A very fit and fine comparison made by a Gentleman of Genua.

LOdowicks force willing to exact a great and an ex­traordinary sum of mo­ney vpon the inhabi­tants of the city of Ge­nua. His embassadour was bid by one of the cheefest of the citty to dinner, and a little before dinner as they were walking in the garden together, and the Cittizen espying the hearbe Basil said vnto the Embassador: Runne softly my Lord with your hand ouer this hearbe, and then smell vnto it, which [Page] hee did, confessing it to haue a most sweet and comfortable sauor. Now my lord (quoth the Cittizen) straine and bruse this hearbe in your hand and then smell vnto it, which hee did, affirming it to haue a noisome and foule smell. Wherevpon the Cittizen said vnto him, my lord, if the Duke Lodowick runneth softly with the hand of his power and authoritie ouer this citty without either force or violence, he shall find her of a good smell and wonderfull obedient, but if hee doth oppose himselfe against her and dooth straine and force her, shee will yeeld him a sower and a hard tast and sauour by disobe­dience and rebellion. The humanitie of Princes maketh obedient and tractable Cittizens.

The answere of Iouian Pontanus.

IOuian Pontanus a very excellent Poet & Philosopher being demaunded vpon a time wherefore he did eat but of one dish at meales, and of that yet very soberly: answered, To the end I should haue no need of the Phisition.

All Phisitions affirme that the diuersity of [Page] meats hindereth digestion, and breedeth diseases.

A comparison made by a Spaniard.

THe lord Gonsalues playing at dice and being a great looser, perceiued his son Alexander to be greeued at it, where­vpon he said vnto certain Gentlemen there present, The Hystories record that Alexander the Great being a child did weepe when he heard that Philip his father had obtained the victory of a battell, and besides had conquered a kingdome all at once: And being demanded wherefore hee wept, answered that hee feared that his fa­ther would winne so many realms and coun­tries that hee should leaue him none for to conquer. And quite contrarie (quoth the lord Gonsalues) is it with my sonne Alexan­der now readie to weepe for my crosse lucke and great losses, because hee feareth that I shall loose so much that I shall leaue him nothing for to loose.

A pretty quippe giuen vnto two Cardinals by a Painter.

RAphell Vrbin being a very excellent and skilfull Painter, vpon a time hea­ring two Cardinals (with whome hee was very familiar) to reprooue and find fault (only for to anger him) with a certaine pic­ture of S. Peter and S. Paule, which hee had very artificially painted and finished, saying that the pictures faces were too high colou­red and too red, without further studying gaue them this answere: My lords maruaile not hereat, for I haue purposely so painted them as they are now in heauen, and not as they were here vpon earth, for this rednesse commeth vnto them blushing euen for very shame to see the church so ill gouerned by such and such like as your lordships.

The answere which the great Turke gaue to the Embassadours of the King of Hungarie.

BAiazet Emperor of the Turkes, inuading with a great army Bulgary a part of Hun­gary, [Page] The king Sigismondus sent his embassa­dors vnto him to desire him not to molest & trouble his subiects and countrie, wherevn­to by no law he had not any right claime or title. Baiazet to answere herevpon, caused great store of armours and other warlike in­struments to be brought into a certaine hall appointed for that purpose, and hauing sent for the Kings Embassadors, said vnto them: Loe here (my lords, pointing with his finger vpon the armours) the titles whereby I doe claime, and am to possesse the crowne and kingdome of Hungarie.

Right and equitie haue no place in the court of a Tyrant.

A pleasant reproouing of the Marques of Mantua.

FRederick Marquesse of Mantua, as he did sit at dinner among many Gentle­men, one of them hauing almost made an end of his porrige, supt vp the rest, and to excuse his inciuilitie craued pardon of the companie. The Marquesse in pre­sence of them all gaue him this ready an­swere, sir, aske pardon of the Swine, for vnto [Page] vs you haue done no offence or iniury.

A worthy deed of an Italian knight.

AN Italian knight as hee was sitting at dinner, saw two Gentlemen that had alwaies behaued themselues most valiantly in the warres and had done good seruice to their countrie, to stand as abiects of the cō ­panie, because all places were taken before: wherevpon he did rise, and so caused all the rest to rise with him for to make place vnto these two Gentlemen, saying: Giue place vnto these two Gentlemen for to eat their meat, for if they had not beene with vs in such a fight (naming the place) wee should at this time haue had nothing for to eat.

The tyrannicall sentence of Prospero Co­lonna.

PRospero Colonna Collonell of the Italian infanterie within the Garrison of Milan, a Cittizen of the twon came vnto him com­plaining against the exactions spoiles and forceable robberies of his souldiours, vnto [Page] whom hee gaue this answere: Mylan is like vnto a Goose, for the more he is pulled the fairer will be his feathers.

Of Pope Sixtus the fourth and a Frier.

POpe Sixtus the fourth hauing beene a Frier of S. Francis order, and being ad­uanced to the Papall dignitie, was visi­ted vpon a certaine time by a Frier of his Order, who had been one of his chiefest friends and familiars: the Pope willing to shew him some priuate fauour, brought him into his cabinet, wherein he had a very rich treasure, and smiling said vnto the poor Fri­er: Now Frater, I cannot say that which S. Peter my predecessor said: Aurum nec argen­tum habeo, I haue neither gold nor siluer. It is most true (quoth the Frier) but holy Fa­ther you cannot say likewise as he said to the impotent, creple and lame, Surgite & am­bulate, Arise and walke.

The wise saying of Charles the fift Empe­rour.

NEwes being brought vnto the Emperor as he sat in counsell, that the Marques [Page] of Guassa was with all his forces discōfited by the Frenchmen, Cardinall Grandelle his Chancellor, fearing that the affaires of the Realme should succeed the worse for it, said to the Emperour: Sacred Maiestie, this ill reencountre is to be kept secret. Wherevp­on the Emperour answered, It is not possible to keepe things close done before so manie witnesses, but that which is yet to bee done and attempted, is not to be reuealed.

It is very daungerous to a Realme when the enemie knoweth the secrets as soone as they are determined.

Of the humilitie of Godefrey Duke of Buillon.

VVHen the Duke Godefrey of Buil­lon with consent of all the Chri­stian Princes was chosen king of Ierusalem, and therevpon the royall crowne was offe­red and presented vnto him, he did refuse it, saying: It is not meet for mee a Christian Prince to weare a crowne of gold, whereas Christ King of Kings did weare but one of thornes.

The last will of Saladin King of Asia.

SAladin King of Asia, Syria, and Aegypt, declared vpon his death bed how mise­rable hee knew the nature and state of man to bee: and therefore commanded that be­ing dead they should cause his shert to bee carried vpon a launce through all his camp, and insight of all the lords, captaines, and souldiors of his army, and hee that should carrie it should crie with a lowd voice, Sala­din subduer and vanquisher of all Asia a­mongst all his riches which hee hath gotten and conquered, carrieth nothing with him but this only linnen.

The greatest triumphs of man in parting out of this world, are the workes of charitie and godlinesse.

The wise answeres of Antonius Panor­mus to King Alphonsus.

ANtonius Panormus being demaunded of the King what was most necessary and requisit vnto them that would liue together peaceablie in the state of marriage, because [Page] that most commonly as the Poet sayth:

that is,

Answered, that there were two thinges most requisite: The first, that the husband were deaffe, for not to heare all the follies, scolding wordes, and ill reports of his wiues disordered life: The second, that the wife were blind, for not to see the great enormi­tie and excessiue intemperance of her hus­band.

Of King Lewys of Fraunce and a soul­diour.

KIng Lewys in his wars against the Em­peror being on a time in one of his bat­tels somewhat far from any of his com­panies, a certaine Germane knight thinking to make himselfe rich by the present opor­tunitie, surprised the king vnawares, & stay­ing [Page] his Maiesties horse by the bridle, cried out with a loud voice, The king is taken. The king full of courage and magnanimitie drew his courtelax, and gaue the poor soul­diour such a blow that he fel dead vpon the ground; and then said, Now you may see bold and aduenterous knight that at chesse the king was neuer taken alone.

Of the said King and the Chauncellor of Bourgony.

THe said king Lewys hauing heard that the Duke of Bourgony his Chauncel­lor, being a very rich and wealthy man, had founded and erected in his countrey a verie sumptuous and a costly hospitall aswell in building as in moouables, said that it was more then reason that the Chauncellour of Bourgonie (who had in his life time made many poore men) should at the end of his daies build an Hospitall for to lodge and to releeue them.

The subtill answere of Edward King of England vnto Iohn King of France.

DVring the truce which was betweene Edward King of England, and Iohn King of France, the Englishmen by compo­sition and a great summe of money took the castle and the towne of Guines, wherevpon King Iohn complained, saying that the King of England had broken the truce of peace so solemnly confirmed by oth, and had done contrarie to the contract thereof. The King of England gaue him this answere, I haue not (quoth he) broken the least point of the contract, for in it is neuer an article contai­ned, whereby it is forbidden to trafficke to­gether, & to exercise the truce of marchan­dise one with another.

Touching a benefice.

A Certaine Ecclesiasticall man hauing but one benefice, railed and inneighed most sharply alwaies against those that were Non residents. It came to passe by tract [Page] of time that hee happened to ioine one be­nefice to another, and as he was for it repro­ued by some of his friendes, who oftentimes had heard him speake and preach against it, and had knowne him alwaies to be of a con­trarie opinion: gaue them this answere, I craue pardon for it sirs for it was but for want of sight, for hee that hath but one eie seeth not so cleare as he that hath two. My bene­fice which I had first was but one eie wher­with I did see, but now hauing two eies I perceiue things more apparent then before.

The words of Pope Iulius as touching the exercise of warres.

THis Pope was a man that loued wars, which purposely hee nourished be­tweene kings and Princes, and as vpon a time some of his friendes did say vnto him, Holy Father, many noblemen find it verie strange to see you to maintaine warres and ciuill broiles, seeing the estate where God hath called you vnto should bee a place of peace and quietnesse, saying that you do car­ry the keyes to that end for to shut out all [Page] discord and dissention, and to let in all bro­therly vnitie, whereas now they accuse you to doe the contrary. Herevpon he answered and said, Those that haue spoken hereof vnto you, know not what they say: Haue yee not alwaies heard that S. Peter and S. Paule were companions (and in very deed they had but one church) my predecessors haue alwaies vsed S. Peters keies, but I will aid mee with the sword of Saint Paule. One amongst them replied herevpon and said, you know holy Father that our Lord said vnto S. Peter, Put vp thy sword into his sheath: It is true (quoth the Pope) but it was after the blow was giuen.

By these words he declared that he was Martiall altogether.

Of King Alphonsus and his iester.

ALphonsus King of Naples, had in his court a certaine iester who was wont to write in a booke all such follies which in his iudgement seemed wor­thy to be noted, which such as were courti­ers did oftentimes commit. It happened that the King himselfe had occasion to send a [Page] Blackamoore whom he had had long about him, into the East countries with ten thou­sand Duckets for to buy horses. The ieaster according to his ordinarie vse did enregister this act likewise among his other writings, as if he had accounted it but a meere point of follie. Not long after the King called for his booke, because it was long since his Ma­iesty had read in it, and as hee was perusing euerie thing, found at last the hystorie of himselfe, of his Blackamoore, & of the thou­sand duckets in it. The king being herewith offended, asked of his iester to what end he had put this in his booke, or what occasion had mooued him so to doe: Because, answe­red he, your Maiestie hath not done wisely in my simple iudgement to trust your mony with a stranger, whome perhaps you are like to see no more. But if hee returneth (quoth the king) and bringeth with him the horses, what wilt thou say then to it? Wilt thou then further accuse me of folly? When hee shall be returned, answered the iester herevpon, I will blot your name out of my booke, and will put in his insteed of it, for then he shall prooue a greater foole then your maiestie.

Of the Archbishop of Colen and a laborer.

A Certain labourer as he saw vpon a time the Archbishop of Colen riding all in armes, and accompanied with a great troupe of souldiors, did heartely laugh at it. Herevpon being demaunded why hee did laugh, answered simply that hee did laugh, maruelling that S. Peter Christs vicar being himselfe verie poore had left his successors thus rich and wealthy, and were rather ac­companied with Souldiours and Courtiers then churchmen. The Archbishop willing to instruct him better in this point, told him that he was a Duke by birth and an Archbi­shop by calling, and that hee at that present as Duke went thus in armes and guarded with souldiours, but when hee had occasion to be in the church, that then hee vsed him­selfe as a Bishop. My lord (quoth the labou­rer, I would to God then you would tell me that if the Dukes grace should happen to fall to the deuils share, what should then become of my lord the Archbishop?

The sentence of the Duke of Britane.

IOhn the eight Duke of Britane willing to marry his son Fran­cis vnto Isabell daughter to the king of Scotland: the yong Prince inquired what she was for a lady, an­swere was made him that she was a very fair Damosell, well fauoured, comely of bodie, and well disposed for to beare children, but that shee wanted vtterance. Shee is such a one as I desire quoth the yong Duke: for I account a woman wise inough when she can make a difference betweene her husbands shert and his doublet, and knoweth his bed from another mans.

The answere which Empresse Barbara late wife to Sigismundus Emperor gaue to those that gaue her counsell to remaine a widdow.

AFter the Emperor Sigismundus decease, madame Barbara his late wife was coun­selled by some of her familiers to con­tinue in that blessed estate and to remaine a widdow, immitating the example of the [Page] Turtledoue, which after the death of her mate coupleth no more with any of her kind, but keepeth a perpetuall chastity. Herevpon the Empresse answered, If you counsell me to imitate and follow the condi­tions and nature of the birds, in whom there is no reason, why doe you not as wel alledge vnto mee the example of the Pigeons and Sparrowes which are birds in their kind, as well as of the Turtledoue?

Euen as the Turtledoue after the death of her mate doth couple no more with any other of her kind, euen so the Pigeon and the Sparrow are alwaies in loue indifferent­ly with the birds of their nature and feather.

The auncient ceremony which was vsed in the creation and annointing of Kings.

VVHen any King was crowned in times past (which was commonlie in that place where his predecessours were buried) the Bishop that should annoint and install him, carried before him in his left hand a small bundle of tow, and in his right hand a burning torch or waxen candle, and [Page] as he was putting the fire vnto the flaxe, tur­ned his face towards the king, and said vnto him with a loud voice. Sic transit gloria mun­di, So the pompe & glory of the world doth vanish away, which he repeated three times.

It was for to ioine humilitie to authoritie.

The answere which the Earle Lazaram gaue to the Tartarian Embassadors.

THe king of Tartary willing to inuade with a great power the kingdome of Hungarie, sent his embassadors to the court of Lazaram with a Mule laden with a sacke full of corne, to demand of him free and quiet passage through his countrie, so to enter into the kingdome of Hungary. The embassadors performing their commis­sion, found the Earle vpon one of his castels called Archforme: and being well informed of their charge, demaunded of him free pas­sage for their lord and his army with such due and faithful obedience as it became vn­to him: their lord and king was else determi­ned to send into his territories more Souldi­ours then there were grains of corne within [Page] the sacke that was vpon the Mules backe, and therewith they scattered the corn ouer all the court of the castle. The Earle hauing heard them with patience, gaue them like­wise a most bountifull entertainement, and appointing to giue them answere the third day, caused in the meane time to be gathe­red a great store of Cockes, Hens, and Chic­kins, and to bee shut vp for his purpose three daies without meat, which being immediat­ly executed by his seruants, at the time expi­red, the Duke caused all these foules to bee brought into the court of his castell in pre­sence of the said Embassadors, which in lesse then half an houre had pickt vp all the corn thus scattered by the Tartarians. Herevpon the said Earle said to the Embassadours, Tel to your lord in my name, that notwithstan­ding the great number of his men, yet shall hee nor bee able to set out so manie as shall suffice to ouercome and conquer vs, as you haue seene by the similitude of my Chic­kins. God also gaue to the Earle the vic­torie.

The answere which Erasmus of Roterdam sent to king Francis.

KIng Francis hauing earnestly sollicited by some of his embassadors, that wor­thy and renowned personage Erasmus of Roterdam, that it would please him to come into France, and receiue of him the best entertainement which he were able to giue him: for this king did account it one of his cheefest felicities to haue diuers learned men about him. Erasmus sent his Maiestie this answere, Learned men (my soueraine) re­semble faire tapistries, which the further they stand remooued from the eie, the fai­rer and perfecter they seeme to bee, but if they are viewed and regarded neer by, they loose much of their former grace, beauty & perfection. And therfore (my soueraign) par­don me if I had rather to remain your hum­ble seruant in these parts where I am, in such reputation with your maiestie as I am alrea­dy, then neerer vnto your highnesse in lesse fauour and estimation.

A most Christian act done by the Earle of Anion.

FOokes the fift of that name Earle of An­ion, as hee had wonne a great battell against his enemies neere the towne of Sees, his Souldiours had taken a great number of prisoners, whom they had bound, chained, and had lodged them within the church. The Earle in the morning willing to hear seruice, and seeing so many prisoners within the church, wonderfully displeased with it, turned his face towards his souldiors saying vnto them, My fellow-souldiors and friends, what haue you done, do ye not know that the church is the house of God and a place of praiers & of liberty? And you haue made it a prison, and a den of thraldome; wherein you haue beene very much ouer­seene: and herevpon caused all the prisoners to bee loosed and set at libertie, and hauing giuen them meate and drinke sent them all away without paying any ransome.

A Pasquill of Leo the tenth.

PAsquil is an old piller of stone standing in the market place of Rome, where­vpon euery first day of the year called New-years day, euery man fasteneth (close­ly notwithstanding) many scrols, libels, and writings, in praise and dispraise of Princes & great potentates. It happened that in Pope Leos daies the tenth of that name, there was set vpon this piller a white paper wherein these seuen letters stood written.

M. C. C. C. C. L. X.

THe Pope being very desirous to vn­derstand the signification hereof, and knowing that euery man would interprete them by vertue of the letters numerable, 1460, being the date of a time past alrea­dy, and knowing that these letters should haue some other signification and intelli­gence, caused a diligent inquiry to bee made for to find him out that had set vp this scrol, and with much adoe the partie being found [Page] out at last and brought before the Pope, & earnestly demaunded and examined vpon the interpretation of those letters, did pro­mise to declare & expound them vpon con­dition that his holinesse would vouchsafe to pardon him and neuer to trouble or mo­lest him for it. This being promised, hee said vnto the Pope: Holy Father, these seuen letters will be thus interpreted.

A worthy act of Galatius Duke of Mi­lan.

IT was told to Galatius that there was in Milan a very craftie and subtill Lawier for inuenting of means to prolong causes, and to make them neuer ended whenso­euer he had vndertaken to doe it either for fauour or els for money. The Duke desirous to trie his skill, inquired of one of his stew­ards if there were nothing due to any that furnished his house with prouision and ne­cessaries. The books of account being peru­sed, there was found a hundreth pounds to [Page] be due to the Baker. Hereupon the Duke caused the poore man to repare before the Senate, and addressing himselfe to this ad­uocate, demanded counsell of him for de­laying the payment of this money. The Lawyer promised the Duke that he would find meanes and law that the Baker should finger no part of that mony in a whole year, or els in two, if it seemed good vnto him. The cause being debated and ready to bee iudged, the Duke himselfe demaunded of the Lawyer if it were possible to find some further remedy to delay the payment of the said summe. To whome the crafty Lawyer answered, that the cause should not bee en­ded yet in two years. O wonderfull iniustice (quoth the Duke) and man full of iniquitie? Knowest thou not that I owe the man this mony? Wilt thou against my conscience & thine owne wilfully frustrate the poore of their right, and of that which is due vnto them? Shall a man go to law for that which he oweth, Take this villaine hence, said he, vnto his men, and let him presently be exe­cuted without further iudgement, and let his body be quartered, to the end that other may take example by his fall to beware of [Page] the like, and that hereafter the Common­wealth be no more corrupted by him. This sentence with the full consent of the Senat was presently executed.

The great charity of a Duke of Sauoy.

A Certaine Duke of Sauoy being asked by the embassadors of the king of Na­ples, where his Gray-hounds were which he fed for the chase, and moreouer that it would please him to let them haue a view of them: The Duke did deferre it till the next day, saying, that if they would thē take the paines to come vnto him, they should haue a sight thereof. The next day as they came at the time appointed, hee brought them into a great and large hall, where a great number of poor people were eating and drinking at a long table. Behold now, quoth the Duke to the Embassadours, the Gray-hounds which I feed, wherewith I pretend to chase and to take (next that which my Sauior hath purchased for vs all) the kingdome of heauē and life euerlasting.

The workes of charitie are of so great force that the Scripture in euery place doth [Page] most earnestly commend them vnto vs, with such an assurance of reward, that a cup of cold water shall not bee giuen for Gods sake without a tenfold recompence.

The pleasant answere of a Gentleman.

A Young Gentleman whose mother was lately deceased, did mourn for her, and being seene vpon a certaine time in the kings court mounted a horse backe with his foot-cloth of crymson veluet, the ladies & other damosels of the court laughed him to scorn, saying, that they found it very strange to see his horse deckt with a foote-cloth of red veluet, whereas he himselfe did mourne for the death of his Mother. My ladies (re­plied the Gentleman herevpon) you haue herein some reason, but yet ye ought to con­sider likewise that the mother of my horse is not yet dead as that he should mourne for her.

Of Cardinall Cossa that made himselfe Pope by force.

THe Cardinals being assembled toge­ther in the citty of Bologne vpon the election of a new Pope immediately after the decease of Pope Alexander, Cardinall Baltasar Cossa (bishop of the said place) came also there in counsel accompa­nied with a great number of souldiors, saying to all the Cardinals there present, if they did not chuse a Pope according to his mind and liking, that hee would make them all to re­pent it. The whole assembly being astoni­shed at these threatnings, and seeing so ma­ny souldiors about the counsel house, named diuers vnto him, but none did like orcontent him. Herevpon as they were all taken with a great feare, willed him to name one him­self, and if he were fit for the place, they said that they would accept of him. Cossa here­vpon called for the Papall cope for to put it vpon him whome he would haue chosen, which as it was brought, took it, and casting it ouer his owne shoulders said, Ego sum Pa­pa. The Cardinals although it was an act [Page] against custome, were notwithstanding con­strained to consent to this extraordinary ele­ction, and called him Pope Iohn the thir­teenth.

Ambition in all estates causeth great troubles, and bringeth the ministery in great contempt.

Of a request presented to king Alphonsus.

BEcause king Alphonsus was knowne to bee a Prince delighting greatly in the hearing and saying of wordes well and readily spoken. A certaine man of base degree and somwhar needy, addressed him­selfe to the king, saying, My soueraigne doe iustice vnto me and giue me the law, I haue a creditour to whome my father now lately deceased did owe a debt, my father left me nothing wherewith to pay him, yet notwith­standing vpon his earnest sute I made shift to pay it him, and hee so instantly demaunded the same againe afterward of me, that I was forced to pay him the same debt againe: He yet not contented herewith, did molest me afterward againe for the same debt, and yet at this present sues me most vehemently for [Page] it. I haue left nothing wherewith I should pay him, and if your grace dooth not assist me in this extremity, I shall bee vndone for euer. Truly (quoth the king) this is an vnrea­sonable and a most cruell creditor, What is he for one? My liege (answered the poore man) it is my belly, to whome I haue payed the debt so long and so oftentimes, that no­thing is remained wherwith to content him any more, these are therefore humbly to in­treat your grace to assist me in my wants, & to helpe me for to giue him his due. I haue such another creditor (said the king:) your grace speaketh most true answered the poor man, but God be thanked you haue alwaies ynough wherewith to pay him, and not I. The King hearing this request so well in­uented, commanded a peece of mony to be giuen him.

King Lewis sayings touching those that had benefices and offices.

HEe was wont to say that asses had for the most part better daies and liued more at hearts ease then horses did, for horses (quoth he) run in post to Rome for [Page] prebends and benefices, whereof many asses are already prouided.

Of king Alphonsus.

THis king as hee heard vpon a time that a certaine king of Spain had said that literature was not greatly to bee required in a Prince, answered, That this was bellowed as an oxe, and not spo­ken as a king: and that they were not the words of a man, but of a crowned asse.

Of the same king, and one begging another mans office.

A Certaine officer of his hauing with an amorous potion lost his wits, one of the Courtiers did beg for his of­fice and liuing, as if it were vnmeet that his place ware supplied by a mad man. It were a most vngodly deed (answered the king) to take the substance and liuing from him whom God hath barred from all meanes to get and gather any more hereafter.

The last will and Testament of a Lawyer.

A Certaine Lawyer hauing in his life time gathered together great riches, & ha­uing no kindred to whō he might bequeath his wealth, as he lay vpon his death bed, dis­posed all his goods to bee employed in the building of an hospitall, wherein no other diseased persons should bee receiued but such as were mad and lunaticke, and allow­ing euery man a large and ample portion to their mainteinance, willed that vpon both the gates of the hospitall this poesie should be ingraued in golden letters, Of mad men I got it, to mad men I leaue it.

The counsell which Cosme de medicis gaue to a cer­taine officer.

A Certaine man as hee had gotten an of­fice not far from Florence by the mean of Cosme de medicis, demaunded [Page] and asked counsell of the said Lord how he were best to behaue himselfe in his place for to keepe himselfe in authoritie. The lord Cosme gaue him this answere, Apparrell thy selfe richly, and speake little.

He that speaketh little cannot be repro­ued of folly, and braue attire encreaseth re­putation.

A bold answer which a captain gaue to king Charles the seuenth.

A Certaine Captaine being sent from the campe to Charles the seuenth, King of France, for to shew vnto him the whole estate of the Army, and that for want of victuals, money and other necessaries of warre, the Frenchmen had lost some holds, townes and battels, against the Englishmen. The king willing to vse some priuate familiarity with him, shewed him all his daintie fare, delicious prouisions and furniture, all his pastimes, his ladies and sumptuous banquets, and all other such like things wherein he tooke his cheefest recre­ation and felicity. And as hee demaunded how it did like him, the Captaine boldly & [Page] without feare gaue him this bold and reso­lute answere, My soueraigne (quoth hee) I neuer saw Prince that lost his owne more pleasanter then your Maiestie.

He is very blind that sporteth when the roofe of his house is on fire.

The saying of Pope Vrban the fift of that name.

CHarles king of Fraunce willing to void his Realme of all outlandish and forrain souldiors, who after the contract of peace did straggle and range abroad and liued vp­on the spoile of the poore Farmers and hus­bandmen: The lord Bartrand obtained a commission of the king for to lead them in­to the kingdome of Granada against the Turkes and Sarrazins. And as Pope Vrban had excommunicated all this desperat crue of souldiors for their violence and robberies by them committed vnder the name and ti­tle of the Great companies, The lord Bar­trand being Generall of the Army brought them through Auingnon where Pope Vr­ban was resident, who immediately here vp­on sent one of his Cardinals vnto them for [Page] to know what was their demand. Vnto whō the lord Bartrand said, Tel our Holy father that these men demaund a full pardon, De culpa & poena of all their sinnes, and cheefly for them which they are now excommuni­cated for: And besides fiue thousand crowns for their conduct money vpon this voyage and iourney, which is to the establishment and enlargement of the Christian faith and religion. The Cardinall hauing done this message to the Pope, hee gaue him this an­swere and said: These are a strange kind of people that desire both mony and absoluti­on, whereas we are alwaies wont to receiue mony for our pardons and obsolutions.

A worthy sentence of Solyman the great Turke to Villiars maister of Rhodes.

VVHen Villiars grand-maister of Rhodes, was forced to yeeld the cittie and Iland of Rhodes vnto Sultan So­lyman, and as hee came to the said Prince to compound and agree with him vpon the taking of his leaue for his returne into Chri­stendome, the Turke spake a word vnto [Page] him answereable vnto his greatnesse & cal­ling. The losse of citties, principalities and kingdomes, is a thing so common amongst men, that it onely might suffice to testifie that wee are all subiect to infinite myseries.

Of Pope Boniface.

POpe Boniface ere he was chosen to bee Pope of Rome, vsed a very strict kind of life, for his ordinary dyet was for the most part nothing els but a crust of dry bread with a cup of cold water, and in steed of a linnen cloth caused alwaies his table to be couered with a net. And being demaun­ded of his friends why he vsed so sober diet, answered, that Panis & aqua, was Vita beata. But as hee was now come to the papall dig­nitie, and as his seruants were ready to serue him according to his former order, away (quoth he) vnto thē with this kind of diet, for know you not that Aqua & panis, est vi­ta canis? And further, said he, seeue me with a napkin in steed of a net, for now the pray is taken. It is said of this Pope, that he ente­red as a Foxe, raigned as a lyon, and died as a dogge: for by hypocrisie hee came to that [Page] place, behaued himselfe in his gouernement most cruelly, and at last was hanged out of a window, and so these three sayings were ve­rified.

King Alphonsus answere to a prodigall Gentleman.

A Certain Gentleman hauing wasted and spent all his stock and patrimony vpon the pleasure of his bodie, and moreouer being greatly indebted to his creditors who did sue him by law and imprisonment for to come by their owne, his friends came to the king humbly requesting his highnesse, that it would please him to commaund that the Gentleman might not bee molested with imprisonment, vnto whome the king made this answere [...] had spent his [...] en­tertain [...] [...] [...]nce of hi [...] [...] her [...], I [...] [Page] onely, it is great reason that his body also smart for it.

An act of the Dutchesse of Bourbon.

THe Dutchesse of Bourbon hauing in her court a certaine waighting maid, who for loue had forgotten her selfe, and so was gotten with child: as shee was chidden and reprooued for her fault, said to excuse it and to saue her honesty, that a Gentleman of the house had forced and defloured her against her will. The Gentleman hereupon being called for to appeare and cleare him­selfe before the duchesse, shee finding him [...] [Page] should neuer haue fallen into this inconue­nience, where you are in at this present by your owne fault and folly.

Of King Francis and a Frier.

FRancis the first of that name King of Fraunce, as hee was playing at Tennis with a Frier, for whome purposely hee had sent, because his Maiestie knew him to be a very good and skilfull plaier: as they had plaied together a pretty while, at last the Frier tooke a Ball with so great a dexterity and so good a nimblenesse of body that it was not done without great wondring of all the beholders. The king himselfe see­ing it, by my truth (quoth hee) most brauely done of a Frier. It shal be of an Abbot (repli­ed the Frier vpon it) whēsoeuer it shal seeme good to your grace. The king being thus twice at one time surprised by a Frier, and the Abbey of Bergomoy being vacant at that present, made him for them words (so wel and readily spoken) Abbot of it.

The ready wit of a Venetian Gentleman.

A Young Lawyer comming before the Senate of Venice for to debate a cause and matter in law, partly with fear and part­ly with shame, his tongue vpon the suddaine failed him: Many of the assistants herevpon began to laugh at him. A Gentleman there present not vnprouided of a pleasant reason said vnto them, Maruell not sirs, that his speech thus faileth him, for naturally (as the Philosophers say) man apperceiuing a Wolfe suddenly looseth his speech, and no maruell then if this yong aduocate see­ing so many people in this place is thus sud­denly taken and tongtied.

An act of a Duke of Sauoy.

PEter Duke of Sauoy as hee went to the Emperour Otto the fourth, for to giue him thankes for his lands which hee had restored againe vnto him, attired himselfe in a coat halfe of male and halfe of tissue. The Emperour demaunding him why hee did weare so [Page] straunge and disguised a cote of tissue and halfe of male, answered that hee did weare the cloth of gold on his right side for to honour therewith his Maiestie. And as touching my left side (quoth hee) it signifi­eth that if any man seeketh to wrong or in­iury mee I am ready to answere him in anie place, and defend my selfe as long as a drop of blood shall bee remaining within mee.

The answere which the Emperour Maximilian gaue to him that sued vnto him for to be a gentleman.

THe Emperour Maximilian as he was at Bologne, a certaine Cittizen of that place being of no gentilitie, o­therwise very rich of substance and possessions, came to the Emperour and desired his grace that it would please him for to make him a Gentleman, saying that hee had wealth ynough to maintaine the state of it. The Emperour answered him, [Page] saying. I can make thee (my friend) farre richer then thou art, but I am not able to make thee a Gentleman, for vnto this degree of honour thou must attaine either by thine own or els thy ancestors vertue and valiantnesse.