes , or vpon the meanynge and vnderstandynge of them . The wordes as they stande , brynge wyth them grea●e inconuenience , to wytte , to expositoures , and the other textes . The meaning doth not so , but auoydeth al these inconueniences , & satisfieth reason , expositours , & texts of the scripture : wherfore wyt , expositour , & scripture thinketh it better to take the sentence , then the worde .

Conclusio , Epilogus . conclusion is , which by a brief argumentacion of these thinges that be spoken b●fore or done , inferreth that thynge that necessarilye shulde folowe , thus : And if a reuelacion wer geuen to the Trotanes , the Troy myght not be taken without the arowes of Philec●et●s , and thei did nothing else but strike Alexander to kyl him that in dede was Troy to be taken .

Permissio , Epitrope . permission , when we shew that we geue & graunt any thyng altogether to a mans wyll , thus : Because al thynges taken away , only is left vnto me my body & mynd , these thynges , whych only ar lefte vnto me of many , I graunte them to to you and to your power .

Cōmunicacio , Anacinosis . communicacion is , when we leaue sumwhat to the Iudges to be estemed , thus : I leaue vnto you o iudges to be thought what hurt the common welth shal take hereof Diuisio , diuision is which diuiding one thyng from another , Dialisis . endeth than both by shewing a reason , thus : why shuld I lay ani thing to thi charge ? if thou bee good , thou haste not deserued it , if thou be naught , thou carest not for it . Also , what shuld I speake of myne owne good turnes towarde the. If thou do remember them , I shuld but trouble you : If you haue forgotten them , when by deede I haue profited nothyng , what good can I do in wordes ?

Antitheton . Contentio , contencion , when the reason standeth by contrary wordes or contraries be rehearsed by comparison , thus : Flattery hath pleasaunt begynnynges , but the same hathe verye bytter endynges . Cicero agaynst Catiline : when they coulde not lyue honestlye , they had rather dye shamefully . They that be after the fleshe , care for these thynges that be of the fleshe . They that be after the spirite , care for the thynges of the spirite .

Antithesis . Contrarium , contrary is , that of two diuerse thynges confirmeth the one bryefely and easelye , thus : For he that alwayes wyll be an enemy to hys owne rekenyngs , how shuld a man trust that he wold be a frind to other mens matters ? He that in familiare communicacion and company of hys friendes wyl neuer say truth , thinkest then that he wil absteine from a lye in a common audience . Colon.

Membrum oracionis , a member of the reason is so called when a thinge is shewed perfitely in fewe wordes the whole sentence not shewed , but receyued agayne with an other parte , thus : Thou dyddest bothe profite thyne enemie , and hurte thy frynd . Thys exornacion may be made of two partes only , but the per●iteste is made of thre , thus : Thou diddest profite thine enemy , hurt thi frind , and dydst no good to thy selfe .

Articulus , Dialyton . article is , when eche word is set a sunder by cutting the oracion thus . By sharpnes , voyce , countenaunce , thou madeste thyne enemyes afrayd . Thou destroyedst thyne enemyes wyth enuye , wronges , power , falsehead .

Compar , Isocolon . euen or equall , is when the oracion hath in it the partes of the whyche we spake before , & that they be made of euen number of sillables : but thys equalitie must not stand by numbryng of them , but by perceyuyng of it in the mynd . Christe afore the Iudge was led , & on hys head a croune of thorne was putte , in token that in dede , the kynge of Iews he was borne . Here be some mo wordes in on member then in an other , yet sound they to the eare of lyke lengthe .

Romioptotō Similiter cadens , fallyng al alike is , when in the same construccion of wordes ther be two wordes or mo which be spoken alyke in the selfe same cases , thus : Thou praysest a man nedye of vertue , plenteful of money . Cicero for Flaccus : There is in them no varietie of opinion , none of wyll , none of talke .

Romotelēto . Similiter desinens , endynge al alyke , when words or sentences haue alyke endyng , as : Thou dareste do fylthely , and studi●st to speke baudely . Content thy selfe with thy state , in thy herte do no man hate , be not the cause of stryfe and ba●e .

Climax . Gradacio , is , when we rehearse again the word that goth next before , & des●●d to other thinges by degrees thus : To Affrican industry gat vertue , vertue glory , glory hatered . Definicio , Orismus . definicion , wherby the proper effect of any thynge is declared briefely & absolutely in this wyse : This is not diligence but couetousnes , because the diligence is a ●edy sauing of thine own : couetousnes is a wrongful desyr● of othermens . Transicio , Metabasis . transicion is , wherby briefly we monyshe what hath ben spoken , & what may folowe , as : What he hath ben to hys contrey I haue told , now ye shal hear how he hath shewed him self to hys parentes . Also Cicero for the law of Manilius : Because we haue spoken of the kind of the warre , now wyll we shewe a fewe thynges of the greatnes of it . Occupatia , Paralepsis . occupacion is , when we make as though we do not knowe , or wyl not know of that thyng that wee speke of most of al , in this wyse : I wyl not say that thou tokest money of our felowes , I wyl not stand much in thys that thou robbedst kingdoms , cityes , and al mens houses : I passe ouer thy theftes , & al thy ●auyns . Dissolutio , Asindeton . when the oracion lacketh coniunccions , thus : Obey thy parentes , be ruled by thi kinsfolke , folow thy fryndes ▪ obey the lawes .

Apostrophe . Auersio , auersion , when we turne our speche from them to whom we dyd speake to another personne , eyther present or absent , or to a thing to the whych we fayne a person , as a precher , speaking of priestes , that feede not the flocke , may fytly turn hys speche vnto Peter , sayinge : O Peter , I wold thou liuedst , & sawest what thy brethren do , howe far they be gone from that thou prescribedst them to do . Againe : O world , howe pleasant be the thynges that thou dost promyse , how bytter ben they that thou geuest .

Anangeon . Necessum , necessitie , when we confesse the thynge to be done , but excuse it by necessitye , eyther of the person or tyme , thus : I confesse that thys I dyd . But the woman that thou gauest me , dyd deceyue me . Also , somtyme I was in that opinion , but the tyme so required .

Anaclasis . Refractio , that is the turninge backe agayne of a worde into a contrary significacion , thus : I knowe kynge Ezechias that all thys lyfe is but bitternes , but I praye thee gyue me suche bytternes .

Verborum bombus , when small & triflyng thynges are set out wyth great gasyng wordes . Bomphiologia . Example of this na●e you in Ter●nce of the boasting souldiar , & creping smel feast .

Diminutio , Miosis . when greate matters are made lyghte of by wordes , as when he was wel beaten bi a knaue , that knaue wyll saye he dyd but a lytle stryke hym .

Extenuatio , Liptote . the makyng lesse of a thynge to auoyde arrogance , thus : If I haue any wit O Iudges , if any e●ercyse of endyghtyng , al may I thanke Archias the Poete of . Cicero for Archias .

Eleuacio , Diasirmus . when we make lyghte of , and dyspyse great argumentes brought agaynst vs , whych to aunswer vnto it is labour , and we saye they perteyne not to the purpose , or that they are vnworthy to be answered vnto , or that we kepe them tyll another tyme : Of thys ther nedeth none example .

AS oute of lytle springs ariseth greate fluddes : so now these preceptes of grammer finyshed , and the fyrste order of the Rethorical figures : We nowe come vnto that greate declaracion of eloquence , called of Quintilian & Cicero , the ornametēs of sentence .

Figures of sentence .

Particio . Particion called also ●iuision & distribucion rethoricall , is when a thing that mai be generally spoken , is more largely declared , and diuided into partes . Example : He is perfi●ely seene in all the sciences . This sentence spoken as it were in a summe , may be enlarged , if seuerally you reherse vp al the kindes of learning . There is no kynd of doctrine at al but he is exquisitely sene in it . There is no science , but he hathe learned it thorowly , and so learned it , that you w●lde thynke he had labor●d onely in it . So maruelouslye he knoweth all the ●ables of al the Poetes , he so aboundeth in the floures of the Rethoricians : He hath so boulted oute the paynefull rules of the gramarians . So perfitely knoweth he the subtilnesse of the Logicians , and hath so soughte oute the priuities of natural thynges , and ouercome the harde poyntes of supernaturall wisedome : he hathe passed thorowe the secretes of the diuines , and hath thorowlie perceyued the mathematical demonstracions . He so knoweth the mocions of the starres , the reasons of numbers , the measurynges of the earth the situacions , names & spaces of cities , mountaynes , fluddes , and fountaynes , he so knoweth the difference and harmonies of tunes : He so remembreth all hystoryes olde and late : So knoweth all good authors , all antiquities & nouelties , and also is perfitelye well seene as wel in Greke as latyne . Finallye whatsoeuer learnynge hathe bene found and taught of good authors , al that thorowlye ●ath be perceyued , knowen and remembred . Here these wordes , ●e is perfitelye seene in all the sciences , bee declared in theyr partes .

Enumeracion is much lyke vnto thys , Enumeracio when not beynge contente at once to declare the ende of the matter , Enumeracion of thynges that go before we rehearse vp all that went before it was done . Example : Cicero oppressed the mischeuous purposes of Catiline . Thus maye you set it forth : The myscheuous enterpryses of Catiline by most vngracious yonge men , whych went about the destruccion of the citie of Rome , M Tullius the consull dyd quickelye smell out by hys foresyghte , and by hys singuler vigilancye sought them oute , by his hyghe prudence espyed them , by his incredible eloquence conuinced them , and by hys graue authoritie repressed them , by force of armes subdued them , & with great happines toke them quyte awaye .

Hitherto also apperteineth , when we expound a thyng not barely , but repete the causes also sumwhat before , Enumeracion of the causes . and of what begynnynges it came of . As if not contente to haue sayd , that the ●renchmen made bataile with the Neapolitans , we rehearse also what wer the causes of theyr stryfe , who was the setter forward , and what was the occasion of the warre , what hope and truste eyther of them had to the victorye . Of these ar many examples in Saluste & Liuie . From thys differeth not when we do not simplye shewe forthe the matter , Enumeracion of effectes ▪ & consequentes . but reherse also those thynges that eyther go with it , or folowe it , as thus : We thanke the of thys warre . Thus maye you dilate the matter . The treasure spente vpon the Barbariens , the youthe broken wyth laboures , the corne croden downe , the cattel driuen awaye , stretes and vyllages euery where set on fyre , fieldes lefte desolate , walles ouerthrowen , houses robbed , temples spoyled , so many olde men chylderles , so manye orphanes , so manye wyddowes , so many virgins shamefully defiled , the maners of so many yong men made worse by le●de liberty , so many men slayne , so great mourning , so many good artes loste , lawes oppressed , religion blotted , al thynges of god and man confounded , all good order of the citie corrupted : I say all this heape of myschiefs that riseth of war , we mai thanke the only of it , which wast the beginner of this war

Energia . Enargia , euidence or perspicuitie called also descripcion rethoricall , is when a thynge is so described that it semeth to the reader or hearer that he beholdeth it as it were in doyng . Of thys figure ben many kyndes .

The fyrste , called effiguracion or descripcion of a thynge , whereby the figure and forme of it is set out : as of the vniuersall flud .

The seconde , the descripcion of a personne , when a man is described , as are the noble menne in Plutarch , and the Emperours in Suetonius . Howe be it the rethoricianes vse thys worde Prosopopcia , that is descripcion of a personne to comprehende the sixe kyndes folowinge .

The thyrde kinde is called Charactirismus , Charactirsmus . that is the efficcion or pycture of the bodye or mynde , as Dauus describeth Crito , & Mitio describeth Demea .

The .iiii. is the fainyng of a person called Prosopographia , and is of . i● sorts . Prosopographia . Fyrst the descripcion of a fained person , as Uyrgyl in the syxt of Eneid , faineth Sibil to be mad , & fayneth the persons in hell . An other forme is when we fayne person , communicacion , or affecte of a man or of a beaste , to a dumme thynge , or that hath no bodye , or to a dead man : as to the Harpies , furies , deuils , slepe hongar , enuie , fame , vertue , iustice , and suche lyke , the poetes fayne a person , and communicacion . This seconde fashion the Poetes do call Prosopop●y . The fyrst kind is called AEtopeia , that is an expression of maners or mylde affeccions , Aetopeia . and hath thre kyndes : of the whych the fyrst is a significacion or expression of of maners somewhat longer , as of wittes , artes , vertues , vices . Thus we expresse Thraso a boaster , and Demea a sowre felowe .

The seconde forme , is an expression of naturall propensi●ie , and inclinacions to naturall affeccions , as of the fathers loue toward the chyldren . &c. of fryendshyppe , neyghbourhod & cet● . as you maye se in hystoryes .

The thyrd kynde is the expression of lighter affeccions , as when wee go about by fayre meanes to gette the mery affeccions of menne to vs ward or to other , & when the mynd is lyft vp into hope , myrth , & laughter , and as be louyng salutations , promises , & cōmunynges together in familiar epistles and dialogues , and the getting of loue and fauour in the begynnynges , and finallye thys figure doth teach , that Rethorique is a part of flattery . The sixt kynde of rethoricall descripcion is Pathopeia , Pathopeia . that is expressyng of vehement affeccions and perturbacions , of that whych ther be two sortes . The fyrste called Donysis , or intencion , and some call it imaginacion , wherby feare , anger , madnes , hatered , enuye , and lyke other perturbacions of mynde is shewed and described , as in Ciceros inuectiues . Another forme is called ●i●tros , or cōmise●acion , wherby teares be pyked out , or pyty is moued , or forgeuenes , as in Ciceros peroraciōs , and complaintes in Poets : And to be shorte ther is gotten no greater admiracion or commendacion of eloquence then of these two , AEtopeia , and Pathopeia , if they be vsed in place . dialogismus The .vii. kind is Dialogismus whych is how often a short or long communicacion is fayned to a person , accordyng to the comelines of it . Such be the concions in Liuie , & other historians . The .viii. kynd is called Mimisis , Mimisis . that is a folowing eyther of the wordes or manoures whereby we expresse not onlye th● wordes of the person , but also the gesture : and these foresayd sixe kindes Quintiliane dothe put vnder Prosopopeia . The .ix. kynde is the descripcion of a place , as of Carthage in the fyrst of Eneid . Referre hither Cosmographie and Geographie . The .x. kynd is called Topotesia , that is ficcion of a place , when a place is described such one peraduenture as is not , as of the fieldes called Elisii in Uirgil : refer hither Astrothesiam , that is the descripcion of starres . The .xi. kinde is Chronographia , that is the descripcion of the tyme , as of nyght , daye , and the fo●re tymes of the yere .

A greate parte of eloquence is set in increasing and diminyshing , Amplificacio and serueth for thys purpose , that the thyng shulde seme as great as it is in dede , lesser or greater then it seemeth to manye . For the rude people haue commonly a preposterous iudgement , and take the worst thynges for the beste , and the beste for the worst . Al amplificacion and dimmucion is taken eyther of thinges , or of wordes . Of thynges ryse effeccions , of words those fashions that nowe I wyll shewe . The first waye of increasyng or diminishing is by chaungynge the worde of the thynge , when in encreasynge we vse a more cruell worde , and a softer in diminyshynge , as when we call an euyll man a thiefe , and saye he hathe kylled vs , when he hathe beaten vs . And it is more vehemente if by correccion we compare greater wordes wyth those that we put before : As thou haste broughte not a thyefe , but an extorcioner , no● an adulterer , but a rauysher . &c. Lyke vnto this is Hyperbole , whyche saythe more then the truthe is in deede , as when we saye : The crye was hearde to heauen , meanyng it was a greate crye . An other kynde is by increase , whyche is when the thynges goyng before beynge exaggerate , we come from them to the hyeste : As agaynste Uerres . It is a myscheuous deede to bynde a Citizen of Rome , haynous to beate hym , what ? shall I saye to hange hym ? Another waye of increase is , when wythoute disstinccion in the context and course of the oracion , the circumstaunces sette in order , somewhat alwayes is added bygger then the fyrste , and that we come to the hyest by a swyfte pace . As he was not ashamed to playe at dyce wyth iesters in the common cokerye , beynge a prieste , a Person , a Diuine , and a Monke . There is another kynde of amplyfienge that is by comparison contrary to increase . For as in increase the thynges that go before beyng exaggerat , we go from them to the hyest , so comparison taketh increase of the lesser , whych if they be greater in all mens opinions , that must nedes appeare verie greate that we wyll haue amplifie● : And comparison is made by ficcion , & by puttynge to an example . By ficcion , eyther in one degree , or in many . As in the fyrst part of the amplifiyng of Automes vomite , for he fayneth it had happened vnto hym at supper beyng but a priuate person . If at supper in these great bowles of thine thys happened vnto thee , who wolde not haue counted it a shame : But now in the syght of the people of Rome beynge a common officer , master of the horse , to whom it was shame once to belch ▪ he wyth hys gobbets of meat that stanke al of wyne , fylled al his lap , and the iudgement seate . Here amplificacion is taken of smaller thinges , and is made by one degree of many degrees , this maye be an example . If a man gaue the euery yere xl . pound , woldest thou not thanke him ? If a friend had redemed the out of prison with hys money , woldest thou not loue hym ? If eyther in battell or shypwracke a man by hys valiantnes had saued the , woldest thou not worshyp hym as God , and saye thou were neuer able to make hym amendes ? What ingratitude is it then that Christ God & man , which hathe made the , to whom thou dost owe al that thou hast , &c. so to dispyse hym , so wyth dayely fautes to anger him , & for so great beniuolence to geue hym agayn so great contumelye and despyte ? Neyther skylleth it that we haue rehearsed ficcion and comparacion amonge argumentes , for there is no cause why that amplificacion and ornacion shuld not be taken out of the same places from whence ther commeth probacion . Nor it is no newes the selfe same thynges to be applyed to diuerse vses . As of all circumstaunces both of the thyng , and of the person are taken argumentes , but euen oute of the selfe same are fe● affeccions and e●aggeracions , whych is manifest in the kynde demonstra●iue : As when we prayse chastitie in a yonge man , we go not aboute to perswade that he was chaste , but that that vertue shulde appeare greater in floryshyng age . To lyke vse serue examples and similitudes , as in Esaye : The Oxe knewe hys owner , and the Asse the maunger of hys master , but Israel hathe not knowen me . The example of the Oxe & the Asse is not vsed for this to proue that the Hebrewes dyd not knowe their God , but that the impietie and folishnes of that nacion shulde be amplified . The same may be applied to profe after thys maner . If the Oxe and Asse knowledge theyr masters , of whom they are norished and do serue them , how much more conueniente is it , that man shuld knowledge hys maker and norisher , and serue him bothe in bodye and mynd . Contrarye , when Paul sayth : no man serueth in warre on his owne wages , he proueth by similitudes , that it is not comelye , that they that war vnder the gospell , shulde be compelled to be carefull for their liuynge . He shuld haue applied it to amplifiyng , if he had propouned it thus . They that serue vnder a capteine be not careful for their liuyng , but lokinge for the sustenaunce of their capteine , only studye for thys to do hym faythful seruice , howe muche more shame is it that some menne that haue promised to fyght vnder Christ in the gospel , to distrust such a capteyne , and studye all they can to gather riches . Comparison by puttyng to example is , when by setting out as it were a lyke example , wee brynge to passe that that we exaggerate may be thought either very lyke , eyther equal , either bygger . And in this kynd both the whole is compared to the whole , & the partes to partes : as in the oracion of ●icero for Milo . Did I pray you that noble man Scipio being a priuat person kil Tiberius Gracchus whych shaked the common wealthe but a lytle , & shall wee beynge consulles suffer Catiline , that gothe aboute to wast the whole worlde wyth murther and fyre ? Here bothe Catiline is compared to Gracchus , and the estate of the common wealthe to the whole world , & a lytle shakyng to slaughter , fyer and wastyng , and a priuate person to the consuls . Ther is an amplificacion also when contraries be set together , wherby bothe the partes seme bygger , and more euidente . As when exhorting men to liberalitie , we shewe howe foule a faute couetousenes is , that the foulnes of the faute being exaggerate , the goodlines of the vertue shulde be more encreased . There is another kynd of amplifiyng called reasonynge , when of those thinges that eyther folowe or go before , the hearer doth gather how great that thynge is that we wolde to be amplified . By thynges that go before , as when Homer armeth Achylles , or Hector to batayle , by the greate preparacion , we gather how sore the fight shal be . Of thinges that folowe : How much wyne Antony dranke , when that hauyng such a strong body he was not able to digeste it , but spewed it vp the nexte daye after . Of thynges ioyned to : as when Maro sayeth to Poliphemus : He had the bodye of a pineapple tree for a staffe in hys hande . Manye other kyndes ben there of amplifiynge , which who so wyl se more at large , may read that right excellent boke of the famouse doctor Erasmus , whych he intituled the preacher .

The inuencion of many proposicions is , when the chyefe state or principal proposion of the cause is declared and proued by manye other proposicions and argumentes , so set in iuste order that there be no confusion of proposions . And proposicions be taken partely of those that be common , and partly of those thynges that belonge properlye to the cause : As if a man wolde counsell Tullye not to take the condicion offered of Antony , that is , that by burnynge of hys bookes called philippia , he shulde haue hys lyfe , he myght vse commonly these proposicions . Fyrste that no man oughte to by his life so dere , that therby he shulde lose hys immortall name . To thys generall may serue a perticuler taken oute of circumstaunces , that it oughte not to be done , inespe●ialy of Cicero , whych by so many laboures hathe gotten vnto hym selfe an excellente and euerlastyng name , and that hath shewed moste eloquently by putting out so manye noble workes that deathe ought to be despised , inespeciallye seynge that now he hath not much tyme to ly●e beynge an olde man . Agayn , another principall proposicion shall be taken of the circumstaunces . That nothynge is worse , then that Cicero beyng a very good man shulde owe his lyfe to Antonye the worst man of the world . The third proposicion shal be coniectural : how that Antony craftely goeth about that the bookes beynge burned , in the whych he perceiueth bothe hys owne immortal infamye to be , and the immortal glory of Cicero , when he hath afterwardes taken awaye hys lyfe , he maye vtterlye extinguyshe Cicero .

¶ A copious heaping of probacions .

Proues . So when proposicions be found , remaineth argumētacion or proues , called in Greke Pistis , because they make suretye of a doutefull thyng . Of proues some be artificiall , Two sortes of proues . some vnartificial . Unartificial be , foreiudgementes , rumoures , tormentes , tabelles , othe , wytnesses , diuinacion , oracles . Signes be referred to proues vnartificial , & why ? To these be referred whych the Greekes cal Symeia or sygnes : For they also commonlye are not fer by the wytte of hym that disputeth , but are ministred otherwyse . Signes wherfore . They be called signes properlye , whyche rysynge of the thynge it selfe that is in question come vnder the sences of menne , Signes be referred to tyme . as threatninges , whych be of the time that is paste , cryinge herde oute of a place , whyche is of the tyme presente , pa●enesse of hym whyche is ared of the murther , whyche is of the tyme folowynge , or that bloud leapte oute of the bodye latelye s●ayne , when he came that dyd the murther . Two maner of signes . Also of signes some bee necessary , as that he liueth whiche dothe breathe , and some probable , as bloude in the garmente , whych myghte also come oute of the nose , or otherwyse . Also proues and argumentes are taken oute of circumstaunces , Proues taken oute of circumstaunces . partly of the person , partlye of the cause or thyng it self , and be called also of the Rethoricians places , neyther cleane contrarie to those that Aristotle hath taughte , How proues of circumstaunces differ from Aristotels places . neyther the very same : for some agree wyth them , some be all one , and some diuerse . Onlye differeth the manour of teachynge , because the Rethoricianes do teache a patrone , the philosopher generally helpeth iudgement . Circumstaunces of the person ben these . Circumstances of person . Kinred , nacion , coutrey , kynde , age , bryngynge vp , or discipline , hau●oure of the body , fortune , condicion , nature of the mynde , studies , affectacion , wordes forespoken , & deedes done before , commocion , counsell , name . Kynred monisheth vs to consider of what progeny a man dothe come . Kynred . For it is semely , and happeneth commonlye that the sonnes belyke the forefathers , and thereof procedeth causes to lyue well or euyll : Nacion . Nacion sheweth what disposicion and maners euery nacion hath peculiarly of theyr owne . ●ynd . The difference of kynde is knowen to euerye man : To diuerse ages diuerse thyngs be conueniente . Age . Educacion . It skylleth more by whom , and by what wayes men be brought vp , then of whom they be begotten . The hautoure of the bodye comprehendeth fayrnes or foulnes , strength or weaknes : ●auiour of the bo●●● . ●or more credible is the accusacion of lecherye in a fayre body then in a foule , and violence more probable in the strong , then in the weake . Fortune perteineth to ryches , Fortune kynred , friendes , seruitures , dignities , honours . Condicion comprehendeth manye thynges : Condicion . as whether he be noble or not noble , an officer , or a priuate person , a father or a sonne , a citizen or a straunger , a fre man , or a seruaunt , a maried manne , or a single man , a father or none , hauinge had but one wyfe , The natu●● of the mynd or two . The nature of the mynde hath manifold varieties in men . Some be fearful , some strong some gentle , some vehement , chaste , lecherous , glorious , modes●e &c. Studies , for other be the maners of the rustical , Studi●s then of the lawyer , of the marchaunte , then of the Soldier , of the shipman then of the phisicion . To these they adde affectacion : Affectacion . For it skylleth muche what maner man euerye one wolde seme to be , whether he be the same or not : as ryche , or eloquent , iuste or mightie , mery or sad , a fauorer of the people , or of the great men . Both wordes that be spoken before time , and dedes that be done , be also considered . Wordes spoken , & deedes done before Commocion For of thynges that be paste , the present be estemed , & also thinges that be to come . Commocion in thys differe●h from the nature of the mynde , because that one is perpetuall that o●her for a whyle : as anger is commocion , rancour the nature of the mynde , and feare a commocion , fearefulnesse nature . To these they adde the name of the person , Name . of whence many tymes an argument is taken : as Cicero resteth muche vpon Uerres , or sweepers name , because beyng a strong thief , he swepte altogether . Thus haue we shewed that much matter may be taken of thynges belongyng to a personne , so maye be also of those that belonge to a thynge or cause , whiche places bee so handeled of Quintil●ane , that he myngleth them wyth the places whyche Aristotle hathe comprehended in hys ●yghte bookes of Topyckes . Circumstances of the thynges be these : Circumstaunces of things be these . Cause , place , tyme , chau●ce , facultie , instrumente , manour . And fyrste of euerye thinge there be foure causes , efficient , materiall , formall and finall . Matter is the receptacle of al formes . The forme causeth it to be thys , and not another thynge : as the reasonable soule geueth to the body that it is a man , and the soule because it is a substaunce hathe her vnnamed forme , whereby she is a soule , Fine or●●de . and not an aungel . And what soeuer is made , is made to a certen ende , and one thynge maye haue diuerse endes : as nature hathe geuen brestes vnto women to geue milke , and also for comlynesse of theyr bodies , neyther doth any man that is of a sounde mynde take vpon hym anye businesse , but for that he desyreth to haue s●me thynge : nor there is nothynge desyred , but vnder the consideracion of good or profite . So the ende whyche is laste in effecte , and fyrste in intencion , loketh vpon the gettinge of profites , increase , and confirmacion of them , and also vpon them , eschuynge of disprofites , diminyshynge , or puttyng them awaye . But in chosyng them , false perswacion deceyueth manye , whylest by errour they beleue that to be good that is naughte . This place therfore serueth for many thynges , to make more or lesse . Greatly happy shulde men be , if euerye man wolde looke vpon the marke , not the whych desyre hathe sette before hym , but whyche God and honest reason hath prefixed . And of suche strengthe is the ende , that hereof is taken the felicitie of euery thyng . To fast that the body maye obeye the mynde , to do good workes is an holy deede . To fast to be counted holye , is hypocrisie . To faste to encrease thy good , is couetousenesse . To faste to be whole in thy bodie is phisycke , and so of praiynge , almose , and other laudable workes . After lyke maner must be wayed the secondarie endes . An other circumstaunce of a thynge , is the place , Place . whose qualitie oftentimes maketh the faute either greter or lesser : as to steale an holye thing out of an holy place , is worse then some other kynde of theft . No lesse matter of argumentacion ministreth the qualitie of time , Tyme . which signifieth two thynges . Fyrst it is taken playnly for the time present , past , Tyme hathe two significacions . or to come : Seconde it signifieth oportunitie to do a thynge , and so when a man cometh as we wold haue it , we saye he cometh in time . And in the seuenth of Ihon , when Christ sayth : My tyme is not yet come , tyme is taken for oportunitie of tyme . And lykewyse in the syxt to the Galat. Therfore whyle we haue tyme . Chaunce . &c. The Rethoricianes put chaunce vnder tyme , because the ende of a thynge perteyneth to the time that foloweth : but of thys wyll we speke in the place called Euent . Facultie is a power to do the thynge that is taken in hand : and in coniectures two thinges speciallye be considered : whether he could or wold . Wyll is gathered of hope to performe it , and is made more probable when the nature of the mynde is ioyned to it : as it is not like he wyl abide in his glorye , because he is enuious and ambicious . Also when we counsell one to leaue of vayne mournynge , when it is not in his power to get agayne that is gone .

Instrument semeth to be a part of facultie : Instrument . for instrumentes sometyme are cause of oure hablenes to do a thinge : and it is a more mischeuous deede to kyl with venome than with swearde . And to instrument so●e is the manour of doyng , that almoste it is all one . But more properlye perteyne to the manour or fashion , those thynges that be eyther excused , or made greater by wyl : As lesse faute is it to fall into a vice by ignorance or frailtie , then of a purpose and full deliberacion . The vse of circumstances profiteth to amplifie , to extenuate , to euidence , to confirmacion , and probabilitie . And hytherto be referred also the common places that indifferentlye apperteyne to all kyndes and partes of causes , of the whyche Rodulphe entreateth , and Aristotle in hys Topyckes . But before we speake of them , it is to be noted , that thys woorde place , is taken foure maner of wayes . They are called common places , because thei be entreated of , of bothe partes , althoughe not in all one cause : as he that is sore spoken agaynste by witnesses , swadeth that we shulde not geue credite to witnesses . Contrarye , he that is hol●en by them speaketh in defence of wytnesses , and so of other that we spake of before , when we entreated of vnartificial argumentes . Lyke to thys sorte be sentences , whyche wee e●aggerate as it were wythoute the cause , but so that they serue to the cause whiche wee haue in hande : as bee the amplificacions of vertues , and the exaggeracions of vices . As when wee accuse anye manne that by euyll companions he was broughte to do also the mischeuouse deede , A common place shall bee , wyth wordes to exaggerate howe much it profiteth to keepe goodnesse , to bee in companye wyth good men , and contrarye howe greate myschyefe the companye of euyll men dothe cause .

In the third sence places be called seates of argumentes , whyche the Rethoricianes do applie to ech● kyndes of causes : As in the kynde suasorie , honest , profitable , pleasaunt easye , necessarie . &c. In demonstratiue kynde , kynred , contrey , goodes of the bodye and of the mynde . In the Iudiciall kynde , inespecial deniall , those that we spake of euen nowe . The fourth places be general , whych declare what belongeth to euerye thynge , and howe oute of eche of them there be taken argumentes , partly necessary , and partlye probable . These be commen to the Oratours with the Logicians , albeit Aristotle hathe seperatelye written of them in hys Topickes , and in his Rethorickes hathe not touched them , and they profite much both to iudgement , and to endightynge , but the varietie of authors hath made the handlynge of them sumwhat darke , because amonge them selues they can not wel agre , neyther of the names , neyther of the number , neyther of the order .

Examples . An example is a rehearsall of a thynge that is done , and an applyynge of it vnto our cause , eyther for similitude or dissimilitude , profitable to perswade , garnyshe , and delyght . Examples , some be taken out of hystories , some of tales , some of fayned argumentes , in comedies , and bothe sortes be dilated by parable and comparacion . Comparacion sheweth it equall , lesse , or bygger . Parable is a feete similitude , whych sheweth the example that is brought , ether like , vnlyke or contrarye . Lyke as Camillus restored the common wealth of the Romaines that was oppressed by the Frenchmen , and when it was brought into extreme losse , by theyr valiauntnesse expelled the Barbariens : So Ualla , whan thorowe the ignorance of the Barbarians , learnyng was destroyed , restored it agayn , as it wer from death into hys former brightnes . Unlike . As not lyke thanke is done to Laurence and Camillus , because that the one moued by vertue wyth the ieopardie of hys lyfe deliuered his contrey from the vngracious , that other styrred vp by desyre of fame , or rather wyth an euyll luste to checke manye , no● restored agayn the lattēt●ng oppressed , but brought it as it were into certen rules . Contrary , Brutus kylled hys chyldren goyng about treason , Manlius punished by death the valiauntnes of hys sonne . Comparacion sheweth the thing that is brought , eyther equall , lesse , or bigger : Lesse , as our elders haue warred oftentymes , because theyr marchauntes and mariners wer euyl entreated . What mynd ought you to be in , so many thousande citizens of Rome slaine at one message , and one time ? Equall , as in the same Cicero . For it happed vnto me to stand for an offyce wyth two gentlemenne , that one very naughte , that other very gentle , yet ouercame I Catiline by dignitie , and Galba by fauoure . Bygger : As for Milo , they saye he shulde not lyue that confesseth he hathe kylled a man , when M. Horacius was quitte , whyche kylled hys owne syster .

Parable . Parable , which some call similitude , some comparacion , is a comparyng of a thyng that hath no life , or no bodye to our cause and purpose , for some thyng that is lyke or vnlyke . And as example is taken of the dede of a man , and the person of an hystorye , or that is fabulous and fayned , so is comparison taken of thinges that be done , or that be ioyned to them by nature , or by chaunce . As Attilius retournyng agayne to hys enemies is an example of kepynge faythe and promise : But a shyp in the whych the sayles be ●oysed vp , or taken down after the blowyng of the winde , is a parable whiche reacheth a wyse man to geue place to tyme , and applye hymselfe to the world that is presente . And lyke fashion is of dila●yng a parable , as we haue shewed in example . For sometime it is noted in a word as : Doest thou not vnderstand that the sayles muste be turned ? Sometyme it is more largelye declared , as in the oracion for Mu●ena . And if vnto menne that sayle out of the hauen . &c. Analogia .

Icon , called of the latines Imago , an Image in Englyshe , is muche lyke to a similitude , and if you declare it is a similitude : as if you saye : As an Asse wyll not be driuen from her meat , no not with a club , vntyl she be full : no more wil a warriour reste from murther vntyil he hath fylled his mynd with it . This is a similitude : but if you saye that a man flewe vpon his enemies like a dragon , or lyke a lyon , it is an Image . Howbeit an Image serueth rather to euidence or grauitie , or iocunditie , then to a profe . There is also a general comparacion , speciallye in the kynde demonstratiue , person wyth person , and one thing with an other , for praise or dispraise

Indicacio . Indicacio , or authoritie , is the comparing of an other mans saying or sentence vnto our cause : of the whiche ther be seuen principal kyndes . The fyrst a comon morall sentence , as a common principle perteyning to maners : as continuall laboure ouercommeth all thynges , and as be the sentences of Salomon and Cato : and all morall philosophy is ful of suche sentences . The seconde are common rules , whych be called dignities in euery science . The .iii. a prouerb . The fourth called Chria , which is a very short exposicion of any dede or worde wyth the name of the author recited . The fyfte an Enthimeme , whyche is a sentence of contraries : as if it be a great praise to please good men , surely to please euyl men it is a greate shame . The syx●e called AEnos , that is a saying or a sentence , taken out of a tale , as be the interpretacions of fables , and theyr allegories . The seuen is any answere taken out of the mouth of God , or taken out of the commaundement of God .

Expolicion is , when we tarye in one thynge , Exergasia . speakynge the same in diuerse wordes and fashions , as though it were not one matter but diuerse . A goodlye example of the moste largest expolicion is rehearsed in Erasmus , whych , because it is very profitable , I wyll wholye rehearse it . A wyse man for the common wealth sake shall eschue no peryll : euen for thys cause that it happeneth often , that wher he wold not dye for the common wealth , he perysheth yet of necessitie wyth the common wealth . And because all the commodities we haue be taken of our contrey , ther ought no incōmodit●e to be counted paynfull , taken for our contrey . They therfore that flye that peryll which must be taken for the common wealth , do folyshely : for neither can they auoyde it , and they be found vngrate to the citie . But they that by their owne peril put away the perils of their contrei , they are to be counted wyse , seyng that bothe they geue to the common wealth that honour that they shulde geue , and had rather dye for many , than with many . For it is much against reason that receiuing thy naturall lyfe by thy coutrey , to deliuer it agayne to nature when she compelleth the , and not to geue it to thy contrey when she desyreth the. And where thou mayst wyth hye valiauntnes & honour die for thy contrei , to haue rather lyke a cowarde to liue in shame . And for thy fryndes and parentes , and other acquayntance to put thy selfe in peryll : for the common wealth in the whyche both it & that most reuerende name of the contrey is conteyned , not to be willynge to come in ieopardye . Wherfore as he is to be dyspised whyche being vpon the sea had rather haue hym selfe safe , then the ship : so is he to be rebuked , whych in ieopardye of the commen wealthe , prouideth more for his own then for the common wealthe . When the shyppe hathe ben broken , many haue ben saued : But after the shypwrake of the contrey no man can escape . Whyche thynge me thynketh Decius dyd wel perceiue , whych reported wholy to haue bestowed hym selfe , and for the sauegard of his men of war to haue run amonge the myddest of hys enemyes . Wherfore he loste no● hys lyfe , but let it go : for he redemed for a thynge of verye small pryce a ryght dere thyng . He gaue his life , but he receiued his contrei . He loste his life , but he inioyed glorye , whyche written to his greate prayse , shyneth euerye daye more and more . Wherefore if we haue proued both by reason & by example , that we be bounde to put oure selfe in peryll for the common wealthe , they are to be counted wyse men , whych for the sauegarde of the contrey auoyde no peryll . It wolde be meete to exercyse chyldren in suche themes , wherby shal be gotten bothe wysedome and eloquence . And here me thynketh I maye ryghte well ende these Rethoricall preceptes , although I be not ignoraunt that much helpeth bothe to persuasions and copye , the proper handlyng of tales taken oute of the nature of beastes , dreames , fayned narracions , sumwhat lyke vnto the truth , with allegories much vsed of diuines . But because they requyre a longer treatie , for this tyme I leaue them of , addynge vnto these before written rules of oratory , a declamacion bothe profitable and verye eloquente , wrytten by Erasmus vnto the moste noble Duke of Cleue , as here appereth after .

¶ That chyldren oughte to be taught and brought vp gently in vertue and learnynge , and that euen forthwyth from theyr natiuitie : A declamacion of a briefe theme , by Erasmus of ●o●erodame .

IF thou wilt harken vnto me , or rather to Chrisippus , the sharpeste v●tred of Philosophers , that shalte prouide that thyne infante and yonge babe be forthewyth instructed in good learnyng , whylest hys wyt is yet voyde from cares and vices , whilest his age is tender and tractable , and his mind flexible and ready to folowe euery thyng , and also wyl kepe fast good lessons and preceptes . For we remember nothynge so well when we be olde , as those thynges that we learne in yonge yeres . Care not thou for those fooles wordes which charter that thys age , Diuision of the confutacion partly is not hable inough to receiue discipline , & partlye vnmete to abyde the labours of studies . For fyrst , the beginninges of learning , stand specially by memorie , which as I sayd , in yong ones is very holdfast . Secondly because nature hath made vs to knowledge the study of that thynge can not be to hasty , wherof the author of al thyng her self hath graffed in vs the seedes . Beside this some things be necessary to be knowen when we be sumwhat elder , which by a certen peculier readines of nature , the tender age perceiueth both much more quickly , & also more esily than doth the elder , as the first beginnings of letters , the knowledge of tonges , tales & fabels of poetes . Finallye , why shulde the age he though● vnmere to lerning , which is apt to lerne maners ? Or what other thinge shuld chyldren do rather when they be more able to speake , seyng nedes thei muste do sumwhat ? How much more profite is it the age to sporte in letters , then in triffes ? Thou wilt say that it is but of litle value that is done in those fyrste yeres . Why is it dispised as a smal thing , which is necessary to a very greate matter ? And why is that lucre , ●e it neuer so litle , yet a lucre , dispised of purpose ? Now if you often put a lytle to a litle , there riseth a greate heape . Herewith consider this also , if beyng an infant he lerne smaller thinges , he shal lerne greter , growynge vpwardes in those yeres , in which those smaller shuld haue ben lerned . Finally while he doth these things , at the least he shal be kept from those fautes , wherwith we se comenly that age to be infected . For nothynge doth better occupy the whole mynd of man , then studies . Uerely this lucre ought not to be set light bi . But if we shuld graunte that by these labours the strength of the body is sumwhat diminished , yet thinke I this losse well recompensed by winnynge of wyt . For the minde by moderate labours is made more quycke & lustye . And if ther be any ieopardy in this pointe , it may be auoyded by our diligence . You must haue for this tender age a teacher to enter it by fayre meanes , & not discorage it by foule . And ther be also some things both plesaunt to be knowen , & as it wer sibbe to childrens wittes , whiche to lerne is rather a play than a labour . Howbeit childehod is not so weake which euen for thys is the more mete to take paynes & labour , because they fe●e not what labour is . Therfore if thou wylte remember how far vnworthy he is to be counted a man which is void of learning , and how flitting the life of man is , how slypper youth is to myschiefe , and mans age howe it desyreth to ●e occupied , how baren olde age is , and further how few come vnto it , thou wylt not suffer thy yong babe in the whych thou shalte lyue styll as it were borne agayne , to let go any parte of hys tyme vnoccupied , in the whych any thynge maye be gotten that eyther maye do muche good to all the whole lyfe afterwardes , or kepe it awaye from hurtes , and mischiefes .

The selfe same matter enlarged by copye .

After the longe despayred fruitfulnes of thy wyfe , I hearsay thou art made a father , and that wyth a man chylde , whyche sheweth in it selfe a meruelous towardnes , and euen to be lyke the parentes : and that if so be we maye by such markes and tokens prouosticate anye thyng , maye seeme to promise perfite vertue . And that therfore thou doest entend , to se thys chylde of so grete hope , ass●ne as he sh●lde some what of age to be begonne in good letters , and to be taught in very honest learnynge , to be instructed and fashioned with the very wholsome preceptes of philosophy . In deede you wyll be the whole father , and you wyll haue hym your very son , and to loke lyke you , not only in the fashion of hys face , and liniamentes of hys bodye , but also in the giftes of hys wytte . Uerely as I am hertelye glad for the good fortune of myne especiall friende , so I greatlye alowe your wyse entente . This one thynge I wolde warne you of boldlye in deede , but louinglye , not to suffer after the iudgemente and example of the common people , that the fyrst age of your infante shulde flytte awaye wythout all fruite of good instruccion , and then at the last to set hym to learne hys fyrste letters , when bothe hys age wyll not so well be handled , and hys wy●●e shall be more readye to euyll , and peraduenture possessed alreadye with the fast holdyng bryers of vices . Yea rather euen now loke about for some man , as of maners pure & vncorrupt , so also wel learned : & into his lap deliuer your litle chyld , as it wer to a nurse of his tender mind , that euen with his milke he may sucke in swete lerning : & deuide the care of thy litle sonne to his nurses & teacher that thei shuld suckun the litle body with very good iuyce , & so indue hys mynd with very wholsom opinions , & very honest lernynge . For I thinke it not conuenient that thou one of al the best learned , & also wysest shuldest geue eare to those piuyshe women , or vnto men very lyke to them the beard excepted , whych by a cruell pytie , & hateful loue , iudge that the chyldren euen vntyl they waxe springoldes , shuld be kept at home kyssyng theyr mothers , and among the sweete wordes of theyr nurses pastymes , and vnchaste tryflynges of seruauntes and maydens . And thynke that they ought vtterlye to be kepte awaye from learnyng as from venome , saying that the fyrst age is so rude that it can receiue no discipline , and so tender that it is not mete for the la●ours of studies : and finally that the profite of that age is so lytle worth , that neyther anye coste shulde be made vpon it , neyther that the weakenes of the chyldren shuld be ●e●ed . Whyle I proue euery of these thynges false , I pray you a lytle whyle take hede , countyng as the truth is , fyrst that these thynges be written of him which loueth you as wel as any man doth , & inespecially of that thing which so perteineth to you , that none can do more . For what is more derer to you than your son , inespecial hauing but him alone , vpon whom we wold be glad if we might bestowe yea our life , not only our substaunce . Wherfore who mai not se that thei do leudly & also vntowardli which in tilling their land building their houses , keping their horse , vse the gretest diligence thei can , & take to counsell men that be wyse , & of great experience : in bringing vp and teachynge theyr chyldren , for whose sakes al other things ar gotten , take so litle regard that nether they once councel with theyr owne mynd , not seke for the iudgements of wyse men , but as thoughe there were a tri●●e in hande , geue eare to folyshe women , and to euery rascal wretche , whych is no lesse shame to hear , then if a man takyng thought for the shooe , wolde set naughte by the foote , or wyth great study wold prouide that there shuld be no faut in the garmente , naught reckynge for the healthe of the bodye . Good syr , I wyl not here cause you to tarye wyth common places , howe muche the strength of nature , how much fatherly loue , the law of god , mens constitucions require the parentes to owe vnto the children , thorowe whom asmuche as we maye wee escape to dye , and be made to lyue euer . But some thynke they haue gaylye done the office of a father , when they haue only begotten chyldren , where as thys is the least porcion of loue that the name of a father requyreth . What greate thought take the mothers comenlye leste the infant shulde loke a gogle or a squint , lest he shuld be puffe cheked , wrie necked , croke shuldred , croke legged , splaye footed , and lest that the proporcion of his bodye shuld not be trimme in euery point : whereunto besyde other thynges , they be wont to vse swadel bondes , and keepe in their chekes wyth lytle miters . They haue regard also to theyr mylke , their meate , theyr bathes , & their mouinges , by whyche thynges the phisicions in many bookes , and inespeciall Galene hath taught that the chyldren get good healthe of theyr bodye : neyther do they differ thys diligence vnto the seuenth or tenth yere , but euen assone as the chylde commeth oute of the mothers wombe , they take greate charge of thys . And they do well , for the infancie not regarded , oftentymes causeth men to haue a syckely and sore disseased olde age , if they happen to come to it . Yea moreouer or euer the chyld be born , yet dothe the mother take greate heede : Thei eate not of euery meat when they be greate wyth chylde , they take heede that they moue not theyr bodie to hurte them : and if there happen any thyng to fall vpon their face , by and by they take it away wyth theyr hand , and laye it vpon the priuie part of theyr body . It hath ben proued by many experimentes , that by this remedie the deformitie whych wold haue bene on that part of the body that is sene , hathe lyen hyd in the secrete place . No man calleth this to hasty a care whych is vsed for the worser parte of man . Why then is that parte of man , wherby we be properly called menne , neglected so many yeres ? Shuld he not do all agaynste gods forbod which wold trim his cap , lettyng his head be vnkempt , and all scabbed ? Yet much more vnreasonable is it that we shuld bestow iuste labours vpon the mortall bodye , and to haue no regarde of the immortal soule . Further , if a man haue at home an horse colte , or a whelpe of a good kynd , wyl he not straight waye begynne to fashion hym to do sumwhat , and wyll do that so muche the more gladlye , the readyer the yonge age is to folow the teachers mynde ? Wee wyl teache a popiniaye while time is , to speke as a manne dothe , knowynge well that the elder he waxeth , the lesse apte he wyll be to be taughte , yea the common prouerbe geuyng warnynge of thys thynge : That an old popiniaye careth not for the rod . And what a thynge is it to be diligente in a byrde , and ●●owe in teachynge thy sonne ? What do the wytty husbandmen ? Do they not teach euen straight way the plantes whyle they be yet tender , to put awaye theyr wylde nature by graffynge , and wyll net tarye tyll they be waxen bygge and myghtye ? And they do not onlye take heede that the litle tree grow not croked or haue any other faute , but if ther be anye , they make haste to amend it , whyle it wyll yet bowe , and folowe the hande of the fashioner . And what liuyng thynge , or what plante wyll bee as the owener or or housebande manne wolde haue it to serue for , excepte oure dylygence helpe nature ? The sooner it is donne , the better wyll it come to passe ,

Indede to manye dumme beastes , nature the mother of all thynges , hath geuen more helpe to do theyr natural offices , but because the prouidence of God hath of al creatures vnto men onlye geuen the strength of reason , she hath left the greatest parte to educacion , in so much that one hath written very wel the first poynte , the middle , and the thirde , that is the chyefe of all mans felicitye , to be good instruccion , & ryght bryngynge vp . Whych prayse Demosthenes gaue to ryght pronunciacion , and that in deede not falsely , but ryghte bryngynge vp helpeth muche more to wysedome , then pronunciacion to eloquence . For diligente and holy bringing vp , is the founteyne of al vertue : As to folye and myschief , the fyrst , seconde , and thyrde poynte is vndiligente and corrupte educacion . Thys is the thynge that is chiefelye lefte vnto vs . That is the cause why vnto other beastes nature hathe geuen swyftnes , flyght , sharpnes of sight , greatnes , and strengthe of bodye , scales , flyshes , heares , hornes , nayles , venome , wherby they may both defende their healthe , and prouide for theyr liuynge , and brynge vp their yonge : and bryngeth forthe man onlye softe , naked , and vnfensed : but in stede of all thys , hath geuen hym a mynde hable to receiue all discipline , because in this onlye are all thynges , if a man wyll exercise it . And euerye liuynge thynge , the lesse mete it is to learnynge , so muche the more it hathe of natiue prudence . Bees learne not to make their celles , to gathe● iu●e , and to make honye . The ●mets are not taughte to gather into their holes in somer , wherby they shulde lyue in wynter , but all these thynges be done by instruccion of nature . But man neyther can eate , nor go , nor speake , except he be taught . Then if the tree brynge forthe eyther no fruite or vnsauerye , wythout the diligence of graf●ing , if the dogge be vnmete to hunte , the horse vnapte to iuste , the oxe to the plowe , except oure diligence bee putte to , howe wylde and vnprofitable a creature wolde man become , except diligentlye , and in dewe tyme he shulde be fashioned by good bryngynge vp . I wyll not here rehearse vnto you the example of Lycurgus knowen of euerye man , whyche bryngynge oute two whelpes , one of a gentle kynde , but euyll taughte , that ran to the mea●e , that other of sluggyshe syres , but diligently brought vp , that lea●te the meate and leapt vpon the beast . Nature is an effectuall thynge , but educacion more effectuall , ouercommeth it . Menne take heede that they maye haue a good dog to hunte , to haue a good horse to iournei with , and here thei thynke no diligence to be to hastie , but to haue a sonne that shulde be both worship and profite to the parentes , vpon whome they myghte ●aye a good part of the charges of their houshold , whose loue mighte noryshe and beare vp their vnweldy age , and that shuld shew hym self a trustye and healpynge sonne in a lawe , a good husbande to his wife , a valiaunte and profitable citizen to the common wealthe , I saye to haue suche eue , eyther they take no care , or else they care to late . For whom do they plant ? for whom do they plowe ? for whom do they buylde ? for whom do thei hunt for riches both by land & by sea ? not for theyr chyldren ? But what profite or worshyp is in these thinges , if he that shal be heire of them can not vse them ? With vnmesurable studye be possessions gotten , but of the possessor we take no kepe Who prepareth an harpe for the vnskylfull of musycke ? Who garnysheth a librarie for hym that can skyl of no bookes ? And are so great ryches gotten for hym whyche can not tell howe to vse them ? If thou gettest these thynges to hym that is well broughte vp , thou geueste hym instrumentes of vertue : but if thou get them for a rude and rusticall wytte , what other thynge doest thou then minister a matter of wantonnesse and mischiefe ? What canne bee thoughte more folyshe then thys kynde of fathers ? They prouide that the bodie of the sonne maye be wythout faute , and shulde bee made apte to do all manner thynges comelye , but the mynde , by whose moderacion all honeste wyrkes do stand , that they care not for . It nedeth me not here to rehearse that riches , dignitie , authoritie , and also health●●lnes of body , whych menne so desirouslye wyshe to theyr chyldren , nothynge doth more get them vnto man , than vertue and learninge . They wyshe vnto them a praye , but they wyll not geue them a nette to take it with all . That thing which is of al most excellent , thou canst not geue thy sonne , but thou mayest store hym wyth those good sciences , wherby the best thinges be gotten . Now is this a great inconuenience , but it is yet a greater , that they leaue at home their dogge wel taught , their horse well broken and taught , and theyr son enstructed wyth no learnyng . They haue land well tylled , and theyr sonne shamefull rude . They haue their house goodly trimmed , and theyr sonne voyde of all garnyshyng . Further , they whych after the peoples estimacion seme to be meruelouse wyse , do prolong the diligence to garnyshe the mind eyther into an age vnapte to bee taughte , or else take no care at all for it , and are meruelouse thoughtfull of externall goodes of fortune , yea or eue● he be borne , whom they haue appoynted to be lorde of them all . For what se we not them to do ? When their wyfe is greate wyth chylde , then call they for a searcher of natiuities , the parentes are whether it shall be a man or a woman kynde . They searche oute the destenye . If the astrologer by the byrth houre haue sayde that the chylde shulde be fortunate in warre : wee wyll , saye they , dedicate this chyld to the kinges courte . If he shal promyse ecclesiasticall dygnitie , wee wyll , saye they , hunte for hym by some meanes , a Byshoprycke , or a fatte Abbotshyp . Thys chylde wyl we make a president or a deane . Thys semeth not to them to hasty a care when they preuente euen the very byrth : and semeth it to hastye that is vsed in fashioning your childrens myndes ? So quyclye you prouide to haue your sonne a capt●ine or an officer , and therewyth wylte thou not prouide that he maie be a profitable captayn or officer of the common wealth ? Before the tyme come you go aboute this , to haue your sonne a byshop , or an abbot , and wylt thou not fashion hym to this well , to beare the office of a byshop , or an abbot ? Thou se●●este hym to a chariot , and shewest hym not the manner to guyde it . Thou puttest hym to the ster●e , and passest not that he shulde learne those thynges that becommeth a shypmaster to know . Finally in all thy possessions thou regardest nothing lesse then that , that is moste precious , & for whose sake al other thynges be gotten . Thi corne fieldes be goodly , thy houses be fayre , thy vessel is bright , thy garmentes , and al thy housholde stuffe , thy horses bee wel kept , thi seruauntes wel taught , only thy sonnes wyt is foule , filthy & all sluttishe . Thou hast perchaunce bought by the drumme a bond slaue , vyle , and barbarous , if he be rude and ignoraunt , thou markest to what vse he is good , & trimly thou bryngest hym vp to some craft , either of the kytchen , physicke , husbandrye , or stewardshyp : only thy sonne thou se●●est lyght by , as an i●le thynge . Thei wyl say : He shal haue inough to lyue on , but he shall not haue to lyue well on . Comonly the rycher that men be , the lesse they care for the bryngyng vp of their chyldren . What neede is it , say they , of anye learnyng , they shall haue inoughe ? Yea the more nede haue they of the helpe of phylosophy and learnyng . The greater the shyp is , & the more marchandyse it carieth aboute , the more neede it hathe of a connynge shyppe master . Howe greatlye do Prynces go about this , to leaue vnto their sonnes as large a dominion as they can , and yet do none care lesse that they shuld be brought vp in those good wayes , wythoute the whych , principalitie can not wel be ordred . How muche more dothe he geue , that geueth vs to lyue well , then to lyue ? Uerye lytel do chyldren owe vnto theyre fathers of wh●me they be no more but begotten , and not also broughte vp to lyue verteouslye .

The saying of Alexander is muche spoken of : excepte I were Alexander , I wold wishe to be Diogenes . But very worthely doth Plutarch rebuke it , because that so much the more he shuld haue wyshed to haue had Diogenes philosophye , howe muche the greater hys dominion was . But muche more shameful is theyr sluggardy , whyche not onely bryng not vp their chyldren aright , but also corrupte them to wyckednesse . When Crates the Thebane dyd perceiue thys abhominacion , not without a cause he wolde go in to the hyest place of the citye , & there crie out as loud as he could , & caste them in the teeth wyth theyr madnesse in this wyse . You wretches what madnesse driueth you ? Take you suche thought to gette money and possessions , & take you ●o care for your children for whom you get these thynges ? As they be scante halfe mothers whych onlye bringe forth , and not vp their chyldren , so be they scante halfe fathers , whith when they prouide necessaries for theyr chyldrens bodies , euen somuch that they maye ryot wythall , prouide not that their myndes maye be garnyshed wyth honest disciplines . Trees per aduenture wyl grow though eyther baren , or wyth wild fruite : horses are foled , though perchaunce they be good for nothyng : but menne ( truste me ) be not borne , but fashioned . Menne in olde tyme which by no lawes , nor good order ledde theyr lyues in woodes , in wanderynge lustes of bodye , were rather wylde beastes then men . Reason maketh a man : that hathe no place where all thynges are gouerned after affeccion . If shape and fashion shulde make a man , Images also shulde be counted among men . Elegantly sayde Aristippus when a certen ryche man a●ed him what profite learnyng shuld brynge to a yong man : & it be no more but this quod he , that in the playing place one stone sytte not vpon an other . Uery properly another Philosopher Diogenes I trowe , bearynge in the myd day a candle in his hand , walked aboute the market place that was full of men : beinge axed what thynge he sought : I seeke quod he , a man . He knewe that there was a greate company , but of beastes , and not men . The same man on a daye , when standing on an hye place he had called a great ●ort together , and sayde nothing else but come hither men , come hyther men . Some halfe angrye cryed agayne : we are here men , say what thou hast . Then quod he : I wold haue men come hyther & not you whych are nothyng lesse then men , and therwyth draue them away wyth his staffe . Surely it is very trewe , that a man not instructed wyth Phylosophye nor other good sciences , is a creature somewhat worse then brute beastes . For beastes folowe onely the affectes of nature , a manne except he be fashioned wych learning , and preceptes of philosophy , is ●awght into affeccions more than beastlike . For there is no beast more wylde , or more hurtefull then a manne , whom ambicion dryuethe , desyre , anger , enuye , ryot , and luste . Therfore he that prouideth not that his sonne may by and by be instructed in the beste learnyng , neyther is he a manne , nor the sonne of a man . Were it not an abhominable sight that the mynde of a man shulde be in a beastes body ? As we haue read that ●i●●es when she had enchaunted men wyth her wytchcraft , dyd turne them into Lions , beares , and swyne , so that yet ther shuld be stil in them the mynde of a man , which thyng Apuleus wrote to haue happened to hym selfe , and Austin also hathe beleued that men haue bene turned into wolues . Who could abyde to be called the father of such a monster . But it is a more merueylous monster that a beastes mynde shulde be in a mans bodye , and yet do very many please themselues in suche chyldren , and bothe the fathers seme , and the common people thynke suche to be verye wise . It is sayde that beares caste oute a lumpe of fleshe wythout anye fashion , whych wyth longe lyckyng , they forme and brynge into a fashyon , but there is no beares yonge one so euyll fauored as a manne is , borne of a rude mynde .

Except wyth much studye thou forme and fashion this , thou shalt be a father of a monster and not of a man . If thy sonne be borne wyth a copped head or crocke shuldred , or splay footed , or wyth syxe fingers in one hande , howe lothe woldest thou be for it , how arte thou ashamed to be called the father not of a man , but of a monster : and art thou not ashamed of so moustruous a mynde ? Howe discoraged be the fathers in theyr hertes if their wyfe brynge forthe a naturall , & an infante of a brute mynde ? For they thynke they haue begotten not a man , but a monster , and excepte feare of the lawe dyd let them , they wolde kyll that that is borne . Thou blameste nature whych hath denied the minde of a man to thy chylde , & thou causest by thyne own negligence , that thy sonne shulde be wythoute the mynde of a man . But thou wylte saye : Better it is to be of a brutishe rather than of an vngracious mind . Naye better it is to be a swyne , them an vnlearned and euyll man . Nature , when she geueth the a sonne , she geueth nothyng else , them a rude lumpe of fleshe . It is thy parte to fashion after the best maner , that matter that will obey & folow in euery poynt . If thou wylt slacke to do it , thou hast a beaste : if thou take hede thou hast , as I myght saye , a God . Srayght waye assone as thy infante is borne , it is apte to be taughte those thynges whych properlie belonge to a man . Therfore after the sayinge of Uyrgyll , bestowe diligente labour vpon hym , euen from hys tender age . Handle the waxe strayght way whyle it is very soft , fashion thys claie while it is moist , season thys earthen vessel wyth verye good liquour ; while it is newe , dye your wolle whyle it commeth whyte frome the fuller , and is not defiled wyth any spottes . Antisthenes dyd verye merilye shewe the same , whyche when he had taken a certen mans sonne to be taught , and was axed of hys father what thinges he had neede of : a newe booke quod he , a newe pensyle , and a new table . Uerelye the philosopher requyred a rude and emptye mynde . Thou canst not haue a rude lumpe , but and if thou fashyon it not lyke a manne , of it selfe it wyll waxe naught , into monstruous formes of wylde ●eastes . Seynge thou doest owe this seruyce to God & nature , although there were no hope that thou shuldest haue any profite therby , count in thy mynd , how greate comforte , how greate profite , howe much worshyp the children that be well brought vp brynge to theyr fathers . Chyldren euyl broughte vp , brynge shame to their parentes Agayne into what shames and greate sorowes they cast their parentes that bee euyll broughte vp . There is no nede to bryng here vnto the examples out of olde chronicles : do no more but remember in thy mind the housholdes of thine owne citye , howe many examples shalt thou haue in eueri place ? I know thou doest often hear such wordes . O happye man that I were , if my chyldren were buryed . O fortunate mother , if I hadde neuer broughte forth chylde . It is a waygh●y matter to brynge vp chyldren well , I graunt : but no man is borne to him selfe , no man borne to be idle . Thou woldest nedes be a father , thou muste be a good father , thou haste gotten them to the common wealth , not to thy self only , or to speake more lyke a christen man , thou hast begotten them to god , not to thy selfe . Paul wryteth that so in dede women be saued , if they bryng forth children , & so brynge them vp that they continue in the study of vertue . God wil straitly charge the parents with the childrens fautes . Therfore excepte that euen forthwith thou bryng vp honestly that , that is borne , fyrst thou dost thy selfe wronge , which thorow thy negligence , gettest that to thy selfe , then the which no enemye could wyshe to an other , ether more greuous or paynful . Dionisius did effeminat with delyghtes of the court Dions yong son that was run awaye from him : he knew that this shuld be more carefull to the father , then if he had kylled hym with a swerde . A litel whyle after when the yong manne was forced of his father that was come to him , to returne agayne to his old vertue , he brake his necke out of a garret . In dede a certeyne wise hebricion wrot very wisely . A wise child maketh the father glad , & a folish son is sorow to the mother . But a wyse chyld not only is pleasure to hys father , but also worship and succoure , and finallye hys fathers lyfe . Contrarye a folyshe and leude chylde , not only bringeth heauynesse to hys parentes , but also shame and pouertye , and olde before the tyme : and at laste causeth death to them , of whom he had the begynnyng of lyfe . What nede me to rehearse vp ? daily are in our eies the examples of citizens , whome the euyll maners of theyr chyldren haue brought to beggarye , whome eyther the sonne beyng hanged , or theyr daughter an whoore of the stewes , haue tormented wyth intollerable shame and vylany . I know greate men , whych of manye chyldren haue scante one lefte alyue . One consumed wyth the abhominable leprie , called by diminucion the french pockes , beareth his death aboute wyth hym : a nother hathe burste by drynkynge for the beste game , an other goyng a whorehuntynge in the nyghte with a visar , was pitifullye kylled . What was the cause ? Bycause theyr parentes thynkynge it inough to haue begotten them , and enryched them , toke no heede of theire bryngynge vp . They shall dye by the lawe , whych laye awaye theyr children , and cast them into some wood to be deuoured of wylde beastes . But there is no kynde of puttynge them awaye more cruell , then to geue vp that to beastlye affeccions , whych nature hath geuen to be fashioned by very good waies . If ther wer ani witch could wyth euyl craftes , and wold go about to turne thy sonne into a swyne or a wolfe , woldest thou not thynke that ther were no punyshemente to sore for her myscheuouse deede ? But that whych thou abhorrest in her , thou of purpose doest it thy selfe . How huge a beaste is lechery ? how rauenous and insaciable is ●yot ? howe wylde a beast is dronken shyp ? how hurtfull a thing is anger ? how horrible is ambicion ? To these beastes dothe he set ouer hys sonne , whosoeuer from his tender youthe doth not accustume hym to loue that , that is honeste : to abhorre synne : yea rather not onlye he casteth hym to wyld beastes , whych the most cruel casters away are wonte to do , but also whych is more greuouse , he norisheth this greate and perilous beaste , euen to hys owne destruccion . It is a kind of men most to be abhorred , which hurteth the body of infantes wyth bewitchyng : and what shal we say of those parentes whiche thorowe their negligence and euyll educacion be witch the mynd ? They are called murtherers that kyll their children beynge newe borne , and yet kyll but the body : ●owe great wyckednes is it to kyll the mynde ? For what other thynge is the deathe of the soule , then foly and wickednes . And he doth also no lesse wrong to his contrey , to whom asmuch as lyeth in hym , he geueth a pestilente citizen . He is naught to godwards , of whom he hath receyued a chylde for thys purpose , to brynge hym vp to vertue . Hereby you may se , how greate and manifolde mischiefes they committe whych regarde not the bryngynge vp of tender age . But as I touched a lytle before , they synne more greuouslie then do these , whych not onely do not fashion them to honestye , but also season the tender and soft vessel of the infante to myschiefe and wyckednesse , and teacheth hym vyce before he knowe what vice is . How shuld he be a modeste man and dyspyser of pride , that creepeth in purple ? He can not yet sound his fyrste letters , and yet he nowe knoweth what crimosine and purple sylke meaneth , he knoweth what a mullet is , and o● her dayntie fyshes , and disdainfullye wyth a proude looke casteth away common dyshes . How can he be shamefast when he is growen vp , which being a litel infant was begon to be fashioned to lecherye ? How shall he waxe liberal when he is old , which being so litel hath lerned to meruell at money & gold ? If ther be ani kynd of garment lately found out , as daili the ta●lers craft , as in time paste dyd Africa , bringeth forth some new monster , that we put vpon our infant . He is taught to stand in his own conceite : & if it be taken a way , he angerly axeth for it again . Howe shall he beyng olde hate drunkennes , whych when he is an infant is taught to loue wine ? They teach them by lytle and lytle suche filthy wordes whych are scant to be suffered , as sayth Quintilian , of the delicious Alexandrians . And if the child speake any suche after them , they kysse hym for hys laboure . I warant you they knew their yong , growynge nothynge out of kynde , when theyr owne lyfe is nothynge else then an example of naughtynes . Beynge an infant , he learneth the vnchaste flatterynge wordes of nurses , and as we saye , he is fashioned wyth the hand to wanton touchynge . He seeth hys father well whetteled wyth drynke , and heareth hym bablynge oute that , that shulde be kepte in . He sytteth at greate , and not very honest feastes , he heareth the house ful of iesters , harpes , mynstrels and daunsers . To these maners the chyld is so accustumed , that custume goeth into nature . The● be na●ions that fashion their chyldren to fiersenesse of warre whyle they be yet redde from the mother . They lerne to loke fierslie , the learne to loue the swearde , and to geue a strype . From such beginninges thei are deliuered to the master : and do we merueyle if wee fynde them vnapte to lerne vertue , whych haue dronke in vyces , euen wyth the mylke ? But I hear some men defendynge theyr folye thus , and sate that by thys pleasure whiche is taken of the wantonnes of infantes , the tediousnes of nou●syng is recompensed . What is this ? Shuld it be to the verye father more pleasaunt if the chylde folowe an euyll deede , or expresse a leude worde , them if wyth his lytle stutryng tonge , he spake a good sentence , or folowe any deede that is wel done ? Nature specially hathe geuen to the fyrste age an easines to folowe and do after , but yet thys folowyng is some what more proue to naughtynesse then to goodnes . Is vyce more plesaunte to a good man then vertue , specially in hys chyldren ? If anye fylthe fall vpon the yonge chyldes skyn , thou puttest it away , and dost thou infect the mynd wyth so foule spottes ? Nothynge stycketh faster then that that is learned in yonge myndes . I pray you what motherlye hertes haue those women , whiche dandle in their lap their chyldren tyl they be almost seuen yeres old , and in maner make them fooles ? If they be so much disposed to play why do they not rather get apes , and litle puppets to play wythall ? O saye they : they be but chyldren . They be in deede : but it can scant be told how muche those fyrste beginninges of our yong age do helpe vs to guide all our lyfe after , & howe hard & vntractable a wanton and dissolute bryngyng vp , maketh the chylde to the teacher , callynge the same gentlenes , when in deede it is a marring . Might not an accion of euyl handlyng children meruelous iustli be laid against such mothers ? for it is plainely a kynde of witchcraft & of murther . They be punyshed by the lawe , that bewitche their children , or hurt their weake bodies with poisons : what do thei deserue which corrupt the chiefe parte of the infant with most vngracious venome ? It is a lighter matter to kyl the body then the mind ? If a child shulde be brought vp among the gogle eied stutters , or haltyng , the body wold be hurt with infeccion : but in dede fautes of the mind cr●pe vpon vs more priuely , & also more quickely , & settel deper . The ●postle Paul worthily gaue this honor vnto the verse of Menander , that he wold recite it in his epistels : Euyl comunicacion , corrupteth good maners : but this is neuer truer than in infantes . Aristotle when he was axed of a certen man by what meanes he myghte bringe to pas , to haue a goodly horse : If he be brought vp quod he ▪ among horses of good kynde . And that if neyther loue nor reason can teach vs howe greate care we ought to take for the first yeres of our children , at the least waies let vs take example of brute beastes . For it oughte not to greue vs to learne of them a thynge that shall be so profitable , of whome mankinde now long ago hath lerned so many fruitful things : seuce a beast called Hippopotamus hath shewed the cutting of veines , & a bird of egipt called Ibis hath shewed the vse of a clister , which the phisicions gretly alow . The hearbe called dictamum whiche is good to drawe out arrowes , we haue knowne it bi hartes . Thei also haue taughte vs that the eatinge of crabs is a remedy against the poyson of spyders . And also we haue learned by the teachyng of lysa●des , that dictamum doth confort vs agaynst the byting of serpentes . For thys kynde of beastes fyghte naturally agaynste serpentes , of whom when they be hurt , they haue ben espyed to fetche theyr remedye of that herbe . Swallowes haue shewed vs salandine , and haue geuen the name vnto the hearbe . The wesyll hathe shewed vs that rewe is good in medicines . The Storke hathe shewed vs the herbe organye : and the wylde bores haue declared that Iuy helpeth sickenesses . Serpentes haue shewed that fenel is good for the eye syght . That vomite of the stomacke is stopped by lettise , the Dragon mony sheth vs . And that mans donge helpeth agaynst poyson , the Panthers haue taught vs , and many mo remedies we haue learned of Brute beastes : yea and craf●es also that be verye profitable for mannes lyfe . Swine haue shewed vs the maner to plow the lande , and the Swalowe to temper mud walles . To be short , there is in maner nothyng profitable for the lyfe of man , but the nature hathe shewed vs an example in brute beastes , that they that haue not learned philosophy and other sciences , maye be warned at the least waye by them what they shulde do . ●o we not se howe that euery beaste , not only doth beget yonge , but also fashion them to do their natural office ? The byrde is borne to flye . Doest thou not se how he is taught therunto & fashioned by his damme ? We see at home how the cattes go before their kytlynges , and exercyse them to catche myse & byrdes , because they muste lyue by them . They shewe them the praye whyle it is yet alyue , and teache them to catche it by leapyng , and at last to eate them . What do hartes ? Do they not forth wyth exercise their ●awnes to swyftnes , and teach them howe to runne ? they brynge them to hye stiepe doune places , & shewe them how to leap , because by these meanes they be sure agaynste the traines of the hunters . Ther is put in writing as it were a certen rule of techyng elephantes and dolphins in brynginge vp their yonge . In Nyghtingales , we perceiue the offices of the techer and learner , how the elder goth before , calleth backe , and correcteth , and howe the yonger foloweth and obeyeth . And as the dogge is borne to huntyng , the byrde is flyinge , the horse to runnyng , the oxe to plowynge , so man is borne to philosophy and honeste doinges : and as euery liuing thing lerneth very easly that , to the whiche he is borne , so man wyth verye lytle payne perceiueth the lernyng of vertue and honestye , to the whiche nature hath graffed certen vehemente seedes and principles : so that to the readinesse of nature , is ioyned the diligence of the teacher . What is a greater inconuenience then beastes that be wythout reason to knowe and remember theyr duetye towarde theyr yong : Man whych is deuided from brute beastes by prerogatiue of reason , not to know what he oweth to nature , what to vertue , and what to God ? And yet no kynde of brute beastes looketh for anye rewarde of theyre yong for their noursynge and teachynge , excepte we luste to ●eleue that the Storkes noryshe agayne theyr dammes for worne wyth age , and bear them vpon their backes . But among men , because no continuaunce of time taketh awaye the thanke of naturall loue : what comfort , what worshyp , what succoure doth he prepare for hym selfe , that seeth hys childe to be well brought vp ? Nature hathe geuen into thy handes a newe falowed fielde , nothynge in it in deede , but of a fruitfull grounde : and thou thorow negligence sufferest it to he ouer growen wyth bryers and thornes , whyche afterwardes can not be pulled vp wyth any diligence . In a lytell grayne , howe greate a tree is hyd , what fruite will it geue if it spring oute .

All thys profite is l●st except thou caste seede into the forowe , excepte thou noryshe wyth thy labour this tender plant as it groweth , and as it were make it tame by graffyng . Thou awakest in tamyng thy plant , and slepeste thou in thy sonne ? All the sta●e of mans felicitie standeth specially in thre poyntes : nature , good orderyng , and exercyse . I cal nature an aptnes to be taught , and a readines that is graffed within vs to honestye . Good orderynge or teachyng , I call doctryne , whiche stondeth in monicions and preceptes . I call exercyse the vse of that perfitenes which nature hath graffed in vs , and that reason hath furthered . Nature requyreth good order and fashionynge : exercyse , except it be gouerned by reason , is in daunger to manye perylles and erroures . They be greatly therefore deceiued , whych thynke it sufficient to be borne , & no lesse do they erre whyche beleue that wysedome is got by handelynge matters and greate affayres wythoute the preceptes of philosophye . Tel me I praye you , when shall he be a good runner whych runneth lustelye in deede , but eyther runneth in the darke , or knoweth not the waye ? When shall he bee a good sworde player , whych shaketh hys sworde vp and downe wynkyng ? Preceptes of philosophye be as it were the eyes of the mynde , and in manner geue lyght before vs that you may see what is nedefull to be done and what not . Longe experience of diuerse thinges profite much in dede , I confesse , but to a wyse man that is diligently instructed in preceptes of well doynge . Counte what thei haue done , and what thei haue suffered all theyr lyfe , whych haue gotten them by experience of thinges a sely small prudence & thinke whether thou woldest wyshe so greate myschiues to thy sonne . Moreouer philosophye teacheth more in one yere , then dothe anye experience in thyrty , and it teacheth safely , when by experience mo men waxe miserable then prudent , in so much that the old fathers not without a cause sayde : a man to make a perill or be in ieopardy , whych assayed a thing by experience . Go to , if a man wold haue hys sonne well seene in physycke , whether wolde he rather he shulde reade the bookes of phisicions or learne by experience what thynge wolde hurt by poysonyng , or helpe by a remedy . Howe vnhappye prudence is it , when the shypman hathe learned the arte of saylynge by often shypwrackes , when the prince by continuall batayles and tumultes , and by common myschieues hath learned to beare hys office ? Thys is the prudence of fooles , and that is bought to dearlye , that men shulde be wyse after they be strycken wyth myschief . He learneth very costely , whych by wanderyng lerneth not to wander . Philippus wyselye learned hys sonne Alexander to shewe hym selfe glad to lerne of Aristotle : and to learne philosophy perfectlye of him to the entent he shuld not do that he shuld repent hym of . And yet was Phylyp commend●d for hys singuler towardnes of wytte . What thynke ye then is to de looked for of the common sorte . But the manner of teachinge doth briefly shewe what we shulde folowe , what wee shulde auoyde : neyther dothe it after wee haue taken hurte monyshe vs , thys came euyll to passe , hereafter take heede : but or euer ye take the matter in hande , it cryeth : If thou do thys , thou shalt get vnto the euyll name and myschiefe . Let vs knytte therfore this threfolde corde , that both good teachyng leade nature , and exercise make perfite good teachyng . Moreouer in other beastes we do perceiue that euery one doth sonest learne that that is most properly belonging to hys nature , and whych is fyrste to the sauegarde of hys healthe : and that standeth in those thynges whith brynge either payne or destruccion . Not onlye liuing thyngs but plantes also haue this sence . For we se that trees also in that parte where the sea doth sauour , or the northen winde blow , to shrynke in their braunches and boughes : and where the wether is more gentle , there to spreade them farther oute .

And what is that that properly be longeth vnto man ? Uerelye to lyue according to reason , and for that is called a reasonable creature , and diuided from those that can not speake And what is most destruccion to man ? Folyshenes . He wyll therfore be taught nothyng soner then vertue , and abhorre from nothynge sooner then folyshnesse , if so be the diligence of the parentes wyll incontinent set a worke the nature whyle it is emty . But we here meruelous complantes of the common people , howe readye the nature of chyldren is to fal to vyce , & how hard it is to drawe them to the loue of honesty . They accuse nature wrongfullye . The greatest parte of thys euyll is thorowe oure owne faute , whyche mar the wittes with vyces , before we teache them vertues . And it is no maruell if we haue them not verye apte to learne honestye , seyng they are nowe already taughte to myschiefe . And who is ignoraunt , that the labour to vnteache , is both harder , and also goth before teachyng . Also the common sorte of men do amysse in thys pointe thre maner of wayes : eyther because they vtterlye neglecte the bryngynge vp of children , or because they begynne to fashion their myndes to knoweledge to late , or because they putte them to those men of whome they maye learne that that muste be vnlerned agayne . Wee haue shewed those fyrst maner of men vnworthi to be called fathers , and that they very litle differ from suche as ser●e theyr infantes out abrode to be destroyed , and that they oughte worthely to be punyshed by the lawe , which doth prescribe this also diligentlye by what meanes chyldren shuld be brought vp , & afterwards youth . The second sorte be very manye , wyth whom nowe I specially entend to st●iue . The thyrd doth amysse two wayes , partly thorowe ignoraunce , partly thorowe retchlesnes . And syth it is a rare thynge and a shame to be ignoraunte to whome thou shuldest put oute thy horse , or thy grounde to be kepte , howe muche more shamefull is it not to knowe whom thou shuldeste put thy chylde in truste wythal , beynge the dearest part of thy possessions ? Ther thou beginnest to lerne that , that thou canst not skyll well of thy selfe , thou axest counsell of the beste seene : here thou thynkeste it maketh no matter to whom thou commit●est thy sonne . Thou assignest to thy seruantes , eueri man his office that is metest for hym . Thou tryest whom thou mayest make ouersear of thy husbandrie , whome to appoint to the kitchen , and who shulde ouersee thy housholde . And if there be any good for nothynge , a slug , a dulhead , a foole , a waster , to hym we commit oure childe to be taught : and that thynge whych requireth the cunningest man of all , is put to the worst of our seruauntes . What is vntoward , if here menne haue not an vntoward mind ? Ther be some whych for theyr couetous mynd be a feard to hyre a good master , and geue more to an horskeper then a teacher of the chyld . And yet for al that they spare no costly feastes , nyght & day thei playe at dice , and bestowe m●ch vpon houndes & fooles . In thys thynge onely they be sparers and nigardes , for whose cause spa●inge in other thynges myght be excused . I wold ther wer fewer whych bestowe more vpon a rotten whore , then vpon bringyng vp of their chylde . Nothyng sayth the Satir writer standeth the father in lesse cost then the sonne . Peraduenture it wyll not be much amisse here to speake of the day dyet , which longe ago was muche spoken of in the name of Crates . They report it after thys fashion . Alow to thy coke x. pound , to thy phisicion a grote , to thy flatterer .v. talents , to thy counseller smoke , to thy harlot a talent , to thy philosopher .iii. halfpens . What lacketh to this preposterous count , but to put to it that the teacher haue iii. farthings : Howbeit I thinke that the master is meant vnder the name of philosopher . When one that was riche in money , but ned● of wit axed Aristippus wharwages he wold axe for teching his son , & he answered .v. C. grotes . You a●e quod he●o great a summe : for with this much money a man maye bye a seruaunce . Then the philosopher very properly againe : but now , quod he , for one thou shalt haue two : a sonne mete to do the seruice , and a philosopher to teache thy sonne . Further if a man shulde bee axed , whether he wold haue hys onlye sonne dead to wynne an hundred horses , if he had any ●rum●e of wysedome , he wold answer ( I thinke : ) in no wise . Whi geuest thou then more for ●hi horse ? why is he more diligently taken hede to then thy sonne ? why geuest thou more for a fole , then for the bringyng vp of thy chylde ? Be frugall and sparynge in other thynges , in thys poynt to be thryfty , is no sparynge but a madnes . There be other agayn that take good heede in chosyng a master , but that is at the desyre of their friendes . They lette passe a meere and cunninge man to reache chyldren , and take one that can no skyll , for none other cause , but that he is set forwardes at the desyres of their friendes . Thou mad man , what meanest thou ? In saylynge thou regardest not the affeccion of them that speake good wordes for a man , but thou secteste hym to the helme , whych can best skyll to gouerne the shyp : in the sonne , when not only he hymself is in ieopardy , but the father and mother and all the housholde , yea and the common wealth it selfe , wylte thou no● vse like iudgement ? Thy horse is sicke , whether wilt thou sende for a ●eche at the good worde of thy friend , or for his cunnyng in lechcraft . What ? Is thy sonne of lesse price vnto the then thi horse ? Yea settest thou lesse by thy selfe then by thy horse ? This beyng a foule thynge in meane citizens , how much more shamefull is it in great menne ? At one supper a dashynge agaynst the mischeuous rocke of dice , and so hauynge shypwrake , thei lose two hundred pound , and yet they saye they be a● coste , i● vpon theyr son they bestowe aboue xx . pounde . No man can geue nature , eyther to himselfe , or to other : howbeit in this poynte also the diligence of the parentes helpeth much . The fyrst poynt is , that a man chose to hym selfe a wyfe that is good , come of a good kynred , and well broughte vp , also of an healthfull bodie . For seyng the kynred of the body and mynde is very stray●lye knytte , it can not be but that the one thynge eyther muste be ●o●●en or h●rte of the other . The nexte is , that when the husband● dothe hys duetye to get chyldren , ●e do it neither beyng moued wyth anger , nor yet ●runk●n , for these aff●c●●●ns go into the chylde by a secrete 〈◊〉 . A ce●●en philosopher seemed to haue ma●ked that thyng proper●y , w●ych seynge a yonge man b●●a●●n●e h●m selfe not verye ●oderlie , it is meruell quod he , but if thy father ●egat the when he was dr●nke . Uerily I thinke this also maketh greatli to the matter , if the mother at all times , but specially at the time of concepcion and byrthe , haue her mynde free from all cr●mes , and be of a good conscience . For ther can be nothyng eyther more quiet or more merye then such a mynd . The thyrd point is that the mother noryshe with her own brestes her infant , or if ther hap any necessitie that it maye not so be , let be chosen a nurse of a wholsome body , of pure mylke , go●d condicions , nether drunken , nor brauler , nor lecherous . For the vices that be taken euen in the very beginninges of lyfe , both of the bodye and of the mynd , abyde fast vntyl we be olde . Some men also write that it skilleth muche who be his sucking felowes & who be his playfelowes . Fourthlye that in due season he be set to a chosen scholemaster alowed by all mens witnes , and many waies tryed . You must be diligent in chosyng , and after go thorowe with it . Homer disaloweth wher many beare rule : and after the olde prouerbe of the grekes . The multitude of captaines dyd lose Caria . And the often chaunginge of phisicions hath destroyed manye . There is nothynge more vnprofitable , then often to chaunge the master . For by that meanes the web of Penelopes is wouen & vnwouen . But I haue knowen children , whych before they wer .xii. yere old , had more than .xii. masters , and that thorowe the rechelesnesse of their parentes . And yet after this is done must the parentes be diligent . They shall take heede bothe to the master & to the sonne , neither shall they so caste away al care from them as they are wonte to laye all the charge of the doughter vpon the spouse , but the father shall oftentyme looke vpon them , and marke whether he profite , remembrynge those thynges whych the olde men spake both sage●y and wittely , that the fore●ead is set before the hynder part of the head : and that nothyng sooner fatteth the horse then the masters eye , nor that no dunge maketh the ground more fruitfull then the masters footyng . I speake of yonge one . For as for the elders it is meete sometyme that they be sente far out of oure syght , whiche thing as it were a graffing , is inespecially wont to ●ame yongemens wyttes . Emonge the excellent vertues of Paulus Emilius , this also is praised , that as often as he might for his busines in the common welth he wolde be at the exercises of hys sonnes . And Plinie the nepheu was contente nowe and then ●o go into the schole for his friendes sonnes sake , whom he had taken vpon him to brynge vp in good learnynge . Furthermore , that that wee haue spoken of nature is not to be vnderstand one wayes . For there is a nature of a common kynde , as the nature of a man is to vse reason . But ther is a nature peculier , eyther to hym or him , that properly belongeth either to thys man or that , as if a man wolde saye some menne to be borne to disciplines mathematical some to diuinitie , some to rethorike some to poetrie , and some to war . So myghtely disposed they be and pulled to these studies , that by no meanes they canne be discoraged from them , or so greatly they abhor them , that they wyl sooner go into the fyre , then apply their mynde to a science that they hate . I knewe one familierlye whych was verye well seene both in greke and latin , and well learned in all liberall sciences , when an archbishop by w●● he was found , had sende hither by hys letters , that he shulde begynne to heare the readers of the lawe agaynst hys nature . After he had complayned of this to me ( for we laye both together ) I exhorted hym to be ruled by his patron , saying that it wold wexe more easy , that at the beginning was harde , and that at the least waye he shulde geue some part of hys tyme to that study . After he had brought oute certen places wonderfull folyshe , which yet those professours halfe goddes dyd teache their hearers wyth greate authoritie , I answered , he shuld set light by them , & take out that whiche they taught well : and after I had preased vpon hym wyth many argumentes , I am quod he so minded , that as often as I turne my selfe to these studies , me thinketh a swerde runneth thorowe my hert . Menne that bee thus naturallye borne , I thynke they be not to bee compelled against their nature , lest after the common saying we shuld leade an Oxe to wreastlynge , or an Asse to the harpe . Peraduenture of this inclinacion you may perceiue certen markes in lytle ons . There be that can pronosticate such thynges by the houre of hys birthe , to whose iudgemente howe muche ought to be geuen , I leaue i● to euerye mans e●●macion . It molde yet muche ●rofite to haue espyed the same assoone as can be , b●cause we learne those thynges moste easelie , to the which nature hath made ●s . I thinke it not a very vayne thing to coniecture by the figure of the f●ce and the behaueour of the rest of the bodie , what disposicion a man is of . Certes Aristotle so greate a philosopher v●●chsaued to put oute a booke of phisiognomye verye cunnynge and well laboured . As saylyng is more pleasaunt when wee haue bothe the wynd and the tyde , so be we soner taught those things to the whych we be inclined by redines of wyt . Uirgyll hath shewed markes wherby a man may know an oxe good for the plough , or a cowe meete for generacion & encrease of cattell . Beste is the oxe that looketh grimly . He techeth by what tokens you may espie a yong colte mete for ●usting . Sraight waye the colt of a l●sty courage trāplethgaylie in the fieldes . &c. for you know the verses . They are deceyued whyche beleue that nature hathe geuen vnto man no markes , whereby hys disposicion maye bee gathered , and they do amisse , that do not marke them that be geuen . Albeit in my iudgemente there is scante anye discipline , but that the wyt of man is apt to lerne it , if we continue in preceptes and exercise . For what may not a man learne , when an Eliphant maye be taught to walke vpon a corde , a bear to daunse , and an asse to playe the foole . As nature therefore is in no mannes owne hande , so wee haue taught wherin by some meanes we ma●e helpe nature . But good orderynge and exercise is altogether of our own witte and diligence . How much the waye to teach doth helpe , thys specially declareth , that we se daylye , burdens to be lyft vp by engi●s and arte , whiche otherwyse coulde bee moued by no strength . And how greatly exercise auaileth that notable saying of the old wise man , inespeciallye proueth , that he ascribeth all thynges to diligence and study . But labour , say they , is not meete for a tender age , & what readines to lerne can be in children whych yet scarse knowe that they are men : I wyll answere to bothe these thinges in few wordes . How agreeth it that that age shulde bee counted vnmeete for learnynge , whych is nowe apte to learne good maners ? But as there be rudimentes of vertue , so be there also of scicences . Philosophy hath his infancie , hys youthe , and rype age . An horsecolt , which forthwyth sheweth his gentle kynd , is not straight way forced wyth the bytte to cary on hys backe an armed manne , but wyth easy exercises he learneth the fashion of warre . The calfe that is appoynted to the plowghe , is not strayght wayes laden wyth werye yockes , nor prycked wyth sharpe godes , but as Uirgyl hath elegantlye taught : Fyrst they knyt aboute his necke circles made of tender twygges , and after when his free necke hathe bene accustumed to do seruice , they make rounde hoopes mete , & when they be wrythen , ioyne a payre of meete ons together , and so cause the yonge heyfe●s to gooe forwardes , and often tymes they make them to draw an empty cart , and sleightly go awaye , but afterwards they set on a great heauy a●el●ree of beeche , and make them to draw a great plough beame of yron . Plowmen can skyll howe to handell oxen in youthe , and attemper their exercises af●er their strength muche more diligently ought this to be done in bringing vp our children . Furthermore the prouidence of nature hath geuen vnto li●le ons a certen mere habilitie . An infant is not yet mee●e to whome thou shuldest reade the offices of Cicero , or the Ethickes of Aristotle , or the moral bokes of Seneca or Plutarche , or the epistels of Paule , I confesse , but yet if he do any thyng vncomly at the table , he is monyshed , and when he is monyshed , he fashioneth hym selfe to do as he is taught . He is brought into the temple , he lerneth to bowe his kne , to holde hys handes manerly , to put of hys cap , and to fashion all the behaueour of hys bodie to worshyp God , he is commaunded to holde hys peace when misteries be in doyng , and to turne hys eyes to the alter . These rudimentes of modestye and vertue the childe lerneth before he can speake , which because they sticke fast vntil he be elder , they profit somwhat to true religion . Ther is no difference to a chyld when he is first borne , betwene his parentes & straungers . A non after ●e learneth to knowe his mother , & after his father . He learneth by litle & litle to reuerence them , he learneth to obey them , & to loue them . He vnlerneth to be angrye , to be auenged , & when he is bidden kysse them that he is angry withal , he doth it , & vnlerneth to bable out of measure . He lerneth to rise vp , & geue reuerence to an old man , & to put of his cap at the image of the crucifix . Thei that thinke that these lytle rudimentes help nothing to vertue , in my mind be greatly deceiued . A certen yonge man when he was rebuked of Plato because he had plaied at dice complained that he was so bitterly chidden ▪ for so litle harme . Then quod Plato , although it be but smal hurt to play at dice , yet is it great hurt to vse it . As it is therefore a greate euyll to accustume thy selfe to euyl , so to vse thy selfe to small good thynges is a greate good . And that tender age is so muche the more apte to learne these thyngs , because of it selfe it is plyaunt vnto all fashions , because it is not yet occupyed wyth vyce , and is glad to folowe , if you shewe it to do any thinge . And as commonlye it accustumeth it selfe to vyce , or euer it vnderstand what vyce is , so wyth lyke easynes maye it be accustumed to vertue . And it is beste to vse best thinges euen at the fyrst . That fashion wyll endure longe , to the which you make the empty and tender mynde . Horace wrote that if you thruste oute nature wyth a forke , yet wyll it styll come againe . He wrot it and that very truly , but he wrote it of an olde tre . Therfore the wise husband man wil straight waye fashion the plante after that maner whyche he wyll haue tarye for euer when it is a tree . It wyll soone turne in to nature , that you powre in fyrste of all . Claye if it be to moyste wyl not kepe the fashion that is prynted in it : the waxe may be so softe that nothynge can bee made of it . But scarse is there any age so tender that is not able to receyue learnyng . No age sayth Seneca , is to late to learne : whether that be true or no I wot not , surely elderly age is very harde to learne some thyngs . This is doutles , that no age is so yonge but it is apte to be taught , inespecially those thynges vnto the whych nature hathe made vs , for as I sayd : for thys purpose she hath geuen a certen peculier desyre of folowyng , that what so euer they haue herde or seene , they desyre to do the lyke , and reioyse when they thynke they can do any thyng : a man wolde saye they wer apes . And of thys ryseth the fyrste coniecture of their wyt and aptnes to be taughte . Therefore assone as the man chyld is borne , anone be is apte to lerne maners . After when he hath begon to speake , he is mete to be taught letters . Of what thynge regarde is fyrste to be had , a readines by & by is geuen to lerne it . For learnyng although it haue infinite commodities , yet excepte it wayte vpon vertue , it bryngeth more harme then good . Worth●lye was refused of wyse menne theire sentence , which thought that children vnder seuen yere olde shulde not be set to lernyng : and of thys sayinge manye beleued Hesiodus to be the author , albeit Aristophanes the gramarian sayd , that those morall preceptes in the whych worke it was written , were not made by Hesiodus Yet nedes must he be some excellent wryter , which put forth such a booke that euen learned menne thought it to be of Hesiodus doing But in case it were Hesiodus , with out doute yet no mans authoritie oughte to be of suche force vnto vs , that we shulde not folowe the better if it bee shewed vs . Howebeit who soeuer wer of thys mynd , they meant not thys , that all thys time vntyll seuen yeres shulde bee quite voyde of teachyng , but that before that tyme chyldren shulde not bee troubled wyth the laboure of studies , in the whych certeine tediousnes muste bee deuoured , as of cannyng wythout booke , sayinge the lesson agayn , and wyth wrytinge it , for scant maye a man fynde anye that hathe so apte a wytie to bee taught , so tractable and that so wil folowe , whyche wyll accustume it selfe to these thynges wythout prickyng forward . Chrisippus apoynted thre yeres to the nou●ses , not that in the meane space there shuld be no teachynge of manners , and speach , but that the infame shulde be prepared by fayr meanes to lern vertue and letters , ether of the nurses , or of the parentes , whose maners wythout peraduenture do help very much to the good fashiony●ge of chyldren . And because the fyrste teachyng of chyldren is , to speake playnly and wythout faute , in this afore tyme the nourses and the parentes helpe not a lytle . Thys begynnyng , not only very muche profiteth to eloquence , but also to iudgement , and to the knowledge of all disciplines : for the ignoraunce of tonges , eyther hath marred all the sciences , or greatly hurt them , euen diuinitie it selfe also , phisicke & law . The eloquence of the Gracchians was muche merueyled at in tyme paste , but for the most they myghte thanke theyr mother Cornelia for it , as Tullie iudgeth . It apeareth sayth he , that the chyldren wer not so much brought vp in the mothers lappe , as in the mothers communicacion . So theyr fyrste scholyng was to them the mothers lap . Lelia also expressed in her goodly talke the eloquence of her father Caius . And what marueile . While she was yet yonge she was dyed wyth her fathers communicacion , euen when she was borne in his armes . The same happened to the two sisters , Mucia and Licinia , neeces vnto Caius . Specially is praysed the elegance of Licinia in speakyng , whiche was the daughter of Lucius Crassus , one Sc●pios wyfe as I weene . What nedes many words ? All the house and all the kynred euen to the nepheus , and their cosyns dyd often expresse elegance of their fore fathers in artificiall and cunnyng speakyng . The daughter of Quintus Hortencius so expressed her fathers eloquence , that ther was longe ago an oracion of hers to se , that she made before the officers called Triumuiri , not only ( as Fabius sayth ) to the prayse of womankynd . To speake without fa●● no litle helpe ●rynge also the nourses , tutors , and playe felowes . For as touching the tonges , so great is the readines of that age to learne them , that wythin a few monethes a chylde of Germany maye learne Frenche , and that whyle he dothe other thinges also : neyther dothe that thynge come euer better to passe then in rude and verye yonge yeres . And if this come to passe in a barbarous and vnruled tonge , whych wryteth otherwyse then it speaketh , and the whych hathe hys schriches and wordes scarse of a man , howe muche more easely wyl it be done in the Greeke or Latine tonge ? Kyng Mithridates is read to haue perfitly knowen .xxii. tonges , so that he could plead the lawe to euery nacion in their owne tonges wythoute anye interpreter . The mistocles within a yeres space lerned perfitely the Persians tong because he wolde the better commen wyth the kyng . If sumwhat old age can do that , what is to be hoped for of a chylde ? And all this businesse standeth specially in two thynges , memorye , and imitacion . We haue shewed before alredy that there is a certein naturall greate desyre in chyldren to folowe other , and very wyse men wryte that memorie in chyldren is verye sure in holdinge faste : and if we distrust their authoritie , experience it selfe wyll proue it vnto vs . Those thynges that we haue seene beyng chyldren , they so abide in our mindes , as though we had sene them yesterdaie . Thinges that we read to day when we be old , wythin two daies after if we read them agayn they seme newe vnto vs . Furthermore howe fewe haue we seene whych haue had good successe in lernynge the tonges when they were olde ? And if some haue wel spedde them in knoweledge , yet the right sound and pronunciacion hath chaunsed either to none , or to very few . For rare examples be no common rules . Neyther for thys muste we call chyldren to lerne the tonges after sixtene yere olde , because that the elder Cato lerned latine , and Greeke , when he was thre score and ten yeres olde . But Cato of Utica muche better lerned then the other and more eloquent , when he was a chylde was continuallye wyth hys master Sarpedo . And here we ought so much the more to take heede , because that yonge age led rather by sense then iudgement , wyll assone or peraduenture soner lerne leudnes & things that be naught Yea we forget soner good thinges than naught . Gentile philosophers espyed that , & merueyled at it , and could not search out the cause , whiche christen philosophers haue shewed vnto vs : which telleth that this redines to mischiefe is setteled in vs of Adam the first father of mankind . Thys thynge as it can not be false , so is it very true , that the greateste parte of this euyll commeth of leude and naughty bryngyng vp , inespeciallye of tender youthe , whyche is plyeable to euerye thynge .

We fynd in writyng that great Alexander lerned certeine fautes of hys master Leonides , whyche he could not leaue when he was well growen v● , and a great Emperour . Therfore as long as amonge the latines floryshed that olde vertuousnes of good maners , chyldren were not committed to an hyrelynge to be taught , but were taughte of the parentes them selues & their kinsfolke , as of their vncles both by father and mother , of the graundfathers , as Plutarch sayth : For they thought it especially perteyned to the honour of their kynred , if they had very manye excellentlye well seene in liberall knowledge , where as now adayes all nobilitie almost standeth in pain●ed & grauen armes , dauncing , huntynge , and dicynge . Spurius Carbilius of a bond man made free , whose patrone Carbilius brought in the fyrste example of diuorce , is reported to be the fyrste that taught an open grammer schole . Before thys tyme it was counted a verye vertuous office if euery man taughte hys kynsefolke in vertue and lernyng . Nowe is thys theyr onlye care , to seeke for their chyld a wyfe wyth a good dowrye . That done , they thynke they haue done all that belongeth to a father . But as the world is alwayes redy to be worse and worse , day n●●nes hathe perswaded vs to comm●e this office to a tuter that is one of our householde , and a gentleman is put to be taught of a seruaunte . In whyche thynge in deede , if we wolde take heede whom we chose , the ieopardy were so muche the lesse , because the teacher liued not only in the fathers syght , but also wer vnder hys power if he dyd amysse . They that wer very wyse , either bought lerned seruauntes , or prouided they myghte be lerned , that they myghte be teachers to their children . But howe muche wyser were it , if the parents wolde get lernyng for thys entent , that they them selues myght teach theyr owne chyldren . Uerelye by thys meanes the profite wolde be double , as the commoditie is double if the Byshoppe shewe hym selfe a good man , to the entente he maye encourage very many to the loue of vertue . Thou wylt saye : euerye men hath not leasure , and they be lothe to take so greate payne . But go to good syr , Lette vs caste wyth oure selfe howe muche tyme wee lose at dice , bankertynge , and beholdynge gaye syghtes , and playinge wyth fooles , and I weene wee shall bee ashamed to saye wee lacke leasure to that thynge whych oughte to be done , all other set asyde . We haue tyme sufficiente to do all we shulde do , if we bestowe it so thriftelye as we shulde do . But the daye is short to vs , when we lose the greater part thereof . Consider thys also , howe greate a porcion of tyme is geuen now and then to the fo●lyshe busines of our friendes . If we can not do as they all wolde haue vs , verelye wee oughte chiefely to regarde our chyldren . What payne refuse we to leaue vnto oure chyldren a ryche patrimonye and well stablished : and to get that for them whiche is better then all this , shulde it yrke vs to take laboure ? namelye when naturall loue and the profite of them whyche be mooste neareste vnto vs , maketh sweete al the grief and payne . If that were not , when wolde the mothers beare so longe tediousenes of chyldbyrth and nursyng . He loueth his sonne lyghtlye whych is greued to teache hym . But the manner to enstructe them was the more easy to them in olde tyme , because the learned and vnlearned people spake all one tong , saue that the learned spake more truelye , more elegantly , more wiselye , and more cop●ousely . I confesse that , and it were a very shorte way to learnynge , if it were so nowe a dayes . And there haue bene some that haue gone aboute to renewe and brynge again those olde examples , and to doo as those olde fathers haue done afore tyme , as in Phrisia , Canterians , in Spayne Queene Elisabeth the wyfe of Fardinandus , oute of whose familye there haue come forthe verye manye womenne bothe merueylouselye well learned and verteouse . Emong the englishe men , it greued not the ryght worshypful Thomas More , although beyng much occupyed in the kynges matters , to be a teacher to hys wyfe , daughters , and sonne , fyrste in vertue , and after to knowledge of Greke and Latine . Uerely this ought to be done in those that we haue apoynted to learnynge . Neyther is there anye ieopardie that they shulde be ignoraunt in the peoples tonge , for thei shall learne that whether they wyl or not by companye of men . And if there be none in oure house that is lerned , anon we shulde prouide for some cunnyng man , but tryed both in maners and lernyng . It is a folyshe thyng to make a profe in thy sonne , as in a slaue of litle value , whether hys teacher be learned or not , and whether he bee a good man that thou haste gotten hym or not . In other thinges pardon may be geuen to negligence , but here thou muste haue as manye eyes as Argus had , and muste be as vigilant as is possible . They say : a man maye not twyse do a faute in war : here it is not laweful to do once amisse . Moreouer the soner the child shall be set to a master , so much shal hys brynginge vp come the better to passe . I knowe some men fynde thys excuse , that it is ieopardy lest the labour of studies make the good health of the tender bodye weaker . Here I myght ensure , that althoughe the strength of the bodye wer sumwhat taken awaye , that thys incommoditie is well recompensed by so goodly gyftes of the mynd . For we fashion not a wrestler , but a philosopher , a gouernour of the common wealth , to whom it is sufficient to be healthful , although he haue not the strengthe of Milo : yet do I confesse that somewhat we must tender the age , that it maye waxe the more lustye . But there be manye that foolyshely do feare leste their chyldren shulde catche harme by learnynge , whych yet feare not the much greater peryl● that cometh of to muche meate , whereby the wyttes of the litle ons no lesse be hurted then bee theyr bodyes by kyndes of meates and drynkes that be not meete for that age . They brynge theyr lytle children to great and longe feastes , yea feastyng sometyme vntyl farre forth nyghtes , they fyl them wyth salt and hoat meates , somtyme euen tyl thei vomite . They bynde in and loade the tender bodies wyth vnhandsome garmentes to set them out , as some trym apes , in mans apparel , and otherwayes they weaken their children , and they neuer more tenderlye be afrayed of their health , then when communicacion is begon to be had of lernynge , that is of that thynge whych of al other is moste wholesom and necessarye . That whych we haue spoken touchyng health , that same perteineth to the care of hys bewety , whyche as I confesse is not to be lyght set bye , so to carefully to be regarded , is not very meete for a man . A wayward feare for hurting childrens bewtye . Neyther do we more weywardlye fear any other thyng then the hurt of it to come by studie , where it is hurt a greate deale more by surfet , dronkennes , vntymelye watchynge , by fyghtyng and woundes , finally by vngracious pockes , which scarse anie man escapeth that liueth intemperatly . From these thyngs rather let than see they keepe their children then from lernyng , whych so carefully take thought for the health and bewtie . Howbeit thys also may be prouided for by our care & diligence that ther shuld be very litle labour and therf●re litle losse . Prouision for easinge chyldrens labour This shal be if neyther many thyngs , neither euery lyght thynge be taught them when they be yong , but the best only & that be mete for their age , whiche is delighted rather in pleasaunt thynges then in subtile . Secondly , a fayre manoure of teachynge shall cause that it may seme rather a playe then a labour , for here the age must be beguiled with sweete flattering wordes , which yet can not tell what fruit , what honour , what pleasure lernyng shall brynge vnto them in tyme to come . And this partly shal be done by the teachers gentlenes , & curteous behaueour , & partlye by his wit & subtile practise , wherbi he shal deuise diuerse prety meanes to make lerning plesaunt to the chylde , & pul hym away from feling of labour . For there is nothynge worse then when the waywardnes of the master causeth the children to hate lernyng before they knowe wherefore it shulde be loued . The fyrst degree of lerning , is the loue of the master . In processe of tyme it shall come to passe that the chyld whych fyrst began to loue lernyng for the masters sake , afterwards shall loue the master because of lernyng . For as many giftes are very dere vnto vs euen for thys cause , that they come from them whome wee loue hertelye : so lernyng , to whom it can not yet be pleasaunt thorowe discrescion , yet to them it is acceptable for the loue they beare to the teacher . It was very wellspoken of Isocrates that he lerneth very much , whych is desirous of lernyng . And we gladlye lerne of them whome we loue . But some be of so vnpleasaunt maners that they can not bee loued , no not of their wyues , theyr countenaunce lowryng , their companye currishe , they seme angrye euen when they be bestepleased , they can not speke fayre , scarse can they laughe when men laugh vpon them , a man wold saye they were borne in an angrye hour . These men I iudge scant worthye to whome we shulde put ou●e wylde horses to be broken , muche lesse wuld I thynke that thys tender and almost suckynge age shuld be committed to them . Yet be ther some that thynke that these kynde of men , euen inespecyally worthye to be set to teache yonge chyldren , whylest they thynke their sturdynes in lookynge is holynes . But it is not good trustyng the lookes , vnder that frownynge face lurke often tymes most vnchaste and wan●on maners , neyther is to be spoken amonge honeste men , to what shamefulnes these vouchers abuse chyldren by fearyng them . No nor the parentes themselues can well bring vp theyr chyldren , if they be no more but feared . The fyrste care is to be beloued , by lytle and lytle foloweth after , not feare , but a certen liberall and gentle reuerence which is more of value then feare . Howe properly then I praye you be those chyldren prouided for , which being yet scante foure yere olde are sente to schole , where sy●teth an vnknowen scholemaster , rude of manners , not verye sober , and sometyme not well in hys wytte , often lunatike , or hauynge the fallyng sycknes , or frenche pockes ? For there is none so vyle , so naughte , so wretched , whome the common people thynketh not sufficiente ynoughe to teache a grammer schole . And thei thynkyng they haue gotten a kingdome , it is marueyle to s●e howe they set vp the brystels because thei haue rule , not vpon beastes , as sayeth Terence , but vpon that age whiche ought to be cheryshed wyth all gentlenes . You wolde saye it were not a schole , but a tormentynge place : nothynge is hearde there beside the flappynge vpon the hande , beside yorkynge of roddes , besyde howlynge and sobbinge and cruell threatnynges . What other thynge maye chyldren learne hereof , then to hate learnyng ? When this hatered hath once setteled in the tender myndes ▪ yea when they be old they abhorre studye . It is also muche more foolyshe , that some men sende their lytle chyldren to a pynyshe dronken woman to learne to reade and wryte . It is agaynste nature that women shulde haue rule vpon menne : besyde that , nothynge is more cruell then that kynde , if they bee moued with anger , as it wyll soone be , and wyll not cease tyll it be full reuenged . Monasteries also , and colleges of brethern , for so they cal themselues , seeke for their liuynge hereof , and in theyr darke corners teache the ignoraunt chyldren commenlye by menne that be but a lytle learned , or rather leudlye learned , althoughe we graunte they bee bothe wyse and honeste . Thys kynde of teachynge howe so euer other menne alowe it , by my counsell no manne shall vse it , who soeuer entendeth to haue hys child well brought vp . It behoueth that eyther there were no schole , or else to haue it openlye abrode . It is a shorte waye in dede that commonlye is vsed : for manye be compelled of one more easelye by feare , that one broughte vp of one liberallye .

But it is no great thynge to beare rule vpon Asses or Swyne , but to brynge vp chyldren liberallye as it is veri hard , so is it a goodly thing . It is tiranny to oppresse citizens by feare , to keepe them in good order , by loue , moderacion and prudence , it is princely . Diogenes beynge taken of the Agenites , and brought oute to be solde , the cryer axed hym by what title he wolde be set out to the byer . Axe quod he if any wyl bye a man that can rule chyldren . At this straunge prayse manye laughed . One that hadde chyldren at home communed wyth the philosopher , whether he could do in deede that he professed . He sayde he coulde . By shorte communicacion he perceyued he was not of the common sorte , but vnder a pore cloke , ther was hydden great wisedome : he bought hym , and brought hym home , & put his chyldren to him to be taught . As the Scots say , ther be no greater beaters then frenche scholemasters . When they be tolde thereof , they be wonte to answere , that that nacion euen lyke the Phrigians is not amended but bi stripes . Whether this be true let other men iudge . Yet I graunt that there is some difference in the nacion , but much more in the propertie of euerye seuer al wyt . Some you shal soner kyl , then amende wyth stripes : but the same in loue and gentle monicions you may leade whither ye wyll . Truth it is that of thys disposicion I my selfe was when I was a childe , and when my master whych loued me aboue all other , because he sayd he conceiued a certen great hope of me , toke more heede , watched me well , and at laste to proue howe I could abyde the rod , and laying a faute vnto my charge which I neuer thought of , did bear me , that thinge so put awaye from me all the loue of studie , and so discouraged my chyldyshe mynd , that for sorowe I hadde almost consumed awaye , and in deede folowed therof a quartaine ag●e . When at laste he had perceiued hys faute , among his friendes he bewailed it . This wyt ( quod he ) I had almoste destroyed before I knewe it . For he was a man both wyttye and well learned , and as I thynke , a good man . He repented him , but to late for my parte . Here nowe ( good syr ) coniecture me howe many frowarde wyttes these vnlerned greate beaters do destroye , yet proud in their owne conceite of learnyng , wayeward , dronken , cruel , and that wyl beate for their pleasure : them selues of suche a cruell nature , that they take plesure of other mens tormentes . These kynde of men shuld haue ben ●ouchers or hangmen , not teachers of youth . Neyther do any torment chyldren more cruelly , than they that canne not teache them . What shulde thei do in scholes but passe the daye in chydyng and beatynge ? I knewe a diuine and that familierly , a man of greate name , whych was neuer satisfied wyth crudelity against his scholers , when he him selfe had masters that were very great beaters . He thought that dyd much helpe to caste downe the fiersnes of their wittes , & tame the wantonnes of their youth . He neuer feasted amonge hys flocke , but as Comedies be wont to haue a mery endyng , so contrary when they had eaten theyr meat , one or other was haled oute to be beaten wyth roddes : and sometime he raged against them that had deserued nothynge , euen because t●ey shuld be accustumed to stripes . I my selfe on a time stode nexte hym , when after diner he called out a boie as he was wont to do , as I trow ten yere olde . And he was but newe come frome hys mother into that compani ▪ He told vs before that the chyld had a very good woman to hys mother , and was earnestly committed of her vnto hym : anon to haue an occacion to beate hym , he beganne to laye to hys charge I wotte not what wantonnesse : When the chylde shewed hym selfe to haue nothyng lesse , and beckened to hym to whome he committed the chyefe rule of hys colledge , surnamed of the thynge , a tormentoure , to beate , hym ne by and by caste doune the chylde , and beate hym as thoughe he had done sacrilege . The diuine sayde once or twyse , it is inoughe , it is inoughe ▪ But that tormentour deaffe with feruentnes , made no ende of his bochery , tyl the chylde was almost in a sounde : Anon the diuine t●rninge to vs , he hathe deserued nothynge quod he , but that he muste be made lowe . Who euer after that maner hath taught hys slaue , or hys Asse ? A gentle horse is better tamed with puping of the mouth or softe handlyng , then wyth whyp or spurres . And if you handle hym hard , he wil whynche , he wyll kycke , he wyll byte , and go bacwardes . An oxe if you pricke hym to harde wyth godes , wyl caste of his yocke , and run vpon hym that pricked hym . So muste a gentle nature be handled as is the whelpe of a Lion . Onlye arte tameth Elephantes , not violence , neyther is there any beaste so wylde , but that it wyl be tamed by gentlenes , neyther any so tame , but immoderate cruelnes wil anger it . It is a seruyle thynge to be chastened by feare , and common custume calleth chyldren free men , because liberall and gentle bringyng vp becommeth them , much vnlike to seruile . Yet they that be wyse do thys rather , that seruauntes by gentelnes and benefites leaue of their slauyshe condicions : remembryng that they also be men , and not beastes . There be rehearsed meruelous examples of seruaunts toward their masters , whome verely they shulde not haue founde such if they hadde kept them vnder only by strypes . A seruaunt if he be corrigible is better amended by monicions , by honestie , & good turnes , then by stripes : if he be paste amendemente , he is hardened to extreme mischief and eyther wyll runne awaye and rob hys master , or by some craft go aboute his masters deathe . Sometime he is reuenged on his masters crueltie , thoughe it coste hym his lyfe . And there is no creature more fereful than man , whom cruell iniurie hathe taught to dispyse his owne lyfe . Therfore the common prouerb that sayth a man hath as manye enemies as he hath seruauntes , If it be true , I thynke it may be chiefly imputed to the vnreasonablenes of the master : for it is a poynte of arte , and not of chaunce to rule wel seruauntes . And if the wyser masters go aboute thys thynge , so to vse their seruauntes , that thei shuld serue them well and gently , and in stede of seruantes had rather haue them fre men , how shameful is it bi bryngyng vp , to make seruantes of those that be gentle and free by nature ? Not wythout cause dothe the olde manne in the comedie thynke that there is greate difference betwixte a master and a father . The master only compelleth , the father by honestie and gentelnes accustumeth h●s sonne , to do well of hys owne mynde , rather then by feare of an other : and that he shulde bee all one in hys presence and behind hys backe . He that can not do this sayth he , lette hym confesse that he can not rule chyldren . But there oughte to be a litle more difference betwyxte a father and the master , then betwixt a kinge and a tirant . Wee putte awaye a tiraunte from the common wealthe and we chose tirauntes , yea for oure sonnes , eyther we oure selfes exercyse tirannye vpon them . Howebeit thys vyle name of seruitude oughte vtterlye to bee taken awaye oute of the lyfe of chrysten menne . Sainte Paule desyreth Philo to bee good to Onesimus , not nowe as a seruaunte , but as a deere brother in steede of a seruaunte . And wrytyng to the Ephesians , he monysheth the masters to remitte theyr bytternesse agaynst theyr seruauntes , and their threatnynges , , remembrynge that they are rather felow seruauntes then masters , because they both haue a common master in heauen , whyche as well wyll punyshe the masters if they do amysse , as the seruauntes . The Apostle wolde not haue the masters ful of threatning , muche lesse full of beatynge : for he saythe not , pardonynge your strypes , but pardonynge your threatenynges , and yet wee woulde haue oure chyldren nothynge but beaten , whyche scarse the Baleye masters or Sea robbers do agaynste theyr slaues and rowers . But of chyldren , what dothe the same Apostle commaunde vs ?

In somuch he wyll not haue them beaten slauyshely , he commaundeth all crueltye and bytternes to be awaye from our monicions and chydyng . You fathers saythe he , prouoke not your chyldren to anger , but bring them vp in discipline and chastisyng of the Lorde . And what the discipline of the lorde is , he shal soone se that wyll consider , wyth what gentlenes , what meekenes , what charitie the Lord Iesus hath taught , suffered , and noryshed and brought vp by litle and lytle his disciples . The lawes of man do temper the fathers power : the same also permit vnto the seruauntes an accion of euyll handlyng , and from whence then commeth thys crueltye amonge christen men ? In time paste one Auxon a knight of Rome , whylest he wente about to amende hys sonne by beatynge hym vnmesurably , he kylled him . That crueltye so moued the people , that the fathers and chyldren haled hym in to the market place , & al to be pri●ked hym , thrust him in wyth theyr wrytyng pinnes , nothynge regarding the dignitie of his knighthod , and Octauus Augustus had much a do to saue hym . but now a daies howe many Auxons do we see whiche thorowe cruell beatynge , hur●e the chyldrens healthe , make them one eyed , weaken them , and sometyme kyll them . Roddes serue not to some mens cru●ltie , they turne them and beate them wyth the great ende , they geue them buffettes , and stryke the yonge ons wyth their fistes , or whatsoeuer is next at hand they snatche it , and dashe it vpon them . It is told in the lawe , that a certen sowter , when he layd one of his sow●ers vpon the hynder parte of the heade wyth a laste , he stroke oute one of hys eyes , and that for that deede he was punyshed by the lawe . What shall we saye of them whyche beside their beatinges , do them shamefull despite also ? I wo●de neuer haue beleued it , excepte both I had knowen the chylde , and the doer of this crueltie perf●●elye . A chylde yet scant● . ●ii . yere olde , whose honeste paren●es had done good to his master , they handled so cruellye , that scarse anye suche tiraunt as was Mezencius or Phalaris coulde do more cruelly . They caste so much mans donge in to the childes mouth the scarsely he coulde spit , but was compelled to swallowe doune a great parte of it . What tiraunt dyd euer suche kynde of despyght ? After suche daynties , they exercysed suche lordelynes . The chylde naked was hanged vp wyth cordes by the armeholes , as though he hadde bene a stronge thyefe , and there is amonge the Germanes no kynde of punishement more abhorred then thys . Anone as he honge , they all to beat hym wyth roddes , almoste euen tyll deathe . For the more the chylde denyed the thynge that he dyd not , so muche the more dyd they beate hym . Put also to thys , the tormentour hym selfe almoste more to be feared then the veri● punyshemente , hys eyes lyke a ser●ente , hys narowe and wrythen mouth , hys sharpe voyce lyke a spirite , hys face wanne and pale , hys head roul●ng about , threatninges and rebukes s●che as they lusted in theyr anger : a manne wolde haue thought it a furie out of hel . What folowed ? anone after this punishement the chyld fel sicke , with great ieopardye both of mynde and lyfe . Then this tormentour began fyrst to complayne , he wrote to hys father to take awaye hys sonne as sone as could be , and that he had bestowed as much phisicke vpon him as he coulde , but in vayne vpon the chylde that was paste remedye . When the sickens of the body was somewhat put away by medicines , yet was the minde so astonied , that we feared leste he wold neuer come agayne to the olde strength of hys mynd . Neither was thys the cruelty of one daye , as longe as the childe dwelte wyth hym there passed no daye but he was cruelly beaten once or twise . I know thou suspectest o reader , that it was an haynouse faute , wherunto so cruell remedie was vsed . I wyl shew you in few words . Ther was found both of hys that was beaten , and of two others , theire bookes blotted wyth ynke , their garmentes cutte , and their hose arayed wyth mannes donge .

He that played thys playe was a chylde borne to all myschiefe , whiche by other vngracious deedes afterwardes , made men beleue the ether to be true that were done before . And he was nephewe by the systers syde to this mad docter : euen then playing a part before to ●hese thyngs whych souldiers are wont to do in bataile or robbynge . At an hostes house of his , he pulled oute the faucet , and let the wyne runne vpon the ground , and as one to shew a pleasure , he sayde that he felt the sauour of the wyne : wyth an other of hys felowes he daylye played at the sworde , not in sporte , but in earnest , that euen then you myght wel perceyue he wolde be a thyefe or a murtherer , or whych is very lyke to them , that he wolde be an hyred souldier . Although the teacher fauored hym , yet fearynge leste they shulde one kyll an other , he sente awaye his cosen . For he had for that other a good rewarde : and he was of this sorte of gospellers , to whom nothing is more swete then monei . His godfather was made surely to beleue that the child was with a good and diligent master , when in deede he dwelte wyth a boucher , & was continually in company , and made drudge with a man that was halfe mad , and continually sicke . Thus fauoringe more his kynseman then hym by whom he had so much profite , the suspicion was layde vpon the harmeles , to whom they ascribed so muche malice that he wolde teare and defile his owne garmentes to auoide suspicion if any suche thyng had bene done . But the child commyng both of good father and mother , dyd neuer shewe any to●ē of such a naughtie disposicion : and at thys daye there is nothyng farther from all malice then are hys maners , whyche nowe free frome all feare telleth all the matter in order as it was donne .

To suche tutors do honest citizens committe their chyldren whome they moste loue , and suche do complayne that they be not wel rewarded for their paynes . And this tormentour wolde not once knoweledge he had done amisse , but had rather playe the starke mad man , then confesse his faute : and yet agaynst such is not taken an action of euyll handlyng , neither hath the rigoure of the lawe anye power agaynste suche huge crueltie . There is no anger worse to be pleased than theirs that be lyke to haue the fallynge sycknes . Howe many things be crepte in , into the lyfe of christen men , not meete neither for the Phrigians nor the Scithians , of the which I wyl shew one much like this matter . The yong gentleman is send in to the vniuersitie to lerne the liberall sciences . But with how vngentle despightes is he begun in them ? Fyrst they rub his chyn , as though they wolde shaue his bearde : hereunto thei vse pisse , or if ther be any fouler thyng . This liquour is dashed into his mouth , & he may not spit it out . Wyth paynfull bobbes they make as though thei drewe hornes from him : sontime be is compelled to drinke a great deale of vinegre or salte , or whatsoeuer it listeth the wyld company of yong men to geue him : for when they begin the play , thei make him swere that he shal obey al that they commaund him . At last they hoyse him vp , & dashe his backe against a post as often as they list . After these so rustical despightes sumtime ●oloweth an ague or a paine of the backe that neuer can be remedied . Certes this foolishe play endeth in a dronken banket : with such beginninges enter they into the studies of liberal sciences . But it were mete that after this sorte thei shuld begin a boucher , a tormentour a baud or a bonde slaue or a boteman , not a child appointed to the holy studies of lerning . It is a meruel that yongmen geuen to liberal studies be mad after this fashion , but it is more meruel that these things be alowed of suche is haue the rule of youth . To so foule & cru●l folyshenes is pretensed the name of custume , as though the custume of an euil thing wer any thing else than an old errour , whiche ought so much the more diligently to be pulled vp bicause it is crept among many . So continueth among the diuines the maner of a vesper , for they note an euyl thynge with a like name , more mete for scoffers than diu●nes . But thei that professe liberal sci●ces , shuld haue also liberal sports . But I come againe to chyldren , to whome nothyng is more vnprofitable , then to be vsed to stripes , whiche enormi●tie cau●e●● that the gentle nature is intractable , and the ●●ler driuen to desperacion : and continuaunce of them maketh that both the bodye is hardened to stripes , & the mynd to wordes . Nay we may not oftentymes chyde them to sharplye . A medicine naugh●elye vsed , ma●eth the sickenes worse , helpeth it not , and if 〈◊〉 be layde to continuallye , by litle and litle , it ceaseth to be a medicine , and dothe nothinge else then dothe stinkynge and vnwholesome meate . But here some man wyll saye vnto vs the godlye sayinges of the Hebrues . He that spareth the rod hateth hys chylde and he that loueth hys sonne , beareth hym muche . Agayne : Bowe downe the necke of thy chylde in youth , and 〈◊〉 hys sydes whyle he is an infante very yonge . Suche chastisemente peraduenture was mete in tyme paste for the Iewes . Nowe must the sayinge be expounded more ciuil●ly . And if a man wil be hard to vs wyth letters and sillables , what is more cruell then to bend the necke of a chyld , & to beat the sides of an infant ? woldest thou not beleue that a bull were taught to the plowgh , or an asse to bear paniars , and not a man to vertue ? And what rewarde doth he promise vs ? That he grope not after other mennes dores . He is afeard lest his son shulde be poore , as the greateste of all mischiefe . What is more coldly spoken then thys sentence ? Let gentle admonicion be oure rodde , and sometyme chydyng also , but sauced wyth mekenes , not bitternes . Let vs vse thys whyp continuallye in our chyldren , that beyng wel brought vp , they maye haue at home a meanes to lyue well , and not be compelled to begge counsell at their neighbours how to do their busines . Licon the philosopher hath shewed .ii sharpe spurres to quicken vp chyldrens wyttes , shame , and prayse : shame is the feare of a iust reproch , prayse is the norysher of all verteous actes : wyth these prickes lette vs quicken our chyldrens wyttes ▪ Also if you wyl , I wyl shewe you a club to beate their sides wythall . Continuall labour vanquysheth all thynges sayth the best of al poetes . Let vs wake , let vs prycke them forwardes , & styl call vpon them , by requitinge , repetynge , and often teachyng : Wyth this club let vs beate the sydes of our infantes . Fyrst let them lerne to loue , and maruell at vertue and lernyng , to abhor sinne and ignorance . Let them hear some praysed for theyr well doinges , and some rebuked for their euyl . Let examples be brought in of those men to whom lernyng hath gotten hygh glorye , ryches , dignitie , and authoritie . And againe of them to whom their euyll condicions & wyc wythout all lernyng hath brought infamie , contempt , pouertye and myschiefe . These verely be the clubbes meete for christians , that make disciples of Iesu. And if we cannot profite by monicions , nor prayers , neyther by emulacion , Emulacion is an enuye wythout malice ▪ for desire to be as good as an other , & to be asmuch praysed . nor shame , nor prayse , nor by other meanes , euen the chastenyng with the rod , if it so require , ought to be gentle & honeste . For euen thys that the bodies of gentle children shulde be made bare , is a kind of despite . Howbeit Fabius vtterly condemneth al the custume to beate gentle chyldren . Some man wil saye , what shall be done to them if they can not be driuen to ●●udy but by stripes ? I answer roundly , what wold ye do to asses or to oxen if thei went to schole ? Woldest thou not driue them in to the contrey , & put the one to the backhouse , the other to the plowe . For there be men as well borne to the plowe and to the backehouse , as oxen and asses be . But they wyll saye : then decreseth my flocke . What then ? Yea and myne aduauntage to . Thys is an harde matter : thys maketh them to weepe . They set more by money then by the profite of the chyldren . But suche are all the common sorte of folyshe teachers . ● graunte . As the philosophers describe a wyse man , the rethoricians an oratour , such one as scarse maye be found in anye place : So muche more easye it is to prescribe what manner of man a scholmaster shuld be , them to find many that wil be as you wold haue them . But thys oughte to be a publyque care and charge , Ciuile officers and prelates shuld se that ther wer good schole masters . Vespasian . Plinie . and belongeth to the ciuyle officer , and chyef prelats of the churche : that as ther be men appointed to serue in war , to singe in churches , so muche more there shulde be ordeined that shuld teach citizens chyldren well and gently . Uespasianus oute of hys owne cofers gaue yerely sixe hundred pounde to Latine and Greke rethoricians . Plinie the nephew of his owne liberalitie bestowed a great summe of money to the same purpose . And if the comenty in thys poynt be slacke , certenly euerye man ought to take hede at home for his owne house . Thou wylt saye : what shall poore men do which can scarse fynd their chyldren , muche lesse hyre a master to teache them ? Here I haue nothynge to saye , but thys oute of the comedie : We muste do as we maye do , when we can not as we wolde . We do shewe the beste waye of teachynge , we be not able to geue fortune : Saue that here also the liberalitie of ryche men ought to helpe good wyt●es , whych can not shewe forthe the strength of naturall inclinacion because of pouertye . Pouertie hurteth good wittes . I wyll that the gentlenes of the master shulde be so tempered , that familiaritie , the companion of contempte , put not away honeste reuerence , suche one as men say Sarpedo was , tutour to Cato of Utica , which thorowe hys gentle maners gat greate loue , and by hys vertue as lyke authoritie , causynge the chylde to haue a greate reuerence , and to set much by him wythout anye feare of roddes . But these that can do nothynge elles but beate , what wolde they do if they had taken vp on them to teache Emperoures or kynges chyldren , whome it were not lefull to beate ? They wyll saye that greate mens sonnes muste be excepted from thys fashion . What is that ? Be not the chyldren of citizens , men as well as kynges chyldren be ? Shulde not euerye manne as wel loue hys chylde as if he wer a kynges sonne ? If his estate be sumwhat base , so muche the more neede hath he to be taught , and holpen by lernynge , that he maye come vp , from hys pore case . But he be of hye degre , philosophy & lernyng is necessarye to gouerne hys matters well . Further not a fewe be called frome lowe degre to hye estate , yea sometyme to be great byshops . All men come not to thys , yet oughte al men to be brought vp to come to it . I will braule no more with these greate beaters , after I haue tolde you this one thing : How that those lawes & officers ●e condemned of wyse men , whych can no more but feare men wyth punyshement , & do not also entyse men by rewardes : and the whych punyshe fautes , and prouide not also that nothyng be done worthy punishment . The same must be thought of the common sort of teachers , whych only beate for fautes , and do not also teache the mynd that it do not amysse . They straitlie require their lesson of them : if the chylde fayle , he is beaten : and when this is done daily because the child shuld be more accustumed to it , thei thinke they haue plaied the part of a gaye scholemaster . But the chyld shulde fyrste haue ben encoraged to loue lernyng , and to be afearde to displease hys teacher . But of these thynges peraduenture some man wyl thynke I haue spoken to much & so myght I worthely be thought , except that almoste all men dyd in this poynte so greatly offende , that hereof a man can neuer speke inough . Furthermore it wyll helpe verye muche , if he that hathe taken vpon hym to teache a chylde , so sette hys mynd vpon hym , that he bear a fatherlye loue vnto hym . By thys it shall come to passe , that both the child wil lerne more gladly , & he shal fele lesse ●ediousnes of his laboure . For in euery busines loue taketh away the greatest part of hardnes . A sentence to be marked . And because after the olde prouerbe : Lyke reioyseth in lyke , the master muste in maner play the childe againe , that he may be loued of the chylde . Yet this lyketh me not , that men set theyr children to be tought their fyrst beginnings of letters vnto those that be of extreme and dotyng olde age , for they be chyldren in verye deede , they fayne not , they counterfait not , stuttinge , but stutte in deede .

I wolde wyshe to haue one of a lustye yonge age , whome the chylde myght delyght in , and which wold not be lothe to playe euerye parte . Thys man shulde do in fashionyng hys wytte , A lykenynge of scholemasters and nurses together . that parentes and nurses be wont to do in formynge the bodye . Howe do they fyrste teache the infante to speake lyke a man ? They applye their wordes by lyspyng accordyng to the chyldes tatlynge . Howe do they teache them to eat ? They chaw fyrst their milke soppes , and when they haue done , by lytle & litle put it in to the chyldes mouthe . Howe do they teache them to go ? They bowe downe their owne bodies , and drawe in theyre owne strides after the measure of the infantes . Neyther do they fede them wyth euerye meate , nor putte more in then they bee able to take : and as they increase in age , they leade them to bigger thinges . First they seeke for noryshemente that is meete for them , not differyng much from mylke , whych yet if it be thrust into the mouthe to muche , either it choketh the chylde , or beynge caste oute defileth hys garmente . When it is softelye and pretelye put in , it doth good . Whych selfe thynge we se commeth to passe in vesselles that haue narowe mouthes : if you pour in muche , it bubbleth out agayne , but if you powre in a litle , and as it were by droppes , in deede it is a whyle , and fayre and softely erste , but yet then fylled , The fedyng of the bodye and mynd c●pared together . So then as by small morsels , and geuen now and then , the lytle tender bodies are noryshed : in lyke manner chyldrens wyttes by instruccions meere for them taught easely , and as it were by playe by lytle & litle accustume themselues to greater thyngs : & the wearynesse in the meane season , is not felte , because that small encreasynges so deceyue the felynge of labour , that neuerthelesse they helpe much to great profite . As it is told of a certen wrestler , whych , accustumed to beare a calfe by certein furlonges , bare hym when he was waxen a bull , wythoute anye payne : for the encrease was not felt , whych euerye daye was put to the burden . But there be some that looke that chyldren shulde strayghtwaye become olde men , hauyng no regarde of their age , but measure the tender wittes , by theyr owne strengthe . Straight way they call vpon them bytterly , straightway they straitly require perfect diligence , by and by they frowne wyth the forhead if the childe do not as wel as he wold haue hym , and they bee so moued as thoughe they had to do wyth an elder body , forgettyng you maye be sure that they themselues wer once children . How much more curteouse is it that Pliny warneth a certen master that was to sore . Remember saythe he , that bothe he is a yonge man , and that thou ●ast ben one thi selfe . But many be so cruel against the tender chyldren , as though thei remembred not neyther them selues , neyther their scolers to be menne . Thou woldest that I shulde shewe the those thynges that be meete for the inclinacion of that age , What things ly●le yonge chyldren shold be fyrste taughte . and whiche shuld by and by be taughte the lytle yong●ns . Fyrst the vse of tonges whych commeth to them without any greate studye , ther as olde folkes can scarse be hab●e to learne them wyth great labour . Chyldren desyre naturally to folow & do as other do . And here to as we sayde , moueth the chyldren a certen desyre to folowe and do as they se other do● of the which thing we see a certen lyke fashion in p●es and popiniayes . What is more delectable then the fabels of poetes , which wyth their swete entisynge plesures so delight childrens eares that thei profite vs very much when we be olde also , not only to the knowledge of the tong , but also to iudgement and copye of elegant speche ? What wyll a chyld hear more glad l●e then Esops fabels , whyche in sporte and playe teach earnest preceptes of philosophy ? and the same fruite is also in the fabels of other poetes . The chylde heareth that Ulisses felowes were turned into swyne , and other fashions of beastes . The tale is laughed at , and yet for al that he lerneth that thing that is the chiefest poynte in al morall philosophye : Those whyche be not gouerned by ryght reason , but are caried after the wyll of affeccions , not to be men , but beastes . What coulde a stoycke saye more sagely ? and yet dothe a merye tale teache the same . In a thynge that is manifest I wyll not make the tarye with many examples . Also what is more mery conceited than the verses called Bucolicall ? Bucolicall , where the herdmen do speke of nete and shepe . what is sweter then a comedie , whych standing by morall maners , deliteth bothe the vnlearned and chyldren ? And heare how great a parte of philosophye is lerned by playe ? Adde vnto thys the names of all thynges , in the whych it is meruell to see howe now a dayes , yea euen they be blind which are taken for wel lerned men . Finally , shorte and mery conceited sentences , as commonly be prouerbes , and quicke shorte sayinges of noble men , in the whiche onlye in tyme paste philosophie was wonte to be taught to the people . Ther appeareth also in the very chyldren a certen peculier redines to some sciences , as vnto musicke , arithmetique , or cosmographie . For I haue proued that they whych were very dull to lerne the preceptes of grammer and rethorique , were found verye apte to lerne the subtile artes . Nature therfore must be holpen to that parte wherunto of it selfe it is inclined . And down the hyll is very litle labour , as contrary is great . Thou shalt nether do nor saye anye thynge agaynst thy naturall inclinacion . I knewe a child that could not yet speake whych had no greater pleasure , than to open a booke , and make as thoughe he read . And when he dyd that sometyme many houres , yet was he not weery . And he neuer wept so bitterli , but if you had offered hym a booke , he wolde be pleased . That thynge made hys friendes hope that in time to come he wolde be a well lerned manne . His name also brought some good lucke : That is a teacher of holye lernynge . for he was called Hierome . And what he is now I can not tel , for I sawe hym not beynge growen vp . To the knowledge of the tonge it wyll helpe verye muche if he be broughte vp amonge them that be talkatiue . Fabels and tales wyll the chylde lerne so muche the more gladly , and remember the better , if he maye see before his eyes the argumentes properlye paynted , and what soeuer is tolde in the oracion be shewed him in a table . The same shall helpe as much to lerne without boke the names of trees , herbs , and beastes , and also their properties , inespecially of these whych be not common to be seene in euerye place , as is Rhinoceros , whyche is a beaste that hathe a horne in hys nose , naturall enemye to the Elephant : Tragelaphus , a goate hart , Onocrotalus , a byrd lyke to a swan , whyche puttyng hys head into the water brayeth lyke an asse , an asse of Iude and an Elephant . The table maye haue an Elephant whom a Dragon claspeth harde aboute , wrapping in his former feete with his tayle . The litle chyld laugheth at the syght of thys straunge paintynge , what shall the master do then ? He shall shewe him that ther is a greate beaste called in Greeke an Elephante , and in Latine lykewyse , saue that sometyme it is declined after the latine fashion . He shall shewe , that that whyche the grekes cal proboscida , or his snout , the latines call his hande , because wyth that he reacheth hys meate . He shall tell hym that that beaste doth not take breath at the mouthe as we do , but at the snoute : & tha● he hath teth standyng out on bothe sides , and they be iuory , which rich men set much price by , and therwith shal shew hym an iuory combe . Afterwardes he shall declare that in Iude ther be dragons as greate as they . And that dragon is bothe a greke worde and a latine also , saue that the grekes saye dracontes in the genitiue case . He shall shewe that naturallie betwyxte the dragons and the Elephantes is great fyghte . And if the chylde be somewhat gredy of learnynge , he maye rehearse manye other thynges of the nature of Elephantes and dragons . Manye reioyse to see huntinges paynted . Here howe manye kyndes of trees , hearbes , byrdes , foure footed beastes maye he lerne and playe ? I wyll not holde you longe wyth examples , seynge it is easye by one to coniecture all . The master shall be diligent in chosynge them oute , and what he shall iudge moste pleasaunt to chyldren , most me●e for them , what they loue best , and is most floryshyng , that in especially let hym set before them . The fyrste age lyke vnto the spring tyme , standeth in pleasaunt sweete flowres , and goodly grene herbes , vntyl the heruest time of ripe mans age fyll the barne full of corne . Then as it were agaynst reason in ver or springe tyme to seeke for a rype grape , and a rose in autumne , so muste the master marke what is mere for euerye age . Autumne is the tyme betwyxt somer and wynter . Mery and plesaunte thynges be conueniente for chyldehod , howbeit all sourenesse and sadnes muste be cleane awaye from all studies . The meaning of the poetes de●●le touching the muses & Charites . And I am deceyued except the olde men ment that also , whyche ascribed to the muses beynge virgins , excellent bewtye , harpe , songes , daunses , and playes in the pleasaunt fieldes , and ioyned to them as felowes the Ladies of loue : and that increase of studies dyd stande specially in mutual loue of myndes , and therefore the olde men called it the lernyng that perteined to man . And ther is no cause why profite maye not folowe pleasure , and honestie ioyned to delectacion . Wherfore le●nyng is called humanitie For what letteth that they shulde not lerne eyther a proper fable , arte of poets , or a sentence , or a notable prety hystorie , or a learned tale , as well as they lerne and can wythout boke a pi●yshe songe , and oftentimes a baudy one to , & folishe old wiues tatlynges , & very trif●es of triflyng women ? What a summe of dreames , vaine ryddels , and vnprofitable trif●es of spirites , hobgoblines , fayries , witches , nightmares wood men and gyauntes , how manye naughty lies , how many euyll sayinges remember wee , yea euen when we be men , whych beyng lytle chyldren we lerned of our dadies , graundmothers , nurses , & maydens whyle they were spynnynge , and heard them when they kissed & plaied wyth vs ? And what a profite shuld it haue bene to lernynge , if in stede of these moste vaine garringes , not only folyshe , but also hurtfull , wee had lerned those thynges that we rehearsed a litle before . Thou wylt saye , what lerned man wyll lowly hys wyt to these so small thynges ? Yet Aristotle hym selfe beynge so greate a philosopher was not greued to take vpon hym the office of a teacher , to instruct Alexander . Chiron fashioned the infancy of Achilles , and Phenix succeded hym . Hely the priest brought vp the childe Samuell . And ther be now a daies whych eyther for a lytle money , or for theyr plesure take almost more payne in teachyng a pye or a popiniay . There be some that for deuocions sake take vpon them iourneys that both be farre of and ieoperdeous , and other laboures besyde almost intollerable . Why dothe not holynes cause vs to do thys office seynge nothyng can please god better ? Howbeit in teachinge those thynges that we haue rehearsed , the master must neyther be to much callyng vpon , neither to sharpe : but vse a continuaunce rather then be wythout measure . Continuaunce hurteth not so it be mesurable , & spiced also wyth varietie and plesauntnes . Finally if these thynges be so taught , that imaginacion of labour be awaye , and that the chylde do thynk al thinges be done in playe . Here the course of our talkyng putteth vs in remembraunce briefely to shewe by what meanes it maye be brought to passe that lernyng shuld waxe swete vnto the chylde , How learnyng may be made swete vnto the chyld . which before we somwhat touched . To be able to speake redely , as I told you is easely gotten by vse . After thys commeth the care to reade and write why●h of it selfe is somwhat tedious , but the griefe is taken awaye a great parte by the cunnyng handling of the master , if it be sauced with some pleasaunt aliurementes . For you shall fynde some whych tarye long and take great paine in knowyng & ioynynge their letters & in those fyrst rudimentes of grammer , when they wyl quyckely lerne greater thyngs . The yrkesōnes of these thinges must be holpen by some pretie craft , of the which the old fathers haue shewed certen fashions . Some haue made the letters in sweete crustes and cakes that chyldren loue well , th● so in manner they myghte eate vp their letters . When they tell the letters name , they geue the letter it selfe for a rewarde . Other haue made the fashion of iuorie , that the chylde shulde playe wyth them , The practise of a certen englishe man to teache hys chyld hys letters by shootyng . or if there were any other thyng wherin that age is specially delited . The englyshe men delyte principally in shotynge , and teache it their chyldren fyrst of all : wherfore a certen father that had a good quicke wyt perceiuinge his sonne to haue a greate pleasure in shotyng , bought hym a prety bowe & very fayr arrowes , & in al partes both of hys bowe & arrowes were letters painted . Afterwards in sted of markes , he set vp the fashion of letters , fyrste of Greke , and after of laten : when he hyt , & tolde the name of the letter , besyde a greate reioysinge , he had for a reward a cherye , or some other thynge that chyldren delyte in . Of that playe commeth more fruite , if two or thre matches playe together . For then the hope of victorie and feare of rebuke maketh them to take more heede , and to be more chereful . By thys deuise it was broughte aboute that the chylde wythin a fewe dayes playynge , had perfitely lerned to know & sound all hys letters whych the common sort of teachers be scarse able to brynge to passe in thre whole yeres wyth their bea●ynges threatyngs , and brawlynges . Yet do not I alowe the diligence of some to painful , whych drawe out these thyngs by playinge at chesses or dyce . For when the playes them selues passe the capacitie of chyldren , how shal they lerne the letters by them ? This is not to helpe the chyldrens wyttes , but to put one labour to an other . As there be certen engins so full of worke and so curious , that they hynder the doynge of the busines . Of thys sorte commonly be all those thynges whych some haue deuised of the arte of memorye for to gette money , or for a vayne boastynge , rather then for profite : for they do rather hurte the memorye . The beste craft for memorie . The best crafte for memorie , is thorowlye to vnderstande , and then to brynge into an order , last of al often to r●pete that thou woldest remember . And in litleous there is a natural great desyre to haue the mastry inespecially of suche as be of lustye courage , and lyuely towardnes . The teacher shall abuse these inclinacions to the profite of hys study . If he shall profite nothing by prayers , and fayre meanes , neyther by gyftes mete for chyldren , nor prayses , he shal make a contencion with hys equales . Hys felowe shall be praysed in the presence of the duller . Desyre to be as good shall quicken forwards , whom only adhortacion coulde not do . Yet it is not meete so to geue the mastrie to the victor , as thoughe he shulde haue it for euer : but somtime he shall shewe hope to hym that is ouercome , that by takyng hede he may recouer the shame : whych thynge capteynes be wonte to dooe in batayle . And sometyme we shall suffer that the chyld shuld thynke he hadde gotten the better , when he is worse in deede ▪ Finally by enterchaungyng , prayse and disprayse , he shall noryshe in them , as Hesiodus sayth , a stryfe who shall do best . Perchaunce one of a sadde wyt wyl be loth so to play the child among chyldren . And yet the same is not greued , neyther yet ashamed to spende a greate parte of the day in playing wyth litle puppies and marinesettes , or to babble wyth a pie or popin●ay , or to play the foole wyth a foole . By these tryfles , a verye sadde matter is broughte to passe , and it is meruell that good men haue litle pleasure herein , seeyng the natural loue of our children , and hope of great profit is wunt to make those thynges also pleasaunte , whyche of them selues be sharpe , sowre and bytter . I confesse that the preceptes of grammer be at the beginnynge somewhat sowre , and more necessary then pleasant . But the handsomnes of the teacher shal take from them also a greate parte of the payne . The beste thynge and playnest muste be taughte fyrste . But nowe wyth what compasses , and hardenesse be chyldren troubeled whyle they learne wythout the booke the names of the letters before they knowe what manner letters they bee ?

Whyle they be compelled in the declinynge of nownes and verbes to can by toote in howe manye cases , moodes and tenses one worde is put : as muse in the genetiue and datiue singuler , the nominatiue and vocatiue plurel ? Legeris of legor , and of legerim , and legero ? What a beatyng is then in the schole , when chyldren be axed these thynges ? Some light teachers to boast their lernynge are wonte of purpose to make these thynges somewhat harder . Whyche faute maketh the beginnynges almost of all sciences in doute , and paynfull , specially in logicke . And if you shewe them a better waye , they answere they were brought vp after thys fashion , and wyll not suffer that anye chyldren shulde be in better case , then they them selues were when they were chyldren . All difficultye eyther therfore muste be auoided , whyche is not necessarye , or that is vsed oute of tyme . It is made softe and easy , that is done when it shuld be . But when tyme is , that of necessitie an harde doute muste be learned , than a cunnynge teacher of a childe shall studye as muche as he may to folowe the good and frendlye Phisicians , A good scholmaster in teachyng , muste folow a phisicion in medicines . whych whan they shall gyue a bytter medicyne do anoynt , as Lucrecius saith , the brimmes of their cuppes with honye , that the chylde entised by pleasure of the swetenes shuld not feare the wholesome bytternes , or else put suger into the medicine it selfe , or some other swete sauoryng thynge . Yea they wyl not be knowen that it is a medicine , for the only imaginacion sometyme maketh vs quake for feare . Finally thys tediousenes is sone ouercome , if things be taught them not to much at once , but by lytle and litle , and at sundrie times . Howebeit we ought not to distrust to much chyldrens strength , if perhaps they muste take some paines . A chyld is not myghty in strength of bodye , but he is stronge to continue , and in abilitie strong inough . He is not myghty as a bull , but he is strong as an emet . Note the sentence . In some thinges a flye passeth an elephant . Euerye thyng is mighty in that , to the whyche nature hathe made hym . Do we not se tender chyldren tunne merueylouse swyftlye all the daye long , and feele no werinesse . What is the cause ? Because playe is fitte for that age , and they imagine it a playe and no labour . And in euerye thynge the gretest part of payne is imaginacion , whych somtyme maketh vs feele harme , when there is no harme at all . Therefore seynge that the prouidence of nature hath taken awaye imaginacion of laboure frome chyldren , And howe muche they lacke in strengthe , so muche they be holpen in thys part , that is , that they feele not labour , It shal be the masters parte , as we sayde before , to put away the same by as many wayes as he can , and of purpose to make a playe of it . There be also certen kindes of sportes meete for chyldren , wherwyth theyr earnest studye must somwhat be eased after they be come to that , they muste lerne those higher thynges whyche can not be perceiued wythoute diligence and laboure : as are the handling of Themes , to turne latine into Greeke , or greeke into latine , or to learne cosmographie wythout booke . But moste of all shall profite , if the chylde accustume to loue and reuerence hys master , to loue and make muche of learnyng , to feace rebuke , and delyght in prayse . The last obieccion touching the profit of the c●yld in his young yeres . There remayneth one doute , wonte to be obiected by those whych saye : The profite that the chylde gerteth in those thre or foure yeres to be so lytle , that it is not worthe the laboure , eyther to take so muche payne in teachynge , or bestowe so much coste . And these in dede seme vnto me , not so muche to care for to profite the chyldren , as for the sparyng of theyr money , or the teachers labour . But I wyl saye he is no father , whyche when the matter is of teaching his child , taketh so greate care for expenses . Also it is a folyshe pitie , to th intent the master shuld saue his labour , to make his sonne lose certen yeres . I graunt it to be true in dede the Fabius sayth , that more good is done in .i. yere after , then in those .iii. or .iiii. why shuld we set light by this litle that is won in a thyng far more precious . Let vs graunt that it is but a very lytle , yet were it better the chylde to do it , then eyther nothyng at al , or lerne somewhat that after muste be vnlerned . Wyth what businesse shall that age be better occupied as sone as he beginneth to speake , whiche in no wyse can be vnoccupied ? Also how lytle soeuer it be that the former age doth bringe , yet shal the chylde lerne greater thynges , euen in the same yeres , when smaller shuld haue ben lerned , if he had not lerned them before . Thys sayth Fabius , euery yere furthered and increased profiteth to a great summe and as much tyme as is taken before in the infancie , is gotten to the elder age . It nedeth not to rehearse that in those first yeres certen thinges be easely lerned , which be more hard to be lerned when we be elder . For it is very easely lerned , that is lerned in time conueniente . Let vs graunt that they be small and litle thynges , so we confesse them to be necessarye . Yet to me in deede it semeth not so litle a furtheraunce to lerning to haue gotten though not a perfit knowledge , yet at the least waye a taste of bothe the tongues , besydes so many vocables and names of thinges , and finally to haue begun to be able to reade and write promptly . It greueth vs not in thinges much more vile , to gette all the vauntage we can , be it neuer so lytle . A diligente marchaunt setteth not light bi winning of a farthing , thinkyng thus in hys mynde : it is in dede of it selfe but a litle , but it groweth to a summe , and a litle often put to a lytle , wyll quyckelye make a great heape . The Smithes ryse before daye , to wyn as it were parte of the day . Husband men vpon the holy daye do some thynges at home , to make an ende of more worke the other dayes . And do we regarde as nothyng the losse of .iiii yeres in oure chyldren , when there is nothyng more costly then tyme , nor no possession better than lerning ? It is neuer lerned tymely inoughe that neuer is ●nded . For we muste euer learne as longe as we lyue . And in other thyngs the lucre that is loste by slacken●s , maye be recouered by diligence . Time when it is once flowen awaye ( and it flyeth awaye very quickely ) may be called againe by no inchauntmentes . For the poets do trifle whyche tell of a fountayne , wherby olde men do as it were wa●e yong agayne : and the phisicions deceiue you , whych promise a gay floryshyng youth to old men thorowe a certeyn folishe fy●t essence I wote not what . Here therfore we ought to be verye sparyng , because the losse of tyme may by no meanes be recouered . Beside this the fyrst part of our lyfe is counted to be best , and therfore shuld be bestowed more warelye . Hesiodus aloweth not sparynge , neyther at the hyest , nor at the lowest , because when the tunne is full it semeth to hasty , and to late when it is spente : and therefore byddeth vs spare in the myddes . But of tyme we muste nowher cast away the sparing , and if we shuld spare when the tunne is ful for thys cause that wyne is best in the myddest , then shulde we most of all saue our yonge yeres , because it is the best parte of the life , if you exercise it , but yet that goeth swyftest awaye . The husbande manne if he be anye thynge diligente , wyll not suffer anye parte of hys lande to lye vacante , and that that is not meete to brynge forthe corne , he setteth it eyther wyth yonge graffes , or leaueth it for pasture , or storeth it wyth potte hearbes . And shall we suffer the beste parte of our lyfe to passe awaye wyth oute all fruite of lerning ? Newe falowed ground must be preuen●ed wyth some fruitfull thynge , leste beynge vntylled , it brynge forthe of it selfe naughty cockle . For needes muste it brynge for the somewhat . Lykewyse the tender mynde of the infante , except it bee strayghte wayes occupyed wyth fruitefull teachynges , it wyl be ouercoued wyth vyce . An earthen potte wyll keepe longe the sauoure of the liquore that it is fyrste seasoned wyth , and it wyll be long or it go out . But as for an earthen vessell beynge newe and emptye , you maye keepe it for what liquore ye wyll .

The mynde eyther bryngeth forth good fruite , if you caste into it good seede , or if ye regard it not , it is fylled wyth naughtines , whych afterwardes must be pulled vp . And not a litle hath he wonne whych hathe escaped the losse , neyther hathe he brought small helpe to vertue , whiche hath excluded vyce . But what nede many wordes ? Wylt thou see howe muche it auayleth , whether one be brought vp in learnynge or not ? Beholde how excellently lerned in the olde tyme men were in their youth , and how in oure daies they that be aged be hable to do nothyng in studie ? Ouide beyng a verye yonge man wrot hys verses of loue . ●uide . What olde man is hable to do lyke ? What maner of man Lucane was in hys youthe hys workes declare . Lucane . Howe came thy● ? Because that beynge but .vi. moneths old he was brought to Rome , & strayght waie deliuered to be taught of two the best gramarians , Palemon , and Cornutus . Bassus . Persius . Hys companions in studye were Saleius Bassus , and Aulus Persius : that one excellente in historye , that other in a Satyre .

Doubtles hereof came that most perfite knoweledge that he had in all the seuen sciences , & his so marueylous eloquence , that in verse he was both an excellente oratoure , & also a Poet. In thys our time ther wanteth not exemples of good bringing vp ( although thei be veri few ) & that as wel in women as men . Politian praised the wit of the maiden Cassandra . And what is more marueylous than Ursinus a childe of .xii. yeres olde ? for the remembraunce of him , he also in a very eligāte epistle put in eternall memorye . How sewe men shal you nowe fynd , whiche at one time be able to endite two epistles to so manye notaries , that the sentence in euerye one do agree , and that there shoulde happen no inconuenience speache . That chylde did it in fyue epistles & gaue the argumentes without any study , & was not prepared afore hand to do it . Some men when they se these things , thinking that thei passe al mens strength , ascribe it to witchcraft . It is done in dede by witchcrafte , but it is an effectual enchaunting , to be set in time to a learned , good , and vigilant master . It is a stronge medicine to learne the best things of learned men , and emonge the learned .

By such wytchcrafte Alexander the greate , Alexander . whan he was a yonge man , besides eloquence , was perfit in al the parts of Philosophie , and except the loue of warres , & swetenes to raygne had quite raught away his inclination , he might haue bene counted the chiefe among the beste Philosophers . By the same meanes Caius Cesar beinge but a yonge man , was so eloquent & wel sene in the mathematical sciences . So well sene also were many Emperors : Marcus Tullius ▪ also Uirgil , and Horace in their lus●y youth were so excellent in learninge and Eloquence , all bycause they were strayght waye in their tender age learned of their parentes & nourses the elogancy of the tonges , and of the beste maisters the liberal sciences : as Poetry , Rhetorique , Histories , the knowledge of antiquities , Arithmetique , Geographye , Philosophye , moral and political . And what do we I ●raye you ? wee kepe out children at home till they be past fourtene or fiftene yere old , and whan they be corrupted wyth idlenes , ryot , & delicatenes , with muche worke at the laste we sende them to the commen scholes . There to further the matter wel , they taste a little grammer : after , whan they can declyne words , & ioyne the adiectiue and the substantiue togither , they haue learned al the grammer , and than be set to that troubled Logike , wher they must forget againe if they haue learned to speake anie thynge well . But more vnhappye was the tyme whan I was a child whiche al to vexed the youth with modes of signif●inge , and other folyshe questions , & teching nothinge els then to speake folishelye . Uerely those masters bicause they wold not be thought to teach folish thinges , darckened grammer wyth diffic●lties of Logike and Metaphisi●e : euen for this verelye , that afterwardes they shold returne backwardelye to learne grammer , wh● they were olde , whiche we see happeneth nowe to some diuines that be wyser , that after so manye hye degrees and all their titles , wherby they maye be ignoraunte in nothing , they be faine to come againe to those bookes , whiche are wonte to be reade vnto children . I blame them not , for it is better to lerne late then neuer , that thing which is necessary to be knowen .

Good Lorde what a world was that , whan wyth greate boastynge Iohn Garlandes verses wer read to yonge men , and that with longe and painefull commentaries ? whan a greate parte of tyme was consumed in folyshe verses ▪ in saying them to other , repetynge them , and hearynge theim agayne ? whan Florista and Florius were learned without booke ? for as for Alexander , I thynke him worthye to be receiued amonge the meaner sorte . Moreouer howe muche tyme was loste in Sophistrye , and in the superfluous mases of Logyke ? And bicause I will not be to longe , howe troublesomelye were all sciences taughte ? howe paynefullye ? whiles euerye reader to auaunce him selfe , wolde euen straighte waye in the begynninge stuffe in the hardest thynges of all , and sometyme verye folyshe thyngs to . For a thyng is not therfore goodly bycause it is harde , as to stand a far of , and to caste a mustarde seede thorowe a nedles eye & misse not , it is hard in dede , but ye● it is a verye trifle : and to vndo a payre of tariers , it is much worke , but yet a vayne and idle subtiltye .

Adde here vnto , that oftentymes these thynges be taught of vnlearned men , and that is worse , of lewd learned men , somtyme also of sluggardes and vnthriftes , which more regarde takynge of money than the profite of their scholers . Whan the commune bryngynge vp is suche , yet do wee maruayle that fewe be perfitly learned before they be old . The beste parte of oure lyfe is loste wyth idlenes , Nota. with vices , wherewith whan we be infected , we giue a litle parte of our tyme to studies , and a greate parte to feastes and plaies . And to an yll matter is taken as euil a craftes manne , either teachynge that is folyshe , or that whiche must be vnlearned againe . And after this we make our excuse that the age is weake , the wyt not yet apte to learne , the profite to be verye small , and manye other thinges , whan in dede the fault is to be ascribed to euill brynginge vp . I wil not trouble you any lenger , onelie wil I speake to your wisdome whyche is in other thynges verye sharpe and quycke of syght . Consider howe deare a possession youre sonne is , A goodli brief rehearsall of the thinges before spoken . howe diuerse a thynge it is and a matter of muche worke to come by learnynge , and how noble also the same is , what a redines is in all childrens wyttes to learne , what agilitie is in the mynd of man howe easily those thynges be learned whyche be beste and agreable to nature , inespeciallye if they be taught of learned and gentle maiste●s by the waye of playe : further how fast those thynges abide with vs , wherewith we season fyrste of all the emptye and rude myndes , whiche s●lfe thynges an elder age p●rceyueth boeth more hardelye , and soner forgetteth : Beside thys how dear and the losse neuer recouered , tyme is , howe much it auayleth to begin in season , and to learne euery thyng whan it shold be , how much continuaunce is able to do , & howe greately the heape that Hesiodus speaketh of , doeth increase by puttinge to little and litle , how swiftly the time flieth away , how youth wyll alwayes ●e occupied , & howe vnapte olde age is to be taught : If thou consyder these thynges thou wilt neuer suffer that thi litle child shoulde passe away ( I wil not say ) seuen yere but not so much as thre dayes , in the whiche he maye be eyther prepared or instructed to learnynge though the profit be neuer so litle .

FINIS .

¶ Imprynted at London by Iohn Day dwellinge ouer Aldersgate , beneth saint Martyns . And are to be sold at his shop by the litle conduit in Chepesyde at the sygne of the Resur●ection .

Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum . Per septennium .

Notes, typically marginal, from the original text

Notes for div A12121-e40

Notes for div A12121-e410

Notes for div A12121-e6450