Rapta Tatio The mirrour of his Maiesties present gouernment, tending to the vnion of his whole iland of Brittonie martiall.

Rapta Tatio .

HAuing ( you great Citties and your friendes and followers ) since I saw all vse of my poore endeuors spared , or rather found disabilitie in them to afforde vse to the state , or person of my dread Soueraigne , or of his royall Queene , or ishew ; sequestred my selfe from either sawcie intrusions or shamelesse suites ; I thought I should so haue been forgotten , and might also haue been suffered without offence to forget : But so full are all thinges euery where of his Maiestie , as euen in my retiredest priuatenesse , by Subiectes who could not iudge of ought , but what the Subiect enabled them to ; neither take much ioy in any thing , but in Haruestes , Mariages , and Holydayes ; nor speake for much more , then Nature and the Countries vocation giues direction for : I haue been assaulted with their welcome , yet vehement endeuours , of expressing their ioyes for him ; their comfortes in him ; their hopes from him , their dueties to him ; in deed their admiration , of not onely what they see , but what they feele themselues euen warmed and comforted by , not to all men in able Iudgement visible , but euery where by some vertue or other sensible : no lesse then they professe his Maiesties Proclamations to their vnderstandings notable ; his caryage and manage of himselfe and his iudgement in treasons so little deserued , by Subiectes no whit iustly agreeued , taken to mercy besides all law , but that which his owne heart and vnderstanding inuentes and affoordes ; not a little rare , yet very royall . Aboue all it may be , ( for being last in memorie ) they seeme full of a speech his Highnesse made in the beginning of the Parliament : for place in such a session ; for vtteraunce , so delyuered ; vpon further suite and neede thereof so reitterated ; the argumentes , so gratious ; for vse , so necessarie ; seene euen before proofe so iudiciall ; as when they of their kind could finde vnderstanding to commende , fulnesse to vtter ; it so farre set on fire my spirit , to giue my selfe satisfaction about ; as whether scorne to be ouermatched by those in that argument , or new desire enflamed to apprehend so glorious a world , gaue the instigation I know not ; vp rose againe those spirits which had faythfully borne zeale ( and that without fault otherways ) to his Highnesse , when communitie knew him not ; in dayes when Nobilitie treated but sparingly of him ; and the time had kept him in breeding in a countrey fit to make him wise and hardy , as any of his auncestours ; lesse soft and delicate then many of his progenitors . Pardonable then ( I hope ) it shall be esteemed , if to ioyne with the rest , or salute their gratulations to him first , what came from him , comes for him : the meditation of Subiectes wishes , the vnderstanding of many their senses , directed to acknowledge how vnworthy they are so gratious & so good a King , who publikely professeth to thanke them for that , for which , God and he himselfe is to be thanked , in that he was borne , and refuseth not his ende for which : who professeth peace ; feareth no warre ; standeth stifly to religion with a prudent discretion ; seekes vnions for vnitie ; giues his owne for the Common-wealthes cause the most , and yet accomptes to it for what he giues : doth all things as doubting which vpon tryall are surely placed . And though my selfe be too vnworthy to explaine what his Maiesties hidden prouisions are , of those which haue open shew for his Kingdomes good ; and know how neare flatterie and grosse adulation plaine deliuerie and trueth comes : yet since they be good desires in others , none ill in my selfe , which haue stirred me vp to this presumption ; and Vertue may be as confident to challenge her owne , as Vice is apt to borrow of insinuation ; I aske leaue that I represse not my thoughtes in silence , neither spare to lay them downe so insufficiently , in so able an age . But yet daring no further , you may be pleased , as Dionisius made Aristippus beleeue , that his eares were in his feete , to heare with your heeles : or if the worke be not worthy to be taken vp , it can not be vile enough , if it shall not be otherwise censured , hauing loue & duetie , zeale and care of countrey therein , to be trodden vpon . And here in what I shall discourse , as I haue caught it by vulgar relations , and remember it happely but vnfittingly for the vse should be made of it : so , if either I had had direction to write , instruction of occurrents , and priuitie to haue made right vse ; my paynes should haue been imployed to haue giuen that satisfaction to this cause , which now I ayme at : and but onely for the gladnesse of the popular duety to so gratious a Soueraigne , I could not haue been thrust vpon . And herein I will not deale with my loue to them , as the Sleeper did with the Coniurer , who hauing told him , that a dreame of an Egge signified treasure , sent him onely of siluer and gould ( whereof he had found some quantitie ) a portion of the siluer , and put him to aske for newes of the Yolke numquid de vitello : for euen all the substaunce in my Shell , is wholly this argumentes : and the more deuoutly , since with Deiotarns our King is not building of Citties at the thirteenth houre of the day : nor with Crassus , at sixtie yeeres olde , beginning to march against the Partheans : but euen at his first entraunce , doth so addresse himselfe to his gouernement , as all are proude at this instant , who spake well before , and they who see him now , find abilitie to speake for euer . It shall not be sayd of him , he beares his time well , as if somewhat were to be allowed to his new enteraunce ; but he vseth his time well . It was Damasippus fault to giue Cicero so much aduantage , hauing bidden him to supper , as by hauing kept his Wine fourtie yeeres in his house , to be subiect to his guestes censnre , that it bore the age well . This Kinges time came when it should be vsed , and is vsed when it is come : England allured not him to it , till it sent to him for it . He hath taken a state Captiue , by Gods prouidence , and his Maiesties good vsage of his guifts ; was not taken prisoner , as Policrates was by Eurotes : Therefore he pertakes Gods blessinges not against the Fates , but by direction of the Heauens . Before his Highnesse is treasure , in his comming hither : some ( I hope ) will finde it behinde him , if God blesse the golden Mynes in Scotland .

Cefellius Bassus applauded Nero for being deere vnto the Gods , as in whose time onely , Gold long time hidde , came to light . There are ( I cannot denie ) who are so vnhappie , as to coniecture , that some that hath seene light , is gone that way to be hidde : But neither shall fayle the vse of this Kingdome , if God blesse the ones finding , and graunt meanes to the others returning , since now the King hath propounded , that an vnion may be confirmed ▪ the only meanes to draw al vses from thence , to the good of vs heere , without our losse in any thing , which with the gaine by this cause , will not be well requited ; nor will it be long to the appearance thereof , when his Maiesties subiectes shall be all conioyned , which are borne and inhabite within one continent , haue , and long may they haue the same soueraigne , suffer noe deuision , nor which euer did , other then what the Diuell drew on for the punishment of both ; and it seemes Gods sacred ordinance , to mooue the Kings Maiestie to affect the amendes of , for the good of either . They haue reason to follow , where their King is ; wee cause to imbrace them , who come with him . The Countrey besides is honored in his Highnesse , which bredde such a King , as liues to prooue ( hath not a bare testimonie of a thing forgotten ) more abilitie in him selfe , then Darius on his Tombe was commended for : I was a f●iend to my friends , an horseman and bowman excellent : I was best of Huntsmen , and in my person could doe all thinges . And shall not Cirus his counsaile to Cambises his sonne , make vs more assured , to haue a Scepter compacted of multitudes of Friends , then of quantitie of Gold . And how can we compact them , but to make them like Niobees Tombe , being the Marble ? This Tomhe hath no dead body ; this dead body hath no Tombe : but the one is the other , and either is each . And if friendship be as Senica saith , Negotiatio quae ad comodum accedit : The King hath greatest cause ( if their ingratitude shall not giue him cause to be weary of both ) to ioyne them in strrct bandes of all comfortable all entire & equall Loues betwixt them ; since the greatest profite which euer can come to either of them , must be in seeing the welfare , and enioying the lyfe of him alone . Nor is it fitte that his friendes should not be vnited ( I presume to call his Subiectes his friendes , as by a deare tytle , as well as humble ) ; since better it is the King were not of agreeing harmonie in himselfe , then where his friendes were naught , the King himselfe were of good disposition . And if the difference were any , for the exchange : some haue sayd Procul a loue et a fulmine ; the conuersations of Kinges haue euer been helde like the nature of the Flames , warme further of , and burning neerer . The King shall better represse further off in this forme , by this meanes giue greater scope to the Subiect neerer hand : by that course , his further people shal be made more ciuill ( I speake of the priuater of them ) , these not so great flatterers , ( I speake not much of the publicker of these ) whose so often kneelinges , his Maiestie , it is sayd , hath so much forbidden , as if he had seene Tiberius the Emperour fall on his face , running away from a fellow , who hung vpon him kneeling .

A Woman did the like vpon this our King at Royston , whose Husband , that he might liue disorderly with his Grey-hound , against the Kings Proclamation , left to liue orderly with his wife according to the institution of Marriage . Yet as for the one , I meane not altogether the men of the Lues ; ( part of whose Countrey I had hoped , that ere this time , the battered Garrison of Barwicke should haue had ) so I feare not much the other , who can onely alledge , Offa me monet , the King hauing Subiectes ( of whom his Maiesties owne note is , that they were borne to haunt , shame , and starue himselfe ) of able meanes to reforme them , by cutting off allowaunces .

The condition of those , I professe , to be more dangerous , who can amende mistakinges : And to the question quid brachium can reply , illud dicere volui femur , who can either turne an Argument of strength into lasciuiousnesse ; or can alter with occasion , and flatter euen vice , if they could here find it . But while ill thinges ought not to be commended , ill men can be allowed no fitte praysers : Seneca in his Tractate of the honest lyfe , sayth : Wee ought to be as much ashamed to be commended of bad men , as if we were praysed for ill conditions . Reuerend and Worthy men hath the King to heare , as euer King was serued withall , both graue and wise : and wise and stoute : such as of whom it can not be sayd , that they haue lesse of Eloquence then of Fayth ; being as excellent speakers , as carefull doers : neither lesse Honor , then may commaunde duetie ▪ being many by him selfe aduaunced , others better then alwayes confirmed , or more then before increased . They are they to whom the Law can not be vnpleasing , that Amasis King of Egypt made vti singuli apud praesides prouinciae ostenderent vnde viuerent . That is in England on capitall head of many manifolde vices , when men may liue by what meanes they can , onely answearing vnto publicke accusations ; whereas how they get , what they spende ; how they spende , what they get ; how they outface meaner Magistracie ; how they blinde greater , in causes of danger how they find many , and the Common-wealth few friendes ; how they shift causes , and the Iudge neuer heates of them : for these , how much God is angrie ; their courses how easie it is in beginngs to preuent : if counsaile of Counsellours finde other thinges more vrgent to their wisedomes , I remember what I wish the Common-wealth should haue cause to thanke them for .

These people will goe as neare Iustice and Lawes , and scape them , as Domitian could shoote neare through by a Boyes fingers , and misse them . This reuerend counsell , for hauing liued in Coutts , may they be more honored , then to be reuiled in Woodes ? So let them know their seruices rewarded in lyuing ; that dead , they be not abused by the lyuing : And if they may be amongst vs , who would be wise like them , let vs not put them from amongst vs , who haue more experience , and haue had more priuitie then wee .

Zenophones Colophonius , who was called Homeromastixe , in lamentation of his pouertie , told a King of Cecely , that he was scarce able to keepe two Seruantes : Yet quoth the King , he whom you rayle vpon , feedeth 10000. being dead : so are worthy men by meane ones defaced ; so pratchantnesse knowes not it is sawcie ; so come faultie humours to be vnpunished , because not seene ; and not seene , because not regarded .

In Rome it is written , Rutilius and Scaurus had petition for a Consulship , and at last Rutilius gaue way to Scaurus . Scaurus accused Rutilius of Canuace , because in Rutilius his Tables was written A. F. P. R. which Scaurus did interpret as signifying done by the fayth of Publius Rutilius , actum fide Publij Rutilij , as if Rutilius had corrupted the voyces , and Scaurus could not haue been made Consull without Rutilius had renounced vnto him : But Rutilius made this interpretation , ante factum postea relatum , that first it was had , afterwards restored : as if Scaurus had by his name framed his Office , and he had been but the pronouncer of his reputation . Caius Caninius a Romaine Knight being on the part of Rufus , notwithstanding held , that neither interpretation was true vpon those Letters , but that they imported Aemilius fecit plectitur Rutilius , Aemilius did it , and Rutilius suffered for it ; that was , tooke the repulse . But I thinke both then : for neither are heere now .

In that time , where was the curtesie passed betwixt Largius and Caelius , when they two spent the day so in commending one another , either for others worth to be elected Dictators , that scarce either of them could be appoynted on the second day of their choyce ?

Where was then that humanitie which Pompey shewed , who being appoynted vnto Metellus his charge , because Metellus was elder and more noble in glorie , would not accept his preferment appoynted vnto him , vnlesse Metellus would desire his companie in taking share of his care ?

This case had much other pleading when it was , and howsoeuer Rutilius was stucke vnto , yet Cicero gaue not all to that speaker ; but in decision of the cause , hauing iudicially delyuered , turned his countenaunce vpon a worthy man of his fauour , concluding directly in the behalfe of Scaurus .

More did not Tully in any day shew himselfe maister of his eares , nor better at any time commaunde his tongue , to vtter his iudgement : Yet was that tryall onely brought in to take experience of duetie , fully necessarie for greater causes soone after to be propounded : This onely being like Alcibiades Dogge , sent through the Cittie of Athens with his tayle cut off vpon purpose . That as it was to try what woonderors were there in that body , so this to discerne whether free tongues were walking , or not walking in your free Cities ?

But howsoeuer , had Angustus his Iudgement , been helde as good as Claudius his benefite , the decision had found authoritie , not the authoritie decision . Then might the Souldier haue come to Caesar to aske his rewarde of pleasuring him , in a fitter time , then after he had lost one of his eyes at Munda .

But it may be in times foregoing , it hath been thought , that cleane obseruance was more worth , then holy duetie , to be honored rather skilfully , then deuoutly coli scite quam sancte : Yet doubt I , that word Cleane , had drunke too lately in the Low Countries , and signified rather litle in the scite , then mannerly in the obseruaunce . Or else as it befell , Martiall would haue his rule of louing accept Familiaritie , but admit no reuerence . Tu vis coli Sexte volebam amore , Sed si te colo Sexte non amabo . If otherwise , which I well beleeue , and you great Cities may happely heare of that not want of particuler duetie , but care of generall good , makes refusall of that for the Countries cause , wherein a Kinges commaund had otherwise readely preuayled ouer his Subiectes : while the euent of the ones desire , the others refusall stood vpon vncertaine successes ; and the fathers care might be thought impartiall touching his owne lawfull Children , though issued from diuers venters ; what Vigil could not scite Virgill ; what Watchman could not discerne day then in view , then to follow his collours with Nil desperandum Teucro duce et auspice Teucro ? Nor could it be sayd , O socij neque enim ignari sumus ante malorum , for of the contrarie wee haue had experience lamentable , of this which would haue yeelded comfort , such hath been our vnhappinesse , though the Histories can tell you how sought , neuer occasion to any could wee take .

Better directions then happie directions , men can not receaue , such as either are affected to be followed for loue by hope , or men are wonne to imbrace by reason vpon ground . Him examine by his owne , remember his life past so blessedly runne through , so mischieffously attempted ; take view of his estate present , of our hopes of blessednesse by him ; and thereby frame coniecture how fortunate his Highnesse may be in these his desires not withstood , but submitted to , by those who must leese liberties as deare as life thereby .

And should you not take him Kingly , but Philosophically ; the rule for his condition fittes him , as his Scepter , for a King , becomes him .

A body strong , fortunes ritch , the heart stoute , and braines learned , Milesius thought to be the seate of happinesse .

Plato he platted fiue kindes of Felicities : good Counsell , good Health , good Fortune , good Reputation , good and falsely esteemed , ( but neuer before other louers of Wisedome , loued them better then Philosophers ) aboue all Goodes , Goodes .

I might add to make these goodes better , as greater for their qualitie , maketh not their price more then their quantitie aduaunceth their reputation , euen goodes hanging vpon Ropes .

Of which kinde , to leaue the Kinges Maritine riches , in like whereof no Prince in the world is knowne to equall him : I may truely say , as he is farre from taking aduantages vpon those from whose indiscreete and vnworthy vsages , the haynousnesse of their crimes haue giuen their states and safeties away , so might so much moderation in cause of iust anger , haue giuen true tryall of none ouer great violence in matter of affection .

And were it not for the good of eyther , since hee hath charge of both , it would neither bee the draught of the one to what they seeke not , nor of the other to what they like not , that would make either Fancies seeme Faces , or Reasons almost Treasons .

Nor can I gesse whence no better satisfaction groweth , vnlesse Opinion may be helde of the highest estate , to be as Pliny writeth of Fortune , that shee is the Goddesse who in the whole world in all places , at all howers , with all voyces , alone is called out vpon , alone is named , alone is accused : who hath the onely guylt , the onely estimation , the onely prayse , the onely blame : and with inuectiues is worshipped , with slaunder cherished , in inconstancie thought constant : to whose charge is layde the maintayning the vnworthiest , the accompt of all expences , the catalogue of all receites , and the filling vp of each Leaues either part in the blottes of all reckonings , and the setting vpon all Audits .

If not so , with reuerence and loue may I speake it to your Cittie-assemblies , Tables as you may thinke priuate and secure , be too little prouident ; no lesse was the Frenches confidence , who to shew their not fearing Alexander , could instaunce in nothing to giue them doubt , but in the heuens falling .

Yet certainely as Abimelech being hurt by a Stone from the Castle , whereinto the Israelites fledde , throwne downe by a Womans hand , desired rather that a Souldier would kill him , then that by so weake an hand he should perish : So is it euer to be feared , that greatnesse can no where suffer contradiction with content , where the cause is reasonable , and affection Royall , in the vnderstanding .

It may be neuerthelesse , that Pompilius thought a Circle scoared by a Rod , could giue lymits to consultation , as Intra hunc consule . The intendment of such Circles , were to combine mens seates and endeuours by freedomes to assist euery one the most he could , not with liberties to forestall singular men peremprorily , those propositions which come but newly into consultation , being neither rashly , nor meanely commended . Those ends had no Celticke boldnesse appoynted to them ; they were not to be ioyned with contempt of safetie . There was not intended that with the blood of Hanniball , should be made strong the league with Rome . There was no Priuiledge to engadge that offence which no memory could euer remit , if the after successes should accuse the then resolued iudgements . The Scottish in this age , nor in those to come , shall in this Kingdome get the best offices alone , feare ye not ; nor let others affright you therewith . But as the Kinges Maiestie contendes to haue the State generall , and publique weale of the whole Iland , to which he is equally by God appoynted in best order ; so propounds he , that it may be free for the best man of those , who are his natiue Subiectes , borne and inhabiting within the same continent , and none otherwise deuided by Tweede , then others of his Subiectes are by Trent , may haue place for his goodnesse to serue the Common-wealth in .

Such is his Maiesties royall disposition , to chuse the best from the most , and to get it enacted , that the left hand , though not so much heretofore vsed , shall now bee knowne to bee a parte of the same body , & receiue the same nourishment by the same passages , and do naturall seruices , as none artificiall member . But why we should so much doubt them , see I not so much cause . In all men now liuing is not the appetite of Diogenes deceased : he being asked what kinde of wine he wold gladliest drinke of ; answered , of another mans : for of those there are many wil not change their own setlings , & too many who haue pensions elswhere already , & some are going further for better profits : all of whome great offices in this kingdome doe not expect , nor wold they euer be suters for them to sit about them . Yet do you thinke it better and lesse dangerous to admit too great hopes at home , then safe for a common wealth to permitte too much certaintie of engagement abroad .

This was it of which Horace said , that the hornes had hey vpon them , flie those beastes , Foenum habet in cornu , longè fuge . This Frenchman is black , Hunc tu Britanne caueto . Nay , I may tell you that this nation is so well traueld , hath so much addiction to see further , as it wil well ioin to draw your looser abroad , by encrease of strength ; your richer home , with support of wealth . And whether such dispositions are likely to hold , they who haue traueiled can best discern , who haue seen vs foraignly loue & take parte against all nations ech with other , when we liued domestickly scarce friends , & daily occasions giuen why we shold be more disjoyned . Too much occasion hath ben geuen why secret remembrances might hold ; some in act , some in fact : but so blessing of vs is God , so gracious to vs is our King , so prouident are they can forsee this , as the storye moderne may now be corrected as Martials epigrams might be amended , which when many interlineations , many scorings , could not perfit , vna litura potest , spongia sola potest : many apologies , many periuries , many simple denials , many beings out of the way , many facings to the teeth , many accusations of his better subjects , many combinations of packes together , though all these shold be & many more , can neuer or not alwaies hold all in , or all men : only this asks pardon & saies nothing , this takes reuenge & doth good together . Now let vs haue none aliens , none attainders , be al free as wee may bee , noble as wee shold be . Let the same hand , which endeuored hurt or was mistaken , heal & be rightly vnderstood . If there be impediments outward , remooue them ; if imward , aduise them . Licurgus being demaunded how the enemies forces might be abandoned ; answered , if they would continue poore , which this age yeelds no disposition to : & if they woulde lay by ciuill dissentions ; which is best done where singuralities are auoided , good only affected . But if the best should come , to the eagerest satisfaction : & yet it is lesse valew to defend then assault : lesse hability to deny , then to proue : & that very to do good is more suspected , then ill doing deemed faulty : the wisdome of Pisistratus must yeeld to the wilfulnesse of his children , or else others must take aduantage by their debate . The story saith that when as Pisistratus had giuen right aduise vnto his children , & could not get theyr consent vnto it , & therby was vrged to stand in some question with them for their disobedience ; finding his enimies reioiced therat , as hopeful that from that dissention som alteration might growe , hauing called his citisens together , he made them publikly know , that true it was he had bin angry with his children , for that they had not agreed to their fathers desires : but afterwards it seemd good to his fatherly piety to descend into their opinion ; therefore he would haue the city to take knowledge , that the issew of the king were accordant vnto the wil of the father . So was that good Pisistratus driuen rather to giue away his own interest , then to let others take auantage of their dissention . Touching whom if the father shold haue said as Diogenes answered the poticary , how shold he not beleeue that ther were gods , when he knew him enimy to them . Why it shold not be feared that opposition to greatnesse , in a cause indifferent , might teache greatnesse how great it is in a cause that were iust , be you Iudges quo iure quaque iniuria . But it may be in your great cityes and amongst your followers and friendes , there are diuersities of resolutions , though not quot capita tot sensus . For it may bee some cannot finde meanes of deliberation , vnlesse their respites of iudgement may be enlarged to quantum diutiùs cogito . Others happily may fulfill you with so many reasons , as vpon some kinde of inditement might hang a subiect , had but half an one more ben added ; so fruitfull they seem to be of conceits , though their reuenues of reasons , in this cause to be spent , would hardly maintaine an army , to fight with arguments an whole yeare in open battail against this vnion . But many had those need to be , could refuse a nation so welcom , at an imbracement so necessary . Why should we sticke vpon needlesse feares ? Degeneres animos timor arguit . Why should we , being grown into the peace of Ireland , say , that anguis latet inter herbas odoriferas ? An wholsome country breeds no serpent : no fraud lurks in honest meaning . But these improuisions to this understanding are to be attributed to late times foregoing : wherein the sexe could not by any indeuor meditate things so proper for the estate , as improper for their persons : neither were their opportunities alike , whose fortunes suffered enemies to their gouernment , as are his who is offered friends for his own sake , for his Queens bloud , to his country nôw more respected . Yet let vs admit the bounty of Semiramis toombe , on which was in a written direction expressed that those who wanted mony might take there what they would : within notwithstanding was opposed , that vnlesse men were ill & vnsatiable of coin , they would neuer dig vp the coffins of dead persons for it : So keen they were in those dayes to intice the worlde to take out this lesson , That affection should not alwaies aduenture the vttermost , that liberty giues shewe to haue geuen allowance for . Yet let calumny be set apart in your cities , & the matter not reuiled with the infamy of the worde , S. George shall not go so long on foote vpon this arraunt , that the most naturall English man shall finde him surbated in his journey . Be not deceiued yee cityes & your friendes : for these are but sclender aydes offered to any , when their assistaunces makes only the furtheraunce , where the encrease brought addes nothing to the strength settled . Who speakes in you , either finde your applause , or leaue their arguments helpelsse . Your pleasing countenances , hauing made the first speech seem sound , the rest encrease , as Hydraes heads multiplyed . Hee , who sittes down amongst you , happily hath seriously thought vpon what he deliuers , & therinto hath wouen his affection and reason together : do not you approoue it , till you haue adiudged the one , disseuered the other . One man happily the good sound of his owne words well placed , another the mirth of his iest well formed , hath seduced in their iudgementes of their owne discourses , by whose errors shold your wisedōes be vndermined , it wold be said happily you were eyther concordant by clamor or allured for fancies . Shal you who haue bōfir'd & pageanted for a king , are the glories of his state , now scant him his honor in appointing your goods ? Shal it be said of you , who haue so wel fashioned out this triumph hitherto , that you can not maintain your selues out , as inconstant , or for disability must in extremo actu deficere ? Then bring the honest yong man , the modest yong maid together , let them wooe , & their frends for them ; let them be made sure by a contract in forme ; let the cheer bee made ready , the day appointed , friends inuited , fidlers called , giue & take you parents & children on both sides ; eate , drink , dance , court , & make more matches , til day & half night be spent : then refuse your bridegroom , for what mariage was instituted . There are many deuises to blind good mening in these ages ; supposed catholikes may be attempted to be supposed puritanes ; a faction in alliance may make offer to arraigne an honest mans argument . With these be not you deceiued : but let your appetits be only your goods , your wils your weales . Think fit that Soueraigns in their weldoings should be pleased ; and not in theyr good affections diseased . Know that a Monarch is but one as alone ; the discourses and arguments brought into you , many .

And wil not you expect , that so many wisedoms , as inhabite and ride vpon you , shall drawe one proposition , framed for your good , to the content of him to whom the thankes is due ? Shall not you like of a state framed to honor a King , who brings a King a true honor to a state ? Tell them who dislike most , they shall haue more habilitie , and be better defended , when you shal be all your selues ; then now , when a few prime men , either in parts or partaking , seeme to nicke vp vpon their opinions the iudgements of so many graue and wise men as are said to hold consort with them in their voyage . Can any men fear the King of Englands place hereafter to be lost ; & not inough care for the King of Britaines loue now to bee retained ? That , though for his constancy hee cannot withdraw , for his place he may not ; ought he not so to be regarded for it , as it may be retained in him with his comfort ? Is it feared that by this appellatiue we shall be made fellows to the Brittons the theeues ; rather are we not doubly by this meanes instiled of Fraunce where dwell the canuascoats ? I call you to witnesse , wee put not Stangatehole out of Huntington shire , Shooters-hill out of Kent , nor other places of robberies out of English shires , nor our selues leaue to be called of that countrye if wee had birth , or haue landes in them , notwithstanding the robberies done vpon them , as odious as are the robbers .

They who haue hability to speake against this Vnion that it may not bee ; cannot they ( thinke you ) defend it when it is ? the inconueniency being all that is pretended , or disproportion of affection , the dishonesty nothing , the vnlawfulnesse not otherwise discerned then knowne as little . The vse of all things is all : the reason applied to any thing prooues , the affection loues , the sight beholdes , and offices perfourme their functions , not alwaies as order leades , but sometimes best so vsed as occasion serues . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the greekes call Punctum temporis : which who so hittes , if either he do it suddenly , O quantum est subitis casibus ingenium ! or necessarily , sapit , necessitati qui probè se accommodat , et est rerum diuinarum atque humanarum conscius . Can any perswade you who do the like honour to the King , how vnlike soeuer this dayes garments are to yesterdayes roabes , that the difference of an enstilement shall make him lose the honor of his place , the reputation of his nation ? True it is , where persons were vnknown , & kingdomes vnheard of , Titles should haue reputations as their wordes could signifie : but then they must so begin , as weapons were first found out , if you will beleeue Horace , which was when men went together by the eares , first , vnguibus et pugnis , dein fustibus , atque it a porrò pugnabant armis quae post fabricauer at vsus . In this case where the kingdomes accompt cannot bee blemished , and almost the Kinges woonder hath bene euery where euen adored , in that age let those who like not to giue him his due in a session or otherwise , find then he knowes what he is now : which god graunt alwayes to send , may encrease vpon him . Slightly as I heare of argumentes tossed amongst you , so gladly desire I to settle you touching them : leauing with you my protestation of reuerence humble , and loue faithfull , towards all such as with vnderstanding affection stand vnder any burthen for the good and honor of theyr mother earth , and her children . Against which , if for flattery to the Scotish I shall seeme to haue written , let my brybe be iudged of ; som of them hauing part of my liuing , others hauing torne in sunder my reputation : yet since my bane came from the English , they trespassed not in wisedom to take aduantage therof . And that mine hands may appear the cleaner , as yet my dread Soueraignes haue not don ought for me , of much I dare boldly yet prostrately auow , I haue well deserued , & both fauor of lawes of Court and Country would assist me in right to . Yet doubt I not theyr royall natures , nor misdoubt mine own patience , knowing it eyther well to becom my duety to expect their princely pleasures , or otherwise ready to credite their iudgements , touching me , rather then to giue scope to mine owne hopes of aduancement , or good from my Soueraignes . But all else set apart , and freelie to deliuer mine impartiality in this cause , so safe I hold this for vs to obey our King in ; so comely to welcome the nation with ; so politike to close at this infolded imbrace ; as I suspect not but all will be best being best vsed : and of the rest , let them rather doubt , then we feare . Many mens turns haue bene already serued , the Kings owne comfort is yet in petition : he ioyes not so much to be a King for his pleasure , as to be a good King for the states weal. His Maiesty takes now the first opportunitie , the flyes are now not so busye : holesome counsel hath poured balme vpon opportunity in asking , magnificence in graunting . Yet are many the pretences may draw Kinges to be bountiful : of which if you haue not elsewhere taken good view , you may here iudge of some , being parte of many thousands . Kings somtims are euen forced to grant , not so much for their desire to bestowe , as their shame to denye : Non tam studio quidem concedendi , quàm verecundia negandi . Some haue vsed this argument , you know what my need requires , Scis quid mihi opus sit : when there was more need of Hoc opus est subito fias ut sidere mutus , that they had wayted as dombe as the stars do on the sun . Some sayd Regi hoc dare non conuenit , a royall King must make his gift magnificent : When as Nec Cynios accipere de●ebat , Beggers should haue ben no chusers . More suters fall on vpon Kings : one who for his wisdom , quia rarissimè : another for his conceit , quia iucundisimè : a third who for his attendance , quia tum prandet et coenat cum Alexandro videtur , seek for gifts : certain Calisthenesses aduised by Aristotle . Others can often remember their seruices , praying rewards to be bestowed for those causes , and for that in no fortune they had ben from the Kings person : Sylas from Agrippa . Some haue asked , as more learned then their fellowes , for hauing giuen causes of things : as why the lions deuoured not Daniel . Some for limping if the king limped : haukers & hunters , the fashion of the Ethiopes . Some for sitting late vp by him in the night , and praysing his royall Children : Cato the younger from Diotarus . Som must take , lest they should be vnciuill in refusing : Zenocrates from Alexander : And they must be giuen to , to try their good manners in accepting . Som for their softnes must beg ; hauing no fingers as may be supposed on theyr hands , & therfore driuen to wear their rings in their ears : the seruants of Penus in Penulus in Plaut. Som requited for their presents : Siloson with Samum from Darius . Some must buy , because they offer deare , multis precibus , with much suite . Som must be giuen to , though naughty persons : Mores miseratus non hominem , for pitty not of the man but of his manners . Som bountifully dealt with , though not from a kings hart , non homini sed humanitati , a gift bestowed vpon curtesie not manhood .

Al must be granted by a king : for that he is as a god vpon the earth . Dixi quòd dii estis , saith the Psalmist , I haue saide yee are gods . And that is to imitate god to be bountifull . Petitions were long since growne so vsual , as Seraphion would not strike the bal to Alexander in the Tennis-court , vnles he begd it himself : Non praebes saith Alexander ; Immo non petis saith Seraphion . Yet in som times the gifts were but such as Lupus gaue to Martiall , when as he writ that he had a whole cuntry bestow'd vpon him , lesse then was one in the bowpots in a corner of your neater Citizens windows : such a country , as in which a Cabbage would make a whole wood , ouer which a Grashoppers wings a tent , which to an Ant was but a daies feeding , and might be crowned with a Rose bud ; in which were two herbes onely growing , wherin a Cucumber could not stand vpright , nor a Snake ly at ease : which one Mole could dig vp in a day , one Mouse destroy as fearfully as the Calidonian Boare ; & hath many other descriptions in his epigram to Lupus expressed , concluding that he had rather haue had a dinner then no deneer , prandium quàm praedium . Nam quo tempore mihi praedium dedisti , mallem mihi prandium dedisses . In others , gifts had good fortune : as when Aristippus sayd of Dyonisius the younger , That the king was safely bountiful and magnificent , because he saw Plato send him back his gifts againe . In others they had good vse : as when Fabius Maximus bestowed on Marsus , a valiant souldier , no very great gifts , to keep in very great spirits . The antient boone of Leuidense none begs : which was a warme but light , yet common garment Many now craue in many places ; not so much for want of sufficient , as because though they know some haue more then inough , yet they would bee loath to haue lesse then theyr fellowes : striuing as Otacilius did to equall Torquatus : of whom it is written that as the ox burst the toade , so the one of them would split in emulation of the other , vt bos ranam rumperat olim : sic puto Torquatus rumpet Otacilium . Milesius was wont to say , there was no such way to make a man quietly suffer aduersity , as the knowledge that his enemy was in worse prosperity : and think you , that emulation , in this , works not as much , as , in the other , malice ? For this cause did the brethren of Ioseph sell the son of Iacob vnto the Arabian merchants . For the other , did Casselius find out , that a Pyne tree nut was an apple , if it were to be thrown at Vatinius his enimies head . Horace bestoweth much description vpon those who wold haue none so great as themselues and tels the tale of the toade , vituli pede pressus , who told her dam , when she saw her swell to be as great as the calfe , Non si te ruperis , inquit , Par eris . But though it were vnfit in kings causes , Martials counsell to Flaccus was vnhappy , which aduised to keep that to himselfe which hee had purposed amongst others ; when as the offence of many , who should not get , was dangerous , the bestowing vpon al burdensom . Demeruisse duos votum est : offendere plures vix tutum : Cunctis mittere dona graue . Our Soueraigne , as his goodnesse is great ; so his rewards , his gifts , his aduancements haue not bin smal . Tully had not so great cause to brag of his Quaestorship well discharged in Sicily , when he came home to Rome ; as some giue shew of our Soueraigns bounty , who passe from one of you to another . Howsoeuer , it may truly be said , it hath rather bin a Royall king then an yeares Magistracy yet performed , hath aduanced Tully to salute Roome ; so glorified from Sicily , so enuyed at home . Take it not ill then ( Tully ) if no body at Roome woulde talke to thee of thy Quaestorship , of the news of thy cariage wherin thou thoughtst , to haue found all men full . And why should not such gifts , as they cary , be bestowed by him , who hauing long staied for power , ought now only to affect glory and good will ? Priùs said Antigonus mihi opus erat potentia ; nunc verò gloria et beneuolentia . What other humane indeauour hath this worthy king more seriously taken in hand , then the benifiting of his & the countries friends , the reconcilement & agreement of the enemies of both ? whereof the one , as they were made vp , partely by his loue to his country , his desire to honour it , to aduance hir faln nobility , to requite such as had deserued best of her , to giue many more then theyr own , since the country had so gladly giuen him his own : partly by those he brought with him , who had some of them bin rescuers of his life , som extraordinary assistants of his estate , others such as he could not but reward here , for seruices performed there , where memory was the rewarde hee cold properly giue , & was all in their honors they would willingly take . So enimies to kings do oftnest grow , either by want of what ambition made them desire ; or for lacke of what expenses had drawn into waste : Els some somtimes affect what blind zeal makes them think fit , or fals iudgement rather false harts will not let them see pertinent & proper . But as his Maiesty hath , no more then was fit , rewarded the first ; vnlesse they can say to him as the yong man saith in Terence , Nescis quid mihi obtigerit , you cannot tell Sir what hath lighted vpon me : So hath he mercifully spared the other ; insomuch that he hath neither confiscated them , as Tiberius the Emperor did the kings of Spaine , Sicily & Greece , ob leue impudensque calumniarum genus : for any light or shamefull kind of slander : nor fined them as Cassius did Sylla , & Calphurnius : from one of whom he took quinquagies sestertium , & from the other sexagies , Himselfe , being for any riot he is addicted vnto , as free from want either of ought belonging to himself , or for his couetousnes from need of any thing others possesse . But either at petitions of faire Ladies , none offenders ; or for som respects laid before him by his wiser Nobility ; either else for pure inclination vnto mercy ; hath benefited Sylla , been steward of his estate , kept others vp , who would haue kept others downe . Thanks to so high discerning , which found that when Soueraigntie could not represse liberty , benefits could more strictly then treason take it prisoner . Nor hath hee yet inflicted so much as exile vpon any of them , knowing it a banishment that they forsooke his iustice . And that he detaineth them , is out of his mercy : for boulder were they , and of better countenance could they be , when each had his discontent ; then now when they haue proofe in themselues , & the world sees it apparantly how vnworthily they had placed it . Marcellus the Ciuilian , wrighting vpon a booke of the Digestes , shewes three kindes of banishment : either from certaine places ; or from al places , besides certain ; either else a confining to some Iland . And though all these be vpon them , yet they had nothing of this punishment , did not one certaine place restraine them : & may they be confined to an Iland , if further mercy shall deliuer , & further occasion shal not imploy them , & that Iland so prepared ; the one by their Soueraignes grace , the other in his prudence ; they are not only like to be inlarged to a country , but find their country inlarged to them . Touching whome pittie is it they rather were not free for this argument , then bound by the other offence . There are of them , whose births , courages , blouds , experiences , and conditions , as they were noble before they lost them ; so nobly could they haue spoken of this argument , & I hope by this time haue found much cause to bee much forward hereabout . Yet is there one of them wold bring much griefe vnto me , ( though I wish him all good , in his weldoing ) if he or his abettor , his Steward or Protector , or his faction , so many as are of the olde haunce for his cause should be able to preiudice me more for compassion : then I could draw safegard to my selfe , by refraining euill desart , laboring good merit . But howsoeuer these , some of them much vnhappy before , in this estate at this time haue all tryed the Kings Maiesties grace in their seuerall particulars : in that notwithstanding they haue beene absent from the true ioyes of their Countrey , and from the affaires in hand , they may say as Demetrius Phalerius said , heu inquieta negotia actionesque nostras quorum causa hactenus tantum virum nosse non licuit . Well hath hee spent his time in this time who ere he was , and worthily who wrote the tractate of the vnion , wherein hee hath performed his taske , and made his worke proue his title . Many good lawes hath hee giuen vs to tye the vnion by : For besides what he writes like a Philosopher lernedly , & of the Kings goodnes multipliciously , let the soule of his Common-wealth be tryed , and you may easily discerne whether iudgement can , or ought recommend his worke to a Parliament , to be made an Acte of : yet since he will needes trye his owne inference by his owne applications , wee will likewise examine his whole worke , by the rule of his owne inuention . And first what conscience can beleeue , that he who could not be drawne to meddle with clannes in Scotland , would be content to abet a faction in England ? These factions were of heate ; and as they drew bloud ; so sooner tempted the bloud made the motiues more strong , the partakers more passionate ; wheras in factions cold discretion can abide much pause , & the time giuen for respite giues it selfe a meanes for determination of vprightnes . What conscience can beleeue that he who by the English bloud in a Grand mother got three kingdoms , will not as much loue the English as the Scottish , by whom he had but preferment to one ? what conscience can perswade it self , that he who hath ad uanced many here without desart towards himself , will not continue his honors for daily seruices for his own behoofe performed ? what reason can deny that the quiet we now enioy , & riches by that quiet , may not both be encreased , when our kingdom shall be abroad more feareful , & the more hands shal bring the greater profits into the land ? what reason can pierce into that no reason hath diued into , to take Gods prouidence away from continuing , what only by his prouidence he hath setled . To a worke diuine adde not thoughts humane ▪ what reason can discerne that men long combined , shall not rather holde together , than men neare in oportunities held off farre , for sleight seeming respects ? And do any examples teach that richer subiects are not more fearefull of offending lawes ? teach any examples , that men by nature , fight , language , condition , & occasion vnited , are vnunited by vnion ? Or teach any examples that Monarchies well setled , cannot represse any ils as they are growing ? wel hath he ther fore taught you to settle preuention , where domestiquely ye gouerne not . France & Spaine haue their moments to be considered , further than into this our owne is to be looked . The one he tels you hath a custome , the other a pretext against England : & shal England refuse aide against them & all others , when God ordinarily & extraordinarily offers it not obscurely ? Then increase , none helps England ; be thou my countrey vnthankful ; care not if Scotland stand as Ireland fell ; disvnite Wales , as not needing it ; seek abroad for friends , though they be Turkes ; maintaine others quarrels to preserue your own safeties ; set vp garisons againe ; make new Lords of Marches ; draw more from the rich , from the poore what they only haue ; acte or exact , as if it were the last acte : liue as poore as Spaine , yet haue none Indies ; as vncertaine as Italy , but lesse friended and fruitfull ; desire helpe one day , who may giue helpes now ; cry out then when your own haue lost you , & they who are vpon you , shall not know your language . Then may you war like the Switzers , when other Countries , who haue imbraced what you refused , shall enioy with scorne of you , what you held , and might haue held before them , and them to either in dearenes , or at their deere rate . My natiue countrey , I craue pardon for my boldnesse , zeale hauing transported me as farre into passion of after successes to be doubted , if this stand thus doubtfull ; as I hope it is to their surmises euent , who deeme that for want of issue in this Kings loyne , the two Countries may againe be seperated , though this now be embraced . But let me be tryed whether I perswade honest things , & I hope my vehemency shall not be imputed faulty . Soone do they breake vpon fit occasion , who are too soone repelled for no knowne cause . Why should not we wish them so wel as our Lawes ? why shuld we wish our selues so ill , as their not being one with vs ? Many will be the marriages in time , to make our Nations fully one : as many are the houses , they bring in with them of our own . What was it made the Romans and the Sabines friends , but the Romanes getting to wiues the Sabines daughters ? they tooke them by violence , these haue opportunitie for loue : and thinke you we shal spare to goe for marriages into Scotland , when their daughters shall bee rich to maintaine vs in England ? Thinke you many thousand occasions will not make vs enterchange , if this one occasion had but made the Kings roade to the rest . Be of courage therefore honourable Cities , and your friends of all qualities , and bee what you are ; such an Iland as were a world to you , knew you no part of the world besides . Be what you are , and desire nothing rather to be Quod sis esse velis nihil que malis : Knowe this rather to be done , then intreaty , finished aboue , not imperfect beneath ; all else howsoeuer seeming , more vncertaine then this yet not appeared . Let the honestie of this cause intice you , the honour moue you , the profit snatch you to it . Then gratitude know nothing better ; the larger the Iland , the nobler the Nation ; and who knoweth not that Concordia res paruae crescunt , discordia maximae dilabuntur , leaue not these faggot stickes out of your band , these arrowes out of your sheafe . Better is that borne a great deale whereof men are ashamed , then that whereof they repent . If any should thinke it a shame to loose the name , let him know their helpe lost would make vs more repent : The people to be called by the name of the Countrey is but Cognatum vocabulum rei .

Now is this vnion on foote ; much hath beene said therein ; much written thereupon ; Our Kinges affection is setled thereto . All these will do hurt , if this now do not good . If any should ▪ gesse many the meanes which should debarre inconueniences to come , are now already taken from our good : he may haply fall into their opinion , who haue deemed either this should haue begun with the vnsetling of the rest ; or with the setling of this onely expedient , the other haue beene vnsetled hand in hand . They were onely the Fpicures sect , who would neuer enter into any other profeson of Philosophy : yet were the Stoikes , and the Academickes both more learned and lesse vitious .

It is written of Alexander , that when it was tolde him , that an handsome man had gotten his sister with childe , hee made aunswere , that it was to bee graunted him to enioy his kingdome too . This sister of Alexanders , is not sought without leaue ; is not defiled without vertue ; hath her louer no lesse comely in parts and features .

In Aegypt it is written were great store of Crocodiles , there the dogges for thirst driuen to drink , did euer so lap in Nilus , as they were euer remouing . This iest was broken vpon Anthony , after the Mu tine flight that he caried himself like the dogs of Egypt . Shal we then haue receiued this Nation with applause ? honored them in our high Counsell of the Kings estate , and of the estate of the Kingdome ? admitted them dignities ? admitted them honours in titles , in possessions ? receiued them with loue into our houses ? crepte at their knees in the English Court ? haue put our money into their pockets ? put them into our fortes , strengthes , & Castles , and shall wee now make meum and tun̄ , the Scottish & the English , our selues & themselues ? Nay , rather let vs speake as heartily as the kinde man did in Terence , Hos nisi mors nobis adimet nemo ; Let vs in name and vertue be the same : let the good of both ioyne together , and the good of both put downe the ill of either . Some who neuer iudged aright what it was to liue so vnited , may rashly say they had rather dye then bee vnited .

He was but an young man in Terence , who vsed that perswasion for his affection onely , emori malim : but an olde man gaue this counsell out of long experience , First learne what it is to liue ; if then that life displease , when thou knowest it , thou mayest bestowe this on thy selfe which thou now chusest .

Plato framed a definition of a man , that he was a liuing creature , going vpon two feete , and without feathers : which definition was mocked by shewe of a Cocke , his feathers pulled off : But the Authour of the tractate of the vnion , hath giuen this man , if you will hence deriue him , foure legges to walke on .

So strongly therefore vnderset , hee aduentured that discourse , knowing belike , that the perswasion of iust thinges pleased the Gods ; and that the people of Athens would not kill Phocion , if they repented a little .

Mildly they yet proceed , for they cal his iudgement his wit rather giuing a backward commendation of his labour spent , then the cause , vse of his arguments in behalfe thereof . Sure hee was some great Councellor who gaue the King that aduice , that he should not liue out of his Countrey wherein he was borne , and from it ( that was not to let his Numen be felt in it ) together .

What , though hee hath pleasured many of that Nation : ought the well doing of a few be his onely care ? Is the rewarding of his seruants , all that falles into a Kings studie ? for his common wealthes good ? haue we had so much benefit by their comming , and shall we deny them share of that we enioy by them ? They haue bred vs a King , they haue brought him safe , they haue brought him euery way perfect ; of nature , good ; learning great , vertues many ; of issue fruitfull ; and on his head a Crowne , before he came here : Matched most royally for the qualitie of her bloud ; gallantly for her person ; and aboue all for the goodnesse residing in her royal self , & her happines in her sweet issue , descended from her : And shall we now vse Scotland as an olde scabbard , or a Kings cradle . Vmditius a bond — slaue in Rome , for preuenting only by relation vnto a Consul , the treasons of the sons of Treuitelij , and of Brutus , was not onely made free ; but a law made for the freedome of all bondslaues , called Lex vindicia : by which euer afterwards none of them could be taken by force , or haue violence offered to them by allowance : How much rather ought we to enact some memorable record vnto posteritie , whereby this great blessing from that Nation may be acknowledged vnto it ? the rather they hauing demeaned themselues so honorably , as to giue vs iust satisfaction of their valours : An excellent cause now God will haue vs friends , why we should loue entirely .

This is a course fitter for vs to embrace , then our strengths refused by other aduersities , to hope of our succours . But now rather to speake a little in behalfe , and for vse of our owne common-wealth , then to perswade their particular good in it . As our lawes are the best , or we must say so of them , who liue vnder them , of all Nations , whereby our kingdome is gouerned ; so the ciuill lawes being no such strangers vnto them , somewhat would soone be established ; whereby we might get the benefit of theirs , by the assent of ours , to the consent of both . Which while it is in indeuor , they by precise looking into ours , wil get reformed some abuses crept in by time , custome , or misse-interpretation ; such as my Lord Chancellor in his integritie shewed daily , and diuers of the graue Iudges , and chiefely the chiefest of them , as oportunities serue , for conscience sake , do amend as they apply them , and but by such an occasion as this , will hardly euer be moted vpon .

Of this argument , for agreement of both lawes , ( except I be deceiued ) a friend of mine ; and worthie to bee yours , hath very lately , verie shortly written : comparing the Grandes , the Titles , the rules , and right vse of both , ( as his occasion led him ) so learnedly , so fully , and so experiencedly together ; as the two common Wealthes may soone bee taught , that there is nothing disagreeing in essence betweene them , nothing of the ones substance wanting to the other , ( the termes and practises onely hauing giuen the shewe of difference hitherto . ) But I cannot iudge whether hee will bee iudged woorthie any great imployments , since Hanno was but vnthankfully dealt withall , who first tamed a Lion . It were pitie a Common-Wealthes man should haue more encouragement in his trauell , then his conscience of well doing .

To returne to my purpose ; if for many seene benefits , which wee cannot chuse but reape , besides the satisfaction of our Soueraigne , no way were motiue to a heartie Subiect , there should ingrowe any inconueniences ; the Kinges desire standing in heede of the Acte Trimolius the true Corinth , would take part against his owne brother , for the good of the Common-Wealth . But these doubtes stands like the Mountaines Anaxagoras was asked whether at the last they would not bee water ; whose aunswere was , in time they would , Tempus edax rerum , &c. Time doth worke what no man knoweth in the faithfull Turtle Doue .

Martial was very angrie with a fellowe , who would needes knowe thinges vppon supposalles , as how hee would behaue himselfe if hee were rich ; and shutting him off with this aunsweare ; if men can foretell how thinges shall succeede , how wilt thou behaue thy selfe , if thou becommest a Lion ? Quenquam posse putas , &c. Isocrates was troubled with the vncertaintie of the time , how hee might behaue himselfe , when hee might haue a boxe on the eare ; for then ▪ and not else hee would weare a Helmet . This cause great Cities , and your friendes from Story writers flying away so wilde , sits now as gently by vs , as Tubero the Pretors Pye did , which came strangely to his hand , and of which the Southsayers foretolde that much good would come with her , were shee accepted ; if otherwise , much ill to the Pretor : her hee pulled in peeces , but not without his owne mischiefe .

In Phrigia and Silenus was a great earthquake , which consumed many houses and mortalles ; The Oracle saide , some rich thing must bee throwne into it : Death of a Kinges Sonne onely stopped the gaping of the earth in those places . Here is no earth-quake , but heauens shine : here is life and renowne to our Kings Sonne , our worthy Prince , ours and many more kingdoms hope . The Oracle sayes not , dye sonne ; but liue all friendly together . Tully in the dreame of Scipio saith , that all they who haue saued their Countrey , haue helped their Countrey , haue encreased their countrey , haue in heauen a place appointed them , where euerlastingly they shall ioy . That was the cause why the Ambassadors of the Carthagenians and the Sirenenses were contented to make the condition of being buried quicke , where they challengd their bounds : So great was their loue to the inlargement of their Countrey ; a desire euer prosecuted , and neuer but weakely by Darius in Quintus Curtius his time only gaine-said , that a kingdome might be too great . On the other side remember but how Themistocles dealt with Zerxes , for the ouerthrow of al Greece , because his countrey had ingratefully respected him . And had not Artaxerxes hung vp my Hamon , Mardocheus had beene betrayed in his owne Countrey beyond the Kings disposition , but that did I beare , though it cost me deare . As I forgiue , so I forget , and returne to this : If the English haue not generall peace , which they shall not till they bee knowne generally strong ( for yet forreiners may bee suspected but to prye into our state , to breake or holde , resoluing neither but by the first instructions ) they will ere long grow so vnanswerable of Taskes and Subsidies , that the Collectors shall finde them , as in another common-wealth was seene , playing in the streetes , a shrewd signe , that they be no money keepers . But if they once see our fortune sitting , they will then thinke she will so finde the benefit of her ease , as shee will euer be knowne where to bee found . Now is our ground ready , what seede wee sow , we shall reape . This cause talkes nothing of inconuenience , yet the man , though good , though iust , though innocent , is feared , vir bonus , iustus , innocens timetur , pouertie is pretended , saith Martiall . it is not pouertie to haue nothing . Non est paupertas Nestor habere nihil . The fault sure is this , the poore seekes friendships vnworthy affections , quòd colit ingratas pauper amicitias . Nay they haue their peculiar riches where they are , in as large a maner as we make account of ours here . But this is to tennice freely , but not to denise kindly . Many I see knowe how to counsell ; few finde I , who can tell how to make the Consull . The King should haue long hands , as farre reaching as Kent and Kentile ; and would you haue the King feed with one gloue on , & another off ? It would be said of him , Totus & in toto per totum totus & omnis , Esse omnis dum vis incipis esse tuus : that he then beginneth to be his owne , when he will be all , and in all , and by all , and all euery where . And though some pretend fables , how the Wolfe , by at the first getting an house to breede in , at the last hauing many litters , helde it by strength against the owner : Yet what can these things moue in ordered common wealthes , where no more interest is attained , then the lawes admit right to : Tully in his pleading for Roscius , shewes how many wayes the lawes punish those , whose demaundes are greater then the lawes doe allow . The like doth Crassus in Tully . Our lawes will maintaine vs in our owne well enough ; though our conditions I hope will not make them pay so deare , as the English did when they went to fetch the King and Queene from Scotland .

This may be giuen to the King for them ; indeede , to them for vs ; the rest they shall enioy , as the lawe will , for what they buy , by the law they may call their owne . Demurre then no longer my great and deare friendes , vpon this argument , but returne this aunsweare , that Neptune did by the Raine-bowe Terram esse communem . Which though he durst not defend against Iupiter ; yet you haue Iupiter on your side , against whome to contend were madnesse , as with an equall doubtfull ; with an inferiour base . Seneca sayth of power , that if it inuite to any thing , nay , if it intreate ought , it compelles it . Easie it is not to write against him in his gouernment , who can score a man out of his gouernment : Non facile est in eum scribere qui potest proscribere . Fauorinus the Philosopher , admitteth Hadrian the better iudgement , because he commaunded thirtie Legions . The matter then being euen , let vs not contend vnequally , for had not nature seated this kingdom within you , you might well haue helde it , without you . Well had Scipio Emilian discharged this Censorship , had the Quirites giuen him a fellow Pretoorr not giuen him one . Think not vpon what Cato saith , that it is not to be marueiled at , if what a man thinkes an excellent good , he be loath to share with another : But let Plutarch teach you to gaine authoritie , and power with expedition : so neither smoake shall make the fire vnpleasant in the kindling ; nor enuie lay snares to impeach glorie by in the framing .

If longer you stay vpon further deliberation , this businesse hauing beene determined by the Comittee in heauen , Scipio Emilian must nedes tell the Senate , that neither of the Consules is fit for the seruice of the Common-Wealth : For Seruius Sulpitius Galba was poore , and had nothing , and Valerius could neuer thinke he had enough ▪ Yet since the men on both sides are seruiceable , make their conditions as agreeing amongst themselues ; so fit for the Common-Wealth : let the one inioy more , the other couet lesse ; so shall both encrease apace , and Rome be well serued .

If any obiect their affections bee vnlike ours , that comes not out of nature , but custome . As the Ayre is tempered , sayeth Tully in his Diuination ; so are the children spirited , their wittes formed , their maners , their minds , their bodies , and the actions of their life . Looke in the English and Scotchmens faces : see whether Caucasus haue begot them vpon hard rockes . Our climate is the same ; our temperatures alike ; if any thing within our gouernment make vs differ , it is but custome . They haue not so many Cities as we ; they followe feeds which we do not ; yet finde I not , but we are prickers as well as they , and if it be obserued what store of Ritters we haue got , it may be feared that two Cheuallers , being not Castor and Pollux , may be driuen to one Chiual , to ride on besides the saddle . But let Herodotus write as much as he will of the kingdom of custome : for though Darius could not get the Grecians to eate their dead Fathers for any golde ; nor the Indians to burne theirs for any iron ; because of the contrarieties of their vses in both : yet assure I my selfe , this Nation honours the King with so much zeale ; he is able to teach them , with so much skill ; embrace vs with so much affection , especially if wee bee once vnited in indissoluble bounds ; as I knowe not any custome may be fit for them to leaue , shall not be discontinued , nor any new lawe to be put in vse , to which the first day shall not finde them accordant . Si fingere me putas , istud salutemus . They do many of them vnderstand what was Cyrus his counsell to leaue those mountaines Countries , and descend into the plaines , there with the times to change the manners , as Tully writes to Atticus , where as the seedes are like the plants , the liues of men are like the countries . There shal they best learne to obey , where the King sits highest to rule : there shall they heare him clearely , where Ille regit dictis animos & pector a mulcet . For this deede done none shall need to looke backe into his conscience with affrightment . For this name taken , none shall need to vnderstand the Nation to be embased : For this kingdome inlarged , none shall finde their owne states impaired . As touching vnion with others and their abbetments , ye may there iudge of your aduices , among those who haue learnedly and grauely refuted that fourth question of the booke intituled Vindictae contra tyrannos : Wherein is discoursed , whether one Prince may ioyne with the subiects of an other , who take vpon them armes for defence of defending religion . My purpose being to be short , shall rather insinuate my zealous wish of home-combining then forraine vses , the one naturall and politique ; the other politique alone if so much ; I aske your body but within your girdle ; your head couered onely with your hat ; your garment to be grauer then partie-coloured : and offer you Fraunce and Spaine for examples , limited by those bounds , nature her selfe hath appointed vnto them , the Montes , Perrenaei , the Sea , the Alpes , with the rest . Nor is it constantly held , that our name of Britans should bee deriued of Brutus , rather some hold we are called Prittons , of a word which signifies a Marte or Fayre ; of stuffe for which , this whole Island , as well al parts as any one part , Wales and Cornwall , as England and Scotland , is in one kinde or other replenished . Nor ought that worde of Marte seeme to haue lesse boundes then Ciuitas ; which ( as Aristotle writeth ) signifieth a whole Common - wealth . As for our priuate goods , thogh I could answere Publica priuatis sunt anteponenda ; yet let the stories bee but searched , how our forreine conquestes haue bene hindred by the opportunities the Scots haue taken in our absences ; and how iealousies haue onely made vs diuersely combine our selues ; they with Fraunce ; wee with the house of Burgondie , they shall finde how likely it is , that priuate mens marchandize may be lost in the wracke of the generall fleete . Other obiections should I goe about to frame , such as pride or curiositie might suggest vnto me ; as much as I haue heard should I endeuour to answere , the necessary themes of some mens seeming wise ; I doubt much how I could swim from out their deluge . Noahs Arke , or Chawcers Trough being vnbuilt against such an inundation . Steeples stand not vp here as in the drownd countries of our lowe neighbours . There are no sea-markes appearing to direct ; no castles , no forts , no citties to protect ; hilles and mountaines are here ouerwhelmed , and the solutions of these following , would be the dissolution of the time spent about them , and no resolution of any thing for the applying of Gods blessings to our vses ; Animo volenti nihil difficile : while we say all will be subuerted , the lawes ouerthrowne , mens states taken away , the nations honor lost , and our dish well serued in , sliced into a gallemawfrey , ouerpeppered and salt buttered : wee spread feares , doubtes , ( God grant not hatreds largely ) but discusse vpon inconueniences slowly . If to forward accordes the debate of this question happen , you will finde that neither the number of the Scottishmen , forreiners from their countrey ; nor the ambition of the Nobles , though by some thought to challenge antiquitie before ours ; neither the customes of the Nation differing from ours in whatsoeuer , wil debarre this proceeding , or not admit time and will for fitnesse . The like said of our auncient statutes , of the stories auncient , of vs , of our reasonable affections as wee now stand for our goods , and I dare boldly say , eyther their intendments lesse needfull , or their applications more profitable , or alterations more beneficial , will make vs more enioy this mornings breakfast , then all last weekes dyet . For neither doth the King affect other then our goods ; or is himselfe vnable to iudge of them ; nor doubteth but that there ought much deliberation to bee taken in a cause so important , much circumspection touching the proportioning out the particulars . These reasons haue moued me seeing that the King is to be defended in his desire as a good father of the Common-wealth ; hath spared the bloud of our good countreymen , turned ill ; hath incouraged the seruices of the well deseruing , shewes himselfe wise in his gouernment ; louing in his affection , and industriously carefull of the weale publike ; to take vpon me this license in writing , this zeale to my countrey in perswading . Which if it happen to mindes affected to let Lucilii pecus esse liberum & qua velit pasci , I hope with them mine endeuour shall finde fauour : for the rest , as it no waies becomes me to be vnciuill , as Democrates was to Philip : so if they shall thinke it rather an impotencie in me , not to spare mine affection to this argument ; then in themselues to afflict me by whatsoeuer meanes : their wisdomes are of force to giue themselues content ; and this being out and past from me , and dislikte , shall make me not like to passe out more to be submitted to censure . To conclude , long liue yee right honourable Citties , keeping peace in you , fiers from you , and traffique with you ; so may you build your houses faire , keepe them neate , haue good store of money and bonds in your chestes ; your Prentices grow free , your liueries Aldermand , your wiues Ladies , your children made Gentlefolkes , and your Cittie commodities be exchanged into the Courtiers reuenewes ; as at this marriage if you will daunce , you make the contract sure , and till death depart : For though they and you lye in one an other of your houses ; nay should they and you lye with one an other of your wiues and daughters ; beleeue me non concubitus sed consensus facit Matrimonium , say the Ciuilians ; Marry them and make the bond holy and vnuiolable , or expect no securitie that the grand-children in time to come , shall alwaies proue comfortable to the old folkes .

Catullus . Hymen ô Hymenaee Hymen adest ô Hymenaee . Sir Philip Sidney . God Hymen long your coupled ioyes maintaine . FINIS .