The pilgrimage of Princes, penned out of sundry Greeke and Latine aucthours, by Lodo­vvicke Lloid Gent.

At London Printed by VVilliam Iones, and are to be solde at his nevve long Shop at the VVest doore of Povvles.

C Call on God, vvith CICERO craue, thy countrie good to vvish.
H Haue PHOCION learned Greke in mind that ioyed of Athēs blisse.
R Remember CAESARS saying in Rome, ech day to vvinne a friende:
I In vvorde and deede most DAMON like, that vvill endure the ende.
S Seeke vvith care, serue vvith faith, think PLATOES saying on earth
T To serue thy God, thy Prince, thy soyle, did nature poynt thy birth.
O Offende no man, deserue due prayse, the poore doe not denie:
F Forget not PHILIPS Page that sayd, O PHILIP thou must die.
O Obay the lavves, hurt no man, hate not the siely Groome:
R Right so in Englande shalt thou haue, as POMPE had in Rome.
O Of CVRTIVS fayth, of CODRVS care, of Roman SCIPIO think:
S Shun subtill SINONS savvcie sleyght, flee cursed CACVS linke.
H Hat' on eche vice, eche vertue loue, thy state vvith CHILO knovve▪
A Auoyd raging vvrath vvith paciēce mild, PERIANDER teacheth so.
T Time doth BIAS vvise affirme, to make most men offende:
T Time SOLON sayth doth trie al things, and time doth iudge the end.
O Order must vvith measu [...]e rule, ech state sayth PYTTACVS playne:
N Nothing must abounde to much CLEOBVLVS biddes agayne.
V Vertue buildes hir blasing bovver, in sacred breast to breede:
S Such prayse as shall aduaunce your fame, if sages sayings you reade.

¶ TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVL and his singuler good M. Maister Christofor Hatton Esquier, Capitaine of the Queenes Maiesties Garde, and Gentleman of her highnesse priuie Chamber.

THAT NOBLE PHI­losopher Plato (right VVor­shipfull) had not attempted so often the seas from Athens to Si­cilia, had it not beene for his friende Dion, neyther hadde learned Apollonius sustayned the heate of Ripheus, nor the cold of Caucasus, to trauell from Rome vnto India, had it not beene for his companion Hiar­chus. Suche is the force of affection, the attempt of friende­shippe, and the secret search of nature, that vvere it possible that the same (sayth Cicero) might ascende the skies to vevve the glorie of the Sunne, the state of the Starres, and to beholde the beauty of the heauens, vnsvveete vvere the admi­ration thereof, vnlesse it might bee imparted to friendes. Such is the violence of hidden loue, after long lurcking in the intrailes of the heart, that by force seeketh meanes by some out­vvard shevv of seruice to reueale the fostered flames therof to his professed friende: by vvhose continuall mocions and rest­lesse rage I vvas more alured by good vvill than by vvit or learning persvvaded to manifest the fruite thereof vnto your VVorshippe, as to the onely Mecaenas & chosen Patron of this my enterprise, vvhich though more bolde than vvise, more rash than learned, yet I hope more vvilling than able of your vvorship adiudged, vvhich like a Greeke Demetrius, or a Romane Scipio, by some secret sleight of vertue mooued in me most ardent loue, incredible desire and singuler affection to accomplish some charge, as a publicke pleadge of my [Page] true and faythfull heart. So for the clemencie of counte­naunce, the facility of speach, the excellencie of nature, vvhich in some are more apparaunt than in others, doe euen as the Adamant dravve vp the heauie and lumpishe yron, en­flame the barren and luntish braineman to a farre further charge, than other learning maye suffice good vvill therein▪ Most vvilling to auoyde the gulfe of Charibdis, perfor [...] hee slideth in Scilla: and seeking to shunne Semphlagades, he sincketh in Syrtes. Hovvbeit, good vvill the vvorthiest revvarde, the chiefest treasure and the greatest gift that the seruaunt can yeelde vnto his maister, the subiect vnto his Prince, or one man vnto another, vvhich as Demosthenes sayth, ought as keis of treasures, bulvvarkes of Cities, de­fence of countries, and staye of states, bee vvaied and estee­med. Suche did Phocion onely accept in Athens, vvhen hee refused the offered treasures of the great Alexander. Such did Epaminondas require in Thebes, vvhen he re­nounced the princelie giftes of Artaxerxes. Suche did Fa­britius craue in Rome, vvhen he denied the vvelthye re­vvardes of King Pirrhus: And suche I trust your vvor­shippe doe vvaye of your vvell vviller, though of others better are tendered: for more holesome it is (sayth Plini) for some to drinke small vvine out of Samos earthen vessell, than strong poyson out of the golden cuppe of Nero: better it is to drinke Ci [...]us colde vvater out of faythfull Sinaetes hand, than svveete Nectar out of the infected cuppe of Cirses: and farre more sure is the good vvill of the faythfull, than the ten­dered treasure of the flatterer, vvhich like a Melitian dogge fauning on euery man, altering himselfe vnto all kinde of cou­lers vvith the Camaelien, and shifting himselfe vnto sundrie shapes vvith Protheus, vvill hault vvith Clisophus before Phillippe dissemble vvith Aristodemus beefore Antigo­nus, fl [...]tter vvith Aristippus before Dionisius: and in [...]ine deceyue Caesar vvith Curio. These rauening Har­peis, these tame Tigers, these sucking Serpentes, deceyued the vvise, ouercame the mightie, and deuoured the quicke: they [Page] vvill depraue Homer of his verses vvith flattery, they vvill spoyle Hercules of his clubbe vvith flattery, and they vvill dispossesse Iupiter of his thunder and lightnings vvith flat­trey. O had noble natures in leau of false flaterers, suche faythfull friendes as Agamemnon had of Nestor, Tele­machus of Menelaus, Achilles of Chiron, Hector of Po­lidamus, Vlisses of Alcinus, or hadde Princes suche coun­cellers as Alexander had of Aristotle, as Augustus hadde of Athenedorus, Antigonus of Zeno, Alcibiades of Socra­tes, and Cicero of Apollonius, flatterie shoulde bee espied, deceytes auoyded, enuie preuented, and death often escaped, then had not Sinon vvith flatterie vanquished Troye, Zopirus vvith dissimulation, destroyed Babilon, neyther Lasthenes vvith fayre vvordes ouercome Olinthus. But in examining the state of Princes, vvaying their pilgrimages in this toyling Labyrinthus, vve see their fortune as vari­able, as they themselues are mutable. VVee reade that some from base birth vvere aduaunced vnto emperiall dignitie, as Gordius from the Plough became King in Phrigia, and Giges from a Shepheard vvas made King in Lidia: So vve read that some from regall seates vvere exiled their kingdom, as Torquinius Superbus from Rome, and Dionisius from Sicilia. It is not straunge to the learned, that Tullius Hostilius from keeping of Cattell became a King in Rome, and that famous Zerxes the great King of Persea vvas vanquished by that simple manne Artabanus. VVhat vvoonder is it if Cirus vvas nourished by a Bytche to be a King in Persea, sith Prutias from a king in Bithinia, bee­came a begger in Asia. If Romulus from an abiect brought vp by a vvoolfe vvas buried so princely in Rome, vvhat mer­uayle is it that Pompeius being so renovvmed, shoulde be buried in the sandes of Egypt? If Alexander the great, Iu­lius Caesar, Hanibal, Iugurth, vvith infinite moe vvere sup­pressed and deiected from their high thrones vnto miserie and penurie? It is not straunge that Agathocles, the potter, Iustinius the svvinehearde, yea, Archilaus borne of a bond-vvoman [Page] shoulde be aduaunced vnto regall seate. That sage Greke therfore Pittachꝰ in the temples of Mittilena, depain­ted a brode ladder vvhere some did ascend and some discend, to notifie the state of fortune. Some hongry feeding at the Table of Tantalꝰ. Some toyling to rol the stone of Sisiphꝰ. Some stri­uing vvith the burthen of Atlas. Some busie to fill the empty buckets of Belides: and some carefull to turne the vvheele of Ixion, vvhereat I knovve not vvhether the vvise may laugh rather at the folly of the same vvith Democritus, Democri­tus laugh at the solly of the vvorlde. or vveepe at the miserie of the same vvith Heraclitꝰ. Hovv happy is he that sayleth by Scilla vvithout daunger, that passeth by Ci­clops dennes vvithout perill, that goeth vnto Lotophagos and not hindered,Heraclitus vvept at the misery of the same. that drinketh vvith Cirses, and not infec­ted, that heareth the Cirenes and not allured: In fine, that entereth vnto hell and not conuicted: yea tvvise happye is that contented man, vvho hauing nothing, possesseth all thinges, and hauing all thinges, possesseth nothing. By this onely Biton the siely argiue vvas preferred before Cirus king of Persea by Solon:Biton bet­ter estemed then Cirus. By this Aglaus the poore Arcadian vvas aduaunced before Cressus King of Lidia by Apollo. And by this onely vvas Gangeticus vvoont to say that ha­uing but bread and vvater, he vvoulde not chaunge life vvith Iupiter, Pirrhus. for had that renovvmed Pirrhus beene contented vvith the kingdome of Epire, he had neuer beene slaine by a simple vvoman at Argos. Siphax. Had Siphax beene satisfied vvith all the dominion of Numidia, he had neuer died a captiue in Rome. Alexander. And had that great conquerour Alexander beene sufficed vvith one vvorld, he had neuer vvept vvhen he heard that there vvere diuers vvorlds. Such gredy desire of vvealth, such vaine ostentation of life, that al Athens coulde not abide tvvo Alcibiades: All Sparta might not suffer tvvo Lisan­ders: nor all the vvorld might maintaine tvvo Alexanders. Such vaine glorye of selfe loue, such felicitie in the vvorlde, yea such ambition of honour vvith men that poore Temison a Gardener vvoulde be called Hercules in Cipris, simple Menecrates a Phisition vvould be called Iupiter in Greece, [Page] and foolish Hanno a Citizen, vvoulde be called a God in Carthage. So that some put their cheefe felicitie vvith Crisippus in the vvorlde, some vvith Antisthenes in fame after death. Many vvith Themistocles in descending frō a hie linage. A number vvith Simonides to be vvell beloued of the people. Diuers vvith Palemon in eloquence, others vvith Euripedes in a faire vvoman, and others vvith Sophocles in getting of children. Seely Herostratꝰ burned the temple of Diana to become famous. Pausanias slue Philip King of Macedonia to be spoken of. Desire vnto fame made Iuliꝰ Caesar to enuy the marshall monumentes of Alexander in Gades, made Alexander vveepe at the fame of Achilles in Phrigia, made Achilles crie out at the renovvme of The­seꝰ in Greece, and made Theseꝰ starke mad at the enterpri­ses of Hercules in al places. VVherfore that learned Philo­sopher Plato termed enuy Serra animae. VVhy vvas Per­dicca enuied? for his noble magnanimitie. VVhy vvas Lysi­machꝰ hated? for his approued experience. And vvhy vvas Antigonꝰ disdained? for his politick vvisdome: so that Plini saith most true, that there is no light vvithout shadovve, nor no vertue vvithout enuy. VVhich if your vvorship sometime bestovv your selfe to reade some booke or other, you shall in reading diuers bookes, knovv and perceaue the causes thereof, for as the Bee gathereth of some hearbe Gumme, of ano­ther the refuse of VVaxe, of an other Honye: so in rea­ding diuers bookes, diuers profites, of Rethoricke, the vvaye of persvvation of Logicke, the sleight of reason, of histories, the orders of countreys, of Philosophy, the secretes of nature, and of diuinitie the path of life: vvherefore Alphonsus the great King of Aragon being a long time sicke in Capua, ge­uing him selfe to reade Titus Liuius, of the marshall feates of Romans and Q. Curtiꝰ of the noble actes of Alexander the great, hauing thereby recouered his health, vvas vvoont to say that he neuer hearde better Musicke then he hearde in Liuie, nor neuer had better Phisick then he had in Curtius. Augustꝰ Caesar therfore vvould neuer be vvithout Virgil in [Page] hande, nor Alexander the great vvithout Homer vnder his Pillovv. Happy vvas Pompeius vvhen hee had Cicero in his bosome, and glad vvas Scipio vvhen he had Enneus in his sight: yea Dionisius the tiraunt vvoulde honour Plato, and Antigonus the cruell, geue place to Zeno. So as Al­phonsus saide, there is no svveeter Musicke then in rea­ding, there is no better Phisicke then in reading, and there is no sounder counsell then in reading. There is mirth, there is sadnesse, there is vvisedome and knovvledge, there is persvvasion, and there is vvarning: vvhich if your vvorship do folovve but Appelles sayinges vnto his schollers, that no day shoulde passe vvithout the reading of one line, or to imi­tate Hortensius ▪ sometime of the day either to reade, aske, or to learne something. I knovve you vvill say vvith Solon, Indies senesco multa discens, trusting to call to minde that short and svveete sentence of Epaminondas vnto his friende Pelopidas, that no good nature ought to go out of his house in the morning, but before he returneth home, he vvill vvinne one friende or other, forgetting not the saying of Tiberius the Emperour, vvho thought that day yll spent in the vvhich he did good to no body, or profited no man. Thus doing your vvorship shall encrease in knovvledge, multiply your freendes, aduaunce your fame, and enioy felicitie of life.

¶ Your seruaunt, Lodovvicke Lloide.

TO THE READER.

VNvvise much vvere I beeing base and barren, if I thought to escape that which Homer that sweete and sugred Mecaenas of Greece might in no wise auoyde. Simple were I to seeke to auoyde that which the wisest and the learnedst Socrates, and Architas, coulde not shunne: therefore euen as the Rhodians and the Lacedemonians in the games of Olim­pia, were taunted of Diogenes, the one for their brauerie, the other for their raggednesse: so these Cinikes sortes finde faulte with the good aswell as the badde. Lucullus a noble Romane demaunded of the Philosopher Seneca, what best he might doe to please Nero the Emperour, and not to offende the common people, had in aunswere, to doe much seruice vnto Princes, and to vse little taulke, and to shewe humanitie vnto the commons: Knowing well gentle Reader, how ready the most part are to ac­cuse the learned, and hovv fewe are willing to excuse the ignorant, I am contented rather to be reprehended for my good will in penning this pilgrimage of Princes, than to be commended by that vvhich may prooue my ydle lyfe by silence. Being mindefull of the youth of Egypt how they shoulde make account vnto their magistrates of paine and trauell, most willing to accomplish some­thing that might discharge the same, I tooke this laboure in hande, in that, that I coulde to the vttermost to beni­fite my countrie, to pleasure my friendes, and to shewe my selfe more willing than able in performing the same: and though I in my rashenesse presume to write of the liues of Princes, yet I trust in gathering the fragments & broken sentences, as a beginning vnto others that are bet­ter stored, it vvill be of the vvise and learned considered, though of others defamed and taunted. For there is no [Page] booke sayth Plini so simple, but it profiteth some body, for in bookes sayde Chilo the Philosopher are the fame of vvorthie men eternized, and the veritie of thinges etere vnknovvne wvritten, vvhich tvvo thinges neyther time can consume, nor fortune destroy, and for this cause were the bones of Homer sought and contended for of seuen Cities in Greece to be buried and kept as a monument of so great a vvriter, and for this vvas Euripides dying in Macedonia sent for by embassadors of Athens, to bee hadde in memorie as a prayse vnto Athens by his buriall For the Greekes supposed the greatest honour of all to haue educated such men as vvere studious and carefull for their countrie. For greater is the attempt of any simple booke writer to hazarde himselfe to present perill to en­counter with diuers men with a pen in his hande, then that that valiaunt Perithus with Cerberus, or Theseus vvith Minotaurus, yea, or Hercules with Antheús, iollie champions vvith swordes drawne: for that they fought vvith one a peece, and that before their faces, & the sim­ple writer with thousandes, and they behinde his backe slaunder him. Architas the Philosopher, whome the Ta­rentines made a general in their warres sixe seueral times, he I saye vvas in no such daungers in his vvarres, as hee was resisted for his rules and lawes in Tarentum. Plato vvas not in such perill at the besieging of Tanagra, and Corinth amongst all his enimies, as he vvas enuied in Greece by Zenophon and Aristotle his ovvne schollers by his Philosophie. Neyther vvas Socrates in such ha­zarde of life being in armes in Delphos, as he vvas in A­thens by vvriting of bookes put to death by the Greekes. Zeno the poore Philosopher coulde resist the violence of the great king Antigonus & Demosthenes could vvith­stand the force of Philip, and yet neyther of them coulde auoyde the snares of those that defamed their labour, enuied their diligence in vvriting and making of bookes. [Page] Simple men must not therefore be discomfited to vvrite bicause the vvise and learned vvere herein euill spoken: For the Gimnosophistes in India, the Prophetes in Egypt, the Sages in Persea, the Ephori in Lacedemonia, the Chal­deans in Babilon, and the Philosophers in Greece, are novv more famous and renovvmed being deade, then they being a liue vvere enuied and slaundered, their vvritinges and bookes more read novve, than alovved or knovvne then, they rtrauell novve is commended, though their liues then vvere despised. And therefore I vvish all lear­ned Cla [...]kes vvere as vvilling to vvrite, as the most part of ignoraunt are studious and carefull to finde faultes. VVherfore crauing the good vvill of the learned reader as a bovvlster and defence to my simple trauell, I ende, vvishing that both the Printers faultes and mine might lesse mooue occasions of offence.

¶ CHRISTOFORVS CARLILVS IN FLODVM.

GEstiunt Musae, Charites triumphant,
Gestit insignis lituis Apollo,
Pallas, ac Orpheus, monumenta Flode,
Cernere tanta.
Ipse ne ditem videar beare,
Aureis nummis, Calabrosue pomis,
Vel redundantem Bromeum racemis.
Dicere cesso.
Est opus dignum solido Cupresso,
Et Cedro suaui, simul at (que) laude
Maxima: Flodi celebrate famam,
Anglica pubes.
Si legis librum, furiosa philtra
Non t [...]bi possunt, n [...]camara Circes
Vasa, non atrox rabies Megerae
Vlla nocere.

ED. GRANT. IN LOD. FLO.

QVae a tûere difuruis immersa tenebris,
aeduntur patrijs condecorata sonis.
Quae prius [...] fuerint bene cognita paucis
nunc venient cunctis percipienda viris.
Postera Floyde tuam nascentia secula laudem
cantabunt, praesens nomen in astra feret.
Quicquid est in mellis, quicquid liberiste lepôris
continet, omne tuum, laus tribuenda tibi.
Liuide mendaces compescito Zoile voces,
tela licet vibres, non violabis opus.
Inclita mordaci non laedes facta libello,
florescit Floydus docta perora virum.

¶IN LIBRVMDE PRINCIPVM periginatione, Iohannis Coci, scholae Pau­linae magistri, hendecastichon cum versu quodum Homerico, ad lectorem.

STato domi, nullis terre iactatus in oris,
quem patrium subijt noscendi sola libido.
Sin mores hominum varios tibi nosse voluptas,
ingenij (que) vagas ediscere nobilis artes:
Non perigrinanti deerunt monimenta laboris,
que memtem (que), manum (que) parent ad talia promptas.
Quod liber hic regum referens quae facta priorum,
tuta, domi cupido, praestabit vota, manendi.
Hinc licet ingenij praesignes discere cultus,
quos aditu regum prouisa pericula monstrent.
Nam liber hic peragrans, tibi quae viscenda fuissent,
[...].

¶IN LAVDEM LODOVICI FLODI, Thomas Dranta, Archdiachonis Leuuicensis.

PRincipibus placuisse viris, non vltima laus est,
sic ais, & summis placuisti leuis horati
Principibus placuisse viris si tam bona laus sit,
Principibus fuisse viris precepta, quid hoc est?
At (que) ipsos mutos, ipsos formare loquentes,
consilium totis sanum (que) adscribere vitis,
Hoc tu (Flode) facis, quedam tua dogmata vidi,
caetera cum visis si quadrant congrua membra▪
(Quod facile credo) quid tmultis te tibi tollam:
es bonus ingenio (que) & bis bonus argumento.

¶THOMAS CHVRCHYARD, Gent. of Lodo. Fl.

IF learning had no laude, mans lyking vvoulde decaye, (avvay.)
And fevv vvould vvrite or knovvledge seke, if praise vvere pluckt
The laborer hath his hier, to quite his carefull paines:
The noble minde for vvorthie vvorkes, a crovvne of glorie gaines.
The horse toyles all the daye, at night some rest to finde:
The havvke in hope of vvished praye full hie doth beare the vvinde.
Than hee vvho made this booke, of right must reape renoume:
Sith through the trumpet he hath blovvne, a famous fact doth soune.
He shevves by learned lines, our painefull pilgrimes state:
And hovve the Prince and people both, driues out their dreery date.
A pilgrimage vve goe, in pathes of perilles great:
And through the shades of suerties shoe, vve passe to burning heate.
That all consumes by flame, of deepe desire in brest:
VVhose kindled cooales like Aethna smokes, in sulphur voyde of rest.
VVhose sparkes doe flee so farre, they cannot quenched bee:
Except that vvisdome vvater cast, vvhen fier most hote vve see.
VVhat humour leades me thus, I meant to prayse this man:
(As farre as penne and skill may stretch) that first this vvorke began.
And though the svvelling svvannes, that svvimes in povvting pride:
By skovvling brovves tels vvorld that they, this vvorke cannot abide.
I carelesse stande of that, and vvishe those birdes so vvell:
(In greatest glorie that they make, that dovvne their feathers fell.
For if at verteous actes, their vices vainely striue:
The good shall grovv, the bad shall quayle, & sure the best shall thriue
I meane such men as this, that vvell doth vvorke and vvill:
And labours for his countries gaine, and so hee shall doe still.
Shall vvere a garlande gaye, of flovvers that florish fayre:
VVhen painted vveedes that vvants good sap, shal perish in the ayre
Thus as my cunning serues, and cause requires in deede:
I prayse the vvorke and like the man, that giues you this to reede.

¶ Of the slipperie state of fortune, and vvhat Princes, and vvhere they vvere ad­uaunced one vvay, and hovve they vvere op­pressed another vvay.

FOrtune, the Treasurer of the worlde, that ruleth realmes, ouercommeth king­domes, oppresseth kinges, ex­alteth Tyrauntes, and doth to whom she will giue lyfe, and to whom she hateth ap­point death. She calleth some to renowne & some to shame. What honour she gaue to some, what honour she tooke from others. How she exalted base mē, how she oppres­sed proude Princes Histories do recorde. All the Kings that euer raigned in Rome, almost from base birth and slender progenie, were aduaunced by fortune to sit in royall Rome,Romulus▪ and enioy princely Scepters. Romulus the first King and builder of Rome, borne of Rhea, a Uestall Uirgine, and daughter vnto Amulius, left as a pray vnto beastes, forsaken of all Rome, hated of his owne grandfather, that he founde more friendship in a shée Woolfe then hée had at his grandfather Amulius: more kindnesse of the Woolfe for his nourishment, then loue of his mother, though he was borne of her. Not­withstanding, contrary to the expectation of Amulius, not thought of in Rome, by fortunes fauour, he was by the Woolfe preserued, and by a poore shéepe brought vp to be a King of Rome.Cyrus, The like happened vnto Cyrus at thrée dayes olde, when hée was commaunded by his grandfather king Astiages to be drowned and deliuered vnto Harpagus chiefe officer about Astiages, by King Astiages owne hande to be killed and destroyed: yet by [Page] fortune, a Bitche (being likewise left as Romulus was) fed him, and mylkt him, gaue him life whē his parentes appointed death for him, brought vp by a Bitche (beyng a banished infant) to be the firste and most renowmed King that euer raigned in Persia. Paris. Euen so of Paris King Priamus sonne, called likewise Alexander, the like com­maunded he shoulde in all haste being borne, bée killed: which being preserued by fortune, was brought vp by a beare, to be a famous Phrigian Prince. Thus Cirus by fortune found friendship more in a bitch thē in his own mother: Romulus more loue in a Woolfe then in all Rome: Alexander more kindnesse in a Beare then in his father Priamus. Telephus. To speake of Telephus the sonne of Hercules, Camilla. fostered by a Hart. To speake of Camilla and Semyramis, Semiramis the one brought vp by a Mare, the other by birdes of the ayre, to be such famous Quéenes, as the one ruled the Volskans, the other ye Babylonians. How fortune appointed litle Antes to féede King Midas, and Bées to féede Plato, the wealth of the one, the eloquence of the other did certifie the same: but to declare first the extolling and aduauncement of simple and base men vnto princely seates.Torquinus Priscus. Torquinus Priscus, a straunger borne in Corinth, the sonne of one named Demaratus, a banished marchāt from his country, became a famous King in Rome: yea so famous I say, that he enlarged the confines of Italy, amplified the wealth and state of Rome, augmented the number of the Senatours, en­creased the order of Knighthood, and left Rome so happy at his death, that the Citizens thereof would twise haue trauailde as farre as Corinth to spéede of so noble a Prince.Tullius Seruius. Tullius Seruius, a poore straunger, likewise ad­uaunced vnto the same place by fortune: and Tullius Hostilius, a shéepheard, and from féeding of beastes, ex­tolled to be likewise King of Rome. Thus fortune to shewe her might, exalteth the poore, and oppresseth the proude. Thus from banished straungers, from simple [Page 2] shéepheardes, appointed she famous Princes and noble Kinges: fortune elected Senatours, appointed Consuls, made Tribunes & Censors. Fortune as Seneca saith, from lowe birth, and base condicions, made Princes: Fortune had them from the Plough to sitte in seate of Kinges:Gordius. Fortune tooke Gordius from his Plough to be a King in Phrygia: Agathocles Fortune tooke Agathocles from his fathers Shop being a Potter, and made him King in Sycilia: Darius. she brought Darius from the Stable of Cyrus to be a King in Persia: Giges. she brought Giges from a shéepe­hearde to be the welthiest king that euer raigned in Ly­dia: She spared no place, without respect to any man. Iustinus a swineheard,Iustinus. from féeding of his swine, be­came a mightie Emperour of Constantinople. And Carpenters likewise may bragge of Telephanes, Telephanes. which fortune aduaunced to the kingdome of Lydia. Shall not husbandmen extoll fortune,Valentianus which made Valentianus Emperour in Rome? Howe much fortune fauoured learning, howe she brought the greatest Princes in the worlde to honour simple men, and caused the cruell ty­rauntes to estéeme and reuerence the same. That king Dionisius the wicked tyraunt of Sycilia, when he heard that diuine and noble Philosopher Plato was comming vnto Sycilia, Plato. made certen of his Nobles to go méete him on the Sea, in a Ship so brauely appointed, so gor­geously dressed with sayles of purple silke to bring him a lande, where Dionisius him selfe taryed his comming in his golden Chariot, with foure white Horses trapped ouer with gold, tooke him vnto his owne Chariot princ­ly, talked vnto him reuerently, vsed him honourably, & so entertained him, that if Iupiter had descended from Skie, greater honour coulde hée not get in Créete, then Plato a poore philosopher Aristons sonne of Athence got in Sicilia. Aristotle. Aristotle borne in Stagira, a poore Phisitions sonne named Nichomacus merited suche fame by for­tune, that not onely Philip King of Macedonia, thanked [Page] God that his sonne Alexander was borne in his time, vnder whose tuition Alexander fiue yeres learned Phi­losophie, but also Alexander the great conquerer of the worlde honoured and saluted him as his Maister, vnto whom he sayde that he was no lesse bounde for his lear­ning vnto Alexander and vertuous education, then he was vnto king Philip his father for his birth, he shewed the same being in India, a countrey farre from Gréece, and in the middest of his great warres vnto his mai­ster, writing the state of India, the successe of his iour­neys, the prodigious and monstrous sightes that Alex­ander sawe vnto Aristotle. That mightie Artaxerxes king of Persia hearing of the fame of that learned Hip­pocrates, Hippocra­tes. did sende vnto the chiefe gouernour of Helles­pont earnest letters for Hippocrates, promising in wri­ting great honours, equalitie to the chiefe rulers of Per­sea, fellowe and friende to myghtie Artaxerxes. Thus fortune was not onely honoured as a goddesse in An­tium, but also worshipped in all the worlde: thus euery man toyleth for fortune, goeth a pilgrimage for fortune. I remember of a worthy Historie of one Rhodope, Rhodope. a faire and a gorgeous strumpet in Egypt, which fortune so fauoured for her beautie, that she being a washing her selfe in a well, an Eagle fled with one of her shoes vnto the famous City of Memphis, [...]anus. libr. 14. where then the king of Egypt kept his Courte, named Psamnetichus, before whom the Eagle let the shoe fall. The king dismaide at the beautie of the shoe, amazed of the working there­of, musing muche howe nature myght frame so fine a foote, made open proclamation throughout all Egypt to séeke suche a woman whose foote serued that shoe, and being found, to bring her to the king: and being brought to the king, she was maryed vnto the king. Thus from a cōmon woman, fortune appointed an Eagle to make her a Quéene in Egypt. If fortune fauoured suche that was naught of life, slaunderous of report, ignominious [Page 3] and infamous in all Egypt, to be a Quéene in that king­dome where she was a queane, who should make much of suche a dame, in whom neither constancie was euer founde, or trueth euer tryed. I iudge that man most for­tunate, that is of all least fortunate: and sith fortune is deceitfull to her owne friendes, she can not be true vnto her foes:Bion. therefore, very learnedly did wise Bion aun­swere being demaunded, what was most daungerous in the worlde,Phocion. to be most fortunate. Phocion, that lear­ned Athenian was woont to say, that better it were to lie carelesse vpon the grounde, safe and sounde, then to lie carefully vnder cloth of states in daunger and perill. A certen wise prince, before he should be crowned king, tooke the Crowne firste as Valerius saieth in his hande, saying after looking & musing a while: O Crowne, more noble than happy, whose peryll to enioye (if men knew) no man woulde take thée vp from the grounde, though thou diddest offer thy selfe. What felicitie happened vn­to Alexander the great,Alexander. which fortune so aduaunced to be a King of kinges, a conquerour of conquerours: yea, to be worshipped as a god, and to be called the sonne of Iupiter, whose fame compassed the whole earth, in so muche that Thalestris Quéene of the Amazons came from Sythia vnto Hircania with thrée hundred thousand women to lye with Alexander thirtie dayes, to be with childe by him: and yet in Babylon that fortune that so exalted him, did likewise oppresse him, being in his chief fame but thirtie & two yeres, poysoned by his kinsmen and friendes, left and forsaken of all men, that he was thirtie dayes vnburied, as a begger, not as a king: as a beast, not like Iupiters sonne. The lyke fortune serued Iulius Caesar, Caesar. whiche after thundring clang of the lyke fame, was in his owne Citie of Rome, and in the Se­nate house amiddest his Councellours slayne and mur­thered so tyrannouslye with Bodkins and Daggers of his most trustie friendes Brutus and Cassius, that he had [Page] twentie and thrée woundes in his body. Thus was the misfortunate end of so fortunate a beginning. How did fortune deale with famous Zerxes, Zerxes. whose huge armies dryed vp riuers, whose infinite numbers of Nauayes couered ouer the Ocean Seas, whose power and force all Gréece trembled at: fortune that promised al Gréece vnto him at a becke, she I saye, gaue him ouer to the handes of Pericles his enimie, to bée vanquished, vnto the force of Artabanus to bée slaine. A litle better she vsed Mithridates King of Pontus, after many victories in diuers countreyes, noble tryumphes sundry times, which fortie yeres and moe she mainteyned against the inuincible Romanes, to the great detriment and losse of Rome: and at length to his great discomfort, after he had lost wife, children, and all his friendes, lefte him in his olde age a pray vnto Pompeius. This is the friend­ship of fortune, to plague & to punish those which often­times she sheweth her selfe most curteous vnto. Ther­fore was Plato woont to thank God that he was borne a man, & not a beast: in Gréece, & not in Barbary, & thank­ed fortune, that he was a scholler vnto Socrates, which wayes despised fortune and her force: for fortune neuer doth a good déede, but she requiteth ye same with an euill turne.Pyrrhus. Pyrrhus that valiant king of Epyres, whom so fa­mously fortune guided, that he was counted by Hanibal the seconde souldier and Prince for his magnanitie and courage vnto Alexander the great, whose ende by for­tune was such, that a siely simple argiue woman kilde hym with a litle Tilestone.Hanibal. Hanibal, whose name was so terrible vnto Rome, by fortune .xvj. yeres, was by the same driuen to exile, a banished abiect from his coū ­trey, and wéery of his life, ended his dayes with poyson in Bithinia Alcibiades, Alcibiades. Val. lib. 7. which fortune so fauoured one way, that hée excelled all men in personage and birth, in wisdome and honour, in strength and wealth, and in all kinde of vertues, surmounting all Gréece: againe, [Page 4] was brought to suche banishment and penurie, to suche infamie and reproche, that hée was compassed and ta­ken of his enimies, & burned in his bed with his whore called Timandra. Cambises, and Nero, whose cruell and vnhappy dayes, both Rome and Persia long time felt: their fawning fortune, after much tyranny & bloodshed of others, was such, that beyng wéery in murtheryng o­thers, they siue them selues, that was the ende of their fortune.Polycrates. Polycrates, who euer sayled with prosperous windes of fortune, that hée was taken and named for­tunate Polycrates, at length so serued of fortune (as o­ther Princes were) he was hanged by one Orontes, an officer of king Darius in open sight of Samos, where he a long time florished, and in the ende hanged on a high hyll named Mycalensis mount. These euyls happen by fortune, yet wée sée them not: she gripes vs with her handes, & yet we féele not: she treadeth vs downe vnder her féete, and yet we wyll not know it. Happy is he that accompanieth not with fortune, though diuers thinke them selues happy that be fortunate,Giges & Cressus. as Giges & Cressus, two Kinges of Lydia, so wealthy, that they iudged no man as happye as they were: and yet was Aglaus the poorest in all Arcadie, & Byton the simplest of all Gréece: the one by the sentence of Solon, the other by the oracle of Apollo iudged farre more happy then they. The very tyraunt Dionisius, being banished from his kingdome of Corinth, woulde often say in his miserie, that happy twise were they that neuer knew fortune, whose faw­ning face in the beginning, doth purchase cruell death in y• end [...].Diagoras. Wherfore, a certaine Lacedemonian saide, Dia­goras, who being in the games of Olimpia in Gréece, ha­uing his children, & his childrens children crowned with Garlandes of fame, for their vertuous actes and quali­ties that time, that it were great happe vnto him to dye presently at such a sight of his childrens fortune: and be­ing asked the cause, he sayde that fortune neuer pleased [Page] that man so much with fame, but she woulde in time displease the same as muche with infamie, and moste true it was spoken vnto one of the thirtie tyrauntes, which being in banquet with diuers nobles & gentles when the house fell,Fulgosius. lib. 7. cap. 2. and slue them all: yet he, this ty­raunt escaped, braggyng much of his fortune that he so saued him selfe: a simple man sayde vnto him, Neuer boast of fortune at any tyme, for that she spareth thée nowe, she wyll the next time more sharply plague thée, which so came to passe, that his fleshe was made a foode vnto his horses, and his bloodde drincke appointed for them, that in sparyng his death then, when the house fell, hée was afterwarde requited as you hearde. If fortune, whose waueryng steppes are neuer certayne, were as little trusted of the most part, as shée is most deceitfull and false vnto all men, then Cicero woulde not haue spoken that they that seke fortune, are blinder then fortune, shée neuer aduaunced any to dignitie, but shée suppressed the same againe vnto misery,Tarquinius. as Tar­quinius the prowde, a King that fortune made famous diuers wayes, of princely progenye, of passing parso­nage, of incredible beautie, and of all noble qualities, to whome shée presented Lucrecia, Collatin [...]s wyfe, as the onelye snare to catche him, and to take him, by whome he was depriued from hys gouernement, left his kingdome and banished out of Rome, to raunge countries in miserie and payne, after long felicitie and pleasure:Dionisius. euen so Dionisius king of Siracusa, after many princely pleasures, renowned fame, great glory, yet in the ende, banished his countrie, and driuen to kéepe schoole in Italie. In the lyke sort, shée deceyued that noble and valiaunt Scipio, Affricanus, whose prowesse and magnanimitie augmented muche the fame of Ro­manes, by conquering of Affrike and Carthage, and notwithstanding, driuen to exilement and miserye, where he dyed after many triumphes and victories like [Page 5] a poore begger. O vncertaine state, and slippery whéel [...] of fortune. And bicause fame followeth fortune, and proceedeth from fortune, as the smoke commeth from the fire: for as fortune is variable, so is fame diuers. If we séeke histories, we finde the fame of poore men for theyr pouertie, aswell as the riche, for all their riches: poore Codrus, Codrus Irus. and ragged Irus, are as famous in respect béeing beggers, with Poetes▪ as Mydas or Cressus, two famous and welthie Kinges of India, are mencioned of Plutarch. Doth not Aristophanes make as much mēti­on of Cleonimus the Coward,Cleonimus. Achilles. Poliphemus Enceladus. Conopas. Molon. as Homer doth make of Achylles the stoute, Poliphemus and Enceladus, two huge monstrous Giaunts: are not so famous in Vir­gill for their bignesse, as Conopas or Molon, two lit­tle dwarfes of two foote length, are renowmed in Plini for their smalnesse. Iuuenall, and Claudian, report no lesse of the little Pigmeis, than Ouid or Maro of the huge Ciclopes. If fame procéede of poore men for po­uertie, of dwarfes for their smalenesse, of cowardes for their cowardenesse, as muche as it doeth flowe of riche men, for their wealth, of Giauntes for theyr big­nesse, and of stoute men for their courage: What is it but a pilgrimage, we liue and trauayle here, for fortune and fame runne togither as diuers as they are vncer­taine. Plini that famous Histographer, writeth of one named Messala, Messala. which was so forgetfull and weake of memory, that he forgat his owne name, and yet as fa­mous for his obliuiosnesse,Hortensius. as Hortensius was renow­med for that he coulde pronounce out of hande with his tongue that which he wrote with his penne. Seneca the philosopher commendeth one called Caluisius, that hée likewise was so obliuious, that he could not often name those daylye friendes that hée vsed companye withall.Cyneas. What greater fame coulde Cyneas haue for all his me­morie when hee was sent from King Pirrhus as Em­bassadour vnto Rome, where the seconde day, in the [Page] Senate house before all the people of Rome, he na­med all the Senatours by name. What greater re­nowme coulde King Cirus haue for his noble memory,Cirus. for naming euery souldier of his by name, beyng in ye Campe?Mythryda­t [...]s. What fame hath King Mithradates for his di­uers and sundry languages, whiche without an inter­pretour coulde speake vnto .xxij. nations, being his souldiers, but onely that they are recorded in bookes, where likewise Caluisius, Messala, and suche obliuious men that forget their owne names, are put in writing. Doth not Homer, the Trunpettour of fame, write of Melitides an Idiote, that woulde after the destruction of Troy, and after King Priamus, & all his were slaine, yet he then would come to succour ye Troyans. Homer I say doth not forget Melitides, no more then he doth Agamemnon. What shoulde I speake of siely and sim­ple Herostratis, whiche for burnyng of the Temple of Diana, is euerlastingly remembred, and myllyons more of the lyke, whiche are mentioned of auncient writers. What is fame then, but a memorie of thinges past.

¶ Of magnanimitie of Princes, and fortitude of minde, vvhere and vvhen it vvas most esteemd.

EUen as Iustice without tem­peraunce is often counted in­iurie, so magnanimitie with­out respect vnto prudence is tirannye. This vertue pro­céedeth from a valiaunt and a sober minde, ioyning both the body and minde togither, that wisedome and pollicye of the one, the strength and courage of the other, bée alwayes redye to defende the cause of his countrey, the quarell of his Prince, and so­cietie of fréendship: vnto this therefore, vnto his Prince, countrey, and fréendes, any good man is borne, prefer­ryng common commodities before priuate wealthe. Hercules, Hercules. being yet a young man, musing muche what he myght best do, thus studiyng and pondering to what he shoulde applye his noble minde, appeared vnto hym two taule goodly women, the one as Zenophon doth de­scribe, very gorgeous and braue, ringes of golde on her fingers, a chaine of golde about her necke, her heares set and frisled with Pearles, and Diamondes hangyng at her eares: the other in sober and comely apparell of modest behauiour, of shamefaste countenaunce, stoode before him. The first saide, Hercules, if thou wilt serue me, thou shalt haue golde and siluer enough, thou shalt féede daintily, thou shalt liue princely, thou shalt enioye pleasures, possesse mirth, In fine, thou shalt haue all things at thy wyll to liue with ease and rest. The other sayde with comely countenaunce, if thou wilt serue me Hercules, thou shalt be a victor of conquerers, thou shalt subdue kingdomes, and ouerthrowe kinges: thou shalt be aduaun [...]ed vnto fame, renowmed in all the worlde, [Page] and shalt deserue praise of men and women: Whiche when Hercules sawe and hearde the offers of these two launcing Ladyes, vnderstandyng the idle seruice of the firste, and the exercise of the seconde, tooke her as his maistrisse, to whome hée wyllyng became her man. Whereby, according vnto promise made, enioyed fully the fame and praise by due desertes. That magnani­mitie had Hercules that ouercame Lions, Dragons, Beares, and such monstrous huge wilde beastes, that dyd destroy kingdomes and countreys. That fortitude of minde had Hercules, that conquered Giauntes, and subdued Tyraunts, enlarged liberties, set frée captiues and prisoners: and briefly, that magnanimitie was in Hercules, that hée neuer offended iuste men, hée neuer hurted innocent men, hée preserued diuers kinges and countreys, he neuer spoyled good countrey, nor subdued a iust king: therefore, wholy addicted to merite fame, In destroying the Serpent Hydra, the D [...]agon Pria­pus, the Lion, the wild Bore and terrible Bull. In con­queryng Gereon, Angeus. Cerberus and Diomedes, cruell Ty­rauntes: In takyng the gylted Hart, in vanquishing the Centaures, and the rauenyng Birdes named Stympha­lides: was there any tyranny or cruel attempts in this his .xij. enterprices? Well, let Hercules passe, who was as they say, more ayded of the gods then helped of man. With these princely actes & renowmed feates of Her­cules was noble Thesius much enamored,Theseus. insomuch he aemulated the vertuous life of Hercules, that he tamed wylde beastes, slue monsters, ouercame cruell Creon [...] tyraunt of Thebes, went downe as the Poet saith vnto hell, to imitate Hercules feates, to resemble Hercules magnanimitie, to augment Theseus fame, creating al­ters, appointyng sacrifice in memorie of Hercules, ho­ping that others woulde doe vnto Theseus, as Theseus dyd vnto Hercules. Next vnto Theseus, for antiquitie of time,Achilles. that valiaunte and renowmed Gréeke Achilles, [Page 7] the onely stay and comfort of his countrey, the verye hope of all Gréece, whose magnanimitie, valiaunt cou­rage, worthy actes, and famous life is at large set foorth in Homers Iliades, which Homer, Alexander the great, by the reading of the manhood of Achilles, Alexander. being yet in his fathers dayes brought vp in schoole, with that lear­ned Philosopher Aristotle, so estéemed, that hée neuer went to bed, but that he had Homer vnder his pillowe, and there fell in loue with the prowesse of Achilles, ho­noured his life, and magnified his death: in so much hée went vnto Ilion in Phrygia, where that famous Citie of Troy sometime stoode, to sée the graue of Achilles, where, when hée came and sawe the worthye monu­mentes, his marshall chiualrie, his famous feates and renowmed lyfe depaynted aboute the Temple, enuironed and compassed about his sumptuous tombe, he brake out in gushing teares, beholding the tombe, saying: O happie Achilles, to happen on suche a Ho­mer, that so well coulde aduaunce thy fame. And thus Alexander being mooued by Homer to imitate Achil­les, wayed nothing else but magnanimitie and courage of minde, as Curtius, and Diodorus Siculus, can well testifie, whose lyfe though it was but short, was a mir­rour vnto all the world, that being but twentie yeares when he began to enuie the actes & feates of Achilles, that in twelue yeres more, which were his whole time of life, he became King ouer Kings, a conquerour ouer conquerours, that he was named an other Hercules, for his prosperous successe in his enterprises: insomuch, that Iulius Caesar the first and most valiaunt Emperor that euer was in Rome, at his great cōquests,Iulius Cae­sar. entering into the Temple of Hercules in Gades, reading the lyfe of Alexander printed rounde about the Temple, hys worthie fame depainted, his noble déedes set foorth, hys victories and conquestes in euery place described, suche monumentes and myrrours in memorye of his noble [Page] life, that Caesar fell vnto the like teares for Alexander, as Alexander did for Achilles. Thus one in loue with the other for magnanimitie sake, eche one desirous of others fame, as Caesar thought him selfe happie if he might bee counted Alexander, Alexander iudged himselfe renowmed, if he might be named Achilles, Achilles sought no greater fame then Theseus, Agesilaus. Theseus euer desired the name of Hercules. Therefore Agesila­us, King of the Lacedemonians, wondering muche at the singuler magnanimitie and force of Epaminondas, Prince sometime of Thebes, who with one little City coulde subdue all Gréece. This Epaminondas hauing warres with the Lacedemonians, people no lesse renow­med by warre, then iustlye feared by Epaminondas, after great victories and triumphes had by this Prince, was after this sort preuented by Agesilaus, in the wars of Mantinia, that al the people of Sparta were counceled eyther to kill Epaminondas, Epaminon­das. or to be kilde by Epami­nondas, whereby the whole force and power of Lacede­monia were fully bent by commaundement, gyuen by Agesilaus their King, to fall vpon Epaminondas, where that valiaunt and noble Prince by to much pollicy was wounded to death, to the spoyle and murther of all the people of Thebes, and yet a liue caried vnto his tent, de­maunded of his souldiours the state of the fielde, whe­ther Thebes or Sparta was conquered, being certified that the Lacedemonians fledde, and that he had the victo­rye, he foorthwith charged the ende of the speare to be taken out of his side and wounde, saying, Nowe your Prince Epaminondas beginneth to liue, for that he dy­eth a Conquerour: wée reade not skant of Epaminon­das mate, which being compared vnto Agamemnon for his magnanimitie, was angrie therewith, saying, Aga­memnon with all Gréece with him, was .x. yeres about one towne, the Citie of Troye, Epaminondas with little Thebes, in one yeare conquered all Gréece. This order [Page 8] was amongst the Lacedemonians, before they shoulde go vnto warres, they were by lawe charged to make solemne sacrifice vnto the Muses, and being demaun­ded why they so did, sith Mars hath no societie with the Muses: Eudamidas then their King aunswered, for that we might attaine aswell of the Muses, how to vse victorie gently,Lacedemo­nians. as of Mars to become victors manfully. These Lacedemonians were so valiant that hauing ba­nished their King Cleonimus for his passing pride and great violence, making Areus to raigne as a King. This Areus, being in Créete ayding the people of Cor­cyra, in warres with the most part of the Citizens of Sparta, Plutarch. lib. 27. this Cleonimus their exiled King, consulted with Pirrhus King of Epyre, perswading then or neuer to conquere Sparta, considering Areus was in Créete, & that Sparta was not populus to defende any strength, came both and pitcht thir fielde in open face of Sparta, assuring themselues both to be at supper in Cleoni­mus house. The Citizens perceyuing the great army of Pirrhus, thought good by night to sende their women vnto Créete to Areus, making themselues ready to die manfully in resisting the hoast of the enimie: and being thus in the Senate agréeing, that the womankinde shoulde passe awaye that night, least theyr nation at that time shoulde be quite destroyed by Pirrhus, then rushed a great number of women in harnesse,Archidamia of the which Archidamia made an Oration to the menne of Sparta, much blaming their entent, and quite confoun­ded their purpose, saying, Thinke you (O Citizens of Sparta) that your wiues and daughters woulde liue if they might, after the death of their husbandes, and de­struction of Sparta, beholde howe readye we are, howe willing the women of Sparta will die and liue with theyr husbandes, Pirrhus shall well féele it and knowe this daye. No maruayle that the broode of these women shoulde be valiaunt and stoute:Demosthe­nes saiyng. If Demosthenes, who [Page] so muche, was estéemed in Athens, had sayde in Sparta that which he wrote in Athens, that they which some­time ranne awaye shoulde fight againe: he shoulde haue the like rewarde that Archilogus had for that he wrote in his booke,Archilogus. that it was sometime better to caste the buckler away, than to die, he was banished the confines of Lacedemonia. At what time the Citie of Sagunto was destroyed, against promise of the people of Car­thage. The renowmed Romanes though league was broken and peace defied:Romans. yet the Senators did sende Ambassadours, Eabius Maximus with two Tables written, the one contaynnig peace, the other warres, which was sent to Carthage, eyther to choose peace or warres: the election was theirs, though the Romans were iniuried, and though they could best defende their owne, yet woulde the noble Romans suffer often offen­ces. Hardie then were the Romans, Scaeuola. when Scaeuola went alone armed vnto the tentes of Porsenna King of He­truria, either to kill Porsenna, or to be kilde by Porsen­na: greater fortitude of minde coulde be in no man, more valiaunt in heart no man séene than in Cocles, Coclies. who onely resisted the whole armie of of King Porsen­na, vntill the Citizens of Rome came to take vp the draw bridge, and then leapt in all his harnesse from his enimies, vnto the middest of the riuer Tiber: & though hee was sore in diuers places wounded, yet neyther his fall hurted him, neyther his harnesse preste him, neyther water drowned him, neyther thousands of his enimies coulde kill hym, but swimmed through the ri­uer Tiber vnto Rome, to the great admiration of king Porsenna, and excéeding ioye of Rome: so that one poore Romane, gaue the repulse to the whole armie of a king. Ualiaunt was Rome,Popilius. and Romans feared, when Po­pilius was sent Ambassadour to Antiochus the great King of Syria, when Antiochus eyther for pryde or pompe of his person, or contempt of Popilius, refused [Page 9] to aunswere the Romane Embassadour, was then pre­sently enforced to aunswere the state of Rome, and de­maunded of the Embassadour before he might goe out of a litle rounde circle which Popilius made wih his ry­ding Rodde.Pomponius. Then faithfull was Rome, when Pom­ponius a Romane Knight and souldier vnder Lucullus, ge­neral in the fielde against Mithridates King of Pontus, by whome Pomponius being taken as a prisoner sore wounded and mangled. The King demaunded, if hée woulde helpe him to life, woulde he be true to Mithri­dates? to whome the poore wounded Romane aunswe­red, Pomponius wyll be vnto Mithridates as Mithri­dates wyll be vnto Lucullus: so true and faithfull were Romanes, as they were stout and valiaunt, in so much that Scypio being thréescore yeres almost, and being sought of a young souldier to bye a braue Buckler and a fine Target, sayd that a true Romane must not trust vnto the lefte hande, where the Buckler is, or to hyde him selfe vnder a Target: but muste truste vnto his ryght hande, and shewe him selfe in fielde in open sight. This magnanimitie hadde the people of Sithia, Scythian [...] stoutnesse. at what time Darius King of Persia was marching with his ar­mie towarde Scithia, they hauing vnderstanding ther­of, like people of great magnanimitie, sent certaine Ambassadors to méete Darius, to signifie his welcome vnto Scithia by presents sent by the Ambassadors: when therefore the Ambassadours mette with King Darius, Brusonus. lib. 3. ca. 33▪ they began to tell their message, and opening a priuie place, a wallet where theyr presentes were, they tooke out a mouse, saying, Unlesse you créepe like this mouse, to some countrey, or swymme like this frogge, or flie lyke this birde,The pre­sentes of Scythia. these arrowes shall pierce your hartes: the presents were a Mouse, a Frogge, a Sparrow, and fiue arrowes, gyuing to vnderstande by the Mouse, earth: by the Frogge, water: by the Sparrow, flight: by the arrowes, death: rare presentes sent vnto a King, [Page] simple giftes; small charges, but it contayned valiaunt­nesse, fortitude, and contempt of Darius, rather to moue him to warres, than to entreate of peace. Though Scy­thia was bare, yet was shée stoute: though rude and barbarous, yet valiant and manful▪ It is not in the na­ture of the place, or in the number of the persons that magnanimitie con [...]isteth, but in the valiant hart, and noble minde:Leonides. wherefore Leonides King of Sparta was wont to say vnto his souldiours, that he had rather haue one Lion to leade a whole bande of Déers,Iustine. lib. and Hero­dotus. lib. 7 than to haue a whole bande of Lyons ruled and led by one Déere, applying his meaning vnto King Zerxes, who hauing ten hundred thousand shippes on seas sayling towarde Gréece, so many as all Gréece coulde scant receyue, so many that diuers riuers and flowdes were dryed vp by his huge armie, a proofe sayth Iustine more of his welth then of his magnanimitie. Leonides knowing well the maner of Zerxes, that he was séene first fled, and laste in fielde: whose glorious pompe and shew of men, was not so famous, and terrible, at his comming to Gréece, as his departure from Gréece was shamefull and igno­minious, began to perswade the Lacedemonians, béeing but foure thousande in number, willinglye to liue, and to die for the renowne of Sparta in Thermopyla: ex­horting them to dine as merilye with Leonides their Capitayne, as though they shoulde suppe with Pluto: but perswasions vnto these that were perswaded, were superfluous: spurres vnto those that might not be stopt with bridles, were néedelesse, as in Thermopila well séene and prooued to the noble fame of Leonides, and great shame of Zerxes. It is not in multitude of men that magnanimitie of menne consisteth, but in wise and valiaunt heartes, for witte and will ioyned to­gither (sayth Salust) make manne valiaunt: where­fore Agamemnon that most renowmed Emperour of all Gréece appointed at the siege of Troye, Agam [...]m­non his say­ing of vvise men. woulde [Page 10] often saye, that he had rather haue sometime ten wise Naestors, then tenne strong Achilles: tenne Vlisles, then tenne Aiax: wisdome in warre auayl [...]th much, Plutarch reciteth foure famous and renowmed princes, and eyther of these foure had but one eye, to the aduan­sing more of theyr passing port,Philippe. the first was Philippe King of Macedonia, and Father vnto Alexander the great, whose wisdome in warres, whose pollicie in feates, whose liberalitie vnto his souldiours, whose cle­mencie, and humanitie to his enimies: in fine whose successe in his affayres were such, that his sonne Alex­ander after doubted whether the valiauntnesse of hys father, woulde leaue anye place to Alexander vncon­quered. The second was Antigonus King in the same selfe place,Antigonus. succéeding after Phillippe, whose warres with Mithridates King of Pontus, and Pirrhus King of Epire, fully set foorth in Plutarch, doe yéelde due honour and renowne for his force and magnanimitie: The thirde Hanniball Prince of Carthage, Hanniball. the whole staye of all Libia, for sixtéene yeares, the whippe and scurge of Rome and Italye, whose name was so terrible for his [...]ourage and hardenesse, that both Antiochus king of Siria, and Prusia, king of Bithinia, rather for feare, than for loue being then but a banished man receyued vnto honour.Sertorius. The fourth Sertorius a Roman Prince borne in Sabina, whose thundering clang of fame was no­thing inferior to ye proudest. These were not so famous by their prowesse and chiualry one way, as they were notorious and spoken of, for that either of them hadde but one eye. These renowmed Princes and singuler souldiers, excelled all men in wisedome and prowisse, as prooued is in Plutrarch by their liues. Phillip for tem­peraunce of lyfe, Antigonus for fayth and constancie, vnto his friende, Hanniball for truth and pacience for his countrie, Sertorius for his clemencie and gentlenesse towardes his enimies, which for theyr passing courage, [Page] inuinsible stoutnesse, and worthy enterprises, happened to be depriued of their eyes as Philip lost his eye at the siege of the Citie of Methon, Antigonus at Perinthia, Hanibal in Hetruria, Sertorius in Pontus. Whē the peo­ple of Thasius had erected alters, appointed sacrifices for to honour Agesilaus in their Temples,Agesilaus. for his fame of fortitude, they send Embassadors to certifie the king therof, which say yt as Apollo was in Delphos honored as a god, so Agesilaus was in Thasius: but the King as he was valiaunt, so he was wise, much detesting assen­tations and flatterie of people, demaunded of the Em­bassadours, and required them if that their countrey coulde make gods, to make some firste of their owne countrey, saying: Agesilaus had rather be king in Spar­ta, then to be a god in Thasius. O renowned Sparta, O famous Greece, While hidden hatred was exempted, while ciuill warres were not knowen, while Athence sought no supremacie ouer Sparta, while Sparta sought no maisterie ouer Thebes, then all the power of Persea, the force of Macedonia might not staine one lyttle towne in Greece: but the insolencie of princes, the de­sire of fame, the felicitie of renowme, the honour of glo­rie was such,Alexander. as Alexander the great aunswered King Darius Embassadours, who comming from Persea vn­to Macedonia to entreate of peace, tendering vnto A­lexander the daughter of Darius in maryage, with all the countrey of Mesopotamia, and twelue thousande talentes yerely beside, with such princely promising of the kingdome of Persea after Darius dayes, as there wanted no princely liberalitie in Darius offeryng, nor princely stoutnes in Alexanders answere, saying vnto ye Embassadors,Dodorus. lib. 1. Tell your master Darius king of Per­sea, that as two Sunnes may not be in ye firmament, so two Alexanders maye not rule the earth. Such valiant mindes coulde be subiect in no wise, neither Darius vn­to Alexander, nor Alexander vnto Darius. Such stout­nesse [Page 11] raigned in Princes, to mainteyne states, that as Archestratus the Athenian was woont to say,Alcibiades in Athence▪ Alianus. lib. 11. Lysander might not suffer ano­ther Lysan­der in Spar­ta. that in the Citie of Athence two Alcibiades myghte not rule: so Ethocles the Lacedemonian dyd lykewise speake, that two Lisanders might not agrée in Sparta. So contrarye and diuers were Princes, so high and loftie of courage, so valiaunt of heart, so noble of minde, that though for­tune coulde not so often fawne and fauour the states of Princes, but that she which is most vncertaine, coulde vndoe in a day, that which was gotten in a yere: yet in no wise could fortune take valiaunt mindes from men, nor spoyle magnanimitie of Princes, nor diminishe courage of olde men, as that worthy and most auncient souldier Mithridates King of Pontus, after he had pla­gued the Romanes with fortie yeres long warres,Mithrida­tes. du­ring the which time, he shewed him selfe no lesse hardie and stoute in resistyng the strong force of Romanes, and valiaunt and couragious in attemptyng the forti­tude of Romanes. And though by fortune forsaken in his latter dayes, and spoyled of all health, fréendes, chil­dren, countreys, kingdomes, and all worldly wealth: yet to spite fortune his mortall foe, went to Celta, thin­king with them to passe ouer vnto Italy, to let the Ro­manes vnderstande, that though fréendes & countreys by fortune were spoyled: yet neither fortune with her spite, nor all ye Romanes with their force could subdue King Mithridates valiaunt heart. In this ioyed Princes only, then not to be conquered. In this onely triumphed they, because they might not bée vanquished. In this gloried they most, in that they were frée from subiectiō. Cercylidas, Cercilidas. being one of the wise men named Ephori in Sparta, hearyng the thundring threatnings of King Pir­rhus Embassadours, the slaughter and murther tha [...] King Pirrhus entended vpon men, women, & children: the cruell destruction and last confusions of the Lace­demonians, aunswered no lesse stoutly then wisely the [Page] Embassadours of the King, saying: If Pirrhus your Maister be a god, we haue not offended him, & therefore we doubt him not: but if Pirrhus be but a man, tel your Maister that the Lacedemonians be mē likewise, & ther­fore we nothing feare him at all.Pirrhus. This valiaunt Pirrhus thought so wel of him selfe, felt him so ready & iudged al men inferiour in enterprices vnto him, that being at the victorie of that noble Cittie Tarentum, where he sawe such feates attempted, such actes done, such stout­nesse shewed by the Romanes, that he being dismayde at the manhoode and boldenesse of Romanes, thought if magnanimitie were lost,Lu. Florus. lib. 3. the moulde thereof shoulde be founde in a Romanes heart: insomuch, that long looking & vewing of Romanes, he cryed out and sayd: O howe soone woulde Pirrhus conquere all the worlde, if eyther he were King in Rome, or Romane souldi­ours subiect vnto Pirrhus. Of these Romanes was Ha­niball wont to saye to King Antiochus of Siria, being enforced to forsake Carthage, that Rome might not suffer equalitie, either Prince ouer all, or subiect vn­to all. Rome was compared vnto Hidra of Lerna, that hauing so many heades when one was cut off, an other sprang vp: insomuch that all the world might not de­stroye Rome, being iniured, or ouercommed of the eni­mies as fortune often permitted, they were not to be entreated before the like fortune happened vnto them, as happened against them,Licinius. as Licinius Emperour ha­uing lost diuers of his souldiours vnto Perseus king of Macedonia, which aftewarde was subdued by that vali­aunt Romane Pompeius the great, this Perseus hauing taken diuers of Licinius souldiours, did sende certaine Orators to speake for peace, which eloquently perswa­ded with Licinius to consent thereto: after long talke, learned councell, pithy perswasions by the Orators, it was aunswered, as briefely, plainelie, and simplye by Licinius, that the best waye for king Perseus to craue [Page 12] peace at the Romanes, was first to restore the priso­ners of King Perseus, which were Romaines home a­gaine, and then to sende his Ambassadors to the Em­perour Licinius, otherwise the whole countrie of Ma­cedonia shoulde féele the force and magnanimitie of the Romanes. To speake of the conquest and victories of Iulius Caesar, of the audacitie of Metellus, of the fortune of Silla, of the sharpe dealing of Marcellus, being there­by the spurre of Rome called, of Fabius likewise na­med the Tergat of Rome, of diuers more valiaunt Romanes, it were infinite the reading thereof, but I meane not to molest the reader, and yet one little hi­storie to proue the renowmed Romanes most worthie of this valiaunt vertue magnanimitie, writtē in Clau­dian, of one Camillus a noble Romane, who hauing a long time layde siege at Philiscus, and coulde not preuayle. The Shoolemayster of the Cittie hauing his Scholers vnder pretence of walking oute of the towne,Camillus [...] came and offred his schollers vnto Camillus, saying: by this meanes you maye doe what you will vnto Philiscus, for here be theyr children, whome I know to redéeme, they wyll yéelde vp the towne. Ca­millus hauing regarde to the fame of Rome, and loa­thing much to shewe villanye, rewarded the Schoole­mayster after this sort, hée did set him naked before his schollers, fast bounde with his handes on his backe, and euery one of the schollers with a rodde in his hand, saying vnto the boyes: bring him home to your pa­rentes, and tell your friendes of his falshoode, and the poore boyes hauing a good time to requite olde beatings, were as gladde as he was sorrowfull, laying on loade, girckt him with so manye stripes, as loytering Tre­uauntes maye best be boulde to number, vntill they came vnto the Citie, where they toulde their parents the cause thereof, which wayde the clemeccie and hu­manitie of Camillus to be such, that they gladlye and▪ [Page] willingly yéelded themselues and theyr Citie vnto the handes of Camillus, knowing well that he that woulde vse them so being hys enimies, and foes, coulde not vse them yll, by yéelding all vnto his courtesie, who might haue had all by tiranny. Nowe sith this vertue was often séene in diuers Quéenes, Ladies, Gentle­women and others, I may not omitte the pilgrimage of their liues. We reade of two Quéenes of the Ama­hones a countrye of Scythia, Penthesilia. Penthesilaea the first, and Hippolite the second,Hippolita. the one so valiaunt against the Gréekes, at the destruction of the noble Citie of Troy, that in open fielde she feared not to encounter face to face with that valiaunt Gréeke Achilles: the other so hardye, that shée shrinkt not at the force and stout­nesse of that renowmed Champion Theseus, which being conuicted by Theseus for hir singuler stoutnesse and courage maried hir, whiche certainelye had hap­pened vnto Penthesilia had shée not béene conuicted by Achilles. Camilla. Camilla likewise Quéene of the Volskans, beside hir princely profession of sacred virginitie which she vowed vnto Diana, was so famous for hir magna­nimitie, that when Turnus and Aeneas were in wars for the mariage of Lauinia, King Latinus daughter, she came bellona lyke vnto the fielde, resisting the violence and puissaunce of Troyans with the Rutiles, as an ayde vnto Turnus. That noble Zenobia, the famous Quéene of the Palmireians, Zenobila. a Princes of rare learning, of exce­lent vertues, of most valiaunt enterprises, after that hir husbande named Odenatus had died, tooke the em­pire of Syria, and attempted the magnanimitie of Ro­manes, that a long time shée withstoode in warres that noble and renowmed Emperour Aurelian, by whome the Emperour was woont to saye when it was obiected vnto him, that it was no commendacions for a prince to subdue a woman: that it is more valiaunt to con­quer a woman being so stout as Zenobia, than to van­quishe [Page 13] a King being so fearefull as Zerxes. The aun­cient Gréekes,Artimesi [...]. as Herodotus doth witnesse were much amazed at the magnanimitie of Artimesia Quéene of Caria, after that the king hir husbande died, did shewe such fortitude against the inhabitauntes of Rhodes, that being but a woman she subdued their stoutenesse, shée burned their Nauies, wasted theyr wealth, van­quished and destroyed the whole Ile, entered into the Citie of Rhodes, caused hyr ymage to be made and set vp for a monument of hir chiualrie and pertuall memo­rie of hir victorie: O renowmed Ladies, O worthye women that with feaminine feates, merited manlye fame.Teuca. Howe famous Teuca Quéene of the Illiryans, gouerned hir subiectes after the death of hir husbande king Argon, which being warred on diuers times by the Romanes, infringed theyr force, broke theyr bonds, discomfited their armies to hir perpetuall fame & com­mendacion: shée gouerned the people of Illeria, no lesse wisely, then she defended the puissaunt force of the Ro­manes stoutly, shée liued (as histories report) as so­berly and chastly without the company of man, as shée gouerned hir countrie wisly and stoutelye without the councell of man: it were sufficient to repeate the aun­cient histories of two women, to prooue fullye an euer­lasting prayse and commendacion vnto all women: the one written by Herotus in his first booke of Queene Tomyris of Scythia, Tomyri [...]. the other mencioned by Valerius and Iustine, of Cleopatra quéene sometime of Aegipt. The first, after that Cirus had trespassed muche in hir kingdome of Scithia, killing, destroying, and burning, without regarde to princely clemencie or respect vnto a womans gouernement: yet vnsufficed though hée slue the Quéenes owne sonne named Margapites, thir­sted more and more for bloude, that then the valiaunt Quéene being muche moued to reuenge Margapites death, waying the gréedie rage of Cirus, came Lion [Page] lyke to fielde, eyther to loose hyr owne life, or else to re­uenge hir sonnes death, prest vnto Cirus more lyke at that time to a grimme Gorgon, than to a sillie Scythian, slue him in the fielde, haled him vp and downe the field, cutte of his heade, and bathed it in a great Tunne full of bloudde, appoynted for that purpose, saying: Nowe Cirus drinke thy belly full of that which thou couldest neuer haue ynough: this valiaunt Tomyris reuenged tyranny, requited the death of one Scythian Margapites, with the death of two hundred thousand Persians. The other Quéene Cleopatra, Cleopatra. after that Iulius Caesar was murthered by Brutus and Cassius, and that Marcus An­tonius being by Augustus warred on for his periurie, & fas [...]oode shewed vnto his Uncle Caesar: shée, I saie, Cleopatra hauing the most part of Arabia and Siria, con­federated with hir friende and louer Antonius against Augustus, being then the seconde Emperour of Rome, that shee ayded him a long time, vntill that she percey­ued that Augustus preuayled, and that Antonius was vanquished: then least shée shoulde be conquered by Augustus, shée conquered hir selfe, yéelding rather hyr bodye a praye vnto Serpentes, than a subiect vnto Augustus. Hanniball could no more but to poyson him­selfe rather then to yéelde to Scipio. Well let Semira­mis with hir valiaunt force and stoutnesse, be commen­ded at Babilon, where shée raigned fortie yeares a wy­dowe, after King Ninus hir husbandes death. Let no­ble and famous Atalanta with hir Bowes and Speares and feates of armes be praysed in Archadia ▪ Atalanta. Let Hi­psicratea that followed hir husbande Kinge Mithridates vnto warres as a Lackie vnknowne,Hipsicratea. be extolled in Pontus. Helerna. Let Helerna, Ianus daughter, with all hir for­titude be spoken of in Latine:Delbora. And let Delbora be fa­mous amongst the Isralites. These women were no lesse famous for theyr pilgrimage, then the worthye Conquerours and Champions of the world, they were [Page 14] in no point inferiour vnto men, in diuers poyntes farre excelling Princes and Kinges: eyther the worlde then was very weake or slender, or else women then were valiant and stoute. And to omitte perticulerly to touch women, I will open and declare the nature of Coun­tries,The vvo­men of La­cenas. the women of Lacena woulde togither with their husbandes go vnto the fielde: yea, they went souldiour lyke vnto Missenios to fight in fielde. The women of Cimbria woulde kill those that first fledde the fielde,Of Simbria though they were nigh friends or kinsemen vnto them. The women of Saca had this custome,Of Saca. eyther at their mariage to be conquered by theyr husbandes the first daye, or else to be conquerours ouer their husbandes all the dayes of theyr life: theyr combat sayth A [...]lianus was for victorie,Of Persea. and not for lyfe. The women of Persea woulde méete theyr housbandes and sonnes flying the fielde, lifting vp theyr clothes, shewyng their priuities, saying: Whither flée you, O Cowardes, will you againe enter into your mothers wombes, will you créepe into your wiues bellies, as they did in the warres betwixt Cirus and his Grandfather Astyages. Of Sparta. The women of Sparta woulde go vnto the fielde to sée in what place theyr Husbandes and friendes were wounded, if it were before, they woulde with gladnesse and ioye shewe the same vnto euerye man, and burie the bodie solemnely: if their woundes were behinde, they woulde be so ashamed of the same, that they left them vnburied in the fielde. The women of Scithia called Amazones, Amazon [...] liued as conquerours ouer men, and not conquered by men, vntill Alexander the great de­stroyed them and theyr countrey, which before were so valiaunt, that they wayed not to encounter with Hercules in the fielde, and after with Theseus in open battayle, they blusht not to méete the valiant Gréekes at the destruction of Troye. Magnanimitie which was then for defence of countries, is nowe tyrannye to de­stroye [...] [Page] that at their banquettes and drinkinges they had their Garlandes on their heades: for as the worlde grewe in wealth, so it grewe in sumptuousnesse: for the tri­umph of Romulus was farre inferiour vnto the gorge­ous triumph of Camillus, and yet Romulus was a king, & Camillus was but an officer. Time bringeth thinges vnto perfectiō. In time Rome waxed so wealthy y• Ca­millus I say was caried in a chariot al gilded & wrought ouer with golde, hauing all white horses trimly deckt, a crowne of pure golde on his head, all the Senatours and Consuls of Rome going a foote before him vnto the Capitoll of the Citie, and thence vnto the temple of Iu­piter: where to honour the triumph further, they slue a white Bul as sacrifice vnto Iupiter: and thence to bring him triumphantly through the Citie of Rome, vnto his owne house: euen so in Greece and in Carthage, in time grewe vnto suche pompe & sumptuous triumphes, that there was as much studie to inuent braue shewes, and solempne sightes in triumph, as there was care and di­ligence to haue moued the enimies. When Epaminon­das ruled stately Thebes. When Hanniball gouerned proude Carthage, when Laeonidas bare sway in warre­like Sparta: then Greece and Lybia were acquainted with solempne and braue triumphes. In Ninus time triumphes were in Assyria. In Arbaces time the tri­umphes flourished amongst the Meedes. In Cyrus time the triumphes were in Persea. In Alexanders time it was in Macedonia. In Caesars time it was in Rome: and thus alwayes from the begynnyng of the worlde, triumphes folowed victories. And here I meane a litle to entreate of the triumphes of the Romanes, whiche farre diuers wayes surmounted the rest, whose fame was spred ouer all the worlde: And yet imitatyng in all things the Gréekes, insomuch that Rome alwayes had Athence as a nource or a paterne to frame their lawes: for when their Kings were banished aswell in Athence [Page 16] as in Rome, yet they ruled & triumphed more by Ora­tours in Athence, by Consuls in Rome, then by Kings. Therefore as Plini saith, they exercised suche feates of armes, they practised suche pollicies of warres, they vsed suche solempnitie in triumphes, that Rome then was noted to be the lampe and lanterne of Mars. They had I saye diuers garlandes made onelye for the tri­umph of warres: Plini compteth seuen sortes of gar­landes which the Romanes hadde: the first made of pure golde, appoynted onely for the triumphes of Prin­ces: the seconde of Laurell, which of all was most aun­cient in Gréece, & in Italie appoynted for the triumphes of Pallas souldiours: the thirde of all kinde of swéete flowers made, & appoynted to him that restored Cities vnto theyr liberties againe: the fourth made of Oaken leaues, to him that defended Citizens from death: These two garlandes were of great honour in Rome, and specially in Gréece, the one Cicero ware in Rome, for his inuectiues against the conspiracies of wicked Catelin: the other Fabius Maximus did weare for that he saued Rome from the seconde warres of Carthage, where Haniball was Capitaine. The sift Garlande was appoynted for him that assaulted the walles of the enimies first, and entered the towne: the sixt, for him that first attempted the tentes of the enimies: the sea­uenth bestowed vpon him that boorded first the Name of the enimie. These thrée last Garlandes mencioned for the skaling of walles, the boording of shippes, and attempting the tentes, were made all of Golde, and giuen by the Princes or Senators to the aforesayde souldiours. There was likewise in Rome concerning the triumphes, that none might triumph vnlesse he had bene before some officer in Rome, as Dictator, Pretor, Consuls, or suche like: and if any (without they were sent by the Senators) had wonne any victories, though there conquest were neuer so great, and their victorie [Page] neuer so famous, as Pub Scipio for all his victories in Spaine, and Marcus Marcellus for all that he tooke cap­tiue Siracuse, bycause they were not sent nor appoyn­ted by the Senators, they might in no wise by lawe made, clayme triumphes thereby. Then Rome flori­shed, then Rome was defended from diuers offered in­iuries, & saued from enimies. At what time M. Curius triumphed ouer the Samnites. Mae. Agrippa triumphed ouer the Sabines. Pau [...]aemilius ouer the Lygurians. Ma­rius ouer the Numidians. Pompeius ouer Armenia and Pontus. Scypio surnamed Affricanus ouer Carthage and al Lybia. Iulius Caesar ouer all Europe and Affrike, then Rome was feared of all the worlde, and nowe Rome is dispised. Then Rome might say, Roma vin­cit: nowe Rome may say, Roma victa. Then Roma armata: nowe inermis. Then Roma: nowe Ruina, but time consumeth all things. That victorie that was not manfullye gotten, and [...]aliauntlye wonne by force of armes in the fielde, was rather counted among the Ro­manes, tyrannie, then victorie: for when Lucius Pius in a banquet that he made, had filled the people of Sarmatia full of Wine, and made them so drunken that all the nobles and captaynes of Sarmatia, yéelded them selues as subiectes vnto the Empire of Rome, for the whiche Lucius Pius at his returne home to Rome, required ac­cordyng to the custome, to haue a triumphe done vnto hym for the victorie of Sarmatia: whiche when the Se­natours had fully hearde of the victorie, howe and after what sort Lucius Pius subdued the Sarmatians, he was openly beheaded by decrée of all the Senate, and a slaū ­derous Epitaph set vpon his graue, to manifest the de­ceit he vsed in stéede of magnanimitie, to deceyue them by Wine, which he ought to subdue by force. The Ro­manes were not in those dayes contented that any of their Captaynes shoulde vse vicious dealyng, or shewe any fraude or guile in warres vnto their enimies: but [Page 17] at last as warres grewe common in all countreyes, so deceit and craft was thereby augmented, and triumph exiled: then the Assyrians warred on the Perseans: the Perseans on the Argineans: the Argineans on ye Atheni­ans: the Athenians on the Lacedemonians: the Lacede­monians on the Sydonians: the Sydonians on the Rho­dians: and the Rhodians on the Scithians, with all kinde of pollicie, right or wrong, forced they not so that victo­rie might be gotten: so that triumph then, is turned vn­to captiuitie nowe: magnanimitie then, vnto craft and deceit nowe: In fine, victorie then, vnto tyranny nowe. And so with Caesar I ende, Ex bonis principijs mala ori­vnter. Such is the state of life, the pilgrimage of man, that dayly worse and worse it waxeth to the ende: for in the beginning, renowme and honour was the cause that all men attempted daungers and great peryls: and nowe in the ende, gaine and profite mooueth warres: Then was their desire to ouercome Lions, Beares, Elephantes, Tygers, Pan­thers, Rinocherons, with such wylde and sauage beasts, that might honour their victorie.

¶ Of the first finding out of Lawes and orders, and of all inuention of thinges generall, and of time.

AFter in sundrye places, di­uers men haue found means to sette thinges which at the beginning were rude and barbarous in Ciuill orders, as amongst the Athenians, Draco: amongst the Aegip­tians, Mercurie: amongst the Argiues, Phoroneus: In Ar­cadia, Apollo: In Tire, Cha­randes: in Italie, Pithagoras: other things no lesse neces­sarie for the maners & ciuilitie of men, then for the life and foode of men were founde. And for that time is the beginning and the ende of all thinges terestriall, I thinke it well for the purpose to declare howe then at all places time was counted:Egyptians. for with Aegiptians, at the first, they counted their yeres by the Moone, attribu­ting vnto euery yere thirtie dayes, as both Herodotus and Macrobius doe agrée.Arcadians. The Arcadians as Plutarch in the life of Numa doth write, had thrée monethes in euery yere appoynted. The people of Caria, finished and ended their yere euery sixt moneth.The grekes. The Gréekes did number thrée hundred fiftie and foure daies in their yeares, which want of our yeres a eleuen dayes, and sixe houres. The Romanes at the beginning in the time of Romulus, The Ro­manes. whiche was their firste king, hadde their yere in ten monethes compted: counting theyr first moneth March, and giuing that name vnto it, af­ter his fathers name Mars. April was named of Aphros in gréeke, which is Fome, whence Venus was borne. May was called a Maioribus, of the elders. Iune of [Page 18] the youth called Iuniores, these foure was of Romulus named. The fift moneth was then called of Romulus Quintill, which Iulius Caesar in his time, named Iulij: and August, Augustus Caesar did name: and so orderly by number Sextill, September, October, Nouember, and December, vntill Numa Pompilius, who succée­ded Romulus, who added Ianuarij, and Februarij, and so named them according to the name of Ianus, which was the first king of the Latenes: and Februus which was supposed to be the inuentor of Lustrum. For as the Gréekes did count all thinges by their Olimpiades: so did the Romanes number their time by that Lustrū. Then was the vse of the Clockes vnsought, and vn­knowne: insomuch, Authors herein doe much varye and seeme to be ignoraunt of the inuentors herof. First, some thinke that Hermes in Aegipt, founde out by a beast sacrificed vnto Serapis: some againe vnto A­naximines in Lacedemon, founde out by a shade: some vnto Scipio surnamed Nasica in Rome by water, the clockes were founde: but howe vncertayne it is, by whome, and by what meanes Clockes first were founde, writers do witnesse the same. Some againe do count their dayes which is foure and twentie houres, from Sunne rising, vnto Sunne rising: as the Babi­lonians vse: some from Sunne setting, vnto Sunne setting as the Athenians: some from midnight vnto midnight, as the Egyptians: some againe from mid­daye vnto noone againe, as the Vmbrians doe. Thus diuersely they count their houres and dayes. Nowe af­ter lawes were inuented, and orders made, and time deuided, men as yet rude and rawe, leading their liues beastly, and brutishly, for want of ciuilitie, hauing nei­ther houses, townes or Cities, to enhabite, but some in caues of the grounde had their chiefe mantions, some of gréene bowes and braunches of trées had their best garmentes made, some couering themselues with [Page] shadowes of woddes: some againe in dennes lyke wilde beastes, vntill nature first by reason inuented a­waye and a meane vnto further ciuilitie. Then how­ses were made, and Cities builded, hie towers ray­sed, strong walles inuented: as K [...]ng Cicrops made Athens: Atgence. Argos. Diospolin. Phoroneus builded Argos: Diospolin in Egypt which Thrason made. Likewise by Nemroth, the first Towre after the deluge of Noah was made. Then Temples were builded, as Pythias in Prerenna made a temple vnto Minerua: Romulus in Rome builded a temple vnto Iupiter, and thus diuers men in sundrie countries haue bene the doers and trauellers of things▪ By this meanes came Pallas vnto great fame,Pallas. for that she was supposed to be the first that inuented science, amongst the Grecians: in Athens, for this purpose was Ceres in Sicilia renowmed,Ceres. for yt shée was thought to be the first that sowed corne, and taught husban­drye: for this onely were Typhis and Iason so worthy­ly commended,Tiphis. that they amongst the Gréekes were the first that sayled the seas. Then was money founde in mount Pangaeum, AEgineta. quoyned of Aegineta, which as Plini sayth had béene better vnknowne then founde. Then money being founde, warres ensued by Ninus, which was the first that euer warred after the deluge. Then Idolatrie sprung vp by Melissus King of Creete: Images and pictures were first made by Epimitheus. Tribute was appoynted first by Darius: Fighting on horsebacke by the Centaures, was first practized. Im­mediatly thinges were founde apt and necessarie vnto warres after that Mars first inuēted the way therevnto. Then the Lacedemonians, people of great antiquitie, founde first the Helmet, a sworde, and a speare. The Scithians founde first the vse of bowes and arrowes. The Thrasians most auncient in this, for that Mars as they supposed was borne with them, being honored as the God of warres, founde and sought diuers thinges [Page 19] necessarie for the warres. Happy was that man that might then inuent some thing or other to profite his countrey: insomuch the wit of man sought so deepe, stu­died so painefully, that from a rude & lumpish Chaos, the worlde waxed beautifull, men waxed Ciuile, and all things became ripe and perfect by the industry of man. After that the worlde grewe vnto such ripenesse that li­berall sciences were founde and vsed in all places, as things necessary vnto man, and that there was nothing vnsought as might induce profite: both hearbes, sto­nes, trées, and all thinges within the compasse of the earth were searched to what ende they were, and vsed accordingly vnto some purpose:Vulcanes. yea assoone as Vul­canus or Prometheus founde out the profite of the fire. Anacharsis the Scythian founde first belowes to blowe the same:Anachar­sis. Ceres. Argeus. Vrania. Ertato. Clio. assoone as Ceres taught the way to tyll and plowe, straight did Argeus inuent the dounging of the same. Assoone as euer Vrania founde firste Astrologie, the people of Chaldea straight practised the same. As soone as Errato had the vse of Geometrie, the people of Egypt straight exercised thē same. To be breefe, after that Clio founde first Histories,Melpomen. Melpomen Tragidies, Thalia cōmedies, Polyhimnia Rethoricke, Callipe poae­trie: yea, Palles herselfe whom al ye Gréekes supposed to be first founder of sciences & artes. Simonides straight inuented the arte of memorie as the register and sure recorder of knowledge to kéepe the same. When the vertue of hearbes were founde of Mercury, of Cheron, and of others. Then Hyppocrates and Auicena practi­sed Phisicke therewith, though the most part do attri­bute vnto Apollo the first exercise in Phisicke and vn­to his sonne Asculapius the practise of Chirurgery.Dedalus. Amphion. Tages. De­dalus in Creete was the first Carpenter. Amphion the first Musition in Thebes. Tages the first Soothsayer in Hetruria. Nothing escaped mans industry, in so muche that Aristeus king of Arcadia first founde the vse of Ho­nye, [Page] and the nature of Bées. The Lydians to die Wooll. The Egyptians the first vse of Flaxe. The Phrygian [...] to sewe first with néedles. The Hetruscans weauyng. Nature left nothing vnsought for her owne profite, as Plautus saith, she is alwayes desirous to inuent and to know new things. Uictories & triumphes were first in­uented by Dionisius. Crassus made the siluer Garlande first to be worne in Rome. The Phrygians made the Chariot first. Huntyng by Artaxerxes was made, and lawes therevnto appointed.Epeus. Epeus for that he inuented the brasen Horse in Troy for the Gréekes, is famous. Perillus for that he made the brasen Bull in Agrigentū vnto the Emperour Phalaris is renowmed,Perillus. though the one was made to satisfie tyranny, and the other to ac­complishe treason: yet suche was the desire that men had to fame, that alwayes they studied and coniectured what best might aduaunce them therevnto, which was and might be a perpetuall memorie of their attempted trauayle. What thing it was to sée in auncient time the inuention and pollicie of men in all countreys, what or­ders, what lawes were in all places, to obserue that by wyt, which afterwardes they destroyed by warres, be­fore Antigonus shaued and spoyled Macedonia: before Ninus empouerished all Asia: before Alexander de­stroyed the whole worlde. What was inuented in Rome before Iulius Caesar and Pompeius altered it, be­fore those wicked members Silla and Marius spoyled it: before that rebell Catelin disturbed it: before Marcus Antonius and Augustus quite destroyed it: so that pol­licie of men in obseruing lawes and orders, their wise­dome in framing them, their magnanimitie in defen­ding them, were topsey turuey throwen downe after­wardes by cruell tyrauntes and wicked princes: as Ca­ligula, Nero, Tiberius, Heliogabolus with others: so that time findeth all things, and endeth all things: time maketh, and time destroyeth.

¶ Of sumptuous and woonderfull buildinges.

I Thought it best to place o­ther straunge and woonder­full buildinges, which were made by mennes handes, to­gither with the merueylous workes of nature: and by­cause some amongst the rest, are so famous, that for the renowne thereof, they are named in number the seuen woonders of the worlde. The first was called Pyramides, Pyramide [...] ▪ which the Kinges of Egypt made by the citie of Memphis, a miracle so made that twenty and two yeres, sixtie thousande were occu­pied and trauayled in the same: either as Plini to em­busie the vulgar people lest they shoulde be ydle, or else to shewe and bragge their superfluous wealth in ma­king so huge a worke. The seconde were the walles of Babylon,The vvalle [...] of Babylon. which Quéene Semiramis vnto her perpetu­all memory hath made as a monument amongst the Perseans In making of these walles, she kept three hun­dred thousand men at worke, vntill these Walles were made of two hundred Cubites height, and fiftie Cubites broade, hauing a hundred gates, wrought all of brasse rounde about, to come and go vnto the Citie, and from the Citie: And vpon the Walles were made thrée hun­dred Towres: She brought Euphrates one of the foure floods of Paradice to passe through the middest of Ba­bylon. The thirde in order was the sumptuous tombe of Mausolus King of Caria, Mausolus tombe. which Quéene Artimesia his wife made so gorgeous, that it was twentye and fiue Cubites long of height, in compasse foure hundred and [Page] eleuen foote, and wrought rounde about with sixe and thirtie pillers and brode beames: hence all the monu­mentes and braue buildings of Emperours and kings tooke their patterne, for it was so curiouslye wrought, that vpon the East side, that famous workeman Sco­pas shewed his skill: vpon the Weast side that renow­med Leocares wrought his cunning: vppon the North side Briax a man of great name applyed his part: and vpon the South side Timotheus did what he coulde to winne fame. These foure famous workmen had more fame by making the tombe of Mausolus, then for all the workes that euer they made before. These two noble Quéenes cannot be blotted out of memorie all the while that the names of Babilon are readde of in bookes, or the Tombe of Mausolus spoken of with tongues. Nowe to passe further to speake of that mon­strous monument, and huge myracle which excelleth all the worlde for worke, I meane the great Temple of Diana amongst the Ephesians, The temple of Diana. which all Asia were occupied withall two hundred and twentie yeres, al­most with all powers of the world at the building there­of. This Temple was made nigh the seas for feare of earthquakes: it was foure hundred twentie and fiue foote long, two hundred and twentie foote in breadth, it had a hundred twentie and seuen pillers, which for the wealth thereof, euery one after another was made by a king. The chéefe maister of this worke, was Ctesi­phon, whose fame thereby was spread ouer all the worlde. The fift was the hie Towre, which King Ptho­lome made in the Ile of Pharos, Pharos tovvne. to ease the saylers vp­on the Seas. This Sostratus made so high that in the night time there hanged a Candle for a light & a marke vnto poore Maryners, which coulde be séene for ye height of the towre almost euery where. The other two & last of the seuē woonders,The fi [...]uler of Iupiter. were two Images, the one for Iu­piter, made by Phydias, of Iuory in Olimpia The other [Page 21] made for Phebus in Rhodes, by Cha. Lindius, whose hugenesse was such,The image of Phebus. that it was thréescore and ten Cu­bites high: so great was this Cofussus, that when it fell downe by an earthquake, it séemed a woonder to the be­holders: euery finger that he had was more then a man of this age. These seuen huge and monstrous workes were called the seuen woonders of the worlde, whiche Plini and Plutarch ▪ speaketh of in diuers places. Some suppose that Cirus regall Pallaice which that cunning workman Memnon made, might bée iustly numbred with these worthy and famous workes. But to procéede to other sumptuous buildinges, though not counted of the seuē woonders, yet allowed amongst the best for the stately work of the same, & of no inferiour fame: as La­birinthus, made by Dedalus in Créete, of such difficulte worke, that he that came in, coulde not without guide come out againe. Thrée others were made lyke vnto them, the one in Egypt which Smilus made: the other in Lemnos which Rholus wrought, and the thirde in Italy which Theodorus made.Labirinthes These .4. Labirinthes were so curiously wrought, that Porsenna king of Hetruria toke hence example to make him a monument after death, to bury him selfe. Againe, after these there were other woonderfull workes made by the Kinges of Egypt, cal­led Obelisci, Obellisci famous and renowmed buildings, that when Cambyses, King of Persea, at the siege of the citie of Sienna sawe but one of them, he was in such an ad­miration that he thought them inuincible. Phyus made one of fortie cubits. King Ptholomeo made another of fourescore Cubites in Alexandria: and diuers others which for their fame were then counted as maruey­lous as any of the seuen woonders. But let vs speake of sundry buildings, aswell of Cities and Townes, as al­so of Temples, Houses, and Pallaices, whose fame thereby long flourished:Romulus. Cadmus as Romulus by building of Rome. Cadmus by building of Thebes, a Citie of Beo­tia [Page] in Gréece.Ogdous. And Ogdous by the buildyng of the fa­mous Citie of Memphis in Egypt. Neither may I es­cape any, sith I tooke vpon me to recite all, whose re­nowmes and names by these their workes do yet liue. I must not escape Alexander the great,Alexander. which in his businesse and great warres, made a Citie of his name, named Alexandria. I must not forget King Darius, Darius. which likewise builded vp Susa, a citie in Persea. These two Kings, though they destroyed thousandes of cities, yet they builded some cities. Neither may I omit Cae­sar Augustus, Augustus. which made a famous Citie in memorie of the great victory ouer Antonius and Cleopatra, and named it Nicopolis, that is in english: the city of victory. King Ninus, Ninus. an auncient King, made the Citie of Ni­niue, within two hundred yeres after the flood of Noah. Sichem made Sidon: Sichem. Agonor. Agenor made Tire. Then the worlde waxed populus, and Kings began to builde eue­rye where for the furtheraunce of ciuilitie and encrease of pollicie and wit, which the worlde in the beginnyng was very rawe: for as the worlde grewe vnto ciuile order and perseueraunce of things: so with all, Cities and Townes were builded, Castles fortified, and hye walles raysed for a Bulwarke and a defence vnto the same: so by litle and litle the world was full of Cities. Then Siracusa was made by Archias. The Citie of Ar­gos was made by Phoroneus. Phoroneus. Antiochus. Laodicea by King Antio­chus. And so briefely to recite them ouer, the noble and famous Citie of Troy in Phrygia, Dardanus. was made by Dar­danus. Arpos, Diomedes. Telegonus. a Towne in Apuleia, was built by Dio­mides: and so Telegonus builded Tusce in Italy, being the sonne of Vlixes, a Gréeke. Capis likewise made the Citie Capua, which Hanniball layde long siege at: but lest I might be to long in rehearsing the builders of fa­mous Cities, hauing iust occasions to respect the time, I wyll ende with Cities and Townes, alwayes consy­dered that women ought not to be forgotten, as Semi­ramis [Page 22] Quéene of Persea, whiche builded vp the Citie of Babylon. Queene Dido, which made the warlyke citie of Carthage King Acrisius daughter. Danaes, which builded in Italy a great Towne called Arde. Diuers Quéenes, and noble women, are for the lyke no lesse famous then men were. Now pausing a while, we will repeate those that encreased the cōmon wealthes, and beautified with other kinde of buildinges. Amongst o­ther myracles, and woonderous workes, Mount Atho [...] was made of Zerxes Nauigable, euen vnto the sea, ele­uen yeres hée kept thirtie thousande men to bryng his minde to passe. Caesar made in one day two famous Bridges: the one ouer the riuer called Rheum, and the other ouer the riuer called Ara in one day, which was almost vncredible. Alexander the great made such a Tabernacle at the maryages of the nobles of Macedo­nia with the women of Persea, as Alianus doth witnesse, that a thousande Perseans, and a thousande Macedoni­ans, and fiue hundred with swordes and siluer Targets lodged in that house, while the mariages continued. Trayan the Emperour made such a Bridge in Danu­bia, that for length, breadth and height, all the worlde coulde not shewe the like. What shoulde I rehearse the Temple which Salamon made in Hierusalem, vnto the whiche, muste néedes the Ephesians, with the Tem­ple of Diana, and the Carthagineans with the Temple of Iuno, créepe and geue place, for princely pallaices and royal dwellyng: néedes must Alexander for all his brauery, and Clodius house, which was the spectacle of of Rome, yéelde vnto the golden Hall of Nero: but yf finenesse of workes, if the rarenesse of skill, if I say the worthinesse of woonders might claime place, and cha­lenge iustly fame, I shoulde praise Spintharus for the making of ye Temple of Apollo in Delphos, or Melea­genes for his worke in Prienna, in making ye Temple of Minerua. Shoulde I commende Epeus for his cun­ning [Page] about the brasen horse in Troy? Shoulde I com­mende Perillus for his brasē Bull in Agrigentū? yea, or Vulcanus, whom the Poets faine for his skil and knowledge in working, he was appointed by Iupiter to work onely for the celestiall gods: or the image of Diana in Chios: who was so skilfully made, that vnto those that came vnto the Temple, she séemed glad and ioyful: and vnto those that went out of the Temple she séemed sad and angrye? Shoulde I prayse the artificiall golden birdes made by ye Sages of Persea? or the curious work of Pallas Temple in Ilion? No certainly, but the worke and inuention of noble nature, vnto the which, nothing is harde: It pierceth the Cloudes, it vadeth the Seas, it compasseth the whole worlde: that is the cunnyng workman, the skilfull Carpenter, which saith Cicero, guideth euery man as a Captayne. I might here haue occasion in this place to speake of the worke of nature but that it is néedelesse, consyderyng howe fami­liarly she instructeth any man vnto her workes, which is most straunge and maruey­lous.

¶ Of Painting.

HOrace, that learned Poet, af­firmeth that the like power and dignitie is geuen vnto a Poete, as vnto a Painter: naming the one a speakyng picture, and the other dumbe poesie. For painting vnto the ignoraunt, was as printyng vnto the learned. Where the one vewed with the eye, & the other read with ye tongue. Paintyng and grauing were the auncient monuments of Gréece, and so much estéemed, that Phydias waxt so famous amongst the Gréekes as Plini doth witnes, for that he made the Image of Minerua in Athence, so ar­tificially and so subtilly, with a great Target in her hande, wherein were grauen the warres of the Ama­zones, and the Combats of Giauntes: the rebellion of Centaures and the Lapitheans, that all Gréece mused much thereat. Nealces in like sort did set foorth ye warres betwixt the Egyptians and the Perseans, so liuely to be­holde, and so worthily wrought, that the beholder there­on might be aswell instructed in sight, as the learned in reading the Historie thereof. That cunning Philoxe­nus did also effectually set foorth the warres betwéene Alexander the great King of Macedonia and Darius King of Persea in colours, as either Curtius or Diodo­rus did expresse it with writyng. The noble Painter Timantes, at what time that worthy Gréeke Agamem­non at the siege of Troy, was enforced by an Oracle to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia, to mitigate the furie of the gods: he beholding the wofull hap of Agamemnon, and the sorowfull state of the Gréekes: the selemne sad­nesse of the sacrifice, the order and state of Iphigenias [Page] death, did set foorth in colours more lamentably to be­hol [...]e in colours, then rufully to reade it in letters. A science belonging vnto noble minde: and so sometime estéemed of the Gréekes, that their fame much thereby was augmented. What was skant done or written in Gréece, but it was straight set foorth in colours? No warres any where, but it was painted out in Gréece. No straunge historie of any thyng, but it was expressed in common coloures: in so much Philosophie it selfe, which was so honoured then in Gréece, was set foorth in Tables.Zeuxes. That learned Zeuxes did paint in a Table the picture of Iupiter, sitting in his throne, with the rest of the gods about him: where likewise was shewed the historie of Hercules, howe he yet in his cradle slue the two great Snakes, or rather Dragons, where his mo­ther Alcumena, and his supposed father Amphytrion did fearfullye beholde the death of the two Dragons, and the escaping of young Hercules their sonne, being a childe. Nychomachus dd liuely expresse the boldnes of Theseus and Perythous in attemptyng their voyage to King Plutoes region, blasing in tables their large enter­prise, in rauishing and taking away quéene proserpina from her husbande Pluto. Licias. Philiscur. So skilfull was Licias. So cunnyng was Philiscus, that they made so subtile a Chariot, wherein Apollo, and his sister Diana, and his mother Latona were perfectly grauen, and the nine Muses orderly set, and that vpon one stone. Praxiteles excelled all men in the like,Praxiteles. for he graued in a Marble stone, the Image of Uenus so perfectly and so liuely in eche point, that a certen young man saith Plini fell in loue with the image, and came often in the night when none knewe, to kisse and to clip the image of Uenus, as sometime we reade of Pigmaliō that cunning Gréeke,Pigmalion. which likewise fel in loue with his owne handy worke, in garnishing and decking with freshe flowres & gréene leaues his owne worke.Apelles. Pirgoteles. To speake of Apelles, Pirgo­teles, [Page 24] and Lisippus, whose fame was spread ouer the whole worlde,Lisippus. in so much that Alexander the great commaunded that none in Gréece shoulde paint him in colours but Apelles: none to graue him in stones but Pyrgoteles: and none to faine any part of his princely person but Lisippus. It were to much to speake of Callycratis, Phycaerides, and diuers famous menne moe, wherewith Gréece sometyme flowed: whose fames and worthye reports, made Paulus Aemi­lius that noble Romane, from Rome to sende vnto A­thence for two kinde of men: the one a Philosopher to teache his sonnes, the other a Painter, to set foorth in Tables the great triumphes and victories which he got ouer the Lygurians and Perseans. And one man being a learned Philosopher, and an excellent Painter, named Metrodorus, was sent from Athence vnto Rome for the purpose. Poets and Painters were much set by in auncient time: for euen as these aforesayde Painters were famous and renowmed,Homer. so were Poets honored and esteemed. For we reade that Alexander the great woulde neuer go vnto his bed without Homers Iliades and his dagger vnder his Pillowe.Pindarus. He so much estée­med Pindarus the Poet, that he spared a whole stréete in Thebes from burning for Pindarus house,Virgill. which was in that stréete. That renowmed emperour Augustus so honoured Uirgil, that being dead, his bookes were wor­thily honored and embraced of Augustus. So that no­ble Emperour Gratianus aduaunced the Poet Auso­nius vnto the office of a Consull for his learnyng and knowledge in Poetry.Ausonius. The fable of Chaos, the deluge of Deucalion, the rebellion of Giauntes, with innume­rable mo, which vnder the shadow of fables haue great wisedome and knowledge. At what time King Philip of Macedon, the long enemie of Athence, had demaun­ded vpon condicion of peace, tenne Orators of Athence to serue him, and to remaine with him in Macedonia. [Page] Demosthenes that sugred Orator,Demosthe­nes his fable made an open Ora­tion before King Philip, where he brought the fable of the Woolfe and the shéepe, that as the Woolfe did offer peace vnto the shéepe vpon condition the dogges should tary at home: so King Philip offered peace vnto the A­thinians vpon conditions that the Oratours, whiche as dogges do barke at the Woolfe, barke at him, shoulde be taken away: and so soone he woulde destroy Athence beyng spoyled from their Oratours, as the Woolfe woulde spoyle the shéepe without dogges. This fable much edifieth the Uulgar people.Agrippa his fable. Menenius Agrippa, a Romane Counsellour, reduced often tymes the fable of the belly and members, when that he went to make any foes fréendes, to bryng rude rebels against their Prince and their countrey, vntyll amitie againe. With the whiche fable he reduced and brought againe those that offended most against their countrey, to be chéefe ayde and helpers vnto their countrey. Thucidides doth witnesse that by a fable, that noble Capitaine Pericles yeelded courage vnto the Athenians:The fable of Pericles. being sore oppres­sed and vexed, in a maner a spoyle vnto their enimies, the Lacedemonians manfully to resist their violence a­gaine, and to winne victorie, where before they were almost conuicted.Tullies fable. That noble Consul Cicero, by a fable of Giges ring, howe he went inuisible vnto King Can­dales wyfe, and made him a Cocolde, woulde apply the same vnto those glorious persons that often delyte in their owne follie and yll behauiours: as sometyme the Poets faine of Ixion, who braggyng and boastyng of Iuno, he got the Centaures, engendred of a Cloude in stéede of Iuno. Quintilian saith, that fables conteine vn­der fained wordes, most excellent wisedome: for Eras­mus doth often repeate the fable of Grashoppers and the Antes, to exhorte men to trauayle and to laboure with litle Antes. Plato that diuine and noble Philoso­pher, in his seconde booke, De Rep. doeth vse fables. [Page 25] Aristotle in his rethoricall prooues is not without fa­bles. Marke howe fables ease the Philosopher in hys studie, helpeth ye Orator in his perswacions, garnisheth the deuine in his sermons: and in fine they pleasure in any thing. Thus I thought good to write in the com­mendacio [...]s of Painting, and Poetrie, which for the se­crete friendeship and for the affinitie one with another, much more might be spoken, I meane not those fonde foolishe and fantasticall fables, fostered by women and olde men sitting at the fire, where often the ydle bra [...]e is occupied: but those wise and prudent fables of Poets which containe wisedome in sence, though they séeme light in wordes, which durst not be opened playne in those daies, for the tyranny of Princes which then woulde not haue theyr faultes toucht in anye, but that learnedly with fables poeticall: As the fable of Sphinx, of Cirses, of Tantalus, of Acteon, and of others.

¶ Of Eloquence.

PYrrhus, King of the Epire, and defender long of the Ta­rentines, was woont to say of Cineas his Oratour, that hée wanne more victories tho­rowe the eloquence of Cy­neas, Cyneas. then he through the force and puissaunce of all his Epi­rotes besides, for through elo­quence woulde Cyneas make the stout enemies to yéelde: and by eloquence woulde Cyneas mooue the cowardly souldiers to victorie.Valerius. Vale­rius a noble and an eloquent Romane, at what tyme the Kinges of Rome were expelled, and their names quite banished: and nowe the populer state hauyng such liberty thereby, that the whole Citie through sedition and late sprong libertie, was like to come to ciuile warres betwéene them selues: had not I say Valerius appeased the furie of the people, being redie in heartes to become enemies vnto their countrey, finding them triumphing much and reioysyng within them selues, deuiding one from another to maintaine discorde. He reduced them not onely through his eloquence vnto peace and quietnesse: but also vnto such state brought them, that where Rome was like then to fall to ruine, Rome at that time beganne to florish & prosper. Great was the force of eloquence in Marcus Antonius, M. Antonius which with his sugred and swéete perswasions turned the fu­rious rage and tyranny of the souldiers of Marius and Cinnanus beyng sent of these two cruell Captaynes to kyll him, vnto such lenitie and mercie, that hauing their swordes naked drawen, redie to accomplishe promise with Marius hauing hearde Antonius his eloquence, [Page 26] as men conuicted with wordes, coulde neuer kéepe pro­mise with Marius though they had great rewardes ap­pointed: nor coulde of them selues, though enimies they were vnto Antonius, finde in their heart to kyll hym. Pericles wanne such renowme in Athence by his elo­quence,Pericles. which sometime was scholler vnto Anaxa­goras, that he had the gouernment and rule of Athence commited vnto him, as vnto one the people reposed more credite or trust in Pericles wordes, then they had in the force and strength of Athence beside: Insomuch that when he woulde speake any thing vnto the peo­ple, such mellifluous wordes and sugred sentences pro­céeded foorth of his mouth, that they were amazed or astonied to heare him willyng alwayes, neuer wéery of his counsel. We reade that the eies did water to sée him the eares allured to heare him, ye hart conuicted to yéelde vnto him. Cowardes are made couragious, & stout ty­rauntes are made gentle and mercifull. Cities preser­ued, victories gotten, and all by eloquence. What is it but man is able through comely gesture, and apt pro­nunciation bring to passe?Cicero. Demost­henes. What coulde escape Ci­cero in Rome? What might haue auoyded Demosthe­nes in Athence? whose knowen eloquence, whose lear­ned perswasions, whose swéete and sugred wordes, coulde aswel mooue enimitie in Athence towarde King Philip, as it coulde kindle loue in Rome towarde Pom­peius. Such is the excellencie of eloquence, that it moo­ueth aswell men to the sight, for the gesture, counte­naunce, and pronunciation, as it doth enforce men to heare for the maiestie and swéetnesse of wordes. For Hortensius was not so eloquent in wordes,Hortensius. but he was as comely in gesture, and so exc [...]llent in either of them that when he spake before the people, Senatours, and Citizens of Rome, they were no lesse enamored with his sight, then they were allured and entised with his wordes: for he laboured no lesse outwardly to please [...] [Page] night became very darcke, all the souldiours of Paulus, yea, Paulus himselfe being their Generall and Captain, were dismayde and quite discomfited, thinking it had bene some prodigious showe to prognosticate mishappe to come, and readie to yéelde in heart and courage, vn­tyll Sulpitius began to perswade the rude Souldiours with reason,Sulpitius. opening the causes vnto the souldiours, and declaring the effectes of the superiour bodies so elo­quently, that then being readie to yéelde for feare, they were readie to fight valiauntly by eloquence of Sulpi­tius: and where through feare of that sodaine sight and chaunge of the Moone, they were readye to yéelde as Captiues to King Perseus, they were stirred & mooued by the eloquence of Sulpitius, to become conquerours and victours ouer King Perseus in the same selfe night. The lyke Pericles sometime amongst his souldiours of Athens, Pericles. at what time the Sunne so darckened, that great terror and feare came vpon the souldiours: hée eloquently perswaded his souldiours, and toulde them euen as he hearde of his Maister Anaxagoras the cause thereof, and quight expelled feare from the souldiours by reason, and made them boulde againe through hys eloquencie. In Africke there was in the time of Anas­carimis a philosopher named Afranio, Afranio. being demaunded what he did learne all the dayes of hys life, aunswered: to speake well, the seconde time being asked, what hée taught vnto others, aunswered likewise to speake well: at the last he was demaunded what he knewe in anye science, he sayde I knowe nothing but to speake well: so that this olde Philosopher Afranio learned nothing, taught nothing, nor knew any thing but to speake well: and most certaine it is, that he that consumeth all the dayes of his life, to learne to speake well, and knoweth nothing else but to speake well, spendeth his time very well.

¶ Of those that had their pictures and Images for a shovv of their deserued fame erected.

THE greatest honour that both Gréekes & Gentiles vse towarde those that deserued well in the cōmon wealth, was to aduaunce them by pictures painted, & ima­ges gorgeously grauen: thinkyng thereby either to enflame them further to do good, or else to dis­courage them againe in doing euyll, by banishing and neglecting their pictures:Fauorinus. which whē Fauorinus the Phi­losopher hearde that the Citie of Athence had reiected his picture, because Adrian the Emperour was angry with him, sayde: I am right glad therof, for better sayd he had it béene for Socrates to haue had his brasen pic­ture broken and throwen away for some shewe of dis­pleasure by the Athenians, then to be depriued of his lyfe for nothing by the Athenians, for the surest state of all is not to be knowen. Agesilaus therefore, King of the Lacedemonians, Agesilaus. vnderstanding that the inhabitants of euery countrey in all Gréece, had decréed to put vp the picture of Agesilaus for a memorial of his vertuous and noble actes, to be as monumentes of his life after death. Returnyng then from Egipt vnto Gréece, beyng verye sicke a little before hée dyed, wrote letters vnto Gréece, that they shoulde make no pictures, no Images, no painted shewes, no grauen worke of his person,Ca [...]o. ne yet of his life, saying: If I haue done well in life, the vertue thereof is a sufficient monument when I am dead. Cato Senior was of that opinion, that he had rather that men shoulde aske, why hath not Cato his picture set vp? then to aske, why hath Cato his picture vp? A number of sage Philosophers, of wise Princes, [...] [Page] Rome: the one dyed in Assiria, the other in Egypt. Paulus Aemilius dyed in Cinna. T. Gracchus T. Gracchus in Luca­nia. Augustus Caesar in Nola. Trayane the Emperour in the East part of the worlde, with diuers other fa­mous men borne within the Citie of Rome, as these gentlemen, Cornelij. Scipiones, Catones, Dicij, noble families, who dyed like pilgrimes of the worlde, scat­tered one from another. So in Athence where Themi­stocles, Theseus, Solon with others: yet in Syrus, Cyprus and Persea were they buryed. King Iugurtha borne in Numidia, Iugurtha. buried in Rome. Againe, King Aegeus borne in Athence, Pharao in Egypt, Aiax in Gréece, Leander in Abidon: yet their graues and buryall was in the bottome of the Sea. Marke howe puissaunt princes of the worlde, and mighty Kesars were subiectes vnto for­tune. And sée agayne the learned & sage Philosophers, which as I sayde before, had their names aduaunced, their persons estéemed, their pictures erected, yet not able to auoyde the furious frets of fortune: as Pythago­ras, borne in Samos, dead in Metapontus. Virgil, borne in Mantua, buried in Brandusium. Terence borne in Car­thage, brouhht vp in Rome, and ended his life in Arca­dia. These Princes and noble men, had notwithstan­ding in diuers places their fame spread, their name ad­uaunced, and their pictures euery where erected. Gor­gias Leontinus was the first amongst the Gréekes for his wisedome and eloquence that had his picture set vp in Delphos, in the Temple of Apollo. His scholler Iso­crates had for his wit and passyng eloquence in Olimpia his picture erected. Demetrius, Theophastrus scholler, after he had tenne yeres with all diligence and industry gouerned the state of Athence, hauyng thrée hundred and thréescore pictures in Gréece, erected and set vp for his fame and renowme in administration of the com­mon wealth: yet were they all broken and taken downe of enuie afterwarde, which when Demetrius hearde of [Page 30] the inconstancie and enuie of the people in shewyng their malice therein, he sayde: Though they exile my pictures, yet can they not banish the vertuous cause of the pictures.Mithridates Mithridates king of Pontus made a worthy monument at Sylo vnto Plato, about the which as Plu­tarch saieth was written this sentence. Mithridates made this picture of Plato, and dedicated the same vnto the Muses.M. Scaeuol [...] Mutius Scaeuola had his picture in Rome, for that he deliuered the Citie of Rome from Porsenna King of Ethruscan, for the like Cocles was not forgotten of the Romanes. It were vnto small purpose to speake of Lucullus, of M. Attillius and Octauius, whose fame and renowme made their pictures to be monumentes thereof? What shoulde I embusie my selfe with infi­nite names of men, sith womē well deserued the same? as Tanaquil, Tanaquil. Cloaelia. Torquinius wife. Cloaelia a Uirgin of Rome: yea, as Quintilian saith, Phryne for her beauty wanted not to be commended by pictures, so common were they for all men, that I referre those that wyll reade further of this, vnto Plini, where he may at large satisfie him selfe in that poynt. I shoulde be ouer much charged to recite the places, persons and time, that pic­tures were only erected to aduaunce their fame, and to stirre them further in such procéedinges as were the cause of these their pictures. Therefore as before is spoken, they shall finde in Plini store of them.

¶ Of those that defended diuers from deathes, from Serpentes, Dragons, Lions, and of cunning Archers.

EUen as by these valiant and noble conquerours, not only Townes, Cities, and coun­tries, were defended, Ser­pentes, Dragons, Lions, and other monstrous and wilde beastes were slayne: but al­so diuers and sundrie cap­tiues and Prisoners: were deliuered from deathes vnto life.Hercules. Howe manye did famous Hercules that ofspring of the Gods, saue from the gulfe of Auentin, where that Cacus both daye and night murthered the passers by? Howe many deliuered he from the huge monster Chi­maera, which continually with flashing flames of fire, feared & slue diuers valiaūt men, for he had thrée heades, one of a Lyon, the seconde of a Dragon, the thirde of his owne monstrous proportion. He againe slue Sphinx a terrible beast in Ethiopia, which with his sight destroi­ed men: How he ouercame Gereon, Cerberus, and Di­omedes, and diuers other enterprises, it is before reher­sed. Perseus after that Neptune had defloured Medusa in the temple of Pallas, Perseus. the Goddes being displeased therewith, turned euery héere of her head vnto snakes, whose sight was so venemous, that whatsoeuer he was that behelde hir, died presently. Perseus I saye, slue the same, whereby he deliuered diuers that shoulde else perishe.Cappadox. Cappadox being then tribune of the souldi­ours in Affrica vnder the Emperour Dioclesian, van­quished a huge serpent, and deliuered a younge Phrigi­an, made euen for mouth a praye. Euen so Alcon a noble Archer of Créete, shotte at a Dragon which had [Page 31] his owne sonne in his clawes readye to be deuoured, and slue him, whereby his fame shall neuer die, and saued his Sonne vnhurted. But I pause here from the skilfull Archers, and speake a little more of these famous and renowmed conquerours of wilde beasts, of monsters, and of Serpentes, as Bellorophon, King Glaucus sonne of Corinth, Belloro­phon. being accused of forni­cation with Quéene Stenobia King Praetus wife of Ar­gyue, he was iudged to die, and to be deuoured of the monster Chimaera, which he valiauntlye subdued in prison.Lysimachu [...] The fame of Lysimachus is spreade ouer all the worlde, for that he kilde a Lion being but a souldiour vnder King Alaxander. Chorebus. The name of Coraebus shall not be forgotten amongst the Peloponesians, for the o­uerthrowing of that terrible monster in Gréece. The renowne of Atti Regulus shall alwayes be reuiued,Regulus. when any man doth think of the great serpent that hée slue by the floode Bragada, which as Plini sayth, was a hundred and twentie foote long.Lib. 8. ca. 14 Did not these noble fellowes profite their countries muche in sauing thou­sandes liues, which shoulde haue béene destroyed by these monsters? The Poets faine that Cadmus, Age­nors sonne, Cadmus.did kill a Serpent whose téeth engendred & brought foorth out of the earth harnessed men which fought and destroyed one an other. Againe such were the happe of young maydes,Balsaria. as Balsaria when Carphur­rinus Crassus was taken Captiue of the Messalines, and shoulde be offred for a sacrifice vnto Saturne, shée deli­uered Crassus from death and made him conquerour; where before he was conquered: vnto hir euerlasting fame.Caluce. Calluce, a young woman, after Troy was by the Gréekes destroyed, when hir father King Lycus say­ling vnto Libia, had appoynted to kill Diomedes, for a sacrifice to appease the Goddes for winde and weather, she deliuered him from the King hir father, and from present death. Plutarch writeth of these two maydes, [Page] that theyr fames hereby may not be forgottē. To speak here of them that deliuered men from death, from cap­tiuitie, from perpetuall prison, it were necessarie, how­beit short histories are swéete, and fewe wordes are pleasaunt:Lucullus. therefor I will not speake of Lucullus which being in warres with Mithridates King of Pontus deli­uered Cotta from thousandes about him. I will not write of Lucilius a Romane souldiour,Lucilius. which when he sawe that Brutus at Phillippos was compassed rounde about with enimies, he himselfe ranne with fewe soul­diours with him amongst the enimies, bicause Brutus in the meane while, might saue himselfe. Neyther will I make muche mention of Quintius Concinnatus being then Dictator in Rome, which deliuered Quintus Minutius from the handes of the Sabins and Vulscans: but according vnto promise, I will touche partlye those that deserued fame an otherwaye, for fame is not bound vnto one kinde of qualitie or chaunces, but vnto diuers and sundrie vertues. Therefore to ioyne with these re­nowmed conquerers and defenders of countries, most excellent and expert Archers, which likewise haue done noble actes,Ilerdes. worthye feates and merueylous thinges, as Ilerdes was such an Archer, that he woulde kill the flying birdes in the ayre.Catenes. And likewise Catenes coulde doe the like, appoynt the flying fowles to dye, this doth Curtius in his sixt booke affirme.Alexander. Alexander the sonne of King Priamus, when neyther his brother Hector with his courage, nor Troilus with force, nor all the strength of Phrigia coulde resist that noble Gréeke Achilles, hée I saye with his arrowe slue him.Acastus. Acastus wonne im­mortall renowne for killing of the wilde huge Boare, that spoyled Calidonia with his dart.Toco. Toco, a fine soul­diour, and an excellent Archer, is muche commended for that he coulde doe with his bowe. Princes in times past were taught to doe feates with archerye, for Her­cules himselfe was taught of Euritus the science of shoo­ting,Hercules. [Page 32] that he coulde kill any flying foule, or swift beast, as sometime he killed the birdes called Harpeis, and slue the swift Centaure Nessus. We reade in the firste of Herodotus, Comodus. that Commodus the sonne of Marcus, surnamed Aurelius Emperour sometime of Rome, be­gotten of the Empresse Faustina, was so skilfull in sho­ting, that what soeuer he sawe with his eyes, the same woulde he kill with his bowe, insomuch, that vpon a time Herodotus doth witnesse, that he slue a hundred wilde beastes with a hundred shot, missing nothing at any time: euen so the Emperor Domitianus was so ex­pert in his bowe, that he coulde shoote (when any heald vp his hande, betwixt his fingers a great way of. The people of Créete passed all men in this facultie. The Perseans were so cunning in shooting and throwing of dartes,Perseans. that backewarde as they fledde, they woulde spoyle and destroy theyr enimies.Arimaspi­ans. Scithians [...] Getes. The Arimaspians excelled the Perseans. Againe, the Scithians & Getes were most famous for thys poynt. And thus hauing occasi­on to trauaile as pilgrimes, some slue great wilde Tigers, huge Beares, terrible Lions, and such monstrous beastes, that ad­uaunced the fame of such that attempt the perill.

¶ Of diligence, and labours.

AS Horace that auncient Po­ete affirmeth, that the wor­thyest and greatest vertue is to auoide vice: so is it I iudge the greatest commendacion vnto anye man to embrace diligence & to eschewe ydle­nesse, for suche is the vertue of mans minde, that rare giftes, and excellent talents, which God and nature bestowed on man, that to sée the excellencie and vertue thereof with externall sight, if [...] coulde be séene, it woulde sayth that deuine and noble Philosopher Plato, enflame great desire, vncredi­ble lo [...]e vnto vertue, and woulde on the contrarie, kin­dle such a hatred vnto vice, that the sight thereof would feare any beholder thereon. When yet sayth Cicero, the world was rawe, and nothing ripe, no lawes made, no Citties builded, no order set, no common welth fra­med, but all thinges confusedly on a heape, without deuicions and limittes, most like to Poetical Chaos, be­fore the elementes were di [...]euered water from earth▪ Cicero de fini [...]us. and the fire from the ayre: then I say, we liued brutish­lye and beastly, without ciuilitie and maner, without learning and knowledge: but when reason began to rule, when Ladye prudence began to practise with pol­licie, when witte began to search and to séeke by dili­gence and trauayle the nature of thinges: The [...] diuers men in sundrie countries sought meanes by diligence to profite their countries, as Moyses first founde by di­ligence lettters amongst the Hebrues, Moyses. Me [...]no. Rhadaman­thus. Menno first founde letters amongst the Egyptians. Rhadamanthus, amonst the Assirians: Nicostrata, amongst the Ro­mans: [Page 33] Phaenices, Ph [...]nices. amongst the Grecians, that by dili­gence and studie of men, from time to time, raw things waxed rype: straunge thinges became familiar: and harde and difficult things, waxed facill and easie. Then Solon made lawes in Athens, Solon. Lycurgus. Zaleucus. Minoes. Philo. Zalmosis. Licurgus in Lacedemo­nia, Zaleucus in Locresia, Ninus in Creete: and so order­ly all the whole worlde was bewtified with lawes, ex­ornated with witte and learning. Then began Philo to make lawes vnto the Corinthians. Then Zalmosis began to reforme the rude and barbar [...]us Scythians. Then Phaleas amongst the Carthaginneans, Phaleas. practized pollicie, & limitted lawes. Then I say lawes began to order thinges, and reason began to rule, that learning and knowledge was sought farre and néere, witte ex­ercized, pollicie practized, and vertue so honoured, that well might Tullie saye, O Philosophie the searcher of all good vertues, and the expeller of all vices. Then was that common wealth noted happie, that enioyed such a prince to rule, as a Philosopher that woulde ex­toll vertue, and suppresse vice: rewarde the good, and punishe the euill: estéeme the wise and learned, and neglect the foolish and ignoraunt. I will omitte to speak of mightie and famous Princes, whose care, diligence, studie and industrie were such, whose numbers were so infinite, that I might well séeme to tedious to molest the reader therewith. I will recyte the diligence and trauayle of poore men, which by theyr studie and labor became lampes, and lantornes of the worlde. And to begin with Plato and Socrates, Plato. Socrates. two base men of birth, whose diligence in life time, made them most famous now being deade: the one the sonne of a poore Citizen of Athens, named Ariston: the other the sonne of a poore Marbler surnamed Sophroniscus. Might not poore Pe­rictione the mother of Plato be glad of such a sonne, that the greatest tyraunt in the worlde, that prowde prince Dionisius, woulde honour and reuerence Plato for hys [Page] and knowledge, and take him into his Chariote as a Prince, and not as a poore Philosopher? Might not that poore Midwife named Phanaerata reioyce to haue suche a sonne as Socrates, who being prooued of all men best learned, counted of all men most auncient, taken of all men most modest, and grauest: and iudged by the Ora­cle of Apollo to be wisest in all the worlde. Howe hap­pie was Elbia?Elbia. How famous was Creithes, that nour­sed two such sonnes, as Cicero and Homer? the one the lampe and lanterne of Rome, the other the sugred and sweete Mecenace of al Gréece. Thus diligence & trauell brought them to fame, that being poore men, were ho­noured of riche men: being base men, were exalted of Princes. O happie countries of suche women: Oh happie women of such children: O wise happie children of suche learning and knowledge. The poore smith which was Demosthenes Father,Demosthe­nes. and the sillie Potter which was Virgils Father, are more renowmed by theyr children this daye being deade, then knowne by their owne wealth being aliue. Thus muche happened vnto the sillie Smith, and vnto the poore pot­ter, theyr names shall neuer die, while eyther Demo­sthenes is read,Virgil. or Virgill hearde. What might be spo­ken of that poore Phisition Nichomachus son, I meane that famous and learned Philosopher Aristotle, Aristotle which King Phillippe of Macedonia so estéemed, that he coun­ted him selfe happie to haue his sonne Alexander the greate, borne in Aristotles time, whose diligence and studie were such, that he had the garde and tuition of that renowmed conquerour Alexander, fiue yeres to­gither, which was honored of Alexander, and so estée­med of King Phillip, that Athens being destroyed by Alexander, was restored by Aristotle. Suche was the diligence of men, their care and industries, that their large volumes and infinite bookes, are witnesse of their well occupied mindes.Plutarch. Howe became Plutarchus mai­ster [Page 34] vnto Traian the Emperour?Seneca Howe was Seneca ap­poynted the Tutor and Schoolmaister of the Emperor Nero?Zeno. Howe came Zeno vnto suche fauour with King Antigonus? by diligence, and not by ydlenesse: by trauayle, and not by slouthfulnesse: by learning, and not by ignoraunce. Why did that great and famous Romane Scipio, surnamed Affricanus, estéeme so much the poore Poet Aennaeus aliue, [...]ennaeus that being dead, he cau­sed his picture to be set before his eyes, as pledge of his great loue and earnest good will? Forsooth, for paine and trauaile that Aennaeus tooke with Scipio. Why did Au­gustus Caesar, that wise and godlye Emperour, make so much of Maros bookes?Mar [...]. but bicause he was in his time ye lampe of Rome, he honored no lesse his bookes after he was deade, than Octauian embraced him aliue. The great King Artaxerxes thought him selfe halfe deade,Artaxerxes. without the company of Hippocrates: Pomponius Atti. thought him happy, when either Cicero was in his [...]ight, or some of his bookes in his bosome. Alexander neuer went to bedde, without Homer vnder his pillowe. Who will not prayse the diligence of poore Cleanthes the Philosopher?Cleanthe [...]. Who will not commende the trauaile of Plautus ye Historiographer:Plautus the one with a Baker, the other with a Bruer, brought vp with suche care, and paine in the daye time, that they might studie in the night time. Suche was their pouertie and necessitie, that they were vrged to trauayle in the night time: such was their desire and affection vnto learning, that they were willing to studie in the daye time. Who will not extoll Euclides to take such paine,Euclides. and to encur suche daunger, to go in the night time in the apparell of a wo­man, because he might not be knowne, to heare Socra­tes reade Philosophie? Oh paineful men, oh worthye members of their countrie, that so sought by diligence, that so trauayled by studie and industrye: and in fine so founde by witte and reason the redresse of thinges, to [Page] disperse that defused Chaos, which time then sayde Ci­cero had skant opened the doore therevnto. Then after priuate paine and speciail studie of sundrie men in seue­rall countries, it came to that perfection, that from one man in one place, diuers grewe learned and pollitick [...] by diligence and trauayle:Romulus. that from Romulus the first builder and King of the Romanes, Rome in short time had wise and discréete Councelles to gouerne the Citie. From Solon the first law setter (after Dracog) amongst the Athenians:Solon. by and by, learned and eloquent Ora­ratours flowed in Athens. Licurgus. From Licurgus amongst the Lacedemonians, straight grewe modest and graue Senators called Ephori. And thus from one in the be­ginning diuers procéeded foorth in the ende: as the Pro­phets amongst the Egyptians: the Gimnosophistes a­mongst the Indians: the Chaldeans amongst the Babi­lonians: the Sages called Magi, amongst the Perseans: And so of others in other countries. And thus by dili­gence, first commended were all men by pilgrimage, and labour of life, and well recorded in memorie, for the payne and studie that eche famous man in life did for his countrey, his Prince, and his friendes, that hauing finished his pilgrimage of lyfe, me­riteth such fame, as shall be to his per­petuall memorie after death.

Of the first inuentours of artes, and of the vse of Soothsaying.

THE worlde beyng raw and not ripe, ignoraunt and not learned, rude and barba­rous, without all ciuile polli­cie: Nature of it selfe mooued first men to mende maners, instructed ye ignoraūt to seeke and search things vnknowē, which nature wrought in di­uers men in sundry countreys a desire to knowledge, whereby men practized therwith, to the aduauncement and commendation of their Countreys: imitatyng as Cicero saith, nature as a good guide, and a Captaine to finde out which was not knowen. And because nature was alwayes desirous to be acquainted with arte, as a thing to exornate and beautifie her selfe with know­ledge, she first inuented letters as the foundation and the grounde; whence all learnyng do procéede. After first letters were inuented amongst the Hebrues by Philo, Philo. Cadmus Mennon. Hercules. brought vnto Gréece by Cadmus, practised first in Egypt by Mennon: from Egypt vnto Phrygia, brought by one named Hercules, an Egyptian borne. Againe, amongst the Hetruscans letters were first inuēted and written by Demaratus a Corinthian. Demaratus. Amongst the Ro­maines, as both Plutarchus and Solinus do affirme, the Pilagians brought letters,Pilagia [...] ▪ and first founde the vse there­of. And some aucthours of great credite, affirme that Nicostrata, the mother of Euander the Arcadiā inuented letters first in Rome.Rhad [...]ma [...] ­thus. So Radamanthus in Syria, and so others in diuers places of the worlde were studious and carefull to search a way by reason to practise the [...]ame by wyt, to dispearce that lumpish Chaos, which [Page] yet for want of knowledge had no perfect forme. And now letters beyng inuented,Gramer came Grammer worthy­ly to claime the seconde seate of fame. Whose begyn­nyng and enteraunce was celebrated by Epicurus vnto Rome,Epicurus. Crates. brought by one Crates, beyng sent as Embassa­dor from king Attalus, vnto the Senators, at the tyme of the seconde wars of Carthage. This beyng the Well, whence flow all other sciences, for from the facultie of writyng and the arte of speakyng, do the rest procéede. Marcobius preferreth Dydimus for his excellency here­in.Dydimus. Cicero commendeth one named Antonius Enipho, Antonius. whose schole and reading Cicero long frequented. The force of Grammer chéefely consisteth in histories and poetry:Moyses. Dauid. for poetry is so commended, that both Moyses that mighty ruler of the Hebrues, and Dauid that wise prince of Israel, the one in reducyng his people from Egypt,Poetrie. the red Sea opening a way and geuyng place vnto Moyses to passe through, made exemetron verses in good meters, to thanke God for his good successe and fortune: the other with diuers Hymnes in Meter, and swéete songes to asswage the iust anger of God for his offences. In poetry excelled Homer and Hesiodus for antiquity, the one in settyng foorth the fame of Mars, I meane warres: the other in commendyng the payne and diligence of Ceres, whch is husbandry, though Li­nus, Orpheus, Marcellus and others were of great anti­quitie, yet not of so great a fame. Histories and the pro­fite thereof beyng had, as Plini writeth by Cadmus Milesius, the firste history whiche was written of any Philosopher, was by Zenophon: but the excellent and worthy fame of historiographers in Gréece afterwarde were iustly noted in Thucidides & Herodotus, amongst the Romanes in Liui and Salust. Thus from a rude be­gynnyng, became famous and learned writers. As for Rethoricke,Rethorick. Mercurius. it was first inuented by Mercury as Ho­race saith: but as Aristotle and Quintilian do thinke, it [Page 36] was Empedocles, Empedocles then from time to time: from age to age, it came vnto that perfection at length, that Re­thoricke was as necessary to be learned euerywhere, as it was profitably to be vsed any where. The prince of this facultie in Gréece, was Demosthenes, who with eloquence long guided Athens, Isocrates, Aeschines, and others florished in great fame by this arte in Gréece. In Rome was Cicero and Salust, the fountayne and wel­spring of all sugred eloquence. For the beginnyng of Musicke, diuers opinions and sundry assertions are made, where first Musicke was founde. The Gréekes suppose that Dionisius founde first Musicke. The He­brues thinke that Tubal. Musicke. Dionisius. Tuball. Polibius saith, that Musicke first was founde in Arcadia. Solinus saith, that it was first in Créete. The most do agrée and iudge, that Or­pheus and Liuius, some againe thinke that Amphion found Musicke: but how, where, and when it was first founde, it is vncertayne. But vnto what perfection at length Musicke came, we reade plaine that the Gréekes thought that man not well learned, vnlesse he had some skill in Musicke.Philosophy The golden study of Philosophy which as Cicero saith searcheth wisedome, hateth follye, the onely séeker of vertues, and the scurge of vices. Some suppose that Philosophy was first from the barbarous people brought vnto Gréece, for amongst the auncient Egyptians, Philosophy was first studied and opened by Vulcanus. Amongst the Perseans it was founde by them that were called Magi. Vulcanus. Magi. Gymnoso­phistes. Amongst the Indians by Gymnosophistes. Amongst the Babylonians and Assy­rians by the Chaldeans, which as Laertius doth witnes, were called all wise men. This arte was sought with great industry, and much honoured in all the world, for that it conteyned all sciences and faculties in it selfe, as­well the life and maners of men, as also the obscure and difficulte nature of all things, with the subtil search of the same in reasoning thereof.Astrologie. Great contention [Page] of Astrologers, which was he that first found the orders and mocions of the heauens:Promethe­us. Belus. Atlas. some attributyng the first inuention thereof vnto Prometheus, some vnto Belus, some vnto Atlas, as Plini in his seuenth booke affir­meth. Wherfore the Poets faine that Atlas doth sustain the skies with his shoulders: some vnto Mercurius: some vnto Actinus. And thus euery countrey conten­dyng about the antiquitie thereof. The Egyptians bragge of their antiquitie in this poynt. The Assyrians boast no lesse of their knowledge in this art. The course of the Moone was first founde by Endimion. The e­clipse of the same by Anaxagoras. Thus first nature sought such meanes as might set foorth her priuy desire by séeking and trauaylyng for knowledge. And because Phisicke is not so little to be estéemed,Phisick. but it ought here well to be mentioned, consideryng the common pro­fite therof, and how painfully was the same studied and trauayled of others in time past. Phisicke is either hea­led with dyet,Apollo. medicine, or surgery. In the first Apollo was most honoured,Asculapius. in the last Asculapius was chiefly commended, which the Gréekes supposed first that healed woundes.Hippo­crates. Afterwarde Hippocrates, borne in the Isle of Cous, made a lawe, that whosoeuer recouered health, shoulde write his name in the Temple of Ascul­apius, whereby it séemeth that Asculapius was one of the first Phisitions. The first Phisition that euer came to Rome, came from Peloponesus named Archaga­thus, when L. Aemilius and Marcus Liuius were Con­suls in Rome: which when hée came firste to practise there Phisicke, hée was called for the rare sight thereof, first a Butcher, at last a murtherer. To repeate seueral hearbes, by sundry men found out for this arte, it were ouer long. Passing ouer briefly, touchyng nothyng but the first dealers and searchers of artes, & so come vnto Magick,Magick. Zoroastes. which was founde as Plini saith of Zoroastes, first King of the Bactrians, eight hundred yeres before [Page 37] Ilion was made. This saith Plini myght haue béen bet­ter vnsought then founde, for that we sée euery man de­sirous to be acquainted with deuils, and to bée taught of Simon the secrete counsels of deuyls: in so much that women go vnto schoole with Cirses or Calipso, to learne some sorcery withall. The Egyptians had great felici­tie in this arte, insomuch that Pharao commaunded the priestes to shew some feates before him, deridyng Mo­ses and his doynges. In presence of Moses, they con­uerted a rod vnto a Dragon, which when Moses sawe, to suppresse vaine incantations and humaine know­ledge, with deuine shewes and examples, and to shewe how much the one excell the other, hée threw his rodde vnto the grounde, and it was translated vnto a Snake, and deuoured the Dragon that the Egyptians enchan­ted. Salamon the wise,Iosephus. lib. 8. Anti­quitate. which at the beginnyng God so aduaunced & fauoured, that made and inuented wayes to expell deuyls. Eleazalus as Iosephus doth write, vsed these ceremonies in expelling and coniuryng of deuils away from any man, to put a ryng in his nosthrilles, hauyng a certaine hearbe, or a roote appointed and na­med of Salamon within the ring, which roote with his smell driued out deuils, coniuring them not to returne at any time to that man more. This arte in short time grewe to that credite, and at this time in diuers places is in such honour, that a coniurer is more estéemed then a Preacher. There are such braunches in this arte, that do well merite praise, for there are diuers kindes of these Magicks, whereby they bragge and boast that they are able to do any thing, and that they know here­by all things. The first part or rather kinde of Magick is called Nigromancie, which is a kinde of coniuryng of the dead bodies to tell things, as at the warres in Phar­salia betwixt Caesar and Pompeius, it was for [...]shewed by the ghoste of a dead man vnto Sextus, Negro­mancy. the whole chaunce and euert of that warres, and howe his father [Page] Pompeius shoulde loose his head. The seconde kinde of Magick is called Pyromancy, which is a certen diuina­tion by fire,Pyromancy Dionisius. [...]ib. 4. as Tanaquil, Torquiniꝰ Priscus wife, when she saw the flames playing about Seruius Tullius head, she affirmed thereby that he shoulde be king in Rome. The thirde is Aeromancy, which vseth to prognosti­cate things by the ayre,Aeromancy. Plin. lib. 2. as by flying fowles, and tem­pest of weather, as when it rayned Iron in Lucania, it did praesage sayde they, the death of Marcus Crassus amongst the Parthians, or as Liui writeth, when it rained stones in Picen at the seconde warres of Car­thage, it was to shewe the slaughter and murther that Hanibal shoulde do in Italy.Hydromācy The .4. is Hydromancy, to iudge things to come by sight of water, as Varro doth report of a boy that sawe ye picture or image of Mercury in the water, pronouncyng and recityng all the warres of Mithridates King of Pontꝰ, that shoulde folowe in verses. There are two other kindes of Magick, the one named Giomancy,Gyomancy. to declare and expounde thinges by the openyng, gapyng, and moouyng of earth: the other Chiromancy,Chiromācy. to iudge by lines of handes cauled Paul­mestry. These are they that Cicero maketh mention of in his first booke of diuinations, where he saith, Cum non sibi sapiunt semitam alijs tamen monstrant viam: they wyll teach others that way that they know not them selues. They wyll teach others howe to haue money and sub­staunce, and yet they are them selues poore beggers al­wayes in the house of Codrus, hangyng at the sléeue of Irus. There is againe a kinde of Soothsaying whiche was first practized in the lande of Hetruria, where a certen husbandman plowed. In the fielde called Tar­quimen, a certen man appeared in [...]ight, which sprang vp from the grounde which then was plowed, named Tages, in face and countenaunce much lyke a young childe:Cicero. lib. 2. de diuina­tion [...]. but in wisedome and discretion, farre surmoun­tyng any sage Philosopher. This taught all the lande of [Page 38] Hetruria. Plini saith that one Delphos first enuented Soothsaying, and Amphiraus enuented first Sooth­saying by fire. Polidorus describeth another sort of Soothsayers, which were woont to coniecture and fore­showe by beastes slaine to bée sacrificed, whether the heart, the lyuer, or such lyke did perish, as Caesar, which when he sacrificed an Oxe vnto Iupiter, which had no hart, wherby ye Soothsayers prognosticated the infelicity & mishap of Caesar. Afterwarde, likewise king Zerxes in his wars against the Gréekes,Herodotus. liber. 7. historia. a Mare being a stoute & warlike beast, brought forth a Hare, a timorous and fearefull thing, whereby they declared the ouerthrowe of Zerxes, and his huge armie, the flight and coward­nesse thereof. Againe there is a kinde of southsaying by lightning, thunders, and tempestes. The follye of men were such, that they thought nothing to be in the world, but had hidden knowledge concerning m [...]n. They woulde take nothing in hande, without some Oracles of Iupiter, or Apollo. They reposed more trust in flying fowles, in theyr chirping notes, concerning anye attemptes which they tooke in hand, then in their owne force and strength. They had more confidence in bea­stes of the fielde: they trusted I say more in elementa­rie sightes. In fine there was nothing almost, but they had more respect eyther vnto the colour, the voyce, the proportion, and such like toyes, than they had in them selues, as before mencioned in the worshipping of their Goddes, and institution of Religion. These foolishe toyes, were first obserued amongst ye Chaldeans: from Chaldea, Chaldea. Greece. Hetruria. Rome. vnto Greece, from Greece, vnto Hetruria, from Hetruria, vnto Rome, from Rome, vnto all Europe, they were scattered. Wherefore Moyses that wise Hebrue, and the singuler instrument of God for his people, com­maunded that no man shoulde consult with these wic­ked and abhominable faculties, saying vnto his people, You shall not beléeue southsayers, neyther shall you [Page] trust vnto dreames. The Iewes were so aduced to ob­serue these augurations, that they woulde not vnto warre at any time, without some warnings and con­iectures had by some birde or beast: insomuch, that one Mossolanus, Mossolanus. a Iewe borne, a wiseman noted in his countrie, and making his voyage vnto warres, as Io­sephus in his first booke of Antiquitie doth write, was commaunded and all his hoste to staye, vntill a cer­taine southsayer woulde go to consult and knowe the successe of the warres: which then they hadde in hande, with a birde harde by the armie, which when this wise­man Mossolanus perceyued howe they were enclined and wholy bent to be instructed by diuination, he tooke his bowe and an arrowe, and slue this birde, whereat the souldiours were so amazed, and the southsayers so angrie, that had not Massolanus perswaded with the people wisely, he had bene lyke, though he was theyr Capitaine, to haue bene by his owne souldiours slaine: which after long tumult made, and great anger threa­tened, Mosolanus spake after this sort vnto his souldi­ours: Do you thinke that birdes, beastes, and such like dumbe things, can forshew thinges by you which know nothing of them selues: for beholde, the birde which you trusted most vnto, and likewise your southsayers coulde not sée nor knowe to auoyde my purpose when I slue him. Do you trust that thing for your liues, which is ignoraunt of his owne death? O blindenesse of peo­ple, which yet remaineth in this age. And hauing brief­ly past the inuentors of Sciences, in sundrie countries men were much giuen to finde other necessaries for to liue by, studious to make thinges profitable for theyr countries, carefull to augement the state and life of man vnto such perfections, that the Cyclopians were the first workers of Iron worke: The Lacedemonians the first inuentors of harnesse, speares, swordes and bucklers for warres: people thereby most renowmed. [Page 39] The Atheniaus taught first to plant trées and Uine­yardes. The Phrigians made first the Chariotes and wagons: The, Lydians vsed first to dresse woolles: And so the people of Caria practised first Bowes & arrowes: And the Phenitians the Crossebowe. Then other perti­culer matters were likewise sought out by diuers spe­ciall men, in speciall countries for the vse of man, as Oyle and honye, by Aristeus: Keyes by Theodorus the Samian: Ships to sayle, by Iason: Ericthonius Siluer: Cadmus Goulde. Thus then euery where eche man in his pilgrimage did some thing [...] worthie of memorie. Thrason renowmed for his loftie walles and hye tow­ers: Danaus for his welles, and digging water: Cini­ra, for finding out Copper, brasse, leade, and suche other mettell: Ceres for sowing of Corne: And Baccus for planting the Uine, that the worlde in time wax­ed not so populus one waye, but it grewe skilfull in thinges, and plentifull of lawes, for the redresse and safegarde of man.

¶ Of Patience.

PAtience is such a vertue (saith Cato the wise) in all aduer­sities, the best medicine to a sickeman, or the surest plai­ster to any sore, is pacience: it comforteth the heauie, it re­ioyceth the sadde, it conten­teth the poore, it healeth the sicke, it easeth the painefull, it hurteth no man, it helpeth all men: therefore sayde the wiseman Byon, that the greatest harme can happen vnto man, is not to be able to sustaine,Tiberius. and absteine. For this was Tiberius Caesar much commended of Suetonius, that hée suffred in frée Cities & townes,Philippe. frée tongues. Philippe King of Mace­donia, when certaine Embassadours of Athens came to him, he requiring them if he might stande in any stéede to Athens, to certefie him of the same: to whome De­mochares one of the Ambassadours aunswered, that the greatest pleasure that he coulde do to Athens, was to hange himselfe. The King most pacient in such skoffes and tauntes, sayde: The reprochefull sclaunder of the Athenians doe make King Phillippe better able to re­uenge theyr malice by warres, then to mooue him to aunswere theyr backebiting in wordes. A Prince not onely pacient in hearing, but also wise in aunswering. As sometime the Emperour Alexander Seuerus in Rome,Alexander Seuerus. when it was signified vnto him (after Antoni­us was dead) that the barbarous nations were ready to enter the Citie of Rome, and that he was muche rebu­ked of the people, and blamed of the Senators, for the slender care he had vnto the Citie: hée (as Herodianus affirmeth) aunswered, that it belongeth to Princes, to [Page 40] reuenge the good, and not to aunswere the euill: for wisemen will speake euill of no man in the beginning, least they shoulde be iudged fooles in the ende, where into all thinges are directed, and whereby all thinges are prooued.Anaxagoras So pacient was Anaxagoras, when it was toulde him that his sonne was deade, to aunswere merily, I knowe my sonne was mortall. So pacient was King Antigonus, Antigonus. being certefied of his sonne Alci­onus death, to aunswere, I lookt no other than for his death.Pericles. So pacient was Pericles, when he hearde that both his sonnes dyed in one daye, to kéepe his coun­tenaunce merrie, his chéere vnchaunged, and his busi­nesse about the state of his countrie not delayed. But Harpalꝰ was of passing patience,Harpal [...]s. being bydden of Asti­ages King of Persea to supper, where he had two sonnes of his readye drest, and laye in a siluer dishe before him on the table, to be eaten of their owne father. The king, nay the tyraunt, marked the countenaunce of Harpalus, perceyuing him not to be mooued much at the matter, asked him howe hée liked his supper, he without altera­tion of colour, chaunge of countenaunce, framed him­selfe to aunswere the King merily, commending much the supper, as one that knewe that patience was the onely remedy in tirannie. A second Iobe in pacience, he passed Iobe, for Iobe knewe how his God did suffer Sa­tan to punish him for loue he had to Iobe, but Harpalus perceyued that this tyraunt did this to him of tyrannye and euill will, farre from christianitie, for in this vale of misery, wée count him wise, and certayne we may call him most wise, that can in prosperitie be gentle, and in aduersitie be pacient. Both these examples were séene in one man in one daye at Rome. Paulus Aemi­lius, hauing his two sonnes, the hope of Rome, and comfort of the father, the one deade foure dayes before the triumphs of Macedonia, the other, thrée daies after ye triumph, returning from Macedonia with that noble [Page] victory, with such triumphes vnto Rome that no man coulde finde in his heart to tell this noble Romane of the heauinesse in Rome,Paulus Amilius. and of the death of his chil­drē, a ruthfull thing it was to ioyne to such great ioyes, victories, and triumphes, such wofull chaunce, sadnesse and mourning, but fortune accompanieth the one with the other: This noble Romane perceyuing the people of Rome to be so sadde, and he so merrye, they so hea­uy with sobbes and sighes, hée so glad of his triumphes and victories, demaunded the cause, but being at length knowne, he then comforted them, that shoulde comfort him, saying: I thanke the Goddes more to gyue me victories ouer my enimies, to the glorye and fame of Rome, then I accuse fortune to spoyle me of my children, which by nature were borne to dye: & though much it be to my gréefe, yet wish I the gods to tender ye like to the father, as they did to the sonne, so that the like conquest and glorie happen to Rome. In this was both magnamitie and patience. Some men are pacient in thinges, as in a corporall paine: some in tormentes: another is pacient of iniuries done, I commende them both, but to be paciēt in al kind of afflictions & aduersi­tie, heauen & earth commendeth him. That is a kinde of pacience,Anarchus. Laena. which Plini applyed to Anarchus, saying: Of all men, one man Anarchus Augustus most patient in tormentes. Of all women Laena, to kéepe silence. So were the Egyptians people of great patience,4 [...]. 7. they had rather die in tormentes with patience, than to betraye any man. The Gimnosophistes of India were so pati­ent, that from Sunne rising vntill night, vpon the hote sande, without meate and drinke (sayth Plini) from one seate to another, to beholde the heauens, the Sunne, the Moone. &c. The Lacedemonians most pacient in trauayle, payne, winde, weather, and warres. The people of Sparta, at what time certaine men of Chios come to pilgrimage, vnderstanding the wise men of [Page 41] Sparta, called Ephori, to be in all things most pacient, to mooue them to anger, they vomited before them, and then went where Ephori sat in iudgement, and vsed it as a cōmon stoole to discharge and [...]ase nature. When they came to Chios againe, they sayde that the wise men of Sparta were fooles and blockes, that they could not mooue them to be angry, but not so angrie as they were beastly. In this kinde of patience was Mithrida­tes King of Pontus: was Agesilaus King of the Lacede­monians, was Masinissa king of Numidia most pacient. So pacient was that Emperour Augustus, that he suffe­red a younge man of Sicilia to aunswere him as bould­ly, as he had demaunded merily, that where the Empe­rour asked him being lyke in countenaunce and pre­portion, whether euer his mother had béene in Rome, meaning thereby that he might be his father if she had bene there: but the younge man perceyuing the sleight of Augustus, aunswered boldely and sayde: My mother was neuer in Rome, but my father hath béene di­uers times in Rome: meaning that the Emperour might be his brother rather that way, then he to be his sonne the other way by his mother. Bicause pacience is better knowne by reading of diuers Princes anger and wrath, I will them to reade the chapter of anger, where they shall sée what hurt was done, what wicked­nesse was committed by impaciencie, which might haue béene redressed and saued by patience: wherefore auoyding prolixitie, it shall be spoken in the one, what wanteth in the other.

[...] reade sayde he, that seueritie waxed vnto tyranny, and tyranny in a Prince worketh his destruction: and that lenitie is the most soundest state in a Prince, who séeth not the experience thereof. Certenly Nero, Caligula, and Heliogabolus, were neuer so cruell as these thrée no­ble Emperours Augustus, Tr [...]ian, and Seuerus were gentle and méeke.Alphonsus. Alphonsus the great king of Aragon, geuyng care a long w [...]ile to his fréendes, to finde fault with his often pardonyng and forgeuyng those that of­fended much his owne person sayd, Alphonsus had ra­ther saue many by lenitie and gentlenesse, then loose any by cruelnesse and tyranny. This King being moo­ued to warres against the Uenetians and Florentines people, very stout in Italy, and redie from Naples to marche forwarde to méete his enemies, certen Em­bassadours in that tyme commyng from the Floren­tines to entreate of peace with Alphonsus vpon hum­ble suites and conditions. No conditions sayde Al­phonsus that noble prince, but to them that séeke peace: But frankly and fréely to graunt the same, his humani­tie was such, that the Embassadours were not so redie to aske peace, but he was as redy to graunt peace. He­rodotus doth write that there was a lawe amongst the Perseans, that no man shoulde be punished for one [...], but first they woulde examine whether his good de [...]des were to bée rewarded, or his euill life to bée punished. The clemencie of a prince, the singuler wisedome of a noble minde, doth foresée the cause that sometime sub­iectes offende their prince therein. Nicanor the Mace­donian, after hée vsed yll speache euerywhere against Philip, Alexanders Father, hée was complayned of vn­to the King. When the King knewe thereof, hée aun­swered gently, that pouertie caused Nicanor to speake that against King Philip: therefore hée did sende him money to ease his minde, and pardoned withall his of­fences. How worthy of memory is Theodosius Iunior, [Page 43] after hée was perswaded by his fréendes, to reuenge those backbiters that spake yll of him, to aunswere in this sort. A Prince ought not to bende him selfe to re­uenge faults, but redy to pardon offences, saying more­ouer: Woulde God that Theodosius were able to make his enemies alyue againe. And to prooue that a Prince ought not to reuenge, Adrian the Emperour shewed a noble example thereof, he hauing great enimitie with a certen worthy Romane, and being in great hatred towardes this man, before he became Emperour, the selfe same day that Adrian was made Emperour of Rome, méeting his enemie in the stréete, sayde loude to him before all the people, Euasisti, thou hast wonne the victory: meanyng that he then being a Prince elec­ted, might in no point reuenge the wronges that he re­ceaued before. O passing humanity and clemency in Princes. It was Alexander the greate his saying▪ as Pontanus in his firste booke affirmeth, It was more méete for a Prince to do good for euil, then to adde euyll for euyll. Wée reade that cruell Nero in the be­ginnyng of his Empire was so gentle, that hée wished often that hée coulde not reade, because hée shoulde not put his hande (according vnto the custome of Rome) to the libels, for the punishment of the offendours. And Domitianus in the beginnyng, dyd so abhorre tyranny & cruelnes, that hée woulde forbyd to kyll any beast for sacrifice, though they in the latter yeres forget this na­tural clemency. What a noble vertue is humanity in a Prince? what excellency in a noble man? what an or­nament in a gentleman? what commendation in all men: insomuch that the Snakes of Syria, the Serpents of Terinthia, the Scorpions in Arcadia want no due deserued praise of Plini for their gentlenesse, and spa­ryng of their natiue soyle, though they waxe cruell in others. What humanity was in Scipio, hauyng taken captiue Hasdrubal, King Masinissa his nigh kinsman, to [Page] restore him whom againe without rāsome? What cle­mency vsed Demetriꝰ to Cilla, a Captaine of King Pto­lome, euen as before, Ptolome shewed to Demetriꝰ him selfe being taken prisoner, ye like shewed hée to Cilla? Such hath béen ye lenitie of some princes, yt therby they augmented fame, purchased great honor, won victories: & such hath béen the tiranny of others, that thei haue de­famed them selues, won hatred, lost their estates, & in fine,Philippe. destroyed themselues. For this purpose was Phi­lip king of Macedonia woont to instruct his sonne Alex­ander, to behaue him curteously with the Macedonians, to vse lenitie and clemencie vnto his equales, and to shewe him gentle vnto all men, while his father Philip yet liued, that he might the better in that season winne fauour, and finde friendeshippe with his subiectes: for then some came by heritage, some by the sworde, and the most came by election. Nothing sayth Plutarch, doth stablishe the state of a common wealth, as the clemen­cie of a Prince towardes his subiectes, and the loue of the subiectes towardes their Prince,Darius. the one is neuer séene without the other. King Darius therefore vnder­standing that his subiectes were taxed sore with Sub­sedies, blamed his councell, reuoked their lawe, and made an open Oration vnto his commons, to signifie howe loth he was to molest his subiectes, and that hée was as loth to take any from his poore commons, as hée knew them to be willing in giuing all that they had to pleasure theyr prince: his care therein shewed, his spéech so affable, his good will so opened, with suche curtesie and lenitie, tendered vnto his subiectes, enfla­med such beneuolence, kindled such a loue, caused such a redinesse; and made them through gentlenesse so be­nificiall, that both goods, landes, and liues, were at Darius commaundement.Antigonus. Plutarchus in the life of king Antigonus, doth recite a famous historie, concerning the alteration and chaunge of Antigonus, who with [Page 44] tiranny a long while, fomed in bloode, delighted in mur­ther, giuen altogither to wickednesse of lyfe, spoyling at all times euery where, sparing no place at anye time, that at length, hauing obtayned the kingdome of Ma­cedonia, became so gentle, so méeke, so liberall, so qui­et towardes his subiectes, that being of all men woon­dered at for his sodaine chaunge: from so cruell a Ti­rant, to be so gentle a Prince: from a spoyler of all pla­ces, to be a sparer nowe of his subiectes: Being de­maunded the cause thereof, aunswered: Then I tra­uayled for the Kingdome of Macedonia, which was to be wonne with warres, and tiranny: and nowe I la­bour to get the good will of my subiectes, which is to be gotten with gentlenesse. The onelye remedie, the sure waye to winne good will at the subiectes, is alwayes for Princes to be curteous and gentle. Pittie in a Prince,Aurelian. causeth loue in the subiectes. Such pittie was founde in that gentle Emperour Aurelian, when hée woulde haue entered vnto the Citie called Tiaena, the gates being shut against him, he did send his Herauldes to signifie, vnlesse the gates should be opened, he would not leaue one dogge aliue within the Cittie. The Citie more stoute then wise, refused to open theyr gates, vn­till with force of warres, the walles were battered downe, and the Citie in the hande of the Emperour to doe what it lyked him. The souldiours gréedie of the spoyle, were by the gentle and mercifull Emperour, charged not to meddle with any within the Citie vntill they had licence. The Emperour being charged by the souldiers of promise, to kill and to spoyle all, and not to leaue a dogge aliue: Kept promise being a Prince, de­stroyed all the dogges of the Cittie, and restored againe the Citie vnto the inhabitauntes thereof. This noble Aurelian, had rather his souldiours shoulde want, than that they shoulde not shewe mercie,Zerxes. according vnto his custome to the comfortlesse. Zerxes, the great King of [Page] Persea, with lenitie and gentlenesse towardes his bro­ther Arimenes, with whome before he was a great eni­mie, made his foe his friende, brought his enimie be­fore, to be his naturall brother then.Porus. Brusonius. lib. 3. cap. 13 Porus a famous Prince of India, being conquered by Alexander the great, fearing that pittie might not haue place in the heart of such a great conquerour, sought nothing else of Alexander (which willed him to aske any thing, and he shoulde haue it) but clemencie, this vertue long way­ted vpon Alexander, vntill pride the roote of al mischiefe corrupted his gentle heart, vntill he was by the Medes and Perseans, perswaded to be the sonne of Iupiter. So gentle before,Darius. that King Darius did wishe eyther to conquer Alexander bicause he might shewe curtesie vnto Alexander: or else to be conquered by Alexander. Aeneas Siluius was woont to saye, the saying of Sigis­monde the Emperour, that happie are those Princes that foster vp clemencie in Court, and prudent is those Princes that vseth humanitie in their cities. It was no small proofe of humanitie in the Senatours of Rome, at the buriall of Siphax King of Numidia, Siphax. which being taken by the Romanes, and kept in Tiberius house ac­cording to marshall lawe, and before he was raunso­med by the Numedians, dyed at Rome, where suche so­lemnitie, honour, & pompe was shewed at his funerall: such giftes giuen, such liberalitie vsed, as if Siphax had died amongst his owne subiects, hée might haue wanted to haue such glorious buriall in Numantia being their king, as he had in Rome being their Prisoner. That is worthy humanity, that is shewed vnto mē in aduersity: and that is méere clemencie that is done vnto those ba­nished straungers, as the Romaines sometime did vnto Prusias king of Bithinia, Prusia. who being driuen to exile by hys sonne Nicomedes, came vnto Rome, where hu­manitie and clemencie were fostered, and nourished in the Senate, being mette at Capua (a Citie some­time [Page 45] by Hannibal conquered) of Scipio, and Cornelius and brought vnto Rome, not like a banished man, but lyke a noble Prince, with such triumphes and honour done vnto him, with such passing curtesie, and liberality of Senators, that though he was banished Bithinia his kingdome, and by Nicomedes his owne sonne, yet was he receyued vnto Rome of straungers, and that to the fame of Rome. Thereby the Romanes grewe to that admiration with all people, that for their lenitie, and surmounting curtesie, they were of all men beloued: and for their valiauntnesse and magnanimity, they like­wise were of all the worlde feared.Syphax. For as vnto Siphax and Prusias woonderfull clemencie and humanity were by the Romanes tendered: so vnto Ptholome King of Egypt, being of his owne brother banished, and by the Romanes receyued, and restored againe vnto his king­dome, the like was shewed. Rome then was called the hauen of succour, the Anker of trust, the keye of curte­sie, where all succourlesse Princes, and noble Cappi­taines fledde. Rome florished then, while pittie and mercy continued, Rome prospered: while humanitie and clemencie were fostered, Rome excelled all men in gentlenesse and pittie. When Marcellus and Matel­lus, the one Capitaine of Siracusa, the other in Celuberia: The noble Capitaine Marcellus was so pittifull,Marcellus. that after his souldiours had conquered Siracusa, with great slaughter and murther of men, women, and children: he mounted vp into a high Tower of the Castle, and there with wéeping and lamenting the ruefull sight of Siracusa, more like to one conquered, than a conque­rer: to a Prisoner, than a Prince: that anye that sawe him thē, might rather iudge Marcellus a Siracusan cap­tiue, than a Romane Capitaine. Happie was Siracu­sa (sith fortune was no better) to happen on such a gen­tle conquerour, which was so glad for his owne victo­rie, as he was sorrowfull for the fall of Siracusa. That [Page] renowmed Romane Maetellus, [...]etellus. besieging the great City Centobrica, in the countrie of Celtiberia: whē he percey­ued theyr bulwark [...]s broken, theyr walles ready to fa [...]l, and victorie nigh at hande, hée began to be mooued with pittie, and mercie possest chiefe place in his heart, that when the women of the Citie brought their chil­dren on theyr armes to craue mercy at Maetellus hand, he auoyded the calamitie and misery that was redy to fall on Centobrica, spared the Citie, remooued his campe, being with pittie and mercie of the ruthfull wo­men, and innocent children quite conquered. Thus gentle Maetellus where he might haue bene a Conque­rour ouer men, he suffered himselfe to be conquered by little infantes. O Rome, happie were those golden dayes, wherin through clemencie and gentlenesse, thou wast as much loued and honored, as thou hast béene by valyaunt Capitaines trembled and feared at.Pompeius. Pompei­us the greate, when Tigranes King of Armenia, being by him conquered, had knéeled before Pompeius face, yéelding his crowne and scepter at Pompeius his foote, and himselfe vnto his gentlenesse as a captiue: Tooke him in his armes, embraced him, put his Crowne on his heade, and restored him to the kingdome of Arme­nia againe. The like courtesie vsed he towarde Mi­thridates King of Pontus, being deade, for his royall bu­riall, though the knewe well the great hatred that Mi­thridates had fortie yeares against the Romanes, yet in stéede of iust reuengement, Pompeius vsed princely clemencie.Fulgo. lib. 5. cap. 1. The gentlenesse that was then vsed in Rome, yea betwixt foes, was such, that Iulius Ceasar that valiaunt Emperour and Conquerour,Caesar. was as wil­ling to reuenge the death of his great enimy Pompeius, vpon Photina and Bassus, who slue Pompeius and sent his heade vnto Caesar, as L. Paulus was courteous and fauorable to his most mortall foe Persen. Hanniball, though he was counted the most and greatest enemye [Page 46] that euer Rome felt, yet mooued with that clemencie, that he won more commendations for the buriall of P. Aemilius, Gracchus, & Marcellus these noble Romanes, then he wan fame by ouercoming thrée thousande Ro­manes in fielde.Hanibal. The chiefe fame that Hanibal was worthy of, was for humanity and gentlenesse, as proued by these two noble Romanes before mentioned,Val. lib. 5. which Hanibal caused their carkasses diligently to bée sought for in the feelde, and solempnely to bée buryed with ho­nour and renowme though they were his enimies: and as Hanibal was much commended in Rome, and wel-beloued of the Romanes, onely for humanity: so was he feared much in Rome for his prowisse and valiaunt déedes of armes. Polycrates, that tiraunt of Samos, was chéefely commended for his gentlenesse and curtesie shewed towardes women which were the wiues and mothers of the dead souldiers, in restoring them vnto libertie, in geuing them wealth to liue, & great charge that no man shoulde do them any wrong. Augustus the Emperour, when hée behelde in the Citie Alexan­dria, the sworde wherewith Marcus Antonius slewe him selfe, coulde not refraine teares to shewe his hu­manitye, in opening his clemency of nature vnto his enemie, commaunded he should be honourably buryed with his deare fréende Cleopatra in one graue. Cicero in his first booke of Tusculan, commendeth much the clemency of Cleobulus and Biton, in shewing such loue and obedience to their mother, which being in her Chariot, redy to go to the solempne feast of the goddesse Iuno, the horses sodainly dyed: hauing no other reme­dy, lest their mother should go a foote, yoked themselues to drawe the Chariot tenne miles, to their immortall praise and commendations. I remember of a history in Patritius, Simonides. of one Simonides, which for that hée was moo­ued with pittie to bury a dead corps, left in the way where no man woulde put him vnto the earth, as hée [Page] was passing with his felowes ouer Seas, that night be­fore they should saile in the morning, appeared vnto Si­monides the selfe same man which he had buried vpon the way, warning him that day not to go to Sea: which when hée shoulde take shipping, he remembring his dreame, tolde it vnto his felowes, desiring them to stay that day: but his company laughing him to scorne, lea­uing Simonides on the shoores, sayled vnto the Seas, where in sight of Simonides, the Shippe and all his fe­lowes were lost. The lyke pitie séene in Simon, the son of that valiaunt Greeke Miltiades, Simon. who being elected Generall ouer the Athenians, against the great migh [...] and force of puissaunt Zerxes, in the warres of Mara­thon, which was nothing inferiour vnto his renowmed father in prowesse, but farre passed him in clemencye and curtesie. A young man for his lenitie & pitie, ioyned with valiauntnesse, appoynted by the people of Athens to encoūter with Zerxes, whom his father Miltiades of­ten plaged: he then at the first time of his magnanimity tried, enforced Zerxes, after spoyle of souldiours and victorie of fielde, to flye vnto Persea: So pitifull that hée payde a great some of money, to haue his father buried. Milciades, which after many conquestes and fawning fortune in victories, died in prison, whose death and bu­riall, prooued no lesse loue and faythfulnesse towardes his father in Simon, then it shewed euidentlye the pittie and mercy he had in redéeming his fathers corpes to be buried. Wherefore that pittifull Emperour Alexander Seuerus, being demaunded what is that, which is chiefe felicitie in this worlde, sayde, to foster friendes with be­nifites and gentlenesse: and to reconcile foes with pitty and rewardes. Alphonsus, Alphonsus. at what time certen dogges barked at him, tooke a toaste out of his cuppe, and cast it to the Dogge, then saying: gentlenesse and clemencye shall make foes friendes. I knowe not what greater humanitie coulde be in Vaspasianus the emperour, af­ter [Page 47] that Vitellus had kilde his brother Sabinus, and had long persecuted Vaspasians sonne: yet he being subdu­ed, spared not to shew gentlenes to Vitellius his daugh­ter, with a great some of money towarde hir mariage. Aegesilaus King of the Lacedemonians, after he had the victorie of Corinth, was not so glad of his conquest, as he lamented the deathes of so many Athenians and Co­rinthians, sayde as Plutarch doth witnesse, wéeping: O Gréece, thou spillest more men with ciuil war [...]es by discorde, than woulde defende thy state against all the worlde with courage. To vse victorie gently, is more famous, than to conquer cruellye. As that Emperour Adrian was woont to saye, that Princes ought rather with Pittie to saye: this I can doe, then with tirannye to saye:Augustus. this I will doe. Augustus that most pittifull Prince, after he had conquered that famous Cittie A­lexandria, which the great conquerour Alexander had made, and named it according to his owne name, bée­ing mooued with pittie, stirred with mercy, in sight of the Citizens, which hoped to haue nothing but death, sayde: for the beautie of your Citie, and memorie of A­lexander, for the loue I haue vnto Prius your Philoso­pher, and for the pittie I beare vnto you all, I spare vnto you, your Cittie, and graunt you life. O swéete sounding wordes, from a pittifull Prince, not muche vnlike his predicessor Iulius Caesar, Caesar▪ his owne mothers brother, who after vanquishing of Pompeius, at Phar­salia, sent letters vnto Rome, of loue professed, of suche friendshippe promised, that though Pompeius was the onely ioye of Rome, the long delight of Romanes, the defender and meintainer of theyr name, and fame: yet being conuicted, they receyued Caesar as an other Pom­peius, for that he vsed humanitie, and shewed gentle­nesse, euen vnto his enimies, for noble heartes ought to cōtemne cruelty, princes mindes ought to abhor tiran­nye. A simple sparow, which to auoyd ye griping pawes [Page] of a hungry Sparhaucke, that woulde haue prayed vp­pon him, fledde vnto Artaxerxes bosome being in campe, where after long panting aswell for feare, as for wearinesse in Artaxerxes bosome, he sayd: It is as litle masterie vnto a Prince, or commendation to a valiant Capitaine to destroye that which of it selfe doth yéelde, as it is a fame vnto Artaxerxes, Artaxerxes. to kyll this poore Sparow, that fled for succour: saying againe, beholding the Sparrowe: As I will not betraye thée (thou little Sparrowe, for that thou hast fledde for helpe vnto Ar­taxerxes, so will I neuer deceyue anye man that will haue confidence in me. If this pittie of Artaxerxes was shewed vnto a Sparrowe, how much ought Prin­ces to shewe the same vnto men?Antigonus. Antigonus though he was a great enimie vnto Pirrhus, as Princes bée during the time of warre, being slayne of a silye woman in Argos, and hys heade brought by Al­cyoneus vnto his father King Antigonus, thinking to please his father much to bring King Pirrhus head,Plutarch. Lib. 27. which long had molested Antigonus aliue: but the king perceauing the cruell tiranny of his sonne, to delite in dead mens heades, tooke the staffe whereon his sonne Alcioneus caried the head, & in stéede of thankes which hée looked for at his fathers handes, hée was well and worthily rewarded with stripes, tooke Pirrhus head ve­ry honourably, deckt and couered it, and after long loo­king theron, hée cōmaunded his son Helenus to cary it vnto the kingdome of Epire, where Pirrhus in life time was King, & there to bée buried according vnto the cu­stome of ye Epirotes by king Alexāder his own brother. The like history is writtē in Herodotꝰ, Darius. of King Darius, which yéelded thankes vnto those that brought Histeus head, as Antigonus did vnto his sonne Alcioneus, say­ing: I do as litle ioy to sée Histeus head, being dead, as I do lament much such tiranny and cruelnesse to bée in you, who neuer sawe King Darius so cruell to any man [Page 48] aliue, as you are cruell vnto Histeus being dead. As Darius was gentle of him selfe,Histeus. so hée greatly estéemed those that were gentle: insomuch hée being at the point of death, euen at that time when hée was so weake that hée knew not Polistratus that gaue a litle water to re­freshe his heart, sayde: Whosoeuer thou bée I knowe thée not:Plutarch. lib. 37. and for that I am not able to thanke thée, Alexander shall and wyll requite thy gentlenesse: and the gods shall thanke Alexander for his clemency and humanity towarde my mother, my wife and children, and with that hée stretched foorth his hande, and sayde: Haue mée recommended vnto Alexander, and bryng him this my right hande, and tell him that Bessus kylled Darius, whom thou didst sée dying. Which when it was tolde by Polystratus vnto Alexander, Darius. Polystratus. hée much lamen­ted his death, caused his body to bée brought with great honour, and precious clothes: and with all solempnitie that might bée made vnto his mother named Sisigam­bis. Thus worketh clemency and humanity, that those two famous Princes, Alexander and Darius, two mor­tall enemies alwayes: and yet not forgetting eche o­thers courtesie, at deathes doore either of them in loue with the other: For their humanitie one to another, Darius at his death, repeating Alexanders gentlenesse towardes him, and Alexander requiting Darius gentle­nesse being dead. The greatest fame or commendation that may happen vnto any man, is to bée counted gen­tle and curteous, therein are diuers vertues knitted and ioyned in fréendship, as pitie, mercy, wisedome, and affability, with others: so that the property of those men are alwayes, though they can hurt, yet neuer to hinder. It is proper to an euill man to offende: so is the nature of the good and gentle, to forgiue. Pisistratus she­wed both wisedome and curtesie vnto certaine dron­kardes, who hauing in theyr drinke vsed wanton spéech vnto his wife, and being sober the next morning, came [Page] to Pisistratus to aske him forgiuenesse for theyr lewde talke vnto his wife: hée gently sayde, learne to be more sober another time. I knowe my wife was not out of hir house yesterdaye, excusing his wife wisely, and par­doning them gently. Howe gently dyd Alexander Se­uerus vse Camillus, though he rebelled against him, and by sleight thought to be Emperour of Rome, and for that being condemned to die by the Senate, yet he was pardoned by Alexander. Howe courteous was Fabius Maximus, to forgiue Marsius one of his chiefe Capi­taines, his treasons and snares that he vsed against his mayster Fabius with the enimies. Such gentlenesse did Zerxes the great, shewe vnto certaine Gréekes, who were as espialles to vew the hoste and power of King Zerxes, sent from Athens: and being taken and brought before the king, he not only gently dismissed them with­out any punishment, but shewed them courteously all his hoste and force of souldiours. The greatest victorie is lightly alwayes gotten by gentlenesse, as Alphonsus King of Aragon, by gentlenesse wonne Careta: Marcel­lus wonne Siracusa: Metellus, Seluberia as you haue hearde before mencioned. Plutarch resiteth a passing historie of great curtesie and humanity in king Belenus, towarde his sonne Antigonus, who being maried to a fayre woman, fell in loue with his fathers wife (for his mother was deade) and his father maried the daughter of Demetriꝰ King of Macedonia, named Estrabonica, a younge woman of excellent beautie: for this therefore the Kings sonne languished in loue, that he was lyke to die, vnknowne vnto his father: which when his f [...] ­ther knewe of, hée caused his owne wife to be maried vnto his sonne Antigonus: rare clemencie and great gentlenesse for a manne to giue his wife to please his friends: Pittie accompanieth this excellent vertue cle­mencie, that we reade in holy scriptures, that diuers good men ceassed not to bewayle and wéepe euer the [Page 49] state of their enimies. I néede not here to recite Peri­cles the Athenian, Pericles. who willed that the deade souldiours shoulde be buried in the warres of Peloponesus, nor of Hanibals curtesie in the warres of Carthage, for the bu­riall of Romane enimies. But Moyses, that man of God brought with him from Egypt, the boanes of Io­seph.. Tobias. Machabeus▪ Iehu. Tobias and Machabeus, mercifull men commen­ded likewise solemne buriall for the deade souldiours. And Iehu King of Israell, caused his enimie Iezabelem to be honorably buried, but as white is better discerned by the blacke, than by any colour else, so shall humani­tie and gentlenesse most appéere excellent in reading the title of tyranny, where by conferring both togither, the excellencie of the one is manifest, the terrour of the other is odious. The gentlenesse and pittie that our Sauiour Iesus Christ shewed vnto Marie Magdelen, the lewde woman, vnto the prodigall childe, vnto Pe­ter that denied him, vnto the Théefe that hanged with him, vnto Daniell in the denne, to Susanna in the fire, to Ionas in the water, was nothing else, but ex­amples left for our learning▪ to be gentle one vnto ano­ther, euen as Iesus Christ was vnto vs all, thus ending as Cicero sayde of Caesar, that Caesar extolling Pompei­us being deade, and setting vp his pictures, did extoll his owne name: so that the clemen­cie that menne vse to shewe vnto o­thers, doth aduance their owne fame.

¶ Of sober and temperate Princes, and where temperaunce and sobrietie vvere most vsed.

SO much was this noble ver­tue of temperaunce estéemed with auntient people, that they thought the greatest ple­sure & the happiest life was to abstaine from desired meate and drinke. So muche was this sobrietie of life commen­ded of learned Philosophers, that Anacharsis that famous Scithian, was woont to write about the painted pictures of Princes, this little lesson, Rule lust: Temper tongue: And bridle the bellie. Whereby the Philosopher diligentlye perswaded Princes to be temperate of life, to be sober in talke, and to abstaine from filthy féeding. For, to subdue appetites, to vanquishe luste, to suppresse pleasure is a worthie conquest. He is a worthie Uictour, a famous conque­rour, a puissaunt Prince, that can ouercome his owne affections: for euen as Fishes are taken with hookes, so men, sayth Plato, are alured with pleasure. It is the greatest vertue that can be in man sayth the Poet, to abstaine from pleasure. To auoyde these baytes, these swéete pleasures, wise Princes haue lothed banquet­ting and drinking:Caesar. Plutarch of Caesars life. in so much that Iulius Caesar, that famous Emperour of Rome, for his singuler sobrietye and passing temperaunce, the verye lampe and lantorne of Europe, for his abstinence the onely mirrour of Ita­ly, who by ouercomming of himselfe, ouercame all Europe. Of this Emperour woulde Cato of Vtica say, though he was a mortall enemie vnto Caesar, for that Caesar vsed the companie of Cato sister Seru [...]lia, that one sober Caesar should subdue Rome: his abstinence was [Page 50] such (sayth Plim) that most rare or neuer woulde this Emperour drinke wine.Agesilaus. Agesilaus king of the Lacede­monians passing through the countrey of Thasius, being met with the nobles, and saluted the people with diuers dainties, and rare banquets, to welcome the king vn­to the countrie: notwithstanding, he touched not their daineties, fedde onely with breade and drinke, to satis­fie the expectations of the Thasians. And being earnest­ly requested,Brusoniu [...]. lib. 3. cap. 1 and humblye sought, and in maner enfor­ced (least he shoulde séeme vngratefull, not to eate their meates) he commaunded his footemen and slaues, Helotes, to féede if they woulde on suche▪ chéere, saying, that princes might not so pamper thē selues with dam­tie chéere and wines, but with abstinence and tempe­rancie: The one is incident (sayde he) vnto vice, and shame, the other a nource vnto vertue and fame: for in eating and drinking, lyeth hidden that sucking Ser­pent named forgetfulnesse. To auoyde therefore glut­tonie and dronkennesse, which are often tendered vnto Princes.Constantius Constantius that most temperate Emperour, kept him alwayes so hungrie, that he woulde take of a poore woman, a crust of breade to satisfie hunger. It was Licurgus lawe in Sparta, and Zaleucus rule in Locresia, to abstaine from fine meate, and swéete wine, as from an enimie vnto Princes: for wisemen were woont to say, that meate is onely good to expell hunger, and drinke to breake thirst.Cirus. King Cirus in warres, bée­ing demaunded of his hoste, what he would haue proui­ded against dinner: breade sayde Cirus, for drinke wée shall not want, meaning as Amianus sayth, water. This vertue of abstinence was so honoured then, that Princes which were giuen to wine, were odious vn [...] the worlde.Leonidas▪ Epami­nondas▪ A great shame it were in Thebes, in Leo­nidas time, to make banquetes, for when Epaminondas, that passing Prince of temperaunce, was willed of a rich Citizen being his friende, to come to a supper: [Page] where he founde such superfluous chéere, such excesse of meate and drinke, that he sayde (being much offended with his friende) that he thought he was willed to come to eate like a man, and not to féede lyke a beast. This Prince knew the inconuenience of féeding, and againe knewe the commoditie of abstinence. A number of ex­cellent vertues do follow abstinence, as continencie, chastitie, sobrietie, and wisedome. A heape of vices waite on pampering Princes, as glotonye, lecherie, dronkennesse, and suche others. Such was the tempe­raunce of great King Porus of India, Porus. that breade and water was his accustomed chéere. Suche was the ab­stinence of Massinissa King of Numidia, Masinissa. béeing foure score yeares olde, that he fed hungerly alwayes, and not daintily at anytime. Suche was the temperaunce of that noble Pericles, Pericles & Tymon. and of that Gréeke Tymon, that Aelianus in his booke of diuers histories, commendeth the abstinence of the one, and Cicero in his booke of friendeshippe, extolleth the temperaunce of the other: and so ioyntly these two noble Gréekes did auoyde al­waye banqueting and belly chéere, forsooke and fledde the companye of drinkers, as thinges more noysome than profitable: more daungerous then helthie: more filthily than friendly.Dometrius. Demetrius king sometime of Ma­cedonia, and sonne vnto Antigonus, being much giuen to féeding and pampering of him selfe, grewe to that lust and lecherie, that being not sufficed with diuers stately strumpetes, and curious Curtezaunce, as with that renowmed Lamia, Plutarch de vita De­menij. famous Crisidies, diamonde Da­ma, and such other daintie dames, fell to lust of a young Gentleman of Gréece, of amorous countenaunce, of passing beautie, and of such a princely porte, with séem­ly shamefastenesse endued, that then comming from Athens vnto Macedonia, to serue as a souldiour vnto king Demetrius, sought diuers meanes to accomplishe his inordinate lust by eating and drinking with this [Page 51] young Democles, and with diuers attemptes to haue his purpose, folowed him priuily where Democles went a bathing vnto a close chamber, where Demetrius hid himselfe vntill the young man was naked, and then on a sodaine enterprised his lust: which when Democles, sawe the King, and perceyued his wicked entent, to a­uoyde the shamefull acte and filthy luste of the king, and to maintaine temperaunce of life, and euerlasting fame of abstinence, he lept naked into a great séething vessel, of whote boyling water, and finished his noble lyfe, with famous death. O renowmed Democles! O vile and shamefull Demetrius! thy death is famous, his life is infamous: thy temperaunce and vertue commen­ded, his lust and wickednesse, iustly of all men condem­ned. The like historie doth Plutarch write of Trebo­nius, Trebonius. a young souldiour, of a younger Capitaine named Lucius, and Nephew vnto that noble Romaine Caius Marius. This Lucius hauing a charge ouer certaine souldiours appoynted of his Uncle Marius then Gene­rall, hauing a long while deuised meanes to bring hys purpose to passe, in accomplishing his luste with Trebo­nius happened on such a season, that he found Treboni­us by him selfe alone, and offering violence vnto him, Trebonius vnderstanding his Capitaines desire, made as though he shoulde spéede, came imbracing him, and thrust him to the heart with Lucius owne dagger, and so slue his Capitaine to auoyde infamie: which when it came to Marius his eare, that his nephew was slaine by Trebonius, the cause thereof being demaunded by Marius, & being orderly declared by Trebonius, where as it was thought he shoulde be hanged, drawne, and quartered, and suffer most ignominious death, he was rewarded with a crowne of Golde vpon his heade, writ­ten about with this sentence. This crowne and gar­lande wonne Trebonius by temperauance. Had Deme­trius King of Macedonia embraced sobrietye of féeding, [Page] Democles, had not bene so famous by abstinence as Demetrius might haue bene renowmed with tempe­raunce. Had that Romane Lucius loued continencie, as Trebonius honored chastitie, Trebonius had not had of Marius his Uncle Luciꝰ the prayse, the garlande of commendacions, and he so vilde and shamefull a death. Certainely,Athens. when the people of Athens fed with figges: the Arcadians with Acornes or with Walnuts: the Ar­giues with Pearsley:Arcadians. Argiue. the Terinthians with Peares: the Scithians with herbes,Scythians. the inhabitauntes of Carme­nia and Meotica, with poore fare: yea, before corne was sowne, the whole worlde fedde with fruites, which our olde mother the earth naturally brought foorth. Then kingdomes and nations were ruled by lawe of Nature, to embrace temperauncie, to honor abstinencie, and to obserue chastitie: which since grewe to that aboun­dancie and excesse, that the lawe of God, which was first, the lawe of nature which was the seconde, and the lawe of Princes which was the last, coulde not kéepe men from excesse of meate, which onely was the cause of the sinking of Sodom and Gomorrhe, the often plague of Israelites, the iust confusion of gluttons and drun­kardes. When the Gymnosophistes of India, Gymnoso­phists of India. The priests of Egypt. The Sages of Persea. fedde on­ly with Apples, when the Priestes of Egypt abstayned from fleshe and wine, fedde with breade and Oyle, when the sages of Persea, fed with fruites and hearbes: Then temperance beare rule, then sobrietie gouerned, then abstinence was honoured, then Egypt florished through temperaunce, and now spoyled with gluttonye. Then India prospered through continencie and sobrie­tie, and now vanquished by dronkennesse and temeri [...]y: Then Persea was famous, and conquered kingdomes by abstinence, and now conuicted and conquered by a­boundancie and excesse. Where is learned Athens, fa­mous Sparta, sttately Thebes? Athens. Sparta. Thebes. while temperaunce dyd rule, feared of all Kinges, and after by meanes of ex­cesse, [Page 52] hated and destroyed of all Princes. All the while that the Lacedemonians obserued the lawe of Licurgus, in abstayning from braue banquettes and excesse of chéere: yea, when they might not passe vnto Asia, for feare they shoulde be alured and entised with the sight of the iunkets of Asia: then saith Cicero were the peo­ple of Sparta so temperate, that the men did neuer sitte with women, nor the women with the menne. When the Milesians had made a lawe, as Theophratus doth witnesse, that neyther theyr wiues, theyr daughters, nor theyr maydes might taste wine, neyther durst any man by the same lawe prayse any wine in presence of women: for wine causeth heate, heate, mooueth lust, lust causeth murther. Wherefore wise men write that it is daungerous to prayse thrée thinges in presence of people.The history of King Candales. A man to prayse the beautie of his wife, for feare of fornicatours, for so did king Candales of Lidia prayse his wife vnto his friende Giges, that he was murthered therby, and the Quéene his wife afterward maried vnto Giges. To bragge of his riches and sub­staunce,Sichaeus. for so did Sichaeus shewe his substaunce vnto Pigmalion King of Tire, maried the kinges sister na­med Eliza, Iustine. lib. 18. and yet slaine by the selfe same Pilgmalion, king of Tire, and his owne brother in lawe: Euen so to commend swéete wine in presence of people, breéedeth a desire vnto lust, and lust vnto death. The famous Ro­manes for a long while kept a straite order to obserue temperaunce,Plini. lib. 13 cap. 23. that the Ladies and matrones of the Ci­tie of Rome, might in no wise be suffered to drinke wine, for abstinence is the onely keye of temperauncy: so straight was this lawe lookt vnto,Eg. Maece­nius. that Eg. Maecenus slue his owne wife, as Plini recordeth, for that she loued wine, and was by the lawe of Romulus made for that purpose, saued from death. In the same place of Plini it is read,Romans. that a certaine matrone of Rome was iudged to die, for that shée had a priuie keye vnto a Celler of [Page] wine. So nie did they obserue this temperaunce, that Cato the Censor appoynted by lawe certaine men to kisse the women of Rome, to knowe whether they smelled of wine by their breath. [...]lianus. lib. 2. No man of what de­grée so euer hée was, Consul, Censor, Tribune, or Senator might drinke wine in Rome, before he was thirtie and fiue yeares of age.The people of Messa­liotica. The people of Massaliotica made and ordayned, that the women shoulde drinke no other drinke than water. Amongst the Egyptians there was by a lawe appoynted, how much wine their Princes might drinke and no more. The Perseans fed only then with breade, sault, and water. The Prophetes of Iupi­ter in Créete, abstaine from flesh and wine. In Rhodes he was taken a grose braynd man, that fedde on anye thing else but on fishe. The Lacedemonians most hate­full vnto those that were fat by feeding, insomuch they woulde punish their owne children with hunger, if they waxed fatte, eyther by féeding, or by Idlenesse. This abstinence was fostred as a nourse vnto chastitie, and temperaunce, then Princes lothed vice, and loued vertue: then they abhorred gluttonie and dronkenesse, and honored abstinence and sobrietie.The Philo­sophers of most con­tinency. The learned and sage Philosophers, and men of passing abstinence and sobrietie, being no lesse studious than carefull of temperaunce, despised banquettes, refused fea­stes, lothed and defied belly chéere, that being allu­red of Princes, entised of noble men, sought of all men, forsooke and fledde from the same, saying: we eate to liue, we liue not to eate. A worthy and golden sentence to be obserued, Rather hadde Diogines féete and licke dishes at Athens, Diogines. than to féede daintilye at Alexanders table. Rather had that learned Gréeke, noble Zeno, Zeno.drinke water, and féede poorely as an example vnto his Schollers vnto temperaunce, to come by abstinence, than to pamper his belly at Antigonus Princely table, to shewe them the waye vnto glu [...] and dronken­nesse.Plato. [Page 53] Rather had Plato forsake Dionisius table,Plato. than to abstaine from his woonted philosophicall chéere. This vertue of abstinence was of noble Socrates main­tayned with breade and milke onely,Socrates. and learned Ho­mer honored it with potage made of hearbes:Homer. Of aun­cient, Pithagoras with beanes.Pithagoras. Anacharsis saying. Anacharsis, a Scithian Philosopher,Anacharsis saying. being demaunded of his estate howe hée fedde, how he did lie, and how he was clothed, aunswe­red: I féede on hunger, I lye on the grounde, and am clothed like a Scithian. Plutarch lib. 22. Aristid [...]. The famous Atheniā Aristides, at what time King Dionisius made suite for his daugh­ter to mariage, though he was a puissaunt Prince, a mightie king, yet for his gluttonny and prodigall drin­king, for his tirranny and excesse, Aristides, who abhor­red such vices in Princes, soberly and temperately an­swered: that he had rather kill his daughter with hys owne hande, then to giue his daughter in mariage vn­to Dionisius. So odious vnto good Princes was that excesse of eating and prodigall drinking, and so highlye estéemed was abstinence and temperaunce, that in A­thens a long while in the temple of Ceres, that of all the lawes of Triptolemus, thrée onely commaundementes as Zenocrates sayth, were highly obserued. The first their Goddes to be worshipped, the seconde, their pa­rentes to be honoured, and the thirde to abstaine from fleshe and féeding. O most temperate life, when absti­nence was obserued.Vestas tem­ple. O most goulden worlde, when neyther wine nor banquets were knowne: then chasti­tie was honored in the temple of Vaesta, then tempe­raunce frequented the Capitoll of Iupiter, Capitol. then luste knew no way to the pallace of Caesars, then abstinence walked in the market place, then all Rome was chast. Then Rome triumphed, when kinges were depriued for lecherie towarde Lucretia, Then Rome merited fame, when the princely office of Decem viri were ba­nished for the rape of Virginia. When Scipio Affrica­nus [Page] had ouercommed the famous citie of Carthage, and Numantia, Scipio af­fricanus vvorthy cō ­mendaciōs. he was not so valiant by his great & renow­med conquest, as he was famous by abstinence: for when he triumphed as a valiaunt victor, a certaine no­ble younge Uirgin,Gellius. lib. 6. cap. 8. that for hir passing beauty and great admiration of person, was presented vnto Scipio as a rare gift, whose beautie and excellencie though Scipio, a long time was amazed thereat, yet had such respect to abstinence, as a thing belonging vnto a prince, specially vnto a conquerour, that ouercame kingdomes, and countries, not to be subdued by luste, trusted not his souldiours to guide and garde this Uirgin, but with his presence, brought hir home to hir father vnto Campania saying: were it not that I am a conquerour, I hadde not béene able to bring thy daughter home. A greater conquest surely it was of Scipio to ouercome himselfe, thā to subdue Numantia, or Carthage ▪ That lesson wor­thy of a prince he learned of Alexander the great, who thought it a shame vnto a conquerour of men, to bée conquered by women: and though in diuers aucthours and places, this prince is noted a glutton and drunkard, yet of woonderful abstincence towardes women, which is rare founde in a drunken Prince:Alexander absteined from vvo­men. For when Alex­ander came vnto Illyria, vnto the Temple of Iupiter, where he saw a passing faire woman, of comely beau­ty: vewing styll the comely state of her person, and fée­ding him selfe a long season with the sight thereof, his counsellour and great fréende Ephaestion, perceyuyng that Alexander was taken in the Briers of beautie, saide: It is not méete that Alexander should want any thing that hée wisheth for, to whom Alexander aun­swered: neither is it an honour vnto Alexander that ouercame al men, to be ouercome by one woman. The modestie and continencie of Princes haue béene such, that they refused the company of their owne wiues, [...]lianus. 3. and went to wildernesse solitarily to liue, to auoyde the [Page 54] occasion of lust,Amaebeas and Dioni­sius forsoke their vviues to liue tem­perately. and to embrace the cause of tempe­rauncie, as Amoebeas and Dionysius surnamed Histrio, beyng marryed both to faire women. Clitomachus was of such modesty, that hée might not abide in place, whether hée were at supper or else where filthy talke was ministred,clitoma­chus but he woulde auoyde the place and the person as Plini saith where any inciuility was: and true it is, yll language corrupt good maners. I reade in Valerius, a worthy Romane historye of one Spurina, a young gentleman of the Citie of Rome, whose amo­rous countenaunce, woonderfull beautie, and passing state of person, surmounted all the Ladies of Rome, but not so beautifull outwarde, as hée was modest and temperate inwarde: and lest hée shoulde séeme with his outwarde beautie to enflame the Romane Ladyes and Uirgines of the Cittie to lust, hée so deformed his body, and mangled his face with his owne hande, that from the fearest creature that was in Rome, hée became the most deformed man in all the worlde, in so much all Rome knewe him not.Spurina. Spurina is more fa­mous by his modestie therein, then hée is nowe renow­med for his beautie: the one passeth like a flowre in short time, the other without prescription of time hath immortall fame. Men haue béene in the worlde that subdued lust, ouercame them selues: yea, and though attempted with great allurementes, yet temperaunce saued and preserued them, that Valerius saith that Phri­ne, a passing fayre woman,Zenocrates. came vnto Zenocrates, the Philosophers bedde, and being all night in bedde with him coulde not winne the Philosopher with all hyr trickes to venery, that the next daye being demaunded where she laye all night, with an ymage of a man shée said,Socrates. or with a mans picture. The like of Socrates, though he were maried to two wiues, doth Zenophon report, that on a certaine time Socrates being in taulke with a renowmed and famous Courtezaune named Theodo­ra, [Page] a woman of great bragges, and boasting much what shée coulde do vnto princes before Socrates, saying that shée coulde make any to come from Socrates vnto hir, and that Socrates coulde not make anye of hir men to come vnto him.Aesianus lib. 13. It is no meruaile sayde Socrates, to drawe men to vice is most easie: and to drawe them vnto vertue is most hearde. I might here bring foorth diuers histories for the proofe of modest and temperate Princes: to auoyde prolixity of reading, and to embrace compendeous histories I omitte to speake further of men, I will turne my stile vnto women, where such infinite numbers appéere in histories, that I will touch but two or thrée, for that I should be ouercharged other­wise. The chast life of Lucrecia, Lucrecia. Sophronia. and noble temperan­cy of Sophronia, two noble Matrones of Rome, the on [...] rauished to requite the tyrannie of the Emperour Tor­quinius, by whome she was deflowred, after that shée made hir husbande priuie that his bedde was defiled by Torquin, slue hir selfe with hir owne knife: the other in lyke sort bycause she coulde not resist the violence of Decius, to make Decius more odious, & his déede more shamefull,Medullina. ended hir life as Lucrecia did. Euen so Me­dullina being oppressed by hir father in the darcke, got his ring from his finger to knowe him in the morning, who had so villaine lyke de [...]owred hir virginitie in the night: which when she knewe by the ring, that it was hir owne father, she spared not to reuenge hir tempe­rauncie with the death of hir father: and for that shée little estéemed hir owne life, hir honestye being stained, with that knife that shée slue hir father, shée also kylled her selfe, as a witnesse of her owne trueth, and proofe of hir honest lyfe. This hath made Rome famous, how well was temperauncie regarded in Rome when Vir­ginius slue his daughter Virginia, Virginius slue his ovvn daughter. for that she was de­flowred of Appius Claudius, so greatly was it estéemed, so highly honoured,Sempronius Ceruius. and so straitly lookt vnto, that Sem­pronius slue Gallius, that Ceruius gelded Pontus the Ro­mane, [Page 55] both being taken in adulterie. Howe happie and renowmed was Rome when Sulpicia Paterculꝰ daugh­ter, and wife to Fuluius flaccus, Sulpitia. the lampe of Rome, and lanterne of the worlde, preferred for his temperauncie, by the verdite of Sibilla, Plini. lib. 7. cap. 35. Claudia. to excell all Asia, and Europe. The like temperauncie prooued by Cibeles the mother of all the Gods to be in Claudia, that heauen and earth extolled the name of Rome, was not then temperance honoured, when Uirgines and young women bought temperauncie with death? some killing themselues, some burning, some drowning, and thus by death their liues were knowne. Hippo, Hippo. a woman of Gréece, sayth Valerius, that trauailing vnto Rhodes on the seas, per­ceyuing the Mariners to be gréedie and readie to spoyle hir honestie, vnderstanding that they went about to de­file hir temperate and chast minde, to auoyde their pur­pose and filthie lust, leapt from boorde vnto the surging seas, whose terror she lesse feared to die, then shée was willing to liue, as a woman stayned and corrupted▪ what way findeth not modesty of life to requite shame? Howe escapeth dishonestye and lust of ill life from the snares and baites of temperaunce?Timoclea. Timoclea, a wo­man of Thebes, being violated by a certaine Prince of Thracia, against hir will, requited this prince, and eased hir molested minde after this sort sayth Sabellicus, she went in an euening vnto this Thracian Prince, and tolde him priuily, if hée woulde followe Timoclea, shée shoulde bring him where such store of substaunce & such wealth is hiddē, as would make him the richest Prince in all Asia, to whome he gréedily consented, went wil­ling and gladly, thinking to spéede of one thing, he found an other thing, and being brought vnto a déepe well, she sayde: In this well sayde Timocla, is infinite treasure, which when he stoupt to looke vnto the bottome of the Well, shée threw him in headlong, and a mightie huge stoane she roulde after him. Atalanta, the mirrour of [Page] all Ladies, a seconde Diana, refusing the companie of men, liuing in wildernesse, abstayning from wordlye pleasure, and ending hir life in pure virginnitie in the desartes of Arcadia. Sith I may better beginne, and soner ende, with aledging kingdomes and countries for a proofe of temperaunce, folly it were in so large a scope, in so ample a matter, to deale with perticuler histories▪ therefore to beginne with women,Teutonica. of Teutonica where temperauncie so much estéemed was, so well thought on, that hearing theyr husbandes to be slaine and taken Captiues by a valyaunt Romane, then Capitane for Rome, named Marius, they came knéeling before him, be sought him courteously and humblye sith theyr hus­bandes were slaine, as women willing to leade a chas [...]e lyfe, that they might go and serue the Vestall Uirgins in Rome, to auoyde the gréedinesse of Marius souldiers and there to ende the rest of their liues in seruice of Ve­sta: but being denied of Marius, cleane contrarie vnto a Romane hearte, and to a noble Gentleman: the next night folowing, the women of Teutonica hanged them­selues, least they might be a praye vnto the Romane souldiours, to bée defiled by vnchaste dealing. The like did the fiftie Uirgins of Sparta, The fiftie virgins of Sparta. going a pilgrimage to Messena, and being set for their Uirginities certaine hookes and baites of purpose by the Gentlemen of Messena ▪ and nowe ready as they were appointed euery one of them being then maydes, to be made women that night, they all preuented it with death, rather to lose life honestly, then to liue shamefullye, knowing what a reproche and infamie it woulde be vnto Sparta, and to all the countrie of Lacedemonia, if that they estée­med life more than honestie: killed themselues béeing Uirgins to honour their countrie, and to defame Messe­na. Hence procéeded terrible and long warres betwixt the Lacedemonias and Messenians, to the last confusion, and vtter destruction of the countrie of Messaena: and [Page 56] this warres continued tenne long yeares, that of plea­sure so shorte, the Messaenians, felt so gréeuous paine. Wée reade of a passing good history of Alexander and king Amintas sonne, brother to king Philip of Macedo­nia, which when he perceyued the Embassadours o [...] Persea to waxe wanton with his sisters,Patritius. lib. [...] and desirous to doe villannie vnto the King his father, promised the Embassadours that they shoulde accomplish their luste and pleasure with fayrer Uirgins then those were, which the Persean Embassadours would meddle with▪ they being gladde of the promise, expecting the time, & their comming, being then in their beds redy for them, Alexander to note such vilanye, and to open the same vnto others, caused certaine young men to array them­selues like women, and suche a night to go vnto the Perseans, as though they shoulde séeme to be women, and to bring eyther of them a knife priuilye: who being in bedde, they were commaunded by Alexander to kill the Embassadours,Aspasia. and his company. Megapirus, when hée hear [...] that his Embassadours were slaine in Mace­donia, waxed madde a long time, and readye to rayse warres, vntil he had vnderstanding of the cause & order of their deathes: for Alexanders temperauncie therin he maried Amintas daughter Alexanders sister: this is the sacrifice that the Priestes of Isis did vse to abstaine from fleshe and wine:Isis. this is the temperaunce that Numa Pompilius shewed most often in Rome, from women and wine to abstaine.Numa Pompilius. This abstinence vsed Sara the daughter of Raguel to doe hir feates: this vsed Iudith, to haue Holofernus heade off: And this vsed Quéene Esther to king Ahasuerus. Worthy examples we reade of Kinges sometime, that being most thirsty, refused to drinke,Alexander. as Alexander the great, before he fell amongst the Perseans to dronkennes, was so temperate that hauing a cuppe of water brought vnto him in hys extréeme thirst, woulde not drinke the same in the sight [Page] of his souldiours, least the sight thereof should augment the thirst of his souldiours, being most thirstie already. Cato Iunior, Cato. leading a great host of souldiours ouer the whot sandes of Lybia, hauing no drinke nor water nigh them, waxed so thirstie, that when one of his souldiers brought him in his headpéece a draught of water by chaunce, hée woulde not drinke him selfe and leaue his souldiours thirstie, but threw the water downe vpon the grounde, bicause he might impart their thyrst with abstinence, which was such ease vnto the souldiours, to sée his temperaunce one waye, and his humanitie a­nother way, that they felt theyr thirst much thereby a­swaged. King Dauid being besieged by the Palastines, Dauid. was desirous to drinke of the water called Bethlehem, some stout souldiours of his named Eleazarus, Iesebes, & Semera, ventured life for the kinges sake through the enimies, which when the water came, Dauid dranke it not, as one that coulde abstaine from that he liked best: but bicause it was brought with greate perill, he offered that water as a sacrifice vnto God, for the thrée souldiours that ventured their liues for it. A great ver­tue to abstaine from that which a man liketh best: and great temperaunce there is in abstaining, Romulus be­ing bidden to supper to a Citizen of Rome, dranke no Wine all supper time, but two or thrée droppes after supper,Gellius. lib. 2. cap. 4. vnto whome the hoast spake merely. Romulus sayde he, if all men woulde drinke no more than you, Wine woulde be nothing estéemed: to whome Romu­lus aunswered soberly, and sayde: Wine woulde bée more precious & déere if euery man woulde drinke as I did, for I dranke as much as I woulde: and if all woulde doe so, Wine woulde be skant. Noting his temperauncie in a little, and the gluttony of the most part in drinking. Hanniball, Scipio, Mithridates, Fabri­tiꝰ, Semproniꝰ, & Papiriꝰ had no lesse praise for their tem­perancie in abstayning from offred pleasure, than fame for their victories and triumphes.

¶ Of Taciturnitie and Silence, and of the vertue and commoditie thereof.

SOcrates, a famous Philoso­pher, and Maister vnto that noble and deuine Plato, was woont to charge his scollers to honour and to embrace these thrée excellent vertues: Si­lence of tongue, shamefaste­nesse of countenaunce, and wisedome of heart, places ap­poynted most fit for such noble vertues. The wisdome of a foole lyeth in his tongue, which is the key of hys councell: and the tongue of the wise lieth hidden in his heart, for of the abundancie of the heart the tongue will speake: so that silence in tongue is a proofe of wisdome in heart. Wherefore that learned Philosopher Zeno, Zeno. sayde, that nature appoynted two eares to heare much, and one tongue to talke little. In auncient tyme the Egyptians thought silence suche a vertue vnto people,Egyptian [...]. that they caused an ymage to be made sayth Plini, with hir finger on hir mouth, and a table written on hir brest with this sentence: heare, sée, and saye nothing, to re­present silence. The renowmed Romanes so estéemed silence sayth the same Plini, Romanes. that shée was sacrificed vn­to once a yeare in Rome,Persea. imitating the olde Egyptians, erecting vp an ymage naming the same Angerora, as a great Goddesse for the purpose to honour for silence sake. The Perseans honored nothing so much as silence, and hated nothing so much as inordinate spéeche. The famous Lacedemonians, Lacedemo­nians. had silence in suche reuerence, that theyr wisemen named Ephori, at what time they met in places to be mery, fearing in drinke to forget si­lence, the signeours shoulde speake to the company be­fore [Page] they sat downe at drinking, poynting vnto the doore with his finger, saying: Let nothing done or spoken at this table, passe yonder doore. O worthy order, and re­nowmed lawe, to thinke of that before sitting, that shoulde doe them no harme after rising. The Lacede­monians vsed such short spéeche, that when one of Cha­rillus demaunded why did not Licurgus appoynt more lawes then he did vnto hys countrie? he aunswered: to fewe wordes, fewe lawes wil serue. The silence that Mary Magdalen, the woman founde in adultery, plea­sed much God for that she went not with wordes, but with sobbes, sighes, and silence she came to Christe. Better sayth Zeno, it is to fall from foote or horse, than to lie in tongue. Euen so the learned Athenians obser­ued silence in such estimation,Athenians. that though Athens was counted the well of wisdome, the flower of Philosophie where all the world came to learne to speake: yet lear­ned they silence in suche sorte, as that worthye Gréeke Themistocles, at that time he was banished Athens, and enforced to goe into Persea, where he was much estee­med, and honorably receyued: and being intreated of the King to shewe the state of his countrie,Themisto­cles. Themisto­cles besought the king to graunt him one yere to learne the Persean tongue, and then the king shoulde be certe­fied in all poyntes that he woulde demaunde of The­mistocles. O famous Gréeke, though banished from A­thens, yet obserued hée the lawe of Athens, forgot not silence, which was so honoured in Gréece, though hée was in Persea, a place sayth Curtius where silence was so magnified, that sharpe punishment was prouided for tongue taulking. The people of Sparta were noted as men giuen most vnto silence, hating so superfluous wordes, that when the Embassadours of the Abderites as Plutarch maketh mention, had made a long and a tedious oration before King Agis of Sparta, Sparta. and af­ter much time spent, and many wordes in vaine besto­wed [Page 58] (as tongue talkers doe) taking their leaue from Agis, willing to haue an answere to theyr King of Ab­derites: salute your king (sayth Agis) from me, and tell him, as long as you spake, so long helde Agis his peace, letting them to vnderstande of theyr much folly in babling. The like aunswere receyued the Embassa­dours of Samos, after a long Oration and tedious talke of Cleomenes King of the Lacedemonians, saying: the first part of your Oration I forgot, the second parte I vnderstande it not, and the thirde part I doe not well alowe. That Tayler is not expert that maketh Her­cules hose to a childes legge, nor that Shoomaker can be good sayth Agisilaus, that frameth Titor [...]us shooe to that little Molons foote: neyther may he be counted wise that speaketh muche to none effect. Wherefore the first thing which that auncient and learned Pitha­goras taught his Schollers,Pythagoras was carefullye to kéepe silence. It was Pythagoras lawe, that none of his schol­lers might speak any thing in fiue yere space after their first comming vnto schoole. It was no lesse carefull vnto Pythagoras to teache them silence, than it was painefull for them to learne silence. Most harde and most difficult, is that silence vnto a young man, that one Messius pined and tormented himselfe thrée yeares as Plini sayth for silence sake.Messius lib. 28. cap. [...] But Simonides sayd some­time to a still man amongst a number of wisemen: If thou be a foole sayde he, thou doest the part of a wise­man to holde thy peace: but if thou be wise, thou art a foole that thou doest not speake to wise men, and so I ende: silence to follye is great wisdome, and silence to wisedome is méere folly. Cleanthes therefore being de­sired of a Gentleman, some shorte wise sentence to in­struct his sonne with all, sayde: learne onely this word to thy sonne: Siga, that is silence. That noble and re­nowmed philosopher Zeno, at what time he had prepa­red a banquet in Athens, to receyue the Embassadours [Page] of Antigonus, King of Macedonia, where certaine lear­ned Philosophers, and eloquent Orators were present: after many large and subtill disputations, and great ostentation of Rethoricke betwixt them had at supper, Zeno being demaunded of the Embassadours why hée kept silence all that while,zeno. aunswered: that to kéepe si­lence is greater knowledge than to speake, for silence sayde Zeno is most difficult to obtaine, and most harde to kéepe, and therefore most rare founde. A Gentleman in that company then named Agatho, hearing Zeno so commending silence, being no lesse desirous to leare si­lence, then being learned to kéepe it, prepared a great stone, and healde it in the roufe of his mouth thrée yere to auoide ydle wordes & superfluous talke, and to learne sober silence, and vertuous taciturnitie. Alexander the great, when his mother Olimpias did send letters from Macedonia vnto India, Alexander. where then he was at warres, wherein were written muche concerning the state of Macedonia, Plutarch in vita Alex. and great complaynts made on Antipater, with diuers more secret councelles sealed, he reading these newes, his friende Hephaestion, who knewe all the secretes of Alexander, looking and reading the let­ters with the King vnto the ende, then Alexander toke his signet from his finger after perusing of these letters, ioyned it close vnto Ephaestions mouth, saying: Sith in friendeship you fayle not, in silence breake not. A showe of silence in Alexander honored, but of Princes which honoured silence, Iulius Caesar most estéemed the same: [...]. he may iustly chalenge for sobrietie in drinking, and modestie in taulking, the garlande of prayse: Who after long warres with Pompeius the great, sometime his especiall friende, yea, and marièd to Iulia Caesars daughter, being conuicted in Pharsalia, and enforced to flee vnto Egypt, his treasures, substaunce, and welth, being brought vnto Caesar in a great cheast,Plutarch in Caesars life. where di­uers sealed letters and great councelles Caesar founde, [Page 59] which he neuer opened for silence sake, tooke them all togither and threwe them into the fire, for that all men might learne how much hée estéemed silence: this done vnto Pompeius at Pharsalia, and the lyke vnto Scipio at Thescus, he sayde vnto his souldiours, that it behooued a Prince to finde out friendes, rather than s [...]arch out foes. The noble Emperour knew well by reading of Pompeius letters he might be mooued to diuers iniu­ries, by opening of Scipios secrettes, he might accuse diuers wrongfully: therefore he had rather purchase by silence friendes, than by breaking of counsell mooue enmitie. Howe sure and safe is the rewarde of silence, hystories of Gréeke and Latine can well report. Had Calisthenes followed the councell of his Mayster Ari­stotle, Calisthen [...]s eyther merily or neuer to speake vnto a Prince, he had neuer founde fault with Alexander, by speaking to anger Alexander, and to harme himselfe. Hadde not learned Seneca so reprooued the Emperour Nero and tyraunt of Rome with wordes,Seneca. he had not béen rewar­ded with death. If the Poet Neuius had not written his minde vnto Metellus. Neuius. If Chius had not béene familier in talke with king Antigonus, Chius. they had saued lyfe by si­lence, which haue purchased death by talking. Therfore Phocion that wise Gréeke, which sugred Demosthenes called the rasor of Athens, Phocion. was alwayes afrayde as Plutarchus sayth, least anye sodaine sillable or foolishe worde might escape his tongue imprudentlye:39. So that silence gayneth lyfe,Linus. and wordes causeth death, as Li­nus the auncient Musition, at what time with Hercu­les he founde fault, for that he was Linus scholler and taught him on instrumentes, for wordes speaking of Linus vnto Hercules, he was slaine of his owne may­ster, so that silence vnto Princes is most n [...]cessarie. O noble silence, O rare vertue, O most worthy Iuell, thou hurtest no man, thou betrayest no bodye, thou de­ceyuest no friende. Phillippides a noble man of Athens, [Page] which for his singularitie of learning, and dexteritie of witte,Brusonius. lib. 1. cap. 5. King Lisimachus made most account of, most desirous to please him, most readie to aduaunce hym vnto honour, willed him to aske what he would, and he should haue it: Philippides most humbly knéeling vpon his knées, be sought Lisimachus the king in any wise not to open his secretes and councell vnto him: The king demaunded the cause thereof of Philippides, bycause sayd hée, I know not whether I am able to kéepe coun­cell or no. Howe much it repugneth the nature of man to kéepe silence, Cicero in his booke of Offices doth ma­nifest the same: for were it possible sayth hée, vnto man to ascende vp the skies, to sée the order of the bodies su­periours, and to vewe the beawtie of the heauens: vn­swéete were the admiration thereof, vnlesse he myght shewe it vnto others. And againe he sayth: There is no such case vnto men, as to haue a friende to whome a man may speak as vnto himselfe, letting to vnderstand the griefe of silence, and that nature loueth nothing which is solitarie. It may séeme that silence one waye is not so benificiall, as it is another way most gréeuous, as prooued by the historie of Secundus the Philosopher,Secundus. who hauing companye with his owne mother in the night time, eyther of them most ignoraunt of the other, his mother in proces of time hauing knowledge therof, for very griefe and sorrowe slue hir selfe. The Philo­sopher likewise hauing vnderstanding of his mothers death, knowing the cause thereof, knewe not what to doe for that he was ashamed of the filthie act one waye, and most sorrowfull for the sodaine death of his mother another waye: to dye, to hange, to burne, to drowne, him selfe he though it to short a torment for so heynous a fact, knowing his mother being a woman, stayed not nor feared not to kill hir selfe to ease hir sorrowfull heart: but he being a Philosopher, stoode him vppon to finde out the painefullest torment in all the worlde, to [Page 60] plague him iustly for his grieuous offence: he vowed vnto God neuer to speake one worde during lyfe, such plague or torment hée thought was most odious and painefull vnto nature, and thus by silence to consume life. Sith silence is such a burning disease, so heauy in the heart of man, so harde to kéepe in, so daungerous to vtter out, how worthy of commendacions, how me­rite they the fame & prayse, that can rule theyr tongues and kéepe silence?Papyrius. Therfore a noble Senator in Rome sometime, brought his eldest sonne named Papirius, vnto the Senate house, to heare the councell pleading, the sage Senators determining lawes, charging him what euer hée shoulde heare in the house amongst the wise Senators, to kéepe it in silence: for the order was in Rome, that the young men should saye nothing vnlesse he were a Consull, a Tribune, a Censor, or such lyke office, whereby hée might speake. This young Pa­pirius on a time being sore set on of his mother, and charged him of her blessing to tell the cause and busi­nesse that the Senators had so often to come togither: Thus the younge man being threatened, waying his fathers charge to auoyde wordes one way, and his mo­thers displeasure to kéepe silence another waye, sayde: Sith you are so importunate Mother, to knowe the se­cret of the Senate, you must kéepe councell, for I am charged therewith. There is a harde holde, and a great election in the Senate house to agrée on this conclusi­on, whether it be more expedient for one man to haue two wiues in the Cittie of Rome: or one woman to haue two husbandes, and most lyke it is, that the elec­tion goeth with the men. Straight waies she went into the Citie, certefied the Matrones and women of Rome what the Senators were about to consult, appoynted certaine of them to accompanye hir the next morning vnto the Senate, where when she came, as one dis­mayde, began to declayme agaynst the purpose and de­crées [Page] of the Senators, prouing what inconuenience might rise for a man to haue two wiues, laying before them the dissention that shoulde be in that house where two women were maried vnto one man, and what comfort and consolation, were it for one woman to haue two husbandes: the one to be at home in Rome to sée his children brought vp, and to sée the Cittie de­fended, when the other shoulde bée farre from whom at the warres in other countreys. The Senators be­ing amazed at hir talke, not knowing what it ment, and all the whole Senate astonied at the womens pre­sence, young Papirius demaunded licence to speake, which being graunted, he declared orderly the cause of hir comming, howe and after what sort as before men­cioned. The Senators commendid much Papirius wit, aswell for his obedience to his mother, as for silence to­warde the Senate, they recompensed his silence and secret wisedome with a Consulshippe of Rome. Si­lence was so obserued in Rome, and honored of Ro­manes, that Demetrius the Philosopher, woulde often saye,Demetius the philo­sopher. that the birdes can flée where they will, and the Grashoppers sing where they will: but in the Citie we may neyther doe nor speake.Euripides. Euripides, a learned Gréek being obiected that his breath did stincke, aunswered nippingly the partie, saying: so manye thinges haue so long hidden in my hart, that being putrified, they stinke. I would all men had such a breath, that by long kéeping of silence,Cato. it might taste thereof. Cato the wise Ro­mane perceyued the commoditie of silence to be suche, that it was one of the thrée thinges (as hée him selfe woulde say) that most repented hym to tell his coun­cell vnto another. Plini doth commende of all men, one man named Anaxarchus: Of all women, he praysed one woman named Leaena, Leaena. which the tiranny of Ny­cocreon with all the tormentes and punishmentes that this tyraunt coulde deuise, myght make them both to [Page 61] speake that out, which they thought good it shoulde bée kept in, which Anaxarchus had rather die by torments, than to breake concealde wordes, saying and spitting in the tyraunt Nicocreons face:Anaxarchus spare not Anaxarchus car­kas, thou troublest no part of my minde. Epicharis a­mongst other Conspiratours, against that cruell Ne­ro, shée beyng diuerslye tormented to shewe and to open the treason against Neros person, woulde by no meanes breake councell, as Laaena for all that tyra­nye vsed towardes hir, shée woulde not betraye the se­cretes of Harmodius and Aristogiton, which onely was the cause that she had hir picture erected in Gréece. Euen so Pompeius the great,Pompeius. being sent as an Embassadour from the Senators, & being charged by the King named Gentius, who preuented Pompeius in his message to de­clare him ye secret of the Senators & councell of Rome, he stretching foorth his arme, held his finger in the flame of the candle,Val. lib. 3. cap. 3. saying: when I drawe my finger from the candle, I will breake the councell of the Senators, that so stedfastly he helde hys hande, and so long, that King Gentius wondred no lesse at his pacience, than he honored him for his silence. O rare silence, O passing patience,Isocrates. and that in a Prince. Isocrates an excellent Orator sometime of Athens, lest he should be ashamed of his schollers by their spéeche and talke, for tongues bewraye the heart, hée woulde neuer receyue vnto hys schoole, but those that woulde pay double hyre, first to learne silence, and then to learne to speake, and to speak nothing, but that whiche they knewe moste certaine, and that which of necessitie must be spoken: this was the order of Isocrates Schoole. If silence was of suche dignity, of such estimation, that it possest place in prin­ces heartes,Tiberius. that Tiberius Caesar Emperour of Rome, woulde often saye, that Princes ought not to import their secretes, nor to make any priuie to their councell considering how harde is silence to be obserued. If si­lence [Page] was of such credite & of such force, that Metellus vsed to be so close in the warres of Macedonia, that if he knewe his owne coate to be priuie of his secretes,Metellus. hée woulde strayght cast of his coate and burne it: for in him to whome secretes of life are reuealed, in the same also is daunger of death, for in committing secrete, is lyfe and death also committed. Had not that famous Hercules, the impe of great Iupiter, and ofspring of Goddes, reuealed hys counsayle and opened hys heart vnto his wife Dianira: Hadde not that mightie Samp­son, so greatly in Gods fauour, that he was a Iudge in Israell, shewed his secrets vnto his wife Dalida, they had not béene conquered by two women, which Ser­pentes, Dragons, Lyons: yea, all the whole worlde coulde not annoye. The iust punishement of Princes for tongue talking. Conquerours of the world, of king­domes, of countries, and yet conquered by a woman: yea, by a lesser thing than a woman, a litle member ne­uer séene, but alasse two often hearde, the tongue onely. Tantalus is punished in hel,Tantalus. for that he opened the coun­cell of the goddes after this sort. Daintie meates, plea­saunt wines before his face, and yet maye not touche them, hauing sight of all things, and yet tasting nothing, the hungrier he is, the better and brauer his banquet before him shines: the more desirous he is to eate, the further hée is from his victualles. Ixion for his telling of tales vppon Iuno, is no lesse tormented in turnyng of his whéele in Hell, than is Sisiphus in rowlyng of his stone, or Danaus daughters in fillyng of their emptie Tubbes. The paine of Prometheus in Cau­casus, the punishment of Titius is duely appoynted, and of the Goddes saye the Poetes prouided truelye to those that be braggers and boasters of secrettes. I must in this place not forget a worthy historie of King Demetrius, Antigonus sonne▪ which being sent by hys father vnto Pontus where Mithridates was king, being [Page 62] sworne by his father to kéepe councell, of that which [...] vision mooued him, that he sowed golde in Pontus, and that Mythridates shoulde reape it: and therefore com­maunding him with his armie to passe vnto the king­dome of Pontus, and without any worde to kill Mythri­dates. His sonne Demetrius verye sorrye for the great friendeship which was of late sprong betwixt Mithrida­tes and him, obeying his father, went vnto Pontus, com­maunded his people to staye vntill he went to knowe where Mithridates was, who when he came in place, he wrote with the ende of his speare vpon the earth in dust: Flee Mithridates, & straight turned vnto his soul­diours, spake nothing vnto the King according to hys othe for kéeping silence, but wrote a warning to flée, whereby he kept his fathers councell one way, & main­tayned faythfull friendeship towardes king Mithrida­tes another way. A young man of Helespont prating much in presence of Guathena a strumpet in Gréece, shée demaunded of him whether he knewe the chiefe ci­tie of Helespont, to the which the young man sayde: Yea forsooth: What? me thinketh you knowe not the name of it, for it is Sigaeum, which is the Citie of si­lence, a méete taunt for such tongue talkers. Aeli­anus doth write when the Cranes from Sicila, take their flight to flée ouer mount Caucasus, they stop their mouthes with stones, to passe with silence the daungers of the Eagles.

¶ Of liberalitie, and liberall Princes.

TO deface further the vice of auarice, I meane to shewe the vertue of liberalitie. To put the churlishe couetous out of countenaunce, I will extoll the liberall, which in taking is shamefast, in gyuing ioyfull: for a measure in taking and in giuing, is the true nature of liberalitye. Neither can hée that taketh all thinges, though he giue much be named liberal in nothing. Age­silaus King of the Lacedemonians, Agesilaus. so obserued the lawes and rules of Licurgus, that he was wont to speake vn­to the Citizens of Sparta, that giftes are more daunge­rous sometime to be receyued, than hurtefull to be re­fused. Which Phocion, Phocion. the whole credite of Athens, at what time Alexander the great hadde sent him great giftes, welthie presentes, Iuels, and treasures from Persea, did shewe an Example thereof in refusing the same, saying: I will not learne to take, least I forget to giue. The like aunswered Zenocrates the Philosopher to the selfe same Alexander, Zenocrates. when that he did sende great sommes of gould and siluer for loue and affection vnto Zenocrates, he sayde he wanted neyther golde nor siluer, which when it was toulde. vnto Alexander, hée sayde: hath Zenocrates no friendes that want money? Alexander hath more friendes then eyther the sub­staunce of Darius, or the welth of Persea can suffice. A question to be demaunded, whether of them both was most liberall: the Prince in giuing, or the Philosopher in refusing. When certaine Embassadours of the Sam­nites came vnto Rome,Fabritius. and being at Eabritius house at soiourne, they perceyuing the liberalitie of Fabritius to [Page 63] be such as shoulde want welth, to so noble and franke a Gentleman, at their retourne from Rome vnto their countrie, not forgetting the frée dealing of Fabritius at Rome, these Embassadors thought to gratifie Fabri­tius with the goulde of Samnites, did sende giftes and presentes very riche vnto Rome for their noble enter­tainement, which being refused, with an aunswere that Fabritius had rather rule and gouerne them that were ruled by goulde, then to be subiect vnto goulde: allea­ging the aunswere of M. Curius vnto the Embassa­dours of Macedonia, M. Curio. offering large giftes and treasurs after the like sort, that to possesse much is no welth, but couetousnesse: to desire nothing, and to giue, is per­fect wealth and liberalitie: A sounde proofe of two libe­rall gentlemen. When such ruled Rome, then the Ro­maines excelled all the worlde, franke & frée vnto most, beneficiall vnto all, couetous vnto none. When L. Lu­cullus house was a common hospitall to all the poore Gréekes that trauayled from Athens, Sparta & Thebes, yea, from all Gréece vnto Rome: Then Rome was liberall.Pompeius Atticus. When Pompeius Atticus did send vnto Cicero béeing banished, two hundred thousande sesters, vnto Volumnius and Brutus as much: then Rome was be­neficiall. When the Senatours restored Faucula, and Oppia, The Senate▪ two poore women of Campania, not onelye vn­to their auncient libertie, but dubled their wealth and richesse, for their true meaning and seruice to the Ro­manes: the one praying and sacrificing for their good successe,Val. lib. 5. the other toyling and trauailing about the soul­diours businesse at the siege of Capua where Fulinus was Capitaine: then Rome was mercifull. Liberali­tie in noble persons is most commended, for in liberall giuing, and beneficiall doings, are princes compared vnto Goddes.Fabius M. Fabius Maximus hauing certaine of hys souldiours taken by Hannibal in the wars of Carthage, dyd sende vnto the Senatours of Rome for money to [Page] déeme from Hannibal, according vnto Marshall lawes, the Romane souldiers which being denied of his suite, commaunded his sonne straight to go to Rome to sell all the landes and liuings that he then possest about the Citie of Rome, and to bring him monie. The money being brought, payd Hannibal, redéemed his souldiers, brought them franke and frée vnto Rome vppon his owne charges, and being blamed of the Senatours that he soulde his land, aunswered: that hée had rather want patrimonie in his countrie, than loue towardes hys countrimen: hée had rather be without liuing in Rome, than to want good will vnto the poore souldiours. Al­phonsus the great king of Arrogon was wont to reioice more of one litle sentence that Titus Vespasianꝰ would often saye,Alphonsus. than of all the reading hée did all the daies of his lyfe. This Emperours goulden sentence was, that daye to be vnhappie in the which he neyther gaue or graunted any thing to no man, saying: that no manne ought to depart from a Prince sadde. He iudged time lost, when no body fared the better by him, and thought no time shoulde escape without some benefites doone, or giftes giuen to some or others. Liberalitie doth pur­chase to the Prince, fayth and loue: to the noble man, seruice and homage: vnto all men, benefittes and good tournes.Alexander. Wherfore Alexander ye great, not so desirous to take, as willing to giue, was woont to say to any that demaunded where his treasures, wealthes, and sub­staunce that he got in the warres were kept, hée poyn­ting with his finger his friendes, it is hidden sayde hée in the hartes of my subiectes. What can be more com­mended in a subiect towardes his Prince, than fayth and truth? what may be more praysed in a Prince to­warde his subiectes than liberalitie and lenitie? The liberalitie of the poore is good will. A poore scholler som­time of Gréece,Erasmus. lib. 4. Aroth. bring in Rome, thought good to salute Caesar the Emperour comming from the Capitoll to­warde [Page 64] his pallace in a fewe Gréeke Uerses, thinking thereby his penurie shoulde be somewhat lookt vnto of Caesar, but Caesar surnamed Augustus, aunswered the scholler in writing againe the like in Gréeke Uerses, which when it was deliuered to the poore Gréeke, hée delighted much in the reading, commended highlye the verses and approched vnto Caesar where he was in his, Chariot, opened his purse, & gaue vnto the Emperor .iiij. single halfepence, saying: Hold, not according to thy dig­nitie and calling, but according vnto my abilitie and po­uertie I giue this rewarde: Certaine the poore scholler was more commended for his small gift to the Empe­rour, then the Emperour himselfe was praysed for his liberalitie of all people in Rome.Antilochus. The poore Poet An­tilochus, was as liberall in his power for his Uerses made vnto King Lisander, Lisander. as Lisander was in his cal­ling to giue him his hatte full of siluer. Simple Sinaetes was as liberall in offering a handefull of water of the riuer Cirus vnto the great King Artaxerxes of Persea, Artaxerxes. for want of better abilitie, as Artaxerxes was princely in giftes: benefitiall vnto Sinaetes, in rewarding liberal­ly the liberalitie of Sinaetes, Sinaetes. with Phiala aurea cum mille Daricis. Cirilus. Chirilus had no better present for a proofe of his liberalitie towarde Alexander the great,Alexander. than to shew his good will vnto him in writing, whereby hée shewed him selfe more willing than able which being accepted and liberally rewarded, for euery seuerall verse a péece of goulde. What greater gift can any man giue, than that which procéedeth from the heart. Of all treasure sayth Aristotle, the minde of a man ought most to bée estéemed: the Mite of the poore woman offered vnto Christ, was no lesse made of and estéemed, than the goulde Mirre and Frankencense of the great Sages of the worlde: for the gift maketh not the giuer libe­rall, but the giuer maketh the gift liberall.A Student of Paris. Where­fore a poore Student of Paris going home to his coun­trey [Page] Sicilia, and being vrged through penurye wanting monye to go to a great learned mans house (as though he might go to some of the Bishops of Englande, tary­ing there a long while without either meate or drinke, perceyuing the house to be gorgeous, fayre, and braue without, and full of hunger thirst & coulde within, wrote with a coale on the waule a sentence of Cicero, Non do­mo Dominus, fed domus Domino, honestanda est. As though he might say, fayre buildings want more liberall dwel­lers, then liberall Lord [...]e fayre houses, for the house is praysed by the man, and not the man by the house: Fayre houses and welth doe scant make men liberall. It is sayde that fayre thinges are coupled with pride, and welth ioyned with couetousnesse. In the beginning all men were liberall, vntill priuate wealth began to practise with money, coueteousnesse was not knowne, for as money did encrease, so couetousnesse grewe. In Rome sayth Plini money was not séene foure hundred yeares and more, after the building of Rome. Then was Rome true and benefitiall by reason of liberalit [...], which after waxed welthye and false, by meanes of co­uetousnesse. That Cittie was most famous chiefelye for hir liberalitie wherein Rome excelled all the world, If the death of Princes, of noble men, yea, of all men can sufficiently beare witnesse of their lyues, conside­ring vertue and fame shall prooue that by death, which lyfe scant may vtter, for no man is well knowne du­ring lyfe.Epaminon­das. The death of Epaminondas that most renow­med Prince of Thebes and Conquerer of all Gréece, was a sure and a certaine show of his liberall lyfe. The laste days of P. Aemilius which triumphed in life time ouer the proude Macedonians, P. Aemilius. and [...]igurians was a true token of his franke and frée dealing in life. In like ma­ner of Maenenius Agrippa & Scipio Affricanus, the one victor ouer the Saminites, M. Agrippa. Affricanus. the other triumpher ouer Carthage and Numantia, whose renowmed liues, made [Page 65] their deaths famous: whose worthy deathes, doe reuiue their noble liues. Their beneficiall dealing and libe­ralitie in life, was well knowne by their deathes: so liberally they liued, that their friendes founde no mo­ney hidden, no goulde kept, no treasure preserued, no Iuell in store, no hurded muck in Coffers. In fine, no wealth at all, though diuers times by victorie and tri­umphes, by conquest and fortune they possessed king­domes and countries in life. The greatest Prince in his time Cirus, Cirus. the first king that brought the Monarchy vnto Persea, slayne by Tomyris, hadde on his graue an Epitaph made, being buried in Scithia, in no gorgeous Temble, hauing no sumptuous tombe, but in an open fielde, and a stone vpon his graue, with this Epitaph: Here lyeth Cirus the great King of Persea, contented nowe with seauen foote, which coulde not be satisfied some time with seauen kingdomes: what Kesar, King, or Prince so euer thou art, spare this place vnto Cirus: Which when Alexander the great, passing with his ar­mie vnto Scithia and India, Curtius in vita Alex­ander. had read this Epitaph, and perceyuing the slipperie state of Princes, the vncer­taintie of lyfe, and mutabilitie of fortune, he muche doubted the state of his owne life: howbeit, at that voy­age he quite forgat by meanes of Mars, the Epitaph of King Cirus, vntill he returned from India from hys warres vnto Babilon,Alexander. where he maried Statyra King Darius daughter, whome before he conquered: where such liberallitie was shewed,Iustinus lib. 20. such magnificencie done, such giftes giuen, such banquettes kept, that Alexander vpon his owne charges maried the most part of the no­bles of Macedonia, vnto the Ladies of Persea, the feastes during fiue dayes, surmounted vnto the some of thrée and twentie thousande Talentes, euery Talent valu­ed at fourescore poundes, repeating oft the Epitaph of Cirus, woulde suffer none, though diuers Princes were present, to bée at any charges but him selfe onely, [Page] saying that which fortune giueth vnto Alexander, the same will Alexander giue vnto his friendes, for Cirus graue is appoynted vnto Alexander, in this Alexander passed all Princes, in taking all and giuing all: Priuate faultes may not depriue open vertues, euery man hath a fault. Alexander was knowē to be a drunkard: Iulius Caesar was noted to be ambicious: Antiochus the great King of Siria blamed for lecherie: Alcibiades of pride: Pirrhus of incredulitie: Hanniball of falshoode: Dioni­sius of tyranny, and so of infinite Princes, which for one vice maye not be forgotten for their diuers vertues: Uertue must not be hidden for that vice is manifest. Phrine a Courtezaune sometime of Gréece,Phryne. though of hir slaunderous lyfe worthie reprehention, yet for her liberalitye ought she well to be remembred, for after Alexander the great had subdued that famous Citie of Thebes, and made the walles thereof euen with the grounde: shée offered to redifie the same vpon this con­dicion, that vpon euery gate of the Cittie, this sentence shoulde be sette. This Citie Alexander the great threvve dovvne, and this Citie Phrine the Curteizaune builded vp againe. Rhodope. The like of Quéene Rhodope sometime a Cur­tezaune and a lewd woman, made vp a braue and sum­teous worke called Piramides in Egypt, where such li­beralitie she vsed, suche franke and frée dealing of mo­ney, that for hir noble liberalitie, she was well worthy to be commended, though for vicious liuing otherwaies shée was to be blamed. Men and women were desirous then to be liberall: Then Princes were as liberall and benefitiall with suche lenitie and humanitie vnto the poore, as they grewe afterwarde to be harde and coue­tous with seuerity and cruelnesse. Therefore Anaxi­laus a liberall Prince, was often woont to saye, that the chiefest commendacions and noblest vertue coulde be in a Prince, was not to be ouercommed in benefi­ciall doings.A [...]talus. Attalus King of Asia, languishing in sick­nesse, [Page 66] and readie to die, bequeathed his Kingdome and Scepture of Asia, vnto the noble Romanes by testa­ment, for that they were so liberall and benefitiall som­time towardes him, while yet fortune fauoured hym not, fully and fréely to bestowe to whome hée woulde. A liberall Prince can not be voyde of loue.Antigonus. Antigonus was wont to aunswere Aristodemus, one of his councel & brought vp of a boye in his Kitchine, when he spake a­ny thing against princely giftes, and found faulte with Antigonus liberalitie, that his talke did smell of the Kitchin: a méete reprehension for suche a sawsie ser­uaunt, who lette Kinges to doe good, and moue Prin­ces to doe euill, I woulde suche Sycophantes shoulde be so aunswered of Princes, as Aristodemus was of King Antigonus: Worthy of perpetuall memorie was Artaxerxes for his passing liberalitie towardes the poore souldiours that came from Lacedemonia to warre with him,Artaxerxes. he made them that came a foote vnto him, to goe home a horsebacke: he that came a horsebacke, he did sende him home in a Chariot:Plutarch in vita eius. and he that had a village before hée came vnto him, hée gaue a Cittie at his going away from him. A Prince worthie of subiectes, and a Capitaine most fitte for fitte Souldiours. What made Iulius Caesar beloued of his souldiours?Iulius Cae­sar. Alexander. What caused Alexander to be honored of all men? magnificencie and liberalitie. The one in the great warres at Pharsalia, at what time hée conquered Pompeius the great, hauing all the treasures and substaunce of Pompeius brought before him, tooke nothing from the souldiers but Pom­peius letters: The other after he had vanquished King Darius, hauing a great chest full of treasure, where hee founde in present coyne two hundred thousande pound, beside other inestimable treasures, and iuels, tooke no­thing from his souldiours, but a little booke named the Iliades of Homer, wherin hée delighted more in reading the noble actes of Gréekes, the worthy feates of Troi­anes, [Page] than in all the wealthes of Persea. This liberali­tie maintayned their fame: Thus their magnificente benefites spredde forth their noble names, that happie was he that coulde be a souldiour vnto Caesar or to A­lexander. I remember me of a certaine King in Sira­cusa, Ihero. named Ihero, vnderstanding the liberalitie of the Romanes, and perceyuing the penurye of victuales, which then the Romanes sustayned in the warres of Thrasimenos, did sende thrée hundred thousand bushels of wheate, two hundred thousande of barly, with great sommes of golde and siluer to ease the Romane souldi­dours: and fearing that his giftes woulde not be taken, nor his presentes receyued, considering the nature and liberalitie of the Romanes, hée willed the Embassaders to saye that it was an homage and seruice of good wyll, sent to honor the Romanes from Ihero King of Sira­cu [...]a. O passing pollicie to practice beneficence, with manifest examples of a liberall heart. O Rome, howe happy hast thou béene, that through thy liberalitie haste wonne the heartes and good will of all kingdomes and countries.Ninus. Untyll Ninus time, all thinges were com­mon, no diuision of grounde, no hurding of money, no couetousnesse knowne, no gréedinesse of kingdomes, no desire of welthes: in fine for the space of two hundred and fifty yeres, for the simplicitie, innocencie & true dea­ling of people, worthily called the goulden worlde, and then a man coulde not find a couetous person, and now a man can not finde a liberall friende: then no manne kn [...]we to doe euill, and nowe no man knoweth to doe good: then no man did take, and nowe no manne doth giue: in fine, then one for another, & nowe all for them­selues. What made Cimon a liberall gentleman of A­thens, Cimon. to be so famous in Gréece? his liberality amongst nigardes, hée onely counted liberall, and all Athens besides couetous, whereby he deserued renowne and glorie, amongst so many nippers of money, hée onely [Page 67] to shewe him selfe franke and liberall. What caused Flaminius to bée so much spoken of amongst the Ro­manes?Flaminius. his liberall giftes amongst so many gréedie ta­kers, his open benifites, amongst theyr priuate wealth and hidden hatred? What mooued the Agragentines to honour soo much that man Gillias? to aduance his fame, to extoll his name? His liberalitie. Such couetousnesse then was in Athens, Rome, and Agrigente, that then worthie were these of admiration and prayse, to auoyd the cankered state of auarice. Thus from the golden worlde, it came vnto the siluer worlde, and then to that harde mettall Iron worlde, for the couetous people can neuer be sufficed. The gréedinesse of this age, the rest­lesse estate of this time can neuer be satisfied. The young Partriche by nature is readie to flee as soone as shée commeth out of the shell, the wilde Duck to swim, the Lion to go, and man onely borne ready to séeke and trauell for money.Aelianus, lib. 10. Where might a man finde out such a man as Aristides was in all Greece nowe? who was so liberall,Aristides. that hauing all the state of Athens vnder hys gouernement, gaue all to the poore Citizens, saue that scant that brought him vnto the ground. Where should one méete with such a one as Pelopidas in all Sparta? Zelopida [...] being blamed of his friendes and councellers, for hys large giftes and liberality, exhorting him to make much of money,Aelianus. lib. 11. considering howe nec [...]ssarie money is to Princes: yea sayde Pelopidas, to such Princes as Ni­comedes, a lame man, both dumbe and deafe. Where shoulde a man séeke in Thebes for suche a man as Epa­minondas? who when he hearde that hée which caried his Target after him,Epami­nondas▪ had taken money for the di­mission of certaine prisoners taken in the warres, giue me sayde hée my Target, and go you to kéepe an Inne, for if you loue monie, you are not fit to cary Epaminon­das Target. Euery man is liberall in talke, but fewe franke in giuing: all men speake against enuie and [Page] malice, and yet one hate another: wée exclayme against tyranny, and yet we are mercilesse: wée despise pryde, and yet we loue not humanitie: wée abhorre gluttony and dronkennesse, and yet we are alwaies feasting and bibbing: wée disprayse Idlenesse, and yet wée are sloth­full: wee thunder against slaunderous tongues, and yet we can not speake well of no body: in briefe, we speake against all vices, and yet we can not be acquainted with any vertue.Diogines. Euen as Diogines a Philosopher nipt a certaine Lacedemonian, which vsed often to repeate in a place a Gréeke verse of Hesiodus the Poet,Aelianus. lib. 9. that an Oxe or no beast else shoulde perish vnlesse euill neygh­bours be the cause of it: Diogines demaunded of him, howe happened it, that both the people of Messena, and all their goodes and cattelles did miscarye, and you bée­yng their nigh neyghbours in Sparta? So maye it be spoken to these glorious talkers, how is it that men loue auarice so well, and yet commende libera­litie so often.

¶ Of age, and the praise thereof.

BYon that wise man, woulde say often that age was the Hauen of rest, for that it was the ende of miserie, the gate of life, the perfourmaunce of all pilgrimages: And sith age is wished of all men, what folly is it to hit any man in the téeth with that which hée chéefly desireth. Wherefore when King Archelaus had appoynted a great feast for his fréendes,Archelaus. amongst other talkes then at the Table, Euripides declared what great loue he bare vnto Aga­thon, an olde tragicall Poet.Agesilaus. Agesilaus demaundyng why shoulde an olde man bée so well estéemed of Eu­ripides? hée sayde: Though the Spring time be plea­saunt, yet the Haruest is fertile: though flowres and hearbes grow gréene in the Spring, yet waxe they ripe in Haruest. The ages of man is compared vnto the foure seasons of the yere: his growing time vnto the Spring, his lusty time vnto the Sommer, his witty time vnto the Haruest, and his olde time vnto the Winter, which doth make an ende of all thinges. Fre­derike, Emperour of Rome,Frederike. after he had appointed an olde man to rule the Cittie of Scadmenna, was often mooued, that hée for his age was not méete to gouerne such a Citie, consyderyng the multitude and number of people that were within that Citie, they thought that a young man shoulde better discharge the office: But the wise Emperour perceauyng howe bent and prone were the youth of that Towne, to haue a young man to rule ouer them, aunswered them after this sort: I had rather sayde hée, commit the gouernaunce of the Citie [Page] vnto one olde man, then the gouernaunce of so many young men vnto the Citie. Better it is an olde man to rule the Citie, than the Citie to rule the young menne, meaning no otherwise then the aged men shoulde only be admitted rulers in Cities, for that it belongeth vnto them experience of thinges and care of youth. Suche was the homage and reuerence which was amongst the young Romanes,Romans. towarde the Senators or olde men of the Citie, as both heade and legge, did acknow­ledge the same,Perseans. in doing duetie vnto age. They hadde this confidence in age, that no man might be chosen vn­to the number of the Senatoures, before he shoulde be thréescore yeares of age. The like custome had the peo­ple of Chalcides, Heraclid. in Polit. that no man before he were fiftie yeres shoulde eyther beare office within their Cities, or be sent Embassadour out of their countrie. Amongst the Perseans, no man coulde be admitted to be one of the sage rulers, which they called Magi, vnlesse perfite age had brought him thereto perforce. Amongst the Indi­ans, their wise men which ruled their countrey,Indians. which were named Gymnosofistae, were aged and auncient, for time giueth experience of gouernance. Amongst the Egyptians the like credite was giuen vnto olde men,Egypt. that youth méeting them in the waye, would go out of the way to giue place vnto age: so that their Counsel­lours, which were called prophetes, were men of much time & experience.Herod. lib. 2 Euen so the Babylonians elected their sage Chaldeans: the auncient French men, there wise men called Druydes: In fine, noble Géekes did obserue the like order in choosing their Rulers and Councellers of aged men as before spoken. The Lacedemonians youth, were by the lawe of Licurgus no lesse charged to reuerence age, than theyr owne parentes. The Ara­bians in all places without respect of person, honour, dig­nitie or fortune, preferred their olde men before. The people called Tartesij had this lawe to honour age, that [Page 69] the younger might beare no witnesse against the elder. The reuerence sayde Chylon, that shoulde be shewed vnto age, by young men, ought to be suche, that they then being young, doing obedience vnto age, might clayme the like when they waxed olde of youth. Agesi­laus King of Sparta, Agesila [...]. being an olde man, woulde often go in the colde weather, very thinne in a torne cloake, without a coate or doublet, onely to shew the way vn­to young men, to be hardie in age, by contemning of pleasure and gay apparell in youth.Masinissa. Massinissa king of Numidia, being more than thréescore yeares of age, woulde liuely and valiauntly as Cicero sayth, without cappe on heade or shooe on foote, in the colde or frostye weather in the winter time, trauayle and toyle with the souldiours onelye vnto thys purpose, that young souldiours shoulde be hardened thereby in their youth, and practise the same for the vse of others, when they came to age them selues. Ihero King of Sicilia the like example in his olde age,Ihero. being .lxxx. yeares shewed to trayne youth and to bring them vp so in young yeares, that they might doe the lyke in their olde ages. For this iudged these wise princes, that all men couet to imitate Princes and Kinges in their doinges.Gorgias. Gorgias the Phi­losopher, and mayster vnto Isocrates the Oratour, and to diuers more nobles of Gréece, thought him selfe most happie, that he being a hundred yeres and seauen, was as well in his sences, as at anyetime before: made so much of age, that being asked why hée so delighted in age, made aunswere: bycause he founde nothing in age that he might accuse age.Cirus. So sayde King Cirus a little before his death, being a very olde man, that hée neuer felt him selfe weaker, than when he was young. The like saying is reported of that learned Sophocles, Sophocles. who being so olde, that he was accused of his owne children, of follie, turned vnto the Iudges and sayde: If I be So­phocles, I am not a foole: if I be a foole I am not Sopho­cles, [Page] meaning that in wisemen, the sences waxed bet­ter, by vse and exercising the same vnto the vse of yong men: for we prayse sayth Cicero the olde man, that is somewhat young, and we commend againe the young man, that is somewhat aged. The olde is commended that hath his young & fresh witte at commaundement, & the young is praised that is sober & sage in his doings. When M Crassus a noble Capitaine of Rome,Crassus. béeing a verye olde man, tooke in hande to warre against the Parthians, strong and stout people, being by Embassa­dours warned of his age, and admonished to forsake warres, hée aunswered stoutly the Embassadour of the Partheans, and sayde: when I come vnto Seleutia your Citie, I will aunswere you. One of the Embassadours named Agesis, Agesis. an aged man, stretched forth his hande, and shewed the palme of hys hand vnto Crassus, saying: Before thou shalt come within the Citie of Seleutia, bri­stles shall growe out of thys hande. The stoutnesse of Marcus Crassus was not so much, but the magnani­mitie of Agesis was as much: and yet eyther were olde men. What courage was in Scaeuola, to withstande that firebrande of Rome Silla, which after he had vrged the Senatours to pronounce Marius enimie vnto Italy, hée béeing an olde aged man, aunswered Silla in this sort: Though diuers be at the commaundementes of the Senatours, and that thou art so compassed with souldiours at thy becke: yet thou nor all thy souldiours shall euer make Scaeuola being an olde man, for feare of loosing some olde blood,Scaeuola. pronounce Marius by whom Rome was preserued, and Italy saued, to be enimie vnto these. The like historie wée reade that when Iu­lius Caesar had by force of armes aspired vnto the off [...]ce of a Dictator, and came vnto the Senate house, where fewe Senatours were togither, the Emperour Caesar desirous to know the cause of their absence, Considius an aged father of Rome sayde,Considius. that they feared Caesar [Page 70] and his souldiours. Whereat the Emperour musing a while, sayde: Why did not you in likewise tarye at home fearing the same? bicause sayde hée age and time taught me neyther to feare Caesar, nor yet his souldiers. For as Brusonius saith, there are young mindes in olde men, for though Milo the great wrestler, in the games of Olimpia waxed olde, and wept in spite of his deade limmes & bruised bones: yet he sayde his minde flori­shed, & was as young as euer it was before. Solon hath immortall praise in Gréece, for his stoutnesse in his age: for when Pisistratus had taken in hande to rule the peo­ple of Athens, and that it was euident ynough that ty­ranny should procéede therby:Solon. Solon in his latter daies hauing great care vnto his countrey, when that no man durst refuse Pysistratus, came before his doore in harn [...]sse, and calde the citizens to withstand Pysistratus, for age sayd he mooueth mée to be so valiaunt and stout, that I had rather lose my life, than my countrey should lose their libertie. What vertue then wée sée to be in age, what wisedome in time, what corage in olde men, The examples of these olde men stirre and prouoke many to imitate their steps, insomuch diuers wished to be olde, when they were yet young, to haue the honour as age then had, wherefore King Alexander the great, spying a young man couloring his heares gray, sayde: It behooueth thée to put wittes in coulour, and to alter thy minde. The Lacedemonians, people that past all nations in honouring age, made lawes in their Cities, that the aged men shoulde be so honored and estéemed of the young men, euen as the parents were of the chil­dren, that when a straunger came vnto Lacedemonia, and sawe the obedience of youth towarde age, he sayde: In this countrie I wishe onely to be olde, for happie is that man that waxeth olde in Lacedemonia, for in the great games of Olimpia, an olde man wanting a place, went vp and downe to sit some where, but no man re­ceyued, [Page] but the Lacedemonians, which not onely there young men & also their aged, gaue place vnto his graye heares, but then also the Embassaders of Lacedemonia being there present, did reuerence him, and toke him vnto their seate, which when he came in, hée spake a loude: O you Athenians, you knowe what is good, and what is badde, for that which you people of Athens sayde hée, doe professe in knowledge, the same doth the Lacedemonians put in practice.Alexander. Alexander being in his warres with a great army in Persea, and méeting an old man by the way in the colde weather, in ragged & rent clothes, lighted from his horse, and sayde vnto him: Mount vp into a princes saddle, which in Persea is trea­son for a Persean to do, but in Macedonia commen­dable: letting to vnderstande how age is honored, and olde men estéemed in Macedonia, and howe of the contrarie, wealth and pride is fostred in Persea: for where men of experiences and aged yeares are sette naught by, there cannot be that wisdome beareth rule. Howe many in the Empire of Rome, ruled the Citie, gouerned the people, of those that were very aged men? as Fabius Maximus, who was thréescore yeres and two in his last Consulship:Valerius Cor. Valerius Corunnus, which was sixe times a Consull in Rome, a very olde man, which liued a hundred and odde yeares:Mettellus. Metellus of lyke age, called to the like function and administration of com­mon welth, being an olde man. What should I speake of Appius Claudius, Appius Clau. of Marcus Perpenna, of diuers other noble Romanes, whose age and time was the onlye occasion of their aduauncement vnto honour & dignity? What shoulde I resite Arganthonius, who was thrée score yeres before he came vnto his kingdome, and af­ter ruled his countrey fourescore yeares vnto his great fame, and great commendations of age? To what ende shall I repeate Pollio, who liued in great credite with the people,Pollio. vnto his last yeres, a man of worthy prayse, [Page 71] of renowmed fame, which liued a hundred and thirtie yeres, in great aucthoritie and dignitie. To speake of Epimenides whome Theopompus affirmeth that hée liued a hundred and almost théescore yeres in great rule and estimation:Epimo­nides. small it were to the purpose to make mention againe of Dandon amongst the Illirians, Dandon. which Valerius writeth that he was fiue hundred yeres before he died, and yet of great memorie and noble fame.Naestor. Nestor which liued thrée hundred yeres, of whom Homer doth make muche mention, that of his mouth proceeded foorth sentences swéeter than honey: in hys latter dayes, yea almost his strength corespondent vnto the same. That renowmed Prince Agamemnon, Ge­nerall of all Gréece, wished no more in Phrigia, but fiue such as Nestor was, which with their wittes and with their courage, hée doubted not but in short time he were able to subdue Troye. Swéete are the sayinges of olde men, perfite are their councelles, sounde and sure their gouernaunce. Howe frayle and weake is youth? How many Cities are perished by young councell? Howe much hurt from time to time haue young men deuised, practised, and brought to passe? And againe of age, how full of experience, knowledge, & prouision, painful & stu­dious vnto the graue,Plato. as we reade of Plato, that noble Philosopher, which was busie and careful for his coun­trey, writing and making bookes the verye yere that hée died,Isocrates. being fourescore and two. Of Isocrates, which likewise being fourescore and fourtéene, compiled a booke called Panathenaicus:Gorgias. of Gorgias, which made the lyke, studious & carefull to profite his countrie. I saye a hundred and seuen yeres, was altogither adicted to his bookes,Zeno. Pythagoras Democritus to his studie. So of Zeno, Pithagoras, and De­mocritus might be spoken, men of no lesse wit, trauaile, and exercise, than of time and age: For as Cicero sayth, the gouernement and rule of common wealthes, consi­steth not in strength of bodye, but in the vertue of the [Page] minde, wayghtie and graue matters, are not gouerned with lightnesse of the bodie, with swiftnesse of the foote, with externall qualities, but with authoritie, councell, and knowledge: for in the one saith he there is rashnesse and wilfulnesse, in the other grauitie, and prudence. As Themistocles, Themi­stocles. Aristides. & Aristides, who though not friendes then at Athens, both rulers, yet age taught them when they were sent Embassadours for the state of Athens, to become friends to profite their countrie, which youth coulde neuer haue done.Solon. That sage Solon, was woont often to bragge, howe that he daylye by reading, lear­ning, and experience waxed olde. Apelles that appro­ued painter,Appelles. and renowmed Gréeke, in his age and last time, woulde haue no man to passe the daye ydle with­out learning of one line.Socrates. Socrates being an olde mar, became a scholler to learne musicke, and to playe vpon instrumentes.Cicero. Cicero being olde himselfe, became a perfite Gréeke with studie.M. Cato. Cato being aged, in his last yeres went to schoole to Enneus, to learne the Gréeke. Terentins Varro was almost fourtie yere olde, before he tooke a Gréeke booke in hande, and yet prooued excel­lent in the Gréeke tongue. Clitomachus went from Ca [...] ­thage vnto Athens, after fourtie yeres of age, to heare Carneades the Philosophers lecture. Lucius as Philo­stratus doth write, méeting Marcus the olde Empe­rour with a booke vnder his arme going to schoole, de­maunded of the Emperour whether he went, lyke a boye with his booke in his hande: the aged Emperour aunswered, I go to Sextus the Philosopher, to learne those thinges I knowe not: O God sayde Lucius, thou being an olde man, goest to schoole now like a boye, and Alexander the great, died in thirtie yeres of age. Al­phonsus King of Cicilia, was not ashamed at fiftie yeres olde to learne and to trauayle for his knowledge, and least hée shoulde lose the vse of the latten tongue, hée oc­cupied him selfe in translating Titus Liuius vnto hys [Page 72] vulgar tongue, though he was a King. I doe not holde with age in diuers men, which for want of discretion and witte, waxe childishe againe: but of perfite men, in whome age séemed rather a warraunt of their doinges. For euen as he that playeth much vpon instrumentes, is not to be commended so well, as he that playeth cun­ningly, and artificially: So as all men that liue long, are not to be praysed as much as he that liued well: For as apples béeing gréene, are yet sowre, vntill by time they waxe swéete: so young men without warraunt of time, and experience of thinges, are to be misliked. If faultes be in olde men sayth Cicero (as manye there bée) it is not in age, but in the life and maners of men? Some thinke age miserable, bicause eyther the bo­die is depriued from pleasure, or that it bringeth imbe­cilitie or weakenesse, or that it is not farre from death, or quite called from due administration of common wealthes, these foure causes sayth Cicero, make age séeme miserable and lothsome. What shall wée saye then of those that in their olde age, haue defended their countries, saued their Cities, guided their people, and valiauntly triumphed ouer their enimies?Paulus, Scipio. Fabius. Curius. Fabritius. Corun­canus. Appius. as L. Paulus, Scipio, and Fabius Maximus, men of woonderfull credite in their olde yeres. What may be spoken of Fabritius, Curius, and Coruncanus, aged men of great agilitie, of famous memorie, in their last dayes? Howe might Appius Claudius be forgotten, who being both olde and blinde, resisted the Senatours to compounde with king Pirrhus for peace, though they and all the Consulles of Rome, herevnto were much enclined? If I shoulde passe from Rome, a place where age was much estée­med vnto Athens, amongst the sage Philosophers? if from Athens to Lacedemonia, where age altogither bare swaye and rule? if from thence, vnto the Aethiopians, and indians, where all their lines are ruled and gouer­ned by olde men? if from thence, vnto any part of the [Page] worlde, I shoulde trauile, I might be long occupied in reciting the honour and estimation of age. Herodotus doth write, that the Aethiopians, and Indians, doe liue most commonly a hundred and thirtie yeres. The peo­ple called Epeij, Epeij. doe liue in the countrey of Aetolia, two hundred yeres naturally: and as it is by Damiates reported,Lictorius. Lictorius a man of that countrey, liued thrée hundred yeares. The kinges of Arcadia, were woont to liue thrée hundred yeres.Hyperboreij The people of Hyperborij, lyued a thousande yeres. We reade in the olde Testa­ment, that Adam our first father liued nine hundred and thirtie yeres: and Eua his wife as many. Seth nine hundred and twelue yeres. Seth his sonne called Enos, nine hundred and fiue. Cainan the sonne of Enos, nine hundred and tenne. Malalehell the sonne of Cainan, right hundred fourscore and fiftéene. So Enoch the son of Iared, liued nine hundred théescore and fiue yeres. E­noch his sonne, named Mathusalem, liued nine hundred thréescore and nine, with diuers of the first age: I meane vntill Noahs time,Noah. which began the seconde world, after the floode, and liued as we reade, nine hundred and fiue yeres.Sem. His sonne Sem sixe hundred yeres, and so line­ally from father vnto son, as from Sem vnto Arphaxad, frō Arphaxad vnto Sala, from Sala vnto Heber, the least liued aboue thrée hundred yeres. This I thought for better credite and greater proofe of olde age, to drawe out of the olde testamēt, that other prophane autorities might be beléeued:Tithonius. as Tithonius whom the Poetes faine that he was so oulde that he desired to become a Grashopper: But bicause age hath no pleasure in the worlde, frequenteth no banquets, abhorreth lust, loueth no wantonnes, which sayth Plato is the only bayte that deceyue young men: so much the happier age is, that age doth loath that in tyme, which young men neyther with knowledge, with wit, nor yet with councell can auoyde. What harme hath happened from time to time [Page 73] by young men, ouer whom lust so ruled, that euersion of common wealthes, treason of Princes, friends be­trayed, countries ouerthrowne, kingdomes vanquished all ye world almost through pleasure perished. Therfore Cicero sayth in his booke entituled of olde age, at what time he was in the citie of Tar [...]ntū, being a young man with F. Maximꝰ, that hée bare one lesson from Tarentū vnto the youth of Rome, where Architas the Tarentine saide, that nature bestowed nothing vpon man so hurt­full vnto him selfe, so dangerous vnto his countrie, as luste or pleasure:C. Fabritius. For when C. Fabritius was sent as an Embassador from Rome vnto Pirrhꝰ king of Epire, be­ing then the Gouerner of the citie Tarentum, a certaine man named Cineas, Cineas. a Thessaliā borne, being in disputa­tion with Fabritius about pleasure, saying that he heard a Philosopher of Athens affirming that all which we doe is to be referred vnto pleasure, which when M. Curius, and Titus Coruncanus hearde, they desired Cineas to perswade the King Pirrhus, in that to yéelde vnto plea­sure, and make the Samnits beléeue that pleasure ought to be estéemed, whereby they knew (if that King Pir­rhus or the Samnites, being then great enimies vnto the Romanes) were adicted vnto lust or pleasure, that then soone they myght be subdued and destroyed. For that nothing hindereth magnanimitie, or resisteth vertuous enterprises, so much as pleasure, as in the treatise of pleasure it shall at large more appeare. Why then how happie is olde age, to dispise and contemne that which youth by no meanes can auoyde, yea, to loath and abhor that which is most hurtfull vnto it selfe: For Cecellius contemned Caesar, with all his force, saying vnto the Emperour, that two thinges made him nothing to estéeme the power of the Emperour: Age and witte. Castritius wayed nothing at al the threatning of C. Car­bo being then Consull at Rome, which though hée sayd, hée had many friendes at commaundement, yet Ca­stritius [Page] aunswered and sayde: that he had likewise ma­ny yeres which his friendes, might not feare. Therfore a wiseman sometime wept, for that man dieth within fewe yeres, and hauing but little experience, in his olde age, he is then depriued thereof: For the Crowe liueth thrise as long as the man doth. The Harte liueth foure times longer than the Crow. The Rauen thrise againe liueth longer than the Hart. The Phaenix nine times longer than the Rauen: And therefore bicause birdes doe liue longer time than man doth, in whome there is no vnderstanding of their yeres: But man vnto whom reason is ioyned, before he commeth vnto any grounde of experience, when hée beginneth to haue know­ledge in thinges, hée dieth, and thus endeth hée his toyling pilgrimages and tra­uayle, in fewer yeres than diuers beastes or birdes doe.

¶ Of the maners of sundrie people, and of their strange life.

THe sundrie fashion and vari­tie of maners, the straunge lyfe of people, euerye where through the worlde dispersed, are so depainted and set foorth amongst the writers, that in shewing the same, by naming eche countrey, and the people therof orderly, their custome, their maners, their kinde of liuing, something to signi­fie, howe diuers the maners of men bée. Therefore I thought briefely to touch and to note euery countrey in their due order of liuing, and to beginne with the Egyp­tians, people most auncient and most expert in all sciences, that Macrobius the writer, calleth the coun­trey of Egypt, the nourse and mother of all Artes: for all the learned Gréekes,Egypt. haue had their beginning from Egypt, euen as Rome had from Gréece. This people obserue their dayes by accoūt of houres, from midnight vnto midnight: They honour the Sunne and the moone for theyr Goddes, for they name the Sunne Osiris, and the Moone Isis: Their féeding was of fishe broyled in the heate of the Sunne, with hearbes and with certaine foules of the ayre: They lyue a thousande yeares, but it is to be vnderstanded, that they number their yeares by the Moone: The men beare burthens vppon theyr heades, and the women vpon their breastes and shoul­ders: The men make water sitting, the women stan­ding: The Crocodill is that beast which they moste estéeme, that being deade they burie him: A Sowe is that beast, which they most detest, that if anye part of their clothes touche a Sowe, they straight will pull of [Page] their clothes, and washe them ouer: They are blacke people, most commonly slender, and very hastie. Curti­us call them sedicious, vaine, very subtill in inuention of thinges, and much giuen to wine. The Aethiopians, people that liue without lawes and reason,Ae [...]hiopia. seruauntes and slaues vnto al men, selling their children vnto mer­chauntes for corne, their héere long with knottes, and curled. The Indians people of two muche libertie, as Herodot sayth, accompanying their women in open sight, neyther sowe they nor builde, neyther kill they any liuing beast, but féede of barly breade and hearbes: They hange at their eares small pearles, and they decke their armes, wrestes, and neckes, with golde: Kinges of India are much honoured, when they come abroade, their wayes set and deckt with fresh flowers, swéete odours, and men in armes folowing their Cha­riots made of Margarits stones, and men méeting with frankinsence: And when their king goeth to bed, their harlottes bring them with songues and mirth, making their prayers vnto their Goddes of darckenesse, for the good rising of their King: Againe, the children kill theyr parentes when they waxe olde: Their maydes and young damoselles of India, are brought abroade a­mongst the young men, to choose them their husbandes: When any man dieth, his wife wil dresse hir selfe most brauest for the funerall, and there both they are buried togither: Hercules is much honored in that countrey, and the riuer Ganges. Sythia [...]. The Sythians, pale and white, for the coldenesse of the ayre, and full of courage: A­mongst these people all things are almost in common, sauing no man will haue his sworde and his cup com­mon, their wiues they waye not, common one for ano­ther: For dronkennesse they passe all nacions, for in their solemne banquettes, their may no man dr [...]nke of that appointed cuppe, which is caried abroad vnto great banquettes, vnlesse he had slaine one or other, for it [Page 75] was accounted amongst the Scithians no honestie for a man to liue, vnlesse he had killed one or other: They haue no Cities nor townes as Egypt was full, for it is written, that when Amazis raygned a King in Egypt, there were twenty thousande Citties numbred within the countrie of Egypt.Amazis. But Scithia, a most barren and rude countrie, liuing and féeding beastly: A countrie most colde, for that no woode grooweth in the countrie: No religion, no temples for their Gods, but vnto Mars: Their chiefe weapons are bowes & arrowes: When their Kinges dieth in Scithia, fiftie men, and fiftie of his best horses, must beare him company, and be slaine, for that they iudge they shall go one way.Parthians. The Parthi­ans people most thyrstie sayth Plini, for the more they drinke, the more thirstie they are, their chiefe glory they séeke by drincking, giuen so much to surfittes and drunkennesse, that their breath for their inordinate drinking, doth stinke & waxe so strong, that no man can abide them: Their kinges likewise is so much honored of them, that when he cōmeth in place, they euer knéele and kisse his foote: Hée hath many Quéenes, with whom the King must lie one after another: The King hath about his Chariot tenne thousande souldiours, with sil­uer speares in their hands, and the ende of theyr spears all golde: they honour their King with the Sunne, the Moone, the fire, the water, the winde, and the yeres, vnto these they sacrifice and honour as theyr Goddes: To lye, is most horrible with the Parthians, insomuch they instruct their young children onely to auoyde lyes, and to learne to speake truth: Of all men they hate vngratfull men, they iudge it most vnhonest to speake any thing filthily, and loath cheflly that which is sham­full, eyther in taulke or in doing, in so muche that they will spit or make water but in one place, where either a floudde, or a ryuer, or some other water is: riding, dauncing, and tenice, do they exercise most. The peo­ple [Page] of Arabia are longe heared,Arabia. with shauen beardes, saue that they spare the vpper lippes vnshauen: Their women commen for all men at al tymes to medle, lea­uing a staffe at the doore in token vnto an other, that she is with one already, and to let vnderstand that he must tarie vntill that man go out. In Arabia, it is not thought amisse for any to lye with his mother, and if anye that is not kinne take that in hande, it is adulterye: They worshippe as their Gods, Vrania and Dionisius. They are like vnto the Babilonians, Babiloniās. people of most corrupted life, and most giuen vnto filthy peasure. In so muche, that their daughters, and their wiues are hired vnto e­uery man, walking in the streates, going vnto the tem­ples, méeting and offering themselues vnto any straun­ger. With the Arabians and Babilonians, wée may well compare the Lesbians, Lesbians. Sibarites. and the Sybarites, passing people in that wickednesse, nothing giuen but vnto sléepe and venerye, in somuch that they worship them selues with all kinde of pleasures: and that the excesse of their ban­quettes, and the brauerye of their women were suche that made all the behoulders to muse, and woonder at their excesse, aswell in clothing, as in féeding, wherein they tooke glorie: They expelled all sound and noyse that might trouble their sléepe, insomuche, that they suffred no clocke within their Cities, least they shoulde wake them from their sléepe: So filthie were these nations, that hande, foote heade and all partes of the bodie were naturally giuen to polute themselues with venery.Arcadia. Ar­cadians people of such antiquitie (as they supposed) that they are before the Moone, of this they brag most: They worship Pan as their God: This people neuer trium­phed ouer their enimies, nor kept warres with any na­tions, but oftentimes serued vnder other Princes. These Arcadians were like vnto the people called A­uerni, for their bragges of antiquitye, for euen as the Arcadians bragge of the Moone, so Auerni boasted of [Page 76] their stirpe and stocke, the auncient Troians, wherfore they woulde bée called brethen vnto the stout and aun­cient Romanes.Boetians. The Boetians are the rudest people in the worlde, so that the Athenians call them as Plutar­chus reporteth, bold baiardes & blockes, for their grosse vnderstanding.Bactrians The Bactrians, most puissaunt and war­like souldiours, detesting much the excesse of the Per­seans, are of such grosse sence notwithstanding that they giue and bestow their olde men, and also sickmen vnto dogges to bée deuoured, which dogges for the purpose they nourish and bring vp in their countrey. The A­grigētines, people giuen vnto such buildings & banquet­ting, that Plato the Philosopher sayde:Agragen­tins. The Agregen­tines builded as though they shoulde liue for euer, and banquet as though they should die dayly. The maners of the Assyrians were to bring their sicke fréendes a­broade vnto the high wayes, to seeke, to aske, and to know remedies for their sicknes of all kinde of men that passed by: And if by chaunce without remedy the sicke shoulde die, they woulde beare him home, and bury him solempnly, annointyng ouer the corps with hony & waxe. This people did weare for their weapons, Daggers, and Targets, and Clubbes: they did wor­ship Adad for their God, & Adargatin for their goddesse. The people of Crete were most expert Sea men, and well practised in warres, absteyning not onely from flesh, but also from any sodden meate: their chéefe in­famie was in venery masculin, otherwise for their ma­ners of liuing, much like vnto the noble Lacedemoni­ans, which for their modesty in féeding and contempt of wealth, for their wisedome and study in warfares passed all nations: for a token thereof they printed in their Targets the Gréeke letter L named Lambtha, They brought vp their youth as Lycurgus that aun­cient lawsetter taught them, in all kinde of study, paine, and labour, with hunger, thirst, colde and heate, where­whereby [Page] they may be able to suffer any chaunce hap­ned, or iniurie offred.Lacedemo­stians. Then were they againe brought vp in wrastling, leaping, running, swimming, riding, and such other qualities as might profite their countrey in time of seruice: for their nature was either to winne and conquer, or else to die and yéelde. Learnyng and science they litle estéemed, in so much that Athens and Sparta coulde neuer agrée, for that the one was addicted to serue Minerua or rather the Muses, the other geuen vnto Mars. Lycurgus made a law in the Citie of Spar­ta, that no man might accompany with his owne wife, but with shamefastnes of that filthy act. The candles might not bée lyghted in that house, where the man was, when that hée woulde go vnto his wife. When the King woulde go vnto warres, before he shoulde go vnto the fielde to encounter with the enimies, he offred two solemne sacrifices:Minerua. the one vnto Minerua, other­wise named Bellona, to kindle flames of stoutnesse in his suldiours manfully to fight: the other vnto the Mu­ses, to moderate their doinges in victorie, as might bée commendable and prayse worthie therein: They pas­sed al men in pacience, for as before they brought their children in such hardinesse, that their parentes woulde haue them whipt, scourged, and wounded vnto the flesh to hardē them in their young yeres: They suffred theft to be vnpunished, for that the exercise thereof, doth re­present a kinde of boldenesse in warres. The natures of the Lydians was to delight in superstitious diuinati­ons, in inuention of playes, and in theft: for the Arte of dicing, and playing diuers kinde of games vpon ta­bles, the Lidians first inuented the same.Lydia. They also were much inflamed by luxurious life, and filthy vene­rye, which they neyther spared day nor night. Plini writeth of a certen nation called Esseni, which abstaine from all kinde of pleasure, in so much, that they neuer-accompany with women, neuer eate fleshe, nor drinke [Page 77] wine. And thus by custome of fasting, they became naturall chaste: For custome and vse sayth Aristo­tle, is an other nature. In that countrie no manne possesseth any thing, of his owne, all thinges are indif­ferent betwéene them, and liue as companions one with an other: For in these their vertues they excell all men in vehement and most ardent loue towarde God: Uertue most diligent with great care and study wayed: their neyghbours woonderfull beloued and made of, so that by this their precept of life, they haue great fame and commendations. Cities fewe they haue, neither Townes, and for that they take the earth as a common mother, they haue all one respect vnto all kinde of men. The Getes haue no diuision of landes, no limittes of grounde, nor any particions of their good: they drinke blood mingled with mylke, they eate no fleshe, and they reioyce much when any of their fréendes dye, euen as the people called Trauses in Thracia do when any is borne into the worlde: they mourne and lament with wéeping eyes that the little childe then borne, shoulde know the misery and state of this wretched worlde: and when any of their fréendes are dead, they reioyce and be glad with melody and all kinde of mirth, for that he hath past this toyling life.Thracia. The Thracians, people of great antiquitie, famous warriours, bragging muche that Mars the God of warre, was borne in their coun­trey, much addicted vnto dronkennesse, selling their children in the market, and theyr maydes and daugh­ters common to lie with euery man: they iudge and count it most commendation to liue onelye by spoyle, theft and warres: they bragge if any haue a wounde, they thinke it a fame vnto the person: And of the con­trarie, if they haue no marke in the forehead, no wound in the bodie, they will iudge those ydle men and cow­wardes. The common people worship Mars and Dia­na for their gods: Their King only doth worship Mer­curie, [Page] by whome the King vseth to sweare.Psilli. Psilli, peo­ple of so great follye, that when the southerne winde bloweth so long and strong, that their landes perishe, their water drie, that they arme themselues with com­mon councell to sight against the wind, euen like as the people of Celta, Certa. doe vse to drawe their swordes, and shake their speares at the waues of the seas, to reuenge the iniuries and wronges done by the seas vnto them. Bithini were muche of this follye, that they woulde assende, and climbe vp vnto the top of hie mountaines, eyther to thanke Iupiter for his furtheraunce towardes them,Pigmaei. or else to [...]urse Iupiter for his cruelnes towards them. The Pygmeians, being sore troubled and mole­sted with Cranes, doe ride on Rammes and Goates backes, with their bowes and arrowes, a whole bande, in the spring time towardes the sea banckes to breake their Egges, to destroy their neastes, and to fight with the cranes, euery thirde moneth they take this iourney in hand, else woulde the Cranes destroye them, for that they are little dwarfes, of a cu [...]itte long▪ Their houses are made of dirt & feathers, most like vnto birds neasts, so that they are somewhat more and bigger. I knowe not vnto what purpose I doe recite these countries, sith the more I write, the more I haue to write. What shoulde I recite the people, that eate the flesh of Lions, and Panthers, called Agriophagi? or recite those that eate Lice in Scithia, called Budini? Or them that eate Serpentes,Ophio­phagi. Anthropo­phagi. called Ophiophagi? or those that féede on mens bodies, called Anthropophagi? yea, of those that eate their owne parentes, as the Caspians did. Un­to what purpose should I name As [...]omi, a nacion in In­dia, without mouthes, which onely lyue with the ayre that commeth vnto their n [...]sthrels, where they receyue breath: they can neyther ea [...]e nor drinke as Plini sayth in his seuenth booke, thei liue the longer with the swéete smell and odours of flowers? Unto what ende like­wise [Page 78] should I speake of those blind Andabates that fight without eyes?Monopods. or of those great eared people that Fa­nesij, whose eares shadowed and couered their whole body?Arimaspi. or of the Monopods, which in like maner shadow their whole bodie with one foote? or of Arimaspi, peo­ple in Scithia, hauing but one eie in the middest of their forehead, like the great Ciclope Poliphenꝰ, which Vlis­ses destroyed? Yea, of millians more, whose deformi­tie to depaint, whose ouglinesse to write, were to much a charge vnto the writer, and to much tediousnesse vnto the reader. I might speake of people in some part of In­dia, which liue two hundred yeres and more, whose heare vpon their heades in their young age is white, and in their olde age blacke,Pandorae. called Pandorae. I might likewise recite a people in Libia, whose horses may not be guided nor gouerned with bridles, bée the bittes ne­uer so strong: but with roddes most gently are they ta­med, be the roddes neuer so simple. Herodotus, a fa­mous Gréeke writer,Selenetidae. is not ashamed to shewe how the women Selenetidae, brought foorth egges, whence men were borne, of such heigth, length and stature, that I am partelye abashed to aleadge his authoritie therein.Sorbotae. Troglodit [...]. Againe, the people called Sorbotae of Aethiope, are spo­ken to be eight Cubittes long. To speake of the Tro­glodites which liue in caues of the grounde, féeding of Serpentes, people of woonderfull swiftnesse, which out runne any horse in Aethiope, Massagetes. which cannot speake but hisse: To speake of Massagettes, of the people Nasomo­nes, I will according vnto promise omitt the proilixity thereof, touching all countries by the way, or some of the chiefe, as Egypt which bragges and vaunts of their antiquitie.Cartha­ginean. Babiloniās. The Aethiopians and the people of Caria, with simplicitie and slauerye. The Carthaginean false and deceitfull. The Babilonian wicked and corrupted. The Persean, a drunkarde and a glutton. The Sycilian warye and trustye: so the cruelnesse of the Caspians: [Page] the filthinesse of the Lesbians:Caspians. Lesbians. Corinthians the dronkennesse of the Scythians: the fornication of the Corinthians: the rude­nesse of the Boetians: the ignoraunce of the Symmerians: the beastlinesse of the Sybarites: the hardinesse of ye La­cedemonians: the delicacie of the Atheniās, and ye pride & glory of the Romanes. Thus we reade that the Spani­ards be the greatest trauellers, & the greatest despisers: The Italian, prowde and desirous to reuenge: The Frenchman pollitike and rashe: The Germain a warri­our: The Saxon a dissembler: The Sweuian a light talkatiue person: The Brytaine, a busie bodie: The Cimbrian, sedicious and horrible: The Boemian, vn­gentle, and desirous of newes: The Vandall a muta­ble wrangler: The Bauarian, a flouter and a scoffer. Thus much are incident vnto the aforesayd nations by nature: But bicause in this place it were somewhat vnto the purpose, to delare the glorie and state of Rom [...] which of al the world we estéemed & feared: And for that Rome had more enimies, than all the whole worlde beside, to shewe briefely how they florished, how theyr fame spreade, and their glorie grew, I thinke it expedi­ent, not medling with the antiquitie thereof in the time of Ianus and Cameses, but touching their fame by doing of wars, in the time of Romulus, which being begotten of Mars, & of Rhea a Uestall Uirgin, was the first buil­der of that Citie, & also King thereof. This king Romu­lus warred on the Sabins, after he had elected a hundred Senatours, to discerne and iudge causes of the Citie, to defende Iustice, and practise the same, and to punish vice & wronges, according to the law of Plato, who wil­led euery common welth to be gouerned with reward vnto the vertuous, and punishement vnto the vicious. Againe, he appoynted certaine souldiers, vnto the num­ber of one M. to be in a redinesse alwaies to defend the Citie. After Romulus succéeded Numa Pompilius the seconde King, a man very religious and pitifull: hée in his time made lawes to obserue rites, sacrifices, and [Page 79] ceremonies, to worship their gods: He made Bishops and Priestes, he appointed the Uestal Uirgines, and all that belong thervnto.T. Hostilius Thirdly came Tullius Hosti­lius to bée king in Rome, whose felicitie was onely to teache the youth of Rome the discipline of warfare, stirred them woonderfully to exercise and practise the same. Then fourthly succéeded An. Martius, An. Martius. with the like industry and care for the further and surer state of the City, in raising the hie walles of Rome, in a Bridge vpon the riuer Tiber, in amending and beauti­fiyng all the stréetes in Rome.Tor. Priscus The fift King was Torquinius Priscus, which though hée was a straunger borne of Corinth, yet hée encreased the pollicy of the Romanes with the wit of Gréece, hée triumphed ouer the people of Tusk, and enlarged the fame of Rome much more then it was.Tul. Seruius To this came next Seruius Tullius which was the sixt, and Torquinius superbus the seuenth and last King of Rome, who for his mis­gouernment and lust in the Citie against the chaste matrones, for the pride and infringement of the liber­tie, hauing withall rauished Lucrecia Collatinus wife, was at length after long rule and gouernment, bani­shed Rome. The first alteration and chaunge of state was then after these seauen Kinges gouerned Rome, two hundred yeres and a halfe, which was the first in­fancie of Rome. Then Collatinꝰ and Brutus, after these kings were exiled, a iust reuengement of their libertie and honest life, were the first Consuls in Rome: they I say, altering the gouernment of the Citie, from a Mo­narchy vnto a kinde of gouernment called Aristocratia, which continued in Rome from the time of Brutus and Collatinus, Appius Cladius. vntyll the time of Appius Claudius, and Quintus Fuluius, which was two hundred yeres. In this season, during this two hundred yeres was Rome most assailed of all kinde of enimies, stirred vnto wars of all nations, for the space of two hundred yeres and [Page] a halfe. Then Appius Claudius forgetting the law that he him selfe made in Rome against fornication, forget­ting the rauishment of Lucrecia, and the banishment of Torquinius for breaking of the same, against all right and reason willyngly and wilfully rauished Virginia, the daughter of Virginius, which after that hir owne fa­ther slue hir in the open sight of Rome, the cause being knowen vnto all the Citie, the power of Virginius, and the populer state which alwayes had the gouernment of Rome vnder them, with straight in armes to re­uenge the wronges and iniuries against lawes com­mitted, and to defende likewise the lawes. Euen as the Kinges before named were exiled and banished Rome for the rauishment of Lucretia: so now the tenne Commissioners called Decemviri, were likewise excluded and reiected for the rauishement of Virginia.

¶ Of the straunge natures of vvaters, earth, and fire.

IN diuers learned Histories wée reade, and specially in Plini, of the woonders of wa­ters, and of the secrete and vnknowen nature of fire: which for the rare sight ther­of, and for that it doth dege­nerate from things knowen, therein are noted thinges to bée marueyled at, as certen water in the countrey of Campania, where if any man­kinde wyll enter therein,Plini lib. 21 Cap. 103. it is written that he shall in­continent bée reft of his sences. And if any woman­kinde happen to go vnto that water, she shall alwayes afterwarde bée barren. In the same countrey of Cam­pania there is a lake called Auernus, Auernus. where all fléeing Fowles of the ayre that flée ouer that lake fall present­lye therein and die. A Well there is in Caria called Salmacis, Salmacis. whose water if any man drinke therof, he be­commeth chaste, and neuer desireth the company of a woman. The riuer Maeander doth bréede such a kinde of stone,Maeander. that being put cloase vnto a mans heart, it doth straight make him mad. There are two ryuers in Boetia, Melas. the one named Melas, whose water causeth staight any beast that drinketh therof, if it be white, to alter colour vnto blacke:Cephisus. the other Cephisus, whiche doth change the black beast vnto a white beast by drin­king of the water. Againe, there is in India, a standing water, where nothing may swimme, beast, birde, man, or any liuing creature else drowneth: this water is called Silia:Silia. Apusti­damus. In Affrica on the contrary part, there is the water named Apustidamus, where nothing, bée it [Page] neuer so heauy or vnapt to swimme that drowneth, but all kinde of thinges doth swimme: leade or any heauy mettall doth swimme in that lake, as it is in the Well of Phinitia in Sicilia. Infinite waters shoulde I recite if I in this woulde be tedious, in repeating their names, whose strange natures, whose secrete and hid­den operation, whose force and vertue were such as healed diuers diseases:Auaria▪ as in the Isle of Auaria, there was a water that healed the collicke and the stone. By Rome there was also a water called Albula, Albula. that hea­led gréene woundes.Cydnus. In Sicilia the riuer called Cydnus was a present remedy vnto any swelling of the legges. Not farre from Neapolis there was a Well whose wa­ter healed any sicknesses of the eyes The lake Amphi­on taketh all scur [...]es and sores from the body of any man. What shoulde I declare the natures of the foure famous floods that issue out of Paradice: the one na­med Euphrates, Euphrates. whom the Babylonians and Mesopota­mians haue iust occasion to commende. The seconde is called Ganges which the Indians haue great cause to praise.Ganges. Nilus. The thirde called Nilus, which the countrey of Egypt can best speake of. And the fourth is called Ti­gris, Tigris. which the Assyrians haue most commodity by. Here might I be long occupied if I shoulde orderly but touch the natures of all waters. The alteration of the Seas, and the woonders that therof appeare, as ebbing and flowing, as saltenesse & swéetenesse, and all things incident by nature vnto the Seas: which were it not that men sée it dayly, practiseth the same hourelye, and marke thinges therein continuallye, more woonders woulde appeare by the seas, then skant reason might be aleaged for, sauing that God (as the Prophet sayth) is woonderfull in all his workes. The fiue golden Ri­uers, which learned and auncient writers affirme that the sandes thereof are all glistering gemmes of golde,Tagus. Hermus. Pactolus. as Tagus in Ispaigne, Hermus in Lydia, Pactolus in A­sia, [Page 81] Idaspes in India, Idaspes. Arimaspus. and Arimaspus in Scythia: these I say are no lesse famous through their golden Sandes which their weltering waues bring vnto lande in these foresayde countreys, then Permessus in Boetia, where the Muses long were honoured, or Simois in Phrygia, where Venus was conceyued by Anchises. To coequat the number of these fiue last and pleasaunt riuers,Styx. there are fiue as ougly and painfull, as Styx in Arcadia, whose property is to kil any that will touch it, and therfore founde of the Poets to be consecrated vn­to Pluto, for there is nothing so harde but this water wyll consume, so colde is the water thereof. Againe, the riuer of Phlegeton is contrary vnto this,Phlegeton. for the one is not so colde, but the other is as wh [...]t: and therfore cal­led Phlegeton, which is in English fiery or smoky, for the Poets faine likewise that it burneth out in flashing flames of fire.Lethes. Acheron. Lethes and Acheron, two riuers, the one in Affrica, the other in Epire: the one called the riuer of forgetfulnesse, the other the riuer of sadnesse. The fift called Cocytus, Cocytus. a place where mourning neuer cea­seth. These fiue riuers for their horror and terrour that procéeded from them, for the straunge and woonderous effectes therof, are called infernall lakes, consecrated and attributed vnto King Pluto, which Virgil at large describeth. Diuers welles for the straungenesse of the waters, and for the pleasauntnesse thereof, were sacri­ficed vnto the gods, as Cissusa a Well where the nour­ces of Bacchus vsed to wash him, and therfore consecra­ted vnto Bacchus: so Melas vnto Pallas, Aganippe vnto the Muses & so foorth, not molesting the reader further with natures of water, but briefely I meane to touch the straunge nature of the earth. Plini affirmeth that there was neuer man sicke in Locris, nor in Croton, neyther any earthquake euer hearde in Licia, after an earthquake they had fourtie fayre dayes. By Rome in the fieldes called Gabiensis, a certaine plotte of [Page] ground, almost two hundred akers would tremble and quake as men rode vpon him.Gabiensis There are two hilles of straunge natures by the floudde called Indus, the na­ture of the one is to drawe any yron vnto it: insomuch, as Plini saith, that if nailes be in any shooes, the ground of that place draweth the sole of. There is a piece of grounde in the Citie Characena, Charecena. in the countrey of Taurica, where if anye come wounded, hée shall bée straight healed: And if any enter vnto diuers places, as in a place called Hirpinis, Hirpinis. where the temple of Mephis is builded, or in Asia, by Iheropolis, Iheropolis they shall inconti­nently die. Againe there are places by the vertue of grounde, in that place, that men may prophesie. Di­uers where we reade that one péece of grounde deuou­red another,Ciborus. as the hill Ciborus, and the Citie harde by called Curites were choked vp of the earth. Phaegium, a great mountaine in Aethiopia, Sipilis and Sipilis, a hie hill in Magnesia, with the Cities named Tantalis and Gala­nis. There is a great rocke by the Citie Harpasa in A­sia, which may be moued easie with one finger, and yet if any man put all his strength therevnto, it will not stirre. To speake of mount Aetna in Sicilia: of Lypara, in Aeolia: of Chimaera, in Lycia: of Vesbius, and Aeno­cauma, fiue fierie mountaines, which daye and night bourne so terrible, that the flame therof neuer reasteth. If anye man will sée more of these merueylous and woonderous effectes of Elementes, let him reade the seconde booke of Plini, where he shall haue aboundance of the like examples. There he shall sée that in some places it neuer rayned, as in Paphos vpon the temple of Venus: In Nea a towne in Phrigia vpon the Tem­ple of Minerua, Nea a town of Ph [...]gia. and in diuers places else, which is the nature of the grounde. About Babilon a fielde burneth daye and night. In Aethiopia certaine fieldes about mount Hesperius, shine all night like stars, as for earth­quakes and woonders that thereby happened, I will [Page 82] not speake, for that it is forced of matter: but of those strange groundes that neuer alter from such effectes a­fore mentioned, beside the mettalles, the stones, the hearbes, the trées, and all other thinges, are so miracu­lous and straunge, that Plini in diuers places doth speake of. And as for fire, it is to great a woonder that the whole worlde is not burned thereby, sith the Sunne, the Starres, the Elementarie fire, excell all miracles, in kéeping the same from damage, and hurt vnto manne, if God had not preuented: yea, appoynted that the heate of the Sunne should not kindle strawes, stubbles, trées and such like, which the heate thereof (as we dayly sée) burneth stones, leade, and the moste hardest substaunce out: sith speciallye that fire is in all places, and is able to kindle all thinges, insomuch, that the water Thrasimenos burneth out in flames,Thrasi­menos. which is vnnaturall and straunge, that fire kindleth in water: And likewise in Egnatia, Egnatia. a Cittie of Salentine, there is a stone which if any woode touche, it will kindle fire: In the Well called Nympheus, there is a stone likewise, whence flames of fire from the stone it selfe burneth the water. A greater woonder it is, that the fire should be kindled by water, and extinguished by winde. Fire flashed about the heade of Seruius Tullius being then a boye in sléepe, which did prognosticate that hée shoulde be a king of the Romanes. Fire shined about the head of L. Marcius, in Spaine, when he encouraged his soul­diours to reuenge manfullye the deathes of those noble and famous Romanes, named Sipians. The meruellous effectes of fire, are most woonderous and most straun­gest.

¶ Of the worlde, and of the soule of man, with diuers and sundrie opinions of the Philoso­phers about the same.

AMongst diuers Philosophers and learned men, grewe a great controuersie of the be­ginning of the worlde: some of the best affirming that it had no beginning, nor can haue ende, as Aristotle and and Plato, applying incorrup­tion, and perpetuall reuoluti­on to the same. Some with Epicurus thought the world shoulde be consumed: Of this opinion was Empedocles and Heraclitus. Some of the other side did iudge with Pithagoras, Pithagoras. that so much of the worlde shoulde be destroyed as was of his owne nature. Thus helde they seuerall opinions, concerning the making, the beginning, the ending, and the num­bers of the worlde.Thales. Thales sayde there was but one worlde, agréeing with Empedocles. Democritus Empe­docle [...]. Democritus affir­meth infinite worldes, and so iudged Metrodorus the Philosopher, worldes to be innumerable. What child is of this age but smileth at their folly, reasoning largly one against another, in applying the cause and the effect of thinges vnto their owne inuentions. And as they haue iudged diuersly of the worlde, concerning the frame and nature thereof: so were they as farre from the true vnderstanding of the creation of man. Some grosly thought that mankinde had no beginning. Some iudged that it had a beginning by the superiour bodyes: And for the antiquity of mankind, some iudge Egypt to be the first people, some Scythia, some Thracia, some this countrey, and some that countrey, with such phan­tasticall [Page 83] inuentions, as may well appeare vnto the most ignoraunt an errour. And alas howe simple are they in finding out the substaunce of the soule, what it shoulde bée, where it shoulde be, and by what it shoulde bée, some say that there is no soule, but a naturall moo­uing, as Crates the Theban, Crates. some iudge the soule to bée nothing else but fire or heate, betwéene the vndeuidible partes. Others thought it an ayre receyued into the mouth, tempered in the heart, boyled in the lights, and dispersed through the body. Of this opinion was Anax­agoras and also Anaximenes. Anaxagoras Hippias iudged the soule of man to be water. Thales, and Heliodorus, affirme it to be earth. Empedocles is of opinion that it is hote blood about the heart: so that they varye in sundry opinions, attributing the cause thereof eyther to the fire, or else vnto water, eyther vnto the earth, or vnto the ayre, and some vnto the complexion of the foure Elementes: o­thers of earth and fire: others of water and fire: Some againe reason that the substaunce of the soule is of fire, and of the ayre. And thus of approued Philosophers, they shewe themselues simple innocentes: How igno­raunt were they in defining the soule of man? so far dis­agréeing one with an other, that Zenocrates thinketh a­gaine the soule to be but a number that mooues it selfe, which all the Egyptians sometime consented vnto. A­ristotle himselfe the Prince of all Philosophers,Aristotle. and his maister Plato, shewed in this their shifting reason, which both agrée that the soule is a substaunce which mooueth it selfe. Some so rude and so farre from per­fection in this poynt, that they thought the heart to bée the soule: some the braine. Howe ridiculous and foo­lishe séemeth their assertion vnto this age concerning the soule, and as childishly they dispute & reason againe about the placing of the same, where and in what place of the bodie the soule resteth: For Democritus iudgeth the heade to be his seat: Parmenides in the breast: He­rophilus [Page] in the ventricles of the braine:Herophilus. Strato doth thinke that the soule was in the space betwéene the eie browe:Strato. yea, some were so foolishe, to iudge it to be the eare, as Zerxes king of Persea did: Epicurus in all the breast: Diogines supposed it to be in a hollowe vaine of the heart: Empedocles in the bloode:Empedocles Plato, Aristotle, and other that were of the best and truest philosophers, iudged the soule to be indifferent in all partes of the bo­dye: Some supposed of the wisest, that euery péece and parcell of the bodie hadde his proper soule. In this a­gaine they were much in séeking a proper seate for the soule deceyued, euen as before they erred shamefully, and lied manifesty about the essence and substaunce of the soule: so now were they most simplye beguiled in placing the soule, as you haue hearde. And now after I haue opened their seuerall opinions concerning what the soule is, and where the soule is, you shall here like­wise heare, whither the soule shall go after death, accor­ding vnto the Philosophers, which as diuersly vary and disagrée in this, as you before hearde their diuersitie of opinions concerning the substance, & the place. And first to begin with Democritꝰ, who iudgeth ye soule to be mortall, & that it shall perish with the body: to this agrée Epi­curꝰ & Plini. Epicurus. Pithagoras. Pythagoras iudged that the soule is immor­tall, and when the body dieth, it fléeth vnto his kinde. A­ristotle is in this, that some partes of the soule which haue corporall seates must dye with the body, but that the vnderstanding of the soule which is no instrument of the body, is perpetuall. The people called Drynda were of this iudgement, that soules should not discende vnto Hell, but shoulde passe vnto another worlde, as the Philosophers called Essei, Ess [...]i. which suppose that the soules of the dead do liue in great felicity beyonde the Ocean Seas. The Egyptians,Aegiptians. auntient people, iudged with Pythagoras that the soules of men shoulde passe from one place vnto another, and then to enter vnto [Page 84] another man againe.Stoiks. The Stoicks are of that opinion that the soule forsaketh the body in such sort, that the soule which is diseased in this life, and aduaunced by so vertuous death together with the body, but they iudge it if it bée adurned with noble and heroicall ver­tues, that it bée accompanied with euerlasting natures. Diuers of the Pagans holde that the soule is immortal,Pagans. but yet they suppose that reasonable soules enter into vnreasonable bodyes, as into Plantes or Trées for a certen space. There were againe some friuolous Phi­losophers as Euripides and Archelaus, which say that men first grew out of the earth in maner of Hearbes, lyke vnto the fables of Poets, which faine that men grew of the sowen téeth of Serpentes.Nine man­sions for soules in hell. Some againe very childishly affirme that there bée nine degrées of punishment, or rather nine Mansions in Hell appoin­ted and prepared for the soule. The first seate is ap­pointed for young Infantes: The seconde for idiotes and fooles (I feare that place wyll bée well filled:) The thirde for them that kyll them selues: The fourth for them that bée tormented with loue: The fift for those that were founde gyltie before Iudges: The sixt ap­pointed for strong men and champions: The seuenth is a place where the soules bee purged: The eight seate is where the soules beyng purged do rest. The ninth and last is the pleasaunt fielde Elis [...]us. And to ioyne these Legendes of lyes of olde women with friuolous figmentes of Poets, which likewise affirme the like folly of fiery Phlegeton, of frostye Cocytus, of the water of Stygia, of the flood Lethes, and of Acheronta with other such, when all Paganicall rites, and fonde foolishe obseruations first grewe, I meane of fables of the Po­ets, and not by the reading of the holy Scriptures. O blinde baiardes, in séeking that which they coulde ne­uer finde so. And as they coulde prooue and say that the body came out of the earth, the moysture out of the [Page] water, [...]he breath of man by the ayre, and the heate of man by the fire: so coulde they not know the worker thereof, how wit and wisedome came from God, how all things was made by him of nothing. This knew they not, not that they wanted learnyng, but that they wanted grace.The Pla­nets placed in mannes bodye. They could appoint planets in their se­uerall places, in their due seates and iust Mansions, as Iupiter in the liuer, Saturne in the splene, Mars in blood, Sol in the heart, the Moone in the stomacke, and Venus in the reynes: but they coulde not agrée in appointing a place for the soule. They coulde likewise appoint seates for the bodies superiour in man, as the Ramme in the head, the Bull in the necke, and the Crab in the heart, the Lion in the breast, and the fishe in the foote, and so of others: but they coulde in no wise find a seate for the soule. True is it saide, that God reuealeth wise­dome vnto babes, and hideth the same vnto the sages of the worlde▪ Hence groweth the beginning of all here­sies according vnto the prouerb: The greatest Philo­sophers, the greatest Heretickes: Hereby I say grewe almost the inuention of Philosophie, coequall vnto the veritie of the gospell, from the which Paule the Apo­stle crieth vpon all men to take héede of flattering Phi­losophers. If in this place I shoulde shewe their opini­ons concerning our God and Creatour, I should séeme tedious:Diagoras. For Diagoras and Theodorus affirme that there is no God. Epicurus iudged that there is a God, but that he had no care ouer earthly things.Thales. Thales sayd that God was a minde which made all things of water. Cleanthes supposed God to be the ayre onely.Cl [...]anthes. Alcineon iudged the Sunne, the Moone, and the stars to be onely God. Parmenides maketh God to be a continuall circle of light, which is called Stephanen. Crisippus nameth God a deuine necessitie. Anaxagoras supposeth God to be an infinite minde, mooueable by it selfe, so doth Pythagoras likewise iudge: Yea, Aristotle imagined God to be of proper nature, as the worlde, or the heate [Page 85] of the Heauens, or the diuinitie of the minde, which ey­ther of these three he nameth God, and so infinite are they, that so simply conceaue the maiesty of Godhead, that farre wiser had they séemd vnto vs by silence ther­in, then by vttering of suche fonde phantasticall opini­ons, where too much errour and folly are vnto all men euident.

¶ Of vvorshipping of gods, and religion of Gentyles.

NVma Pompilius, Numa▪ the seconde king of Rome, being studious to drawe the ignoraunt and rude people to some professi­on of religion, was the first that appointed sacrifices vnto Iupiter, and vnto Mars. In Rome euen hée elected vi [...] ­gines vnto Vesta, Vesta. and appoin­ted certen orders in choosing of the same. None by the lawe of Numa, might bée ta­ken vnder sixe-yeres olde, and none aboue terme to bée a Vestal virgin, which virgines should bée thirty [...]e [...]e [...] religious, and vowed vnto Vesta: of the which thirt [...] yeres, the first tenne yeres▪ they shoulde learne the or [...]der and fashion of the sacrifices and religion of the god­desse Vesta. The seconde tenne yeres they shoulde sa­crifice and employ the ceremonies with rites and [...]o­nours belonging vnto Vesta ▪ The thirde tenne yeres they shoulde as graue Matrones, learne the others [...] chosen, to bée perfect in the rites & ceremonies of Vesta ▪ Then if any of them woulde marry, they might after thirty yeres continuaunce so do. If any of these Vestal virgines were conuicted of whordome, the law was▪ in [Page] open sight of the City of Rome she shoulde bée brought vnto the gate called Collina, and there aliue be burned. Againe, if the fire at any time in the Temple had gone out by any meanes, their kepers with scurges shoulde whip and scurge them almost vnto death. The same Numa, to make the people more religious, appointed twelue men called Salij, with painted garmentes, singing verses in the praise & commendations of God Mars, Mars. with solempne dauncing and playing rounde a­bout the City. Amongst other sacred orders, hée made certen Priestes called Feciales: these punished offen­dours: these reuenged the wronges of Legates: these redressed all iniuries offered and committed within the City of Rome: these Priestes appointed rites and ce­remonies, made sacrifices vnto the goddesse Bona Dea in a Temple erected vnto their goddesse vppon mount Auentine: Bona Dea. here might no men come to do sacrifice, but all women. Of this goddesse Bona Dea, doth Cicero make oft mention in diuers of his orations and inuec­tiuos made against diuers pernicious and wicked of the City, as Cutelin, Clodius, and others. There was in Rome another kinde of religion dedicated vnto Flo­ra, Flo [...] the sacrifice whereof was called Floralia. This Flo­ra, as both Liuius and Dionisius do report, was a com­mon strumpet, which for that she made the whole citie of Rome her h [...]yre▪ being wealthy at her death, she was therefore thought to bée of the Romanes, the god­desse of fruites, and was honoured of all the lewde wo­men in braue garlandes, decked with all of flowres, in gorgeous apparell; and this was done in the moneth of May.Ceres. The goddesse Ceres began then to bée famous, for she had hir feas [...]es and sacrifices named Cerealia, by the Priestes appointed, she was thus honored, the Priestes in white garments, and with lanternes and firebrands in the night time woulde come vnto the Temple, they abstayned from Wine, and auoyded venery for a cer­ten [Page 86] time, they had appointed euery fift yere a great fasting.Minera. Minerua likewise began to haue such honour in Rome, that she had thrée seueral kindes of sacrifices, one of a Bull, the seconde of a Crane, the thirde of a Weather. The Romanes did celebrate in the begin­ning of the spring,Berecynthia. such feastes and sacrifices vnto Be­recynthia, called the mother of the goddesse, that euery man did offer of the chiefest thing that hée did possesse to pleasure their goddesse. There were diuers other kindes of sacrifices, and vaine supersticious ceremo­nies obserued then in Rome, whose beginninges pro­céeded from the inuention of deuyls, which of long time were honoured as gods: for then men sought no helpe but of their gods, which were rather deuyls as Polido­rus in his fourth booke affirmeth of a certen rich man in Rome which had thrée of his sonnes sore sicke of the plague,Valesius. this man was named Valesius, who euerye night at whome in his house, besought his housholde goddes called Penates, to saue his children, & to plague him for the fault of his sonnes. Thus euery night pray­ing vnto his goddes for the health of his children, a voyce was hearde, that if hée woulde go with his thrée sonnes vnto Tarentum, and wash his sonnes with the water which was consecrated vnto Pluto and Proser­pina, they should recouer their health. Valesius thought the way was farre, yet for health vnto his children, hée tooke his iourney, and being redy shipt in Martius fielde harde by the riuer Tyber, he was desired of the maister of the ship, to go vnto the next Uillage called Taren­tum for a litle fire, for the fire was out in the ship, & the Mariners bus [...]e about other things: when Valesiꝰ hard the name of Tarentum, hée knewe straight that it was that place that his goddes appointed him to go to, for the Cittie of Tarentum was in the furthest part of all Italy,Calabria▪ in the countrey of Calabria, hée willyngly went and brought both fire with him for the Maister of the [Page] ship, and water for the children, which being geuen vn­to his sonnes, they recouered health. Wherefore, in memory of this, hée recompensed his Goddes with this sacrifice: Hee in the night appointed solempne playes to honour Pluto & Proserpina ech seueral nights euery yere for so many sonnes hée had that recouered health, erecting vp alters, and offeryng sacrifices in ho­nour and solempnitie of Pluto. These oracles and di­uine aunsweres which the diuyls were w [...]nt to geue in idols to deceaue men withall: These I say were they that blinded and allured the people to idolatrie. Cicero sayth that the chiefest. Priestes of Rome, the Bishops, for that the sacrifices and feastes, ceremonies and rites, belonging vnto new made Goddes, grewe to suche a number that they appoynted thrée men called Triumviri, to be rulers of the sacrifices, and appoynted other thrée that shoulde kéepe the sacred Oracles of Si­billa. The Oracles of Sibilla were written in bookes,Sibilla. where they resorted oftentimes for councell and adm [...] ­nition fiftéene men appoynted to knowe what was to be done in any perill or necessitie, as at the warres betwéene Caesar and Pompeius. Suche prodigious sightes were séene, such vnnaturall working of the hea­uens, such terrible sightes on the earth, such portentu­ous miracles then séene in Rome, that the Senatours came vnto Sibilla to knowe the effectes▪ and endes of these monstrous showes, and to be instructed of the state of the Citie, vnto whome she gaue sixe letters in writinges, thrée R. and thrée F. to be expounded of their wisemen, which when the meaning was founde, that thrée R. was this, Regnum Romae Ruet: and thrée F. was Flamma, Ferro▪ & Fame, that is as much to say, that the monarch of Rome shoulde perish with fire, sworde, and hunger. Dionisius in his fourth booke sayth, that an aged woman brought nine bookes vnto Torquinius Su­perbus, being the seauenth and last King of the Ro­manes, [Page 87] which she woulde haue solde for thrée hundred Crownes to the King, letting Torquinius vnderstande that those bookes were full of oracles and deuine aun­sweres, but hée making a iest of hir bookes, did burne thrée of them before hir face, demaunding of hir againe what he should paye for the other sixe, shée aunswered: thrée hundred Crownes, then he burned other thrée, and asked what he should pay for the thrée bookes that were left, shée aunswered as before thrée hundred Crownes: the King marueyling much at the constancie of the wo­man, bought the thrée bookes for thrée hundred crowns, and after that time that woman was neuer séene in Rome, wherfore it is thought of the Romanes that she was Sibilla. Therfore these thrée bookes were obserued in Rome as aforesayd vnder the custody of .iij. men ap­poynted for the purpose, and shée so honored & worship­ped, that sacrifice vpon sacrifice was offred vnto Sibilla in Rome. Thus the Oracles of Sibilla in Rome: The Oracles of Apollo in Delphos: The Oracles of Iupiter in Ammon, were the instructors to the Gentiles, and teachers of the Gréekes. Moreouer they had such solem­nities of feastes, such celebration of banquettes, eyther called pontificall feastes for that it was ordained by Priestes, or else triumphant banquettes after victories made of the Emperours, and giuen vnto the people, or else funerall feastes, where honour and solemnity was had for the deade: As for games and playes to sacrifice and to honour their Goddes, they had Lupercalia, Flora­lia, Baccanalia, Cerealia, with diuers and sundrie others to pleasure their Gods, and to mitigate their furies and wrath: For in time of Torquinius the prowde, for that diuers women of Rome being great with children, got surfettes in eating of Bulles fleshe, they appoynted cer­taine sacrifices vnto the Gods infernalles cauled Tau­rilia, to appease their anger therein againe for them that were sicke. Valerius Publicola, which was the first Consull in Rome, appoynted banquets and feastes in [Page] the temple of the Goddes, to aswage likewise their fu­ry, as Iupiter and Iuno, and Minerna, which were with banquettes reconciled to restore health vnto the sicke. The homages and seruices, the sacrifices and solemni­ties, the banquettes and feastes, the myrth and melody, the pastime and sport, the great games and playes that alwayes Gréekes and Gentiles haue vsed to their Gods to be past number. The honour, the reuerence that Iupiter had in Créete: The worshippe and fame that Apollo had in Delphos: The sacrifices and ceremonies that Mars hadde in Thratia, are in bookes written, are by auctorities recorded, I feare it be in the heartes of men to déepe printed. Pallas had hir seate in Athens, Iu­no was staulde in Samos, Diana in Ephesus, Cibeles in Phrigia, Venus in Gipris, Ceres in Cicilia: Againe Pan amongst the Arcadians, Osiris amongst the Egypti­ans, Bacchus in the Ile of Naxus, Vulcan in Lemno [...], In fine, blockes and stones, dogges and cattes, Oxen and Calues, honoured and worshipped as Gods. Thus wandering in this vale of miserie like pilgrimes farre from the countrie that we ought to trauaile vnto, where that true and liuing God, the God of saluation and health which is without ende to be worshipped: Hée is the God of all men, and yet of the fewest worshipped: he is the sauiour, and yet he is neglected: yea, and more reiected of vs that be Christians, then the blockes and stones were honored of the Gentiles. And for the proofe I meane to shewe the seuere lawes that were both in Athens and Rome, the two lanterns of the worlde, for obseruing of their Gods & religion, whome neyther Philosophers in Athens, nor Senators in Rome nor ye magistrates & Princes of the worlde then would in no wise permitte iniuries towards Gods, suffer any euill report toward their religion, in such care were they lest they shoulde offende their Goddes and breake their lawes,L. P [...]li [...]s. certen husbandmen founde in the landes of [Page 88] L. Petilius by plowing therein, two stones, wherevpon an Epitaph of Numa Pompilius was written in one, in the other there founde they fourtéene bookes:Valerius. lib. 1. seuen la­tine bookes, entituled Ius pontificum, the law of bishops concernyng religion and sacrifices of their goddesse: Th [...]se bookes with great diligence and care were not only commaunded to be kept, but also in all pointes to bée obserued. The other were Gréeke bookes, entituled Disciplina sapientiae, the rule of wisedome, which for that they tasted of Philosophye, and contempned the vaine superstitious religions of their goddesse▪ Petilius fearing lest by reading of wisedome and Philosophie their folly and religion shoulde bee destroyed, being then praetor in Rome, at what time Cornelius and Be­bius were Consuls by aucthority of the Senate in open sight of all the citie of Rome burned the Gréeke bookes, for the olde and auncient men woulde haue nothing kept within their citie that might hinder their Goddes, for before all thinges, their goddes and their religions they preferred, and so honoured their Priestes their sa­crifices and their vestall Uirgines before the Empe­rours and Senatours, as it appeareth by a History in Valerius, that when Rome was taken and conquered first by the Frenchmen, and the vestal Uirgines enfor­ced euery one burthened with sacred things belonging vnto the goddes Uesta, to beare those thinges away, shifting more for the sacrifices and rites of their religi­on, in carying their bookes, their garmentes, their goddes, and their thinges belonging therevnto, they cared for their countreys, friendes, children, and gooddes: Insomuch that L. Aluanius when he sawe the Uestall Uirgins taking paines to maintaine the honour of Vesta vndefiled, her sacrifices vnpoluted, in sauing the ceremonies and religion of their Goddes fro [...] the enimies, as one that had more regarde and respect to their vaine religion, then carefull of his [Page] wife and children, whiche then being in a Chariot to be caried and conueyed from Rome, commaunded by Aluanius, to come downe from the Chariot, and go a foote, where he placed where his wife was and his children, the Uestal Uirgins with all their burthens belonging vnto Uesta, their sacrifices and other neces­saries, and brought honorablye vnto the countrie of Créete where with great honor thei were receaued, and for memory hereof vntil this time the people of Créete for that they did succour the vestal Uirgines in aduer­sity, Vesta the goddesse recompensed them no lesse for their humanity in receauing of her maydes vnto their towne, then she gratified Aluanius for his consideration & waying of her religion: In so much, that the coches where her Uirgines and her sacrifices were caryed, was afterwarde more honoured and estéemed, than any triumphant or imperiall chariot. In the selfe same time and perturbation of Rome, when the Capitoll was besieged with the enemies Caius Fabius, percea­uing how religion was then estéemed,Caius Fa­bius. girded himselfe like a sacrificer, caryed in hande an host to bée offered vnto Iupiter, was suffered to passe through the middest of his enemies to mount Quirinal, where solempnities and sacrifices were done vnto Iupiter: and being ac­complished, he likewise went vnto the Capitol through the middest of the armie with all his company, and by this meanes got the victory ouer his enimies, more by religion then by strength. So much was superstition and idolatry honored & obserued euerywhere, that the Perseans sayled with a thousande Nauyes to [...]o sacri­fice and solempnity vnto Apollo at Delos ▪ Val. lib. 1. Perseans. Athenians. The Athe­nians slue and destroyed all those that enuied o [...] repug­ned their religion. Diagoras was exiled for that hée wrote that hée doubted whether any gods were or no, and if gods were, what were they? Socrates was con­d [...]mpned for that hée went about to translate their reli­gion [Page 89] and speake against their Goddes. Phidias that no­ble and cunning workeman was no longer suffred at Athens, but all the while he wrought the picture of Mi­nerua in marble, for that it was more durable than yuo­rie, which when Phidias thought to drawe hir in yuo­rie,Phidias. he was threatned to death, to vilipende so great a goddesse, to make hir in yuorie which was woonte to be honored in marble. The Romanes made lawes at the distructiō of Canna, for that great slaughter of Romans which at that warre happened, that the matrones of Rome bewayled and lamented the deathes of their husbandes, their children, their brethren, and friendes incessantly, that they shoulde not passe thirtie dayes in mourning, least the Goddes woulde be angrye, ascri­bing all fortunes good and badde vnto their Goddes. Wherefore it was decréede by the Senatours, that the Mothers and Wiues, the sisters and the daugh­ters of them that were slaine at Canna, at the thirty dayes ende, shoulde cast awaye theyr mourning ap­parelles, and banishe their teares, and come altogi­ther in white garments to doe sacrifice vnto the God­desse Ceres, for it was thought and trulye beléeued a­mong the Gentiles and Heathens, that the Goddes woulde iustly reuenge those that woulde at any time neglect their sacrifices and religions.Apollo Apollo for that stout Brennus went to Delphos and spoiled his temple, and neglected his godhead,Brennus was plagued gréeuously, and worthyly reuenged:Zerxes. euen as king Zerxes whose Na­uyes couered the whole Seas, whose armies of men dryed vp riuerrs, & shadowed almost the whole earth, for that he sent foure thousande souldiours vnto Del­phos to robbe Apollo, hée was therefore discomfited in his warres, forsaken of his souldiours, prosecuted of his enemies, and compelled to flée like a vagabonde from hyll to hyll, vntyll hée came vnto his kingdome of Persea, vnto his great infamie and shame. The like [Page] in Carthge when the Cittie was oppressed by the Ro­manes, his Temple neglected, and hee him selfe not es­téemed. Apollo reuenged the same, for the first that layde hande vppon him, lost his hande and his arme: Thus in Delphos and in Carthage did Apollo reuenge his iniuries.Asculapius. His sonne Aesculapius, a great god in di­uers countreys, for that Turulius chéefe ruler of the Nauyes of Antonius, hewed his wooddes which was consecrated vnto his temple, Aesculapius reuenged it after this sort. When Antonius and Caesar were at warres, after that the hoast and armye of Antonius were vanquished,Turulius. and Caesar a victor, hée brought Tu­rulius to bée murthered vnto that place in the wooddes where hée neglected Aesculapius. Ceres. Ceres when the citie Mileton was taken by Alexander the great, and her Temple therein spoyled and robbed of the souldiours, she threw flames of fire into their faces, and made as manye blinde as neglected hir godhead and maiestie. Dionisius king of Siracusa, for that he spoyled the tem­ple of the goddesse Proserpina, Proserpina. and robbed this goddesse of her golden garments, flouting and scoffing her rites and ceremonies, nothing estéeming her sacrifice. And againe for that hée commaunded his souldiers to pluck and take away Aesculapius beard in Epidaurus a Citie in Peloponeso in Gréece, because his father Apollo had none. Hée was brought by the goddes from a king in Siracusa to bée a poore scholemaister in Corinth, and wretchedly to ende his life by the iust indignation of the goddesse Proserpina. Iuno shewed her anger vpon Fuluius Flaccus for that when he was Censor of Rome, hée caused the Marble Tiles to bée brought from the Temple of Iuno in Lacinia, vnto the Temple of fortune in Rome. Hée hauing his two sonnes in Illyria at warres, the one by the wrath of Iuno slaine, the other by her pleasure plagued and tormented vnto death, ha­uing newes hereof, dyed for sorowe and gréefe: And the [Page 90] Senators knowing the cause, restored to the Marble Tiles with Embassadours vnto Lacinia againe.Hercules. The wrath of Iuno was the cause of the vnhappy successe of that noble Consul Varro in the warres of Canna. Her­cules forgot not to reuenge the contempt and despising of his ceremonies and lawes by Pontitius, which once hée and his name receaued as their god, but by Appius perswaded, who then was Censor in Rome, to neglect him, was destroyed, hée and all his name, which was in number aboue thyrtye, and Appius for his coun­sell made blinde. Thus the Gentiles and Heathens thought that nothing coulde escape vnreuenged of their gods.Masinissa. This made Masinissa king of Numidia to sende back the Iuory téeth that the Maister of his shippes brought from the Temple of Iuno in Meleta vnto Me­leta againe. This made the Senatours of Rome to sende back againe the money whiche Pleminius the messenger of Scipio tooke away from the Temple of Proserpina vnto Proserpina againe,Pleminius. fearing the anger and displeasure of the gods. Thus were the people blin­ded with vaine ceremonies of the Priests, Bishops, & Magistrates. Thus were the rude people deceaued by dissimulations of the potentates,Numa. as Numa Pompilius and the first idolaters that was in Rome, would make the people beléeue that hée had warnings and admoni­ons of the Nimph Aegeria, to whom hée sayde hée had accesse in the night time to bée instructed in the cere­monies of Rome.Licurgus, Licurgus, a law setter amongst the Lacedemonians perswaded the people that what lawe soeuer hée made, it was done by the oracle of Apollo. Zaleucus made the Locresians beléeue that his doinges and procéedinges was done by the counsell of Minerua. Zaleucus. Pisistratus deceaued the people of Athens through dissi­mulations by a woman named Phia, Pisistratus. whom hée dres­sed like Pallas: hée was brought often times by this woman vnto the Castle of Pallas, which the rude peo­ple [Page] thought that shée was Pallas her selfe, and iudged therby that Pisistratus might do what hée woulde, and haue what hée craued of Pallas. Minoes. Minoes king of Créete, was woont euery ninth yere to go vnto a secrete place by him selfe, and there a long time staying to consult with Iupiter what law hée shoulde make vnto the peo­ple of Créete, as hée enformed the people, deceaued them craftily. Thus wée sée how Licurgus amongst the Lacedemonians, Zaleucus amongst the Locresians, Pi­sistratus amongst the Athenians, Numa amongst the Romanes, and Minoes in Créete haue deceaued the ig­noraunt people with counterfaite talking with goddes, making them to beléeue that the gods councelled them and warned them to do all things that they did then. Thus by craft they inuented false goddes, framed ceremonies,Sertorius. and obserued vaine orders. Sertorius that famous Sabin, and Ruler long in Rome, was woont vppon the hye Rockes of Lusitania, to con­sult with a white Hart, of whome hée was warned to auoyde thinges, and to doe thinges, to take thinges, and to refuse thinges: insomuch, to blinde the people, he woulde attempt nothing vntill he woulde consult in the rocke with this white Hart.L. Silla. L. Silla when at a­ny time he went vnto warres, woulde in open sight of the Souldiours embrace a certaine remembraunce, a signe which he brought from Delphos with him vnto Italy, requiring that to kéepe promise, as Apollo had cōmaunded him.Scipio Astric. Scipio would neuer take any publicke affayres in hande, before he had gone vnto the Capitoll vnto the secret aulter of Iupiter, and there continued a while, to deceyue the people. Thus were they thought to be the ofspringes of Goddes of the common souldi­ours, which they deceiued with false showes, and to this effect, that the people woulde flatter and obey them in all thinges: And as Liberius did vse to féede Iulius Cae­sar with flatterie, saying, that mortall men ought to de­nie [Page 91] nothing, vnto those whome the Goddes doe graunt all: so did these fornamed Princes hunt for such honour as Caesar or Alexander had. Mahomet a great Prophet amongst the Iewes, and a mightye God amongst the Gentiles, whose lawes vntill this daye the most part of the worlde obserue, had his beginning as aforesayd, dessembling with the people, that two Dooues that hee taught to come euerydaye vpon his shoulders, to féede on certaine graynes of wheate, which he alwayes dyd beare in his eares were the holy Ghost, and perswa­ding the people, that his doings and lawes were appoin­ted by the holie Ghost, which dayly came to consult and to make orders amongst the people.Reg. 4 We reade in dy­uers places of the scriptures, that the men of Iuda dyd buylde aulters and make ydols vpon euery hie hill, and vnder bowes of trées. The ydolatrie of the people of Israell, with the daughters of Moab, vsing their sacri­fices, and worshipping their goddes, that GOD the true Mesias did loath and abhorre. Suche ydolatrie I say grewe amongst the Israelites,Reg. [...]2 that Ieroboam com­maunded two Golden Calues to be made, and to bée worshipped, saying: Beholde▪ O Israell, beholde thy goddes, which brought thée out of the lande of Egypt. These were they that God most estéemed, and they lest regarded it: these were his owne people, and yet they sought other Gods, saying vnto Aaron: Make vs gods to go before vs. Manasses king of Iuda, erected and made vp aulters vnto Baal to go before him. Holofernus sayd that there was no God but Nabuchadonosor, Nabucho­donosor. Nabucha­donosor commaunded that all people, tribes, and nati­ons, shoulde knéele and worshippe the goulden Image. Salomon hauing great wisedome of God,Salamon. that no prince in Israell had the like, fell in his latter yeres to ydola­trie, to worshippe the Goddes of straunge women.Antiochus. An­tiochus commaunded ydols to bée worshipped, aulters to be erected, temples to be made, swine to be sacrificed, [Page] and his owne children to be vncircumcised. Thus was ydolatrie maintayned, that Calues, Dragons, Ser­pentes, Sunne, Moone, all the Starres of heauen were honored and worshipped as Goddes: Insomuch, that when Saint Paule went to Athens, and sawe the Cit­tie so addicted vnto all kind of ydolatrie, his spirite was troubled therein. Thus they made vnto themselues Goddes most like vnto those that made them. For as they hearde not the true God and sauiour of the world, perswading them vnto amendement, threatning them of correction: Euen so their fayned Gods hauing eares hearde not, hauing eyes sawe not, hauing handes felt not, hauing nostrels smelled not, for all the worship­ping sacrifices, & knéeling that they did vnto them. O miserable man, to forsake him which is the onely saui­our and redéemer of man, and to worshippe those gods which worke the onely confusion of man. I doubt least some with ye rich glutton make their bellies their gods.Some ho­nour their bellies as Goddes. I feare least some with Simon make money their gods: naye I doubt most of all least some make themselues goddes with Lucifer, or with Darius king of Persea, who by a lawe made an edict, that no man might aske any thing of other Goddes for thirtie dayes,Darius. but of king Da­rius. The originall beginning of ydolatie, as learned writers affirme, that the prince of this worlde, which is the Diuell exercising his Art, practising his diuinati­ons, shifting such sundry shewes, that such errors were poured in mens heartes, for that prodigious actes and miracles, which diuelles, and men by diuelles wrought were seene, that men were blinded with the shiftes of Satan, which as Saint Paule sayd could chaunge him selfe like an Aungel of light, that some by sorcery, some by coniuring, some by this craft, and some by that di­uell, which goeth about like a roaring Lion to encrease his kingdome, became goddes on earth: some againe for strength, some for building of Cities, some for in­uentions [Page 92] of thinges, were hadde and counted in the number of Goddes: as Isis amongst the Egyptians, Gabyrus amongst the Macedonians, Mithra amongst the Perseans: Euen so with the Rhodians, and Massa­getes was the Sunne honoured, amongst the La­tines Faunus, with the Romanes Quirinus, with the Babylonians Belus, with the Sabines Sabius, with the Moores Vranios, and so Iupiter in Créete, Apollo in Delphos, as beforesayde. They had certen beastes appointed for their sacrifices, and consecrated vnto them, as an Owle vnto Minerua, a Hart vnto Diana, a Sowe vnto Ceres, a Swan vnto Venus, a Cock vnto Aesculapius, The Pea­cock vnto Iuno. a Bull vnto Neptune, a Goate vnto Faunus, an Asse vnto Priapus, a Hogge vnto Bacchus, a Goose vnto Isis: Besides this, the Perseans offer vnto Phoebus a Horse for a sacrifice, the Cartha­ginians euen vntyll the destruction of Carthage, offered a childe vnto Saturne. The Eagle was appointed for Iupiter, the Phaenix for the Sunne, the Rauen for Apollo, and the Pie for Mars. A further superstition was amongst the Gentiles, that trées, blockes, and such dumbe things were likewise consecrated and ha­lowed vnto their goddes: as the Oke vnto Iupiter, the Baye vnto Apollo, the Uine vnto Bacchus, the Poppley vnto Hercules, the Oliue vnto Pallas, the Pine trée vnto Cibeles, the Mirtle vnto Venus, and the Cy­presse trée vnto Pluto. Thus with beasts, birdes, blockes and stones honoured the Gentiles their gods. There was almost nothing in all the whole worlde, but it had the name of a god. Amongst the Gen­tiles, Dogges, Cattes, Horses, Oxen, Calues, Serpentes, Dragons, and such others.

¶ Of the first beginning of shauing, and of the vse thereof, vvith much making of the heares of the heade.

THE Lacedemonians were woont to excell all other naci­ons in letting their heares of their heades and beards to growe, as an ornament and a comly setting foorth of man. Wherfore Licurgus did de­fende the same, saying that as the heares of the heade were comelye and séemelye vnto beawtifull men: so were they a terrour and a fearefull sight vpon the defor­med man for the enimies to looke vnto. Nicander, therefore being demaunded why did the Lacedemo­nians and the people of Sparta estéeme their beards and hearie lockes of heares vpon their heads:Sparta. he sayde, By­cause it is a most naturall garment, and most comelye vnto man, to haue that which is best in sight, and least in charges. The auncient Gréekes, and speciallye the people of Athens, Athens. assoone as any past fourtéene yeares of age, the custome and lawe was that they shoulde be brought vnto Delphos, to offer their fayre heares, their gaye and friseling bushes of their heade vnto Apollo, as a sacrifice of their first fruite, and a pawne or pledge of their homage to God Apollo. So muche estéemed they their heares, that they thought nothing to be so ac­ceptable vnto Apollo, as that which was most gratefull vnto them.Thracia. The Thracians likewise had such regarde vnto their heares of their heades, that they kemmed it, and decked it vpon theyr foreheade, with curling knots vpon long heares, that their chiefe care and studie was to trimme those which they estéemed most. In India [Page 93] the subiectes in all thinges obeyed theyr Prince and the lawes, but in shauing their heares, which by no meanes they woulde agrée vnto.Argiui. The Argiues loued so well their heares, that being conuicted by the Lace­demonians at Tiria, shaued their heares, bewayled and wept their misfortune so much, that they vowed neuer to let their heares growe before they would recouer a­gaine Tiria. The Greek [...] The Gréekes honored their long heares, and so estéemed theyr beardes, that Homer was woont to call them Carecomoontas, that is to say: fayre heared. It shoulde séeme that the Macedonians made to much of their heares and beardes, for at what time Alexander the greate, had gathered all his power and force to take his conquest in hand, being demaunded of his souldiers whether in them were anye thing to be amended, the wise prince considering the great hurt and inconueni­ence that shoulde happen chiefly in warres vnto those that were long heared or long bearded: And againe be­ing loth to offende his souldiours, for that he knew well that they much estéemed their beardes, hée smiling me­rily spake, I sée no want in you nor no vntowardenes: but I wishe your beardes and long heares were at home vntill your returne. They meruayling muche at his request,Parmenio. Parmenio aunswered and sayde: that the Macedonians woot not what you meane thereby: then Alexander perceyuing that his souldiours were an­grie for his desire and wishe, sayde, bicause long hears is daungerous, and specially amongst the enimies, no better holde then by beardes or heares, but it séeme [...] that they had rather to be conquered like men in theyr beards, then to be conqerers like boies without beards. As for the Romanes, heares delighted them so much that there was no shauing séene, no Barbers knowne, vntil Pu. Ticinius brought certaine Barbers out of Si­cilia vnto Rome,Plini. Lib. 7 Cap. 59 which for the space of foure hundred and foure and fifty yeres, Rome nourished their long [Page] heares before, as that which they best delighted in for the time. Affricanus was the first that euer delighted in Barbers, and next vnto him was Augustus Caesar successer of Iulius Caesar, besides these countries and famous kingdomes, diuers others were that so made of their héeres, that to obserue orders, & to auoyde daun­gers of warres, they did shaue diuers partes of their heades much against their will: yet for custome sake Maxies people in Aphrica, Maxies▪ doe vse to shaue the right side and to let the heares growe vpon the left side. A­gaine, the people which Strabo called Anases, Anases. doe shaue their former heares vpon their forheades, and yet they make much of the hinder part of the heade, where they suffer their heares to growe very long.Maca. The Maceans shaue little heares vppon the crownes of their heades like Priestes sometime, and yet suffer all their heares to hang downe in order about their faces. Herodotus in his fourth booke doth name people which is called Ma­chleis and Abantes, which for that they be warriours and alwayes in the field face to face with their enimies, they shaue their heares before, and suffer it to grow be­hinde. The Euboians euen so let their heares growe behinde vpon their backes very long,Euboians. and yet enforced of necessitie to cut it before for feare of the enimies. It séemed that eyther Barbers were skant, or not known in those dayes, or else heares much set by, and estéemed of all men: for Suetonius that writ the liues of Em­perours doth report that the Emperour Caligula, Caligula. was woont for enuie to those he met, to shaue their heares of behinde, knowing wel that nothing might molest them so much, as to haue their heares of: for he was so enui­ous, that if he sawe anye that had fayre golden heares, hée woulde haue it of streight with his owne handes. Beards were so set by, and so estéemed were heares in those dayes, that women kinde were so forbidden by the lawe of the twelue tables to shaue anye part of the [Page 94] face, to prooue whether heares might growe or no. Oc­casions were ministed vnto them sayde they by their long heares, and beardes, to knowe them selues and the state of their body: for of an olde man in the citie of Sparta being asked why he ware his bearde so long,Sparta. hée aunswered that in behoulding the graye heares in my bearde, I maye doe nothing vnséemely nor vnworthy of such graye heares, for a good man is alwayes prickt with stinges to lyue verteously.Demonax. Demonax was known by his beard to be some graue Philosopher of him that demaunded him what kind of Philosophie he professed, not knowing him otherwise than by his bearde. The tyraunt Dionisius to spite the Citizens of Epidaurus, tooke the goulden beard of Aesculapius away out of the temple, to mooue them to greater displeasure. At what tyme Aristippus was brought vnto Sinius house the Phrigian, Aristippus▪ which was so dressed with cloth of Arras, and precious hangings, that the very flowers so gorgiously shined, that he coulde not finde in the house a place to spitte, without some offence, he spit in his handenap­kin, and thrue it into Simus face, who was all bearded, hée being angrie therewith, demaunded the cause why hée so little estéemed him, for that sayde Aristippus, that I sawe not in all the house so foule a place as that which shoulde haue béene most cleane, meaning hys bearde, and though it was merilye done of Aristippus, yet it was not so merily thought of Simus, which more estéemed his bearde, than Aristippus estéemed all his precious clothes, and goulden hangings. The like dyd Ieronimus surnamed Rhetus make of his bearde,Rhetus. for when I sée sayd hée my beard, than I know right well that I am a man, and not a woman: and then knowing my selfe to bée a man, I am ashamed to doe any thing lyke a woman, eyther in word or déede: Much more might bée héere alleaged, for the actorities of beardes, and for estéeming of long heares, for there is no coun­try [Page] be it euer so ciuyll, but it is addicted vnto some pe­culiar qualities, neither is there any man be hée euer so wise, but doth glory in one thing more then in another: as the wise man in his wisedome, the learned man in his knowledge, the ignoraunt man in his folly, the proude man in his person, the selfe louer in some place more than in other, either in his face, body, legge, mid­dle, foote: yea, in hande and héere, and specially many do make much account of their beards, kembing, deck­ing, handlyng and settyng it in order alwayes: But bicause people are mutable & full of chaunge, and that time altereth all things, we wyll no further procéede in this, though menne maye misiudge of others con­cerning their long héeres and beardes: yet I say iudge­ment is not safe in this poynt, for it may bée that they preferre the rustye rude countrey Poet Hesiodus, be­fore the warlike and eloquent Homer, Panis. Midas. as Panis king of Calcides, or as Midas did iudge Pan the Piper before Apollo the god of Musicke. Harde it is to iudge of men, whether the bearded man, or the beardlesse man is to be preferred, the long heare or the short heare to bée estéemed: for vnder straunge habite lurcke hidden qualities, for vnder a ragged cloake (as the Gréeke prouerbe is) lyeth wisedome secretely, as vnder a Ueluet Gowne.

¶ Of diuers kindes and sundry fashions of buriall amongst the Gentiles.

THE aunciente Egyptians waying the shortnes of mans life, litle estéeming the time, doth prouide such sepulchrées against they die, that they ac­count their graues an euer­lasting habitation. Wherfore in life time they studied howe to make them such gorgeous graues as shoulde bée perpetuall monumentes after death: In so much that thrée hundred and thréescore thousande workmen were twentie yeres in building a huge and a monstruous worke to bury their bodies,Diodorus▪ Lib. 2 which for the bignesse thereof, was counted one of the seuen woonders,Pyramides. named at this day the Pyramides of Egypt. Plini saith that thrée Piramides were made in Egypt betwixt the Citie of Memphis and Delta, which king Ceopes as Herodotus affirmeth,Ceopes. Cephus. Micerinus. began to make the first, and as Diodorus saith, his brother Cephus be­gan the seconde, and the thirde by king Mycerinus, as both Herodotus and Diodorus agrée. Some say that Rhodope a harlot and a strumpet, but being mar­ried vnto king Psamnetichus and left a widowe, shée made as Strabo saith the thirde Pyramides: but to this effect they were made as common sepulchrées, to re­ceaue dead men as gestes to dwell alwayes therein, with such ceremonies first, that being dead they fyll the scull of his head with swéete odours, and then they rip his body with a sharpe stone of Aethiop which the Egyptians haue for the purpose,The orders of the Aegip­tians buri [...] and pourge his bodie, and then being stopt with fragrant odours and sweete spices, they sewe vp the body, which being done, they [Page] put him in fine sindon cloth, hauyng his likenesse made vpon a holow worke, wherein they put the body, with many other such ceremonies, onely to saue the bodye from any putrifaction, for they thinke as the Stoicks do: So long say they shall the soule florish and liue, as the body is vnputrified, for as the bodyes perish, so doth the Egyptians beléeue that the soules decay.Ethiopians. The Aethio­pians haue such care of the dead, that being dressed with all kinde of odours, they put them in such sumptuous tombes, and gorgeous graues, that the sepulchrées are compassed and made ouer with fine glasse.Scythians. The Scythi­ans when their kings & noble men die, they must haue to beare them company vnto the graue, one of their concubines, one of their chiéefe seruauntes, and one of their frends that loued them best aliue: they I say must accompany and folow them vnto the graue being dead. The Romanes had this custome,Romans. that if any man of countenaunce and credite shoulde die, his sonnes and daughters, his nigh kinsmen and best beloued fréendes as Cicero doth write of Metellus, shoulde put him in the fire made for that effect and purpose, vnlesse hée were one of the Emperours,Merodianus. Lib. 4 whose funerall pompe was much more sumptuous, for then his body shoulde bée caryed by the Senatours vnto the market or common Hall of Rome: Then the seconde day hée should bée ca­ried by certen young noble men vnto Martius fielde, where a Tabernacle was made much like a Towre, all of drie Wood, and there after much solemnity and ceremonies done, hée that succéeded him as an Empe­rour, shoulde first put fire in that worke, and then all men busie to sée the body burned: And when they had burned him vnto ashes, they woulde let an Eagle flée from the top of some high Towre, which as they suppo­sed shoulde cary his soule into heauen.Assirians The Assyrians did vse to annoynt the dead bodyes with honye and waxe, and with studie and care to reserue it from any [Page 96] putrifaction.Indeans. Such straunge order of buriall was in In­dia, that the women of that countrey thought no grea­ter fame nor worthier renowme, then to bée burned and buried togither with their husbandes.Thracians. The Thra­cians are much to bee commended herein, which at the birth of any of their fréendes children, they wéepe and waile the misery of and calamity that hée is borne vn­to, and at the death of any of their fréendes, they so re­ioyce with such mirth and gladnes, that they past these werldly miseries, that at the buriall therof, euen when the corps doth go out of the house, they altogither say with one voyce: Farre well fréende, go before, and we folow after: And so the corps goeth before, and all his fréendes folow after him with trumpets, musicke, and great mirth for ioy that hée is gone out of this vale of misery.Athinians. Plato that deuine Gréeke and noble Philoso­pher, made the like lawes in Athens, that when any of the chéefe officers shoulde die, hée appointed that no mournyng wéedes shoulde bée there, but all in white apparell, and that fiftéene young maides and fiftéene young boyes shoulde stande rounde about the corps in white garmentes, while the Priestes commended his life vnto the people in an open Oration, then he shoulde bée brought very orderly to the graue, all the young children singing their countrey Hymnes, & they with the auncient men folowyng: and the graue shoulde be couered with faire broade stones, where the name of the dead, with his vertuous commendations and great praise were set vpon the stone. The like graue the Ita­lians vse at this day, and diuers other countreys. And as these & others had the like ceremonies to the praise and commendations of the dead: So others litle estée­med and regarded such things, in so muche that the Perseans were neuer buried vntyll Fowles of the ayre and Dogges should eate some part therof.Massagetes. The Massa­getes thought it most infamous that any of their fréends [Page] should die by sicknesse, but if the parentes waxed olde, the children and the next kinsmen they had should kyll them, and being kylled to eate them vp, supposing that their fleshe was more méete for them to eate, than of wormes or any other beastes to bée deuoured. The people called Tibareni, Tibareni. Albans. those that they loued best in youth, those woulde they hang in age: Euen so the Al­bans certaine inhabitants about mount Caucasus, thought it vnlawfull for any to care for the deade, but straight buried them as the Nabathaeans doe burie their kinges and and rulers in dunghilles.Nabathaei. The buriall of the Parthians was nothing else but to commend them vn­to beastes of the fielde,Parthians. and foules of the ayre. The Nasomones when they burie their friendes,Nasomones. they sette them in the graue sitting. But of all cruell dealings the Caspians, Caspians. Hircanians. and the Hircanians, wich kil their parents, their wiues, their brethren, their kinsemen, & friends, and put them in the hie waye halfe quicke, halfe deade, for to be deuoured of birdes and beastes. The fashion & custome with the Issidones, Issidones. rude people of some part of Scithia, as Plini in his fourth booke affirmeth, is to call their neyghbours and friendes togither where the dead lie, and there merili [...] singing and banqueting, they eate the fleshe of the deade, and make the skull of the deade a drinking cuppe, all couered with golde, to drink with all. Againe the people called Hyperborei, thinke no better graue for their friendes,Hiperborei. when they be olde then to bring them to some hie banke of water or great rocke, and thence after much feasting, eating and drin­king, in the middest of their mirth, their owne friends throw them downe vnto the water headlong. To séeke and to search histories, to manye such burials might be founde amongst such rude and beastly nations. Not­withstanding in diuers regions so estéemed, that the greatest infamie, the seuerest punishment was for a­ny offender, was not to be buried: this the Athenians [Page] vsed towarde those that were traytours to theyr coun­trey. And the Egiptians if any lyued a misse, he shoulde be caried dead to the wildernesse to be deuoured of wild beastes. The Perseās likewise brought ye bodies of men condemned to be eaten of dogges. The Lybians thinke them most worthy of solemne buriall that died eyther in warrs or were kyld by wyld beastes. The Macedo­nians had great care in burning the dead souldiers that died in fielde. Amongst the Gentiles there were cer­taine daies appointed for mourning after the death of their frends. Licurgus lawe amongst the Lacedemoni­ans was that they shoulde mourne but eleuen daies. Numa Pompilius decréed that the children after their parentes death, the wiues, their husbands. &c. shoulde mourne tenne monethes, though by the Senatours it was enacted at the warres in Canna that the Romans shoulde mourne but thirtie dayes. Amongst the Egip­tians they had a custome to mourne after theyr kinges thréescore and twelue dayes, but generallye the most custome was to bewayle the dead nine daies. In some places mourning was forbidden at their buriall, as at Athens by the lawe of Solon, in Locretia, in Thracia, in Cous, in Libia, and in diuers other places. The diuer­sitie of mourning was such, that amongst the Gréekes they shaued their heades and beardes, and threwe it to the graue with the deade. Amongst the Lacedemoni­ans, when the kinges of Sparta died, certaine horsemen were appoynted to trauayle ouer all the whole king­dome, certefiyng the death of the king, and the women in euery cittie, doe beate their brasen pottes, and make great heauye noyse for the same. The Egyptians doe mourne after this sort, they rent their clothes, they shut their temples, they eate no meate, they sméere theyr faces with dirt, and thus abstaining from washing their faces thrée score and twelue dayes they lament and be­wayle the death of their kinges and friendes. The Car­thagineans [Page] cut their heares of, mangle their faces, beate their breastes. The Macedonians likewise shaue their heares to mourne the death of their fréendes, as wée reade of Archelaus, king of Macedonia, who shaued his heares at the buriall of his friende Euripides. The Ar­giues & the Siracusans accompany the dead to the graue, in white clothes be spotted with watter and claie. The Matrones of Rome threw of their fine apparell, their ringes and cheynes, and did weare black garments at the buriall of their fréendes: but I burne candle in the day time, to write of such infinite ceremonies that the Gentiles had at their burials. Therfore better to ende with few examples, then to wéery the reader with too many histories, for this cause, sith all men knowe that all people haue their seuerall maners, as well liuyng as dying, for cōtinuaunce of time, and distaunce of ground alter the same.

¶ Of Spirites and visions.

SUndrye and many thinges happen by courses of nature, which timorous and fearfull men, for want of perfection in their sences, suppose to bée spirites. Some so féeble of sight, that they iudge shado­wes, beastes, bushes and such like to bée spirites. Some so fearefull of hearing, that they thinke any sounde, noyse, whistlings and so foorth, to bée some bugges or deuyls. Hereby first spread so many fables of spirites, of gob­blins, of bugges, of hagges, and of so many monstrous visions, that olde women and aged men schooled their families to beléeue such things, who iudged it sufficient [Page 98] aucthorities, to aleadge the olde tales tolde by their pa­rentes in their aged yeres. The Gentiles because they were giuen much vnto idolatry and superstition, did credite vaine and foolish visions, which oftentimes by suggestion of deuils and by fonde fantasies conceaued, did leade their liues by perswasion of spirites, either in attemptyng any thing, or in auoyding any thing: for Suetonius doth write, that when Iulius Caesar stayed in a maze at the riuer Rubico in Italy,Triton ap­peared vnto Caesar. with waueryng mind, musing what were best, to passe the water or no, there appeared a comely tall man, piping on a Réede, vnto whome the souldiours of Caesar flocked about to heare him, and specially the trumpetters, of whom hée sodainely snatched one of their trumpettes, and leapt foorthwith into the riuer Rubico, and straight sounded out with a lustie blast a larum, wherewith Caesar was mooued and sayde, good lucke mates, let vs go where the Goddes doe warne vs.Plutarch in the life of Brutus It is written in Plutarch, where Brutus was determined to transport his armie out of Asia vnto Europe, being in his tent about midnight, he saw a terrible monster standing fast by him, without anye wordes, wherewith he being sore afrayde, ven­tured bouldelye and demaunded of hym what hée was, vnto whome he aunswered and sayde: I am thy euill ghost, which at Philippos thou shalt sée againe: where when Brutus came, being vanquished by Au­gustus Caesar, Brutus slue him [...]selfe Cassius slue him selfe. remembring the wordes of his forséene vision, to auoyde the hands of his enimies slue himselfe to verifie the same. The like happened vnto C. Cassius, which by the like sight was enforced to kill himselfe, for he was warned that the murther of Caesar shoulde bée reuenged by Augustus his Nephew. Sightes were so séene amongst the Gentiles, and so feared and estée­med, that all the actions of their liues were thereby or­dered. Tacitus as Fla. Vapiscus reporteth when it was tolde him that his fathers gr [...]e opened of it selfe,Tacitus ma­keth himselfe redy to die by the sight of his mother. Pertinax. [Page] and seing as he thought his mother appering vnto him as though she had bene aliue, knew well that he should shortly after die, & made himselfe redy thervnto. There appeared vnto one Pertinax as I. Capitolinꝰ ▪ reporteth, thrée dayes before hée was slaine by a thrust, a certen shadow in one of his fishepondes, with a naked sword in hand, thretning to kill him. Neyther may we so little estéeme the authoritie of graue and learned men in di­uers of their assertions concerning sightes and visions, though diuers fables be aleaged & aduouched for truth, with simple and ignorant men. We reade in the sacred scriptures diuers sights séene, diuers visions appearing and sundrie voyces hearde. Wée reade that King Bal­thasar, being in his princely banquettes,Balthasar savv a hand vvriting in a vvall. sawe a hande writing vpon the wall ouer against where he sat at ta­ble, what his ende shoulde be. It is reade in the thirde chapter of the seconde of the Machabes, that a horse ap­peared vnto Heliodorus, Heliodo­rus savv a horseman thretning him. which was seruaunt vnto Se­loucus king of Assyria, as hée was about to destroye the temple at Ierusalem: and vpon the horse séemed to bée a terrible man, which made towards him to ouercome hym, and on eche side of him were two young men of excellent beautie, which with whippes scourged Helio­dorus. The like appeared vnto Machabeus, a horseman in shining armoure all of golde, shaking his speare, to signifie the famous victorye that Macabeus shoulde ob­tain. Many such like visions in scriptures we reade of, but lette vs returne vnto the Athenians, Athenians. who thought when Miltiades addressed his people against ye Perseans, hearing terrible noyse, with sight of certen spirites be­fore the battayle, to haue victorie ouer the Perseans, iud­ging those sightes and visions to be the shadowe of Par. Likewise the Lacedemonians before they were vanqui­shed in the battayle at Leuctris, Lacede­monians. their armour mooued, and made excéeding great noyse in the Temple of Hector, so that at that time the doores of the Tem­ple [Page 99] of Hercules being faste shutte with barres, ope­ned sodaynely of theyr owne accorde: and the armour which hong fastened on the wall, were founde lying vppon the grounde. Plini writeth in the warres of the Danes, and Appianus affirmeth in the warres at Rome, what signes and woonders, what miserable cryes of men, clashing of armour, & running of horses were harde, in so much that the same day that Caesar fought this battayle with Cn. Pompeius, the crye of ar­mie, the sounde of trumpets were hearde at Antioch in Syria: but I wyll omit to speake of such things, and take in hande to entreate of spirites, which were both séene and hearde of wise and learned men, and of visi­ons supposed of the wisest to be the soules of dead men: for Plutarch writeth in the life of Theseus, Theseus appeared after death. that diuers and sundry men which were in the battayle of Mara­thonia against the Medians, affirmed that they saw the soule of Theseus armed before the host of Gréekes, as chéefe generall and captaine, running and setting on the barbarous Medians, which the Athenias afterward for that cause onely honoured him as a God. It is re­ported by historiographers that Castor and Pollux haue béene séene often in battayles after death,Castor and Pollux appe [...]ared after death. ridyng on white Horses, and fightyng against their enemies in campe: in so much Plutarch testifieth that they were séene of manye in the battayle againste Torquinius. Hector besought Achilles after hée was slaine by him,Hector ap­peared after death. not to throw his carkasse to bée deuoured of dogges, but rather to deliuer his body to bée buried vnto his olde fa­ther Priamus and his mother Hecuba: Euen so King Patroclus appearing in like maner after death vnto A­chilles, Patroclus. desired him to bestow vpon his body all funeral solemnities.Palinurus. Deiphobus. Virgil testifieth how Palinurus and Dei­phobus appeared vnto Aeneas: the one being his ship­man, the other his brother in law. There wandryng ghostes neuer ceassed vntyll suche exequies were done [Page] vnto them as Aeneas had promised. It is thought that the Witch Phetonissa of Endor, Phetonissa supposed to rayse the soule of Samuell. raised the soule of Sa­muel at the commaundement of King Saul, to foreshew the successe and ende of the battayle of the Philistines. It is read in Lucan the Poet, of a Witch named Eri­ctho dwelling in Thessalia, that reuiued and restored to life a late souldiour dead, at the request of Sextus Pom­peius, to know the ende of the warres at Pharsalia. One History I must repeat, which Plutarch reciteth in the life of Cimon that one Pausanias after hée had taken the Citie of Bizance, being in loue with a fayre damosell named Cleonices, a mayde of noble parentage, he com­maundyng her father whiche durst not resist him, to sende his daughter vnto him to vse at his pleasure: which when the mayde came, hée being fast a sléepe in his bed, the Uirgin being shamefast and fearefull, put­ting out the candle, commyng in the darcke towarde Pausanias, stumbled at the stoole, which with the fall, sodenly waked Pausanias from sléepe, thinking some foe or mortall enemie of his to bée there, hauing his sword harde by, slue the Uirgine: but she being so slaine, woulde neuer after suffer Pausanias to take any quiet rest,Pausanias. but appearing vnto him alwayes, saying: Recom­pence the iniurie and wrong thou diddest vnto me, by equity and iustice, folowing him as he fled, from place to place, from Bizance vnto Thracia, from Thracia a­gaine vnto Heraclea, from Heraclea vnto Sparta, where he famished for hunger. Matthaewe in his seuentéene Chapt. beareth recorde that Moyses and Elias after they were dead many hundred yeres before Christes incar­nation, yet appeared bodyly and ghostly in mount Ta­bor vnto Christe, where they spake and communed with our Lorde and Sauiour. The soule of Lazarus did not onely appeare as Iohn saith in his second chap. but came againe both body and soule in a true token of our sure resurrection: but as the appearing of those [Page 100] sightes at Gods appointment were most true, so it is most horrible to geue credite that the soules of men af­ter death, do either by visions or by bodyly apparaunce, but the deuyll is well beaten in experience of thinges, & knoweth best how he may deceaue the wisest some­time, for he is subtill and crafty. If the Mariner know when stormes and tempest arise? if the Phisition iudge of one by the Urine, the state & daunger of the patient? if the skilfull Astronomer can many yeres before ex­actly foretel the Eclipse of the Sunne & moone? if in fine the practized souldiour knoweth straight where the vic­tory shall happen? No maruaile it is that the deuill an olde souldiour can forshew things to come: And make thinges apparant of nothing.Theodori­cus vvas ouer co [...]py a [...] What made Theodoricus to espie the terible and threatning countenance of Sym­machus, which hée slue before in a fishes heade being brought before him on the table at supper, at the which sight he fell for feare in a grieuous sickenesse, and so di­ed? the Diuell.Bessus vvas betraied by Svvallovv [...] ▪ What caused one Bessus of whome Plu­tarch maketh mention in his booke de sera muminis vin­dicta, after that he had kild his owne father, and a long while hyding himselfe as a murtherer, at last being by the Deuill mooued to throw downe a swallowes neast with his speare, and killing the young swallowes, hée was of the company about him misliked for his cruel­nesse vnto poore birdes, and taunted of his companions for his tyranny therein: but he aunswered and excused himsefe, saying: why shoulde I not kill those that accu­sed me of my fathers death, and cryed out vppon me a long while that I shoulde kill my father? They which were present being amazed at his taulke, toulde the king thereof, which caused him to be apprehended and examined by that euidence, he confessed the murther. These are the driftes of diuelles, the shiftes of Satan at all times, and in all countries. Paulina the chast wife of Saturnius a Romane, was of such excellent beautie, [Page] of such noble parentage, and of such godlye life, that when Decius Mundus, Paulina. Mundus. a young knight of Rome, who being so enamored with hir beautie, with diuers com­passions a long time to none effect: for neyther golde nor treasure coulde alure this sober and chast Paulina to consent to sinne: he perceauing how shée was bent to temperancye, and to renounce all filthy lust, gaue him selfe willing to die, in the meane time the deuill practised a feat with Ide, a mayde which dwelt in house with Mundus father, to bring this purpose to passe: this mayde knowing well the constancie and honest life of Paulina, and how religious shée was to serue the God­desse Isis, inuented this fraude: shée went and talkt with some of Isis Priestes, opening the whole matter in secret vnto them, promising a great rewarde to faine that their God Anubis had sent for Paulina to lie and to accomplishe loue with him: This being done by the el­der Priestes, hir husbande Saturnius was verye ioyfull that the great God Anubis had vouchsafed to sende for his wife, shee being as glad, boasted and bragged of the same amongest her neighbours vnto the temple of Isis where likewise Anubis was worshipped, Paulina was sent by hir husbande very braue and gorgeous, where the young and lustie knight Mundus by the aduice of the Priestes hidde himselfe vntill Paulina came, which embrasing hir in the darcke accompanied with hir till hee had satisfied lust all the night. Then in the morning the matter being knowne, she rent hir heares and clo­thes, and tolde hir husband Saturnius how shée was delt withall: hir husbande then declareth the whole matter vnto the Emperor Tiberiꝰ, who hauing through know­ledge by diligent examination, did hang the Priestes & the mother of ye mischiefe Ide, cōmaunded the ymage of Isis to be [...]unke in the riuer of Tiber, and banished Mundus out of Rome, so that vnder the couler and pre­tence of holinesse, diuers Matrones and maydes were [Page 101] de [...]owred mens wiues and daughters, as Ruffinus te­stifieth of a certaine Priest in Alexandria in Egypt na­med Tirannus, Tyrannus. who vsed such shiftes, and practised such feats to haue his desire accomplished, & his lust satisfied, with such women and maidens as he thought good, say­ing, that the great God Saturne whose Priest he was, sent for them to come vnto the temple to Saturnus, and there vntill his wickednesse was knowne he vsed vn­der pretence of the great Saturne which was honoured in that Citie, his filthy lust & horible life. Wée read the like almost of Numa Pompilius, that he bare the people of Rome in hand,Num [...] Pompilius. that he had familiar company with ye Goddesse Aegeria, bicause he might purchase ye more credite & auctority vnto his lawes & orders. These are the workes and shiftes of wicked men, which deceaued alwayes the rude people with vaine religion and su­perstitious holinesse, which the deuyll the father of lyes did bewitch and allure them to beléeue fantasticall vi­sions to be the soules of dead men, the deuyls appea­ring them selues like men, letting them to vnderstand that they were the soules of such men as they appea­red like vnto:Romulus a God after death. as Romulus the first King and founder of Rome, appeared after his death, walkyng vp and downe by Atticus house vnto Iulius proculus, charging him to erect him vp a Temple in that place where hée walked,Cicero lib. 1 de legibus. Remus ca­nonized a God. saying that hée was now a god, and that his name was Quirinus. Remus likewise king Romulus his brother, appearing vnto Faustulus and to his wife. Laurentia somtime his nource, complayning of his mi­serable death, desiring them to make labour that the same day wherin hée was slaine, might bée accompted amongst their Holydayes, for that hée was canonized amongst the goddes. Wée reade in Lucan how that the soules of Silla and Marius, Silla and Marius seene af­ter death. two famous and renowmed Romanes were alwayes walking and appearing vnto men before they were purged by sacrifice: for the de­uyls [Page] made the people beléeue when the bodies shoulde bée buryed with all funerall due therevnto belonging, the soules shoulde haue rest to practise superstition a­mongst them, as you hearde a little before. What complaint made Hector and King Patroclus vnto A­chilles? What request made Palinurus and Deiphobus vnto Aneas, which Homer and Vergil write of, for the buriall of their bodies. Suetonius writyng of the liues of Emperours,Caligula. sheweth how Caligula sometime Em­perour in Rome, after he was dead, being halfe burned and buried, for that hée wanted due solempnity of bu­riall, appeared in the Gardens of Rome called Lauriani to the kéepers, troublyng and molestyng them very much, vntyll his sisters caused him to be taken vp, and commaunded he shoulde bée throughly burned, and so­lemnly buried. There was in Athens by report an ex­cellent faire house to sale, for that no man durst dwell within it, for about midnight continuallye there was hearde sounde, noyse, clashing of armour, and clatte­ring of chaines, and there appeared an image or shape like an olde man, leane and lothsome to beholde, with a long bearde, staring heares, and feattered legges. This house hauyng a péece of paper vppon the doore, written of the sale therof, for that no man woulde ven­ture to dwell. Athenodorus a Philosopher returnyng from Rome, where hée aboode a long time with the Emperour Augustus Caesar vnto Athens, and reading the writing vpon the doore, hée hired the house, and com­maunded his seruaunt to make his bed in the highest chaumber in the house, where hée setleth him selfe to marke and beholde things that woulde happen: being thus in study, first hée hearde the sounde and ratling of chaines, and then hée an olde man begging towarde him to folow, the Philosopher went after him with his candle in his hande into an inner court, where the image left him alone and vanished. Athenodorus t [...]e [Page 102] next morning caused the rulers of the Citie to digge vp that place, where they founde diuers bones of dead men, these were commaunded by the Philosopher to bee burned solemnly, which afterwarde was quiet and styll without either noyse or sight. Thus the deuyll soweth the séede of supersticion, and maketh often­times his aungels to worke miracles. What straunge workes did that coniurer Bileam bring to passe by the meanes of deuyls? What woonders wrought that wicked Appolonius by the helpe of Satan? What mar­uayles, showes, and sightes did Simon Magus vse by the industry of false spirites? What did not Pharoes sorcerers oftentimes attempt by perswasion of deuils? marke their ende, and iudge of their life: the one brea­king his necke, the other drowned in the red Sea, and so the rest ended their liues miserably. To many haue béene, and I feare are yet, that geue credite vnto such vaine illusions and phantasticall sightes.

¶ Of dreames and warnings.

AMongst the Gentiles drea­mes were so obserued,Bruso. lib. 6 Cap. 8. that the vaine superstition noting of the same, was the whole trust and hope of their coun­tries, friendes and liues, that when the kings of India take theyr rest, they are brought to bead with all kinde of me­lodie and harmonie euerye man knéeling vpon his knées, beséeching Morpheus the God of sléepe, to reueale those thinges vnto their King, that shoulde be commodious and profitable vnto the subiectes. They thought themselues well instructed when eyther by Oracles they were perswaded,Pirrhus. or else by visions suggested. King Pirrhus knewe well that hys dying daye was at hande,Plutarch. lib. 27 when hée besieged the Citie of Argos, and sawe in the market place a brasen Woolfe, and a Bull, which the Argyues for memory of thinges past, and auncient monumentes had put vp, for he by an Oracle had to vnderstande, at what time he shoulde sée a Bull and a Woolfe fighting togither, hée shoulde then prepare himselfe to die.Alexander. Alexander the great after that the Oracle of Iupiter Ammonius was pronounced that hée shoulde be vnconquered, hée doub­ted not but to subdue the whole worlde, and so trusted more vnto the Oracle of Iupiter, than he mistrusted the mutability of Fortune, tooke vpon him the conquest of all the world, attempting nothing at al without some Oracle or dreame hadde warned him therevnto, for before the great conquerour Alexander had séene Her­cules in his sléepe, reaching out of the wall his hand pro­mising hym his ayde and helpe in his warres: hée had [Page 103] not so boldely attempted so hye an enterprise without feare and dreade of his enimies.Hannibal. Unto Hanibal after long perturbation of minde, with great industrie and studie how he might annoye and destroye the Romane Empire, appeared a young man of woonderfull beaw­tie, who warned him that Iupiter sent him as a Capi­taine before Hanibal into Italy, whereby straight hée was encouraged the rather to take the charge in hande, hoping thereby to enioye triumphant victorie ouer hys enimies.Caesar. Caesar that mightie Prince and Monarch, and the first Emperour that euer possessed Rome, thought in his sléepe that hée committed fornication with his mother, which when it was opened by Southsayers, that it was the earth that was his mother, and that hée shoulde suppresse all the Princes of the earth vnder him euen as he thought in his sléepe of hys mother, he was hée was enflamed thereby to rayse warres, and most cruelly allured to murther, eyther perswading himselfe to be subiect vnto all men, or else a conquerer ouer all the worlde. After that noble and renowmed Gréeke Themistocles was exiled from Athens, Themisto­cles. and banished quite the confines of Gréece, hauing doone such seruice and honour vnto his countrie, as Plutarch worthilye mentioneth for the subduing of prowde Zerxes king of Persea, the great enimie of all Gréece, béeing in great perill and daunger of life in straunge countrie, hée sée­med to sée in his sléepe a Dragon creaping vpward from his belly towarde his face, which assone as the Dragon touched his face, he was chaunged as he thought vnto an Eagle, and caried by the Eagle a great way tho­rough the ayre vnto a strange countrie, where the Ea­gle gaue him a goldē staffe in hand & so left him: wher­by streight he was enformed that he was not onely de­liuered from all daungers, but also shoulde be sought for of all Gréece, to the encrease of fame, and augmen­tation of honour.Brutus. Brutus cleane contrarie after much [Page] good successe and prosperous fortune, after he murthe­red Caesar, at length he was in his slepe by a vision war­ned to make himselfe readie to die at Philippos, where hée was enforced in the wars betwéene Augustus Cae­sar and him, to kill himselfe. Thus▪ were they alured and entised by shifting dreames, to order and rule all their dooings, for as the Poet Aeneus sayth: what they studied and pondered in the daye time, the same drea­med they in night time. Dreames mooued them vnto tyranny,L. Silla. for L. Silla, the firebrande of Italy his owne countrey, was warned in sléepe by Bellona the goddesse of warres, to murther, kill and destroye, all that euer hée might finde in his waye, giuing him in his hande, fire, in token he shoulde burne and ouercome Rome and Italy. Eumenes. Likewise Eumanes King of the Lacedemo­nians, hauing warres with Antipater King of Macedo­nia, was fully perswaded by a dreame to obtaine victo­ry: for hée dreamed that two Alexanders were with great host and armie of men readie in fielde to fight, the one hauing the goddesse Minerua as a leader, the o­ther hauing the goddesse Ceres as their Capitaine, which after long conflictes and much murther of both parties, hée thought that the souldiours of Ceres had the victory, and that they were crowned with the eares of corne in the honor of Ceres, which is the goddesse of corne: and bicause the countrie of Lacedemonia was more fertill than Mocedonia, the wise sages opened the dreame, & said that Eumenes should haue the victory ouer Macedo­nia. Besides these dreames, they had a kind of credite in Fowles of the ayre, in beastes of the fielde, in winde and weather, and in diuers other things, where sooth­saying, oracles and consultations were had. When Zerxes the great king of Persea with so many miriades of men had purposed and decréed with him selfe to de­stroy all Gréece,Zerxes. vntyll a Mare, a stout and a proude beast had brought foorth a Hare, the fearefullest thing [Page 104] out, whereby it presaged the flight of Zerxes from Greece with shame and reproche. And afterwarde pur­posing againe before hée woulde lay siege vnto Athens to destroy Sparta and all the countrey of Lacedemon, a straunge warning hapned vnto this Prince at supper: for his wine before his face, was conuerted vnto blood as it was filled in the Cuppes, not once, but twise or thrise: Whereat hée being amazed, consulted with wise men, of whom hée was then admonished to for­sake his first entent, and to geue ouer the enterprise which hée tooke in hande against the Gréekes.Midas. Midas being yet in his cradle, the Antes were séene to carye greynes and victuals to féede him withall: whose pa­rentes being desirous to know the effect therof, were certified by the soothsayers that hée should bée the weal­thiest and richest man in all the worlde: hée shoulde bée the most monyed Prince that euer shoulde raigne in India. Plato. Plato that noble and diuine Philosopher, while hée was an infant in lyke sort in his cradle, the Bées with hony fed his sugred and swéete lippes, signifiyng the eloquence and learning in time to come of Plato. They were not Bées of mount Himettum, where ho­nye (as writers thinke) was first founde: but rather of Helicon, where the Muses and Ladyes of learnyng de­lighted to dwell. This was that Plato of whom his maister Socrates before hée knew him, dreamed of, that hée helde fast in his hande a young Swanne, which fledde from him away, and mounted the Skies, whose swéete voyce and songes as a woonderfull melody and harmony replenished the whole Skies. They thought it a sufficient admonition to sée any thing happen be­twéene birdes or beastes, as a sure and certaine shewe of their owne fortune to come.Brutus. M. Brutus when he was in campe against Caesar and Antonius, and sawe two Eagles fighting togither: the one comming from Cae­sars tent, the other from his owne: Hée knewe well [Page] when his Eagle tooke flight and was vanquished, that he should loose the victorie. Cicero vnderstanding well ynough his death to be at hand when the Rauen heald him fast by the hem of his gowne, and made a noyse and euer pluckt at hym, vntill the souldiers of M. An­tonius came vnto the very place, where he at that time was beheaded by Herennius and Popilius. For in the night before Cicero dreamed, being banished from Rome, that he wandred diuers straunge countries, where Caius Marius a noble Romaine as he thought mette him, demaunding of Cicero why and what was the cause of his sadde countenaunce, and wherfore he trauailed such straunge countries: the cause being knowne vnto Marius, hée tooke him fast by the right hande and brought him to the next officer where hée thought in his sléepe hée should haue died. So that Zerx­es by a Hare hadde warning: King Mydas was by Antes admonished: Plato by Bées: Brutus by an Ea­gle: Cicero by a Rauen: Themistocles by an Owle of death. Pericles by the head of a Ramme was fully per­swaded & taught by the soothsayers, that hée should win the people of Athens from Thucidides, with whome then he was in controuersie.Agamem­non. And was not Agamem­non and his brother Menelaus with all the Princes of Gréece, certefied by the Dragon that climmed a trée where hée slue a shée Sparrowe, and eyght young ones beside, signifiying that they shoulde be nine yeares in wars with the Troyans,, and that the tenth they should destroye and quite vanquish Ihon. Caesar. And was not Iulius Caesar admonished of his wife Calphurnia by a dreame that if he woulde vnto the Senate that daye hée should dye?Alexander. And was not that mightie Monarch Alexander warned by a vision to take more regarde vnto hys life then he did, & to take héede of Antipater, who afterward poysoned him.Alcipiades. And was not Alcibiades that noble Gréeke certified by a dreame of his miserable death, [Page 105] howe he and his hoore Timandra might diuers times sée before what after folowed if they had had so great a desire in folowing good things, as they were bent and prone to séeke euyll. Such prodigious sightes, such straunge miracles were séene, that might well allure them to more perfect life. The Sunne, the Moone, the starres, and all the hostes of heauen wrought great miracles to reduce Princes from euill enterprises and to giue warning vnto others to auoyde the tyranny of wicked Princes: For the heauens appeared blouddy at that time when Philip king of Macedonia, Philip. Au Caesar. Plutarch. lib. 38. with tiranny inuaded Gréece. At what time Augustus Caesar after his vncle Iulius was murthered, [...]ame vnto Rome as the second Emperor, there were séene starers wande­ring about the circle of the Sunne, great lightnings, & strange impressiōs, like men fighting in the skies, yea and birdes fell downe deade in the Citty of Rome, and Liuius writeth that an Oxe spake vnder plowgh these woordes vnto the plowman, that not only corne should want▪ but also men should perish, and therefore said the Oxe thou [...]egest me in vaine to trauell, and his horse abstayned from foode.Nero. When that wicked tyraunt Ne­ro began his Empire in Rome, trées, pastures, me­dowes, and certen grounde about the Citie (a straunge miracle) altered places, and chaunged seates one with an other, the grounde moouing from one place vnto an other: Euen so it happened at the exilement of King Dionisius, Dionisius. after much tirannye and bloodsheding when hée was banished from his kingdome, the salt Sea the same day that he was driuen from Corinth altered his saltenesse vnto swéetenesse. These two tyrauntes Ne­ro and Dionisius, the one comming vnto his Empire what woonders the earth it selfe shewed: the other de­parting from his kingdome, what miracles the Sea shewed. When Darius besieged the Citie of Babilon, Darius. a voyce was heard out of the strong walles of Semiramis, [Page] that Babilon shoulde be conquered at what time a M [...]le shoulde engender, at the which the souldiours of Darius were discomfited, vntill Zopyrus Mule accomplished the forshewed Oracle. Likewise when Pompeius was vanquished of Caesar, a gréene bowe grewe in the tem­ple of victorie vnder the ymage of Caesar, and Hiues of Bées darckened the ancient of Pompeius, foreshew­ing hée shoulde be subdued at Pharsalica. The cittie of Rome had these warnings a little before the first ciuill warres, there were séene fire shining sodainely about men, Spiders, Mise and Wormes consumed the golde and substaunce of their Temples, Rauons deuoured and did eate their young ones, the noyse and sounde of trumpettes were hearde in the ayre, with such other te­rible warnings as might well mooue amendement. Againe before the seconde warres of Carthage an Oxe spake, and sayde: Rome take héede of thy selfe. It is noted likewise when Torquiniꝰ the last king of the Ro­manes was driuen awaye from Rome, and banished the kingdome, that a dogge then spake, and a Serpent barked. To many are of these to be reade if wée reade histories, for signes and tokens were séene and marked in the heauens, according vnto the natures and doings of Princes,Tiberius. for when Tiberius came vnto the Empire of Rome, there happened such great earthquakes that twelue famous Citties of Asia fell prostrate vnto the grounde, two mountaines mooued, ranne, and fought togither in a place by Rome called Mutinenses fielde, in the time of L. Martius, and Sextus Iulius Consulshippe. It is written that in the Citie called Sagunthus before it was conquered by Hanniball, Hanibal. a childe borne, entered againe vnto his mothers wombe. And in Plini, Clepi­dus beareth witnesse, that trées spake: and though it séeme fabulus vnto diuers, that enuie things by nature shoulde speake, yet wée sée the tryall of this cleane con­trary to sette foorth the woonderfull workes of GOD, [Page 106] whereby he might the more be magnified by these his creatures: for we reade in the sacred scriptures, that an Asse spake, whereby the more credite may be gyuen vnto Plutarch, Pini, and Liui, which mention that dogs, trées, Oxen, Serpentes, and other creatures of God dyd speake for a woonder and warning aswell of things to come, as thinges past. For before the famous Citie of Ierusalem was destroyed by Vespasian the Empe­rour,Vaspasi­anus. there appeared a starre in maner of a sworde in the skie, there were likewise séene Chariettes running vp and downe the skies, and men in harnesse fighting in the clowdes right ouer the Cittie. Diuers woonders by nature wrought, which for the rarenesse thereof are worthy to be noted:Agrippa. as Caecilius Agrippa, the first daye that he was borne of his mother, hée went a [...]oote with­out helpe.zoroastres. Likewise Zoroastres, where all children cry at their birth, he the selfe same daye laught. It was straunge that Telephus the sonne of Hercules was nou­rished of a Harte.Telephus. Romulus the first king of Rome fo­stered vp of a Woolfe.Romulus. Cirus. Alexander. Cirus the first King of the Per­seans brought vp by a Bitch. Alexander and king Pria­mus of a beare.Iupiter. Iupiter of a Goate. Midas of Antes. And Plato of Bées, and so diuers other: But certayne more straunge it was that little beastes, yea small crée­ping wormes shoulde be able to vanquishe and destroy famous Citties and countries, as in Spaine a Cittie was ouerwhelmed by Coneyes. In Fraunce a Citie destroyed by Frogs. In Thessalia a Cittie ouerthrowne of Mouldewarys. In Affrica a Cittie spoyled of Lo­custes. Gyara an ile of twelue miles cōquered of Mise, and Abdera a Citie in Thracia of Mice likewise, and Amyclas of Serpents. Peraduenture these séeme scant credible vnto diuers readers, the learned may reade the same in the eight bookes of Plini, and twentie and ninth chap. where he may bée satisfied. The workes of nature were so woonderfull in all places, at all times, [Page] that learned writers for memory of the same, diuers where recite the effect thereof.Ammonius. It is written that Am­monius the Philosopher had an Asse frequenting his schoole with Porphirius to heare his lectures. In the Isle called Cos, in the grounde of a certen tyraunt named Nicippus, Nicippus. a Shéepe brought foorth a Lyon in stéede of a Lambe. Plini doth witnesse that he saw in a Cittie of Affrica, a man chaunged vnto a woman in the same day hée was maryed,Cossicius. whose name was Cossicius, a citizen of Tisdria. Pontanus and diuers aucthours af­firme that Tiresias the Theban, Tiresias. Ceneus. Iphis. Ceneus and Iphis were chaunged from men vnto women, from males vnto females by alteration of kinde. Againe, some thinke that as Anaxogoras neuer laught,Anaxogoras Zenophātus L. Pom­ponius. Antonia. Zenophantes neuer wept: thinges woonderfull and straunge vnto nature. And as L. Pomponius neuer helcht, so Antonia neuer spit. There was a Poet sometime dwelling in Cous, of such small growing and slender body, that leade was put in the sole of his Shoes, lest the winde should beare him from the grounde, and blowe him vnto the ayre. And as hée was small and light of substaunce by na­ture: so by the selfe same nature was founde in a cer­ten hyll of Créete, the body of Orion, which was fourtie and sixe cubites in length. What Albertus Magnus wrote of the woonders and secretes of nature, I wyll omit: better it is I suppose to bée ignoraunt in some things, then to be skilful in all things. He saith amongst other things, that there was a woman in Germany that had thréescore sonnes, fiue euery time at a bur­then: and there was another woman named Agrip­pina, in Colonia, that did neither eate nor drinke for the space of thirty dayes. Besides these, there was a man named Philinus, that neuer ate nor dranke all the dayes of his life but mylke onely. Cicero saith that all the Iliades of Homer was written and placed with­in the shell of a Nut. Plini reporteth that there was an [Page 107] hearbe called Acheminis, if it coulde or were throwne amongst the enimies, they straight woulde take their flight thervpon.Mermecides Mermecides made a Wagon so artifi­cially and so small, that a Flée might couer it with her wing. Strabo did sée so well that he coulde sée the ships that departed from Carthage from a promutory in Ci­cilia, which was aboue a hundred & thirtie miles. Cor­nelius Agrippa in his first booke of hidden Philosophie, writeth a historie of one Cippus King in Italy, who be­ing in sléepe, dreamed of Bulles fighting all night, that in the mornyng he had two hornes growyng in his head. The learned holde opinion, that imagination and vapours of dreames may alter thinges into some kinde of other substaunce, as Caieta and Aenulia, two maried women, became men, and that Medea by a dreame waxed so whot in loue with Iason: and so ima­gination by operation of naturall vapours dooe effect things woonderfully: as some do by sight assure them selues most certaine, and some by coniectures af [...]irme things to be true, but because imagination is a thing that néedeth at large to be spoken of, considering howe diuersly it worketh in diuers men, I wyll in another place speake of it.

¶ Of the beginning of Mariages, and the sundry vse of the same.

AFter that God had made the worlde in full perfection, and so beautiful that the Gréekes did call it Cosmos: which is, faire, framing all things for the vse of man, aswell the world, as also all that mooue or growe in the worlde: hée then made a woman whiche shoulde be likewise a further solace vnto man. And where he made the worlde, and all liuyng creatures beside in seuerall and sundry pro­portions, yet hée framed man like him selfe to beholde the heauens, to measure the elementes, and to rule the very Globes, and to this ende hée might multiplye the worlde, saying vnto Adam after hée blessed all thinges on earth: Go and multiplie. This multiplication and the vse thereof was so diuers, that diuers countreys had sundry orders, aswell in single life, as in matri­monie. And as concerning antiquitie of mariage, wée reade in Trogus that noble Historian, that Cecrops the first King of Athens before the time of Deucalion, to haue first framed & appointed Matrimonie in Gréece: But such was their orders in diuers places, such was their libertie in Matrimonie,Aegiptians. Indians. Thracians. that the Egyptians, the Indians, and the Thracians might marry as many as they woulde, according vnto the abilitie of the man: some tenne, some twelue, some more, some lesse. A­gaine, the Scithians, Scithians. Perseans. Barbarians. Massagets. the Perseans and all Barbarie, there marriages and wiues were common one for another like brute beastes. The Massagetes had this law, that it was not to be suffered that any of their countrey should [Page 108] marry but one wife, but it was lawfull for any man to take another mans wife, and to make an exchange, for so were their wiues common vnto all, but marryed vnto one.Libians. In Libia the people called Augylas, and the people called Nasamones, had this order in their Matri­monies, that ye Bride the first night after she was mar­ryed, shoulde lie with euery ghest before she shoulde go to bed with her owne husbande.Arabians. The Arabians lawe was, that one women was marryed vnto all her kins­men, and at all times lawfull for any of her kinne to chalenge and claime her as his wife, vsing this policie, to leaue a staffe at the chamber doore to geue to vnder­stande that one was in bed with her: And when the staffe was not there, then they knew that no body was within: in so much if any were founde of another kin­rede, it was adulterie, and by law hée shoulde dye. Po­lidor reciteth a historye for the purpose to bée noted, that there was a Kinges daughter of great beautie, which had fiftéene tall men vnto her brethren, with whom seuerally often times she did accompay, and be­yng almost weryed, desirous to take some rest, for she was so faire, and they were so many that alwayes she had company: she vsed this policie, to make a staffe much like vnto the chamber staffe, which was as it were a Porter appointed. And vpon a time after that one of her brethren had left her in the chaumber, and was gone out, she straight layed the staffe at the doore, thinkyng thereby somewhat to ease her selfe, and to rest from venery: but one of her breth [...]n came from the market, where hée left the rest of his brethren toge­ther, and when hée sawe the staffe at the doore, went straight vnto his father, and accused his sister of adul­terie, saying that all his brethren were in the market, and that there was a fornicator with his sister: but the matter being knowne, hée was punished of his father for that hée slaundered his [...]ister. The like libertie in [Page] matrimony was sometime amongst the Meedes, and with the people called Magi,Meedes. Magi. Antropo­phagi. Ethiopians. Arabians.Anthropophagi, and with diuers others. Some of Ethiopia, and some of Arabia, that maried their owne mothers and Sisters. Thus people diuers where did leade their liues, and doe leade their liues so horriblye and filthyly, that better it were not to know it, than to know it: but though it be a play and a sporte vnto the vngodlye and wicked, yet it is a horror and ougly monster vnto the godly and wise: For to know all thinges profiteth the good. Herodot in his fourth booke doth make mention of certen inhabitants called Poeni, Poeni. approching the confines of Egypt, whose order and lawe of matrimonie was, that the King of that countrie should haue the first taste of the Bride be­fore hir husbande: this order was once obserued of the auncient Scottes, that the Lorde of the soyle shoulde haue the virginitie of the maried woman.Scottes. Assirians. Babilonians The Assy­rian: and Babilonians, did sometime marye those that hyred their bodies vnto all men. The people called Centabri gaue money as a dowrie with theyr wiues vnto other men.Lidians. Ciprians. The Lidians and the Ciprians, theyr daughters might not marye vntill they had gayned by the hier of their bodyes as much as shoulde paye their dowrie. In the meane time did they go from Citie to Cittie, from towne to towne, gyuing them selues an offer vnto euery man vpon the high waye: and when they hadde gayned sufficientlye for their dowrie, then might they mary and not before. And thus sundrie or­ders and seuerall lawes in maintayning the same. Some againe leading a swinishe life without women, as Esseni, which Plini affirmeth that they lyue most sober and chaste without women all theyr life tyme. And certen people of Thracia called Ctistae, which like­wise auoyded the company of women.Rome. The Romanes after Rome was builded fiue hundreth yeares and and more, kept matrimonie inuiolated, vntill Spurinus [Page 109] a noble Roman for that his wife was barren had dy­uorcement in that time that Pomponiꝰ & Papiriꝰ were Consulles in Rome, that was the first diuorcement in Rome. Moyses perceyuing the Iewes muche to bée gy­uen vnto extreame seuerall vices, some vnto couetous­nesse some vnto lechery, that for reformation of dome­sticall quietnesse, for that the Iewes were so desirous of other women eyther for beawtie or for wealth, their owne they punished and plagued vnto death,Moises. they had a diuorcement of Moyses to mitigat the furye and hard­nesse of their harts rather to auoyde the tyranny of the Iewes which they vsed towards their wyues by suffe­raunce then by commaundement. For as the world in most places was too wicked concernyng the libertie of Matrimonie: so were they in diuers countreys very straite concerning mariages, in so much the Ethnikes obserued that sentence of Catullus the Poet,Catullus. that vir­ginitie ought to bée ruled by the parentes, sith one part is the father, the seconde is the mother, and the thirde and last is in the childe. The solemnitie in matrimonie in diuers places imported vnto vs wise morals, and did as it were presage a duetie and an obedience vnto things, as both Plutarch and Plini write of the Veneti­ans, that when a mariage was solemnized in Venice, the Bride after that day bringeth her distaffe and her spin­dle, and Flaxe redie, as one after that day neuer to bée idle, but occupied alwayes in the affaires of her house. The Gréekes and the Romanes also had this custome, they girded the loynes of their daughters alwaies vntil the day of their maryages, and then that night her hus­bande shoulde loose the knot, and vnbinde that which of long time the Uirgines of Gréece kept fast bonde. A­mongst diuers countreys, where sundry solemnities in matrimonie is vsed, I reade not in any historye so solemne a state, and so worthy ceremonies as wée do sée in Englande, which if you marke in all pointes, you [Page] must néedes confesse that outwarde ceremonies do im­port a great Maiestie and dignitie of Matrimonie. A­gaine, they had lawes in diuers places that none should mary without some reuerence shewed vnto their gods before: as the Athenians suffered no maryage without sacrifice first done vnto Diana. Athens. Rome. In Rome a lawe there was, that she that shoulde bée maryed, shoulde sit in the seate of Faunus before she might sée the Bridegrome her husbande. The like was obserued in Boetia and Locresia, Boetia. Locrecia. that before their youth shoulde marry, they shoulde drinke one vnto another at the alter consecra­ted vnto Euclia. In Hetruria they vsed to kyll a Hogge to sacrifice their gods, and to call vppon Iuno for good successe to come.Lusitania. In Lucitania the Bride goeth to the Church with a distaffe and a spindle in her hande, and one of her kinsmen going before her with a firebrande of Pine trée. In Sparta by the law of Licurgus, the maydes that shoulde mary,Sparta. shoulde shaue the héeres of their heades, and weare mans apparell: and by the same law they were forbidden to geue any substaunce with their daughters, but that loue and good wyl should be the whole cause of mariage. Moreouer, they vsed these ceremonies, to deuide a péece of bread in Mace­donia, and in the most part of Greece for the Bride and Bridegrome to eate before they shoulde bée maryed. The like in Rome in Romulus time was vsed, so that they had water more to their bread then the Gréekes had.Galatia. In Galatia they shoulde drinke first of one Cuppe appointed for that purpose only, and so foorth in diuers countreys they vsed diuers ceremonies,Carmenia. as in Carme­nia no man might mary without he brought the head of some enemie or other to the King, as a proofe of his loue toward his countrey. [...]aeotis. In Maeotis no mayde might mary without she had subuerted one enimie or other of her countrey: but in some countrey they maried not, as Esseni, people much geuen to abstaine aswell from [Page 110] Wine as from women.Socrates. Wherfore Socrates being de­maunded what was best, to mary or no, aunswered: To mary you shall suffer brawling and chiding, to bée single you shall be solitary and comfortlesse. Therefore Pompeiꝰ the great comming amōg the Massagets, Pompeius. who vsed once a wéeke to company their wiues, demaunded the cause thereof, they aunswering saide: bicause wée shoulde not heare their chidings in the daye time, nor their complayntes in the night time. But to ende, lette euery man haue his owne wife, if he cannot liue chaste, for better it is to marry than to burne.

¶ Of likenesse and similitudes.

BYcause comparisons are odi­ous amongst diuers men, yet for that Plini and Plutarch doe vse them chiefely for ne­cessaries, I shall shewe how like diuers princes were one vnto another, not in coun­tenaunce and outwarde pro­portion onely, but in life and conuersation: Also by comparing the auncient Gréekes and the latter Romanes one with another, as most cer­taine the Romanes imitated the Gréekes in all poynts: wée shall sée and perceyue by their actes, doinges, and life, who were most like one vnto an other. And first begin with Romulus the first king of Rome,Romulus. Theseus. how hée in all his dooings imitated that valiaunt Gréeke Theseus, King Aegeus sonne of Athens, that Plutarch in hys first booke declareth that by comparing their liues one with an other, a man may easilie iudge how like in state and fortune they liued: the one hauing occasion to warre [Page] with the Sabins, the other with the Centaures, the one in augmenting the state of Italy and building of Rome, the other in deliuering all Greece from tirannye and bondage: of equall trauell both, and of like state, for then Italy was in Romulus time, as Gréece was in Theseus dayes. The next was in Rome Numa Pom­pilius, which for his pittie vnto the poore,Numa his loue to­warde his countrie, his grauitie and seueritie in lawe making, his zeale and religion to the seruice of theyr temples: In fine for all vertuous doings in all respects like vnto Licurgus that famous lawe maker amongst the Lacedemonians:Licurgus. the care that these two princes had for their friends and countries, cleane contrarie vnto Theseus and Romulus before mentioned. It is set foorth by Plutarch in his fourth booke. Licurgus was not so studious to call the Lacedemonians from vice and sin, But Numa was as carefull to instruct the Romanes in all goodnesse and vertue, so that Rome bare witnesse of Numa, and Sparta of Licurgꝰ, which for their seuerall and sundrie lawes, their vertuous liues and dooings compared by Plutarch, they may wel for their contempt and neglecting the honors and dignities due vnto them, and for care they had eyther of them for their people, be like one vnto an other: and euen as Publicola did not onely imitate Solon in all poyntes, but also translated Solons lawes in Rome, so that one was counted most sage and wise in Gréece, the other thought to be most happie in Rome. So did Numa likewise followe Li­curgus in all doings, imitating his lawes and orders in Rome. What comparison is made betwéene noble Scipio & Haniball, the one defending the state of Rome, the other Carthage, Hanibal. Scipio. and eyther of them in open warre with the other, that to reade their liues and fortunes about the affayres of their countries, what is it else but to sée two noble Capitaines one like vnto an other in magnanimitie and courage, whose fortune after strong [Page 111] and stout seruice towardes their countries was suche that they both were banished Rome & Carthage: And as they in life were most like of Plutarch compared, so did they embrace their death likewise. Euen so was that stoute Gréeke Alcibiades, Alcibiades. Martius Macorio­lanus. Pericles. Fabius Maxcimus. which Thucydedes most worthyly prayseth, and Macorio­lanꝰ that famous Romane compared for the like magnanimity and state of fortune. Pericles that renowmed Gréeke, and Fabius Maximus the Romane, whose doings Athens & Rome did long rule, were likewise noted one to be like an other. Plutarch in his booke intituled the liues of Em­perours, compareth Silla the Romane vnto Lysander king of Sparta:Silla. Lysander. Pompeius. Agesilaus. compareth Sertorius vnto Eumenes, and likewise Pompeius the great, vnto Agesilaus king like­wise of Lacedemonia. If respect be duely had vnto the marshall feates and noble actes of Gréekes and Ro­manes? If their liues, honours, and dignities be waied? If on the contrarie, mishappe, euill fortune, banishe­ment, and such like be considered, we must thinke and iudge truely of Plutarch in comparing these iolly cham­pions and puissant Princes as Alexander the great and Iulius Caesar, Alexander. Caesar. Nicias and Crassus. Demosthe­nes and Cicero. Demetrius and Antonius, Nicias and Crassus, men in all theyr doings in all enterprises most lyke one vnto another, some for wisedome againe and eloquence compared as Cicero vnto Demosthenes: some for iustice and equitie likened one vnto the other, as Cato the senior, likened vnto Aristides the Athinian: For gentlenesse and clemencie was Pelopidas King of Sparta compared vnto Epaminōdas Prince of Thebes: Some againe compared one vnto an other for their li­beralitie and franke giuing, as that famous and libe­rall Phocion, was iudged to be like vnto that frée and franke Athinian Cimon: some likened by misfortune and chaunces, as Dion who gouerned Sicilia a long time in fauour and great honour with Dionisius then [...]ing, to Brutus which likewise might cōmaund Caesar to [...] [Page] long therein occupied, with small pleasure and dilecta­tion vnto the reader: and therfore I thinke it better to obserue measure in things, then with prolixitie of wri­ting or tedious examples to molest the reader: for when it was tolde Caesar Augustus, Augustus. that there was a young man of Sicilia that was very like vnto the Em­perour in countenaunce and person, hée commaunded the young man to bée brought before him, where when hée came, the Emperour demaunded meryly whether his mother had euer béene at Rome, the young man aunswered and sayd: My mother was neuer at Rome, but my father was oftentimes at Rome: and so the Emperour was cut of with the like equiuocation vnto him, as vnto the young man hée meant, geuing to vn­derstande that the young mans father might bée as bolde with the Emperours mother, as he thought hée shoulde with the young mans mother.

¶ Of Musicke and mirth.

GReat controuersie there is for the antiquitie of Musicke, some doe attribute it vnto Orpheus, Orpheus. as the Thracians, which with Horace affirme that the Musicke of Orpheus coulde mooue stones, rockes, and trées: some vnto Am­phion as the Thebans doe,Amphion. which honour Amphion for the first musition, for that with his Harpe hée caused stones & trées to follow him, wherwith hée builded the towne of Thebes:Dionisius. some vnto Dionisius, as the Gréeks which saye that he first inuented harmonie: Solinus af­firmeth that Musicke was first founde in Créete: Poli­bius [Page 113] saith that Musick was found first in Arcadia: Dio­dorus thinketh that Apollo found first harmony:Apollo. Tubal. Iose­phus iudgeth that Tubal amongest the Hebrues was the finder first of Musicke: And thus auntient writers diuersly do vary herein. But sith Musick is but a sounde within number and measure as Cicero saith, and that by diuers meanes founde of men, and from time to time augmented by man: for first when Mercury the sonne of Maia had founde after that the floode Nilus had watered all Egypt, amongst diuers other drowned creatures, a sea Snayle, the flesh being withered, & yet the synewes still remayned, which being striken, made a sounde: Thus did Mercury make first a Harpe with seuen strings to coequat the number of Atlantides, and then he added two more and made them nine, iust with the number of the Muses. Thus was the first Harpe made by Apollo, though some say it was made by Or­pheus, some by Amphion, Lirus. some by Lirus: yet it is most like that Apollo made it for in Delos, the picture or simulacre of Apollo is there set vp, hauing in hys right hande a bowe, and in his left hand the thrée Gra­ces, and eyther of them hauing in their handes seuerall kinde of instrumentes, the first a Harpe, the seconde a Pype, the thirde a Flute. In the chap. of the inuention of things you shall at large finde more concerning Mu­sicke. But now to declare the harmonie of Musicke, the mirth and melodie that procéedeth from musicke, the loue and affection that auncient Princes and graue wisemen bare vnto Musicke,Themisto­cles. that Themistocles though hée was wise and discréete in other thinges, yet for that as Cicero sayth in his first booke of Tusculan, in that hée refused to heare one playe vpon the Harpe in a banquet where hée was, hée then of the wisest men in Athens was though and iudged to bée of learning lesse than they supposed him to bée: For the Gréekes iudged none to be learned, vnlesse he were séene in musike. So­crates [Page] [...] [Page 113] [...] [Page] the father of all Philosophie,Socrates. and Mayster of all Philosophers, béeing by Oracle of Apollo named and iudged the wisest man in all the worlde, became in hys latter yeres an olde man to be taught to play vpon the Harpe, and often founde amongst little children which being taunted of Alcibiades for that he found him play­ing with a litte infant called Lamproce aunswered: [...]lianus. 12. it is good being to be in good company. Euen so that wise and discreéete prince Agesilaus king sometime of the La­cedemonians spiyng one of his men to laugh at him for that hée rode vpon a long réede with one of his children,Agesilaus. sayde: holde thy peace and laugh not, and when so euer thou wilt be a father, thou must doe as a father. Wée reade the like of noble Architas the Tarentine, Architas. which when he was maried, hauing a great number of ser­uauntes in his house, hée woulde playe with their chil­dren, and delighted much in the company of young in­fantes. Certainely eyther of these thrée last mentioned Socrates, Agesilaus, or Architas, were in those dayes most renowmed for their wisedome and knowledge, and yet refused they not the company of young infants. That mightie and strong Hercules, Hercules. though hee was the sonne of Iupiter, and counted in all the worlde most fa­mous, rather a God taken than a man, as Euripides doth testifie, woulde be often founde amongst children and young innocent infantes playing, saying this sentence with a childe in his hande: I play with children which for the chaunge thereof is so gratefull vnto mée, as though I were in the games of Olimpia. The self same famous Hercules went to schole vnto Liuius to learne to play vpon the Harpe to solace him in his sadnesse, and to make him mery when he was compelled to mourne. In the middest of his triumph went that great conque­rer Alexander likewise to learne musicke. That de­uine and godly Prophet Dauid played vpon his Harpe and serued his God with mery songues and godly bal­lades. [Page 114] It is written that in the mariage of king Cad­mus the sonne of Agenor which builded Thebes in Boe­tia, the Muses played on instrumentes. In Gréece mu­sicke was so estéemed that their sages and wise Philo­sophers addicted themselues wholy to musicke. The Arcadians, the Lacedemonians, and the Thracians peo­ple, though they were much giuen to warres, seuere in dealing, hardie in all trauayles, and in learning most rude: yet woulde they acquaint themselues with mu­sicke vntill they were thirtie yeres olde. The people of Créete brought vp their youth in all kinde of melodye and harmony. The most part of the worlde dyd learne musicke saue in Egypt, as Diodorus in his second booke affirmeth, that musicke was forbidden, least the tender and soft mindes of their youth shoulde bée intised to too much pleasure. And though some contemne musicke with Diogines, and saye that it were more profitable to mende maners than to learne musicke: And some that will with Alcibiades taunt musicke, who was woont to say that the Thebans were méete men to learne mu­sicke, for that they coulde not speake, but that the Athe­nians should hate such wanton tunes, for that thei spake without instrument. Likewise King Pirrhus being de­maunded which was the best musition, Python or Cha­risius, he despising them and their musicke, preferred a great warrior according to his owne mind named Po­lysperches. Though these I say with diuers others de­spised musicke sometime, yet wée reade againe as wise as they, as stout as they vsed much musick, as Achilles, Alexander the great, Nero, Silla, M. Cato, Socrates, Ci­mon. To many might I repeate that were as wise as they were merie, as learned Ioppas, whose songues in Virgill are expressed: as Salij, whose pleasaunt pam­phletes Rome a long while embraced and much estée­med. For as musicke is dolefull, pleasaunt, full of har­mony and melodie: so is musick terrible and fearefull, [Page] full of life and courage. For wée reade in the olde age while yet the worlde was rawe, that Aliates King of Lidia▪ in his warres against the Milesios, Lidians. hadde musi­tions for his Trumpetters, Pipers and Fidlers, as Herodotꝰ in his first booke affirmeth, to mooue the peo­ple with musicke vnto warres.Cree [...]. The people of Créete as Gellius writeth, had Gitternes and Cithrones play­ing before them, as they went vnto the fielde to fight. The Parthians vsed as Plutarchus in the life of Crassus reporteth,Parthians. the ringing of belles at theyr going vnto field. The Ethiopians vsed songes of diuers tunes, and daun­cing before they went to warres. The Sirians before they mette their enimies woulde sing Balades to ho­nour the same, with all kind of dauncing to solace them selues. The Cimbrians did make melodye with drie skinnes,Cimbrians. beating the skinnes with stickes at the very entraunce vnto the enimies, Cirus the great King dyd with his souldiours sing vnto Castor and Pollux, before he tooke his voyage to the enimies. The Athenians woulde sing Hymnes vnto Iupiter before they woulde go to the féelde. The first noyse and sounde that the La­cedemonians had, as Thucidides saith, in stéede of Trū ­pettes were Flutes, vntil by an oracle they were war­ned of Apollo that if they thought to haue victory euer Messena, they should appoynt a man of Athens for their Capitaine: the Athenians being right glad of the oracle, for that the Lacedemonians & Athenians were alwayes enimies one vnto another, they sent vnto Athens for a Captaine, where they appointed vnto them a lame and a deformed man named Dircaeus, Dircaeus. in reproche & a mock of the Lacedemonians. This Dircaeus being appointed and made a Capitaine ouer all the people of Sparta, Sparta. he first then inuented the trumpe, and taught all the La­cedemonians to sounde the trumpe, [...]st lib. 4 which was such a terror vnto the enemies the people of Messaena, that at the first sounde of the trumpets they fledde, and so the [Page 115] Lacedemonians got the victory. Thus was the auncient musicke in the beginning so necessary, that euery coun­trey endeuoured to haue skyll in musicke: then Mars claimed musicke in the féelde, nowe Venus occupieth musicke in Chaumbers, that kinde of gentle and softe musicke the Egyptians forbad the youth to bée taught therein, lest from men they woulde become againe women. But shall wée ioyne the olde auncient games, the mirth, the solace and the playes that they vsed in those dayes, together with their musicke, to prooue the agilitie of that time, and the actiuities of that age to bée much estéemed amōgst the Gréekes and Gentiles. The Gréekes at some time had foure great games appoin­ted: the first in mount Olimpia in Arcadia, Olimpia. harde by the Citie Pisa, which Hercules inuented first to honour Iu­piter. This was so famous amonst the Gréekes that euen as the Romanes vsed to accompt the [...]ime by their Consuls, so did the Gréekes vse to number by the games of Olimpia, which was appointed euerye first yere: Unto this game came all the youth of the worlde both on horsebacke and on foote to do maisteries, the reward was appointed for the victors a Garland made of Oliue leaues, for they came not there for money, but for mirth and exercise, in so much that when Ti­granes King Artabanus sonne harde of the fame therof, and of the Garlandes of Oliue, hée sayde: Well wor­thy were the Gréekes to be spoken of, that so litle estée­med money, that Oliue was preferred for the chéefe re­ward in Olimpia. This same mooued first King Zerxes to warre against the Gréekes to his losse and decaye. The seconde games were called Pithij, Pithij. and inuented of Apollo in memory that hée killed the great Serpent Python, which was of Iuno sent to kyll Latona Apollo his mother: Here was appointed for the victories ey­ther a foote or a horsebacke, a Garlande made of Oken leaues. Here likewise all the youth of Gréece exercised [Page] feates, practized policies, vsed maisteries, and prooued them selues in any thing that they felt them apt to do: as in running, leaping, wrastling, riding, swimming or such like as then wée vsed.Isthmia. The thirde was called Isth­mia, inuented of Theseus in the honour of Neptune. In this play was appointed for ye victors, certen garlands made of Pine leaues hauyng the name of Isthmos, a place in Achaia where Neptune is worshipped, where the Temple of Neptune is compassed. The fourth game is called Nemea, which the Argiues make in me­mory of Hercules, for that hée killed a great and a fearce Lion in the woods of Nemea, Nemaea. according vnto the name of the play. Here do likewise the Argiues come to exer­cise youth, & practize feates as the rest do. These foure playes were long in Gréece obserued, as causes and oc­casions for men to come together, to shewe feates and to trye qualities. The first in Olimpus for Iupiter, the seconde in Delos for Apollo, the thirde in Isthmos, a place in Achaia for Neptune, the fourth amongst the Argiues to Hercules. In the first play the Garlande of victory was of Oliue, in the seconde play the Garlande of victory was of Oke, in the thirde play they had their Garlandes of Pine, the fourth play of Poply, and thus then they triumphed in their mirth, they bragged of their victories, they gloried in their garlandes, while yet Lawrel as Ouid sayde was not knowen. Besides these foure famous playes, there were diuers others, as Pirrhus play which hée inuented in Créete,Pirrhus. for the souldiours to exercise them selues in armes, wherein hée taught diuers iestures and sundry shiftes in moo­uings,Plini. lib. 7. whence first procéeded much the vse of warres: this was a kinde of dauncyng in armes, as Dionis [...] & Hali. in his seuenth booke saith, which was of the peo­ple called Curetes, mainteyned in the memory of Pir­rhus. Licaon likewise inuented other kinde of playes,Licaon. where naked men contrarye vnto Pirrhus games did [Page 116] vse feates. Diuers others were had in great estimation in Gréece, made and inuented by seuerall men, but the first inuentour of mirth was as Diodorus saith, Mercu­rius, which onely was inuented to recreate the people, and to practize agilitie and feates of bodyes. Others there were of lesse name, but of as great mirth, as di­uers kindes of playing at the Ball, which is an aunci­ent game, as it seemeth in Vergil, it was much vsed sometime amongst the Troyans, for when Aeneas in­continent after the destruction of the Cittie of Troye came vnto Italy, where hée first taught skipping and frisking at the Ball, before hée maryed Lauinia King Latinus daughter, the youth of Troy had playing at the Ball for their chéefe mirth and recreation, and at this day much vsed in diuers countreys. Againe, for further recreation, they vsed sundrye kindes of Dice playes. Herodotus doth witnesse that the olde and auncient Li­dians did first finde out the Dice and Ball, though Pli­ni doth report that one named Pythus first founde the play at the Ball: but for the certainetie thereof, sith so many kinde of Balles bée, and the playing likewise so variable, both Plini and Herodotus may well agrée, for the people of Lydia at a certaine time being oppressed with great dearth,The Lidians inuented Diceplay [...]. and sore plagued with hunger, they inuented then diuers kindes of diceplay, as Herodotus sayde, to passe the time in playing, and to forget hun­ger, for they fed one day, & they came togither the second daye to playe: thus eating a little one daye to satisfie nature, they played the seconde daye to auoyde hunger. Againe, there was amongst the ancient Gréekes a play muche like vnto our Cheasse play,Zerx [...]e [...] game. which one Zerxes a wiseman first inuented, to warne a tyrannous Prince which he then serued to auoyde his tyranny, & to let him vnderstande by his playe, that a Prince ought to watch and to vse his subiectes as his force and strength, euen as the playe is in moouing the Pawnes, the Knightes, [Page] the Bishops for the defence and bulwarkes of the king, that as the player, I meane Zerxes did shew his mai­ster the King the effect of the play, howe the king was preserued by playing wisely of the men lest they bée lost, so the tiraunt him selfe vnderstoode by the play of Zerxes, how daungerous that Prince is that vseth not well his subiects, that will not discréetly sée and watche for their commodities, whiche is the Princes safetie. Another play was vsed then in Gréece, either vpon the Dice, or els closelye in hande: called euen and odde. This playe came from Gréece vnto Rome, in the time of Augustus Caesar the seconde Emperour of Rome, as Suetonius doth write in the life of Augustus, where the Emperour Augustus wrote a letter vnto his daughter in Rome, after this sort: Daughter I sende thée two hundred & fiftye pence, which I geue amongst thy ghestes to play after Supper the Gréeke play called euen and not euen, whether they will at Dice or cloase in hande. Lottes likewise were much vsed for recrea­tion and mirth, with diuers other sundry games and playes to recreate the minde of man, which both the Gréekes and Gentiles did practize then, aswell to trye their wittes, as also to vse pastime and mirth to drawe company togither to be mery. I leaue the Gréekes a while, and wyll something speake of the Romane pa­stimes and sportes, which in nothing were inferiour to the Gréekes, but rather excelled Gréece & all the worlde in all qualities. And lest I shoulde séeme tedious, I will speake of no more but of foure principall games, cor­respondent vnto the Gréekes, and coequall vnto their number.Luparcalia. The first called Lupercalia brought out of Arcadia by Euander, & sacrificed vnto Pan vpon mount Palentine. And as Siluanus doth write, the sacrifices were made in the Moneth of February after this sort, by Euander the first inuentor thereof. The youngmen of Rome shoulde gather together, euery one bearing in [Page 117] his hande a scurge or a whip made of Goates skinnes, running one vnto another, and hée that was most swift of foote escaped stripes: for euery one should runne vn­to another in order, euery one his length before the o­ther: and thus they made them swifter in running by reason of his stripes, for hée that was ouertaken by the way, was sure to spéede: Euery man ranne naked, to this ende, that they might vse to be swift. The women likewise thinkyng thereby to become more fruitfull and fertill, offered them selues wyllyngly to receaue stripes. These scurges and whippes that they had in their handes, made such ratling noyse by reason they were made of drie skinnes, that it made him that ran before to straine him selfe, hearing the noyse, and fea­ring the stripes. The seconde game that the Romanes vsed,Circenses. was called Circenses, as some say sprong vp first amongst the Romanes them selues, a place appointed by Rome, enuironed about with huge & strong walles: Here all kindes of pastime and sportes were vsed, run­ning with Horses and fighting on Horsebacke in the one ende, in the middest the champions were placed in armes a foote to fight, in the other ende wrastlers, lea­pers, runners and such like games were appointed: so that the place was framed accordingly long and large, that they might haue roome enough in both endes, and in the middest. This was the chiefe and the auncientest play amongst the Romanes sauyng Saturnalia: this sport did Ianus which then did raigne, togither with Sa­turnus as Macrobius saith, inuent and frame in me­mory and monumentes of Saturnus his fellowe.Saturnalia This play was celebrated in the moneth of december with such mirth, pleasure and pastime, that it far surmoun­ted all other. In this moneth of December euery man saluted his friende with rewardes, tokens, presentes or with anye treasure that they had to pleasure one another. And because all things were common in Sa­turnus [Page] time, and called the golden worlde, there was such mirth vsed as woulde make some men of this time i [...]lous to sée it. I beléeue none of this age would bée content to sée his seruaunt in bedde with his wife, which in Saturnus time was tollerable. Some say this play sprong first among the Pelagians, some againe affirme that it began amongst the Athenians, but how and where it began first in other countreys it is no matter, but in Rome it was first framed and inuented by Ianus. The fourth play amongst the Romanes was then called Gladiatoria, Gladia­toria. where the youth of Rome came to learne how to behaue them selues among the enemies: In this play shoulde they fight one with ano­ther at the long Speare, the long Sworde, the staffe, and such as then they vsed in fight for to embolden them selues: in that play being naked without armes against they came to fight with their armed enemies. Thus by this play were the Romanes taught boldly to fight with their enemies, and hardned at home, litle to estéeme woundes and strokes abrode. Thus games and playes were chéefely estéemed of the Romanes, though diuers others as Cicero in his office affirmeth, the Romones had in Martius féelde harde by Rome, to exercize the youngmen to practize feates, to become redy and prompt in marshall offayres, which they onely most estéemed.

A comparison betweene the loue of men, and beastes.

IF men bée diuers in affecti­on one towardes another, as wée dayly sée and trye by ex­perience: howe much ought the siely and simple beast which wanteth vse of speach to bée commended, that so careth and prouideth for him & his. And though as Cicero saith that it is common vnto all liuing creatures to multiplie and to be carefull ouer those that nature procreated, & to differ in no part from a beast therin: yet by reason we are to excell all kinde of beastes, all things in subiection vnto man, aswell the heauens aboue, and all that shineth therin, as earth be­neath and all that liue thereon. And hence I maruayle much though thd secrete working of nature, in fearce and raging beastes bée tollerable, yet in a reasonable man, in whom saith the Philosopher nature onely moo­ueth vnto the beast suche enimitie, variaunce and di­scorde shoulde procéede. It is thought that the Eagle and the Swanne be not fréendes, the Dolphin and the Whale can not agrée, the Woolfe and the Foxe at va­riaunce: so of the Dogge and the Cat, of the Crowe and the Kite may be spoken, but it is well knowen that man is most odious vnto man, and though it be spo­ken Homo homini Deus, yet is it prooued Homo homini Daemon. The Lion feareth the Cock. If nature made the mighty Lion the most va­liaunt beast in the worlde to feare the little crowyng Cock? If nature do cause the huge and monstrous Elephant, to tremble at the sight of a sielie simple Shéepe? And if nature mooue the Panther, a strong [Page] and a straunge beaste, to quake at the presence of a Hinde? If nature worke so subtilly, that the strongest, mightiest, and valiauntest beast, shoulde feare the most innocent and most simple beast? howe much more might reason rule in vs to feare our God and his migh­tie workes? which wée altogether either forget his glory, or despise his power. Though in beasts the hea­uens haue dominion: yet saide Dauid, man by reason and feare of God ruleth the heauens. But I wyll omit to speake further of that, and wyl returne to that which I meane a litle to discusse. I wil not speake of the loue and affection of men generall, but of the loue mutuall betwixt man and wife, betwixt brother and brother. And as it is a vertue not to be forgotten, so is it a ver­tue most rare to finde: for euerye thing in his owne kinde is most to bée accepted. And first to entreate of the excéeding loue, of the woonderful affection that men bare towarde their wiues: Wée reade of that noble Romane Anthonius Pius, Anthonius. Pius. who loued so well his wife Faustine, that when shée died, he caused her picture to be made, and to be set vp before his face in his bed cham­ber, to ease some part of his gréefe with the sight ther­of. M. Plaucius sayling with his wife vnto Asia, with thréescore Nauayes came very gorgeously vnto the ci­tie of Tarentum, Marcus. Placius. where in the middest of his pompe and great glory, for that his wife Orestella by sicknesse dyed, he slue him selfe with one dagger, saying: Two bodyes shall possesse one graue. The like wée reade of two young men in Plutarch, the one named Aemilius, the other Cianippus, Cyanippus. [...]milius. which for méere affection and pas­sing loue towardes their wiues, after long tormentes, panges and paynes conceyued by inwarde griefes, that their wiues were dead, to solace their sadnes and to ende their woofull hap, offered their pined bodyes a sa­crifice vnto death, for a pledge of their true and faithfull loue. What meanes doth loue séeke to saue it selfe, to [Page 119] auoyde gréefe and lastyng paine, and to bée acquainted with ease and pleasure? to embrace death. How ruful­ly the Gréeke Poet Antimachus bewayled the death of his wife Lisidides, Antimachus in such mourning verses & woofull plaintes, that whosoeuer read them, hée should bée as redy to wéepe in reading the dolefull Epitaph of Lisi­dides, as was Antimachus her husband sorowfull of hir death. Pericles was so louing vnto his wife, being a no­ble capitaine of Athens, and so chaste, that when So­phocles spied a marueylous beautifull young man, say­ing: Behold a passing fayre young man. Pericles aun­swered and saide: Not onely the heart and the handes of a Magistrate must bée chaste, but also his eyes must refuse the sight of any but his wife. It is read that Pe­ricles being at Athens, hée was founde kissing and ma­king much of his wife, and being from Athens, he was found more sad to depart from his wife, then vnwilling to die for his countrie.Orpheus. Orpheus loued so well his wife Euridices, that as the Poettes faine he feared not the power of King Pluto to redéeme his wife, with hazarde and daunger of his owne bodie. Innumerable are they that deserue the like fame, so that these fewe maye bée a sufficient proofe of others. And now a fewe examples to prooue the like good will and loue from the wiues shewed towarde their husbandes, as hithervnto you heard the great loue of husbandes toward their wiues. Alcestes a noble Quéene of Tessalie, Alcestes. at what time King Admetus hir husbande shoulde die, hauing by an Ora­cle giuen an aunswere, that if any woulde die for the King he should liue: which when all refused, his wyfe Quéene Alcestes offred hir selfe to die to saue hir hus­bandes life. Iulia the wife of Pompeius the great, and onely daughter to that famous and renowmed▪ Iulia. Iulius Caesar Emperour of Rome, shée was no lesse obedient vnto hir father Caesar, then shée was louing vnto hir hus­bande Pompeius, who though they both were enimies [Page] one vnto an other, yet shée shewed hir a louing daugh­ter vnto hir father, and a true wife vnto hir husbande: and so true that when shée sawe hir owne Pompeius comming blouddy from the fielde, as his apparell made a shewe a great way of, shée supposing that hir husband was slaine, béeing great wyth childe, trauayled straight and died before Pompeius hadde yet come in. The loue of Artimesia Quéene of Caria towarde hir husbande king Mausolus, Artimesia. is as well declared by the sumptuous Tombe and gorgeous glistering graue which she made for him when hée died, compted for the excelencie ther­of one of the seauen woonders, as also truelye verified by cerimonies at his death, in making the skull of hys heade hir drinking cuppe, in drinking all the ashes of his bodie as suger vnto hir wine, and in eating of his hart vnto hir body, saying: though bodies be departed yet our hartes shall neuer be a sunder. That noble Gréeke Laodamia looued hir husbande so well,Laodamia. that when shée hearde that hir husbande Prothesilaus was slaine by Hector at the siege of Troye, shée desired onely of God that shée might sée his shadowe or likenesse once before shée died: which when shée sawe embrasing the lykenes of Prothesilaus as shée thought in hir husbandes armes, shée then presently dyed. We reade that Quene Ipsi­cratea loued hir husbande king Mythridates so entirely,Ipsicratea. that shée shaued all the heares of hir heade, and ware mans apparell, and followed him like a Lacky, for that hée shoulde not know hir to be his wife, shée had rather go vnto the wars with hir husbande like a lackie, than tary from hir husbande in Pontus lyke a Quéene. Pau­lina when shée hearde that hir husbande Seneca was put to death by that cruell Emperor and Tyraunt Nero, whome Seneca sometime taught him in his youth Phi­losophie, and at the length requited him with death:Paulina. which when I say Paulina harde thereof, she enquired what kinde of death hir husbande suffred, which béeing [Page 120] knowne, shée ministred the like playster vnto hir selfe, as was appoynted for Seneca hir husbande. Likewise that noble Portia, Portia. daughter vnto Cato, and wife vnto Brutus, hearing that hir husbande was slaine at Philip­pos, for that she might not spéede of a knife, shée choked her selfe with coales. The like historie is reade of Tria­ta, which when she knewe by letters that hir husbande Vitellius was so enuironed of his enimies and no waye able to escape, his wife rushed into the Campe and prest néere hir husbande readie to die or to liue in fielde with him. What can be so harde to take in hande, but loue will hazarde it? what can be so perillous but loue will venture it? neyther water can stay it, nor fire stop it.Sulpitia. Sulpitia the wife of Lentulus the daughter of that worthy Romane Paterculus, when shée perceyued that hir husband was appointed by the Magistrates of Rome to passe vnto Sicilia as an Embassador, and there to con­tinue for a season, though hir mother had great charge ouer hir, & very carefull & studious she was to comfort hir daughter in the absence of hir husbande:Valerig. lib 6. Cap. 7 yet she de­ceyued hir mother, shée chaunged hir apparell & caused hir two maides likewise to be disguised & toke two men in the like apparell, and went all by night from Rome vnto Sicilia. Aemilia. Aemilia the wife of Affricanus and mother vnto that noble Cornelia which was mother vnto those famous Romances called Gracchi, shée perceauyng her husbande to bée in loue with one of her maydes in the house, and often to vse the mayde as his wife, though Aemilia knew wel of it, yet she neuer hated the maide, nor opened it to her husbande: but after that her hus­bande died, she gaue to this maide a great summe of money, and maryed her wealthyly in Rome: A rare thing in a woman founde.Penelope. To speake of Penelopes loue in Gréece,Lucrecia. towardes her husbande Vlisses, or to shewe the constancie of Lucrecia in Rome towarde her hus­bande Collatinus, the one twentie yeres was prooued [Page] of diuers noble Gréekes, and yet remayned she true vnto Vlisses, the other through force being rauished by proud Torquinius sonne named Aruntiꝰ, would not be false vnto Collatinus, but opened the same & reuenged it with hir owne death. Now againe to prooue how well did Quéene Tomiris loue hir sonne Mesgapites, Tomyris. the death of great Cirus King of Persea with two hundred thousande of his souldiours beside can testifie: or howe Ageus loued his sonne Theseus, which when he hadde perceyued the black sayle,Ageus. contrary vnto promise made before when Theseus went vnto Créete to the monster Minotaurus, that his as he supposed was slaine in La­birinthus, he threw him ouer a high rocke into the sea. What shoulde I molest the reader herein, sith an ende can scant be founde, but onelye recite one worthy hy­storie out of Valerius of a seruaunt vnto one named Panopion that hearing that certaine souldiours came vnto the City of Reatina in purpose to kill his Mayster, he chaunged apparell with his mayster, and conueyed his Mayster first a waye safe and sounde from the eni­mies, and he went vnto his Maysters bedde as though he had béene Panopion, Panopion. and suffred himselfe to be slaine in stéede of his Mayster. A man woulde thinke that greater loue coulde be founde in no man, then a man to die for his friende: and truth it is. But to finde such loue in beastes towardes men, a meruell great it were: Insomuch, that in Leucadia, a Peacock loued a young Uirgin so well, that when shée dyed, the Peacock also dyed. And Plini sayth that in the Citie of Seston an Eagle being brought vppe by a young mayde loued the mayde so well that it woulde flée a broade and kill foules and bring them whome to the young mayde: and when the Uirgine died, the Eagle flewe vnto that same fire where the mayde was appoynted to die, and also died with hir. The Perseans were woont for fa­uour and affection they had vnto their Horses, to burye [Page] them and the people named Molossi made braue se­pulchres for their dogges. Alexander the great made a tombe for his horse Bucephalus: So did Antiochus, and Caesar likewise. Such tryed loue and faythfull trust was found in Dogges, that the great King Ma­sinissa of Numidia neuer went to bedde but had a dosen dogges in his great chamber, as his garde to kéepe and watch him from his enimies, for sure he was that mo­ney might not corrupt them, friendshippe might not a­lure them, threatnings might not feare them. There was a Dogge in Athens named Caparus, Caparus. vnto whome the tuition of the temple Aesculapius was committed, with all the wealth and treasure therin, which being in a night trayned vnto a snare, the temple was robbed, the substaunce and the richesse thence was stolne, but in the morning the dogge founde out the falshoode there­of, and made all Athens priuie of the théeues by reueng and running towardes them. Wée reade in Plini that Vlisses Dog which Vlisses left at home when he went with Agamemnon vnto Phrigia to the wars of Troye, and being twentie yeares absent, he founde Penelope his wife,Durides. and his dog faithfull and louing at his returne. That noble Gréeke Lismacꝰ had a dog named Durides, that loued him so well, that euen at Lismachus death, the Dogge died also. Hiero had another Dogge that di­ed euen so, ran willingly vnto that flame of fire where his mayster did burne, to die with him. I might well speake of Alcibiades Dogge, which where so euer hée came, no man might or durst speake any euill of Alci­biades in presence of his Dogge. Titus Sabinus Dogge neuer forsooke his mayster in prison, and when anye man gaue him breade or meate, hée brought it vnto his Mayster in prison, and when he was throwne into the riuer Tiber, the Dogge was séene as Fulgotius sayth, to doe what hée coulde to lift vp his maysters heade out of the water, thinking his mayster had béene aliue. At [Page] what time Pirrhus subdued the Citie of Argos, there was in that warres an Elep [...]ant which after he percey­ued that his Mayster was slaine, went vp and downe amongst the deade souldiours to séeke his Mayster: which being founde deade, the Elephant brought his bodie being deade to a safe place, where the Elephant after much mourning died for sorow. The like Exam­ples we reade in Plini of horses, and specially of thrée, the one Alexander the great King of Macedonia hadde:Alexanders horse. Caesars horse. Antiochus horse. the seconde Iulius Caesar Emperour of Rome hadde: the third Antiochus king of Siria had: These thrée noble Horses suffred no man to ride or touch them, but their owne maisters, and so gentle vnto them, that they kne­led to let them mount on their backes. Thus beastes beare fancie vnto men, obey and loue men, most true and trustie vnto men, and such loue as neyther Seleu­cus to his sonne Antigonus, or Pericles to his sonne Parialus, nor in Socrates to his sonne Lamproces did ne­uer shewe.Romulus. How gentle was a Woolfe vnto king Ro­mulus, to nourish him in spite of his Grandefather A­mulius? How louing was a Beare vnto Alexander, to bring him vp against his fathers will King Priamus? How kinde was a Bitch vnto King Cirus, Cirus. to foster him vnwares vnto his Grandefather king Astiages? The Bées came vnto Plato his Cradle to féede him with ho­nye being an infant. The little Antes brought greynes to féede king Mydas being likewise in his Cradle. O what is man sayde the Prophet Dauid that thou art so mindefull of him, that thou hast brought all thinges in subiection vnto him, beastes of the fielde, foules of the ayre, and fishes of the Seas, all thinges made to feare and to loue him, and yet hée neyther to feare God nor to loue himselfe. Wée reade in Q. Curtius of an Ele­phant that King Porus of India hadde,Porus. which Alexander the great tooke captiue afterward, when this Elephant sawe the King first, hée knéeled downe and shewed such [Page 122] honour and homage as was marueylous to the behol­ders. It is reade in Caelius of a king in Egipt named Merthes, Merthes. that had a Crowe taught to carie his letters a­ny where that ye king would commaunde hir, she knew where to flie, and to whome she was sent, how to de­liuer the letters, and how to bring aunswere in wri­ting whome againe.Lib. 10. Cap. 29. Plini doth write that a Nighting­gale loued Stesicorus so well, that it woulde alwayes sing at the becke of Stesicorus to pleasure him.Stesicorus. Hera­clides the Philosopher had a Dragon taught to followe him euery where. Aiax likewise had in Locresia a Ser­pent taught and brought vp to honour him as his may­ster. Agrippina the Empresse and wife vnto Claudi­an, had a Thrush that neuer departed from hir during the Empresse life. Plini hath in his booke of naturall hi­stories infinite such example to proue the loue that all moouing creatures doe owe and shew vnto man: as the wilde Bull in Tarentum, the raging Beare in Daunia, which Pithagoras so tamed, that all places, al countries, & al persons were sure & safe from any damage or hurt by these wild beasts. This cōmeth by no vertue that is in man, but only by that which god made for man, that all liuing creatures feare man and loue man: So that if comparisons be made, it shall be euident that there hath béene more loue in beastes towardes man, than in man towardes man: yea then bro­ther vnto brother, than the husbande to the wife, or the wife toward hir husbande, considering the nature of man and beast to­gither.

¶ Certen ethical Arithmologies drawne out of deuine and prophane auctorities.

AMongst other examples of mans life, I thought it chief­ly necessarie to note fewe A­rithmologies which Salomon the wise, and Ihesus the sonne of Syrach with other learned writers, haue amongst theyr chiefe writinges noted: And bycause they are deuided in­numbers, for the ease of me­morie, and for the delectation of minde, the rather worthie they are of the reading, very pleasaunt and ve­ry necessarie vnto any godly, wise, and discréete man to be marked: and first from the wise sayings of Sa­lomon, these examples are to be reade as foloweth.

There are sixe things which God hateth, and the se­uenth hée vtterly abhorreth: Lusting eyes, a deceitfull tongue, handes embrewed with blood, féete swift to commit euyll, a heart that imagineth wickednesse, false witnesse, and he that s [...]weth debate amongst brethren.

There are also thrée things neuer satisfied, and the fourth neuer saith ho: A woman that is vntemperate, the earth that is drie, hell is neuer satisfied, and the fire hath neuer Wood enough.

There be likewise thrée thinges that maye not bée knowen, and the fourth no man is able to vnderstande: The steppes of an Eagle fléeyng in the ayre, the way of a Serpent ouer a rock, the path of a Ship in the Sea, and the life of a young man in his youth.

[Page 123]For thrée things the earth is often plagued, and the fourth is vntollerable: When a seruaunt is made lord ouer his Maisters substaunce, when a foole is pampe­red with all kinde of meates, when a woman is addic­ted to filthy lust, and when a handmayde is made heire vnto her Maistresse.

Thrée things pleaseth both God and man: Concord betwéene brethren, amitie betwéene neighbours, and a man and his wife that agréeth well together.

Thrée things againe cleane contrarye displeaseth both God and man: A poore man proude, a riche man a lyer, and an olde man that doteth in his latter yeres.

Two things saith Syrach troubleth my minde, and the thirde maketh me angry: When wisemen are des­pised, when expert souldiours are in pouerty, when a man declineth from vertue vnto vice: And thus farre of Salamon and Sirach. Now to passe orderly vnto pro­phane auctorities where the like sentences are noted.

Thrée things can neuer want due commendations: Good wine when it is dronke, a wise sentence when it is spoken, and a good man in aduersities.

Two things can suffer no equality: Loue, and prin­cipalitie.

It is hurtfull to make haste vnto foure places: Un­to a fray, vnto a drunken company, vnto a feast vnbid­den, and vnto talke with a foole.

Foure things hurt much the sight of man: Teares, smoke, winde: and the worst of all, to sée his fréendes vnlucky, and his foes happy.

[Page]Take héede that thou mooue nor stirre these that fo­low: A murtherer, a hasty tongued man, a woman that is willyng to play the drab, and a horse that runneth mainly in a daungerous place.

Trust not to much fiue things, lest thou bée decea­ued: A straunge Dogge, an vnknowen horse, a talka­tiue woman, a bragging seruant, and a holow banck.

Be not angry in no wise with thrée thinges: With the trueth, with good counsell, and with crowing of the Cock in the morning to stirre thée from too much sléepe.

There are amongst men thrée kinde of men very gréeuous: He that is arrogant in drinke, an idle ietter in the streetes, an vnlearned poore man made riche vp­pon a soddayne.

Thrée kinde of things shall neuer enioy the fruites of their trauayles: Séede sowen vpon the Sea bancks, hée that doth good vnto euyll men, and hée that iudgeth that hée serueth God well, when afflictions and calami­ties constrayneth him so to do.

Againe, thrée sortes of men do alwayes want wyt and are quite voyde of reason: Hée that trusteth lyes, he that can not conuince his wrath, and he that eateth much and doth nothing.

These thrée kinde of men sée nothing: The blinde without eyes, the foole without discretion, and he that is delighted with worldly pleasure, without feare of death.

And thrée kindes of men that be deaffe and heare nothing: The first is he that dayly heareth godly say­ings, [Page 124] & mendeth not, the second is he that is geuen to fil­thy talke, and to heare slaunder, the thirde is he that is desirous to heare the secretes of all men: Th [...]se men though they heare, yet are deaffe for that they heare not good things.

There be foure such slippery wayes that no man can stande on but alwayes fall: The first vpon moysty places, the seconde vpon slippery Ise, the thirde vpon glory and ambition, and the fourth vpon the beauty of a woman.

There be sixe thinges that wyll neuer hide them selues: A scab in the hande, a cough in a feast, an awle in a bagge, a strumpet in a window, pouerty in pride, and wantounesse in lust.

There is no societie betwéene fiue thinges: Be­twéene the Woolfe and the Lambe, betwéene light and darknesse, betwéene life and death, betwéene godlinesse and wickednesse, betwéene a fréende and a flatterer.

Thrée thinges to no effect: To holde water in a Sieue, to runne after fowles of the ayre, and to wéepe after the death of any man.

A man ought not to brag of thrée thinges: Of good Wine, lest any man bée allured thereby to ask [...] of it, of the beautie of his wife lest men burne in desire to­warde the same, of his wealth and substaunce, lest théeues wyll spoyle the same.

The two greatest victoryes, is to ouercome a good man in good déedes, and to ouercome him selfe in euill motions.

[Page]Kéepe thy eares from other mens secretes, thy eyes from other mens writings, and thy handes from other mens purses.

Sixe things are alwayes mutable: The fauour of Princes, the loue of a woman, the chaunce of Dice, hunting of Fowles, Time, and the spring of Flowers. Foure necessary things in a house: A Chimney, a Hen, a Cat, and a good wife.

These fiue things are rare séene: A faire young wo­man without louers, a young man without mirth, an olde vsurer without money, a great Faer without théeues, and a fat Barne without Mise.

Thou shalt neuer finde trueth in an hypocrite, faith in a flatterer, sobrietie in a drunkarde, vertue in the slouthfull, nor money with the prodigall.

Trueth is often vttered by fiue kinde of persons, by a child, by a foole, by a dronkard, by a slaunderer, and by him that sléepeth.

There be .iij. kindes of fréendship: The one amongst philosophers & learned men by knowledge, the other a­mongst cōmon men by mutual society & help, the thirde amongst beastes by pleasure and copulation.

The misery of men are knowen and séene by foure meanes: By death, by vexation of minde, by griefe of body, and by wrong iudgement.

I wyll not molest the reader with many of these, which are as it were in repeating al that might here be spoken: to count the waues of the Seas, to sow séede in the Sea, to speake vnto the deaffe, I thought thus much to write [...]o solace the reader with briefe sentences.

Examples of iustice.

A Skilfull Painter beholding an excéeding fayre Image wanting onelye eyes and handes, thought to shew his cunning therein, and taking his pencell in hande to paint handes and eyes correspon­dent vnto the other mem­bers: An other perceyuing the Painter to go about to make vp that which wanted, sayde these wordes: Si manus affuerit latro, si lumina scortum, fiet si neutrum virgo premis erit. If you make handes he will be a théefe, if you make eyes he will be an adulterer, hauing neyther eyes nor handes, no offences are committed.

A Théefe bounde himselfe apprentice with the De­uill vpon condicion that in necessitie and great daunger hée shoulde helpe him and ayde him. The théefe béeing taken and brought before the Iudge, was condemned to die, did often call for the Diuell to helpe him according vnto his promise: to whome the Deuill at length appeared, & gaue him a great masse or wedge of golde, saying: Giue this to the Iudge, and desire him to shew thée friendeshippe accordinglie: The théefe be­ing gladde hereof, thought it long eare he could priuilye speake with the Iudge, to whome secretly he deliuered this wedge of golde, saying: I pray you shewe me such fauor as this gift deserueth, supposing it to be the wedge of golde: the Iudge priuilie loking what the théefe gaue him in his hande, perceyuing a halter to be there, the iudge turning him a side vnto the théefe & sayd: forsooth it shall be done without tarying, and commaunded [Page] straight with that haulter which the théefe gaue him, to hange him.

THe Emperour Trayan with his armie passing vn­to warres, a poore Widdowe méeting him in the way, [...]rauing iustice at his hand, for that his sonne did hurt hir son, that he was not able to do his mother seruice as before, to whome the Emperor sayd: that at his returne from wars she shoulde haue iustice, but the widdowe replyed and sayd: what and if you neuer re­turne from wars, shall I neuer haue iustice? the Em­perour sayde: my successor shall vse iustice to you, the Widdowe aunswered: there is no man in my debt but the Emperour Trayan, which if hée go to warres with­out dooing of Iustice before with mée and with all men, hee sinneth much against heauen & earth, which wordes caused the Emperour to giue his owne sonne to serue the Widdowe in lewe of the others seruice.

¶ Examples of Vsury.

A Certen Usurer hearing a Preacher in his ser­mon saye, that the Deuill will carie all Uusrers vpon his barke to hell, departed out of the church disdainefully, and met one of his owne friendes in the streate, to whom he tolde what the preacher sayde in Pulpet of Usurers: yea, sayde his friende come backe with mée againe vnto the Church, and I will make him recant of his saying: when they both came vnto the Church, this man demaunded of the preacher whether he spake such words of Usurers, that the Deuill would [...]arie them all vpon his backe vnto hell, the Preacher confessed and sayd: yea, that is a lie sayd hée, the Diuell wil not do them such reuerence to beare Usurers on his backe, but hée will hale and lugge them in chaines after him like slaues vnto hell.

[Page 126]AN other Usurer being deade, no man would beare his corpes to be buried by the law of that Citie but such as were of his owne facultie, all the iust & good men of the Citie could not heaue vp the coffin, at length came foure of his owne science (I meane Usurers) and easilie tooke vp the Coffin and bare it, to whome one of the Cittie sayd: Beholde foure Diuels can carie the fift easilie, and being brought to church, the Priest knowing his lewde life and wickednesse, sayd that he shoulde not be buried in the Churche, for that the Churche is the house of God, and not a graue for wicked men, his friendes caried him vnto the [...]ye way, thinking to make his graue there, there the Kinges officers withstoode that, and sayde: that the Kings hie waie was not méete to bury any man. In striuing betwéene them selues the Deuill appeared and sayde: If they woulde giue leaue he would beare him vnto a méete place, they being well contented therewith, the Diuell tooke him out of sight, and buried him where he vseth to burie in his chiefe Chappell in hell.

AN Usurer dying in suche a countrye as was not lawfull to burie any man without some commen­dations of his life, béeing a long time stayed without bu­riall, for that no man knewe howe to prayse him: A Barbour at length sayde: surely I prayse this man for one thing, I neuer saw softer heares to shaue then this man was woont to haue, by this commendation of the Barbour, he was buried, hauing according vnto the custome that Epitaph vpon his graue.

¶ Examples of honour.

SInce money sayde Seneca possest the seate of ho­nour, true honour was banished. A certen King be­ing enuied of his nobles, because he much estée­med [Page] poore men, therefore willyng to shew his nobles and counsellours the difference betwéene one man and another, caused two Coffers to bée made in one place, in the one hée did put great substaunce and wealth, and couered the same with a simple or ragged couer: in the other hée put nothing in, but couered it with cloth of golde and precious vesture, called his counsellours and nobles before him, demaunded of them which was the better Coffer: they iudgyng the braue and gorgeous Coffer much to excell the other, the King laughing at their folly, opened both the Coffers, and sayd: Beholde howe much you estéeme the outwarde man, and howe litle you regarde the inwarde vertues.

AMongst the Romanes was cert [...]n discorde or va­riaunce betwéene two families: the one called Columnenses, the other named Vrsini. The com­mon people vnderstanding the familie of Columnenses to be of greater honour and of more power and wealth than Vrsini were, cryed out with the stronger part (as they had thought) with these sayings: Viuant Colum­nenses, & moriantur Vrsini. But being conuicted by the simpler sort, by the familie of Vrsini, and throwne vnto subiection. The next fielde the people cryed cleane con­trary to their first crye, saying: Viuant Vrsini, & mori­antur Columnenses. But then according vnto fortunes custome, the victors before, were vanquished then: which when the people saw, in the thirde cumbat, fra­ryng the slippery state of honour, cryed out, Viuant qui vincant. naming neither of the families, but where it woulde happen honour and victory, there to extell and commende. Euen like the Lion when hée waxeth olde, hée is of all beastes that honoured him before, despised and hated: And when hée is in force and strength, he is feared and obeyed of all other beastes.

¶ Examples of enuie.

TWo seruauntes in seruice with one man, ha­uing obtayned of their maister that whatsoeuer they woulde aske, they shoulde haue it, vpon con­dition that what the first demaunded, that should bée double vnto the last: These seruauntes being fe­lowes, the one being couetous woulde not aske first, for that the other shoulde haue twise as much, the other being enuious, wylled for very enuye vnto his felowe that one of his eyes should be pulled out, that both his felowes eyes might be put out also according vnto pro­mise made: And thus the maister knowyng the na­tures of couetousnes & enuy, like a wise Philosopher promised that liberally in worde, which he knew should not be hurtfull or chargeable in déede.

A Poore man after the like sort willyng to beare cer­ten fruites vnto Frederick the Emperour, that the Emperor was woont to loue well. The Porter be­ing couetous, said vnto the poore man that he would not suffer him to come within the gates, without hée would promise him halfe the gaine that the Emperour would giue him: the poore man being vrged to demaund some benifits for his good wil of the Emperor, vnderstanding that halfe the gaine, must be giuen according vnto hys promise vnto the Porter, for very enuie asked in a gift of the Emperour a hundred stripes, that the Porter be­ing so couetous shoulde receyue the halfe hundred: the Emperour Frederick knowing well the matter, made the Porter to be well laide on for his couetousnesse, and the man that brought the fruites, for his enuie some­what gently to be handled.

ANother example how two fellowes seruing one man, one of them being enuious vnto ye other for [Page] [...]hat his mayster made much of him, perswaded with his fellowe that his breath did stincke, and that his mai­ster might not abide the smell thereof: the young man being loth to displease his Lorde at any time, when hée gaue his mayster his cuppe to drinke, did turne awaye his face least his breath shoulde annoy his Mayster, and tolde his Mayster likewise, that no man coulde abide his fellowes breath, and that he willed his Mayster to marke him when hée reacheth him the cuppe, how hée turned his face awaye: his mayster the next time, vn­derstanding howe hée turned his face a side when hée gaue him drinke, consulted with his other seruaunt what he shoulde doe: hée being full of enuie toward his fellow, councelled his Mayster to send him vpon some message vnto certen Colliers in the woode, which bur­ned wood to make coales, sending word vnto them, that the first man that should come vnto them the next, they shoulde throwe him into the fire: this man caused hys Maister to call his fellow very earely to go to the wood: and being sent, hauing occasion to staye in a certayne Church by the waye all seruice time, the enuious Ser­uant came after very gladde of the chaunce, thinking his fellowe had béene gone a long time before, and that hée was throwne into the fire as his mayster willed, came first him self vnto the place where he himselfe ta­sted of that sauce which hée had prouided for his felow.

¶ Examples of couetousnesse.

A Rich man very penciue and sad, taking thought who shoulde possesse his wealth after his death, being a very couetous man, hard a voice saying: thy goodes shall Troilardus the Kitchin Boye haue, and also thy wife, and so cleane contrarie vnto couetous ex­pectation thinges happen: as one, a couetous man dyd hide in a Church a great potte, besought God alwayes [Page 128] in his prayers that he shoulde not die before he had filde that pot with money, which prayer obtayned, hée dyed, leauing the potte full of money behinde him. An other marying his wife, and finding by chaunce this money which his predicessor had hidde, made his prayer vnto God that he might neuer die before he hadde spent all that money which he founde. The Couetous gathe­reth not for him selfe, but for an other, which he know­eth not.

A Couetous man musing and studying alwaies how he might liue, being constrayned to mooue from one bedde vnto another, for payne and toyle hée tooke in mind, his wife demaunding the cause of his restlesse state, to whome he sayd: Wife, I studie how I maye ende this yeare, and I sée that I haue suffici­ent for all the yeare sauing for one daye, and for that daye onely I vexe and molest my selfe to know how I may discharge that day: his wife comforted him with all meanes shée coulde, but he coulde not be at reste: At length he founde this sleight, calling his wife vp vn­to him, priuily sayde: what I haue determined to doe thou shalt vnderstande wife, that daye which I haue tolde you of, I will take vpon mée to die, that thereby with wéeping and sadnesse without meate and drinke we will escape the charges thereof, which being done of his wife and layde vnder the Table, the seruauntes and the familie comming fro the fielde, astonied at the sodaine chaunce saying their Pater noster; after long sad­nesse, at length called for meate (the wife wéeping aun­swered them) that they shoulde mourne that daye for their mayster, but hungrie seruauntes gréedie of vit­tayles, woulde néedes haue meate, the man heauing his heade vp, and putting by the Carpet to sée whether they were at meate, one of the seruauntes espied him, and supposing him to be the Deuill, that was with his [Page] Maysters corpes, hée tooke a great staffe and brainde his Mayster in stéede of the Diuell: the good wife cryed and sayde, that he had killed hir husbande, he denied and saide it was the diuell: The matter being brought before the Iudge, who vnderstanding the life of that co­uetous man, was perswaded that the Diuell watcht with the bodie, and that the good wife was deceyued.

ANother being sicke of the palsey and like to die, was admonished of his kinsmen and fréendes to receyue the sacrament, and to thinke of his soule, the sicke man being so weake, coulde not speake nor make no signes vnto his freendes for all that they could do. At length one of the house which well knew his na­ture, sayde: that if any life were in him, hée woulde make him either speake or geue signes, tooke the Keye from his beddes head, and went about to open his Coffer which stoode at his beddes foote full of money, the couetous sicke man with head, féete, and with all his body made tokens and signes that his soule was there, and that if his money shoulde be taken away, hée shoulde presently dye.

THe like examples of another couetous man, whiche when the priest according vnto the custome in those dayes, woulde annoint him being sicke and like to dye, he perceyuing scant that hee was touched for his imbe­cilitie and weaknesse, his minde more occupied on his purse then on his sicknesse, was woont to say féeling the Priestes hande: Who toucheth my purse?

ANother great Prince was so couetous that being besieged in a certen Citie called Baldac, of a strong King hauing money sufficient, wealth & substaunce abundant within the Cittie, for very desire hée had to kéepe the money, he lost the Citie, and being taken cap­tiue [Page 129] was demaunded of the King why he suffred his ci­tie to be subdued, his souldiours slaine, and himselfe to be taken, hauing so much wealth within the Citie as might defende the Cittie, saue the men, and kéepe him­selfe from Captiuitie: he being not able to aunswere the cause, helde his peace. The King perceyuing hys couetous minde to be the cause of all destruction, sayde: Come tell me where thy money is, and being brought to a huge tower, where he caried his money to saue, she­wed the King where the money was. The King tooke the keye, and lockt him fast with his money in the hie Tower, saying: I will neuer do thée that iniurie to take thée away from that which thou louest better than thy life, commaunding no man vppon paine of death to beare him eyther meate or drinke, and so most wret­chedly suffred him to die for hunger, hauing golde and siluer ynough lying by him.

Examples of hearing.

VAlerius reciteth a History of a certen young man of Athens named Polemus, giuen much to [...]an­queting and drinking, being allured vnto all plea­sures, hauing his felicitie in eating and drinking, and fine clothing, comming vnto the schoole of Anaxagoras being so well charged with Wine, and so braue in ap­parell, that the schollers of Anaxagoras stomaked him for his dronkennesse to come there: but Anaxagoras perceyuing the case of Polemus, left to speake of that which he then hadde in hande, and turned his talke to speake of that temperancie and sobrietie, which when Polemus hearde so learnedly and skilfullye, hée threwe downe his Garlande from his heade, hée chaunged hys countenaunce, wayled his former life, and from that time forewarde Polemus liued honestly.

[Page] VLisses willing to auoyde the swéete songs of flatte­ring Cirses, fearing lest the like shoulde happen vn­to him as it did vnto diuers others, stopt his eares and his seruauntes with waxe, and so auoyded the dan­ger thereof: So to heare good and holsome things with Polemus, it is fruitefull, and to heare flatterie lette all men stoppe their eares with Vlisses.

¶ Examples of discorde.

IN a certen Ile there dwelt some Hermettes, which for discorde and inwarde contention, the Mise of the Ile consumed their victualles, that they were enfor­ced to make agréement of them selues: in so much Apollonius willing to trauell in making some friendes that were foes, one of the parties sayde that hée had ra­ther die, than to be made friendes: Well sayde Apol­lonius, and die thou shalt, and thy graue shall be the bel­lies of wilde beastes, and flying foules, and euen that night hée died sodainely, and was deuoured of beastes, as Apollonius sayde, for his Tigrishe and cruell minde.

¶ Examples of friendshippe.

THere were two friendes, the one an Egyptian, the other a Citizen of Baldac: this Egyptian ma­king much of his friende, and so well loued him, that nothing which he hadde, wanted him. By fortune this Egiptian waxed poore, and so néedie that he was enforced to come vnto the Cittie Baldac to knowe what his friende woulde doe for him, and being ashamed of his poore estate, watching a conuenient time to present him vnto his friende, went all night vnto a Barne to sléepe, that night a murther was committed, and a man slaine, & caried by chaunce into the Barne, where being [Page 130] founde in the morning, this poore Egyptian was accu­sed before the Iudges that hée murthered the man, and being iudged to die, his friende being on the bench, cal­ling to minde that it was hée that made much of him in Egypt, forthwith rose and sayde: that it was not that man that slue the man, but euen hée himselfe: The o­ther denayed, affirming that he was iustly condemned, and that hée onelye ought to die: They both striuing which of them shoulde die: the murtherer in déede bée­ing in place, séeing the perfit amitie of these two young men, merueyling muche thereat, was compelled of loue to confesse the murther, and that hee kilde the man. The Iudges musing much at the amitie of these men, pardoned them all thrée.

A Young man passing through wildernesse where wilde beastes were, hired a skilfull felowe which promised suche amitie that he woulde bring him safe and sounde without perill of limbe and life: being in the middest of the woode, a Beare came towardes them, the fellow that profest him friendeshippe, tooke his féete and ranne and climmed vp to the top of a hye trée. The straunger perceyuing that his friende was fledde, and that he himselfe as not able to escape, fell downe vnto the grounde vpon his bellye: for it is sayde that the Lion or the Beare will spare their yéelded praies, and specially the Beare, if a man hold hys breth as though he were deade. This man taking vpon him to die, the Beare felt and smelt about his mouth and his eares, whether any breath were in him or no, per­ceyuing at last that he was deade, the Beare went a­waye: The other that was in the toppe of the trée asked him when he came, what did the Beare speak vnto him in his eare when hée came vnto him: Marie sayde hée that I shoulde not trust such a Knaue as thou art to go with in companie where daungers were.

¶ Examples of flattery.

KIng Zerxes marching towarde the Gréekes with a huge army of souldiers, called his counsellours vnto him, demaunded of them what was chéefely to bée feared in that iourney, one of them sayde: I feare most of all that when the Gréekes do heare of your po­wer, force and magnanimitie, that they wyll flée and not abide your bande. The seconde sayde, that ho doub­ted most that all Gréece was not able to lodge them or to receyue them vnto their Citties. The thirde sayde, that he feared most the Ocian seas, was not ynough for his nauies to passe ouer. The fourth feared that the ayre had not rome ynough for their arrowes that they would shoote off. The King being puffed vp with pride, hea­ring his councellers pleasing him so well: demaunded at last of a certen Philosopher named Damaserꝰ which he caried with him, what he doubted most in that wars: I feare chiefely sayd the Philosopher, lest you be sham­fully deceyued by these filthie flatterers.

¶ Examples of gluttonie.

KIng Cirus going vnto Scithia where Quéene T [...] ­myris raigned, vnderstanding the pouertie of that Countrie, and the beggerie to be such, that he cau­sed all his souldiours to flée from their tentes, leauing their meate and victualles behinde them, vnto the Sci­thians, which for gréedinesse more vnto the meate, then desirous to pursue King Cirus, applyed their bel­lies so much, that Cirus being in ambushement for the nonce, knowing how well that it shoulde come to passe, came vppon them sodainelye as they were eating and drinking, and slue and murthered them like Dogges.

Exampels of rape and spoyle.

DIonides a Pirate vpon the Sea, being taken by Alexander the great, and asked of the same why he robbed vppon the Seas, aunswered in this sort: why robbest thou vpon the landes? I, bycause I am a young Pirate vpon the Seas, am called a théefe: and thou which dooest robbe lande and seas, art called a king and a Conquerer. I steale a little in the night time, thou spoylst all things in the night and day time: I am enforced to steale to liue, and thou doest willingly steale to destroy: Dionides cannot haue worse fortune, nor Alexander cannot haue better, for that I hope day­lie better and better, and thou hast néede to feare worse and worse.

A Certen poore woman came vnto a couetous Iudge to demaund iustice at his hande, complay­ning a long time very pitteously, at length the Iudge sayde that he was deaffe, the poore woman ha­uing a supplication made, the next time came againe to tender the same vnto the Iudge, vnto whom the Iudge sayde I am blinde: the woman perceyuing his minde, came the thirde time, and brought twentie Florentine Counters in hir hande, saying softlie: My Lorde sayde shée, I praye you shewe me fauour, here is twentie Crownes for you to by a saddle: The Iudge as soft as shée sayde it, hearde hir, and stretching foorth his hande receyued the Counters, which assone as hée sawe, hée sayde, that they were no golde but Counters: My Lord sayde the woman, nowe I knowe well that there is great vertue in Golde, that can make deaffe Iudges to heare, and blinde Iudges to sée.

A Byshoppe passing through a great Citie▪ a poore man begged one pennie of him for Goddes sake, [Page] which he coulde not obtaine, the poore man perceyuing that he coulde haue neuer a pennie at the Byshoppes hande, desired the Byshoppe to blesse him: The By­shoppe straight vp with his hande and blessed him. A woman séeing howe franke the Byshoppe was of his blessing, and how harde hée was of a pennie, sayde me­rilie: Alasse poore man saide she, if his blessing had béen worth a pennie thou hadst not had it, but bicause it was nothing worth thou hast it.

¶ Examples of mercie.

TIgranes King of Armenia, béeing vanquished and taken by Pompeiꝰ the great, when that he came in place before Pompeius, hée threwe downe his Crowne vnto the grounde, and knéeled at Pompeius féete, saying: Mercie I craue, straight Pompeius tooke him vp by the hande, and put his Crowne on his head, and sayde: I take it more honorable to make a King, than to destroy a King.

¶ Examples of Loue.

A Poore scholler begging his dombe at a Noble womans gate, besought the Porter for the loue of God a péece of meate. The Porter hauing she­wed vnto his Lady that a poore scholler was at the gate begging some meate for Goddes sake: The Lady sayd he shoulde haue nothing there for his sake: The schol­ler then desired for our Lordes sake some meate, hée was againe denied: The thirde time hée prayed to haue some meate for his owne sake: The Ladie then com­maunded hir Porter to bring the Scholler vnto hir chamber, which when shée perceyued him to be rag­ged, and not séene of hir before, shée asked him why hée was so boulde to aske meate at hir gate for his owne [Page 132] sake which was not knowne of no man: bycause sayd the scholler you haue denied me for Goddes sake, being the Creator of all thinges, I thought to aske for mine owne sake, being the simplest wretch of all men.

A Young Uirgin refused to haue a welthie husbande which hir parentes had ordayned hir, being de­maunded the cause why shée so young a mayde de­nieth to leade hir life in mariage, sayd: when I am ma­ried, my husbande, and my children will clayme that loue at my hande then, which nowe God onlye hath at my hande, and therefore I will not mary. Surelye in my opinion, that was perfect loue to the Creator, aboue any creature.

¶ Examples of death.

IT is written in the liues of the fathers, that a young man seruing an Hermet, being sent of his maister vnto a village harde by, where a certen great U­surer and a vicious man being dead, was caryed hono­rably and buried with solempnitie, with the Bishop of that Diocesse, which when the boy saw, hée wept out that so euyll a man, & so wicked an Usurer should haue such solemne buriall: and returning whom, hée founde his maister deuoured of a Lion, which so mooued him almost to bée beside him selfe, saying: The wicked Usurer dieth with greate honour, and is buried with great pompe, that liued all the dayes of his life in sinne and wickednesse. My maister being fifty yeres in the wildernesse an Hermet, is eaten vp and deuoured of a Lion, whiche studied and traueyled to fight with sinne, and with the deuyll. An angel appeared vnto the boy, saying: The deuyll can no more hurt thy maister, for hée hath done his worst, and now thy maister hath conquered the deuyll. The deuyll spared the Usurer in [Page] his life time, that hée might possesse him after his death.

SOcrates therefore dying, héeing constrayned for that hée refused their gods (and sayd that hée would rather worship a Dogge than the gods of Athens) and to drinke his last draught, perceyuing that his wife wept, demaunded the cause of her wéeping, his wife aunswered and sayd: the innocencie of Socrates death is the cause of my wéeping: Nay rather sayde Socrates laugh and reioyce at that, and wéepe at him that deser­ued death. The like examples haue wée of King Anti­gonus and Anaxagoras the Philosopher, hearing both that their sonnes dyed in the warres, the one sayd, I knowe I hadde my sonne borne to die: the other with­out vexation or chaunge of countenaunce, made him be buried out of hand, saying: It is no straunge thing to heare of death, aswell vnto Princes, as vnto poore men happened.

A Great King being admonished by his Phisitions of death, began to lament much his state, saying: Alasse Myser that I am, howe many princelye Pallaces, regall Courtes: howe manye Kingdomes and countries must I depart from? and go vnto those quarters I know not where? Howe manye Princes coulde I commaunde to come with mée anye where? Howe many Noble men might I cause to go before to prouide my places and seates? and nowe not one poore man in all the worlde will beare mée company to my graue, saying thou worlde enimie of my soule.

¶ THE DEATHES OF CERTEN Noble Princes in english verse.

¶ Alexander the great his death.
WHat sounde assurance is of man?
what certaine lotte of life?
When Atrop cuts which Lachese spinnes,
with cruell cursed knife.
Hée yesterday renowmed Prince,
and King of Kinges so braue:
To daye in mouldred mossie mire,
layde in his fatall graue.
Yesterdaye the sonne of Ioue,
might all commaunde at will:
To day starcke naked in the earth,
with wormes his belly full.
¶ Iulius Caesars death.
I Long that ruled Rome at will,
in middest of Rome am spilde:
And in the Senate house amongst
the Senators I am kilde.
Who Countries, Kingdomes, Castles strong,
who Europe all did quell:
To Brutus hande, and Cassius snares,
vnwares I Caesar fell.
With Bodkins, Daggers, Swordes and Staues.
I Caesar there was slaine:
Of fostered foes which friendeshippe fainde,
as Abel was of Cain.
¶ Cirus King of Persea his death.
WHat Kesar, King, or Prince thou art,
that passes here this way:
Suffer Cirus seauen foote,
to rest his Corpes in clay.
[Page]Whose gréedie minde and raging race,
whose fortune frowning wild:
That Cirus shoulde be in Scithia slaine,
by Tomyris, Quéene in fielde.
Whose heade was off and bathed in bloode,
to whome the Quéene spake first:
Drinke cruell Cirus bloode ynough,
that long for bloode did thirst.
¶ Agamemnon his death.
WHome tenne yeares warres in Phrigian fieldes,
nor Troyans force subdue:
Who me winde, nor Seas, nor tempest hurt,
this Clitemnestra slue.
This famous Prince and Capitaine graunde,
of all the Géekes in fielde:
Whome fame in Phrigia so aduaunced,
his onely spouse him kilde.
Thus fortune friendly flowed fast,
and fauored fame to sounde:
Till frowning fortune foylde the state,
which fawning fortune founde.
¶ King Pirrhus his death.
HEre Pirrhus Prince of Epire lyes,
whose force Tarentum knew:
At Argos was by a woman slaine,
with a Tilestoone that shée threw▪
Whom thousande Princes coulde not hurt,
nor Romanes all annoy:
Whom shot of Gunnes ne dreadfull dart,
might Pirrhus Prince destroy.
This seconde souldier counted was,
to Alexander King:
A sielie Argiue woman lo,
to graue did Pirrhus bring.
¶ Hanibal his death.
THe fostered fame the glory great,
that was in Carthage coast:
The honour long that Lybia had,
againe in time was lost.
He that was the scurge of Rome,
and Romanes oft offend:
He that saued his natiue zoile,
and Carthage did defende.
The same at last to Siria fled,
to craue Antiochus ayde:
Unto Bithinia thence he went,
to Prusias King dismayde.
And there to voyde Flaminius force,
he poyson dranke did die;
Thus hauty Hanibal ended life,
and there his bones do lye.
¶Pompeius death.
POmpeius fléeing Pharsalia fieldes,
from Caesar, life to saue:
Whome then Photinus fayned friende,
to Egypt soyle did laue.
And there by slaightes of faythlesse frindes,
for golde and siluer loe:
Pompeius heade was sent to Rome,
to Caesar for to shoe.
His bodie left vnburied lieth,
in Egypt slimy sandes:
Who sometime King of Pontus prest,
and all Armenia landes.
¶ Cicero his death.
WHome Cicero saued off from death,
the same did Cicero kill:
[Page] Pompilius prowde to please the rage,
of Mar. Antonius will.
Whose heade was sette in sight to sée,
Antonius minde to please:
Whose tongue did Fuluia pricke with pinnes,
Hir stony heart to ease.
Who when hée was for Clodius sake,
exiled Rome to raunge:
Twentie thousande Romanes mournde,
in mourning wéedes the chaunge.
Hée thrée times Consul was in Rome,
now in Caieta slaine:
Whose noble name and lasting fame,
shall styll on earth remaine.
¶ Demosthenes death.
THe sugred sappe the solace long,
the guyde of Athens then:
That stoute withstoode king Philips force,
in spite of Philips men.
Of whome king Philip in his warres,
was forcde to say at length:
Hée feared more Demosthenes tongue,
then all the Athinians strength:
Such is the ende of mortall wightes,
such is the miserie of men:
That howe to die, the time the place,
he knoweth not where nor when.
¶ Achilles his death.
THe hope of Gréece, and countries care,
Achilles strong of force:
Like stoute Alcides fought on foote,
like Mars himselfe on horse.
But last that ruled Goddes sometimes,
did then Achilles mooue:
[Page 135]To walke to Troye to féede desire,
for Priamus daughters loue.
Who by a Dart that Paris driude,
Achilles had his ende:
Whose worthy actes and marshall feates,
in Homer well is pende.
¶ Hectors death.
HEctor stoute whose strokes full sterne,
the Gréekes did girde so grim:
And foyled foes in Phrigian fieldes,
death happened thus to him.
In spoyling of Patroclus king,
Achilles faythfull friende:
Came strong Achilles to the place,
to sée Patroclus ende.
Then Hectors harnesse quite was of,
supposing none so nie:
When great Achilles watcht in place,
in Hectors face to flie.
And with his speare hée thrust him through,
from Hectors side to side:
Thus famous man and Phrigian Prince,
thus Troyan Hector died.
¶Thimistocles death.
THat noble Gréeke Themistocles,
by Artaxerxes forcde:
To fight agaynst his natiue soyle,
in harnesse braue was horsde.
But marke a valiaunt minde,
beholde a famous déede:
To hurt his soyle this noble Gréeke,
did féele his heart to bléede.
To voyde this wrath of Perseans Prince,
hée bloode with poyson dranke:
[Page]And so to die, that so did liue,
hée gladly God did thanke.
¶ Marcellus death.
MArcellus in his glorie great,
triumphant Uictor oft:
The Spurre of Rome, and Romane guyde,
in state aduaunced loft.
Who by the Senate sage was sent,
to Massinissa King:
And charged that from Africk fieldes,
an aunswere he shoulde bring.
On surging Seas, of wambling waues,
vnto his busines bent.
Dame Fortune doth with flattering feates
such loftie mates preuent.
¶ Nero his death.
IN lust who leadeth life,
with Tyraunt Nero here:
Must with Nero ende his life,
as did in Rome appere.
Who slue his Mayster Seneca,
who did his mother kill:
Who spoyled all, who spared none,
who last him selfe did spill.
Whose death as ioyfull was to Rome,
as Rome his life detest.
That into Tiber he being deade,
the Romans threwe this beast.
¶ Hercules death.
WHich Dragons, Lions, Tigers wilde,
which beastes so fierce did tame:
Which Castles, Countries, Townes, and Towres,
loe death subdued the same.
[Page 136]What Hercules hadde at Nessus hande,
the same with flames did frie:
Wherein that ofspring great of Goddes,
and impe of Ioue did die.
¶ Herods death.
WHen Herode raigned in Iuda King,
his lothsome life to ledde:
On sucking babes and infantes bloode,
this cruell tyraunt fedde.
To séeke our Sauiour Christ he kilde,
the babes of Iuda lande:
And thought our God coulde not escape
his fomie blodie hande.
Of Wormes this Herode was deuourde,
of vermin loe and mise:
His bones, his fleshe, was all consumde,
and eaten vp of Life.
Seleucus king of Siria his death.
SEleucus King of Siria lo,
Antiochus sonne the great:
To whome in middest of ioyfull state,
did fortune vse this feate.
That mounted high on stately stéede,
with princely port to ride:
From pompe, from pride, from horse he fell,
and there Seleucus died.
That earst in Siria had such fame,
and liued long in mirth:
With crawling créeping wormes hée lieth,
starcke naked in the earth.
Traians death.
WHen twentie yeares had Traian rainde
in Romane Empire lo:
[Page]In Citie called Seleucia died,
from Persea comming fro.
Whose noble dayes and happy yeres,
while yet in Rome hée dwelt:
Both Rome and Romanes then reioycde,
no griefe in Rome was felt.
He rightly ruled Rome by lawe,
he Romane safegarde sought:
To punish vice and hate eche sinne,
Plutarchus him hath taught.
King Anceus death.
WHo thinkes to ioye shall hap to wo,
who thinkes to liue shall die:
Who thinkes to spéede shall often misse,
thus fortune friendes doth trie.
As Anceus King of Samos sought,
to slea a sauage Bore:
Was by the Bore he thought to kill,
constraynde to die before.
¶ Heliogabalus Emperour of Rome his death.
BEholde another Gorgon grim,
a monster Cyclop lo:
Whose lothsome life and wicked wayes,
all Rome did feare I know.
The sincke of sinne, the shape of shame,
the beast of Rome was calde:
The cruelst scourge, the sorest plague,
that euer Rome haue stalde.
This monster murthered in a iakes,
and halde through Rome in stéetes:
And after throwne to Tibers streames,
shut in his shrowding shéetes.
FINIS.

¶Of Memorie, and Obliuion.

SOme hold that opinion, that in the auncient tyme whiles yet the worlde florished not in learnyng, that memorie then was moste sette by and esteamed, for what so euer was seen or heard, was then committed vnto Memorie, and not recorded in bookes, whiche Socrates saied, after the vse of letters were had the vertue of Memorie decaied, for the care whiche then was in harte and memorie; with feare and dili­gence to obserue, is of all now put in bookes, that now our memorie is put in writyng, and then was it fixed in minde,Themistocles. in so muche that noble Athenian Themisto­cles passyng by Simonides schoole,Simonides. who as some suppose taught firste the arte of Memorie, beyng demaunded, whether he would learne the arte and facultie of Me­morie answered, that he had rather learne how to for­gette thynges, then to keepe thynges in Memorie, for I can not, saied he, forgette what I would, and I haue thynges in Memorie, whiche faine I would thei were out of Memorie.Seneca▪ Seneca doeth so report of hymself, that he was of suche perfect Memorie, that he could reherse after one, by hearing twoo hūdred verses: yea, a greater maruaile of Memorie, he could recite twoo thousande names of men, beyng repeated once before hym, with as good a Memorie, as he that firste named them. The like we read of Aelius Adrianus a capitain,Aeli [...]s▪ that hauing a greate armie vnder hym of soldiours, if any were ab­sent in any place about any businesse, he had in Memo­rie the name of the persone, the name of the place, and the cause of his businesse. Of this excellent Memorie, [Page] to their perpetuall fame was kyng Cirus and Scipio, Ci [...]us. Scipio. the one a Persian, the other a Romain, whiche had this fame by Memorie: that either of theim could seuerally call their soldiours by name, euery one after an other, whiche is moste rare, yea, moste maruailous, hauyng so many alwaies vnder them, as both Rome and Persia were chiefly in their daies by them defended, to be able to name so many soldiours, as either of them both had in armie. Their Memorie was suche th [...]n, that thei maie not be forgotten now:Caesar. Iulius Caesar was as muche renowmed, for that Plinie reported, that he could dooe suche thynges by Memorie, as in readyng, in talkyng, in hearyng, and in aunsweryng at one tyme, that no fault could be founde in either of these fower qualities at one tyme practised, whereby he deserueth no lesse praise by his Memorie, then fame by his actes. Diuers excelled in tyme paste in Memorie,Hor [...]ensius. as Hor [...]ensius a no­ble Oratour of Rome, was able to speake in any place, any thing which he premidated priuatly, without stu­die openly, he had more truste in his Memorie, then in bookes.Carmid [...]s. Carmides of Grece was so famous for this fa­cultie, that he neuer heard any readyng, but he could repeate it worde by worde without writyng, were the writyng or readyng neuer so long, he would not misse a sillable.Cineas. Cyneas a noble and a famous Oratour, one of the counsailours of kyng Pirrhus, beyng sente from E­pire vnto the Senatours of Rome as an Ambassadour, he but once hearyng the names of the Senates, before he came vnto the Senate house, where when he came he named them orderly by name, euery one after an o­ther, that all the Senatours were in a greate admira­tion of his Memorie, in repeatyng so many names, in openyng so many matters, in cōcludyng so many thin­ges, whiche when he came vnto kyng Pirrhus his ma­ster whom from Rome, he recited not onely his doyn­ges and orations, but also their aunsweres and replies, [Page 138] euery woorde by woorde as then was spoken, doen, or written by the Senators. This Cyneas was not so ex­cellent of Memorie, but also of passyng eloquence, of whom kyng Pyrrhus was wonte to saie, that he gotte more cities, tounes, and kyngdomes by the eloquence of Cineas, then with all the force and strength of al the Epyrotes beside. It is writtē in Laertius lib. 8. that Py­thagoras had charge of God Mercurie, to aske what he would (sauyng immortalitie) and he should haue it, and he willed to kepe in Memorie all thinges that he heard and sawe, and to forgette nothyng beyng deade, of that whiche he sawe beyng a liue, whiche beyng graunted, the soule of Athalides beyng slaine of Menelaus, ente­red in Euphorb [...]:Hermonius. Secondly tooke place in Hermonius thirdly in Pyrrhus: and fourthly in Pithagoras, whiche had suche Memorie thereby, that he could describe the state of the liue, and the dead. Diuers were famous for Memorie emongst the Greekes, as Archippus, Lysia­des, Metrodorus, Carneades, Theodectes, and others. Many emongst the Romains were renoumed for their Memories, as Iulius Caesar, L. Scipio, Portius, Claudius Hortensius, with infinite nomber. What greate fame had Mythridates kyng of Pontus, Mythridates. that hauyng as Plini and Gelius bothe reporte .xxij. straunge Nations, that were souldiours alwaies in warres vnder him against the Romains, that he could speake xxij. languages, with out interpreter to open his minde vnto thē. A straunge thyng it is nowe to finde a man in this our ripe yeres, that can speake half a dosen speaches. If a man can but smatter in sixe or seuen languages, he is noted to bee a rare felowe, and yet king Mythridates had .xxij. A note of greate Memorie, for some there be in learnyng one speache, that thei knowe not, thei forget an other that thei knowe.Lucullus. That worthie man Lucullus is remem­bred of Cicero in his fourth booke of Achademicall que­stions, for his passyng and noble Memorie. The Ae­giptians [Page] vsed notes and figures for their Memorie, in so muche thei marked the well memoried man, with the figure of a Hare, or a Foxe, for that the Hare heare beste, and the Foxe of greateste Memorie, and if any wāted Memorie, thei compared hym to the Crocod [...]le. We reade of Esdras a Prieste,Esdras. Portius. that had all the lawes of the Hebrues vpon his fingers ende. We read of Porti­us, that he neuer forgot any thyng that he once read be­fore. He againe would neuer read that, whiche once he wrote, but straighte out of hande, his Memorie was suche, would speake it and pronounce it in order, euen as he wrote it before. Memorie therfore is likened vn­to a Nette, whiche taketh and staieth greate fishe, and letteth through the little fishe: and euen as bookes that be not occupied waxe rustie, and cleaue together, so me­morie whiche is not occupied, saieth Seneca waxe dull and obliuious, as wee oftentymes see howe forgetfull men waxe, either with sicknes, age, or suche like, that letteth the Memorie of man to be occupied:Orbilius. as Orbilius by extremitie of age, forgot his alphabetes and letters Hermolaus had a frēde, whiche in his youth was a per­fecte Grecian, and yet in his latter yeres waxed so ob­liuious, that he could not read: Greke. Plini saieth Mes­sala surnamed Coruinus waxed so forgetfull by longe sicknesse,Messala. that he forgotte his owne name. And Seneca doeth write of one Caluisius, Caluisius. that was so weake of me­morie, that he did forgette the names of those, that he was daiely in companie, as Achilles Vlixes, and Pria­mus, whom he knewe verie well What is it els for a manne to wante Memorie, but to wante the name of his knowen frende, for he is no man that knoweth not that man, as Augustus Caesar, somtyme Emperour of Rome, his beade is verie obliuious, whē he should come vnto the Senate, he demaunded of the Emperor, whether he would commaunde hym to doe any thyng that he could doe? why saied the Emperour, take this letter [Page 139] with thee, that men maie knowe thee, for thou kno­west no man, for thou wantest memorie. Cicero doeth make mention of one Curio, that was so obliuious be­yng a iudge, that he forgotte the case; whiche he should giue iudgement vpon.Atticus. Likewise Atticus the soonne of Sophista, was of fraile Memorie, that he could neuer keepe in mynde, the names of the fower Elementes, Bamba a certaine kyng of the Gotes, Bamba. by a draughte of drinke giuen by Heringius his successour loste his Me­morie: it maie well be that drinke cutteth of Memorie For the Poetes faine, that there is a riuer in helle na­med Lethes, whose water if any man taste thereof, he forgetteth any thyng doen, or past before. In this were the Thracians so dulle of Memorie,Thracians. that thei could not compte aboue the nomber of fower. Now that memo­rie is praised in some, and obliuiousnes dispraised in o­thers, that there wante no testimonie therein, what maie bee spoken of those, that then were compted the famous clearkes, and the renowmest Oratours in all the worlde, whiche did not onely staie in their oratiōs but also quite wer beside their matters:Demosthenes. as Demosthe­nes and Cicero, two noble Oratours, vpon whō depen­ded the state of Athens and Rome, suche imperfection was in them▪ notwithstanding that Demosthenes was dismaied at the presence of Philip kyng of Macedonia, and Cicero astonied at the presence of the Senatours, that bothe tongue and countenaunce failed these noble clearkes. Likewise Theophrastus that graue Philoso­pher, & successour vnto Aristotle many tymes was put to silence in the middest of his Oration, before the peo­ple of Athens. Heraclitus. So was Heraclitus Seuerus dōbe before the Emperour. Herodes Atticus before M. Antonius quite out of countenaunce, so that the presence of prin­ces, the dignitie of places, the maiestie of states, abate and chaunge the worthinesse of the persone. Some a­gaine chalenge vnto theim selues, whiche altogether [Page] thei are as voide of as Hipparchion, Hipparchion. Ruffinus. when he would haue contended with Ruffinus, he had not a woorde to speake, in so muche that a prouerbe grewe by hym, ap­plied vnto hym that is more talkatiue then wise Hip­parchion is dooen,Cassius Seuerus. Some againe with Cassius Seuerus, whiche though all his bookes were burned by the Se­natours, saied that he caried all his learnyng in minde and Memorie, whiche could not bee taken awaie, vn­lesse his life likewise should bee taken awaie: For my lernyng said he, is in my mynde, and not printed in bookes. The greatest excellencie that can be in man is Memorie, the beste iuell that manne hath is Me­morie, and the nexte thing that approcheth immortalitie is Memorie, and so nigh that if a man could but remem­ber the ende of thinges, he should neuer taste death, but he should liue for euer.

¶Of the pilgrimages of Princes, and miserie of mortalitie.

THere is no beast vpon earth, no foule in the eare, no fishe in the Sea, that séeketh his owne decaie but man, as by experience we see all things to haue a care of his owne life.Lion. The Lion when he fee­leth hym self sicke, he neuer ceaseth vntil he féedeth vpon an Ape, whereby he maie recouer former health. The Gotes of Creet féedyng on high vpon the mountaines,The Goates of Creete. when any of them is shot through with an Arrowe, as the people of that countrey are most excellent archers they seeke Dictamum and hearbe assone, as they eate any thyng of the same, the arrowe faleth downe, and the wound waxeth whole incontinent. There are cer­ten kyndes of Frogges in Aegypt, Frogges of Aegypts. about the floud of Nilus, that haue this perseueraunce, that when by chaunce they happen to come where a fishe called Va­rus is, whiche is a greate mourtherer and a spoyler of Frogges, they vse to beare in their mouthes ouer­thwart a long réede, which groweth about the bankes at Nilus, whiche when this fishe doth gape: thinkyng to feede vpon the Frog, the réede is so long that by no meanes can he swallowe vp the Frogge, and so saue their liues. If the Gotes of Creet. If the frogges of Ae­gypt haue this vnderstanding to auoide their enemies, how muche more ought men to be circumspect of his life,Swine. which hath I saie millions of enemies nether séen nor knowen. We reade in the first boke of Aelian, that the rude swine, if at any tyme by chaunce, they eate of that hearbe called Hioscyamus, which draweth by & by [Page] the vaines together, that skant thei can stirre, yet they striue for remedie sake to goe vnto the water, where they feede vppon yong Crabbes to recouer health. [...] sea Snaill. In the same booke ye maie reede of a Sea Snaill whiche from the water doth come vnto lande to breede, and after she hath egged she diggeth the yearth and hideth her egges, and retourneth vnto the sea again, and there continueth .xl. daies, and after .xl. daies, she commeth vnto the same self place where she hidde her egges, and perceiueth that thei are ready to come out of the shell, she openeth the shell, and taketh her yong ones with her, vnto the sea. And thus haue they care & charge not onely of their owne states and liues, but also of others, and by some shewe of sence thei amende that which is most daungerous and hurtfull, for the sely and simple mise haue this kynde of fore knowledge,Mise. that when a­ny howse waxeth olde and ruinous, they forsake their olde dwellyng and creepyng holes, they flee and seeke refuge in an other place.Auntes. The little Antes haue fore­sightes, that when penury and want of relife draweth nier, they waxe so painefull and laborious, toilyng and trauailyng in gatheryng together victualles as maie serue them duryng the tyme of famine. If these smale crepyng wormes, seely and simple beastes prouide for them selues, what shall wee saie of man, the kyng and ruler ouer all beastes, who hath not onely a bodie to prouide for, but also a soule to saue. More happie are these wormes and beastes in their kinde, then a nom­ber of Princes are. For that they by nature onely are taught their foes to auoide, neither we by nature nei­ther by God the cause of all goodnes, can loue our fren­des. Therefore verie well it is saide of the wise man, that either not to be borne, or els beyng borne streight to die is the happiest state that can chaunce vnto man. For liuyng in this vale of miserie, wee sée the Pilgri­mages and trauell of life to be such, that better farre it [Page 141] were be a poore quiet man, then a busie proude Prince. And sith death is the last line of life, aswell appointed for princes as for poore men, who in reading the liues of Emperours, Kinges and Princes, the nobles of the worlde seeth not their vnhappie states, whiche com­myng vnto the worlde naked, and departyng from the same naked, yet like proude pilgrimes busie one to de­stroye another, not cōtented with countries and king­domes, go from one place vnto another, from one coū ­trie vnto another like Pilgrimes, to bee acquainted with miserie and to seeke death.Alexander. Alexander the great conquerour takyng his voiage from his kyngdome of Macedonia vnto India, to destroie all the worlde, hee was in the citie of Babilon preuēted by Antipater and Iola his taster and kinsman with poison, and there he died.Philopomen, Philopomen a greate Emperour sometyme in Greece, beyng in prison in Messena, taken in the war­res, and beyng so cruelly handled, that he besought Di­nocrates whiche then was Prince of that countrie and conquerour ouer hym, one draught of poison, he coulde not be cōtent to be Emperour and ruler of Greece, but moued to seeke death in a straunge countrie amongest his foes.Ladislaus. Ladislaus kyng of Apulia endeuouryng to sub­due the Florentines, and séekyng to bee kyng ouer the Florentines, he loste the kingdome of Apulia. For by them was hee at length poisoned, and so berefte from his owne kingdome and life, with this vnhappie kinde of death wer many princes preuented, no lesse threte­ned are these princes of their owne houshold frendes, then of foren foes, no lesse do their childrē, their wiues brethren and kinsmen, studie to destroie them, some­tyme for the kingdomes sake, some tyme for hatered hidden, and most oftē prouoked of these to spoile them, as it is written, that Claudius Caesar an Emperour of Rome, Antiochus. was poisoned of his owne wife Agrippina. An­tiochus king of Siria was poisoned of his Queene Lao­dice, [Page] for that hee was in loue with Berenices Kynge Ptholomeus sister.Constantin̄us. Constantine the Emperour, the soonne of Heraclius, beeyng but one yere a ruler of his empire, was poisoned by his mother in lawe named Martina. Conradus. The verie cause of the Emperour Conradus death, whiche was Frederikes soonne was the Empire and rule of Rome, whiche Manfredus his successour made the phisicions for money to poison him, that then hee beyng the successour of the empire, might beare rule.L. Vectius. O vnhappie state of Princes, whose liues are de­sired of frende and foe. How sore was L. Vectius set on of Caesar, to betraie Pompeius the greate, whiche for the loue and zeale that Pompeius had in Rome, Caesar began to malice Lucullus, Curio, Cato and Cicero, for their priuate loue towarde Pompeius, no lesse daun­ger it is to be in fauour with princes sometime, then perilous, to bee princes, wee reade of a Quéene named Rosimunda, Rosimunda. the doughter of kyng Cunimunda of Ge­pida after that she poisoned Albonius king of Longo­bardes hir first housebande, she maried a prince of Ra­uen [...]a named Helinges, which likewise she thought to poison, but beyng warned in ye middest of his draught, he caused his wife to drinke the reste, whiche drinke was the cause of both their death, howe manie noble Princes in the middest of their Pilgrimages died that death, as Diocletian the Emperour of Rome, Lotarius kyng of France,Carolus. A [...]istobulus. Hanibal. Carolus the eight of that name, with diuers others, as Hanibal prince of Carthage Aristo­bolus king of Iuda, and Lucullus Emperour of Rome, Princes and noble men doe sometyme poyson theim­selues, lest they should be enforced of their foes to doe what thei would,Themistocles. as Themistocles beyng banished frō his countrie Athens, when he did deserue wel life and honor, beyng in seruice with Artaxerxes kyng of Per­sia, poisoned hym self with the bloud of a Bulle, in pre­sence of all the Persians, lest he should be compelled to [Page 142] fight in warres againste Grece his countrey. Euen so Aratus Prince of Sicionia, Aratus. perceiuyng Philip the yon­ger, should banishe and exile hym out of his countrey, was enforced to drinke his owne death, out of his one hande. Euen after this sort, after long administration of common wealth, after greate honour had, and after Princely dignities possessed, with worthie renowme and same receiued, did noble Socrates, learned Anaxa­goras, worthie Seneca, & famous Demosthenes poison them selues. Thus their pilgrimages were ended, and their liues finished, their honor and dignitie, their fame and renoume did purchase them death. Happie thē are those, whom the worlde knowe not, ne yet desire to be acquainted with the worlde, but quiete and contented doe trauaile their Pilgrimage.Iugurtha. Had not Iugurtha thru­sted for the kyngdome of Numidia, he had not slain his two brethren Adherbales and Hiemphales, which wer partakers of the croune, for the whiche, vengeance sell vpon hym, he had not comen vnto cruell Marius hande to bee subdued, neither had he died in prison. Had not king Syphax thursted the Empire of Rome,Syphax. he had ne­uer been taken captiue and prisoner with Tyburus, where he at lengthe out of his kyngdome died in pri­sone. Henry the thirde was of his owne soonne,Henaicus. Aristonicus. na­med Henry again putte in prison, where he died. Ari­stonicus for all his businesse and greate doynges, was vanquished by the Consull Aquilus, and put in prison where likewise he died. In prison diuers princes en­ded life in foreine countries, diuers kindes of deathes, sondrie plagues happen vpon princes, more then vpon man els, as orderly I meane to proue by their Pilgri­mages and liues.Phalaris. Some by fire, as the Emperour Pha­laris of Agrigentin, who was burned with all his chil­dren, and his wife in the brasen Bulle,Perillus. whiche Perillus made for others, and when Perillus firste assaied this newe inuented worke before all others, and after him [Page] the Emperour hym self was put therein. By fire was the Emperour Valentine burned of the Gothes: by fire was that famous Gréeke Alcibiades destroied in Phri­gia, Alcibiades. burned in bedde with his woman Tymandra, after he had ruled Athens and all Grece a longe while, thus was his ende. Sardanapalus that greate kyng, and laste prince of Assiria, fearyng to fal vnto the handes of Ar­bactus, and detestyng to die by his enemies, made a so­lempne fire, where he after long leude life, wantoning in luste, and followyng his desire burned hym self, it was the ende of that renoumed man Hercules whiche conquered Monsters, subdued Serpentes, Lions, Dra­gons, and wilde beastes, to dye by wearyng of Nessus therte the Centaur, whiche burned hym a liue. To speake of Prince Boges, the deare frende sometyme of kyng Xerxes, which when he knewe that he could not escape the hande of Cimon, and the power of Athens, he made greate fire, where he caused his wife and con­cubins, his children and familie to be burned, and then his gold, siluer, and treasure, and last of all burned him self. Empedocles, Catulus, Luctatius, Asdrubal, and Por­tia died this death. I maie not be tedious in recityng to many names, but some to shewe and to write, that did take a part of sondrie plagues, & diuers deathes. So de­sirous wer men alwaies to become princes, so ambiti­ous of honour, so gready of wealthe, that hauyng the name of a king, thei thought to auoide and escape that, whiche alwaies wa [...]teth harde at the heeles of Prin­ces, I meane death, were not Princes hanged of their owne subiectes, whiche is the vilest and moste ignomi­ous death that can bee.Achaeus. Achaeus kyng of Lidia, for that he troubled his subiectes with newe taskes and Sub­sidies, he was hanged of his owne Subiectes ouer the riuer Pactolus Bomilchar, Bomilchar. Iusti▪ lib. 2. a Prince of Libia, beyng su­spected of his owne countrey men the Carthaginians, that he had conspired with Agathocles, vnto the anno­yaunce [Page 143] of the subiectes, was hanged in the citie of Car­thage, in the middest of the Markette.Policrates. Policrates who was supposed to bée the happiest Prince, that euer rei­gned in Samos, who neuer sustained any losse by For­tune, at length was by Oroetes the Persian, kyng Da­rius generall, hanged in open sight of Samos. Herodo­tus dooeth affirme,Leonides. that Leonides that famous kyng of Sparta, that long ruled the Lacedemonians with great fame and renowme, was by Xerxes kyng of Persia, af­ter his heade was smitten of, commaunded notwith­standyng to be hanged.Hanno▪ Trogus dooth write of Hanno, a Prince of Carthage, whiche flourished in the tyme of kyng Philippe, father to Alexander the greate, whiche for his prosperous successe, Fortune, and lucke that he had in all his attemptes, he waxed to be suche a tyraūt that his owne people firste bounde hym with coardes, whipt hym with roddes, pluckt out his eyes, brake his legges, cutte of his handes: and at laste to recompence his Tyrannie, thei hanged hym vp in Carthage. These were no meane men, that thus were hanged in their owne Countrey, of their owne people: But honoure which is alwaies ambitious, doeth bryng this to passe euery where. These Princes were in the middeste of life, arrested by death, and by diuers kindes of death. Some as you haue heard with poison, some with fire, some with hangyng haue ended their Pilgrimages, some againe were deuoured of their owne horses, as Diomedes kyng of Thracia was foode hym self vnto those beastes,Diomedes. whiche before he fedde with mennes bo­dies. The kyng of Eubaea for his tyrannie in Boaetia, was giuen by Hercules to be eaten of his owne horses. Lucinius the Emperour,Licinius. at what tyme he had appoin­ted his doughter Herina, should bée giuen vnto his hor­ses to be eaten, he hym self ministryng her as fode vn­to theim,Neocles. was torne in péeces. It happened that Neo­cles the sonne of that noble Greeke Themistocles, was [Page] by a horse likewise deuoured. This plague was not straunge vnto Princes, for thei were alwaies subiecte vnto all kinde of deathes. After that famous Prince Metius Capitaine of the Libians, Metius. had broken with the Romains promise of truce and amitie, he was after­ward, as Liui doeth witnesse, taken and drawen of fo­wer greate horses a liue, at the commaundemente of Tullus Hostilus beyng then kyng of Rome. Kyng The­seus soonne Hippolitus, Hippolitus. beeyng then falsely of his Mo­ther in lawe Quéene Phaedra accused, fliyng to auoide the furie and rage of his Father at the requeste of the Quéene, was torne in peeces of wilde horses. But let vs passe further, and then we shall reade, that some a­gaine, euen as thei afore saied Princes were deuoured of horses, were of Serpentes stonged vnto death, as Laocon that worthie Troian, Laocon. was in open sighte of twoo Serpentes destroied, yea, that famous and war­like woman Cleopatra Queene of Aegypt, Cleopatra. after her lo­uer and frende Marcus Antonius was conuicted by Augustus Caesar the Emperour, she had rather to bee ouercomed with Serpentes, then subdued by Caesar. With this death was Opheltes Lycurgus sonne kyng of Menea vanquished.Opheltes. Again some of wilde Bores, and ragyng Lions perished, as Anceus kyng of S [...]mos, and Paphages kyng of Ambracia, perished in the like mise­rie, the one by a Boore, the other by a Lion. Some by Dogges,Linus. as Linus Apollos sonne. Plini in his seuenth booke, maketh mention of a Quéene in Bythinia, na­med Cosinges, Cosinges. Euripides. kyng Nicomedes wife, whom her owne dogges slue, and tare in péeces. Euripides that learned Greeke, commyng in the nighte tyme, from Archelaus kyng of Macedonia, with whom he had béen at supper was by an ill willer of his mette, named Promerus, whiche set his dogges to mangle hym vnto death. Euē so were Heraclitus and Diogines bothe Philosophers, by dogges likewise deade. I maie not forget so greate [Page 144] a Prince as Basilius the Emperour of Macedon, Basilius. which in huntyng emongest his lordes and nobles, yea, emō ­gest thousandes of his Commons, he onely meetyng a Harte in the chase, was prickt in the legge, and so died. As for Seleucus kyng of Siriae, Seleucus. Bela. soone vnto Antiocus, surnamed the GOD, and Bela kyng of Pannonia, thei were bothe throwen by their horses, and so died. If these mischaunces happen vnto princes in the middest of their glorie and state, what is it then but miserie of mortalitie, and pilgrimages of Princes, sithe nothyng expelleth fate, nor can auoide death. Some so wearie of life, some so fearfull of death, that thei threwe them self vnto waters to be drouned, others for all diligente feare, watchyng for death, were moste shamfully, not­withstandyng by death preuented.Fredericke▪ Fredericke the Em­perour marchyng towardes Ierusalem, after that he had taken Cities and Tounes in Armenia, in passyng through a little riuer,Decius. he was drouned. Decius that no­ble and stoute Kyng, enforced to take his flighte from the Gothes, with whom he then was in warres, was drouned in the Marishe grounde.Marcellus. Marcus Marcellus after that he had been a Consull in Rome three tymes, before the thirde warres betwixte the Romains and the Carthagians, was likewise by a shipwracke cast a­waie. Howe many noble Princes were drouned with Pharo kyng of Aegypte in the redde sea, we rede in the sacred scriptures. How many again that seas and wa­ters spoiled from life, wee reade of, whiche altered the names of the seas and waters, when thei were drou­ned, with their owne names.Aegeus. As by Aegeus kyng of A­thens death,Tirrheus. the sea Aegeum was called. By Tirrhenus death king of Lidia, the sea was called Tirrhen: And so kyng Tyberinus, Tyberinu [...] ▪ altered the riuer named Aelbula by his death, to be the Riuer of Tiber. Againe the Sea Hellespōt, by a woman named Helle. The sea Hesperi­des, by the maides called Hesperides:Icarus. So by Icarus and [Page] Myrtilus, Myrtilus. the sea of Icarus, and the Sea Myrton were spoken. To many wer by waters spoiled, as we se dai­ly by experience. As for honger diuers Princes againe died,Erisicthon. yea, compelled to eate their owne fleshe, as Erisi­cthon and Neocles a Tyraunt of Scycioma, whiche for his cruell tyrannie vnto Athens, he tasted of the same feaste hym self. It is written in Curtius, that Queene Sysigābis kyng Darius mother died of honger.Sisigania. Who so readeth Chronicles shall finde diuers mischaūces hap­pen vnto princes, from tyme to tyme, for that thei bee enuied at, for Vlixes the Greke, leste any ofspryng of Hector should rise in Phrigia, to reuenge the falle of Troye, and his countrey caste Hectors sonne Astianax ouer the walles a liue. Euē as somtime Lycurgus king of Thracia was of his owne Subiectes, throwen head­long vnto the sea, for that he first mingled water with wine. How many famous and noble princes were sto­ned, and by stones deade,Pyrrhus. as valiaunte Pyrrhus kyng of the Epirotes, beyng in warres with Antigonus, was slaine by an olde woman with a Tile stone at Argos, Pyrāder at what tyme the Athenians warred against Eumolpus, Pyrander. for that he feared famine, hidden the wheat from his souldiours, was therefore of theim stoned to death: Euen so was Cinna the Romain, at the warres betwixte the Frēchemen and Rome, for the like thing stoned vnto death stoute Cebrion, Cebrion. king Priamus sonne was slaine by a stone of Patroclus, at the siege of Troy, so was Cignus of Achilles at the same time.Cygnus. O vnsted­faste Fortune, that little stones should ende so many famous liues of Princes, O vnprudente Princes, that knowe not how nigh alwaies ye are vnto death. How many did God punishe, and plague with sodaine death for their offences and misliuyng:Mythridates. as Mythridates kyng of Pontus, Nicanor. Nicanor the soonne of Parmenio kyng of Macedonia, as Curtius in his v. booke dooe write, died sodainly.Sertorius. Sertorius was slaine sodainly at a banquette [Page 145] by Vpenna. Heliogabalus. The Emperour Heliogabalus was killed vpon his stoole at his easemente, and throwen vnto Ti­ber. Carbo a noble Romaine after that sorte,Carbo. while he was easyng hym self vpon his stall, was commaunded to bee murthered by Pompeius. That renowmed and famous Conquerour Iulius Caesar, Caesar. was in the middest of the Citie of Rome, where he was Emperour, yea, in the Senate house murthered and māgled of Brutus and Cassius. Diuers Consuls in Rome died this death, as Fabius Maximus, Gurges. Manlius. Gurges the Senatour, and Man­lius Torquatus, euē at his supper died presently. Thus some with Thunderboltes did God likewise punishe, as Prince Capaneus slaine at the warres of Thebes. Capaneus. Tullius Hostilius. Tullius Hostilus kyng of Rome, was with a Thunder­bolt, for his insolencie and pride [...]laine. Zoroastes king of the Bactrians, the firste inuentour of Magique, was likewise by that kinde of death ouer taken. Pride in princes was the onely cause of their falles, in so muche the Poetes faine that the greate, monstrous, and huge Giaunt named Euceladus, for his proude enterprise a­gainste Iuppiter, was throwen with a Thunderbolte, vnto the bottome of Aetna, a fierie and flamyng Moun­taine. The vncertaine state of Princes, the flattrie be­fore, and the enuie behinde, is seen and tried by their death. Who liueth so shorte a tyme as a Prince? Who dieth so straunge a death as a prince? Who liueth in care? Who dieth liuyng but a prince? was not Sergius Galba, Galba. Commodus. and Commodus the sonne of Marcus, surnamed Anbilius, twoo Emperours of Rome, the one by Otho strangled in the Markette place of Rome, the other by Marcia his owne Concubine, after he ruled Rome xiij. yeres.Lentulus. Was not, I saie, Lentulus beeyng taken in con­spiracie with that wicked Cateline, slaine and mangled at the commaundement of Cicero, who then was Cō ­sull at Rome. Likewise Cethegus, Gabinius, Ceparius, and Stabilius, for that thei rebelled with Catelin, were [Page] appoincted by the Senatours to bée strangled in prison. Nothyng so vncertaine as the state of princes, nothing more deceiptfull then princes again as well proued by histories:Minoes. For Minoes kyng of Crete trauailyng after Daedalus vnto Sicilia, was there of his great frēde kyng Cocalus, as he supposed, slaine through deceipt, euen so was Alebas chief gouernour of Larissa, Alebas. a citie in Thes­salie, murthered of his owne souldiors. The desire that men beare vnto honour and dignitie, is suche that ac­companeth with death,Spu▪ as Spu Cassius, and Spu Melus for the gredines vnto the Empire of Rome, wer bothe worthely beheaded. God hath shewed iuste vengeance vpon princes for their iniquitie, with plagues & Pesti­lences, whiche spoiled the Emperor Constantine, Constantine. & the Empresse his wife Zoae, and by this was Marcus An­tonius, Alphonsius, Alphonsius. and Domitius iustly and worthely punished. God hath wonderfully punished the pride of princes, euen with shamefull and horrible death, that Lice and Uermine consumed their bodies a liue: As Maximilian the Emperoure,Arnulphus. Arnulphus, Honorificus kyng of the Vandoles, Honirificus. and Herode kyng of Iewrie, wer eaten vp a liue with vermines and wormes. Plini and Plutarche, saieth that proude Silla, Silla. whiche sore plagued Rome and Italie, was conuerted all his fleshe vnto lice and so died. Herodotus dooeth like wise reporte of one Pheretrina a Quéene of Barcaeans, that of this filthie and horrible death died. GOD gaue theim ouer in the middeste of their pleasure, euen eatyng and drinkyng, as Septimus and Valentianus, twoo famous Empe­rours died of surfette, for wante of disgestion. Archesi­laus died presently with one draught of wine. What is the life of Princes, but an vncertaine Pilgrimages, whiche scante seeth his daies fully by nature graunted as we see how, and after what sort thei die daiely eue­ry where. There was greate difference betwene the Pilgrimage of Vlixes and his felowes, whiche Cirses [Page 146] the Witche did chaunge theim vnto diuers kindes of beastes, for that thei knewe not what Pilgrimage meante, and Vlixes hym self kepte his naturatl shape and frame. And for that in his pilgrimage he was wise and painfull in his life, he did learne of Aeolus Phisick, of Cirses Magicke, of Calipso Astronomie, and that vn­der couler of fables.Pitha. That pilgrimage is onely appoin­ted vnto manne, to knowe hym self, and to serue his God, diuers learned Philosophers, as Pithagoras, De­mocritus, Anaxogaras trauailed from Grece vnto Ae­gypte, vnto Persia, vnto Caldea, and to diuers other countries for knowledge sake. Anachassis from colde Scythia, Apollo. made his voiage to Athens for learnyng. Ap­polonius from Rome went ouer Caucasus vnto India, vnto Assiria, to knowe more Philosophie. Yea, womē are famous for their pilgrimage therein,Saba. as Saba came from Aethiope, the farthest part of the worlde, to heare Salamons witte,Cornelia. and to learne wisedome. Cornelia frō Rome beyng a noble woman, wente vnto Palaestina to heare saincte Hierome teache Christians. The Pilgri­mage that Solon made for Athēs, that Lycurgus made for the Lacedemonians, that Architas made for Taren­tum are commended.Pittacus. The trauaile that Pittacus tooke for the people of My [...]tilaena, that that Cleobulus tooke for the Rhodians, that Bias and Thales tooke for the people of Ionia are praised. Wee are borne not for our selues, but for our countrey and frendes, for them wee ought to trauaile.Plato. For this cause became Plato, from a famous oratour in Athens, to bée a renoumed souldior at the besiegyng of Corinth, and Tenagra: For this wente Socrates Platoes maister to Amphipolis, Socrates. and Potidaea a twoo greate cities in Delos, to fight for their Countrey. Philosophers were not alwaies occupied with bookes, but when tyme serued, thei were seen in armes,Architas. as Architas was sixe tymes generall emongest the Tarentines. Tirtaeus. Tyrtaeus elected gyaunde Capitaine e­mongest [Page] the Lacedemonians, Xenophon. Xenophon whiche Thu­cidides highly aduaunce, one of the chief Souldiours of kyng Cirus. What caused the Philosopher Zeno to re­sist the princely power of king Antigonus? What mo­ued Bias to withstande the force of kyng Aliates. In fine what made Phocion, Aristides, Themistocles and others to become souldiours, to stand in armes against their enemies, the loue of Athens. The pilgrimage of this our life is nothing els, but a continuall trauaill vn­till we come to our last iourney, whiche is death, then is the ende of all pilgrimage, and iuste accoumpt to bee made for the same.

¶ Of Dissimulation and Crafte, of Subtiltie and Deceipte.

Diogenes. DIogenes that Cinike Philoso­pher, makyng hym self igno­raunt somtyme in that, which he knewe beste was wont in banquettes and feastes, to say if any manne had demaunded what kind of meate, wer ther I can not name, but I cā eate it, and so would passe to aun­swer any thing truely with dissimulatiōs, in so muche that Sigismonde the Emperour would saie, that he that could not dissemble,Galba. could not rule. At what tyme Gal­ba a Citizein of Rome, had bidden a gentleman named Mecaenas vnto Supper, perceiuyng the gentleman to bee in loue with his wife, fained hym a sleepe, for that Mecaenas might shewe some part of his will, and loue in the meane season,Mecaenas. while his wife and Mecaena were in talke, and he hym self in dissemblyng slept, came one of his seruauntes, to take some thinges awaie from the table, supposyng his maister had been a sleepe, vnto [Page 147] whom his maister saied, well you varlet, though I see not Mercaenas, yet I see to you, I sleepe vnto hym, and not vnto you. The like dissimulation was betwene Demosthenes and Archias, Demosthenes Archias. at what tyme he fledde A­thens, for feare of Antipaters displeasure, and went vn­to the Isle Calauria, where in the Temple of Neptune he hid hym self vntill Archias came, and promised hym what honour and dignitie he should haue, if he could come vnto Antipater, and with faire wordes he dissem­bled with Demosthenes, that he came for the purpose from the kyng vnto him, Demosthenes perceiuyng his dissimulations, and craftie meanes, answered plainly, to moue hym vnto anger, where truthe is oftentimes opened, and saied: Thou of all men couldest neuer play vpō the stages, plaiyng thy parte then, and now at this tyme, thou canst not bee an Oratour to perswade me, whereat Archias waxed angrie, and threatned to hale him out of the Temple, vnto whom Demosthenes an­swered. Nowe perforce thy dissimulation is chaunsed vnto truthe. I might hereon staie, to note the greate dissimulations betwene Metellus and Scipio, whiche was so greate that Metellus faigned that Rome was happie,Metellus dis [...]i­mulation. that Scipio was borne therin, and yet his mor­tall enemie all the daies of his life, and therefore Frede­ricke an Emperour sometyme of Rome, at what tyme the Senatours would goe sitte aboute the state of the citie, would saie, before you go vnto the Senate house, caste awaie from you twoo thynges that you cary with you, and beeyng demaunded of the Senatours, what twoo thynges were thei, he saied, Simulations, and Dissimulations. In this Philippe of Macedon did differ muche from his soonne Alexander, Alexander, in so muche that A­lexander would consente to nothyng, but to magnimi­tie and truthe, and his father to all kinde of falshood, as seen by subduyng of the Sarunsians, and the Cities of Thracia, who vnder coulour of peace, commaunded his [Page] Souldiours to bryng vnder their clokes, euery one a coarde,Philippe. that at what tyme kyng Philippe made silence to speake, the enemies being attentife to heare, he ret­ched for the his right hande, for a watche woorde to his Souldiours, sodainly to binde with their coardes their enemies, and to bryng theim captiues to Macedonia. The like craft vsed Alcibiades emongest the Agrigen­tines, Alcibiades. fainyng that he hadde to speake for the common profite, as well of Athens, as of Agrigentū, callyng thē in place, as though he would open some thyng necessa­rie vnto them, had the Grekes ready in the meane time to take the citie, and to possesse their substaunce by this crafte. Suche crafte vsed Thrasillus, to take the Citie Byzantium, suche deceipte vsed Zopirus, to ouercome Babilon. Tarquinius. Suche did Tarquinius the soonne of Sextus Tarquinius practise against the Gabians, who when he perceiued, that his father might by no meanes subdue them, he imitated Zopirus craft, makyng the enemies to beleue that he was ill handeled, and cruelly vsed of his father, and that he knewe well how to deceiue his father, and to betraie hym vnto them, thei beyng rea­die to beleue Tarquinius, made hym chief of their com­panie: he straight sente to his father messengers, to si­gnifie vnto hym, that he might doe his pleasure with his enemies. The olde Tarquinius vnderstandyng the crafte, and subtiltie of his soonne, brought the messen­ger vnto a faire garden, mistrustyng like a wise prince the matter, gaue this subtile warning vnto his sonnes embassador. Walkyng vp and doune the Garden with diuers noble menne, he with his staffe beate the chief flowers of the Garden, saiyng vnto the messenger fare well, tell my soonne what I dooe, and bid hym doe ac­cordyngly, whiche yong Tarquinius perceiuyng his fa­thers minde, slue the best of the enemies, oppressed the chief men, and betraied the Citie vnto his father. By this meanes the crafte that Conon the Athenian, Conon. de­ceiued [Page 148] the Persians in Ciprus. The subtiltie that Pysi­stratus vsed, to begile the people of Megaera, & Haniball in Italy are of like effecte, that subdued Tarentum, in so muche that Hanibal was wōt to saie, whē the Romains had again wonne Tarentū. Eadem arte qua prius [...]aepimus Tarentum amifimus: For by crafte Hanibal vanquished the Tarentines, and by crafte did the Romains win the same againe. Antigonus deceiued the Citizeins of Co­rinth, Antigonus. vnder the coulour of mariage, betwixt his soonne Demetrius, and Alexanders wife, who then was a wi­dowe, and a Queene in Corinth, that in the middest of triumphes, and preparations to the mariage, Antigo­nus by deceipte tooke the Castle, commaunded his sol­diours in armes, and proclaimed hym self kyng in Co­rinth. In the same booke of Poliaenus, the like historie is writtē of Lysander of Sparta, Lysander. and Nearchus of Crete, the one promisyng to the inhabitauntes of Miletum, his aide and helpe, in defending their liberties, the peo­ple giuyng credite vnto a kynges promise, trusted to haue Lisander their speciall frende, thei founde hym their mortall foe, for he deceiued theim thereby, and tooke the citie of Miletum vnto hym self. The other sai­lyng vnto the Hauen of Telmessus, to renue frendship with Antipatridas, who then gouerned the citie of Tel­messus, vnder the colour of frendshippe, he had his men of armes ready on the Sea, to destroye his frende, to take the citie vnto him self. This deceipt was not one­ly seen in warres, where muche falshoode and periurie are practized, but in all thynges men vse crafte, accor­dyng to the prouerbe, There is crafte in daubyng. To speake of Theodectes crafte towarde his maister Ari­stotle, to spoile hym priuily of his glory. To speake of Sertorius deceipte, in winnyng aucthoritie emong the common people. To describe the means that Dionisius vsed to gette money emongest the Siracusans, or howe Pythius deceiued Cannius in his bargaine of Fishe. Or [Page] how Darius became king of Persia, by nisyng of a Mare and a million more suche deceiptes and craftes, I will that the reader reade Poliaenus, when he shall haue e­nough of falshode, because crafte is vsed diuersly, I wil somewhat touche those that vsed crafte, in altering thē selues in forme, and shape of women, some for filthie luste, some for vertue sake, some for vice. What kinde of dissimulation was in Sardanapalus Kyng of Si [...]ia, Sardanapalis. to forsake the Empire, to forgo his kyngdome, to become from a Prince, like a woman to spinne and carde with his concubines, and so from the shape of a man, to des­semble hym to be a woman. What kinde of dissimula­tion did that renowmed, euen the ofspryng of Goddes, and soonne vnto Iupiter, Hercules. that mightie Hercules, after that he tamed monsters, slue Giantes, ouercame Dra­gons, Lions, wilde beastes, and yet to translate hym from a champion and a conquerour, in a womans apparell, formed hym self a woman, with suche cautell and craftie dissimulations, that he serued Omphale Quene of Lidia like a woman, in the apparell of a woman at the whele, at the cardes, at Omphales cōmaundement. What kinde of crafte vsed Clodius, to bryng his pur­pose to passe, with Pompeia, Caesars wife likewise dis­semblyng hym self to bee a woman, as Cicero tanteth him in an epistle that he writeth vnto Lentulus, where he saieth that Clodius dissembled with the Nimph Bo­na dea, as he was wonte to vse the three sisters Thus Clodius would at all tymes goe vnto Pompeia, Clodius. in the apparel of a woman to vse suche feates, that made Cae­sar to deuorse his wife Pompeia. Dissimulations, cau­telles, craftes, as thei are most euill to practise wicked thynges, so are thei of the contrary, moste necessary to doe good,Euclides. as Euclides, whiche vsed the like crafte as be­fore, but to the better purpose, where thei practised this feate, to feede luste, to pleasure affection, he vsed it to see Socrates, reade Philosophie, and to learne wise­dome, [Page 149] for there was a Lawe betwene Athens and the Megaris, for the greate hatered that the one bare vnto the other, that who so euer came from Athens vnto Megaris, should die. And who so euer would goe from Megaris vnto Athens should likewise die. This death feared not Euclides so much from his purpose, but loue that he bare vnto Socrates, vnto Philosophie, and vn­to wisedome, was asmuche that he would in the night trauaile from Megaris vnto Athens. In the apparel of a woman, lest he should bee knowen, and retourne be­fore daie from Athens, vnto Megaris again. This dissi­mulation and crafte of Euclides was farre better, and more to bee commended, then the doynges of the fore renowmed Princes.Semiramis. Iusti. lib. i. Better is Semiramis Quéene of Babilon thought of that she perceiuing her yong sonne Ninus, to bee too tender to gouerne the stoute Babilo­nians and Assirians, knowyng the nature of the people to bée impaciente of a womans gouernemente, she be­came in apparell like a man, and rule the kyngdome, vntill her sonne came vnto ripe age. More praise ought Pelagia haue a woman of Antioch though she fained hym self to bee a man,Pelagia. and dissembled with the worlde in that case, yet this was to auoide pleasure and luste, and to liue chastly and solitarie, without the companie of men.Marina. For this cause is the Greeke virgine Marina, and Euphrosina a maide of Alexandria worthy prefer­red before Cleocritus & Clisthenes, Euphrosina. for that they wente in the apparell of men,Clisthenes. to liue in the wildernesse, to a­uoide luste and sensualitie: the others wente in the ap­parel of women, to begile women. Caelius doeth report certaine women as Mantinea, Lasthenia, Axiothea, and Phliasia would come in their apparell like men,Phliasia. to heare Plato reade Philosophie in schoole. The cause of their dissimulations was vertue and honeste life: The cause of the others craftes and dissembling feates, was vice and ill life, so that dissimulation is either good, or [Page] bad. For wee reade at what tyme the launcyng laddes of Grece, had determined to fetche home againe faire Helene Menelaus wife from Troie, where she was rauished by Paris kyng Priamus soonne, that then A­chilles the stoutest, and worthieste of all the Greekes, while yet he slepte in the tente of Chiron his mother Thetis, Chiron. which the poetes fain to be a Goddesse, sodain­ly tooke hym frō Chirons house,Thetis & chaunged his apparel like a woman, & appoincted where he should hide hym self with the doughters of kyng Lycomedes, where he got of one of theim with childe, whiche was Pyrrhus, which was Deidamia soonne, and commaunded hym to betraie him to no man, for she knewe that her sonne Achilles should die in Troie,Achilles if he would goe thether. There Achilles a long while, at the commaundement of his mother Thetis, was vntill the oracle was giuen that the citie of Troie should neuer bée destroied with­out the helpe of Achilles, Vlixes. Vlixes beyng moste subtile and craftie, tooke vpon hym to seeke out Achilles, tooke a little coffer full of fine wares meete for women,Dissimulation and a strong bowe and arrowes, which when Vlixes came vnto kyng Lycomedes doughters, knowyng Achilles to bee there, but because he was in the apparaill of a woman, he knewe hym not, and therefore shewed his fine ware vnto the kynges doughters, a stronge bowe bente by hym, while Deidamia and the reste of her si­sters, viewed the glisteryng ware of Vlixes, Achilles stepte by, and tooke Vlixes bowe in hande, and drewe it, whereby Vlixes straight perceiued, by the drawing of so strong a bowe, that he was Achilles, and thus one crafte beguileth an other, one deceipte deceiueth an o­ther, and one dissemblyng manne findeth out an other, for by this meanes of craftie Vlixes, was the dissimu­lation of Achilles knowen. I might haue iuste occasion here, to speake of those that were muche giuen vnto softe clothyng,Aristotle. gaie apparaill, and delicate fare, as A­ristotle [Page 150] the Prince of Philosophers, delited to go braue in gorgious apparell, with chaines and ringes, and had herein greate felicitie.Hortenfius. Demosthenes and Hortenfius, twoo famous and noble Oratours, the one of Athens, the other of Rome, went so trimme and fine, in their clothes, with suche neate and wanton gesture, that L. Torquatus would often call Hortensius Dionisias soonne, for that she had greate pleasure in dauncyng, and gestures of bodies, but I will omitte suche, and speake of dissemblyng persons, whiche thought to hurt others, destroied theim selues, as that stronge Golias contempnyng all Israell in force and strength, Iudith a selie woman ouercame hym. Hammon was hanged vpon that galowes, that he prepared for Mardocheus, euen Absalon goyng about to destroie his father kyng Dauid, hanged by the heares of his heade, by Gods ap­poinctement.

¶Of Famine.

CICERO in his firste booke of Tuscilane questions doeth note the saiyng of Socrates, that hounger was the beste sauce for meate, and thurste the beste occasion to drinke. Wherefore Kyng Dionisius the tyraunt, hearyng muche report of the Lacedemoniās fare, and specially of their Poddage, whiche was called Ius nigrum, the blacke Poddage, bought a Cooke of the countrey as her seruaunt, to diet hym in the ordinarie fare of the Lacedemonians, whiche after muche paine taken of the Cooke, in makyng these foresaid Poddage was had, he broughte a measse thereof vnto the kyng, whiche sore longed for it, whiche assone as he tasted of [Page] it, he powred it againe out of his mouthe verie angrie vnto the Cooke, saiyng: Is this the famous fare and Princely Poddage, that the Lacedemonians so muche bragge of, my dog should not, said Dionisius, eate this, the Cooke perceiuyng the glottonie, and excesse fare of the kyng, saied: O Dionisius when so euer thou eate of this Poddage, thou must bring fit sauce for this meate, whiche is Lacedemonians stomacke, for the Princes of Sparta haue more pleasure in this kinde of fare, then e­uer kyng Midas had in his golden banquettes. What maketh any meate sweete, hounger? Or what causeth man to féede pleasauntly, hounger? What causeth any drinke pleasaunte,Darius. thurste? For at what tyme Darius enforced of meere thurste to drinke of a lake, all defiled with stinkyng carkases of deade souldiors,Ciceronis. lib. [...]. Tusc. beyng then in warres, and cōpelled then to take his flight, he saied after his draught, that he neuer dranke sweter drinke in his life. Though this king was a proude prince ouer the Persians, and had all kinde of wines at commaun­dement, yet his excesse and aboundance then, his want and penurie now, his small stomacke then, & his thur­stie stomacke nowe, was the onely cause of this noble drinke, whiche he so muche commended, and preferred before all the wine that euer he dranke before. Euen so reported kyng Artaxerxes in his warres,Artaxerxes. when his victuales,Brusonius. lib. ii. Cap. xli. and all were spoiled by the enemies, of fewe drie Figges, & of a peece of a Barley loffe, vpon whiche he fedde so hongerly, that he spake after this sorte. O good Lorde, of how greate a pleasure haue I been this while ignoraunte.Lisimachus. Lisimachus like wise beyng in war­res in Thracia, Domicianus the Emperoure, where he and all his souldiours were kepte so longe without drinke, vntill he was so thurstie, that he was enforced and all his hoste, to yelde as captiues to the Emperour Domitianus, and nowe beyng in captiuitie, hauyng a draught of drinke of the Emperour, he saied: O GOD [Page 151] that I should make my self from a king to be a captiue from a noble prince of Grece, to bee a bonde slaue vnto the Romains, for one draught of drinke. Se what hon­ger and thurste is? how it hath made kynges to yelde, princes to be vāquished. Yea, & hath made Kyng Ptho­lomie in his owne kingdome and countrey kingdom of Aegipte, Ptholemie. to cōmende a peece of bread, which was giuen him in a poore cottage, to saie that he neuer eate better meate, nor more comfortable cheare in his life, thou that peece of bread was. It was the very order of that noble Emperoure Iulius Caesar in all his warres,Iulius Caesar. more with famine, then with sworde, to vanquishe his ene­mies: For this famous warrier would often saie, that euen as the Phisicion would vse his paciētes, so would he vse the enemies. The rule of ye phisicion is, to make his paciente faste to recouer his healthe. The order of Caesar was, to kepe the enemies from victuall, to make theim yelde. Greate is the force of famine, as by histo­ries we read,Cambyses. that when kyng Cambises marchyng to­wardes the Aethiopians, had fallen vnto scarcenesse of victualles, and vnto suche penurie, and wante of foode vnto the souldiors, that thei agréed within them selfes to kille the tenthe throughout all the hoste, to asswage honger, in so muche that it continued so long, that Cambises the king was in greate feare, lest the lotte should at length happen vpon hym, and so to bee eaten of his souldiours. Saguntus a Citie in Spaine,Saguntus. sometyme as Eutropius dooeth witnesse, in greate amitie with the Romaines, and being besieged of the Carthagineans so long, that all the citie was brought vnto suche famine, that the lords & the captaines of the citie, made a great fire in the Markette place, and there brought all their wealth and substaunce, and threwe it into the fire, and after made their wiues, and then their children to bee burned, and laste of all the chief lordes and capitaines, ended their liues in flamyng fire, lest thei should come [Page] vnto the enemies hande, so greate was that famine, that it was before Prognosticated by a womā brought to bedde, whose childe as sone as he was borne, entred vnto his mothers wombe againe. The like calamitie happened in Caligurium, a Citie where Quintilian was borne, who beyng likewise long besieged of Cn. Pompeius, to bryng them in subiectiō and to kepe pro­mise with the Emperour Sertorius, that thei lacke vic­tuall, and waxed so hongrie after, that all kinde of bea­stes were slain, thei were enforced to eate their owne wiues and children. It was seen in Ierusalem, when that it was destroied by Vespasian the Emperoure of Rome,Vespasian. by the Romaine souldiors, howe that the mo­thers were compelled to eate their owne children,Cap. 57. for verie honger, for their small and tender bones, were lefte as a shewe of their miserie. Plini in his eighte of naturall histories, that when Hanibal laied siege vnto the Citie Casilinum, the Romaines souldiours were in such honger, that one Mouse was sold for two hundred peeces of siluer, and he that solde the Mouse died hym self for honger.Athens. The Athenians likewise wer brought vnto suche honger by Silla, whiche afterwarde was Dictatour in Rome, that one Bushell of wheate was solde emongst the souldiors for a thousande Drachmis, the common souldiors being poore, for want of money one waie, and sore plagued with honger an other waie were compelled to eate the gréene grasse of the fieldes, aboute the Citie of Athens, and to gather the Mosse of the walles of the Citie and eate it. This Citie of A­thens was often tymes brought vnto that miserie, as by kyng Demetrius, kyng Philippe, and his sonne Ale­xander the greate: So muche was famine feared emō ­gest the aunciente Greekes, that thei vsed in the tyme of aboundancie, to scourge famine with roddes out of their houses saiyng: For as famen intro diuitias, awaie pe­nurie, come in plētie.Alexander. We reade in Q. Curtius, that A­lexander [Page 152] was driuen by honger to eate his Cameller, Elephantes, and other huge beastes that caried the traines for the warres. Suche honger and famine did happen emong the Lacedemonians, that the Citizeins of Sparta were so hongrie, that thei eate the verie Ser­pentes that were dead a long while, whiche mutitude of Serpentes, whiche before wer drouned, did presage this greate calamitie to come, of whom the people of Sparta, though thei were deade a long tyme, yet moste hongerly fedde them self, and mitigated the rage of fa­mine. Doda king of Siria besieging a great famous city in Iewrie called Iora, Doda. where the miserable mothers were of meere honger, enforced to feede of the bowels of their owne children. Not muche vnlike vnto that horrible and cruell famine, in the countrey of Apulea, beyng driuen of the Frenchemen, then their enemies in warres, that the souldiours were compelled to take the skinnes from their Bucklardes, and to warme and boile the harde hornes, and to eate them. To entreate of the woūderfull calamities, miserie, and plague that happened through honger, it were to much the charge thereof, too many aucthorities are manifest in this be­halfe. Antonius whom Augustus Caesar could neuer vanquishe with force of armes, he was driuen to yelde in Etruria, Perusia. in a Citie called Perusia, by honger and fa­mine. Wherfore that noble Athenian Nicias, alwaies thought the easieste waie, the spidiest cause of yeldyng vnto the enemies was Famine, whiche he shewed at Melos, a Citie of Thessalie, whereby he made the Ci­tizeins to yelde by honger. O ragyng force of Famine, O terrible miserie of man, whiche compell the paren­tes to eate the children, the children to kill their parē ­tes: what beast was spared euer, when this happened. The people named Hymmi through hōger were con­strained to eate their owne Dogges,Hymmi. as the Macedo­nians [Page] sometime fedde them selues with Camelles, E­lephantes, Horses, and suche like. What hearbe was vnsought? what roote was not founde, to féede this cru­ell monster.The fieldes of Piceni. As Sabellicus dooeth witnesse, of dearthe that chaunced in his tyme, that in some partes of the coūtrey of Flaminia, and about the fieldes called Piceni the common people did liue by grasse and hearbes, and by suche like that proceded from the yearth. This was the worlde euer plagued with Famine, as with that monster that spoileth and deuoureth it self, as we read of diuers that did eate their owne armes and fleshe. A­gaine in the sacred scripture, diuers examples we haue of the like sent from God, to plague man. But because honger one waie is moste excellent, if meate maie bee had, so hounger an other is moste terrible, if the same faile.Stratonicus. Therfore Stratonicus neuer went to bedde with­out a Cuppe of drinke by hym, not for that he thrusted, when he went vnto bedde, but leste he thursted in the bedde, whiche should compell to doe some iniurie with one or other,Alphonsus. for that he wanted drinke. So did Alphō ­sus kyng of Arragon, when he sawe the poore countrey man, gréedily féedyng on Grapes said, for that he could not be hongrie. O would the goddes had framed me to bee suche one as this is. So that hounger is good vnto those that wante the same.Gnefactus. For Gnefactus kyng of Ae­gypt, hauyng his men of armes in the desertes of Ara­bia wantyng victuales waxed so hongrie, that the poore fare and simple cheare, that he got emongest the coun­trey men, was so acceptable vnto hym, that he caused a table for a monumente of the same, in the temple of Iupiter in Thebes. Of diuers famine we reade in scrip­ture, that Abraham fledde from the land of Chananea vnto Egypte: and Isaac driuen by famine vnto Abime­lech kyng of the Palestines, and all the soonnes of Ia­cob, were enforced to goe to kyng Pharao, where their owne brother Ioseph ruled as chilef officer. Famine is [Page 153] appoincted for a iuste scourge to synne▪ as appereth by the filthy synne of kyng Dauid, towarde Urias wife, he had to chuse either plague, famine, or warres, which are the instrumentes to punishe offendours.

¶Of warinesse.

WE leaue Apollo in Delphos, and Iupiter in Boetia, with their wise answeres and O­racles, we will not speake of Socrates, Solon, and thousan­des suche as were coumpted and knowē wise▪ and discrete emongest Grekes and Gen­tiles, we will onely entreate of those worldly and naturall wisedome, whiche by their prudent policie, and warie practises haue aduaū ­ced their fame thereby, aswell in discoursyng and van­quishyng their enemies, as also by inuentyng suche sleightes and snares, for the obtainyng of the same, as their wittes thereby were worthily commended, as Hanibal perceiuyng the courage, and strengthe of the Romaines, vsed this wittie feate: gathered a greate nomber of Serpentes, and put them in huge vesselles, and made them to be brought vnto the fielde emongest his souldiors, commaundyng the Capitaines and chief officers, to throwe the same vnto the force of the ene­mies, who beyng thereby astonied, forsooke and fledde the fielde, as menne bereste of wittes▪ spoiled of sence, and almoste in dispaire of theim selues, thinkyng De­uels, and not menne to be the souldiors of Hanibal. Hanibals sleightes. Of the like wisedome was kyng Cirus, who beyng in his tentes,Cirus craft. and ready to pitche fielde the nexte daie with the Messagetes, commaundyng his souldiours to bee in a readinesse, that night to flee their tentes, leauing be­hinde [Page] their victuales and substaunce, that the enemies beyng busie of the spoile, and giuyng open to banquet­tyng, and Carousyng of wine, he with all his armie might vnwares retourne, and findyng the Messagets more greedie of the spoile, then ready for their enemies destroie and kille theim, as it came to passe. So that in warres, saieth Salust, witte doeth as muche good as strengthe, policie better accepted then power, and as Virgill saieth, so that victorie bée gotten, waie not whe­ther it be through courage, or through policie. For Ser­torius that worthy Emperour and capitaine of Rome, was wonte by lies and letters, by dreames and out­ward religion, by all meanes possible, fainyng and in­uentyng thousande waies, to stirre his souldiours to courage. The inuentions of witte is muche, and so di­uers, that to muche it were to repeate.Sicyonius. How Sicionius deceiued Xerxes with all his soldiours through policie. How Pisistratus moued the Athenians, Pysistratus. to reuenge his false wronges vpon the chief officers of Athens. How Darius after Cambises death became kyng of Perse, Darius. by meanes of a horse, and suche like. But lettyng passe in­finite nombers of suche, and to declare what Nature wroughte in selie and simple beastes, in [...]iyng foules, and in the verie fishe swimmyng in the water.The lion. The liō by nature is taughte beyng verie sicke, to finde out an Ape, whiche by outwarde sportes and pastyme, doeth heale his greate seuer and grief.The Elephant. The huge Elephante is so subtile when he is like to die, will seke by all mea­nes the cameleon bow, whiche he so estemeth, that his sicknes forsaketh hym straight.The Panther. The Pāther knoweth by nature his ready salue for this sore, for feelyng hym self not well, he straight seketh out the dounge of man, whiche by the sente thereof, he healeth hym self. The stircken Harte féedyng on highe Mountaines,The Harte. hath that consideration, at what tyme he is shotte through with any darte or arrowe, by feedyng of an hearbe cal­led [Page 154] Dictamum, their bloud stanche, and their woundes heale.The Beare. And the Beare is so craftie, that by the same he is taught beyng sicke, to licke and eate vp little Antes for her appoincted Phisicke. Euen so fliyng foules doe knowe their appoincted salue, for their sores by nature taught.The Rauen. The Ducke. The Doue: The Swallow. The Rauen, the Ducke, the Swallowe swift, yea, the sely Mice doe before hande presage their rui­nous state by Nature, and knowe well the decaie of a­ny house, barne, or place where thei be, & will chaunge hospitalitie before the tyme, if necessitie happen vpon them. The little Antes full of toile and trauaile, to ga­ther in the Sommer, to serue theim in the Winter. These with diuers others, Plini in his .8. booke. Cha­piter .27. and Aristotle in his booke De natura animaliū, doe make mention. W readée in Aelianus diuers wor­thy histories of the like,The Cranes of Cicilia. but specially of the Cranes of Sicilia, whiche when thei be aboute to take their sligh­tes from Sicilia, to flie ouer mounte Caucasus, thei are so craftie, and subtile by nature, that thei beare in their mouthes certain stones, to stoppe their crie and noise, whiche Craines moste commonly vse in flight, lest by hearyng of their voice and crie, the Egles of Caucasus should destroie them. The Goates of Crete, when thei be shotte through with dartes and arrowes, are of thē self moued to fede on a certain hearbe, whiche streight stencheth the bloud, healeth the wounde, and expelleth out the venime of the wounde. There is suche crafte and subtiltie in a little Frogge of Nilus, that when the huge and monstrous Troute commeth towarde hym, to destroie hym, the Frogge by and by out of hande▪ beareth a longe réede ouerth warte his mouthe, and so marcheth forward toward this greate champion, that by no meane he can destroie hym, for that the reede is longer, then his mouthe can swalowe the same, and so the little Frogge escapeth the terrour of this greate beast. What a sleight hath a fishe called Polipos, whi­che [Page] beyng desirous to feede on any fishe, he goeth and hideth hym self vnder some shrubbe, or rocke, or any other meanes, whereby he semeth to bee, as though he wer a tile or a stone, vntill the fishe come to that place, then he leapeth vpon hym, and killeth hym. So that there is no beaste, no fowle, no fishe, but hath as it wer a certaine priuilege by nature to defende hym self and to foile his foe, and that craftely by nature taughte. There is again a kinde of knowledge in beast to know their frendes, and to loue them, and to feare their ene­mies, and to auoide theim. As the Serpentes in Terin­thia, the Scorpiōs in Arcadia, and the Snakes of Siria, which Plini affirmeth, that thei will not hurt their coū ­trey men, and knowen frendes, though thei founde thē hym a slepe, as diuers & sondrie tymes, histories make mention thereof. Straunge therefore is the woorke of nature, whiche mightely displaieth her self in al liuing creatures, & for the proofe thereof, I will note one histo­rie written of Quintiliā in his 14. boke of histories, that in Achaia there was a citie named Patra, in the whiche a certain yong man bought a little dragon, which with great care & diligence, he nourished vntill it waxed big liyng in one chamber in the night time, and plaiyng all the daie tyme. At length the Magistrates of the Citie fearyng, that some hurte should bee doen by this Dra­gon, consideryng the fierce and cruell nature of theim, did let hym to goe vnto the wildernesse, where diuers other dragons were. And there beyng a long tyme, this yong man that brought vp this Dragon with diuers of his felowes passing by, where this dragon was, certain thieues assailed them, and he by his voice was knowen by this Dragon, whiche as he was heard, came out of the woddes, and seyng hym with diuers of his felowes like to be murthered, flewe vnto the very faces of the thieues, and so strongly fought with theim, that some the Dragon flue, some sore hurt, and some constrained [Page 155] to flie, saued him and his felowes, in recompence of his former courtesie. Surely I iudge it a better benefite bestowed vpon suche a Dragon, then vpon some vn­gratefull persones that be in the worlde.

¶Of reuengemente.

THe best waie to reuenge any iniury offered, is to suffer qui­etly the same, and to shewe vertue toward vice, goodnesse toward euil, honestie toward scurrilitie, which is the onely poison vnto the enemy, as for an example. Laertius dooeth manifest the same by compa­risons of thynges: Who is he that seeth his enemies fieldes greene, his pastures well grassed, his house fur­nished, and all thynges in comely order, but he is a greeued therewith, howe muche more saied he, when the enuious seeth his foe adorned with all ver­tuous, compassed with all pacience, yea, prosperyng in all goodnes, he is therewith molested. And in that place of his sixte booke, he reciteth a worthie historie, and a noble example, of due reuengement by Diogines the Cinicke Philosopher, who by chaunce came, where di­uers yonge men were at banquet, makyng merie, his heade beyng balde, by reason of age, he was so flouted and scoft of moste part of the companie, that with stri­pes and strokes, thei threwe hym out of the house: the poore old Philosopher reuenged his wrong in this wise He tooke a peece of white Chalke, and wrote the na­mes of all those that so vsed hym vpon his cloke, and so opened his cloke, that all menne might reade their na­mes, and knowe how wickedly thei had vsed hym, and what scoffes and floutes he had suffered of those perso­nes, [Page] whose names were to be read vpon his cloke, and so brought them in suche blame with all men, that thei wished in harte that thei neuer had seen Diogenes, that made al the world to se their foly, that afterward thei were noted as ridiculous persones, not worthy of honeste companie, and so were thei excluded from the good men, banished from ciuile men, and quite forsakē of all honeste and vertuous men.Agesilaus. Agesilaus kyng of the Lacedemonians, when he had heard of certaine foes of his, that alwaies spake ill of his person, and of his state he after this sorte reuenged hym: he chused and elected them, chief capitanes ouer his men of armes, and com­mitted all the charge of his hooste vnto his enemies, whereby he made his foes to become his frendes, yea, his seruauntes and slaues, to doe what he would com­mande theim. For so Demosthenes did when he was prouoked, and iniuriously handled of hym, that was in a banquet disposed to fall out, and fighte with hym, no saied Demosthenes, I will neuer take that in hande, which the victor thereof, thereby sustaineth shame. O worthie sentence, and moste aptly aplied vnto a wise­man. Wee reade in Brusonius of Dion of Alexandria:Dion. who with silence reuenged more his foes, then with woordes, for beyng prouoked vnto anger by a vilaine, and abiecte, whiche folowed hym through the streate, chidyng & threatenyng him, answered not one worde, but bade hym good nighte, when he came vnto the ve­rie doore of Dion, whiche when the enemie sawe, he would not bee moued vnto anger, to dooe hym hurte, whereby he might dooe the like vnto hym againe, he went vnto the nexte tree and hanged hym self. Thus did Socrates, Socrates. beyng blamed of his frende for his silence, in that he was iniuriously handled of his foe, answered and saied, that his enemies saiyng could not damage hym, sith he was not that manne, that the wordes did importe hym to bee, and beyng striken and spurned by [Page 156] the same man,Socrates, Socrates was coūsailed to call the same vnto the Lawe before the Iudges, vnto the whiche he aunswered: whiche of you if an Asse strike hym, will call that Asse before any iudges, sith he is no better that thus vseth me For by this am I knowen to be Socra­tes, and he knowen to be an Asse. The greatest reuen­gemente vnto a foole, is to lette euery man knowe his folie: and the greateste hurte vnto a wiseman, is to re­uenge folie, for it was all the reuengemente of Socra­tes, when any man spake ill of hym, to saie thus, he ne­uer was taught to speake wel. So courteous was that Fabius Maximus, that when he had heard that one of his chief souldiers, was about to betraie hym vnto his enemies, he called the partie before hym, not makyng hym priuie what he knewe of hym, but demaundyng of Marsius what he wāted, and willyng hym to aske a­ny thing he should haue, and so made him chief capitain of the armie: By this meanes he became moste true vnto Fabius, beyng before moste false. This was farre from suche reuengementes,Alexander. as Alexander the Greate did, who after he hadde subdued diuers Kyngdomes and Countreis, he wente vnto the Temple of Am­mon, to knowe by the Oracles of Iupiter, whether yet any were a liue that slue his father kyng Philip, wherby he might shew more tyranny,Brutus. and practise murther further. This was farre from M. Brutus rage, whiche beyng not contente to vsurpe Caesar, yea, to kill hym in the Senate house: but also when power failed, when souldiers decaied, and he almoste vanquished, made his praiers vnto Iupiter, and vnto the hoste of heauen, to plage Caesar and his posterities. This I saie, was farre from Liuius Salinator, who beeyng warned of Fabius Maximus, not to reuenge malice vpon Hasdruball, be­fore he knewe, the state of the matter, the power of the fielde, and the ende of the victorie, where it should happen: But he more rashely to reuenge, then wise in [Page] sufferyng, saied that either out of hande kill, or bee kil­led.Antheus. And in this place I will recite 3. or 4. histories fitte for this purpose. With Antheus a noble gentleman of Halicarnassus, beyng in pledge lefte with Phobius, chief Ruler then of Millesia, fell Phobius wife in loue, vsyng all meanes possible to allure Antheus in loue with her. But he partely for feare, and partely for loue of Phobius her housebande,Cleoboea. would in no wise consente to any filthye desire, of this Cleoboea Phobius wife, whiche she tooke in so euill parte, that she beganne mortally to hate hym, inuentyng what waie beste she mighte reuenge his cruell incurtesie, in refusyng her loue. She fained on a tyme, that she had quite forgot­ten her old loue towardes hym, and thanked Antheus very muche for the loue, and greate zeale that he bare vnto her housbande Phobius, in not consentyng to her follie then, when she was in loue with hym. Thus tal­kyng with hym, Cleoboea broughte her old louer An­theus ouer a Welle, where for that purpose onely, she threwe a tame Partriche, desiryng hym to aide her to haue her Partriche out of the Welle, the young gen­tleman misdoubtyng her in nothing, as one willyng to pleasure his frende and old louer, went doune into the Well to haue the Partriche out, but she reuenged her old loue, and requited his seruice then after this sorte: She threwe a greate stone after hym, and there killed hym, and straight for sorowe, callyng to minde the old amitie, and hidden loue betwene them, hāged her self. The reuengement yt Cleonimus, Cleonimus. that noble & famous Lacedemonian, who hauing his owne wife in suche ad­miration, of impacient loue, that he was as muche ha­ted of her, as she of hym was honoured and estemed, for she loued onely kyng Acrotatus sonne so deare, that her housebande Cleonimus vnderstandyng the same, went to Epire to kyng Pirrhus, perswadyng hym ear­nestly to come to Peloponesus, and to moue warres a­gainst [Page 157] kyng Acrotatus, wherby he might reuenge the spite doen of his wife, in killyng hym whom she loued beste, a greate reuengemente as he thought vnto her, then to reuenge vpon her owne persone, to spoile hym whom she loue better then her self.Valerius Torquatus. Valerius Torqua­tus, for that he might haue Tuscus doughter in mariage moued warres out of hande, and reuenged the same with bloud.Progne. For what cause did Progne king Pandions doughter of Athens kill her owne sonne Itis, and gaue hym to bee eaten vnto his father, and her housebande kyng Tereus of Thrace, nothyng but to reuenge her si­ster Philomela, whom her housebande defloured her. Why did Nero that cruell Emperour kille Seneca his maister,Nero. and teacher in all his youth: for nothyng but to reuenge olde stripes, whiche he receiued at his mai­ster, beyng a boie. For what purpose did Cateline Silla, Damasippus Marius and other, take quarelles to plage Rome, to punishe all Italie, to destroie the coūtrey, for nothyng, but for that thei could not abide one aboue an other.Darius. Darius after that he had taken the Citie of Ba­bilon, he reuenged his old malice after this sort, as He­rodot in his third booke affirmeth: He made thre thou­sande of the beste within the Citie bee hanged.Attila. Attila Kyng of Pannonia slue a leuen thousande virgines, at the besiegyng of Colonia. So diuers wer reuengemēt emongest menne,Xerxes. Herodotus [...] lib. 7. so cruell, yea so foolishe that Xerxes and Cirus, twoo greate kynges of Persia, that when the water of Hellespont molested Xerxes, and troubled his soldiours, he forth with commaunded that the sea He­lespont should haue three hundred stripes: and willed three hundred paire of Featters to bee throwen vnto Hellespont, to binde the sea. Euen so did Cirus for that the riuer Gindes, did droune one of Cirus beste geldyn­ges, he made his souldiours to deuide the riuer vnto a hundred, and fower score small partes, to reuenge Gindes rage towarde Cirus, thinkyng that by breaking of [Page] the greate rage of so greate a streame, that he well and worthely requited the iniuries of Gindes. These are cruell reuengers, too many are of these, in so muche that women reuenge their malice after this sorte. As Tomiris Queene of Scithia, Tomiris. who to reuenge her soonne Mergabites death slue kyng Cirus, and twoo thousan­des of his soldiours: Too great a slaughter for one man­nes death, and not yet satisfied, vntill she bathed Cirus heade in a greate vessell full of bloudde.Beronice. Poll. a. This Beronice Pollia, and diuers cruell women beside could dooe, the one is dooen with anger and synne, the other is dooen with vertue, and aduisemente. For princes muste vse aduisement in reuenging, & must vse wisedome in suf­feraunce. For as Frederick the Emperour, was often wonte to saie, that Princes that reuenge hastely, and specially wrongfully, are like faire markes for good ar­chers to shoote at High towers and loftie buildynges, are soner fiered with lightenynges, then lowe houses, and small cottages.Tiberius. For Tiberius Caesar Emperoure of Rome, beyng in the Senate house, to punishe those e­uills, and to reuenge those harmes, that were by some of the citie threatened toward his estate. God forbidde saied he, that Tiberius should haue so muche idle tyme, to heare euill spoken, muche lesse to reuēge euill doen. Antigonus kyng of Macedonia, Antigonus. besiegyng a Castle in Grece, wherein a nomber of bolde Greekes vsed for their pastyme and sporte, to scoffe this kyng, knowyng the situation of the Castle to bee in suche a place, that might not bee subdued. Thei therefore laughyng hym to scorne, as well for his enterprice therein▪ as also for his slender persone, and croked nose, whiche kyng An­tigonus had saied, he would reuenge all their doynges, with sufferaunce, and hoped thereby to moleste the e­nemies double. Diuers Heathen princes wer acquain­ted with this reuengement: as Lisander, Agesilaus, and others, for vnto God onely belongeth vengeaunce. I [Page 158] will not speake here of suche reuengyng, of Princes, of Countreis, of frendes that al men knowe. But of rare reuengement,Socrates. whiche Philosophie taught vnto Socra­tes, towarde Xantippe, who beyng at supper, hauyng a straunge geste named Enthidemum, his wife Xantippe beganne to take her housbande vp, with tauntyng and opprobrious wordes, whiche because he would not au­swere, and be moued by her chidinges, she ouerthrewe the table with all the meate and the Cuppes, whiche whē Enthidemum sawe, he was amazed at the ragyng of Xantippe, beholdyng Socrates in the face, to see how he thought of the matter, but Socrates vnderstandyng that his geste did maruaile at his wife, saied: haue not you sometyme at home a Henne, that will after longe clockyng with a sodaine flight, throwe doune your cup­pes with her wyng, wherewith Enthidemum was ful­ly satisfied, with the wise aunswere of Socrates, in re­uengyng so greate a faulte.Phocio [...]. Phocion a learned man of Athens, was wont to saie, that he had rather suffer in­iurie wrongfully, then to reuenge iniurie sometyme rightfully. This man Phocion, by whom Athens long flourished, at what tyme he was putte to death moste wrongfully of the Athenians, euen a little before he should die, beyng demaunded whether he would com­maunde any thyng vnto his soonne, standyng thereby to see his father ende: Spake vnto his sonne after this sorte: My sonne saied he, this I charge and require thée, and moreouer beseche, that thou will neuer reuenge the wrongfull death of thy father Phocion vpon the A­thenians. Solon a noble learned Athenian,Solon. was wont to reuenge his wronges with these wordes. If the fis­sherman suffer the salte water of the Sea, to sprinkle vpon his face, and vpon his clothes, to weate hym for to take Fishe, how muche more ought Solon suffer to speake, to winne thē to be frendes. Surely these three Philosophers, deserue more praise and commendation [Page] I meane Socrates, Phocion, and Solon for the reuen­gyng of the euill with goodnes and vertue: Then euer Alexander the Greate, or Iulius Caesar, or Theseus, whiche reuenged euill with euill. Wherefore Chilon the Lacedemonian, beyng one of the officers called E­phori, in the Citie of Sparta, his brother demaundyng why he might not bee likewise one of the fiue Ephori, as well as his brother: saied vnto his brother, because I can suffer wronge, and thou canste not. Therefore princes ought not to doe wrong nor yet reuenge wrōg with wrong, but with paciente sufferaunce and good­nesse, and doyng good for euill, thei shall make foes to become frendes, euill men to become good, by preuen­tyng euill with lenitie and gentlenes. It behoueth not a wiseman to reuenge iniuries, neither doth it become a prince to requite euil with the like, but ouercome ra­ther the euill with good. Therefore was it truely spo­ken of the wiseman Sapit qui sustinet, he that can suf­fer is verie wise.

¶Of Thefte and Sacrilege.

AFTER that gréedie desire vnto wealth had possest a place in mans harte, and after that the world was altered from a wealth in common, vnto a priuate wealth, euerie man with studie and industrie to aug­ment his owne, with the spoile of others. And bicause Princes began one to suppresse an other, to spoile and destroie either others dominion, mouyng firste noble men to imitate them in stealyng and takyng awaie perforce others wealth, thought it be not an apt epitheton for princes to be called theues, and spoylers, yet truely by Princes it began, by nobles imitated, and by all the world at length practised, that some became Pirates vpon the Seas, some Sacriled­ges [Page 159] of Temples, and some graunde Théeues of coun­tries and kyngdomes. For after the deluge of Noah, there was neither thefte or sacriledge knowen almost 300. yeres vntill Ninus the third,Ninus. king of the Assirians who first began to plaie the Theif in Asia,Dionisius. Dionisius, kyng of Sicilia and tyraunt of all the worlde, the grea­test robber that euer raigned vpon yearth, beeyng not satisfied with spoile and theft vpon Landes and Seas, but also became a Sacrilege in the Temples of the gods, whiche he so neglected, that after hee robbed the Temple of Iuppiter in Olimpia, he passed foorth vnto Locris to spoile the Temple of Proserpina, and from thens vnto Epidaurus to steale the golden beard of Aes­culapius. This Tyraunte kyng would not suffice hym self, vntil he worthily had merited the name of a thief a pirate,Xerxes. and a sacrilege. Xerxes spared not emongeste others wicked spoiles, to sende fower thousande of his soldiours to Delphos, to robbe the Temple of Apollo, Spartacus a greate prince,Spartia▪ and a maintainer of thieues, gathered a whole armie of fugitiue persones, vaga­boundes, thieues, and robbers, and marched towarde Rome, with warres either to conquere Rome, or to be conquered by Rome, but there was he, and all roges vanquished by Pu. Crassus. The Citie of Rome was often in perill by Thieues and robbers, as by Silla Catilin, and Marius famous spoilers of Italie. And as Cercion did robbe and spoile after the Countrey of A­thēs, so Tittigias in Arcadia was renoumed. For theft I might in this place, speake of the robbery of the Em­perour Nero, Nero. Heliogabal [...]. Caligula. of the spoile and waste of that beastlie Emperour Heliogabalus, and of the sacrilege and theft of Caligula. These thrée Emperours stale alwais, spoi­led, and tooke from Rome, more then euer thei gaue to Rome. Marcellinus writeth, that there was somtyme a Kyng of the Parthians named Arsaces, Arsaces. which in the beginnyng of his raigne, was then named the maister [Page] of théeues, a teacher and a schoolemaister vnto all rob­bers and spoilers, whiche afterward he subdued Seleu­cus Alexanders successoure, he became famous and re­noumed in marshall feates, and ciuill policie. Herodo­tus likewise doeth report of one Amazis, Amasis. a Kyng of E­gipte, who when at any tyme money wanted, he was wonte to spoile, waste, and take a waie all that euer he might, either by stealthe, or force. Thus the names of Princes firste was corrupted, that the Poetes iudged well and worthily, Mercurie to be the God of Theeues And for the antiquitie of thefte, it is thought that Pro­metheus Duealions Father, as Poetes dooe faigue, by the aide of Minerua, stoole firste fire from Phoebus, for the whiche facte, was punished in mounte Caucasus, af­ter this sorte he was bounde faste, by all the Goddes and an Egle appoincted to eate vp his harte, and to hale his puddynges a long, in furtheraunce and memorie of his theft. Hercules and Iason, twoo of the moste famous princes that euer Grece fostered, went vnto Cholcus, to steale the golden Fléece. Theseus and Perithus wēt vnto the kyngdome of Pluto, to steale Proserpina a­waie. But I will not speake of suche Thefte, for too many examples should bee reade in that behalfe. If I might vse suche scope of writyng, but I will briefly passe ouer, and speake onely of aunciente, and famous Théeues, whiche for that the nomber is infinite, I (o­mittyng tediousnesse) speake of fewe for a proofe of my matter. There was dwellyng in a rocke nigh Athens▪ a famous Théefe named Sciron, whiche was wonte to throwe headlong, straungers that were gestes, ouer a rocke vnto the sea, and after that he had continewed a long tyme in spoilyng, and murtheryng of menne that passed by, in takyng their gooddes, and liues awaie, he was in the same sorte of Theseus putte to death on the rockes vnto the Seas, as he was wonte to doe with o­thers. Cacus whom Virgil maketh mention, the sonne [Page 160] of Vulcanus was so craftie a théefe, that hauyng a den in mounte Auentine, he vsed to drawe any thyng bac­warde by the taile, vnto his caue where he spoiled it, whether it were manne or beaste, there should he bee broughte,Cacus. by sleight of Cacus to bee destroied, vntill he attempted to spoile Hercules by stealthe, whiche after long wrastlyng in his denne, Hercules with his clubbe slue hym.Scinius. The famous Theefe Scinius vsed suche fea­tes, and theftes about Corinth, that he would binde a­ny passer by or straungers vnto trees, and there would hewe them vnto small gobbettes for their money and substaunce. These thrée laste renoumed Théeues, are muche mētioned of writers, for euen as Capiton kepte hym self fiftie yeres in a denne, as a common robber to steale and to spoile, so did thei consume their tyme se­uerally, and in sondery countries, as graund Théeues. The Argiues were menne moste noted infamous, for this faulte, in so muche that a Prouerbe grewe of the Argiues, Argiuifures, that is, Argiues are Theeues. With the Persians there wer certaine théeues called Cardaces, permitted without punishment, to steale and to robbe. The old Germaines and auncient Egiptians might somtime by lawe, and libertie of their countrie likewise steale. Lycurgus made lawes in Sparta, emō ­gest the Lacedemoniās, that he which did steale with­out reprehentions, or takyng with the theft, should be free, and he whiche could not artificially steale, and at­tempte Thefte beyng taken, should bée punished, in so muche Brusonius in his seconde booke,Brusonius. doeth intreate of a yong man, that stole a yong Foxe, the owner ther­of followyng after, demaundyng whether the younge man, sawe any where a little Foxe, he denied, chidyng the Foxe vnder his cloke, but the Foxe a subtile beast, willyng to shewe hym self vnto his maister, did bite and scratche the yongman so sore, that his puddynges gusshed out of his side, because he suffered hym self so [Page] to die, by reason that he would not manifest his theft. The yongman then deniyng, aunswered and saied: I had rather die, then to bee taken with thefte. Where­fore Theophrastus a noble Philosopher,Theophrastus. hauyng the e­xaminyng of a subtile Théefe, demaunded whether he could blusshe or no, to the whiche the theefe aunswered that he could not, for he neede not to blushe, in a true matter: Therefore saieth Theophrastus, thou arte the liker to be a Théefe, for truthe alwaies beareth before a shamefaste, and a blushfull countenaunce. Where­fore the wise Cato the Senior was wonte to saie, that yongmen that waxed redd, were better to bée trusted, then those that would waxe pale, for the one signifieth shamfastnes, and thother deceipt. For Pithias Aristo­tles doughter beyng demaunded, what colour was best in man or womā, she answered, that colour that sham­efastnes bringeth, whiche is a bluffull countenaunce. But to speake of Pirates, Sextus Pompeius the sonne of Pompeius the G [...]eate, kepte vnder hym diuers and sondery Pirates, about the borders of Italy, and Cici­lia, to robbe and spoile vpon the Seas, vnto his greate infamie and reproche, beyng the soonne of so famous a Romaine, whom Rome a longe tyme so estemed, that Caesar skante might haue the like. To write of Kyng Pirrhus, Pirrhus. Verres. and Caius Verres, whom Cicero for his sonde­ry theftes and spoile, and by diuers sacrileges by Ver­res committed, compared vnto Dionisius the aforesaid tiraunt, it were but superfluous. To speake of infinite Pirates, and diuers Sacrileges, it were to none effecte for that it is a common practise in all countreis. Ther­fore as Diogines the Philosopher saied, when he sawe a poore manne leade betwene the Magistrates, to the place of execution, beholde saied he, a little Théefe betwene a greate nomber of Theeues. God graunt that it maie truly be spoken of diuers magistrates in sondry places.

¶Of luste.

THE spoyle and slaughter of lust, did alwaies farre passe all other vices, it hath sup­pressed Castles & countreis, it hath vanquished Kynges and Kesars, ouerthrown the pōpe of Asia, Africa and Eu­rope, and almoste depopula­ted the whole worlde. This vice of all vices is to be abhorred & detested, for there is no vice but it is addicted of it self to applie those, which it doeth beste fancie, as pride chiefly hath her seate ap­poincted in puisant Princes and Noble menne. Coue­teousnes with old menne that be magistrates and offi­cers. Enuie with men of sciences and faculties. Usurie with Citizens, Symonie with Bishops and Priestes, Hipocrisie with religious men, Deceipt with Mar­chauntes, but lust common vnto all men, aswell to the subiect as to the Prince, to the learned as to the igno­raunt, t [...] the wise as to the foolishe.Dauid. For Dauid and his sonne Salamon, Salomon. vnto whom God gaue singularitie of wisdome, dexteritie of witte to gouerne the Isralites, yet the sacred scriptures doeth witnes of their horrible luste. Dauid lusted for Bersaba, and that so wickedly, that he appointed awaie to spoile her housbande Vrias, Salamon lusted so muche that he did forget his GOD, that did guide his steaps all the while hee ruled iustlie and liued godly in Israell.Aristotle. Socrates. Aristotle and Socrates in spit of their Philosophie and greate knowledge, then be­came a slaue to Hermia, the other a subiect vnto Aspa­sia. Samson. Hercules. Samson and Hercules for al other strength and con­quest of Giauntes and Monsters, the one yealded his Clob at Dianiras foot, the other commited his strength [Page] vnto the beautie of Dalida. The renoumed and sugred Oratours Demosthenes and Hortentius, Demosthenes. Hortensius. the one from Athens came vnto Corinth to compounde for a nights lodgyng with Lais, the other in Rome with nicenes and wantonnes was iudged more subiect vnto luste, then lorde ouer himself. If then wittie and wise men, if learned and discréet men, if eloquent and subtil men, if strong and mightie conquerours haue been ruled by lust, deceiued by bewtie, ouercome with women, what should I speake of Heliogabalus not well named Em­perour,Heliogabolus. but worthely called the beast of Rome. What should I recite that monster and tyraunt Nero, Nero. what should I rehearse that filthie and vile Emperour Cali­gula, Caligula, the onely stincke of synne and shape of shame, not Emperours, but monsters, not Princes, but Ty­rauntes, not men but beastes whiche defile their own sisters, kepte open stewes and brothell houses, main­tained Hoores and harlottes, made lawes at their ban­quettes euery man to his woman first, and then to his meate, and at the change of euerie dishe, euery man a­gaine commaunded by lawe to go to his woman, and thus from meate to women, from women to meate, beastly and brutishly consumed their Epicuriall luste, wherin these Gorgōs reposed their chief felicitie. Cer­tenly if Quéene Semiramis of Babilon had been mat­ched with Heliogobalus Emperour of Rome,Semiramis. it had been as méete a matche, if time had serued as one beast should be for another, for hee was not so filthie but she was as shameles, not onely in procuryng diuers to lye with her, but in alluryng her owne soonne Ninus to lust, and as writers reporte beyng a beast, matched hir self with a beast a horse.Phasiphae. Had Phasiphae quene of Crete béen well matched, she had forsaken kyng Minoes and come to the emperour Caligula, where she might been as boulde with others, as she was with Mynotaurus father,Messalina. had the Empresse Messalina been worthely ac­cordyng [Page 162] vnto hir lief maried she had been more meete for Nero, then for Claudius, for his life and hir life did well agree together, for she past all the Courtezaunce of Corinth, all the Strumpets of Athens, and all the hoores of Babilon, for she was onely mistris and ruler of all the stewes and brothell houses in Rome, what wickednesse procéeded from lust, what vngodly incest is brought to passe by lust, what secret vengeaunce cō ­meth by luste, luste allured quéene Cleopatra to vse hir brother Ptholomeus as hir housband. Luste deceiued Kyng Cynare to lie with his daughter Mirrha, luste brought Macareus vnto his sisters Canaces bedde, by luk did Menephron Defile his owne mother. O wic­ked monster, O beastly rage, O fearce feinde thus to bewitche wise men, to deceiue learned men, to subdue strong men, and to ouercome all men, luste staieth the purpose of all men, hindereth and hurteth all kinde of persones,Antiochus. lust staied kyng Antiochus of Siria in Chalci­dea a whole winter for one maide he fancied there, lust staied Hanniball in Capua, Haniball. a longe season to his greate hurte.Caesar. Luste staied Iulius Caesar in Alexandria a longe tyme vnto his infamie, lust was the first cause of war­res betwene the Romaines and the Sabines.Romulus. For Romulus skant builded Rome, but he lusted to rauish the women, and to steale the Sabine maides vnto Rome wherby war first began. The greate warres betwene kyng Cambises of Persea,Cambises. and kyng Amasis of Aegipt, Amasis. wherein a greate slaughter and morther of men, were growen of luste vnto one woman. The tennne yeares betwixt the Thebans and the Phoceans, was for the lust of one yong man in Phoca toward a yong woman in Thebes. The cruell conflictes betweene the Troian prince Aeneas and stoute Turnus was luste that either of theim bare vnto Lauinia kynge Latinus doughter.Aeneas. Turius. What blood, what tyrannie was betwene the Aegip­tians and the Assirians, Ptholom [...] betwene Ptholomeo and Ale­xander [Page] the one kyng of Aegipte, Alexander. the other kyng of As­siria, and all for one woman Cleopatra▪ Augustus. Augustus the Emperour kepte longe warres for Octauia his sister whiche Anthonius through luste defiled to the spoyle and murther of manie Romaines,Anthonius. had Ixiona Kynge Priamus sister not lusted to go with Thelamonius Thelamonius. frō Troie vnto Gréece,Paris. had likewise Helē Menelaus wife not lusted to come with Paris from Gréece vnto Troy the bloody warres and ten yeares siedge betwene the Greekes and the Troians had neuer been written of Homer. Had not lust ruled the fiue cities called Penta­polis, where Sodome and Gomer were, the earth had not swallowed theym vp, to the destruction of all the people, sauyng Lot and his children. If lust had not ru­led all the worlde, the deluge of Noach had not drou­ned the whole yearth and all liuyng creatures, sauyng Noach his wife and his children. Thus lust from tyme to tyme was the onely Monster and Scourge of the worlde. And in this oure age luste is nothyng dimini­shed, but muche encreased, and though not to bee pla­gued with water accordyng vnto promise, yet to bee punished with fire most sure we be, vnlesse we detest and abhorre this vice. There is a historie worthy to be noted of Princes in Iustine that will not punishe these offences. Pausanias a noble gentleman of Macedonia, beyng a verie faire yong man, whiche Attalus for lust muche abused, and not contented wickedly and vngod­ly to handle the yong man, so brought hym vnto a ban­quet where in his winkyng Attalus would haue vsed hym as before, makyng all men priuie how Pausanias was kynge Attalus paramour as a woman, thus the young manne beyng ashamed, often complained vnto Philip kyng of Macedonia, whiche Philip had maried then of late the suster of Attalus, Attalis. and had diuorsed and put awaie Olimpias the mother of Alexander the greate, for some suspicion, Pausanias I saie after many [Page 163] and diuers complaintes made vnto kyng Philippe, ha­uyng no redresse thereof, but rather was flouted and scoft at Philippes hand, Pausanias tooke it so greuously, that Attalus was so estemed with the kyng, beyng the cause of his complaintes, and he so neglected that was so mynded, he after this sorte requited his shame and iniuries. At the mariage of Cleopatra, kyng Philippes doughter, and Alexander Kyng of Epire, in greate tri­umphes and pompes, Kyng Philippe in the middeste of ioyes, walkyng betwene his owne sonne Alexander the Greate, who then was but younge, and Alexander kyng of Epire his soonne in lawe, beyng married then vnto his daughter Cleopatra, Pausanias thruste hym vnto the harte, saiyng: minister Iustice, and punishe luste. Thus died that mightie Prince, as well for the bearyng of Attalus faulte, as also for his owne wicked­nesse, vsyng the same somtyme with a brother in lawe of his, naturall brother vnto his firste wife Olimpias. Luste and intemperancie, are neuer escaped without iuste punishemente, and due vengeaunce.Ammon. Ammon the soonne of kyng Dauid, for that he misused his owne si­ster Thamar,Absalon. was afterwarde slaine. Absalon for that he did lye with his fathers Concubine, died for it. Dauid was plagued for Urias wife.Diuid. The twoo Elders that would rauishe Susanna, were put to death. This synne is the onely enemie of man. For all synnes saith sainct Paule, is without the bodie, but vncleanesse and luste, synneth againste the bodie. Therefore to auoide sight, oftentimes is to auoide lust. Had not Holofernus seen the beautie of Iudith,Iudic. 101 yea, marked the comlines of her slepeares, he had not loste his heade by it. Had not Herode seen Herodias daughter dauncyng, he had not so rashely graunted her Ihon Baptiste heade.Marke. Had not Eua seen the beautie of the Aple, she had not eaten thereof.Genesi. 3. We reade in the Genesis, that when the son­nes of men, viewed the beautie of women, many euils [Page] happened thereby. By sight was Pharaos wife moued in lust toward Ioseph her seruaunt. By sight and beau­tie was Salomon allured,Regum. 2. to committe Idolatrie with false Gods. By sight was Dina the doughter of Iacob rauished of Sichem. These euills procede from sodaine sightes. Therefore doeth the Prophete saie, tourne a­waie thine eyes, lest thei se vanities. The Philosopher likewise saieth, that the firste offer or motion is in the eye, from sight proceadeth motions, from motion elec­tion, from election consent, from consente synne, from synne, death. Wherefore with the Poet I saie, resiste the violence of the first assaulte, I meane the eyes, the euill that happened thereby, too long it were to write. Luste againe hath an entraunce by hearyng, as Iustine in his .xij. booke dooeth testifie of Thalestris Queene sometyme of the Amazones, Thalestris. whiche hauyng heard the greate commendations, the fame, and renowme of A­lexander the Greate, ventered her life to hazarde to come from Scithia vnto Hircania, whiche was as Iu­stine saieth xxv. daies iourneis, in greate daunger and perill of life, as well by wilde beastes, waters, as also by forein foes. She had thrée hundred thousandes wo­men of Scithia in companie with her. I saie for the fame she heard of this great Prince, she came from her countrey, where she was a Quene, to lie with a stran­ger by luste. And whē she had accomplished her minde, and satisfied her luste: after thirtie nightes liyng with hym, she thought she was spead of some ofspryng of A­lexander, she returned vnto her owne countrie again. For as Cicero doeth write, we are more moued by re­porte oftentymes to loue, then by sighte. For as by reporte, Quéene Thalestris came to lye with Alexan­der, for children sake, from Scitha vnto Hercania, for his magnanimitie, victories, and courage. So by report came Quéene Saba from Ethiope vnto Salomon,Saba. to heare, and to learne wisedome. O golden worlde, Oh [Page 164] happie age, when either for simplicitie men could not speake, or for temperauncie menne would not speake the innocencie of thē then, and the subtiltie of vs now, the temperancie of their age, and the luste of our age, beyng well waighed, and throughly examined, it is ea­sily to be seen, how vertuously thei liued in ignoraun­cie, and how viciously wee liue in knowledge. For be­fore Aruntius proude Torquinius soonne,Aruntius. was by luste moued toward Collatinus wife. There was no altera­tion of states, nor chaunge of Common wealthes, no banishement of princes in Rome, and beyng chaunged for that purpose onely from a Monarchie, vnto an o­ther state called Aristocratia, it continued so longe in that forme,Appius. whiche was the firste chaunge, vntill Ap­pius rauished Virginius doughter, which banished the order called Decemuiri, whiche was the second change. And thus the popular state, whiche had chief rule al­waies of Rome, chaunged states of the Citie diuers ti­mes, for that luste so raigned. Thus might I speake of diuers other countries, whiche luste was the iust cause of the subuersion therof. For of one Venus a strūpet in Cipres, al Cipria was full of hores. Of one Semiramis in Babilon, all Persia lengthe grewe full of Quenes. Of one Rhodope in Egipte, at the beginnyng, al the coun­trey became full of strumpettes.Floralie. In Rome Flora was honoured like a Goddes, hauyng suche solempnitie plaied on Theators called accordyng vnto her owne name Floralia, In Thebes was Phrine so magnified, that her name was put in print vpon euery gate of the citie. For Lais in Corinth▪ and Lamia in Athens, their fame was more heard, then their honestie knowen. It grewe in fine to that strengthe, that all the Princes of the worlde, were as bulwarkes, and defenders of luste. Yea, learned Philosophers, and wise lawe setters, see­med to defende the same in writyng. As Licurgus and Solon, twoo famous wisemen, the one a lawe setter e­mongest [Page] the Lacedemonians people, in the beginnyng more axperte in the banners and flagges of Mars, then studious or desirous, to hunt the palaces of Venus. The other lawe setter in Athens people likewise, more fre­quentyng at the firste, the schoole of Minerua, then the lurkyng dennes, and secrete caues of Cupide. These twoo famous men, made lawes to maintaine luste, vn­der this colour and pretexte of issue, euery yonge wo­man beyng maried to an old man, thei might for chil­dren, take choise what young man thei would of their housebandes name. So likewise migt an old man elect, beyng maried to an olde woman.Aristotle, Aristotle semeth to defende this lawe after a sorte, for séede sake. So Abra­hams wife Sara after a sort,Sara. willed her housebande to accompanie with a yong maide, for that he might haue children.Sempronia. Sappho. As for Sempronia a woman excellently well learned in the Greke, and Latin. And learned Sapho, a woman of no lesse fame, then of learnyng, defende lust by writynges. I mighte haue a large scope herein, to proue lust a lorde to rule, and to gouerne euery where. I haue sufficiently I hope, declared the effecte of luste. For as princes wise, stoute, and learned, haue been herein a subiecte. So the Poetes faine, that the Goddes them selfes, haue yelded to the might of luste. What I praie you,Iupiter. Neptune. Mercurie. Apollo. Bacchus. Pan. translated Iupiter vnto a Bull. Neptune vn­to a horse. Mercurie vnto a Goate: Lust. What moued Apollo to be in loue with Daphnes? What caused Bacchus to fauour Gnosida? What made Pan to yelde vn­to Sirinx luste? This I meane, what moued wise, lear­ned, stoute, and strong, as well as the foolishe, the igno­raunte, the weake, and the simple, but onely that cor­ruption of Nature, that seede, fexe, and dregges of A­dam, whiche equally without grace, moue all men to synne. For there is no man, but he is priuie vnto luste, moued by luste, and sore assaulted by luste. Yet there be some that subdueth luste, some that ruleth lust, and [Page 165] none that vāquishe luste. For as some are borne chast, so some dooe make theim selues chaste, and some are made chaste, and yet not without luste. I speake not of Proculus the Emperour, whiche kepte at his pleasure a hundred maides of Sarmatia. Proculus. Whether dooe I thinke herein of Sardanapalus kyng of Siria, Sardanapalus▪ whiche was al­waies wearied with Venus, but neuer satisfied with Venus. But I speake of those that fight, and wrastle a­gainst nature: of those I saie, that are in common com­bates with the worlde, the fleshe, and the Deuill. For luste saied Ouid, is I wote not what, and commeth I wote not whence, it taketh root [...] without breakyng of fleshe, and pearceth the very entrailes of the harte, without any cuttyng of vaine, the onely businesse and trauaile of idle men. The younge Romaine knight E­strasco at mount Celio, Estrasc [...] ▪ beholdyng the beautie of ladie Verrone, either of theim by Nature dombe, one fell in loue with thother so sore, that Estrasco would often go from Rome to Salon, and Verrone would as ofte tra­uaile from Salon vnto Rome, one to see the other, and continued thus thirtie yeres the dombe loue, vntill it fortuned that the wife of Estrasco died, and the house­bande of ladie Verone died also. Whereby these louers thirtie yeres without wordes, did bothe manifest their longe desire by a marriage.Masinissa. So was Masinissa kyng of Numidia, and Sophonissa a Ladie of Carthage, one in­flamed with the other, by a sight that kyng Masinissa had of Sophonissa. The like is written of that moste valiaunte Capitaine Pirrhus, Pirrhus the long defender of the Tarentines, and kyng of Epirotes, when he came from Italie vnto Neapolis, beyng but one daie there, he fell in loue with a faire ladie called Gamalice, to the great infamie of so famous a prince, and to the greate shame of so noble a Ladie. The like luste a rested that noble and renoumed conquerour Alexander, Alexander. that when he thought to giue battailes vnto the quene of the Amo­zons, [Page] hauyng a sight of her at a Riuer side, where thei both, the Kyng and the Quene, had appoincted to come to talke concernyng their warres, their fury and rage before bent to fight, and murther was by a sight, chan­ged vnto wanton pastyme and sporte. We dooe reade that when Quene Cleopatra made a banquet for An­thonius her louer,Cleopatra. in the Prouince of Bithinia, in the woode Sechin, where the yong virgins wer not so wilie to thide theim in the thicke bushes but ye youthful Ro­maines were as craftie in finding them, so that at that instant of sixtie yong virgines, fiftie and fiue speade of the names of mothers. Thus wee perceiue that by sight, we are moued to luste, and by consent we wilful­ly synne, the one in the eye, the other in the harte, ther­fore better it is with Sophocles, for a man to turne his backe from a faire woman, and to saie a madde dogge, then with Nero to beholde beautie, who looking to ear­nestly vpō Pompeias héere, was moued therby to lusts.

¶Of Ielowsie.

A Question refused of all the Gods to bee answered whether man or wo­man is more ielowsie, for as the po­ets faine, there sprong a contention betweene Iupiter and Iuno, concer­nyng Lechery and Ielowzy, and ha­uyng no equall iudge to speake of this matter, it was posted, after greate controuersie vnto one Tiresias an auncient and learned Poet some­tyme in Thebes, The historie of Tiresias, whiche Tiresias on a certaine tyme metyng twoo Snakes accompanyng together, and ac­cordyng vnto kynde engenderyng together, hauyng a white rodde in his hande, departed theim with sharpe strokes. Wherewith Iuno beyng moued with anger, transformed this poore Poet Tiresias, from a man to be [Page 166] a woman, and beyng in the shape of a woman seauen yeares, was reduced by Iupiter vnto his firste forme. This Tiresias was thought moste meete of Iupiter and Iuno, by the consent of all the Goddes, for that he had been a woman seauen yeares, and nowe a man againe to Iudge of this question. And beyng called vnto the Barre to geue his Uerdite,Iuno▪ hee preferred Iuno for Ie­lowsie, whereby Iuno waxed angrie, and made hym blinde, and Iupiter to recompence his truth, made him a Prophet. And then hee proued that when Iupiter fell in loue with Iolla, Iuno beyng suspicious and full of Ie­lowsie, caused one named Argos with an hundred eies to watche Iupiter, which for all his eyes was deceiued, Iuno therby was so furious and so angrie with Argos, that she translated his hundred eyes vnto a Pecockes taile, and transformed Iola vnto a white Cowe. There is no suche rage nor anger in Ielowsie, as there is wi­lines and craft in loue, so that the streight pinning and kepyng of Danaes kyng Acrisius doughter in Towres and Castels, cold neuer kepe hir from valiant Perseus, neither the hundred eies of Argos might spie the craft of Iupiter vnto Iola. We reade of a womanne named Procris, Procris. who was in suche Ielowsie of her housbande whiche was called Cephalus, and hauyng hym in suspi­tion for his often goyng a huntyng, on a certaine tyme she folowed hym priuely vnto the woddes, thinkyng there to finde hir housbande at his praie, and hiding hir self in a thicke bush, to see the ende of thinges, hir hous­band passyng by the bush, perceiuyng somthyng there, to stéer, thinkyng it had been some wilde beast, thrust his wife vnto the hart with his darte, and thus Procris was slain of hir owne housbande, for hir importunate Ielowsie. The like happened vnto Aemilius wife, whiche for hir suspicious minde and ragyng ielowsie, neuer quiet, but busie alwaies to finde some faulte in hir housband, folowyng hym euery where, and wat­chyng [Page] still in euerie secrette seate and spiyng in priuie places, thinking to finde him with the maner, vntil she spead of the like chaunce as Procris did, she could neuer rest. Cyampus wife named Leuconoa, was deuoured of dogges in stead of a wilde beast, hidyng them self in the woddes, to folowe & marke hir housbandes viage, Ielowsie this moued hir, that she could no otherwise. A straunge kind of sicknes, that so infecteth the mind, that vexeth the spirites and molesteth the hearte, that the head is ful of inuention, the minde full of thought, and the hearte full of reuengement. So Ielows was Phanius that inuented this in his head,Phanius▪ and thought this in his minde, that the doores beyng shut, the win­dowes cloase, all priuie and secret places preuented, e­uery where as he thought stopte, his wife could not de­ceiue hym, neuer thought that loue could pearce Tile stones to come vnto his wife, but he was deceiued, for the lurkyng dennes of loue, the Lion caues of fancies, the secrete searche of affection haue more priuie pathes wherby that Cupide maie come to his mother Venus, then Labiranthus had chambers for Minotaurus, kyng Acrisius thoughte he was so sure of his doughter Da­naes, when that she was close bulwarkt with a greate castell, Iuno thought to preuent Iupiter by the hundred eies of Argos, Phanius thought that his wife was sure when the doores were shut and the windowes cloase. But sith the ielowsie of Iuno might not preuent it, ne­ther the eies of Argos spie it, neither the streight pin­ning of Danaes auoid it, neither the narow stopping of Phanius defende it. I must nedes commende one called Cippius, Cippius that woulde oftentymes take vppon hym to sleape when he did wake, and he would bee ignoraunt though he knewe it, I wishe wise men to sleape with Cippus, and to saie with Cicero, Non omnibus dormio, I sleape not vnto all menne, and to be ignoraunt though they know thinges. And likewise I wish wise women [Page 167] to imitat Aemilia ye wife of noble Scipio, Aemilia. who although she knewe thinges euident, by hir housbande Scipio, made asmuche of his Paramour, as she made of hir housband, and al for Scipios sake. For thei saie ielowsie proceadeth from loue, and loue from God, but I saie it commeth from hatered, and hatered commeth from the Deuill. And because we reade in the sacred scrip­ture, that Abraham was in ielowsie of his wife Sara, saiyng, thus vnto his wife, I know that thou art faire, and that they will kill mée to haue thy loue, the ma­ners of the Parthiās were to kepe their wiues in pruie places of their houses, ouer whom thei were so ielouse that their wiues might not go abroad but with couered faces. The Perseans were so suspicious of their wiues, that thei had no libertie to go in sight, & thei durst not go a foote but in Wagons couered ouer lest thei should see or be seen. The Thracians with suche care and stu­die keepe their wiues, that as Herodotus affirmeth, thei trust no manne with them in companie but their parentes. The olde and auncient Romaines in tymes past kept their wiues so streight, that their wiues as Valerius Maximus saieth, did after kill, poison or with some snare or other destroie their housbandes diuers tymes, and by a yong manne of the Citie of Rome all thinges beyng discloased, there was a hundred three score and tenne that so killed and destroied their hous­bandes, for that their housbandes were so ielous ouer theim, but bicause it is a common disesse in all pla­ces, I néede not further to write, wishyng my frende neuer to be encombred therwith but rather with silence to passe it with Cippius, and so he shal finde ease thereby.

¶Of Idlenesse.

AS nothyng can be more dif­ficult vnto a willing minde, so is any thyng a burthē vn­to the Idle member. For as labour and exercise of bo­die in one manne, industrie and diligence of minde in an other man, are sure fortes, and stronge Bulwarckes of Countreis, so Idlenesse and negligence,Alexander the Greate, the cause of all euill. Wee reade that Ale­xander the Greate, least he should be acquainted with Idlenes at any tyme, euen in the night tyme vsed this feate, to holde a siluer balle when he went vnto bedde in his hande,Marcellini lib. xvi. hauyng a siluer basen vpon the grounde, straight vnder his stretched arme, that when the batle should fall, he beyng fast a slepe, the shrill sounde ther­of should wake hym, and make hym mindfull of his e­nemies: so fearfull was this noble prince of Idlenesse, that to shake of sleepe and slothfulnesse, he studied and trauailed, how he might auoide it. For in twoo thinges Alexander the Greate, beyng called the sonne of Iupi­ter, and fully perswaded with hym self, that he was of linage of the Gods, yet in slepe and venerie, where to he was muche subiecte, he knewe hym self to be a man, wherefore he oftentymes wrasteled with Nature in that behalfe. In the self same place of Marcellinus it is reade,Caesar. that Iulius Caesar the greate and moste renow­med Emperoure, that euer raigned in Rome, to haue followed this order, and to haue practized this policie, least he should bee idle at any tyme, Firste, when this Emperour went to bedde, he to suffice nature, slepte a certaine tyme appoincted. Secondarely, hee woulde [Page 168] bee occupied in the affaires of his countrey. Thirdly, to trauaile in his priuate studie. Thus leste he shoulde be idle, naie rather leste he should lose any tyme, he de­uided euery nighte in thrée partes, euen as you heard firste vnto nature, secondly to his countrey, thirdly, a­bout his owne busines. That mightie prince Philip of Macedon,Lib. vi. Capi. 8. as wée reade in Brusonius, was of suche care and diligēce, when his souldiors slept, he alwaies wat­ched. Againe, he neuer slept before his frende. Antipa­ter would watch.Philippe. Antipater. That betwene kyng Philip and An­tipater, diligence was as muche honoured and embra­ced, as slothfulnes was feared and hated.Epaminondas. Epaminondas that renoumed prince of Thebes, beeyng studious and carefull to profite his countrey, so hated slothfull idle­nes, that findyng one of his capitaines in the campe, in the daie tyme slepyng, slue hym straight with his own hande, and beyng reprehended of his nobles and coun­saill, for that cruell facte: he answered thē in fewe wor­des, I lefte hym as I founde hym, comparyng idle and drousie men, vnto dead men, for men are borne to tra­uaill and watch, and not to pleasure and slepe. How did Scipio Affrick ouerthrowe the tentes of kyng Siphax?Scipio. Siphax. How vāquished he his hoste of souldiors, slue his armie and how he hath taken kyng Siphax captiue hym self. Liuius saieth, that the diligence of Scipio, and the slothfulnes of Siphax beyng a slepe, whē he should had been waken,Demosthenes. was the cause therof. Had Demosthenes loued idlenes, he had neuer béen able to preuēt, that famous prince Philip kyng of Macedon, he was so carefull and so diligent about the state of Athens, that that worthy capitaine and greate conquerour Philip was wonte to saie, that he doubted more the diligence of Demosthe­nes, then he feared all the force of Athens. Had Cicero slepte, duryng the conspiracie of Catilin, he had neuer been able worthily to speake of hym self. O happie Rome, that euer I was elected Consull, whose studi­ous [Page] trauaill, saued oftentymes Rome from diuers ene­mies. Quintiliā reciteth a worthy historie, of a famous clearke named Hippias, Hippias. who to auoide idlenesse, after long studiyng at his bookes, would exercise hym self in some thyng or other, lest he semed to be idle, in so much he applied his mynde to diuers faculties, at voide hou­res, he vsed to practise the facultie of a Goldsmith, of a Tailor, of a Shoomaker, that at length he became his owne Tailour, his owne Shoomaker, yea, to make his owne rynges so artificially, with pearles and precious stones, so curiously wroughte with letters of golde, as though he had been brought vp in the schoole Pirgote­les. What is so harde, but diligence will trie it? What is so depe, but trauaill will wade? What is so strange but studie will knowe it? If labour, if diligence be thus commended, that wisemen doe muche commende the Bee, that is so busie and carefull, and knoweth how to profite her self and others. If the little Auntes bee so practised, for that the toile in the Sommer, to prouide against Winter. If these selie simple wormes, do pro­uide thinges necessary for them and theirs. How much more ought man, whiche is borne to profite his Coun­trey, his prince, his frendes and his parentes. Consider the commoditie of diligence, and the daunger of idlenes but as before mentioned, vic [...]s are couered with na­mes of vertues, as the Idle man is noted to bée a quiet man, the ignoraunte termed an innocent. Caelus doeth write of a certaine Emperour named Attalus, Attalus. whiche loued so well idlenes, that he gaue the gouernment of the Empire, to his frende named Philopenes, for that he would be idle. We read again of one Vatia, a greate ruler and a Magistrate in Asia, that loued Idlenesse so well, that the people vsed a Prouerbe, when thei sawe any man idle,Lucinius. Vatia. saiyng: Vatia situs est, here is an idlescho­ler of Vatia. The Emperour Licinius and Valentia­nus, were suche enemies vnto learnyng, so ignoraunt [Page 165] were thei, as Egnatius dooeth reporte, that thei called learnyng the only poison of the world, & named theim that were learned, the Asses of Cuma. Who hated learning so much as Heraclides, Heraclides. and Philonides which are so ignoraunte, that thei were coumpted, as Caelius doeth testifie, as laughyng stockes, and had of the com­mon people in greate derision, for their ignorance and folie. These blinde baiardes, and bolde bedlemes, call others Asses of Cuma, when that thei themselues are farre inferiour to any Asse of the worlde. For diuers Asses had more reason then Philonides, Philonides. or Heraclides had. Wée reade that Ammonius a greate Peilosopher of Alexandria had an Asse, that would accompany with Origen, and Porphiri, to frequente the schoole of Am­monius, to heare hym reade Philosophie vnto his scho­lers. This Asse was taught to knowe the reader, and all the schoolers, to knowe the Schole and the tyme of readyng. The sacred Scripture commendeth vnto vs the Asse of Balam, who was likewise taught to speak and to shewe the Prophette Balaam the will of God. But the Idle and ignoraunte, will neither learne to knowe time, place, nor persone, neither to profite them selues, nor others. These lasie members, these idle and ignoraunte beastes,Morpheus the God of sleape. the children of Morpheus, slepyng alwaies in the caue of Pamedes, to whom it well maie be spoken, as Aurelian somtime an Emperor of Rome spake vnto one Bonosius, that he was borne to drinke, and not to liue.The Romaines hated idlenes. The Romaines vsed to punishe idle­nesse so sharplye, that the Housebande manne, that had his grounde barraine, that had his Pastures, Med­dowes, fieldes vnoccupied, an other manne should bee there placed, and he putte out. The gentleman that hadde not his horse readie, and in good likyng, with all thynges therevnto belongyng, should bee suspected to be an idle member vnto his countrey, should bee hated and exchued of the people. The common people might [Page] vse no kynde of priuate pleasure, as plaie, pastyme, or any other idle sporte,Gellius lib. 3. Capi. 2. but at times appoincted. The ga­tes of Rome were opened daie and night, to come, and to goe. For the state of the Common, and as Plutarch doeth write, the life and maners of all men, were dili­gently examined, whether thei liued idle or no. And if any would resiste the ordinaunce of the Magistrates, his heade should bee cutte of, and offered vnto Iupiter, in the Capitoll of Rome, his familie vnto the Temple of Ceres, his soonnes and daughters, solde as bondmen vnto the Tribunes and Censers.Lacedemonias. The Lacedemonians people, moste studious to expell Idlenesse, broughte their children vp alwaies in hardnesse, to practise them in diligente doynges, hated Idlenesse so muche, that if any in the Citie of Sparta, waxed grosse or fatte, thei suspected hym straight of Idlenesse, and if any younge manne waxed fatte, thei had appointed lawes that he should faste, and liue so poore, vntill he were againe chaunged vnto his firste state.The Aegip­tians. The Egiptians aunci­ente people, when the Countrey of Egipt began to bée populous, to auoide idlenesse, as Plini doeth report, thei made a greate huge, and monsterous buildyng called Pyramides, whiche for the mightinesse and straunge workyng thereof, it was named one of the seuen won­ders, hauyng lx. thousande of yong men, and continued a long time in the making thereof, and onely to auoide, and banishe idlenes.The Atheniās. The Anthenians so abhorred, and detested idlenesse, when a certaine man was condem­ned to die, for that he was founde idle in Athens, a citi­zein therof named Herondas, as Plutarch doeth testifie was as desirous to se him, as though he had béen a pro­digious monster, so straunge and so maruailous was it to heare, or to see any idle man in Athens. The people called Massiliēses, Massilienses. would suffer no trauailers, neither Pilgrime, nor Sacrificer, nor any other straunger to come within their Citie, lest vnder colour of religion, [Page 166] or of pilgrime, thei might corrupte the youthe of the ci­tie, with the sight thereof to be idle.Indians. The Indians had a lawe made by their wisemen, named Gimnosophist, that after their meate was set on the table, the youth should be examined, what thei had doen for their meat, what pain, what labour vsed thei that whole mornyng before, if thei could make accoumpte of their trauaill, thei should goe to dinner, but if thei had béen idle, thei should haue no meate, without thei deserued the same, with some kind of exercise, either of bodie or of minde. The like did the young men of Argis, Argiues. made accoumpte vnto their Magistrates, of their occupations and wor­kes, of their trauaill and paine.Ariopagites. Euen the Areopagites, as Valerius affirmeth, did imitate the Athenias in ma­kyng decrees, in settyng of orders, in commaundyng their youthe to auoide Idlenesse, and exercise trauaile, then moste necessarie vnto any common wealth, the o­ther moste daungerous. So that some Countreis are naturally giuen to trauaill, as the Lidians, Phrigians Frenche men, with others. Some againe giuen to I­dlenesse, as the Persians, Corinthians, Englishemen with others. Some by lawe forced to flie idlenes, some by punishemente feared, some by death enforced to la­bour for their liuyng. Thus this Monster Idlenesse is beaten euery where, and yet embraced in moste places, euery man speake against idlenesse, and yet a nomber is in loue with it, magistrates and officers appoin­cted to punishe it, but yet thei after fauour it.

¶Of wrath and anger, and the hurts thereof.

THe famous and noble Philo­sopher Plato, did charge his Scholers alwaies beyng in anger or wrathe, to beholde them selues in a glasse wher they might see suche altera­tion of countenaunce, pale in colour, tremblyng handes, foltred tongues, staring eies. In fine voide of witte, depriued of reason, and beyng before reasonable men, now brutishe beastes. Wher­fore that greate Philosopher perceiuyng the furious and hastie nature of Alexander, Alexander. wrote from Athens vnto India, where this noble conquerour was at war­res with kyng Po [...]us, to take hede of wrath and anger saiyng. Anger ought not to be in any Prince towarde his inferiour, for that may be mended with correction, nor towarde his equall, for it maie bee redressed with power, so that anger ought not to be but against supe­riours, but Alexander hat no coequales, yet in vaine was Aristotles doctrine vnto Alexander in that point, for beyng in a banquet, when Clitus his deere frende and foster brother, commended his father kyng Philip of Macedone to bee the worthiest and most renoumed prince then liuyng,Valerias. lib. 9. Cap. 3. Alexander waxed vpon a sudden so angrie, to preferre anie man before hym, though Phi­lip was his owne brother which was commended, and Clitus his especiall frende that did commende hym, thinkyng rather to deserue praise at Alexander hand, then to spead of death was thrust vnto the harte with a Speare. So hastie was this prince, that Calisthenes and Lismachus, the one his philospher and councelour, the other his companion and frende, for fewe wordes [Page 167] spoken either of theim slain. Silence saith Aristotle is the surest reward vnto a prince. And beyng sory after­ward & angrie withall, yt he had likewise kild himself, had not Anaxarchus ye philosopher staied & perswaded hym.Tygranes. We reade that king Tigranes of Armenia whom Pompeius the greate did conquere, after waxed so an­grie by a fall from his horse, bicause his sonne was pre­sent and could not preuent his fathers fall, thrust hym in his anger with his Dagger vnto the hearte. Anger in a prince saieth Salamon is death, terrible is the coū ­tenaunce of a kyng when he is oppressed with wrath, hurtfull vnto many, odious vnto all is the anger ther­of. Nero was so furious in anger,Nero. that he neuer hearde any thyng if it were not to his liking, but he would re­quite one waie or other with death, in so muche in his rage and anger he would often throwe doune Tables beyng at dinner, cuppes of Golde wrought with pear­les againste the walles dasht, fling meate and drinke awaie, more like vnto a furious Gorgone of hell, then a sober Emperour in Rome. Suche furie raigneth in anger,Orestes. that Orestes Agamemnons soonne slue his mo­ther sodenly in his wrath Clitemnestra. Such madnes raigneth in anger,Aiax Thela­monius. that Aiax Thelamonius that fa­mous and valiaunte Gréeke, after that Achilles was slaine in the Temple of Pallas by Paris, at the destru­ction of Troie, waxed so madde and angrie bicause he might not haue Achilles harnes, which was geuen be­fore to Vlixes, that he beate Stones & blockes, fought with dead trées, killed beastes, thinkyng to méete with Vlixes amongest them. If anger make men murthe­rers, if wrath make mē mad without wit or reason to know themselues or others,Plato. let theim imitate Plato in his anger, which being angrie with any of his scholers or seruantes, would geue the rod to Xenocrates to cor­recte theim, for that he was angrie the learned Philo­sopher misdoupted himself, that he coulde not vse mo­dest [Page] correction, [...]. euen so Architas would alwaies speak vnto his seruauntes whiche had offended hym. Happie art thou that Architas is angrie, lettyng his man vn­derstande howe dangerous wrath is, for as Aristotle saieth, the angrie man seeth not the thyng which lieth vnder his féete▪ Augustus. Agustus Caesar Emperour of Rome de­sired Athenedorus a philosopher of Gréece, whiche a long time accompanied Augustus in Rome, and nowe readie to departe vnto Athens, his natiue zoile, of some sentence that the emperour might thinke of him. The philosopher tooke a penne, and wrote in a little Table this sentence. Caesar when thou arte moued to anger speake nothyng vntill thou haste recited the Gréekes Alphabets, a worthy lesson and a famous sentēce, well worthie to be learned of all men. There is nothyng or what can bee more vgglie to beholde, more terrible to looke vnto, then mans face when he is angrie, and the more to be feared for that he hath no rule ouer him self. All the painters of Persea had much to do to drawe in colours the terrible countenaunce and firie face of Queene Semiramis, Semiram [...]s. who like Maegera or Medusa grime Gorgons and frettyng furies of hell, when she hearde that her Citie of Babilon was besiedged of the enemies, beyng then dressyng of her head, came with heares hangyng and fléeyng in the winde half amazed of the newes vnto babilon, whose vglie and fearefull image, most like vnto hir at that time stoode as long as Babilon continued as a monument and a terrible mir­rour to maruaile at. Wee reade of the like historie of Olimpias, Olimpias. whose anger was suche when she thought of hir sonne Alexander, she streight waies like a ragyng Lion or a cruell Tiger, digged vp the bodie of Iola Ale­xanders taster, who was thought to be one of the con­spiratours, and beeyng digged vp, teared his bodie in smale péeces, and beyng torne in péeces, gaue it to the birdes of the aire. Marcus Antonius.Suche anger was in Marcus Anto­nius [Page 168] towarde Cicero, that he was not contented of Ci­ceros death, but commaunded his heade to bee sette before hym on the Table, to feede his wrathfull harte and gréedie eyes,Fuluia. and his wife Fuluia shewed her an­ger, pulled out his toungue, pinned it vnto her Bon­nette, and weare it on her heade, in token and open shewe of her cruell and Tigrishe harte. The noble romaine Maetellus was muche inflamed for to shewe suche hatred and anger vnto Pompeius, for at what tyme Pompeius the greate was appointed by the Se­natours of Rome,Maetellus. to succéede Maetellus in his office of proconsulship in Spaine. Maetellus perceiuyng that he was discharged, and Pompeius charged, they brake for verie anger all the furnitures of warres, he destroied all the victualles, he famished the Elephantes, he per­mitted his Souldiours te doe what iniurie they coulde againste Pompeius, so muche was his anger againste Pompeius, that to hinder onely Pompeius, he iniuried his natiue citie of Rome. The propretie of anger is, to hurte diuers in seekyng to offende one. As hee is not wise that can not be angrie, so is hee moste wise that can moderate anger. The fame and renoume that both Themistocles and Aristides, in vanquishyng their an­ger one towardes an other, for beyng sent both as em­bassadours for the state of Athens, trauailyng ouer a high hill, like wise men that subdued affection, and con­quired anger, Themistocles saide vnto Aristides, shall we both burie our anger in this hill, and go as frendes and not as enemies, and there though the cause was greate, at Athens they became frendes one vnto an o­ther, forgetting and forgeuing one anothers fault. An­ger and wrath are the only poisons of the words wher hidden hatered doeth proceade, for to norishe the one is to feede the other. Therfore it is written, that hidden hatered, priuate wealth, and young mennes counsell, hath been the verie cause of diuers destructions. Man­lius [Page] Torquatus, after he had conquered Campania, and triumphed ouer the Lateus, retournyng vnto the Ci­tie with noble fame, and renoumed victories, though the Senatours and Elders of the Citie,Val. lib. 9. ca. 3. mette hym in a triumphe and honour of his victories: yet the younge men of Rome more disdainefull, then courteous, more odious then louyng, more willyng to haue his death, then desirous of his life, kept them rather his enemies lurkyng in Rome towardes hym, then frendes, the cause is knowen in Valerius. Hidden hatered, whiche beare swaie in diuers places, enuie and malice whiche procede from anger, and maintained with hidden hate­red, is all the mischief of the world. I wil omit to speak of Caligula, Caligula. whose anger and hatred was suche, that he wished Rome but one necke, that with one stroke he might strike it of. Neither I will recite Heliogabalus, whiche emōgest writers, is named the beast of Rome, and not the Emperour of Rome. The histories of Ca­telin, Silla, and Appius, for their hatered and anger to­wardes their countrey, and natiue citie, are extante in Plutarch and Salust, by this anger and wrath, proceded inuectiues and decleratiōs, and then enuie and malice, beganne to builde their bowers, by their chief Carpē ­ter anger, then one mischief and vengeaunce, doeth al­waies depende of the other. And because anger is the onely cause of all euill and mischief, I will speake of those two monstrus Gorgons as thinges incident, and alwaies hidden in anger, I meane enuie and malice, and ther­fore I applie to Enuie and Malice, whiche might be spoken here.

¶Of Periurie and Faithe, and where either of these were honored, and esteemed.

SIthe Faithe is the foundati­on of Iustice, and Iustice the chiefe meanes, as Aristotle saieth, to preserue a publique weale, for we se after muche fomyng and frettyng of seas, after clustryng cloudes, after longe lowryng lookes, there doe often appere calme wea­ther, cleare aire, and gentle countenaunce, whiche to obserue, and to maintaine Iustice, is the worker ther­of, and to note how faithfull and iuste some haue been, and how wicked and false others shewed them selues, for the commoditie and benefite of that one, and for the discommoditie and iniuries of the other, good it were to shewe the examples thereof. There are not so many vertuous in one, but there bee as many vices in an other.Clodius and Cicero. For some from foes become frendes, as Clo­dius and Cicero twoo greate enemies a long tyme, and yet in tyme twoo faithfull frendes. Tiberius likewise, and Affricanus from mortall foes,Tiberius and Affricanus. grewe to bee suche perpetuall frendes, that Affricanus gaue his onelie daughter Cornelia in marriage vnto Tiberius. Euen so some again from frendes became foes, yea, from tried frendship,Dion. vnto mortall enemitie, as Dion of Siracusa of his moste assured frende (as he thought) with whom alwaies before he founde frendshippe and faithe, was slain and cruelly killed of Callicrates. Calicrates. Polimnestor like­wise, though kyng Priamus supposed greate trust and confidence in hym, that he committed his owne soonne Polidorus vnto his custodie,Polymnestor. yet falsely slue hym, and murthered hym: though beside frendshippe, he was his nigh kinseman. How well saieth Socrates, that faithe­full frendes doe farre excell Gold, for in daunger faithe [Page] is tried, and in necessitie freindes are knowen. Suche is the secrete force of Faithe, and suche is the hidden subtiltie of falsehode, that the praise and commendati­ons of the one, shall bee seen and proued in a historie of Sextus Pompeius, Pompeius. soonne and heire vnto Pompeius the Greate, the slaunder and shame of the other, shall bee manifestly knowen by Hanibal Ar [...]l [...]ar sonne of Car­thage.Haniball. The Faithe and Iustice of Pompeius, at what tyme he had appoincted a banquette for Augustus Cae­sar ▪ and Marcus Antonius vpō the seas, was well tried, for beyng moued of diuers at that tyme, to reuenge his fathers death Pompeius the greate, and specially often stirred by his frende▪ and Maister of the Shippe. Mene­dorus to requite olde malice, for killyng of Pompeius, to destroie Caesar and Antonius, whiche Sextus, in no waies would suffer, saiyng: that Faithe and Iustice, ought not to bee tourned vnto periurie and falshed, for as it is periurie, to omitte faithe and promise made vn­to these Emperors, so this is tyrānie and not iustice, to reuenge my fathers death vpon innocēcie. And true it was that Augustus Caesar was then but a boie, brought vp in Schoole in Apulia, when his vncle Iulius Caesar vanquished Pompei. And as for Marcus Antonius, ra­ther a freinde he was vnto Sextus Father, then a foe, and therefore no lesse Faithfull was Sextus in perfor­myng, then iuste in waiyng innocencie. Farre vnlike vnto fal [...]e Haniball, whiche vnder pretence of peace with the Romaines sente Embassadours vnto Rome to entreate thereof, where thei were honourablie re­ceiued: but well requited he the courtesie of Rome to­ward his Embassadours. For whē that noble Romain Cornelius came from Rome, as an Embassadour vnto Haniball, his welcome was suche▪ that he neuer went a liue vnto Rome againe, for moste cruelly and falsely was he slaine by Haniball. In this falshed and periurie was Haniball muche defamed, not as muche corrupted [Page 170] by vilenesse of his owne nature, which alwaies in this, was not to bee trusted, but by the falshode and corrup­tion of the Countrey, of whiche it is prouerbially spo­ken Poeni perfidi, false Carthaginians for the people of Carthage delited in falshode▪ practized periurie, and v­sed all kind of craftes, as the people of Sarmatha were moste false in wordes, moste deceiptfull in deedes, and moste cruell one towardes an other. The Scithians be­yng muche molested with warres, and driuen to leaue their wiues at home, in the custodie of the slaues & ser­uauntes, thei hauyng occasion to bee absent iiij. yeres whose wiues married the seruauntes,Carthage. brake their for­mer Faithe with their owne housbandes, vntill with force and power their seruauntes were slain, and so re­couered their countreis & wiues again.Apollonius. Apollonius the chief gouernour of Sam [...]os. whom the commons of the Countrey, from lowe estate had exalted vnto dignitie vnto whom thei committed the gouernment and state of Samios, was so false of his faithe towardes his sub­iectes, that hauyng their goodes, landes, liuynges, and liues in his owne hand, he betraied theim vnto Philip king of Macedonia, their moste mortall enemie. That proude periurer Cocalus king of Sicilia,Cocalus. slue kyng Mi­noes of Crete, though vnder colour of frendshippe, and pretence of talke he had sente for hym.Cleomenes. Cleomenes brake promise with the Argiues, with whom he tooke truce for certaine daies, craftely betraied them in the night, slue them being sleping, and emprisoned against his former faith,Thracians periuries. and promise made before. Euen so did the false Thracians with the Boetians, brake promise, violated faithe, destroied their countries, depopulated their cities, and of professed frendes, and vowed faithe, became wicked foes, and false traitors. But of all false periurers,Zopirus. Lasthenes. and vnnaturall foes, shal Zopirus emongest the Persians, and Lasthenes emongest the Olinthians to their perpetuall slaunder and reproche, bee mentio­ned, [Page] of the one borne in the famous citie of Babilon, de­formed hym self in suche sort, with suche dissimulation of forged faithe, that hauyng the rule and gouernment in his hande, he brought kyng Darius to enioye that, through his periurie and falshode, that with long war­res in many yeres, he might not vāquishe nor subdue: The other as falsly, I beyng ye onely trust of the citizēs, deliuered Olinthus their citie, vnto the handes of their long and greate enemie, Philippe kyng of Macedonia. What fraude hath been founde alwaies in frendship? What falshode in faithe? What deceipte in truste, the murtheryng of Princes, the betraiyng of kyngdomes, the oppressyng of innocentes from tyme to tyme, in al places, can well witnesse the same. When Romulus had appoincted Spu Tarpeius, to be chief capitaine of the Capitoll, the chamber of Rome, where the substaunce & wealth of Rome did remain.Tarpeia. Tarpeia Spurius dough­ter, whiche in the night tyme, as she wente for water out of the citie, metyng Tatius kyng of ye Sabins though he was then mortall enemie vnto Rome, & in cōtinual warres with Romulus, yet by false Tarpeia brought to be lord of the Capitoll, thus Tarpeia beyng as false vn­to Rome, as king Tatius was, likewise false vnto Tar­peia: for she loking to haue promise kept of Tatius, foūd him as Rome founde her. She was buried a liue of Ta­tius by the Capitoll, whiche was called Saturnus moūt and by her death & buriall, there named Tarpeius rocke vntill Torquinus Superbus tyme, whiche first named it the Capitoll, by findyng a mans heade in that place. There was neuer in Rome suche falshode shewed by any man,Galba. as was of Sergius Galba, whiche caused there famous cities of Lusitania to appere before him, promising them great cōmodities, and diuers pleasures, con­cernyng the states and gouernment of their citie, yel­dyng his faith and truth, for the accomplishment of the same, whose professed faithe allured to ye nōber of ix. M. yong [Page 171] menne, piked and elected for some enterprises, for the profite of their countrey, whiche when false Galba had spoiled these thrée cities of al flowers of their youthes, against all promise and faithe, slue the moste parte of theim, sould and enprisoned the rest, whereby he most easely might conquire their Cities, men are neuer cer­ten nor trustie in doing, when thei are fautie in faith [...], For as the Sunne lighteneth the Moone, so faithe ma­keth man in all thinges perfect, for prudence without faith, is vaine glorie and pride. Temperaunce without faithe and trueth, is shamefastnes or sadnes. Iustice without faith, is turned vnto iniurie, and fortitude vn­to slouthfulnes. The orders in diuers countreis for the obseruation of frendship, and for maintenaunce of cer­ten and sure loue one towarde an other, were diuers othes.Romaines cu­stome in swe­ryng. The noble Romains at what tyme thei sweare had this order he or she, to take a flint ston in his right hand, saiyng these wordes. If I be gilty or offende any man, betraie my countrey, or deceiue my frende wil­lingly. I wishe to be cast awaie out of Rome, by great Iupiter, as I cast this stoan out of my hand, and with­all threwe the stoan awaie.Scythians. The auncient Scithians, to obserue amitie and loue, had this law. They powred a greate quantity of wine in a greate Boule or a Cup, and with their kniues launced some parte of their bo­dies, letting their bloud to runne likewise, one after an other, vnto that cup, and then minglyng the wine and blood together, tipt the ende of their Speares▪ and ther Arrowes in the wine, takyng the boule in hand, drank one vnto another, professing by that draught, faith and loue.Arrabians. The Arabians when they would become faithful to anie, to maintaine loue thereby, had this custome, one should stande with a sharpe stoan in his hande, be­twixt two, and let blood in the palme of their handes, and takyng of either of theim a péece of their garment, to receiue their blood, anointyng and diyng seauen sto­nes [Page] in the blood,Vrania. Dionisius. callyng Vrania and Dyonisius, their Gods to witnesse, and kéepyng the stoanes in memory of frendship, would depart one from an other. The like lawe amongest the Barctians, goyng vnto a diche, and standyng thereby,Herodotus. saiyng, as Herodotus affirmeth, as long as that holowe place or diche, were not of it selfe filde vp, so long desired the Barcians amitie and loue. In readyng of histories, we finde more certentie to haue been in theim by prophane othes, then trueth often in vs by Euangelist and Gospell othes, lesse periurie in those Gentiles, swearyng by Iupiter or Apollo, then in Christians swearyng by the true and liuynge God, more amitie and frendship amongest them, with drin­kyng either of others blood, then in vs, by acknowled­gyng and professyng Chistes blood. When Marcus An­tonius had the gouernemēt of Rome, after Caesar was murthered by Brutus and Cassius, and hauyng put to death Lucullus for his consente therein,Volumnius. Volumnius hearyng of his frende Lucullus death, came weepyng and sobbyng before Antonius, requiryng on his knees one graunt at Antonius hand, to sende his Souldiours to kyll hym vpon the graue of his frende Lucullus, and beyng dead, to open Lucullus graue, and to laie hym by his frend. Which beyng denied of the emperour then, went and wrote vpon a little peece of paper, caried it in his hande vntill he came wher Lucullus was buried, and there holdyng fast the paper in one hand and with his dagger in the other hande, slue hym self vpon the graue, holdyng the paper close beyng dead, where this sentence he wrote. Thou that kneweste the faithefull frēdship betwixt Volumnius & Lucullus, ioyne our bo­dies together being dead, as our mindes were alwaies one beyng a liue.Nisus. The like historie is written of Nisus, when his faithfull frende Eurialus, was slaine in the warres betwixt Turnus and Aeneas, he hauyng vnder­standyng therof, vnknowen vnto Aeneas, and vnto the [Page 172] reste of the Troians, wente vp and doune the fielde, tomblyng and tossyng dead carkeses, vntill he founde out Eurialus bodie, whiche after longe lookyng and embrasyng of his deade frende, drewe out his swearde and heald it in his hande a little while, saiyng, as my bodie shall neuer departe from thy bodie, so shall I ne­uer feare to folowe thy ghoost, and laiyng the Pommel of his swearde on the grounde, fell vpon his swearde, hauyng the bodie of his frende Eurialus betwixt his ar­mes. This loue was greate betwixt Princes, whiche might liue honorably to die willingly. A strange thing for men that so loue their frendes, to waie their deaths more then their one liues. Orestes faithe and frendship towarde Pylades was suche, that beeyng come vnto a straunge Region named Taurica to diminishe the do­lors, to asswage the grief, and to mitigate the furious flames of Orestes, bicause he slue his mother Clitem­nestra, and beyng suspected that they came only to take awaie the Image of Pallas, their goddesse in that coun­trey. The kyng vnderstandyng the matter, made Ore­stes to be sente for, & to be brought before hym to haue iudgement of death. For Pylades was not mencioned nor spoken of,Orestes. but onely Orestes, he it was that should steale their Goddes awaie vnto Gréece. Orestes there­fore beyng brought,Pylades. and his felowe Pylades with him. The king demaunded whiche of thē both was Orestes, Pylades that knewe his frende Orestes should die, so­dainly steapt forth and said, I am he, Orestes denied it, and said he was Orestes, Pylades again denied that, and saide that it was euen hee that was accused vnto the kyng, thus the one deniyng, and the prouyng, either of theim moste willyng to die for the other. The kynge dismaide at their greate amitie & loue, pardoned their faultes, muche extemed their companie, and greatlye honoured their naturall loue and faithe, so many like histories vnto this there be, that then Princes woulde [Page] die for their frendes,Alexander: euen that greate conquerour Ale­xander, would haue died then presently with his frend Haephaestion, had not his counsell letted hym, he loued aliue so well, that he was called of all men, an other A­xander, in so muche so estemed his frende, when Sisigā ­bis king Darius mother had saluted Haephaestiō in stede of Alex. being therewith angrie with her error, he said blushe not to honour Haephaestion, Hephaestion. as an other Alexan­der. What was it that Anaxogoras wāted, that prince Pericles could get for him?Pericles. Whether went Aeneas that Troian duke at any tyme,Aeneas. without Achates with him, was ther nothing that Pomponius had,Pomponius. but Cicero had part of it. Scipios frēdship neuer wanted vnto Cloelius Though Rome could alter state, though fortune could change honor, yet could neither Rome nor fortune al­ter faithe, or chaunge frendes. After the Senators had iudged Tib. Gracchus for diuers seditions in the citie to die,Gracchus. Blosius. his frend Blosius hauyng knowledge thereof, came and kneled before the Senators, besought Laelius (whose counsaill the Senators in all thinges folowed) to be his frende, saiyng vnto the reste after this sorte. O sacred Senate, and noble counsailers, if yet remaine in the ci­tie of Rome, any sparcle of iustice, if there be regard vn­to equitie, let me craue that by lawe, which you iniuri­ously applie vnto an other, and sithe I haue committed the offences, and factes of Gracchus, whose cōmaunde­ment I neuer resisted, whose will to accomplish I will duryng life obaie, lette me die for Gracchus worthely, whiche am moste willyng so to do, & let him liue iustly whiche so ought moste truly. Thus with vehement inuectiues against him self, crauing death most earnestly vnto Blosius, and life worthely vnto Gracchus, made the Senatours astonied with his rare desire of death, saiyng: the Capitoll had béen burned by Blosius, if Grac­chus had so commaunded, but I knowe that Grachus thought nothyng in harte, but that whiche he spake [Page 117] by tongue vnto Blosius, and that which hée spake by tongue vnto Blosius, that Blosius neuer doubted to doe: and therefore I deserue rather death than hée. The faith and loue betwixt Damon and Pythyas was so woonde­red at of King Dionisius, Damon and Pythias. that though hée was a cruell Tiraunt, in appoynting Damon to die, yet was he most amazed to sée the desire of Pithias, the constant fayth, the loue and friendeship professed in Damons behalfe, stri­uing one with an other to die, enforced in spite of tiran­ny to pardon Damon for Pythyas sake. Theseus and Pe­rithous became such faythfull friendes, that they made seuerall othes one vnto an other, neuer during life to be departed, neyther in affliction, paine, punishement, plague, toyle, or trauayle to be disseuered: insomuch the Poetes faine that they went vnto the kindome and re­gion of Pluto togither. I will not speake of the great loue of that noble Gréeke Achilles toward King Patro­ [...]lus [...]: Neyther will I recite the Historie of that worthy Romane Titus towarde Gisippus. In fine, I will not report Palemon and Arceit: Alexander and Lo­dowicke, whose ende and conclusion in loue were such, as are worthy of me­morie, famous in writing.

¶ Of enuie and malice, and so of tiranny.

AS malice drinketh the most part of her owne poyson, so enuie saith Aristotle hurteth more the enuious it selfe, than the thing that it enui­eth. Like as the slouthfull in warre, or Darnell amongst Wheate, so is the enuious in a Cittie: not so sad of his owne miseries and calami­ties, as hée lamenteth the hap and felicitie of others. Wherfore the wise Philosopher Socrates calleth enuie serram animae, the sawce of the soule, for that it cutteth the hart of the enuious to see the prosperitie of others. For as it is a greefe to the good and vertuous man to see euyll men rule: so contrarily to the euil most harme is it to sée the goodman liue. Therfore the first disturber of common wealth, and last destroyer of good states: the beginning of all sorowes, the ende of all ioyes: the cause of all euyll, and the onely let of all goodnesse is enuie. How prospered Gréece? how florished Rome? how quiet was the whole world before enuie began to practize with malice, two daughters of tyranny, neuer séene, but hidden in the hartes of flatterers. Then I say Gréece was glorious, Rome was famous, their names were honoured, their prowisse feared, their poli­cie commended, their knowledge knowen, their fame spread ouer the whole worlde: but when enuie began to soiorne in Gréece, and malice to builde her bower in Rome, these sisters like two monsters or two grimme Gorgons, oppressed Castles, destroyed Countreys, sub­dued kingdomes,Hanibal. Iugurth. depopulated cities: in fine, triumphed ouer all Gréece and Italie. Hanibal of Carthage, Iu­gurth [Page 178] of Numidia, Pirrhus of Epire, Pirrhus. most valiaunt puissaunt and mighty Princes, with long warres, and great slaughter withall. Their force and powers might not then hurt Rome halfe so much as hidden hatred be­twéene them selues in Rome.Alexander. Cirus. Xerxes. Againe, Alexander the great, valiaunt Cirus, famous Zerxes, most mightie conquerours, with all their strength of warres, coulde not annoy Gréece halfe so much as inwarde enuy be­twéene the cities of Gréece. What caused Iulius Caesar to war against his son in law Pompeius?Caesar. Enuie. What made Adrian the Emperor to despise ye worthy fame of Traian?Adrian. Cato. Enuie. What mooued Cato surnamed Vtica, to kil him self? Enuie vnto Caesar, hidden hatred, wor­king for priuate gaine, and rash counsell of flatterye, which is harde most often in the enuious mouth, haue destroyed kingdomes. Enuie entred firste into the heartes of Princes, arrested the worthyest conque­ror of the world, waded the bowels of the wyse, blusht not to attaint the learned Philosophers in the mydst of Athens. Hercules in killing the great Dragon Priapus that watched in the garden of Hesperides, Hercules. in destroying the rauening birdes Stimphalides, in conquering the ra­ging and furious Centaures, in vanquishing terrible monsters as Gereon, Cerberus and Diomedes: in ouer­comming the Lion, the Boore, and the Bull: in ouerta­king the gilded Hart: and last for his conquest of the huge and prodigious Hidra, in the seruice of Lerna: won no lesse enuie of some, than iustly hée deserued fame of others. Theseus to imitate the hauty attempts of Her­cules ouercame Thebes, Theseus. slue Minotaurus in the dennes of Labirinthus, subdued Creon the tiraunt, with diuers other large enterprises, as one more wyllyng to enuie the fame of Hercules, then desirous to deserue fame by lenity and quietnesse.Caesar. Alexander. Achilles. So might I speake of Iulius Cae­sar that enuied Alexander the great, and Alexander likewise that enuied Achilles. And thus alwayes enuie [Page] was fostered with Princes. With the wise and lear­ned enuie bare great sway, as betwixt Plato and Zeno­phon, the best and grauest Philosophers in their time: betwixt Demosthenes and Aeschines, betwixt Aristotle and Isocrates, one despising the other. Such slaughter grew of enuie, that one brother kylled another, the sonne the father, and the father likewise the sonne: as Romulus slue his brother Remus of enuie,Romulus Cambis [...] lest he might hée king in Rome. Cambises King of Persea killed his brother Mergides as Herodotus doth write of enuie. Enuie caused Anacharsis the Philosopher to bée slaine of his own brother Caduidus. Caduidus Iugurtha. King Iugurth murthered both his brethren Hiempsalis & Adherbales, that he only might raigne King in Numidia. Cain. Cain did kyll his bro­ther Abel, the scripture doth testifie that his sacrifice was once accepted. Thus enuie was séene and known to bée betwixt brethren, betwixt the parentes and their childrē: the like we reade that enuy committed horrible and terrible murther aswell betwixt the husbande and the wife, as the children towarde their Parentes as in short examples verified.Clitem­nestra. Clitemnestra slue hir owne husbande Agamemnon, and shée againe slaine by hyr sonne Orestes. Semiramis Quéene Semiramis kilde likewise hir husbande king Minus, and shée kilde euen so by hir son called Minus. Agrippana. Agrippina murthered hir husbande Ti­berius, and shée was euen so murthered of hir sonne Nero. O cruell tiranny that enuie shoulde euer cause such vnnatural murther, as one brother to kill another: the Father to destroy his sonne, the sonne to slea hys father: the husbande to murther his wife, the wife to make awaye hir husbande. Wée reade in Plini of a certen king in Thebes named Athamas, that gaue both his sonnes, the one named Learchus, the other Euriclea, to be deuoured of ramping Lions. So many monste­rous tirauntes brought vp in the schoole of enuy, so ma­ny deformed Centaures, that all countries haue béene [Page] full of them. When Antiphiles sawe Apelles in great fauour with King Ptholeme, hée so enuied the matter that hée tolde the king of spite vnto Apelles, that Apelles was the verie cause of the long warres betwéene the Tirians and Egypt, to discredite Apelles for verye enuie that hée was great with the King: but the matter being knowne, and his enuie wayed, Appelles was rewarded of the King with a hundred Talentes, and Antiphiles for his enuie commaunded afterwarde all the dayes of his life, to be the slaue and bondeman of Appelles. The­mistocles was so gréeued to sée Miltiades so honored for his great conquest and triumph in Marathea, that being demaunded why hée was so sadde, hée aunswered: Mil­tiades triumphes will not suffer Themistocles to be ioy­full. There was no countrie but enuie bare swaye: there was neuer no great vertue, but it was accompa­panied with enuie.Caesar. Caesar was enuied in Rome by Ca­to: Turnus was enuied in Rutil by Drances: Vlisses was enuied in Gréece by Aiax: Demetrius was enuied in Macedonia after king Cassander dyed: what enuie bare M. Crassus towarde Pompeius it is knowne: what hidden hatred hadde Pollio towarde Cicero: it is read in Brusonius the third booke the 7. chapter,Pollio. where Pollio saith to Messala that hée might not abide Ciceros voice. The like we reade of Aristotle, who enuied Isocrates so much, that hée was woont to saye, it were a shame vnto Aristole to holde his peace,Socrates. and lette Isocrates speake. For as thereis no light sayth Plini without shadowe, so is there no vertue or glory without enuie. The wa­uering state of the vulgar which ruled alwayes Rome and Athens, was so mutable and so vncertaine, that af­ter wise and sage. Socrates was condemned to die b [...]ing deade, the Athenians repented, his accusers were bani­shed, and Socrates now being deade, had his pictures e­rected, which being aliue, the rude and vncertaine peo­ple estéemed nothing▪ Aristides Euen so was Aristides and The­mistocles, [Page] banished vnto Persea, Iphicrates vnto Thracia, Conon vnto the prouince of Corporos, Conon. Chabrias vnto Egypt, Chares. and Cares vnto Sigeum, men of excelent vertues, of noble seruice, of renowmed fame: yet by the enuious people banished their owne countries to raunge abrode the worlde. Againe Homer was enuied by Zoilus, Homer. Pin­darus by Amphimanes, Simonides by Timocreon: yea, learned Maro and Horas were most enuied and backe-byted by Maeuius and Suffenus. What doe I? to speak of enuie, why waste I time to write of enuie? where­fore séeme I so sounde to touch a speciall matter, being so common with all men, being so nourished in all countries, being knowne from the beginning of the worlde, and being first practized by the Diuell, who en­uying mans state, the felicity, ioye, and pleasure he was in, least man shoulde possesse the place, where some­time the Diuell raygned as an Aungell, deceyued man. This enuie tooke roote then in the first age,Cain. for Cain en­uied so his brother Abell that hée slue him, for that God accepted Abels sacrifice & refused his. Ioseph was of his owne brethren likewise sold vnto Egypt for enuie that he was better beloued of his father thē they were. Saule did so enuie King Dauid, Saul. that hée gaue his daughter Mi­chol in mariage to Dauid, for that shée being his daugh­ter, might betray hir husbande to the Philistines. Da­than and Abiron hadde great enuie toward Aaron. Da­niell was much enuied in King Nabuchadonosors Pal­lacies. What shoulde I be long in this? The Apostles, the Prophets, the Martires, yea Christ himself was en­uied at by Iewes and Gentiles: Insomuch that tiran­ny and murther was the sequell of enuie, as from time to time tried, from age to age séene, and from man to manne practized, euen vnto deade men shewed: as Achilles vnto Hector, haling and drawing his bodye a­bout the fieldes of Troye in open sight of King Priamus his father, as M. Antonius vnto Cicero, hauing Ciceros [Page 180] heade sette before him to ease his Tigrishe minde, permitting his wife Fuluia to weare Ciceros tongue in hir Bonet: As Cambises vnto the Iudge Sisamenes be­ing deade, to flea him: being fleane, to cut him in péeces: being cut in péeces, to giue him to be deuoured of beasts & birds. I might wel declare the tirany of Tullia shewed toward hir father king Ser. Tullius being dead, to cause hir Chariot and horse to treade hir fathers bodie in the streates. Of Tomyris Quéene of Scithia towarde King Cirus being deade, to strike of his heade and to bathe it in blood. Of Silla towarde Crassius being deade to burne his bodye, more to shewe hir tiranny. To note the ti­rannie of Alexander in Thessalia:Alexander. Busiris. Dionisius. Of Busiris in Egipt: To open the wicked life and state of Dionisius in Si­racusa: Of cruell Creon in Thebes of Periander in Co­rinth: Of Pisistratus in Athens, I shoulde be tedious to amplifie that which may be briefely examined. And this we reade and sée dayly by experience that the ende of Tirants is to die in tyrannie, and as they deale with others,Diomedes. Busyris. so are they dealt with all: As Diomedes and Busyris were woont to feede their Horses with mens fleshe, and to breake their thyrst with mens bloode: so were they themselues vanquished by Hercules, and made foode to be eaten and deuoured of their owne hor­ses, which they before fed with other mens fleshe. Like­wise the great tiraunt Phalaris and that cruell Perillus, Phalaris. Perillus. were both destroyed with those new inuented torments that they made for others: I meane the brasan Bull which Perilles made to satisfie the tirannye of Phalaris, Thrasillus and Scyron, Thrasillus. Scyron. the one teaching the waye of ty­ranny, was first of all in that which hée taught vnto o­thers, tormented and slaine: the other throwne hedlong into the sea by Theseus, euen so as he was woont to doe with others. To speake of the great cruelty of Aemilius, which as Aristides in Plutarch doth testifie, that hée vsed to recompence anye man, that woulde and coulde in­uent [Page] newe tormentes to punishe the innocent, and to pleasure his tigrishe minde: Hée I saye dwelling in A­gesta a Cittie of Sicilia, made a brasen horse to vexe and torment the people, wherein through the commaunde­m [...]nt of Arminius Paterculus chiefe magistrate of the Citie, he first suffred the assaye of his newe inuented workes. Wee reade againe of the fiftie sisters, King Danaus daughters,Belides. called Belides, which béeing maried to the fiftie sonnes of Aegistus, siue all their husbandes in the first night, saue Hipermestra: one of them so na­med, spared the life of hir husbande Linceus. The like we reade of the thirtie Sisters of Albina, Albina his sisters. which after the selfe same sort, made an ende of thirtie husbandes in one night. The sequell of tirannye was suche, that what wanted in the father, was fully employed in the sonne, for amendement is rare séene: and that which is more often tried and very well considered of a sim­ple woman named Ihera, who when she perceyued that the people of Siracusa did wish ye death of Dionisius the tiraunt, shée streight knéeled vppon hir knées, and be­sought the Goddes that he might liue: and being de­maunded why shée prayed for suche a tyraunt? shée sayde: I knewe thrée kinges in Syracusa, euery one a tyraunt, the seconde woese than the first, the thirde worse than the seconde, and now Dionisius being the fourth, worse than the thirde, and hée that shall be fift I feare least hée be worse than Dionisius, and therefore I praye the Goddes he might liue: for of two euilles the lesse is to be chosen. Marke howe in a simple woman, in a sillie person, truth often doth soiourne. The like of a certen husbande man wée reade, that digging in the grounde,Brusonius. lib. 6. cap. 21. when the murtherers that slue king Antigo­nus passing by in haste, taking their flight into Phrigia, demaunding a husbande man, why he digged so déepe: I digge vp (sayde hée) an other king Antigonus to rule Macedonia: letting them to vnderstande the true Pro­uerbe, [Page 181] that séeldome comes the better, that hée that woulde come after, shoulde be farre worse than King Antigonus. O happie age, O golden worlde, while ti­ranny was not knowne. The great Monarchies of the world were gotten with tirannie, and likewyse through tiranny lost. The first Monarch after the great deluge, was that of the Assyrians, Ninus the first mo­ [...]arche. which began vnder Ninus the third king of the Assyrians, and continued in slaugh­ter and tiranny, vntill Sardanapalus time the last king, whiche was a thousande two hundred nine and thir­tie yeares. From the Assyrians it was woonne with the sworde, and brought with violence and tiranny by that cruell and blouddie Arbactus vnto the Meedes, Arbactus. and re­mayned there vntill king Astiages, which was the ninth king and las [...] king of the Meedes, two hundred and fifty yeres: from the Meedes it was had by tiranny awaye by king Cirus vnto Persea, Cirus and there stayed vntill the time of king Darius, which was two hundred and thir­tie yeares: from the Perseans it was with bloode and great slaughter taken awaye by Alexander the great vnto Macedonia, Alexander. and there maintayned vntill Perseus time, which was a hundred and seuen and fiftie yeares: from the Macedonians it was posted vnto Rome, where vnder Iulius Caesar the prowdest Monarche in all the worlde,Caesar.. fomed in bloode, florished in tirannye a long while. Thus tirannie was fedde and fostered from one countrie vnto an other, vntill almost the whole worlde was destroyed. The murther and tirannye that long florished in Gréece betwixt the Thebans and the Lace­demonians, againe betwixt the Lacedemonians and the Athinians, betwixt the Athinians and all Gréece: Who readeth it not in Thucidides. Tamburlanus the great murtherer, King sometime in Scithia, got through ty­ranny Medea, Albania, Mesopotamia, Persea and Arme­nia, passed ouer Euphrates, subdued Asia the lesser, and tooke Pazaites king of the Turkes. Zerxes called all the [Page] Princes of Asia in his voyage towarde Gréece, where such tiranny was vsed, that not onely Citties and coun­tries were destroyed, but also their Temples and their Goddes neglected and spoyled. The huge tiranny be­twixt King Darius of Persea, Darius Miltiades and Milciades Prince of Athens, who slue a hundred thousande of Darius men. The slaughter of King Cirus after he hadde exiled his Grandfather King Astiages from Persea, Cirus vanquished the Babilonians, and ouerthrew Cressus King of Lydia, af­ter hée had (I say) subdued the most part of Asia, cea­sed not of his tirannie vntill hée came to Scythia, where hée and two hundred thousand were slaine of one wo­man Tomiris Quéene of Scythia, who after shée hadde slaine him, shée caused his heade to be cut off, and made it to be bathed in a great Tunne of bloode, saying these wordes: nowe Cirus drinke ynough of that which thou hast alwayes sore thirsted for. Blood doth require blood, and tyranny will haue cruelnesse.Antiochus. Antiochus fomed in tiranny, brought in subiectiō Egypit, & India, with other confines. Hanniball excelled all men in tyranny, as both Rome and Italy can well testifie thereof. To speake of King Philippe and his sonne Alexander the great,Alexander. their tyranny, their conquest, and bloodie wars it were superfluous, as Thessalia, Thebes, Larissa, Olinthians, Phoceans, Lacedemonians, Athenians, Per­seans, and Indians, all Asia are witnesse thervnto: Pirrhus Antigonꝰ, Pompeiꝰ the great,Pirrhus Antigonus. Pompeius. with infinite moe bloody Kinges and Capitaines, which more reioyced with ty­ranny to offende others, then with iustice to defende their owne. For the triumphes of cruell Capitaines is to ioye in tyrannie: the wishe and desire of the vngod­ly tyraunt, is to destroy all, thirstie alwayes of bloode, hungrie continually of murther and slaughter. What wished Caligula the Emperour to his owne Cittie of Rome?Caligula. forsooth one necke, that with one stroke hée might strike it of. The difference betwixt a gentle and [Page 182] a godly Prince, and a cruell tiraunt, is, and hath béene alwayes séene.Codrus. King Codrus of Athens, how farre ex­celled hée cruell Caligula? when by an Oracle it was tolde vnto the Athenians, that they shoulde neuer haue victory during the life of Codrus their King, which when the king knewe, hée clothed him like a common souldi­our, nay rather as the historie sayth, like a poore begger went vnto the middest of his enimies to be slaine to saue Athens. Curtius. Detius. Sila. Marius. Howe much did noble Curtius and fa­mous Decius surmount that cruell and Tigrishe L. Sil­la, and that wicked impe C. Mariꝰ, they through the like Oracle moued, were redie in harnesse to mount on horsebacke, to offer themselues aliue, vnto an open dampe and gulfe to saue Rome: the other with sworde and fire no lesse willing to destroy Rome, then studious to spoyle their natiue zoyle and countrie of Italie. A­gaine Thrasibulus was not so beneficiall vnto Athens, Thrasibulus Catilina. but Cateline was as hurtefull vnto Rome. Diuers Princes and noble men haue béene no lesse studious howe to kéepe and defende their countries, than they were loth and vnwilling to trespasse other countries. Happy were those places, and most happy are they that spéede of such Princes. Howe famous was Thebes while Epaminondas liued? How renowmed was Spar­ta while yet Agesilaus ruled? Howe happie was Rome when Fabius Maximus bare swaye? Howe florished Athens when Pericles with his magnanimitie, when Themistocles with his worthinesse, when Demosthenes with his wisdome defended their state? The vertuous liues of godly Emperours which time aduaunced to fame, and fame spread ouer the whole worlde, as of Traian, Constantine, Augustus, Alexander Seuerus, with others, which were to be honored and worthylye hadde in memorie. The cruell tirannye of other wicked ma­gistrates, which neyther time can take awaye, nor any good nature forgette, as that very shape of shame, sinck [Page] of sinne, that beaste Heliogobalus, that tiraunt Nero, that monster Caligula, Calig [...]la. Dionisius. with Domitian, Dionisius, and others, which are to be detested, and vtterly lothed. La­ertius in his thirde booke doth write, that the people of Agineta, had a lawe written, that if any of Athens should come vnto their great Cittie Agni, hée should by lawe loose his heade. When Plato the Philosopher hadde happened to come to that Cittie, it was tolde Car­mendius, who then was chiefe Iudge for that yere, that a man of Athens was in Aeginia, which ought by lawe to die, & he calling Plato before him in a great assembly, demaunded what he was, and he sayde a Philosopher: a certen enuious man vnto learning hearing the name of a Philosopher sayde: this is no man but a beast: then sayde Plato, I ought to be frée by our law, being a beast and not a man, and so pleaded the matter, that by the name of a beast, Plato was demissed, appliyng the sence and morall thereof, that with tyrauntes and enuious people, beastes are better estéemed then men. Such is the furious rage of tyranny, that without mercie and respect of person, hée féedeth his furie. King Atreus, Atreus. bro­ther to Thiestes, and sonne to King Pelops, slue without pittie the thrée sonnes of hys brother Thiestes, whose bloode hée caused Thiestes his brother, and their father to drinke vnawares (I say) after he hadde hidden their bodyes in a caue, he cut of their members, and made their father to eate thereof. The like Historie we reade in Iustine that king Astiages made Harpagus to eate his owne children,Astiag [...]s. dressed readie and made to be serued at the Kinges table, in two siluer dishes before Harpagus the father: Of which as one ignoraunt of such tiranny, hée fedde thereof. Mithridates the bloodie king of Pon­tus, slue his thrée sonnes, and thrée daughters, kilde hys wife Laodices, and maried an other straight named Hipsicratea. Tiranny lurcketh in the hidden vaines and secret bowels of enuie:Mithridates. for euen as Mithridates slue his [Page 183] wife Laodices:Constantine. Nero so Constantine the great Emperor slue his wife Fausta: and Nero murthered his wife Poppea. To speake of Cleander, Aristratus, Strates, Sabil­lus, with innumerable more, I shoulde wearie any rea­der with the prolixity therof. The state of Rome where such chaunge was by meanes of tiranny, that now they raigne vnder Monarchia, and then vnder streight Ari­stocratia. And thus the common séeking by chaunge the amendement of Princes, kept alwayes the chiefe rule and gouernement of the Cittie of Rome vnder Demo­cratia, which is the popular gouernement, considering the corruption of Princes, to the immortall fame and perpetuitie of credite. Though it be a harde question to knowe where tirannye is least shewed, eyther in that common welth, where the people bare swaye, or where elected number doe rule, or where one doth gouerne, which is hardely discussed and disputed of the learned, for the maintenaunce of eyther of these: but that shall be touched in the Chapter of com­mon wealthes and gouerne­ment of Princes.

¶ Of flattery.

FLatterie is the swéete bayte of enuie, the cloake of malice, the onelye pestilence of the worlde, a monster ougly to beholde if it coulde be séene, verye terrible to trust if it might be knowne: with as many heades as Hidra, to in­uent wickednesse: with as many handes as Briareus to commit euill: with as many eyes as Argos, to beholde vengeaunce: with as swift legges as Thalus to go to naughtinesse, entering into euerye mans house with a tongue as swéete as honey, hyding in euery mans hart as bitter as gall, of whome the olde poeme is spoken, Mel in ore, verba lactis: fel in corde, fraus in factis. Of whome Antisthenes that learned Athinian was woont to saye,Antisthenes that he had rather haue Rauens in house with him, than flatterers: for Rauens sayd hée deuoure but the carkasse being deade, but the flatterer eateth vp the body and soule aliue. For euen as tyranny is hidden in the secret bowels of enuie, so is enuie cloked vnder filed phrase of flattery, and very wel compared to the Croco­dils of Nilus, or to the Cirenes of ye seas, the one wéeping & mourning, the other singing & laughing: the one with mone, the other with mirth study how to annoy ye poore Mariner. The flattering Parasite as Ouid saith, deny­eth with the negatiue, and affirmeth with the affirma­tiue, wéepeth with him that is sad, and laugheth with him that is mery: as sometime Clisophus when his maister Philip King of Macedonia, and Father vn­to Alexander the great, woulde hault bicause hée had the gout, he would hault likewise: when the king would [Page 184] be mery at his drinke, Clisophus woulde not be sad: In fine, what soeuer Philip tooke in hande, the same Cliso­phus did maintaine. Aristippus the Philosopher coulde better please King Dionisius with adulation, then Dion the Syracusan coulde pleasure him with trueth. Cleo coulde better accomplish the desire & lust of Alexander with forged flattery, then Calisthenes his Counsellour coulde satisfie him with Philosophy and trueth. Who might mooue Caesar to do any thing asmuch as Curio the Parasite, not Pompeius his sonne in lawe: nor yet his onely daughter Iulia, nor all the Senators of Rome might make Caesar friende or foe as muche as Curio. Flatterers are daungerous vnto the most part, hurtful vnto all, profitable vnto none, and yet of Princes most accepted. In Court like furious Centaures, by formed Scilles, Apt epithe­tons of flat­terers. huge Ciclops, grime Gorgons, fretting Furies, and monstrous Harpeis: yea, with thousande more de­formities, vnder the shape of humanitie, the swaye and rule. For who is more made of, than hée that ought least to bée estéemed? who is trusted more, than hée that de­ceyueth sonest? who is hearde more at all times, than hée that ought least to come in sight at any time? who hath more of all men than hée that deserueth least of all men? In fine, who is more beloued any where, than he that ought most to be hated euery where? The com­mon people of the Meedes and Perseans, for that they knéeled vnto Alexander, and made him the sonne of Iu­piter, were more estéemed for their flatterie therein, than the nobles of Macedonia for their truth and plaine dealing. What is it, but flattery bringeth to passe? That which the famous and renowned Prince Agamemnon with all the force & power of Gréece, could not with ten yeres siege subdue: I meane Ilion in Phrigia, that noble city of Troy, one suttell Sinon a simple & a sillye Gréeke allured the minde of King Priamus, deceyued with flat­tery the nobles, and entised the Citizens through adu­lations [Page] to their vtter destruction & last confusion. That auncient and renowmed Citie of Babylon, which King Darius with all the power of Persea, with long warres and losse of men: yea when all his strength fayled him, and all his force neuer able to vanquish any part of that noble Citie,Zophyrus. one Zopirus a Citizen borne in Babylon, through forged faith and fyled flattery I say betrayed his natiue Citie vnto King Darius. That famous citie of Olinthus, which the valiaunt Conquerour and pui­saunt Prince Philip king of Macedonia coulde neuer destroy with his great armie and strong hoast, yet one dessembling Lasthenes with flattery conquered them,Lasthenes. and gaue them vnto the enimies hande king Philip. To speak of the auncient Lacedemonians, the most famous and worthiest people in the whole world for their wars: whome neyther Meedes, Perseans, Macedonians, nor all Gréece againe might vanquishe before Phrinicus with flattery deceyued them.Phrinicus. The people of Samos were de­ceyued by false Apollonius. Menelaus was beguiled with the flatterie of Paris. Apollonius. Paris. Calicrates. Dion of Sirecusa was slaine by his flattering friende Calicrates. O sucking serpent of cancred malice, whose small fruict is terrible death. If King Antigonus hadde knowne the flatterye of his fained friende Apollophanes, he had not béene deceyued as he was.Apollo­phanes. Harpagus. If king Astiages hadde throughly knowne Harpagus his seruaunt, hee had not béene slaine of king Cirus If that noble & famous Romaine Crassus had not wayed the flattery of Carenus, Carenus. he had not bene so sham­fully murthered amongst the Perthians. What flatte­rie was betwéene Iason and Medea?Iason. Theseus. what deceit follo­wed? what adulation was betwixt Theseus and Ari­adne? what falshood ensued? the one king Oetes daugh­ter of the land of Cholcos, helping Iason vnto the golden fléece: the other king Minos daughter of Créete, deliue­ring Theseus out of the dreadfull dennes of Labirinthus from the monster Mynotaurus, but both deceyued by [Page 185] flattery? howe the Troyan Prince Aeneas deceyued Quéene Dido with flatterie?Aeneas. Demophon. how the Grecian Demo­phon beguiled Quéene Phillis with adulation? howe diuers such Quéenes, Ladies and others, haue béene allured and entised by fayre spéech, the daylye experi­ence with pollicie and practise therein, is a certaine and sure proofe of the same, which bicause they are com­mon histories I will omitte to speake of. But passe we forwarde in the pilgrimages and affayres of Princes. Who murthered Caesar that worthy Emperour, in the Senate house of Rome?Brutus and Cassius. Brutus and Cassius those flat­terers that Caesar loued most: who poysoned that migh­tie Conquerer Alexander in the midst of his triumphs at Babilon? those that flattered him most, his owne cup taster Iolla and his kinseman Antipater. Iolla and Antipater. Who betrai­ed that famous Romaine Cicero vnto his méere eni­mie Marcus Antonius? euen hée whome Cicero before defended and saued from death Pompilius. Pompilius. Finallye, who betrayed Christ both God and man vnto the Scri­bes and Pharisées?Iudas. his pursebearer, that flattering Iu­das with fayre spéech, saying: Aue rabbi, embracing and Kissing him as flatterers vse to doe. Where is their greater tiranny shewed, then where flattery is most vsed? Where is there greater deceyt practized, than where curtezie is most tendered? Where is more fal­shoode tryed, then where trust is most reposed? The first thing that deceyued man was flatterie, which the Diuell the serpent put in vre to deceyue Eue, flattering hir, saying: if thou eate of this fruite, thou shalt know good and euill, and you shall be as Goddes on earth. As the Diuell is the only aucthor of all lies, so is hée the on­ly father of flatterie, attempting alwayes the best and not the worst: accompanying the hiest and not the low­est, frequēting the court more than the countrie, appro­ching nier stately princes, than poore beggers. And no meruell when Christ was assaulted with flattery of the [Page] Diuell, promising him all the world if hée would knéele and flatter him. Would to God that all Princes would speake vnto flatterers, as Christ spake vnto the Diuell: Auoyde Satan: Away flatterer. Or else I wish that wise men, which are sonest of all by flattery allured, to imitate the example of a noble man of Thebes named Ismenias, who being sent Embassadour from Thebes vnto Persea, Ismenias. vnderstāding the maners & fashions of the prowde Perseans, that nothing can be gotten without flatterie, no body can be hearde without knéeling, dyd lette downe his ring to the grounde, whereby he might stoope before the King, not vnto the King, but to take vp his ring. Or else I woulde wishe all men to aun­swere flatterers,Diogenes. as Diogines aunswered Aristippus, who speaking vnto Diogines, that if Diogines could be content to flatter Dionisius the King, hée néeded not to licke dishes, or to liue poorely in Athens, vnto whom hée aunswered: if Aristippus coulde be content to licke di­shes or to liue poorely in Athens, Aristippus. he néeded not to flatter Dionisiꝰ. It is read in Caelius, that the women of Cipria were most giuē to loue flatterie, insomuch they knéeled downe to bowe and bende their shoulders, as a foote­stoole vnto their Ladies to mount vnto their Chariots: surely the men of Persea, and the women of Cipria, en­gendred such broode of flattering Parasites, that glori­ous Maysters neuer want flattering seruauntes. The schollers of Gnato frequent alwayes Thrasonical pla­ces. Haue we not many now a dayes that will speake vnto their friendes as Nicesias was woont to saye to Alexander the great,Nicesias. being wounded and his bloode gushing out? O what noble bloode is thys? this bloode commeth from some God and not of man, that I saye flattering Nicesias woulde affirme that, that Gnat which happened to taste of the bloode of Alexander must néedes farre surmount other Gnats. The wiseman saith that fiue things ought of all men to [Page 186] be mistrusted: a straunge Dogge, an vnknowen horse, a holowe banck, a talkatiue woman, and a flattering seruaunt. Fayre wordes make fooles faine: yea flatte­ring speache ouercome wise men.Demetrius. Demetrius hauing then obtayned victory in the warres at Salamina, being so ioyfull and glad of his hap,Aristode­mus. did sende Aristodemus a very subtill and a cunning flatterer, to certifie his fa­ther King Antigonus of his prosperous successe, geuing in charge vnto him to shew the King his father orderly the triumph and victory in large maner. Aristodemus no lesse ioyfull of the message, then skilfull in flatterye, leauing his Nauay and his company in Cipris, went on lande towarde King Antigonus, who hauing vnder­standing that Aristodemus was come from his sonne Demetrius being desirous after long looking of newes,Plutarch. in vita De­metrij. to heare of the warres and successe of his sonne, sent diuers to méete him on the way, to know the trueth and effect of his comming: he saluting all men as one very sad, and so sad that all men iudged that either Deme­trius was slaine, or else lost the fielde. The King being certified that Aristodemꝰ was very sad, and that there was no likenesse of good newes, came hastily to méete him: which when Aristodemꝰ saw, he cryed out with a loude voyce a farre of, saying: Most happy art thou King Antigonꝰ commended of the gods, saluted of De­metrius, and this day feared of all the world. Thy sonne is conquerer ouer conquerers, and King ouer Kinges, triumphant victor in the warres at Salamina: thus ar­tificially Aristodemus vsed suche flattery before King Antigonus, that the King had as great a delite to heare Aristodemus flattering phrase, as he had ioy and glad­nesse of the prosperitie of his sonne Demetrius. Thus Aristodemus with flattery won the heart, and waded the bowels of King Antigonus, that his rewarde was as much by his flatterye, as his thankes was for his newes. Marcus Antonius delited so much in the flatte­ring [Page] speache of the Athinians, at what time he was en­forced to forsake Rome by meanes of Augustus Caesar, who to reuenge the death of his Uncle Iulius, threatned. Antonius that the Citizens of Athens went to méete him out of the Citie, hauing an Oration in commenda­tion of his wisedome, saying: that he was well worthy to haue Minerua in mariage. He ioyed so much of their adulation that they won this Romane by flattery to do more honor vnto Athens, then nature could craue at his hand to loue Rome. Such force hath flattery, that when Alexander the great woulde haue dyed for sorowe: yea woulde haue kylled him selfe, for that he slue Clitus his foster brother in his anger▪ yet Anaxarchus with faire wordes and sugred sentences asswaged his sorowes.Anaxarchus▪ Aristippus when he might not obtaine his purpose at Dionisiꝰ hande with flattery and faire words, he would knéele downe embrasing and kissing his féete, and be­ing accused of his friendes for that he was a Philoso­pher, to be a flatterer, he aunswered them in this sort: Aristippꝰ is not in fault to speake vnto any man where his eare is,Aristippus. Dionisius rather is to be blamed to heare at his féete, or to haue his eares at his héeles. Diogines therfore being demaunded what beast was most hurt­full vnto man: of wilde beastes sayde he, a tyraunt: of tame beastes, a flatterer. What greater hurt happened vnto that noble and famous Alcibiades, Alcibiades. then flattery of fained fréendes, to take him awaye from his mai­ster Socrates with whom he was instructed in Philoso­phie to knowe him selfe, to bée acquainted with selfe loue, and to glory in flattery, that at length with Ti­mandra his harlot,Plutarch. lib. [...]. who a long time beguiled him with flattery, ye house being fired, hée was forced to flée naked from his foe vnto the midst of his enimies to be slaine. And thus this valiaunt Gréeke was shamfully slaine by flattery, whom ye learned Thucidides could neuer suffi­ciently praise his vertues otherwise: what subiect is he [Page 187] that deliteth not in flattery? what prince is he yt is not pleased with adulation? What God is he saith the Poet that loueth not his commendation and prayse?Hercules. Bacchus. Hercu­les was gladde to heare the adulation of Cercopes. Bac­chus was ioyfull to heare the flatterie of Silenꝰ: Euen Iupiter himselfe the king of gods,Iupiter. was delighted in Vul­can. The remedie therefore to auoyde this Gorgon, to expell this monster, to exile this murtherer, is as Cato the wiseman sayth, to vse truth: for he that vseth to heare good talke alwayes, will neuer speake euill anye time. The nature of flatterie was so knowne, that it was so hated of Augustus the Emperour,Augustus. Tiberius. that he lothed knéeling of his housholde seruauntes. Tiberius the Em­perour likewise woulde in no wise suffer anye of his owne men, to call him Lorde, for that there is but one Lorde. Flatterie was so abhorred in Athens, that when Timagoras was sent as an Embassadour vnto Darius king of Persea, Timagoras. for that hée flattered the King in talke at his returne, hée was beheaded▪ Euen so Eua­goras for that hée called Alexander the sonne of Iupiter, was punished vnto death.Lacedemo­nians the Romanes. The Lacedemonians feared flattery so much, that they banished Archilogus, onlye for his eloquence in a Booke that he made. Flatterie was so odious in Rome, that Cato the Censor gaue cō ­maundement to expell certen fine Oratours of Athens out of Rome, least with fayre speache and flattery they might annoy the state of Rome: what is it but flatterie can compasse? what may not sugred Oratours mooue? what coulde not Demosthenes doe in Athens?Demost­henes. Cicero. what might not Cicero perswade in Rome? King Pirrhus was woont to saye of Cineas his Philosopher, that hée won more Citties,Cineas. Townes, and countries, through the flattering stile of Cineas, than he euer subdued with the strength and force of all the kingdome of Epire. But to auoyd two much iarring of one string, which as Plu­tarch sayth is tedious to the reader, for nature is desi­rous [Page] (sayth Plantus) of nouelties. Leauing flatterye as counsaylour vnto Princes, hayle f [...]llowe with noble men, chamberlaine with Ladies, chiefe gouernour of the common people. To speake a little of those that fledde flatterie, it was the onely cause that Pithagoras that noble Philosopher forsooke his countrie Samos: the whole occasion,Solon. Licurgus. that worthy and learned Solon fledde from Athens: the chiefe matter, that made Licurgus to renounce Lacedemonia, and the onely cause that made Scipio Nasica forsake Rome:Scipio. for where flattery is estée­med, there truth is banished: where flatterie is aduan­ced and honored, there truth is oppressed and vanqui­shed: In fine, flatterie findeth frindeshippe, when truth getteth hatred,Seneca. as prooued in the histories of Senica and Calisthenes, two famous Philosophers: the one Mai­ster vnto Nero Emperour of Rome▪ the other appoyn­ted by Aristotle to attende vppon Alexander the great King of Macedonia, which Philosophers bycause they would not féede the corrupt natures & insolent mindes of these prowde Princes, with adulation and flatterye, they were both put to death: Seneca by Nero, for his paine and trauell taken with the Emperour in reading him philosophie, while Nero was young: Calisthenes by Alexander, for that he inueyed against the Meedes and Perseans, who vsed suche flatterie that Alexander commaunded all men to call him the sonne of Iupiter. Euen so of Cicero and Demosthenes: the one the soue­raigne Orator and Phaenix of Rome, the onelye bul­warke of all Italie: the other the sugred Anker, the pa­tron of Athens, and protector of all Gréece: After they hadde sundrie and diuers times saued these two famous Cities, Rome and Athens, the one from the pernicious coniurations and priuie conspiracie of that wicked Ca­telin and his adherentes, the other from the prowde at­temptes and long warres of that most renowned war­riour Phillip King of Macedonia: yet were they after many [Page 188] vertuous actes done in their countries, and for their countries, from their countries quite banished and ex­iled. Cicero for Clodius sake, Demosthenes for Harpa­lus, which the Romans tooke so heauily, that twentie thousande ware mourning apparell with no lesse hea­uinesse in Rome, than teares for Demostenes in A­thens. Flatterye then was of some so hated, that noble Phoceon and learned Athinian was woont to say to his fréende Antipater that he woulde take no man to be his fréende that hée knew to bée a flatterer.Phocion. And most certen it is, that hée at this day that can not flatter, can get no fréendship, according vnto that saying of Te­rence, obsequium amicos. &c. For euen as Aristides of Athens for his manifolde benefit [...]s vnto the Athenians was by flattery preuented,Aristides. and for trueth banished: so likewise was Thucidides being sent as an Embassa­dour from Athens vnto Amphipolis, Thrasibulus a Cittie betwixt Thracia and Macedonia whiche King Philip kept by force, by flattery preuented and exiled. True seruice is often rewarded with anger and wrath of Princes, as Thrasibulus a noble captaine and famous, for his truth was banished out of Athens. Lentulus. Dion. Lentulus the defender of Italy, exiled from Rome. Dion of Siracusa hunted out of his countrey by Dionisius: euen that renowmed Hanibal the long protector of Carthage, Hannibal compelled af­ter long seruice to range abrode like a pilgrime euery where to séeke some safegarde of his life: Too many examples might be brought of Gréeke and Latin histo­ries for the proofe hereof. The chéefest Ancker and the strongest bulwark of common wealth saith Demost­henes is assured faith without flattery, and good wyll tryed in the Commons, plainnesse without deceit, bold­nesse and trust in the nobles. Flattery is the only snare that wisemen are deceyued withall, and that the Pha­risées knew well, when that they woulde take our Sa­uiour Christe tardie in his talke, they began to flatter [Page] him with faire wordes, saying: Maister, wée know that thou art iust and true,Math. 25. and that thou camest from God: Euen so Herode willyng to please the Iewes, in kyl­lyng Iames the brother of Iohn, in prisoning Peter, in pleasing the people with flatterie, that when Herode spake any flattering phrase, the people straight cryed out, saying: this is the voyce of God, and not the voyce of man:Acta apost. 12. so swéete was flatterie amongst the Iewes. The flattering frindes of Ammon knowing the wic­kednesse of his minde, and his peruerse dealing toward Mardocheus, did not perswade Ammon from his tiran­ny, but flattered with fayre wordes, and made him pre­pare a huge Gallowes for Mardocheus where Ammon and hys children were hanged. Likewise the young man that came to flatter king Dauid, saying: Saul and his children are deade, was by Dauid for his flatterie commaunded to die.Tertullius. Tertullius whē he was brought to dispute with Paul, first he flattered Faelix the President of the Iewes, because with flatterie he thought to win the heartes of the hearers. In fine, flatteres will as the false prophetes sometime that did perswade Achab king of Israell of great fame and luck in the warres to come: I saye, they euen so will flatter their friendes of all good successe to come, and passe with silence the truth pre­sent.

¶Of Pride.

PRide is the roote of all euill, the sinke of all sinne, the cause of all wickednesse, the auncient enemy to the seate of GOD, before man was made, it did attempt the an­gels. The outwarde pompe and vaine ostentations of shiftyng shewes from tyme to tyme, from age to age maie be a suffient profe how prone, howe bent and howe willyng we bee to honour pride.Domitianus. Eusebius doth reporte, that Domitianus the Em­perour, by an order of lawe charged al men to call him Dominum & Deum Domitianum, That is, to name hym Lorde and GOD Domitian, certenlie to heigh a stile though he was an Emperour to be called a God. Like­wise wee reade of a certen king in India named Sapor, Sapor. whiche would be called kyng of kynges, brother vnto the Sunne and Moone, felowe vnto the starres. Aelia­nus a Gréeke historiographer, in his 14. boke, entituled of diuers histories, doeth write of one Hanno borne in Carthage, whiche was so proude, that he caught certen birdes, and kept theim in a darke place, where he often preuily resorted to teache theim to speake. The birdes beyng brought vp daie and night, with one lesson after muche paine and trauaile taken, when the birds could speake, he did lette theim flie abroade euery where, to chirpe and bragge that proude lesson, whiche he taught them, which was this Deus est Hanno. Hanno. Hanno is a god, bee there not (suppose you) some of Domitianus courte that thinke that there is no God but themselues, bee there not some of king Sapors minde, that make them coequall to the Heauens, and farre superiour to the [Page] yerth whence thei came. Are not diuers brought vp in the schole of Hannon, which inuent diuers waies how they mighe séeme to bee otherwise then they are. God graunt there bee not to manie like proude Suffenus, Suffenus. flatteryng themselues in their owne follie, deliting too muche in their owne doinges, ensuryng themselues to be some ofspringes of Gods. We reade in Iustine, that Alexander would not be called the soonne of Philippe,Alexander. perswaded with hym selfe, that s [...]ne God was his fa­ther, wherefore he went vnto Rhodes, where the tem­ple of Iupiter Ammon was, to knowe his progenie, where and when it was, by Oracle of Iupiter, and false flatteryng Prelates of the Temple, he was saluted as a sonne vnto Iupiter, which after he commaunded eue­rie man to call hym so, he waxed not proude herby him self, but corrupted diuers others, as Perdicca and Cra­terus, triumphed in ostentations of vaine shewes. The maner of pride is, to suffer no equalitie, for as Arche­stratus the Athenian was wonte to saie, that Athens was not able to suffer twoo Alcibiades, Alcibiades. so Ethocles the Lacedemonian did often vse to saie of Lisander, Lysander. that Sparta might not abide two Lisanders, notyng the in­solencie and pride of theym bothe, of Alcibiades in A­thens, and of Lisander in Sparta. Suche is the ambition of pride, that it coueteth superioritie ouer al, and suffe­reth coequality of none, as Diodorus in his second boke doeth reporte of Alexander the greate, who aunswe­ryng the Embassadours of king Darius entreating for peace, séekyng frendship and amitie of Alexander, pro­misyng his doughter therefore in mariage with diuers large promises, said, as the heauens can not suffer two Sonnes to rule, so the yearth may not suffer two Ale­xanders, this proude prince forgat that little sentence. Terra ex terra in terram, & quaeuis terra sepulcrum. Ther was sometime a certen Phisition named Menecrates, Menecrates. so glorious and so proude, that when he wrote any let­ter [Page 186] vnto kyng Agesilaus, he vsed this stile, Menecrates soonne vnto greate Iupiter doeth salute thée Agesilaus kyng of Sparta. This proude Phisition neuer tooke mo­ney of his patientes, but after this sorte hee endented with theym, that when they recouered health, they should sweare vnto hym to call hym maister, and to certifie the people abroad, that he was one of the son­nes of Iupiter. Likewise in Rome ther was (as Agrip­pa doeth witnesse, a scholemaister and gramarian na­med Palaemon, Palaemo [...]. Appius. and an other in Alexandria named Ap­pius, the one of suche arrogancie and pride, that he pro­mised immortalitie and euerlastyng felicitie, vnto any that he dedicated anie booke of his, the other of suche glorie and self loue, that all learnyng (as hee supposed, had a beginnyng by hym, and shoulde haue an ende by hym likewise. See the arrogancie of simple men, and marke the folly whiche foloweth pride, was it pride or folly in Empedocles the Philosopher,Empedocles. to mount the top of the high hill Aetna, thinkyng he might thence with winges of pride ascende easely to the skeis to rule the heauens, and to gouerne the states of the starres: what pride had Milo in hymselfe: What glorie had Polida­mas in his strength,Milo. the one supposyng he was able to plucke vp greate trees from the grounde, huge Okes from the rootes, the other thought hym strong inough to resist greate hilles, to withstande with his Souldi­ours, monstrous Ockes. Suche is the fonde fancie of men, and selfe loue whiche some conceaue of them sel­ues, that some are to proude with Palaemon in Gra­mer, some to heigh minded with Menecrates of phisik, some to glorious with Empedocles in philosophy, some to ignoraunt with Naestorius in diuinitie, some to bold with Polydamas of their strength In fine some menne are in any thing proude, for pride is often placed in a ragged cote, as in a Ueluet Gowne.Diogenes. Therfore as Dio­genes was wont to saie vnto Plato, bicause hee wente [Page] braue in apparell, Calco fastum Platonis. Euen so Plato aunswered Diogenes, for that he went ragged. Et ego calco fastum Diogenis. Plato. And as pride is often in the simple, so it is founde oftentimes in the ignoraunt, and blinde, for Seneca, Sparsus. doeth write a pretie historie of one Sparsus, whiche was wonte when he came amongest ignorant men, to be a notable scholer, reasonyng and disputyng in all sciences, and when he happened to come where wisemen, and learned men were, then he would faine madnes, as though he were not ignorant in any thing, but rather subiect vnto infirmities, whereby he said he could not reason duryng the rage of his sicknes. A shift vsed of diuers, for who is more bould in some place, thē blinde baiard, who speaketh more then he that know­eth least, who taketh more vpon hym in all thinges, then he that can least iudge of any thyng, Herodotus in his fourth boke, and Gellius in his sixtene, doe write of certen people called Psylli, who are so foolishe, that they with weapons harnessed on horsbake, marche or­derly in battaile arraie vnto the filde to fight with the Southerne wind,Psilii. for that they thinke the Southerne winde to bee the onely cause of their losse and greate damages, and because it is hurtefull vnto their coun­trey, their landes, their beastes and their people, thei arme theim selues to requite the iniurie, in fielde with manhode. The like is read of the people of Cel­ta, whiche likewise are so proude and hardie,Celta. that of­tentimes thei drawe their sweardes and shake speares at the surging waues of Seas. Ther is a kind of méere madnes in pride, as Chares whiche Plutarche writeth of, waxed so proud, bicause he hurted kyng Cirus in the knée, that for verie pride that he hurted suche a greate kyng, became starke madde, so glorious and so proude waxed this foolishe Chares of suche a chaunce. Aiax Thelamonius, Chares. Aiax, a stoute and a valiaunt Gréeke, whiche bicause he might not haue the Harneis of Achilles, be­yng [Page 187] geuen before by Agamemnon vnto Vlixes, at the siedge of Troie, waxed so madde thereby, for that hee thought no man worthy to weare them, but onely hee hymself, that he beate Blockes and Stones, he fought with greate trees cut doune their bowes and branches he killed heardes of beastes, supposing Vlixes to be a­mongest them, thinking to kill him and Agamemnon, which was generall and chief prince ouer all the Grée­kes, the one for that hee presumed to weare Achilles harneis, whiche was onely meete for him, the other for [...]hat he gaue vnto others, whiche he ought to haue ge­uen vnto hym, and thus onely proceaded of selfe loue, whiche is the nourse of pride. Diuers there be that be proude of their euill doynges as Chares was, and some as ignorant as Sparsus, and some as mad as Aiax, thinkyng no man worthy of any thyng but themselues. I write as a Poet, I meane as a christian, bouldnes and rashenes, ar hande maides of pride, for what is it but pride taketh in hande, selfe loue and arrogancie are chief Councellours vnto pride, the onely Nourshes whiche feede and maintaine Pride. Howe bolde was Lucifer to presume through Pride,Lucifer. to sitte in the Sa­cred seate of GOD, to attempte his maiesties throne, though an Aungell greate, prouoked by Pride to bee a GOD: so ambicious his imppes are, to mounte vnto the seate of Princes. How presumptuous some­tyme the greate Giauntes were,Gyauntes. to throwe mightie stones, and huge rockes vp to the heauens, to strike doune the Starres, and as thei thought, to moue Iupi­ter vnto warre. So impudente are their dispersed broode, with wicked and violente dartes of Pride, a­gainst heauen and yearth?Phaaeton. How rashe was Phaaeton to mounte the loftie skeis, attemptyng to rule the glori­ous Globe of mightie Phoebus. So arrogant some are to chalenge that by pride, which thei ought most to ab­horre by reason.Icarus. Howe saucie was Icarus to enterprice [Page] beyonde his reache, to ascende through Pride aboue his father Dedalus, and to mounte higher to the heauens, so false are thei, whiche beyonde their nature and arte, doe enterprise that, whiche their witte and reason can not comprehende.Actaeon. Bellerophon. Perithon, How proude was Actaeon, to prease in place, where sacred Diana was? How bolde Bellero­phō, to ride on Pagasus? How madde was Perithus, to attempte the moste daungerous and perillous riuers, Acheronta and Phlegeton, yea, to passe vnto Erebus, to steale Proserpina kyng Plutos wife awaie. Some are by pride, that either to wickedly to winne, or to sham­fully to lose, thei hasarde life. But the prouerbe is true pride wil haue a fall. Lucifer fell from the height of the heauens, vnto the verie bottome of helle, his Impes shall followe hym. The Giauntes were destroied, and conquered by Iupiter, their broude shalbe likewise van­quished, Phaaeton burned, Icarus drouned, Actaeon eaten of his one Dogges, Bellerophon brake his necke, Perithons deuoured of Cerberus, Milo slaine, Polidamas killed, Caesar murthered, Alexander poi­soned, Hercules vanquished. In fine, all proude per­sones iustlie plagued. The cause of pride is to for­gette GOD. The frisselyng and frompelyng of hea­res, the paintyng and colouryng of faces, the staryng and roulyng of eyes, are outward shewes of immode­rate pride, suche braggyng in gesture, suche counte­naunce in lookyng, suche bearyng of bodie, that pride it self seemeth therein to soiourne. Suche washyng in sweete waters, suche smellyng of sweete odours, suche desire to see, and to bee seen, to speake, and to be spoken vnto▪ that vnder the banner of Pride, thei triumphe and glorie. O stinkyng seede of manne from the begin­nyng O house of dunghill, in the middest of his glorie. O wormes meate, in the ende. That man or woman, saieth Euripides, smell well when thei smel of nothing, but of inward cleanlinesse, and not of outward shewes, [Page 188] That manne, that woman saieth noble Thucidides, is moste to be commended, that is neither praised, nor di­spraised, the smell of pride is the worst sauour of stinch And here I thinke good to recite a historie, whiche is written in the liues of the holie fathers, that an Angel kept cōpanie with an Eremite, who passyng by a dead stinkyng carkase, the Eremite stopt his nose, to auoide the ill sauour and smell of the Carren, where at the Aungell smiled: A little further thei passed by a faire garden, where satte a verie faire woman richly appa­relled, bee decte with fragrante flowers, and sweete o­dours, in a grene harbour, with her Lute in her hande, where at the Anngell stopt his nose: The cause beyng demaunded, why he smelled not the stinkyng dead car­ren, and stopt his nose, at the sight of a verie faire wo­man: The Angell aunswered, that pride and vainglory doe stincke worse before the maiestie of God, then all Carrens of the world.Clopatra. The pride of the Quéene Cleo­patra, that she had in hir draught of drinke vnto M. Antonius. The arrogancie of the Emperesse Poppea, Poppea. in makyng hir horses to be shodde with pure Golde. The vainglorie of Quéene Semiramis, Semiramis▪ in crauyng at hir housebandes hande kyng Ninus, the Sceptor rule and gouernement of Siria vnto hir owne handes fiue daies, were iustly plagued, the firste stinged vnto death by Serpentes, the seconde slaine of hir housbande Nero. The thirde killed by hir sonne Ninus, so that some wo­men likewise be so proude, that diuers aduaunce them selfe with proude Niobes before the Goddesse Latona. Niobes. Diuers preferre themselues with arrogant Antigo­na, Antigona. before the Goddesse Iuno, and diuers therebe that will set them selues with selfe loue with Lichione, Lichione, to go before the Goddesse Diana. In fine, the moste parte prone in comparisons with kyng Praetus doughters, to matche themselues with the learned Muses, but iustly rewarded were they, accordynge vnto their pride and [Page] presumption. These vnequall proude Comparisons, breede muche discention,Pan. Monus. euery peuishe Pan will com­pare with learned Apollo, euerie Momus will assaile Minerua, and euery Zoilus will bark at Cicero, Zoilus. though the words be Poeticall and darke, yet I hope the sence thereof is plaine to be vnderstanded, euery manne is with proude Narcissus in loue with his owne shadowe,Narcissus. desirous to viewe hym self in the Glasse of foolishe Accon, Accon. studious and carefull to finde out the curious boxe of Phaon, Phaon. Pride the ring leader vnto hell, hath as many shiftes, so many showes, so many chaunges, so diuers shapes on yearth of the deuill, as the Poetes af­firme, that Periclimenus had of Neptune vpō the seas. Is not the proud man shifted vnto a cleane man, a fine man, a handsome man. Is not the coueitous man chan­ged vnto a subtill prudent man,Periclimenus. a warie wise man. Is not the Lecherous called an amarous man, a louyng, and a courteous gentleman. Is not the idle man na­med a quiet and harmles man. Is not the flattrer com­pted an eloquent person, learned and wittie in his tal­kes, thus vices are couered with names of vertues, whatsoeuer is doen of enuie, is doen of good will, and whosoeuer is a dronkarde, is a good fellowe, and what is euen dooen vnder tyranny, but it is applied vnto iu­stice, so that dronkennes is chaunged vnto good felow­ship, gluttony vnto hospitalitie, enuie vnto good will, and tirāny vnto iustice. For now these mōsters which can shifte them selues to so many chaunges like Pro­theus: I might compare iustly the menkynde by their shiftyng change of names vnto Achelous, Achelous, who when he would fight with Hercules, he would shift hym vn­to a Serpent, and from a Serpent, he would chaunge hym self vnto the liknes of a deuill, or beyng a deuill, he could chaunge hym selfe to what forme and frame he would, so the proude women likewise vsyng as ma­ny names of vertues vnto vices. I might well thinke [Page 189] them to be of the broode of Metra, Maetra. the doughter of Erisi­thon, whiche the Poetes faine she would alter hir self sometime vnto an Oxe, sometime vnto a Mare, som­tyme vnto a Harte, and sometime vnto a fliyng foule, but the true shewe, the naturall Metamorphosis of Pride is, to chaunge vnto a deuill, the father and grand aucthour of pride. Pride would faine climbe vnto the skies, the nature of the proude manne is, to bee exalted though he neuer be so simple,Temison▪ for poore Temison a Gar­diner would bee called Hercules, and Menecrates the proude Phisition would be called Iupiter, we ought to reioice in nothyng but the Crosse of Christe. But wee reioice of the disguised shewes of this wicked worlde. So proude was Cressus kyng of Lidia, Cressus. of his wealthe, that he went to Delphos to know of Apollo, whether any man were so happie as hee was in all the worlde, but for al his pride and wealth,Aglaus. pore and simple Aglaus of Arcadia, was preferred before kyng Cressus by A­pollo, and in the middest of his pride, destroied he was by Cirus kyng of Persea. Caudales. So proude was king Caudales of the bewtie of his wife, that he to whom he shewed his Queene naked, and bragged of hir bewtie, I meane Giges the same spoiled hym from his wife, and from his pride, slue hym and maried his wife afterwarde, euen so Alexander Phaereus, Alexander Phaereus. for the pride he had in ty­rannie, was slaine of his owne wife, whom often vnto all he bragged of hir bewtie.Fabia. Fabia a woman sometime of Rome, waxed so proud of a yong man that loued hir named Petronis, that she slue hir owne housbande Fa­britianus. Pride in any thyng prouoketh vengeaunce in all men.Alexander. The Pride that Alexander the greate had after his tyrannie in Persea, Alanus. lib. 8. de va. hist. kyng Darius beeyng van­quished, was seen and proued in the Mariages of the nobles of Macedonia, vnto the women of Persea, wher he maried firste Stratonica, the doughter of kyng Da­rius, and made .lxxx. and ten mariages in the same daie [Page] when he was maried hymself, where suche pride was vsed, that hundred tables wrought with Golde of Ara­bia, with engins of Barbary, and euery table hauing sil­uer Trestles, and Alexanders table had Trestles of golde. This the wealth of Darius caused first pride, and then tyrannie in Alexander. What is it but the proud man thinketh he maie doe.Antiochus. Antiochus was so proude, that he had that admiration of hymselfe, that he iudged hym able to saile on the yearth and to go on the Seas, Nicanor likewise saide of his insolente and arrogante pride,Nicanor. that as God was mightie in heauen, so Nicanor was mightie on yearth, pride is neuer seen long vnre­uenged, for Nabuchodonosor, Nabuchod. that mightie and proude prince,Aesaie commaunding hym self to be called a God, was made a beaste to eate grasse seuen yeres, for his pride he would ascende vp vnto heauen, and bee made like the height, and he was thrust doune vnto Hell, moste like a beaste,Herod. Herod shinyng in his roiall Robes, prea­ched with suche pride vnto the people, claimyng vnto hym the due honour and glorie belongyng vnto God,Actes. 12. in the middest of his pride, while yet the people saide, this is the voice of God and not man, beholde the Angell of the Lorde stroke hym, that with wormes he was con­sumed, and with lice eaten to death Chore, Dathan, and Abiron, for their proude insurrection against Moises, were swalowed vp vnto the bothom of the yearth. The proude Philistian Golias, Golias. bragging out his owne strength, trustyng in his owne power, was conuicted by little Dauid a boie, at that tyme kepyng shepe. God doeth detest pride, that by the mouthe of his Prophete Esaie, he treadeth doune the pride of the doughters of Syon, for that they walke in their owne waies, for hee hath no pleasure in mans legges, nor in anie outward painted shewe, but in the roote of the humble mennes harte is his dwellyng. Atchidemus the sonne of Agesi­laus, beyng conuicted by Philip kyng of Macedonia, [Page 190] vnderstandyng that he waxed proude thereof, and glo­ried muche of the victorie, wrote an Epistle vnto Phi­lippe, saiyng: If thou measure thy shadowe now, being a victour, with thy shadowe in tyme paste, when thou waste conuicted, thou shalte finde no lenger, nowe then in those daies, this Prince was wonte alwaies to taunte Pride, in so muche he estemed a proude manne, as a Gorgon, or a Ciclop, or deformed Monster, who perceiuyng an olde man named Ceus, commyng vnto Lacedemonia, to bee verie proude in his apparell, ge­sture, countenaunce, aidyng Nature, and settyng foorthe hym self vnto the vttermoste, his heade beyng white, he could not tell how to help it, but to satisfie his proude desire, he died his heares yellowe, vnto whom Archedamus said: O Ceus art thou not contented, that thy mynde is infected with false colours, but thou must haue the heares of thy heade also.

¶Gf Coueteousnesse.

COuetousnesse the priuie sear­cher of hidden gaines, the gre­die gulfe of ill gotten goodes, moste painfull in sekyng, and mooste carefull in keepyng, whose one daie of death, is better thā al the daies of his life. The onely misers and wret­ches of the worlde are thei,Auarus men the onely mi­sers of the world. whom neither shame can reproue, for that thei are im­pudent, neither reason rule in that thei are vnsatiate, neither death maie feare, in that thei thinke to liue for euer. For euen as the infected member of man, is ve­xed with an itche,Comparisons. is alwaies clawyng, so saieth Plu­tarche, is the couetous mynde restlesse in seekyng. As fire is neuer sufficed with woode, nor yearth with wa­ter, [Page] so the auarous is neuer satisfied with money. Like as the graue is open to receiue dead Carkases, euen as helle is neuer ful, so is the coffer of the couetous neuer contented.Alexander moste desirous of glorie and worldes. After that Alexander the Greate, had con­quered all Persia, Grece, India, Scithia, all Asia, almoste all the worlde broughte vnto subiection. And hauyng a cause to come to the Schoole of Anaxarchus the Phi­losopher, who affirmed by the aucthoritie of Democri­tus, that there were diuers worldes, whiche when A­lexander heard, he began to wéepe, & beyng demaunded the cause thereof of his counsailers, answered, O Ana­xarchus, are ther so many worldes to be had, & I skant haue half one worlde yet. O vnsatiate desire that could not suffice him with all the kyngdomes of Macedonia, nor satisfied with all the worlde, but wepte and cried out, because he might not possesse more worldes then one. The like historie of Pirrhus kyng of Epire, after diuers good successe of fortune, could not suffice his gre­die desire with a kyngdom. This prince had an excellēt orator named Cineas, which for his eloquence and wit, kyng Pirrhus did often vse to sende as Embassadour to the Romaines,Plutarche lib. 27. to the Macedonians, and to other coun­treis, with whom he had then warres: By this Orator the kyng was wont to speake, that he gotte more coū ­treis, cities, and triumphes by the eloquence of Cineas, then euer he wanne by his force of warres. This Cine­as perceiuyng the king to be verie couetous, and moste desirous of wealthe, in so muche that he longed sore for the spoile of the citie of Rome, consideryng the wealth of the Romaines, he saied to kyng Pirrhus after this sort: What if Fortune would sende, & God permit you to be king of Rome? What would you thē doe, Pirrhus saied Italie is a fertile countrey, and full of wealth, I should sone subdue Italie, if I were kyng of Rome. Then Cineas demaunded againe, what after you had Rome and all Italie, would you doe? Pirrhus aunswe­red, [Page 191] there is a famous Isle called Sicilia, adioynyng harde vnto Italie, verie populous and riche, meete for the kyng of Rome, Cineas asked the third tyme, what then will you doe, Pirrhus saied, beyng kyng of Rome, of Italie, and of Sicilia, I would sone subdue Carthage and then mighte I well conquere all Libia. Cineas be­yng almoste wearie in demaundyng this coueteous Prince, the ende of his desire, asked the fowerth tyme, what would kyng Pirrhus doe then. The kyng answe­red, all Grece then should be at my commaundement. Cineas vnderstandyng, that there was no ende of his vnsatiate and greedie mynde, asked of Kyng Pirrhus what if you were lorde ouer all the world, Pirrhus said then I and thou would bee merie, and would liue at reste. So there is no ende prescribed to the desire of the auarous,M. Crassus. vntill he hath all hym self. Proued by Marcus Crassus, the wealthiest and the coueteous Romaine that euer dwelte in Rome, so wealthy was this man, that he adiudged no man riche,Cice. lib. offic. parad. 6. but he that might with money, keepe an armie of souldiors in the fielde, so co­uetous was this Romaine again, that he was not suf­ficed with all his huge wealthe, and monstrous riches, but thursted for more, in so muche that after he was slaine emongest the Parthians people of greate wealth hauyng knowledge of his greedinesse to gooddes, thei melted golde, in reproche of his auarice vpon his head, and willed hym to drinke his bealie full, of that which he long thursted for.Galba. Euen as the heade of Galba, a co­ueteous Emperour sometyme of Rome, was smitten of, and filled full of golde, and offered at the Sepulchre of Nero, in obloquie and slaunder of their filthie and greedie liues, bothe for that whiche the couetous man, doeth honour a liue the same, dishonoureth hym being deade. The Subiecte that is auarous, is perilous to a Prince: And the prince that is couetous, is odious to his subiectes.Acheus. Acheus a wealthie kyng in Lidia, taryng, [Page] molestyng▪ and alwaies moste cruelly vexyng his sub­iectes, waxed so hatefull to his owne subiectes, that through his auarous dealyng, by popular sedition was murthered, and hanged ouer the Riuer Pactolus, with his heade douneward, where golde was so plentie, that the waues thereof offered Sandes of gold, in token he could not moderate his desire a liue, he was sette beyng deade, ouer the golden Riuer Pactolus, to féede his aua­rice. What greater infamie can happen to a Prince, then coueteousnesse.Darius most auarous to o­pen Semira. graue for mo­ney. Kyng Darius hauyng obtained the Citie of Babilon, through the falshode of Zopirus, pos­sessyng all the wealthe, substaunce, and treasures of the kyngdome of Persia, hauyng all the spoile of the ci­tie, readyng the Epitaph of Quene Semiramis, whiche she caused to bee sette on her graue, to trie onely coue­teous Princes that should succede her, she made to bee written this little sentence. What Kyng or Prince so euer thou art, wantyng golde or siluer, open my tombe and thou shal [...]e finde to suffice thee. Darius, I saie, not contented with all the kyngdome of Persia, caused the graue to be opened, sought and searched euery where within the tūbe, vntill he sawe written in the inside of the stone this verse. O thou wicked & wretched prince, if thou haddest not been moste coueteous, thou haddest neuer opened Graues, to come to deade folkes for mo­ney. The like repulse had this Xerxes, Xerxes. Kyng Darius soonne, after he made the graue of kyng Belus, to bee o­pened for money,Aelianus li. 13 and finding nothyng but the like sen­tence, written on a shorte Table, as his father kyng Darius founde before in the tombe of Semiramis, which sentence saied, that he whiche should open kyng Belus graue, and would not fill that glasse with oile, whiche was in his graue, should haue an euill ende, which hap­pened to kyng Xerxes afterwarde, for that he was co­ueteous, to spoile quicke and deade for money, and not so liberall as beyng a Prince, as to fill vp kyng Belus [Page 192] glasse with oile. Thus auarous princes, sought for mo­ney with dead men. There is no respecte to place with the coueteous man, sithe he hath no regard to any per­sone for money sake.L. Septumi­leius corrupted with auarice. What respect had L. Septumilius, to his assured and deare frende C. Gracchus, when Opi­mius then Consull in Rome, and greate enemie vnto Gracchus, allured hym with money to betray him, his manifest faithe before vnto his frend by couetousnes, was altered vnto open enemitie for money, he sold his frende for money,Plutarc. lib. 33. and Val. lib. 9. Cap. 4. he murthered his frende for money, he lugged his frendes bodie, rounde about the streates of Rome. O howe infamous art thou Septumilius for thy auarice. What respecte had Ptolomeus, to his sin­gulare and often approued frende Pompeius the great, who to auoide the force of Caesar the Emperour, fledde for succour vnto Egipte, where the kyng his supposed frende, caused one named Bustus, to strike of his heade and made his officer Photinus to sell Pompeius heade for money vnto Caesar. Appianus li. 2▪ What regard had Polimnestor kyng of Thracia, to his frende and nigh kinsman Poli­dor: At what tyme Polidors Father kyng Priamus, sente hym in trust to his cousin Polimnestor, Polimnestor. for old ac­quaintaunce and affinitie, with greate substaunce and wealthe of Troie, to kéepe to the vse of kyng Priamus, who perceiuyng the state of Ilion, and roiall sceptor of Phrigia, readie to yelde the fatall flames. Coueteous Polimnester, without regard of frendshippe before, or respect of kindrede, either vnto kyng Priamus, or to his sonne Polidor, slue his frende and kinsman, to possesse the wealthe, whiche Polidor had. Oh vnhappie metall that thus moue menne to tyrannie. O wicked money that make men murther frendes. O moste cruell coue­teous, to perswade men to betraie men, to kille father and mother, to deceiue Cities and Countries, to for­sake faithe,L. Silla passed all men in co­uetousnes▪ to subuert kyngdomes. L. Silla a moste wic­ked and coueteous, farre to bee hated and lothed before [Page] Crassus, that wicked and auarous Impe of Rome, pas­syng all menne, bothe in wealthe and coueteousnesse, that in so muche he became through gréedie desire of his vsuall mynde so cruell, that he was called an other fire brande of Italie, suche tyrannie proceadeth from his coueteousnesse, that not onely in forraine Coun­tries, became a cruell enemie in spoilyng and robbing, but also in Rome and Italie, his natiue zoile, a terrible tyraunte, burnyng and murtheryng, bothe Countries and the people. This Silla could neuer haue to suffice his mynde, vntill at length he was consumed with lice hym self, as his money was corrupted with Mothes. Thei enioye nothing, though thei haue all things, thei possesse nothyng, though thei be Lordes of Countreis, true is that golden sentence of the Stoickes, that the wise manne is onely riche, for contentation is perfecte wealthe. That wiseman Bias, at what tyme the Citie of Prienna was besieged, and subdued by the enemies, the Citizeins thereof commaunded, and suffered with bagges of their treasures to departe, euery manne lo­ded hym self with siluer and golde, but Bias who tooke nothyng but a booke in his hande, and beyng demaun­ded of the enemies, why he carried not his goodes with hym, he saied, that all his wealthe and richesse, was in his harte, meanyng knowledge and wisedome, a place moste fitte to laie, and to kepe treasure, saiyng, I haue all my wealthe aboute me, whiche you can not spoile me of. Herodotus a noble Historiographer, writeth a noble historie of one Alcmaeon, Alcmaeon. whiche because he was wonte to welcome often the Embassadours of Cressus kyng of Lidia, as thei went to Delphos, to consult with the Oracles of Apollo, was thus rewarded of Kyng Cressus, for his clemencie therein, that Alcmeō should haue as muche golde and siluer, by the kynges trea­surer, as he would bee able to carrie, or beare awaie, whiche delited so muche the coueteous mynde of Alc­maeon, [Page 193] that he was as willyng to take al the substance of the Kyng, had he been able, and beyng so heauie lo­ded, that his bodily strength failed, to suffice his gredie mynde, would in no wise deminishe any part of his de­sire, thoughe he coulde augmente the habilitie of his strength by any meanes, and so to satisfie his auarous mynde, he could neuer lode hym self with a fitte bur­then, either to heauie that he could not carrie, or els to lighte that he would not carrie, and thus as one not so able in strength as he was willyng in minde, could not prescribe measure to his desire. Had Alcmaeon learned of Plato, howe to deminishe rather desire, to encrease his strengthe, then to studie for riches, he had been a­ble to carrie a good burthen of golde from kyng Cressus Hadde Demonica learned that lesson of Socrates, Demonica. that money and desire of wealthe is daungerous. At what tyme Brennus the Capitaine and Prince ouer Senona, laiyng siege to Ephesus, she had not straight consented, as one more couetous vnto money, thē faithfull to her countrey, betraied the Citie for money, who according vnto promise, demaunded of Brennus her deserued re­ward, brought her to a greate heape of golde, and wai­yng her importunate desire vnto money, loaded her so heauie with golde, that she died vnder her burthen, for wante of equall strength to her coueteous mynde. The golden Sandes of Tagus, all the glisteryng gemmes of Ganges, all the treasures of Hydanspes, can not suffice coueteous Princes. Suche inordinate desire of wealth, of glorie, of fame, raignyng in Princes from tyme to tyme, that diuers dreamed in their sleape, howe thei mighte satisfie their greedie guttes in the daie tyme, toumblyng and tossyng their braine, how thei mighte possesse kyngdomes and Countreis.Darius dreame For Darius drea­med that al Macedonia should be at his becke, and that Alexander the Greate, should serue hym in suche ho­mage and clothes, as he some tyme did serue kyng Cā ­bises. [Page] Alexander dreamed that Hercules appeared to hym euery where,Alexanders dreame. and commaunded hym to passe vn­to Tyre, and to the Isle of Pharo, promisyng helpe and assistaunce, to haue wealthe and honour aboue al men. Hanibali was so coueteous and desirous of Rome,Hannibals dreame. that a young manne of wounderfull beautie, appeared vn­to hym in his sleape, commaundyng hym to make his armie rieadie, to passe vnto Italie, assuryng him to be­come lorde of Rome and Italie. Thus in slepe did thei studie, how to feede coueteousnesse. Thus by dreames did thei coniecture, how thei might bee famous, glori­ous, and renoumed. Thus through fonde phantasies of visions, did at lengthe become murtherers, and tyran­tes of the worlde. What was the onely death, of that noble Troian Hector, the greedie desire to spoile kyng Patroclus▪ What was the ende of that renoumed Gréeke Achilles, his auarous dealyng with kyng Pria­mus; for his soonne Hectors, auarice neuer lodgeth but with princes, noble menne, and riche menne, the poore of necessitie is enforced to seeke his liuyng.Midas historie Kyng Mi­das was not contented with all the kyngdom of Lidia, made his desire and wishe of GOD Bacchus, to bee a meane vnto Iupiter, that what so euer he touched, should be golde, whiche beyng graunted, euen at diner his breade that he touched, became golde, his drinke he tooke in hande, conuerted vnto golde, and beyng pri­uie to his miserie and wretchednesse, that he was in almoste famish [...]e hymself, for that he could not digeste golde, as well as meate and drinke, whiche could not perceiue his estate before, and suffice him with al thin­ges, beyng the wealthiest kyng that euer was in Lidia, now through his coueteousnes, enforced by hunger to die. O hongrie panches of golde: O cursed desire of mo­ney. What hath not been doen by thee? What place was not soughte by thee?Euriphile. Euriphiles was so coueteous that she betraied her owne housebande Amphiraus, to [Page 194] Adrastus kyng of the Argiues, for a bracelet of golde, that the kyng did weare aboute his arme.Ochus. If Ochus kyng somtyme of Persia, had obserued the rule of noble Plato, whiche said, that a kyng whiche deliteth in aua­rice, can not prospere. He had not staied from the Citie of Babilon, for sparing of some siluer, which he should giue to the poore women of the citie, for it was a Lawe made by kyng Cirus, that what kyng so euer of Persia, had comen vnto Babilon, he should giue a peece of gold, vnto euery poore woman in the toune, for the whiche cause kyng Ochus would neuer come vnto Babilon. These commodities followe coueteousnesse, toile and trauaill in gettyng, care and thoughtes in keping. Had Euclio thought of that saiyng of Plutarchus, Euclio. that riches for the mooste parte, are hurtfull to those chiefly, that doe desire moste, he had not hidden vnder the grounde suche Treasure and wealth of golde and siluer, that he durste not goe out of his house, for feare of robbing, nor yet as Plautus saieth, abide in his house, for feare of killyng. Uerie well is it described of wisemen, the cha­riotte of coueteousnes, the fower wheéles named faint courage, contempt of God, forgetfulnesse of death, and vngentlenesse, the twoo horses that drewe the Chariot are named rauine, and nigardshippe, the driuer of the horses, is called desire, the twoo cordes that rule the horses, are appetite to gette, and feare to forgette. A whole volume might bee written vpon these names, but sithe the moste parte knowe well the maner, and motion of auarice, superfluous it is to commente, or glose to the smalleste noumber. The Princes are not ignoraunce, for slaughter, murther, and tyrannie tea­cheth them the order of this chariotte. The noble man desireth alwaies, to ascende vnto higher honours, and dignities, by sundrie studie and seache of coueteous de­sire. The gentleman in heauyng his rentes, in spoiling his tenauntes, in takyng all from, and giuyng nothing [Page] vnto. The marchauntes attempt the slipperie Sandes of Sirtes, thei saile ouer Charibdus and Silla, through surgyng seas, to hasarde life for the Pearles of India, and thus all for money. O wicked worlde, what profi­ted Cirus to be kyng of Persia,Ciru [...]. of greate fame and glo­rie, and then by coueteousnesse, to bee vanquished by a woman, Tomiris Queene of Scithiae, and twoo hundred thousande souldiors beside hym, his heade beyng smit­ten of, and caste vnto a barell of bloud, to drinke that, whiche auarice compelled hym to attempte. What did it auaile kyng Antigonus, Antigonus. to name hym self the Rasor of Asia, the Shauer of Macedonia, preferryng his own vnsatiate desire,Alexander the greate. before Alexander the Greate, vpon a bragge of his auarice, boastyng Alexander to bee but a Reaper of Asia, and Antigonus the sharpe shauer, and spoiler thereof, the one poisoned in Babilon, in the mid­dest of his triumphes, and lefte thirtie daies vnburied, without regarde or honour, yea, without any to putte in the grounde: The other slaine and cutte in peeces, emongeste his mortall foes, Alexander kyng Pirrhus soonne. What shoulde I recite sondrie Princes, pri­uate persones, wholie addicted to this vile auarice, but Kyngdomes and Countries, altogether drowned in this miserable Coueteousnesse.Lacedemoniās. The Lacedemoni­ans, the renowmed people of the whole worlde, af­ter their long banishemente of money and manly con­tempte of wealth,Lisander. at length corrupted by Lisander to embrace coueteousnes in Athens, Athens. the sacred aucthor of learnyng, the Well of Philosophie, after they had de­spised Kyng Philip of Macedonia, and all his wealthes in fine brought in subiection, by money valiaunt The­bes while Spaminondas liued subiect to no desire,Thebes. desi­rous of no riches, but yet allured to yelde to money, in so muche they waxed so couetous, they beganne one to warre against another, that in séeking to be Lords and chief one ouer another, they became slaues and subie­ctes [Page 195] to forren princes, whiche all the while they were not moued by couetousnes, they resisted the violence of their enemies, but euen as Aesopes dogge was not contented with the meate that he had in his mouth, but beyng gréedie to snatche at the shadowe thereof, he lost that whiche he caried in his mouth.Haniball. Had not Hanniball been couetous of Rome and Italie, he had not loste Car­thage and Libia. Pirrhus. Had not Pirrhus been desirous to pos­sesse Macedonia, he had not been dispossessed of Epyre. If Mithridates had béen contented with ye whole king­dome of Pontus. Mithridates. If the greate kyng Antiochus had not thursted for Aegipt, Antiochus. he had not been banished from As­siria. Such coueitousnes grewe on a sodden in the citie of Rome, that Iugurth kyng of Numidia woulde often saie that Rome woulde haue been sould for money. If Biers and Sellers could haue happened to mée. So co­uetous waxed Rome, that all thynges were soulde for money, in so muche that when Antiochus had prepa­red a greate armie sumptuously appointed, with Hel­mets, Speares & Targats of Siluer, and demaūdyng of Hanniball whether he was well appointed to fight against the Romaines, Haninball vnderstandyng the wealth and substance of the Souldiours of Antiochus one waie, and not ignorant of Romains force, for that he .xvj. yeares had famous warres against them, per­ceauyng the desire and gréedines of the Romaines to substaunce, another waie answered kynge Antiochus after this sorte. There is sufficient at this tyme for the Romaines,Rome famous though they be euer so coueitous. O Rome the Lampe and Lantarne of the worlde, while money was not knowen.Sparta renow­med. O Sparta most renowmed, while yet the lawes of Licurgus was obserued, when harde Iron was coined for money, then Rome florished, then Sparta prospered, then Romaines were feared, and Lace­demonians dréeded. O golden worlde, before the coine of Iron, when shamefastnes ruled the people, and iu­stice [Page] gouerned princes. It is seldome seen whē wealth encreaseth that auarice abateth, for as the world grew vnto wealth, so it grewe vnto couetousnes, when gold was found firste by Cadmus in Mounte Pangaeum, Cadmus found first money in Mounte Pan­gaeum. as both Plinie and Herodotus affirme, then was no earth digged, no Seas saild, no countreis trauailed vnto for money, but now they haue digged vnto the verie bot­tome of Caucasus, vnto the depest parte of the yearth, and like to digge Pluto out of hell, if thei continue saith Phalerius. There is no dangerous Ile on yearth, no ga­pyng Gulfe in Seas, but money hath sought it out. Would to GOD some ofspringes of kyng Agis, Agis fire. who sometime in Sparta commaunded al the riche Citizins to bryng their Bookes and Billes of accoumptes vnto the common Haull, where and when he perceiued the Lacedemonians to bee muche geuen vnto auarice, the Citie of Sparta vnto vsury, he called for all the billes of deptes, the creditours, assuryng themselues of paimēt, was rewarded after this sort, al their billes and bookes of deptes burned before their face, with a full sentence of the kyng and the wisemenne Ephori, Agesilaus was wont to speake, that kyng Agis fire was the best that euer was in Sparta, farre better then Neros fire, who burned and would haue often flamed the noble citie of Rome, where hee was Emperour and gouernour of, Agis burned the scroules of Usurie and coueitousnes, in respecte of his tender loue towarde the people of Sparta. Nero set afire the whole Citie in consideratiōs of his hatred towardes his owne Subiectes, trustyng more the spoile and the wealth of Rome, then readie to gouerne the state of the Empire with wisedome and vertue. Kynge Agis exclamed with famous Maro, a­gainst money and coueitousnes, the Emperour Nero, did alwaies crie out and procure that verse of Horace, saiyng. O Citizins, first séeke money and then trauaill for vertue.Plini. 33. There should no straunger inhabite Sparta [Page 196] that was either riche or desirous of riches, but when they began to embrace wealth, to loue money, to wear Golden Ringes on finger, Pearles hangyng at their eares, Bracelettes aboute their armes, Chaines about their neckes, at length they weare Gold and precious stones on their showes, then wantonnes and lecherie were firste chambered, then glotonie and dronkennes were fostered, then vices and wickednes began to pre­uaile, Uertue and Godlines beganne to be oppressed. Thus Auarice first began by princes, and maintained by all sorte of men,Desire of fame. then of couetousnes sprong vp de­sire of fame and glory, not only in Kesars and Kinges, but in meane and simple persons, how simple a slaue, a vile abiect, most desirous of fame.Heroaeratus. Herostratus by name burned the greate Temple of Diana, coumpted one of the seuen wonders for hir monstrous and huge build­inges, detected himself of the crime, to become famous. Pausanias a meane man in respect,Pausanias. demaundyng of his frende Hermocles, how he might be famous, was coun­celled to kill kyng Philip, kyng of Macedonia, father vnto Alexander the greate, whiche as willyng he did accomplishe as hee was desirous of fame.Xenophon. Xenophon a noble and a wise Philosopher, perceauing his wife na­med Aspasia, more geuen to auarice, more alured with gourgeous sightes, then others were, hauyng oportu­nitie demaunded of his wife, if hir neighbour had bet­ter apparell then she had, whiche would she haue if she might change, his wife saide hir [...]eigbours. Againe Xe­nophon merilie disposed, woulde knowe of his wife if hir neighbour had more Golde, Siluer, Treasure, or wealth would she chaunge if she might, to whom shee answered most willing shee would, what saide Xeno­phon if your neighbour hath a finer felowe to hir hous­bands then you haue, would you chaunge with hir, si­lence with shame was hir answere. Thus Xenephon tauntyng his wife with suche nippes, bringeth mee in [Page] memorie of one Pythius, Pythius. borne in Lidia, and commo­raunt, in a Citie of Phrigia called Caeleius, a notable riche manne and not so riche as coueitous, toilyng and tramplyng all the daie tyme in paine and trauaile, sée­kyng and searchyng money, tomblyng and tossyng all the night tyme, restles without sleape, thinkyng al­waies on money, his wife vnderstanding his grief and want of rest. At what time Pithius hir housbande had appointed certen straungers to come to dinner, to proue whether thei might beyng his gestes make him merie or no, caused and willed his wife to make suche good cheare for hym, as woulde make hym merie and his gestes, his wife vnderstanding that nothing might make hir housebande merie but money, prepared the Tables readie, furnished them ouer all with Gold and Siluer, his house hanged with clothe of Arreis, euerie place settled with wealthie treasures, which when the Gestes came, they were amazed of so muche Gold and siluer, dismaied quite at the gorgeous sight and weal­thy Tables. Pithius féedyng hymself a long while with the sight thereof, enamored with the portly shewes of Golde and Siluer called for meate, his wife before all the straungers beyng bidden Gestes by hir houseband, answered hir housbād that she prouided for no meate. Pithius being angrie with his wife, said vnto his wife, what haue I willed you this mornyng to do, to prouide saide she suche cheare as could make you merie, where is it saide Pythius, beholde saide his wife on the tables there is kyng Midas dinner, these thinges housebande doe make you most mearie and nothyng elles doe you extéeme. Certen Xenopon the great Philosopher tan­ted no better his wife Aspasia, then this séelie and sim­ple woman nipped hir housebande Pithius. Gold is the delite of the auarous manne, spoile and catching still is the desire of the couetous. All is fishe that commeth in his Net,Adrian. as by that auarous Adrian surnamed Sophi­sta, [Page 197] proued when a gentleman a neighbour of his had sente hym a fewe daintie fishes for a presente, couered verie faire on a greate siluer dishe, he tooke both the sil­uer dishe and the fishes, saiyng to the messenger thank thy maister, and tell hym I take his fishe for nouelties and dainties, and that I take his siluer dishe for a gifte and a present. Suche impudencie raigned in couetous­nesse, that like rauening Harpeis, thei spoile robbe and catche euerie where suche greedines lurke in auarice, that like hongrie dogges they deuour anie thyng. The poetes faine that Iupiter though he be king of kinges,Iupiter con­tented with the Skie. is yet contented with the Skies. Neptune with the Seas, Eolus with the Landes, Pluto with Hell. If the Poetes affirme that immortal Gods liue by measure, contented with Lottes, agrée with Fortune, why are Kynges not sufficed with Kingdomes, Lordes with Lordshippes, menne mortall neuer satisfied with anie thyng, how gréedie of Golde, howe desirous of Siluer, how couetous of countries the wealth of some, the pe­nury of others can wel declare it. This priuate wealth applie the place where auarice is honored, the blood of the couetous is his money, to séeke to borowe or to aske money of the couetous man, is nothyng elles but to craue bloud out of his bodie, for sooner saieth Plato shall a manne haue talke of a dead man, then receiue benefites of the couetous man. The Purse of the coue­tous is shut vp and sealed, his hande is readie to take, his Cofer to receiue.Simonides. Simonides at what time any man would demaunde him to write, to reade, or to pleasure the poore any waie for thankes, hee woulde aunswere that hee had in his house two Cofers, the one shut vp for thankes, the other open alwaies for money, in the one saide Simonides I finde somethyng alwaies, in the other I finde nothyng at all tymes, he heald his handes redie to take with Vespasianus, Vespasianus. sometime in Rome an Emperor, when he had hard by his frends, that a siluer [Page] Image of greate substaunce should bee made for a mo­nument of his worthines, in memory of his chiualrie, he straight healde out hande, saiyng: beholde, here is a place ready to sette the Image, a sure foundation from fallyng. The coueteous Prince, was more greedie to haue the money vnto his owne purse, then to thanke his frendes for their loue, and good will in honouryng hym, with a perpetuall monument. How happie iudge thei them selues to be, that are wealthie, and how con­temteously despise thei others that be poore. We read that Craesus a wealthie kyng sometyme in Lidia,Craesus thought hym mooste happie by wealthe. ioyed so muche of his substaunce and riches, that he thought no man so happie as he was. This kyng to bragge and to boste of his golde and siluer, thought good to sende for Solon the Sage, and wise Lawe maker of Athens, to shewe vnto Solon his fortunate estate, whiche beeyng demaunded of Craesus, whē he came to Lidia, whether any manne in the worlde, was in better estate then he was: aunswered, that a poore Gréeke called Cleobes, was farre more fortune then he was: Cresus beyng dis­maied, and halfe angerie with Solon. Demaunded a­gaine, who was of like Fortune, or whether any man was coequall in wealthe vnto hym. Solon preferred be­fore hym againe, for Fortune and wealthe, one Biton. The third tyme he asked the like,Plutarchus in vita Solonis. and Solon commen­ded before hym one Tellus. Then kyng Caesus com­maunded Solon to departe his presence, with greate wrathe and anger, and where he had thoughte to giue hym plentie of golde and siluer, if Solon had preferred his fortune: he gaue hym greate checkes, shewed hym hidden hatered, that he despised his estate, and wealth. But at laste, this worthie and riche kyng, beyng con­uicted, and taken in warres by Cirus, when that he should die, at the solempnitie of his funerall, he thrise called Solon happie, for that Solon despised moste, whi­che he honored chief: That name which I had thought [Page 198] to claime to my self happie, by my wealthe, I surren­der it to him moste worthily, by dispraisyng of the same commended me vnto Solon, saied he a little before he died: and tell hym that now I am satisfied with death, whiche could neuer be content in life.Giges. The like historie of braggyng Giges, who onely for suche a purpose, wēt vnto Apollo to Delphos, to knowe by Oracles, whe­ther any manne in all the wide worlde, was as riche as he, and there after long bragges of his Kyngdomes, and vaine ostentations of wealthe: an aunswere was made vnto hym by Apollo, out of the secrete place of the Temple, that Aglaus a poore manne of the Coun­trey of Arcadia was farre richer, and more fortunate then he was. Thus are thei mooste misers, noted of wise men, hauing all thinges, and yet hauyng nothyng for that thei are neuer contented with any thynge. When Alcibiades had muche bragged of his fortune, wealth, and substaunce, boasted very muche of his lan­des in Athens, a certaine Philosopher shewed a little Table, wherein the whole Countrey of Athens was described in a verie little roume, desiryng Alcibiades to shewe hym there his liuynges and landes in Athēs, whiche when Alcibiades mighte not,Alcibiades. nor could in any wise shewe the same: No more saied the wise Philo­pher, can any coueteous manne shewe any parte of his substance, for that thei haue nothyng, though thei haue muche. Thus Craesus and Giges, though thei wer most wealthie kynges in Lidia, yet wer thei both by Apollo and Solon, adiudged misers. So odious was vsurie and coueteousnes that when it was demaūded of Cato the wise, what vsurie was, he answered, what is to mur­ther a man? It robbeth and killeth poore men, it mur­thereth innocentes. This is that false felowe that wil sell all thinges with Simō. This is he that wil betray Christ with Iudas. To this it is saied, that soner a Ca­mell shal go through the eye of a Nedle, then he should [Page] goe vnto heauen. Wherefore the memorie of death is better, to hym that hath pleasure in possessions.

¶Of Prodigalitie and Dronkennes.

THE greate delight, the Epi­cureal felicitie that Princes haue had in excesse of eatyng and drinkyng, from tyme to tyme, in all places, are not onely in prophane Histories regestred, but also in Deuine Scriptures▪ mencioned. The Poetes make songes of pro­digall Princes, the Histriographers defame theim, the Philosophers abhorre their companie, howe could the Poet Sidonius omit the prodigal draught of Cleopatra Quéene of Aegypt without a song,Cleopatra. howe might Plinie forget the sumptuous excesse of the Empresse Poppea without a taunt.Poppeia. How should Martiall let passe the im­pudencie of proude Bassa, Bassa. without worthy scoffes of hir too muche prodigalitie. The first preparyng a banquet to hir frende and louer Antonius, where one dishe of meate stoode hir in two hundred thousande Crownes. The seconde so sumptuous and prodigal, to set showes of glisteryng Gold vnder hir Horses feete. The thirde most proude and impudent to appoint vessels of Gold, wrought with Precious stoanes, to receaue hir excre­mentes in stead of hir stoole of ease. Their sumptuous prodigalitie, excesse and pride must not be vnspoken, to shewe the horror therof, as an example to other proud prodigall Princes. Therefore to matche these sump­tuous Ladies, I wil trauel no further then the citie of Rome, where thrée Emperours, one succéedyng in a maner the other, not onely comparable to these dainty dames, but farre surmountyng theym in eche respect. [Page 199] Caligula the only Dregges and Faex of Emperours and Princes for prodigalitie,Caligula. and excesse spending and spoi­lyng the whole reuenewes of the Empire of Rome, v­pon Hoores and Queanes, a Sacriledge of churches, a spoiler of the Citie, a robber of all the Countrey, so fil­thy was this Emperour, so odious for his excesse, that hee wished that all Rome had but one necke, that hee with one stroke might strike of the head, to the end he might haue to suffice his prodigalitie, his Actes perti­culerly to touch it were tedious, for he neuer did a good tourne to the Citie of Rome. The seconde Nero, Nero. surna­med the tyraunt Caligula his sisters sonne, moste like his owne sonne, for that he was knowen to be nought with Agrippina his sister Neros mother, this Empe­rour past Caligula his vnckle, in all excesse of glotonie and dronkennes, wasting & spendyng with strumpets and queanes, consuming daie & night with riotous and infamous persons, vsing the cōpanie of Minstrels, fre­quentyng feastinges and banquets, accompanyng the felowship of Theues and Tyrauntes, that Nero hym­selfe was called the firebrande of Rome. The thirde Heliogabalus, Heliogabalus. the verie sincke of shame, the onely rot­ten member of the worlde, who past all the slaues of the world in prodigalitie, tearyng all to péeces in bra­uery, Precious clothes, commaundyng Nauies to sink before his face in the riuer of Tyber, his house with all precious odours and sweetnes, his Galeries strowed o­uer with Saffron, his Stoole of Gold, his Chamber pottes of Onix stoan, his Slippers wrought with pre­cious Margarites. I will omitte to speake of his mon­strous lecherie, of his cruell tyranny, of other prodigi­ous and terrible actes, but let the learned reade Sueto­nius of Heliogabalus life, let the vnlearned iudge of his life by his death, who beyng kilde on a Iakes, and thro­wen to the Riuer Tiber, & lest any ofspryng might suc­céede hym, the Citizins of Rome through his mother [Page] Scemides aliue to beare hym companie, for that shee brought vp suche a Gulfe of mischief. I am amazed to thynk wherin the wide world I might finde his mate, bicause that all writers doe agree, that in excesse and dronkennesse only,Alexander the Greate. for that fault Alexander the great, the conquirour of the whole worlde, is much defamed. I am vrged amongest so many vertues, that Alexan­der had this onely filthy and abhominable vice to note wherin he had great delight, makyng certen garlands and braue Crownes of Gold, appointyng greate gifts and rewardes for them that excelled in drinkyng. Ca­lanus when he should die at the gorgeous pompe of his funerall, and solemne exequies, he desired Alexander to make a memoriall of his death, by some sacrifice of drinkyng,Calanus Dirige. whiche Alexander accomplished, made three Garlands of pure golde, the best valued lxxx. poundes. The seconde .xxx. Pounde. The thirde .x. Pounde. And then prepared a sumptuous feaste, with suche Diriges of drinkyng for Calanus, that Alexander wan the beste and first Garlande. Promachus the seconde▪ The third a hundred made claime by lawe. Thus Alexander ha­uyng such felicitie in dronkennesse. Androcides a gen­tleman of Greece wrote vnto Alexander being in Ba­bilon, perceiuing the prone and propensed mind of this Prince to win, a letter, wherein was a Table written one with this little Sentence in letters of Golde. Re­member Alexander when thou doest drink wine, that thou doest drinke the blood of the yearth, he neuer hur­ted any but in his wine, famous in al things, infamous in that, exteemed and honoured of all in all thinges, lo­thed and abhorred in that thyng in all the world. Such crueltie he shewed in dronkennesse, that hee slue his owne sisters brother Clitus, killed Calisthenes his phi­losopher and councelour, murthered his deere frende Lisimachus. Cambises kyng of Persea, Cambises. and Father vnto Cirus the greate, suche tyrannie he woulde commit in [Page 200] dronkennesse,Seneca lib 3. de [...]ra and Brolo­nius lib. 1. ca. 5 as beyng either spoken or counceled, hee woulde rewarde with death and tormentes. At what tyme Praxaspes, one of his councelours, willed hym to abstaine from wine, whiche maketh Princes not one­ly subiectes to infamie and reproache, but woulde also depriue Princes of sences, declared the proprietie of wine vnto Cambices, as to make the feete to stamber, the eyes to stare, the handes to shake, and all the witte of man to be banished. The kyng commaunded Praxa­spes to bryng his only sonne, which he had before him, whiche beyng brought, he tooke him by the heare of the head with the left hande, and his dagger drawen in the right hande, saiyng Now Praxaspes thou shalt knowe whither my féete will stāber, or my eyes stare, or whi­ther my hande will faile of thy sonnes harte, and with all he thrust Praxaspes soonne vnto the hart. So dange­rous is dronkennes, so filthy and beastly is this Uice, that Cleomenes a famous kyng sometyme of Sparta, Cleomenes. beyng muche giuen to imitate the dronken Scithians, and Thracians people of shamefull life, became from a stout and a strong kyng ouer the famous people of La­cedemonia, to be a Rascoll and bely slaue, subiect vnto all Greece. Suetonius doth make mention of two pro­digall brethren, either of them then named Vitellius, whose sumptuous estates of filthy life, with such enor­mitie of drinkyng and excesse of glotonie, that almoste comparable they were to that monstrous Beaste of Rome Heliogabalus. What infamie is, or can be more vnto a man, much more vnto a prince then drōkennes: When Philippe Kyng of Macedonia, and father vnto Alexander the Greate, had heard that a certaine Ma­cedonian had appealed from him vnto kyng Philippe, he demaunded of the manne what kyng Philippe was he that he did appeale vnto. The manne aunswered, I appeale from kyng Philippe the drounkard to daie,Philippe. to kyng Philippe sober to morowe: Yet this kyng for all [Page] this taunte, commended the boldenesse of the woman, reuoked his false sentence with shame, beeyng giuen before when he was in wine, and Iudged right beyng sober. Too true is that sentence of the wiseman, that who so euer he bee, Keisar or Kyng, that thinketh to drinke alwaies, and not to bee dronken sometyme, let hym then thinke to drinke poison, and not to die of it. Beastes neuer drinke saieth Plini, but when thei are thurstie,A log will bee dronken. The Rauen. The Olephant and the Ape. Aelianus. 2. manne onely bibbyng alwaies. The Dogge will bee dronken, if he drinke wine, and the Rauons likewise, if thei taste the same. If the greate and huge Elephant drinke wine, he loseth streight his strength, knoweth not his force, and is easily conuicted. If the Ape drinke wine, she forgetteth her pastyme and tric­kes, and can doe nothyng but sléepe. And therefore na­turally all beastes abhorre wine, as enemie vnto their strengthe. Dronkennesse is a priuie murtherer, that spoileth life on a sodain.Archesilaus. Archesilaus as Hermippꝰ doth reporte,Domitius. and Domitius surnamed Apher, whiche Euse­bius maketh mention of, in his triper [...]ite histories, the one by superfluous féedyng, sodainly at supper choked: The other Caroussyng a draught of wine, died presen­tly. This was so abhorred of the wise, that when kyng Antigonus came kissing and clipping of Zeno the Phi­losopher, whom the kyng so loued, that he willed Zeno to demaunde what he would, and he should haue it. Ze­no perceiuyng the state of kyng Antigonus, tooke hym a side, besoughte hym in his eare to goe vomite, and to purge his stomacke, whence suche sente and smell pro­ceaded, that Zeno could not abide the breathe of kyng Antigonus. Antiochus. Kyng Antiochus of Siria, hauyng warres with the people of Rhodes in Chalcides, by occasion of wine and drinkyng, fell in loue with a yonge maide of the Citie, consumyng a whole Winter, drinkyng and feastyng with glottonie, and dronkennesse in the daie tyme, wantonnyng and chambring with her the night [Page 201] tyme, neglectyng greater affaires, wherby honour and fame might bee gotten, to obaye bealie, and to accom­plishe luste, whereby infamie and shame grewe vnto him. These gréedie gluttons want not their parasites, to flatter them in their dronkennesse, to feede them in their vicious and filthie life, yea, to maintaine them to doe euill, and to lette them to doe good. Had not Dio­nisius the tyraunte Aristippus? Had not Caesar Curio? Had not Alexander the Greate Promachus. Yea, euen as Terence saieth, where euer Thrasonicall masters be, there be also appoincted out of the Schoole of flattryng Gnatho vnto these Princes, glorious Parasticall ser­uauntes. To this Epicuriall pamperyng of bealies, to this inordinate cramming daie and night. To this con­tinuall feedyng,Tapyrum. was the people of Tapirum, a nation so muche giuen to wine,Aelianus. 3. that when thei could drinke no more wine, thei washe theim selues ouer naked with wine & oile, then thei went to slepe vntil thei wer able again to drinke.Byzantias. To this dronkennesse the Bizantianes were so addicted, that thei solde their landes, sette out their houses, to applie the Tauernes, leauyng their wiues as common to others at home, as wine was to theim at Tauernes, forgettyng all honestie of life, mindefull onely of glottonie and dronkennesse.Argiues and Corinthians dronkardes. The Argiues and Corinthians, saieth Maenander, people be­yonde measure giuen to prodigalitie, of drinkyng, ban­quettyng riottyng and feastyng, to one from an other, that in surfette of eatyng and drinkyng, thei ende their s [...]launderous life, with reprochefull death. O brutishe and beastlie life, to hurte that at all tymes, that sought all mennes distructions, alwaies to liue in shame, and to die in miserie.The lawe of Pyttachus. The lawe of that wiseman Pittachus was emongest the people of Mittilena that glottōs and dronkardes, should be double punished. For as Laertius saieth, when thei doe euill, thei blame the drinke, and so excuse one fault with a greater fault. The saiyng of [Page] the Emperour Aurelian, vnto the greate drinker Bo­nosus, that he was borne to drinke, and not to liue, maie bee well applied to a greate noumber of this age. The Scithians & the people of Thracia, The [...]cithians, and Thracians moste giuen to wine. the welspringes and parentes, whence all dronkennesse and glottonie proceade: muche like vnto the Agrigentines people, al­waies in greate excesse, in so muche saieth Plato, that thei builde continually, as though thei should liue for euer, thei eate and drinke daie and nighte alwaies, as though thei should die the next daie. The people called Batilli annointe them, and washe them with wine, in and out, euen as saieth Plini, the Ciprians and Parthi­ans doe, whiche are so drie, that the more thei drinke, the more thurstie thei are. What should I recite the Beotians ▪ whiche were noted of the learned Athenians as rude blockes, witlesse people, and grosse fooles, for that thei were greedie to glouttonie, and dronkennesse. But speake of the aunciente Gréekes, whiche did min­gle their wines with Oile, to make it sweeter, where­by thei might drinke the more,Athens corrup­ted. and carouse the better In tyme Athens it self, as Aristophanes beareth wit­nesse, grewe vnto suche daintenesse of féeding, and pro­digall clothyng,Aelianus. lib. 12. in so muche that Isocrates did compare Athens, vnto a curious harlotte, who would muche re­ioyce of her braue apparell, sekyng and alluryng euery manne, to fall in loue with her finenesse, that Dioge­nes the Philosopher, goyng from the Citie of Sparta vnto Athens, beeyng demaunded on the waie, by cer­taine gentlemen of Greece straungers, whence he cā, and whether he would goe, answered and saied, I came from menne, and I goe vnto women: Notyng the va­liaunt hardinesse of the Lacedemonians, and tauntyng the daintinesse & finenesse of the Athenians. Rome prodi­gall. This pro­digalitie of eating and drinkyng, was so honoured, this finesse of féedyng was so accepted, that a little fishe, saieth Plutarche, was more accepted in Rome, then a [Page 198] great oxe. What wickednes proceded frō dronkennes? What lust moued dronkards.Secundus. Secūdus the Philosopher being drōken, did lie with his own mother, as an igno­raūt beast by wine, being a learned philosopher, which she knowyng beyng sober, slue her self therefore, and he for shame of the acte, and for sorowe of her death, pi­ned and tormented hym self, all the daies of his life. The huge and mightie Holifernus beeyng drounken,Holifernus. was beheaded by Iudith a selie woman. The monste­rous Ciclops Poliphemus, Poliphemus. being ouercome with wine, sleping in a caue, was slaine by Vlixes a simple Greke. The pugill and Champion Alexander, Alexander. the conquerour of all the whole worlde, was betraied and murthered with wine. If suche reproche happen by wine, if suche perilles and daungers accompanie dronkennesse. If so­daine death alwaies waite for glottons and dronkar­des, hence maruaile muche men maie, that all menne euery where at all tymes, dooe embrace this prodigi­ous monster.Lacidis. If Lacidis the Philosopher fell into a pal­sie, by drinkyng of wine, & by dronkennesse died. Why did Mar. Antonius make a booke in defence of wine,M. Antonius. to maintain his drōkennesse, whiche booke was as odious vnto Rome, as dronkennesse was estemed of Antoni­us. If Philostrates by drinkyng of wine,Philostratus. was made drō ­ken, and brake his necke from a ladder, by a fall, to his greate infamie and shame:Timocreon. Why did Timocreon cause an Epitaphe to be sette on his graue in Rhodes, for a bragge of his ignomious life, saiyng: Here lieth Timo­creon of Rhodes, that in life tyme eate muche meate, dranke muche wine, spake muche euill. Thus vice be­ginneth sweete, it endeth sower: It beginneth with pride, it endeth with shame: It beginneth with wealth it endeth with pouertie.Licinius Crassus. Euen as Licinius Crassus was flouted somtime in Rome, scofte in Italie, mockt of all men, because from a wealthie man, he became a poore begger, by prodigall expences. So are thei laughed to [Page] scorne as bealie slaues, waied as infamous persones, regarded of no man, that are compted dronkardes. E­uen as Gnosius was contempned in Greece,Gnosius. that the Citizeins of Athens commaunded their children, to a­uoide his companie, for that he was noted suche a glot­ton, and a dronkarde, that when he went in the stréet [...] euery one pointed his finger at hym, when he would goe to any house euery manne would auoide his com­panie. Plini doeth repete the benefites of drōkennesse.Plini. lib. 24. Cap. 2 [...]. Thence saith he, procede the dropsie, the swolne visage the pale colour, the queueryng handes, the foulteryng tongue, staring eyes, redde nose: hence saieth Plini pro­ce [...]de furious dreames, stinckyng breath, and beastlie behauiour: hence the goute and palsie, and all kinde of diseases, these come of immoderate drinkyng of wine, modestie in drinbyng of wine, reuiueth the spirites, comforteth the harte, sharpeneth the witte, and ma­keth glad the heauie minde.Homer. As Homer the sugered and sweete Mecaenas of Greece, was muche reuiued by a draughte of wine. The aunciente Poete Enneus, could best applie his studie after a cuppe of wine. Aristopha­nes and Cratinus, felt them selues moste apte, and rea­die to versifie after little wine So that Pithagoras said true, that the Uine hath three granes: the first of plea­sure, the second of dronkennesse, the thirde of madnes: The first draught is pleasaunte, the seconde is daunge­rous, the thirde is madnesse. Some write that it hath seuen granes: the firste as afore saied, of pleasure, the seconde of companie, the thirde of farewell, and thus free, then the fowerth of slaunder, the fifte of brau­lyng, the sixte of blowes, the seuenth of madnesse: then it weakeneth the senewes, it killeth the memorie, it dulleth the witte, and spoileth all the sense of manne, and of a manne maketh a beast, vomityng and spuyng bothe wine and the secrete, for in wine there is no si­lence. There were certaine souldiers in Tarentum, Tarentum. a [Page 203] citie sometyme vnder the Romaines, and all that time defended by Pirrhus kyng of Epire, who beyng droun­ken, and ouercomed with wine, began to slaunder and to defame Pirrhus with obloquie, & ignomious talkes and beyng demaunded by Pirrhus, Pirrhus. why thei so spake of hym, one aunswered and saied, more had been spoken, had not wine wanted. Three thynges there are that muche are to be lamented: the marriner in a tempest, the poore manne in debte, and the prodigall persone with mony. Thus Demosthenes would oftē repeate in his Orations, to moue the Olinthians and the people of Athens, Polido. lib. 3. Ceres in Sicilia honored by Triptolemus. to abhorre prodigalitie & dronkennesse. There was sometyme a Temple in Sicilia, consecrated vnto Ceres, wher Triptolemus appointed solempne sacrifice great honour, with glottonie, and accesse of eatyng and drinking. Melāpus likewise as Herodotus doeth write brought firste from Egipte vnto Grece, the excesse or­der of drinkyng▪ called the feast of Bacchus, from Grece not long after it was brought vnto Hetruria, from He­truria vnto Rome, from Rome vnto all the worlde. Thus glottonie and dronkennesse grewe, haile fello­wes with Princes.Aelianus lib. de varie histo. In Pontus with kyng Mithridates. In Lacedemonia with Cleomenes. In Sicilia with Dio­nisius. In Lidia with Cambetes. Plini lib. 14. Cap. 22. Timolaus in Thebes, And as Plini affirmeth, in Grece with Alcibiades and Diotinus: In Rome with Piso and Torquartus. In Ae­gipt, Herodotus preferreth kyng Amazis. These prin­ces and noble felowes were Souldiers vnder the ban­ners of Bacchus and Ceres, maintainyng glottonie and dronkennesse, twoo vile vices, for twoo noble vertuous. Worthie were the people of Sparta and Lacedemonia, of immortall commendatiōs of perpetuall fame.Plutar. lib. 4 [...]. Sparta. Thei so abhorred this vile vice of drinkyng, that thei made their slaues and captines named Helotes, at their fea­stes appointed dronken, that their children might see the beastlinesse thereof, that thei mighte marke the [Page] shamefull state of dronkennesse, therby rather to ab­horre the filthines and brutish behauour of dronkards by vsing their houshold seruauntes, in so muche that if any of their children waxed fatte or grosse in Lacede­monia, they should faste it out with bread and water. Wherefore Anacharsis the Scithian, beyng demaun­ded how a man might exchue dronkennes, aunswered in beholdyng the vncomely gestures of drunkennesse, for some dronkards will brag much of their drinking, and not be dronken,Aristippus. as Aristippus hearyng a certaine Gréeke boastyng muche, that he coulde drinke muche and not be dronken, saide euen so can a Mule likewise, cōparyng his great bragges to the beastly Mule. Uery fittly doth Cirus touch his grandfather Astiages, when he was asked how it chaunced that he quaffed wine no better, bicause saide Cirus I feare to suppe vp Poyson with wine, whiche spoileth the right vse of bodie and minde. We vse to excuse dronkards sometime beeyng wisemen, euen as Demosthenes excused king Phi­lip of Macedonia, of whom Philocrates and Aeschines, after they had retourned vn­to Athens from their Legacie, saide that king Philip was a beastlie quaffer, then saide De­mosthenes, vertue hath hir proper spung, I saie no more but that vice hath some Bulwarkes and defences e­uerie where.

¶Of Magike and witcherie.

THE aduenturous searchers, and priuie prudent Philoso­phers, haue sought by influ­ences of the heuens, to bring thinges fourth like vnto the workes of nature as beastes to speake, dead bodies to goe. In this facultie some of the best in euerie Countrie tra­uailed,Buda. Hermes. Zimolxides. Numa. as Buda amongest the Babilonians, Hermes a­mongest the Egiptians, Zamolxides amongest the Thracians, and Numa Pompilius amongest the Ro­maines, and amongest the Perseans was this Magick exteemed; that their Kynges therein were instructed, as an arte necessarie to be knowem for Princes. For that wise and learned Socrates went vnto Gobrias an excellent Magician,Socrates. Gobrias. to bee taught in this Arte, and to learne the punishment of soules, and their restyng pla­ces after death, which was instructed as Crinitus saith, in .5. lib. and Cap. 2. in all thinges accordyng vnto his expectation. Plinie saieth, that Moises vsed a kinde of Magicke,Moises. Salamon. whiche was likewise graunted by God vnto Salamon, as Iosephus in his eight booke of antiquitie affirmeth.Pithagoras. Empedocles. Democritus. Likewise Pithagoras, Empedocles, Demo­critus, and diuers other Philosophers trauailed vnto the furthest parte of the world, to be acquainted with this facultie, and after forsakyng of their Countrey, at their returne practized the same, and opened the hiddē and secrete nature of the same vnto others. Straunge thinges maie bee brought to passe by ioinyng inferiour thynges, with superiour qualities, whiche by curious searche of naturall and celestiall bodies, their hidden & secret powers are knowen, & by practisyng of the same [Page] marueilous effectes somtyme appeare, as by this mea­nes Architas the Tarentine made a wodden Doue to flee.Architas wod­den Doue. And Albertus the Greate made a brasen heade to speake. Lactantius saith, that Appolonius was so excel­lent in this art, that when Domitianus the Emperour would haue had him punished, he sodainly being before the Emperours face, to auoide the threatenynges and appoincted punishmēt, vanished out of sight, by this art Arnuphus an Aegiptian Philosopher vsed to flie in the aire,Arnuphus. and made suche a wonder in Rome, in the tyme of Marcus Antonius, when the Souldiours wanted wa­ter to drinke, he caused Lightnynges and Thonders to prouide raine, to satisfie the thurst of the Romaine sol­diers. By this likewise doeth Plinie, report of a kyng sometime in Armenia, which allured more the Empe­rour Nero being at supper with him, to be in loue with the enticement of Magicke, then to delite in the Har­monie and melodie of musike, and other shewes proui­ded for the encrease of mirth, for natural Magick was so exteemed, that it was thought onely to bee the pro­foundnes and perfection of naturall Philosophie, ma­kyng open the actiue parte thereof, with the aide and helpe of other naturall vertues. The Indians and the Egiptians, because there was aboundaunce of herbes, Stones, and suche necessaries as might serue this pur­pose, excelled in this facultie. And because Astrologie hath some affinitie, and greate conferēce with Magick it is conueniente in some poincte, to touche what thei haue dooen from tyme to tyme. How straunge was it that Anaxogoras saied, that a greate stone should fall from the Sunne the seconde yere after. 78. Olimpiade in Egos, a Riuer in Thracia, whiche came to passe as Plini reporte in his seconde booke and sixte Chapiter. Pherecides was so skilfull in Astrologie,Phirecides. that when he sawe water drawen out of a walle, he saied then, that in that place should bee greate yearth quake. Sulla hea­ryng [Page 201] muche of the enormitie, and luste of Caligula the Emperour sometime in Rome, sende hym in writing how, and after what sort he should within sewe daies die.Meson. This by iudiciall Astrologie did Meson, foreshewe to the Athenians, sailing then vnto Sicilia, the tempest that was to come vpon the Seas, whereby he feigned hym self madde, to auoide the daunger thereof. By this Sulpitius Gallus, opened the effecte of Eclipse of the Moone, vnto the fearfull souldiers of P. Aemilius, whi­che feared and doubted, to méete Kyng Perseus and his armie, vntill thei were certified of the cause thereof. The iudgemente likewise that thei haue of menne, by their faces, and contemplations, of the proportions of Nature, iudgyng some to bee Saturnist, others to bee Marcialist: some to bee Iouialist, others Mercurians, appliyng some vnto the Sunne, others vnto the Moon: It is written, that the auncient Philosopher Pithago­ras would take no scholer, or admitte any to come vn­to his schoole, without he iudged hym apte, and meete by sight to receiue learnyng. The Kingly Philosopher Socrates, was iudged by Zopirus, to bee by Nature a drounkarde, a whoremonger, and moste vicious in di­uers thynges, to the whiche Socrates by feelyng of the prouocation of Nature, agreed and saied, that he was naturally giuen vnto those vices, that Zopirus iudged hym.Atlas. Atlas was so excellente in Astrologie, that the Poetes do faigne, that he vpholdeth the heauens with his shulders.Berosus. Berosus had his Image in Athens, erected and put vp of the common people, for the skill he had in Astrologie.Cynop [...]. Mirandula doth write of a famous Magiciā in Pathmos named Cinges, which was wōt to reise ded bodies, and to woorke wonders in the tyme that Ihon the Euangeliste preached the Gospell of Christe. The Egiptians beleued that Amphion was so connyng in Magique,Amphion. that the Poetes faigne that he made stones and Trees to followe hym. These coniectures whiche [Page] bothe Magiciens, and Augurers dooe gather from the heauenly bodies, vpon all inferiour liuyng thynges, by certaine signes and tokens, placed in their mouynges, standyng, gesture, and goynges, are nothyng els but to searche the hidden force, and secrete woorkyng of natu­rall bodies, whiche was so estemed in tymes past, that the Lacedemonians did assigne an Augurer, to sit in roi­all seate in iudgemente with their kynges, and to bee euery where presente at the Counsaill of the Citie, to decerne thynges, and to instructe theim therein. The Romaines had a whole companie of these, readie to teache them thynges to come. The Grekes flowed of these, for thei tooke nothyng in hande without consul­tation, either with Amphiraus, Amphiraus. Tiresias. Mopsus. Tiresias, or Mopsus. The Phrigians had suche cōfidence in diuinations, that Ascanius the sonne of Aeneas, asked counsaile of Augu­rers before he went vnto the fielde against Mezentius In fine, the Cicilians, the Arabians, and the Vmbrians folowed Augurers deuise and coūsailes, in all their do­ynges and attemptes, Therefore from age to age, A­strologers were the Keyes of the Augurers, to prac­tise their secretes by erection of their figures, and con­iectures of similitudes, to shew the very waie vnto di­uination. There is an other kinde of Magick belōgyng to Witchyng, that is doen with charmed drinkes, and medecines, where hearbes are moste estemed. As Vir­gill, of a certaine hearbe called Pontus, maketh menti­on, how he sawe a man named Moeris, chaunged here­by vnto the likenes of a wilde wolfe, by suche meanes. It is supposed that Apuleus could shifce and alter hym self whē he listed vnto the likenes of an Asse And here I meane to speake of those that were mooste renow­med in witcherie, I marueile muche that womē onely excelled in this facultie. For Circes dwelling not farre from Caieta a Citie of Campania, at what tyme Vli­xes and his men passed vnto Phrigia, she charmed the [Page 202] companions of Vlixes vnto Swine, with this wente Medea kyng Oetes doughter of Cholchos, Mexea. to learn the force and secrete vertue of hearbes, whiche excelled bothe menne and women in Charmyng, for after that she had tamed the Dragon, that kept the golden fléece, and made hym slepe with drinke, for the loue that she bare vnto Iason, with whom she tooke her voiage vn­to Grece, as his wife, and when Iason came to Thassa­ly Aeson his father, her father in lawe beyng olde, she restored hym vnto his youth againe by hir arte, not­withstandyng, Iason afterwarde forgettyng the bene­fites, receiued by Medea, in receiuyng the golden fléece, in restoring his father againe vnto his former age, put her awaie,Creusa. and married Creusa the doughter of Creon Kyng of Corinth, where Medea had iuste occasiōs ten­dered to woorke her arte. She therefore dessemblyng the matter, did sende three smockes, as a present vnto Kyng Creons his wife, and vnto his doughter, whiche then was married vnto her housebande Iason, whiche were so Charmed, and enchaunted of Medea, that as sone as the Kyng, the Queene, and his doughter had putte theim on, immediatly thei burned with sodaine fire: she to auoide the sight of Iason, and to augmente his anger, tooke her twoo soonnes whiche she had by Iason, and hewed them vnto small péeces, and so was carried straight vnto the aire, and fledde vnto Athens, where she married againe Kyng Aegeus, Aegeus. Theseus Fa­ther. From thence after that she bewitched Theseus, she fledde through the cloudes from Athens vnto Asia, with her soonne named Medis ▪ These and other feates Medea vsed,Cirses. whose fame therevpon excelled farre Cir­ses, or Calipso, whose cunnyng were suche, that Cicero doubted whether thei were women, or deuills, no lesse prodigious then cruel. Thinges are brought to passe by these witches, whose incantations & charmynges pro­tende alwaies vnto greate harme and hurte, Eurephila [Page] was suche a witche, that if she might se any bodie with her eyes, she soughte no further to hurte her enemies, then with sight. Whiche like wise is writtē of Medusa, whiche for her skill therin, any bodie that had seen her, should be cōuerted vnto a ston. We read of one named Pasetes, Pasetes. whiche with his charmed incantations, could make whē it pleased him banquettes of swete meates to appere before his frendes, & when he would he could make the same to vanishe awaie. Plini doeth saie in his 28. booke,Exagonus. that one Exagonus came vnto Rome frō Ci­pris, as an Embassadour, who was so connyng of this arte, that he to please the Senators, willed them after he had long reasoned, of the force and vertue of herbes, to putte hym, yea, to throwe hym headlong emongest a greate noumber of Serpentes, whiche were kept in Rome, to stynge and to punishe offendours: whiche when he was throwen, the Serpentes licked hym a­boute the lippes, and shewed suche obedience and loue towardes hym, as moued muche admiration in the Senatours.Hercale, Wee reade that Hercale could at all ty­mes, enchaunte wilde and ragyng Lions to bee so gen­tle, that he with his handes, would leade theim vp and doune without resistaunce.Atir. We reade that Atir assone as he touched any Dragon or Serpent by incantation, he would make them slepe.Pithagoras. Wee reade that Pithago­ras vsed this pastyme, to write with bloud in a Glasse, suche thinges as he thought mete, which beyng turned directly againste the Moone, shewed and appered vnto thē that stoode behinde, thinges written in the circle of the Moone.Hermes. There are bookes extant of Hermes, of Nu­ma Pompilius and others,Numa. which practised this kinde of iugglyng.Symon. Simon the Samaritan, which for his know­ledge in this, had an Image made for hym in Rome, in the time of Claudius Caesar themperor with this inscri­ption is this picture erected, to Simō the holy God. To omit a while to speake of priuate persones, whiche be [Page 203] infinite: but to declare of diuers Countries and Kyng­domes, whiche were ouer whelmed in this.Marsi. As Marsi a people in Italie, whiche haue their names of Marsus, the sonne of the Witch Cirses, whiche studied and tra­uailed in this kinde of knowledge, that thei could tame all wilde beastes: and make wounders by enchaunte­mentes. Againe the people in Illiria could with sighte, those that long looked vpon thē, bewitche vnto death, if thei hated them. There bee women in Scithia, that can doe the like called Vitiae. Vitae: Herodotus saieth more­ouer, that the people called Neuri in Scithia, are so skil­full in this fassination, that thei can shift them at will, vnto the likenesse of Wolues, wherefore the Persians, hauyng triall in this knowledge, for that it was much estemed with theim in tymes paste, had this Lawe at length to punishe that, Upon a greate stone, the head of the Inchauntor, or of the Witche should bee put, and with an other sharpe stone, should it bee cutte in pee­ces. Hipparchus did banish Onomacritus out of Athens for that he vsed these feates, too muche and too often. In this wise menne appeare vnto the enchaunted eyes monsterous beastes, as Horses, Asses, and suche like. There are so many kindes of enchauntmentes, that some with herbes, some stones, some with sightes, and some with woordes charme and bewitche thynges. As Orpheus with a certain hymmes aswaged the stormie tempeste, whiche was like to happen to Iason compa­nions vpon the seas.Vlixes. And Homer witnesseth that Vli­xes bloud was stented with woordes. These will pro­mise any thing to come to passe, that thei take in hand, muche like vnto that aunciente Serpent the Deuill, whiche promised vnto our forefather Adam, the scien­ces of all thynges, whiche onely it was to bryng man vnto destruction. And so Coniurers, Magicians, En­chaunters, Sorcerers, and suche like, will promise gol­den hilles, and yet are thei not able certainly to per­forme [Page] any thyng. Where these artes first sprang, Plini in his thirtie booke and the firste Chapiter, dooeth at large declare. And moste certaine it is, that by arte di­uers and sonderie strange miracles are seen, and tried, and no lesse certaine it is, but by the deuill the moste of their shiftyng shewes are apparaunte. Iulius Caesar af­ter he had a greate fall from his Chariotte, was wont to repeate at any tyme afterward, when he would goe vnto his Chariotte, a certaine verse thrée tymes toge­ther, leste the like lucke should happen againe. By a li­ttle verse spoken dooeth Theophrastus beare witnesse in Plini, that Ischiadici wer healed. In the same place dooeth Cato reporte, that certaine woordes did helpe Luxatis membris. And Marcus Varro speaketh euen so of the goute.

¶Of comparisons betwene wealthe and pouertie.

AN olde saiyng there is, that compa­risons bee odious emongeste equal­les, and certaine more odious is it e­mongst vnequalles, as betwene the riche and the poore: But sithe the state of man is so diuers, that some is contented with little, and some neuer with muche: Some toilyng and tramplyng, ha­uing all thinges, as though thei had nothing. And some againe quiete and carelesse hauyng nothyng, as though thei had all thynges, consideryng that contentation of mynde, and quietnesse of harte is the chief felicitie, and soueraigne good of the worlde, waiyng beside that po­uertie is sure and saufe euery where, and riches vnsure and dangerous at all tymes: And that pouertie is care­lesse, and wealthe carefull. I see not but by comparyng of the liues of Emperours, Kynges, and Princes of the [Page 204] worlde, vnto selie poore menne. But the state of the poore is better then the state of the riche: as by Apol­los Oracle,Aglaus. Cressus. proued of one Aglaus, a poore manne in Ar­cadia, preferred for his contentation before Kyng Cres­sus of Lidia, whiche tooke hym self the happiest manne in the worlde for his wealth.Darius. What profited kyng Da­rius to vanquishe the Persians, and to be Kyng of Babi­lon, and to haue out of Asia fiue hundred, thre score and fiftene thousande Talentes, yerely paied of tribute, for he loste not onely all his wealthe, but also his life, for his wealthes sake, by Alexander the great.Alexande [...]. What pro­fited Alexander again after that, to haue the wealth of Persia, the substaunce of Macedonia, yea to haue all In­dia, and Asia, and almoste the whole worlde in subiec­tion: and yet to bée poisoned of Antipater, and lefte vn­buried without regarde, thirtie daies in Babilon, for wealth was the chief cause of his death. Was not poore Plautus and simple Cleanthes, Cleanthes. Plautus. more happie in life, then these two famous Kynges: thei quietely with bakyng, and bruing and appliyng their bokes, liued a long tyme saufe and sounde. These Princes were neuer at reste, vntill one destroied an other in their youth, and prime tyme. Kyng Xerxe [...] and Cirus gotte suche aboundance of wealthe by warres, suche substaunce, suche treasu­res, that beeyng thereby disquietted, and puffed vnto Pride, to take enterprises in hande, through perswasi­on of wealthe, that the one after he thoughte to spoile, and robbe all Grece, was slaine by Artabanus, the o­ther thinkyng to subdue all Scithia, was vanquished by Tomiris Queene of Scithia a woman, and so bothe these proude Princes of wealth, loste wealthe, life and gooddes. Was not Philemon and poore Acaetes, which liued vnto the laste course of Nature, quiete at reste, more wise happie then thei. If quietnesse of mynde, if longe yeres, if sauftie and soundnesse of life if perpetu­all healthe maie perswade felicitie of life▪ If poore Fau­stulus [Page] a Shepherd,Faustulus. whiche somtyme founde in Romu­lus, lefte of all men, forsaken of his parentes, hated of his freindes, and nourished hym. This Faustulus liued more mery yeres in keping of his Shepe, a Shepherd, then Iulius Caesar did in rulyng of Rome,Caesar. an Emperor. For this Shepherde ended his life in old age: this Em­perour was murthered in the Senate house, within fo­wer yeres after he was elected Emperoure. Was not Codrus a poore Poete,Codrus. Procula. and his wife Procula, more luc­kie and happie to ende their daies, after long life quiet­ly, then kyng Ninus and his wealthie Quene Semira­mis that killed her housebande,Ninus and Semiramis. for the kyngdome of Assiria, and after she likewise was slaine by her owne soonne Ninus, for the obtainyng of the wealthe and substaunce thei had lefte was loste. Examples are to many for the proofe hereof. Solon a wiseman of Grece did preferre before riche, and wealthie kyng Cressus, Biton and Cleobis brethren,Biton Cleobis. twoo poore menne of Ar­gi [...]e. The poore familie of one Aelius in Rome, where there were seuentene brethren, hauyng but one poore fielde for their heritage, liued longer, proued happier, and died more godly, and liued more cōtentiuely, then the familie of Caesar. What was the cause that the In­dians, Babilonians Arabians, and Lidians were spoiled destroied, and murthered, their greate substaūce▪ trea­sures, and wealthes of the Countreis. If we examine well the doubtes and daungers of wealthe, and waigh likewise the sauftie and surenesse of pouertie, we must nedes preferre the quiete state of poore menne (if thei be wise) before the state and Fortune of Princes. The worste lucke that can happen vnto a poore manne, is to become riche, for then he commeth from sure life, to hasarde him with death: And the beste that can happen vnto a riche manne, is to become poore, thereby is his life saued, though his wealthe bee spoiled. Howe For­tune dealeth in this poincte, it is in diuers places, [Page 209] of this booke mencioned.Demosthenes. Cicero. The worst thyng that could happen vnto Demosthenes and Cicero was, that they were aduaunced from their sounde state vnto honour and dignitie. Wherby their liues wer lost, the one be­yng a consul of Rome, the other the patron of Athens. The worst thyng that could happen vnto Tullius Ho­stilius, Tullius. and vnto Torquinius Priscus, Torquinius. was that thei wer aduaunced, the one from a Sheparde, the other from a banished straunger, to be kynges of Rome. If I should rehearse in this place, howe many poore menne by callyng theim vnto wealth and honour, haue been ba­nished afterward, slaine and imprisoned, both in Rome in Gréece, and in all the world. I might séeme well vn­to the reader more tedious then delectable. If on the o­ther side I should repeate how many Princes haue es­caped death, by loosing their Crownes and Scepters, I were no lesse werie then fruictlesse. Therfore I saie there is care and daunger in wealth, and ther is quiet­nesse and safetie in pouertie.Lucanus. The pleasure that Luca­nus had in this worlde, was nothyng elles, but a poore Garden, wher alwaies in his life, he vsed to solace him selfe, and when he died, he commaunded his Graue to be made there,Mecaenas. where beyng dead, he was buried. Me­coenas had suche a Garden in Rome, where all his feli-Citie was,Octauius. the Emperour Octauius might in no wise allure Mecoenas out of his Garden,Alexander. D [...]ogenes. no more then Ale­xander the greate could moue Diogenes to forsake his Tunne to become wealthy, here againe might bee brought those wise men, that refused wealth and sub­staunce, fled from honour and dignitie, to liue quietly in pouertie, but bicause I meane to be brief in all thin­ges, I will omitte prolixitie. Plinie doeth reporte, that Protogenes a poore Painter,Protogenes. was content to liue al the daies of his life, in a little cottage that he made hym in his garden. Plutarche likewise in the lief of Nicia, doth write, that Lamachus was so poore,Lamachus. that when the peo­ple [Page] of Athens would make hym their king, he wanted I saie Shues on his feete, and yet had rather be poore Lamachus in safetie, then to be kyng of Athens in dan­ger. For when a poore man named Hilarion, Hilarion. met with certen Robbers and Theues, and being demaunded of the Theues how chaunced that he feared not to walke alone in the night, bicause saied hee I am poore, and therefore I feare no manne, who séeth not the daunger of the one, and the surenesse of the other, for Arison was wont to saie, that pouertie was as it were a Lan­tarne to beholde the wickednes of the worlde, for po­uertie is the true Nourse of all good vertues. Licurgus beyng demaunded of certaine Citizins of Sparta, howe might men auoide their enemies, hee answered by po­uertie, wherefore Licurgus made lawes and decrees a­mongest the Lacedemonians, that no Soldiers should spoile the enemies, though they were dead in the filde, for he feared lest wealthe should bee the distruction of Sparta, For wealthy men are enuied at and hated, and euery where sought by snares to be destroied, whiche pouertie escapeth. That wise Greke Solon was wont to saie, that wealthe was the mother of excesse, excesse the mother of luste, luste the mother of violence, and violence the mother of tyrannie. Therefore saieth Pi­thagoras that wealth muste bee ruled with wise­dome, as the wild horse is tamed by the bridle. Simonides when he was demaunded, which was better wealth or wisedome, he saide after this sorte, I doubte muche said he, for I sée so manie wise men frequentyng the riche mannes companie that I knowe not whiche.

¶Of Death.

DEATH is the laste line of all thyng, the discharge of all co­uenauntes, the ende of all li­uyng Creatures, the onelie wishe of the good, and the ve­rie terrour of the wicked. And for that the life of man is di­uers, so is Death variable of sonderie sortes, and fashions, as by experience seen and knowen in all Countries. Nothyng is surer then death, nothyng more variable then Death. For Pindarus that wise and sage kyng of the Liricans, Pindarus. beeyng demaunded of certaine Beotians, what might beste happen vnto manne in this worlde, euen that saied he, whiche chaunced vnto Trophoniu [...], and Agamedes, meanyng Death: For these men after thei had builded a newe temple vnto Apollo, demaun­ded of God Apollo, the beste reward that he could giue vnto them: thei thinkyng to speede of some dignitie, or some worldly substaunce, were rewarded within seuē daies after with death. The like we reade in the firste booke of Herodote, Biton and Cleobes. where the mother of Biton and Cleobes, tw [...]o yong menne of Argos, kneelyng before the Image of Iuno, besoughte the Goddesse to bestowe some excellent good thyng, vpon her twoo soonnes, for their paine and trauaill that thei shewed toward their naturall mother, in drawyng the Chariot tenne miles in steade of horses: but the Goddesse willyng to shewe the beste thyng, that could bee giuen vnto manne, the nexte night followyng, quietly in bedde as thei slepte, died. Wherefore very well did Aristippus aunswere a certaine manne, whiche asked how Socrates died: E­uen in that order, that I wishe my self to die▪ Giuing to [Page] vnderstande, that any death is better then life. That noble Philosopher Plato, a little before he died, as Sa­bellicus doeth write,lib. 10. cap. 13. did thanke nature for thre causes, the firste, that he was borne a manne, and not a beast: the seconde, that he was borne in Greece, and not in Barbarie. The thirde, that he was borne in Socrates tyme,Hermes. who taught hym to die well. Hermes that great Philosopher of Egipte euen diyng, so embraced death, that he called vpon that diuine spirite, whiche ruled all the heauens, to take mercie vpō hym, beyng right glad that he passed this toilyng life. Suche is the snare of death, that some in halfe their daies, in middest of their fame and glorie die. As Alexander the greate in Babi­lon. Pompeius in Egipte, and Marcellus whiche beyng a yonge man of greate towardnesse, and soonne by ad­optiō to the Empire of Rome,Albius, died. Euen Albius a Ro­maine knight, in flourishyng yeres ended his race. And M. Caelius one of Ciceros scholers, a very eloquēt Ora­tour,Caelius. and of greate fame, beyng in a maner a boie, died. It is straunge to see the shiftes of death, in how diuers and sondrie fassions it happened vnto Princes alwaies that some merie in their bankettes, and drinkyng wer slaine.Clitus. As Clitus of Alexander the greate, beyng his si­sters brother, and his chief frende. Ammon of Absalon being bidden vnto a banquette,Ammon. was slaine of his owne brother, yea, all the Embassadours of Persia were cō ­maunded to bee slaine, euen drinkyng at the Table, by kyng Amintas soonne of Macedonia. Some ende their liues wantonnyng with women, and plaiyng in cham­bers, as that renoumed Greke Alcibiades, Alcibiades. beeyng ta­ken in Uenerie with Timandra, was slaine of Lisander Euē so Phaon & Speusippus the Philosopher died like­wise. Some bathyng theim self, were choked by their owne wiues:Agamemnon. As Agamemnon that famous Greke, by his wife Clitemnestra. And Argirus Emperoure of Rome, by his wife Zoe. Diuers in prison as Captiues [Page 211] died, as Aristobulus, Emnenes, Aristonicus, Marius, Cleomenes, Iugurth, Siphax, famous and renowmed Princes. Diuers in Iacques slain, as that beast Helio­gabolus, whom Rome so hated, that he fledde vnto a Iaques, and there was killed, and after drawen tho­rowe the streates, and throwen vnto the Riuer Tiber Gneus Carbo a manne of great dignitie,Carbo. and power of Rome, was commaunded that he should bee slaine, as he was sitting on his stoole of ease, by Pompeius, in the thirde tyme of his Consulshippe in Rome. Thus sham­full diuers died: and thus famously others died. The snares of death, the hookes of tyme, the ende of manne was alwaies vnknowen.Patroclus. Patroclus knewe not that he should bee slaine of Hector. Hector. Hector neuer thoughte he should bee killed of Achilles. Achilles. Achilles neuer doubted his death by Paris. Paris. Paris neuer iudged that he should be vanquished by Pirrhus. Pirrhus. Neither Pirrhus was certaine that he should bee ouercomed by Orestes, Orestes. so that no manne knoweth his ende, where, howe, and when he dieth: and yet all menne are certaine and sure, that thei haue an ende, that thei muste needes die. The feare of death hath muche ouercome the stoutest and worthiest souldiour▪ Wee reade that Asdrubal of Carthage, Fulgo. lib. 9. Capi. 13. a no­ble and a famous Capitaine a longe tyme, and yet at length beyng conuicted by Scipio, he for feare of death kneled before Scipio, embracyng his feete and so feare­full, that his owne wife was ashamed of his doynges. Yet had this noble Capitaine rather bee a laughyng stocke vnto the Romains, a bonde manne vnto Scipio, runnyng a foote like a lackie before his triumph, then to die manfully in the behalfe of his Countrie, whiche valiauntly for a tyme he defended.Perpenna. Perpenna likewise a famous Romaine, beyng taken in Spaine after Ser­torius was deade, by the Souldiours of Pompeius, in a wooddie place full of Groues, fearyng leste at that in­stante he should be slaine by Pompeius souldiors, made [Page] them beleue that he had diuers thinges to speake vnto Pompeius, that the enemies had in hande, to bryng to passe against Pompeius: rather had Perpenna betraied his frendes and his fellowes, yea, and all his Countrie vnto his enemie Pōpeius, then that he should bée in the feare of death. A greater feare of death we read in that booke of Fulgosius, Vitellius. of that noble Vitellius, who after he had vanquished and slaine diuers nobles, and shewed greate wronges vnto the Emperour Otho, and vnto Sabinus, brother vnto Vespasian the Emperour, beyng in feare of his life by Vespasian, and being taken by the souldiors, he besought leste he should die presently, he might bee kepte saufe in prison, vntill he might sée and speake with Vespasian the Emperour. Suche was his feare, that he did hide hym self in a chest like a wretch, leste vpon a sodaine he should die. So fearfull was Ca­ligula, Caligula, and Caesar of death euery where, that he would neuer goe abroade at any Lightenynges or Thonder, but with his heade couered with all kinde of thynges, whiche mighte resiste the violence of Thounders and Lightenynges. Misa kyng of the Moabites, and Ioram kyng of Iewrie, beyng besieged by the enemies, and in daunger of death, thei inuented all giles, all policies, and inuentions right or wronge, to saue life, thei sacri­ficed their children, to mitigate the rage of the Goddes leste thei should die. The loue that diuers had vnto life, and the feare the same self had vnto death, were to bee noted worthily, consideryng howe sore men are vexed with the fear of death▪ Antemon. Antemō was so desirous to liue and so fearfull to die, that skante would he trauaill out of his house abrode any where, and if he wer compelled to goe abrode, he would haue twoo of his seruauntes, to beare ouer his heade a greate brasen Targatte, to de­fende hym from any thyng, whiche mighte happen to doe hym hurte.Theagenes. Theagenes in like sorte would not goe out of his house, without he had consulted with the I­mage [Page 212] of Hecates, to knowe what should happen to him that daie, and to vnderstande whether he might escape death or no,Commodus. Commodus the Emperoure would neuer truste any Barbour to shaue his bearde, lest his throte should bee cutte of.Masinissa. Masinissa kyng of Numidia, would rather committe his state and life vnto Dogges, then vnto men, as his garde to keepe and defende hym from death. To speake of Bion, of Domitianus, of Dionisius, of Pisander, of thousandes more whiche so feared death that their chief care and studie was, how thei might a­uoide the same. The feare of death causeth the soonne, to forsake the father, the mother to renoūce the dough­ter, the one brother to deny an other, and one frende to forsake the other. In so muche Christ himself was for­saken of his Disciples for feare of death. Peter denied him, and all the reste fledde from hym, and all for feare of death. Behold therefore how fearfull some are, how ioyfull others are. How lothsome some, & how willyng others haue been to die. Some desperately die beyng wearie of life. As Sabinus Iuba, Cleomenes, some han­gyng thē self, some burnyng them selues, & some drou­ning thē selues, & thus with one desperat ende or other thei died. But fith euery man muste die, it were reason that euerie man should prepare to die, for to die wel is nothing els but to liue again. Wherfore certen Philo­sophers of India called Gymnosophistae, beyng of Ale­xander the great, cōmaunded to certain hard questiōs, whiche if thei could absolue they should liue, otherwise thei should die, & the eldeste of their cōpanie was made a iudge in that matter by the said Alexander. The first question was demaunded to know whether there wer more liuing or dead,Alexanders questions to the Philoso­phers of India. to the whiche the first philosopher saied, that the quicke are more in nomber, for that the dead haue no being, no place, no nōber. The second question was, whether the lande engendered more, or the Sea, to this answered the second philosopher and said, [Page] the Land did engender more, for that the Sea was but a portion of the Lande. The thirde question was, to knowe what beast was most subtill, that beast answe­red the thirde Philosopher, that man can not discerne. Fourthly it was demaunded why they beeyng Philo­sophers, were so induced to perswade the Sabians to rebellion, bicause saide the Philosopher, it is better to die manfully, then to liue miserablie. The fifte questi­on was, whether the daie was made before the night, or the night before the day, to the which it was answe­red the daie. The sixte was to vnderstande, howe Ale­xander the greate hym selfe might get good will of the people, in shewyng saied the sixte Philosopher thy self not terrible vnto the people. The seuenth to aske was whether life or death wer stronger, and it was answe­red life. The eight was to knowe howe longe a manne should liue, vntill saied the eight Philosopher a manne thinketh death better then life. The last question was proposed of Alexander to knowe how might a mortall man be accompted in the nomber of the Gods. In doo­yng greater thynges saide all the Philosophers, then man is able to dooe. For that they knewe this proude Prince would be a GOD, and that he would learne of the sage Philosophers how he might voide mortalitie, he was answered sharpely, for that hee should knowe hym to be a man, and beyng a manne, he should make himself readie to die, for death is the rewarde of sinne, and death is the beginnyng of life againe vnto the good, as Aulus Posthumius, Aulus. in an Oration whiche he made vnto his Souldiours, said, It is geuen both to good and bad to die, but to die Godly, and gloriously, is onely ge­uen vnto good men. For so Hector speaking in Homer, said vnto his wife Andromacha, that she should not be sory for his death, sith all men must die. Though some with the Galathians dooe contempne death, that thei fighte naked, and are perswaded with the Pythagore­ans, [Page 213] that they shall neuer die, but passyng from one bo­die vnto another, yet some die ioyfully, as the brethren of Policrita, beyng taken captiue by Diognitus ▪ Empe­rour of Milesia, she beyng vsed verie ill at the Empe­rours hands, did sende Letters to Naxus, vnto hir bre­thren, at what tyme the people of Milesia were Fea­styng, Drinkyng, and Banquetyng at their greate so­lemne feast. Then the brethren of Policrita came and found the Emperour drinkyng, and all his people ouer charged with wine, slue the most parte of theim, priso­ned a nomber, and brought their sister home to Na­xus, where assone as they came home died, for Ioye of the victorie. Euen as Philarchus somtime in his great triūphe criyng out. O happie howres and ioifull daies, was taken in suche a Feuer, that brake his vaines at that verie instaunt for gladnes. He is coumpted moste wise that knoweth hymself. To ioye to muche in pro­speritie, to be aduaunced and extolled when fortune fa­uours, without all feare of ill happes to come is follie. To be vanquished and subdued in aduersite, without hope of solace and goodnes to come, is méere madnesse. Therefore the Sages and Wisemen, knowyng that death was the last line of life, did endeuour in their li­ues, how they might die well, & briefly for examples of liues, I meanes to note fewe sentences of these wise­men, whiche they vsed as their Poesies, and thought good to shewe their answeares vnto diuers questions vnto them propounded.

Bias dwellyng in the Citie of Prienna, after the citie by Nutinenses was destroied, Bias escaped and went to Athens, whose Poesie was Maximus improborum nu­merus, he willed all yong men in their youth to trauaill for knowledge, and commaundeth oulde men to em­brase wisedome. This Bias beeyng demaunded what was the difficulst thing in the worlde, he saide, to suf­fer stoutly the mutabilitie of fortune, beyng demaun­ded [Page] what was the infamoust death that might happen vnto man, to bee condempned saide he by lawe, beyng asked what was the sweetest thyng vnto manne, hope saide he, what beast was most hurtfull amongest wild beastes, a Tyraunt saide Bias, and amongeste tame beastes a flatterer, and beyng demaunded what thyng it was that feared nothyng in all the world, good con­science saide he. And againe in the second Olimpiad the Philosophers demaunded other Questions, as who was most infortunate in the world, the impacient man saide Bias: What is moste harde to iudge, debates be­twéene frendes, what is most harde to measure, he an­swered tyme, that hauyng fully answered to diuers o­ther questions, Bias was allowed one of the seauen wise men of Gréece.

Chilo the second of the Sages beyng borne in My [...] ­tilena, beyng asked what was the best thyng in all the world, answered, euery man to cōsider his owne state. And againe beyng demaunded what beast is most dan­gerous, he saide of wilde beastes a Tyraunt, of tame beastes a flatterer, beyng asked what is most accepta­ble vnto manne, he saide tyme, and beyng asked of the Gréeke Myrsilas, what was the greatest wonder that he sawe, he saide an olde man to be a Tyraunte, these with diuers other questions was he asked of the Gree­ke, his Poesie was N [...] quid nimis.

The thirde was Chilo the Lacedemonian, beyng de­maunded what was a difficult thing to man to dooe, he answered, either to keepe silence or so suffer iniuries, what was most difficulst being asked of hym, he saide, for a man to knowe hym self, and therfore he vsed this Poesie, Nosce teipsum. This Chilo beyng of Aesopus de­maunded what did Iupiter in Heauen, he saide, he doth throwe doune loftie and proude thinges, and hee doeth exalte humble and méeke thinges. Solon the Athenian had this shorte Sentence in his mouthe. Nosce teip­sum, [Page 214] knowe thy selfe, for in knowyng and consideryng what we are, how vile we are, wee shall haue lesse oc­casion ministred vnto vs, to thinke well of our selues, for there is nothyng good nor bewtifull in man, as So­lon beyng asked of kyng Cressus, sittyng on his Stoole of state with princely Robes, bedect with Pearles and Precious stones, whether euer he sawe a more bew­tifull sight then Kynge Cirus sittyng in his maiestie at that tyme, to whom Solon answered and saide, that he sawe diuers birddes more gaie to beholde then Cirus, and beyng demaunded of Cirus what birds were they, Solon saide, the little Cocke, the Peacocke, and the Feasaunt, whiche are dect with naturall garmentes, and bewtified with naturall colours. This Solon was wonte to saie, I waxe dailie olde, learnyng muche, hee noted nothyng so happie in manne, as to liue well, that the same might die well, appliyng the cause vnto the affect, as to liue well, then to die well. If I shoulde molest the reader with the sage saiynges of Cleo­bulus, Thales, Periander, and others tending onely for the amendmente of life and readines of death, I should seme tedious, here were a place to induce diuers and sundrie examples of death.

HAd Greke Calisthenes silence kept, had Neuius spared speache,
Had Theocritus busie braine, offended not his leache:
Calesthenes had not loste his life, nor Theocritus died:
Ne in Maetellus wrathe, so long had Neuius poet abide.
The soundst reward, the surest gifte should Memmius haue in thende,
Had he to Caesar nothyng saied, that Caesar might offende:
But as I feare Chirilus stripes, and dreade Aristos draught:
So with Antilochus to write I am, to some Lisander taught.
Some carpyng Crete, some peuishe Pan, and some of Colax kinde,
Some of Gnatho schoole will scanne, some fla [...]trie here to finde.
I will not haulte with Clisophus, I loue not Curi [...] stile,
I hate Philoxenus forged faithe, Aristippus phraise to file:
But with Sinaetes persean poore, with Cirus water craue,
Her princely pardone on my knee, with Cirill Poete haue.
Who to auoide Charibdis gulfe, I fall in Scillas bande,
To seeke to shunne Semphlagades, I sinke in Sirtes sande:
With wearied winges of Icarus, with Phaoetons charge in hande,
Moste like Actaeon bounde before, her noble grace I stande.
No Momus maie Minerua saile, no Phaaeton Phebus charge,
No wilfull winges of Icarus, maie Dedalus flight discharge:
Therefore yea Goddes that guide the globes, the glisteryng glaryng skie,
The whirlyng spheares, the firmamente, and poales of heauens hie.
You starrie states and imps of Ioue, your graces thre attende,
Approche in place Pierides, my vaine in verse to bende.
Eche pilgrime Prince in prose is paste, eche Quene must now in vearse,
Haue honour due and fame deserude, the heauens hie to pearce.
Whose praise shall pearce the clusteryng cloudes, and skale the empire skie,
Whose thunderyng clanges of bruted fame, on yearth shall neuer die,
Eche passyng pearles Prince in place, from stooles of states redounde.
Whom birdes abrode on brakes doe bragge, their praise in skies to sounde.
Whō whirlyng windes and whispering woods, whō brauling brok [...] aduaūce,
Whose ecchos shrill of fliyng fame, through surging seas doe launce.
Who ruled people proude and fierce, and nations stoute subdued,
That widdowes were, and virgin [...] Quenes, with wisedome greate endued
Who readeth not Zinobias fame, who doeth not Mesa knowe,
Who heareth not of Sabas name, that any where doeth goe.
[Page]What worthie actes, what famous feactes, what vertues rare were sene,
When noble Kyng Mausolus died in Artemesia Queen,
The noble Quene Semiramis, Kyng Ninus famous wife,
Did rule Assiria saffe and sounde, when Ninus loste his life.
When Constant Emperour died▪ his wife no lesse ther loue did l [...]ue,
Then pearle Penelope had in Grece, or Romaine Lucrece haue.
Emongest the Illireans to Teuca then, suche worthie name did chaunce▪
As in Arcadia Atlanta did her noble fame aduaunce.
Quene Dido ruled Carthage coste, Helerna Tibur braue,
As sometyme did Cloelia, the Romaine scepter saue.
Why seeke I thus to shunne the snares, and shifte with verses ofte,
Sithe praise of force must presse the place, where wisedome rules a lofte.
A Prince of porte in silence kepte, that doeth expecte the ende.
Whose rule and roiall race by course, nedes not in bookes be pende.
In whom the Muses builde their bowres, the graces make their forte,
With whom Sibilles sages sitte, and sacred Nimphes resorte.
Who Iudith like with threatnyng swearde, Holofernus mates to spoile,
A seconde Susan sure she is, all Iudges false to foile.
An other faithfull Sara sadde, with Aesters mace in hande,
In prinsely place Rebecca, like to rule her natiue lande.
She in triumphant seate doeth sitte, with Laurell leaues bee decte,
With Oliue braunches braue on heade, that doo his fame detect
This to the Muses nine a tenth her grace, did Ioue betake,
And with the Graces three, a fourth Apollo hir did make.
The fame Aurelia had in Rome, by Caesar first did spryng.
The like Olimpias had in Grece, by Alexander Kyng.
Who had knowen Cassandana, had Cirus fame not wine,
Or who had heard of Creusas name, had not Aeneas bin.
The force that Hector vsed in fielde, extolde Andromachs name,
The porte that Traiane Emperour had, aduaunced Plotinas fame,
But she that hath no sire no soonne, a seconde Delbora is,
To sit in roiall roume to rule, in ioye and state of blisse.
Who is by Ioue appointed, from diuine Camaena schoole,
Like sadde Cassandra for to sitte, in sage Samberta stoole,
Who with Euphem [...]s fostered was, in heigh Latonias towre,
Whose cradle long Melissa rockt, within dame Venus bowre,
[Page 216]In sadde Sibillas bowre brought vp, of sacred Vaesta taught,
Corinna learned though she was, her seruice Sapho sought.
Giue Saba place, Zonobia yelde, beholde in place suche one,
That learned Ladies linke themselues, her grace to waite vpon.
Whom Prudence teache, and Iustice rule, whom temperaunce doeth professe,
All vertues rare and godlie giftes, her noble minde possesse.
Whom Gods by birth with one consent agreed hir name should be,
Pandora for his galaunt giftes, in glorie greate to glie:
Whom if Cornelia were aliue, and hard of this hir fame,
She with Hortensia would from Rome, to England viage frame.
The haughtie dames in warlike weedes, those Spartan Ladies lo,
And Mars himself with Thraciās Quenes, to this would yeald I know
In Phrigian fields, in Troian campe, was Penthisilea seen,
With strong Achilles force, in fielde to fight like valiaunte Queen.
In Rutill lande on Turnus side, against Aeneas loe,
Came Quene Camilla armed to fielde, the Troians force to knowe.
The Scithian stoute Quene Tomiris, that bloudie Cirus slue,
With CC. thousandes souldiors slaine, whiche Persea long did rue.
That noble Quene Antiopes, and Hippolite in bande,
Durst bothe Alcides rage endure, and Theseus stoute withstande.
Thus that women were suche wightes, to fight in fielde with hande:
In Saca, Scithia, Cimbria zoile, and in Lacedena lande.
Though speares and shield thei shooke, though harness thei did beare,
Yet farre inferiour to this Quene, in Marshall feates thei weare.
Minerua she from turrettes high, with regall Iuno state,
Vnto the sacred Nimphes aboue, elected soueraigne mate.
With princely Perseus Pollax lo, she slue Medusas broode,
She cursed Cacus lincke did cutte, with strong Alcides moode.
With sage Vlixes swearde I saie, she Poliphemus slue,
And she with mighti [...] mace of Ioue, the ymps of hell subdue.
She dasseled Argos hundred eyes, and doeth Zopirus seede,
And shall eche vertue plante in tyme, and vice in tyme out weede.
She Dragon, Lion, Bore and Bull, she Harte and Hidra kild,
She Gereon, Cerberus, Angeus haue, the birdes and Centaries spild.
She paste Cocitus frostie face, with fixed faithe to zoile,
And sailed Letheus Lothsome lake, forgettyng foes to foile.
[Page]She waded firie Phlegeton flud, with princelie pacience out,
And staied not at Stigias streame, to ende hir Pilgrime out:
She from Lotophagus then retournd, she past the Ciclops dean,
She sailed safe by Scillas rocke, she fledde not Auernus fene.
No Gorgone grimme, no Ciclop huge, no fretyng furies fell,
No Cirses sight, no Cirens voice nor Plutos force in hell:
Maie moue hir Mast nor shake hir Ship vpon a rocke so build,
On Acheronta where she sailes towarde Elizeus filde.
Enioiyng Sanges glisteryng Gemmes, possessing Tagus sands,
Hidaspes and Hiberus wealth, with Pactolus pearles in hands:
The buildinges braue and loftie wales, the princelie Turrets hie,
Whiche Ninus wife in Persea plast, whose fame shall neuer die.
The sumptuous Tombe, the wonderous workes, the gorgious glistryng graue,
Whiche Queene of Caria then did make, Monsolus bones to saue:
The stately seates Piramydes, which in Aegipt lande abode,
And Monstrous Phebus shape I saie, whiche Chares made in Rhode.
Dianas Temple Pharaos Toure, and Phidias frame in Greece,
In spect of this her buildynges braue, their fame and glorie lese:
Cadmus Thebes, Dardane Troie, and Ogdous Memphus made,
These with Carthage Didos Tonne, maie nothyng here perswade.
She buildeth neWe Ierusalem, and Sion vp doth rear,
And to the Vineyard on hir back she daielie burthens bear:
The fletyng fame on yearth haue sought, she glorie greate in skie,
They thrugh pompe and she through paine aduaunceth fame on hi [...].
They liude to eate, they eate to die, they die in death to paine,
She eates to liue she liues to die, she dieth to liue againe:
Ariadne Minoes doughter taught, to Theseus stoute the waie,
From Labirinthus dreadfull deans, where Minotaurus laie.
That wandryng Prince Aeneas then, in Cuma taught was so,
By sage Amalthea Auernus gulfe, from limbo lake to goe:
The soundrie shifts Medea assaide, hir Iason sure to saue,
In Colcus lande with conquest greate, the golden fleace to haue.
Were now these worthie Greekes aliue, and iolie champions lo,
As vnto Delphos streigt thei would vnto his pallace goe:
She spoiled Labirinthus caues, she Minotaurus slue,
She princely doth possesse in place, the Golden fleace in vewe.
[Page 217]And though Perillus plaied his part, the brasen Bull to make,
Yet was Perillus forced hym self, therein his death to take.
The Leaden horse Aruntius made, for others there to die,
To assaie the newe inuented woorke, Aruntius first did frie.
Thus saucie Sinon sleight shall die, and Phalaris falshode ende,
And from Zopirus subtle seede, her state shall God defende.
Triumphant Triton sounde thy trumpe, though Neptunes rage did rore,
In spite of Boreas Boisterous blast, she sailed saffe to shore.
Where she like blasyng Phebus beames, with siluer shinyng face,
Bellona like in seate doeth sitte, with fine Aglaias grace.
On whom the dreadfull Driades waite, the Oriades high on hill,
The sacred Nimphes attende her grace, her seruice to fulfill.
Hebe and Calisto light, from starrie states discende,
A perles prince must pearce the cloudes, whose fame the skies shall bende.
Whose fame shall flowe from Nilus bankes, through Euphrates to lande:
From Tigris stragglyng streame, her state to golden Ganges sande.
From Pirens pathe to Helicon, from high Parnassus mounte,
Vnto Libethres well to washe with ladies nine were wonte.
From Easte to Weste, from Southe to Northe, her fliyng fame doeth flowe,
From Pole antartike fast with winges, to articke Pole to goe.
Panomphes Gemme Caliope, thy steppe Melpomen staie,
Yelde honour due Thalia now, her seruice Clio assaie.
Polihimnia with her Musike must, and Errato tende in place,
Euterpe sounde her troumpe of fame, her foes for to deface.
Discende Terpsichore from the skies, parte thence Vrania fro,
A Phenix fine must mounte the skies, and you awaie must goe.
Surrender Cumea vp thy seaete, now Samia Phiton flee,
No longer fame must Themis haue, in Delphos now to be.
Yelde stately Iuno Samos vp, flee Delos Dian fro,
Voide princely Pallas Athens now, from Paphos Venus goe.
Beholde a branche from Brutus line, whose vertuous praise to paint,
My slender skill, my simple muse to thinke thereof doe faint.
For had I Virgills vaine in verse, and learned Homere skill,
To write Demosthenes sugred stile, with noble Tullies quill.
Ouercharged I should be, her noble life to cite,
Her galaunt giftes, her talentes rare, her vertuous all to write.
[Page]If outward beautie moude the Goddes, what inward vertue can,
Whose feutered forme if eyes might see, should maze the sight of man,
If Daphnes might Apollo winne, and Tyro Neptune moue,
If Herce Cecrops doughter dere, might lure Mercurius loue.
If Quene Aeginas beautie bright, could mightie Ioue enflame,
In forme of fire with Phoebus face, to honour beauties fame.
What loue, what ioye, what wisedom then, what wealth should men possesse,
If sence of sight might vertue see, as Plato prince confesse.
The tramplyng toile of Tantalus, his hongrie panche to please,
The rowlyng stone of Sisiphus, hir vertuous sight would cease.
If Titius could, if Atlas might, might this Yxion see,
Titius toile Atlas loade, Yxion easde should bee.
The golden heares Pompeia had, forede Neros harte on fire,
Through witte and wisedome did our Queene, her subiectes hartes desire.
Cleopatra wanne by a draught of drinke, Antonius for her frende,
By counsaill graue and sad aduise, doeth she her zoile defende.
The curious shue made Rhodope Quene, in Egipte lande to rule,
And vertue aduaunceth this her fame, in Englande long to endure.
But sithe that beautie is a gifte, whiche nature hath bestowed.
I meane to penne dame beauties praise, as nature forthe hath shewed.
Had skilfull eyes of Xeuxes vued, had fine Philuseus seen,
Had learned [...]o Lisippus sight, of this our noble Queen.
Dame Venus picture made in Cous, and Helens grace in Grece,
Latonas moulde, the impes of Ioue, their painted porte should leese.
If Phidias might had framde the like, or had Timan [...]es fainde,
Bellona in her bowre had blusht, and I phigenia stainde.
Durst this Pigmalion graue in stone, or Theopompus painte,
Thei should haue felt bothe sight and sence, bothe harte and hande to fain [...]
If prince Apelles cunnyng, could in colours drawe by arte,
The sight thereof would cause the Grekes from suche a sh [...]we to starte.
Bragge then no more you glorious Grekes, of beauties bowre ne boste,
Sithe Englande wanne victoriously, whiche Grece by fate hath loste.
Retire you Romains from your race, your fame is loste I wene,
Suche Lucrece raigne in Englande now, as neuer earst was sene.
Giue place you noble dames, throwe of your garlandes gaie,
Laie prostrate doune your crounes of fame, to her that beares the swaie.
[Page 218]Who in spite of dragging darte of death, in spite of Gorgons grief,
In spite of furies frettyng flames, in spite of Parcas knife.
Shall Triton sounde hir troumpe of fame, and Stentor straine to blowe,
Through surging seas and clousteryng cloudes, her name to starres to goe.
And in Mauseolum braue her bones, and sumptuous Toumbe shall lye,
Whose sacred soules berefte from corps, to heauen straight shall flie.
FINIS.

The Aucthour to his booke.

SIth Virgill loftie vaine in verse, sith learned Homers Quill,
Sith Plutarch and Pithagoras, did practice oft their skill:
To write of fightyng frogges, in fild of wandering bees and flice,
To extoll the reedes and rushes long, with solemne muse aduice.
Though skilfull thei with learned muse, in thinges so small to flowe,
Yet willing I my faithfull hart to natiue zoill to showe:
For who in Athens idle were, by Dracos lawe should die,
As in Hetruria idle heads, by lawe were forcde to flie.
VVhose ground in Rome was baren found, was put in prison faste,
And kyng of Aegypt toke accompt, of daily labour past:
The Spartan youth that waxed grosse by lawe should fast it out,
And loitring Indians went vndinde, from place to place about.
Ech labour well deserueth hire, that Idlenes doth flee,
Ech vertue must haue due reward, ech vice must punished be:
For rather had I venture fame, Chirilus stripes to haue,
Then still with Vatia idle be, ech filthy lust to laue.
Saill then by raging Scillas rockes, passe by Ciclops denne,
On through Lotophagos tent full bould, feare not Auernus fene,
Trudge fast from flattryng Cirens face, make haste from Cirses sight,
Pearce Limbo through, possesse the place where iustice iudgeth right.
Mauger of Maegera head, in spit of furies go,
Through Stigia streame and flaming fluds to frēd thy self to show
VVaie not Momus nor his mates, exteme not Zoilus talke,
Voide fond Suffenus busie brain, with wise Minerua walke.
The Scithian rude had rather here, a horse to ney or kike,
Then solem sound of Orpheus Harpe, with skilfull stroke to strike
The Arcadian blind with Midas will, preferre the pipe of Pan,
Before Appollo sacred God, who iudge of musike can.
Hadst thou Briareus hundred hands, or hundred Argos eies,
Suppose thy sences slack to serue, ech reader to suffice:
And as Vlixes mates were changde, to shiftyng shapes of hoggs,
So like Actaeon thou shalt be, deuoured of some doggs.
Some will finde in vearse thy fault, some will defame thy sence,
Some thy stile and some thy state, will finde in thee offence:
The learned loth I am to lose, of right their frendship craue,
Sith thou and thei wer taught in place, true frendship seke to haue.
[Page]A Crowe sometime in Rome was taught, to speake to Caesar so,
Aue Caesar loude with voice, as Caesar by did go:
An Aegle was in Seston toune, eche daie would neuer ceasse,
But mount to skey in flight to slee, some foules his frend to please.
The Pecock proude the swellyng Swan, the Feasaunt gaie the Cocke,
Do brag and bost themselues so braue, and other birds do mocke:
Though these like Gorgons grim with eies, thy trēbling face behold
Yet tell that others see in theim, whiche they of thee haue toulde.
No force saie thou if that may chaunce, Antimachus lot maie craue,
In steede of sondrie diuers heads, one Plato frend to haue.
FINIS.

¶ A Table of the moste principall, and chief partes conteined within this booke.

OF the slipperie state of Fortune, and what Princes, and where thei were aduaunced one waie, and how thei were oppressed an other waie.
Fol. 1. pag. 1.
Of magnanimitie of Princes, and fortitude of minde, when and where it was moste estemed.
Fol. 6. pa. 1.
Of Marshall triumphes, and the solempnitie thereof in diuers countries.
Fol. 14. pag. 2.
Of the first findyng out of lawes and orders, and of all mention of thinges generall, and of fame.
fol. 17. pa. 2.
Of sumptuous and wonderfull buildynges.
fol. 20. pa. 1.
Of Paintyng.
Fol. 23. pag. 1.
Of eloquence.
Fol, 25. pagi. 1.
Of those that had their Pictures and Images, for a shewe of their deserued fame, erected.
Fol▪ 28. pag. 1.
Of those that defended diuers from deathes, from ser­pentes, dragons, and of cunnyng archers.
fol. 30. pa. 2.
Of diligence and labours.
Fol. 32. pag. 2.
Of the first inuentours of artes, and of the vse of soth­saiyng.
Fol. 35. pag. 1.
Of pacients.
Fol. 39. pag. 2.
Of humanitie and clemencie of Princes.
Fol. 41. pag. 2.
Of sober and temperate Princes, and where tempe­rance and sobrietie was moste vsed.
Fol, 49. pag. 2.
Of taciturnitie and silence, and of the vertue and com­mendation thereof.
Fol. 57. pag. 1.
Of liberalitie, and liberall princes.
Fol. 62. pag. 2.
Of age, and the praise thereof.
Fol. 68. pag. 1.
Of the maners of sundrie people, and of their straunge life.
Fol. 74. pag. 1.
Of the straunge natures of waters, yearth, and Fire.
Folio. 80. page. 1.
[Page]Of the worlde, and of the foule of manne, with diuers and sonderie opinions of Philosophers aboute the same.
Fol. 82. pag. 2.
Of worshippyng of Goddes, and Religion of Genti­les.
Folio. 85. pag. 1.
Of the first beginnyng of shauyng, and the vse thereof, with muche makyng of heares of the head.
fol. 92. p. 2
Of diuers kindes and sondery fashions of burial emon­gest the gentiles.
Fol. 95. pag. 1.
Of Spirites and visions.
Fol. 97. pag. 2.
Of dreames and warnynges.
Fol. 102. pag. 2.
Of the beginnyng of Mariages, and of the soundrie vse of the same.
Fol. 107. pag. 2.
Of likenes and similitudes.
Fol. 110. pag. 1.
Of Musick and mirth.
Fol 112. pag. 2.
A comparison betwene the loue of menne and beastes.
Fol. 118. pag. 1.
Certain Ethicall Arithmologies drawen out of deuine and prophane auctours.
Fol. 122. pag. 2.
Examples of Iustice.
Fol. 125.
Examples of Usurie.
eodem.
Examples of honour.
Fol. 26. pag. 1.
Examples of enuie.
Fol. 127. pag. 1.
Examples of coueitousnes.
Fol. 127. pag 2.
Examples of hearyng.
Fol. 129.
Examples of discorde.
eodem.
Examples of frendship.
eodem.
Examples of flatterie.
Fol. 130.
Examples of glotonie.
eodem.
Examples of rape and spoile.
Fol. 13. pag. 1.
Examples of mercie.
eodem.
Examples of loue.
eodem.
Examples of death.
Fol. 131.
The deathes of certaine Noble Princes in Englishe verse.
Fol. 133. pag. 1,
Of memorie and obliuiousnes.
Fol. 137. pag. 1.
[Page]Of the Pilgrimages of Princes and miserie of morta­litie.
Fol. 140. pag. 1.
Of Dissimulation and Craft, of Subtiltie and deceipt.
Fol. 146▪ pag. 2.
Of famine.
150. pag. 1.
Of warines.
Fol. 253. pag.
Of reuengement.
Fol. 155▪ pag. 1.
Of Theft and Sacriledge.
Fol. 158. pag. 2.
Of lust.
Fol. 161 pag. 1.
Of Ielowsie.
Fol. 165. pag. 2.
Of Idlenes.
Fol. 167. pag. 2.
Of wrath and anger.
Fol. 166. pag. 2.
Of periurie and faith, and where either of these were honored and estéemed.
fol. 169. pag. 1.
Of enuie and malice, and so of tyrannie.
Fol. 177. pag. 2.
Of flatterie.
Fol. 183. pag. 1.
Of Pride.
Fol. 185. pag. 1.
Of couetuousnes.
Fol. 190. pag. 1.
Of prodigalitie and drunkennesse.
Fol. 198. pag. 1.
Of Magicke and witcherie.
Fol. 200▪ pag. 1.
A comparison betwene wealth and pouertie.
f. 203. p. 2.
Of death.
Fol. 210. pag. 1.
Of the pilgrimage of Quéenes in verse.
Fol. 215. pa. 1.
FINIS.

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