¶ The signification of a publyke weale , and why it is called in latyn Respublica .

A Publike weale is in sondry wise defined by philosophers , but knowing by experience , that the often repetition of any thyng of graue or sadde importaunce , wyll be tedyous to the reders of this warke , who perchaunce for the more parte haue not ben trayned in lerning conteynynge semblable matter : I haue compiled one definition out of many , in as compendious fourme , as my poore wytte can deuyse : trustynge that in those fewe wordes the true signification of a publike wele shall euidently appere , to them whom reason can satisfie .

¶ A publike weale is a body lyuyng , compact publike weale . or made of sondry astates and degrees of men , whiche is dysposed by the order of equytye , and gouerned by the rule and moderation of reason . In the latin tongue it is called Respublica , of the whiche the Respublica . worde Res , hath dyuers significations , and dothe not onely betoken that , that is called a thynge , whiche is distinct from a person , but also signyfieth astate , condityon , substaunce , and profyt .

¶ In our olde vulgare , profytte is called profytte . weale . And it is called a welthy countray , wherin is al thynge that is profitable : And he is a welthy man , that is ryche in money and substaunce . Publyke ( as Uarro sayth ) publyke . is diriuied of people : which in latyn is called Populus . wherfore it semeth , that men haue ben longe abused , in calling Rempublicam , a commune weale . And they which do suppose it so to be called , for that , that euery thynge shoulde be to all men in commune , without discrepaunce of any astate or condition , be therto moued more by sensualite , than by any good reason or inclination to humanitie . And that shall so one appere vnto them , that wyll be satysfied eyther with auctoritie , or with naturall order and example .

¶ Fyrste the propre and trewe signification of the wordes , Publike and Comune , whiche be borowed of the latin tongue , for the insufficiencie of our owne langage , shal sufficiently declare the blyndenes of them , which haue hitherto holden and meynteyned the sayde opinions . As I haue sayde , publyke toke his begynnynge of people , whiche in latin is Populus : in which worde populus . is conteyned , all the inhabytantes of a realme or citie , of what astate or condition so euer they be .

¶ Plebs in englisshe , is called the communaltie , plebs . whiche signifieth onely the multytude , wherin be conteyned the base & vulgare inhabitantes , not auaunced to any honour or dignitie : whiche is also vsed in our dayly comunication . for in the citie of London , and other cities , they that be none aldermen , or sheriffes , be called communers . And in the countrey , at a sessions , or other assembly , if no gentyll men be there at , the sayinge is , that there was none but the communaltye , whiche proueth , in myne opinion , that Plebs in latine , is in englishe communaltie : and Plebeij be communers . plebeii .

¶ And consequentely there maye appere , lyke diuersitie to be in englishe , betwene a publyke weale , and a commune weale , as publyke & commune . shuld be in latyn , betwene Res publica , and Res plebeia . And after that signification , if there shulde be a commune weale , eyther the communers onely must be welthy , and the gentyl and noble men , nedy and myserable : orelles excludyng gentylitie , al men muste be of one degre and sort , and a newe name prouided . For as moche as Plebs , in latine , and comminers in englyshe , be wordes onely made for the discrepance of degrees , wherof procedeth Ordre : whiche Ordre . in thynges , as well naturall as supernaturall , hath euer hadde suche a preeminence , that therby the incomprehensible maiestye of god , as it were by a bryght leme of a torche or candell , is declared to the blynd inhabitantes of this worlde .

¶ More ouer , take awaye Order from all thynges , what shulde than remayne ? Certes nothynge finally , excepte somme man wolde imagine eftsones , Chaos , whiche of some is expounded , a confuse mixture . Chaos .

¶ Also where there is any lacke of order , nedes muste be perpetuall conflycte . And in thynges , subiecte to nature , no thyng of hym selfe onely maye be nourysshed : but whan he hath distroyed that , wherwith he doth participate , by the order of his creation , he hym selfe of necessitie muste than perysshe , wherof ensueth vniuersall dyssolution .

¶ But nowe to proue by example of those thynges , that be within the coumpasse of mannes knowlege , of what estimation Ordre is , not onely among men , but also with god , all be it his wysedome , bountye , and magnificence , can be with no tonge or pen sufficiently expressed . Hath not he sette degrees & astates in all his glorious warkes ?

¶ Fyrste in his heuenly ministers , whom , as the Churche affyrmethe , he hath constituted to be in dyuers degrees , called hierarches . Also Christe sayth , by his euangelist , that in the house of his father ( whiche is god ) be many mansions .

¶ But to treate of that , whiche by naturall Elemen{is} . vnderstandynge , maye be comprehended , Beholde the foure elementes , wherof the body of man is compacte , how they be set in theyr places , called spheres , higher or lower , accordynge to the souerayntie of theyr natures : that is to saye , the fier , as the moste pure elemente , hauinge in it nothyng , that is corruptible , in his place , is hygheste , and aboue other elementes .

The ayer , whiche next to the fyre , is most pure in substance , is in the seconde sphere or place : The water , whiche is somewhat consolidate , and approcheth to corruption , is nexte vnto the erthe : The erthe , which is of substance gros and ponderous , is set , of all elementes , moste lowest .

¶ Beholde also the order , that god hath put generally in all his creatures , begynnynge at the mooste inferiour or base , and assendynge vpwarde : he made not onely herbes to garnishe the erthe , but also trees of a more eminent stature , than herbes : and yet in the one and the other , be degrees of qualities , some pleasante to beholde , some delycate or good in taste , other holsome and medycinable , some commodyous and necessarie . Semblably in byrdes , beastis , and fysshes , some be good for the sustinance of man : some beare thynges profytable to sondry vses : other be apte to occupation and laboure : in dyuerse is strengthe and fiersenes onely : in many is both strengthe and commoditie : some other serue for plesure : none of them hath all these qualities : fewe haue the more parte or many , specially beautie , strengthe , and profytte . But where any is founde , that hath many of the sayde propreties , he is more sette by , than al the other , and by that estimation , the ordre of his place and degree euidentely appereth . So that euery kynde of trees , herbes , birdes , beastis , and fisshes , beside their diuersitie of fourmes , haue ( as who sayth ) a peculyer dysposityon , appropered vnto them , by god theyr creatour : so that in euery thynge is ordre , and withoute ordre maye be nothyng stable or permanent . And it maye not be called Ordre , excepte it do conteyne in it , degrees , high and base , accordyng to the meryte or estimation of the thynge that is ordered .

¶ Nowe to returne to the astate of manne kynde , for whose vse , all the sayde creatures were ordeyned of god , and also excelleth them all , by prerogatiue of knowlege & wysedome . It semeth , that in hym shulde be no lesse prouidence of god declared , than in the inferiour creatures : but rather with a more perfect ordre and dysposition . And therfore it appereth , that god gyueth not to euery man like gyftes of grace , or of nature , but to some more , to some lesse , as it lyketh his diuine maiestie . Ne they be not in commune ( as fantastical foles wolde haue all thynges ) nor one man hath not all vertues , and good qualities . vuderstandynge .

¶ Not with standynge , for as moch as vnderstandynge , is the moste excellent gyfte , that man can receyue in his creation , wherby he doth approche moste nyghe vnto the similitude of god , whiche vnderstandynge is the pryncipall parte of the soule : It is therfore congruent , and accordynge , that as one excelleth an other , in that influence , as therby beinge nexte to the similitude of his maker : so shulde the astate of his person be auaunced in degree , or place , where vnderstandynge maye profyt , which is also dystrybuted into sondry vses , faculties , and offices , necessary for the lyuynge and gouernaunce of mankynd . And lyke as the angels , whiche be most feruent in contemplation , be hyghest exalted in glorye ( after the opinion of holy doctours ) and also the fire , which is the most pure of elementes , and also dothe clarifie the other inferioure elementes , is deputed to the highest sphere or place . So in this worlde , they , whiche excelle other in this influence of vnderstan dynge , and do imploye it to the deteynyng of other within the boundes of reason , and shewe them , howe to prouide for theyr necessarie lyuynge : suche ought to be sette in a more highe place , than the residue , where they maye se , and also be sene , that by the beames of theyr excellente wytte , shewed throughe the glasse of auctoritie , other of inferiour vnderstanding , maye be directed to the way of vertu and commodious liuing .

¶ And vnto men of suche vertue , by verye equitie apperteineth Honour , as theyr iust Honour . rewarde and duetie : which by other mens labours , muste also be meynteyned , accordynge to theyr merytes . For as moche as the sayde persons , excellinge in knowlege , wherby other be gouerned : be mynysters for the only profite and commoditie of them , whiche haue not equall vnderstandynge : where they , whiche do exercise artificiall science , or corporall labour , do not trauaile for theyr superiours only , but also for their owne necessitie . So the houseband man fedethe hym selfe and the clothe maker : the clothe maker apparayleth him self and the housebande : they bothe socour other artificers : other artificers them : they and other artificers , them that be gouernours .

¶ But they that be gouernours ( as I before sayde ) nothyng do acquire by the sayd influence of knowlege for theyr owne necessities , but do imploye all the powers of theyr wyttes , and theyr dylygence , to the only preseruation of other their inferiours . Amonge whiche inferiours also behoueth to be a disposition and order , accordyng to reason : that is to say , that the slouthfull or idell person , do not participate with hym , that is industrious , and taketh peyne , wher by the fruites of his labours , shulde be diminisshed , wherin shulde be none equalite , but therof shulde procede dyscourage , and finally dysolution , for lacke of prouysion . Wherfore it can none other wise stand with reason , but that the astate of the person in preeminence of lyuynge , shuld be estemed , with his vnderstandynge , labour , and policie : where vnto muste be added an augmentation of honour and substaunce , whiche nat only impresseth a reuerence , wherof procedeth due obedience amonge subiectes , but also inflameth men , naturally inclined to idelnes , or sensual appetite , to coueyte lyke fortune , and for that cause , to dis pose them to study or occupation .

¶ Howe to conclude my fyrste assertion or argument . where al thing is comune , there lacketh ordre : and where ordre lackethe , there all thynge is odyouse , and vncomly . And that haue we in dayly experience . for the pannes and pottes , garnysshe well the ketchyn , and yet shuld they be to the chambre none ornamente . Also the beddes , testars and pyllowes , beseme not the hall , no more than the carpettes and kusshines become the stable . Semblably the potter and tynker , onely perfecte in theyr crafte , shal littell do , in the ministration of Iustice . A ploughman or carter , shall make but a foble answere to an ambassadour . Also a wayuer or fuller , shuld be an vnmete capitaine of an army , or in any other office of a gouernour . wherfore to conclude , it is only a publyke weale , where , lyke as god hath dysposed the sayde influence of vnderstandynge , is also appoynted degrees and places , accordynge to the excellencie therof , and therto also wolde be substance conuenient , and necessarie , for the ornamente of the same : which also impresseth a reuerence and due obedience to the vulgare people or communaltie , and without that , it can be no more sayde , that there is a publike weale , than it may be affyrmed , that a house without his propre and necessary ornamentes , is well and sufficiently furnyshed .

That one soueraygne gouernour ought to be in a publyke weale . And what damage hath happened , wher a multytude hath hadde equall auctorite without any soueraygne . Cap. ii .

LYke as to a castel or fortres , suffiseth one owner or soueraign , and where any mo be of like power and authorite , seldome cometh the warke to perfection , or beynge all redy made , where the one diligently ouerseth , & the other neglecteth , in that conten tion all is subuerted and commeth to ruyne , In semblable wise doth a publike weale , that hath no chiefe gouernours than one . Example we may take of the Grekes , amonge whom in diuers cities , weare diuers fourmes of publyke weales , gouerned by multitudes : wherin one was moste tollerable , where the gouernance and rule was alway permitted to them , which excelled in vertue , and was in the Greke tonge called Aristocratia , in latin Optimorum Potentia , in englishe , the rule of men of best disposition . which the Chebanes of long time obserued .

¶ An other publyque weale was amonge the Atheniensis , where equalytye was of astate among the people , and only by their hole consente , theyr Citie and dominions were gouerned : whiche moughte well be called a Monster with many heedes , nor neuer it was certayne or stable , and often tymes they banisshed , or slewe the best cytezins , whiche by theyr vertue and wyse dome , had moste profited to the publyke weale . This maner of gouernaunce was called in greke Dimocratia , in latin , Popularis Dimocratia . potentia : in englysshe , the rule of the comminaltie . Of these two gouernances , none may be sufficient . For in the first , whiche consisteth of good men , vertue is not so constant in a multitude , but that some beynge ones in authoritie , be incensed with glorie , some with ambition , other with couetise and desyre of treasure or possessions , wherby they falle in to contention , and fynally , where any achiueth the superioritie , the hole gouernance is reduced vnto a fewe in nombre , whiche fearynge the multitude , and theyr mutabilitie , to the intent to kepe them in drede to rebell , ruleth by terrour , and crueltie , thynkynge therby , to kepe them selfe in suertie . Not withstandynge , rancour coarcted , and longe deteyned in a narowe roume , at the last brasteth out , with intollerable vyolence , and bryngeth all to confusion . For the power , that is practized , to the hurte of many , can not continue .

¶ The popular astate , if it any thyng do vary from equalitie of substance , or estimation , or that the multitude of people , haue ouer moch libertie , of necessitie one of these inconueniences must happen , either tyranny , where he that is to moch in fauor , wold be eleuate , & suffre none equalitie , or elles in to the rage of a communaltie , whiche of al rules is mooste to be feared . For lyke as the communes , if they fele some seueritie , doo humbly serue and obeye , so where they imbracing a lycence , refuse to be brydeled , do flyng and plunge : and if they ones throwe downe theyr gouernour , they order euery thyng without iustice , only with vengeance and crueltie , and with incomparable diffycultie , and vnneth by any wysedome , be pacified and brought again into order . Wherfore vndoutedly , the best and the most sure gouernance , is by one King or Prince , whiche ruleth onely for the weale of his people : and that maner of guernaunce is beste approued , and hath longest continued , and is moste auncient . For who can denye , but that all thynge in heuen and erth is gouerned by one god , by one perpetual ordre , by one prouidence ? One sonne ruleth ouer the day , and one Moone ouer the nyght . And to descende downe to the erthe .

¶ In a lyttell beast , whiche of all other is most to be maruayled at , I meane the Bee , Bee . is lefte to man by nature , as it semeth , a perpetuall figure , of a iuste guernaunce or rule : who haue among them , one principal Bee , for theyr gouernour , whiche excelleth all other in greatenes , yet hath he no pricke or stinge , but in hym is more knowlege , thanne in the residue . For if the daye folowynge shall be fayre and dry , and that the bees may issue out of theyr stalles , with out peryl of raine , or vehement wynd , in the mornynge erely he callethe them , makyng a noyse , as it were the sowne of a hurne , or a trumpet , and with that , al the residue pre pare them to labour , and fleeth abrode , gatherynge nothynge , but that shall be swete and profitable , all thoughe they sytte often tymes on herbes , and other thynges , that be venemous and stynkynge . The capirayne hym selfe , laboureth not for his sustynaunce , but all the other for hym : he onely seeth , that if any drane , or other vnprofitable bee , entreth in to the hyue , and consumeth the honye , gathered by other , that he be immediately expelled from that company . And whanne there is a nother nombre of bees encreased , they semblably haue also a capitayne , whiche be not suffered to continue with the other . Wherfore this newe company , gathered in a swarme , hauynge theyr capitayne among them , and enuir onynge hym , to preserue hym frome harme , issue forthe , sekinge a newe habitation : which they finde in some tree , except with some pleasaunt noyse , they be alured and conueyed vnto an other hyue .

¶ I suppose , who seriously beholdeth this example , and hath any commendable wyt , shall therof gather moche mattyer , to the fourmyng of a publike weale . But bicause I may not be long therin , considerynge my purpose , I wolde the reder herof , if he be lerned , shuld repayre to the Georgikes of Uirgile , or to Plini , or Collumella , where he shal fynde the example more ample , and better declared .

¶ And if any desyreth to haue the gouernaunce of one person , proued by histories , let him firste resorte to the holy scripture , where he shall fynde , that almyghtye god commanded Moises onely , to brynge his elected Moises . people out of captiuitie , giuinge only to hym that auctoritie , without appoyntinge to hym any other assystence of equall power or dignitie : except in the message to kynge Pharao , wherin Aaron , rather as a Raron . minister thanne a companyon , wente with Moises . But only Moises conducted the people throughe the redde see , he onely gouerned them forty yeres in deserte . And bycause Dathan and Abiron disdayned his Dathan & Abiron . rule , and coueted to be equal with him , the erthe opened , and fyre issued out , and swalowed them in , with all their holle familye , and confederates , to the nombre of . 14700. And all thoughe Hietro , Moses father in lawe , counsailed hym to depart his importable The counsayle of Hietro . labours , in continual iugementes , vnto the wise men , that were in his company : he nat withstandyng , styll retayned the souerayntie , by goddis commandement , vntyll a litle before he died , he resigned it to Iosue , assigned by god to be ruler after hym .

¶ Semblably after the deth of Iosue , by Iosue successour to Moises . the space of . 246. yeres , succeded frome tyme to tyme , one ruler amonge the Iewes , which was chosen for his excellency in vertue , and specilly iustyce . Wherfore he was called the iuge , vntil the Israelites desired of almyghty god , to let them haue a kyng , as other people hadde : who appointed to them Saul , to be theyr kyng , who exceded Saul . all other in stature .

¶ And so successiuely one kyng gouerned all the people of Israel , vnto the tyme of Roboaz , sonne of the noble kyng Salomon : who beinge vnlyke to his father in wysedome , Roboaz practised tyrannye amonge his people . Wherfore . ix . partes of theym , whiche they called Tribus , forsoke hym , & elected Hieroboam , late seruaunt to Salomon , to be theyr kynge , onely the .x. parte remaynynge with Roboaz . And so in that realme were contynually two kynges , vntyll the kynge of Mede had depopulate the countrey , and brought the people in captiuytie to the citie of Babylon : So that durynge the tyme , that two kynges rayned ouer the iewes , was euer continuall batayle among them selfes : where if one kynge had alway rayned lyke to Dauid or Salomon , of lyke lyhode the countrey shuld not so sone haue ben brought in captiuitie .

¶ Also in the tyme of the Machabeis , as longe as they had but one busshop , which was theyr ruler , and was in the stede of a prynce , they valiantly resysted the gentils : and as well the Romaynes , than great lordes of the worlde , as Persians , and diuers other realmes , desyred to haue with them amitie and aliaunce : and al the inhabitantes of that countrey , lyued in great weale and quietnes . But after that by symonye and ambition , there happened to be two bysshoppes , whiche deuyded theyr authoryties , and also the Romaynes had deuyded the realme of Iudea to foure princes , called Tetrarchas , and also constytuted a Romayne capitayne or presidente ouer them : amonge the heddes there neuer cessed to be sedition , and perpetual dyscorde : wherby at the laste the people was dystroyed , and the countrey brought to desolation and horrible barrennes .

¶ The Grekes , which were assembled to reuenge the reproche of Menelaus , that he toke of the Troians by the rauisshynge of Helene his wyfe , dydde not they by one assente electe Agamemnon to be theyr emperour or capitayne : obeying him as their souerayne , durynge the siege of Troy ? all though that they had diuers excellent princis , not only equal to hym , but also excellyng Prynces of Grece . hym , as in prowes Achilles , and Aiax Thelemonion : in wysedome Nestor , and Ulisses , and his owne brother , Menelaus : to whom they moughte haue gyuen equal auctoritie with Agamemnon : but those wise princes considered , that without a generall capitayne , so many persons as were there , of dyuers realmes gathered together , shulde be by no meanes well gouerned wherfore Homere calleth Agamemnon Agsmemnon . the shepeherd of peple . They rather were contented to be vnder one mans obedience , than seuerally to vse theyr auctorites , or to ioyne in one power and dignite , whereby at the last shulde haue sourded discention amonge the people , they beinge seperately enclined towarde theyr naturall souerayne lorde : as it appered in the particuler contention , that was betwene Achilles and Agamemnon for theyr concubines , where Achilles , renouncynge the obedience , that he with all other pryncis had before promysed , at the batayle fyrste enterprysed agaynste the Troyans . For at that tyme no lyttell murmur , and sedition was moued in the hoste of the grekes , whiche not withstandynge was wonderfully pacified : and the armie vnscatered , by the maiestie of Agamemnon , Maiestie ? ioynynge to him counsailours , Nestor and the wytty Ulisses . Nestor . Ulisses .

¶ But to retourne agayne . Athenes and other cities of Grece , whan they had abandoned kynges , and concluded to lyue as it were in a communaltie , whiche abusifly they called equality : howe long tyme did any of them continue in peace ? Yea what vacation had they from the warres ? or what noble man had they , which auaunced the honour and weale of theyr Citie , whom they did not banishe or slee in prison ? Surely it shall appere to them , that wyll rede Plutarche , or Emilius probus , in the lyues of Milciades , Cimon , Themistocles , Aristides , and diuerse other noble & valiant capitaynes : which is to longe here to reherse . Kynges in Rome .

¶ In lyke wyse the Romaynes , durynge the time that they were vnder kinges , whiche was by the space of . 144. yeres , were well gouerned , nor neuer was among them discorde or sedition : But after that by the persuation of Brutus and Colatinus , whose wyfe ( Lucretia ) was rauyshed by the sonne Lucrecia . of Tarquine , kynge of Romaynes , not only the sayde Tarquine and all his posterytie , were exiled out of Rome for euer , but also it was finally determyned amonge the people , that neuer after they wolde haue a kynge reygne ouer them . Consequently the communaltie more and more encroched a lycence , and at the last compelled the Senate to suffre them to chose yerely amonge them , gouernours of theyr owne astate & condition , whom they called Trybunes : vnder Tribunes . whom they resceyued suche audacytie and power , that they finally opteyned the highest auctoritie in the publyke weale : in so moche , that oftentymes they dyd repele the actes of the Senate , and to those Tribunes mought a man appele from the Senate , or any other offyce or dygnitie . But what came therof in conclusion ? Surelye whan there was any difficulte warre imminent , they were constrayned to electe one soueraygne and chyefe of all other , whom they named Dictator , as it were commaunder , Dictator . from whom it was not laufull for any man to appele . But bycause there appered to be in hym the prystinate auctorytie and maiestie of a kynge , they wolde no longer suffre hym to continue in that dignitie , than by the space of .vi. monethes , excepte he than resigned it , and by the consente of the people eftsones dyd resume it . Finally vntyl Octauius Augustus had distroied Anthony , and also Brutus : and finished al the Ciuile warres ( that were so called bycause Ciuile ▪ warres they were betwene the same selfe Romayn citezins ) the citie of Rome was neuer long quiete from factions or sedicions amonge the people . And if the nobles of Rome had not bē men of excellent lerning , wisedome , and prowesse , & that the Senate , the moste noble counsaylle in all the worlde , whiche was fyrste ordeyned by Romulus , and encreased by Tullus hostilius , the thyrd king of Romaynes , had not continued , and with great difficultie reteyned theyr auctoritie , I suppose verylye , that the Citie of Rome had ben vtterly desolate sone after the expellynge of Tarquine . And if it hadde ben eftesones renewed , it shulde haue ben twenty tymes dystroyed , before the tyme that Augustus raygned : so moch discorde was euer in the citie , for lacke of one gouernor .

¶ But what nede we to serche so fer from vs , sens we haue sufficiente examples nere vnto vs ? Beholde the astate of Florence Florence and Gene . and Gene , noble cities of Italy , what calamite haue they both sustened by their own factions , for lacke of a continuall gouernor ?

¶ Ferrare , and the moste excellent cite of Ferraria . Uenise , hauynge dukes , seldome suffre damage , excepte it happen by outwarde hostilitie .

¶ We haue also an example at home , which is moste necessary to be noted .

¶ After that the Saxons by treasone had Englande . deuided . expelled out of England the Britons , whiche were the auncient inhabitauntes , this realme was deuyded into sondry regions , or kyngedomes . O what mysery was the people than in ? O howe this moste noble Isle of the worlde was decerpt and rent in pieces ? the people pursued and hunted like wolfes , or other beastes sauage : none industry auayled , no strength defended , noo ryches profited . Who wolde then haue desired to haue ben rather a man than a dog , whan men eyther with swerde or with hungre peryshed , hauynge no profite or sustynance of theyr owne corne or catell , which by mutuall warre was contynually distroyed ? Yet the dogges , eyther takynge that that men coulde not quietly come by , or fedynge on the deed bodies , whiche on euery parte lay scatered plentously , dyd satisfye theyr hungre .

¶ Where fynde ye any good lawes , that at that tyme were made and vsed ? or any commendable monumente , of any scyence or crafte in this realme occupied ? suche iniquitie semeth to be than , that by the multitude of soueraygne gouernours , all thynges hadde ben brought to confusion , if the noble kinge Edgar hadde not reduced the Kynge Edgar . monarchie to his pristinate astate and fygure : whiche brought to passe , reason was reuiued , & people came to conformitie , & the realme began to take comfort , and to shewe some visage of a publike weale : and so ( lauded be god ) haue continued : but not being alway in like astate or condition . Al be it , it is not to be dispaired , but that the king our soueraigne lorde nowe reignynge , and this realme , alway hauyng one prince , like vnto his highnes , equall to the auncient princis , in vertue and courage , it shall be reduced ( god so dysposyng ) vnto a publyke weale , excellynge al other in preeminence of vertue , and abundance of thynges necessary .

¶ But for as moche as I do wel perceiue , that to wryte of the offyce or duetye of a soueraygne gouernoure or prynce , farre excedeth the compasse of my lernyng , holye scrypture affyrmynge , that the hartes of pryncis be in goddes owne handes and dysposition : I wyll therfore kepe my penne within the space that is discrybed to me , by the thre noble maysters , reason , lernynge , and experience . And by theyr enseignement or teachynge , I wyl ordynately treate of the two partes of a publyke weale , wherof the one shall be named due Due administration . administration , the other necessary occupation , whiche shall be deuyded in to two volumes . In the fyrste shal be comprehended the best fourme of education or bryngyng Occupation . vp of noble chyldren , from their natiuitie , in suche maner as they may be found worthy , and also able to be gouernours of a publyke weale . The second volume , whiche god grauntinge me quietnes and libertie of mynde , I wyl shortly after send forth : It shall conteyne all the remenant , whiche I canne eyther by lernynge or experience fynde apte to the perfection of a iuste publyke weale : in the whiche , I shall so endeuour my selfe , that al men , of what astate or condition so euer they be , shall fynde therin occasion to be alway vertuously occupyed : and not without pleasure , if they be not of the scholes of Aristippus , or Apicius : of whom the one supposed felycitye to be onely in lechery , the other in delycate fedyng and glotony . From whose sharpe talons and cruell tethe , I beseche all gentyll reders to defende these warkes , whiche for theyr commodite is onely compiled ,