I Haue a longe time doubted with my self [ most louing M. Alphonsus ] which of the two were harder for me , either to denye you the thinge that you haue with suche instance manye tymes required of me , or to take it in hande : Bicause on the one side me thoughte it a verye harde matter to denye anye thynge , especiallye the request beinge honest , to the personne whom I loue deerlye , and of whom I perceyue my selfe deerlye beloued . Againe on the other syde , to vndertake an enterpryse whiche I do not knowe my selfe able to brynge to an end , I iudged it vncomely for him that wayeth due reproofes so much as they oughte to be wayed . At length after muche debatynge , I haue determined to proue in this behalfe what ayde that affection and great desyre to please , can brynge vnto my dilygence , whyche in other thynges is wonte to encrease the laboure of menne . You then require me to wryte , what is ( to my thynkynge ) the trade and maner of Courtyers , whyche is most syttynge for a Gentilman that lyueth in the Court of Princes , by the whiche he maye haue the knoweleage howe to serue them perfectlye in euerye reasonable matter , and obtaine thereby fauour of them and prayse of other men . Fynallye , of what sort he ought to be that deserueth to be called so perfect a Courtyer , that there be no wante in him ? wherefore I , considering this kinde of request , say , that in case it sh●ulde not appeare to my selfe a greater blame to haue you esteame me to be of smal frendeshippe , then all other men of litle wysdome , I woulde haue ryd my handes of this laboure ▪ for feare leas●e I shoulde bee counted rashe of all such as knowe , what a harde matter it is , emonge suche diuersitye of maners , that are vsed in the Courtes of Christendome , to picke out the perfectest trade and way , and ( as it were ) the floure of this Courtiership . Because vse maketh vs manye times to delite in , and to set litle by the self same thinges : wherby somtime it preceadeth that maners , garmentes , customes , and facions whiche at sometyme haue beene in price , becūme not regarded , and contrarywyse the not regarded , becūme of price . Therfore it is manifestlye to be descerned , that vse hath greater force then reason , to brynge vp neweinuentions emonge vs , and to abolishe the olde , of the whiche who so goeth about to iudge the perfection , is often tymes deceyued . For which consideration , perceyuinge this and manye other lettes in the matter propounded for me to write vpon , I am constreyned to make a peece of an excuse , and to open playnelye that this errour ( yf it may be termed an errour ) is commune to vs both , that if anye blame happen to me about it , it may be also partned with you . For it ought to be reckned a no lesse offence in you to laye vppon me a burden that passeth my strengthe , then in me to take it vpon me . Let vs therfore at length settle oure selues to begin that is oure purpose and drifte , and ( if it be possible ) let vs facion suche a Courtier , as the Prince that shal be worthye to haue him in his seruyce , although hys state be but small , maye notwythstandynge be called a myghtye Lorde . We will not in these bookes folow any certaine order or rule of appointed preceptes , the whiche for the moste part is wont to be obserued in the teaching of anye thinge whatsoeuer it be : but after the maner of men of olde time , renuinge a gratefull memorye , we will repeat certaine reasoninges that were debated in times past betwene men verye excellent for that purpose . And althoughe I was not there present , but at the time when they were debated , it was my chaunce to be in Englande , yet soone after my retourne , I hearde them of a person that faythfullye reported them vnto me . And I will endeuoure my selfe , for so muche as my memorye wyll serue me , to call them perticularly to remembraunce , that you maye see what , men worthy greate commendacion , and vnto whose iudgement a man maye in euerye poynt geue an vndoubted credyt , haue iudged and beleued in this matter . Neyther shall we swar●e from the pourpose to arryue in good order at the ende vnto the whiche all oure communication is directed , yf wee disclose the cause of the reasoninges that hereafter folowe .

As euerye man knoweth the lytle Citye of Vrbin is sytuated vpon the side of the Appennine ( in a maner ) in the middes of Italy towardes the Golf of Venice . Situation of Urbin . The which for all it is placed emonge hylles , and those not so pleasaunt as perhappes some other that we behoulde in manye places , Mare adriaticum . yet in this point the element hathe bene fauourable vnto it , that all aboute , the countrye is verye plentyfull and full of fruites : so that beside the holsomenesse of aer , it is verye aboundant and stored wyth all thinges necessarye for the lief of man . But amonge the greatest felycityes that men can recken it to haue , I counte thys the chief , that now a longe tyme it hath alwayes bene gouerned with very good Princes , although in the commune calamyties of the warres of Italy it remayned also a season with out anye at all . But without searching further of this we maye make a good proofe wyth the famous memorye of Duke Fridericke , who in his dayes was the light of Italy . Neyther do we want true and verye large testimonies yet remayninge of his wisdome , courtesye , Duke Frydericke . iustice , liberalitye , of his inuincible courage and pollycy of warr . And of this do his so many vyctoryes make proofe , chyeflye his conquerynge of places impregnable , his sodeyne redynesse in settynge forwarde to geue battaile , his putting to flyght sundrye tymes wyth a small numbre , verie greate and puissaunte armyes , and neuer susteined losse in any conflict : So that we may , not without cause , compare hym to manye famous men of olde time . This man emong his other deedes praisworthy , in the hard & sharpe situation of Vrbin buylt a Palaice , to the opinion of many men , The palaice of Urbin . the fayrest that was to be founde in all Italy , and so fornished it with euerye necessary implement belonging therto , that it appeared not a palaice , but a Citye in fourme of a palaice , and that not onelye with ordinarie matters , as Siluer plate , hanginges for chambers of verye riche cloth of golde , of silke and other like , but also for sightlynesse : and to decke it out withall , placed there a wonderous number of auncyent ymages of marble and mettall , verye excellente peinctinges and instrumentes of musycke of all sortes , and nothinge would he haue there but what was moste rare and excellent . To this with verye great charges he gathered together a great number of most excellent and rare bookes , in Greke , Latin and Hebrue , the which all he garnished wyth golde and syluer , esteaming this to be the chieffest ornament of his great palaice . This duke then folowing the course of nature when he was .lxv. yeares of age , as he had liued , so did he end his lief with glorye . And left Duke after him a childe of .x. yeares , Guidubaldo duke of Urbin . hauynge no more male , and wythout mother , who hight Guidubaldo . Thys chylde as of the state , so did it appeare also that he was heyre of all his fathers vertues : and sodenly wyth a marueylous towardnes beeganne to promise so much of himselfe , as a manne woulde not haue thought possyble to be hoped of a man mortall . So that the opinyon of men was , that of all duke Friderickes notable dedes there was none greater then that he begat suche a son . But fortune enuyinge this so great vertue , wythall her myght gainstoode this so gloryous a beginnynge , in suche wyse that before duke Guidubaldo was .xx. yeares of age , he fell sicke of the gout , the which encreasinge vppon him wyth most bitter paynes , in a short tyme so nummed hym of all hys members , Troubled with the goute . that he coulde neyther stande on foote nor moue hymselfe . And in this maner was one of the beste fauoured and towardlyest personages in the world deformed and marred in his greene age . And beside , not satisfyed with thys , fortune was so contrarye to him in all his pourposes , that verye sildome he brought to passe any thynge to hys minde . And for all he had in him moste wise counsayle , and an inuincible courage , yet it seemed that whatsoeuer he tooke in hande bothe in feates of armes and in euerye other thynge small or greate , His ill lucke . it came alwayes to yll successe . And of thys make proofe his manye and dyuers calamityes , which he alwayes bore out with suche stou●enesse of courage , that vertue neuer yelded to fortune . But wyth a boulde stomake despising her stormes , lyued wyth great dignytye and estimation emonge all men : in sickenesse , as one that was sounde , and in aduersitye , as one that was most fortunate . So that for all he was thus diseased in his bodye , he serued in time of warre wyth moste honourable enterteinmente vnder the most famous kinges of Naples , Hys seruice with princes and commune weales . Alphonsus and Ferdinande the yonger . Afterward with Pope Alexander the .vi. with the lordes of Venice and Florence . And when Iulius the ii . was created Pope , he was then made generall Captayne of the Churche : at whych tyme proceadynge in hys accustomed vsage , he sett hys delyte aboue all thynges to haue hys house furnished with most noble and valyaunte Gentylmen , wyth whom he lyued very famylyarly , enioying theyr conuersation , wherein the pleasure whyche he gaue vnto other menne was no lesse , His propreties and qualityes . then that he receyued of other , because he was verye wel seene in both tunges , and together wyth a louynge behauyour and plesauntnesse he had also accompanied the knowleage of infinite thinges . And beside this , the greatnesse of his courage so quickened hym , that where he was not in case with hys personne to practise the feates of Chiualrye , as he had done longe before , yet dyd he take verye great delyte to behoulde them in other men , and with his wordes sometyme correctinge , and otherwhyle praysinge euerye man accordynge to hys desertes , he declared euydentlye howe greate a iudgement he hadde in those matters . And vpon this at Tylt , at Tourneye , in rydynge , in playinge at all sortes of weapon , also in inuenting deuyces , in pastymes , in musicke , fynallye in all exercises meete for noble Gentilmen , euerye manne stryued to showe hymselfe suche a one , as myght deserue to bee iudged woorthye of so noble an assemblye . Therfore were all the houres of the daye deuyded into honourable and pleasaunt exercyses , aswell of the bodye as of the mynde . But because the Duke vsed continuallye , by reason of his infirmytye , soone after supper to go to his rest , euerye man ordinarelye , Elizabeth gonzaga dutchesse of Urbin . at that houre drewe where the Dutchesse was , the Lady Elizabeth Gonzaga . Where also continuallye was the Lady Emilia Pia , who for that she was endowed with so liuelye a wytt and iudgement as you knowe , seemed the maistresse and ringe leader of all the companye , L. Emilia Pia. and that euerye manne at her receyued vnderstandinge and courage . There was then to be hearde pleasaunte communication and merye conceytes , and in euery mannes countenaunce a manne myght perceyue peyncted a louynge iocoundenesse . So that thys house truelye myght well be called the verye mansion place of Myrth and Ioye . And I beleaue it was neuer so tasted in other place , what maner a thynge the sweete conuersatyon that is occasyoned of an amyable and louynge companye , as it was once there . For leauynge aparte what honoure it was to all vs to serue suche a Lorde , as he whom I declared vnto you right nowe , euerye man conceyued in his minde an high contentacyon euerye tyme we came into the dutchesse sight . And it appeared that this was a chaine that kept all lincked together in loue , in suche wise that there was neuer agrement of wyll or hearty loue greater betweene brethren , then was there beetweene vs all . The lyke was beetweene the women , with whom we hadde suche free and honest conuersation , that euerye manne myght commune , syt , da●y , and laugh with whom he had lusted . The behauyoure of the Dutchesse . But such was the respect which we bore to the Dutchesse wyll , that the selfe same libertye was a verye great bridle . Neither was there anye that thought it not the greatest pleasure he coulde haue in the worlde , to please her , and the greatest griefe to offende her . For this respecte were there most honest condicions coupled with wonderous greate libertye , and deuises of pastimes and laughinge matters tempred in her sight , besyde most wyttye iestes , with so comelye and graue a maiesty , that the verye sober moode and greatnesse that dyd knyt together all the actes , woordes and gestures of the Dutchesse in iesting and laughynge , made them also that had neuer seene her in their lief before , to count her a verye greate Ladye . And all that came in her presence hauyng this respect fyred in their breast , it seemed she had made them to her becke ▪ so that euery man enforced himself to folowe this trade , takynge ( as it were ) a rule and enample of faire condicions at the presence of so greate and so vertuous a Lady . Whose most excellent qualities I entend , not nowe to expresse , for it is neyther my pourpose , and againe they are well inoughe knowen to the worlde , and muche better then I am able either with tunge or with pen to endite . And such as would perhaps haue lien hid a space , fortune , as she that wondreth at so rare vertues , hath thought good with many aduersities and temptatyons of miseries to disclose them , to make trial therby that in the tender breast of a woman , in companye wyth synguler beawtye , there can dwell wysdome , and stoutenes of courage , and all other vertues that in graue men them selues are most seldome . But leauynge this apart , I say that the maner of all the Gentilmen in the house was immedyatelye after supper to assemble together where the dutchesse was . Where emonge other recreations , musicke and dauncynge , whiche they vsed contynuallye , sometyme they propounded feate questions , otherwhyle they inuented certayne wytty sportes and pastimes , at the deuyse sometyme of one sometyme of an other , in the whych vnder sundrye couertes , often tymes the standers bye opened subtylly theyr imaginations vnto whom they thought beste . At other tymes there arrose other disputations of diuers matters , or els iestinges with prompt inuentions . Manye tymes they fell into pourposes , as we nowe a dayes terme them , where in thys kynde of talke & debating of matters , Noble personages in the Court of Urbin . there was wonderous great pleasure on all sydes : Because ( as I haue sayde ) the house was replenyshed wyth most noble wyttes . Emonge whych ( as you knowe ) were moste famous the Lord Octauian , Fregoso , Sir Friderick his brother the L. Iulian de Medicis , M. Peter Bembo , the L. Cesar Gonzaga , Count Lewis of Canossa , the L. Gaspar Pallauicin , the L. Lodouicus pius , M. Morello of Ortona , Peter of Naples , M. Robert of Bari , and infynyte other moste woorthye knyghtes and Gentylmen . Beesyde these there were manye that for all ordinarilye they dwelled not there , yet spent they most of their tyme there , as , M. Bernard Bibiena , Vnico Aretino , Iohnchristopher Romano , Peter Mount , Therpander , M. Nicholas Phrisio , so that thither ran continually poetes , musitiens , & al kinde of men of skyll , and the excellentest in euery faculty that were in al Italy . After pope Iulius the ii . had with his owne presence by the ayde of the Frenchmen brought Bolonia to the obedyence of the Apostolyke Sea again , in the yeare MDvi. in hys retourn toward Roome he tooke Vrbin in his way , where he was receaued as honorably as was possible , and with as sumptuous and costlye preparation , as coulde haue bine in any other Citie of Italy whatsoeuer it be . So that beeside the Pope , all the Cardinalles and other Courtyers thought themselues throughly satisfied . And some there were that prouoked wyth the sweetenesse of this companye , after the Pope and the Court was departed , contynued manye dayes together in Vrbin . At which time they did not onely proceade in their accustomed trade of disportinge and ordinary recreations , but also euery man sett to his helpinge hande to augment them somewhat , and especially in pastymes , which they had vp almost euerye nyght . And the order therof was such , that assoone as they were assembled where the Dutches was , euery man satt him downe at his will , or as it fell to his lot , in a circle together , and in s●ttinge were deuyded a man and a woman , as longe as there were women , for alwayes ( lightlye ) the number of men was farr the greater . Then were they gouerned as the Dutchesse thought best , whiche manye times gaue this charge vnto the L. Emilia . So the daye after the Pope was departed , the companye beeinge gathered to the accustomed place , after muche pleasaunt talke , the Dutchesse pleasure was that the L. Emilia should beginne these pastimes : Diuises of pastimes . and she after a litle refusing of that charge , sayd in this maner : Syth it is your pleasure ( Madam ) I shall be she that must giue the onsett in oure pastimes this night , bicause I ought not of reason disobey you , I thinke meete to propounde a pastyme , whereof I suppose shall ensue litle blame , and lesse trauayle . And that shall be to haue euery man , as nigh as he can , propounde a deuyse not yet hearde of , then shall we chuse out such a one as shall be thought meete to be taken in hande in this companye . And after she had thus spoken , she tourned her vnto the L. Gaspar Pallauicin , willynge him to propounde his : who immediatlye made answere : But first ( madam ) you must beeginne to propound yours . Then saide the L. Emilia : I haue alreadye done . But your grace must commaunde hym ( Madam ) to be obedient . Then the Dutchesse laughynge to th intent ( quoth she ) euery man shal obey you , I make you my deputy , and giue vnto you all mine aucthority . It is surely a great matter , aunswered the L. Gaspar , that it is alwaies lawfull for women to haue this priuilege , to be exempt and free from paines takyng , and truelye reason woulde we should in any wise knowe why . But bicause I will not be he that shall geue example to disobey , I shal leaue thys vntill an other time , The L. Gaspars deuise . and will speake of that I am nowe charged withall , and thus I beginne . Mine oppinion is , that oure mindes , as in other thinges , so also in louynge are diuerse in iudgemente , and therefore it chaunceth often tymes , that the thynge whyche is most acceptable vnto one , is most abhorred of an other . Yet for all that they alwayes agree in that euerye man counteth most deere the wight beloued . So that many times the ouermuch affection in louers doth so deceiue their iudgemente , that they weene the person whom they loue , to be so garnished wyth all excellent vertues and wythout faulte , that he hath no peere in the worlde But bycause the nature of man doth not admytte suche full perfectyons , and there is no mann that hath not some defaulte or want in hym , it can not be sayde that suche as these be are not deceyued , and that the louer doeth not become blynde as touchynge the beloued . I would therefore oure pastyme should be thys nyghte to haue euerye manne open what vertues he would principally the persone he loueth should be indowed with all . And seeyng it is so necessarilye that we all haue some spotte , what vyce he woulde also haue in hym : to see who can fynde out most prayse woorthye and manlye vertues , and most tollerable vyces , that shoulde be least hurtefull bothe to hym that loueth , and to the wyghte beloued . After the L. Gaspar hadde thus spoken , The L. Constance Freg●sa . the L. Emilia made a signe vnto the Lady Constaunce Fregosa , bicause she was next in order , to folow : who was now about to speake , whan the Dutchesse sodeinlye said : Seinge the L. Emilia will not take the paine to fynde out some pastime , reason willeth that the other Ladyes should be partakers of the same priuilege , and be also fre from this burden for this night : especially seing there are so manye men in place , for assure your self we shall want no pastimes . So shall we do , aunswered the L. Emilia , and puttinge the L. Constance to silence tourned her to the L. Cesar Gonzaga , that sat next her , commaunding him to speak , The L. Cesar Gonzagas deuise . and thus he began : Whoso wyll diligentlye consider all our doynges , he shall fynde alwayes in them sundrye imperfections . And that happeneth , bicause nature doth varye , as well in this , as in all other thinges . Unto one she hath geuen the lyght of reason in one thyng , and vnto an other , in an other thyng . Therefore it commeth to passe , where one man knoweth that an other knoweth not , and is ignoraunte in the thyng that the other hath vnderstandynge in , eche man doth ▪ easilye perceyue the errour of hys felow , and not hys owne , and we all think oure selues to be verye wyse and peraduenture in that poynt most , wherein we are most foolysh . So that we haue seene by experience in this house manye men whyche at the beegynnynge were counted most wise , in processe of tyme were knowen to be most foolysh . A kind of spiders , whiche beyng dyuers of nature cause diuers effectes , some after their biting fal a singyng , some laugh , some wep● , some watche , some sweate : and this disease is onely cured with ins●rumentes of musick , whiche must neuer cease vntil the diseased beynge constrained with the melodye thereof to fall a daunsi●ge with long exercise ouercommeth the force of this poyson . Whiche hath proceaded of no other thyng but of oure owne dilygence , lyke , as it is fayde to be in Pulia of them that are bitten with a Tarrantula , about whom men occupye manye instrumentes of musicke , and wyth sundrye sounes goe searchynge out , vntyll the humor that maketh this dysease by a certayn concordance it hath wyth some of those sounes , feling it , doth sodeinly moue , and so stirreth the pacient , that by that styrrynge he recouereth hys health agayne . In lyke maner we , whan we haue felt some priuie operacion of folye we prouoke it so subtillye , and with suche sundry perswasions , and so diuers wayes that at length we vnderstand whether it tended . Afterward the humour knowen , we so stir it that alwayes it is brought to the perfection of open foly . And some is wexed foolish in verses , some in musicke , some in loue , some in daunsinge , some in makynge antiques , some in rydinge , some in playnge at fence , euerye man accordinge to the moine of his mettall , wherby hath ensued ( as you know ) marueylous great pastime . I houlde therfore for certeine , that in euerye one of vs there is some seede of folye , the which beyng stirred may multiplye ( in a maner ) infinite . Therfore I would this night our pastime were to dispute vpon this matter : and that euerye man myght say hys mynde , seeynge I must be openly foolysh , in what sort of foly I am foolysh , and ouer what matter , iudginge it th● issue for the sparkles of folye that are daylye sene to proceade from me . And let the lyke be sayd of all the rest , kepinge the order of oure deuises , and let euerye man do his best to grounde his opinion vpon some sure signe and argument , and so by this our pastime shall euerye one of vs get profite , in that we shal know our defaultes , and ther shall we the better take heede . And in case the veyne of folye whiche we shall discouer , be so ranke that it shall appeare to vs past remedy , we will set therto oure helpyng hande , and according to the doctrine of Frier Marian , we shal gaigne a soule whiche shal be no smal gaigne . Frier Marian . At th●● deuise there was much laughing , and none cold refrain● from speakinge . One sayde , I shoulde be founde foolysh in imagining . An other , in viewinge . An other sayde , he was alreadye become foolysh for loue : and such lyke matters . Then frier Seraphin after his maner , laughing . This ( quoth he ) should be to tedious a matter . Frier Seraphin . But if you wyll haue a pretye pastime , let euery man tel his opinion , ho● it cummeth that ( in a maner ) all women abhorre rattes , loue serpentes , and you shall see that none will hit vpo● it , but I , that knowe this misterye by a straunge meane And nowe began he to enter into his triflyng tales , but ▪ the L. Emilia commaunded him to silence , and ouerscipping the Lady that satt there , Unico Arettinos deuise made a signe to Vnico aretino that was next in order , and he without looking for anye more biddyng , I ( quoth he ) would gladlye be a iudge of aucthoritye that I might with all kinde of tourment bolte out the truth of offenders : and that , to discouer the deceytes of an vngrate woman , who with the eies of an angel , and hearte of a Serpent , neuer agreeth her tounge with her mynde , and with a feygned deceyuable compassion , purposeth nothyng els but to make Anatomie of hartes . Neither is there in all the sandie countrey of Libia to be found so venomous a serpent that is so desirous of mans bloud , as is this false creature . Which not onely for the sweetenesse of voice and pleasant soune of woordes , but also for her eyes , for her laughing , for her countenaunce , and for all her gestures is a most perfect meremayden . Therfore seyng it is not lawfull for me , as I would , to vse chaines , ropes , or fier , to vnderstand a matter of trouth , my desire is to compasse the knowledge of it with a mirye pastyme , whiche is this : That euery man shoulde expresse his fansye what the S dothe signify that the dutchesse carieth in her foreheade . For although this be also an artificial couert , the better to beguile , perhappes there may be an interpretacion whiche she neuer thought vpon . And who knoweth whether fortune , with pity behoulding the tormentes of men , hath stirrid her with this small token to discouer against her wyll the inwarde desire she hathe to slea and bury alyue in calamitie hym that honoureth and serueth her . The dutchesse laughed ▪ and Vnico , perceiuing she would haue excused her self of thys interpretacion , no ( quoth he ) speake you not ( madam ) for it is not your turne to speake nowe . The L. Emilia then tourned her and sayd . M ▪ Vnico , there is none of vs all here that geueth not place to you in eueryethyng , and especiallye in knowynge the disposicion of the Dutchesse . And as you by your dyuyne wit knowe her better then all the rest , so do you loue her better then al the rest , whych lyke byrdes of a feble sight , that cannot looke stedfastlye into the circle of the Sunne , cannot so well perceyue the perfection of it . Therfore all laboure were in vaine in cleeryng of thys doubt , sauyng your iudgement alone . Thys interprise then is reserued onely to you , as vnto him that alone can brynge it to an ende , and none other . Vnico , after he had pawsed a while being stil called vpon to say his fansy , at length rehersed a rime vpon the aforesaide matter , expoundynge what signified the letter S. the which many iudged to be made at the first sight . But bicause it was more witty & better knitt then a man would haue beleued the shortnes of time required , it was thought he had prepared it before . So after mens fauourable voyce geuen in the praise of this rime , and after sufficient talke , the L. Octauian Fregoso whose tourne was then next , began in this sorte smilyng : The L. Octauian Fregosos deuise . My lordes , if I should say vnto you that I neuer felt passion of loue in my daies , I am sure the Dutchesse and the L. Emilia , althoughe they beleued it not in deede , yet would they make semblant to beleue it , and would saye that it proceded bicause I mistrusted I should neuer frame any woman to loue me . The which trulye I haue not hytherto proued with such instance , that of reason I should dispare to obtain it once . Neither haue I forborne the doynge of it , bicause I set so much by my self and so litle by women , that I thinke none worthye to bestowe my loue and seruice vpon . But rathe● amased at the continual bewailings of some louers , that with their palenes , sorow , and silence , it appeareth they haue euermore their owne discomfort painted in their eyes . And if they speake , accompanyinge euerye woorde wyth certeyne treblefolde syghes , they reason of nothing elles , but of teares , of tourmentes , of desperacions , and of longyng for death . So that whansoeuer any sparckle of loue hath beegonne to kyndle in my breast , I haue by and by enforced my self with all dyligence to quenche it , not for anye hatred that I haue conceyued agaynst women ( as these Ladyes suppose ) but for myne owne health . On the other side , I haue knowen some other cleane contrarye to these sorowfull , whiche do not onelye auaunce and content theymselues with the cherefull lookes , louinge woordes , and sweete countenances of their ladies , but also sauce their sorowes with sweetenesse , so that they count the debates , the angers and the disdeignes of them , most sweete . Therefore these men seme vnto me to be much more then happy , for whereas they fynde so muche sweetenesse in the amorous disdeignes , whiche some men recken much more bytter then death , I beleue in louyng gestures they should feele that wonderfull blisse , whyche we seeke for in vayne in thys worlde . Therefore would I oure pastyme were this nyght to haue euerye manne shew , where there muste be a dysdeygne againste hym in the person beloued , what the cause should be that should make the persone conceiue thys disdeygne . For if there be anye here that haue proued those sweete disdeignes , I am sure they wil desire for courtesy one of these causes that make them so sweet . And perhappes I shall with a better will proceade somewhat farther in loue , in hope that I shall also fynde thys sweetenesse , where as some finde bitternesse , and so shall not these Ladies geue me anye more this slaunderous reporte , that I am not in loue . M. Peter Bembos deuyse . This pastime was muche praysed , and therefore dyd euerye man setle himselfe to reason vppon this matter . But the Lady Emilia holdyng her peace M. Peter Bembo , that satt next in order , spake in this maner : My Lordes , this pastime that the L. Octauian hath propounded hath raysed no smal doubt in my mind , where he hath reso●ed of the disdiegnes of loue , the whiche though they be sondry , yet vnto me haue they alwaies bin most bitter . Neither do I beleue that I can learne any sauce that shal be sufficient to sweten them . But peraduenture they are the more & the lesse bitter according to the cause wherof they arrise . For I haue in my daies ( I remember ) seene the woman whom I serued , stirred against me , eyther vpon a vaine suspicyon that she conceyued her self of my trustinesse , or elles vpon some other false opinyon that had bine put into her head by some mennes report to my hindraunce , so that I beleaued no grief might be compared to myne . And me thought that the greatest sorowe I felt was to suffer wythout deseruyng , and to sustayne this affliction , not for any offence of mine , but for the small loue that was in her . At other times I saw her disdeignefull for some ouersight of mine , and knew that her anger proceaded of myne offence , and at that instante I iudged the former ve●ation to be verye lyght in comparison to that whych I felt then . And me thought to be in displeasure , and that for myne owne trespas , wyth the persone whom onelye I coueted and with suche diligence sought to please , was the greatest torment of all other . Therefore woulde I oure pastyme were to haue euerye man declare his opinion , where there must be a disdeigne agaynst hym in the person beloued , of whom he woulde the cause of this disdeigne shoulde haue his beeginning , whether of her or of him selfe : to know which is the greater grief , eyther to dysplease the wight beloued , or to receyue dyspleasure of the wyght beloued . Euery man looked what the L. Emilia woulde make aunswere to this , but without anye woord speakyng to Bembo , she tourned her and made a signe to Sir Friderick Fregoso to shew his deuyse . S. Friderick Fregosos diuise . And he incontinentlye beegan thus : Madam , I woulde it were lawfull for me , as the maner is manye tymes to remytte me to the iudgement of an other , for I for my part woulde wyth all my heart allowe some of the pastymes that haue bine already propounded by these Lordes , bicause in deede me thinke they would be worth the hearing . Yet least I shoulde breake the order , thys I saye : who so woulde take in hande to praise oure Court , leauing a part the desertes of the dutchesse , which ghostly spirite , with her influence , is sufficient to drawe from the earth vp into heauen the simplist wittes in the worlde , he might wel do it without suspicion of flattery . Good Courtyers in the court of Urbin . For peraduenture in all Italy a man shall haue muche a do to fynde out so many gentlemen and noble personages that are so worthy , and besyde the principall profession of Chiualrye so excellent in sundry thinges , as are presently here . Therfore if in any place men may be founde that deserue the name of good Courtye●● , and can iudge what belongeth to the perfeccion of Courtyership , by reason a man may beleue them to be here . To disgrace therefore many vntowardly asseheades , that through malepertnes thinke to purchase them the name of a good Courtyer , I would haue suche a pastime for this night , that one of the company myght bee picked out who should take in hand to shape in woordes a good Courtyer , specifying all suche condicions and particuler qualities , as of necessitie must be in hym that deserueth this name . And in suche thinges as shall not appere necessarie , that it may be lawfull for euery man to replye against them , as the maner of Philosophers schooles is against him that kepeth disputacions . Syr Friderick proceaded styll forwarde , in his talke , whan the L. Emilia : interruptyng hym , sayde : If it bee my L. the dutchesse pleaser , this shall be our pastime for this once . The dutchesse aunswered : I am wel pleased . Then ( in maner ) all the company began to say both to the dutchesse , & among themselues that this was the trimmest pastyme they could haue , and without looking for answere the one of the other , thei craued vpon the Lady Emilia to appoint who shoulde first beginne . Who tournynge her towarde the dutchesse , sayde : Commaunde you ( madam ) whom shall please you to take this enterprise in hande , for I wyll not by chousing more one then an other , declare my selfe to iudge in this behalf , whom I thinke to be better skilled then the rest , and so do wrong to some . The dutchesse aunswered : make you this cho●se your selfe , and take hede that in disobeying you bee not a president to the rest to be disobedient . Then the Lady Emilia saide laughyng vnto Lewis count of Canossi : therefore for leesyng any more tyme , you ( Count ) shall be he that shall take this enterprise vppon hym in fourme and maner as Syr Friderick hath declared . Not for that we knowe ye are so good a Courtyer that you haue at your fingers endes that belongeth thereto : but because in repeatinge euerye thing arsiuersy , as we hope ye wyll , we shall haue somuch the more pastyme , and euerye one shall be able to answere you , where if an other more skilfull then you should take it in hande , there should bee nothing sayde againste hym for tellyng the trueth , and so shoulde we haue but a colde pastime . The Count aunswered by and by : we neede not feare ( madam ) that we shal wante contrarying in wordes againste hym that telleth the trueth , as longe as you bee here . And after they had laughed a whyle at this answer , he proceded on : but truely I would with all my hearte bee ridde of this burthen , for it is to hard for me . And I know that to be most true in me which you haue spoken in iest : namelye , that I haue no vnderstandynge in that belongeth to a good Courtyer . And this dooe I not seeke to proue with anye other tryall , for seeyng I dooe not the deedes , a manne may iudge I vnderstande it not , and I beleue I am the lesse to bee blamed . For oute of doubte it is a woorse matter not to dooe well , then not to vnderstande howe to dooe it . Yet seynge youre pleaser is , that I shall take this charge vppon me , I can not , nor wyll refuse it , for withstandyng youre order and iudgemente , the which I knowe is muche better then myne . Then the L. Cesa● Gonzaga . Because it is nowe ( quoth he ) well forwarde in nyghte , and haue here redy for vs other sortes of pastimes peraduenture it shoulde not bee amysse to deferre this resonynge vntyll to morowe , and the Counte shall haue leysure to thynke better vppon that he hathe to saye : for in verye deede to entreate vppon suche a matter at the fyrste syghte , it is a harde thynge . Then aunswered the Count : I wyll not dooe as he dyd , that strypped himself into his dublette , and leaped lesse grounde then he didde before in his Coate . And me thynke my lucke is good that it is late , because the shortenesse of tyme shall make me vse fewe woordes , and the sodeinnesse of the matter shall so excuse me , that it shall be lawfull for me to speak withoute blame whatsoeuer commeth firste to mynde . Because I wyll not therefore carye this burthen of duetye anye longer vppon my shoulders , this I saye : The true perfeccion in thinges . in euerye thynge it is so harde a matter to knowe the true perfeccion , that it is almoste vnpossible , and that by reason of the varietie of iudgementes . Therefore manye there are , that delite in a manne of muche talke , and hym they call a pleasaunt felowe . Some wyll delite more in modestie , some other wyll fansye a manne that is actyue and alwayes doynge : other , one that sheweth a quietnes and a respecte in euerye thynge . And thus dooeth euerye man prayse or dysprayse accordynge to hys fansye , alwayes couerynge a vyce with the name of the next vertue to it , Uice cloked with the name of a vertue , & contrariwise . and a vertue with the name of the nexte vice : as in calling him that is sawcye , bolde : hym that is sober , drie : hym that is seelye , good : hym that is vnhappye , wittie : and lykewyse in the reste . Yet doe I thinke that eche thing hath his perfeccion , althoughe it be hid , and with reasonable dyscourses myght be iudged of hym that hath knowlege in the matter . And for as much as the trueth ( as I haue sayd ) is oftentymes hid , and I take not vpon me to haue this knowlege I can not praise , but that kynde of Courtyers which I set most by , and allow that whiche semeth vnto me most nigh the trueth , in my smal iudgement . The which you shal folowe if ye thinke it good , or els sticke to youre owne , yf it shal vary from mine . Neither will I ( for all that ) stand stiffe that mine is better then yours , for not onelye one thynge maie seme vnto you , and an other to me , but also vnto my self it may appere sometime one thing , somtime another . I wyll haue this our Courtyer therfore to be a Gentleman borne & of a good house . The facioning of a Courtyer For it is a great deale lesse dyspraise for him that is not born a gentleman to faile in the actes of vertue then for a gentleman . A Gentleman borne . If he swarne from the steppes of his auncestours , he stayneth the name of his familie , and doeth not onely not get , but loseth that is already gotten . For noblenesse of birth ( is as it were ) a clere lampe that sheweth forth and bringeth into light , workes bothe good and badde , and enflameth and prouoketh vnto vertue , as wel with the feare of slaunder , as also with the hope of praise . And wheras this brightnesse of noblenesse dothe not discouer the workes of the vnnoble , they haue a wante of prouocation and of feare of slaunder , and they recken not themselues bounde to wade anye further then their auncetours did before theym , whereas the noble of birthe counte it a shame not to arriue at the leaste at the boundes of their predecessours set foorth vnto them . Therefore it chaunceth alwaies ( in a maner ) bothe in armes and in all other vertuous actes , that the moste famous menne are gentlemen . Because nature in euery thing hath depely sowed that priuie sede , which geueth a certain force and propertie of her beginning , Gentlemen of most prowesse vnto whatsoeuer springeth of it , and maketh it lyke vnto her selfe . As we see by exaumple not onely in the race of horses and other beastes , but also in trees , whose slippes and graftes alwayes for the moste parte are lyke vnto the stocke of the tree they came from : and yf at any time they growe out of kind , the fault is in the husbandman . And the lyke is in men , yf they bee trayned vp in good nourtour , Good bringing vp in youthe . moste commonlye they resemble them from whom thei come and often times passe them , but yf they haue not one that can well trayn them vp , thei growe ( as it were ) wylde , and neuer come to their ripenesse . Truth it is , whether it be through the fauour of the starres or of nature , Some borne full of graces & comelines . some there are borne endowed wyth suche graces , that they seeme not to haue bene borne , but rather facioned with the verye hande of some God , and abounde in all goodnesse bothe of bodye and mynde . As againe we see some so vnapte and dull , Some ●orne very asse●eds that a man wyl not beleue , but nature hath brought them into the worlde for a spite and mockerie . And lyke as these with continual diligence and good bringyng vp for the most parte can bring small fruite : euen so the other with litle attendance clime to the full perfeccion of all excellency . Marke me the Lorde Hyppolitus da Este Cardinall of Ferrara , he hath hadde so happye a birthe , that his person , his countenaunce , his woordes , & all his gestures are so facioned & compact with this grace , Hypolitus da Este brother to the Duke of Ferrarra . that among the moste aunciente prelates ( for all he is but yonge ) he dothe represente so graue an aucthoritie , that a man woulde weene he were more meete to teache , then nedefull to learne . Likewise in company with menne and women of all degrees , in sportynge , in laughynge , and in iestynge he hath in hym a certayne sweetenesse , & so comely demeanours , that whoso speaketh with hym or yet beholdeth hym , muste nedes beare him an affeccion for euer . But returnyng to our purpose I saye , that betwene thys excellent grace , and that fonde foolyshnesse there is yet a meane , and they that are not by nature so perfectly furnished , with studye and diligence maye polishe and correct a great part of the defaultes of nature . The Courtyer therfore , besyde noblenesse of birthe , I wyll haue hym to be fortunate in this behalfe , & by nature to haue not only a wytte , and a comely shape of persone and countenance , but also a certain grace , and ( as they saie ) a hewe , that shal make him at the first sight acceptable & louyng vnto who so beholdeth him . And let this be an ornament to frame & accompanye all his actes , and to assure men in his looke , suche a one to bee woorthy the companye and fauour of euery great man . Here without any longer tariyng the L. G●sper Palla●icin saide : that our pastime may haue the fourme and maner agreed vpon , and least it shoulde appeare that we litle esteme the aucthoritie geuen vs to contrary you , I say ( in mine aduise ) that this nobl●nesse of birthe is not ●o necessarie for the Courtyer . And if I wiste that anye of you thought it a straunge or a newe matter , I woulde alledge vnto you sondrye , who for all they were borne of moste noble bloude , yet haue they bene heaped full of vyces : And contrarywise , many vnnoble that haue made famous their posteritie . And yf it be true that you sayde before , that the priuie force of the firste seede is in euerye thynge , we shoulde al bee in one maner condicion , for that we had all one selfe begynnynge , and one shoulde not bee more noble then an other . But besyde the diuersityes and degrees in vs of highe and lowe , I beleue there bee manye other matters , wherein I iudge fortune to be the chief , because we see her beare a stroke in al worldlye thinges , and ( as it were ) take a pastime to exalt many times whom pleaseth her without any desert at all , & burie in the botomles depth the most worthy to be exalted . I confirme your saying as touching the happines of them that are borne abounding in all goodnes both of minde & bodie : but this is seen aswel in the vnnoble , as in the noble of birthe , for nature hath not these so subtile distinctions : yea ( as I haue sayde ) we se many times in persons of most base degree , most high giftes of nature . Therefore seing this noblenes is gotten neither with wit , force , nor art , but is rather a praise of oure ancestours than our own , me think it a strange opinion that the parentes of our Courtyer being vnnoble , his good qualities should be defaced , & those ou● good condicions whiche you haue named should not be sufficient to bring him to the top of al perfeccion : that is to say , wit , beauty of fisnamy , disposition of person , & the grace which at the first sight shal make him moste acceptable vnto all men . Then aunswered Count Lewis : I denie not , but in men of base degree may reigne the very same vertues that are in gentlemen . But to auoyd rehersal of that we haue already said , with many other reasons that might be alleged in commendacion of noblenesse , the which is euermore honored of al men because it standeth with reason that good should spring of good , forsomuch as our entē● is to facion a Courtyer without ani maner default or lack in hym , & heaped with all praise , me thinke it a necessarye matter to make him a gentleman , as well for many other respects , as also for the common opinion , which by and by doeth leane to noblenesse . For where there are two in a noble mans house which at the first haue geuen no proofe of themselues with woorkes good or bad , Noblenes of birthe in estimacion with all men . assoone as it is knowen that the one is a gentleman borne , and the other not , the vnnoble shall be muche lesse estemed with euerye manne , then the gentleman , The imprintinges or conceiuinges of the minde with expectacion . and he muste with much trauaile and long time imprint in mennes heades a good opinion of himselfe , whiche the other shal geat in a moment , and onely for that he is a gentleman : and howe waightye these imprintinges are euery man may easily iudge . For , to speake of our selues : we haue seen menne come to thys house , whiche for all they were fooles and dulwitted , yet had they a report through all Italye of great Courtyers , & though at length they were discouered and knowen , yet manye daies did thei beguyle vs , and mainteyned in oure myndes that oppinion of themselues , whiche at the fyrste they found there imprinted , although they wrought accordyng to their small skil . We haue seen other at the fyrste in very smal estimation , The yl inclynacion of princes in ●uouring them that deserue it not and afterwarde in the ende haue acquited themselues marueilous well . And of these errors there are diuers causes and among other the obstinatenes of princes , whiche to proue mastries oftentimes bend themselues to fauor him , that to their seeming , deserueth no fauour at all , & manye tymes in deede they are deceyued . But because thei haue alwaies many that counterfait them , a very great report dependeth vpon their fauor , that which moste commonly iudgements folow . And if thei find any thing that semeth contrary to the common opinion , thei ar in doubt for deceiuing themselues , We be moued to passions without anye manifest cause why . & alwaies loke for some matter secretly because it semeth , that these general opinions ought to be founded vpon a trothe , & arise of reasonable causes . And forsomuch as our mindes are very apte to loue and to hate : as in the sightes of combates and games and in all other kinde of contencion one with an other , it is seene that the lookers on many times beare affeccion without any manifest cause why , vnto one of the two parties , with a gredy desire to haue him get the victorie , and the other to haue the ouerthrow . Also as touching the opinion of mens qualities , the good or yll reporte at the first brunt moueth oure mynde to one of these two passions : therefore it commeth to passe , that for the moste part we iudge with loue or els with hatred . You see then of what importance this first imprinting is , and howe he ought to endeuoure himself to get it good in princes , if he entende to be set by , and to purchase him the name of a good Courtyer . But to come to some particularitie , I iudge the principall and true profession of a Courtyer ought to be in feates of armes , Armes the Courtyers chiefe profession . the which aboue all I will haue hym to practise liuely , and to bee knowen among other for his hardinesse , for his acheuing of enterprises , and for his fidelitie toward him whom he serueth . And he shall purchase himselfe a name with these good condicions , in doing the dedes in euerie time and place : for it is not for him to feint at any time in this behalfe without a wonderous reproche . That he take no foile . And euen as in women honestye once stained dothe neuer retourne againe to the former astate : So the fame of a gentleman that carieth weapon , yf it once take a foile in any litle point through dastardlines or any other reproche , doeth euermore continue shameful in the worlde and full of ignoraunce . Therefore the more excellent our Courtyer shal be in this arte , the more shall he bee worthy praise : albeit I iudge not necessarye in hym so perfect a knowledge of thynges and other qualities that is requisite in a capitaine . But because this is ouerlarge a scope of matters , wee wyll holde oure selues contented ( as wee haue sayde ) with the vprightnesse of a well meaning minde , & with an inuincible courage , and that he alwaies shew himself such a one : for many times men of courage are sooner knowen in small matters then in greate . Often times in daungers that stande them vpon , Cowardes sometime hardie . & where many eyes be , ye shall see some that for all their hearte is dead in their bodie , yet pricked with shame or with the company , go forwarde ( as it were ) blindfield and do their duetie . And god knoweth bothe in matters that little touche them , and also where they suppose that without missynge they may conuey themselues from daunger , how they are willingynough to slepe in a whole skinne . Who haue the stoutenesse of courage . But suche as think themselues neither marked , seen , nor knowen , and yet declare a stout courage , and suffer not the leaste thyng in the worlde to passe that maie burthen them , they haue the courage of spirite whiche we seke to haue in our Courtyer . Yet will we not haue him for al that so lustie to make brauerie in woordes , and to bragge that he hathe wedded his harneys for his wife , and to threaten with suche grim lookes , as we haue seene Berto do oftentimes . For vnto suche maie well be saide that a worthie Gentlewoman in a noble assembly spake pleasauntly vnto one , that shall be namelesse for this tyme , whome she to shewe hym a good countenance , desired to daunce with her , and he refusing both that , and to heare musick and many other entertainmentes offred him , alwaies affirmyng suche trifles not to be his profession , at last the Gentlewoman demaundyng him , what is then your profession ? He aunswered with a frowning looke , to fight . Then saide the Gentlewoman : seing you are not nowe at the warre nor in place to fight , I woulde thinke it best for you to bee well besmered and set vp in an armorie with other implementes of warre till time wer that you should be occupied , least you wa●e more rustier then you are . Thus with muche laughinge of the standers by she left him with a mocke in his foolishe presumpcion . He therefore that we seeke for , A stoutherted man . where the enemies are , shall shewe himselfe moste fierce , bitter , & euermore with the firste . In euerie place beside , lowly , sober , & circumspecte , fleeing aboue all thinge , To auoide prai●ing a mans selfe . bragginge and vnshamefull praising himself , for therewith a man alwaies purchaseth himself the hatred and yll will of the hearers . And I , aunswered the L. Gaspar , haue knowen few men excellent in any thing whatsoeuer it bee , but they praise them selues . And me thinke it may wel be borne in them : for he that is of skill , whan he seeth that he is not knowen for his woorkes of the ignoraunte , hath a disdeigne that his connynge should lye buried , Estimation the reward of vertious actes . and needes muste he open it one waie , least he should bee defrauded of the estimation that belongeth to it , whiche is the true rewarde of vertuous trauailes . Therefore among the auncient writers he that muche excelleth doeth sildome forbeare praisyng hymself . They in deede are not to be borne withall that hauyng no skill in theym , wyll prayse themselues : but we wyll not take our Courtyer to be suche a one . Then the Count , yf you haue well vnderstoode ( quoth he ) I blamed the praysynge of a mans selfe impudently and withoute respecte . And surelye ( as you saye ) a man ought not to conceyue an yll oppinion of a skilfull man that praiseth hymselfe , dyscretely , but rather take it for a more certaine witnes , then yf it came out of an other mans mouth . I agree well that he , whiche in praising himselfe falleth not into errour , nor purchaseth himself lothsomenes or hatred of the hearers , is moste discrete : and beside the praises whiche he geueth himselfe , deserueth the same of other men also , because it is a very harde matter . Then the L. Gaspar , this ( quoth he ) muste you teache vs . The Count aunswered : Emong the auntient writers there hathe not also wanted that hathe taught it . In what sort a man maye praise himself But in mine opinion , all doth consist in speaking such thynges after a sort , that it maye appeare that they are not rehearsed to that ende : but that they come so to purpose , that he can not refrayne tellyng them , and alwaies seemynge to flee his owne prayse tell the trueth . But not as those lustie laddes dooe , that open their mouthe and thruste oute woordes at auenture they care not how . As within these few dayes one of oure company beyng pusshed throughe the thygh with a pyke at Pysa , Braue roysters . thought that it was the bytynge of a flie . And an other sayde that he occupied no lookynge glasse in his chamber , because in hys rage he was so terrible to beholde , that in lookynge vpon his owne countenaunce he shoulde put himself into much feare . At this euery one laughed . But the L. Cesar Gonzaga saide vnto them : At what laugh you ? Knowe ye not that the great Alexander , Anaxagoras . hearing a certayne Philosophers oppinion to be that there were infinite worldes , fell in weping : And when he was asked the question why he wept , he aunswered : Because I haue not yet one in hande , as thoughe his mynde was to haue them all . Dooe you not thynke that this was a greater brauerie , then to speak of the fly biting : So was Alexander a greater person then he that so sayde , aunswered the Count. But excellent men in very deede are to be helde excused , whan they take muche vpon them : because he that vndertaketh great enterprises muste haue a boldnesse to dooe it , and a confidence of hym selfe , and not of a bashfull or cowardly mynde , but yet sober in woordes : shewing as though he tooke lesse vpon hym then he dothe in deede , so that his taking vpon him do not extend vnto rashnesse . Here the Count respetyng a while M. Bernard Bibiena saide merelye : I remember you saide before , that this oure Courtyer oughte of nature to haue a faire comelynesse of fisnamye and person , with the grace that oughte to make hym so amyable . As for the grace and beautie of fisnamie , I thynke not the contrary but they are in me , and therefore doe so many women burne for the loue of me , as you knowe . But for the comelynesse of persone , I stande somewhat in doubte , and especiallye by reason of my legges here , for me thinke in deede thei are not so wel made as I could wishe thei wer : the body and the rest is meetely wel . Therfore declare som what more particularly this comelines of person , what it should be , that I may be out of this doubt & set my heart at reste . Whan thei had a while ughed at this , the Count sayde : Certes , the grace of the fisnamy , may wel be said to be in you without any lye . And no other exaumple doe I alledge but this , to declare what maner thing it shoulde bee : for vndoubtedly we see your countenaunce is most acceptable & pleasant to beholde vnto euery man , although the proporcion and draughtes of it be not very delicate , but it is manly and hath a good grace withall . And this qualitie haue many and sundrye shapes of visages . The countenaunce of the Courtyer . And suche a countenaunce as this is , will I haue our Courtyer to haue , and not so softe and womanishe as manye procure to haue , the do not onely courle the hear , and picke the browes , but also paumpre themselues in euery point like the most wanton and dishonest women in the worlde : and a man would thinke them in goyng , Menne that woulde appere women . in standing , and in all their gestures so tender and feint , that their members were ready to flee one from an other , and their woordes they pronounce so drawningly , that a man would weene they were at that instant yelding vp the ghost : and the higher in degree the men are they talke withall , the more they vse suche facyons . These men , seing nature ( as they seeme to haue a desire to appeare and to bee ) hath not made them women , ought not to be esteamed in place of good women , but like common Harlottes to be banished , not onely out of prynces courtes , but also oute of the companye of Gentlemen . To come therefore to the qualitie of the person , I say he is wel , Good to bee of a meane stature . if he bee neither of the least , nor of the greatest sise . For bothe the one and the other hath with it a certayne spytefull wonder , and suche men are marueyled at , almoste , as muche as men marueile to behoulde monstrous thynges . Yet if there must nedes be a defaulte in one of the two extremities , it shall be lesse hurtfull to bee somewhat of the least , Rather with the lowest then to high . then to excede the common stature in height . For men so shut vp of bodie , beside that manye tymes they are of a dull wit , they are also vnapte for all exercyses of nimeblenesse , whiche I much desire to haue in the Courtyer . And therefore will I haue him to bee of a good shape , and well proporcioned in his lymmes , and to shewe strength , lightnes , and quickenesse , To be a man of warre . and to haue vnderstandyng in all exercises of the bodie , that belonge to a man of warre . And herein I thinke the chief point is to handle well all kynde of weapon both for footeman and horseman , To handle al kind of weapon . and to know the vaun●ages in it . And especially to be skilfull on those weapons that are vsed ordinarily emong gentlemen , for beside the vse that he shall haue of them in warre , where peraduenture nedeth no great connyng , there happen often times variaunces betwene one gentleman and an other , whereupon ensueth a combat . And manye tymes it shall stande him in stede to vse the weapon whiche he hath at that instant by his side , therefore it is a very sure thing to be skilfull . And I am none of them whiche saye , Fightinge maketh not a man to forget his fence . that he forgetteth his conning whan he commeth to the poynte : for to abide by , whoso loseth his conning at that time , sheweth that he hath firste loste his heart and his spirites for feare . I think also it will serue his turne greatly , to know the feate of wrastling , Wrastlynge . because it goeth much together with all weapon on foote . Againe it is behouffull bothe for him selfe and for his frendes , To knowe what is to be done in quarrels whan they happen . that he haue a foresight in the quarelles and controuersies that may happen , and let him beware of the vauntages , declarynge alwaies in euerye pointe bothe courage and wisedome . Neither let him runne rashely to these combattes , but whan he muste needes to saue his estimation withall : Not rashe to fight combattes . for beside the greate daunger that is in the doubtfull lotte , hee that goeth headlonge to these thynges and without vrgent cause , deserueth verye great blame , although his chaunce bee good . But whan a man perceiueth that he is entred so farre that hee can not drawe backe withoute burdeyn , hee muste , Howe a man ought to behaue himself in fightyng a combatte . bothe in suche thinges he hath to doe before the combat and also in the combat be vtterlye resolued with hymselfe , and alwayes shewe a readinesse and a stomake . And not as some dooe , passe the matter in arguing and pointes , and hauing the choise of weapon , take suche as haue neyther poynte nor edge . And arme themselues as thoughe they shoulde goe against the shotte of a Cannon . And weening it sufficyent not to be vanquished , stande alwaies at their defence and geue grounde , in so muche that they declare an extreme faint hert , and are a mocking stocke to the verye chyldren . As those two of Ancona : that a while a goe fought a combat beside Perugia , and made them to laughe that looked on . And what were they , quoth the L. Gaspar Palla●icin . The ● . Cesar aunswered : Cousins Germains of two sisters . Then said the Count : at the combat a man would haue thought them naturall brethren , then he went forwarde . Also men occupie their weapon oftentimes in tyme of peace aboute sondrie exercises , and gentlemen are seen in open showes in the presence of people , women and Princes . Therefore will I haue our Courtyer a perfecte horseman for euerye saddle . A perfecte horseman . And beside the skyll in horses and in whatsoeuer belongeth to a horseman , let him set all his delite and dylygence to wade in euerye thyng a litle farther then other menne , so that he maye bee knowen among al menne for one that is excellente . Alcibiades excelled other nations in theyr owne ●eates . As it is reade of Alcibiades , that he e●celled all other nations wheresoeuer he came , and euerye manne in the thynge he hadde moste skyll in . So shall this oure Courtyer passe other menne , and euerye manne in his owne profession . And because it is the peculyer prayse of vs Italians to ryde well , to manege wyth reason , Property of Italians . especiallye roughe horses , to runne at the rynge and at tyl●e , he shall bee in this amonge the beste Italyans . At tourneymente , in kepyng a passage , in fightinge at barriers , Property of Frenchmen . he shall be good emong the best Frenchemen . At Io●o di canne , runninge at Bull , castinge of speares and dartes , he shall be amonge the Spaniardes excellent . But principallye lette hym accompanye all his mocion wyth a certayne good iudgemente and grace , Property of Spaniardes yf he wyll deserue that generall fauour whiche is so muche set by . There bee also manye other exercises , the whiche thoughe they depende not throughlye vpon armes , yet haue they a greate agreemente with them , and haue in them muche manlye a●tiuitie . Hunt●●● . And of them me thinke huntynge is one of the chiefest , for it hath a certaine lykenesse with warre , and truelye a pastyme for great men , and fitte for one lyuyng in courte . And it is founde that it hath also bene muche vsed amonge them of olde tyme . It is meete for hym also to haue the arte of swimming , to leape , to runne , Swimming Leapyng . Runnyng . Castyng the stone . to cast the stone : for beside the profite that he maie receyue of thys in the warres , it happeneth to hym manye tymes to make proofe of himselfe in suche thynges , whereby he getteth hym a reputacion , especiallye among the multitude , vnto whom a man muste sometyme applye hymselfe . Also it is a noble exercyse and meete for one lyuyng in court to play at tenyse , where the disposition of the bodye , Playe at tenyse . the quickenesse and nimeblenesse of euerye member is much perceyued , and almoste whatsoeuer a manne can see in all other exercises . And I recken vautyng of no lesse prayse , which for all it is peynefull and harde , Uawting . maketh a man more light and quicker then any of the rest : and beside the profite , yf that lightnesse be accompanyed with a good grace , it maketh ( in my iudgemente ) a better showe then anye of the reste . If our Courtyer then be taught these exercises more then indifferently well , I beleue he may sette a syde tumblyng , clymynge vpon a corde , and suche other matters that taste somewhat of iugglers crafte , Tumblynge not fit for a Gentleman . and doe lytle beseeme a Gentleman . But because we can not alwayes endure emonge these so paynefull doynges , besyde that the contynuaunce goeth nyghe to geue a manne hys fyll , and taketh awaye the admyracion that menne haue of thynges sildome seen , we muste contynuallye alter oure lyfe with practysynge sondrye matters . To frame himself to the company . Therefore wyll I haue oure Courtyer to descende manye times to more easye and pleasaunt exercyses . And to auoyde enuye and to keepe companye pleasauntlye with euery man , let him do whatsoeuer other men do : so he decline not at any time from commendable dedes , but gouerneth himselfe with the good iudgement that will not suffer hym to enter into any folye : but let him laugh , dalie , iest , and daunce , yet in such wise that he maie alwayes declare himselfe to bee wittie and discrete , and euerie thynge that he doeth or speaketh , let him doe it with a grace . Truelye , saide then the L. Cesar Gonzaga the course of this communicacion shoulde not be stopped : but if I shoulde houlde my peace , I should not satisfie the libertie whiche I haue to speake , nor the desyre that I haue to vnderstand one thing . And let me be pardoned if where I ought to speake against , I demaund a question : because I suppose I maie lawfully do it after the example of ▪ M. Bernard , who for the to great desire he hadde to be counted a welfauoured man , hath offended agaynst the lawes of our pastime in demaunding without speakinge against . Behoulde I beseche ye , saide then the dutchesse , howe one errour bringeth in a great sorte . Therfore who so offendeth and geueth yll example , as M. Bernard hathe done , deserueth to be punished not onely for his owne offence , but for other mens also . Then aunswered the ▪ L. Cesar : Therefore must I ( madam ) escape punishmente , for that M. Bernard ought to bee punished for his owne offence and mine bothe . Nay ( quoth the dutchesse ) you oughte to haue bothe double punishmente . He for his offence , and for beynge an occasion for you to commit the lyke : & you for your offence and for taking hym for a president that dyd offende . I haue not hytherto offended madam , answered the L ▪ Cesar. Therefore because I wyll leaue the whole punishmente for M. Bernard I wyll kepe silence . And nowe he helde his peace , whan the L. Emilia aunswered : say what pleaseth you , for ( by the dutchesse leaue ) I perdone thys faulte , and whosoeuer shall offende in so small a trespace . Upon that the dutchesse said : I am well pleased . But take ye heede that ye deceiue not your selfe , thinking peraduenture to be better reported of for mercy then for iustice . For in perdoning the offendour to muche , ye do wrong to him that doeth not offende . Yet wyll not I haue my rigour at this time in accusing your mercye to be the cause that we shall lose the hearing of this the L. Cesars demaund . So he , after the dutches & the L. Emilia had made a signe to him , sayde by and by : if I do well beare in mind , me thynke ( Count Lewis ) you haue this night oftentimes repeted , that the Courtier ought to accompany all his doinges , gestures , demeaners , finally al his mocions with a grace , and this , me think , ●e put for a sauce to euery thing , without the which all his other properties & good condicions were litle woorth . And I beleue verely that euery man would soone be perswaded therin , Grace . for by the vertue of the worde a man may saye , that whoso hath grace is gracious . But bicause you haue saide sundry times that it is the gift of nature and of the heauens , and againe where it is not so perfect , that it maye with studye and diligence be made muche more they that be borne so happye and so welthye with such a treasure ( as some that we se ( me thynke therin they haue litle nede of anye other teacher , because the bountifull fauour of heauen doeth ( as it were ) in spite of them , guide them higher then they couet , & maketh them not onely acceptable , but marueylous vnto all the world . Therfore I do not reason of this , because the obtainynge of it of our selues lyeth not in our powre : but such as by nature haue one●y so much , that they be apte to beecome gratious in bestowinge labour , exercise , and diligence , I would faine knowe with what art , with what learning , and by what meane they shall compasse this grace , aswel in the exercises of the bodye ( wherin ye thinke it so necessarie a matter ) as in all other thynges that they dooe or speake . Therfore as you haue in praysinge thys qualytye to vs engendred ( I beleue ) in al a feruent thi●st to comeby it , by the charge ye receiued of y● L. Emilia , so with ●eaching it vs , ye are bound to quenche it . Bound I am not ( quoth the Count ) to teache you to haue a good grace , nor anye thing els , sauing only to shew you what a perfect Courtyer ought to be . Neither will I take vpon me to teach you this perfeccion , sins a while a goe , I said , that the Courtier ought to haue the ●eate of wrastlyng and vawtinge , and such other thinges , the which howe I should be able to teache them not hauing learned them my selfe , I am sure ye knowe it all . It sufficeth that as a good souldyer cann speake his minde to an armourer of what facion , of what temper and goodnesse he will haue his harneys , and for all that cannot teache him to make it , nor to hammer or temper it : So perhaps I am able to tel you what a perfect Courtyer ought to be , but not to teach you how ye should doe to be one . Notwithstanding to fulfill your request in what I am able , althoughe it be ( in maner ) in a prouerbe that Grace is not to be learned , Grace not to be learned . I say vnto you , wh●so mindeth to be gracious or to haue a good grace in t●e e●ercises of the body , ( presupposing first that he be not of nature vnapt ) ought to begin betimes , and to learne his principles of cunning men . The which thyng how necessarie a matter Philip king of Macedonie thought it , a man may gather in that his wil was that Aristotel so famous a philosopher , Ari●●otle the first that taught the great Alexander . and perhappes the greatest that euer h●th bine in the world , should be the man that should instruct Alexander his sonne in the first principles of letters . And of men whom we know nowadayes , mark how wel & with what a good grace Sir Galiazzo Sanseuerino M. of the horse to the Frenche king , S. Galeaz●o Sanseueri●o . doth all e●ercises of the body : & that because , besyde the naturall disposition of person that is in him , he hath applyed all his study to learne of cunning men , & to haue continually e●cellent men about him , and of euery one to chuse the best of that they haue skill in . For as in wrastling , in vawting , & in learning to handle sundry kinde of weapons he hath taken for his guide oure M. Peter Mount , who ( as you know ) is the true & only maister of al artificiall force & sleight : A good scoler must seeke to be like his maister . So in ridyng , in iustyng , & in euerye other feate , he hath alwayes had before his eyes the most perfectest that hath ben knowen to be in those professions : He therfore that wil be a good scolar , beside the practysing of good thinges , must euermore set al his diligence to bee lyke his mayster , and ( if it were possible ) chaunge himself into him . And when he hath had some entrey , it profiteth hym much to behould sondrye men of that profession : and gouerning hymselfe with that good iudgement that must alwayes be hys guyds , go about t● pyke out , sometyme of one and sometyme of an other , sundry matters . And euen as the bee in the greene medowes fleeth alwayes aboute the grasse chousynge out flowres : Howe grace is to be atte●ned So shall our Courtyer steale thys grace from them that to hys seming haue it , & from ech one that percell that shal be most worthy praise . And not do , as a frende of ours , whom you al know , that thought he resembled much kyng Ferdinande the yonger of Aragon , and regarded not to resemble hym in anye other poynt but in the often lyftyng vp hys head , wrying therewythall a part of hys mouth , the whych custome the king had gotten by infyrmitye . And manye such there are that thynke they doe much , so they resemble a great man in somewhat , and take many tymes the thynge in hym that woorst becommeth hym . But I , imagynyng with my self oftentymes how this grace commeth , A generall rule leauing a part such as haue it from aboue , fynd one rule that is most general whych in thys part ( me thynk ) taketh place in al thynges belongyng to man in worde or deede aboue all other . And that is to eschew as much as a man may , To auoid curiositie & as a sharp and daungerous rock , Affectation or curiosity & ( to speak a new word ( to vse in euery thyng a certain Reckelesness , to couer art withall , & seeme whatsoeuer he doth & sayeth to do it wythout pain , & ( as it were ) not myndyng it . And of thys do I beleue grace is muche deryued , Reckelesnes , for in rare matters & wel brought to passe euery man knoweth the hardnes of them , so that a redines therin maketh great wonder . And contrarywise to vse force , and ( as they say ) to hale by the hear , geueth a great disgrace , & maketh euery thing how great so euer it be , to be litle estemed . Therfore that may be said to be a very art that appeereth not to be art , To couer art neyther ought a man to put more diligence in any thing then in couering it : for in case it be open , it loseth credit cleane , and maketh a man litle set by . And I remember that I haue reade in my dayes , that there were some most excellent Oratours , which among other their cares , enforced themselues to make euery man beleue that they had no sight in letters , & dissemblinge their cunning , made semblant thei ▪ orations to be made very simply , and rather as nature & trueth lead them , then study and arte , the whiche if it had bene openly knowen , would haue putte a doubt in the peoples minde , for feare least he beguiled them . You may see then howe to shewe arte and suche bent study taketh away the grace of euery thing . To seme not to mynde the thing a man doeth excellently well . Which of you is it that laugheth not when our M. Peterpaul daunseth after his owne facion with such fine skippes and on tipt● without mouing his head , as though he were all of wood , so heedfullie , that truely a man would weene he coun●ed his paces . What eye is so blind that perceiueth not in this the disgrace of curiosity , and in many men & women here present the grace of that not regarded agylitie and s●●ghte conueyaunce ( for in the mocions of the bodye manye so terme it ) with a kinde of speaking or smiling , or gesture , betokening not to passe vpon it , and to minde anye other thinge more then that , to make him beleue that loketh on that he can not do amisse . Here M. Bernard Bibiena not forbearing any longer , sayde : you may se yet that our M. Robert hath found one to praise his maner of daunsing , though the reste of you set litle by it . For if this excellency doeth consist in Reckelesness , and in shewing not to passe vpon and rather to minde anye other thing then that a man is in hande withall M. Robert hath no peere in the worlde . For that men should wel perceiue that he litle mindeth it , manye tymes his garmentes fa●l , from hys backe , and his slippers from his feete , and daunseth on still without taking vppe againe anye of both . Then aunswered the Count : Seyng you will nedes haue me speake , I wyll saye some what also of oure vices . To you not marke , this that you call in M. Robert Reckelesness , is a verie curiositie ? for it is well kn●wen that he enforceth himself with al diligence possible to make a show not to minde it , and that is to minde it to much . And bicause he passeth certain limites of a meane , that Reckelesne●● of his is curious , and not comly , and is a thing that commeth cleane contrarye to passe from the dryfte , ( that is to wit ) to couer arte . Therfore I iudge it a no lesse vyce of curiositye to be in Reckelesness ( which in it selfe is prayse worthye ) in lettynge a mans clothes fal of his backe , then in Preciseness ( whiche likewise of it self is praise worthy ) to carie a mans head so like a malthorse for feare of ruffling his hear , Precisene●● . or to keepe in the bottome of his cappe a looking glasse , and a combe in his sleeue , and to haue alwayes at his heeles vp and down the streetes a page with a spunge and a brushe : for this maner of Preciseness and Reckelesness are to much in the extremitie , which is alwaies a vice and contrarie to that pure and amiable simplicitie , which is so acceptable to mens mindes . Marke what an yll grace a man at armes hath , when he enforceth himselfe to goe so bolt vpright setled in saddle ( as we vse to say after the Venetian phrase ) in comparison of an other that appeareth not to mind it , and sitteth on horseback so nimbly and close as though he were on fote . How much more do we take pleaser in a gentilman that is a man at armes , and how much more worthy praise is he if he be modest , of few wordes , and no bragger , then an other that alwayes craketh of him self , & blaspheming with a brauery s●emeth to threaten the worlde . And this is nothing els but a curiositie to seeme to be a roister . The lyke happeneth in all exercises , yea in euerye thinge in the worlde that a man can doe or speak . Then said the L. Iulian : Musicke this in like maner is verified in musicke : where it is a verye greate vice to make two perfecte cordes , the one after the other , so that the verye sence of our hearing abhorreth it , & of●en times deliteth in a seconde or in a seuen , which in it selfe is an vnpleasaunt discord and not tollerable : & this proceadeth because the continuance in the perfit tunes engendreth vrkesomnesse , and betokeneth a to curious harmonye the whyche in mynglyng therwythall the vnperfect is auoyded wyth makynge ( as it were ) a comparason , whereby oure eares stande to listen and gredely attend and tast the perfecte , and are otherwhyle delyted wyth the disagrement of the seconde or seuen , as it were with a thing lytle regarded . Behould ye then , answered the Count that curiousnesse hurteth in thys aswell as in other thynges . They say also that it hath bene a prouerbe emonge some most excellent poincters of old time , that To muche diligence is hurtfull , and that Apelles ●ound fault with Protogenes because he coulde not keepe his handes from the table . To much diligence hurtfull Then sayd the L , Cesar : The very same fault ( me think ) is in our Frier S●r●phin that he cannot kepe his handes from the table , especially as long as there is any meat styrryng . The Count laughed and went forward : Apelles meanyng was , that Protogenes knew not when it was well , whych was nothyng els but to reprehend , hys curyousnesse in hys workes . Thys vertue therfore contrarye to curiosity whych we for thys tyme terme Reckelesness , besyde that it is the true fountain from the whych all grace spryngeth , it bryngeth wyth it also an other ornamente , whych accompanyinge any● deede that a man doeth , 〈…〉 is thought 〈…〉 to be more cunning 〈…〉 , how lytle so euer it be doeth not onely by and by open the knowledge of hym that doth it , but also many times maketh it to be estemed much more in effect then it is , because it imprinteth in the myndes of the lookers on an opinyon , that whoso can so sleyghtly do well , hath a great deale more knowledge then indeede h● hath : and if he wyll apply hys study and dilygence to that he doeth , he myght do it much better . And to repete euen the verye same examples , Marke a man that taketh weapon in hande : ●f goyng about to cast a darte , or houldyng in hys hand a sworde or any other waster , he se●leth hym self lightsomely ( not thinking vpon it ) in a ready aptnesse wyth such actiuity , that a man would weene hys bodye & all his members were naturally setled in that disposition and without any payne , though he doeth nothing els , yet doeth he declare hymself vnto euerye man to be most perfect in that exercise . Lykewyse in daunsinge , one measure , one mocion of a bodye that hath a good grace , not beyng forced , doeth by and by declare the knowledge of him that daunseth . A musitien , yf in singing he roule out but a playne note endinge in a dooble relise wyth a sweete tune , A slight trick betokeneth knowledge so easily that a man would iudge he did it at auenture , in that point alone he doeth men to vnderstand that his knowledge is far greater then it is indeede . Oftentymes also in peinctinge , one lyne not studyed vpon , one draught with the pensel sleightly drawen , so it appeareth the hand without the guiding of any study or art , tendeth to his mark , according to the peincters purpose , doth euidently discouer the excellency of the workman , about the opinion wherof euery man afterwarde contendeth accordyng to his iudgement . The like happeneth also , in a maner , about euery other thing . Therfore shall our Courtyer be esteemed excellent , and in euerye thyng he shall haue a good grace , and especially in speaking , if he auoide curiositye : into which errour many men runne , and some time more then other , certain of our Lumbardes , men that w● b● deemed to be 〈…〉 which after a yeeres trauaile abrode , come home and begin by and by to speake the Romayne tunge , somtime the spanish tunge , or the Frenche , and God wotteth howe . And all this proceadeth of an ouer great desier to show much knowledge : and in this wise a man applyeth hys studye and diligence to gett a most odyous vice . And truelye it were no small trauayle for me , if I should vse in this communycatyon of oures , those auncient Tuscane wordes , that are not in vse amonge the Tuscanes nowe a dayes , Auncient ●uscane woordes and beesyde that , I beleeue euerye manne would laughe at me . Then spake Syr Friderick , In deede reasoning together as wee nowe do●e , peraduenture it were not well done to vse those auntient Tuscane woordes : for ( as you say ) they would be a lothsomnesse both to the speaker and to the hearer , and of manye they should not be vnderstoode without muche a doe . But he that shoulde write , I would thinke he committed an errour in not vsing them : bicause they gaue a great grace and aucthoritie vnto writinges , and of them is compact a tonge more graue and more full of maiestie , then of the newe . I knowe not answered the Count , what grace and aucthority those wordes can geue vnto writinges that ought to be eschewed , Old wordes to be esch●ewed both in speaking and writing . not only in the maner of speach that we now vse ( which you your self confesse ) but also in any other maner that can be imagined . For if anye man , of howe good a iudgement so euer he were , had to make an oration of graue matters in the verye Counsell chamber of Florence which is the head of Tuscane : or els to common priuately with a person of estimacion in that city about waightye affaires : or also with the familiarst frend he hath about pleasaunt matters : or with women or gentilmen about matters of loue , either in i●sting or daliyng , banketting , gaming , or where euer els : or in any time or place , or purpose , I am ass●red he would flee the vsing of those auntient Tuscane wordes . And in vsyng them , beside that he should be a laughing stock , he should bringe no small lothesomenesse to hym that heard them . Therfore me thinke it a straunge matter to vse those wordes for good in writing , that are to be eschewed for naughtie in euerie maner of speache : and to haue that whiche is neuer proper in speache , What 〈…〉 to be the proprest way a man can vse in writing , forsomuch as ( in mine opinion ) wrytyng is nothinge elles , but a maner of speache , that remaineth stil after a man hath spoken , or ( as it were ) an Image , or rather the life of the woordes . And therfore in speache , whiche as soone as the sonne is pronounced vanisheth a way , peraduenture somthinges are more to be borne withall , then in writinge . Because writinge keepeth the woordes in store , and referreth them to the iudgemente of the reader , and geueth tyme to examyne them depely . And therefore reason willeth that greater diligence should be had therein to make it more trimme and better corrected : yet not so , that the written wordes should be vnlike the spoken , but in writing to chuse oute the fayrest and proprest of significacion that be vsed in s●eaking . And if that should be lawful in writing , which is not lawfull in speaking , there should arise an inconuenience of it ( in my iudgement ) very great : namely , that a man myght vse a greater libertie in the thinge , where he ought to vse most diligence , and the labour he bestoweth in writing , in stede of furtherance should hinder him . What is alowed in w yting , is allowed in speaking . Therfore it is certain , whatsoeuer is allowed in writing , is also allowed in speaking : and that speache is moste beautifull that is like vnto beautifull writinges . And I iudge it much more behoufful to be vnderstoode in writing then in speaking , because they that write are not alwaies presente with them that rede , as they that speake with them that speake . Why writing oughte to bee more vnderstood , then speaking . Therfore would I commende him , that beside the eschewing of many auncient Tuskane woordes , would applye himself also to vse bothe in writing and speakyng , suche as now a daies are in vse in Tuscane and in other partes of Italy , and that haue some grace in the pronunciation . And ( in my minde ) whoso foloweth any other trade is not assured not to runne into that curiositie so muche blamed , whiche we haue spoken of before . Then spake Sir Frederick : I cannot denye you , Count Lewi● , that writinge is not a maner of speaking . But this I saie , if the wordes that are spoken haue any darkenesse in them , that communicacion perceth not the minde of him that heareth : and passing without being vnderstoode , wexeth vaine and to no purpose : the whiche dothe not happen in writyng , for if the woordes that the writer vseth bring with them a litle ( I will not saie diffycultie ) but couered subtilty , and not so open , as suche as be ordinarily spoken , they geue a certain greater aucthoritye to writing , and make the reader more hedefull to pause at it , and to ponder it better , and he taketh a delyte in the wittinesse and learning of him that writeth , and with a good iudgement , after some paines takyng , he tasteth the pleaser that consisteth in harde thinges . And if the ygnoraunce of him that readeth bee suche , that he cannot compasse that difficultie , there is no blame in the writer , neither ought a man for all that to thinke that tunge not to bee faire . Therefore in writing , I houlde opinion it is necessarie for a man to vse the Tuscane wordes , and only such as haue bene vsed among the auncient Tuskans : for it is a great testimoniall and approued by tyme , that they bee good and of pithie signification in that thei be applyed to . And beside this they haue t●at grace and maiesty that antiquitie geueth not only to woordes , but vnto buildinges , ymages , pein●tinges , and to euerye thyng that is of force to preserue it . And many times with this onely brightnes and dignitie they make the fourme of sentences very fair , and through the vertue and eleganciethereof , euery matter howe base so euer it be , maie be so decked oute , that it maie deserue verye great commendacion . But this youre custome , that you make so muche a doe of , appeareth vnto me very daungerous , and many times it maie be naught . And if anye vice of speache be taken vp of many ignorant persones , me thinke for all that it oughte not to be receyued for a rule , nor folowed of other . Besides this , customs be manye and diuers , So manye Cities so many diuerse maner of speaches in Italy . and ye haue not a notable Citye in Italy that hath not a diuers maner of speache from all the rest . Therefore if ye take not the paines to declare whiche is the best , a manne maye as well geue hym selfe to the Bergamask tunge , as to the Florentine , and to folowe youre aduyse it were no erroure at all . The bargamask tunge the moste barbarous in Italy . Me semeth then who so wyll be out of doubte and well assured , it is requisite for him to determyne with hym selfe to folowe on● , that by al mens accorde is iudged good , & to take him for a guyde alwaies and for a shielde againste suche as wyll goe about to fynde faulte , Petrarca . Boccaccio . and that I thinke oughte to bee none other , ( I meane in the vulgar tunge ) but Petrarca & Boccaccio : and who so swarueth from these two , goeth at all auenture , as he that walketh in the darke without lyght , and therefore many times strayeth from the right waye . But wee are so hardye nowadayes , that wee disdeigne to do as other good menne of auncient tyme haue done : that is to saye , to take dylygente heede to folowinge , without the whiche I iudge no man canne wryte well . Imitation . And me thinke Virgill declarethe a greate triall of this , Uirgil . whoo for all that with his so deuine a witte and iudgemente he tooke all hope from his posteritye for anye to folowe him at anye tyme , yet would he folow Homer . Then the L. Gasper Pallauicin , This disputacion ( quoth he ) of writinge in verye deede is woorthe the hearinge : Yet were it more to our● purpose , if you woulde teache in what sorte the Courtier ought to speake , for me thinke he hath more neede of that , and he serueth his tourne oftner with speakyng them with wrytinge . The L. Iulian aunswered : There is no doubt , but so excellent and so perfect a Courtier hath nede to vnderstand both the one and the other , and without these two qualyties parauenture all the rest should not be much woorthye prayse : therefore if the Count will fulfill hys charge , he shall teache the Courtier not onelye to speake but also to write well . Then sa●d the Count : I will not ( my Lorde ) vndertake this enterprise , for it shoulde be a greate folye for me to teache an other that I vnderstand not my self . And thoughe I were skillfull in it , yet can I not see howe I shoulde thinke to do the thing in so fewe woordes , which greate Clearkes haue scase done wyth such great study & diligence , vnto whose writings I would remit our Courtyer , if it were so that I wer bounde to teache him to write & to speake . The L ▪ Cesar then said : the L. Iulian meaneth the speaking and writing of the vulgar tunge , & not Latin , therfore those writinges of great Clearkes are not for oure purpose . But you muste shewe vs in this behalfe as muche as you knowe , as for the reste , ye shal be held excused . I haue already sayde , aunswered the Count. But in reasoning vpon the Tuskane tunge , perhappes it were rather the L. Iulian● part , then any mans els to geue iudgement in it . The L. Iulian saide : I cannot , nor of reason ought to speake against him that saith the Tuskane tunge is fairer then al the rest Trueth it is , there are many wordes in Petrarca and Boccaccio worne out of vse now a daies : Woordes in Petrarca , & in Boccaccio not to be vsed and suche would I neuer vse neither in speakyng nor in writyng , and peraduenture they themselues if thei were nowe aliue would vse them no more . Then spake Sir Frederick : no doubt but they would vse them still . And you Lordes of Tuscane ought to renue your tunge , and not to suffer it decaye , as you do for a man may saie nowe , that there is lesse knowledge in Florenc● , then in manye other places of I●aly . Then aunswered M Bernar● : those woordes that are no more in vse in Florenc● , doe styl continue among the men of the countrey , and are refused of the gentlemen for woordes corrupt and decayed by antiquitie . Then the dutchesse , let vs not swarue ( quoth she ) from our firste purpose , but lette vs make Count Lewis teache the Courtyer to speake and to write well , be it Tuscane or what euer els . The Count aunswered : I haue alreadye spoken ( madam ) what I knowe . And I suppose the verye same rules that teache the one , maye also serue to teache the other . But sins ye commaunde me ▪ I will make aunswere vnto ●●r Frederick what commeth in my head , for I am of a contrary opinion to him . And parauenture I shal be drieuen to answere somewhat more darkely then will be allowed , but it shall be as muche as I am hable to saie And first I say , The vulgar tunge of Italy is a new tunge . that ( to my iudgement ) this our tunge , whiche we name the vulgar tunge , is tender and newe , for al it hath bene now vsed a long while . For in that Italy hathe bene , not onely ve●ed and spoyled , but also inhabited a long time with barbarous people , by the great resort of those nations , the latin tunge was corrupted and destroyed , How the Italian tunge was corrupted . and of that corruption haue spronge other tunges . The whiche lyke the ryuers that departe from the toppe of the Appenn●ne & runne abrode towarde the two s●as : so are they also diuided , and some died with the latin speach haue spred abrode sundrye waies , some into one part , and some into another , and one dyed with barbarousnesse hath remayned in Italy . This then hath a long time bene among vs out of order and dyuerse , because there was none that would bestow diligence about it , nor write in it , ne yet seke to geue it brightnesse or anye grace . Yet hath it bene afterwarde broughte into better frame in ●usc●n● , then in the other partes of Italye . And by this it appeareth that the flowre of it hath remained there euer since those first times , because that nation hath kept proper and sweete accentes in the pronunciation and an order of grammer , where it was meete , more then the other . And h●th had three noble wri●ers , whiche wittily bothe in the woordes and termes that custome did allowe in their time , haue expressed their conceites and that hath happened ( in my mind ) with a better grace to ●etrarca in maters of loue , them to any of the other . Petrarca . Dante . Boccacci● , Where there arose afterwarde from time to time , not onely in ●uscan , but in al Italy , among gentlemen brought vp in court , in armes and in letters , some studye to speake and to write more finely then they did in that first rude age , whan the turmoyle of the miseries that arose through barbarous nations was not as yet quieted , many woordes haue bene left out as well in Florence it selfe , and in all ●uscan● , as in the residue of Italy , and other brought in , in their stead , and made in this behalfe the alteration that happeneth in all worldly thinges : the whiche also hath euermore chaunced in other tunges . For in case those auncient latin writinges had lasted hitherto , Speaches chaunge from time to time . we shoulde see that Euan●e● and Turnus and the other La●in ▪ in those dayes spake otherwise than dyd afterwarde the laste kinges of the Romaines and the fyrste Co●su● . You may see the verses song by the Sa●●i wer scantly vnderstoode of their posteritie : The priestes o● Mar● . but because it was so ordeyned by the first inuentours of it , they were not altered for reuerence of religion . So from time to time Oratours and Poets forsoke manye woordes that had bene vsed amonge their predecessours : for An●onius , Cr●ssus , 〈◊〉 , and Ci●●ro eschewed manye that Ca●o had vsed , and Virgill many of E●●ius , and so did the reste . For albeit they had antiquitie in great reuerence , Men neuer delited in wordes w●rne out with time . Horace . Ci●ero yet did they not esteme them somuch , that they woulde bee so bounde to them , as you wil haue vs now . Yea , where they thoughte good , they spake agaynst them , as 〈◊〉 , that sayeth , his predecessours dyd foolyshlye praise Pla●●us , which would that we should haue the aucthoritie to bring vp newe woordes . And Cicero in manye places reprehendeth manye of his predecessours , & to blame S Galb●● , he sayeth that his Oracions smelled of antiquitie . And affirmeth that E●nius also in some pointes set lytle by his predecessours , so that yf we wyll folow them of olde tyme , we shall not folowe them . And Virgi● that you saye folowed . ●omer , folowed hym not in the tunge . Therfore woulde I ( for my parte ) alwayes shonne the vse of those auncient woordes , except it wer in certayne clauses , and in them very seldome . And ( in my iudgement ) he that vseth them otherwise , committeth a no lesse errour , then whoso would to folowe them of olde time , fede vpon maste , where he hath nowe aboundaunce of corne founde oute . And because you saie the auncient woordes onely with the brightnesse of antiquitie decke oute so highlye euery matmatter , how base so euer it be , that it maye make it woorthy great commendacion : I saie vnto you that not of these auncient woordes onely , but of those that be good in dede , I make so smal accompt , that I suppose without the iuyce of fair sentences thei ought of reason to be litle set by . Woordes without faire sentences litle worthe . For to diuide the sentences from the woordes , is the deuiding of the soule from the body , the which cannot be done , neither in the one nor in the other , without destruccion ensue vpon it . That therfore which is the principal mater & necessary for a Court yet to speak & write wel , Knowledge necessarie to speake and write well . I beleue is knowledge . For he that hath not knowledge & the thing in his minde that deserueth to be vnderstood , can neither speak nor write it . Then must he couch in a good order that he hath to speake or to write , & afterward expresse it wel with wordes : what word● oughte to be . the which ( if Ibe not deceiued ) ought to be apt , chosen , clere , & wel applyed , & ( aboue al ) in vse also among the people : for very suche make the greatnes & gorgeousnes of an Oracion , so he that speaketh haue a good iudgement & heedfulnes withal , & the vnderstanding to pike such as be of most proper significacion for that he entendeth to speake and commend , and tempring them like were after his owne mynde , applyeth them in suche parte and in suche order , that at the firste showe they maie set furth and doe men to vnderstand the dignitie & brightnes of them , as tables of pein●●ing placed in their good and naturall light . Thynges necessary in spekinge . And this do I saie as well of writing as of speaking , wherein certayne thinges are requisite that are not necessary in wryting , as a good voyce , not to subtyll or soft , as in a woman : nor yet so boysterous and roughe , as in one of the Countrey , but shrill , The voyce . clere sweete and wel framed with a prompt pronunciacion & with fitte maners and gestures , which ( in my minde ) consiste in certain mo●ions of al the body not affected nor forced , but tempred with a manerly countenance and with a mouing of the eyes , that may geue a grace & accord with the words , & ( asmuch as he can ) signify also with gestures the entent & affeccion of the speaker . But al these thinges wer in vain & of smal accompte yf the sentences expressed by the wordes should not be fair , witty , The sentence● . subtil , fine & graue according to the mater , I doubt , said then M Mo●●●lo , if this Cour●yer speake with suche finenesse & grauity among vs , there wil be some that wil not vnderstand him . Nay , euery one shall vnderstand him , answered the Count for finenes hindreth not the easines of vnderstanding . Neither wil I haue him to speak alwaies in grauity , What he muste speake of . but of pleasant ma●ters , of mery conceits , of honest diuises , & of iestes according to the time , & in al notwithstanding after a pithy maner , & with redines & varietie without confusion , neither shall he in anye part show vanity or childish foly . And whan he shal then commune of a matter that is dark & hard , I wil haue him both in woordes and sentences wel pointed , to expresse his iudgement , and to make euery doubt clere and plain after a certaine diligent sort without tediousnesse . Likewise ( whan he shal see time ) to haue the vnderstanding to speake with dignitie and vehemency , To speake to raise a●f●●tyons . & to raise those affections which oure mindes haue in them , and to enflame or stirre them accordinge to the matter : sometime with a simplicitye of suche meekenesse of mynde , that a man woulde weene nature her self spake , to make them tender and ( as it wer ) dronken w●th sweetenesse : and with suche conueiaunce of ●asinesse , that whoso heareth him , maye conceyue a good oppinion of himselfe , and th●nke that he also with very litle a doe , mighte attaine to that perfection , but whan he commeth to the proofe shall finde himselfe farre wide . I would haue oure Courtyer to speake and write in the sort , and not onely choose gorgeous and fine woordes out of euery parte of Italye , but also I would iudge him woorthy praise to vse some of those termes bothe Frenche & Spanishe , whiche by oure custome haue bene admitted . Therfore it should not mislike me , Certaine termes out of the French & Spanishe , which ●ound not so wel in Englishe nor can be applyed t● oure phrase . fallyng so to purpose , to say , Vauntcourrour ▪ to saye , to acertain , to auenture ▪ to saye ▪ to p●rce through a body with talke , meaning thereby to vse a familiaritie wyth him , and to grope him to geat of him some perfect knoweledge : to saie , a royall gentleman , a nete man ●o be about a Prince , and suche other termes , so he maie thinke to be vnderstoode . Sometime I would haue him take certain woordes in an other significacion then that is proper to them , & wrasting them to his purpose ( as it were ) graffe them lyke a graffe of a tree in a more luckye stocke , Woordes i● an other sygnificacion . to make them more sightly and faire , and ( as it were ) draw the matters to the sense of the verye eyes , and ( as they saie ) make them felte wyth hande , for the delyte of him that heareth , or readeth . Neyther woulde I haue him to sticke to forge newe also , To forge new wordes and with newe figures of speache , deriuing them featly from the Latin● , as the Latins in olde tyme , deriued from the 〈◊〉 . In case then of suche learned men bothe of good witte and iudgement , as now a dayes may be piked out among vs , there were some that would bestow their trauail to write after the maner that we haue spoken of , in this tongue thinges worth the readinge , wee shoulde soone set it in good frame and flowinge with termes and good phrases , and so copious that a man might as well write in it as in anye other tongue : and thoughe it were not the meere auntient Tuscane tongue , yet shoulde it be the Italian tongue , commune , plentifull , & variable , and ( as it were ) like a delicious gardein ful of sundrie flowres and frutes . Neyther shoulde this be a newe matter : for of the foure tongues that were in vse amonge the Greeke writers , U. tunges of Gre●ce . pikinge out of euerye woorde , moodes and rules as they thought meete , they raysed therby an other , whiche was named the Commune tongue , and afterward all fyue they called with one name the Greeke tongue . And albeit the Athenian tongue was more fine , purer , & eloquenter then the rest , yet did not the good writers that were not of Athens borne , so affect it , but in the stile of writing , and ( as it were ) in the smack and propretie of their naturall speache they were welinough knowen : neither were they anye whit the lesse regarded for all that , but rather such as would appeere ouer mere Athenians wer blamed for it . Amonge the Latin writers in like case manye there were in their dayes much set bye that were no Romanes althoughe there appeared not in them that propre and peculiar purenesse of the Romane tongue , whiche menne of an other nation can verie seldome attaine . In times past T. Liuius was not neglected , T. Liuius . Uirgill . althoughe some one sayde he founde in him mere Padowan : Nor Virgil , for that he was reprehended that he spake not Romane . And ( as you know ) there were also read & much setbye in Roome manie writers of Barbarous nations . But we more precise a great deale then they of olde time , do binde our selues with certaine new lawes out of pourpose : and hauing the brode beaten waye beefore oure eyes , seeke through gappes to walke in vnknowen pathes . For in oure owne tounge● whose office is ( as all others ) to expresse well and clearlye the conceites of the minde , we delite in darkenesse , and callinge it the vulgar tounge , The vulgar tunge ought not to be dark will vse in it woordes , that are not onely not vnderstoode of the vulgar people , but also of the best sort of menne and that men of learninge , and are not vsed in any part , not regarding that all good wryters of olde time blamed such woordes as were refused of custome , the which you ( in my mind ) do not well knowe , for somuche as you say , if any vice of speache be taken vp of many ignorant parsons , it ought not to be called a custome nor receiued for a rule of speache . And ( as at other tymes I haue hard you say ) ye wil haue again in the stead of Capitolio , we should say Campidoglio : for Hieronymo , Girolam● : Aldace , Mere Tuscane writing of c●●taine wordes . for Audace : and for Patrone , padrone : & such corrupt & mangled wordes , because they haue bene founde so written by some ignorant Tuscane of olde time , and because the men of the Countr●y speak so in Tuscane now a dayes . The good vse of speache therefore I beleue ariseth of men that haue wytte , and with learninge and practise haue gotten a good iudgement , & with it consent and agree to receaue the woordes that they think good , which are knowen by a certaine naturall iudgement , & not by art or anye maner rule . Figures of speach , Abuse of grammer rules . Do you not knowe that figures of speach which giue suche grace and brightnesse to an Oration , are all the abuse of Grammer rules , but yet are receaued and confirmed by vse , because men are able to make no other reason but that they delite , and to the verye sence of our eares it appeareth they bringe a lief and a sweetenesse ? Good custome . And this beleaue I is good custome , which the Romanes , the Napolitans , Thinges good in euery ●unge . the Lombardes , & the rest are as apt to receaue , as the Tuscanes . Truth it is , in euerye tounge some thinges are alwayes good , as easinesse to be vnderstoode , a good ordre , varietie , piked sentences , clawses wel framed : and on the other side Affectation , & the other contrary to these are to be ●honned . But of woordes some there are that last a good tyme and afterwarde were stale & cleane lose their grace : other some take force and creepe into estimation , for as the seasones of the yeare make leaues and fruites to fal , and afterward garnish the trees a freshe with other : Euenso , doth time make those first wordes to fall , and vse maketh other to springe afreshe and giueth theim grace and estimation , vntill they in lyke sorte consumed by lytle and lytle with the enuyous biting of tyme come to their end , because at the last both we and whatsoeuer is oures , are mortall . Tunges decayed with time . Consider with your selues that we haue no more any knoweleage of the Osca tunge . The prouinciall tung , that ( a man may say ) the last day was renowmed of noble writers , now is it not vnderstoode of the inhabitantes of the countrey . I beleaue therefore ( as the L. Iulian hath said ) that wer Petrarca , and Boccaccio , at this present in lief , they would not vse many woordes that we see in their writinges . Therfore ( in mine opinion ) it is not well done to folow them therin . Yet do I muche commende them that can folowe that ought to be folowed : but notwithstanding I beleue it be possible ynough to write well without folowyng , and especiallye in this our tunge , wherin we may be helped by custome , the which I wyll not take vpon me in the Latin . Then Sir Friderick , why , wil you ( quoth he ) custom should be more appriced in the vulgar tunge , then in the Latin ? Nay , bothe in the one and the other ( answered the Count ) I iudge custome ought to be the maistresse . But forsomuche as those menne , vnto whom the Latin tunge was as proper , as is the vulgar tunge nowe to vs , are no more in the world , we must learne of their writinges that they learned by vse and custome : neyther doeth auncyent speach signifye any thing els but an auncyent custome of speach : Aun●ient speach auntient custome of speache . & it wer a fond matter to loue the auncient speach for nothing elles but to speake rather as men did speake , then as menne doe speake . Did not they then of olde time folowe , aunswered Sir Fridericke ? I beleaue , Olde writers did not imitate in all pointes . quoth the Counte , many did folowe , but not in euery point . An if Virgill had altogether folowed Hesiodus , he should not haue passed him nor Cicero Crassus , nor Ennius his predecessors . Behould Homer , who is so auntient that he is thought of many to be the first heroical Poet aswell of time , as also of excellencie of phrase : and whom wyll you haue him to haue folowed ? Some other , aunswered Sir Friderick , more auntient then he was , whiche we heare not of , by reason of tomuch antiquitie . Whom will you say then Petrarca and Boccaccio folowed , said the Count , whiche ( a man may say ) were but thre dayes agoo in the world ▪ I knowe not , answered Sir Fridericke , but it is to be thoughte they in lyke wise bent their minde to folowinge , thoughe wee knowe not of whom . The Count aunswered : a man maye beleaue that they that were folowed , were better then they that did folowe : and it were to great a wonder that their name and renowme ( if they were good ) should so soone be cleane lost . But I beleaue their verye maister was witt , and their owne naturall inclination and iudgement . A man may write well without imitation . And therat no man ought to wonder , for ( in a maner ) alwayes a manne by sundrye wayes may clime to the toppe of all perfection . And their is no matter , that hath not in it many thinges of like sorte vnlike the one to the other , which for al that among them selues deserue a like praise . Mark me musick , Musick . wherin are harmonies somtime of base soune and slowe , and otherwhile very quicke and of newe diuises , yet do they all recreat a man : but for sundrye causes , as a manne may perceiue in the maner of singinge that Bidon vseth , Sundry sortes of musike and all delite which is so artificiall , counninge , vehement , stirred , and suche sundrye melodies , that the spirites of the hearers moue al and are enflamed , and so listening a man would wene they were lifte vp in to heauen . And no lesse doeth our Marchetto Cara moue in his singinge , but with a more softe harmonye , that by a delectable waye and full of mourninge sweetnesse maketh tender and perceth the mind , and sweetly imprinteth in it a passion full of great delite . Sundrye thinges in lyke maner do equally please oure eyes somuche , that a man shall haue muche a do to iudge in whiche they most delite . Sundry peincters perfit in sundrie kinde of trades . Behould in peincting Leonard Vncio , Mantegna , Raphael , Michelangelo , George of Castelfranco : they are all most excellent dooers , yet are they in working vnlike , but in any of them a man wold not iudge that there wanted ought in his kind of trade : for euery one is knowen to be of most perfection after his maner . The like is of many Poets both Greeke and Latin , which being diuerse in writing are alike in praise . Oratours also haue alwaies had such a diuersitye emong them , as ( in a maner ) euerye age hath brought forth & set by one sort of Oratours peculiar for that time , which haue bene vnlike & disagreing not only to their predecessours and folowers but also emong themselues . Greeke oratours , As it is written emonge the Grecians , of Isocrates , Lysias , Eschines & many other , al excellent , but yet like vnto none sauing themselues . And emong the Latins , Carbo , Laelius , Scipio Affricanus , Galba , Sulpitius , Cotta , Graccus , Marcus Antonius , Crassus & so many , Latin oratours . that it should be long to repete them , all good and moste diuerse one from an other . So that whoso could consider all the Oratours that haue bene in the worlde , So manye oratours so many kindes of speach . he should finde so manye Oratours , so many kindes of speach . Me thynke I remember also that Cicero in a place bringeth in Marcus Antonius to say vnto Sulpitius that ther are many that folow no man , and yet clime they to a high degree of excellency . D● oratore lib. ● . And speaketh of certein that had brought vp a new stile & phrase of speaking faire , but not vsed of the Oratours of that time wherin they folowed none but themselues . Therfore he affirmeth also that maisters shoulde consider the nature of their scolers , and taking it for their guide , Lib. ii . direct & prompt them in the way that their witt and naturall inclination moueth them vnto . For this cause therfore Sir Fridericke do I beleue if a man haue not an inclination vnto some author whatsoeuer he be , it were not wel done to force him to folowing . Bicause the vertue of that disposicion of his , soone ●●inteth and is hindered , by reason that it is a stray out of the way in which he would haue profited , had he not bene stopped in it . I knowe not then how it will stande wel , in steade of enriching this tunge , and of geuyng it maiestye and light , to make it poore , sclender , bare and dark , and to seeke to shut it vp into so narrowe a rowme , that ●uerye man should be compelled to folow onely Petrarca & Boccaccio , & that we should not also in that tung , credit Laurence de Medicis , Francis Diaceto , and certein other that notwithstanding are Tuscanes , An errour to t●●●ate none but Boccaccio and Petrarca . and perhappes of no lesse learning and iudgement then Petrarca and Boccaccio . And truly it should be a great miserye to stoppe without wading any farther then almost the first that euer wrote : and to dispaire , that so many and so noble wittes shall neuer find out any mo then one good maner of speach in the tung that vnto them is proper & naturall . But now a dayes there be some so scrupulous , that ( as it were ) with a religion & high misteries of this th●ir Tuscane tung , put as manye as heareth ●hem in such dread , that they bring in like case many gentilmen and learned men into such an awe , that they dare not open their mouth : and confesse plainly , that they can not speak the tung which thei haue learned of their nurses , euen from their cradel . But in this point ( me think ) we haue spoken tomuch . Therfore let vs now procead in our communication of the Courtier . Then answered Sir Friderick : but first I will saye this lytle , whiche is that I denye not but the opinions and wittes of men are diuers emong themselues : neither doe I iudge it comelye for one that is vehement and quicke of nature to take in hand to write of soft and quiet matters . Nor yet for an other that is seuere and graue to write of mery conceits . For in this point ( me think ) it is reason euery man should apply him self to his own proper inclination , & of this I beleue spake Cicero , when he said that maisters should haue a consideration to the nature of their scholers , least they should doe like the yll husbandmanne , that sometime in a soyle that is good onely for vynes will sowe graine . But it wyll not sinke into my head why in a perticuler tunge , that is not so proper vnto all menne , as are discourses and con●eites , and many other operations , but an inuencion con●ained vnder certaine termes , a man may not with more reason folowe them that speake best , then speake at al auenture . And that , as in the Latin tunge a manne ought to apply himselfe to bee in the tunge lyke vnto Virgil and Cicero , rather then Silius ane Cornelius Tacitus , so in the vulgar tunge why it were not better to folowe the tunge of Petrarca and Boccac●io then any mannes els : and therin expresse well his owne conceites , and so applye himselfe as ( Cicero saith ) to his owne naturall inclination . And thus shall the difference whiche you saye is betwene the good Oratours , be found to consist in the senses and not in the tunge . Then the Count , I feare me ( quoth he ) we shall enter into a large sea , and leaue oure first purpose of the Courtyer . But I would knowe of you , wherin consisteth the goodnes of this tunge ? Sir Fridericke , aunswered : In keping well the propertie of it : & in taking i● in the significacion ( vsing the same stile & measur ) that al such haue done as haue written wel . I would know then , quoth the Count , whether this stile and measure which you speake of , Wherin consisteth the goodnesse of the tung . arise of the sentences or of the wordes ? Of the wordes , answered Sir Friderick . Do you not thinke then , quoth the Count , that the wordes of Silius and Cornelius Tacitus , are the very same that Virgil and Cicero vse ? and taken in the same signification ? Sir Fridericke aunswered : they are the very same in dede , but some yll applyed and dyuerslye taken . The Count aunswered : in case a manne shoulde pyke out of a booke of Cornelius and of Silius , al the woordes placed in other signification then is in Virgil and Cicero , ( whiche shoulde bee verye fewe ) woulde you not then saye that Cornelius in the tounge were equall with Cicero , and Silius with Virgil ? Then the L. Emilia , me thinke ( quoth shee ) thys youre dysputation hathe lasted to longe , and hathe been verye tedyouse , therefore it shall bee best to deferre it vntill an other tyme . Sir Fridericke , began still to make aunswere , Many talkers of imitat●●● . but the L. Emilia alwayes interrupted hym . At laste the Count saide : manye will iudge of styles and talke of numbers and measures , & of folowing , but they cannot doe me to vnderstande what maner a thinge stile and measure is , and wherin folowing consisteth : Nor why , thinges taken out of Homer or any other , are so well couched in Virgil , that they appeare rather amplyfied then folowed , and peraduenture the occation thereof is that I am not able to conceiue it . But because a great argument that a man vnderstandeth a thinge , is the vnderstanding that ●e hath to teach it , I feare me they themselues haue small vnderstanding in it , and praise Virgil and Cicero , because they heare them praised of many , not for that they knowe the difference betwene them and others , whiche out of peraduenture consisteth not in the obseruation of two , or three , or of tenne woordes vsed after a diuers maner from other . In Salust , in Cesar , in Varro , & in other good writers , there are founde some termes applyed otherwise then Cicero applyeth them , and both the one and the other doeth welinough . Bicause in so triflynge a matter the goodnesse and perfection of a tunge doeth not consiste as Demosthenes answered Eschines well that had taken him vp , demaundinge him of certaine woordes whiche he hadde vsed and yet were not auntient , Demosthenes aunswer to Eschines . what monsters or wonderous matters they were ? Wherat Demosthenes laughed , & answered him , that the fortunes of Grece depended not vpon them . Euen so would I passe full litle if a Tuscane should reprehende me for speaking rather Satisfatto , then Sodisfatto : and Honoreuole , Diuersitie of certain Tuscane wordes with the rest of Italy then Horreuole : and Causa , then Cagione & Populo , then Popolo , & such other matters . Then arose Sir Friderick vpon his feete and saide : I besech ye giue the hearing of these few woordes . The L. Emilia answered laughing : vppon my displeasure I forbid anye of you to talke any more in this matter , for I will haue you to breake it of vntill an other night . But you Count , proceade you in your communication of the Courtyer , and let vs see how good a memory you haue : for I beleue , if ye can knitt it agayne where you brake of , ye shall not do a litle . Madam , answered the Count , me think the thrid is broken in sunder , but if I be not deceyued , I trowe we saide that pestylent curiositie doth alwayes geue an il grace vnto al thinges : and contrarywise simplicity and Reckelesness a maruailous good grace . In commendation wherof and in dispraise of curiosity , many other thinges might be said , yet wil I alleage but one mo , and then haue done . All women generally haue a great desire to be , Women that peincte them selues to seme faire to men . and when they canne not be , at the least to appear beawtyfull . Therfore where nature in some part hath not done her deuoyr therin , they endeuour them selues to supply it with art . Of this ariseth the trymming of the face , with such studye and many times peines , the pilling of the browes and forehead , and the vsynge of all those maner wayes , and the abydyng of such lothsomenesse , as you women beleaue are kept● very secret from men , and yet do all men know them . The La. Constance Fregosa laughed at this , and said : you shoulde do much better to go forward in your communication , and declare how a man may attein a good grace , & speak of courtynge , then to discouer the faultes of women wythout purpose . Nay it is much to purpose , answered the Count , bicause these defaultes that I talke of take this grace from you : for they proceade of nothing els but of curiousnesse , wherby ye discouer openlye vnto euerye man the ouer great desire that ye haue to be beawtiful . Do you not marke howe much more grace is in a woman , that if she doth trim her self , doeth it so scacely & so litle , that whoso behouldeth her , standeth in doubt whether she be trimmed or no : then in an other so bedawbed , that a man woulde wene she had a viser on her face and dareth not laugh for making it chappe : nor at any tyme chaungeth her colour , but whan she apparayleth her self in the morninge , and all the rest of the daye standeth lyke an image of woodde without mouinge , shewinge her self onely in torche light , as craftye marchaundmen do their clothes in their darke lightes . Women that bestowe no payne in settinge out themselues . How much more then doeth a man delite in one , I meane not foule , that is manyfestlye s●ene she hath nothinge vppon her face , though she be not so white nor so red , but with her natural● coulour somewhat wan , sometime with blusshinge or through other chaunce dyed with a pure rednes , with her hear by happe out of order & ruffled , and with her simple and naturall gestures , without shewing her self to bestow diligence or study , to make her faire ? This is that not regarded purenes which best pleaseth the eyes and mindes of men , that stande alwayes in awe to be deceiued by art . White teath . Whyte teeth is a good sight in a woman , for sence they are not in so open sight as is the face , but most communly are hid , a man may think she bestoweth not so much laboure about them , to make them white , as she doeth in the face : yet who so shoulde laughe without cause purposly to show them , should discouer the art , & for all their faire whitenesse should appeare vnto all men to haue a very yll grace , Faire handes . as Egnatius in Catullius . The like is in the handes , which being delicate , smooth & faire , yf they be shewed bare at a tyme whan occasyon is to occupye them , and not of purpose to showe the beawtye of them , they leaue a verye great desire of themselues , and especiallye after they are couered wyth gloues agayne , for a manne would iudge that in puttynge them on againe she passeth not and lytle regardeth whether they be in sighte or no , Clenlye and precise in places sildome seene . and that they are so fayre rather by nature , then by anye studye or dilygence . Haue ye not hadde an eye otherwhyle , whan eyther in the stretes goynge to Churche , or in anye other place , or in sportyng , or by any other chaunce it happeneth that a woman lyfteth vp her clothes so high , that she sheweth her foote , and sometime a litle of her pretye legge vnwittinglye ? And seemeth shee not to you to haue a verye good grace , yf ye beholde her then with a certayne womanlye dysposition , cleanlye and precise , with her shooes of vellute , and her hose sittynge cleane to her legge ? Truely it deliteth me much , and I beleue all of you , for euerye manne supposeth that Preciseness in so secret a place and so sildom seen , to be vnto that woman rather natural & propre then forced , and that thereby she thinketh to gett her no commendation at all . In such sort is curiousenesse auoyded and couered , the which you maye nowe conceyue howe contrarye it is , and taketh awaye the grace of euerye operation and deede , aswell of the bodye as of the minde , The minde . whereof hitherto we haue spoken but litle , and yet ought it not to be omitted , for as the minde is muche more worthye then the bodye , so deserueth it also to bee better decked and polished . And howe that ought to be in oure Courtyer ( leauynge a parte the preceptes of so manye wyse Phylosophers that wryte in this matter and define the vertues of the minde , and so subtillye dyspute of the dignitye of them ) wee will expresse in fewe wordes , applyinge to our pourpose , that it is sufficient he be ( as they terme it commonlye ) an honest manne and welmeaning : for in this is comprehended the goodnesse , the wisdome , the manlynesse and the temperaunce of the mynde , and all other qualityes that belonge to so worthye a name . To applye a mans good will is profeting . And I recken hym onelye a true morall Phylosopher that wyll be good , and to that , he needeth fewe other preceptes then that will of his . And therefore saide Socrates well , that he thought his instructions hadde broughte foorth good fruite whan by them he hadde prouoked anye one to applye hys wyll to the knoweleage and learnynge of vertue . For they that are come to the pointe that they couette nothynge more then to be good , do easyly attayne the vnderstandynge of all that beelongeth thereto : therefore herein we wyll make no more a do . But besyde goodnesse , the true and principall ornament of the mynde in euerye manne ( I beeleaue ) are letters , although the Frenchmen know onelye the noblenesse of armes , The French menne make none accompte of learning . & passe for nothing beside : so that they do not onelye not sett by letters , but they rather abhorre them , and all learned men they count verie rascalles , and they think it a great vilany whan any one of them is called a clarke . Then aunswered the L. Iulian , you say very true , this errour in deede hath longe reigned among the frenchemen . But if Monseigneur de Angoulism haue so good luck that he may ( as men hope ) succede in the Croun , Francis .i. French king the glory of armes in Fraunce doeth not so florishe nor is had in suche estimation , as letters wil be , I beleaue . For it is not long sins I was in Fraunce , & saw this Prince in the Court there , who semed vnto me beside the handsomenesse of personne and beawty of visage , to haue in his countenance so great a maiestie , accompanyed neuerthelesse with a certayne louelye courteisy , that the realme of Fraunce should euer seeme vnto him a small matter . I vnderstoode afterward by many gentilmen both French and Italian , very much of the most noble condicions , of the greatnesse of courage , prowesse and liberalitie that was in him : and emonge other thinges , it was tolde me that he highly loued & esteamed letters , and had in verie great reputation all learned men , and blamed the Frenchemen themselues that their mindes were so farr wide from this profession , Uniuersitye of Paris . especially hauing at their doores so noble an vniuersitye as Paris is , where all the world resorteth . Then spake the Count : It is great wonder that in these tender yeres only by the prouocation of nature , contrary to the maner of the countrey he hath geuen himself to so good a way . And because subiectes folow alwaies the condicions of the higher powers , it is possible that it may come to passe ( as you say ) that the Frenchmen will yet esteeme letters to be of that dignity that they are in deed . The which ( if they wil geue ear ther to ) they may soone be perswaded , forsomuch as men ought to couet of nature nothing so much and that is more proper for them , Knowleage . then knowleage : which thing it wer a great folly to say or to holde opinion that it is not alwaies good . And in case I might commune with them , or with other that were of a contrarie opinion to me , I would do my diligence to show them , how much letters ( which vndoubtedlye haue bene graunted of God vnto men for a soueraigne gift ) are profytable and necessarye for our lief and estimation . Neyther should I want th examples of so many excellent capitaines of old time , which all ioyned the Ornament of letters , with the prowesse of armes . Howe the great Alexander esteamed Homer , Plutarck , in the life of Alexander . For ( as you know ) Alexander had Homer in such reuerence , that he laide his Ilias alwayes vnder his beddes head : and he applied diligentlye not these studies onely , but also the speculations of Philosophye vnder the discipline of Aristotle . Alcibiades encreased his good condicions and made them greater with letters , and with the instructions of Socrates . Alcibiades Socrates scholar Also what dyligence Cesar vsed in studye , those thinges which he hath so diuinely written him self , make triall . I. Cesar . It is said that Scipio Africanus caried alwayes in his hande the bookes of Xenophon , Scipio Africanus . wherein vnder the name of Cyrus he instructeth a perfect king . Paidia Xenophontis . I could recite vnto you Lucullus , Sylla , Pompeius , Brutus , and many other Romanes & Gretians , but I will do no more but make mencion of Hanibal , Hannibal learned . which being so excellent a captaine ( yet for all that of a fierce nature , and voide of all humanitye , an vntrue dealer , and a despiser of men and of the Gods ) had also understanding in letters , & the knowleage of the Greeke tunge . And if I be not deceiued ( I trowe ) I haue read in my time that he left a booke behind him of his owne makynge in the Greeke tunge . But this kynd of talke is more then nedeth , for I knowe all you vnderstand howe much the Frenchemen be deceiued in houlding opinion letters to do anye hurt to armes . G●orye . You knowe in great matters and auenturous in warres the true prouocation is glory : and whoso for lucres sake or for any other consideration taketh it in hand ( beside that he neuer doeth anye thynge woorthy prayse ) deserueth not the name of a gentleman , but is a most vile marchaunt . And euery man maye conceiue it to be the true glorye , that is stored vp in the holy treasure of letters , In letters the true glorye . excepte such vnlucky creatures as haue had no tast therof . What minde is so fainte , so bashefull and of so base a courage , that in reading the actes and greatnesse of Cesar , Alexander , Scipio , Hannibal , and so many other , is not incensed with a most feruent longing to be like them : Noble courages enflamed in readyng the actes of famous captaines . and doth not preferre the gitting of that perpetuall fame , before this rotten life that lasteth twoo dayes ? Which in despite of death maketh him lyue a greate deale more famous then before . But he that sauoureth not the sweetnesse of letters , cannot know how much is the greatnesse of glorye , which is a longe whyle preserued by them , The vnlearned knowe not glorye . and onely measureth it with the age of one or two men , for farther he beareth not in minde . Therfore can he not esteme this shorte glorye so much as he woulde do that , which ( in a maner ) is euerlastinge , yf by his ill happe he wer not barred from the knowleage of it . And not passing vpon it so much , reason perswadeth and a man may well beleaue he wyll neuer hasard hym self so much to come by it , Why the vnlearned seeke not to be famous . as he that knoweth it . I would not nowe some one of the contrarye parte shoulde alleage vnto me the contrarye effectes to confute mine opinion with all : Italians ●aint in armes . and tell me how the Italians with their knowleage of letters haue shewed small prowesse in armes from a certaine time hitherto , the which neuerthelesse is to true . But in very dede a man may well saye that the offence of a few , hath brought ( beside the great damage ) an euerlasting reproche vnto all other . And the very cause of our confusion , and of the neglecting of vertue in our mindes ( if it be not clean dead ) proceaded of them . But it were a more shamefull matter vnto vs to publishe it , then vnto the Frenchmen the ignoraunce in letters . Therfore it is better to passe that ouer with silence that cannot be rehersed without sorow , and leauing this purpose into the which I am entred against my will , The Courtier ought to be learned . retourne againe vnto oure Courtier , whom in letters I will haue to bee more then ●ndyfferentlye well seene , at the leaste in those studyes , which they call Humanitie ,