APRILL hauing with his sweete showers moystened the drought of March, bathing euery veine of the rootes of trees & ingendring floures, Zephirus with his pleasaunt breath prouoking tender crops by vertue of young Phebus, holding her course in Aries. Abstinence in Lent performing her accustomed race feeding on waterie creatures, the Moone being entred into the aquatike signe of Pisces, and my bloud increasing with the nource of digestion, caused me to slumber, and no sooner did I discharge some part of that tribute due vnto nature, when suddenly falling into most strange dreames, or rather visions, which seemed to dimme my sight, I was partly amazed, and partly rauished with such admirations: which by apprehension haue left such deepe impressions in the treasurie of my braines, as I am now compelled to cō mit some of them to the generall recordor, whose bodie (after the amputation of his head) called for blacke drinke to staine the ouerbeaten clouts, to ease my fatigable memory, the receptacle whereof is otherwise barred from all succeeding matters, like a trammell replenished with fish, which can containe no more then her full (as it were) naturall imbibition.

Me thought according to the prouoked motion, that being in a ship sailing on the seas with a prosperous wind and pleasant trauell, I did arriue into a most fruitfull Iland, whose beautifull and pleasant sight, with sauorie and delicious fruites distilling the iuice of Nectar, ministrated such delight and health vnto my wearied bones and drowsie mind, that by the delectable obiect of mine eyes, of faire running riuers with their siluer streames, of greene fields with their varietie of floures, of easie high waies set with fruite-trees on euery side, of stately hils gracing their Horizon as the nose doth the face, of liuely fountaines of refreshing water, and by the sweete and harmonious melodie of birds, whose warbling notes did penetrate my eares, all my sences were reduced to puritie; my sight without colour, my hearing without sound, my smelling without smell, my tasting without smacke or feeling, and my feeling without sence or tasting: all of thē being simple in themselues, seemed to haue obtained fruition of their wished desires, as if all things with a Simpathy 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 of a generall applause had bene entertaining them, and prognosticating vnto me all worldy felicitie. Trauelling along with a setled pace, taking the benefite of these rare blessings, an insupportable loathsome smell scaled the fortresse of my nose, depriuing me of some part of the former pleasures. But the sence of smelling not hauing so great operation with the heart as the motion of the eyes, made the sence of seeing to remaine predominant: howbeit by the interposition of the facultie of hearing. For behold a man of meane stature, stricken in age, yet bearing his bodie vpright, did stand on the high way, in whose face did shine such amiable reuerence as was pleasant to behold, notwithstanding his pale colour caused through the stinking smell; who told me with a loude voice these or the like speeches.

Not without cause (courteous gentleman) do you stop your nose to auoid this pestiferous smell, as dangerous to the smelling as the cockatrice is to the sight, proceeding from a terrible cruel Dragon, which deuoureth and destroyeth daily the inhabitants of this (otherwise) flourishing Iland, the king himselfe being in great ieopardy, with his sweet and welbeloued daughter: as heretofore his predecessor hath bene, whome Saint George that valiant champion (through his great faith and valour) did rescue and saue miraculously, deliuering therby the whole state of this common wealth from the like dā ger. The consideration whereof doth comfort and reuiue our dead hopes, that God will be pleased to stirre vp some other champion, who like vnto the noble Romaine Marcus Curtius shall deliuer our weale publike, and destroy this hideous monster, wherwith we haue bene troubled almost these 30. yeares▪

Hearing the same, me thought I was possessed with a most feruent desire to vnderstand the particularitie as well of that Dragon whereof he complained, as of the other which is reported to haue bene slaine or vanquished by Saint George: for I had many times inquired very diligently where that Iland might be situated where that dragon was destroyed, and how it was possible that he could deuoure such an infinite number of creatures as is reported, which made me to be very importunate with this man to know euery thing with the circumstances therof, whome I found to be not onely by learning, but also by nature of singular eloquence, and in reasoning and debating of matters of politicke gouernement, what by his naturall wit, and what by daily exercise, surely he had in my iudgement few fellowes, by reason whereof, he gaue me full satisfaction and answer to all my demands, and seemed in his discourse to discharge the part of an Orator.

This flourishing Iland (quoth he) which ouerfloweth with milk and hony, is called Niobla, and lyeth vnder the kingdome of Persia, the chiefe citie whereof called Diospolus standeth partly vpon the side of a low hill, in fashion almost foure square. For the breadth of it beginneth a little beneath the toppe of the hill, and still continueth by the space of one mile. The length of it which lyeth by the riuers side is somewhat more. The riuer called Semath riseth aboue foure score miles aboue Diospolus out of a little spring: but being increased by other small riuers and brookes that runne into it, before the city it is halfe a mile brode, and farther broader, and fortie miles beyond the citie it falleth into the Ocean sea. By all that space that lyeth betweene the sea and the citie, and certaine miles also aboue the citie, the water ebbeth and floweth sixe houres 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 together with a swift tide, when the sea floweth in, for the length of thirty miles it filleth al the riuer Semath with salt water, and driueth backe the fresh water of the riuer: and somewhat further, it changeth the sweetnesse of the fresh water with saltnesse. But a little beyond that the riuer waxeth sweete, and runneth foreby the citie fresh and pleasant. There goeth a bridge ouer the riuer, made not of piles or of timber, but of stone-worke, with gorgeous and substantiall Arches, at that part of the citie that is farthest from sea: to the intent that ships may passe along foreby all the side of the citie without let: from this riuer the water is deriued and conueyed downe in channels of lead diuerse waies, euen into the highest part of the citie, which doth the inhabitants great seruice. The citie is compassed about with high and thick stone walles, with some bulwarkes, and a dry ditch somewhat broade and ouergrowne with bushes, briers and thornes. The streetes are commodious and reasonable broade for the most part, with diuerse gorgious and faire buildings standing together without partition, diuerse gardens are enclosed by the backe part of the streete, all in good order and most commodious. Almost in the middle part of this citie in a most sumptuous and stately building, being foure square, all of marble & free stone, erected vpon seuerall pillars curiously wrought, hath this Dragon his principall and most ordinarie habitation, albeit he wandreth through the whole Iland at his pleasure, and beareth a wonderfull commaund in deuouring & destroying an infinite number, altering the course of our gouernment. For the the execution whereof, what with his venimous breath, what with his subtilty of setting men together by the eares, what with his naturall deuouring, or what with his alluring Serenian songs, he hath all the meanes that can be excogitated, euen vnder the colour of religion and iustice.

Wonder not (good sir) for this monstrous beast waxing euery moneth bigger one then another, is like vnto the Serpent that with the subtile guile of Sathan seduced our great grand-mother Eue, and brought all her posterity into exile, and misery vppon mankind, and so doth this monster bring al misery and calamitie vnto our common-weale. Therefore with great reason it was recorded, that great was the faith of Saint George, whereby he was corroborated and made valiant to deliuer this commonwealth of the like cruell and execrable monster, which daily deuoured so many oxen, sheep, and other cattell, and at last all reasonable creatures, vntill by the fatall lot the kings daughter was in danger and appointed to be deuoured. Neither must you imagine, that this infernall dragon doth deuoure so many creatures, as it were consuming them, but by sleight, deuises and stratagemes, he causeth them to destroy one another, in such sort as I haue determined to tell you.

But first I will tell you in what maner, and by what meanes the inhabitants of this Iland did liue before this monster was bred in hell, next what the conditions and qualities are of those that be in league with him. And lastly what practises this dragon vseth with euery member of our weale publicke, to the generall destruction therof. O Codrus of Athens, wert thou aliue to destroy this serpentine dragon, that creepeth not vpon his belly, as the serpent of Paradise was condemned to do, and feedeth not on earth, but domineereth on his foure indented Harpyon feete, feeding on the most precious meate, which doth command all other meates and delicacies. And behold his cruelty by so much the greater, as most vsually this meate is prepared vnto him by the poorer sort, and vpon them he feedeth most greedily. And whether euer that serpent went skipping vpon his taile before the curse, I know not: but I am sure this beareth his taile aloft like a conquerer, riding in his triumphant chariot. The curse of the Scripture denounced against him is neglected, the writings of Diuines hath no efficacie, the Canonists cursings is without vertue, the prohibition of Ciuilians is ouercome by the tolleration of the Statute Law, and the manner of mens actions before this monster did tyrannize, is cleane forgotten, whereas Licurgus did banish this canker worme out of Sparta, Amasis did punish him seuerely in AEgypt, Cato did banish him also out of Sicilia, and Solon did condemne him in Athens. And should not we do the like, if some Lucullus would deliuer vs of this contagion, wherewith we are infected, when as Sergius Galba being president of Affrica, vnder the Emperour Claudius, caused one to be punished with death by famine, for feeding and entertaining this monster, which like a whirle-poole swalloweth whatsoeuer it catcheth?

The inhabitants of this noble Iland did liue by the naturall richesse of the lands they were borne vnto, or by the artificiall riches they were bred vnto, according to their educatiō & professiō, euery man vsing and enioying his own, & nothing but his own, which in regard of charity euery mā possessing, yet seemed not to possesse at all: Clergy men and magistrates did liue by their reuenues and pensions, Noblemen and Gentlemen of their lands, husbandmen by their farmes, merchants and citizens by their trade, artificers by their craft and handyworke; all of them making a perfect consent and harmony of the gouernement of a common-wealth, in proportionable manner with exercise of religion, and due administration of iustice in time of peace, and necessary prouision for warre, which the Prince is to prouide for in the two seasons of peace and warre. And from the Prince as from a liuely fountaine all vertues did descend into the bosome of that common-wealth, his worthy counsellors were with the magistrates as ornaments of the Law, and did ministrate (like Phisitions to the weale publicke) good potions for the ridding out of all distemperate humors: euery man was contented to liue in his vocation with true obedience: so that experience it selfe made manifest proofe, Iustice to be ordained of God, as a measure amongst men one earth, to defend the feeble from the mighty, for the suppressing of iniuries, and to roote out the wicked from among the good, prescribing how to liue honestly, to hurt no man wilfully, and to render euery man his due, carefully furthering what is right, and prohibiting what is wrong: to which intent euery man did endeuor himselfe for the good of the cōmon-wealth, obseruing concord, & all things in the course of traffike were caried with an equalitie, free lending was vsed, hospitality maintained, commiseration towards the poore was exercised, and loue which is the very summe and substance of the Law, did flourish to the generall comfort of a Christian society.

But since the accursed comming of this hell hound, the concord is broken, charity is growne cold, inequality is crept in, by falsifying our measure: the generall rule, Do as thou wouldest be done vnto, is broken, free lending is banished, oppression must needs flourish, and no man seemeth to be contented to liue in his vocation, as though Pride sitting vpon the highest degree, did contend with Ambition for preheminence. Briefe, our common-weale will in time be more like a prison, where this beast with his adherents liueth like a Iaylor, with his family in pleasure and wealth, whiles all other weepe and smart for it. Auarice found out this monster, which nourisheth idlenesse, and idlenesse is the bringer forth of euils.

Our society and weale publicke is furnished with sixe necessary things, namely diuine seruice, iudgement, armes, riches, arts and sustenance, all which are brought out of their due course and proportionable order, and those that haue the managing thereof as Clergy men, Magistrates, Noblemen, Merchants, Artificers and Husbandmen, and such as are comprehended vnder these, cannot execute their charge according to their profession. For behold the insinuating dealings which this monster vseth with some of the better sort, and his cruell proceedings with the inferiour.

He giueth them ability to destroy one another, and many times the seuen leane kine of Pharao do deuoure the seauen fat kine, and yet proue no whit fatter themselues.

Some neglecting their charge, haue their minds filled with worldly cares, and ability giuen them with Simon Magus to buy that which ought to be freely giuen, which maketh them to sell that which they shold freely giue.

Others he maketh with Ananias & Saphira to dissemble with God, tempring the holy Ghost, boasting of false liberality, being like cloudes and wind without raine.

Hospitality is by his meanes turned into Iacke Droms entertainement, and and Laban and Nabal, two Churles in the Scripture mentioned, hauing but one name preposterously taken, as being too many, are propagated into an infinite number.

Others he causeth to measure Gods blessings by worldly riches, and with the kite to mount exceeding high in outward shew, but neuer looking vpwards to heauen, hauing the eyes of their minde set and fixed below on worldly things.

Others do blow with him the windy bellowes of the organs of vaine glory, and without his helpe they should giue but little sound.

Others do neglect to relieue the poore, and put innocent Ioseph (being in prison) in obliuion.

Others are by his meanes so inticed with the feeding of delicacies, that setting all religion aside with Festus, they accuse Saint Paule of madnesse, euen in the presence of Agrippa.

Others he maketh with Lot to be so loytering and trifling in Sodome, that the Angell is faine to plucke them out with violence, when God is pleased to saue them.

Others he maketh to go loaden with gold and siluer, gauling their soules vntill they be despoiled thereof by death, and cast into the loathsome stable of damnation: like vnto the mules of Princes, going all the day loaden with treasure, and couered with faire clothes vntill they be shaken off into a sorry stable.

Others he maketh voide of all charity, which will lend no money but for gaine, vnto such men as they esteeme to be good, but nothing to the poore man, although the pawne of the Gospell doth assure them, that God is the poore mans surety, and will for his promise sake pay all mens debts, though the men be neuer so vnthankfull.

Others he maketh to vse the Lawes like vnto cobwebs, to catch onely litle flies, and to haue ability to purchase dignities.

Others haue ability giuen them by the multiplicities of sutes grounded vpon bonds and counterbonds, to accumulate riches, and to incorporate farmes, and to make vnlawfull inclosures of grounds, to the decay of manie.

Others he causeth to account nothing to be science or learning, but that wherewith money is to be gotten to feede him withall, because they find that a lūpish blockhead churle, which hath no more wit then an asse, shall haue many wise and good men in subiection and bondage, onely for this, because he hath a great heape of gold and siluer.

Others he causeth to put the kings daughter in danger, feeding thereuppon with this dragō to the kings great losse and hinderance, if he haue present occasion to vse his reasure, which by the meanes of the dragons taile may be exported.

Others hauing of this meate belonging vnto the king, do detaine the same into their hands to please this monster, and to share the booty betweene them.

Others he causeth to put the king in remembrance of certaine olde mo • th-eaten lawes, of euery man forgotten, as a way vnto him honorable and profitable, hauing a shew and colour of Iustice, and all this for to be meate for him to feede vpon.

Others haue a present greater abilitie giuen them to liue licenciously, following whores, harlots, wine-tauernes, and many other vnlawfull games, to their vtter destruction.

Others do augment by his meanes the number of vagabonds, which through idlenesse the (root of all mischief) do commit robbery and theft, and then are they destroyed by the gallowes.

Others he causeth to spend their stockes by prodigall riot, sumptuous fare, and strange and proud new fangles in their apparell, growing insolent, and riding a gallop with a lame jade, and yet are they too, soone destroyed by warre or otherwise.

Others hauing spent their goods, he beateth with the whores and harlots (like to the prodigall sonne) out of doores, when they haue no more for him to feede vpon.

Others he maketh to whet their kniues vpon a chalke stone, neuer sharping them, spending their time and dulling their wits, with the vse of dicing and carding, when the boxe doth carrie away the gaines on both sides.

Others hauing deuoured and consumed by his meanes all what they could come by, or had about them, do creepe out like the vermine out of the nut, and then are they but newly borne.

Others he maketh not to be contented to liue idle thēselues like dorrers of that which others haue laboured for, polling and shauing their tenants to the quicke: but to carry about with them at their tailes a great flocke or traine of followers: which being turned off, when he hath vndermined their maisters liuing, become vnthrifty, and hauing neuer learned any craft whereby to get their liuing, fall a stealing, & are by the gallowes cut off, if by warres they suffer not a commendable death.

Others he maketh to be like raging and roaring Lions, spoyling and deuouring all that they can catch or come by.

Others haue ability giuen them to be like vnto great flouds and swelling riuers, when they ouerflow their channels, and do breake through their bankes, by reason of their raging and violent streame, hurting what they find in their way, polling and pilling the richesse and substance of the silly weake and poore, filling their purses with the bloud of innocents, and building their houses and dignities by the destruction of others.

Others he maketh wealthy and rich, and like sheepe and kine which are put into pasturs to be prepared for the shambles, or like oxen wearing the garland against the day of their slaughter.

Hercules his exploit in killing the Serpent Hydras was great, because it had many heads, and after the amputation of one, another did arise: But the heads of this monster do multiply without that any be cut off, and those that are infected therwith, are as swelling monsters, like vnto those that are diseased with the dropsie, which the more they drinke, the more increaseth their desire of drinking.

Some he causeth with Sampson to discouer the secret of their strength, vnto Dalilah, and before they do perceiue the same, their lockes are shorne off suddenly, and their strength is taken away.

Others he causeth to bestow all their wealth vpon the opinion of men, in gemmes and precious stones, as fit meate and commodious for him to feede vpon, in hope that the folly of others shall pay for all: wherby he bringeth some to destruction; for these things increasing and not wearing away, neither being consumed, must of necessitie consume others.

Others he causeth to deuoure one another, and by his posteriors he doth auoide them both as excrements.

Diana is preuented to cause Acteon to be deuoured of his owne dogges. Hero and Leander may drown themselues without an Ocean. For this monster is the right firebrand which Samson put betweene the foxes tailes to burne the rickes and standing corn, with the vineyardes and oliues. For the world consisting of strife, warre, and discord, must needes bring a confusion, and fall into wasting, spoiling and destroying, when this monster doth augment the causes thereof.

Consider then, how iustice and religion can flourish? the one shewing vs how we ought to liue in this life, and the other teaching vs of the life to come.

Will not religion suffer shipwrack in time, when charitie decayeth and the bonds of loue are broken, and diuersities of opinions are the causes of Schismes? Shal I with the Philosophers describe iustice to be of foure sorts: Celestiall, Naturall, Ciuill and Iudiciall: I shall but knocke at a deafe mans doore: yet in hope of the antiquitie thereof, which (as Cicero saith) will make the same flourish, I demaund where Celestiall iustice (which is the perfect consideration and dutie to God) is found, seeing that Naturall iustice, which all men should haue amongst themselues by nature, is banished, which was the cause that Ciuill iustice was made, grounded vpon the law of nature, the statutes of the people, the consultation of the Senators, or the authoritie of graue and wise men, as the deuice of Princes, whereupon also Iudiciall iustice dependeth, for the commoditie of the common-wealth. In regard whereof we are in hope that one day this monster shall be destroyed. For the better accōplishmēt wherof, I would our images of Iudges were erected againe, hauing neither hands nor eyes. O Manlius Torquatus who shall imitate thee in the execution of of iustice, not sparing thine owne son?

The members of our common-wealth which haue the managing of the naturall and artificiall riches, are dealt withall in most strange and subtill manner by this monster, which hath his principall delight therefore to feede vpon them, & with his scornfull looke, recreating his mind with the internal miserie of the mind of his leaguors, and with the externall calamity of the body, & inward troubles of the mind of others, he beareth a wonderfull sway.

Those that be in league with him, & become miserable in mind, he haled with a cable rope of vnsatiable desires, causing thē to make no period or comma frō the highest Zodiacke or Climate to the lowest Centre, & to be more foolish thē Tantalus, amidst the water dying of thirst, obtaining with Mydas the transmutation of all things they touch into gold, & staruing for want of food: for they make by his instigation of abundance, indigence, to the end that by possessing more, they should haue lesse, as not hauing a hart giuē thē (as the wisemā saith) to enioy their wealth

He maketh them thinke with the Ape that is tyed to the clogge, that he keepeth the clog, & not the clog him, for they keepe not their riches, but riches keepeth them, and entangleth their minds.

He maketh them like vnto the Asse which carrieth meate for his maisters belly, & the clothes for his backe, yet himselfe is contented to feede vpon grasse, and to weare a haire skinne, for miserie hath assaulted their soules.

He maketh them like vnto the Indian Ants or Emets, who gather the gold and keep it, although they cannot vse it, and to hunt after goods, graunting them onely the sight, and not the vse thereof: he maketh their riches to increase, as though he would make them contented, seeming to quench the fire by casting oyle into it, and making them more couetous.

He causeth diuerse to get their goods fraudulently, and by taking of forfeitures, which maketh them to hide their treasure, or to purchase lāds therewith: when as their heires shall vnthritily spend that, which they haue vnlawfully gotten.

Some he maketh like vnto the wolues of Syria, which delight to bark against the Moone, spending their time about nothing, and entertaining Podagra, for the most part of the yere.

He caused him that did dreame to haue spent a great summe of money in a banquet, to haue so strong an imagination, that by the apprehension therof, thinking the same to be true, went to hang himselfe most desperately, hauing bought for the purpose a two penie halter, and being saued from hanging by the meanes of his friends which did cut the halter, would notwithstanding make his friends pay for that halter.

He caused the vnthriftie sonne to hang himselfe, that gaping for his fathers death for to enioy the goods of this nature, became desperate vpon the witches declaration, that his father should yet liue thirtie yeares.

He caused that miser (who hauing hid his treasure in a hollow tree, and finding the same taken away) to hang himselfe, changing his treasure with the halter that a poore man left: who by the finding of this treasure was saued from hanging, being through the cruell dealings of others become desperate.

Some he causeth to haue all their wealth in paper and inke, or parchment, which they accompt as precious as the golden fleece, multiplying the same in their imagination vntill they die, when as the debtors haue of a long time bene insoluent, and they deceiued with false pleasure, like vnto those who hiding their gold in the ground do depriue themselues of the vse of it, hoping for ioy: when as the gold hauing bene stolen and they ignorant thereof, dye ten yeares after, and all that ten yeares that they liued after the money was stolen, haue fed themselues with a vaine conceipt.

Others he maketh to grow and spread as great oakes full of branches, by whose dropping he destroyeth and suffocateth the young little sprigs.

Others he causeth to be more doggish then the dogs themselues, which will sooner licke the vlcers and sores of Lazarus, then they will giue any releefe to the poore.

Others he causeth to sel their lands and goods, and to liue obscurely, like vnto the staring owle, which will not looke vpon the bright sunne.

Others he maketh to seeme that which they are not, like vnto the hypocrites which are as a wooden leg set to the body, being no member thereof.

Others he maketh like vnto madde men, desiring nothing so much as to get water, by reason of their excessiue distemperature, when as there is nothing so much tormenting them; as the abundance of riches.

Others he maketh like vnto the Moone when she is at the full, and then farthest from the sunne of whom she hath her light: and so by increasing their riches, remoueth them farther from God and godlinesse.

Others which be leane, like vnto the henne which daily did lay an egge, or in poore estate did good deedes and were vertuous, he causeth to become fat, leauing the laying of egges, and to become wealthie and vitious.

Others he maketh like hogges to feed vpon acornes vnder the oake, and in steed to looke thankefully vpward, to deuoure the garment of him that feedeth them.

Others he causeth to be like vnto the fawning Spaniell, which oftentimes fetcheth his maisters gloue, in hope to change it for a better morsell: doing a small pleasure, to the end they might reape a greater aduantage.

Others he maketh to be like flouds, which send their waters into the sea, and leaue the dry land (which is thirstie) vnwatered, bestowing or leauing their goods vnto those that need them not.

Others are exalted like vnto the Iuie sticking to the boughes of trees, and yet by an ouerhard embracing do hinder the growing of the trees, making meane men to oppresse their betters, by whose meanes they haue bene aduanced.

Others he maketh to liue idle, and their braines to become a shop for the Diuels Alchemy, sowing tares amongst the wheat, whiles men are asleepe, setting with the traiterous seruant, the doore open to the theefe.

Others he maketh to thinke that the increase of riches commeth by their owne meanes: whereas with king Kanutus who in this Iland would haue commaunded the waters, they should learne, that they were commaunded by the heauenly power.

Others he maketh like vnto the two theeues of Esops fable, the one stealing, and the other the receiuer or conueyer.

His strength lyeth chiefly in his taile: for triall whereof, euen for his recreation and sport, after a full stomack, he will many times encounter with great Elephants, clapping his taile about their mil-post legges, and neuer leauing them vntil he haue felled their vnweildie bodies to the ground.

But behold his subtill proceedings, for he will not onely change colours with the Camelion, but also weepe for their ouerthrowe with the Crocodiles teares, when as hee intended to make them instruments to serue his turne.

With the wild boare and swine, which are wont to eate and destroy all other corne, he will beware of bearded wheate, because of the prickie beards which do hurt him, as the authoritie of great men. Yet sometimes like the boare franking in his stye, he will consume men of many miles off, by the means of his leaguors and attendants, whereby he knoweth the lands and abilities of noble men and gentlemen, yeoman and husbandmen, and here he will gobble vp a whole towne, and there a goodly parke, here a Lordship or Manor, and there a most pleasant wood.

Some he causeth to weaue continually Penelopes cloath, vndoing by night that which they made in the day, and loosing one way that which they get another way.

Others he setteth on Icarian wings with waxe, and maketh them to flie euen aboue the cloudes, when as the waxe by the heate of the sunne dissoluing, they are drowned vnawares.

Others that vpon pleasure entertaine him, and haue taken him vp out of the snow, being almost dead with the snake of AEsope, do find him readie to bite of their throate in processe of time.

Others he causeth to serue his turn, whose labour like vnto the Cats paw, he maketh to serue as the Ape did, to take the chesnuts out of the fire for his owne vse.

Others he maketh with the hauke to mount so high, trusting to their wings and other mens feathers, that they lose themselues, and their wit and wisedome is ouercome.

Others he maketh so poore, that they are alwaies in prison, forth-comming, but neuer comming forth.

Others he causeth alwaies to be waited on by Serieants, and their clokes cannot take hold at a butchers hooke, but they imagine that the Serieants Mace taketh them by the backe.

Others he playeth withall like the Cat with the mouse for a time for to eate her vp, or like the flie about the candle, and in the end are brought to destruction.

Others he maketh like vnto AEsops Iay, clad with the feathers of other birds, which being discouered and stript of all, for a reward are throughly scorned, and turned from their scarlet Gownes, into blacke threed-bare cloakes.

Others he maketh like vnto bondmen and slaues, that though they toile and labour neuer so much, all is for their maisters, and they get nothing for themselues.

He causeth Mariners to conspire against their ships, and the diuell Bommery to arise to boare holes to make them sinke and perish.

He maketh many owners of ships, and by their discord to destroy shipping. For he is like vnto the worme called of Plinie Teredo, that breedeth in timber, which being touched or handled seemeth gentle and soft, and yet hath so hard teeth that he destroyeth all manner of wood.

He draweth with the Lady Claudia, the ship wherein the idoll of the Goddesse Bona is, and maketh that the Mariners (like vnto the young men) not once do stirre.

He causeth the water to get in secretly, and to increase by the Pumpes of their shippes, so that both they and their ships are drowned.

He causeth many apprentises to become vntimely maisters, whē as swimming with other mens bladders, they are soone drowned.

He maketh them to spoile their maisters occupation and their owne, and not to be able to liue by that they were bred vnto.

He maketh the husbandman vnable to liue by his farme, and giueth ability vnto others to incorporate them to the decay of husbandry.

He maketh sheepe to become deuourers of men, destroying the lustie husbandmen which are alwaies the best souldiers.

He maketh the husbandman to make money of his woods and trees, in proyning his old trees, and neuer to mipe or graffe young settes, so that the woods do daily decay, and the trees dye within few yeares.

He maketh them to sell their croppes halfe for nought, and to buye such things deare as they haue neede of.

He will like a thorne-bush succour and shelter a poore silly sheepe in some storme or tempest a litle while: but when she departeth from the bush, keep backe a peece of her fleece, and that so often vntill all be consumed.

He bringeth with the Bee sweete hony in his mouth, but a very sharpe sting in his taile.

The horse of Gargantua had not so much strength in his taile as he hath, for the same being pricked of flies, did beate downe with his taile, all the trees of a great wood. But this Dragon by the meanes of his taile causeth others to transport whole woods, with trees, houses and lands into forreine countries.

He maketh the prosperitie of common-wealthes to be like vnto the grasse on the house top, which for lacke of roote withereth afore it can grow vp to be mowne, and the Princes bare of flesh, and voyd of strength, like vnto harts that can find no pasture, for the common-wealthes treasure (which he transporteth) is accounted theirs.

He is the cause that the kings treasure is like water powred into a siue or basket, which presently runneth out, and is neuer filled.

By the meanes of his taile he maintaineth a league with forreine nations, and causeth them to serue his turne, by bringing in superfluous commodities at a deare rate, and they to feede vppon our natiue soile, to the common-wealthes destruction.

He doth falsifie our weight and measure, and bringeth thereby inequality, to our ouer-great hinderance, making of money a merchandize.

He carieth out our treasure in bullion and money, empouerishing our commonweale, in giuing vs chalke for cheese, making vs like vnto AEsops dog, going ouer a bridge to snatch at the shadow of the flesh, loosing the flesh it selfe.

He causeth vs to spend farre aboue our reuenues, and maketh vs to buy more then we sell, and to sell our home commodities good cheape, and to pay deare for the forreine commodities, all tending to our destruction.

He feedeth vppon both kinds of commodities, and maketh the husbandman vnable to liue by his farme, and the merchant by the trade of our owne commodities.

He bringeth inequality betweene the estimation of the naturall riches and the artificiall riches, and a great part of our wealth to be imaginatiue.

He giueth ability vnto landed men to incorporate more lands and farmes conuerting arable ground into pasture to the decay of husbandry, and destruction of souldiers.

He giueth ability to the grower, not to haue cause to bring his corne or cattell to the market, but rather to engrosse more, and to sell them deare, or to haue it transported vnto other nations.

He is the cause of dilapidations of cities and townes, and depopulations of inhabitants, with the decay of their occupations and handiworke.

He gnaweth the poore artificer to the bones, and sucketh out the bloud and marrow from him, feeding on him most greedily.

He causeth by the incorporation of many farmes into few mens hands, the kings subsidy much to decrease, and the kings rewards or recompenses to be supplied diuerse wayes.

He is like Naa • the Ammonite warring against the men of Iabes Gilead, who would not raise his siege, but vpon condition that he might thrust out all their right eyes, for he putteth out the right eyes of the iudgement of gouernors, in the course of politike gouernement, to bring commonweales to destruction.

He is the cause of rebellion and variance in countries, which many times is imputed vnto the gouernours thereof, and maketh men generally vnable to liue by the naturall or artificiall riches whereunto they were borne or bred.

He maketh in some barren and vnfruitfull yeares many thousands of people to starue for hunger, and yet diuerse mens barnes to be well furnished with corne.

He setteth vp pride and new fangled apparell, by the meanes of the merchant that bringeth in those commodities which please mens humors, for pride doth not measure wealth and prosperity by her owne commodities, but by the misery and incommoditie of other.

He giueth ability to intemperance the daughter of excesse, which maketh men slaues to the mouth and belly, bringing them both wayes to destruction.

He maketh money to be the creede of the world, and perswaded men to seeke first money, and that honesty then will follow of course, and that learning and wisdom is nothing without it.

He causeth men to commence sutes in law for euery trifle, and exaction and extortion to flourish, relying vpon the penalties and forfeitures of bonds and counterbonds.

He striketh out with the rauen, first of all the sheepes eyes, and so bringeth to passe that men cannot see the way to escape his tyranny.

He is the right Cannibal, feeding onely vpon raw flesh, especially of men, and like an Apothecary he couereth his bitter bils with some sweete substance, to make them to go downe the easier.

He maketh men to fall into the mire, & the more they stirre, the more are they defiled and brought into his danger: for like a bitter and pinching blacke frost, he killeth and destroyeth the tender, sweete and beautifull blossomes.

He will not haue men to depend vpon the reward of God, but vpon the reward of man, for charity and free lending he causeth to be banished, and preferreth the brittle mettal before the eternall treasure.

He maketh the hearts of his leaguors not to be inflamed with a true and sincere loue to God: but to be wide open vnto all temptations, like vnto a pot full of sweete liquors ouer the fire (which not boyling) are corrupted by flies, and they are become the wolues of our Iland, since that all other wolues haue bene destroyed: for they deuour both leane and fat sheepe.

He maketh men generally like vnto the decreasing moone, hauing here opē side hanging downward, & their harts set onely on worldly things, whereas with the moone increasing & open towards heauē, they should be gathering light, and not step aside to gather feathers, and leaue to runne the golden game of inestimable value.

He maketh men to be discontented, and to iudge as bondmen do of those that are free, neuer being contented with their state, alwayes beholding how much inferior they are vnto others.

And to conclude, whereas euery well gouerned common-wealth is to keepe a certaine equality cōcerning the trafficke betweene them and other countries, & a concord amongst the members of their common-wealth, when euery member thereof liueth contentedly in his vocation, this dragon hath brought in discord and inequalitie. And if this Gangrena be not cured, it will in time subuert the whole state of the realme, for Synons horse was not so dangerous to the Troyans, as this dragon is to our common-wealth.

Conceiue now (I pray you) in your imagination on the one side, the cruelty of this monster, and his subtile practises and dealings, and on the other side the meekenesse and innocency of the creatures deuoured by him and by his meanes. And because the consideratiō there of wold amaze your iudgement, do but remember the tender and inexplicable loue of a father towards his child, and especially of a most victorious king towards his faire & peereles daughter: the bright splendent beames of whose angelicall beauty, do dim my sight, and captiuate my vnderstanding. Hide Absolon thy cleare guilt tresses, and you Hester your meeknes & beauty, giuing place to this Virgin and noble creature; you Penelope, Marcia, Lauine and Helleni, make no comparison with her: neither you Lucrece and Polixene, Dido, Laodomia or Tisbe, that haue bought your loue so deare; or thou Cleopatra with all thy passions, you all may be handmaids vnto her: for her melodious voyce doth command the heathen Gods, Bacchus, Pan, Ceres & Minerua, and by her sweete breath a second life is inspired into you all. Venus her selfe giueth her the preheminence, for the strength of Cupide without her countenance will soone decay, his firy darts will soone be cold, and his wings loose their viuacity. Mars, Pallas and Bellona cannot subsist, if this Virgin should withdraw her fauour, she remaineth still a Virgin immaculate, though all the world seemeth to be contaminated by her, for her constancy is singular, she is bright shining as the Moone, although the Eclipse doth darken her for a time, to make her brightnesse to appeare more glorious: and albeit she receiued her light from the transparent Sunne, yet in a manner she seemeth to be predominant, and by a voluntarie loue to command, for she is the rose of the field, and the lilly of the vallies, whose fragrant smell as the sauour of good ointments poured out, doth reioyce and make glad the king, and maketh him runne after her, for his soule loueth her, and he hath brought her into his chamber, where like a bundle of mirrhe she lyeth betweene his breasts, his left hand is vnder her head, and his right hand doth embrace her, for she is faire and pleasaunt. She came accompanied with a Lambe representing her innocencie, her amiable eyes the messengers of her perplexed heart, distilling salt teares, did wound & penetrate the cruellest mind: the lockes of her golden hanging haire did adorne her as a triumphant Goddesse: her yuory white teeth stood like a flock of sheepe in good order: from her scarlat lips did drop the sweetenesse of hony combes, for hony and milke was vnder her tongue, and the sauour of her garments was odoriferous as the smell of Lebanon: her straight snow white necke like a prety towre of iuory was compassed with chaines of orientall pearle, wearing the garland of her virginity of most precious stones, as a royall Diademe: and yet from her two breasts (which were like two yong Roes that are twinnes feeding among the lillies) two liuely fountaines of celestiall water did runne, nourishing an infinite number: her cheekes were as a bed of spices, and as sweet floures delectable: the ioyntes of her fingers were delicate, making the whitenesse of her hands to haue a strong attraction. For in briefe such was her perfection, that Dame Nature was ashamed to see her selfe ouercome and vanquished of her owne worke: her admirable body was couered with a garment of white silke Damaske hanging loose about her, embrodered with letters of gold Patientia victrix, wherein the Sunne with the assistance of AEolus did seeme to play her illustration, with the repercussion of the varietie of colours of the garments of the Virgines following her.

Consider now the agony of her mind tempered with magnanimity, notwithstāding the aggrauating therof by the lamentation of her associats, and although the lot cast for her was not so fatall as the rash vow of Iphtah was to his daughter: yet she had greater cause to go to the mountaines with her companions, to lament and bewalie her virginitie, because the deuouring of the dragon was farre more crueller then the fire wherewith Iptahs daughter is sayd to haue bene consumed; when as this Virgin being brought vp like a kings daughter in all pleasures and delicacies, was brought to the sight of this cruell monster, and that she was ready to abandon her ornaments, preparing her gentle body to his cruelty with a perfect patience.

If Griselde was worthy of commendation, and obtained the name of Patient, for being aduanced by the Marquesse of Saluzze, who tooke her from a poore estate to be his wife, and afterwards to try her, made a shew to relinquish her againe, vnder colour that he would haue maried another, which (vnknowne vnto her) was her owne daughter had by him, and thereupon depriued her of all her ornaments; if she (I say) was renowned for enduring all this patiently, much more without all comparison is the patience of this rare Virgin to be had in perpetuall remembrance, who abandoning all her peculiar prerogatiues and pleasures, suffered her body to be expounded to the cruelty of this monster. And the greater was the exployt of Saint George in deliuering her, who like a valiant champion being arriued into this Iland, and vnderstanding of the danger she was in, came with a Princely resolutiō to deliuer her, mounted on a pyball horse of seuerall colours, armed like a conquerour, to fight the cōbat with the shield of faith, hauing on the breast-plate of righteousnesse, the helmet of saluatiō, his loynes girt about with verity, and being adorned with the liuery of the Crosse, did with the sword of the Spirit destroy this monster, and deliuered this Indian Phenix & this Iland, of that contagion & abominable hell hound, being not moued or amazed at his terrible sight and fashion; neither regarding those that were in league with this dragon, or tooke vpon them to speake in his defence.

What vnspeakeable ioy came therby, let the consideration rauish your mind, and ease me of the amplification thereof. For I must now exactly describe vnto you this dragon concerning his compounded body, as I haue already done his properties, and the effects of his mischieuous condition and qualities.

His ordinary mansion (I haue told you) to be about the middle part of the city, which is beset with many grashoppers round about, without any green fields wheron to feed, for they be not wild, sauage, or noysome, diuerse of those that be in league with the dragon are like toades, which drinke the iuice of grapes so fast, till ouercharged with the broath, their bowels do burst, casting their venimous poyson and infecting many, and yet the aire is soft, temperate and gentle.

Here may you behold this hideous monster, swelling euery moneth bigger one then another, with his fierie flaming eyes, seeming to cast fire at euery moment, by the means of his tri ••• ted toung like vnto a Turkish dart, his body vnweildy like an Elephāt, but his taile nimble, & continually wauering & inconstant, for therin consisteth his greatest strength & actiuity, to the commonwealths destruction: and the same is marked with the new Moon of the Turkes, like vnto the letter C, and his forehead with an F, like a fellon, he walketh vpon his foure Harpion legs, like a theefe closely to surprise any mā either by night or day: for he omitteth no time, albeit he seemeth with the index of the dyall not to moue, when he is continually moouing, and stirred in such sort, that when men begin to perceiue his motion, and pretend to runne from him: he doth so allure them, that the more they runne, the more he seemeth to follow them, as the moone doth to the little children, whereby his motion is the lesse regarded. He rideth vpō the wings of time, and by imagination hasteneth the course thereof: so that he that sitteth surest may be ouerthrowne, for he hath two wings to fly withall, the one hauing an internall strength from the mind, and the other an externall from the bodie: that of the mind is (as it were) couered with a vaile: but the other is plaine and naked: howbeit both of them are indented with seuerall braunches, wherewith according to the Adage, the Diuell seemeth to be God to some bodie, and maketh those to speak in his defence. For in abusing iustice to the hurt of many, he seemeth to do good vnto some particular: these therefore (although they be ashamed of him) do allow him as a necessarie member in a common-wealth, like vnto the hangman which for executions sake must needes be had. Others doe compare him to be admitted, as the husbandman suffereth many weedes to grow in his ground which he likes not, and that so he is to be tollerated; when as in the like manner they might speake for murtherers and theeues, and say that the naturall rule (Do as thou wouldest be done vnto,) is to be taken generall without any exception in all things and in all respects: whereby the Magistrate must of loue spare the conuicted malefactor: for if he were in the malefactors case, he wold be glad to be spared and pardoned himselfe: albeit they would not be bound by this rule, to giue all their goods vnto another, seeing their gripple mind is such, that they would willingly an other man should giue them all his substance. They would be contented to haue mony freely lent them, yet they would lend none freely themselues, for (say they) I must make a gaine of my money, which is as lawfull for me to take, as others do of the rents of their houses, reuenues of lands, or gaines of corne and cattell, or wares and merchandizes: whereas they do not consider, that money was ordained as a pledge or right betwixt man and man, and in contracts and bargaining a iust measure and proportion, which measure is by them falsifyed: and this monster causeth them to incorporate the same, so that no man can come by it without their consent and paying for it, falsifying and altering the same. And yet can they find fault, and hold for very absurd, if vpon plentie or scarcitie of corne, or abundance of cloth, or scarcitie thereof, the measure or yard should be altered vpon all occasions, considering that a measure ought to remaine at a certaintie. But what cannot this dragon bring to passe? when he will seeme to be a protectour of orphanes, as though Magistrates or tutors could not prouide for them, for vnlesse he should carie some shew of good, he could neuer haue raigned so long: he seemeth to fauour iustice, for if any man borrow money for an other, and do enter his bond for it, and take of him the like that receiued the money, he will see him that borrowed the money recouer that by lawe ex damno habito which he is damnified, albeit there be meanes otherwise to satisfie him. Againe, if a shopkeeper lend money freely to his neighbour till such a day, hauing then occasion to vse it at some faire to lay it out in wares, if he breake touch, he helpeth the shopkeeper with all extremitie vnder colour of iustice ex lucro cessante, to recouer so much as he sustained losse for want of his money to lay out; as if at an other time the other could not lend him the like summe of money, and make him recompence another way. Whereas these euents come to passe vpon abuses which this monster hath brought in, hauing with the operation of his taile (being a very Canker) transported the moneys of our Iland, and within our land altered the nature and valuation of the money, making one hundred pounds, to be one hundred and ten pounds, and hauing ouerthrowne charitie and free lending. Hence did the cause proceede, that the statute lawes were repealed, which did banish this monster, for therein it was like vnto the water which the more it is pent, the more it swelleth, and like a theefe, who when he is locked in at the prison doore, breaketh out at the windowes, falling to his shifts, subtilties and deuises. For if money had remained plentifull with vs, this monster could neuer haue preuailed, nor charitie should haue waxed so cold, neither casuall and aduenturous bargaines would haue bene so hunted after. And to conclude, no law can do good which admitteth an inconuenience as a necessarie euill.

I am not ignorant, that with a wet finger, some do point at those that are growne rich by the meanes of the feeding of this monster, which maketh me to remember a pretie historie to my purpose. A man comming into a certaine church, and seeing it fraught full of images made of waxe, demanded what might be the cause of such an vnwoonted sight; answer was made, that those whom these images did represent, were certaine persons, which on a time were saued from drowning by calling vpon our Lady. Nay then (quoth he againe) where be the images of those (I pray ye) that called vpon our Lady and were drowned notwithstanding? So say I in this case, if any man will set before me the instances, and as it were the images of those who haue fed this dragon, and yet are not become poore: I would demaund on the other side, that he shew foorth the hundreds and thousands of those, whose estates and persons he hath deuoured, they will be found a million for one, yea to be without all comparison: for this monster is an actiue element that consumeth all things.

He demaundeth consideration for that which is none of his owne, and moreouer two recompences for one entire thing: by reason whereof he bringeth foorth inequalitie for his aduantage, making men to forget that euer they liued without him, by that which they were borne or bred vnto. But let this hideous monster be destroyed, and euery man will returne vnto his quietnesse, and liue within his bounds and calling, vsing such trade as he ought to do. Plentie will soone increase, and money will abound, if you take away but the strength of his taile, and we shall feele our libertie and deliuerance.

Will not the daunger that the leaguors of this Dragon do runne into, giue them warning, when as at one time fiue hundreth Iewes were transported with Carons boate the ferrie man of hell, which were slaine by the Cittizens of Troynouant for feeding him? Let the punishments assigned for them, put them in feare if they haue any feeling.

The curse of God denounced against them in the holy Scripture, in Exodus 22. Leuiticus 25. Psalm. 15. Ezechiel 18. and Luke the sixth chapter, expounded by the auncient and learned holy Fathers, vpon which ground the temporall punishments haue bene ordained against those that should feed this monster: whereby their condemnation appeareth.

They are diffamed persons by the lawe, and if any man make by his last will any goods vnto them, the testament may be broken, neither should they be admitted to communicate with Christians, or enter into their congregation, or offer any oblation.

When they are dead, they should not be buried in Christian buriall, and if they be, the doers thereof are excommunicated: for they are not worthie of such reuerence, which dumbe beastes, and euen a silly Asse (who like vnto Balaams Asse was inspired) did manifest, for one of these leaguors being departed out of this world, a certaine zealous & godly parson wold not bury him, notwithstanding his great riches, whereof part was offered vnto the parson to the same effect. Wherupon his friends vnderstanding that the parson had an asse which brought his books from his parsonage daily to the church, being a pretie distance in sunder, they politikly desired to obtaine this fauour of him, that as his asse did daily cary his seruice books to the church, so it would please him, that for this one time the quicke Asse might take pain to carie this dead asse in a Coffin; with this condition, that wheresoeuer the asse stayed, there the body should be buried, perswading themselues, that as the asse by an ordinary course, vsed euery day to go from the parsonage to the church with a burden of bookes vpon his backe: so of course he would take the same way with this dead mans corps being chested, euē straight to the church; which being granted by the parson, had not that euēt. For the asse feeling a weightier burden vpon his back then vsually, did seeke all the meanes to be disburdened, running and flinging along the streets, vntill he came to a paire of gallowes at the townes end, and there did neuer leaue tumbling and tossing himselfe vpon the bare ground, till he was clean disburdned of so miserable a carion, leauing a sacrifice to that altar as miraculously assigned for it: for it was not without cause that priests were forbiddē to giue vnto such any ghostly comfort, but vpon euident proofe of repentance; also that they must make their willes without witnesse, which wills are not of any force except satisfaction be made, or else their goods to be forfited to the higher powers, with many other hard cēsures which ought to moue any reasonable man in the obseruatiō of so easy a comādement as to forbeare to feed a monster vnto whom Cerberus in hell, and all those monsters that Hercules subdued are inferior in euill. Alas poore creatures, how are you tossed with the waues of care to satisfie this dragon before you are destroyed? you know by experience, that the feare of death is more then death it selfe: what shifts, deuises, or extremities are not you driuen vnto? Aristophanes hath painted foorth your agonies and perplexed minds, vnder the person of an aged mā altogether shipwracked by fraighting with this monster, who thinking to haue found out the way to be eased of his slauerie, did propound vnto Socrates this demaund: That if he should by a witch of Thessalia, and by her enchantments fetch the Moone out of heauen, and bring it away, and afterwards inclose it in a case of glasse, and so keepe it, as if he would keepe a flye in a boxe: Socrates demaunding, what good that would do him: he answered, If the Moone do neuer rise againe, and I being constrained to feede this monster by the new Moone, shall be freed of that trouble. A straunge shift, that this poore man was driuen vnto, to plucke by violence the Moone out of heauen for his helpe. For in truth the witch did her best, and beganne to charme the Moone, which when the leaguor of the dragon vnderstood, did put him in such a pelting chafe, as was wonderfull to heare: for accusing this poore man of enchantment, at last he went himselfe to another witch, not onely to keepe the Moone from comming out of heauen, but also to hasten the course of it faster, that the monster might be the sooner fed. Good God what a trouble was the Moone put vnto betweene these two witches? What stormes and tempestes did arise? What horrible wind did blow? What great raine did fall? What floudes ensued euery where? What countreys were almost drowned and vnder the water in many places? But herein (say some) was the dragon to be blamed, for troubling or oppressing a poore man, or feeding vpon him, which he ought to haue done vpon the rich: for they conclude that to be lawfull, in regard of the prohibition of the other; as who would say, it is not lawfull to vexe a poore man by lawe, therefore it is lawfull to vexe or trouble a rich man by lawe: whereas neither rich or poore, young or old, lowe or high, should be troubled or vexed at all to feede this monster: for it taketh away the chiefest comfort of the poore, which is the quietnesse of their minds, and deuoureth their gaine before it can be gotten; and to the rich it giueth abilitie to doe all the mischiefe that can be deuised, as I haue told you. Others say Volenti non fit iniuria, when as money being made a merchandize, hindreth the course of commodities, and that euen the politicke course of our gouernement driueth men to feede this monster, and for the most part vpon an imaginatiue wealth, when by meanes of his taile he hath transported our treasure into forraine parts.

Arise thou ô Prophet Daniel, and make knowne vnto our most gracious king the deceipts and cruelties of the false god Bell and of this dragon. Let the footsteppes be seene of those that are in league with their false God Mammon and this Dragon, in the ashes of the efficacie of holy Scripture, and our most wholesome lawes, and let them be vsed as pitch, fat and haire, to burst this Dragon in sunder.

He is not contented with the spending daily of twelue great measures of fine flower, forty sheepe, and sixe great pots of wine: but he consumeth thousands of measures of corne, innumerable flockes of sheep, and whole ships lading of wines, euen with al the creatures that haue the managing thereof: for he doth not feede threescore & ten priests with their wines and children only, but an infinit number that are in league with him and their followers, to the commonwealths destruction.

The aspect, countenance, and behauiour of creatures doth many times prouoke loue towards thē. But behold his vgly and fearfull countenance, his ill fauored shape and cruel behauiour, and you will wonder how it is possible that any man can loue him.

With that, me thought he tooke me by the hand, and shewed me a certaine place, where this monster stood wallowing like a bear, which expecteth the comming of the dogs; presently al my sences did assaile him, Prima facie I saw him, then I imagined him and my fancy did delude me, as if I had seene some satire, halfe a man & halfe a beast, which made so deep an impression into my memory, that by the apprehēsion therof, I was possessed with a great feare & ashonishment, which made me to cry and awake from slumber, remaining still pensiue aboue measure: for on the one side I knowe the passions of men and the debility of nature, and on the other side I do consider the difference betwixt dreames and visions.

Such are the naturall passions of men, that some not fearing to fight with the strongest and stoutest man, will notwithstanding cry out, and sweat at the sight of a cat, or any other abiect creature: others are alwayes in feare, if they be alone, and cannot abide to haue their doores locked in priuate: nay, some cannot endure the pointing of a finger or any iesture towards them, or but the rehearsing or telling of a dreame, for they do for the time participate so much of the melancholike humor, that reason and discretion is not able to conquere it: dreames being prouoked according to the disposition of the mind and of the body, and dilating into fansies and illusions, I can hardly conclude them to be visions; for visions are really seene, and fansies are but represented or imagined.

But howsoeuer this came to passe, and may be importeth little, so long as the morall of it declareth with all the history of Saint George, wishing with all my heart, that I might haue seene also that valiant champion prefigured vnto me as the dragon was, for then no doubt the deliuerance expected and long required would ensue; and this my dreame (howsouer displeasing to some) might be admitted for a vision to the welfare of the commonwealth.