COnsidering for what , and against whome I am to speake in your presence , I haue great occasion to feare , and withal to request , that credit and fauour shoulde haue no more meanes , to blemish and obscure truth on your partes ; then may innocencie and simplicitie on my behalfe , by bringing and conducting ye into the apparant light ; For minding to commend such things , as are blamed and hated by most part of men , it will be almost impossible for me to escape displeasure in the matters themselues , which of each one , and at all times haue beene loued , esteemed and cherished aboued all other things . But one thing that heerin giueth me some comfort , is , that among the wise and vertuous , the number whereof are dailye without comparison farre lesse ( albeit much more esteemed ) then the bad and ignorant ; I shall escape vnblamed . Wherefore I need not be dismaied , if I find few protectors and friends , for praising matters so good and honest , when my aduersarie findeth greater aduantage , for extolling such things as are euill and pernitious .

Nowe because the principall point of my cause , consisteth in letting ye vnderstand , the estate and valew of such matters , as I stand for : I desire ye to wish him , who would turne ye from the knowledge heerof ( as pretending not to know , that the well skilde in letters , haue ( for the most part ) been poore and needie persons : ) To cal to memorie the life of Valerius Publicola , Menenius Agrippa , as also the good Aristi●es , who died all so poore , as they were faine by almes to be buried . Hee may remember likewise , Epaminondas king of Thebes , in whose rich houses & Pallaces ( after so many faire victories and noble deedes of armes by him perfourmed ) was found but one poore straw-bed or base mattresse , for to put in his Inuentory . He may bee mindfull also of Paulus Aemillius , Attillius Regulus , Quintus Cincinnatus , Cato Elius and Marcus Manlius : whose noble hartes were more commanded by want ; then the height of worldly fortunes . And who knowes not , that loue of pouertie had such power ouer the good Abdolominus , that to be ruled thereby , hee refused the most riche and abounding kingdome of Sydonia , he being elected by the people of the Countrey , to be gouernor thereof ?

Heerein appeareth sufficiently , the great number of molestations and trauailes , hidden vnder the vaine splendor of riches , and the aboundance of honours hidden in the beautiful bosome of pouertie : honors well knowne and vnderstood by the Poet Anacreon , to whom it happened , that hauing been two whole nights togither without any rest , troubled with continuall deuisings , how he might keepe from theeues , and imploy the fiue talents of golde which Polycrates had giuen him : at length , to deliuer himselfe from this perpetuall molestation , and returne to his former happinesse , he brought backe the faire Talentes to the Tyrant , with such wordes as one of his sorte might very well vse , and notwithstanding hee was poore and indigent , yet he refused those thinges so highly accounted on . It is certaine , that hee whoe hath alwaies liued poor in this world , hath no greefe or sorrowe when he departeth from it : for it is to bee considered , that hee leaueth this earthlie life more contented and ioyfullie , then he that by the meanes of riches , hath therin endured long time of pleasure .

As for my selfe , I neuer saw one that was poore indeed , who at his death desired to be better stored . O chaste and humble pouertie , wheron , as on a most firme rocke , was builded ( of olde ) the Churche of God ▪ Pouertie , architectrix of great citties & towns : inuentresse of all Artes and faire sciences , alone without any fault or reproch : Triumphant in very great excellence , and worthy of all honour and commendation . By thee was the Philosopher Plato esteemed so deuine : Socrates so wise , and good Homer so eloquent . By thy meanes was erected the Empire of the great Romaine people , and to be briefe ; how much for other things thou art to be loued singularlie : yet for this one respect art thou highlie to be praised , because apparantlie thou makest knowne , who ( among friends ) are the feigned and counterfeit . Wherfore I say , that such as forsake and reiect thee , ought to be shunned as a sauage beast , & chased from euery one : considering that in refusing thee , he repulseth the mistresse of all goods , & excellence of the spirit of man .

That this is true , howe many persons haue beene seene ( by the meanes of honest want ) to be brought to all modesty , humility , chastitie , prouidence , and lastlie to ioy in that , which false phylosophy , by long time and continuall studie , could hardly at any time bring to memorie . If mine oath might vrge ye to beleefe , I durst affirme before ye , that I haue seen some in their worldly felicities , more furious , than euer was Orestes , more proud , then Athamantis , more voluptuous & libidinous then Verres or Clodius : who soone after by some inconueniences being brought to pouerty , became in one instant chast , courteous and so debonaire , as not so much as the very shadow of their bodies , but appeered to be affable and gratious . And neuer did so much the gainesaiers of this vertue , no not in the honesties of morall philosophy , for it is a thing very certaine , that shee could neuer performe like worthy deedes , as our good pouertie hath doone ; I beseech ye consider , what a mistresse in her house she hath alwaies beene , to forbid , that ( where she soiourneth ) sloth , prodigalitie , gouttinesse , luxurie , with such like mishapen and detestable matrones should haue any harbour . Whersoeuer she sheweth her selfe , it behoueth pride to bee gone with all diligence ; neuer must enuy haue any place there , such trumperies and abuses she scattereth from her abroades .

But may it please ye to vnderstand ( Gentlemen ) whereon they so much affected to riches and couetousnesse of money , doe ground themselues , which in all seasons hath beene held for the greatest ruine and destruction of men . They say , that such is the inclination of our spirit . I would demand of them , what societie haue the spirits of men , being of their owne nature diuine and celestial , with earthly superfluities , because nothing else is gold or siluer , then the very excrement of the earth ? where finde they , that any one of them who were highly wise , would euer place riches in the number of those thinges , that truely ought to bee called goods ? Vnhappy thornes , which brings ye such greefe in the gathering , which with so many warme teares , and ouer-bitter sighs , ye leaue lost and dissipated : and with such paines and anguishes , ye cause to be guarded and tended .

Seneca , an author of great reputation , saide : That the man is greatly to be commended , whoe prizeth earthen vessels as much as if they were of siluer : but much more praise deserueth he , that esteemeth vesselles of golde or siluer no more then if they were of earth . So in truth , if we consider well the condition of these so highly beloued riches , we shall find them naturally to be such ; as in dispending or employing them , they cause nothing else but trouble and torment . And thinking to keepe them safe and sure vnder key , neuer the more easie benefite is receiued thereby : but oppressions of such care , as we cannot but repute our selues simple subiects , and seruants to them . For this it is , that our God , of infinite wisdom and bountie , calleth the poore most blessed : & who euer gaue so much fauor to pouertie as he ? in imitation of whom , many ( I thinke by him inspired ) haue buried their goods , fearing least themselues shoulde be buried in them .

And brieflye to discouer the pleasure of these riches . If we desire them , to haue a sumptuous stable of horses , double and single , Courtals , ambling and trotting Geldings , Iennets , Hungarian , Barbarian , Turkish , and other horsses of excellence : let vs consider , that the horsse by nature is a fantasticall beaste , night and day eating the goods of his maister , yet for all that neuer satisfied ; a lofty and a couragious beast , bread and nourished vppe for warre , to whom somtimes their needes but a wispe of strawe , to affright him with a shadow , which endagers the ouerthrow of his maister . A beast , that oft times will not obey the bridle or the spurre , and without the meanes of well ordering and managing , will fall into a thousand bogges or quag-mires . How many daungerous alarmes , and spoile of Countries ( caused by the vnhappie incursions of the Gotthique , Vandalian , Hunnes , & Danish horses ) haue the noble kingdoms of France , Italie and Spaine receiued : whoe but for this helpe , had neuer beene enterprized vppon by those barbarous Nations ? What damage yeerely doe the poste horses , not only to riders for offices and benefices : but likewise to Princes and Lords , who somtime ( for their pleasure ) desire to winne ground in hast ? I neuer looke on them , that so boldly place their affection in horses ; and who without any reasonable cause , so affect and keepe them , but I say to my selfe : betweene him that loueth , and the thing beloued , it behoueth there should be some similitude and resemblance , otherwise such an appetite should neuer bee ingendred , nor could these two so well agree togyther . Seeing then that rich men are so immesureably affected to their horsses , as they can thinke on no other pastimes in the world , but to send to buy them at Naples , in Turkie , in Almaigne and Spaine : it must needes be esteemed , that they holde some disposition agreeing with the horsses , participating with some strange and brutishe nature . And not to be silent in other discommodities which horsses bringeth , as well in the field as the Citty : first of all , if they trot , they will breake their reynes : and if they amble , they are ready to stumble and fall , hazarding thy ouerthrow , or perishing some member of thy body . Beside , this , as saith the great Alfirtocus , and many good Authors of Escuyrie : the horsse is subiect to more diseases then a man . So let me leaue ye , to bethinke on such other greefes and vexations , which horsses daily bring vnto ye .

If we see into the pleasure of the rich , concerning the beawtie of their Cabinets , garnished ( amonge other iewels ) with pointed diamonds , Rubies , Topazses , Emeraldes , or other beautifull stones : wee may at this day perceiue by proofe , that the price and valew of pretious stones , consisteth only in the affection of very wealthy persons , or in the smooth language of the abusers that sell them , the reputation and esteem of them , being subiect to the incertitude and variety of opinions . That it is so , the Agath which now is of so slender prize , was of olde had in great reputation with Pyrrhus , who kept one as most deere and pretious . The Saphire , because it resembled the faire colour of Heauen , was wont to bee in very high account : nowe it is of little esteeme , and helde as a slender iewell . The Diamond was neuer by our elders greatly prized : now ye see howe it is reckoned and valued . The Topaze was in good credit with Ladies , but now at this present ( for what occasion I know not ) it is reputed the simplest iewell one can weare . And who knowes not in what dignitie the Emerald should be ? Now ye see how it lies complaining on Fortune ,

Thou wilt tell me , that it were good for one to be rich , that he may bee decked in faire and sumptuous garments , finely cut and framed after diuers fashions . Thou art very sottish and simple if thou perceiuest not , that such braueries bring thee perpetuall sollytude and molestation ; for hauing gotten garmentes of these sorts , thou must so often rubbe , wipe , brush , fold , vnfolde , alter , amend , ayre , and such like quallitie else beside , to keepe them from spots & moaths , wherein thou maiest apparantly note and expresse deepe vanity , that thou wilt couer thy body , which is made of nothing but dirt and slime , with purple , silke , gold , and other curiosities .

Some good drinker , would desire money , to see his sellers full of the best and most delicate wines , as of Balme , Arbois , wine of Orleance , Rosetta , Muscadels , Bastardes , Malmesies , Corsa , Greeke wine , Vernacula , Romania , and others , which are not heer to be nominated . These were good for thee ; were it not that thou forgettest the discommodities which drinke bringeth , and to be drunke . For wine ( according as Plato holdeth ) was in manner sent down here beneath by the Gods , to inflict punishments vppon men , and to take vengeance on their offenses , making them ( after they be become drunke ) to kill & murther one another . For this cause Androcides aduertised Alexander , that wine was the bloud of the earth , and he ought to guard himselfe well in the vse thereof . This counsell beeing not well obserued by that great Emperour ; in his intemperance he slewe his most deere Clitus , burned the Citty of Persepolis , stabbed his Phisitian , committing many other filthie and infamous deedes of excesse . Wherefore was it , but for this , that the Carthaginians forbad wine to theyr souldiors and houshold seruants , and to such likewise as held any estate of gouernment in their Common wealth , especially during the time of their authoritie and office in the Citty .

Leotichus being desired to tel the reason , wherfore the Spartanes ( by his commandement ) were so sober in drinking wine : answered , that he did it to deliuer them from trouble , in consulting with other nations touching their owne affaires . Cyneas , Ambassador to Pyrrhus , whose sweet tongue was so much esteemed by euery one , and of so great profit to his Prince , being one daye in Auara , beholding the exceeding height of the countrey vines ; in smiling merely , thus spake . Good right had such a mother , to be hanged on so highe a Crosse or Iibbet , because she brought forth such a dangerous childe as wine was . Should one wish riches , to haue great troopes of fat cattell , store of wooll or corne ? to see his court ful of fowles , his doue-cotes well bred and haunted , Turtle doues in cages , Peacocks , Phesants , Turky hens , with other kinds of excellent fowle choisly kept vppe ? I thinke that the great number of these seuerall kindes , serues but for venison to the Fox or Wolfe , or else their rapine , that haue not the meane to compasse the like : the pleasure whereof may be called somewhat beastlie , because it is nourished among beasts .

And as for fowles , what are they ( if not kept as a pray for foxes , Cats , and Weasels ) then are they viands for hunters , the spoile of gardens , and destruction of Garners ? Can one imagine like vexation to this beastly delight ? for one paultry egge , what cry , what cackling and noise heare we for so smal a thing : albeit it were good , as some doubt it is not . For who knowes not by experience , cheefly by the testimony of Phisitians , that the new laide egge subuerteth the stomach , and when it is not new , it corrupteth and hurteth it ? What shal I say of the Turtle doue , whose sorrowfull note brings such griefe to the hearer , and to the eater , such appetite to fleshly concupiscence ? What likewise shall I say of the Pigeon ? whose noise neuer ceaseth day or night , which breakes her maysters head , and beside , fileth the fairest houses ? And as for her hoarse note , I finde it nothing inferiour to that of the Peacock , in matter of annoying and bad sound : sauing that the Peacocks crie is more mighty in terrour , euen as it were to affright the deuils . I beleeue the man that brought them into this countrey , had much more regard to his belly , then to the quarrels and disturbing of neighbours , to disgrace the couerture of houses , and spoile of so many well mannured and pleasant gardens .

Some good supposer may say , that riches serue for a pleasant & recreatiue life . Because if I haue wealth , I can make good cheere , I can behaue my selfe merilie , and entertaine companies of most excellent Musitians , that shall make me pastime , and take from me all offending irkesomnesse . Let mee aduertise thee , that in musicke is not to be receiued one onely good or honest pleasure ; because it is naturally vaine and dissolute . That it is so , Saint Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria , a man of very profounde knowledge , to the reading of whose bookes , Saint Ierom moste instantlie exhorteth vs : chased musicke foorth of the christian Church , because it too much weakned and softned mens spirits , making them inclined and disposed to all worldlie pleasures and lasciuiousnes : beside this , it increased melancholie in him , that was first by nature surprized therewith . Saint Augustine had neuer any will at all to proue it : the Egyptians blamed it , not so much for being vnprofitable , as dangerous and damnable . Aristotle most highly hated it , when it hapned him to say : that Iupiter neuer could sing or play on the harpe . Phillip of Macedon very much blamed his sonne Alexander , because he saw him giuen too much to musicke , and sawe him ( one time among other ) take too great pleasure in singing melodiously : who would then wishe great store of goods , to employ them in such a fantasticall studie ?

Who would desire riches , for the pastime of hunting , hawking , and other manner of chasing sportes ? the chase is no recreation at all , that a studious or a vertuous spirit should followe : for whosoeuer will well resolue himselfe thereof , shall finde it an exercise of crueltie , a sport for desperate people , and ( if I durst say so ) for mad men . This pastime was first inuented by the Thebanes , a nation beyond other most cruell and beastlie : nor was it had in any vse , but among the most barbarous , such as were the Idumaeans , Ismaelites and Philistines . For the truth heereof , looke in holy writ , if any one of the good Patriarches was euer a hunter ? We read somwhat of Caine , Esau and Nemrod : but this was the cause why Saint Augustine held , that the said Esau was reckoned among the number of sinners . According to which opinion , the chase was forbidden to Preests in the Mileuitane councel , albeit that decree at this day is little accoumpted of .

Wherfore thinke ye the fabulists feigned Acteon , to be turned into a Hart as hee was chasing ? but only to let vs vnderstand , that the ouer-earnest & immeasureable loue borne to that exercise , with the consuming of goods bestowed thereon : makes the hunters in the ende not onely beastly , but euen horned altogither likewise . For proofe and example of this daungerous pleasure , I am to tell ye , that not manie daies past , a maruellous faire yong Gentlewoman , accoumpted of greatest trust where she dwelt , so soon as her husband was risen early in the morning to goe on hunting : receiued the iniurious companie of hir secret friend , with whom she had greater pastime , not forsaking her bedde , then the hunter could haue in midst of the fieldes , where he pursuing some horned beast , himselfe ( without thinking thereon ) was at home turned into a masque of the same fashion . Poor and miserable huntsmen , let me in curtesie tell ye , to what end serues this great affection ye beare to sauage beasts , but to make ye continuallie haunt the woods and forrests , where ye likewise become sauage and brutish , ready oftentimes to breake your neckes in bushes or ditches . Take example I pray ye by Viriatus , he that by his prowesse conquered the kingdom of Portugall , and consider , how of a shepheard , hee became a huntsman , and from a huntsman , to bee a robber and theese in the woods .

The youths that are tearmed nice-wantons , will neuer yeeld to mee , but that riches will serue to feast their Ladies , to banquet , daunse , vault , braue it , reuel all the night , and vse a thousand idle tricks of louers , wherein we see the wealthy youthes of these daies , most commonly to place their pleasure . Heereto I woulde not willinglie agree , were it not I imagine , what is doone in secret to Ladies : so that the loue of the very fairest , or most queint and finest Gentlewoman , is nothing else than a secret hidden death , a close contriued poison , incident to the spirite of the most sensible person that is . And for this cause , the Egyptians ( willing to shewe loue portraied in euery part , ) were wont to paint a snare or halter : signifiyng thereby ( as I thinke ) the miserable ende and condition , whereto poore louers are daily led , a passion too bitter to feele , that suddenlie making his entrie into the harts of men , departs againe very slow and slacklie : whence springeth afterward infinite fountaines of teares , sighes too piersing , anguishes and trauailes insupportable .

This was it that moued Alcesimarchus Plautinus to maintaine , that loue was the first inuenter of begging and the wallet , by reason ( I thinke ) of the incredible molestings and torments , which he loades his poore beggers withal , being as often present with him as absent , & absent as well as present : by means whereof he sends them in the end ( if they be not wel grounded ) the bagge for their first salutation ; and with a newe shirt or sheet on their shoulder , to the hospitall , by foure horses or bearers . And that loue is ( of all torments ) the most cruell in the worlde , it appeareth by the answere which Apolonius Thianeus made to the king of Babilon ; concerning the paine he desired to be inuented for punishing of an Eunuche , who was found with a gentlewoman his affected fauorite . Ye need not bethinke any greater persecution for him ( quoth the Philosopher ) then to let him liue : for I make no doubt ( mighty king ) if the fire of loue go forwarde in him , according as already it hath begun : ye cannot make him feele and endure a more cruell passion , nor may hee bee so tormented with what else ye can deuise . He shall finde himselfe like the shippe , tossed with contrary winds , himselfe ( by his owne procurement ) euen like the foolish fly , shall burne and consume in this flame : he shal burne when he is as cold as yce : he shall request and refuse in one selfe-same instant , and desire as much to die as to liue . In these wordes Thianeus erred not a iot , if we could consider , how greeuously Salomon was toiled and tormented with this loue , till men beheld him transported from all naturall sence , and made a meere preuaricatour of the holy law .

If we should seeke after this wicked money , to take pleasure in many farmes , countrey houses , enuironed with trim gardens and buildings , beset with cleere fountaines , Thickets , Arbours , Vineyardes , Meadowes , earable land , and other singularities : I say , such things make vs often poore by slothfulnes , and vndoeth vs by ouer-lauishnesse , inducing vs to greeuous offenses , thorow many by-places , and behauiours that are ouer secret . That it is not vnlikely , let vs remember what Cicero wrote to his friend Verres , and we shall finde , that when he would well discipher and portrait to life ( as it were ) the libidinous acts of a Gentleman : that first of all he painted forth , the walks and pleasures of countrey houses and faire places , which accustomably he frequented , as if such things were the ministers and helps , of his very chiefest faults and misbehauiors .

For conclusion , riches haue euer beene in so bad reputation ; that they haue beene called brambles , flames , and burning coales . See how they make insolent people arrogant , spightfull , beastly , negligent , disdainfull , fooles , melancholie , solitary and hateful : yee shall not finde one alone , but doubteth of their seruice , as being baits and nourishments to al vnhappie works . Hence it came that Pliny saide , treasures hid by nature for our profit , doe commonly stifle vs , and plunge vs in the deapth of all mischances . So was Zeno wont to say , that the goodes of the worlde did more hurt then helpe : which was the cause that made Crates the Thebane , passing one day from his countrey of Athens , to followe the studie of Philosophy , to throw all the golde and siluer he had about him into the sea , imagining , that vertue and riches coulde neuer partake togither : the same speeches were likewise confirmed by Bias , Plato , and manie other wise Philosophers .

But what need I spend time in producing so many witnesses : when the holy mouth of the Creatour hath said : that sooner shall the cable of a shippe enter the eie of a needle to sow withal , then can a rich man into the kingdome of heauen . He spake it , who ( all his life time ) distributed and spent his faculties on the poore . But the Pagan that inuented the fiction ( in truth very ingenious ) how Iupiter surprized with the maruellous and exceeding beauty of Danae , conuerted himselfe into a shower of golde , falling into the bosome and lap of the Lady , by this meane to haue iouissance with his so long desired and purchased pray : dooth he not plainely enough giue vs to vnderstand , that gold is the most proper and conuenable thing , wherewith to oppugne and ouerthrowe the chastitie of innocent maidens ? Yet thinke not , that gold serueth only as a custome , to persecute the modesty of women withall ; but assure your selues beside , that it is daily the cause of monstrous treasons , slaughter , and many other deedes of vile excesse , which the breuity of time , and feare of offending ye , will not permit me to rehearse .

Wherefore I will conclude with the good Phylosopher Possidonius , that riches is the cause of infinite euils : which contrariwise cannot be so said or alleaged , against our holy and well aduised pouertie , of whom learned Seneca speaketh honourably , sayeng ; That the naked by this speciall meane , is out of danger of theeues , and such as are free from money , may in besieged places liue at ease , not dreading the feare of enimies . Much better then ( without comparison ) is franke pouertie , then such slauish riches : seeing from pouerty springeth infinite profits and commodities , and from worldly goods , proceedeth nothing but vnhappinesse .