BEing rockt too long in the careles cradle of idlenesse (where slouth­full lims are soone lulled a sleepe) the hinderer of health, good happe and vertue: a multitude of world­ly causes (my honorable friend) a­wakened my wittes, and bad the sensible Spirites arise from the forgetfull couch of drowsie rest, and offer the bodie to some profi­table exercises, that therby the head hand and pen might either purchace commendation, or publish to good people a matter that should merite some memory. But finding my self vnfurnished of lear­ning, and barely seene in the artes liberall, & farre vnfit to touch or treate of Diuinitie, I stoode a­mazed [Page] and knewe not what thankfull thing I should first goe about and take in hand to a good end and purpose. And so a while bethinking mee (minding to draw no stronger bow thau I could well shoot in) & looking into mine owne strength, I sawe me most ablest and apt to be at commaun­dement of Prince, Countrie and Friends. In the honoring and seruice of whom I should studie to bring foorth some acceptable worke, not striuing to shewe any rare inuention (that passeth a meane mans capacitie) but to vtter and reuiue matter of some moment knowne and talked of long agoe, yet ouer-long hath bene buried, and as it seemeth layne dead (for any great fruite it hath shewed) in the memorie of man. The thing that I meane that hath layne so long in the graue of forgetful­nesse, is faithfull friendship, which Tully hath tou­ched, and a number of good authors haue writ­ten of, but fewe in these daies haue obserued, ho­nored and followed.

And now to proceed forward with this freind­ship (and shewe the degrees thereof orderly) mee thinkes that the first braunch thereof is the affec­tionat loue that al men in generall ought to beare to their countrie. For the which Musius Scaeuola, Ho­ratius Cocles, Marcus Curtius, Marcus Regulus, and many moe hath left vs most noble examples. Yea, you shall reade that some although they were bani­shed from their countrie, yet they bore in their bo­wels and breastes, to the hower of their death, the loue of their countrie, parents, friends and fami­lie. In which euerlasting loue of theirs remayned [Page] such manly and honorable motions of the minde, that many noble seruices (of voluntarie goodwill were brought forth by them to the benefite of their countrie, and recouerie of their first credite, estate and dignitie. Thus by a naturall disposition planted in the soule & sensible store-house of stayed iudgement, great exploytes were brought to passe, and sondrie wonders of this world hath ca­sely bene taken in hand. And surely all these for­mer examples (with the hazarde of our forefa­thers liues) brauely put in proofe and executed, serues to no other ende (as their meaning was) but to teach those that came after with the like greatnesse of minde, to followe the forerunners of all worthy renowne and worldly reputation. So by this, thousands may see, man is not made for himself, created to be king of earthly delights, and placed amidst the pleasures of the worlde, to doe what he pleaseth, but chiefly to looke and with good aduisement to search, how and in what sort he may be duetiful and beneficiall to his countrie. Now peraduenture in this perillous age (where many are puft vp with presumption) and sedici­ous season of proude practises and headstrong people, some serpentine sect, that caries venome in their mindes, and mortal stings in their tongues, will holde a bad opinion and say: that the earth is made for the children of men (as the Sea is for the fish) and that is mans natural countrie where he findeth foode, liuing, and credite in. But this canckred kinde of rebellious conceite, is such a gnawing worme in the conscience of man, (and so [Page] farre differs from all humaine lawes) that he that but thinkes one thought of this nature, is not on­ly vnnaturall to his countrie, but likewise vnbles­sed and vnhappie in all the soyles and countries he happeneth to dwell in. For he that honoreth not in hart the soyle and seate of his natiuitie, and despiseth the place where he tooke life, sustenance, nurriture and education, besides good fortune and preferments (the onely blessednesse here to re­ioyce of) he doth degenerate, and what birth and blood soeuer he be of, we may call him a bace borne groome, or a kindly bastard begotten out of time, liuing out of order, and of worse beleefe than an Infidell. The birdes of the ayre, the fish in the flood, and the beastes on the earth loueth to haunt and behold the place of their procreation: and the greatest Conquerors that euer were (call them Kings or what you please) though they went ne­uer so farre to obtaine victories, yet they brought all the glorie home to their countrie, and trium­phed onely there where they were first fostered, founde fauour and fortune, and had from the be­ginning bene trayned and brought vp: yea and af­ter their life (both Kings, Prophets and other great men) desired to haue their bones buried in their countrie. And some of excellent iudgement held opinion, that the loue of their countrie did farre surpasse the loue of their parents, in defence of which they offred liues, lands and goods, and cared not what daunger they should thrust them­selues into, so that thereby they might doe their countrie any honour or seruice.

[Page] O then what a blemish and blot is this in the faces and browes of them that in a proude pre­sumption (perswaded by pestilent wittes) aban­doneth their country, and would hazard on a pee­uish opiniō (if it were in their power) to sel Prince, people and patrimonie, for a colde and bare wel­come full of hollownes of hart in a strange King­dome, where cracked credite is lothsome and long mistrusted, and seeldome or neuer comes to a good and honorable ende, I can but wish their pay­ment no worse nor better, but such as Tarpeia[?] foūd of the Latines and Sabines for selling vnto them the Capitoll of Rome: a most notorious example reade it who pleaseth. So if in those daies (a great while agoe) millions of men helde the loue and friendship of their countrie so deere and precious, as in deede it ought to bee esteemed: now in our ripened yeeres when wittes are mellowed and seasoned with the sweete sauour of long expe­rience, the folly and foule facts that by ouer great boldnes makes many runne mad, should be a ge­nerall warning, and teach all kinde of people, to keepe the right and playne path of naturall affec­tion towards their countrie and friends.

Now, all these thinges there rehearsed before, are written in way of friendship to the wild wan­derers of this worlde, who vndoubtedly wants but grace and good councell. And the rest that followes hereafter in this little peece of prose, is written to your selfe (my honorable friend) whose friendship I haue felt, and sondrie moe haue ta­sted. Let the deede shewe it selfe: not writing this [Page] to teach you (with presuming wordes) any other course than your former iudgement and present consideration thinkes best to holde, but onely to keepe the blaze of good will continually burning, by feeding the flame with plying and putting in more oyle to the lampe. For I acknowledge that you knowe, that as the sinowes is needfull for the body, the marrow for the bones, and the blood for the life: so friendship is most fittest to knit the ioyntes and mindes of men together, and bindes them about with such brazen bandes, that no barres of yron may breake, nor policie of people may put asunder.

He y^t hath trauayled (as I haue done) through the torrest of affliction, where many wilde beastes are wandering in the woods (some roring and running after their pray) shall see how narrowly he hath escaped from the gaping and deuouring monsters, and finde that if friendshippe and good fortune had not holpen him, he had bene vtterly destroyed. From the highest to the lowest (reckon what degrees can bee named) in good sooth they are all left alone bare-footed and desolate, where friendship hath forsaken them. But where or into what laborinth, O Lorde, haue I now brought my selfe: for now I am forced to goe forward, and may not steppe backe, but seeke an open way to walke in, orderly to set downe and shewe the sub­stance of friendship, the flatterie of the world, and the sinenesse of our age: the circumstance whereof craues an other maner of discourse and volume than this little treatise can vtter. What then, as [Page] by small sparkes (or kindled coales) great fire is made, and of a trifeling tale true matter may bee gathered: so out of weake wordes strong argu­ments may bee sifted, and through a number of spiced speeches, a simple sentence may shewe some sauour, and yeeld such tast to the quicknesse of vn­derstanding, that the hearers wittes and iudge­ment shall willingly stand contented with all that shall be spoken. And friendship is so much desired, spoken of, and necessarie for all kinde of people, that onely the bare and naked name thereof, is sweete and most acceptable, though the writer thereon be but meanly learned, and of small suffi­cience to set out at the full, the fulnesse of so florish­ing a vertue.

Then forward to the purpose: I say and proue that the same is true friendship that proceedes from vertue, and hath so noble a nature (by a di­uine motion of goodnesse) that neither vice can corrupt, nor any kinde of vanitie vanquish: For where it taketh roote, it buds so beautifully that it bringeth foorth an euerlasting fruite, whose taste is more sweete and precious, than can bee easely imagined.

And now in a season, when finenes and flatte­rie so aboundeth, and striues by cunning practi­ses to supplie the place of friendshippe (and ouer­growe euery braunch that springs from loyall a­mitie) this true friendshippe is most sweetest of sa­uour, and most highest of reputation, and burnes with a quenchlesse flame, like a blazing Bea­kon, or sparkling Torche (that can abide all [Page] windes) which is set vp on the toppe of a high Mountaine. For fine or grosse flatterie is but a bare foyle to set forth a bad Iewell: and the craftie curious cunning of these artificiall fellowes (that feedes all mens humours) makes through their manifolde trumperies, a free passage to perfect faithfulnesse and friendly good will. There is co­uertly crept and finely conuayed, into the common societie of men, a hundred sondrie sortes & shewes of amitie, which in deede are but iuggling castes (or ledger demayne) to purchase fauour, and de­ceiue the lookers on. If all that speake faire, bowe downe knee, make trim curtchie, kisse fingers and handes (yea offer seruice and friendshippe) were harty and louing friends, the world would bee so full of friendship, that there were no place left for adulation and dubble dealing. And surely if a man durst discipher the deepenesse of dissimula­tion, wee should finde our ordinarie manner of friendship so faint-harted and lame, that it neither could goe out of the doore with any man, nor yet dwell safely with many in the house. It seemeth and may bee well aduouched, that friendship of it selfe is so secrete a mysterie (shrined in an honest hart) that few can describe it, and tel from whence comes the priuie and inwarde affection, that so­dainly breedes in breast, and is conuayed to the hart, with such a content and gladnesse, that the whole powers of man leapes in the bowelles of the bodie for ioye at that instant. For example, some that neuer giues cause (with probable mat­ter) to bee embraced and made account of as a [Page] friend, is by a naturall inclination, receiued into fauour, placed in delight, and planted perpetually (so long as life lasteth) in the warme bosome of our frendly affections and fauourable conceites.

Then further note, a wonder of nature, for we see a merueilous motion among men: for some, and that a great number, hauing neither harmed vs, nor ministred any way occasion of dislike, yet no sooner in our companie, but we finde their per­sons offensiue, their presence vnpleasant, their wordes sharpe, (spoken well and to the best mea­ning) yea their workes and whatsoeuer they will doe, are taken amisse and construed to the worst. But chiefly to be noted, we litle desire the acquain­taunce, peraduenture of a friendly companion. Thus so to hate without cause, and loue earnest­ly without desart, is a matter disputable, and ar­gues plainly, that friendship is (without compari­son) the onely true loue knot, that knits in con­iunction, thousands together: and yet the myste­rie and maner of the working is so great, that the ripest wittes may waxe rotten, before they yeeld reason, and shewe how the mixture is made: that two seuerall bodies shall meete in one minde, and bee as it were maried and ioyned in one maner of disposition, with so small a shewe of vertue, and so little cause, that may constrayne both parties to be bound and fast locked in a league of loue. Then what may bee thought on those that currie fauor, followe for good turnes, turnes about like a we­ther-cocke, faunes where fortune fauors, and fa­uors no where, but for commoditie, countenance, [Page] credite, and to compasse that they seeke. If friends bee chosen by election and priuie liking, these open palterers may goe whistle: for neither they know the boundes of a good minde, nor the blessednesse that belongs to friendship. What then should we say of mens behauiours in generall? For without reuerence vttered by courtesie, suing and follow­ing for benefite, fauning and speaking fayre (for entertayning of time) creeping and crouching to keepe that wee haue, and winne that wee wish, all ciuill order would bee forgotten, rudenesse would make reuell, and men should sodainly misse the marke they shoote at. But graunting now, these ceremonious fashions and maners, yet the vsers thereof, are no more like friends, than a Maske and Mommerie (with vizars on their faces) is like a company of graue Senators, that gouerns a mightie Monarchie. And more then mon­strous it is, that such paynted shadowes are com­monly preferred to bee as pillers of friendshippe, when friendship, without proppes stands against all weathers and windes, and is of a more cleere complexion, than to bee patched vp with com­pounds, or matched with corrupted maners, en­nie to vertue, and friend to nothing but vice. For friendshippe is a certaine felicitie of the minde, a sweete ensence that burnes before God, a preser­uer of mans renowne and life, a willing bondage that brings freedome for euer, a stedfast staffe that all good people doe stay on, the mother and nurse of mutuall loue, the conqueror of hate, the pacifier of quarels, the glorie of Kings, and the suretie of [Page] subiects. And friendship is so princely and noble of condition, it may not bee ioyned with anie but such as are as honorable as it selfe. You shall see among friendes of equall calling (that are like of affection) such a sweete and common consent of fraternall loue and liking, that euery thing is wrested to the best construction, and no one mat­ter may be ministred amisse, the mindes and man­ners of men, runs so mirrily together, as it were a sorte of pretie chickens, hopping hastely after the cheereful chucking, of a brooding hen. And where such amitie is (enterlarded with honest pastime) there all hollownes of hart is banished, all playn­nes is embraced, and all good things doe prosper: as a man might say, friendship is a ring-leader to all happinesse, and the guide that shewes men the high way to all worldly exercises.

But now some may aske me, how men should make choyce of their friends, and knowe by out­ward apparance, the inwarde disposition of peo­ple, so many looke smoothly, so many flatter, and so many hath clapped on such audacious counte­nances, that the wisest may be beguiled when he least lookes for defaite[?]? It may bee aunswered, that choyce ought to be made of proofe, and not of fayre semblance, but of constant perfection: for such as casteth colours on cunning deuises, and alwaies to cloke collusion, crcepes finely in fauor with simpering and smiling, to leade readie wits after their subtill intentions, by their needles bab­ble fruitlesse fauning, often chaunge of vizage, vn­manerly boldnes, and daily attendance, where no [Page] desart commaunds them, the fayned friends of this world may be found, and in the state of neces­sitie, all true friendship is tryed. And me thinkes they take no great paynes, that accompanie men in their prosperitie, and they merite no great thankes, that desire to taste (at all times) other mens good fortunes: so that by thrusting and pressing after those, we hope to plucke somewhat from, debates of it selfe it is no certaine signe of friendship, that springs from a simple and playne affection.

Now, many will holde question, and say that Fortune must be followed, sought for, waited on, flattered because she is a deceiuer, and finely enter­tayned: For that with rude and rusticall behaui­our, both fortune and friends, will fling vs farre behinde, that would march before our fellowes. But I pray you, is not the long proofe of craftie practises, the extraordinary dissimulation of fine people, a testimonie that they are no true dealers, that worke with worldly wickednesse and poli­cie, to bee accepted as friends. Then who should presently be called a faithfull follower? thus some man may demaunde. Such I say as in mens meanest calling and credite, hath begun to fauour them, and in their better estate, doe honestly in all causes of reason, equitie and iustice of iudgement, discharge their dueties, and leaue flatterie (that openeth the doore of dubblenesse) and fall flatly to the true order of playne dealing: such I say that neither for fauor, feare or fortune, but dare speake as they thinke (due reuerence obserued) and doe [Page] rather cut off the festered flesh than feede and nou­rish a corrupted cancker. Such whose loue and fidelitie lookes narrowly on all the bounds and limits of friendshippe, and are so ielous ouer the friends they honour, that they cannot suffer any thing to sound out of frame, that may impeach, hinder, or appale the good name and credite of them they follow: such whose studie, diligence and waking regarde, stands as a watch to giue war­ning, and aduertise their friends of all inconue­niences, daungers, sclaunders, and eminent pe­rils and hazardes: such are the members most meete to be about a frend, most worthie welcome, most to bee liked, loued and trusted: and such are the blessed birds of the bosome, that ne sings nor sayes, nor makes signe of other thing than they present. And the rest that loyter about crooked measures, sounding and searching by deceites (like Fishers that closely hides their hookes) to see who they may catch, take holde of, and feele for their aduantage. They are the slee smellers out of fortunate flowers, that growes in happy mens gardens, the prowlers after profite and prefer­ment, purchased by audacious practises, the busie bodies that neuer stands still, but turnes like a toppe to betray the trustie: the tossed white froth of the Sea (that makes a fayre shewe without substance) which vanisheth away at the touch of euery mans finger: and they are the swelling bubbles of the troubled water that are blowne with each litle blast ouer many a land, and makes neither signe from whence they are come, nor to [Page] what good ende and purpose they serue. So sir, seeing the swarmes of fayned friends, the heapes of hollowe harts, the abuse of infected mindes, the musted faces couered with counterfaite good maners, and the effect of true friendshippe vtterly mistaken, in many poynts & places of this world. I trouble you no further with the reading of these lines, hoping in your fauour and friendshippe, as your affection shall mooue, and my merites with­out presumption shall craue and require, making a further present vnto you, of a few verses (hand­led as well as I could) that were deuised for the setting forth of a Paper Mill, which a great well willer of yours (as good cause he hath so to bee) hath builded by Darthford, and brought to perfect frame and forme, I trust to the great content­ment of the Queenes Maiestie, and benefite of her whole countrie: as knoweth God, who aug­ment, maintaine, and blessedly vpholde her Highnesse long among vs, and encrease your good credite with all vertu­ous disposition.