The enemie to vnthryftinesse publishing, by lawes, documents and disciplines. A right rule, for reformation of pride, and other prodigall and riotous disorders, in a common wealth: for the worthines of directions, a perfect mirrour for all maiestrates: (especially) of cities. And for sound counsels, and admonitions, a carde to compasse, or euery yong gentleman, honorablie and profitably to gouerne his actions. Partely, drawne out of the sage gouernme[n]t, of the most worthie emperour, Alexander Seuerus: and (generallye) discoueringe the vnsufferable abuses now raigning in our happie English co[m]mon wealth. By George Whetstons gent. — Mirour for magestrates of cyties

The enemie to vnthryftinesse publishing, by lawes, documents and disciplines. A right rule, for reformation of pride, and other prodigall and riotous disorders, in a common wealth: for the worthines of directions, a perfect mirrour for all maiestrates: (especially) of cities. And for sound counsels, and admonitions, a carde to compasse, or euery yong gentleman, honorablie and profitably to gouerne his actions. Partely, drawne out of the sage gouernme[n]t, of the most worthie emperour, Alexander Seuerus: and (generallye) discoueringe the vnsufferable abuses now raigning in our happie English co[m]mon wealth. By George Whetstons gent. — Mirour for magestrates of cyties

The enemie to vnthryftinesse publishing, by lawes, documents and disciplines. A right rule, for reformation of pride, and other prodigall and riotous disorders, in a common wealth: for the worthines of directions, a perfect mirrour for all maiestrates: (especially) of cities. And for sound counsels, and admonitions, a carde to compasse, or euery yong gentleman, honorablie and profitably to gouerne his actions. Partely, drawne out of the sage gouernme[n]t, of the most worthie emperour, Alexander Seuerus: and (generallye) discoueringe the vnsufferable abuses now raigning in our happie English co[m]mon wealth. By George Whetstons gent. — Mirour for magestrates of cyties

Table of contents

[1]

Title page

The Printer to the Reader▪

To the Right Honorable, Woolstone Dixi, Lord MAIOR of the famous Cittie of London. To the Right worshipfull, Sir Edward Osburne, knight, and other the Aldermen his Assistantes: and to their learned Counseller, M. Seriant Fleetwood, Recorder of the same CITIE: his approoued good frende and Kinsman.

To the Right vvorshipfull, the yong Gentlemen, of the Innes of Court.

Ad candidum Lectorem: IN LAVDEM OPERIS.

¶ Faultes escaped, the Author being absent.

A Mirrour for Maiestrates of Citties.

The first Oration of Alexander, the Emperour, to the Senators.

Alexanders Oration, to the Cittizyns of •…eeme.

Continuance of Alexander his Oration, to the Cittizyns.

The Conclusion of AlexANDERS Oration, to the Cittizyns

The Emperour Alexander his Oration, to the Gentlemen of Rome.

Lawes, Pains, and Penalties, set downe by Alexander Seuerus, to punish Offenders against the Weale-publique.

Vnto these Lavves, vvas added this Confyrmation.

Of the great VVisdome of ALEXANDER, in electyng of Graue Counsellers, Officers, and Admynistrators of Iustice.

[2]

Title page

The dangerous Mischiefes, that the DICING-HOVSES, and other lyke Sanctuaries of iniquitie, do breede in the Cittie of LONDON.

A Remembrance, of the Disordered State of the Common-wealth, at the Queenes Maiesties commyng to the Crowne.

The enemie to vnthryftinesse publishing, by lawes, documents and disciplines. A right rule, for reformation of pride, and other prodigall and riotous disorders, in a common wealth: for the worthines of directions, a perfect mirrour for all maiestrates: (especially) of cities. And for sound counsels, and admonitions, a carde to compasse, or euery yong gentleman, honorablie and profitably to gouerne his actions. Partely, drawne out of the sage gouernme[n]t, of the most worthie emperour, Alexander Seuerus: and (generallye) discoueringe the vnsufferable abuses now raigning in our happie English co[m]mon wealth. By George Whetstons gent. — Mirour for magestrates of cyties[1]

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§

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[Page]

[Page] THE ENEMIE to Vnthryftinesse:

Publishing, by Lawes, documents and Disciplines. A Right Rule, for Reformation of Pride, and other Prodigall and Riotous disorders, in a Common wealth: For the worthines of Directions,A Perfect Mirrour for all Maiestrates: (especially) of CITIES. And for sound Counsels, and Admonitions, A Carde or Compasse, for euery yong Gentleman, honorablie and profitably to gouerne his Actions.

Partely, drawne out of the sage Gouernmēt, of the most worthie Emperour, Alexander Seuerus: and (generallye) discoueringe the vnsufferable Abuses now raigning in our happie English cōmon wealth.

By George Whetstons Gent.

Malgre de Fortuner

¶ Printed at London by Richard Jones Anno 1584.

[Page]

The Printer to the Reader▪

TO the intent, that the Variable humors of men (which delight as much in Chaynge, as they dyffer in opinions) may be satisfied, with the varietie of M. WHETSTONS. Workes and writinge. I haue therefore, not (here) thought it [...]sse to set downe the seuerall tytles, of his seuerall workes alredy printed & compiled: Vid [...].

1 The Enemie to Vnthryftinesse.

2 The Rocke of Regarde,

3 The honourable Reputation and Morall Vertues of a Souldier:

4 The Heptameron of Cyuill discourses.

5 The Tragicall Cōmedie of Promos and Cassandra.

6 The lyfe and death of M. G. Gascoyne:

7 The lyfe & death of the graue and honorable Maiestrat, Sir Nycholas Bacon, late L. keeper.

8 The lyfe, and death of the good L. Dyer,

9 The lyfe and death of the noble Earle of Sussex▪

10 A Mirrour of true Honor, shewinge the lyfe, death, and Vertues of Frauncis, Earle of Bedforde. [...]kes redy to be Printed.

11 A Panoplie of deuices,

12 The English Mirour, [...]

13 The Image of Christian Iustice.

[Page]

To the Right Honorable, Woolstone Dixi, Lord MAIOR of the famous Cittie of London.
To the Right worshipfull, Sir Edward Osburne, knight, and other the Aldermen his Assistantes: and to their learned Counseller, M. Seriant Fleetwood, Recorder of the same CITIE: his approoued good frende and Kinsman.

RIGHT HONORABLE, AND Worthie Maiestrates: hauing compiled this Booke, in the tyme of the Right worshipfull, Sir Edward Osburns Maioraltie: I dedicated the same with my ready seruice, to the worthie Maiestrats of this famous CITIE. To whom the execution of the Diciplines, contayned therein (cheefely) belongeth: I bowldly saye, if the Booke had beene as effectually regarded as it was curiously searched a number might haue made profit of my Trauell: but as olde woundes, requier deepe searchinge, euen so cankred Vices are not to be cured, but with seuere chastisments: This Booke discouereth many and so dangerous euilles: as euery man that hath care of his posterytie, is bound to be a suter for reformation: The contents therof I humbly submit vnto your graue Censures The honor of Reformation belongeth vnto your wisdomes, the benefit to the publick weale: and the bare trauell (only) is due vnto me: Which as at the first, I dedicated the same, for the seruice of this CITIE euen so: in this second Correction, I patronize the Booke with your honorable & right worshipfull protections: no more, but accomplishment of perfect desires, with acknowledgement of my dutie and seruice.

To your Honor and Worships,

George Whetstons.

[Page]

To the Right vvorshipfull, the yong Gentlemen, of the Innes of Court.

MOst worthy & right Worshipfull Gentlemen (of the Innes of Court,) vnto you, as vnto one of the fairest Ornaments of this happy Realme. I commende the benefit of this small Treatise: And I am wel perswaded, in this Dedication, that I salute the best paret of all the yong Gentlemen of Englande: For what Course so-euer, they afterwardes followe, there are very fewe Gentlemen, but, either are, or haue ben of your Societie: It is very wel knowen that these famous Houses are the first intertayners of your Lybertie.

For (notwithstanding) in your Gouernments, there are many good and peaceable Orders, yet your chiefest Discipline, is by the Purse. Those that are disposed, studdie the Lawes: who so liketh, without checke may follow Dalliance: And (certainly) the wanton [...], which you (continuallie) behold, are not vnlike the Sirenes Inchauntmēts (were Poets faynings true;) you cōtinually walke by the Adamant Rockes, which drawe Siluer and Gold, as fast as Iron and Steele: you must be armed with more experience then the capacytie of yong yeares: or els, assirte your selues that Repentance will vnlose your Fetters: there is an olde Prouerb: Euil Company, corrupteth good maners: And (truely) I cannot see, how yong men, of the best education: should escape vnpoysoned, when vice is so conuersant with elder yeares.

O how happie were it for your Posteritie, if the Innes of the Court, were farre from Dicyng-houses, or Dieyng houses, with their Originall, the Deuill. But, if you cannot be thus seperated, this little Booke, will (with regarde) guide you as safe, as the Clue of thréede did Theseus, in the Laberinth. These Houses (outwardly) are of the substance of other Buildinges, but within are the Botches and By [...]es [Page] of Abhomynation: they are lyke vnto deepe Pittes, couered with smoothe Grasse, of which, men must be warned, or els, they can hardly auoide that their eye can not discouer:

You can haue, no fairer warnings then the steppes of your Companions falles, nor I, a more fortunate Rewarde for my trauaile, then to see you (worthie Gentlemen) to floorish.

I beseeche you, to be aduised: It is a more precious matter, to shun & Mischiefe, by other mennes harmes, then to learne the goodnes of a thing, by the losse therof. This sharp Discouerie, will make your fleering Deceiuers, my open Enemies: but I shalbe well strengthned, if my true Affection, broode in you a disdaine of their fellowshyp, & let them spurne their woorste, they hurt them selues, that are angrie with good Admonition. I dedicate this Booke to the Magestrates to whome, appertaineth the chastisment of euyll liuers, your woorst enemies: I dedicate to you (courteous Gentlemen) the Fruits of Noble Alexanders Counselles, as beseeming your worthinesse: I am but his Trouch-man, and your trustie frend. And (truely) your wisdomes may make his graue Counselles more profitable then their seuere Discipline: for the Medicine is of more value, that preserueth Health, then that which cureth Sicknesse. The health of a Gentlemā, is Honour & actions of vertue: in which, Alexander (liberally) instructeth you: The Maladie, nay, death of a Gentlemā, is an vndoyng to the posterytie, which is hastetied, by the sucking of Shifters: Of whome, I (constantly) hope, the good Maiestrates will ease you: I leaue further Ceremonies, in my Preface, leaste I seeme to iudge your Wisdomes, who are (for Learninge) a faire Beautie of the Common-wealth: my plaine Methode, in writing, showeth you a large hole to see Daye, which is ynouffe (with an Aduauntage) who retayne the vertue, to drayne Honie from a Weede: I ende to trouble you, at this time: but in no time, will leaue to bée:

Your assured Frende:

George Whetstones.

[Page]

Ad candidum Lectorem: IN LAVDEM OPERIS.

SIte cura iuvat sanctarum (Candide) Legum,

Aut inculpatae praecepta salubria vitae:

Hinc Exempla pecas, Morum sit norma tuorum

Hic Liber, et SPECVLO te contempleris in isto,

Nam fugienda tibi quae sint industrius Author

Quaeqae lequenda docet. Liber et labor illius omnis

Huc spectant: Aleas vites, nec Tessera curae,

Nec Gula, nec Luxus, nec desidis Otia vitae

Sint tibi: sed Mores compti, castissima vita,

Et Labor, et rebus virtus exercita duris

Quae Patriam iustis defendere possit in Armis,

Haec Summa est Operis, nostriqae hîc meta laboris.

IOANNES BOTREVICVS.

¶ Faultes escaped, the Author being absent.

Leafe. | Side. | Lyne. | Fault. | Correction.
1, | 1. | 16. | no cōmon wealth, | in no cōmon wealth.
7. | 1. | 9. | an Absurditie, | no Absurditie.
8. | 2. | 30 | his own Daughter, | his owne Death.
9. | 1. | 13. | Gaius | Caius.
10. | 1. | 18. | Laborers | barbarous
15. | 2. | 19. | knights of ye land. | knightes of the Band.
21. | 1. | 2. | attempting | attempt.
21. | 1 | 2. | innoia. | muoia
28. | 1. | 11. | forgetteth | geueth
26. | 2. | 22. | done | due

In the next Line folowing, for reuerenced, reade, reserued.

[Page]

A Mirrour for Maiestrates of Citties.

AFTER THAT THE GOOD Emperour Alexander (surnamed) Seuerus, for his sharp correcting of vice, had restored the authoritie of the Senate, and had giuen breathe vnto their good Lawes: of whom the one sate without reuerence, and the other were read and not regarded, through the inordinate lyberties, and Priueleadges giuen vnto vice, by that vncleane Monster Heliogabalus, his Predecessor: Of the suddaine, Rome was brightned with the vertues of Iustice, as the world with the beames of the Sunne, after a horrible and darke tempest. But as there is no assurance of faire weather vntill the skie be cleare from clowdes, so (which well forsaw this good Emperour) there can be no common wealthe grounded peace and prosperitie, where there are not Informers to fynde out offenders, as well as Iudges to chasten offences: In so much, in the prime of his Gouernment, accompained with many graue Senators, as this good Emperour went vnto the Senat, in his passage hee might see the Cittyzins busielye [Page] exercised in their seuerall trades: he incountred the Gentlemen in ciuil attire, and of euerie estate, found both himselfe and his Senators, saluted with much honour, reuerence and dutie.

And being in the Senate house, mounted in the iudiciall Throne, he sate long, and was litle occupyed with crimynall causes.

The Senators, no little gloried, that (appealing vnto the iudgement of Alexander) they might lawfully boast, that Rome, which was late a Forrest of wilde beastes, or to speake more properlie, a den of theeues, a San [...]uarie for Ruffens, a priueledge for Strumpets: a place in whiche no vice was forbidden, nor vertu cōmaunded, by their great wisdomes was brought into so good an order, as Alexanders eyes could beholde no open offenders, nor his eares heare of any secreat offences. In so much, as after his returne to the Pallace, they lauded the Emperour, with many acclamations of vertue, attributing this happy reformation vnto his pietie, temperaunce, and Iustice: thinking, that in giuing of hym this soueraigntie, he would returne the praises vpon their paineful-trauels, with the incouragement, that the magnanimious Caesar gaue vnto his souldiours, saying: that their bloods wrot honor in his forehead, and therfore how precious he esteemed his owne honor, so carefull he was of their welfare. But Alexander, although he were second to none, in the regarding and the rewarding of vertuous Maiestrates, yet least by thinking, that this outwarde reformation, had in the common wealth setled an inwarde amendement, and thereby they shoulde growe negligent [Page] in the administratiōs of their waighty charges, he with a light regarde, attended his owne deserued praises, to reaue them of the hope of particular commendations: yea, that they might wel know that all that glistered was not Golde, that alwaies the inwarde harte, was not discouered by the outward habit: he compared the best gouerned Common welth vnto a faire Aple, which being serched, hath a Core, and that the worthy Senators, might perceaue their errours, and to amende what was omitted of their owne duties, and necessarie to establish a happye gouernment, in this graue and prudent Oration hee set downe the daungerous estate of the publique weale: and with-al, a perfect remedie for the festred and inwarde maladies.

The first Oration of Alexander, the Emperour, to the Senators.

Most graue and reuerende Fathers, we not a litle reioyce, through the grace of the immortal Gods, and your great wisdomes, to beholde the famous Rome, but yesterday (in comparison) infamed with al abhominatiōs, by the priueleges of our beastly predecessor, who meriteth neither the name of Emperour, nor man, no we in possession of her auncient vertues: And as we confesse, that by the deuine and heroyicall blessinges, the hoaresed voyce of Iustice is cleared: So wee like-wise hope, by the same graces, the remembraunce of vice and iniquitie shal-be rooted out. [Page] But good Senators, to discontinue a prosperous beginning, with a slouthfull imagination, that the Common weale is sounde, because no in [...]yrmities appeare, is the vnhappie meane, to blaste the fruites, of your well imployed wisdomes, and to inpresse an vncurable Canker in the bowels of Rome. The practisers of Chirurgerie very well know, that an olde and deepe festred sore, w [...]l with easie working of the Surgion, ourwardly seeme to heale, but it there bee not Corsiues applied, to eate out the roote thereof, this ouer hastie healing will breake foorth vnto a more greeuous maladie. Good Senators, vnto you al, it is wel knowen, that the publique weale hath of long time bin infected, with the most horrible vices, that euer humanitie practised: yea, so foule and vn cleane, as ciuill creatures are forbod to recite them, by the sauadge inclination of that Monster HELIOGABALVS, yea so lothsome and fylthy were his abhominations, as the worser sort of people, (his fauoured seruantes) so detested his detestable and vile lyfe, as they hasted his ouer-long proroged death. Now that the immortall Gods haue inuested vs with the Imperiall Maiestie, small is the wonder, though there appeare a reformation in the good, when the verie Reprobate were glutted with wickednesse. But reuerend Fathers, this sweete alteration is no warrant to the Magistrate, to be slouthfull in his function, least in not suruayinge of the best, the best them-selues be corrupted, as Moaths consume the finest garmentes, where they be seeldome worne, and lesse ouer-lookte: And although in the better sort, this inconuenience is to be feared, in the worser, this mischiefe is to be certenly expected: they wil vpon cuerie temptation returne to their naughtines as a Dog [Page] to his vomit, and therfore these daungerous insyrmities in a Common wealth, must be cured as the skilfull Surgion doth a festred sore. Their causes must bee searched and their nourishing humors purged, and then amendment followeth. The cause of this inordinate lust, this excessiue drunkennesse, this outragious prodigalitye, & to be short, this hel of iniquity among the Romanes, is euill education: of long time there hath bin no man ready to instruct them in vertues, nor willing to reprehend their vices, the nourishment of these euils are the Tauerns, Dicing places, and brothell houses, of whiche Rome hath great store, & they greater store of guestes: so that to rid the publique weale of this dangerous infection, is fyrste and cheefelye to instruct the youth in good maners, and next to abate the number of these superfluous howses, or at the least, daylie to ouer-see their dooings.

Thus in breefe, I haue declared some of the hydden euilles, harboured in the bowels of Rome, which to reforme your owne eyes must be as ready to fynde them out, as your eares attentiue to heare euils reported: you must bee as well Informers of offenders, as Iudges of offences: for the desire of Iustice is to roote out iniquitie, and the office of Iustices to inquire after euil lyuers: And without al doubt, in this carefull proceedinge, in your visitations, you shall see sufficient example of sin, to occupie your Iudiciall places with correction. This vigilant care, will eternize your good beginnings with glorie, will establish prosperitye in the weale puplique, will comforte the good, and bridle the wicked: ytnot through the loue of vertue, yet for the chastninge of vice. Thus, you see it concerneth the inrichinge of [Page] the common wealth, in the seruice where-of the bitternesse of death, should vnto you deeme pleasant: In particulers, it concerneth the prosperitie of your Children, Kinsfolke and Allies, for whose benefit you are borne to trauell: also it concerneth your owne honor, which you should holde more precious then lyfe: and therefore as your Soueraigne, we coniure you, and as fathers of the Common wealth beseeche you, that you wyll continue our good beginninge, with the execution of the Emperours directions: and so we end as we begun, the prosperitie of Rome, shal highly laude the gracious goodnes of the gods, & the greatnes of your wysdoms.

VVHen the good Emperour, had in few words ended this waightie Oration, (or more properly graue admonition) the fatherly Senators admiring the sound iudgemēt of Alex. beinge of tendet yeares & vnexperienced, in pollices of gouernment, knew straight-waies, that there was a negligence in their administration of Iustice, which his minde (continually exercised for the benefyt of the publique weale) forsaw, and to the profit therof, in this louing maner the same discouered.

To witnesse that they throughly conceiued the intent of his reposed wordes, by their owne prudent deeds, they foorth-with wrought out the wholsome effects of his godly desire: and ye better to search the core of vice & iniquitie hid in the intrailes of Rome. These good Maiestrats vsed this pollicie, in disguysed habits they entred ye Tauerns, common tables, victuling houses, stewes & brothel-harbors, without controlemēt, they viewed ye behauiors of the people, that thei might the better vuderstand the ful of their abuses: & vpon diligent searche, what founde they? [Page] forsooth, Rome like a painted strumpet. The great boast yt they but lately made of her reformation, had no better assurance their this, a few of the good sette forth their good dispositions at large, & many of the wicked, for a time helde in their lewde inclinations: but counterfetes wil vnto kinde, Copper may holde print but not bide tutch with golde: euen so these hypocrits, as place and opportunitie serued, bewraied their beastly natures. Among these tranions, Cosonage was esteemed lawful marchandise, & dicinge, faire pastune: lechery was held no sin, nor chastity, vertu: ruffens were honored, & the gods dispised: the mouth of vertu was locked, & vice spake through a trumpet. To be short, among them was no law but disorder, nor any thing publique but abhomination: neither possibli might it be otherwise: for by ye autho rity of Heliogabalus, ruffens, bawdes & suche other brothel birds, were made senators, yea, ye basest persons were maried to noble wemē, & they yt could set abroche most villanies, bare the greatest swayes: & wher such liberty is giuen to offend, sin is so sweete to ye flesh, yt there wil appeere no difference betweene men & beasts, saue yt men do exceede beasts in beastlines: and in this accordeth deuine Plato, who saith, yt those citties, in which [...]her are no seuere lawes to correct sin, ar rather forrests of monsters then places habitable for men, & wher as ther was this corruption in nature, there could be no alteratiō hoped for but by discipline, which the sequel well proueth.

The change of the gouernment, from a most vile vnto a most vertuous Emperour, purged simply, ye corruptiō of ye people, for althogh yt exercise of naughtinesse, were not so opē as before, yet ye euil disposed [Page] knew where to stawle companions euen in the fore named Hell houses, and which was most to bee lamented, among the scum of the Cittie, I meane Ruffians, Bawdes, Brokers, Cheters, Shifters and others: in these fylthie places, worthye Gentlemen and substantiall Cittezens were daylye founde, the one through vnthristinesse to wast their patrimonie, the other by couetousenesse to purchase the Deuill and all.

When the graue Senatours, had entred into the depth of these foule vlcers of the Publique weale, they founde that Dice, Drunkennesse and Harlots, had consumed the wealth of a great number of ancient Gentlemen, whose Purses were in the possession of vile persons, and their Landes at morgage with the Marchants, and how both the one and the other, were confederate to spoyle these Gallantes. They truly certifyed the Emperour, the dangerous estate of the Common wealth, how that by the corruption of these houses, the Gentlemen had made this exchaunge with vise persons, they were attyced with the Gentlemens brauerie, and the Gentlemen disgraced with their bea [...]ly maners: And somuch the case was the more to be pitied, for that the remedie was to be doubted: for al-be-it their infections grew by the fylthie conuersation with [...]affens, Bawdes, and suché braue baggages, whiche was harde to be cured, that which should comforte them in well dooinge, I meane their Landes, were in the possession of the Marchantes, who of the gaine of their bargen will wage sreendes to countenaunce their deceitfull dealinges, and then let them backe [Page] their worst, their aduersaries will byte them, with their owne teeth. Thus, poore Gentlemen, they are sure to impaire their liuinges: how-be-it (perhaps) they amend theyr liues.

When the good Emperour, had attentiuely herd this (lamentable) report, hee foorth-with made this short answer.

Graue Fathers, you haue certifyed vs no more, then by reason we sensibly foresaw: it is therefore now conuenient, that we by seueritie pluck vp the roots of wickednesse, which by sufferaunce are growen to mightye bodies of sin. Therfore our pleasure is, that by expresse Commaundement, the Cittizins of Rome be-warned to appeare (to morrowe) be-fore vs, in the Theater of Rome, where they shall openly know their faultes: and by the graces of the immortall Gods, and counsell of our graue Senate, wee shall set downe remedies for this daungerous mischiefe.

This reposed speache of the Emperour, promysed good successe to his graue determinations: in to muche, as the Senators settled in this hope, made (forthwith) Proclamation of the Emperours Commaundement.

And at the appointed time, the grauer sort of the Cittizins, with a multitude of the Communaltie being assembled, the Emperour and a chosen company of Senators, with a sterne countenaunce passed by the people, and mounted in the Chayre of Maiestie, as one distempered with a great passion, with an angrie Countenaunce and a still tongue, hee setled his eyes vpon the Cittizins: And not-with-standing they saluted hym with many dutifull acclamatious: [Page] as, Liue long, O noble Emperour, the chosen of the Goddes, the Glory of the world, the Soueraigne of Kynges and prosperytie of Roome: yet he seemed neuer a whytte the more affable, as wyllynge they should knowe that his wisdome had searched their corupt consciences, & (therfore) little regarded their dutiful gratulations: In the end, when the regarde of his displeased Countinaunce, had made them scilent with [...]are, or (rather) halle dead with sorrow, hee quickened them agayne, with this sharpe Reprehension: as followeth.

Alexanders Oration, to the Cittizyns of [...]eeme.

IF we knewe, by what proper name to call you, by that name we would wyll you to giue attention, to the words we purpose to declare: If we shuld greet you with the reuerence due vnto Priestes, wee should highly offende the Goddes and delude men: for, in you there is no Relygion to serue the Gods, nor Charytie to lyue Neighbourly among men. If we shuld salute you, as Senators, your own consciences wold witnesse that we mocked you: for the good Senators, trauell for the benefite of the Publique-weale, and you (only) labour for priuate lucre. It were ridiculous to call you Gentlemen: for they, by their magnanimous Vertues, inlarge the boundes of the Empyre, and you, thoughe you haue cra [...]t to dispossesse Gentlemen of their lands, yet you lacke vallour to keepe the enemie from the sackyng of your Cytties. What? woulde you that wee [...]ould call you, as the auncient Cittizyns were woont [Page] to be called, good people of Roome? Beleeue me, this is no proper Title for you: for they and you differ in conditions, as good doth from bad. Those Cittizyns or good people of Roome, by their Vertues, crowned Roome with the Honour of a Cittie, and more, with this Title: The Head of the Worlde: For, as diuine PLATO saith: it is not sumptueus Buildynges, that giueth name of a Cittie, but the Cruilytie and worthinesse of the Cittyzyns: And on the contraryparte, you pollute Roome with so many abhominations, as where in times past, she hath ben called the head of the world, she may now be as aptly called: the tayle of iniquitie: If none of all these titles belong vnto you: what name shuld we then giue you? you be of Rome: lyue in Roome, and haue your sustenance from Rome: all this hath Moathes in cloath, Canker rust in Iron, & Caterpillers in [...]uict: Then, you Moathes, Cankerrust and Caterpillers of Roome: giue care vnto my words, which showe you a more assured benefite then your own trauelles: The large Priuiledges of Abules, which you (of long tyme) haue inioyed, haue (by s [...]erance made a custom of sin: & therfore (in charytie (we are first) bound, to admonish you with good coūsell: if that work no amēdmēt, thē (of necessitie, we must chasten you with the Rod of Iustice: But, admit this lybertie were without checke, you would be the cōfusion of your own-selues: you haue experience of the Vermins to whome, wee (rightly) compared you: the Moathe, consumeth the Cloath, and (in tyme, for lacke of iustenaunce, starueth it selfe. The iyke doth the Caterpyller amonge Fruict, and with continuance, the Canker-rust in Iron. And you, that denoure the wealth of the CITTIE, dwell vppon the Possessions of [Page] the Gentlemen, and oppresse the multitude with bondage: what gayne you by this? By Crueltie, you purchase hatred of your Neighbours, and the Ambitious, wyll enuie your aboundance of wealth: and then, this followeth: If they can not be strengthned with forein power, your familiars, wyll invade you with ciuil discention: For, among those that haue liued prodigally, this rule is obserued: whē their Purses are emptie, their heads are occupied with a thousand mischiefes, to com passe a newe supply: And (which is most to be feared,) they be not so perrillous cunnyng in their practises, as they are Deuillysh resolute in their Executious: If they sell you their landes, for money to spend riotously, whē that help is past, they wyl cut off your heads, fyre your Houses, and sacke this famous Cittie, to susteine their lasciuious humoures: For (without speciall grace) in Pryde and want, cause of Sedition. prowd minds, want can not suppresse desire to spend: You haue reade the experience in the Historie of vnthriftie CATTILINE and his Confederats, how he murdered the worthiest Cittezins, without mercie, made spoyle of their Gooddes without lawe, and beseaged Roome with a shrewde daunger: you are lyke to be partakers of their Afflictions, vnlesse you bee more moderate in gayning of Gentlemens liuyngs, and they lesse riotous in spendynge of your money. When PHILIP Kyng of MACEDONS, made warre vppon the PERSIANS, hauing intelligence, that they abounded in all maner of delicate vyandes, sumptuous Garments and wastful expences: he foorth with retyred his Army, and said: it was needelesse too make warre vpon those, that within a while, would cut one anothers throates. And truely, though PHILLIP [Page] his answere were short, his iudgement was waightie: for as mightie Ryuers wyll soone run drie, when their noorishyng Spryngs are turned another way: so wealthy Citties, can not, but be subuerted, when euery man doth cleane contrary to his function. Among the Phylosophers, MAN is called, MICROCOSMOS, or a little worlde: for that in him is figured, a Modell of the glorie therof. If he resemble the whole worlde, it were an absurditie too make him a Figure of a welgouerned Cōmon-wealth: a man consisteth of diuers members, as head, body, Armes, legges. &c. So doth a good Common-wealth, of diuers estates: as of a Kyng as Supreame-head and Cōmaūder: of godly Prelates, as the heart and nooryshers of deuine vertues: of graue Iudges, Maiestrates and Counsellers, as the body and strength of Common prosperytie: of worthy Gentlemen, as the Armes, hands and executioners of the Maiestrates graue pollycies: of aduentrous Marchauntes, as the legges and trauaylers into forreigne countreyes, for their owne Countreyes cōmodytie: of Plowmen, and inferiour people, as the feete, which must run at the cōmaundement of euery other member. I say, where all these estates, dutifully, doo their Offices: where the Prince doth (iustly) commaunde: the Maiestrates (aduifedly) direct: and inferiour Subiectes (faythfully) obey: there, where this Concorde is, peace and prosperytie, floorysheth in their Citties, and feare, pineth the enuie of their borderyng enemies. On the contrary parte, where the head is crowned with a Pantofle, as the Sub iect of the vnconstant multitude: where the passages of the heart, whiche is the Organe of the Soule, are fixed with the continuall exercise of sinne, (the Figure that [Page] the Prelates sownde Doctrine, are but wordes of warnyng, and no causes of amendment: Where the brest and bodie lyes naked to euery peryl, I meane, the good Maiestrates, are neither reuerenced, feared, nor obayed: Wherethe handes are bownde to the knees, in token, that the Gentlemen are thrawle to the Marchantes:

Where, on the knees is fastened a Cap and a feather, and about the legges, a Swoord and a Target buckled, in signe, that the Cittizyns desire the honour they can not gouerne, and leaue their [...]rauayles, whiche woulde inritch the Common-wealth: And where the feete, which should trudge for euery necessary, should be fettred, in a payre of Stockes: as witnesse of the poore Laborers bondage and oppression, who, for their necessarie trauelles, ought too bee cheerised. I say: as a man thus deformed, buckled and bownd on a heape, would soone perysh, for want of sustenance: euen-so, a Common-wealth, thus confused, would soone be confownded, for lacke of good Order. What Prince, that is Head and Soueraigne, of such a sauadge and brute people? that wyll not rather) wysh, a Royall Tombe, then a Princely Pallace? for, in the one, he is priuyleaged against the outrage of enemies, & in the other, he is not sa [...]e from the Treasons of his own Subiects. And therfore, you Vipers, which destroy one another, if our louyng perswasions, may not alter your lewde dispositions: take the aduauntage of tyme & my nakednes, giue me an vntimely death, rather thē a dishonorable raign: for truely I had rather die, while the walles of Roome doe stande, then liue to see her sumptuous Buildynges on [...]ite, whose ruine is at hand, vnlesse, out of hand, you amend your corrupt cōsciences, & the multitude, their naughtie maners.

[Page] AT these wordes, (with teares in their eyes) as Pleadges of sorowful heartes: the people shouted [...]oorth with a lowde crye, their duti [...]ull A [...] ons: saying. O noble ALEXANDER, let the Torture of ten dearhes, be too easie a payne, for the man, whiche but ymagyneth thy Death: Lyue: and lyue long: O most noble Emperour, the lyse of vs all, and the light of the Romaynes glorye.

¶ Here Sorrow stopped their mouthes: but their dismayed countenaunces, gaue full knowledge of their inwarde Repentance: so that the Emperour, both in wordes, lookes and gesture, (more mildely) continued his Dration: as followeth.

Continuance of Alexander his Oration, to the Cittizyns.

YOV wish him the vengeance of ten deaths, that should, but imagine our death: And (certainly) Conscience perswadeth vs, your tonges do truely publysh the consents of your heartes: but small is the difference, when death and desolation is the ende, whyther you lay violent hands vpon vs, or murder vs with your horryble vices. The body that is in a Consumption, The euer [...] of a K [...]me, [...] [...] [...] [...] [...] [...]. bringeth the head to the graue: euen so, the ruine of the kingdom, endeth the raign of the king: he whose head groweth out of his shyn, whose eyes are set in his knees, whose seere are ioyned to his shoulders, & [...] other members (semblably) disordred: wold you [...] [...] ther) take him for a Mōs [...]er then a man? ye [...] [...] [...] (doubtles) such a creature wold perys [...] [...] tie, ware he not by others [...]ered for [...] this preposterous shape in [...] [Page] euery estate liueth out of order, wyl soone come to con fusion, & people of the best fortune, but liue as the bōdmen of their enemies.

The first Erector of the Romayn walles, was ROMVLVS, yet Roome was nothyng so much bound vnto him, for the envyronyng of her fayre buildynges, with strong Bulwarkes, as in appoinctyng offices, orders and lawes among the people, to gouerne them in peace and prosperytie: This Romulus, (that Roome might prosper,) hastened the death of his Brother REMVS, an Act (simply) considered by Nature, very impious, and the vengeance of detestable crueltie: but the seditious disposition of Remus well pōdred, necessytie approoued the seuerytie of ROMVLVS, to be perfect Iustice. The loue we owe to our Parents, ought to be very reuerent and great, because thei gaue vs lyfe: to our brethren, naturall, because of preuytie in blood: to our frends, affectionat, because vertue or benefit is ye Me [...] [...] more bound to the commonwealth then [...] Par [...]. foundation: But the loue we owe vnto our Countrey, cōmaundeth vs to breake all these bandes of affection, in presentyng the deerest frends, offending against the Weale-publique: yea, in the seruice therof, to make it appeare, that the prodigall spoylles of our liues, giueth contempt vnto Death: That Examples of Kynges and Capital Maiestrates, in this duetie, may be Samplers of Vertue vnto the inferiour Subiectes of Roome, I giue you to vnderstād, how Kyng LYCVRGVS went into (voluntary) exile, that his good Lawes, might haue long continuance among the Lacedemonians. Kyng CODRVS (wilfully) ran vpon his owne Daughter, (only) vpon a Prophesie, that the same should deliuer his Countrey from inuasion. AVCVRVS, Kyng [Page] MYDAS Son of PHRIGIA, hauing knowledge that the yre of the Goddes, would not be pacified, vntil a liuing mā leapt into a great gaping gulph of the earth which ouerthrew many houses, and dyd much hurt in the Countrey: The Kyngs Sonne, ANCVRVS, I say, least some should preuent him, (hastely) kyssed the King his father, his wife and frends, and (couragiously) leaped into this Gulph. What need we further search then the Monumentes of Noble Romaynes: CVRTIVS, dyd the like valiant deed of Anoun [...]s. MVTIVS SCEVOLE, in disguised Haby [...], entred (alone) the Hetruryan Camp, to [...]ay their kyng, who (daungerously) assaulted Rome. GAIVSMARIVS, to ouercome the [...] Cymbrians, [...]crificed his deerely beloued [...] CALPHVRNIA: Death was the certaine ende of al these en [...]pises: but th [...] Noble personages, w [...]re wondrous vncertaine, whither their Deathes should [...] their Countreyes from daungers, or no▪ But Louers of their Countreyes prosperitie, maketh neither doubts nor delayes, where great petyll asketh present succour: But, you wyll (p [...]ure) saye, that you are redy to spende your ly [...], yo [...] landes and Goods, to with-stande forreigne [...], or Domesticall [...]nnemies: If you so say, and doo so, [...] challengeth al this, and wisdome wylleth a [...] foresight: It is a work of more thank to [...] health, then to cure Sicknesse, for, payn and gri [...] (onely) commendeth Medicine: euen-so, effusion of innocent bloode, burnyng of Cy [...]ies, and rauishment of Virgins, are the [...]es of most glorious conque [...]: And truely, he that will giue cause of sedition, though hee after dooth his vttermost to suppresse the [Page] same, is lyke vnto hym that doth (wilfully) surfet, that Phisicke may heale hym: Your excessiue Coueitousnesse, is example of the lyke mischiefe: yea, this double daunger dependeth thereon: By the same, you vndoe the Gentlemen, whiche are the Beautie of Rome, and the strength of the Empyre: For (al-be-it) Iawe-lesse Wolues wyll scarre Sheepe, yet maymed men, incourage Cowardes. Your aboundaunce, can not defende Forreigne Inuasion, when the Gentlemens hartes are nipped with want: nay, it is to be feared, that Enuie and Necessytie, will make them to ioyne with the Enemie, to be reuenged of your Cruelties, or too be relieued of your superfluyties.

HEREWITH, the Multitude cried out, alowde: Accursed be he, and vnworthie the name of a Citizyn of Rome, that, by vnsatiable Coueitousnes and Vsurie, seeketh this publique desolution: whatsoeuer is thus (vnlawfully) gotten, shalbe restored backe: Hereafter, such vnprofitable members, shal be bridled: Liue vertuous Emperour, and what lack ye finde in vs, refourme it, and we wyll obey you: and he that doth resist, let him be slaine, and buried in Tyber: Your vertue hath restored vs to lyfe, that weare dead: vnto Lybertie, that were in thraldom: vnto Honour, that were dishonoured. In Gouernaunce, you be our Father, whome we well reuerence: by free election, our Emperour, whom we wil obay: & in wisdome our soundest Iudge, whose com maūdemēts & coūsels, we wil execute, as generall Lawes. ¶ Hereat, the Emperour relented, and with much paine, retayned the teares of his eyes, and (in the ende) comforted thē, wt this Conclusion.

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The Conclusion of AlexANDERS Oration, to the Cittizyns

I Am right glad, that your Protestation declareth, that you yet hold some portion of Vertue: which giueth vs hope, that the renown of this Noble Realme, begunne by Romulus, shall not ende in you: And if you be constant in this affection, we trust, right shortly, to make the Fame therof equall in estimation, with the Raignes of any of our Progenitours. And now, I haue fownd agayne your old name wherby I wyll call you.

Ye Children and Successours of the vertuous Romaynes: I say, you victorious people, braunches of Romulus, subduers of Realmes, patternes of vertue, and prowesse to all the world, mittigate your couetous appetites, abandon excessiue Vsurie, exceede not the boundes of your popular state, be charitable, and mercifull vnto your owne Countrey-men, where their necessitie may be relieued with your abundance: Be you ashamed, that labourers, and rude people, should condemne you of crueltie, for destroying of your Gentlemen (the chiefe ornament, and defence of this noble Cittie.) Remember, that if the state of Senators do decaye, the most vertuous of the Gentlemen are elected in their places: So you, that shall equall them in vertue (for your substance onely cannot make you gentle) shall be aduaunced vnto the state of Gentlemen, according to your deme [...]its.

[Page] Nowe haue we nomore to say vnto you, but applye your selues to the auncient and most laudable orders, as we shal indeuour our selues, by example & diligence, to bring this Citie againe vnto perfection.

VVHen the good Emperor had thus ended his Oration, he caused diuers of the grauest Citizyns, to attend hym at his Pallace, where he cō manded, that by secrete inquirie, they should learne how many [...], by [...], or other corrupte [...], had (absolute possession or Morguage of the Gentlemens [...]andes: and to certifye, bothe) the names of the Vserers, and the Gentlemen so distressed. Vppon whose certificate, he dealed with the Creditors of the Gentlemē, [...] a great [...]tion of money out of his owne Crea [...]e, towardes a generall agreement. As in the end he concluded, that the Creditors, shuld rece [...]e the res [...]ue of their Debtes, by a yearely pention oute of the Gentlemens, Landes; By whiche [...]ewes, their [...] tie might recouer what their [...] had [...]asted. The Noble Emperour, ha [...]ynge brought to passe this hye hone [...]te, for the Gentlemen a Rome, with the possession therof: in this louyng Oration, he instructed them in the Dueties of Gentlemen, and ( [...]dely) reprehended the Dishonours of their Reputation.

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The Emperour Alexander his Oration, to the Gentlemen of Rome.

GEntlemen of Rome, by the name of Gentlemen I salute you, as Hereditorie Title of your Auncestours vertues, which I hope will alwayes remayne in your hearts; How-be-it, too excessiue prodigalitie, hath much wasted your liuings, and impayred your credit. But with the blame of your lauiciousnes, I am bound (by the woorking of pittie) to shew the cause thereof: Which (although it bee no excuse in Iustice) yet it iustly [...]oueth commiseration. The examples of our predecessors wickednesse, is more liuelye expressed in your workes, then may be showen by my wordes, and I hope, his worthie confusion, will be cause of your speedy amendment. Yet, I hold it not amisse, to laie before your eyes, the monstrous e [...]illes, which you have learned of your late Emperour Heliogabalus: that, comparing his wretched ende, with his wicked raigne, feare may reforme, what our louing affection wisheth to be amended in you.

This vessel of abhominatio, so exceeded in pride, that frō top to toe, he was [...]ired in cloth of golde pearle, & pretious-stones, & neuer wore any garment more thē Vyces off [...] yogabaius once, from his bed chamber, vnto the place where hee mounted vnto his Coch the walles were decked wyth tapestrie full of greate pearles, and pretious stones. The waie as he went, was strewed with golde and siluer, as one disdayning to [...]reade vppon earth lyke other men. [Page] His Charyot was sometyme drawen with tame Lions, sometimes with Elephantes, and sometimes with marueilous faire Women. The Ringes which he drewe off his fingers, hee neuer put on againe. The vessels of golde and siluer, wherein he was serued, was euermore the fees of his seruitors. Suche huge prodigalitie was ioined with his incomparable pride. His gluttonie, & voluptuousnes was so great, as neere the Sea, his whole houshold was fed with most daintie fowles: and beeing farre within lande, they were all serued with all maner of fishes, by Poste brought alyue from the Sea: Sometime he had for a generall seruice, pasti [...]s of Peacockes toonges, otherwhyle Partridges egges, the heades of Popiniayes, Fesauntes, and the most daintiest Byrdes: Neither was this superfluitie alone vpon the Tables in his owne Pallace, but in selfe same manner, his Lyons, Gray-hounds, and other Dogs of pleasure were fed. He so much esteemed of thinges that were deare and rare, that hearing there was but one Phaenix in the worlde, hee offered twoo thowsand Markes to haue it to hys Dinner.

His lecherie was so vnsatiable, and withal so vnclean, as common ciuilitie forbiddeth the report.

His Pusalanimitie was such, as he studied how to become a woman, and of moste notorious Strumpets, and Bawdes, hee erected a Senate, and in a Capitoll, for the nonce, hee made vnto them manie Orations, and called them his Companions, and fellowe Souldiers.

That vi [...]e might haue no staye, nor vertue anie passage, [Page] he gaue free Charters to all men to vse all manner of villanie. And Sabinus, Vlpianus, and other learned and reuerent Iudges hee banished from the administration of Iustice.

He cruelly put to death many worthie personages, & amongst the people many times let loose Lions, Beares, and other cruell Beastes. In fine, when his monstrous pryde, prodigallitie, and lecherie, had consumed all his own treasure, necessitie, & a naughtie disposition, made him to sell the offices of Iustice. But his owne familiar Seruantes and Souldiers, wearie of his abhominations, slew him: & drawing his horrible Carren with hooks through the Cittie, they tyed him to a stone of greate waight, and threw him into Tyber, to the end so vile a bodie should neuer be buried: Yet, your owne eies are Iudges that I say the truth. His death and funerals was as vile and filthie, as, what I haue saide of his life, was sumptuous and rich.

I haue laide the miserie of his death before your eyes, that you should expell the vices of his life forth of your harts. It was the due of his beastlines, and will be the reward of your insolent liuing without amendment.

You are yet yong, & by prowesse may recouer more then you haue by prodigalitie wasted: A vertuous end repaireth the dishonors of a vicious life: But shame lyueth, when lewd men are dead. A prodigall and voluptuous humor, I know is hardly purged, bicause the norishments are many and sweete. But when I consider, that you are Gentlemen, I straightwaies hope, that you will easilye subdue these affections. There is nothyng more pretious to man then life, nor nothing more fearfull then death.

[Page] Yet the noble Romaine Gentlemen your auncestors, in actions of honour, preferred the last before the first. If you be heires of their vertues, Vsurers cannot purchase that patrimonie: And therefore, great is our hope, that you will bridle meane affections, when they contemned the greatest. ROMVLVS with a weake strength, and inuincible courage, first buylded this famous Citie, and of his name shee is called to this daye Roome. Numa Pompilius that succeeded him, both inlarged the boundes, and strengthened her, with manie good lawes and orders: And in processe of time, the wisdome of the Maiestrates, and valiancie of her Gentlemen, made Rome, The Soueraigne of Citties, the Beautie of the earth, and Empresse of the whole world: And so to this daye had remained, had not the horrible vices of her Emperors Nero, Caligula, Domitian, Comodus, and Heliogabalus, eclipsed her glorie, and polluted her people with abhominations: But vertue is able to perfect more then vice hath deformed. We beseech the Gods, that on our part there may bee no defaulte, as wee earnestly de [...]te reformation in you: And then (no doubt) Rome shall shortlye haue her auncient honour, and you the reputation of Romulus heires. This badge of pryde, Brauerie in apparell, is necessarie [...] apparell [...] for sage players for base persons, that publiquely in open Theaters, presente the personages of Emperoures, Kinges, Dukes, and such Heroycall Estates: For that they haue no other meane to perfourme their action. But the magnanimous Gentleman, carrieth honor in his coūtinance, and not countenance in his Garments.

CICERO discouered the Haughtinesse of Caesar in his fore-heade.

[Page] ASTIAGES, saw a Kyngly minde in CYRVS, although, hee were armed with a Sheepehooke: man maketh the Habyt, and not Habyt a man.

Drunkennesse and Glotonie, are fowle maymes too Dronkennes and glotney, greatly disgraceth a gentleman. Honour, and the greatest deformytie in a Gentleman:

Call Alexander, the great, to witnesse, who, after hee had conquered (almoste) all the whole Worlde, with the Swoord, conquered hym-selfe with a Wine-potte: So that, it is a question, whither he receiued more Honour, in ouercommyng the mighty Darius, of Persia, or Dishonor, by beyng subdued, by the Persians Vices: If I were a Iudge, Alexander, should find a seueare Iudgement: for, by his valiancie, he did but conquer his ennemies, and in his drunkennesse, he slew his frendes, and hastened his owne death.

Prodigalytie, is so sharpe a vengeance, as there needeth The vengeance of Prodigalitie no Lawe to chastise the Prodigall man, he doth so seuerely punish him-selfe. Epicharidus, the Athenian, in sixe Dayes consumed his Patrimonie, and al his lyfe after, liued a Begger.

Pasicirus, kyng of Cyprus, first prodigallie) spent his Treasure, afterwards, sould his Realme, and (lastly) died (miserablie) in the Cittie of Amathuntus,

The prodigall Cleops, Kyng of Egypte, was driuen vnto such necessitie, as he was faine to liue of the dishonest vse of his Daughters bodie.

If prodigalitie bring Kings to this exigent, who haue manie supplies, it speedilye ruineth the richest Subiect: yea, (which is worst) their recouerie is as vncertaine, as their vndooing is certaine: For by colour of their Reuennewes, they runne in debt the triple value of theyr [Page] Landes. You Gentlemen of Rome, knowe this better by experience, then by my information, you feele the smart of prodigalitie: by ryot you were dryuen to morgage your Lands, and had lost the same, and your selues, had not our liberalitie redeemed both: our louing care to preu [...]nt, that followeth after prodigalitie, whiche is this perillous daunger:

Men, beyng (by prodigalytie) Enemies of their owne and posteryties prospetytie: by want and Necessytie, become Enemies of their Countreyes peace and welf [...], I sa [...], feare of this mischiefe, and loue of your w [...]ldoynge, hath repurchased your Landes: receyue of vs, the Possession therof, as a Cognisance of our loue, and delyte that you maye floorysh: Keepe your Honour with your Landes, least our seuere displeasure, be heaped vpon your vndoynges: Lette vertuous Pollycies and Documents be your studdie: see that your excr [...]e, bee Feates of Chiualrye: vse your handes, to the managynge or Armes, and not your Fyngers to the trippynge of Dice, a Pastyme, so villanous, that (notwithstandinge) The [...] of Di [...]g. the losse be doubtfull, the dishonour is certaine.

GOBILON, the Athenian, beyng sent Ambassadour, to make League with the Corrynthians, who, findyng the Gouernours of Corrynth, playinge at the Di [...], departed without dispatch of his busines: saying, [...]e would not staine the Glorye of the Spartianes, in makyng League with Dicers. The Kyng of the Persians, sent goulden Dice to kynge Demettius, for a reproache of his Lightnesse. Cicero, in the Senatehouse, put Anthonius to scilence, in sayinge, he was a Dicer: And (truely) so infamous a pastime, neither [Page] beseemeth the Grauitie of the Magistrate, nor Honor of a Gentleman, for that the gaine, is loaden with dishonest practises, and the losse, with vnquiet passions.

Learn by the Cōtinencie of the mightie Alexāder, & the noble Romain Scipio, to subdue carnal affections: the one, hauyng (by fortune of warre, the possession of worthye examPls of continencie kyng Darius Wyfe, the moste beautifull Ladie of all ASIA, he neither suffred him-selfe, to bee conquered by her beautie, nor the Queene to bee dishonoured by his victorie. The other, hauyng lyke Aduauntage of the Paragon of Spayne, with the semblable vertue, vanquished his Affections.

On the cōtrarie part, know ye, that Rome (of late) hath had more Emperours brought vnto the Sepulture, by Lecherie, then in many hundred yeares before, by the Launce. Gentlemen, my Kinsmen and Companions. I admonish you from naughtinesse, by the falles of Emperours, kynges, and Heroycall Estates: that you maye knowe, in the punishment of vice, the Goddes, neither feare nor spare, the mightiest of men. On the contrarie parte: I counsell you to goodnesse, by the Counsell of our dignitie, assuring you, by the exercise of Vertue, meaner then Gentlemen, become Emperours of Kingdomes. Wee haue no more to saye: but that the Goddes impresse in your hartes, the counsell we haue blowen into your eares, and that your Emperour Alexander, maye beholde Rome, Rome agayne: And you (Gentlemen of Rome) worthye the reputation of your Noble Auncestors.

[Page] VVHen the good Emperor, had ended his Oration: the Gentlemen, ouercome with the Princely fauour and affection of Alexander, as (also) wounded, with the knowledge of their former lasciuiousnesse, discouered a great dismaye of Spirite:

In the ende, with abased Countenaunces, vppon their knees, they humbly acknowledged his gratious benefits: confessed their owne vnworthynesse, and faithfullie promised, to obay his fatherly Counsailes. The good Emperour, then, demaunded, yf they would be contented, that their Debts shuld be paide by yearely pentions out of their Landes, and if they woulde (spariugely) liue, accordyng vnto the proportion of the rest? They al aunswerd, with one voyce: Yea (noble Emperor) els were we accursed.

¶ The prudent Alexander, hauing by these graue Orations, sounded the inclynations, of the three Estates of Rome. vz. The Senators: The Gentlemen, and the Citizyns: forsook not ye aduaūtage of the peoples good dispositions, but whyle the Vertue of his wise Counselles was workyng in their hartes, he, with the Aduice of his graue Senators, deuised many good Lawes, for the abandonyng and banishment of Vices foorth of the Citie: assuryng himselfe, that where Discipline was wanting, the sowndest coū sell, purged not corrupt maners: so that, to the loue which his Affabylitie had wonne, he ioyned dread, through seuere executiōs, of these profitable lawes.

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Lawes, Pains, and Penalties, set downe by Alexander Seuerus, to punish Offenders against the Weale-publique.

In primis For that the Tauarnes, Dicing-houses, & the Stewes, were ye Nurses of all vices, Tauern [...] stewes anb dicing houses and the Sanctuaries of vicious persons, he suppressed all such, as were of euyll fame: saying: That, if the Owners could not liue, but vpon the vndoynge of others, it were reason, they should starue, by the necessytie of their idle bryngyng vp.

¶ Item: He cōmaūded, that in the Tauarns, there should be no other, thē open Boothes, yt the Censors, Open bothes in Tauernes. might see the behauiors & cōditions of ye people that haunted them.

¶ Item: He cōmaunded, that no Gentleman, Romayne, Gentlemen, for bidden, Tauernes should resorte to any of these Houses, vppon paine, to lose the name of a Gentleman.

¶ Item: He cōmaunded, that no Senator, should haue more then fower Disshes at his Dinner: nor Gentleman, or Citizyn, more then three: And that, Glottony and Dronkenes the Cōmon people, should feed (onely) of one Dish, of fish or flesh: saying, that Glotonie and Drunkenesse, not (onely) consumed the wealth of the Weale-publique, but also, the health of the people.

[Page] ¶ Item: He cōmaūded, yt no Gentlemā, Romain, Limitation of Apparell shuld haue more then three Sutes of Apparel: one, for Ordinarie dayes: one other for F [...]stiuall tymes: ad the thyrd, for the entertainmēt of Ambassadors: alleadging, that all these were necessary, & what so euer was more, was superfluous. This Lawe was also set downe by Phillip le Bel, to reforme the pride of Fraunce, and by Fardinando, King of Arraon, to husbandry the smal pentions of the Knightes of the Lande, which order he hym selfe erected.

¶ Item: He enacted, if any Gentleman Romane, Dycers made bond sl [...] or Citizin of Rome, by playing at Dice, haūting of Tauarns, or any other vnthriftie exercise, had cōsumed his patrimonie & substaunce, & was indebted more thē he was able to satis [...]ie: that thē, it shuld be lawfull for the Creditor, to take the partie offēding, & to hold him as his bōd-slaue, so long as the seruice & labour of his body were thought sufficient for his debt. Were this a lawe in England, I feare mee, at this present, we shuld haue more Gentlemen bondmen, then Yemen trustie seruantes.

¶ Item, For that Vsury was the decay of a huge Lymitation for vsurie nūber, he enacted, yt no Vserer, shuld take (after the cōputation of their money, more then ye allowance, of. iii. li, i. [...]. for a. C. li, for a yeare. And yt he which refused to deliuer his monie at this rate, shuld from thēcefoorth, be held vnworthie ye name of a Romain, or to take any benefit by the Weale-publique: But shuld, by ye Censors, be depriued of ye name of a Citizin, &, fo [...]euer, after shuld be noated [...] the cryme of Ingratitude.

[Page] ¶ Item, From hence forth, no necessitie be considered Mony lent to dice players without hope to be recouered. in them that consume their substaunce, in Dice playing, outragious expences or lechery: who so euer lendeth to them, let it be at his peril & without hope of remedie. But vnto him whom peruerse fortune, long sickenesse, seruice, frend [...]ship, theeues, Assinement of Creditors for distressed persones. or oppressors haue brought vnto pouertie: If any such come vnto the Prouost of the Citie, and declare his necessitie, and whereof it proceeded, vppon the oath of one Sēator, and two honest Cōmoners, that his words are true, ye Prouost shal assigne one rich man of the Citie to lend him a portion of mony, taking a [...]uraunce for the payment thereof, for the gayne before limited.

¶ Item, He enacted, that if any Citizin of Rome, were found idle, by the space of one whole day, vnlesse, Idle persons set a worke vpon a Festiuall Day, hauyng no lawful nor approoued excuse: that then, he should be first whipped, and after, by the Conseruators, he should be set to the trade [...]t he was of, and for euery day, that he was openly seene, to be idle, the person, to whom he was committed, for one month, should set him to what labour [...]e plea [...]ed, as his slaue or bond-man, ginyng him, [...]at and drinke, onely.

¶ Item: He commaunded, that the Controwlers o [...] the Ma [...]ttes, should be honest men, and For Corrup [...]f v [...]s not coueitous: and ( [...] the auoydyng of the Ins [...] tion) that [...] should d [...]gently [...]orsae, that the Vi [...] tuailes, which were so [...]ld, should be sweete and holsome for [...] be eaten.

[Page] ¶ Item: To auoide cause of Infection, and horrible [...] Diseases, he prohibited Ingurgitations, Bankets, late Suppers and longe.

¶ Item: He cōmaūded, that men of corrupt and N [...]ysome occupations. noysome Occupations, should dwell out of the common passage of the people: And that the streetes of the Cities, should be kepte very cleanly and sweete.

¶ Item, He cōmaunded that the Baynes, by discreete keepers, should be kept very neate and sweet, Sweete keeping of baynes that neither the eye nor Nose, shuld find any thyng vnpleasant or noysome. By which cleanlinesse, Rome was preserued from sundry sicknesses, which (vndoubtedly) do grow of corrupt exhalations, venting out of mennes bodies.

¶ Item, Of his own charge, he builded three Hospitalles, Hospitals for poore people to reli [...]ue the Aged, blind, decreaped, and other poore people, infected [...] vncureable Diseases

¶ Item: He commaunded, that vnto a nomber of yong diseased vacabunds, there shuld be ministred, Cure for deseased Vacabondes. a thin Diet, an excessiue labor, and cleanly lodging: saying that the contrarie, were the causes of their Diseases, and, therfore, this the most hopefull Medicine, to r [...]couer their health.

¶ Item: He commaunded, that all the forsaytures which were leuied, vpon the Gooddes of Offenders Prou [...]ision of Corne. against the Lawe, should be imployed vppon Corne for the prouision of the poore.

[Page] ¶ Item: He commaunded, that no man should weare in his Apparayle, no maner of Stuffe, other A lawe for The setting of Poore people a worke. then was made within the Cittie of Rome.

The lyke Statute was established in all the Cytties of Italye: by meanes wherof, Rome and all the other Cyties were stoared of good Workemen, and the poore people, no excuse for Idlenes.

¶ Item: He commaunded, that in vittailing and Vitayling and bordellhouses Bordel-houses, the Doores should not be open from the Sun-settyng vntyll the Sun-risyng: by which Pollycie, the Conseruators knewe, what manner of people repayred vnto them.

¶ Item: Euery Cittizyn, was straightly forbidden, to eate or drinke in any Tauerne, or vittayling Cyttizyns for [...]ydden, Tauernes. House: whiche Houses, were (only) tollerated, for the intertainment of Straungers, which repayred vnto the Cyttie about lawfull businesse,

¶ Item: He cōmaunded, that all corrupt and deceitfull Bargayners, should bee punished with the Corrupt and deceatfull Bargayners. punished as Petty theaucs Whyp, as Theeues, that stole priuylie, without any violence: affyrming, that it was but a fantasie, and a laughyng-matter, to make a difference, betweene stealyng and deceitfull bargayninge. But, were this a Lawe with vs, we shuld haue more weeping in London, then laughynge in three of the greatest Shiers of Englande.

¶ Item: He commaunded: that ifany baace condicioned vnequall compryso [...] person, by the presumption of welt;, should [Page] make any sawcie comparison with any Gentlemā Romayne: immediatly, the said Franklye, should become the Gentlemans Bond [...]aue, with whome he compared, vntil the said Franklyn, had made the Gentleman his superiour, as well in wealth, as dignytie: And this Lawe hindered many quarrelles, which (otherwise) would haue growen of vnequall comparysons.

Item: He commaunded, that the Playes, called Florales and Luberales, and the beastly Ceremonies Playes abolyshed of Isis, shuld be banished and abolished, as the most venymous Alectiues and styrrers of Lecherie.

¶ Item: He ordayned, yt if any man were founde playing at the Dice, he shuld be taken, for a stantick Diceplayers. or a natural foole, which could not gouerne himself: and his gooddes and lande, should be committed to sage and discreete Gouernours, vntyll he were againe enabled by the Senate.

Vnto these Lavves, vvas added this Confyrmation.

¶ These Lawes, decreed by the Senate, enacted by the people, comfirmed by the imperiall Maiestie, be (for euer) established: and (neuer) by anye other Lawe, Custome or Ordinance, be abolyshed. And who, that with violence, resisteth against them, let him be taken for a Rebell and Ennemie vnto the W [...]alepublique.

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Of the great VVisdome of ALEXANDER, in electyng of Graue Counsellers, Officers, and Admynistrators of Iustice.

THE Noble and vertuous Emperour (prudently) forsawe, that the seuerest lawes, were (without execution) but like vnto painted Fire, which giueth no heat: or (as the Phylosopher, Cleanthes sayth:) Lyke vnto Cobwebs, through which, the Hornets breake when the small Flies are intangled. And (truely) without due Administration, law is like to a Backswoorde, the edge wherof, smiteth the poore, and the blunt backe, the higher powers. But to auoyd this parcialytie: the good Alexander, made choyce of such worthy Maiestrates, as (playnly) refuted this Maxime of Aristotle.

Amor et odium, et proprium commodum,

Semper facient Iudices, non cognoscere verum.

Note:

¶ In Englysh, thus:

¶ Loue, Hate, and priuate gayne,

From vpright trueth, the Iudge doth alwayes straine

None of these Assections, could (neyther) blinde their eyes, nor binde their handes: They measured Iustice, neither by the mightinesse nor meanenesse of the Person, but by the equitie of the cause: and it stoode them in hande, to deale thus vprightly: for if any corruption were founde in their Iudgements, the Emperour himselfe, did (seuere) Iustice vppon the vniust Maiestrate, that abused his Auctorytie, [Page] and iniured the people: let Vetronius Turinus, be example, for many.

This Tu [...]us, was a man of much Honour, great learning and wisdome: and for many vertues, was of the Emperour singularly) fauoured: but, abusing the Emperour and his own good fortune, vnder colour of often and familiar conference wt Alexander, he receiued many Brybes to obtaine great sutes, aboue his power to compasse: whiche beyng prooued agaynst him, the Emperours sentence was: That in the Market place, he should bee bownde vnto a Stake, and with a Smoake of greene Stickes and wette Stubbie, should be smoothred to death: And duryng the tyme of his Cxemtion, he commaunded a Beadell to [...]ye:

With Fume let him die, that Fumes hath fould.

Thus, no knowen Offender, escaped the vengeance of his seuerytie: and (which won him as much loue, as his Iustice did feare,) he incouraged & comforted good & vertuous men, with many great gifts and fauours.

¶That Rome might prosper, by the confusion of vice: First, he ordayned (accordyng to the counsell of Conseruators and their chardge. PLATO,) three-score graue persons, which were named, CONSERVATORS of the Wealepublique: for euery Tribe had two: Roome beynge Ed [...]tion of children. deuided into thirtie Tribes: whose Office, was (chiefly to see, that the children of the Romains, were well brought vp and instructed, accordyng vnto the capacities of their wi [...], from the Age of vii. yeres, vnto. xvi. yeares: & that, in their Pastimes, playes and recreations, were nothyng dishonest.

[Page] ¶ Item: That the Maidens, duryng the said Age, were brought vp in shamefastnes, humblenes, and Education of maydens the exercise of Huswifrye: and that they should not be seene foorth of their Fathers-houses, but (only) in the Temples.

¶ Item: their charge was, to controwle Howsehoulders of euery degree, if there were fownde any Riotous house holders excesse in their fare, or cost vpon their owne, or their Wyues Apparayle, more then by the Lawes, was limitted: or if they were Company-keepers with any riotous or dishonest person.

¶ Item: Twice (by the weeke) they were bownd to make Presentment of the Disorders whiche they Presentation, twice by the weeke. fownd, vnto the Prouost of the Cittie, reseruing vnto them-selues, the education of the Children: which they-them-selues reformed, by giuing of sharpe Admonytion vnto their Parentes.

¶ The Prouost punished suche, as offended in other Prouost of al the Citty. Articles, against the Statutes and Ordina [...] res, in suche cases prouided.

¶ Item: The Emperour augmented the nomber Pretores and Questors of Praetors and Questors, but appoincted euerye one a seuerall Charge.

¶ Item: He made choyce, of very honest men to be Purueiours for grayne, but changed them euery Puruiours of grayne y [...]are, least, continuance corrupted their cōsciences.

[Page] ¶ Item: He apoincted Baylyffes, Receiuers, Suru [...]iours, and such like Officers, but fauoured them not, saying: they were necessarie euils: And if they hast [...]e gathered much riches, he would take away al that they had. Telling them. Let it suffice, that you haue taken so long pleasure with my goodes: and beware that you take not from other men vniustly, least I be more angrie with you.

¶ Item: To be Iudges of these Officers, as also of the behauiours of all the people of Rome, sauing Cersors, and their office. the common people, were they Senatores, Gentlemen or Citizens. This prudent Emperour appointed two of his priuie Counsel, worthy and graue Senators, to be Censors in Rome, whose names were Fabius Sabinus, and Catillius Seuerus. The office of the Censors, were to note the manners of euerie person, aboue the degree of the common people.

So that if a Knight, Iudge, or Senator, did any thing vnseeming the Honour of their Degree, their charge was, to degrade hym of his office, or Dignitie. In whiche, they vsed suche rigour, as no man might (lawfully) boast of fauor. In so much, as ye Emperars Pallace was not free from their iurisdiction. For they meeting with Aurelius Philippus, (who was sometime the Emperours schoolmaster, and after wrote his life) riding in a Chariot, looking to be saluted as a Senatour, they foorth with executed an auncient law vpon the said Philippus: which was, that no bond-man, although hee were manumissed, should be a Senatour: And at that time, it was lawful for no person vnder the degree of a Setour [Page] to ride in a Chariot. Philippus was sometime a bond-man, and therefore, for breach of this lawe, the Censors sent him first to prison, and after, sorbad him to come to the Emperors pallace, but (onelie) a foot, and his copped Cappe vpon his head: which fashiō was o [...]elie vsed of them that were enfranc [...]sed. Some of the Noble-men thought, the Cenfors dealt verse sharplie with Philippus, considering, that hee was a man of much honestie, and great learning, and so certefied the Emperour. But the Emperour approoued their Iustice, and answered:

If the common wealth may euermore haue such officers, in short space, there shall be found in Roome more men worthie to be Emperours, than I (at my first comming) found good Senators.

And vndoubtedlie, where the offences of the best are neuer pardoned, the worst will amend for feare of extreeme vengeance. The proofe appeareth in Alexanders gouernment: who (by the seuere executiō of the lawes, so brideled the dispositions of the wicked, that it may be saide, they grew to be vertuous rather by custome, then good inclination. Yea, it is written, that his seueritie thus much profited: As leading a great armie against Artaxerses, the Persians, said, he had brought an armie of Senatours, rather than of Soldiours, when at his comming to ye Empire, the Senatours (manie of them) were as dissolute as common Soldiers. And one especiall A wise pollicie of Alexander. cautle hee vsed in the searche of mens behauiours, hee woulde manye tymes in disguysed habyte, with diuers others by hym especiallye elected, [Page] take vpō him the Office of the Censors: and in euery corner, he had (secretly) suche faythfull Explorers, as mens proper Houses, were no Couerts for naughtie practises, nor the Senat-house, for partial Iudge mentes. And (by this Pollycie) he discouered many naughtie matters, besides cōmon trespasses: as the Treason of Oninius, the false accusation of Geminus, by his Lybertines, or Copyholders: as (also) of the mortall mallice of Duillius and Gorta, towardes the said Geminus. In so much, as the people, seyng nothyng that was euyl, could escape his vengeāce, al men indeuored to do well, to purchase his fauour.

THE (most Noble and prudent) Kynge, Kynge HENRY, the seuenth, the Queenes (most excellent King Henry the seuenth, Imitator of Alexanders gouernment. Maiesties Graundfather, and Roote of Englandes happinesse, was a true imitator, of this (most worthy) Emperours gouernmēt: by whose singular wisdome, England, which at the beginning of his Raigne: was a deformed, and decreped Commonwealthe, by reason of the longe tyme of the Cyuylwarres which durynge syx▪ Kinges Raignes made barrayne feildes, and fatt Churche-yardes) before his deathe, repossessed her Auncient [...]ertues, renown and prosperytie. So that it is a questiō, whither this famous Realm is more bownd to eternize his glorious Memorie, in regarde of his Prowesse, or Pollycie: when by the one, he planted Peace in her bo [...]elles, and by the other, banished warre frō the Terrytories. He knew, that to reforme so dis [...]red [...]n estate, it was more needefull to execute, then to make Lawes: and (therfore) not trustyng [Page] the corruption of common Informers, who, for lucre or gain, attemptyng many vexations against poore men, and for feare, seeke to please the ritche: he committed Inclynation of Common Informers the execution of the Penall Lawes, to the charge of these two worthie Coūsellers, sir Richard Empson, Knight, and Richarde Dudley, Esquier: who so seuerely chastened the rich and great Offenders, as they stirred the inconstant cōmunaltie, after the death of the vertuous Henrie the seuenth, to seeke their lyues: who had their willes, for feare of Commotion, thease two worthie Maiestrates weare beheaded: And (vndoubtedly) their deathes, is a testimonie of as great vertue, as their liues, a Monument of Iustice: for the multitude, are the mortall Enemies The lewde affections, of Common people. of their owne welfare, and frendes and followers of their owne confusion. One said to Antisthenes: The people speaketh much good of you: Why? saide he: what hurt haue I done? As who should say: they seldome praise, but suche as do euil: No Ethnicke, deserued to lyue, better then Socrates, yet the people would haue hym dead. The Athenians had a Lawe, euerie yeare, by the most voyces of the people, for ten yeares, to banysh two of their principall Maiestrates: On a tyme, a poore man, came with a white Paper in his hande to Aristides, the iust, and willed him to write: Banish Aristides. Why? (quoth he:) doest thou know Aristides? No: (quoth the o [...]er:) Hath Aristides done thee or any of thy friendes, hurte? Neither (quoth he) but I wyll haue Aristides banished. The worthy Scipio was banished by the people, whome he oft had saued. I omyt Themistocles, Photion, & many mo, whome [Page] Histories record, to shewe the light Iudgementes of Cōmons, Danté, the Italian Poet, saithful truely of them: it is seldome seene, that the people crye not:

Viua la mia morte, innoia la mia vita: Let liue my death: let die my lyfe: Yea, those great estates, that seek to please the people, for the most parte, haue had the endes of enemies to their Countrey.

When Cicero sawe that Caesar was in hye fauour with the people of Rome, he cryed out: It is great pitie, that the affabilitie of Cesar, should be the ouerthrow of the Weale-publique. And (truely) Cicero, prophesied rightly: [...]or, by their fauour, Caesar iudged the Iudgementes of the Senate, and sent the good and graue Cato to Prison, whose vertues, obtayned reuerence of the woorst liuers.

But (notwithstandyng) the Affections of the multitude, coueiteth their owne vndoynges, yet their incouragement proceedeth of greater capacyties: And (therfore) the redy way to keepe them in awe, is (seuerely) to punysh their Chief-taynes,

In all tumultes, it is (euidently) seene, that if their Captaynes yelde, they ronne away: if their Incouragers be dismayde, they sing, Peccaui: do Iustice vpon the great Offenders, and the meaner wyll soone amend: Alexander (in his Gouernment) found it true: who, in the Execution of the Lawes, made no difference of persons: saue, that, to the inferiour people, he was (euermore) most mercifull.

FINIS.

The enemie to vnthryftinesse publishing, by lawes, documents and disciplines. A right rule, for reformation of pride, and other prodigall and riotous disorders, in a common wealth: for the worthines of directions, a perfect mirrour for all maiestrates: (especially) of cities. And for sound counsels, and admonitions, a carde to compasse, or euery yong gentleman, honorablie and profitably to gouerne his actions. Partely, drawne out of the sage gouernme[n]t, of the most worthie emperour, Alexander Seuerus: and (generallye) discoueringe the vnsufferable abuses now raigning in our happie English co[m]mon wealth. By George Whetstons gent. — Mirour for magestrates of cyties[2]

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[Page] AN ADDITION: OR TOVCHSTONE for the Time: exposyng the daingerous Mischiefes, that the Dicyng Howses (cōmonly called, Ordinarie Tables, and other (like) Sanctuaries of Iniquitie, do dayly breede: Within the Bovvelles of the famous CITIE of LONDON.

By George Whetstones, Gent.

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Imprinted at London, by Richarde Iones.

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The dangerous Mischiefes, that the DICING-HOVSES, and other lyke Sanctuaries of iniquitie, do breede in the Cittie of LONDON.

IT is sufficiently expressed, that, by the vertue, diligence, and wisdom, of the right Noble Emperour, Alexander: Rome, (the most ouglye, and monsterous Common-wealth of the world, so wa [...] she deformed, with horrible & beastly vices, fostered by Heliogabalus, & other wicked Emperours,) was brought vnto such perfection, as she might (lawfullye) bee intituled: The Temple of the Goddes: The Fowntayne of Vertue, and, The Nurce of Learnyng: so free was the Exercise of Pietie, Iustice, The woundes of a Comon wealth Temperance, and all other Deuine, Morall, and Heroycall vertues. In curyng of which daungerous Infirmyties of the Cōmon-wealth, Alexander perfourmed the Offices of a skylfull Phisition and Surgion: he did not (ignorantly) apply Medicine, to the outwarde sore, vntyll he had searched the inward cause: He founde, the outwarde woundes of the Weale-publique, was Pride, Prodigalytie, Dicynge, Drunkennesse, Lecherie, Vsurie, Coueitousnes &c. The suppressing of which Passions, consisted not (alone) in chastisment of Offenders: He (prudently) foresawe, that ye Boatman lost much labor, that with a Dish, stoode all day ladyng out of water, when a quarter of an howres worke, wold [Page] mende the breache of his Boate, whiche was the cause, althoughe the water were the annoyance: he knew, that euery Ryuer had a Spryng, euery Disease, a nooryshing Humour, and euery vice, a special succour: Reason instructed him, that no Thie [...] wold be so bould, as to rob by the hye waye, if he had no Couert to shrowd hym: If there were no Brothell Houses. Shame wold delay Lechery But for Tauerns and tiplyng Boothes, Drunkardes should be sober against their wils: But for Ordinarie tables, Dicers should (many times) be idle, or better occupied then in swearyng and consumyng their Patrimonie: These causes beynge stopped, the vicious (perforce) must change their course. And therfore, the good Emperour, as the best remedie for the maladies of the Cōmon-wealth, purged Rome, of thease Sanctuaries of lewd and dishonest persons, as the perfect meane to cure their vile and naughtie dispositions. And (certaynly) his Gouernment, Order, and Discipline, may be, A Myrrour for Magistrates of all Citties: who are lyke to finde no lacke of Disorders, to exercise his Politique Orders: for, in the heart of the best gouerned Citties, Vice hath her Mansion, as a Core in the inward substance of the sowndest Quince. But, leauyng the Discouerie of the Infyrmities of Forreigne Citties, London, the Capitol Cittie of Englande and at this day, the Paragon of Christ endome,) prowdely beareth many a daungerous Infyrmytie, whiche, the Wisdome of the Maistrates, must (speedely) heale, or els, ouershortely, the wickednesse of her people, wyll abate her prosperytie.

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A Remembrance, of the Disordered State of the Common-wealth, at the Queenes Maiesties commyng to the Crowne.

THE Queenes most Excellent Maiestie, (euen our Gratious Queene Elizabeth) by Gods grace Soueraigne Ladye of this famous Cittie, and of Englande, Fraunce and Irelande (in aduauntage,) sole Princesse of Peace, and second to no annoincted kyng, in the exercise of all the Capitol Vertues: let Gods blessinges bee my Testimonie, (plentifullie) heaped vpō her Exellencie, and (for her Holinesse sake) vpon her true Subiectes, and many a hungrye Nation, besides: Her sacred Maiestie, (I saye) at suche time, as she was crowned with the Soueraigntie of these Realmes, fownd. ENGLANDE, and (speciallie) LONDON, farre out of temper, (besides Cardinall Superstition) with carnall and vnchaste infections of Rome, as (also) puffed or half poysoned, with the pryde of Spayne.

For the saluynge of which, and all other Infirmyties, of the Common-wealth, her Godly wisdome, with the Publique assent of her Subiectes, established many Medicinable Lawes, whereby, all the priuye Maladies of the Cōmon-wealth, might receiue perfect cure, if the Penall Lawes were as seuerely punished, as they be (prudēfly) established.

[Page] But, the lonely) lacke of this Admynistration is, Negligence in Maistrates causeth bouldenes in [...]ll lyuers. the Maiestrate punissheth, but what is presented, and the Iniured (in many wronges) sustayne their losses without complaynt: Thus, lacke of diligence, bouldneth the euyll lyuers to offende, with Halters about their neckes.

The godly Diuines, in publique Sermons, and others, in printed Bookes, haue (of late) very sharply inuayed against Stage-playes (vnproperly called, Invaying against stage playes. Tragedies, Cōmedies, and Moralles,) as the Sprynges of many vices, and the stumblyng-blockes of Godlynesse and Vertue: Truely, the vse of them vpon the Saboth day, and the abuse of them at al times, with scurilytie and vnchaste cōueiance, ministred matter sufficient for them to blame, and the Maiestrate to reforme.

But, there are in the Bowels of this famous Citie, farre more daungerous Playes, and little reprehended: Playing at dice invented by the deuill that wicked Playes of the Dice, first inuented by the Deuyll (as Cornelius Agrippa, wryteth,) and frequented by vnhappy men: The detestable Roote, vpon which, a thousand villa [...]es growe.

The Nurses of thease (whose then Neathnysh) Ordinarie Tables Nurses of Iniquitie Nellish exercise, are Places (called) Ordinary-tables: Of which, there are, in London, more in nomber, to honor the Deuyll, then Churches to serue the liuing God: neither are they (improperly) named: for, in verye trueth, they are the Ordinaric Intertayners of naughtie persons, and the Sinckes of all abhomynation. Difference of ordinarie Tables But some wyll holde it conuenient, that I make a Difference of Ordinarie Tables, because, of the [...]uill vsage & Orders of some of the iscepers, [Page] as in respect of the Honourable and worshipfull repayre vnto them. In very trueth, in some of these places, Vice is so modestly quallyfied, as they may well be called: tollerable euylles. And (although) Socyetie be a pleasing Affection, I hope, (as occasion will fall out) to satisfie the better sorte of Gentlemen, that, the refraynynge of the best of these badde Bouses, wyll be more profitable, Honorable & pleasant, then the frequentyng of them.

The namyng of the ciuiller sort, of these Houses, I omyt: because, in reportyng of the viler sort, and horrible vices that they foster, is farre from my intent: either in name, or figure, to discipher any persō that keepeth them, or eny Guest that haunteth them: protestyng This worke is not made particulerly to blame any person, but generally to blason abuse. before God and man, that my labour searcheth the roote of this sowle ympostume, which vomiteth a nomber of seuerall filthy coloured Corruptions: onely, to admonish the greener sort of Gentlemen, who are aptest to receiue the Infection, and to laye before the Magistrate, the Poyson of thease Vlcers: to whose wisdomes, the cure belōgeth: and in this trauell, I suppose, I deserue wel of the worst liuers, in that I ( [...]charitably) admonysh them, to reforme the euylles, that Time may discouer, by their vndoyng: And so to my purpose,

THere are within the Subvrbes of London, diuers worthie Houses, called, Innes of the Court, places of much reuerence. Innes of the Court and of the Chaūcerie: Places, where the Lawes of this Realme, are (publiquely) read, studied and learned: Places, of much Honour, [Page] and Reputation, aswell, in respect of the Reuerentnesse of the Personages, whiche gouerne them, as (also) for the exercise of the Lawes) whiche are the strength and Ornamentes of euery wel gouerned Cōmon-wealth,) euery Gentleman, and (almost) Yeman of Abylitie, sendeth the ripest witted of his Children, vnto some one of thease Houses, to study the common Lawes of Englande. And (truely) the good Father, in this charge, dischargeth the loue of a Father towardes his Sonne, and the duetie of a frende, towardes his Countrey: for by suche as are learned in the Lawes (if they abuse not their knowledge, belides an especial benefit & reputation, which they (priuatly reape) vnto them-selues, the Ignorance of their Neighbours where they dwell, qi [...]ng houses a [...] a hinder [...] to the st [...]d [...] of the lawe is profitably) instructed: But, by reason of D [...]cynghowses, and other Alectiues too vnt [...]ristinesse, the good Father, which is at charge, to make his Sonne a Lawier, to do his Countrey seruice, throughe the loosenesse of the Sonne (many times) spendeth his money to the vndooyng of his posterytie.

The swarme of Vnthriftes, whiche lyue vpon One seabbed sheepe in feeteth a hole flocke Shiftes, in, and within the Cittie of London (first seaze vpon these Yonglynges: by their lewde conuerlation, they drawe them from Studdie, and doo acquaint them with these wicked Ordinaries:

Wheare, the Brauerie of the Companie, the glee and Reuell that they keepe, were able to brynge a Dy [...]ing houses, causes o [...] pride stayde man vnto their Societie, but are sure to inchaunt a light yongman, which cōmeth (rawly) out of ye coūrey. What foloweth? Pride (straight wayes) infecteth him with desire to be as braue as the best:

[Page] Well: if he haue liuyng, either in possession or possy bilitie, he shall finde sweete Baites to choake him. Moste of these wicked places, noorish three Guestes Three dangerous gwestes belonging to ordinarie tables that will soundly bowrd this vnexperienced yonge Gentleman, and of his abylitie wyl maintain them selues. These be the names of their facultie.

The braue Shifter: the Bawde, and the Broaker.

¶The braue Companion, who in Apparayle, countenaunce, Description of braue shyfters and bouldnes, wyll cheacke-mate with men of right good worshyp, and lyuing, when he (perhaps) in a Greene Thycket getteth a Masked face, a Pystoll, and a Whypcorde, and hath Inheritaunce in the [...]e of Snatch: Aduentureth to Cape Gripe: I know not by what conning shiftes. But if I did, I thinke it necessary to conceale them, least the instruction wold prooue more hurttul to the euill inclined, then the Admonition, profitable, to the wel disposed: But this, I am assured, and many a Gentlemans vndoyng, witnesseth as muche: that these expert Shisters, by salce Dice, slipperie castynge, or some other nice Sleight: althoughe all the Daye, they dallye with younge Nouices, as a Catte doeth with a Mouse: yet, before Bedde Braue shiffters lyue vp on the cosenage of ph [...] tyme, they wyll make their Purses as emptie of Money, as the Catte the Mouses headde of [...]aynes.

If a man had none other flie suckynge of hym, he should finde, a fewe of Ordinarie Dinners would luppe a greate deale of Substaunce. But, as a slayne Carckase, in an open fielde, is a Pray [Page] pray, for many kyndes of vermyn. Euen so, a plaine minded man vsing these deceitful houses, is an assured praye for al sortes of shysters.

The man that is inticed to be a Dicer, of his owne accorde wil be a Horemaster: But (say you) if he haue not acquaintance, the banishment of the Stewes wyl kepe hym chast. But say as the Prouerbe is. Monie will hyre a guide to go to the Deuile: And (certes) as dailie gheasts at ordinarie Tabls, a man shal fynde neate Bawdes, that onely lyue vppon Brokers of Bawdry. haunters of Dycing houses. the brocage of loue, fellowes that wyl procure acquaintaunce for a dumbe man. These be no bashful Besogniers, but such as glory in their facultie. Their cōmon talke shal be Ribaldry, and matter of their profession. To conclude, he that hath aduantage, [...]ily bloweth a meeting of faire women into my yong maisters eares: His company needeth not to be desired. Incontinent desire maketh him wood of their societie. Gods blood, lets goe, straight he cryeth, and with more haste, then good speede, they goe to some blind brothel-house wher (peraducture) for a Pottle or two of wyne, the imbracement of a paynted Harlot, and the French Pockes for a reckoning, the Punie payeth fortie shillings, and yet my braue Besognier Cossonage of Bawdes. hath a more costly reckoning to geue hym. He wyl accompanie him familierly vp and downe the Citie, and in the ende wyll come vnto a Mercers or a Gold-smythes shop, with whome he had before set his matche, he wyl cheapen, Veluet, Satten, Iuels, or what hym lyketh, and tender his owne & companions credit for payment: He wyll with so boulde a countenaunce aske this frendshyp of the [Page] Gentleman, as the other shalbe to seeke of excuse to denie him: Well, although the peniworthes of the one, be not verye good, the payment of the other, is sure to be currant: thus, by vnsatiable Ryot, wherof, Dicyng Houses are the Fowntayues, the welthiest of our yong Gentlemen, are soone learned to lynge.

¶ Diues eram dudum, sed tria, mé fecerunt nudum,

Alia, vina, venus, tribus his, sum factus egenus.

Note:

I wealthie was of late, though naked now you see:

Thrée things haue chaunged mine estate. Dice, Wine,

(and Lecherie.

¶ But (without doubt) the infction of thease Tabling Houses, is so pleasant, that a man which hath lost all his money, by the exercise of them, euen, in the place of his vndoyng, he wyll (moneylesse) be an idle looker on, of other mens vnthriftinesse.

Then seazeth the third of thease Gheastes vpon this needie Gentleman, which is: The Broaker: who Brokers for mony and their Cossonage. is (either) an olde Bāckrupt Citizin: or som smoothe condicioned vnthriftie Gentleman, farre in debte: some one of these wyll help him to credit, with some of their Creditors, wt a single protestation of meere courtesie: But (by your fauour) vppon this double vzance: the Citizyn Broaker, after deduction for his owne paynes, consideration for the time giuen, and losse in sellyng of the wares considered: wyll bryng him. L V. pounds, currant money, for a. C pownds good debt: The Gentleman Broaker, will deale more Caualiero like: he will be bownde with hym for a. C, pownds, shaarynge the Money betweene them, not without solempne protestation, faithfully [Page] to discharge his owne fiftie powndes, and (if neede be) the whole hundred powndes: Assuraunce (trust mee) as good as a Statute Staple, and a measure of his foote, as sure as eyther. But, let all this mischiefe go: here is want supplied, whiche breaketh Brasen walles: and Money receyued, whiche betrayeth Kynges. blindeth Iudges, and iudgeth Iustice: and for the same, but Iucke, Waxe and Parchement, deliuered: Mary (sir) a merye exchange: a mery Exchange (in deed) if a man shuld (alwayes) be so busied in receiuyng, as there might be no leasure fownde for repayment: But (vnhappy young A good lesson for younge Gentlemen. Gentlemā) what so thou bee that art thus matched: thoughe thy coueitous loue of Money is (lightly) suche, as thou haddest rather become Debter for fortie powndes, then to spare fortie shyllynges out of thy own Purse: yet learn this Lesson (as a sound Counsel:) that thou we art better giue one of these Franions, ten pownds, then to be bound for fiftene: for, what so remaineth, thou sauest, when all that thou venturest, thou loosest: and be thou sure, though thou wilt finde no leasure to satisfie thy couenaunt, thy Creditor wyll worke thee an Arrest, that shall giue thee little ease, and lesse Lybertie, vntyll he be Prodigalitie a passion vncurable. fully contented & paid. But al in vain Medicine is applied to vncurable Maladies: as smallie auayleth good Counsell giuen vnto the Prodigall.

Prodigalytie & Coueitousnesse, are two extreame Lib. de liberalit Passions, and as violent are their cures: Begerie, is the ende of Prodigalytie, & Death, of Coueitousnesse: Yet, as Iouius Pontanus saith, the Coueitous man is the worst of both: for he doth no man (not so much as himself) good wt his goods: when the Prodigal, by [Page] the vndoing of himself, inricheth many. Thus, what may be best said of Prodigalyte, concludeth an vndoyng of him-self & posterytie. The famous Lawiet Vlpianus saith: the prodigal man, neither obserueth time, nor maketh end of riot, vntil riot hath, both cō sumed him & his Patrimony. The sage Solō, made a law, to defame prodigal men. The A reopagites, and criminal Iudges of Athens, punished prodigall mē, as idle, vagrant & vnprofitable mē. The. x. Gouernors of Rome, made a law, yt prodigal mē, should neither haue ye gouermēt nor dispositiō of their own goods: but vnto him shuld be giuē a Curator, by ye a [...] poinctmēt of ye Iudge. By the cōmaūdement of Q. Pompeius, Pretor, Q, Fabius, ye Son of Q. Fabius, the Vale. Max. li 3. Cha. 5. great (surnamed) Allobrogique for ye riotous dispending of his Patrimonie, was indited by this law, & cōmitted vnto ye gouernment of a Tutor. Were this law executed in England, we shuld haue more Wardes, of. xxxv. then. xv. yeares of Age. The Gretians, had a law, yt whosoeuer had vnthriftily cōsumed his patrimony, shuld not be buried in ye sepulchre of his Auncestors, for yt he was held vnworthie the Honor of his Auncestors, yt dishonoreth himselfe, & robbeth his posterytie. The ancient, graue & politique Cō mō-wealth mē, thus seuerely chastned Prodigalytie: though prodigal men had no care of thē-selues, they tendered the posterytie of their posterytie: they (like vnto careful Phisitions, that prouide presernatiues because the infection of the Plague is daungerous) sought ye meanes, yt Prodigalytie might not be nooryshed: fore-seeyng that prodigall men, neyther reuerenced good Counsayle, nor seared Disciplyne.

[Page] And surely it is a worke of greater Iustice, mercifullie, to find a way to preserue men from offending then (seuerely) to punish euery offence.

Suppresse these vnthriftie Houses, and you shall keepe many a mans Landes from sellyng, many a mans neck from the Halter, & the Cōmon-wealth, (perhaps) from a more daungerous mischiefe.

I haue (but yet) begun, to anatomize the Head, of this villanous Sanctuarie of Iniquitie, a heape of euilles followe. The deceipt of Dice, the charge of Lecherie, Cosonage and Brocage, is all that I haue yet layde vpon our vnhappy Gentlman:

These (onely) pray vpon Gouid, Siluer, and suche light carraidge. These be but suckyng Flies, the bityng Scorpions come after. A Byrde that hath but one feather limed, by striuing, fetreth her whole body: Euen-so, the vnfortunate Gentleman thrust behinde the hande, by the hazard of Dice, through a vaine hope, to redeeme himselfe, followeth his mischiefe, to the spendynge of the last payment of his Lande, And to helpe him forwarde, some one Spie or Pettifogger of the Lawe (the reuerence done vnto A P [...]tifogger a most daungerous broker. the Law and good Lawiers reuerenced,) I may iustly saye, the Scum of all villanie, is (euer-more) sneakyng in these Ordinarie Houses: This notable Companion, keepeth an Alphabet, of all the rich Gentlemens names, that frequenteth the Ordinaries: his eyes are settled vpon their dispositions, Exercyse of ordi [...]arie Table petysoggers. and his exercise is, dayly, to search the Rolles, and the Office of the Statutes, to learn what Recognizances, Morguages and Statutes do charge their Landes: This is the most pernitious Broaker, the [Page] other helped the needie gentleman to money at fiftie in the hundred losse, but he helpeth him to sell free land at fiue yeres purchase.

I must here digresse from the prodigalitie of the gentleman, vnto the couetousnesse and vsurie, I can not properly say of the Citizen, although he dwelleth in ye Citie: for the true Citizen (wherof London hath plentie) liueth vpon his trade, be he an aduenturer abroade, or a mecanicall crafts man at home. But these shames of good Couetous Citizens hunt [...] tables to vndoe Gentlemen. Citizens tradeth but to a dycing house, or at the furthest trauaileth to a bowling alley, and with ease & safetie getteth wealth as fast as the other doe with great hazard and trauell. They come not to play the vnthrifts, but to pray vpon vnthrifts: and yet for companie, and to auoide suspition, they wil sometime play the good fellowes. All the rest are but instruments for these daungerous catchers. These neede not too greedily seeke for purchases, the necessitie of the gentlemen maketh them faire offers: and their spies, the petifogger and others giueth them knowledge where there is sound dealing. Among them there is such deceit coloured with such cleanly shifts, as many gentlemen are for a trifle shifted out of their liuings without hope of remedie. The extremitie of these mens dealings hath beene and is so The extreme dealing o [...] couetou. Citizens haue setled a deadly [...] betweene Gentlemen and merchaunts. cruell, as there is a natural malice generally impressed in the hearts of the gentlemen of England towards the citizens of London, insomuch as if they odiously name a man, they foorthwith call him A trimme merchaunt. Iu like despight the [Page] Citizen calleth euery ras [...]all A ioly Gentleman.

And truely this mortall enuie betweene these two woorthie estates, was first engendred of the cruell vsage of couetous merchaunts, in hard bargaines gotten of Gentlemen, and nourished with malitious words and reuenges taken of both parties. S. Paul by good warrant saith, That couetousnesse is the roote of all mischiefe. S. Augustine Tim. 1. cap. 6. The [...] of couetousnesse. saith, that the couetous man is subiect to all euils, for that all euils come of couetousnesse. He more [...]uer saith, that wilde beasts haue measure, for being hungrie they pursue their praies, and being full are satisfied: but the couetous man is neuer satisfied. He neither feareth God, nor reuerenceth man, pardoneth not his father, nor acknowledgeth his mother, maketh merchandize of his children, regardeth not his brother, nor yet keepeth faith wt his friend, beareth false witnesse, offendeth the widow, & destroyeth the Infant O how great is ye follie of our vnderstanding, to lose life, to seeke death, & to banish ourselues from heauen: S. Bernard saith, ye the accursed chariot of conetousnesse, Foure wheeles of the chariot o [...] couetousn [...]sse. The two h [...]es. The waggoner. The two whippes. is drawen with foure disloyall wheeles of vices, vz. Pusalanimite, Crueltie misprising of God, and forgetfulnesse of certaine death. The two horses are named Theft, & Hardnesse. The waggon [...]r is Earnest desire to haue, who vseth two sharpe whippes: the one called Disordered appetite to get, the oth [...]r, Feare to loose. The opinion of Apuleius in his first booke of Magicke is woorthy to be read, who writeth thus. The Philosopher Socrates had not so much riches as Lelius, nor Leli [...] somuch as Scipio, nor Scipio so much as the r [...] [Page] Crassus, nor Crassus so much riches as he desired. The Emperour Pertinax was so couetous, as he would inuite his friends vnto two small slyces of Pertinax Emperour. meate and a dish of apples, and when he would seeme most sumptuous and magnificent, he added the two genitories of a cocke. Iouian Pontanus saith, that Pope Martin was so couetous, as he would steale euerie night the burning tapers in Pope Martin. S. Peters Church. The same Pontanus saith, that a Cardinal named Angel, euerie night would steale Cardinall Angell. away from his o [...]n horses bottels of hay, and sel them to other ostlers, vatill his horsekeeper one night (taking of him tardy) swinged him currantly. To conclude the euils of couetousnesse, Couetousnes a dangerous enemie to the common wealth. with the daungers it bringeth the common wealth vnto. Men that haue licentiously spent their substance, and finde no liberalitie to supplie their wants, wish straight wayes an alteration of the estate, and what in them lieth practiseth the sam. They fawne vpon ambitious men which are in authority, & betweene whom of the noble men is enuie, disdaine, or priuat displeasure, they help for ward yt faction, they seeke matter of sedition, which being not wisely suppressed, ciuil commotions, battell, & destruction of people oftentimes followeth. Reade ye histories of Rome, & you shal find, that couetousnesse and vsurie haue begun many commotions, and could not be ended vntil the instruments & bonds of debt were cancelled. We need not search so farre, England & al other nations cary a large testimony in their own Chronicles of this fowle matter, and therefore [Page] Thucidides saith not vnproperly, That couetousnesse is the nurse of murther, theft, periurie, treason & all abhominations: not for that couetous men practise these villanies, but for that by extreme necessitie they driue men to these wicked shifts.

I heard a Frenche Gentleman resolue a probleme very pleasauntly and pithily. An Englishman A probleme pit [...]ly [...] [...]y a [...] Gentilman. demaunded the cause, That the young gentilm [...]n of Fraunce flourished more than they of England, considering that the one were consumed with daily warre, when the other had continuall peace to strengthen them. O quoth the Frenche Gentleman, The quietnesse of your peace interrupteth not the deceit of your Citizens, who with the feeding of your pride, deuoureth your liuings: when with vs the troubles of warre so feare them, as to saue the sworde from their throtes, they giue vs the golde in their chests. Fowle fall couetousnesse and vsurie which prooueth his saying true, and more grace or fewe daies happen vnto couetous wretches, who with the vndooing of many in the ende vndoe themselues.

Socrates found that aboundance of wealth was the ouerthrowe of many common wealthes, and Socrates common wealth poore. therefore in his owne common wealth, he would haue the common people poore, and the rest not to haue too much: saying that wealth bred pride, and pride all mischiefes, when pouertie brought foorth Science, and all good Arts, and Science all maner of earthly happinesse. Thus one mischiefe [Page] draweth on an other, and dyeing houses are the fountaines.

These wicked houses first [...]leth our young gentlemen in pride, and acquainteth them with sundrie shifting companions, whereof one sort couseueth him at dice and cardes, an other sort consume him with lecherie, an other sort by brocadge bringeth him in debt, and out of credit, then awayteth couetousnesse and vsurie to sease vpon his liuing, and the vnciuill Sergeant vpon his libertie. To ruine is thus brought the gentleman, a great estate and strength of this Realme, principally by the frequenting of dicing houses.

Let vs searc [...]e deeper into this vlcer, there is more f [...]wle matter [...]inde, we haue but yet spoken of the better sort of dicing houses, which are chiefelie for intertainement of Courtiers and other Gentlemen, which by reason of their attendaunce and b [...]sinesse keepe no certaine houses. If ordinarie ta [...]les be tollerated for their necessitie, wha [...] warra [...] haue the ordinarie table-keepers within the heart of London, (which are commonly called dicing houses) for Citizens? In euerie Ordinaries for Citizens and the inconuenience. Citie, Citiz [...] haue houses of their owne, haue wife, children and families to care for: and sure the inconuenience [...] but be great, when a man [...] [...] owne house, and the companie of hid wife and familie, and dine [...] at a dicing house. In many [...] gouerned common wealths, Citizens [...]y especiall Lawes were forbidden to eate and drinke out of their owne houses, vnlesse one neighbour inuited an other: but sufferant hath [Page] brought this mischiefe to such a custome, that if there were many more Citizens ordinaries, they should not need to fawn vpon the inferior sort for want of companie of substantiall Citizens. But before we enter further into this mischiefe, ye condition of the keepers of these places is to be considered, Keepers of these houses old bankro [...]tes. for the most part the masters of the [...]e houses, in times past haue beene bankrouts, & what may be expected of men of their dispositions? mary a continuance of their facultie, to liue vpon the goods of other men. Hither repaire al ye close shifters, here many notorious cousinages are smothered, ye masters of these houses want no guests, for where carrion is, crowes will be plentie, and where money is sturring, cheters will not be idle. Yoūg citizens for ye most part depend vpon their credit, & therfore are loath that there should be an open testimony of their vnthriftines. All the better for ye biting cheter. Close in a chamber a cogging knaue getteth more money in an houre, than many an honest man spendeth in a yere. And this one thing is much to be lamented, the vnthrifty citizens cōsume other mens goods, who perhaps laboured painfully to get thē (when gentlemen although they vndoe their posterite) spend but their own goods & lands. The eares of the magistrate are daily ful of the breaking of yong merchants, & here I lay before their eies the causes therof, euen these wicked ordinaries. They be places vnto which magistrates come not, & therefore the abuses vnknowen vnto them. But I think it a work of much honesty to reueale them, and in the magistrate a work of more iustice to reforme them, and [Page] vndoubtedly although this be true that I write, & the euils far more than I discouer, yet in discouering of the faults & faultie men, I find my conscience so free from their shiftes, as in writing my name to this booke, I presume, that no man (as faultie in that part of reprehension) will say,

Turpe est doctori, cum culpa redarguit ipsum.

But as one that meaneth not to complaine his losses, to ioyn my owne example with admonitiō I cōstantly determine to crosse the streets where these vile houses are planted, to blesse me from the inticements of thē, which in very deed are many, & the more dangerous in that they please with a vain hope of gain. Insomuch on a time I heard a distemperate dicer solemly sweare, yt he faithfully A dicers opinion of the fi [...]st making of dice & cards. beleeued, yt dice were first made of the bones of a witch, & cards of her skin, in which there hath euer sithence remained an inchantment, yt whosoeuer once taketh delight in either, he shall neuer haue power vtterly to leaue them, for quoth he, I a hundred times vowed to leaue both, yet haue not ye gr [...]e to forsake either. But for al his iudgement, if Socrates alterd his natural inclination of insolencie by philosophie: if the wise Vlisses could eate of the her [...] [...]alled Lotos, & [...] yet by the pleasantnesse therof would not be inchanted to remaine in that countrie, when his companions & seruants (forgetting their natural land) coueted to remain stil in yt region where that her [...] grewe, & but only by violence they could not be brought back again to their ships: if heathen men only by philosophie could master their dispositiōs, christians by praier & philosophy may ouercome an inticing mischiefe. [Page] But vnto this possibilitie of reformation, wise men are to giue light credence. Olde Iudge Chomley euermore aunswered naughtie liuers that sued for mercie, desiring him to regard the frailtie of young men, by the bolde and vnlawful actions of his owne youth, and by the testimonie of his grace, good fortune, and present authoritie, to conceiue hope or their amendement: O my friendes, quoth the Iudge, I tel you plainly, Iudge Chomleys aunswere to the [...]ues that sued for [...]. that of twentie that in those dayes were my companions, I onely escaped hanging: and it is very like, that some one of your fellowship is by Gods goodnesse reserued to be an honest man, but you are found offenders by the Lawe, and truely iustiee (whose sentence I am sworne to pronounce) commanndeth me to commend your soules to Almightie God, and your bodies to the Gallowse. This notable Iudge in his aunswere was not short and sweete, but round and seuere. Great is the pitie that of twentie offenders there should but one become a good man. Howe high a worke were it then of charitie and mercie to preserue men from notable offences? Certainly farre greater, than to pardon offeders. For by the wisdome of the first, vice shall be driuen to her shifts, when the mildenesse of the seconde many times breedeth presumption. If the good magistrates of this Citie, vsed the diligence of the forereported Censors of Rome, in short space the case would be altered, and in time custome would make men honest, which without discipline can haue no beginning. There is an olde prouerbe, The eye of [Page] the master, doth as much worke as the handes of the seruant. If the magistrats [...]urueide but these vile houses by honest conseruators, you should finde the painefull trauels of capital Magistrats much eased, many mens liues shalbe saued, Gentlemen shall haue more lande, and Citizens greater store of money: which mettall is the greatest strength of a Citie, for where mony is not scarce, traficke Citizens forbidden to purchase lande. is plentie, which chiefly supporteth al Cities. And therfore in many wel gouerned cōmon wealthes, Citizens (to the ende they should onely imploi [...] their money in traficke) were forbidden to purchase lande, other than a garden for recreation. But to my purpose, these deuellish houses are causes that merchants haue so much lande, and Gentlemen so litle vertue.

It is alreadie showen, to what extremitie the better sort of these houses bring a great number of our flourishing Gentlemen. To what miserie the seconde sort (called ordinaries for Citizens) bring a great number of young merchauntes. Nowe remayneth the discouerie of the thirde sort Ordinaries for masterles mē, shifters, &c. of these hauntes, which are placed in Allies, gardens, and other obscure corners out of the common walks of the Magistrate. The dayly guests of these priuie houses, are maisterles men, needy shifters, theeues, cutpurses, vnthriftie seruants, both seruing men, and prentises. Heere a man may picke out mates for all purposes, saue such as are good. Heere a man may finde out Brauoes of Rome and Naples, who for a pottle of wine, will make no more conscience to kill a man, than a Butcher a beast, heare closely lie good fellowes, [Page] that with a good Northren Gelding, will gaine more by a halter, than an honest yeoman will with a teame of good horses. Heare are they, that will not let to deceaue their father, to robbe their brother, and fire their neighbours house for an aduauntage. These frannions will not sticke to spende frankely, although they haue neither landes nor goods by the dead, nor honestie by nature. But how will this hould out? fire will consume wood without maintenance, and ryot a weake purse without supply. The Gentlemen (for the most) haue landes to make money, and young marchants waies to get credite, but the most of these idle persons haue neither landes nor credite, nor will liue by an honest occupation: forsooth they haue yet handes to filch, heades to deceiue, and friendes to receiue: and by these helpes, shift meetely badly well. The other vpon currant assurance, perhaps get money, for twentie markes or twenty poundes in the hundred. But these that worst may hould the candle, they vpon their owne, or maisters apparell, brasse, pewter, sheetes, shirts, &c. finde Brokers, or [...]ripperers, that for a shilling in the pounde, for euery moneth, will bouldly, for halfe the vallue take these paunes. Certainely it seemeth that London is sore charged with these makeshiftes, for that almost in euery streate and lane there dwelleth two or three of these pettie brokers, or cherishtheeues. And I pray to God, that in Cheape side, Brokers called cherishtheeues. and other principall streates, although gould, siluer, silkes and other costly merchandise be openly in the shops, that in many mens cofers there [Page] lie not Cardinall Campeius sumpter riches. Learne this Cardinals name. Fiftie or sixtie in the hundred is sweete gaine, and a double paune taketh away all feare of the statute. A Iuish vsurie, high time to bee rooted out of a Christian gouernement. By ouer long sufferaunce howe much London hath blemished her auncient vertues, and indaungered her peace and prosperitie, is not to be recounted. In the time of King Henrie the third, the good citizens of London in one night slew fiue hundred Iewes for that a Iewe tooke of a Christian a pennie in the shilling vsurie: and euer after got them banished the Citie: if the like Iustice were done vpon Iuish Christians, London would haue manie houses emptie, and her Churches and Churchyeardes would be too scant to receiue dead carrions. Truely these Atheists deserue worse than Iewes, for they more sharply execute the trade of Iewes. The Iewes spoile not one an other, but Christians, whom they esteeme as dogges, when these counterfets make no difference of persons. The good Maiestrates must ouerlooke this euill, or else the euill will ouerrule their prosperitie. It is a great miracle (but that God is mercifull) that this Citie is not alwaies greeuously afflicted with the plague, when sacred is the authoritie that sayth, The plague shall not depart the house of the swearer. I imagaine that disers cure one poyson with an other, who gape so wide to blaspheme God, as they swallowe the Deuil into their bowels, vpon whom no plague but hell fire will fasten. How needefull a thing is it to looke vnto these places where this outrage [Page] is done vnto God. Thinke you they may not be made instruments to nourish traiterous practises? The conspiracie of Madder and Barloe, was hatched in a tabling house, in the white fryers. Where is the currant of newes but in tabling houses? forraine explorers and faulse subiectes, there heare much matter intreated at counsell bordes. Where is a desperate Athiest like vnto harebraine Someruile so ready to be found, as in a tabeling house? Obstinate Papists that dare not liue in the countrey for feare of the statute, monethly shift their lodgings, and without suspition heere dayly receiue their dyet. Launce an olde feastred sore, and you are like to finde corruption more than of one humour. But admit they proue no baites for such purposes: they are the sinkes of the forereported mischiefes. The vndoing of many, and the honest gaine of no man. The Gentleman excuseth his repaire to them, because he keepeth no certaine house, and likewise alleadgeth conuersation of equals: but as he findeth no thrift in the first, so he is often deceiued in the seconde. A tabling house is like vnto a strumpet, who is readie to receiue euery mans money. And many times men of great worshippe, are bearded, and braued, with inferiours to some of their seruantes. The Gentleman of Naples is highly to be commended, for this honorable disposition, how meane so euer his liuing be, yet he will furnish his owne table: so he both auoydeth the controulement of superiours, and the checkemate The honorable disposition of the Napolitan gentleman. of inferiours. Would our English gentlemen did the like, they would like very well of the [Page] change. By this frugallitie, the Napolitane liueth Caueliero like with a 100. crownes a yeare, and our ryot maketh no showe of so much a moneth. But you will say they starue themselues: but did euer any see a man to die of hunger, where meate was to be sold, if he had gaie clothes to his backe, it seemeth he contenteth nature, which is plentie ynough, we for our glutonie are euerie where called English bellies. Very few of our gentlemē die old men by inordinate feading, our memorie, wit, and minde, which is immortall, is daylie dulled, weakened and almost slaine by surfets. Let vs excuse the matter as we please, wee receiue no better remedie by our excuse, than Mahomet had for the fawling sicknesse, by coloring his disease, in giuing out that his passion proceeded of the brightnesse of an Angell, which in those fittes reuealed heauenly matters vnto him. But if men will deceiue them selues by deluding others, they shall finde had I wist a bitter pill to digest. I neede shewe no other examples than the daylie falles of young Gentlemen that trust to the fortune of these intising dicing houses, where vertue is shut in the cole seller, and vice and all cosoning villanies, set in the chiefe places of the hall. And therefore happie is he, that is either aduised by good counsell, or warned by other mens harmes.

A care to continue ye prosperitie of this famous Citie, will no doubt cause her Capitall magistrates shortly to looke into the behauiours of riotous Citizens, their vnthriftinesse consumeth more than their owne goods, and vndoeth many, [Page] that trauaile painefully for their liuing. The example of monethly iustice, sufficeth to dismay the third sort of vnthriftie liuers. There are more executed from Newgate and the Marshalsies, than in three of the greatest Cities of Fraunce, and yet I truely say, that more offenders are fauourably quitted, and pardoned in London in one moneth, than in Paris in a whole yere, so exceeding The exceeding mercie of ye Queenes Maiestie eternized by straungers. great is the mercie of our most good Queene Elizabeth, the remembraunce whereof may not passe without zealous thankes vnto God for her thrise excellent Maiestie, least straungers condemne her naturall subiects of ingratitude, who to eternize this pretious vertue of mercie, rooted in the magnanimous heart of her excellencie, in commemoration thereof, haue written many learned bookes. Others haue raised disputationn, whether it be a vertue more holy, in her Maiestie, or daungerous for her true subiects: for feare least her clemencie extend vnto persons of the disposition of the frosen snake, which the pitifull husbandman cherished by the fire, vntill she offered to sting his children: and truely whether presumption or necessitie were the cause, I leaue to iudge: but I craue Gods wrath as iustice, if I speake not the trueth: In Rome, euen in that Rome, where the Pope and her woorst enemie raigneth, among English fugitiues, not woorthie of the benefite of her good subiects, plentie, peace and prosperitie. There was (which with mine owne eares I heard) that wished imprisonment in the Fleete at the Queenes mercie, rather than libertie in Rome. It is apparant that her [Page] Highnesse mildenes exceedeth, and it seemeth that the Popes bountie is not verie plentiful, saue vnto such, as rather carrie sedition than zeale in their countenance. When such as cannot be contented to be good subiects, affie more in her clemencie (if shame held thē not backe) than in the Popes holinesse, for all his golden showes. In my booke entituled, The blessings of Peace, this digression shall be liuely set foorth. In the meane space & many happy yeres after, I humbly beseech Almightie God to forget our vnworthinesse, by remembrance of her worthinesse, that she may in al felicitie still raigne among vs as the image of his glorie, and the comfort of all true Christians. Amen.

Againe to my purpose: Though there cannot be too much good spoken of her Maiesties gratious & sweet mercie, yet seueritie may no wayes be termed crueltie, so that no more than Lawe be ministred to notable malefactors. London is so plentifull of notorious couseners, cheters, and dishonest liuers, and withall so blemished with heynous cousenages and deceites, as a young man, vnlesse he haue an olde mans experience, can hardly auoide their snares.

Many newe kinde of shiftes, which none but the Deuill could inuent, and verie Atheistes execute, by the wisedome of graue Maiestrates haue beene syfted foorth: wherein reuerent personages were in danger of dishonour, and innocentes in hazarde of death. It is a matter offresh memorie. The publicke mischiefe that of late yeares was hatched in these wicked houses, and growento the great losse, hinderance, and halfe vndoing of more than two hundred Gentlemen, honest citizens and yeomen, yet God which is iust, hath rewarded many of the deceiuers [Page] according to their euill deseruings.

No man was euer assaulted with a more daungerous strategeme of cosonage than my selfe, with which my life & liuing was hardly beset. No man hath more cause to thanke God for a free deliuery than my selfe, nor anie man euer sawe, more suddaine vengeance inflicted vpon his aduersaries, than I my selfe of mine: as liuely appeareth in the ende of my booke intituled The rocke of regarde, imprinted many yeares past.

And although to cure the extremitie I then fared as a man sore scalded with fire, which in hope of ease leapeth into colde water, which presently stripeth off his skin. So I that had experience of strangers huge deceite, thought that the pleasing perswasion of neare friendes, would turne to a comfortable remedie, but I finde the olde Larkes song true: There is no trust in faire words, nor assurance in natures obligations. But after three yeares & more of costly sute my greeuous oppression (God be therfore praysed) hath pearsed the inclining ear [...]s, of the right Honorable, and Gracious Iudge, the L. Chauncelor of Englande: by whose wisedom & graue iudgement, I constantly beleeue, to be releued & released of the toile of Law: vpon whose commaundement, with all humilitie, reuerence and dutie I attend, beseeching Almighty God to preserue the blessed estate of ye Queenes most excellent maiestie here vpon earth, the lieuetenant of his diuine graces: the right honorable Lordes of the priuie Counsell, the true images of wisedome: and all other Capitall and good Magistrates, the strong pillers of this happie gouernement. And to the friendly readers of this booke, I wish the benefit of my trauels, and to the reprehenders amendment of life.

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

The enemie to vnthryftinesse publishing, by lawes, documents and disciplines. A right rule, for reformation of pride, and other prodigall and riotous disorders, in a common wealth: for the worthines of directions, a perfect mirrour for all maiestrates: (especially) of cities. And for sound counsels, and admonitions, a carde to compasse, or euery yong gentleman, honorablie and profitably to gouerne his actions. Partely, drawne out of the sage gouernme[n]t, of the most worthie emperour, Alexander Seuerus: and (generallye) discoueringe the vnsufferable abuses now raigning in our happie English co[m]mon wealth. By George Whetstons gent.Mirour for magestrates of cyties

Whetstone, George, 1544?-1587?

Edition statement

1586

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2005-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A15038

ID [STC]

STC 25341.5

ID [STC]

ESTC S103652

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99839401

ID [PROQUEST]

99839401

ID [VID]

3817

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Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A15038)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 3817)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1262:02)

Source

— The enemie to vnthryftinesse publishing, by lawes, documents and disciplines. A right rule, for reformation of pride, and other prodigall and riotous disorders, in a common wealth: for the worthines of directions, a perfect mirrour for all maiestrates: (especially) of cities. And for sound counsels, and admonitions, a carde to compasse, or euery yong gentleman, honorablie and profitably to gouerne his actions. Partely, drawne out of the sage gouernme[n]t, of the most worthie emperour, Alexander Seuerus: and (generallye) discoueringe the vnsufferable abuses now raigning in our happie English co[m]mon wealth. By George Whetstons gent., Mirour for magestrates of cyties, Whetstone, George, 1544?-1587?, Whetstone, George, 1544?-1587? Addition: or touchstone for the time. aut, Severus Alexander, Emperor of Rome, 208-235..

Extent

[4], 36 leaves

By Richard Jones,. Printed at London :: Anno 1584 [i.e. 1586]. (Actual date of publication from STC.) (Leaves 25 and 26 misnumbered 75 and 78.) (G2 is a separate title page, undated, with same imprint, reading: An addition: or touchstone for the time: exposyng the daingerous mischiefes, that the Dicyng howses (co[m]monly called) ordinarie tables, and other (like) sanctuaries of iniquitie, do dayly breede: within the bovvelles of the famous citie of London. By George Whetstones, gent.) (Running title reads: A mirour for magistrates of cities.) (Another issue (with A1-[par.] cancelled, and new title page and date) of STC 25341, published in 1584 with title: A mirour for magestrates of cyties.) (Identified as STC 25335 on UMI microfilm.) (Some print faded and show-through; some pages stained.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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