Nullis praesentior aether. God is more fauourable to none.

[Page 2]The letter TAV saith Hierome (vpon Marke) being one of the Hebrew Alphaber,Hierome in Eze. 9. is a most healthfull and sacred letter, and al­so a true note or type of the crosse it selfe, & because that this letter in the holie tongue signifieth a marke. Some partly, who mour­ned ouer the abhomination of Ierusalem to bee marked, whereby they were saued in the midst of the wicked, who by the comman­dement of God were all sodenly destroyed. Moreouer Tau signifieth a fal perfection, and therefore it is the last letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, as both ending and perfecting the same. Whereof also they make a great mi­stery, especially whereas our redeemer Christ being nayled to the crosse, before hee gaue vp the Ghost, burst forth into these words: Consummatumest, it is ended, or finished: thereby declaring the type of all Prophesies, and holie scriptures, that is, euen the verie same houre that he was fastned to the tree, shewing that the accomplishment of this let­ter was performed. Which letter, although it surely tend vnto a figure; yet described by the manifest character, it farre plainer shew­eth the figure of the crosse, than otherwise. And therefore both the Greekes and Latines to this day do write it in forme of a crosse. [Page 3]This letter therefore is a most proper and true badge or cognizance of all those that being mustered do warre in the Church of Christ to the worldes end.

Manet insontem grauis exitus. Great calamitie or affliction abideth the godly in this life.

[Page 5]Orus Apollo writeth,Or. Ap [...] that the Aegyptians counted the figure of two lines one against the other, that is, of one perpendicular vn­der a diametrall, in signification of the life to come, amongst the hieroglyphicall notes, or characters, neither could they render any o­ther reason hereof, then that it seemed to thē to be a certaine signe of some diuine mi­sterie. And therefore they imprinted it vpon the brest of Serapis their Idoll, in that temple which vnder Theodosius the Emperour was vtterly ouerthrowne, and laide louell with the ground. In which Temple were to be seene e­uery where the hieroglyphicall letters, repre­senting the forme of a crosse,Suidas. Isidorus as Suidas wit­nesseth▪ Isidorus affirmerh they vsed to note those in their Ephemerides orregisters, which either had escaped out of battell aliue, or which had died there with this letter θ. no­ting the slaine as it were with a dart thrust thorow them, the liuing with this marke or letter T. Moreouer Asc. Pedian saith,Asc. Pe­dian. that the lottes which were vsed in iudgementes, were marked with three Characters: those that were condemned to death with θ. those that were absolued with T. and those that were more exactly to be examined with Δ.Orus Fi­nally euen in the Church of God some haue [Page 6]too superstitiously dreamed this letter to be a sacred and healthfull signe, and this phan­tasticall dreame hath growne vp and conti­nued these many ages. And therefore some haue imagined Moyses, whilest he praied to the Lord in the Mountaine, [...]xod. 17. his bodie vpon the ground prostrated and his armes spread abroad in forme of a crosse, and lifting vp his handes in a misticall type, the Israelites ouer­came: when he fainted, the Israelites were put to the worst.

Secum feret omnia mortis. He carieth with him the signes of death.

[Page 8]The brasen Serpent erected by Moses the conductor of the Israelites in the wildernes, (which being looked vpon, healed those that were stoong with firy Serpents, [...]. 21. and destined to death) did prefigurate and foreshew our saluation and redemption in Christ.

Hic ratio tentandi aditus. This is the way to enter into glorie.

[Page 10]The Key whereof the Prophet Esaias ma­keth mention,Esai. 22. in th [...]se wordes. And I will giue vnto him the Key of the house of Dauid, he shall open and no man shall shu [...], and he shall shut, and no man shall open, did signifie in like maner the power and authoritie of our Lord Iesus Christ in his Church.

Pignora cara sui. The pledges of her remembrance.

[Page 12]Concerning the Crosse of our Sauiou [...] Christ the redeemer of the worlde, and th [...] mysterie of his bodie and blood, the Prophe [...] Ieremy vnder the person of the wicked nation of the Iewes forespoke,Ier. 11. saying, Mittamus lignum in panem eius. Let vs make woo [...] his meate.

Animis illabere nostris. How the wicked spirit entereth in­to our mindes.

The wicked spirit at his first beginning is pleasant and plausible, but at the last, he ma­keth man astonished and altogither forgetful of himselfe. Contrariwise, the holie spirit, al­beit at his verie first entrance he somewhat terrifieth and shaketh the mind, yet notwith­standing he maketh it calme, quiet, & secure, replenishing it with true and inward pleasure. Which thing to haue hapned to the apostles [Page 14]vpon the day of Penticost, the Actes do wi [...] nesse, the holie Ghost comming downe [...] likenes of firy tongues, and lightning vpp [...] them.

Fortuna mutata fidem nouanit. When Fortune frowneth, faith is chaunged.

When Childericus fourth King of France for his infamous life, should giue ouer his Kingdome, G [...]imcus a man entirely beloued of him, aduertised him to goe into Thuring [...]a, [Page 16]whilest he staide to perfect the peace, & brea­king a peece of gold in the midst, gaue vnto him the one part thereof, to the intent tha [...] the same being sent againe as he had promi­sed, when oportunitie serued, and being ioy­ned to the other with equall coniuncture might confirme the certeintie of the thin [...] done to Childericus, & of his returne. Whic [...] thing came to passe, for no sooner had Gui­meus desisted frō his enterprise of peacema king, than Gillion a citizen of Rome wa [...] thrust from the possession of the kingdome [...] France, which he affirmed apperteined [...] him, Childericus being restored to his form [...] estate againe.

Nutrisco, & extinguo. I nourish, and I extinguish.

The Salamander lying in the fire, was the badge or Cognizance of Frances king of France. Which worme, Plinie writeth,Plinie. is of such a cold nature that she quencheth the fire like ise. Others write that she liueth, & is nori­shed [Page 18]in the fire. I remember that I my selfe haue seene the picture of this King in a small forme, ingrauen in brasse: vpon whose backe part was placed an effigie of a firie Salaman­der with this inscription, Nutrisco il buono, & spengo il reo, that is, I nourish the vertu­ous, and destroy the wicked. The same haue I seeme also in diuers places vpon walles, and namely a [...] Fontem Bellaqueum, most liue­ly polished and adorned in cloth of Tapestrie, Arrase, and the like, with these verses.

Monstrant Regibus astra viam. The heuens declare to men the way to follow.

The order of starred Knights was publike­ly instituted by King Iohn, in the Church at Saint Ouen in France, about the yeare of our Lo [...]d God 1351. which Knightes we are this signe of the Starre on their gownes, hats, [Page 20]or other place where it might easily be seene in Theaters, and Stages. And truly it is to be thought that this honorable cognizance had his beginning of the commemoration of that wonderfull starre, which conducted the wise men from the East, to the place where Christ was borne. Whither also those verses may be referred, otherwise dedicate by Virgill the sonne of Pollio, to Iulius Caesar, concerning the commet which appeared after his death.

Donec totum impleat orbem. Till he replenish the whole world.

The increase of the moone in the daies of the most famous king Henry the second king of France, was most strange and prodigious. In the holy scriptures, the moone many times [Page 22]doth signifie the Church: wherto may be ad­ded the consent of Paulus Aemilius in the hi­stonie of Pope Calixtus the second (whose name before was Guido, the sonne of William Earle of the Heduans, or Burgundians.) who the day before his pontificall creation saw in a vision a Starre carried by a childe from the side of the Moone. Furthermore the Moone is alwaies sub [...]ect to alteration, [...] both increa­seth and decreaseth at certcine houres and times. In like maner may wee see the Church of God militant, and neuer continuing in one and the same state, but one while mainteined and defended of Christian Princes, an other-while tyrannized, put to flight, and sent in fun­der with factions of heretiques: whereby it commeth to passe, that it is neuer free from vexation and trouble in this life. Wherto not­withstanding the Maiestie of God the King himselfe, and his sonne Iesus Christ haue pro­mised certeine helpe and defence, vntill it be­ing gathered vnder one God, one King, and one law, the most louing vnitie, & immensitie of the whole flocke, acknowledging one onely pastor, may appeare.

Immensi tremor Oceani. The trembling feare of the Ocean Sea.

Lodouicus the eleuenth King of France, when he was about to institute the order of Saint Michaell (as they call it) in the yeare of our Lord 1469. for a Cognizance or Simbole he ensigned them with a golden chaine line­ked [Page 24]togither with cockle-stones, and double knots, with circles of gold: in the midst where­of was a knob or mushrome, as it were a pro­montorie with the golden image of Saint Mi­chael hanging downe vppon their brestes. Which last he did, being prouoked thereto by the example of king Charles the seuenth his father, who vsed the same image for his ensign in wars, taking the beginning of his mangu­ration at Rothomage. Which custome was be­gun, & afterwardes confirmed amongst many kings, through a notable miracle or vision (as they superstitiously dreame) of S. Michael ap­pearing in the battell by the bridge of the citie of Orleance, who expulsed & droue away the English men, and set the Citie free from their siege. The chaine therefore is a type or figure of this order, a signe of vertue, concord, and of a perpetuall league or couenant of amitie and friendship to be continued amongst them, also a cognizance or badge of those that deserued well, and of the victorie obteined. By the gold he would haue to be vnderstood, magnanimi­tie, prowesse and honours. By the cockles, their mutuall equalitie or common condition of fortune: imitating herein the order of the Romane Senators, who vsed to weare cockles vpon their sleeues: by the tying of them togi­ther [Page 25]with a double knot, he would represent the indissoluble couenant made betwixt him and the rest, and that with no friuolous signifi­cation. Last of all, by the image, he would shuld be declared the victorie and triumph which Michaell had ouer the diuell, whom he ouer­came. The reason of which signe doth greatly appertaine as well to the regiment and maie­stie of a kingdome, as also to strike feare and terrour into the enemy. And how many he thought good to be admitted into the societie of this order, he himselfe declared, to wit, 36. as it were patrones of the kingdome, amongst whome he would be counted the first or chie­fest. And therefore the same time, that he or­deined this order to be celebrate, he named fifteene lordes, whom for honours sake, and prerogatiue of their names, it is not conueni­ent to omit with silence. The first therefore were these:

• Charles Duke of Guienne.
• Iohn Duke of Burbon and Auergne.
• Lewis of Luxenburg Earle of Saint Paul, and Constable of France.
• Andrew Lauallius, lord of Loheac, Marshall of France.
• Iohn Earle Sanserre lord of Bueile.
• Lewis Beaumont, lord of Forest and Plessis.
• [Page 28]Lewis Destouteuille, lord of Torcy.
• Lewis Lauall, lord of Chastillon.
• Lewis bastard of Burbon, Earle, Rosillon Ad­mirall of France.
• Anthonie Chaban, Earle of Dammartin, chief Steward to the King.
• Iohn bastard of Armignia, Earle of Comin­gies, Marshall of France, gouernour of Dol­phine.
• George Trimoille, lord of Craon.
• Gilbert Chaban, lord of Curton, Seneshall of C [...]cone.
• Charles lord of Crussol, Seneschal of Poicton.
• Taneguius of Castell, gouernor of the pro­uinces of Rossillon, and Sardinia.

Vltus a [...]o [...] He hath reuenged his [...] quarrell, by the example of T [...]o).

Lewis the 12. King of France, as Duke of Or­leance by discent, and earle of Blofie, gaue the Porcupine in his ensigne, with which simbole togither with the image of a Wolfe, the auncient Citie of Blofie was wont to blaze [Page 28]their ensignes. This is to be seene grauen in many stones and walls.Plinie. Which beast nature hath so studiously furnished with weapons, that she may resist al those that withstand her, especially dogges, against whom she throweth her prickes like violent arrowes. The interpre­tation of which portraiture, the stately houses of a certaine noble citizen in that citie doe declare, at the entrance whereof, vnder the Porcupine these verses are found ingrauen in stone.

Non sine causa. Not without cause.

[Page 30]The iust and vpright ad ministration of iu­stice, with the due punishment of the wicked, is a thing so necessarie to kingdomes, peo­ple, and Countries, that if they should bee taken away, the companies and societies of men would soone fall to decaie and bee de­stroyed. Wherefore Rulers and Magistrates may righthe chalenge the sworde to them­selues, with publike and priuate honours, as warranted by the word of God, that they may bee not onclie a helpe and a comfort to the godlie and meeke, but also a feare and terrour to the wicked. Therefore is the moste wholesome dectrine of the Apostle Saint Paule to bee imbraced.Rom. 13. Wilt not thou [...] (saith hee) feare the powers. Doe well then, and thou shalt haue praise thereby, for hee is the minister of God for thy good. But i [...] thou doest euill, feare, for hee carrieth not the sworde for naught, for hee is the mini­ster of God to reuenge in wrath to him that doth euill. Therefore bee ye subiect of ne­cessitie, not onelie for feare of anger, but al­so for conscience sake. For this cause there­fore doe ye pa [...]e tribu [...]e, they are the n [...]ini­sters of God s [...]uing for that purpose. Giue therefore to all men that which is due, tribute to whom tribute belongeth, feare to whom [Page 32]feare apperteineth, and honour to whom ho­nour belongeth.

Plus oultre. Hee conceiueth hope to pro­ceed further.

[Page 33]Charles the fift of immortall fame, Empe­rour of Rome, expressing euer in all his acti­ons and exploites, a certeine maiestie and au­thoritie, manifested his magnanimitie and va­liancie in two pillers, which our ancestors cal­led Hercules pillers, which are two promonto­ries or hilles distant one from an other 700. paces, the one being in Mauritania towardes Affrike, called Abila, the other in the coast of the kingdome of Granalia towardes Spaine, called Calpe, betwixt the which runneth a gulph of the sea, which men call Gibraltar, or the straight of Seuille or Hispalense. Poets faine, that in this straight sometime stood a great rocke of a maruellous hugenes, stopping the course of the sea for running that way, which being taken away by the strength and industry of Hercules, there was passage made to the Ocean sea. And for the remembrance of so worthie a benefite, they say two pillers were erected of him there, in the two chiefest partes of the world, Affricke and Europe. And truely as they in olde time had a great care to keepe from obliuion their noble gestes, & va­liant deedes, recording them in their monu­ments, registers, and the like (as they write, A­lexander did his marshall exploites) so Hercu­les making an end there of his iournies and [Page 34]trauels, erected (as may be supposed) two me­morable pillers, which whither they were made by nature, by art, or by force, it is not thorowly knowne. But this is certaine that there stood a church there, where in it is said. Hanniball offred sacrifice when he warred a­gainst Italy, where it is manifest, were two pil­lers of brasse, either of them eight cubits high, of an exellent fairenes. This place is called of the common sort the doore-threshald of the world, beyond which they say, neither anie man sailed, till the time of Charles the fifth, which being searched out by his nauy, togi­ther with the nauy of y^e Portugals, they found the fortunate iles, and sundrie rich nations both towardes the East, and West partes, for which cause, and to the end he might signifie to all posterities the exellency and greatnes of his actes, he vsed this pozie or Apothegme Plus Oultre, that is further or beyond, con­ceiuing great hope to goe forward further.

Imperium sine fine dedi. I haue giuen him rule without end or measure.

Augustus Ceasar a most quiet and peaceable Emperor, hauing got into his hands the whole monarchie of the world, and being borne vn­der [Page 36]the signe of Capricorne, held the same in such estimation, that he caused the same signe of Capricornus to be imprinted vppon his coyne: hereby referring the luckie and so­lemne presagie of his fortune to the said starre or planet. Yea there are extant to this day both gold and siluer coyne, with this in­scription of Capticornus vpon them, the feete whereof conteine the sphere of the world, ha­uing also vpon the backside a band of soldiers or the effigie of Amalthea, which last is found vpon the gold: vpon the siluer is the sterne or forepart of a ship, in forme of an orbe [...] circle. Both of them hauing this inscription Augustus.

Inextricabilis error. Error is inextricable.

Augustus Caesar, in the beginning of his raigne vsed the Monkey or Marmset, as a sin­gular secrete signe, signifying thereby, that the serious matters of a Prince, with his waightie affaires are not to be committed to the common people. Of which sort especial­ly are all holy and diuine things, lest thorow the want of authoritie, they become base and contemptible. The same reason in a manner moued the Egyptians to picture in their tem­ples [Page 38]the Marmset or Monkey.Celius. Augustus Caesar (as Plinie witnesseth) hauing found two such Monkeyes or Marmsets amongst his mothers rings made by such wonderful art,Plinius. and so like, that the one could by no means be discerned from the other: with the one wherof, as with a seale his actes and edicts in time of war were sealed, respect being had as wel of the time as of the causes.Dion. Dion reporteth that Augustus Caesar being occupied in y^e wars of Atty, gaue lisence to Agrippa, & Mecenas chiefe rulers of y^e Romaine affaires to seale writings before they were presented to the Senate: & therefore they receiued a seale of Augustus, bearing the image of the Monkey or Marmset. Which thing notwithstanding was not done without derision,Plinie. as Plinie recordeth, for the enigmes which the Monkey pretended, a prouerbe or by-word rising thereof,Sueton. to wit, it is no maruell if the Monkey vtter hard and obscure things. Therefore Augustus to avoid these iests and flouts, abstained altogither from his suspected & vniust maner of sealing, changing his seale into the image of Alexander the great. At the last, he imprinted it w^t his own natural picture or image, which afterward Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius Caesar, Domicianus, & other Empe­rors succeeding in the same order, did vse.

Securitas altera. A second securitie or safetie.

[Page 40]Henrie the eight King of England, vsed a percullice of yron for a simbole, or signe, which is an engine of defence, vsed for the most part in gates and portes of cities and townes. Such an other kind of militarie stra­tagem was there deuised at Rome (as Appian writeth) in the time of ciuill discention,Appian. when Scilla chalenging the empire to himself, ouer­threw the armie of Carbonians, pressing to enter in by the gate of Collina: for letting fal the percullice, many of the Senators, and those that were of the Carbonian faction were all slaine.

Dederitne viam casùsue, Deusue. Whether Fortune or God doth giue the way.

Cronicles of Lor­raine.Cronicles do record the noblenes and ex­cellencie of the house of Lorraine: to wit, three birdes thrust thorow with an arrow, [Page 42]which Godfray of Bullaine shot against Da­uids towre, being shewed in militarie signe by the besieging of Ierusalem. Which was signe of his highnes, authoritie, and princely dignitie, with the building of Ierusalem. The dukes of Lorraine being ensigned with this embleme of the birds thrust thorow, do testi­fie the same, for in their coyne to this day they keepe it verie religiouslie.

Fortitudo eius Rhodum tenuit. His valiancie wan and possessed the Rhodes.

Amatus Vertius y^e fift knight of Subaudia, gaue a most royall & magnificall name to an order of knights first inuented by him. These [Page 44]Knights he would haue to be innobled with golden chaine, wrought with most subtile, called loue knots, knit togither with great cunning, & foure letters interlaced of equall distance one from another, hanging at the end therof the image & historie of the angels message to the virgine Marie. The letters and the pozie do signifie the greatnes of the glory that Amatus the first Knight and his succes­sors had. For whilest he went to Rhodes with his nauie to fight against the enimies of Christ, he well deserued of Rhodia both of Knighthood, and Religion. And being made gouernor of that order, and of the garrisons also, he vndertooke the administration of the Rhodian warres, and bequeathed the same to his next successor, he deliuered the castle of Acrense from siege, and remouing all feare both of danger and tyranny, he brought great ioy, and libertie to the Rhodians. Therefore he caused himselfe to be named the first, in the catelogue of Knights, constituting foure­teene moe: all which he dignified with the same chaine of gold. The names of them that he knighted were these.

Non inferiora secutus. Following no meane things.

[Page 47]Margaret Queene of Nauarre vsed a most solemne signe, namely the marigold, whose colour resembleth so neere the colour of the sonne, as almost nothing more. For what way so euer the sunne goeth, it followeth it: it ope­ [...]eth and shutteth it selfe at the rising and fal­ling of the sunne, according to his ascending or descending. This godly Queene chose this kind of simbole, that she might euident­ly expresse, how that she referred all her co­gitations, affections, vowes, words & deedes to almightie God, onely wise, and euerla­sting, as one that meditated vpon heauenly things with all her heart.

Antè ferit, quam flamma micet. The flint is sent before to yeeld fire.

Philip duke of Burgundie vsed this ensig [...] of a flint stone striking fire, which signifie the difficultie of warres amongst Kings an [...] Princes, whereby it commeth to passe ofte [...] times that the one is consumed, ouerthrown and vanquished of the other: whereupon fo [...] ­loweth calamitie, great losses, and a heape dangers on euerie side.

Pretium non vile laborum. He reaped no small reward of his labors.

In the yeare after the birth of Christ, 1429.Paul. Aemil. [Page 50]the companie of the order of the knights of the Garter, began by the same Philip duke of Burgundy, hauing purchased a most maiesti­call name by the donation of the golden fleece. After this he chose foure and twentie noble men of tried fidelitie to be of the num­ber of this honorable societie, adorning them with a chaine of gold, wherein was the flint stone burning thoroughout the whole chain, and the golden fleece hanging before the breast: imitating herein (as may be supposed) the marinal expedition of Iason into Colchos by diligent obseruation as it were, of his ver­tue and godlines, whereof he was said to be so desirous, that he deserued the name of good, and the praise of an excellent wit, the order wherof his Epitaph which also sheweth the inuention of the golden fleece, doth de­clare in these words.

There were admitted into the number or so­cietie of these knights, next after the Duke himselfe.

• William of Vienna, Lord of saint George.
• Renatus Pottius Lord of Roch.
• [Page 51]Lord Remblai.
• Lord of Montague.
• Roland Huquerquius.
• Antonie Virgius Earle of Dammartine.
• Dauid Brimeus, Lord of Lignie.
• Hugo Launoy, Lord of Santes.
• Iohn Earle of Cominie.
• Antonie Thoulongeon marshall of Burgun­die.
• Peter Luxenburg, Earle of Conuersan.
• Iohn Trimoille, Lord of Ionuelle.
• Iohn Luxenburg, Lord of Beaureuoir.
• Gilbert Launoy, Lord of Villeruall.
• Iohn Villiers, Lord of Isleadam.
• Antonic Lord of Croy, and Renty.
• Florimundus Brimeus, Lord of Massincourt.
• Robert Lord of Mamines.
• Iames Brimeu, Lord of Grignie.
• Baldwin Launey, Lord of Molembaesius.
• Peter Baufremontanus, Lord of Chargny.
• Philip Lord of Teruant.
• Iohn Crequius.
• Iohn Croy, Lord of Tours on Marne.

Flammescit vterque. Both of them do burne.

Two Lawrell boughes rubbed hard togither (if we shal credite what Plinie hath recorded yeeld fire forth by long and continuall cha [...] ­ing. Manie are of opinion also, that the bone of a Lion do the same. So likewise most cer­taine [Page 53]it is, that no little danger falleth our, when mightie men meete togither, that the old prouerbe may be verified which saith, Dura duris non quadrare, in plowing or tilling of the ground, hard things agree not togither. The description of this sinibole or figure appertaineth to the crosse of saint An­drew, as they terme it, and the house of Bur­gundie were wont to vse the same in their martiall ensignes, when they marched for­ward, and were now come to encounter with their enimies: albeit in euery point they ad­mitted not the like signification.

Sara à chi tocca. Whom it happeneth vnto.

The ire of a Prince is ful of present danger, as a man may learne by the example of an earthen pot, being now burning on the fire, which if it should chance to fall, it is vnpossi­ble but that it should do some great harme to the standers by. This portraiture or figure, did Iohn duke of Burbon vse, as by obseruati­on we may see in most places of his countrey of Burbon, & of Elentheropola, or of a village y^t the frenchmen inhabited called Beauiolois.

Nil pennased vsus. The fethers are of no force, but vse-

If you marke well the monstrous bird cal­led an Ostrich,S. Georg. you see how with great prepa­ration and ostentation of her feathers, she endeuours to take a great flight, and yet for al that is not an inch higher from the ground when shee hath done all that shee can: [Page 56]The verie like propertie the hypocrites haue, which outwardly make a gay glistering shew of a zealous holines of religion, but let them once lay away their dissembling, and then search them thorowly, and you shall finde them euen stone cold within, & all the often­tation that they made outwardly to be lies.

Humentia siccis. Moist things and drie agree not togither.

[Page 58]The Ensigne that Galeaz vicechance­ler, the second Duke of Millan was wont to vse, may be verified of those which accor­ding to the prouerbe, are said to carrie fire in the one hand, and water in the other. It was a burning firebrand or a staffe hardned in the fire, with two vessels ful of water, aboue and beneath. It may haue also an other signi­fication, if we more deepely waigh it: namely, that the passions of a mans minde are by Gods goodnesse extinguished by the directi­on of reason. Moreouer, by it the same dukes magnanimitie is signified, for he in a fough­ten combat, most renowmedly vanquished a Dutch Lord that at that time bore no smal countenance, who was the first man that vsed the same embleme or picture, and chalenged this his Ensigne to himselfe for a monument of victorie, and for a token of triumph that he got ouer his enimie, who then was put to the worst.

Sola viteit in illo. She onely liued in him.

[Page 60]The goddesse called Diana Pictaniensis a noble woman, of verie great godlines, and the most famous Dutchesse of the citie of Valen­tia, conceiued a verie constant hope touching the resurrection of the dead, which commeth by death, in our remouing into an other life, who also by consideration of the saints in hea­uen oftentimes comforted her selfe. There­fore it is most like that by this picture she en­deuoured to expresse her godly affections: for there is (as you may see here) a sepulchre, and out of it a shining dart beutified with greene boughes.

Restat ex victore Orientis. That onely resteth of all his victories in the East.

[Page 62]What time Philip surnamed Augustus was king of France,Of Mon­strelet. Saladinus Sultanus king of Babilon, of Damascus, and of Egypt, lay at the point of death at Ascalon, he appointed that as soone as he was dead, his shirt should be carried by his steward thorough out all the cittie of Ascalon, hauing a speare thrust tho­row the middle of it, & that the cryer should with a loud voice proclaime as followeth.

Let euerie mightie man take this for a most infallible token, that when death comes, he spareth neither king nor Caesar, and that he shall depart out of this world, as naked as the poorest and vilest creature doth.

Autor ego audendi. I am the author of being bold.

[Page 64]This flaming sword that Carolus Borboni­us, the Cardinall vsed for his ensigne vnder the title of saint Andrew, signifieth the true sword of the gouernors of the church, and [...] the holy ghost,Ephes. 6. which sword as Paul saith, re­presenteth the word of God.

Non quae super terram. Not those things which are vpon the earth.

[Page 66]The food of the spirite is that heauenly bread,Exod. 16 or the sacrament of the bodie & blood of Christ, prefigured vnder the tipe of Manna which in former age was s [...]nt downe from heauen to be meate to the Israelites. This signe or simbole the Cardinall of Turnon vseth at this day.

Ab insomni non custodita Dracone. The golden apples were not kept of the vigilant Dragon.

It was to small purpose or none at all that the Dragon watched so carefully for Hercu­les, neuerthelesse came and stole away the [Page 68]golden apples, that were in the garden of He­sperus three daughters: By the which is sig­nified, that vertues, and famous exploits are euerie where to be found. The same effigie the Cardinall of Ferrara vseth.

Non quàm diu, sed quàm benè. It forceth not how long a thing be in doing but how well it be done.

The most part of men hold opinion that Thomas of Aquine inuented the Philosophi­call knife, but by continuall obseruation of [Page 69]the planets was made so perfite thorow the vertue and force thereof, that it cut a thicke and hard Anuell, euen in the middest. By this we must vnderstand, that in performing of a­ny matter whatsoeuer as it should be, we must not respect the long tract of time that we spend in it, so that by line and leuill, as they say, we finish all our actions. Whereupon Suetonius recordeth that Augustus Caesar vsed this prouerbe: Sat citò, si sat bene, Sueton. which is, any thing is done soone enough, if it be done well enough.

Quà Proceres abiere pii. Which way our godly forefathers haue gone.

We reade in holy scripture that the Pro­phet Elias was caried thorow the aire in bodyKing. 2. [Page 71]and soule in a firie chariot. By the same Metaphor, true and vnfained worshippers ascend euen vnto the heauens in spirite and feruent meditation, and that is the cause wherefore we are perswaded that the mindes and soules of godly men and women are in­riched, & recreated with great and heauenly consolations.Ouid. Hereunto also alludeth the Poet Ouid, when he maketh mention of Py­thagoras vpon these words.

Hoc Latio restare canunt. Men say that this is yet extant in Rome

[Page 73]When the Romaine Consuls went abroad there were certaine men appointed to go be­fore them adorned with triumphant crownes,Plinie. and garlands, and with bundles of yong and tender rods, hauing two Pollaxes in their hands, signifying by this spectacle the tri­umphes of that most noble region of Italie, and the whole gouernment of the world, and also that the Romaines by their great wise­dome, peace, and affection to the common weale, purchased to themselues no litle praise and dignitie. But the iron wreathes, & chaines which you see holding the speares, and staues that they cannot fall one from another, doe signifie the bondage and captiuity wherewith from that time to this day, Italy is brought to ruine by the wickednes of sedition and ciuill dissention.

Arbitrii mihi iuramei. The raine of will is in my owne hands.

The ancient Alanes,Meho­dius. Burgundians, an [...] Sueuians vsed (as Methodius recordeth) [...] carrie before them in their martiall ensign [...] a car, which cannot by any meanes be restra [...] ­ned of her libertie: by which embleme they insinuated their owne desire that they had [...] their will and libertie.

Mihi terra, lacúsque. Both the land and water is my owne.

Such was the estimation of Augustus Cae­sar towards his friend Maecenas,Dion. that he committed vnto him the gouernement of his countrey, as well by land as by sea: wherefore [...]e caused the shape of a frogge to be drawne for his cognizance. Except peraduenture he would signifie those frogs in Syriphie, which (as Plinie saith) are mute, and without voice;Plinie. [...]or so it may represent a close and hidden se­cret, and also a faithfull concealing of things commited to ones fidelitie. Which vertue this Maecenas so practised that Augustus Caesar himselfe for y^t cause highly reuerenced him,Eutrop. & had him in great admiration for y^e hatred that [Page 76]he bore them that vsed enuiouslie to giue pri­uie scoffes and taunts vnder pretence of vn­fained friendship.

ΦΩΣ ΦΕΡΟΙ ΗΔΕ ΤАΛΗΝΗΝ. The raine bow doth bring faire weather.

The most faire and bountifull queene of France Katherine, vsed the signe of the raine bow for her armes, which is an infallible signe of peaceable calmenes, and tranquillitie.

Vltorem vlciscitur vltor. The reuenge lighteth vpon the reuenger.

Charles the sixt of that name, king of France,Frossard. whilest he sought the satiffying of his [Page 78]owne wilfulnes, in going about to reuenge his friend Oliuerius Cliffonius his constable [...] cause against one Peter Craonius, had a very infortunate end, as it was foretold him: the which thing doth most certainely fall out [...] as many as runne headlong to reuenge, espe­cially other mens causes. It chanced tha [...] he leuied an armie to go into the prouinc [...] of the Britones, to the intent he might [...] reuenged of the Lieutenant there because he seemed to defend Petrus Craonius cause And so as he was going thorow the forrest, [...] thicket of the Mansensians or Caenonians, there met him in the middle betwixt tw [...] trees a certaine strange man, pretending great pouertie & need, and taking the king [...] horse by the bridle, caused him to stay, & th [...] with loud voice said vnto him: Oh king, [...] thou wilt follow my counsaile go no furthe [...] forward, but rather turne backe againe, fo [...] there are of thy owne armie that haue sol [...] thee into thy enimies hands. When the king heard these words, he was maruellously terri­fied, & so moued withall, that he was as pa [...] as ashes (as they say) with fear, & with horro [...] thereof did euen grate with his teeth as it were, and as ill happe was, he was a very yong man, and therefore vnskilfull of matial fears [Page 79]besides he had a bodie of such a constitution that it was alwayes subiect to sicknesse and agues. But when the captaines of his armie saw him in that case, they labored to establish and confirme his minde, that yet was doubt­ful what was best to be done, and so they went boldly forward. They were no sooner gon out of the wood, but two of the kings pages were hard at their horse heeles, puffing and blow­ing, as comming about some waightie mat­ter, whereof the one ware the kings helmet, and the other a common souldiers speare. It chanced that whilest the one of them slept, the king speare fell out of his hand vpon his head which ware the helmet. The king hea­ting a sodaine noise, and looking aside, saw a man at his heeles, whom as yet he know not, so he was maruellousty troubled, and in a great rage leaped downe from his horse, and as one that had bene besides himselfe, drew his sword, and neither regarding the order of his owne men, neither vsing the aduise of reason, laid about him as if he had bene in the thickest of his enimies, vsing these words: Bestirre you, play the men, & dispatch me these traitors. When the kings pages heard him say so, they made all the hast they could to saue their liues, by running away. [Page 80]But the kings own brother who was captain of the Aurelians, riding by the kings side, [...] the brunt of his furie: for the king so forcib [...] ­ranne vpon him with his naked sword in [...] hand, that had not the Duke speedily fled [...] away, he had bene in danger of his life. [...] the last the king was euen tyred with labo [...] and the horse wearied with many and gre [...] courses that he made, it chanced that onc [...] the kings horsemen met him, and by fa [...] meanes brought both the king and his ho [...] backe to the Caemonians. But the king was [...] mad and so angrie in his minde, that who [...] saw him thought he would neuer recoue [...] And so it fel out that there was an end of th [...] intended voyage, and the armie broke vp, a [...] returned. But after that the king came ho [...] to his palace, he became far weaker than be­fore he had bene, and was so subiect to a ki [...] of phrensie, that sometimes would leaue h [...] and then come to him againe, that he w [...] brought to great miserie and extremitie the [...] by. Yea the best thing that he got by that [...] happie voyage, was a verie great mishap a [...] euill fortune that chanced to his whole king­dome. for euen to this day it feeleth th [...] wounds and bruses of so great a calamitie.

Colligauit nemo. Hitherto no man hath conquered me.

There is vsed to this day certaine brasen money with the image of Augustus Caesar on it, vpon the one side wherof is the portraiture [Page 82]of a Crocodile chained fast to a palme tree, with this inscription: Col. Nem. which is, No man hath euer bound me before. By which signe Caesar would signifie that none before him did euer subdue Egypt, and triumphed ouer it. For the Crocodile representeth Egipt, which is to be found onely in the riuer Ni­lus, by the commodie whereof all Egypt is made fruitfull. Besides the Crocodile is faste­ned to the Palme tree, that thereby the be­holders might be admonished that the godly Prince Augustus triumphed ouer all Egypt, by getting of which victorie and peace, he was recreated and refreshed, as a drie and thirstie ground is with a showre of raine. Fi­nally, this simbole signifieth that Augustus got the victorie, and preuailed against Auto­nius, and Cleopatra of famous memorie.

Latet anguis in herba. The adder lurketh priuilie in the grasse.

[Page 84]In gathering of flowers, and strawberies that grow low vpon the ground, we must be verie carefull for the adder and snake that lieth lurking in the grasse, for looke whomso­euer she stingeth, they hardly recouer after. So in reading of authors, and bookes, which carrie a faire shew to the eye, and yeelding small delight to the eare, we must be carefull that we runne not into absurd, and wrong iudgements, and opinions, & by that meanes make shipwracke of our soules.

Labuntur nitidis, scabrisque tenatiùs haerent. Flies do fall downe from slipperie place, but stick fast vpon the hard and rough.

[Page 86]As flies cannot stay themselues on slippery places,Plutar. as vpon glasse and such like, but fall downe, whereas they rest well vpon such pla­ces as be rough and hollow, so it fareth with vs when we are in prosperitie and haue all things at will, we vse quickly to fall into di­uerse and sundrie sinnes: whereas on the otherside being touched sometimes with crosses and afflictions, we stay our selues in some measure.

Testante, virebo. While thou standest I shall florish.

As y^e Cardinall of Lorraine should lately en­ter into his Abbey of Clunie, his armies were [Page 88]set vp before the gates of the house, to wit, a great foure squared piller, brode beneath, & sharpe on the toppe, hauing on the higher end the new moone blased, and from the bot­tome vpward compassed about with greene berries, and garnished with these verses, which were engrauen round about.

Inter eclipses exorior. I shine in the darke.

That great and mightie cup of gold of i [...] princely Dolphin, seemeth to me to repre­sent [Page 91]that ancient standing peece of Apolloes Rauen, whom the Poets do faine to be placed amongst the starres: but the inscription, or apothegme which is written aboue it, may ra­ther be drawne to his happie birth day. And such is the interpretation that Paradinus gi­ueth of it. But in my iudgement he would thereby allude to his fathers interpretation, which is, Donec totum impleat orbem, vntill he fulfill the whole compasse of the world.

Fiducia concors. We trust or hope all one thing.

[Page 93]There was alwayes carried before the ar­mies of the Romaines, standards which had the palme of a hand blased after this fashion: you may see the same also in diuerse other places in auncient coynes, and money, and [...]n other famous monuments of like antiqui­tie. Therefore this ancient signe doth beto­ken the benefite, or hand of concord, the pi­cture wherof is to be seene in the very begin­ning of the commentaries of the Romaine common welth, which Wolfangus Lazius, a [...]iligent searcher out of antiquities, and the [...]ing of Romaines Phisitian, and a verie cun­ [...]ing historiagrapher. besides lately penned, and set forth.

Scilicet is superis labor est. A high matter in a loe house.

[Page 95]Not farre from the gates of Leontychidas house, senator of the Lacedemonians, there was a liue serpent or snake, that had wrapped himselfe about the Key of a locke. When this came to the southsayers cares, they con­stantly affirmed before him that it signified some strange wonder that should happen. To whom he thus replied. Surely to me it seemes a thing of no great wonder, if the snake haue wrapped himselfe about the Key: but rather [...]n the contratie part, if the Key had folded it selfe about the serpent, then without all doubt, it had bene a thing to be wondred at. And so the wise Senator making but a iest of it, laughed at their foolish superstition. And surely at this day, the common peoples cre­dulitie is verie much infected, about manie things which happen sometimes after an ex­traordinarie manner, yet by as naturall meanes as may be, yea, when they are I say: if you thorowly examine them plainly agreea­ble to nature. In fine, there is likewise a prepo­sterous iudgement or inconstancie touching matters of faith in these and the like super­stitions, which with wicked traditions bring no small corruption to mans iudgement.

Horrent con [...]m [...]t [...]moueri. Things that are fearce of nature are not to be prouoked.

The crueltie of the beare being angred to chafed, is not in any sort to be prouoked, [...] moued, like as the minde of a man is not to be incensed when he is throughly angred for there we may looke for nothing else [...] him, but great and deadly danger.

Si sciens fallo. Euill come to me if I deceiue wittingly.

The Romaines when they should giue ouer their warres,Fl. Blond. and make peace with their eni­mies, vsed these ceremonies, that he who had authoritie giuen him to deale with the enimy [Page 98]in the behalfe of the rest in those matters, should take a flint or some other stone in his hand, and hit a pigge, or hogge therewith, pronouncing at that instant this sentence: Looke what happeneth to this pigge that you see here, happen vnto me if I deceiue you.

Inuitum fortuna fouet. Fortune when he fauneth, heapeth too much vpon a man.

Policrates king of the Samions had such successe with such perseuerance in the pro­sperous-waies of smiling fortune,Strabo. that once he went about either to diminish it, or else to change it: namely, by casting a ve­rie rich ring into the middest of the sea, the which for all that, was found after­ward-in the belly of a fish, which the fisher­men amongst the rest had caught. But marke [Page 100]what came of it. Not long after the king of the Persians chanced to take this king, and being apprehended, commanded him to be hanged, and miserably to be strangled. So thus you may see that the flattering faunings of fortune (which the world compteth great felicitie in this life) are neither certaine not constant, nor of any continuance: and the more glorious and glittering they appeare, the more easily and speedilie they vanish away, like a glasse, which of it owne nature is brickle and fraile.

Ecquis emat tanti sese dimittere? Will any man buy so deare, that which is so full of all kind of cares.

Valerius Maximus maketh mention of a cer­tain king,Val. Max. li. 7. ca. 2. who when there was a rich Diadem offered vnto him, paused a while before he would put it on his head, & studying as it were what were best to do, burst forth into these words, Oh more noble, then happie ornamēt, for if a man knew thorowly w^t how many trou­bles, perrils, & miseries it is stuffed, he would not take it vp from the ground to haue it.

Comminus quo minus. How much the lesset, so much the neerer.

[Page 103]When a certaine Lacedemonian was on a time noted of cowardlynesse, because he had caused a flie to be printed on his target, and such a one as did not exceed to the common sort of that kinde in bignesse, as though he should hereby signifie, that he would willing­ly conuey himselfe out of the battaile, and like a fl [...]e would not be seene of his enimie, he answered, nay rather, I encounter with my enimie hand to hand, and so set vpon him, that albeit the signe be small, yet the enimie may well discerne.

Transfundit pasta venenum. The Waspes after they haue fed of the serpent, powre out their poison.

Some there are in the world so wickedly bent, & of such a despighfull nature, that they are maruellously delighted in gathering togi­ther, all kind of deadly calumnies y^t poisoned tongues can vtter, y^t afterwards if any chance to be pursued by them, they sting him sore, & if they may by any meanes, they wil bring him to his graue with sorrow. Wherein they imi­tate the waspes, which feeding vpon y^e serpent with great greedines, make their stings more venimous, and therfore the wounds receiued by them are the more perillous & dangerous.

Celsa potestatis species. A speciall marke or token of his authoritie and power.

[Page 106]Vpon the signet of Pompeius Magnus which he wore vpon his finger (whereon Iuliu [...] Cae­sar when he was killed hapning to fall,Plutar. being brought to him by one of his souldiers, wept bitterly) there was (as Plutarch writeth) the shape of a Lion shaking a sword betweene his forefeete ingrauen, to signifie perhaps a hard and bold voyage or enterprise.

Prostibuli eligantia. The coynesse of a whore.

Salomon the wise in his Prouerbs, compa­reth the honor of a shamelesse and common woman, [...]rouer. 11 to a pigge wearing a gold ring in her snowte.

Ardua deturbans vis animosa quatit. Bold force doth ouercome high things.

To ouercome difficult and hard things there is need of great industrie, labor, and di­ligence, as may appeare by the example of the Egle, for when she goeth to set vpon the H [...]rt, she lighteth downe vpon his hornes, and there fluttereth vp and downe, and so filleth his eyes with dust (which she had heaped to­gither before in her feathers for y^e same pur­pose) that at the last he casteth himself downe headlong,Plinie. from some high rocke, or hill.

Ʋias tuas domme demonstra mibi. Lord teach me thy pathes.Psal. 24.

Vpon the fourth vessel of that kind which had three ranks of Ores in it, which Andreas Darius admirall of the Empire, commanded to be made for the Emperor against he should go to Tunetum, there was placed the shape [Page 109]or forme of a blasing starre glittering on eue­rie side with arrowes as it were in fashion of a round circle, for a continuall admonition to implore and call for Gods direction and mightie arme in this his voyage and iourney.

Ʋnica semper auis. But alwayes one Phenix in the world at once.

Like as the Phenix wherof there is but one at any time to be seene,Theoph. is a rare bird, so all good & precious things are hard to be found. These armes the famous and renowmed wo­man, y^e L [...]dy Helionora of Austria vsed, which was the widow of Francis king of France.

ΑΠΑΑΝΩΣ. Without all falshood or deceipt.

[Page 112]The french arming sword in the hands of an armed man, with the inscription of this Greeke word ΑΠΑΑΝΩΣ doth at this day in the place of the armes which the Lord Constable vsed, signifie faith.

Riens ne ́ est plus, Plus ne ́ est riens. I haue no more ioy, no more comfort remaineth to me.

[Page 114]Valentina of Milan, sometime Dut­ch [...]sse of Orleans had great cause to passe her dayes in great heauinesse and mourning, both for the death of her husband Lewis, [...]o­ther to king Charles the sixt, as also for the same kings vnfortunate phrensie (whereof we spake before in the handling of his a [...]mes) which vsed to come on him at certain times, and when it tooke him, he knew not any of his friends, no not the queene his wife, but only this Dutchesse Valentina, whom he cal­led when he was in this extremitie his sister. Whereupon there was a rumour blowne a­brode that the Duke the father of this Valen­tina, hauing sometimes bene ouerladen with drinke, had caused some poyson, or charmed potion to be giuen him: which report this Valentina tooke verie grieuously, yea so grie­uously indeede, that in place of all consolati­on, and ease of her mourning, she vsed for her cognizance an earthen pitcher in fashion like a water pot, on the mouth whereof was the character of this letter S. signifying perhaps these words concerning the same Dutches: Solā saepe seseipsā sollicitari, suspiraré (que), that is, being alone shee accustomed to mourne and to sigh with her selfe, togither with these words subioyned. Nil mihi prae­terea: [Page 115]Praeterea mihi nil Which is, no­thing remaineth to me, nothing haue I more. The which emblemes with the like inscripti­ons, are to be seene described in many places in the Franciscan friers church at Bloyes, and in the same Dutches chappell, where she lieth buried in a tombe of brasse, and also in the porch or entrie on euery side of the quite of the same church.

Pour vn aultre non. To none other.

[Page 117]Andreas Lauallus the french Admiral, was wont to giue for his ensigne, a burning Ore, which is yet to be seene in the suburbes of the cittie Melus. It is also a signification of feruent and dutifull zeale, towards the king and countrie, and especially in that iourney that they tooke by sea through the great Occean.

Fata viam inuenient. Fortune shall shew the way.

This simbole of the Labirinth, which the Lord of Boisdaulphin, archbishop of Am­brune vseth, may perchance signifie, that we are lead by the grace of God to finde the [Page 119]way that leadeth to eternall life, the same giuing the thread as it were of his holy pre­cepts into our hands, which when we haue once taken hold of, and do follow, we turne a­way from the dangerous wandrings, and feareful by wayes of this world.

Quid non mortalia pectora cogis? Filthy loue constraineth men to commit all wickednesse.

Cleopatra taking it grieuously,Plinie. and also in great disdaine that Marcus Antonius should make triall so oft of her loue, vpon a time [Page 120]at a banquet and merrie meeting, whether it were to giue him occasiō neuer to be distrust­full any more after, or for some other cause, she began to delight him verie voluptuously, after her old fashion that she vsed: namely, with diuers and sundrie garlands of flowers, whose leaues were all besprinckled with poy­son. Some of the which she wearing vpon her head, picked them out and brusing them a little, cast them into his cuppe or goblet, per­swading him to drinke it off. But whilest he was about to do it, she putting her hand to it, said thus, Oh my sweete heart Antonius, I surely am the woman, which if I could liue without thee, haue now a iust occasion to do that, which by your curious trials you seeme to feare. And hereby we may see what may be the audacitie, and impudent boldnes of a shamelesse woman.

In sibilo aurae tenuis. In the muttering of the gentle aire.

[Page 122]Musicke is of it owne nature an enimie to melancholy, and therefore is able to qualifie any furie that riseth of a vehement melan­cholie. Wherefore she is able also to driue a­way heauines, and dulnesse, which proceed of blacke choler, being ouerwhelmed and suffo­cate with flegme. With the which one hath recorded that once he saw a man sore trou­bled, and so sound and fast on steepe, that you could by no meanes get a word of him, but onely by a harpe sounding in his eares, at the pleasant harmonie whereof, he lifting vp his head, laughed, & answered to their demands. Which thing is an argument that there is no small affinitie betwixt Musicke and the soule. Elizeus the prophet hath plainely declared the same vnto vs,4. King. 2 when to call againe his pro­pheticall spirite, and to make supplication to God for a remedie of his people that then were like to perish with extreme thirst, he commanded one that had skill to play on the harpe to be called for vnto him, and in that sort obtained at the hands of God that which he desired in his prayers, and supplications. And what say you to Dauid the Musitian, who is now dead & rotten?1. King. 17 Did not he com­fort and recreate King Saul, his soule being vexed with an euill spirite, when as, so long as [Page 123]he played vpon his harpe, the wicked spirite left to molest him. Therefore this consonant musicke hath a certaine diuine grace in it, for as much as it doth not onely restore helth to bodies that are sicke, but al [...]o sti [...]reth vp the soule to contemplation, comforteth the same, and maketh it heauenly as it were: where­fore it is an enimie euen to the verie diuels, which doubtlesse are nothing else than despe­ration, deiection of the soule, feare, and an obstinate desolation. Finally, as in Musicke of different voices there is made tunable mu­sicke, so of men also that are of one minde there may be made a consent of contrary na­tures and manners, which God accepteth a­boue all other things that may be obserued or kept.

Finem transcendit habendi. He passed the ordinarie meanes of getting and possessing riches.

The wicked couetousnesse of Calephas Baldacensis chiefe bishop of the Mahomets law, wrought a verie euil end for himselfe: for being taken in wars, Haalon prince of Tarta­ria, commanded him to be handled accor­ding to bis insaciable greedinesse: that is, that insteede of his daintie dishes nothing should be set before him, but platters and other great vessels full of gold, and as oft as these things should be brought before him, his ministers should deride and scoffe at him with these words, Take, eate that which thou hast alwayes desired, and loued, take and fill thy belly.

Heu cadit in quemquam tantum scelus. Did euer like punishment light vpon any.

[Page 126] Coelius.Thus the young innocent virgins suffered sore punishment for the wicked factes that their father Dionisius Siracusanus Tyrannus the younger had committed. For the Locri­ans when they had driuen their father Dioni­sius out of the kingdome, reuenging his cruel­tie for the deflowring of their citizens daugh­ters, and wiues, permitted his daughters be­ing yet yong tender virgins to be rauished of as many as woulde: and at the last, hauing no regard of their innocencie, but with a barbarous and sauage crueltie, pursued them to death, by d [...]iuing sharpe needles, or pinnes vnder the nayles of their fingers, with so great paine, and torment, as neuer before, nor since was heard of the like.

Pressa est insignis gloria facti. The glorie of his noble deede is recorded in writing.

[Page 128]Iulian the Apostata sometimes Emperor of Nicomedia made a publike decree, forbid­ding the Christians the vse of schooles, and al administration, or gouernement in the com­mon welth, which S. Iohn the Martyr percei­uing to be ioyned with the destruction of Christian religion more then any kind of ty­rannie, or punishment that could be deuised, openly pulled it in peeces, and tore it. By which action of his we are taught that there ought to be no threatning of mans inuention be it neuer so great, so fearefull, that it should constraine or make our conscience to shrinke or dissemble any thing.

Cedo nulli. I giue place to none.

Erasmus Roterodamus vsed for his sim.T. Liuius. bole the image of Terminus the God of the Romanes, which neuer gaue place to Iupiter himselfe, for the which thing Caruayalus a Franciscan frier found fault with him. Laying [Page 130]it to his charge, and obiecting it as a thing done too arrogantly of Erasmus, for that he thereby signified that he woulde yeelde to no man on earth in anie point of learning: al­though that sentence indeede may be vnder­stoode of death which is the last or vttermost bond or limite of all things, which no man is able, or by anie meanes may escape, or flie from: with the which answere Caruayalus was satilfied and contented.

There was in ancient time a nation of the Franques,L. Paca­tus. S. Apolli­natis. B. Rena­nus. or French that were verie cunning shipwrights, and much exercised in that art, if we shall beleeue Latinus, Pacatus, Sidonius, Apollinaris, & Beatus Renanus. And it semed [Page 132]good to that nation, that in what region so e­uer they chose them a place to build them a cittie and to dwell in, the portrature or sim­bole of a goodly great shippe should be dedi­cate to the honor of their shippes, and anti­quitie. The which thing Lutetia in Paris which is incomparable by that famous gift, hath chalenged to it selfe by ancient name euen to this day. Neither is it any absurditie to thinke that they borrowed the same cu­stome of the Gepides which also vsed the same before,Method. and were verie famous thorow all the Germaine Ocean: The Troian nati­on perchance comming thither from their long voyage on the sea, after the subuersion of Troy, from whom it is thought of the most part, the nobilitie of France tooke their beginning and originall.

Insperatum auxilium. Helpe vnlooked for.

Marcus Valerius a Romaine,T. Liuius Plinie. A. Gelliu fighting a combate on a time hand to hand with a cer­taine aduersarie of his, named Gallus, ouer­came him by the aid that he had vnlooked for. For it chanced that a rauen houered a prettie while ouer his head peece, and at the [Page 134]last lighting on it, so pecked and smothered his enemies eyes that Valerius at the last o­uercame him. Whereupon this Valerius was named of the same rauen Coruinus: although if you respect the victorie it selfe, he can not chalenge the same to him selfe by his owne manhood, but by the prouidence of God. Yet neuerthelesse Augustus Cesar caused a mo­nument to be erected to the same Coruinus, on the top of whose helmet sat the rauen, for a token of so worthie an exploit.

Tutum telittore sistam. I will set thee safe vpon the shore.

[Page 136]We haue referred to this place the signe of the anker,Heb. 6. in token of the hope of our salua­tion in Iesus Christ, who is our most certaine and sure resuge, and to whom we are to flie In all extremities. True it is, that Seleucusking of Siria vsed the portrature of an anker in his signet: but this he did for that cause onely, for that the southsayers and wise men had told hold him,Appian. the anker did represent or sig­nifie his kingdome. Moreouer, Titus the Em­peror vsed the same cognizance, but in ano­ther respect, as afterwards we will declare else where. Finally, manie Admirals haue vsed and do to this day vse the same in token (as it should seeme) of their office, and authoritie in the common wealth.

Quò tendis? Whether goest thou?

[Page 138]Besides other discommodities which the tongue bringeth with it,Iames. 3. Saint Iames saith the same is tipped with poison, and bringeth death, comparing it to the stearne of a ship by which the whole vessell is ruled and go­tterned. Which sentence agreeth with the opinion of Bias, to whom Amasis king of E­gipt sent a whole beast on this condition, that he shoulde sende to him againe the best and the woorst peece therof, who sent the tongue onely. Seeing then that that part of the body is of such great moment, it is no maruel if na­ture haue compassed it in, with hedges and pales, as it were with double gates, which we must neuer vse to open without the consent of reason and wisedome going before, else, where the tongue goeth before premeditati­on, the entrance into these gates is a fearefull thing, & the going out both dangerous, and vnfortunate.

Putrescet Iugum. The yoke of bondage shall rot away.

The prophet Esaie prophesying that the freedome of the spirite shoulde bee restored by the comming of Christ, saith,Esay. 10. Computre­scet iugum à facie olei, that is, al bondage or se ruitude shal flie away before the annoin­ted of the Lorde, which is Christ, by whome the children of God increasing and going forward in the loue of God, & the obedience of his commandements shalbe released & set free from the seruile bondage and yoke of [Page 140]the law. For in this spirituall Iubiley the guil­tie are absolued from their sinnes, and their debts are pardoned, the proscript and bani­shed are permitted to returne to their coun­trie, their inheritance is restored them: ser­uants, that is to say, those that are sold vnder sinne are set at libertie, and by the benefite of Iesus Christ, the true oile, and ointmen of mercie, felicitie, and grace.

Nec fas est, nec posse reor. It is neither law nor can be I suppose.

Not whosoeuer is in bands or prison,Actes. 12. but he that is intangled in vices and sinne, is to be iudged a bondslaue. For albeit Peter the Apo­stle was kept in Herod his prison, bound with two chaines, yet by the ministerie of an Angel his chaines fell from his hands, and he esca­ped, passing thorow the iron gates, which by the wil of God (which by no mans deuise, nei­ther can, nor ought to be impugned) opened of their owne accord, and gaue him passage.

Semine ab aethereo. From the heauenly seede.

The same earth which swallowed vp Core, Dathan & Abiron with the rest of y^e troublers of the priesthood & ministery of Aarō appro­ued the same thing in the Leuitical tribe,Numb. 16. and 17. and that not without a misterie, whilest y^t amongst the rods of the Israelites erected in the taber­nacle [Page 143]of the Lord, the second day the rod of Aaron onely budded, & bare fruit or Almons.

Ventura desuper vrbi. To fall vpon the crue.

[Page 144]The miserable destruction of Ierusalem by the Romanes after the passion of Christ,Ioseph. Egesipp. was foreshewed before by manie wonders & signes, especially by a firie commet appea­ring in forme of a sword, and hanging ouer the steeple for the space of a whole yeare to­gither: shewing as it were by this signe, that the iustice of God would take punishment of the wicked nation of the Iewes by fire and blood, for their great impietie and wicked­nesse: which thing not onely came to passe, but also most raging famine tormenting them, there was found one who killed and cate her owne child.

In vtrumque paratus. Readie to both.

The Israelites after their returne from the captiuitie of Babilon,2. Esd. 4. taking in the one hand a trowell, in the other a sword (such were the continuall troubles of their enimies) built vp the wals of Ierusalem. Which thing in a mi­sterie did represēt the ministers of the church of Christ, who are bound to instruct the igno­rant, and to bring againe those that do erre in the faith (which are very ruines in deed) & to fight manfully with the sword of Gods word against the enimies thereof, which are vices and sinne.

Vindice fato. Destenie being reuenger.

Dauid being a little child, but armed with grace from aboue,2. King. 17 feared not to enter com­bate with the great and fearefull giant Go­liah: neither would he put on the armor of [Page 147]Saul, but contenting himselfe with a sling and fiue flint stones, ouerthrew this monster, and triumphed ouer him. In like manner that we may ouercome that fearefull and dangerous enimie of mankind the diuell, the onely wea­pons of a stable faith, firme hope, and con­stant affiance in the merites of Christs passi­on and death are enough.

Nil solidum. Nothing is firme or continuall in this life.

At the time of the creation of the bishops of Rome, when according to the custome, he that is nominate Pope entreth into S. Grego­ries church (wherein many of the Romish bi­shops [Page 149]are buried, the master of the ceremo­nies goeth before him, carrying in his hands two reedes, tying to the top of the one a bur­ning candle, which flaming he putteth to the other, whereto are tyed hurds, or flaxe, and so burneth them both, saying these words three times togither, Oh holy fathers, so passeth the glorie of this world.

Vtrum lubet. Whether pleaseth him.

[Page 151]Clubbes, or battes compassed about with Oliue branches, being a signe as wel of peace,A. Gelliu [...] as of warre, may be giuen to those, to whom we giue the choise as well of the one as of the other. Which thing our ancesters portrayed with a white wand, such as Ambassadors vse to carrie that intreat for peace; and a speare adioyned, as the Romanes did to the Car­thaginians, or else with two speares, the one whereof had his point tipped with steele, the other blunted with a knobbe of wood on the end.

Agere & pati fortiae. To do and suffer great things.

[Page 153]C. Mutius when in steede of Porsena King of the Hetruscans, who had besieged Rome,Liuius lib. 2. Valerius. he had slaine the kings secretarie, was so angrie with himselfe that he thrust his right hand into the fire which he had made to sacrifice withall.

Lex exlex. The law, or ou [...] law.

[Page 155]Anacharsis the Philosopher compared lawes to cobwebbes,Valerius the great because they troubled & oppressed the little flies, and such small vola­tiles, but neuer touched the great ones. Which thing we see to be too true in iudge­ments now adayes, whilest the mightie are sauoured, and the poore and meaner sort taxed, and seuerely handled.

Tutus ab igne sacer. Being holy I was safe from the violence of the fire.

[Page 157] Plutarch. Valerius the great.Lituns being a crooked staffe, whereupon the southsayers sate when they deuined of things to come, which Romulus vsed insteede of an Iuorie scepter, perished not in the mid­dest of the flame at Rome, but was found safe and sound in the middest of the same.

Parce Imperator. Pardon me most noble Emperor.

M. Sceua a most valiant knight of Iulius Caesats,Appian. in that battaile which he fought a­gainst Pompey, lost one of his eyes, and had his body thrust thorow seuen times, his shield was found also to be pearced with a hundred and twentie darts.Caesar. And (as Caesar himselfe [Page 159]reporteth) notwithstanding that his shield was strooke thorow 230. places,Sueton. Valerius yet he kept the gate still, and the entrance, which he had taken vpon him to defend. And whilest he went in the foreward of the battell in France and fought hand to hand with his enimies, his hippe being sore hurt, and his face brused with great stones, his helmet, and his shield broken, and fallen out of his hand, and his sword shiuered in diuerse peeces, and being armed with a double brest plate, with great holdnesse cast himselfe into the sea, and by swimming thorow the waters which he had made redde with the bloud of his enimies, he came to his owne men. Whither when he was come, as soone as he perceiued himselfe to be vnarmed, which by the law of armes was forbidden, he cried out to the Prince (for he trusted not yet to so many dangers which he had ouercome.) Oh noble Emperour for­giue me, I come to thee vnarmed. This was the vertue and manly prowesse of Sceua, wherefore for a reward, he was preferred to the dignitie of a Centurion.

Euertit & aequat. It breaketh in peeces and maketh euen or smooth things that be rough.

William of He [...]ant Earle of Ostreue­ant,Frossard. sonne of Albert duke Raua [...]i [...], Earle of Ha [...]au [...], Holland, and Zel [...]n [...] about the yeare of our Lord, 1390, carried in his frandart [Page 161]the picture of a harrow of golde, which he shewed in the warres and host of the chri­stians to the city of Barbarie called Aphrodi­sin. For euen as the harrow doth breake in sunder the hard clods of the fieldes, so doth a good prince with the equitie of his lawes and statutes restraine the wicked, rebellious, and seditious, with those that oppose themselues against his authoritie and office.

Ʋlteriùs tentare veto. I forbid to attempt anie further.

Before the comming of Christ, the Pagans and heathen Gentiles had the truth of the mysterie of the trinitie reuealed vnto them, as it was prophesied of the God of the Sa­bines, whom they called Sanctum Fidium holy,lond. Fla. and trustie, and Semipater halfe a father. They carried him into the citie, affirming that hee consisted of three names, when in deede he was but one. And although there was a temple consecrate to that trini­tie [Page 163]on Quirinal hill, yet carried it the name but of one onelie. And of such great estima­tion was that three fold image, that in al ages it had the soueraigntie, where vnder was figu­red the trinitie of the Godhead is one vnitie, to wit, Deus fidius, Plinie. which was the middest God. Thus the nation of the Sabins was most religious, and therefore haue they purchased them a name accordingly. Neither is it to be doubted, but that the olde Gentiles to whom religion was more acceptable, had greater light and knowledge of the true faith.

Seruitus libera. Free seruice.

The rigor of Moises law towards seruants was such,Exod. 21. Deut. 15. that he who had fulfilled the exact time of his bondage, a choise should be giuen him, either to be set at libertie, or else to be bondman to his maister as long as he liued. If the seruant choose to be bonde, his maister should bore his eare with an alle, & that was called free wil seruice. The same ought euery christian man to do, who, as it were a free ser­uant vnder the law of grace, ought to offer his eare to God, that he may make it capable, & obedient to his commandements. This great [Page 165]benefit is to be imbraced of all men, which thing the Psalmist semeth to insinuate in this place, where he saith,Psal. 39 thou hast bored or made readie my eares. There are others that interprete the place of Moises otherwise, that such voluntarie bondage, did signifie those that gaue themselues wholy to earthly plea­sures, reseruing no time to amendement, nor yet euer seeking to redeeme themselues into the libertie of the spirit of God (which is our seruice by faith in Iesus Christ) wherefore their eares doe signifie perpetuall calamitie and miserie.

Sic terras turbine perflat. So he troubleth the earth with whirlewindes.

God our creator (as Saint Peter,1. Pet. 5. [...]ames. 4. Luk. 1. Iames and Luke doe witnes) doth resist the proude, the high minded, louers of themselues, and the arrogant, but giueth grace to the humble and lowlie. Wherein he seemeth to imitate the lightning, which leaueth vntouched thinges that are low, and striking those that are loftie [Page 167]and high, as Horace in these wordes beareth record.

Vel in ara. And that on the holie altar.

Galeatius Marie duke of Milan, the sonne of Francis Sforce, was of such effeminate & libidinous disposition of minde, that he offe­red violence, & defiled honorable matrones, and chast virgins. Which extreame wicked­nes made him so odious both to his owne na­tion, & to strangers which were subiect vnto him also, that in the ende it grewe to be his destruction. For one Andrew Lampugnan of [Page 169]Milan a courtier with the assistance of two of his companions, grieuously offended at him (especially for the intollerable oppres­sion, which the said duke had vsed against a certaine abbot his brother, and that in the abbey or monasterie) conspired his death. Which conspiracie after that Lampugnan had once conceiued in his minde, fearing to set vpon the prince, or to smite him, whose beautie, comelines and maiestie, danted and appaled him, inuented a way, whereby he might both perseuere, & also bestrengthened and confirmed in his purpose: to wit he cau­sed an image of the duke to be ingrauen verie cunning lie in a table, whereunto, as often as hee came, hee thrust his sword thorow it, ha­uing vsed this policie a while, he was greatly confirmed to performe the deede: and ente­tering the church with the rest of the same conspiracie, he meeteth the duke, garded with a great traine, as it were to salute him, and giuing him three great woundes in the bellie, he slue him. Thus died this miserable and wicked prince, who considered not the saying of Claudian, that neither watching by night nor garding by day of troupes & bands of men keepeth not the person of the prince so sure as loue doth. And truly our God a iust [Page 170]God of reuenge hath commended to vs ami­tie, friendship and peace one with another, which whosoeuer doth breake and violate, e­uerie where, and to the last breath the Lord will punish him.

Caelitùs impendet. The sword of Gods wrath hanging ouer our heads.

[Page 172]Dionysius the tyran being king of Sici [...] vpon a time perecauing himselfe to be excee­dingly praised of a certaine thrasonicall pa­rasite,Cicero. Damocles by name, for his great riche [...] costly ornaments & the like, accounting him happier then any man that liued besides, [...] answered the flatterer after this manner, Da­mocles, quoth he, seeing that our fate doth like thee so well, go to, wilt thou make trial of our happines, and tast of our fortune. Ye [...] sir, said the others, if it please your grace with all my heart. Wherupon the tyran comman­ded a chamber to be prepared for him, the postes and bedsteads glistering with gold, [...] cupbordes, and benches furnished with ves­sels of siluer curiously wrought, and you [...] men of an excellent beautie standing abo [...] the table brauely attired, as it were readie t [...] obey Damocles commaundement. The [...] were also oyntmentes, corolles, garlandes [...] floures, and other fragrant odours. The ta­ble was furnished with all kind of dainties, [...] as Damocles thought himselfe to be in the top of all felicitie, vntill at the last, the tyra [...] commanded a naked sworde to be hanged [...] a small haire or thread, ouer the flatterer head, the point thereof touching his nec [...] where he being admonished, and fearing th [...] [Page 173]eminent danger, lothed that which before he thought to be the chiefest happines, despised the beautie of the young men, and disdained the dainties, the golden vessels, corols, sweete [...]dours, and else whatsoeuer. And being full [...]f feare, besought the king to ceasse from such dangerous iesting, & praying that such [...]erilous felicitie might neuer happen vnto [...]im. In which thing the tyran shewed suffi­ciently, that there was no felicitie, where there was continuall feare, and anguish of ex­ [...] came destruction. Especially if we referre [...]his to the sword of Gods iustice, hanging o­ [...]er the neckes of the wicked and vngodly, as [...]t were in a most small and slender thred.

Satis. Enough.

Heraclitus willing to insinuate the Athe­niens, that they ought to be content with the liberall gifts of nature, and that they ought [Page 175]to liue together in peace and tranquillitie, if they were wise, cast meale with his hand into [...] glasse full of water.

Vis est ardentior intùs. The fire that burneth inwardly is more to be feared.

As the fire being kindled in the middest [...]f a hollowe and drie stocke, bringeth great [...]nd ineuitable daunger by reason of the [...]ecret burning within: So a citie sette on [...]e with ciuill dissention, and sedition, [Page 176]thorow the secreat treasons of the citizens, bringeth a fearefull danger, which cannot be easily remedied without great losse to the common welth. This allegorie may well be compared to secret loue, which burning in­wardly doth bring great griefe and anguish to the minde, and oftentimes destruction it self.

Premitur, non opprimitur. Pressed, not oppressed.

The Emperor Galba (following in a man­ner the example of Salomon,3. King. 3. who tried the affection of the mothers towardes their children) when there was sute in the lawe commenced touching the propertie of a [Page 177]certaine beast, with verie slender and weake reasons & witnesses on either side, comman­ded that the beast should be carried blindfold to the place where he was wont to be watred, and vncouering his eyes,Sueton. to whomsoeuer he went voluntarily to be his owne for euer.

Magnum vecligal. A great reuenue.

The Hedghegge or Vrchin seeking his li­uing verie carefully, if he find any thing, he is not content to si [...] is belly ful, but tumbling himselfe vp and down [...] [...] d [...]g his prickes abroad, ga [...]h [...] [...] [Page 178]vpon the same, and so carrieth them into his dens and holes in the ground. Which beast teacheth vs, that it is not enough to haue large fields, and great possessions, except we vse also both diligence to get, and sparing of that which we haue got. This is a most sure reuenue, and such as both mightie, and rich men ought to follow, taking an example here­of from this beast, which vseth such care and diligence in getting of her liuing.

Ingenij largitor. Necessitie the minister of pollicie

[Page 180]Necessity is the chiefest thing that stirreth men vp to practise subtil ie and craft: which thing the rauen (whereof Plinie speaketh) hath sufficienth procued,Plinie. who laboring with thirst, and spying a vessell wherein was some water, but so deepe as shee could not drinke, she filled verie craftely the vessell with little stones, vntill the water which was in the bot­tome, swelled vp to the toppe, and so she dranke her fill.

Ʋindictae trabit exitium. Reuenge draweth with it destruction to him that seeketh to reuenge.

Both those that are the authors of conspi­racies and those that are accessaries to the same, do both of them deserue punishment. The which thing we reade to haue happened to the 300 Foxes which Samson sent with fire brands tyed to them,Iudges. 1 into the fieldes of the Philistines.

Aequari pauet alta minor. The lower feareth the like lot.

Tarquine the proud,T. Liuius later. the great. desiring to make knowne his mind closely to his sonne being [Page 183]absent from him, and supposing it was not the best to reueale his intent to the noble man whom his sonne had sent to him, tooke him into his garden, as it were to walke, where he cut off with his staffe al the highest heads of the Chesboles: By which act his sonne vn­derstood, it was his fathers pleasure, that the nobles, and especially the Gabionits, ouer whom togither with his father he triumphed, and thorow pollicie exercised no smal autho­ritie amongst them, should be corrected and punished with extreme punishment. And thus by this subtile deuise, Tarquinius seemed to insinuate to his sonne his bloudie sentence, as though he supposed (as far as may be con­iectured) that a prince ought to subdue his countrie, and make both it and all noble men else whatsoeuer subiect and obedient vnto him.

Ecquis discernit vtrumque? Can any man discerne both?

The nature of a riddle or siue doth repre­sent the good and honest, for euerie siue de­uideth [Page 185]the good corne, and the profitable graine, from the vnprofitable: so in like man­ner both the good and the euill, haue know­ledge to iudge and discerne betwixt the na­ture and propertie of things, which the wic­ked do not, but heape vp euerie thing without the [...]idle or fiue of reason.

Hac illac perfluo. I runne out on euery side.

The Danish hogshead as Poets do report, was so full of holes, & slif [...]ers, that whatsoeuer was powred into it, ran forth againe. Where­fore Plutarch,Plutar. Terence Terēce, & other authors haue compared praters, ianglers, vngratefull per­sons, and couetous men to the same: for that [Page 187]clatterers or blabbers of their tongues cannot keepe any secrets, but vtter all, and more too: the vngratefull doth neuer thanke him that hath done him good, the couetous are neuer contented, nor satisfied with enough.

Ʋirtutis Fortuna comes. Fortune a companion of vertue.

Certaine painters desirous to gratifie one Timotheus duke of Athens,Suidas. or else to flatter him for his great riches and power, purtayed his image in such sort, Fortune giuing him sleeping diuerse cities compassed about with tordes, and sundrie nets of thread. Which thing Timotheus tooke in euill part, percei­uing that they rather attributed his hap­pinesse to Fortune,Plutar. then to vertue. Plutrarch writeth that it was done of those that enuyed him in disdaine, and contempt of him.

Prohibere nefas. It is not lawfull to restraine her

Amphisbena a most strange serpent found in the deserts of Libia, hauing a head at both ends,Aristotle Plinie. to the end that she may either bite and pursue her enimie, or else at her pleasure run away. Which may be a figure of double faced traitors, and secreat domesticall enimies, the danger of whom is so much the more to be feared, by how much the more truer it is, that no pestilence (as Cicero testifieth) is of grea­ter force,Cicero. than this kind of men. Of whom this prouer be is wont to be vsed, in this sense, In the one hand he carrieth a stone, in the other he sheweth bread.

Tu decus omne tuis. Thou art a renowne to all thy kinred.

Noble deeds, famous enterprises, and illu­strious exploites brought forth the first be­ginning of true and ancient nobilitie,Tro. Pomp. which thing the memorable example of Lisimachus the Macedonian doth proue, who is said to haue left to his posteritie a most notable mo­nument of the valiancie and excellencie of his minde. For being cast amongst the Lions [Page 190]by the commādement of Alexander he think his arme into the mouth of the Lyon, & pul­ling forth his tongue, killed him. The king seeing the valiancie of Lisimachus gaue him great authoritie, and caused a cittie which he had built to be called by his name, Lisimach [...].

Vsque recurrit. It runneth togither againe.

[Page 162]Nature which way soeuer it be wrested, wil yer returne againe into his owne nature and proper condition. Experience hereof we haue in trees, into the which if thou graffest by art sp [...]igges or twif [...]es, or takest away the branches by violence, yet notwithstanding they will bring forth new branches in their owne naturall height. The like is in beastes, and other naturall things: whereof is risen that old adage, Thou canst not make a good Goshauke of a Bustard, nor a good Courtier of a countrie clowne: for as Horace saith.

Cocumque ferar. Which way so euer I be carried.

The shelf [...]sh or coc [...] fish either of his c [...]e, or by his forme, is alwayes readie to [...] this c [...]imie, because which way soeuer he [Page 194]falleth, he hath his prickes vpward; So the wicked and vngodly do continually hurt and oppresse with extreme miserie those with whom they haue to do.

Spe illectat inani. The world delighteth vs with vaine hope.

The sweete baites of worldly thinges if they be considered a farre off, do promise [Page 196]great things to men, and lift them vp into a wonderfull hope, but if they be considered neere hand, thou shalt finde that they are nothing but meere vanitie and deceipt. Such be the snares of batfowlers cunningly framed to intrappe the poore birds.

Vlterius ne tende obijs. Go no further for feare of Gods wrath.

The power of man, neither can, nor ought to attempt ought against the power of God, as it was reuealed to Valentinus the Empe­ror,Gregory Nazianz. who being infected with the heresie of [Page 198]the Arrians, after that he had writ with his owne hand many things concerning the pre­scription, and banishment of Basill, he was not able to make an end, his penne refusing three times to let downe any more inke. Not­withstanding he restrained not himselfe from confirming and ratifying his wicked law, and decree, before a great trembling inuaded his hand, wherewith he being strooken, and con­ceiuing great feare withall, what so euer he had writ, he rent it presently.

Haec conscia numinis aetas. This age knoweth God aright.

About the raigne of Augustus Caesar (as Pli­nie beareth record) there appeared at Rome a starre garland,Plinie. or crowne round about the sunne, as it had beene of wheate eares, with circles of sundrie colours.Sueton. Suetonius speaking of this wonder, remembreth but of one cir­cle, like the rainebowe, compassing in the globe of y^e same. But Dion following narrowly the description of Plinie,Dion. besides that strange [Page 200]starre which then appeared, and that vnaccu­stomed, affirmeth also that the light of the sunne was darkened by reason of three other greater circles compassing it about, one wher­of represented the forme of a garlād of eares. Dion addeth farther that the sun gaue som­what a dimme light, now & then in the night. But this is certaine, that our Lord Iesus Christ the true light, and true sonne of righteousnes was borne in the dayes of Augustus Caesar, whose birth and comming into the world, bringing a heape of al goodnes to man, might as wel be reuealed by the ministerie of the an­gels, as his passion and death was foreshewed according to the Gospel, to wit, when the son was obscured, and darknesse was throughout al the world. But it ought not to seeme strange although the signes and wonders that went before Christs birth, were obserued of the heathen, albeit otherwise ignorant, when as those things which followed his passion and resurrection were had in great estimation, to wit, the darkenesse being noted by Dionisius Areopagita, whilest that wandring thorow Egypt with Apollophanes his schoolemaster, he studied Philosophie, & through the great­nesse of his wit and knowledge,Suidas. perceiuing the sun to be darkned beyond the course of [Page 201]nature: said, either the God of nature doth suffer, or the engine of the world is dissolued.Plinie in his. 2. booke. Moreouer concerning the earthquake before the resurrection of Christ in Plinie after the iust computation of yeares, we find these ver­ses written and recorded.

Haud sidit inane. An egge being emptie swimmeth aloft.

An egge that is new and full of iuyce being cast into the deepe,Plinie. Quintil. sincketh downe presently, but a rotten one being cast into the water swimmeth a loft. So by how much the lesse wisedome is in a man, by so much the more doth he bewray his folly by his selfe loue, and ambition. Vpon the other side, how much [Page 203]the wiser a man is, so much the humbler, and quieter of minde he is, and far from all brag­ing, and ostentation.

Infringit solido. He breaketh the rocke.

He that studieth to reproch or to slander the godlinesse, or constancie of a wise man, the euil it selfe shal light vpon his owne head, euen as an arrow shot against a hard stone or rocke resulteth back againe, and hurteth him that cast it.

Sans autre guide. Without any guide.

Brome stalkes or other boughes tyed to stiles, or stucke vp by heapes of stones erected by trauellers to direct them in their way, sig­nifieth that vertue is the onely guide to euer­lasting felicitie.

Fata obstant. Destenies do withstand.

[Page 206]The getting of riches, and desired happi­nesse is a thing verie hard, and vneasie to be come by. Adde hereto, that pouertie doth greatly hinder the same good proceeding, and remoueth the accesse to the same.

Terit & teritur. It weares and is worne.

As a stone sharping of iron, by continuall rubbing of the same iron is consumed, so the [Page 207]wicked, and he that followeth contention, vexeth and tormenteth himselfe, so that he may bring others to destruction.

Sic praedae patet esca sui. So her meat lyeth open to her own destruction.

The great commoditie which the fish cal­led a Purple receiueth by his tongue, is so much the more to be esteemed, because thereby shee getteth her liuing. But for that sometimes euill happeneth to her there­by, there is she so much the more to feare, because by the same she may incurre the danger of death, and become a pray to the fishers. Euen so standeth the office or dutie [Page 158]of mans tongue whilest it is wisely gouerned, it is a most precious iewell, contrarily, it be­ing giuen to backbiting, cogging & lying, bre­theth forth fearefull and deadly poyson: whereof it groweth that the common sort cal such a tongue grandem linguam, a brode or large tongue, or a blabbe tongue. Verie wel therefore is it compared to the tongue of a great purple fish, because there cleaueth to the palite of her mouth a purple, red humor, signifying allegorically the cruel poison of an euill speaker, a backbiter, and a bloodie fel­low.

Candor illaesus. Brightnes that cannot be annoied.

Clemens de Medicis, the seuenth of that name Bishop of Rome, vsed for his Ensigne a blasing starre or comet. Aristotle for the ex­plaining thereof saith:Aristotle. Euen as euerie newe [Page 210]comet hath neuer heeretofore portended to men either prosperous successe and good for­tune, or else some great hurt and detriment: so by the gouernment of a newe prince in a common weale, either abundance of felicitie or finall destruction followeth therevpon.

Prosper vterque mari. Both appearing together vpon the sea, is a a signe of good lucke.

[Page 212]When two fires which our elders called by the name of Castor and Pollux doe appeare together, they foreshew a prosperous voyage and good luck, but if one alone doth appeare, it is a signe and token of euill lucke to insue: In like manner if the loue betwixte the hus­band and the wife doeth flourish in a house, it is a certaine signe of tranquilitie and dome­sticall happines. But vppon the other side, if thorough the frowardnes of either of them they be diuided, it fore sheweth ruine and de­struction to be at hand. Furthermore, vnder the solitude or onelie appearnace of one of them, may bee vnderstoode howe petillous a thing it is, to haue riches and authority with­out wisdome to gouerne well.

Sic spectanda fides. So is faith to be tried.

The goodnes of gold is not onely try­ed by ringing, but also by the touchstone: so the triall of godlines and faith is to bee made not of wordes onely, but also by the action & performance of the deedes.

Sic violenta. So violent.

Iangling and prating out of time, and to small purpose, is very wel compared to the blas [...]ering noise of a whisking winde.

Terror & error. Feare and terror.

It is to bee counted one of the chie­fest pointes of a valiant Captaine, if he know to alter and chaunge daunger into ver­tue. As for example, If hee bee inferiour vnto his enemie in regarde of time and place, to conueigh awaie both himselfe and [Page 216]his arme from their violence and force by some kinde of deuice or pollicie, and making himselfe seeme terrible to his foes, as Hanni­b [...]l that noble Captaine did once, wh [...]n to feare his enemies withall, he tied firebrandes to the heads of his oxen in the night season.

Poco àpoco. By little and little.

The grasse groweth and increaseth vppon the ground, and yet no man can perceiue his increase: so honestie and vertue cannot easi­lie be perceiued but by example & practise.

Aemula naturae. And enuious imitator of nature.

Diligence and continuall exercise doubtlesse is of such great force, that at the length it imitateth and matcheth nature her [Page 219]her selfe, which thing is verified in Domitia­nus the Emperour, who had such singular skil and dexteritie in throwing the dart, that ca­sting two at a wilde beast, hit him vppon the forehead so cunningly, that the beast seemed to stande as though he had had two naturall hornes growing vpon his head.

Renouata iuuentus. Youth is to be renued.

[Page 221]The Goushauke is wont to prune her selfe, & set her fethers in order against the beames of the Sunne: so hee that will come to Christ our Lord, it behoueth him to put off all wic­kednes and sinne, and tobe clothed with new apparell, and amendement of life.

Praepete penna. With a speedie wing.

[Page 223]The picture of the spread Eagle, after the common opinion, began to be carried in insignes and standardes after this manner. There happened division in the Empire, and therefore was it translated in Charles the great his daies, into the East and W [...]st parts, (as Wolfangus Lazius historiographer to the king of the Romanes saith) in the dayes of Constantine the great, who of the common weale of Rome being one, made two, the one the Romane Empire, the other the Constan­tinopolitane Empire.

Attendite vobis. Take heed to your selues.

[Page 225]To establish the state of christian re­ligion,Act. 20. and to preserue the soundnes and in­tegritie of the same, it shall be necessarie that the faithfull preachers of Gods word by their examples and liuing doe exercise th [...]ir dutie of preaching the worde diligently without ceasing.

Viuit ad extremum. The notch burneth to the last peece thereof.

Euerie ones loue and faithfulnes towards his prince ought to be most constant & firme, [Page 227]and such as may not bee shaken ot extingui­shed through anie force of winds or tempests rushing in, to wit, because we seeme to keepe our watch rounde, that the more the windes blowe, the surer it keepeth fire burning still.

Captiue libertè. A captiue or seruile libertie.

[Page 229]The conspirators of the death of Iulius Cae­sar dissoluing the Senate,Appian. carried through the streetes in Rome a hat or cap vpon the point of a speare, (which was a token of libertie and freedome) because then it was a custome to giue to Saints a cap or a hat, & to make them free: by this deuice stirring vp the people of Rome against the ciuill magistrates, promi­sing them vndoubted libertie. But it fell out farre otherwise, for the same yeare all they were put to the sword that were of that con­spiracie. Hereby it appeareth, that that licen­tious libertie to sinne, which some suppose to be libertie, is mere seruitude and bondage.

Police souueraine. A perfect common wealth.

[Page 231]To a perfect common wealth these two things be required, the pen and the swoorde, that is, councell and good letters in delibera­ting of affaires, and the sworde in the executi­on of the same.

Superstitio religioni proxima. Superstition is next to religion.

This is the studie & practise of our ancient enemie the deuil, that as often as hee cōmeth to spred abroad any pestilēt errors or impiety into the world, such is his craft & peruersitie, [Page 232]hee couereth it vnder the shadowe or name of truth, albeit his intent be nothing else but meere deceit, a counterfet iangling, and as it were, a bewitching of men. Which thing he notablie brought to passe, [...]it. Liuius. when hee brought in the horrible superstition of diuination and south saying, perswading Priscus Tarquinius the king, and the Romanes that Decius Na­uius the augurer diuided into two partes a great rocke with a little knife.

Demal mepaists. I am nourished in him that is euill.

The boxing glasse that Phisitions vse, which are said to be windie, do suck vp and exhaust the corrupt bloud:Plutarch. but the minde that is wic­kedly inclined, seeketh after nothing but that which is euill.

Fons inuocantis. The fountaine of inuocation.

Sampson sometimes troubled or verie hard bestead with a meruailous great thirst, called for helpe at Gods hands, who present­ly perceiued comfort or ease of water that is­sued out of the iawe bone of an asse,Iudg. 15. wherwith not long before he had slain a thousand men. By which miracle wee are to learne that anie thing whatsoeuer, be it neuer so simple, is ca­pable of y^e grace of God, so that it be implored and desired by his diuine worde, which is the true and liuely fountaine.

Et l'vn, et l'autre. As well the one as the other.

When two men are fighting or con­tending together in what contention or ex­ercise so euer, it cannot be with what excel­lencie or strength or equitie either of them striue, but that one side or other catcheth some vexation or trouble, if not harme: and so it fareth in euerie point with those that [Page 236]contend in the place of exercise, and in the handling of the staffe, wherein they contend for strength, where, no not the ouercommet himselfe carrieth awaie the victorie without greate forcing and strayning of his mem­bers.

Consultori pessimum. Iuill councell is worst to the councell giuer.

[Page 238]It is most certaine that the punishment which another deserueth by committing of offence, doth alwaies returne vpon the head of the first counceller. Wee may daille see this in standards & Ensignes of warre, where­by we muster or gather souldiers together to their voiage, and in battell, arme our selues by them, as our guides against the enemie: for they abide the first onset and renting in peeces. Nay rather the authors of battels and strife in al dissensions and variances, are wor­thier of the sorer punishment, and the lawes themselues command, that seuerer punish­ment be inflicted vppon them, than vpon the fighters themselues. And to the present pur­pose belongeth that which Aulus. Gellius writeth of the wicked dealing of the Hetru­rian southsaiers.Au. Gel. For they beeing called vpon by the Romanes, that they should in open as­semblie consulte about Horatius Cocles i­mage, that was striken with lightning (as they were priuie enemies of the Romanes) after that they had decreed that the image should be carried into a more desert place, where the Sunne could not come to it at al to bene­fit it. When accusation of this their deuice was made, and their falshood and trecherie in this case made knowen, they were killed, & [Page 239]the image it selfe was translated with a great deale more honor into Vulcans court or hall. Wherfore the young youth turning this false diuination into a more plausible interpretati­on for the common wealth (because, as good lucke woulde haue it, it fell out happilie for the common wealth) went crying vp & down the Citie, and in great choler as it were▪ broke forth into these speeches: Euill councell is worst to the councell giuer.

Vis nescia vinci. Force that cannot bee ouercome with force.

[Page 241]Plutarch writeth that Scylurus of Chaero­ [...]ea lying vpon his deathbed,Plutar. offred to his 80. sonnes one by one a bundle of dartes or ar­rowes, to be broken in peeces. The which when they went about to do, and could not preuaile, and had answered that it was vnpos­sible, their father vntied the bundle, and ta­king them euerie one out one after another, broke them with great facilitie and ease, tea­ching them thereby, that they were inuinci­ble & vnable to be ouercome, as long as they continued in peaceable league, and quietnes togither, but if they were once drawne one from another by dissention, and sedition, they would easily fall into captiuitie, and into their enimies hands. That which Plinie noteth not much vnilke to this, might hither be adduced,Plinie. of the stones of Scyrus lying in one of the Cy­clades, which being whole, swome vpon the toppe of the water, but being broken, they suncke by and by. Therefore let this simbole of darts fast ioyned togither in a bundle, and also of the forenamed stones signifie thus much, that leagues of what couenants soeuer are inuincible, if you vse prudence for the band of the same.

Quis contra nos? If God be with vs, who can be against vs.

Saint Paul when he was in the Iland of Malta a Viper light vpon his hand,Acts. 28. yet recei­ued [Page 243]he no hurt thereby (although the Barba­rians thought otherwise) but shooke off the Viper into the middest of the fire, whereof we may see, that they to whom Gods mercie is readie at hand, nothing can hurt, or annoy.

Maturè. Speedily.

Looke for what reason Titus Vespasian the Emperor in times past, vsed an Anker with a Dolphin fish for his cognizance or armes, for the same (as I thinke) Pope Paul the third vsed a Camelion with a Dolphin. Meaning thereby that the like slow celerity, or hast ma­king is alwayes to be kept in any manner of thing.

Lex publica Principis ignes. A publike law is the fire of the Prince.

[Page 245]The burning firebrands which the Ro­maines were wont to carrie before their prin­ces (as we may see in most of the monuments and coynes of ancient kings, whereof Hero­dian maketh mention,Herodian where he writeth of the diuination of Gordianus Caesar) do plain­ly signifie, that Princes, Emperors, captaines, and pretors (vnto whom authoritie vnder the king was committed to determine causes) ought to shine before all others in the bright­nesse of vertue, and equitie.

In se contexta recurrit. Being platted togither it cleaueth fast.

The Psalmist making mention of the vn­measurable bountifulnesse and liberalitie of [Page 247]Gods grace, pietie, clemencie, and proui­dence, saith, Benedices coronae anni benig­nitatis tuae, Psal. 64. thou crownest the yeare with thy goodnesse, and thy steppes droppe fatnes. Whereby he giueth vs to vnderstand, that a yearely renuing, and a successiue and conti­nuall returning of plentiousnesse of all com­modities, and yearely profites, is giuen vs from the Lord in all abundance, where also by the figure of a serpent the yeare is to be vn­derstood according to the monuments of the Egyptians, which they vsed in steed of letters.

Pythone peremto. The serpent being slaine.

The power of the Romaine empire began then to decay, when the honor that the soul­diers [Page 249]were wont to haue by the authoritie of ancient lawes, decreased by little and little, in so much that the Egle in their martiall en­signes yeelded to the Woolfe, to the mino­taure, to the horse, and to the wild bore. The Dragon had the last place, whom Claudianus famously setteth forth in many of his verses,Claud. the similitude whereof signifieth continuall watchfulnesse.

Caelo imperium iouis extulit ales. The Egle hath lifted vp the gouernment of the Empire to the heauens.

[Page 251]The Egle hath alwayes bene the chiefest ensigne amongst the Romaines, the which euen at this day belongeth to the holy Em­pire. And this Caius Marius, after that he had attained to the honour of the second Consul­ship, dedicating an Egle altogither to his legi­ons or armies, according to Plinie his relati­on, preferred before all other ensignes.Plinie. And the Egle, because she is formidable and to be feared before all other birds, and as though (as it is commonly said) she is counted for the king of all birds, was chosen for a simbole or ensigne, to signifie a people, or nation which hath subdued all other whatsoeuer. But this also is true, that in the Romanes ensignes the Egle was wont to carrie the similitude of lightning, either as a bird dedicated to Iupi­ter, or as carrying his armes and ensignes for­most, or finally because, as Plinie saith, she is neuer touched with lightning.

Infestis tutamen aquis. A defence or safegard in the dangerous waters.

Seruius Galba the Emperor signified by this simbole,Dion. as wel his own act [...]s, as his ancestor [...] Therfore he purtrayed a dogge bowing him­selfe downe from the forepart of the ship, like as though he would leape downe: wherby he declared great vigilancie, and constant wat­ching against all dangers whatsoeuer.

Antidoti salubris amaror. Holsome is the Antidotes bitternesse.

[Page 254]The summe of our saluation consisteth chiefely in the imitation of the miserie of the passion, and crosse of our redeemer Iesus Christ; namely, as we said before, if we pa­ciently beare the afflictions of this transitorie world, that so we calling vpon the name of Christ, may vse our selues thereto, and may change the bitternes of the crosse into the cuppe of saluation, singing with the psalmist, What shall I render to the Lord for all the good things which he hath giuen vnto me?Psal. 116 I will take the cuppe of saluation, and will call vpon the name of the Lord.

Cessit victoria victis. Victorie is happened to the ouercome.

[Page 256]By this meanes the bloody effusion of blood is turned in the holy Martyrs and those that suffer for the name of God, into the forme of a crowned Palme tree, or else an euerlasting reward of a victorie gotten, that so the crowne of an immortall kingdome might be signified. But not those onely which shed their blood for the confession of their faith, are therefore thought worthie of the name of Martyrs, but they which following the Lord Christ, for the inheritance of the kingdome of heauen, take vp his crosse, paciently bearing the contume­lies, and reproches of this world, wherein the chiefest kinde of martyrdome is for the most part occupied, and exercised.

Flauescent. In time they will become yellow or ripe.

Horatius Farnesius duke of Cameri­num, vsed the like quaternion of greene sheaues of wheate, whereby he declared or fi­gured, that the young youth of the noble prince (as I suppose) should in time be turned into a ripe and full age.

Vt lapsu grauiore ruant. That they may fall with the greater ruine.

There is perpetuall enimitie betwixt the dragon & the Egle.Plinie. Whereby it commeth to passe that they neuer meete one the other, w^t ­out a fierce conflict, & so dangerously are car­ried togither thorow the aire, that the Egle wrapped round about in the dragons taile, [Page 259]they fall headlong downe togither. The like is wont to happē to proud & hauty persons whē they are at contention amongst themselues.

Ʋictrix casta fides. Pure faith is a conqueror.

In the church of the Franciscanes, the bewtiful ensignes of the famous citty A [...]gnō na [Page 260]are ingrauen, on the tombe of the noble woman Laure, which is so much commēded of Franciscus Petrarcha, with two little laurel bowes lying a crosse one ouer another, with the forme of a crosse also added to it, standing ouerthwart in the middle, & vpon them the shape of a Rose fastened to the middle of the Target. Whereby is signified the integritie of their first faith and promise ioyned with chastitie, and the subdued affections of this wicked world.

Ipsa suae testis victoria cladis. Victorie it selfe is a witnesse of his owne destruction.

There is found euen at this day ancient coynes, with the inscription of Vespasianus Caesar vpon them, wherein there is ingrauen [Page 262]the figure of a high Palme tree abounding with great store of fruite. Furthermore it is most certaine that that most noble and fruit­full tree grew in Iudea, when it was subdued, and brought into subiection by the force and power of that mightie Prince. Wherfore this presaging type of the Palme tree, doth signi­fie not onely the region of Iurie, but also the destruction of that nation, and Gods perpe­tuall destruction against the posteritie there­of.

Mala vndique clades. Destructiō waiteth for y^e wicked in euery place

These swords which are placed & stand forth of a round circle, and a trembling Hare in the middest thereof, do signifie vnto vs, that a safe refuge, is in no place granted to offenders, ei­ther in the field, or in the citty, or in any other place in bodie or spirite. For so both in infinite other places, and also in Moses the scripture threatneth, saying,Deut. 31 The sword shall destroy them abrode, and feare at home.

Grandeur, per grand heur. Authoritie and dignitie commeth of Fortune.

Dion reporteth that three monuments of triumph,Dion. were ingrauen in the [...]ing of Pom­peyus, wherewithall he vsed to s [...]le, like as Scylla vsed to haue. The which simbole without all doubt, foresheweth a monument of the noble exploits of them both.

Improbitas subigit rectum. Wickednesse oppresseth the good.

[Page 266]As a tree is kept from growing, and choked as it were by the growing of Iuie about the same, so a matter in law, although it be neuer so vniust, thorow the art and wit of the clo­quent lawier doth wrest the law after their owne will and pleasure.

Pacis & armorum vigiles. The watchers of peace and warre.

By the watching clocke of the cocke and the trumpet, it is easie to iudge what diffe­rence there is betwixt the condition of warre and peace.

De paruis grandis aceruus erit. Great heapes come of small beginnings.

From an eare to a handful, from a handful to a sheaue. So a poore man by good councell, wisedome & diligence ought to vse the good gifts that are lawful for him, & giuē vnto him. [Page 269]Wherto when he is come by Gods benefites, it is needfull that he stay himselfe sometimes, & six that most f [...]rtunate sufficiency of things being a true crowne of riches for a marke or scope: remembring in this case alwayes these verses of a certaine french Poet (whose name if I knew, I would no more conceale it, then I would his worthie praise which he deserueth by it) as followeth.

Là, le danger. In warres is all mischiefe and danger.

[Page 271]There stood in Lacedemon the picture of Bacchus, holding a long speare with Iuie round about it, growing vp to the verie point thereof, which was couered with the same. Which signified that wars were to be waged, not by force, or might, but were to be directed by councell, pollicie, and art: for to such arts martiall force is subiect.

Nodos Virtute resoluo. I resolue all doubts onely by vertue.

[Page 273]By this Symbole of the Marshal of S. An­drew, being an arme and a swoord, which is sayde properly to belong to Alexander the great, cutting in sunder Gordius knot in the ancient pallas of Midas, may be vnderstoode (in my opinion) the prowes of the valyant Prince. And also, that things beeing other­wise vneasie and difficult, are by manhod and strength made easie.

Turpibus exitium. Destruction hangeth ouer the heads of the wicked and vncleane.

As the Bittle is bred and nourished in the excrements and dong of a horse, but beeing in the middest of roses dieth: so these youths [Page 275]that are so nice, & giuen ouer to carnall plea­sure, the studie of godlinesse and other good vertues delighteth them not, desiring rather to be polluted with the filthie dong of car­nall pleasure and wickednes.

in a martiall Ensigne, is a perpetuall monu­ment of the protection of the kingdome of France.Eng. de Monst.

Etiam fortunam. Yea, fortune too.

M. Sergius a Romane knight, after that hee had many times fought with Hannibal,Plinie. and being taken captiue by subtitltie, had escaped his hands, at last in a skirmish lost his right [Page 279]hand: whereupon hee was constrained to fight with his lefte hande in foure other bat­tels. But when hee perceiued that hee coulde not vse the one hand so aptly as the other, he caused an yron hand to bee made, and set fast to his right arme. The which he so luckilie & valiantly vsed after in field, that he ouercame & discomfited twelue armies in France, that were sworne enemies to the Romanes. For which cause Plinie writeth that hee knoweth not anie other that is to bee preferred before Sergius in prowes and manhoode, who van­quishing the violence of his fortune, made himselfe worthie of all the praise and honor of those victories.

Sic sopor irrepat. So sleepe came vpon him.

Wee reade it written in the French Chronicles, that one Gontranus king of Bur­gundie, being vppon a time wearie with hun­ting,Annals of France. and falling on sleepe, his seruants wat­ching by him in a certain field, by a riuer side running hard by, there came out of the kings mouth a little beast, and assaied to passe ouer the riuer. VVhich when the kinges seruant sawe, he drew out his sword, whervpon as on a bridge, the little beast passed ouer the riuer, & [Page 281]went into a hole or caue that was in a hill o­uer against it. From whence she came foorth againe by and by, and going ouer againe by the sword as by a bridge, went againe into the kings mouth. VVhen the king awaked, he told his man the like dreime that he had seene, to wit, that he went ouer a riuer vpon an yron bridge, and so into a caue vnder a hill, where he sawe great treasure hidde. When his man heard that, he tolde him in order what had happened when he was on sleepe. So the king caused the inner parte of the hill to bee ope­ned, whereout he digged abundance of golde and siluer, which he bestowed vpon the poore and needie, and also gaue much to the vse of diuerse Churches. And also with the same treasure he caused the coffine of Saint Mar­cell neere to Chalon at Saona, where he was thought to be buried.

Caecus amor prolis. Loue of parents to their children is blind or voide of reason.

The Ape is sayde to loue his young ones so vnmeasurablie,Plinie. that whilest hee clippeth them in his armes more then reason would, [Page 283]hee after killeth them with griping them so fast to him. In like manner many parents are wont to be so lauish in the nice education of their children, that with their too much coc­kering of them, at the last they bring them to naught.

Supplicio laus tuta semel. Hee that was worthie of praise was one free from punishment.

It is recorded of a certaine Indian, that was of such dexteritie in throwing of a [Page 285]dart, that he could cast it a great way off tho­ [...]ugh a ring of small compasse. VVherefore [...]hen he was commanded by king Alexander to shew his cunning before him, hee coulde not by anie meanes bee perswaded to doe it. For the which cause hee was condemned by the kings sentence to die. And beeing asked therefore he would not do so small a matter for the kings pleasure, answered, that hee fea­ [...]ed least hee should happilie misse of his vsu­ [...]all custome of throwing. When Alexander sawe that he did it, not so much for rebellion [...]s for feare and shame, hee commanded the condemned man to be set at libertie, wonde­ring at his disposition, which was verie desi­rous of glorie, desiring rather to die than to diminish or discredit the fame and excellen­ti: of his knowledge and cunning.

Omnis caro foenum. All flesh is grasse.

If this people which before all other nati­ons vainely vexed and troubled the whole [Page 287]world, that they might still increase and ad­ [...]ance their owne power and glorie, & make immortall as it were, had at the last vsed [...]ome good and wholesome councell, and loo­ [...]ed into their own state, that they might ear­nestly and deeply at the length haue weighed that the symbole, and author, and father as it [...]ere,Ouid. Seruius Romulus (which was a bundell of haie [...]anged vpon a pik or lance) meant, they had [...]euer sustained so many, and so great vexati­on both of bodie and minde, especially behol­ding so sodaine an alteration of humane af­faires, and most of all, of those things which belong properly to this fleshly and earthlie [...]ody, whose mutabilitie and inconstancie the Prophet compareth to greene grasse and fa­ [...]ing floures.Esay. 40

Tolle vpluptatum stimulos. Take awaie the prickes of pleasures.

As we are wont to vse a flap made of the ei­ed or starred feathers of a pecocke to beate awaie I [...]s:S. Ierome so wee ought to driue from vs & to purge our selues of pleasure, and all kinde of fleshly lust with great watchfulnes &c re.

Paix outragée se rend vengée. Foolish peace is wont alwaies to render vengeance.

[Page 290]The Persians in the daies of Zeno the Em­perour suffered due punishment for their de­serts, for the host of the Persians had thought by subtiltie to rushe headlong vpon Caesars Ensignes (where vppon conditions of peace concluded of betwixte both the nations,Procop. did hang and was shewed) and to rende them in peeces. But ere they were aware, the Persian king with his children and the chiefe of his armie were taken in a trench which the Ro­manes had prepared. And also not long after all the rest of the armie that were left by po­licie were discomfited, and not one left which was not destroied.

Rerum Sapientia custos. Wisdome the preseruer of all things.

[Page 292]The most gracious Dutches of Berie, Mar­garet by name, expressed the singular affecti­on her hart in this Embleme of two serpents, putting foorth both their heades out of the boughes of an Oliue tree: shewing that the true gouernment of all things is best helde fast, and holden vp by the mast of wisedome and pollicie.

Discite iustitiam moniti. Learne iustice by admonition.

[Page 294]Whither so euer Basanus king of the Sci­cambrians Diocles sonne went, he comman­ded alwaies a sword to be carried before him, on the top wherof was fastned a rope or hal­ter, and that for a testimonie of inuiolate iu­stice. For he was a king, besides that hee was famous in all other vertues, that was also a diligent censor and keeper of iudgement and equitie, insomuch that hee spared not in his owne sonne when hee offended, but seuerelie punished him.

Concussus surgo. Being smaller, I mount aloft.

The Admirall Cabotius alwaies vsed for his armes, a round circle or globe like a ball, (that I may so tearme it) swelling with wind, with this inscription, I shaken and tost, doe arise, which sufficiently vnfoldeth this sim­bole.

Hâc virtutis iter. This is the waie to vertue.

A fielde rake or harrow tied to the letter y (which they call one of the Pythagoricall characters) which Marcus Petrus Moruillier chanceller of France, challenged to himselfe [Page 297]for his armes, as wee may see in the Church dedicate to S. Martin in the fieldes in the ci­tie of Paris, doeth giue vs sufficient admoni­tion, that labour doeth make the waie to at­ [...]ine vnto vertue.

Hoc Caesar me donauit. Caesar hath rewarded me with this chaine.

Charles the sixt king of the Francons hunting in the forest of Senliana for a Hart that had about his necke a chaine or wreath [Page 299]of brasse burnished with gold, with an inscrip­tion to this effect: This Caesar hath me giuen, and desiring to leaue behind him this memo­rable pray to the knowledge of his posteritie, tooke a running Hart for his armes, hauing his necke compassed about with a crowne.

Victo seculo. Christ his victorie ouer the world.

[Page 301]A garland of thornes made fast to a reed or bal brush, resembleth a type of the passion of our sauiour Iesus Christ, signifieng his hea­uenlie and euerlasting kingdome, and his vic­torie ouer the world and sathan the prince of this world, whom he vanquished.

Terriculum noxae. The feare of hurt.

[Page 303]Pompeius Magnus being made head go­uernor of the armie,Plutarch. & sent of Scilla into Sici­lia, behaued himselfe not onely vigilantly, stoutly and valiantly, but also shewed himself a iust captaine with maruellous great equity. So that if he knew of any that went out of the campe on forraging, and either robbed, or committed any outragious fact, he would se­uerely punish them. Moreouer that he might restraine and bridle his scouts and posts from oppressing of those that they met withall, he marked or sealed their swords with his owne signet which he wore.

Hic terminus haerit. Here is the end of all things.

Lest the increase and abounding of digni­ties, of honors, goods, and finally of all other things, should by any meanes hinder noble men, & womē, that they should not somtimes think that they are mor [...]all as well as others, all of them for the most part, haue inuented [Page 304]some certaine meanes or other, which may now and then put them in minde of death and of their ende. The which thing maister Boizius the kings chiefe taster vseth at this daie, hauing for his armes the forme of a blocke or peece of timber, cast downe to the ground, with these wordes written about it, Here is the furthest bound or limit.

Mihi pondera luxus. Excesse is burdenous to me.

Like as corne (as Seneca saith) is diuerse times ouerwhelmed of it selfe,Seneca. and the eares [Page 306]cast downe thorow ouermuch rancknes, so al­so the immoderate heaping vp of commodi­ties and pleasures is hurtful to good wits, and to those which in other respects carrie verie good mindes.

Nil amplius optat. The contented man wisheth for no more.

This tipe or figure of nets or hayes wouen togither, may be referred to the metaphor going before: and doeth teach vs, that hee that liueth content with his own goods, doth easily despise and contemne the inordinate desire of fraile and transitorie things.

Num flatus telluris honor. Is not honor a blast of winde?

There was an ancient custome amongst the Romaines, that to euerie gouernor of any countrey or prouince newly created, for con­gratulation sake onely as a signe of good luck to ens [...]e, should be giuen, in honour of them seuen shillings to euerie one, a clot or turfe, a key and a ball or globe. The clot they gaue in token that the Magistrates ought to bestow al their diligēce, that meats should not become dearer, but y^t they should remaine in the same [Page 308]price that they were, at that no dearth, want, nor hunger might arise. Moreouer, that the publike affaires might be moderate, and exe­cuted with such wisedome and clemencie, as in giuing of a clot o [...] peece of earth, they than­ked the deputie or gouernor for their fieldes, and corne. The key they gaue in token that he ought to expend and way of their liberty, and his owne authoritie in bidding and comman­ding. The sphere or globe, they gaue to signi­fie his puissant right and authoritie. So Alex­ander interpreted a globe or sphere giuen him of Darius. Except wee had rather that the sphere should signifie the gouernment of ciuill pollicie, and martiall discipline.

Me pompae prouexit apex. The desire of renowne hath promoted me, or set me forward.

The Romaines supposed it the chiefest re­ward of famous deedes, if they adorned their Emperors, captaines, knights, & other cōmen soldiers, euery one notwithstāding according to their dignity, degree & place, with crownes [Page 310]or garlands, which they called militares co­ronas, martiall crownes, or crownes of chi­ualrie. And because they were signes and to­kens of their vertue, noble exploits, and inuin­cible mindes: the chiefest and famoust had their purtraitures, with their Apothegmes & posies, and that as well for the perpetuall re­membrance of their worship, and ancienty as also for the oblectation, pleasure, & esperance to those that should come after, attending & seeking after the honor of vertue, with the re­ward & praise therof. Which things are espe­cially due to those who are the reuengers, the patrons & redeemers of the common wealth (which ought greatly to be regarded of al mē) The first crowne y^t was giuen, was called tri­umphall, which being platted w^t laurel bowes, and berries, was offered to inuincible trium­phers. To whom it was lawfull, & that by the decree of the senate, to solemne their triumph vp and downe the cittie in great charets, and wagons, as vanquishers, and subduers of their enimies: the senate being aduertised first of 5000. of their enimies to be slaine togitherin one battel. Which triumphant crowne, in pro­cesse of time, the Empire decreasing, was af­terwards interlaced with vnions, and diuerse other precious stones. And last of all, it was [Page 311]changed from the natural laurell, into a gra­uen laurell compassed about with a circle of gold, as is to be seene yet to this day in old coynes and pictures.

Merces sublimis honorum. The reward of honor is great.

Those that were deliuered, and had esca­ped in any battell, gaue to the tribune, or go­uernor of the armie, who had valiantly sub­dued [Page 312]their enimies, a triumphant crowne of grasse. And albeit this garland, or crowne was of grasse onely, it is to be thought notwith­standing that it waws compact of all manner of herbes and flowers that could be found in that place, after the armies were dispersed, yet neuerthelesse (as Plinie witnesseth) it was the honorablest of all the rest, and hold in greatest estimation.

Seruati gratia Ciuis. The reward of him that had deliuered a cittie out of danger,

If any citizē had deliuered his citty out of any singular dāger in battel, & had preserued it in safety, he was rewarded by another w^t a crown or garland, platted w^t Oke leaues, because in old time men liued of such meats as the Okes yeelded.

Excidij turribus honos. The honor done to him had scaled the walles of his enimies.

A crowne of gold representing the forme of a wall with pinacles and turrets vpon it, was giuen by the Emperor or gouernour, or gouernor of the armie to him that by force, and armes, should first cl [...]mbe vp vpon the wals of his enimies, or any way enter into their cittie.

Hoc valli insigne recepti. This was the reward of him that tooke the valley of his enimie.

A crowne of gold also made in forme of a valey was giuen of the Emperor, or president of the host, to him that could take the valley from his enimies.

Classis monumenta subactae. The reward of him that boorded his enimies shippe.

In the sea fight whosoeuer could first giue charge vpon his enimies nauie, or fleete, and enter his shippe armed, was crowned with a crowne of gold made like to the forepart of a shippe.

In hunc intuens. Looke vpon this image.

The Egyptians were accustomed in their banquets and feastes to haue carried about with thē an image or picture of death, & shew­ing it to euerie one, repeating these verses.

Isidorus reporteth also that at Constanti­nople there was a custome,Isidorus. to put the Empe­ror in mind of his departure hence: The first day that he was to be crowned a certaine Mason should bring vnto him three or foure forts of stones, saying vnto him these words:

Ʋictoria limes. Victorie is the end.

Epictetus the Philosopher being asked vp­on a time of Adrianus the Emperor wherfore the deade were crowned with garlands, an­swered, that they might declare, how that by death they had ouercome the labors, sorrows and imminent heape of the cares of this life. Plinie also speaketh of the same crowning of the dead, witnessing that they were accusto­med to be offred vp after the same manner.

Spes alter a vitae. Hope of another life.

[Page 321]Corne, graine, and seeds of sundrie sorts, being dead and cast into the ground do re­uiue, and spring againe: So mans bodie fal­ling into the ground shall rise againe in glory, in the last and general day of the resurrection of the flesh.