Arte. Arte.

Foure thinges are made good by art • .

1. A wise wife. 2. An eloquent tongue. 3. A ripe wit. 4. And fauor in worldly affaires.

Cicero in his workes De Oratore, calleth arte the polisher of nature, saying: that what nature (as presuming too much in her cunning by obliuion,) hath left imperf • ct: arte by the m • anes of industrie, reduceth to a sp • cial singulariti • , so that alluding to the opinion of Plato, he thinketh nature neu • r in her • xcellencie, till she be beautified by arte.

Animale. Creatures.

Foure creatures liue seuerally and solie in the foure Elements.

1. The Herring in the water. 2. The Salamander in the fire. 3. The Moule in the earth. 4. And the Camelcon in the ayre.

Plinie in his naturall Histories, assignes these foure creatures to the foure El • ments, proouing that nature hath so particulerlie tied them to these seuerall limits, as otherwise they cannot liue: for proofe, hee saith that the Herring séeing the North star, leapeth at it, but by thrusting her head out of the water, ly • th a long while after dazeled. The Salamander (saith Aristotle) in his bookes De natura Animalium, is of a cold c • nstitution, and therefore harboureth neere to the Mount Etna, where amidst the continuall flames he batheth himselfe in the fire: whereof comes the foolish comparisons of our Poets, that séeing Louers scorch • d with affection, like • eth th • m to Salamanders. The Cameleon féeding onely with the ayre, hath this propertie, that hee can change his colour, and turne himselfe into the likenesse of euery obiect, whervpon flatterers that by their ad • lation feède euery mans humour, are compared to Cameleons.

Foure creatures aboue others are most fruitefull.

1. Sheepe. 2. Oxen. 3. Hennes. 4. Bees.

These cr • atures saith Auicen in his Aphorismes, are as they are most familiar to men, so most fr • endly to men, yeelding for euery benefite a requitall, and paying them due with thankfulnesse: for béeing nourished by the hand of man, they yeeld the fruites of their bodi • s, their liues or labours for paiment, appeaching vs thereby of ingratitude, that shew not the like gratefull mindes to our benefactors.

Abondanza. Aboundance.

The aboundance of foure thinges are hurtfull.

1. Of women. 2. Of meates. 3. Of gaming. 4. Of words.

The Philosophers whose sayings haue béene holden as Oracles, haue sette downe this for a principall, that howe perfect a woman be eyther in vertue, beauti • , or wealth, yet they are to men necessarie euils: so that Tymon of Athens who was called Mysanthropos, seeing a trée whereon diuers women had hanged th • mselues, wished that euery trée might yeelde such fruite. More sayth the wise man, hath died by gluttonie then by the sworde. E • cesse of meates is preiudiciall both to soule and bodie, inferring (saith Socrates) both sinne and pouertie. Too much gaming in olde time was so odious, that Chilon the Lacedaemonian béeing sent Embassadour to Corinth and finding the noble men playing at dice, hee returned without vnfolding the cause of his comming: not so much as naming the league that hee shoulde haue intreated o • betwixt them, saying: that he woulde not eclipse the glorie of the Spartanes with so great an ignominie, as to ioyne thē in societie with dice-players. Antisthenes was wont to say, that in many words, did eyther lye hid much fraud or follie: wishing his disciples to take heede to their talk, for that words had wings, which once let slyp, could neuer be recalled.

Affetto. Affect.

In foure things principally men doe affect.

1. The gayne of money. 2. In clyming vnto dignitie. 3. In gouerning a familie. 4. In dooing euill.

These foure bréede a restlesse desire, and affectionate passion in the minde of man, being couetous to get coyne, ambicious to seeke after preferment, imperious in rule, and insatiate in dooing euill.

Foure affects are insatiable in man.

1. The will to profit. 2. The desire of knowledge. 3. The sight of the eye. 4. And to heare.

Tullie in his Orator, calleth Laelyus helluo Librorum, a deuourer of Bookes, as one neuer satiate with reading ouer many and sundry Authours. Plato spent the greatest part of his life in trauell, onely for the desire of learning. And the Bragmaes and Gymnosophists, counted not those bearers amongst their liues wherein they learned not somewhat. Zeno the Stoick, b • eing foure-score and fourteene yeeres olde, lying on his death-bedde, and hearing some in disputation, lifted himselfe vppe to heare, and beeing demaunded why he did so, aunswered, that when I haue learned this principle I may die.

Abuzo. Abuse.

Foure things are of great abuse in thys worlde.

1. A king vniust in his gouernment. 2. A minde negligent of Religion. 3. A wyse man without shewing the fruites of his wisedome. 4. A rich man vncharitable, and not giuing any almes.

Plato in his Common-wealth, and Aristotle in hys Polliticks, sets downe, that the heauiest burd • n which a a Monarchie can beare, is to suff • r an vniust king. Tynion at hys death wishing y• ouerthrow of the state of A • hens, prayed that the Cittie might be seditious, and gou • rn • d wyth vniust Rulers. If iustice (sayth Anaxagoras) be to giue euery man his due, what a Monst • r is iniustice, that defraudeth euery man of hys right.

There be foure sorts of p • ople of great aabuse in the world.

• . A Christian giuen to factions and dissention. 2. A poore man proude. 3. An olde man withou • religion. 4. A Woman that is not sh • mefast.

It is one of the principall badges of the true Church sayth Chrisostome, to liue in vnitie, • or there is but o • e God, one fayth, and one baptisme: then sith concorde in the principles of Religion be precious, it follow • s, that scismes and controuersies are most pernitious. Wherunto a Poet merilie alludeth this distichon.

Cur nunc tot sidibus luditur vna fides.

There is foure great abuses in thys world.

• . A noble man without vertu • . 2. A people without discipline. 3. A Common-wealth without Law. 4. A young man without obedience.

Lycurgus was wont to say, that the Lawes were the sinewes of a kingdom, which as they did waxe weak, so the Common-wealth dyd decay: and béeing kept in force, did remaine in their pristinate strength & vigour, whereupon, when he had giuen Lawes to the Spartans, he swore them to kéepe his statutes inuiolate till his returne from Delphos, whether he banished himselfe: and after his death, caused his bones to be burned, and the ashes to be throwne into the Sea, that they might for euer be tyed to the obseruing of his Lawes.

Allegrezza. Myrth.

There are foure things that bréed suddaine ioy.

1. To be freed out of prison. 2. To be married. 3. To become a Souldier. 4. To be promo •• d to dignitie.

The sw • etest thing that can happen vnto man saith Crates, is hope in aduersitie to come vnto prosperitie, and eclipsed w • t • d • rkn • s to see the light • f • he •• nn • : for miserie is not so • itter as felicitie is pleasant, so that well sayth Virgill in the person of Aeneas: Olim hec maem • iss • Iuuabit.

Afflictione. Affliction.

For foure causes a man doth will • ngly suffer affliction.

1. To g • tte honour. 2. To auoide p ••• rtie. 3. In es • hew disgrace. 4. To in • i •• his children

It hath beene an olde Prouerbe, that happy is that sonne whose father goes to the deuill: meaning by thys allegoricall kind of speech, that such fathers as seeke to inrich theyr sonnes by couetousnes, by briberie, purloyning, or by any other sinister meanes, suffer not onely affliction of mind, as greeued with insatietie of getting, but wyth danger of soule, as a iust roward for such wretchednesse.

Antonomazia. Agnomynation.

Foure sorts of men are knowne by excellency, or tytle of agnomination.

1. Salomon when they name the wife. 2. Aristotle when they name the Philosopher 3. Uirgill when they name the Poet. 4. Paule when they name the Apostle. The first admonisheth with wysedome. The second wyth Philosophie. The thyrd wyth Poetrie. The fourth teacheth the true fayth.

These béeing • wo Iewes and two Gentiles, famous for Theologi • and Philosophie, sheweth to vs by what sundry gifts God doth glory in his creatures, for although Virgill and Aristotle were ignorant of the diuine essence, and knewe God but in shadowes, and as i • were in glasse, yet the secret skill they had in the depth of his works, did prooue a mani • est action against all Infidels and A • he • s • s that denie there is one almightie & euerlasting GOD, Creator of all things.

Auidita. Greedinesse.

Foure things greedie mindes cannot performe. To 1. Abstaine frō things • orbidden. 2. • nioy things graunted. 3. Use pi • tie. 4. Know a meane in getting.

The perfect description of a greedie or couetous mind, which like the Serpent Hydaspis is so insatiate, as the more he drinketh, the more hee is a thirst, and the more he desireth, the farther is he from the end of his couetous imaginations: yet hauing gotten in part what hee craueth his estate is so miserable, as he gréeueth to vse that for the vse of himselfe, which with long care and trauell he hath gotten.

Amore. Loue.

There are foure degrées in Loue. To 1. Talke. 2. Be conuersant. 3. Taste. 4. Possesse.

In thys diuision is comprehended whatsoeuer is in loue, for the inward motion of the mind which wee commonly call fancie, must be discouered by the tongue, which must be continued by conuersation, otherwise the parties shall not be priuie to the mutuall manners eyther of other, which is the che • fest interest in affection: and theyr mindes once vnited, followeth the fruite of their desires, which is not mad • perfect till hee peaceably possesseth the good he presentlie enioyeth.

Auaritia. Couetousnesse.

Foure things doe spring from couetousnesse.

1. Rapyne. 2. Periurie. 3. Fraude. 4. Murther.

By the braunches is easily discouered what the Tree is, & by such effects is manifested a most wretched cause, so that thys agréeth with the saying of Thales Mylesius, that Auaritia est radix omnium malorum.

Foure things make a man couetous.

1. The feare of want. 2. The oppression of seruitude. 3. The enuie of o • hers. 4. The abo • ndance of children.

It is remembred that Crassus the Romaine, whose reuenewes were so great, as beeing a priuate Ci •• izen, he was able to maintaine tenne Legions of Souldiours for two yeeres with meate and money, yet was so couetous as his extortion had no ende: and beeing demaunded why he was so greedie to gaine: aunswered, for that he sawe the misery of such as did want.

Foure thinges doo asswage couetous desires.

1. The aboundance of riches. 2. Youth inriched with health. 3. Conuersation with liberall men. 4. And want of children.

As before he placed the number of children to be the cause of couetousnesse, so he adde • h the want of children to be the meanes to mittigate such inordinate desire: meaning heereby, that Nature carefull of her seede sowne by propagation, dryueth a care into the minds of Parents to heape vp wealth for their children: and yet Antisthenes at the day of his death, made this prou • so in his last will and Testament, that if his sonnes were wise and Philosophers, they should not enioy one penny of his goods, but if fooles, they should possesse all his treasures.

Allidini. Sloth.

Foure things procure sloth.

1. Obscure and darksome places. 2. Solitarie quiet. 3. Displeasant feare. 4. And weake cogitations.

Pythagoras among his obscure Aenigmaes, hath thys: Take heede thou sitte not vpon a bushell: meaning that sloth and idlenesse were especially to be eschewed, as vices most pernicious to a Common-wealth. For Plato rehearsing certaine perticuler causes of sedition and ciuill mutinie, alleageth idlenesse not to be one of the least, alluding to the saying of Seneca, that as labour and trauell appeaseth tumults, so sloth nourisheth vprores and factions: to auoyde this vice, Hesiodus counsayle is, to shutte vp the day with sweat, to spende time rather in needelesse exercise then in idlenes.

Auocato. Aduocate.

Foure things ought euerie iust Aduocate to obserue.

1. To heare the aduersary wt patience. 2. To consider déeply of ye things heard. 3. To prepare a right aunswere to the cause considered. 4. To conclude by measuring the caus • after his owne case.

Aristides, the perfect iusticiarie of his time, was so impartiall in hearing his aduersaries plea, that when one came to the harre and tolde him what euill the Plaintife had spoken against him, hee made this aunswer, tell me not what iniuries hee hath doone to my selfe, but what wrong he hath doone to the defendant, for I stande heere to minister iustice, not to reuenge.

Auditore. A hearer.

Foure things are necessary for euerie one that heareth any thing to take heede of.

1. To heare him with silent patience that speaketh. 2. To consider well of the thinges heard. 3. To committe to memorie what is good. 4. To put to obliuion what is euill.

Heere is the counsaile of Plutarch verified, that wisheth euery man to haue two passages in at his eares, the one for good principles, which must be kept as Pearles, the other for such friuolous matters as béeing carelesly heard, ought to be soone forgotten.

Alfiero. A standard bearer.

These foure conditions ought to adorne & beautifie a standard-bearer or Auncient.

1. Noblenesse of blood. 2. Loue to his Countrey. 3. Courage of minde. 4. Policie in warre.

Themis • ocles the honour of his Countrey, and the fl • wer of Chiualrie in his time, who was both a valiant Souldiour and a wise Philosopher, would not suffer anie to beare the standarde or Ancient in hys time, that was not able to carrie ye Armes of his auncesters in his flag, and that had doone some exployte before in some battaile of vtteraunce.

Amicitia. Freendship.

Foure things doe procure amitie and freendshippe.

1. A benefite. 2. Familiaritie. 3. Similitude of manners. 4. Eloquence.

Amongst all other causes of perfect freendship, the likenesse of manners and similitude of life is the chéefest, so that when the parts of the minde be homogenes, of one vniforme and mutuall disposition, then commonlie the freendshippe is firme and endureth long: whereas disparitie of manners, may for a time maske vnder the collour of amitie, but at last prooueth brittle: for it is a censure holden for an infallible principle. Dissimulum infida est amicitia.

Foure sorts of men loose their freendes wrongfully & without cause.

1. A rich man oppressed wt pouerty. 2. A mighty man depriued of hys dignitie. 3. A happy mā thwarted wt disgrace 4. An old man ouer burdened wyth yeeres. And these also are despyand forsaken of men.

Scipio the Affrican, after all his glorious victories, sequestrating himselfe to a graunge place, beeing demand • d why he woulde not liue any longer in the Common-wealth, aunswered, for that flying from the iniuries of Fortune, I meane still to keepe my freendes: thinking that if he had beene checkt by any dis-fauour of the Senate, he had presently made shipwracke of his olde companions. For Nullus ad amissas ibit amicus opes.

There are foure principall sorts of freen •• s different in cōditions.

1. Fortune freendes. 2. Cable freendes. 3. Faithful freendes. 4. And seruile freends. The first departe at the frowne of Fortune. The seconde vanishe by fragilitie. The third are perpetual. The fourth continue so so long as they are boūd by seruitude.

Thys diuision sheweth the difference betweene true and fained fréendship, the one beeing momentarie depending on the fauour of Fortune, the other perpetual, which stretcheth vsque ad Aras: such was the fréendship of Damon and Pythias, of Scipio and Laelius, of Tytus and Gysippus, of Pilades and Orestes, and diuers others, that no aduersitie coulde diss • uer: where as Parrasites, such as Terence and Plautus discouers in their Comedies, hange theyr freendshippe at the Tables ende, and theyr loyaltie at the Caters basket.

Foure sorts of men speedilie get friends.

1. They which be liberall. 2. They which be mightie. 3. They which be pleasant. 4. They which be well tongued and affable in speech.

Doost thou couet saith Diogenes the Cinick, to haue multitude of freendes: then eyther seeke for store of possessions, promotion, or els become a flatterer.

Beneficio. A benefite.

The be foure sorts of men that in despight of thēselues haue good turnes and benefits doone them.

1. The debtor when he is fréed from his debt. 2. The childe when he is beaten for hys faulte. 3. He which is troubled with ye Lytargie whē he is waked frō sléepe. 4. And hee which in his lunacie is quieted with bondes.

Although as Epictetus saith, there is nothing swéeter then moderate correction, yet such is our nature drowned in selfe-loue, as offend we néeuer so déepelie, yet we scorne not onelie to be corrected, but to be reprehended: heerein resembling infants & sucklings, y• feare the rod more then offence: but as they by such chastisement wexe m ••• warie, so a good man by reprehension becōmeth more wi • e.

Foure things doo induce a man to bestow a benefit.

1. Gaine. 2. Feare. 3. Hope. 4. Loue.

In a gift (saith Aristotle in his Ethicks,) thou must obserue circumstaunces, namelie, 1. To whom thou dost giue. 2. Why thou doost giue. 3. Howe thou doost giue. 4. And when thou doost giue. Otherwise thou mayest erre in bestowing a benefit: for if thou giue for feare, as thinking so to please thine enemie: for gaine, as couetous of lu • re: for hope, either of the like, or of better, thy gyft is not worth the name of a benefit.

Beni inutili. Things good, yet vnprofitable.

Foure things are good, and yet doe little preuaile after a déede doone.

1. Wytte. 2. Consideration after the déede. 3. Meditation. 4. And sorrowe.

Sero sapient Phriges, when Troy was sackt, the Cittizens were wise: to shutte the stable doore when the steede is stolne, is to wishe for a showre of rayne when haruest i • past: also when a fault is committed, tis good to enter into the consideration of the follie, and to be sorrowfull for the misse, yet they little or nothing profit.

Brenita. Breuitie.

Foure • hings cannot be of any long continuaunce.

1. A contentious man. 2. A foolish Tyraunt. 3. An v • iust possessor. 4. And a prodigall spender.

Aristotle in his Physicks sette • h downe this principle. Nullum violentum est lontinuum: and Socrates alledgeth this Axiome, euery excesse is both a vice and momentary. Where is diuision, there saith Zenocrates, is confusion. And Thales Mylesius counted it a wonder of the worlde to see an olde Tyrant.

Citta. A Cittie.

Foure Citties more thē any o-other are scituated by the sea.

1. Genoa. 2. Venice. 3. Cōstantinople 4. Pysa. The fyrst rich. The 2. abounding. The thirde full of merchandize. The 4. famous for honorable Citizens.

Venice is seated in the Sea, sixe myles from anie •• rme Land, walled with the Ocean, and enuironed with Rocks, a Dukedome both rich and mightie.

Foure Citties are greater then the most.

1. Paris in Fraunce. 2. Mylane. In Italie. 3. Florence. In Italie. 4. Rome. In Italie.

Foure things doo speciallie make a Cittie famous.

1. Antiquitie of building. 2. Nobilitie of Cittizens. 3. Uictories wonne in the field. 4. And obseruing leagues and promises.

Lacedaemonia, Thebes and Athens, the three lights of Greece, w • re famous for these foure poynts, being founded long before the rest, bringing foorth many worthie Philosophers & couragious Captaines, as Epapinondas, Themistocles, Alcibiades, and infinite others, which by their Prowesse wonne many great and notable battailes, béeing so strickt in their promises, that they chose rather to die, then to be false to their confederates.

Foure things doo defende a Cittie.

1. Peace. 2. Wisedome. 3. Feare. 4. And iustice.

Demosthenes béeing demaunded what preserued Athens so long in a florishing estate, made this bréefe aunswere, the Cittizens delight in peace and quiet, the Orators are learned and wise, the Common people are fearefull to transgresse the Lawes, and the Magistrates delight to doo iustice.

Foure things doo make a Cittie desert.

1. Intestine and ciuill warre. 2. Restlesse enuie. 3. Want of victualles. 4. And iustice blinded.

Foure things doo driue a man out of a Cittie.

1. The wickednes of a tyrant. 2. Famine. 3. Prodigalitie. 4. And vntimelie gifts.

If wee read the Annuall recordes that Historiographers haue sette downe, as true antiquaries of tyme, we shall finde, that nothing hath sooner ruinated and subuerted Citties, then cyuill warres and enuie: for ambition creeping into the mindes of men through an enuious humour that feedeth their harts, stirreth • hem by aspyring thoughts to striue for a sole supremacie, so the better to reuenge: as fell out betweene Ptolomie and Caesar, Sylla and Marius, Anthonie and Augustus, which breeding ciuill warres, did almost subuert the state of the Romanes.

Foure things doo make a Cittie habitable, and to be frequented wyth Straungers.

1. The preseruation of iustice. 2. The bountie of ye Cittizens. 3. Speedie gayne and returne of commodities. 4. And aboundance of victuals and necessaries.

The Author in all his censures, setteth still downe iustice as a cheefe pyller in a Common-wealth: arguing by this repetition, that nothing is of-greater force in a Cittie, then to giue euery man his due, which Tullie setteth downe for the perfect definition of that vertue, which (saith he) containes in it all other vertues.

Casa. A house.

Foure • hings doo often make a mā to returne to his house.

1. The loue towards hys Wife. 2. The pleasantnesse of his house. 3. The want of companions. 4. And the aduersitie of tyme.

Scipio the Affrican, hauing suffered so long his affections to be ledde a wrye, that hee fell into loue with hys Concubine, and so placing her in a Graunge place, absented himselfe from his wife, yet at last by secrete sparks of good wil, which still remained in his hart, calling to mind his wiues vertuous disposition, returned home and forsooke hys follies.

Foure things driues a man from hys house.

1. Too much smoake. 2. A dropping roofe. 3. A fylthie ayre. 4. And a brawling woman.

Heere pollitiquelie is vsed a figure called Clymax, or Gradatio, where ascending from th • lesse, hee endeth in the greater: for rehearsing diuers enormities that are able to driue a man from his house, at last hee concludeth with a brawling woman as the worst & greatest euil of al.

Conoscere. Knowledge.

Foure things are impossible to be knowne or discerned.

1. The flight of a bird through the ayre. 2. The way of a shyp through the sea. 3. The passage of a Serpent ouer a stone. 4. And the way of a younge man in his youth.

Salomon in his Parables as hauing wisedome giuen him from aboue, noting that the wayes of a young m • n are slipperie, and so ouer shadowed with vanitie as they blinde the sence: alludeth the knowledge of his follies to an impossibilitie, proouing by this Aenigmaticall kind of phrase, that his thoughts and 〈◊〉 are builded vppon inconstancie.

Foure things are easie to be knowne.

1. A valiant man in battaile. 2. A good Mariner in a tempest. 3. Good gold in the fornace. 4. And a fréende in aduersitie.

Amicus certus (sayth the Poet) in re incerta cernitur, mishappe is the true • ouchstone of freendshyp, and aduersitie the tryall of freendes. Curtius had not beene known to be valiant, if he had not so worthilie withstoode the Armie of Porsena: Arsidas had neuer béene praysed to Alexander, for a good Mariner, if hee had not béene a good Pylot in necessi • ie: neyther had Damon béene counted so faythfull to Pythias, if hee had not remained a pledge for his freende with Dyonisius in Sycillia.

Carita. Charitie.

Foure things doo procéed from charitie.

1. Reuerence towards God. 2. Loue towards our neighbour. 3. Succour to the oppressed. 4. And instruction to them that erre.

The fruites of charitie are the perfect fulfilling of the Lawe, for Saint Paule sayth, that if he had fayth, & solde all that he had to giue to the poore, and yet wanted loue and charitie, hee were like a tynckling cymball: and in these foure braunches of charitie, is made a perfect deuision of the Lawe, for he setteth down our duetie towards God, in giuing him due reuerence, and our duety towards our neighbour, in louing, helping, and instructing him.

Costanza. Constancie.

Foure things doo induce constancie.

1. The f • are of shame. 2. The feare of punishment. 3. The fear • of fame. 4. And the feare of fraude.

Attylius Regulus was so constant in his promises, that he rather chose death then any way to spotte his fame by feare eyther of punishment or miserie.

Consigliare. A Counsellor.

Foure things are necessarie for him yt giueth coūsaile.

1. To heare the reasons of both parties. 2. To consider of that which he heareth with discretion. 3. To demaund equal hier for his pains. 4. To giue counsaile conformable to the Lawe.

To be partiall saith Seneca in giuing of counsayle, differeth nothing in preportion from trecherie, for the one deceiueth vnder the pr • ten • e of ayde, and the other vnder the colour of fre • ndship.

Four counsailes are profitable to man.

1. To stand • far from strife & brawles. 2. To preuēt perils before they be past. 3. To leaue pleasures that are moste desired. 4. And to make no choyse of delicate viands.

Est virtus placidis abstinuisse bonis: tis a great vertue saith the Poet, to abstaine from things that are pleasant, and therefore séeme good: for vertue euer goeth bare faced, but vice to allure with the more pollicie, hideth her impoysoned hookes with a s • ge • ed bayte.

Cortigiano. A Courtier.

Foure things doo appertaine to a Courtier.

1. To heare with sapience. 2. To answer with prudence. 3. To be offensiue to no man. 4. And to profit the Cittizen.

Baldessar in his Courtier hath the like principles. For Gorsaga setting downe certaine precepts, wisheth that he be euery waie wise, both in hearing and speaking, that hee listen not to friuolous prattle, nor at anie time vtter talke of no importaunce, that hee be courteous and willing to please all, and especially readie to please the Cittizen, for from him riseth either his praise or infamie.

Foure thing • procure a man to be a Courtier.

1. Aboundance of riches. 2. Ambition and desire of honor. 3. Integritie and quicknes of wit. 4. And y• hope of rewarde by seruice.

Capitano. A Captaine.

Foure things are profitable for a Captaine in the warres.

1. Treasure to make iust pay to hys Souldiours. 2. Store of meate and munition. 3. Multitude of Souldiers. 4. And wisedome to know the condition of the enemie.

Wee reade in the Chronicles of the warres of the Turkes, that amongst all the orders in his Armie, the Turke dooth vse to giue great pay to his Ianisaries: by that meanes to make them both hardie and faithfull. For in his warres against Cassanus the Souldane, when hée had taken him, and found in his Treasure store of coyne, and yet sawe the minde of the man was such and so miserable, as he would not make francke pay to his Souldiers, he shutte him vppe in a Chamber with all his treasure, and so starued him to death.

Four things doo belong to a Captaine in the wars.

1. Howe to set his souldiers in squadrons with greatest vantage against ye enemie. 2. Howe to foresee the enemies intent. 3. To encourage thē cheerefully to fight. 4. And to leade his men brauelie to the battayle.

Phillip of Macaedon, beeing demaunded why he was longer in subduing Thebes and Athens then of all Gréece besides, aunswered, for that theyr Captaines were Philosophers and Orators, able to perswade more with their eloquence, then he was to commaunde with his dignitie: whereby hee d •• th admonish, that one of the principall points of a good Captaine, is to exhort his souldiers with skill.

Four things ought euerie one that maketh war to consider.

1. Of what power he is himselfe. 2. What forces the enemy is able to prouide. 3. For what cause he taketh the warre in hande. 4. And what shall be the successe of the battayle.

Foresight (sayth Epictetus) is the preuenter of repentaunce, and nothing is more preiudicial in a Captaine then to say (had I wist:) for vnlesse the forenamed circumstaunces be carefully considered, he may slyppe into sundrie enormities.

Conditione humana. Humane condition.

Foure things do bewray the condition of man.

1. Hys speech. 2. His secrecie. 3. The motion of his minde. 4. And his exterior gestures.

Ex abundantia cordis os loquitur: alluding to our olde English prouerbe, what the hart thinketh, the tongue clacketh: meaning heerby, that the affections of man are knowne by his spéech, as sa • oring of wisedom or follie, of enuie, as louing to backbite: of wrath • as vttering cholerick tearmes and such like.

Comandare. To commaund.

Foure things doo ruinate him ouer whom they comma • nd.

1. Loue. 2. Hate. 3. Feare. 4. Gaynes.

Ouid, although he wrote his works De Artea mandi, yet being willed by Corynna to sette downe a perfe •• definition of loue. He said it was a passion that he knewe not from whence it sprung, what it was, nor to what end it tended: onely this by experience hee was able to auer, that it was an affection that commaunded nothing but losse. Where hate and couetise of gaines ruleth, saith Socrates, there looke neither for charitie nor honestie, for h • te springeth from enuie, and couetousnes from iniustice.

Con • inat • . A banished man.

Foure things are profitable for a banished man.

1. To consider the estate of them which are fallen. 2. To hope to better his estate. 3. To spend caref • lly. 4. And to seeke after gayne moderatelie.

When Metellus was banished out of Rome, his friend Nastyca gaue him this freendlie aduertisement at hys departure: thinke thou art not (quoth he) the first that hath tryed his fortune: euer once hope to returne, be not prodigall, least riot bréede want: nor too couetous, least thou purchase the hate of Strangers.

Domand • re. To demaund.

Foure things are profitable for him to consider that demaundeth.

1. What he is that demaundeth. 2. Of whom he doth d ••••• d. 3. For what cause he doth dema •• d. 4. And what it is he doth dem •• nd.

These circum •• au • ces of demaunding, of giuing, of receiuing or performing any duetie, the Reader may best learne in Aristotle his Ethicks, wh • re they are discoursed of at large.

Dottore. A Teacher.

Foure thinges doe belong vnto a Teacher.

1. In the day to looke ouer the Lecture he hath to reade. 2. In the night by meditation to call it to memorie. 3. Priuatly to resolue his schollers in al doubts. 4. To be a • fable with them.

Foure things procure a Teacher to reade well.

1. The multitude of Schollers. 2. Great reward for his paynes. 3. The getting of greater knowledg 4. And the hope to obtaine fame and honour.

The auncient Philosophers, especially Aristotle, was wont neuer to deliuer any newe principle in Peripateo, vnlesse the night before he had thrise called it to memory, by proouing pro et contra with himselfe, so to seeke out the trueth of the Axiome: and for this his paines, as hee got immortall renowne, so he purchased great rewardes, not only at the hands of Alexander, but by other his schollers of meaner calling: but so i • the condition of time chaunged, as the Teacher passeth ouer his preceps wythout a •• great premeditation, for that his labour and industrie is so slenderly rewarded.

Donna. A woman.

Foure things doo belonge vnto a woman.

1. Beautie of the face, and proportion of bodie. 2. Chastitie of minde. 3. Honestie of manners. 4. And a familiar curiousnesse.

Crates the Philosopher said, that vnlesse vertue were added to beautie, howe • aire so euer the face were, a woman were most deformed: thincking the interiour perfection of the mind was of more force then the exteriour constitution of the bodie.

Foure thinges are desired of women especially.

1. To haue a fayre young man to her husband. 2. To haue •• ny children. 3. To be decked wyth co • tlie apparell. 4. And to haue supremacie aboue others.

Plato in his A • drogina saith, that of all the affects that most troubles and disturbes the mindes of Women, the desire of soueranitie is ye most vehement: for so greatlie they hat • to be ouer-ruled, that Nynus the king of Babilon, graunting his wife whatsoeuer she would demaund in his whole Empire, shee chose onely to rule thrée dayes as supreame in the Monarchie.

Foure things do greatly displease womē.

1. That her husband shold loue any but herselfe. 2. That shee be crossed wyth his frowardnesse. 3. That her children want. 4. Or he taken away by vntimely death.

Although sayth Iuuenall in his Satyrs, women loue to chaunge, yet it is death for them to allowe their H •• bands such limits, and therfore the Poet calles them inequall proportioners of duetie.

Digiuno. Fasting.

Foure things belong vnto him that dooth fast.

1. To ea •• with modestie. 2. To eschewe sinne. 3. To meditate of heauen. 4. To giue almes.

We sée by this deuision, that fasting consisteth not in abstaining absolutelie from all kind of meates, for he wylleth to eate with measure, but in refraining from sinne, in applying his thoughts about heauenly cogitations, and to be charitable: which indéede is the true fast.

Dolore. Greefe.

Foure things are gréeuous vnto a man.

1. The wickednes of his Children. 2. The losse of his possessions. 3. The promotion of his enemies. 4. And the fall of his fréendes.

There is nothing saith Salomon that more greeueth a father, then to haue a foolish & vnrulie sonne, for it maketh his heade full of gray haires, and letteth him from passing with quiet into his graue. Cato who was seuere in his actions, as he was halfe a Stoick, yet was sayde to sorrowe at the happinesse of Caesar, and gréeue at the fall of Pompey, the first his enemie, the second his fréende.

Dominio iniusto. Vniust rule.

There are foure sorts of men that rule vniustlie ouer others.

1. The vsurer. 2. The deceiuer. 3. The proude man. 4. And y• impudent.

Hardlie besette are those Cittizens, (saith Socrates,) where the foole ouer-ruleth the wise, the proude man the humble, where trueth is seruaunt to falshood, and money task-maister ouer honestie.

Foure inconueniences doe spring from vniust rule.

1. Deceitfull reuerence. 2. Mortall enuie. 3. The hate of Superiours. 4. And the punishment of successors.

Where we may note, that although hee which ruleth vniustlie, taketh a pleasure in such superioritie, yet pestilent & pernitious enormities are the fruites of such delight: for the reuerence which they shew him, is doone more for feare then for loue, their dutie is hate secretlie, and their reuenge is to become enuious to his honours.

Diletto. Delight.

Foure things doo breede great pleasure & delight.

1. A sweete voice. 2. A fayre face. 3. Delicate meate. 4. And a cleere day.

There is no such pleasing obiect to the eye as beauty, nor none breedeth greater pleasure to the eare, then an eloquent tongue with sweete pronunciation. Alexander was neuer vanquished with any exteriour delight, but with séeing the beautie of the Amazon Queene, and Anthonie tooke his felicitie in hearing the sweete voice of the Egiptian Cleopatra.

Foure thinges doe greatlie please and delight a man.

1. A wise sonne. 2. The sight of riches. 3. Preferment to dignitie. 4. And reuenge vpon an enemy.

The wisedom of the Sonne saith Ecclesiastes, greatlie gladdeth the Father, and maketh his yeeres without number: for nature tieth vs with such a strickt league, as nature is greater in discent then ascent, and greater is the affection that commeth from the fa • her then from the Sonne.

Danari. Money.

Foure sorts of men doe get money.

1. Fraudulent persons. 2. Couetous men. 3. Wise and discreete men. 4. And they which be prouident and carefull.

Four things are gotten without the helpe of money.

1. The despising of a mans life. 2. Foolishnes. 3. Pouertie. 4. And sicknesse.

Aristotle in setting downe his happie man saith, be he neuer so vertuous, yet he cannot be faelix without money and riches: but we sée that miserie commeth so by fate, as we neede not the goods of Fortune to further it.

Difficulta. Difficultie.

Four things are passing hard and difficulte vnto man.

1. To possesse an other mans goods and to restore them. 2. To see villanie offered him, and to holde his peace. 3. To receiue wrong, and not to bee sorrowfull. 4. To haue things necessarie, and not to taste of them.

The Stoicks which were Apotho • without passions, held opinion, that it was the che •• e poynt of vertue, not to be mooued with any affections, neither to be gladded with prosperitie, nor to be daunted with aduersitie, but to beare all chaunces alike if he were iniured: and therefore they made a combat with theyr affections, counting nothing vertuous that was not difficult.

Dignita. Dignitie.

Foure things doo aduance a man vnto dignitie.

1. Wealth. 2. Reason. 3. Science. 4. And iustice.

The readie way saith Zenophon to preferment, is knowledge and vertue, for they which climbe vnto dignitie by other means, are vnworthie such good fortune.

Desiderio. Desire.

Foure things are greatlie desired, and sought for of men.

1. Store of money. 2. Fulnesse of knowledge. 3. Continuall quiet. 4. And perpetuall ioy and mirth.

Plato béeing demaunded what he most desired in the whole world, aunswered, knowledge: whereof hee was troubled with insas • etie, to obtaine which, hee passed throughout all Greece and Egypt.

Dominare. To rule.

Foure sorts of men are greatly desirous to • eare rule.

1. The poore to get that is other mens. 2. The rich to defend & keepe y• they haue got. 3. The iniuried to make reuenge. 4. The good to defende the Cittie. The first are mortall to cittizens. The seconde may be suffered. The thirde doe often harme. The fourth do greatlie benefit.

Aristotle in his deuision of the Common-wealth, appointeth the democracy or populer estate to be the worst of all gouernments, and therefore concludeth, they desire greatly to raigne, as men factious & desirous of noueltie.

Danno sensa rimedio. Losse without remedie.

Foure things may be taken away frō man which can neuer be restored.

1. Uirginitie corrupted. 2. Lyfe lost. 3. Fame crackt. 4. And a member cut off.

Byas the Philosopher, when by shipwrack • hee had lost all his goods, yet boldlie and merrilie could say, Omnia mea, mecum porto: thinking that riches lost, might bée got againe by learning. But Themistocles when hee was by the Ostracisme vniustlie banished from Athens, sayd, I haue lost that I shall neuer recouer, (fame) for the Graecians that are ill, will thinke I haue deserued ill.

Dono senza danno. A gift without losse.

Foure things a man may gyue without losse.

1. Knowledge when he instructeth. 2. Fame when a man praiseth one. 3. Reuerence when a man sheweth curtesie. 4. And fayre language.

There are two things saith old Maister Gower, that a man may be prodigall of without offence: of his • ap in dooing reuerence, of his tong • e in giuing good spéeches: which two are fréelie giuen, greatly considered, and without any losse or detriment.

Delitto. Sinne or offence.

Foure thinges are nourished in sinne.

1. The offence when it is not felt. 2. To conuerse and company with him that sinneth. 3. To escape vnpunished. 4. And to profit by sinne.

Saint Augustine hath this golden sentence, that Consuetudo peccati tollit sensum peccandi: the custome of sinning taketh away the féeling of sinne: so that offences without remorse are halfe incurable. To accompany with sinners, to escape witho • t punishment for the fault, and to profit by the swéetnes of sinne, draweth men headlong into manie miseries.

Diuulgare. To manifest.

Foure things hurt being manifested.

1. An offence committed. 2. Ill gotten goods. 3. A mans owne foolishnes. 4. And riches vnder a Tyrant.

For a man hauing committed a faulte, to detect himselfe, or to be the heralde of his owne follies, is a point of extreame madnesse, but to bewray his wealth vnder the gouernment of a Tyrant, is to giue himselfe a pray to the oppressour.

Dio. God.

Foure things are greatlie acceptable vnto God and vnto men.

1. The concorde of brethren. 2. The loue of neighbours. 3. Quiet betwéen man & wi • e 4. The repentance of sinners.

Dauid the holie Prophet, as inspired and wondring at the concord of bretheren, cryeth out with vehemencie of spirit, Ecce quam bonum, et quam iucundum, habitare fratres in vnum: comparing their loue to dewe that dropt on the Hill of Hermon, and to the oyle that ranne downe vpon Aarons beard: for the swéete consent and agréement in marriage, he addeth a blessing, that their children sitte about their Table, and for the repentance of sinners, hee saith the Angels makes ioy in heauen.

Eccellenza d' Huomini.

Foure excellent men in foure sundry Nations.

1. Iudas Maccabaeus in Iudea. 2. Charles the greate in Christendome. 3. Saladyne amongst y• Sarasines. 4. And Augustus Caesar amongst the Pagans.

Felicita. Felicitie.

Foure sorts of men are happy diuerslie.

1. He that dilligently serueth God. 2. He that directeth his actions after a good course. 3. He that contemneth the vanities of the world. 4. And hee y• by an other mans mishap is learned to beware.

He meaneth not heere felicitie as Aristotle dooth in his Ethicks, by riches, byrth, parentage, beautie, or other gifts of nature and fortune, but he accounteth him happy that serueth God, walketh in his waies, & by other mens harmes can auoide the like mishap.

Foure sorts of felicitie doo make men most vnhappie and miserable.

1. The multitude of children. 2. Aboundance of riches. 3. To rule a Prouince. 4. And to haue many fréendes.

Although children be a blessing of God, yet so it oft falleth out, that the number of them beeing many, it maketh a man full of cares to prouide thinges necessarie, and amongst manie, it cannot be, but commonlie some wyll prooue infortunate, as of them, so of fréendes, for Pythagoras, amongst his Aenigmaticall precepts, hath this for one: Eate not with many hands. Meaning, not to companie with manie freendes, for necessitie vrgeth that some pro • ue trecherous.

Figliuolo. A sonne.

Foure bands tyeth the son to the father.

1. To reuerence him. 2. To obey him. 3. Not to giue him occasion of sorow. 4. And to releeue him when he is olde.

Plinie in his Naturall Historie saith, that the young Storke, when he séeth the olde is so weake & ouer-growen with yeeres that he cannot • lie, not onely prouideth victuaile for his nourishment, but to sollace, carrieth him about on his backe: which curtis • e, the Graecians called Antipelargein, kéeping his picture in their houses, to giue thereby example and president of duetie to their children.

Fede. Fayth.

Foure things doo issue and procéed from fayth.

1. The certaintie of things not séene. 2. The goodnesse of life. 3. The foode of the soule. 4. And the worshipping of God.

The effects and fruites of faith are sufficiently discoursed by S. Paule to the Romaines, and in the Epistle of S. Iames, to which places I refer the curteous Reader.

Fanciullo. A childe.

Foure properties are in Children.

1. To be soone angrie. 2. To be soone reconciled. 3. To forget quicklie. 4. And to play with their equals.

These properties of a child were good to be found in olde folkes, that although they tooke occasion of offence, yet they might quicklie forgiue and forget the faulte. A young man that was about to marrie, came to Pittacus one of the seauen Sages, to aske his counsayle what maner of wif • • e should choose: the Philosopher straight gaue him this aunswer, goe and play amongst children: whether when the young man came, hee founde them vnwilling of his company, going to a play that they had, which was, euerie man choose his peere: by this he was admonished to match with his equall.

Forza. Force.

To foure good works good men are forced vnto as it were by constraint.

1. To promote the vertuous. 2. To Punish offenders. 3. To honour vertue. 4. And to reléeue the oppressed.

Vbique in pretio habetur virtus, saith Chilon the Lacedaemonian: vertu • is generallie honored: for when Ouid was banished from Rome, and liued amongs • the barbarous Geeates, yet hee was there loued for his learning, courtesie, and good behauiour: much more doo good men séeke to aduaunce them that are vertuous.

Fatila. Labour or industry.

Foure things cannot be obtayned without labour and industrie.

1. Excellent prayse. 2. Great knowledge. 3. Wealth or goods. 4. And rule or power.

The slothful man (saith Cicero) sleepeth in his own want, whereas Nihil est tam durum quod non solertia vincat. Hercules had neuer beene famous but for his labors: Hector had neuer so long béene a defence for the Troyans, had hee not béene (patiens laboris,) able to endure labour and trauell. Tis hard (was Apelles the Painter wont to say) for him that will not labour, to excell in any art.

Falondia. Eloquence.

Foure things make a man eloquent.

1. Boldnesse. 2. Understanding. 3. Delight. 4. And vse.

Demosthenes who was counted the most eloquent Oratour that euer Gréece afforded, was a long time withholden from the barre for pleading, because he was bashfull, in so much that they neuer hoped of his successe, till on a day imboldened by the presence of his many fréends, he prooued the most eloquent man of his time.

Gouare ad al • rui. To pleasure others.

Foure thinges pleasure others more then thē selues.

1. Birds in making their nests. 2. Bées in working of honey. 3. Oxen in wearing the yoke. 4. And shéepe in bearing wooll.

Gola. Gluttony or the throat.

Foure thinges are enemies to gluttonie.

1. The carefulnesse of gayning. 2. The mortifying of the bodie. 3. To combat with hunger. 4. And the desire of money.

Foure things doo make a man gluttonous.

1. To lye in a • Inne. 2. To follow the Courte. 3. To haue great reuenewes. 4. And to take continuall • ase.

The effects of gluttonie are manifold, procéeding frō sundrie causes, and bréeding infinite enormities, which prooue pernitious both to soule and bodie. Wealth bredde it in Heliogabalus, Nero, and Caligula. • ase in Lucullus: following of the Courte in Rodericus: but Socrates was so farre from this vice, that he would not salute him that was infamous for gluttonie.

Gouernatore. A Gouernour.

Foure things ought to be obserued by a good Gouernour.

1. To vse equalitie. 2. To maintain plentie. 3. To heare gentlie. 4. And to preserue iustic •

Cicero was therefore called by the populer sort Pater Patriae: for because he founded y• Law in Rome which was called Lex Annonae for the prouision of victuals, alwaies by pollicie ayming at plentie: and Antoninus the Emperour was therefore called Pius, because so curteouslie he would héere euerie mans complaint.

Gnadaguo mentito. Gaine falsified.

Foure sorts of men say they gayne more then they doe.

1. A player of Comedies. 2. An Aduocate. 3. A flatterer. 4. A Phisition.

The Aduocate by manifesting more gaines then hee getteth, and so likewise the Phisition, thinke to procure their Clyants or Patients to more liberalitie.

Foure sorts of men sweare they gayne lesse then they doo.

1. The gouernour or ruler of an other mans goods. 2. The husbandman in reaping his seede. 3. The Merchaunt by sale of hys Merchandise. 4. The Dicer of y• which hee winneth.

Tullie in his Officies, intreating exactlie of duties, allowes not such libertie either to Merchaunts, Farmers, or Rulers, for (saith he) Honestas arte ponenda est vtilitati: trueth and honestie ought to goe before commoditie.

Giudice. A Iudge.

Foure things belong vnto a Iudge.

1. To heare curteouslie. 2. To aunswere wiselie. 3. To consider soberlie. 4. To giue iudgment impartially

Foure thinges doe ouerthrow iustice.

1. Loue. 2. Hate. 3. Feare. 4. And gaine.

Cambyses, noting howe freendes through loue, briberie through gaine, enemies by hate, and dignitie by feare did peruert iudgment, taking one in the faulte of iniustice, caused him to be fleyed quicke, and his skinne to be hunge vppe ouer the seate of iudgment: and then placed his sonne that was so tormented, in his roome, to the end that hys fathers punishment might learne him to become more warie.

Grauezze del' huomo. Heauie things vnto man.

Foure things are most heauie vnto man.

1. To serue an ingratefull man. 2. To intreate and not be heard. 3. To doo well and not be rewarded. 4. And to looke for that neuer happeneth.

Or To lye •• cke. To be poore. To stande in suspence. To lie in prisō.

There is no one thing more heauie nor burdenous vnto man, then to beare the ingratitude of a thanklesse person: or hauing deserued well, not to be iustly rewarded. The exile Themistocles suffered, gréeued him not so much as the vnkindnesse of his Countrimen, who in requitall of his so many gotten victories, rewarded his valoure with banishment.

Four things are more heauie to man aboue the rest.

1. To liue with a foolish familie. 2. To haue store of wicked children. 3. To consume that is gotten lauishly 4. To be ouer-ruled of an enemi • .

These thinges are heauie, in that they are eyther contrarie to the nature or disposition of man, for there is none so meane nor base, but would grudge to be in subiection to him that he hateth.

Giouane. A young man.

Foure things ought a young man to doo.

1. To seeke after riches. 2. To delight in honour. 3. To procure freendship. 4. To abstain frō things vnlawful

Zenophon describing the duties of a young man, willeth him to be sparing, & an enemie to prodigalitie, which was noted in Alcibiades, who was wont to say, that therfore he would be giuen to frugalitie in his youth, that in his age he might be liberall. Epaminondas béeing but a childe, offered sacrifice to the Gods, that he might doo nothing but that which was vertuous and honourable.

Foure things young men cannot eschew.

1. The approching of olde age. 2. The losse of a freende. 3. Infortunate chaunces. 4. Nor the assault of death.

Time (as the olde prouerbe is) tarrieth no man. Olde age, as Tullie saith in his booke De Senectute steleth vppon vs by degrees, and by necessitie, that it is assured to vs by fate: for euery day saith Zeno, we wexe olde, youth hath no priuiledge against fortune, and as soone commeth the young Lambe to the Butchers shambles as the olde sheepe.

Giouanetto. An vnbridled youth.

Foure things are oft the faultes of youth.

1. To abuse their patrimonies. 2. To despise correction. 3. To snare themselues in vice. 4. To make no account of profit.

A certaine inhabitant of the Cittie of Pysa, beeing demaunded why the state of theyr Cittie did so sore decay, fetching a déepe sigh made thys aunswere: our young men are prodigall, our old men are too affectionate: wee haue no discipline for offences, nor no punishment for such as spende their yeeres in idlenesse.

Guerra. Warre.

Foure daungerous effects procéed from warre.

1. It maketh a Cittie desolate. 2. Bréedeth famine. 3. Forceth the people to depart. 4. And for punishment hath pouertie.

One going about to prooue that generally there is vicissitudo omnium rerum, argueth thus: peace bréedeth plentie, plentie pride, pride warres, warres pouertie, pouertie peace, and so forth: alleaging that of conseque •• e manie discommodities doo proceede from the Altar of Mars.

For foure things it is lawfull to make warre.

1. For fayth. 2. Iustice. 3. Peace. 4. And libertie.

Such was the warres that Hanniball, attempted against the Romaines, for after that he gad giuen his fayth to the Senate of Carthage that hee would reuenge theyr iniuries, he sealed his promise with his blood. Scipio, béeing demaunded why the Romans made such hote warres with the Numantines, aunswered, we seeke for peace at the walles of Numantia with the sworde.

Huomo. A man.

Foure things are déere vnto men.

1. Carefulnesse to gaine. 2. Sparing to preserue riches. 3. Pati • nce in iniuries. 4. And abstinence for offences.

Plato béeing demaunded by Dionisius the Tyrant of Sycillia, whereof he coulde boast, in this quoth the Philosopher, that I can suffer iniuries with patience.

Foure things d •• fortefie a man more then others.

1. Beautie of bodie. 2. Wisedome of mind. 3. Laudable fame. 4. And eloquence.

Nestor was a stay to the Graecians for his wisedom, Absolon was loued of all Israell for his beautie: Alexander was guarded with the strength of his fame, and Vlisses was desired of Agamemnon because he was eloquent.

Foure things are verie great in man in this present age.

1. The knowledge of a mās selfe. 2. Dissimulation in iniuries. 3. To gouerne well a familie. 4. And rule in the hands of a woman.

The first precept that the seauen Sages preferred as chéefe of their principles to Apollo at Delphos, was N •• ce te ipsum, know thy selfe: which whosoeuer (saith Cleobulus) obserueth, neither is proude in prosperitie nor dispairing in aduersitie. Thales Milesius béeing demaunded what was the point of a wise man, to dissemble quoth hée an iniurie.

Foure things make a man perfect.

1. To worship God sincerelie. 2. To loue his neighbour hartilie. 3. To doo to others as he wold be doone vnto. 4. And to wish no worse to others then to himselfe.

Alteri ne feceris, quod tibi fieri non vis: measure an other mans actions by thine owne desires.

Foure sorts of men doo displease bothe God & the world.

1. A poore man proude. 2. A rich man a lyer. 3. An olde man Lecherous. 4. And one that soweth discord betwéene bretheren.

The meaning or glosse vpon this, I referre to the Prouerbs of Salomon.

Ira. Anger.

Foure things doo grow of anger.

1. The trauell of the mind. 2. Ignoraunce of a mans selfe. 3. Uniust dealing. 4. And an inequall sentence.

Ira breuis fur • r saith Socrates, anger is a short madnes which disquieteth the mind as with a lunacie, it maketh a man forget himselfe, to passe the bounds of iustice, and to doo all things contrarie to equitie and reason.

Foure things bring • orth anger.

1. Contempt. 2. Uillanie. 3. Ingratitude. 4. And iniustice.

Foure things appease anger.

1. Swéete words. 2. Reuenge. 3. Satis-faction. 4. And pouerty or want.

A milde aunswer saith the wiseman appeaseth ch • ller, and there is no greater bridle to furie then curteous language: the worst salue for anger is reuenge, for it chalengeth no more by extremitie. The surest reconciliation, saith Boccace, is satis-faction, for it glutteth anger wyth Lawe.

Inuidia. Enuie.

Foure things doo spring frō Enuie.

1. The gréefe of the enuious. 2. The ruine of the enuious. 3. The diuisiō of the people. 4. The destruction of y• citie.

Or thus 1. An afflicted life. 2. Calamitie. 3. Surcuidrie. 4. And pouertie.

Well and wiselie saith the Poet, Inuidus alterius rebus macrescit opimis, the enuious man wexeth leane wyth the fatnesse of his neighbor, for he séeth nothing that prospereth, but breedeth his discontentment: all good success • is a torment to his mind, and his happinesse consisteth in the vnhappinesse of others.

Four things bring foorth Enuie.

1. The desire of honour. 2. The greedines of gaine. 3. The felicitie of others. 4. And the hate towardes our neighbour.

Had not Caesar béene tickled with an insatiable desire of honour, he had neuer so greatlie enuied Pompey. Had not Crassus beene without measure in his couetise, he had not so deepelie enuied Maetellus. The felicitie of others, is a spurre to an enuious person. For as Mantuan in his Eglogues auerreth, he thinketh his neighbors profit (though lesse) yet alwaies greater then his owne.

Vicinumque pecus grandius vber habet.

Foure things doo race out enuie.

1. The priuation of power. 2. Want. 3. The mortifying of the senses. 4. And the desire of vertue.

They which enuie other mens good fortunes, beeing aspyred, and growne to preferment, and after abased: shame so at their fall, and at their owne defect, as they cease to enuie, more for greefe then good nature.

Infermo. A sicke man.

Four things must a sicke man doo.

1. Obey the Phisition. 2. Spend largely in things necessary 3. Haue confidence in the Phisition. 4. And comfort himselfe with hope.

Alexander the great, béeing taken with a greeuous sicknesse, had Letters sent him to beware of Phillip hys Phisition, for he had agréed with Darius for a summe of money to poyson him: as Alexander had read the Letters, Phillip came in with a potion to minister, which notwithstanding the former contents, he dranke, deliuering the Letter while he was drincking to Phillip, such confidence had that mightie Monarch in his Phisition.

Ingratitudine. Ingratitude.

Foure sorts of men do forget a good turne. 1. A young childe. 2. A proude man by promotion. 3. A pro • de man by natur •• 4. And a prisoner fréed from prison. Pride is • he verie mother of Ingratitude, for Alexander neuer grew to be vnmindfull of benefits, till he would bée honoured with Persian ceremonies, and called the sonne of Iupiter.

Impossibilita.

Foure things are impossible to promise.

1. Continual securitie on the se • . 2. Alwaies to haue a cléere skie. 3. Flowers in Winter. 4. And in the spring snow.

The conditions of the Sea and the Heauens, sayth Marrot in his Epigrams, are like to Womens thoughts, euer wauering and inconstant: and therefore rightlie did the Poets faigne Venus to be borne of the Sea, sith shée, and all vnder her influence are so vncertaine.

Infelicita. Infelicitie.

Foure sorts are vnhappie and infelices.

1. Hee which is fallen vnder some deadlie sinne. 2. He which can doo good and doth it not. 3. He which is ignorant & wil not learne. 4. And he which can instruct and will not teach.

The greatest vnhappinesse which falleth to man in this world, is sinne, for that without repentance it is a depriuation of the fauour of God. And in the Gospell hee commaundeth him to be cast into vtter darknes, that hid his talent in the ground, and would put it to no vse.

Insatiabilita. Insatietie.

Foure things are insatiable and haue neuer inough.

1. Fyer. 2. Earth. 3. Hell. 4. A Woman.

Inurbanita. Inciuilitie.

Foure things make a man vnciuill.

1. The motions of anger. 2. The sting of want. 3. Cou • tousnesse. 4. And enuie.

These affections ouer-ruling reason and the sences, make a man so farre to forgette himselfe, as he passeth the bonds of humanitie: Crassus grew so couetous, that in his age he • ecame halfe a Tymonist, and Manlius Nasica had such delight in his Country tillage, that he so little frequented the companie of men, as he got the name of Inurbanus.

Inimicitia. Enmitie.

Foure things d • brée enmitie.

1. Dishonest spee • he. 2. Iniuries. 3. Couetousnesse. 4. And disdaine.

Disdaine • red the factions • nmitie betw •• ne Sylla 〈◊〉 M •• ius 〈…〉 • p • eche be • weene Tully and Anthony: 〈…〉 Ca • ely • e and the Counsel: Co 〈◊〉 betw •••• Ag •• h •• les and Mys •• tus.

Ingan •• . De ••• te.

Foure things deceiue a man.

1. The l ••• of wealth. 2. T •• •• ch wiue. 3. • ugred words. 4. 〈…〉 of gayne.

They of Lacedae • o • ia, when the wa • res were most • ote ••••• wne them and the Athenians, refused to admit Demo ••• enes for an Emb • ssadour, so greatlie did they feare to be dec •• ued by his elo • uence. Mydas was decei •• d with his golden wi • h, and Alexander found the greates • decei • e amidst his cupp • s.

Lussuria. Lecherie.

Foure especiall effects of Lecherie.

1. It de •• leth both bodie and soule. 2. It weakeneth the sences. 3. It wasteth the patrimonie. 4. And hasteneth an olde age.

Salomon in his booke of Wisedome, dooth bitterlie inueigh against this vice, as the principall of all other deadlie, in that this in one action offendeth both Tables of the Lawe, and ouerthroweth the welf • re of a mans owne selfe, which Demosthenes no doubt considered, whē he said at the doore of Lais the harlot, Now 〈◊〉 p •• nit • ntiam emere.

Foure things doe further Lecherie.

1. Sweete wines. 2. Delicate meates. 3. Familiaritie with women. 4. And delight in ease.

Truelie sayth the Poet, Et venus • n vinis, ignis in igne fuit. Meaning that the liquour of Bacchus, is like Oyle to quenche the flames of Venus, and that glu •••• y is halfe an efficient cause of lecherie. Alexander was con • inent as long as he was sober, and 〈◊〉 the warres he neuer gaue his minde to loue, but when he neuer so little ga •• himselfe ouer to ease and banquetting, then he found that Ephestion truely • olde him, In otio amor.

Foure things doe asswage lecherie.

1. The vse of water. 2. The coldnes of m • ates. 3. Absence from women. 4. And continuall l • bour.

Romulus for •• d any virgine to drinke Wine as a liquour greatlie prei • diciall to modestie, and Pythagora • who was famous for his abstinence, vsed • nely water and colde • earbes knowing this prouerbe to be true, Sine Cerere et Baccho frigit Venus, vsing continuall labour as an Antidote against wanton affections: which Ouid prescribeth for a principle in his Remedio Amoris.

Otia si tollas periere Cupidinis Arcus, Contemptaeque iacent et sine Luc • faces.

Lymosina. Almes.

Foure sort • of almes.

1. To giue to the poore. 2. To pardon him that offendeth. 3. To admonish him that sinneth. 4. And to rayse him from his errour that is amisse.

Where we may note, that euery good action which profiteth our neighbour, is as it were Qu • dam species Elemosynae, a kind of almes.

Leggi • rezz • apparente. Lightnes so seeming.

Foure things séeme light, and yet are of great importance.

1. To honor euery man in words. 2. To say the trueth. 3. To offend no man. 4. To accompanie with good men.

Things which séeme eas • e to be done, and yet in performaunce are of great weight: for as Socrates saith, alluding to that spoken in Esdras, there is nothing greater then the truth: heerin saith Pyttacus doo we resemble the Gods, if we endeuour to offend no man.

Lingua. A tongue.

Foure things procéede from an euill tongue.

1. The séede of dissention. 2. The hurt of other mens fame. 3. Wicked misconstruing. 4. And the instruction of euill.

For thys cause did cr •• ked Aesope bring his Maister tongues, as the worst meate in all the market, meaning that there is no vice so bad which a wicked tongue cannot vtter, sowing strife dissention, and slaunder, procuring murthers, and infinite other mischéefes.

Liquore. Liquor or moysture.

Foure kind of liquors are necesarie more then anie other.

1. Water. 2. Wine. 3. Hony. 4. And oyle.

Auicen in his Aphorisines sayth, that whatsoeuer is necessarie is not excessiue: therefore h • doth appoint th • se foure liquors as principall aboue the rest, for that 〈◊〉 Phisicke can be exercised if one of these shold be wanting.

Medico. A Physicion.

Foure things doe belong to a good Phisition.

1. To search out the occasion of the disease. 2. To apply medi • in • in time. 3. To visite his Patient often. 4. To comfort the sicke cunninglie.

Hippocrates was of this opinion, that it was more cunning to search out the nature of the disease, then after it was knowne to apply the Medicine: for quoth he • , sooner dooth the eye discerne the simple, then the imagination conceiue the sicknesse. It is reported that Galen was pleasant and merrie of disposition, which thing in a Phisition is precious.

Martirio. Marterdome.

There be foure sorts of martirdome without sh • dding of blood.

1. Uirginitie in youth. 2. Abstinence in aboundance. 3. Humilitie in prosperitie. 4. And patience in tribulation.

Thys word Martir beeing a Greeke worde, signifieth onelie a witnesse, as he is counted a Martyr which sealeth his Christianitie with his bloode, thereby witnessing the fi • menesse of his faith: so they which striue against the three enemies which S. Iohn speaketh of, namely y• pride of life, the lust of the eye, & the concupiscence of the flesh, may be called M • rty • s, as witnessing their cléere consciences by the mortifi • ation of rebellious affections.

Me • cante. A Merchant.

Foure things doo belong to a Merchan • .

1. Discretion in bargaining. 2. Care in selling. 3. Sure of hys promise. 4. And affability w •• h his customer • .

Marito. A Husband.

Fo •• e thi • g • ough • a husbande obserue towardes his wife.

1. To keepe her at her worke. 2. To make her stand in feare. 3. To cherish her carefullie. 4. And to clothe her comelie.

Cato the • ensor made a Lawe in Rome, that such wiues as their h • sbandes founde idle or were stubborne, should haue no re •• rence doone them by theyr ch ••• ren in publique places: esteeming them vnworthie anie honour, that could not by their vertues profit their houshold.

Moglie. A Wife.

Foure thinges ought a wife to haue care of for the loue of her husband.

1. To loue him aboue a • men. 2. To seeke the meanes o • his credi • e. 3. To cōfort him in sorrowes. 4. And to haue care hers • lfe of his person.

Lodouicus Viues in his instruction of a Christian Woman, hath so well han • led these poynts, as I referre the courteous Reader to the consideration of his learned workes.

Morte. Death.

Foure things are worse then death it selfe.

1. An olde man to be poore. 2. He that is depriued of his sences. 3. A sinner drowned in sinne. 4. And a sicke man holden in praise.

Calisthenes the Philosopher and freende of Alexander the great, chose rather to drinke poyson that Lysimachus gaue him, then liue distressed in pryson. Death is the end of miserie, and sweeter then beggerie in age, which is th • cheefest miserie.

Foure things kill a man before his time.

1. A fayre wife dishonest. 2. The sting of melancholie. 3. Impoysoned meates. 4. And corrupted ayre.

The Melancholicke humour, or rather Melancholick constitution, sayth Auicen, is so contrarie to the vitall spirits béeing colde and dry, that where it maketh any deepe impression, it inferreth speedie death, by killing of the naturall heate the maintainer of life.

Mutabilita. Mutabilitie.

Foure things are verie mutable.

1. A mans will. 2. The winde. 3. Fortune in prosperitie. 4. And the countenaunce in action.

Natura hominum (saith the Poet,) est nouitatis auida: men are desirous of noueltie, and theyr willes are so momentarie, as they change almost at the sight of euery obiect: whereunto alludeth our old English prouerbe.

Wynters wether, and womens thought. And Gentlemens purposes chaungeth oft.

Miracolo. A miracle.

There are foure vniuersal miracles.

1. That a Tyrant hated kéepeth a kingdome in subiection. 2. That in war the lesse number hath the victorie. 3. That the poore take not the treasure frō the rich. 4. That most men stand wayling on deceit.

Cleobulus meruailed greatlie how tyrants did raign • amongst the multitude, when vertuous Princes are faine to haue guardes for their persons. Pythagoras béeing demaunded what strange things he had séene in his trauell, recounted this for one, that hee sawe fraude and guile attended on with manie sutors.

Negotio. Businesse.

Foure things are to be considered in euerie busines.

1. Necessitie. 2. Lawe. 3. Honestie. 4. And profit.

Thys is most learnedlie and largelie handled by Tullie in his Officies.

Nascondere. To hyde.

There are foure things cannot be hydden.

1. The cough. 2. Loue. 3. Anger. 4. And sorrow.

These affect • ons are addicted to much impatience, and maketh a man so passionate, as they are almost impossible to be concealed.

Natura. Nature.

Foure things doo alter and change the nature of m • n.

1. Honor or preferment. 2. Extreame loue. 3. Womens allurements. 4. And wine.

Honores mutant mores, honours chaungeth manners, and the custome of life saith Plutarch, is alienated by dignitie: for Nero who béeing the scholler of Seneca, was most vertuous, no sooner came to • he Empir • but • e pr •• ued most vi • ious. Alexander the great, of himselfe was patient and continent, but once ouercharged wyth Wine, he chaunged his nature, and became most furious and luxurious.

Ostinati •• e. Obst • na •• e.

Foure sorts of men are peremptorily obstinate.

1. A Tyra • t in retayning his gouernment. 2. An Hereticke in the wickednesse of hi • • ayth. 3. An accustomed 〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉 . 4. The possessour of an other mans wealth.

The difference that the a • nci • nt Fath • rs doo make betweene a Scismaticke and an H • retick • , • s, •• at the Scismaticke • oth erre from the trueth, but as it were in suspence, for that • e 〈…〉 and therefore easilie to be recalled: but the Hereticke, as one blinded • n his owne conceit, obstinatlie and peremptorilie persisteth in his heresie, so that one of the Doctors of the Church hath this saying: Errare possum, hereticus esse nolo.

Offesa senza Giou • mento. Offence without profit.

Foure things offend much and profit nothing.

1. Barraine lecherie. 2. Hatefull sorrowe. 3. A vaine thought. 4. And byting enuie.

Thales Mylesius was wont to say, that two kinde of men were miserable in this world: he that was pensiue and sorrowfull without redresse, and he that troubled hys mind with thoughts th • t ret • rne to no effect.

Occhio. The eye.

Foure things doo delight the eye.

1. A fayre countenaunce. 2. A pleasant coloure. 3. Exteriour ornaments. 4. And cleerenes of the skye.

Opinione d' hanere. Opinion or conceit in hauing.

Of foure things a man hath more store then he thinketh.

1. Of enemies. 2. Of sinnes. 3. Of yeeres. 4. And of debts.

The good Emperour Traian had this saying alwaies in his mouth, that the knowledge of freendes and of enemies, was the hardest things to attaine vnto: for in prosperitie, the secrete enemie is an open fréend, and in aduersitie the greatest fréend oft prooueth the sorest enemie.

Opere. Workes.

Foure kind of works men ought to vse one to another.

1. To be charitable. 2. To be faithfull. 3. To instruct the ignoraunt. 4. And euer to honour old age.

Certaine Lacedaemonian Embassadours being sent to Athens, sitting in a sumptuous place prouided for them in the Theater to sée certaine playes, espying an old man white headed to stand on his feete, one of them rose out of his seate, and placed the aged man in his roome, saying, the Athenians knew how to giue precepts, but not howe to followe them.

Foure works are most prayse worthie.

1. To make peace. 2. To preserue iustice. 3. To helpe the oppressed. 4. And to ayde a poore man in his businesse.

In Thebes when any priuate dissention grew betwixt neighbours and fr • en • s, he that could sette them in peace and vnitie, was honoured with a garlande of Oliue, as a recompence of his trauell.

Prudenza. Prudence.

Foure things especially we are taught by prudence.

1. To remember things past. 2. To dispose things present. 3. To prouide for things to come. 4. And to suspēd those which are in doubt

In these foure is comprehended the perfect course of mans life: for saith Zenophon in his Occonomica, a man must remember things past, that what he hath doone well he may immitate, and what ill, hee may feare to commi • the like: he must sette in order thinges present, to keep • that he hath gotten, and to preuent penurie, prouide for the time that is to come.

Foure things make a man wise.

1. Studie. 2. Experience. 3. Nightly consideration. 4. And immitation of the wise.

Foure things belong to a wise man.

1. To liue ordinatelie. 2. To get riches honestly. 3. To follow others rightly. 4. And to moderate himselfe.

Learning and experience telleth vs, that an ordinate life, measured by the true proportion of equitie, cannot be founde but in wise men: for to obseru • the meane betweene two extremities, is a poynt of great prudence.

Foure sorts of men haue néede of great wisedome.

1. The Preacher in his doctrine. 2. The Iudge in his sentence. 3. The Phisition in his patient. 4. And ye rich man in his treasure.

There was none admitted in Athens to the calling of a Iudge, before he was olde, that experience & many yeres might be a warrant of his wisedome: so deceitfull sayth Solon are the allurements of riches, that he had neede of great wisedome which is not abused with their vanities.

Padre. A father.

Foure are the duties that a father oweth to hi • son.

1. To instruct him in the Sciences. 2. To learne him good manners. 3. To hold him in obedience. 4. And to nourish him moderatelie.

So carefull wa • the Senate of Rome for the instruction of children, that such fathers as were negligent in instructing them, were fined by the Censors in a •• eat summe, and lost their fréedome in the Cittie. Cato Vticensis helde his sonne in such obedience, that he caused him to be banished Rome, for breaking a pytcher which a maid carried full of water in her hand.

Prelato. A Prelate or Priest.

Foure things do • belong as necessarie to a Priest.

1. Residence in hi • Ministrie. 2. Honestie in his manner • . 3. Care of his flocke. 4. And hospitalitie.

Paule wryting vnto Timothie, handleth thi • matter at large, to whose censure I refer the courteous Reader.

Parlare. Speaking or speech.

Foure things belong to him that hath to speake.

1. To premeditate what he will say. 2. To consider wel to whom he speaketh. 3. To note the time and place. 4. And to pronounce his wordes distinctlie.

When Phillip the Macaedonian sent Embassadours to Athens, Demosthenes béeing appointed by the consent of the Senate to aunswere them, was found the night before in great consultation with himselfe: and beeing demaunded why he was so solitarie, and so perplexed in his minde, knowest thou not, quoth hee, I must to morrowe talke with the Embassadours of Phillip?

Pace. Peace.

Foure effects that procéede frō peace.

1. It increaseth a Cittie. 2. Breedeth store of victuall. 3. Heapeth vp riches. 4. And maketh merry Cittizens.

Tullie thought so well of peace, that hee had oft this saying in his mouth: Iniustissima pax, iustissimo bello est anteferenda, that the most iniust peace, was to be preferred before most iust warre: Zeno at his death being demaunded by his Schollers, what nowe he would craue of the Gods, this quoth he, that my fréends may liue vertuously, and the Common-wealth may florish with peace.

Foure things are necessarie for him that obserueth peace.

1. Not to defraude any man. 2. To vse patience. 3. To maintaine league. 4. And in euery thing to vse iustice.

Want of performance of iustice by the Senatours, made many & sundry breaches in Rome, of peace breeding ciuill mutinies and discorde, for those which were wronged and iniuried, in the time of Catelyne prooued his confederates.

Penuria. Penurie or want.

Foure sorts o • men fall into penurie.

1. The prodigall. 2. The glutton. 3. The olde man. 4. And he that delighteth in strife.

Dissention and discord is as a Moath that eateth and consumeth riches, and prodigalitie is a vice that ruinateth Monarchies.

Pericolo. Perrill.

Foure sorts of men put their companions in daunger.

1. He that is in punishment. 2. He that is afflicted in his iourney 3. He that walketh in dignitie. 4. And he that looseth a battaile.

Cicero clyming by his wisedome and eloquence vnto promotion, walking in the slypperie path of dignitie, no sooner fell in disgrace, but all those of his alliance or affinitie, were in great perrill and danger: insomuch that his sonne in Lawe Dolobella, sequestred himselfe from Rome to auoide imminent daungers.

Foure things are perrilous.

1. To liue vnder a Tyrant. 2. To trust in the wind. 3. To • ight in warre. 4. And to company with a foole.

When one of the thirtie Tyrants told Socrates, that it was dangerous for him to macerat his bodie so much with fasting, nay quoth Socrates, but it is dangerous for a man to liue vnder a Tyrant. Diogenes seeing a Captaine of Alexanders talking with a foolish man, had hym take heede: why is there any danger quoth the Captain, yea quoth Diogenes, if thou cōpany long with that man.

Pouerta. Pouertie.

Foure Artes doo impouerish a man.

1. Grammer. 2. Lodgicke. 3. Arithmeticke. 4. And Geometrie.

By this, the Author meaneth as I gesse, that all liberall Artes decay, that deuotion towardes learning is told, and that it is the poorest condition to be a Scholler, all Artes fayling but Diuinitie, Law, and Phisicke, the one profiting the soule, the second the purse, the third the bodie.

Foure things make a man poore.

1. A woman. 2. Gaming. 3. Ill cōpanie. 4. And strife.

Or thus 1. To stand idle. 2. Reuenge. 3. Gluttonie. 4. And to liue bebeyond a mans boundes.

These are foure notable vices, which bring bothe health and wealth to confusion.

Peccato. Sinne.

Foure sinnes in man most detestablie wicked.

1. To kill a mans neighbour without cause. 2. To speake euil of any man. 3. To defraude vniustlie. 4. And to offer causelesse iniurie.

Pregato. Prayer or intreatie.

Foure things he ought to consider that is intreated.

1. What he is by whom he is intreated. 2. For what cause he is intreated. 3. What shall folow if he doo graunt. 4. And what may happen if he doo not graunt.

Presenti. Presents or gifts.

Foure things doe presents procure.

1. They driue away the couetous. 2. They couer faultes. 3. Increase nobilitie. 4. And choake an enemie.

Therefore dyd Lycurgus forbid any that bore office in the Cittie, to take any presents, because, quoth he, they cloake offences and mittigate punishments. When the Ciuill warre was most hote betwéene Caesar and Pompey, Pompey sent presents vnto Caesar, which when the Monarche saw, he vttered these wordes, now that Pompey seeth fortune faile him in the wars, he séekes to conquer his enemie in bountie.

Perfectione. Perfection.

Foure things doo bring a worke to perfection.

1. The knowledge of Artes. 2. The imitation of wise mē. 3. The kéeping of custome. 4. And a gratious pronuntiation.

Penitente. A repentant.

Foure things are necessary to him that repenteth.

1. Confession of mouth. 2. Contrition of hart. 3. Satis-faction by works. 4. And to continue in well dooing.

The Pharisie in the Gospell had confession of mouth, but the Publicane had contrition of heart: for not euerie one that cryeth Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heauen, but he saith Christ that dooth the will of my father, which is in heauen.

Prezzo inestimabile. Inestimable price.

Foure things are so great as they cannot be valued.

1. Knowledge. 2. Health. 3. Manners. 4. And vertue.

Popolari. The Common people.

Foure things doo delight the Common people.

1. Want and defect of Artes. 2. Cheapenesse of victuailes. 3. The oppression of Nobilitie. 4. And de •• re of noueltie.

Héere is made a right perfect and absolute description of the faultes that raigne in the mindes of the populer sortes: for not séeing into the profit that ryseth to y• Common-wealth by the knowledge of the liberall Sciences, they hold learning and learned men in contempt, counting nothing necessarie, but what is mecanicall, whereof it is truelie sayd: Scientia non habet immicum praeter ignorantem: againe, they brooke not the Nobilitie, as impatient of superiours, and as men wishing euery Common-wealth were a Democracie, striue to be Lords themselues, ayming at such desires by enuie. Desirous they are of change, both of Magistrates and of Lawes, as contented with nothing but foode and noueltie.

Re. A king.

There are foure things glorious in a King.

1. To rule his Subiects with fatherlie care. 2. To get fréendes with his deserts. 3. To be affable to sutors. 4. And to vse iustice with clemencie.

These foure things were found to be in ye good Emperor Tytus, for he was in his gouernment, tender ouer his subiects as the father ouer his children: so that in the warres he preferred the life of one Romane, before the death of a hundred enemies: he gotte him many fréends by his vertues, and counted not that day amongst the number of his yéeres, wherein he had not giuen some benefit, or graunted some sute.

Ringiouenire. To wexe young.

Foure things doo wexe young in an olde man.

1. The hart. 2. Uanitie. 3. The tongue. 4. And conc • piscence.

Religioso suddito. A religious subiect.

There are foure things belonging to a religious Subi • ct.

1. To attend vpō his Office. 2. To obey the Bishops. 3. To flée idlenes. 4. And to giue himselfe to prayer.

Rettore. A Ruler.

Foure things are necessarie in a Ruler.

1. Experience in affayres. 2. Loue towards his subiects. 3. Constancie in his actions. 4. And iustice in euery thing.

Codrus bare such loue to his Subiects, that when it was sette downe by the Oracle, that his men shoulde be discomfited vnlesse he were slaine, he put himself into the apparrell of a base Souldiour, and got him to the enemies Campe, where quarrelling with one of the Scowtes, hee was slayne, and so preferred death before the losse of his subiects.

Foure things doo belong to him that is a Ruler, and yet subiect to an other.

1. To obey his superior in things Lawfull. 2. To prouide for the weale of the Common-wealth. 3. To aduaunce the good. 4. To beate downe the wicked.

Such were the Tribunes and Triumuirs, the Questors, Cenzors, and Ediles in Rome, which ruled among the people, and yet were all subiect to the Senate, wh • m they obey • d with all reuerence: so by their ob • dience drawing the Common people to the like submission: prouiding carefully in their seuerall Offices for the Cōmon-wealth.

Robba. Wealth.

Foure things take away a mans wealth vpon the suddaine.

1. Fyer. 2. A Tyrant. 3. A tempest. 4. And an Armie, or Enemie.

Antisthenes liuing in Athens, vnder the gouernment of the thirtie Tyrants, no sooner became Auditor to Philosophie but he gaue away all his wealth and substaunce, and béeing demaunded why he did so, made this answer, I had rather be counted a Philosopher for contemning riches, then be thought vnhappie in hauing them taken awaie by Tyrants.

There are foure things which depriues a man of his substaunce.

1. Water. 2. Gluttonie. 3. Gaming. 4. And lecherie.

Diogenes, séeing a byll of sale sette on a gluttonous mans doore, sayd, I thought that thys house would surfet so long, that at last hee woulde spue out his Maister, thinking that gluttonie and superfluiti • of fare, had wasted his substaunce. Wee reade in the Gospell, that the prodigall and wanton disposition of the vnrulie Sonne, brought him to goe naked and poore, wasted his patrimonie, and consumed all that wealth which his father had bestowed vpon him.

Superbia. Pryde.

Foure things procéede from pryde.

1. Ingratitude. 2. Oppression of our neighbour. 3. Ill speeche. 4. And dissention.

The proude man taketh such conceit in himselfe, that hee taketh all good turnes that are doone him, to come of dutie, and therefore is ingratefull, not sparing to sp • ake ill, or to oppresse his neighbour, for that chalenging a superioritie aboue others in his minde, he thinketh his actions are not to be controlled.

There are four things which make a man proude.

1. Wealth. 2. Power. 3. Dignitie. 4. And parentage.

Foure things abates pride.

1. Pouertie. 2. Oppression. 3. Olde age. 4. And sicknes.

Pride beeing (sayth Socrates,) an ouerweening of a mans selfe, is commonlie a fault in youth, which when consideration and experience hath sifted and layde in the ballance, olde age findeth too light for his humour, and therefore reiecteth it as a follie. Sicknesse quaileth, and bringeth those sences in defect, which are ye very sinewes and force of pryde.

Speranza. Hope.

Foure things procéed from hope.

1. Health of bodie. 2. Quiet of minde. 3. Comfort of labours. 4. And length of life.

Let vs alwaies hope well (sayth Zenocrates) least if that fayle, we prooue miserable: for the gréefe of our labour, toyle, and industrie is asswaged by hope, which maketh all endeuors, though neuer so dangerous, séeme eas • e.

Seruire. To serue.

Foure things doo make a man to serue.

1. Feare. 2. Loue of gayne. 3. To be marked. 4. And ambition.

Seruile mindes that feare the frowne of their Superiours, are glad to become seruaunts, by such obedi • nce and humilitie séeking to please: and so forceable is the desire of gaine, as it oft times metamorphiseth a frée mind into a slauish condition, and therefore did Per • ennius serue Commodus the Emperour, because hee was ambitious, and aspired to the Empire.

Foure things doo app • rtaine to a Seruaunt.

1. Carefuln • sse in s • ruice. 2. Willingn • sse to doo what he is commaunded. 3. Affabilitie in sp • ech. 4. And myrth ioyned with hys laboure.

Whereupon an olde English disticke.

A seruaunt that is diligent honest and good. Must sing at his worke like a bird in the wood.

Foure things make a man seruile.

1. A flattering & pleasant tongue. 2. Desire of gayne. 3. To receiue presents. 4. And little vnderstanding.

Pompey when he was about to be chosen Consull, sent pres • nts to Cato, which hee refusing, willed the Messenger to say • o Pompey, that he should take againe his gyft, for he would speake in his behalfe as a frée-man • not as a seruaunt, alluding to the Fren • h prouerbe.

Chi d' al • rui preud, Subiect se reud.

Foure things doo belong to a handm • yde.

1. To haue care ouer her mistresse. 2. To be no carri • r of newes. 3. To be shamefast. 4. And to doo her busin • s with diligen • s.

As before in the d • tie of a wif • , so I refer •• is place • o the censure of Lodo •• cus Viues, in the instit • ti • n of a Christian Woman.

Soldato. A Souldier.

There are foure things belonging to a Souldio • r.

1. Witte. 2. Courage. 3. Money. 4. And liberalitie.

Epaminondas the Theban Captaine, was wont to wish that all Captaines were Philosophers, and al Souldiers learned: he appointed none to any great Office that was not passing wise, and somewhat skilfull in the liberall Sciences: and of such courage he was, that fighting a battaile to the vttermost, being wounde • to death, hee would not out of the field, till newes was brought hym that his souldiers had won the victorie.

Sommessione. Submission •

Foure sorts of men doo well to hold other in submission 1. A king his subiects. 2. A father his children. 3. Husbands their wiues. 4. Maisters their schollers.

Stimolo all delitto. A prick vnto sinne.

There are fo • re th •• gs d • o pricke a man forward to • inne.

1. Anger. 2. Necessitie • 3. Hate. 4. And couetousnes.

Durum necessitatis te •• m, the sting of necessity is sore, and therefore it is sayd to be without Lawe; as prescribed within no certaine limmits. Necessitie forced the •• dians to inue • t gaming. N • cessi • ie forced the inhabitants of Thebes to breake the league, otherwise they had béen ruinated by famine.

Secretezza inutile. Secrecie vnprofitable.

Th • re • re • oure thi •• s which doo little profi • being kept secrete.

1. Rouenewes. 2. Power. 3. Knowledge. 4. And eloquence.

Appolonius Tianaeus a Pythagorian Philosopher, being demaunded wherein a man did bothe hinder himselfe and other: in hyding (quoth he) of knowledge, which reason mooued Plutarch greatly to inueigh against Neocles the brother of Epycurus, for setting downe to his disciples this principle, (hide thy life) as counting him an enemie to man, that would obscure knowledge.

Senso. Sence.

Foure things doo sharpen the sense.

1. Desire to profit. 2. Necessary consideration. 3. Cōference with wise mē. 4. And the occasion of a benefite.

Marcus Aurelius the Emperour béeing verie old, and yet of verie quicke memorie, béeing demaunded on a time how béeing so farre in yeeres his sense • were fre • h, made this aunswer, as a knife i • kept bright from rust by scowring, so are the senses preserued by reading & conference.

There are foure sense • necessarie aboue the rest to man.

1. Seeing. 2. Hearing. 3. Touching. 4. And tasting.

Foure things doo greatlie dull the senses.

1. Delight in women. 2. Cruell aduersitie. 3. Oppression through famine 4. And too much prosperitie.

Plato admitted no Auditour in his Academie, but such as while they were his schollers woulde abstaine frō women: for he was wont to say, that the greatest enemie to the m • morie, was venerie. Aduersitie so troubleth the heade, which is the seate of the sences, with cares, as by continuall r • minating of thoughts, it wearieth out the senses with yrkesomnesse. And prosperitie so puffeth vppe the minde with pride, that it maketh a man not oneli • to defect in his senses, but euen to forget hymselfe.

Scienza. Knowledge.

There are foure things which first brought in knowledge.

1. The loue of vaine glorie. 2. Delight to reade. 3. Desire to gaine. 4. And Diuine inspiration.

Tys reported that the Liberall Sciences were first drawne into forme by Hermes Tresmegistus, whō therefore the Poets tyteled with the name of Mercurie, calling him the Messenger of the Gods, meaning by that Aenigmatical fiction, that he attained to such knowledge by some diuine inspiration.

Sauio. A wise man.

Foure things sound not wel in the mouth of a wiseman.

1. To extoll baze things. 2. Not to prayse that is prayse worthy. 3. To contrary in vnknown things him that is skilfull. 4. And to striue with his neighbour for things impertinent.

Erasmus in his Chiliads calleth thys foolish strife betweene Neighbours, Pro lana Caprina rixare, to stryue for Goates hayre, to make a question of that which gotten or lost, redoundeth to small profit or disprofit.

Sanita. Health.

Foure things are hurtfull vnto health.

1. Inordinate vse of women. 2. Superfluitie of meates. 3. Too much colde. 4. And too much labour.

Although we are commaunded by the learned Phisitions, to accustome our bodies to labour, and that Tully in hys Epistles to his freende Atticus, and his fréeman Tyro, willeth them for their health to vse exercise, yet excesse in euery thing being a vice, causeth too much labor greatlie to weaken the bodie.

Stato. State.

By foure things a man may come to good estate.

1. By dooing well. 2. By vsing loyaltie. 3. By saying trueth. 4. By thinking no vile things.

Agathocles béeing a Potters sonne, and preferred to the dignitie of a king, béeing demaunded merrily by one of his fréendes, by what meanes he aspired to such preferment, aunswered, by thinking honorably, and speaking the trueth.

Temperanza. Temperaunce.

Of foure things Temperance dooth admonish vs • 1. To cut off superfluitie. 2. To bridle desires. 3. To abstaine from vnlawfull things. 4. And to banish al vaine delights.

Socrates was a Philosopher of so great temperaunce • that going into the market, and séeing many things there of great price, said, O God, howe many thinges be there that I neede not.

Traditore. A Traytor.

Four things are to be noted in a tra • tour.

1. Most sweete hony in his mouth to deceiue. 2. Deadly gall in his hart to betray. 3. A fayned laughter in his countenance to intrap. 4. A mortall effect in a fained action.

Synon, as Virgil makes mention in his Aeneiodos, when he went about to betray the Cittie of Troy, had sorrow in his tongue, and treason in his hart: Iudas smyled and kist Christ when he betraied him: Amo Proditione • (saith Phillip,) not proditorem, the Traytor may be flattered, not loued: looked to, but not trusted.

Terra. The earth.

There are foure things which the earth grudgeth to beare.

1. A slaue that hath rule. 2. A foole that is rich. 3. A woman that is odious, and yet married. 4. And a s • ruant that is he • or to her Mistresse.

Of this reade more in the Prouerb • of Salomon, and the booke of Wisedome.

Tedio. Tediousnes.

Foure things are very tedious and toylesome.

1. Rayne in the day time. 2. Too much talke. 3. Winde in the spring. 4. And affliction wt labour.

Aristotle hearing a babling fellowe tell a long tale, and being demaunded how he liked it, went presently and layde him downe vpon his bed, giuing thē to vnderstande by this, that it was yrkesome and tedious.

Tyranne. A Tyrant.

Foure things doth a Tyrant alwaies.

1. He destroyeth the good. 2. He driueth away poore men. 3. He aduaunceth the wicked. 4. And suppresseth vertue.

Heliogabalus after hee was possessed of the Empire, sought straight the ouerthrow of such as were vertuous, and preferred to dignitie, bawdes, gluttons, and such like.

Foure things doo oppresse a Tyrant.

1. Want of v •• tuales. 2. Too much oppre • sion. 3. To attempt warre. 4. And to abandon iustice.

Foure Tyrants haue beene more cruell then any other.

1. Herod. 2. Attyla. 3. Nero. 4. Esselynus.

Foure things deceiue a Tyrant, in thinking he hath y• which hee hat • not.

1. The fauour of the people. 2. Nobilitie of fame. 3. Aboundance of riches. 4. A •• will to rule.

A Tyrant causeth foure effects.

1. Hee causeth dissention amongst the Cittizens. 2. Oppresseth thē which are wise. 3. Spoyleth the rich. 4. And pulleth downe the mighty.

Four things hinder the rule of a Tyrant.

1. Concorde of Cittizens. 2. Store of rich men. 3. The fore •• ght of the wise. 4. And the courage of the mightie.

Foure things doo increase with the life of a Tyrant.

1. The seueritie of his actions. 2. The styng of pryde. 3. The affliction of his subiects. 4. And the disdaine of his nobles.

Four customes vsuall in a Tyrant.

1. To be headlong in cruel actiōs. 2. To be impatient in hearing. 3. To wyll that all things come from him. 4. To bee reprehended of no man.

Foure things are profitable for the subiect of a tyrant.

1. To honour the mightie. 2. Not to o • fend any man. 3. To speake little. 4. And liue solitarie.

Vtili • a. Profit.

Foure things are profitable before the déede.

1. To examine the beginning. 2. To consider the midst. 3. To fore-sée the end. 4. And to aske counsaile of a wise man.

In all the actions of humaine life, saith Periander, if thou fore-sée what thou takest in hande, thou shalt not greatly erre, (principiis obsta,) stoppe at the beginning, and there consider what it is thou doost attempt, least time being let slip, thou finde she is balde behinde. Amongst the darke precepts of Pythagoras, this was one (Dimidium plus t • to,) the halfe is more then the whole: meaning héerby, that he which well weigheth the •• rst halfe of his action, hath doone more then if he performed all, inconsidered. Remember the ende (saith the wise-man) and thou shalt neuer doo amisse. For the finall euents foreséene, hardli • are any déedes bitten with repentaunce.

Vecchiezza. Old age.

Foure things doo spring from olde age.

1. The defect of the senses. 2. Cruell couetousnesse. 3. Want of strength. 4. And vaine ostentation.

There is no sinne but weareth away by time, couetousnes only excepted for adulterie ceaseth, when Natur • • ayleth, Gluttonie abateth by the weaknes of y^ stomack, Wrath and Enuie are the fruites of choller, and therfore not predominant in olde age, but Couetousnes neuer forsaketh a man, but sléepeth with him in his graue.

Foure things olde men doo.

1. Giue holesome counsaile. 2. Reach coldly to him which demaundeth. 3. Prayse things past. 4. And accuse things and time present.

Olde men, (saith Sir Iefferie Chawcer,) are then in their right vaine, when they haue In diebus illis in theyr mouth: telling what passed long agoe, what warres they haue seene, what charitie, what cheapenes of victuals, alwaies blaming the time present, though neuer so fruitful.

Foure thinges doo belong vnto olde men.

1. To speake profitablie. 2. To counsayle. 3. To set enemies at concorde. 4. And to instruct them which are ignoraunt.

Zeno the Stoick béeing wexen olde, was demaunded of certaine Lacedaemonian Embassadours nowe that he had giuen ouer his Scholle • s, what he did practise in his age. I nowe (quoth hee) giue good counsaile, and seeke to pacif • e dissentions.

Vergogua. Shame.

Foure things are the efficients of shame.

1. The increase of want. 2. To receiue a iourney. 3. To intreate others. 4. And to be driuen from the multitude.

There is nothing that maketh a man more ashamed • then when he hath • éene rich to be oppressed with want, and to craue that of others, which before time his abilitie hath serued him to giue • which Alcibiades found true in his banishment, for séeing one of his Countrimen in necessitie, and he not able to reléeue him, he •• ghed and said, I am ashamed that I haue liued thus long.

Foure things driue away shame.

1. Little knowledge. 2. Heaping vp of riches. 3. Excessiue power. 4. And pride in Science.

The foole (saith Ecclesiastes) so delighteth in his follie, as he regardeth not shame, and hee that is miserable sayth Erostratus, pref • rreth gaines before hones • ie, and is not ashamed to get by what sinister meanes so euer.

Foure sorts of men must not be shame fast.

1. Players. 2. Co • on • rs. 3. Flatterers. 4. And • eggers.

Vdit • . Hearing.

Foure things doo delight the hearing.

1. A sweete voyce. 2. An eloquent tongue. 3. A pleasant murmur. 4. And an honest sute.

Traian the Emperour tooke such a delight in hearing the goods sutes and complaints of his subiects, that it is reported of him, he neuer denyed any mans sute that was lawfull and honest.

Vitio. A vice.

Foure vices are more heynous then any other.

1. To denie God. 2. To betray our Country. 3. Wilful murther. 4. And to deceiue a mans companion.

So greeuous a vice is this detestable sin of Atheisme, especially when a Christian through obstinacie denies his God, as it is not to be named amongst men. Sultan Solyman, hauing the Ile of Mely • ta betrayed into his handes by a Christian, called Byzellius, to shewe howe hee did esteeme of him that betrayed his Country, no sooner had the Traytor in his possession, but he •• eyed him quicke, as a man vn •• t for the company of men.

Foure things doo couer vices.

1. Bountie in spending. 2. Affabilitie in speech. 3. Honestie in manners. 4. And subtiltie in workes.

They which be vicious and rich, saith Epicte •• s, couer their faultes with their treasure. There is nothing saith Clitobulus, that more eclipseth the sight, then the colour of gold and courteous language, for long was it ere the conspiracies of Catelyne could be discouered, he was so plausible a man among the Romaines. Cicero in his Philippica, against Anthonie hath these wordes: hadst thou not couered thy gluttonies with hospitalitie, and thy ryot with giuing to the poore, long ere this had thy vicious life béene manifested vnto the people.

Foure punishments follow the adulterers vice. Eyther 1. Etreame pouertie. 2. Suddaine death. 3. Shame before a Iudge. 4. And losse of a member.

Quatuor impurus paenis plectetur adulter. Aut hic pauper erit aut hic subito morietur. Aut cadit in causam qua debet iudice vinci, Aut aliquod membrum casu vel crimine perdet.

Verita. Trueth.

Foure things doo manifest the trueth.

1. Sight. 2. Touching. 3. A true witnesse. 4. And tasting.

Although we commonly preferre sight for the sure • t sence, yet Aristotle in his Booke De sensibili et sensato, sayth, that of all the senses, it easeliest and soonest is deceiued, by the mea • es of the disparitie, and apparence of sundry obiects, or hauing the intermedium proportioned with too long a space.

Foure things darken trueth.

1. Feare. 2. Loue. 3. Hate. 4. Gaine.

Vita. Lyfe.

Four things doo prolong a mans life.

1. To liue soberlie. 2. To dwell with fréends. 3. A holesome scituation. 4. A quiet and a merry mind.

Nestor, who as Homer and other Historiographers doo report, liued three ages, beeing demaunded by Agamemnon what was the causes of his so long life, aunswered, the first or primarie cause was the decrees of the Gods, the second, frugalitie in dyet, want of care and of melancholie. If you will die olde, (sayth Hermogenes, lyue not in Law-places, eschew delicates, and spend thy idle time in honest and merry companie.

Vso. Vse.

Foure things cannot be well attayned vnto without vse.

1. The knowledge of Grammer. 2. To wryte fayrer. 3. To preache well. 4. And to make verses.