Of the office of servavntes a boke made in Latine by one Gilbertus Cognatus and newely Englyshed.

FOR AS MOCHE AS MOST MEN SVPpose it to skille litle , what waitinge men they take to seruice , or in what wyse they haue them , where as in my iudgemente , not the smalleste part of a mans good , or euyll hap , dependith on the seruant , I haue thoughte good to set fourthe this shorte treatise apon the same matier , whiche shall nat ( as I truste ) be vnfrutefull , bothe to the maisters , and them that serue also . And fyrst will I treate what choise is to be had in seruauntes . Then howe their ratches , and condicions shuld be tried , Thirdly of the office , and duety of seruantes towardes their maisters , and of theirs like wise towardes their men . For as towthynge the firste , seinge we chose owt a treinde , we chose owt a wife , nat vnskylfull howe pestilente a thynge a faygned freind , or an euyll manerde wife is , soo muste a seruaunt also be chosen , who if he chaunce good , auaileth greatly : if otherwise , is no meane hyndrance . For why , we reade of hole howses and families , that haue decayed , and ben subuerted through vntrusty seruauntes . Then muste this saide choise be hadde , aswel on the one partie , as thother , in as moche as all men agree nat with other so narowly , but that it commeth ofte to passe , what thynges alone by them selfes at well sittinge , yet the same put together may be vnfitly . So because there is great diuersitie of wittes amonges vs , you shal finde two men perhappes of lyke goodnes , and perfection , wherof neither maye away with other as towchinge howsholde feleship .

Further we must make our choise nat onely throughe our eyes , but our eares also , for our eyes conceiue a certaine gesse apon the fygure , and shape of the bodye , called by Grekes the phisenomy , sins Nature hath endewid mennes bodies with certaine markes , and tokens , wherby ( not●ing well ) ye may the sooner wite of a persones inwarde dispositions , as in some mans loke and aspect , there aperith a maner ferocite , or rudenes , with disceite sittinge in his browes , and wrath in al his countenance : and though the Gospel warneth vs to deme no man by his loke , yet is nat the gesse we conceiue apon the notes of a mans body by theis wourdes forbidden , for it speakith only of owt ward thynges : As if we iudge holynes in a man apon his pore and simple arraye , humilnes , for holdinge downe his heade , or hard liuinge , because he loked leane . But yet apon the bodily marckes , whiche either birth gaue , or haunte of vices hath induced , a wyse coniecturer may gather many thinges . Theise be naturall notes , or tokens , as when the eyes are ouer-bigge , or to inwardly hollowe , the mouthe straiete , the eybries either slopewise as a foxe hath , or els ioyning toguither , the voice great , or small . Besides theise maye ye also finde in a mans face bothe likelyhodes of accustomed drunkinnes , or an yrefull mode in him : but of this kinde of contecturinge albe it the great Aristotle disdaigned nat to make a booke , yet oughte we geue therto , neither none , ne to ●oche credite , & as the choise therin requireth quicke auisement , soo ought nat the same be ouermoche curious , lest els perhaps the bargaine sholde neuer kuytt betwixte them . But through our eares conceiue we a more assured iudgement . For as by our eyes we lerne bothe of th age , and helthines of the persone , or what euer tokens els that Nature hath apparently expressed in his forehed , and eyes : as of vnshamefastnes , fiersnes , amasednes , with suche like : So by our eares vnderstande we of his countrye , kinnesfolkes , bringing vppe , life afore ledde : toguither with the trustines of his seruice in case ere then he hath serued any body : yea of the selfe communication had with him may ye conceiue no smalle intellygence of his condicions , for thereby is a mans figure most perfectly inseene , accordinge to Socrates sentence . Who vnto a yonge man sent by his father to be seen and auewed of him , speake ( que he ) somewhat , wherby I may see the. Neither is it vnwittye that is tolde by Diogenes , who at a marte sitting to be sold for a slaue , when the broker bad him stand vp to shew hym selfe : what neadeth that ( que Diogenes ) for ar nat fishes solde also lieng ? meanynge by this that as fishes ar dom , nomore is a man keping his tounge , knowne thouroly , whether he stand , or sit downe . It is an euil signe when a seruaunt reaporteth lewdely by those whom before he dwelled with , or if his talke be vaine , lieng lowde without any chaunge of hewe . In this case surely not onely the goodnes of his nature must be considred , but also howe thinges may be appliable . for if they agree nat in effecte , they ne can long hang toguither . And so , whose nature is somedele yrous , he shuld chose him seruantes of a mylder moode : who so is godly disposed , let him take none but such as ar giuen to godlines , or easely may be induced to the same . Then let a courtier pike him out a man of courtlike fashons . And so must a merchaunt gette hym those that ar both gaining , and crafty . As touchynge this pourpose , the countreye where they were borne , importeth nat a litle . for seldome shal ye se a man of Sueuia or Silesia serue a Prouinsale , or Hollander : seldomer a Hispanierde coupled with an Almaigne , and yet shal one hispanierd serue an other liuing with skarce and sobre fode , euen pointe deuise , that and if the common report is beleuable , some of them get into seruice , to th ende that with their clene conueyaunce , and lyght fingring , they may furnishe out their masters also : the Italians ar more framed to al mens vsages , yet skant can they susteign any foraine maisters : but aboue al others the Frenchemen are moste seruisable .

¶ THVS hitherto hauing treated of the choise in seruauntes , resteth what proof belongeth to the same : And as vnto them that entre religion , is giuen one yere of probation , so thinke I it behouing for men to hire their seruauntes also vnder condition , that if after oone moneths assay th one likith nat thother , they may than breake of , which is indifferent to both parties : and then afterwardes for so longe , & so moche may the bargaine betwene them be more firmely renewed . Let no man sticke moch at his seruantes bluntnes in the begynning , in case he fynde him apt to be taught , and pliant . Concerning which , the firste assay ( as sayth the olde prouerbe is ) if he make a fyre handesomely : For of lesse wood wel couched shall a greater fyre arise , then of a bigger heape disordrely frusshed downe . For as with to moch pestringe the flame is choked , soo the same through due espace left betwen is quickely kendled through the aires helpe . Moreouer in other lyke seruyces it is a good token when a seruaunte of hym selfe forseeth many thynges , when beinge owght warned , he thynketh theron , and of his owne reason dothe gather , what is further there vnto belonging . But of his talke ( as I aforesaide ) is the surest coniecture taken , howe he is enclined . He semeth well to be of an honeste courage , who beinge admonyshed of his fault , doth blushe therat , and liketh naught him selfe therin : and then againe reioyseth , heryng his duety well done to be commended of his maister , or if he be gladde of his maisters presence , louing , whom he knoweth for his maisters well wyllers , and hatynge , whome he knoweth do mynde , or speake the contrarye . Suppose nat that seruaunt to be trustye , who either is abandoned to thine ennemies , or ( that worse is ) to thy faigned frendes . Some men for the nonis leaue abrode money ( as who saith ) rechleslye , for profe if their seruauntes be limefingred , whiche if it be well done , I reporte me : for that in my mynde , maketh nat soo moche to serche owte , as to teache theyr seruantes theft , namely moued with suche a stale , whiche oftentimes entiseth the vprightest , them of their blabbynge in this wise maye ye be instructed , in telling them some tri full apon ernest charge nat to disclose the same , and then do suborne some one , who maye baite them to vtter it , that in case they blabbe it fourth , it skilleth you litle , and if they be hushte , ye maye well in a greatter matter truste them . Plutarche reherseth a propre count by a certaine senatour , who when his wyfe styll enquired of hym what was done in the senate howse ( as the report went howe some waighty matiers were there as then debated ) seing she neuer left boking , I shall tell the ( que he ) in cace thou canste holde thy peace , Tushe , a stone shall sooner vtter it . There was an Egle ( que he ) seen flie ouer the Citie , beinge gyrte with a two-hande sworde , and therfore take the Senatours aduyse , what is ment by this wonder ? for it shuld seme to pretend some gret myshap vnto our citie . Now what became hereof ? Forsouth , ere euer the husbande could attein vnto the mercate stede , he founde all the commens there redy assembled deuysyng of this foresaid wonder , and there vnto the hole Senate , that meruayled moch at the peoples so sodaine assemble , dyd this Senatour reherse this tale apon his wifes goodly silence .

¶ AND hitherto hauinge treated what proofe men shold make apon their seruauntes , I shall thurdely speake of bothe their offyces and dueties interchaungeably . wherof the chiefe pointe is , that either haue a well willing mynde towardes thother , Thone to deserue , tho ther to rewarde . For the good wil is that , that supplieth a gret deale in soch offices . Then that from the begynninge eyther so maye beare with other , tyll at laste apon further acquaintance in manners , a faster frendship may knit betwixe them : for amonges many , soch frendshyp is disioigned , before th one can knowe thother thouroly . And then againe , many at the furste ar mysliked , who , better assaied , may content you well ynoughe . Therfore on th one part , auaileth the masters ientilnes , and ( as who saith ) winking at smal faultes . On thother the seruauntes willingnes to fulfill all his maisters hestes . In many , some light tatches do reign , but soch as with as many vertues ar recompensed again . As if a man be hastye , but yet soone cawlmed , but at neade a faithfull freinde .

So fareth it by a seruaunt , peraduenture hault mynded . Who natheles by a soft meats may be refourmed , the same being both trusty , and at all assayes right profytable . And some there be again dut witted , yet if ye enioigne them ought they wyll geue good eare , with no lesse dilygence to the same . It behoueth a master to interteigne his seruantes betwene both : that neither his sternes maye withdrawe their good hertes , nor yet his to moch softnes moue them to wantonnes . Nomore shulde their couraige with to moche chiding or reuilinge be sharpened : but rather with good intreaty be made bounden vnto him , soo that nexte vnto his wief , and children , shulde the seruauntes in his howse be cheryshed . he oweth them their fode and clothing , nat ouer daintie , but rather as neade requireth , and they again owe vnto their master , good and true seruice . Wherapon they ar called megnial , & chargetakers , because they perteign to howshold and ought to tend well their maysters busines . For and if that prouerbe is wourthly blamed , As many slaues so many ennemies . ( Natheles euen amonges soche slaues , there haue some ben , who in theyr lordes defence haue litle estemed their owne liefes ) . Howe moch the more then maye we conceiue soche truste apon our seruauntes ? And yet all slaues were nat soche as in Comedies they ar set fourthe .

Therence in his comedie named , Adelphos , setteth fourth an example of one only slaue to be wel condicioned : and that was poore Geta , slaue also vnto a pore wydowe . In an other of his comedies entyled Hecyra , he faigneth Parmeno slaue vnto Pamphilus to be somdeale geuin to vices , and a verye drawlatche , both inquisitiue , and a blabbet fourthe of thinges tolde vnto him . Whiche two faultes are of lyke kynde , and yet soch as most men haue an espece of . Therfore vnles they many wayes be approued , I reke it no wisedome in trustinge eany seruauntes with secretes , where as the greater nede constreignith nat . no more then chyldern , or wiefes , in as moch as nothyng is more harde , then counseil kepinge , and though a seruaunte be trusty , yet is a mans mind changable , yea and by priuey whisterers may he sone be corrupted . For such a kinde of men is there , the moste malicious and reprouable that can be deuised , whose chief delighte is to sowe discorde atwixe the seruantes , and their maisters , who where in deade they ne can well gouerne their owne meigny , yet take they apon them the rule of others . Forgetting this verse of Homere , nat without cause so moche praysed . Men , that haue praignant policies knowne In others ne adis , but naught in their owne .

The ciuile lawe graunteth action againste them that corrupte a mans slaue , or bondeman , and I thinke the selfe same case may stand in a seruaunte also corrupted . for what so euer he doth amis in , they ar to wite that entised him thervnto . It is an honest mans parte to exhorte others seruauntes to their dueties doing , and when strife falleth betwene them and their maysters , to set them ( as moche as in him lieth ) at agrement . But those wyked tounges that go aboute to disseuer seruauntes from their hyrers , ar wourthy being hanged vp in the chimney roofe to be parched dry with smoke . Moreouer as it cometh of ientilnes to remit lighte faultes , soo if you finde your seruauntes gyltie of eany greater offences , as of theft , adultery , malicious slaundre , or accusement reysed apon eany person , then would I aduise you withoute longe chyding straight to dismisse him . And because seruantes throughe continuall abode , and practise in howse with their maisters , muste neades haue some intellygence of his affayres , This gifte therfore would I chiefely wisshe in them , neyther to harken moche what is doone abrode , nor yet to spread fourth thinges doone at home . Whiche were better vntolde , namely soche as at meales were perhappes spoken vndre the frankeste fashon . For nothinge can be more knauyshe then soche , as ( accordinge to Geta his guise in Therence ) when so theyr master hauing shut the dore to him is in secrete communication with some freinde of his , then holdyng their breathe , laye care vnto locke hole , or note well if eany wourde , perhaps in drynke eskaped hym , whiche strayght they reaporte to them by whom the same was spoken , so tellinge that for ernest , whiche myght be ment but in iest , yea and that with some addicions of theyr owne makinge . Wourthely is that slaue commended , who when his mayster at supper , throughe drunkinnes , hadde vttred certaine wourdes of treason against th emperour Augustus Cesar , the nexte mornyng aduised hym therof , and that ere reaport of the same might throughe his accusers come to Cesars eares , he shulde goo and axe his pardone at hym . Wherapon Cesar nat alonely forgaue the mai ster , but also moued him to enfranchise his so faythefull a slaue , geuing to the same of his owne reuenues a certayne stipend to liue on . A seruaunte that bryngeth many newis into his masters house , may we well suppose will cary owte as many . Some men make but smal counte of surfeites or drunkynnes in their seruauntes , as thoughe the same were a fault more wourthye of lawghter , then displeasure . Whiche in deade , myght partely be borne with , ne were nat the same a trayner of soo huge a heape of vyces folowynge , When therby seruauntes become lyther , vnstanche of tounge , brawlers , fyghters , yea and commenly fulfylled with diseases , so likewyse is horehaunt by som men litle passed of . But yet thereby seruauntes get the frenche euyl , and deale the same amonges their masters childern and hole familie , infectinge oftetymes bothe maister , and maistres , maye the same then be counted a light fault in them ? Naye verely . And albeit to be amourus , as ferfourth as the law againsaith nat , may somwhat be permitted in younge folkes . yet certes soche louinge causeth moch inconuenience : when thereby seruantes after vndue meanes make shifte to furnishe their crauynge lemans with gay giftes , and them selfes also with gay appareil . But of all others , those are the shamefulleste that defyle the selfe howse they dwel in with their lechery , & vncleaner then the burdes ar , doo beray theyr owne nestes . Speadines in a seruaunte is moche commended by the wise Salomon . Hast thou seen ( saith he ) a man that spedely dispatcheth his busines ? he shal waite before princis , and shal nat lowte to meane men . Then blameth he as moche eany stouthefull dolt , that foldinge his armes toguither , ydleth fourth the tyme , or beinge sente on an errante fyndeth many barres in the same with colpropheting , as , a lion is in the way , a beare haunteth such a wood , It is lyke to be fowle wether . so is he nat sent fourthe , but rather thruste owte by the shoulders . Then shal he houer by the waye apon euerye lyght occasion , staieng hym self euen for the nonis , lest if he returne the shortlier , he maye straighte be put to a newe taske . But yet the others speadines auayleth nat soo moch , vnles an auised considrance be ioigned therto : els , were it better to do no whit , then to frame a thynge vntowardly , but a certaine ware deliuernes in al thinges chifly becommeth eany seruyng man , for to moch rest , is a brodgate vnto vices , namely in young men , who for their small practise wote litle howe to gouerne them selfes accordynge to lerned mens repose in studieng . Then , as it is a kynde parte in a master , nat to burthen his seruantes ouermoche , so oughte he also take kepe , that hauing somwhat aye in hande , they do spende their time in some fruict , yea rather shuld he put them to vnneadfull workes , then that slowthes rust myght byte apon them . For as th emperour Helioga balus was wont to set his men to taske in this wise , commanding one within soch espace to catche him so many . M. flies , an other so many . M. spiders , & so forth , to th end that beynge pestred with this busynes , they ne myght do accordinge to others seruantes vsages , who take apon them to haue an oyer in their maisters publike offices , oftetimes vndre that pretence , selling winde vnto suters . albeit this was but a fonde deuise of Heliogabalus , yet may the same be aplied to our exemple . Pamphilus ( as Therence in Hecyra expresseth ) sendith away his slaue Parmeno to the hauen side , apon a faigned messaige , lest being ( as in deade he was ) bothe inquisitiue , & a blabbe also , he might haue an incling in matiers of priuitie mete to be concelid . I haue knowne also som men cause their seruantes write some thing of smal purpose , suppo sing it better for than to do a thig net ther here , ne there , than that through idlenes they shuld intend to worse occupations . Lowlynes is a fayre thinge in a seruaunt , for ye shall see some choplogikes , who skante wyl forbeare their owne maisters . Th emperour Hadrianus is moch commended for that he warned a slaue of his goinge amides two senatours , to remembre his owne degree and condition . But nowe a dayes a seruaunt , if his maister be but of a meane estate , wyll little esteme him , nat so moche regarding how great wages , as of how great a man he receiueth the same . That although this mean maister do no wourse feade , and clothe him , yea and better tendeth his bryngynge vp , then doth that great lorde , yet vnder his wynge liftes he vp his hornes , vnder thother semith he no thinge well apaied with him selfe . So a seruantes pride reboundeth . oftetimes to his maisters reproch .

Moreouer somme there be that grudge to do ought , because they haue of their owne to lyue with , or for their wourshipful stockes sake . But what maketh that to their masters , who bestowe no lesse coste apon them , then if they were taken vp by the highe waye . Let no man therfore counte so moche apon his degree at home , as of that rowme in seruice , whiche willingely he betaketh him self vnto . It is an euil custome vsed amonges many nations , inespeciall amonges Anglishemen , to keape abowte them for a shew only , a superfluous nombre of waytynge men , thinkynge them selfes therby the more wourshipfull , the greater traine that foloweth them . But ( lorde ) what a bande shal that be of tryfling truantes , both doltishe , drunkin , and eke piking . And therfore may Uirgilles verse well be verefyed , What shal the maisters do at last ? when seruantes bribe , and steale so fast ?

For who so hath many seruantes , must neades haue some vnthrifty , then one onely is inough to marre the hole flocke . To this I harde it ones saide by a freind of myne merely conceited , He that hath but one man , hath some man , he that hath two , hath haulf a one : but he that hath thre , hath neuer a oone . For then if oughte be mysdone , th one wyl twyte the fault in the other . If ought be nat done , eche wyll saye he thought his fellowe had goone about it . Iulianus th emperour is moche commended , for that he after the empresse his wiefes deceas , clerely dispatched his howse of all soche as were to be spared , whiche beinge but an vnneadefull encombraunce , yet for her womanishe fantesies sake , by her liefe dayes he mainteygned . And therefore as a wise man bieth howsehold stuf , rather to serue him selfe , then to fead others eyes , so a great deale sooner ought vnnecessary meigny be put away , who ar nothing els but con sumers of vitailes , as Homer calleth them . Princis courtes ar moche pestred with this euyll , but nat therewith onely , sithens Ambicion maye hardly there be barred forth . Here I remembre a certayne mad tale , fondely brought fourthe , but yet that serueth to this pourpose . A certaine good bludd had encroched him selfe into the meigny of a bushope in Poleland , althoughe his name were neuer entred in the checkroll . whiche parte nat withstandinge , no man yet controlled him , that nacion beinge liberall ynoughe to depart with meate and drynke . But when tyme came for al the seruauntes to be payed theyr wages , he also throust in amonges them , wherat when the reste repyned , aduertising the bushop howe the same was none of his retinew , The bushoppe called him fourth , and all to ratinge him , axed howe he durste be so bolde to demaunde wages , beinge neuer admitted of howsholde ? I haue doone you syr ( que he ) nowe a fewe monthes past , soch seruice as other your men do . Howe so ( que the bushop ? ) mary eaten your meate , and drunke your dryncke , with which aunswere the bushop beinge sturred to laughter sayde he had good skylle , and soo commaunded hym to be waged .

Nat seldome the waywarde disposition of a maister is in cause that fewe canne abyde in howse with him . That and if soche are wourthely noted , as vse their slaues or bondemen ( cost they neuer so litle ) no better then bearinge beastes , sithens they ar men as we be , howe moch them more deserue they blame , that vse their seruauntes after like rate , being freemen , and but apon a condicion onely apprentised vnto vs ? Adde herevnto , that amonges christen men there ought a greater respecte of humanitie be had in all intentes . For we all be seruantes vnder one maister , and as touchinge those thynges wherein veraye felicitie chiefely consisteth , the lowest ar on euin bourde with the highest . Let a maister therefore considre with him selfe , thus : what euer good tourne I do him , I do it as for my brother , he being a membre of the selfe same body I am of , and therby shal I merite of Christ him selfe . Thus then ought a seruant to repute againe : What euer seruice I do vnto him , the same do I vnto Christe , who byddeth vs with all our good hertes to obeye our maisters , and wyll therefore him selfe rewarde vs , be they neuer so vnientill . But nowe some seme to make it tough , in that they shuld become seruantes to others , settinge fourth what hiegh seruice they do , and thereby thyncke them seluis moch beholden vnto , in that they daigne to be obeysant , as who saith they bare in many poynctes with their maysters . But then againe they considre nat , howe this ministration is egally delt betwen them . For as to smaller pourposes the seruaunte endeuorith hym selfe towardes his maister , soo he againe in greter matters doth his parte no lesse , Findinge him bothe howserome , fode , and clothing , kepinge him from vnthrifty company , bringinge him vppe as well in sundry craftes , as also in lernyng , and good manners , yea and with an easy bytte refraigninge his pliant courage , and slydinge youthe , which els suffred to ronne at large wolde stomble apon all vnhappynes . That admitte it were so wretched a thyng to lyue in awe , ar nat lordes and princis sonnes then also wretched ? But howe goodly a thynge is it ( I praye you ) for a seruaunte to lyue vnder great , wise , and lerned men , when therby ( and that without coste , or trauaile ) he attaineth knowleage in many thinges , and also endeweth hym selfe both with wisedome , sobrenes , curtesy , and manerly fashons . That and if eany mishappe chaunce vnto the seruaunt , as by slaunder or violence done apon hym , who but the master is ready to support him , if he fall in eany greuous malady , what thought ( trow ye ) wyll a louinge maister conceiue for his recouerey ? And yet is this in him reputed as no seruice , where as thother for caryenge in a dysshe vnto the table , or geuynge a pissepot , fareth as he serued all the worlde . Then nat seeldome a maister is driuen to beare with his mans condicions , more than he wyll daigne to suffre in his againe , and that commeth of a more considrance in th one then thother . Adde hereto , that to be daunted vnder a sterne , or waywarde maisters rule , auaileth ofte to tame a wylde harebraine , in teachinge hym more attemperatenes . This the common sort of seruauntes neuer calleth to remembrance , Onely bearynge in mynde : Thus longe haue I serued , and for thus small wages yearely . Nay thenne should they further recken : Thus longe , haue I been mewed from euyl hauntes , hitherto , haue I ben well entreated , with howserome , meate , and dryneke , this whyle , haue I conuersed with honest company , I haue seen mens customes abrode , I haue gotten me reputation amonges good men , I haue shifted of my rude , and goffishe manners . Theise causes moue the richest oftetymes , to putte fourthe their beste beloued chuldern in to straunge countreys , to th end they myghte be broken , yea and that of their owne expences . Many do coueit after reste , and libertie , where as nothynge aboue th one , may be more infectiue , specially in younge folkes , and then thother ne maye so sone be called freedome , as a certaine licenciousnes , or leude libertie , the veray wellspringe of al foly , to ronne at randon hither , and thyther , through the wyde worlde perteygninge to no body . Whiche inconuenience now a dayes vndre title of religion is verye breme amonges vs . The worlde is full of vagabondes , and neadye folkes , who neyther wyl labour , ne abide with eany man , ne yet be bounde in eany couenaunte . and what do they then ? Forsoth they begge almes , and entendinge to lyue in ydelnes vncontrolled , they become skolars : then what do they lerne ? tenne wourdes of latine , with as many of greeke , and hebrewe , by rote , but those disciplines for whiche the tounges were furst ordeigned , do they neuer apply them selfes vnto , as phisike , a study very mete for our bodely healthe , or els the lawe ciuile , whereby commen weales ar gouerned , nor yet the lawe canon , or theologie , whiche chiefly is our soules leache , ( And yet I meane nat this by all in generall , but by a certayne onely , of whome ( wolde god ) the nombre were skarcer . ) So that this is nat the lybertie of the spirite , ( as they call it ) ne yet of faythe or charitie , taughte in the Godspell , whiche freely and for no gaine ment abandonith it self apon others neades , and stirreth all men to be the riper towardes their owne offices . How be it their pietie , and tendrenesse ought nat to be reiected . who with some socoure do relieue soche as ar dryuen to wandre fourthe of their cuntreis , or otherwise ar fallen in to pouertie . and yet ( in myne aduise ) shulde they do bettre , in inducynge soch yonge , and strong lubbers , to betake them to an occupation , so with som seruice and work doinge , to erne their fynding . For els wyll al men by their good willes , cleaue vnto ydlenes , and bealycheare skottefree . But ( alas ) to what steade in a commen wealthe may soch a frothe , or rablement of raskals serue ? in case they swarme ouermoche abrode ? Thus wyll I stint here ( wourshipful Mecenas ) further to dilate of th office of a seruaunt , addinge onely for a conclusion and knot of all toguither , the image or portraiture of a good seruaunt , accordinge as the frenche men haue the same paincted in their howses , and that in this wyse .

Furste shoulde he haue a skarlette bonet apon his heade , with a faire shurte on his backe , but in steade of a nose , they make him a hogges snowte , with asse eares , and hertes feate , holdinge vp his right hande stretched fourth , and apon his left shoulder bering a cowlestaffe with two pailes of water , one before , an other behinde . Last then , holding in his lefte hande a shouell full of quicke coles , signifienge by theise deuises , as towchinge the fayre cappe , and shurte , howe a seruant go netely apparellyd . by the hogges snowte was mente , he sholde nat be lykerous , or ouerdayntie mowthed , but content with al meates . the asse eares pretended , that he also should haue pacient earis , in suffrynge what euer his maister should roughly say vnto him . So lyke wyse his hande holden vppe warned him of vprightnes , in handlynge his maisters goodes . The hertes fete betokenid quykenes in dispatchinge lightly what euer he went abowt , and so by the two pailes , and the fyre was vnderstode both deftenes , and good conueyaunce in bringinge many thinges at ones to passe . This moche , at this tyme , came to my mynde to write of , as touchynge the choise we sholde take in seruauntes , and then what proof is to be made apon them , toguither with their offices set fourth accordyngly . Albeit apon this matier there might a greate deale more be enlarged .

DIXI .