A panoplie of epistles, or, a looking glasse for the vnlearned Conteyning a perfecte plattforme of inditing letters of all sorts, to persons of al estates and degrees, as well our superiours, as also our equalls and inferiours: vsed of the best and the eloquentest rhetoricians that haue liued in all ages, and haue beene famous in that facultie. Gathered and translated out of Latine into English, by Abraham Flemming.

The extract of Epistles out of Paulus Manutius, and other late writers, most meete for imitation.

Paulus Manutius to Francisco Vargae Oratour to Charles the fifth of that name, Emperour. &c. and Philip his sonne king of Spaine.

¶THE ARGVMENT.

Hee complaineth of his present occasions of sorrowe, namely, the sicknesse of his wife, his children and his brother at one instant, He commendeth the vertue of reason, which so ruled him, as that he was an able man to moderate and measure his passions of sor∣rowe. He praiseth Francisco Varga, for sundrie peculiar and spe∣ciall properties: touching whose person, and the person of him selfe, he vseth many wordes, euen to the conclusion of his epistle.

THE remembraunce of youre singular courtesie, and excée∣ding great gentlenesse, doeth put me oftentimes in mynd of my duetie: this duetie which remaineth in me towards you to be performed, in considerati∣on of distance of place, and ab∣sence of body, is writing & sen∣ding letters: whiche long since I had procured vnto you to haue bene directed, but that I was intercepted and hindered with most grieuous and sor∣rowfull thoughtes. For, in those same things which you knowe to be most déere and right precious vnto vs through the whole course of our life, and with which none are to be compared: euen in them fortune hath begunne rigorously to afflict me, namely, my wife, my children, and my brother, at one and the selfe same pricke of time (in manner) being sore inuaded with sicknesse: and as for me self, I am not frée from anguishe, but am a partaker with the rest, in my portion of

trouble. For my mynde being s•…•…rprised with sorrow, and hewed with heauinesse, howe is it possible that my body shoulde continue in healthfulnesse? Neuerthelesse, sor so muche as your counselles of comfort sticke in my memorie, heauenly hope, (wherevnto you referre all thinges,) maketh me valiaunt, in suffering the miseries of this mortalitie: and (surely) except I had followed you my good guide & captaine, and haled in my leaking barke into the hauen, at •…•…ase (a while) to harbour, no doubt, the maine seas of mischiefs, and souden tempestes of sorrowes, wherewith I was miserably •…•…ossed, had quite ouerwhelmed me, and wrought my reme∣dilesse dispatch. Sée, sée, howe vncertaine the successe of our purposes be, and howe those things which w•…•… immagine & persuade our selues, wil chance none otherwise th•…•… we are in expectation and desire, fal out ouerthwartly, yea, chaunce cleane contrarie to our account and reckoning. I tooke vpon me▪ a iourney, into the coastes of this countrie, not without great expence of charges, not without sore burthens of la∣bour, in hope that I shoulde recouer my health, which sick∣nesse had empayred: I forsooke a faire and famous citie, I gaue ouer my necessarie affaires and weightie businesse, I was content to withdrawe me from your companie, where∣on (I am persuaded) the chiefest and worthiest portiō of mine estate dependeth: these incomparable commodities, are so farre (notwithstanding) from being recompenced and coun∣terpeised with other aduauntages, that many crooked chaun∣•…•…es haue succéeded, which if they were referred to the sense of féeling, might (not vndeseruedly) be called by the name of misfortunes, torments, and inconueniences. But, bicause rea∣son ruleth the inward passions of my heart, when outwarde smart doth sting me, and worke my great griefe: I am so much the lesse discomforted. This reason instructeth me, that nothing is to be counted euill, but that only which fal∣leth on vs through our own default: this reason techeth me, that iudgement in thinges incident to this transitorie life, is doubtful and not assured: this reason instructeth me, that nothing in this world continueth in one state, but is sub∣iect

to ebbes and flowes of chaunge: this rea•…•… resolueth me, that euen aduersities, miseries, calamitie•…•…, •…•…ough they drawe vs nighe the gulfe of despaire and destruction, suffer a soudeine alteration, and that from them flowe flatte con∣trarieties, namely, prosperities, happinesse, and choice of cō∣modities. Againe, that those things which put on a preten∣ded shewe and visard of felicitie, (to speake more familiar∣ly) which in our opinion are embalmed with blessednesse, turne into most bitter extremities of vexation and wret∣chednesse, that is to say, banishment, pouertie, beggerie, shame, reproch. &c. In this cogitation and cōsideration, whē my mynd is occupied, I féele my selfe inwardly somwhat re∣freshed, & as the measure of my abilitie wil giue me leaue, I take vnto me that kind of courage, & valiantnesse of stomach, which in time of Fortunes frowning, & glooming cloudes of ouerthwart chaunce, doth most gloriously shine and glister. Touching which vertue, as many traditions are lefte re∣gistred, by the pennes of most excellent philosophers in wri∣ting: so none of them al are to be compared with C. Iesus the pledge of our redemption, the prince & patterne of heauen∣ly philosophie, the authour and welspring of true and perfect godlynesse, who was (him selfe) a most liuely example and ex∣presse image of the same: whom if we be content to acknow∣ledge our maister, & to his teaching (as scholers) submit our selues, we shall soone learne and vnderstan•…•…, what valiaunt∣nesse is indéede: and we shall quickly perceiue, where lies the plaine and infallible pathway which leadeth to the true and perfect attainement of all right commendable Arts, and praise worthy professions. And (vndoubtedly) my good friend Francisco Varga, in that you account all other studies but lost, in comparison of this whereto you giue all the prefer∣ment, I can not but for this speciall occasion, haue you in sin∣gular reuerence, countenance and estimation: ye•…•…, I muste néedes thinke of you more honourably, for the cause aboue cited, then for the office of your Oratourship, by the vertue wherof you deale in all the affaires and businesse of Caesar, the most •…•…ictorious and noblest emperour that hath liued in

〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 wealth of th•…•… Venetians, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For, in the sel•…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•…ich you •…•…t th•…•…s •…•…resent •…•…ioy and possess•…•…, o•…•…her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ntlemen (in 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 y•…•…ur •…•…ualt▪ bu•…•… I •…•…aue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hear•…•… •…•…o much a•…•… o•…•… one, that hath bene y•…•…ur supe•…•…ur▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉, after my departing from you, yo•…•… will not thin•…•…e no•…•… bel•…•…e, •…•…owe often my •…•…art, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your words, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, though 〈◊〉〈◊〉 th•…•…ngs here where I do now 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•…ere 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to myne •…•…wn wish & wil, yea, if I were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & ac∣cesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉) it could not be made better▪ If I say, I sayled with full sayle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of felicitie, as I am almost drowned in the depth of irrecoue∣rable daunger and distresse: yet notwithstanding, my life 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ith 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of ioyfulnesse and de∣light, bycause I be•…•…ng absent from you a great distance, taste the swéetene•…•…e of yo•…•…r excéeding gentl•…•…nesse, finde my selfe inwardly comforted, with the memorie of your prudent and hoalsome counsels, reape maruellous fruit and aduauntage, by the preceptes and admonitions which you ha•…•…e vttered, v•…•…ry auailable (no doubt) and necessarie, for the leading of my lif•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and séemelinesse, in health and safetie. I be∣gi•…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…o 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•… greater •…•…iking, thē I haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an•…•… improue my former 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my •…•…welling and house kéeping in B•…•…rnacum mar•…•…e. Your •…•…ngular ad•…•…ertisements, your friendly forewarnings, your honestie and your good will, call me home againe to kéepe house in the citie. As for f•…•…nnie 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seru•…•…th, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 t•…•…me th•…•…t place is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉) if I be troubled with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to resort for my

pleasu•…•…e. In the meane while, I will so sée to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, with due obseruatio•…•… o•…•… di•…•…t and abstinent 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as shall make best for my commoditie: and peraduenture it will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fall out in tra•…•…t of time, bycause All thinges depend vpon Gods prouidence, that I may waxe lustie againe, and reco∣u•…•… my health in Venice, within the walles of mine owne dwelling, hauing my friendes round about me, with whom•…•… I may reioyce, and li•…•…e in such sort, as to my contentation is most agréeable, that no necessitie of the weather, no occa∣sion of season, shal constraine me to remoue: which if I may obteine, you shall finde me (if it please yo•…•… to admit and like w•…•…ll of my presumption, and hope of your humanitie and gentlenesse, as I knowe you doe not thinke it 〈◊〉〈◊〉) a familiar companion, in man•…•…r •…•…n ordinarie guest, and a con tinuall chamberfellow: and (doubtlesse) with this confidence I am wonderfully comforted, succoured and supported.

Fare you well.

P. Manutius to Hieronymo Faleto Oratour to Hercules Duke of Ferraria.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.

•…•…ing muche moued with angrie passions, against one (belike) of whome he was •…•…bused, and i•…•…iuriously dealt withall, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Hieronymo Faleto the Duke of Ferraria his •…•…ratour, wi•…•… whome he was w•…•…ll acquainted, desiring him to be hi•…•… s•…•…ccourer and assistant, otherwise, he sayth, his lucke will be but 〈◊〉〈◊〉: lastly▪ he maketh mencion of a booke whiche hee wrote conce•…•…ing foure kindes of common wealthes, and so concludeth with •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 farewell.

THe wordes which (not long agone) you vttered, haue t•…•…∣ken roote in my remembraunce: and howe muche the more diligently, I call the matter into s•…•…crete consideration: with so muche the more earnestnesse and spéedinesse, I haue

〈◊〉〈◊〉 al 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, al my 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 newe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…nd 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For, I am 〈◊〉〈◊〉, tornien•…•…, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dealt withall, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the handes of a n•…•…ghtie varlo•…•…, yea, a•…•… t•…•…e handes of su•…•…h a wicke•…•… •…•…ellow, a•…•… in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (I 〈◊〉〈◊〉) is matchless•…•…: He i•…•… •…•…ot content to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but •…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me in such 〈◊〉〈◊〉, despigh•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 co•…•…teth me a vi•…•…e person, an•…•… su•…•…h a on•…•… •…•…s i•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 o•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shoe lea•…•…her, wh•…•…n he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fo•…•… an•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 come vnto 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Surely I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nothing to •…•…y selfe: I playe not th•…•… part of an 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•… ta•…•… not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 any thing contrari•…•… to custom•…•… an•…•… order: I hau•…•… no•…•…ing in my self•…•…, neither of•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nor yet by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (•…•… must 〈◊〉〈◊〉 confesse) whereo•…•… •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 swel•…•…. with vaine glory•…•… Neuerthelesse, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eue•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away, with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of right 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and honourable men, that haue dai•…•… ly •…•…ecourse •…•…nto me, and thinke not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to step oue•…•… and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Eu•…•…n y•…•…u, •…•…riende 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (you I say, bo•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, an•…•… •…•…ne of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 amo•…•…g t•…•…e Nobl•…•…, to who•…•…e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of speciall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 importa•…•…nce •…•…re committēd▪ wh•…•…se penne i•…•… oc•…•…upied in writing histori∣•…•…all 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the •…•…nowledge of lawes, most 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well •…•…hose that were mad•…•… long since in aunci∣•…•… yea•…•…es, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those als•…•… wh•…•…che haue béene en•…•…cted of la•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me the courte•…•…e, to repayre vnto my h•…•…use, (which I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ascribe •…•…o your good and gentle •…•…spo∣sition) and that not 〈◊〉〈◊〉: there to spende the time awaye in sweete an•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 co•…•…unication. You will, per∣•…•…, say, It is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thing to be conte•…•…d, t•…•… be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of a •…•…aughtie and •…•…ewdly inclin•…•…d •…•…erson▪ I•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no lesse (vndoubtedly) then you say: but it is •…•… farre worsse 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for a ma•…•… •…•…o loose that whiche is his owne, and to be (in manner) •…•…obbed. If your wisedome, deal•…•… not in this matter, & prouide a playster for this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sore, all the fr•…•…ite, all th•…•… profite, all the aduauntage of your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath suffered 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wracke, & is lost without 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪

For, I may sooner▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hercules his clubbe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then get mine owne monie out of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 holdfa•…•…. Wherefore let the commoditie whiche I hoped ofter, through the benefite of your labour, be restrai∣ned to my vse and serui•…•… or else, let him, that gapeth grée∣dily after our vndoing, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 off the sauce of sorrewe which we 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and let all fellowship 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, with the ouerthrow of many. Howbeit, when I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the eye of my consideration vpon the goodnesse of your nature, when I examine in my se∣cret conscience, your authoritie, and the passing beneuolence whereof I haue bene a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 communicant, I féele my selfe fastened vpon the infallible anchor of affiance: I do as it were vnderprop my mynd with piller•…•… of promises, making due account, that all thinges will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to my quietnesse, to my commoditie, & to myne inriching▪ It shall be your good déede, onely and alone, to restore our a•…•…eted estate, to a∣mende and repaire that whiche is in decay, to comfort that which y•…•…fortunes stormes hath shaken: and as for this pet∣tie fogger, this false fellowe that is in no credite or 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ being a man of the meanest degrée, a very •…•…lot, and fraught with all kinde of vile vices, suche a one as is most vnworthy to be partaker of our fellowship, & deserueth not so much as to come in our companie, no not to heare our cō∣munication, we will thrust him out as a wrangler, y^• he may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him co•…•…tes of mischiefe with whom to be conuersant hereafter, and with like lewdly disposed persons leade his life, wal•…•…wing in the filthy puddles of wickednesse, being se∣perated from vs, that haue humanitie and honest behauiour, courteous vsage, and friendly fashions in reuerence: that p•…•…ferre (I say) vertue before all aduauntage. In the meane season, exerc•…•…e your selfe in reading that which so often and so iustantly y•…•…u required. A part of our booke intreating of foure common wealths, which I wish to be by you authori∣sed and allowed, when I am at leasure (whiche that I may be I will do what I can) my purpose and intent is, to finishe the whole volume (if else where I can not) in your Manour of Bellombra. From our house. &c.

Fare you well.

P. Manutius to Christophero Madrutio, Cardinall.

¶THE ARGVMENT.

He is altogether in praise of Christophero Madrutio, whome hee commendeth, not so much for his good fortune, as for his singu∣lar vertue: he extolleth him for sundrie circumstaunces, and a∣mong al the rest for this one, bycause he doth not him selfe alone highly esteme of vertue, but also sheweth his liberal nature in ad uancing and furthering such as be of a vertuous disposition: last∣ly, he giueth him thanks for the good report that he giueth him, wherevpon hee inferreth the gracious offer of his friendshippe, wherof he promiseth to shew him selfe a receiuer not vnworthy.

IT is reported vnto vs, that you doe both speake, and also thinke of vs passing honourably. It is an excellent thing to be praised of a princes mouth, yea, and of suche a prince, with whose fortune vertue is so worthily coupled, y^• in ey∣ther of thē he is to be counted péerelesse. As for my selfe, thus much I confesse w^t out dissembling, that I did alwayes reue∣rēce your person, yea long before I had either spoken w^t you, or séene you. I was much moued w^t your excellent exercises, and with the certaine rumours of the people spread abroade in all places, touching your incomparable commendation. I did not so much wonder, if any man praised you for your ri∣ches, for your noblenesse, for your 〈◊〉〈◊〉: these thinges are common to a great number, and •…•…ore to be desired then to be extolled. But whē I heard of those ornaments of an in∣ualuable price, being your own in proper possession, I coun∣ted Christophero Madrutio, suche a man, as had vertu•…•… in high estimation, and singularly honoured the same himselfe: besides that, so bountifull of nature, that he bestowed moste large and rich rewardes vpon such as he perceiued sembla∣bly disposed: an intertainer and harbourer of the sciences liberall, a mainteiner of thē, & as it were, their fosterfather, at such time as (I can not tell whether I may iustly say, by y^• •…•…ruell dealing of destinie, or through the iniquitie of the time,

or else through the proferred iniuries of naughtie people) it suffered vncomfortable banishment: finally, a searcher after the sound substance of glorie, and not after vaine shadowes of temporall renoune, which many hunt after with insatia∣ble desire, but he contemneth as trifles and transitory toyes. At what time I heard these thinges, I was inflamed with an earnest affection, to declare my speciall dutifulnesse, and to present you with a manifest and most assured testimonie of mine obedience vnto your highnesse to be exhibited, for the fruits of your goodnesse which I haue oftentimes, and diuers wayes digested. But to trouble so noble a Gentleman, with vaine and vnnecessarie letters, (who doth not onely with po∣wer and maiestie, but also with iustice and vprightnesse, go∣uerne the chiefest cities in Italie, and the sundry estates of many people,) I suspected that it was the part of a man be∣witched with extreme foolishnesse: or else of one y^• is drowned in the whirlpoole of shamelesnesse. But▪ •…•…thence your talke touching me, hath ben vttered in my praise and commenda∣tion, I am ready to catch occasion whiles it is offered, and I tender to your highnesse, great & infinite thankes, both with my heart and also with my voyce: as well for that it hath pleased you to vouchsafe me the worthy witnesse of your iudgement, which none, I am certaine, doth improue and disallowe, sithence among all men it winneth great authori∣tie: as also for that through the vertue of this your courte∣sie and vndeserued gentlenesse, yon doe as it were, set a doore wide open vnto me, to enter into possession of your •…•…auour and friendship: wherof that I may séeme worthy, howsoeuer in other respectes I am insufficient, yet notwithstanding I will doe mine indeuour, with all singularitie and dutiful∣nesse to deserue the same, sounding abroad the report of your vertues incessantly, that I be not thought altogether an vn∣worthy receiuer of such a notable benefite. Which thing, al∣though in times past I haue neglected, being therevnto pro∣uoked through the force of mine owne iudgement: yet not∣withstanding, I meane hereafter to do it with more courage and diligence, being constrained there vnto by the operation

and working of your excéeding gentlenesse: which to conti∣nue vnuarible from this day forwarde, and so for euer, not only your accustomed constancie, but your natural goodnesse holdeth me fully persuaded.

Fare you well.

From Venice.

P. Manutius to Jo. Sambuco.

THE ARGVMENT.

After hee hath made mencion of his inwarde sorrowe conceiued through the death of his yong sonne, be beginneth to be cōfor∣ted with the remembraunce and consideration of his friendes counsell: hee declareth his infallible affiaunce, touching his ioy∣ful estate of heauen, after his transmigration out of the labyrinth of this life: he sheweth what kinde of life true wise men do im∣brace: he signifieth what great oddes there is betweene Sambu∣coes his condition, and his owne estate: hee complaineth of the benignitie of princes, which in olde time flourished, but is nowe banished: crieth out against the vanities of men and their inordi∣nate vsage: lastly, hee lamenteth the miserable case of learning, detecting therewithall the hypocriticall dealing of diuers men, and their notable dissembling: this being done, hee maketh an abrupt conclusion.

AFter that the heauie and ruthfull newes of my sonnes death, had pearced into mine eares, I was so ful of grief, sorrowe, and anguish of heart, that I remembred myne own mortalitie, and considered also that his entraunce into this wretched worlde, was like the state of a soiourner in a com∣mon Inne, that when so euer it pleased God, to call him out of this painful pilgrimage, he might passe into the paradise of heauenly pleasure, the ioyes whereof are not subiect to cor∣ruption, but coupled with euerlastingnesse. And thoughe this lamentable lucke, had so wounded my heart with wea∣pons of wofulnesse, that I shoulde haue fallen downe, as one ouerthrowne and vanquished: yet notwithstanding, I shoulde haue recouered, tasting the prudent preceptes of your learned letters, wherein you discourse right wor∣thily, how lamentations shoulde bée allayed, and heaui∣nesse of heart assuaged: wherein whiles you occupie youre heade and your hande, you giue manifest declarations of your good and vertuous disposition, wel beséeming a true and

vnfeined christian: and towards me, you shew most assured warrants of beneuolence and heartie good will. But (friend Sambucus) by the experience of many foule misfortunes, I haue learned to contemne and to be at des•…•…aunce with blinde Fortune her self, who shall neuer haue the power to depriue me of those things which she can not giue (wel may she dis∣possesse me of trāsitorie vanities) neither is it in her abilitie to bestowe vpon any man, an vpright mynde, a true mea∣ning conscience, honest and vertuous purposes, loue and re∣uerence towardes God, and such like precious ornamentes. I despaire not of my sonne, he is in excéeding good case, I am not otherwise persuaded: he enioyeth the companie and fel∣lowship of angels, of holy men, blessed martyrs, and innocent soules: the cares of this world do not choake him, wherwith a great number are stoung and strangled. He is not carried away with vaine hope, as many be in their miserie: he is not a slaue to feare, wherwith innumerable multitudes are tor∣mented in the flowre of their felicitie, least it should wither, and then they to incurre the inconueniences of alteration: He is frée from all these molestations, they touche him not, they haue no power to inuade him, or do him violence. But, we wretched people, that are sayde to be aliue, in whose eyes nothing appeareth more glorious, then the inioying of a counterfet and deceiuable light, which is nothing indeede but a very vapour and the shadowe of a vapour, and hath a time assigned wherein it shall vanish, with how many myl∣lians of miseries are we tormented, tossed, and turmoyled to and fro, not vnlike a ship vpon the sourging seas? we labor, we take care, and what though we obtein the end of our de∣sire, and the scope of our trauel, our life must haue a time to cease. Wisemē, I mean not such as be worldly wise, but those that be wise to God warde, are wont to wish, what? a long life? nay, but a good life, and such a life as is not repugnant to vertue, wherevnto I (in semblable manner) contende and doe what I can to aspire, hoping that I shall in the ende obteine it, to my full contentation and heartes ease. For nothing doeth so muche occupie my mynde, and drawe

away my cogitations, then the desire to frame and fashion myselfe orderly in that trade of life, wherevnto I am ap∣pointed, and in such due and conuenient sort to continue the course of my yeares, that I may be able thereof both to God him selfe to render an account, and to men also to giue a rec∣koning: this is my meditation: this is the marke whereat all my purposes and intentes are leuelled. Wherefore, in that you call vppon me, not to withdrawe, but rather to apply my penne to writing, (I must néedes say the trueth as it is) my determinations and counselles, are established with your iudgement: and you (vndoubtedly) in giuing me this exhortation, doe as many more besides, to whose desires I could (peraduenture) shewe my selfe satisfactorie, if I were not otherwise, with the burthen of my priuate and domesli∣tall businesse, hindered. But, I beséech you, measure not my leasure by your vacations and times of pausing: conside∣ring the estate of vs both: you haue all things readie at hand, you néede not doubt of their vncerteintie, you haue them at commaundement and seruice, without cumbersomenesse: as for me, myne estate is farre otherwise, myne owne industrie is my prouision and maintenaunce, none other succour haue I: that is my only and alone supportation, the staffe and stay of my children, the prop and maine poste of all my housholde and familie: thus to doe I am constrained, and if therein I shew my selfe dissolute and negligent, I must néedes forsake all humanitie: and if I be as carefull, diligent and circum∣spect in séeing to the charge thereof, as I am bound in consci∣ence, then must my exercises at my studies cease of necessi∣tie, whiche require a mynde frée from all kinde of worldly thoughts, and not a mynd clogged with cares, & quite ouer∣•…•…yed. But you wil say (peraduenture) your owne studies will be your aduauntage, they can not but affoorde some pro∣fite, they will be your sufficient purueyance. Sing this song to others, that doe neyther knowe maners of people, nor sea∣sons of time: the sound thereof should not so sinke into myne eares, I will not be persuasible thervnto, sithence I am one, that in eyther of both haue not wanted experience. The

bountifulnesse of princes, which in auncient time most pros∣perously flourished, it is nowe wasted and withered. The greatest part of men, what doe they? euen folowe vaine fan∣cies, toyes, and transitorie shadowes: they loue nothing that hath in it * sap and substance: they set not their affection vpō that which is renouned, they care not, neyther haue in any account, that which is honourable & excellent. You shal see some, good for nothing that is vertuous and honest, much like vnto Caterpillers deuouring the reuenues and increase of the earth, being thervnto, euen from their byrth, appoin∣ted and ordeined: spending and confuming, wealth, riches, treasures, landes, possessions, hereditaments, &c. in excessiue bellie cheare, and pampering the paunche, farre beyond the boundes of Epicurisime. You shall see othersome, so marri∣ed to mischiefe, and wedded to most detestable wickednesse, that they do not only wast their welth & al that they haue, in consuming the increase and crop of the ground, by mea∣nes immoderate, but also (which they count noblenesse and valiancie) in committing that which tendeth to the destruc∣tion of people, in preparations for battell and bloudshed, which drawe after them most miserable and manifolde cala∣mities, wastefulnesse and spoyle to arable landes: setting on fire whole townes and cities: and to one man wrapped in wofull wretchednesse, by anothers want of wit, losse of life, an irrecouerable casualtie. Thus whiles the mindes of men wander in wildernesses of enormities, the Muses famishe, they starue, they perish with want of mainteinance, they are thrust out of house and home, and turned (as it were) a beg∣ging, from post to piller, through their cruell vsage, who as they ought principally, so they might most liberally haue seene thē succoured. Furthermore, what a shameful and de∣testable thing is it, that some vnder the pretence of a liberal hart, hunt after their owne honour and aduauncement, ha∣uing in their mouthes that vertue wherof they haue no por∣tion, so common & familiar, as though they did highly loue it, esteeme it, and had it in reuerence. But thus far sufficient, and too much peraduenture.

From Venice.

Fare you well.

P. Manutius to Benedicto Accolto, Cardinall.

THE ARGVMENT.

First he complaineth of his tedious iourney, and also of his sicknes, both whiche turned him to trouble, and made him prolong his time of writing. The greatest part, and in manner all the Epistle, conteineth a commendation and an acknowledgement of Bene∣dicto Accolto his curtesie, with certaine professions of his owne thankfulnesse: both which, the one in his friend, the other in him selfe, he continueth euen to the last line of his letter, and thervp∣on (immediately) inferreth his farewell.

SO soone as I returned to Venice, although I was some∣what wearie with the tediousnesse of my iourney, vexed with the sicknesse which afflicted me, grieuously enoughe, when I was at Ferraria, being not yet deliuered and set frée from anguish: yet notwithstanding, the excéeding great∣nesse of myne obedience, and special dutifulnesse which I ac∣knowledge to your highnesse: and the remembraunce of those benefites whiche to my profite and comfort, haue had issue from your goodnesse, constrained me to write an epistle to your worthinesse: which kynd of seruice, how often I am bound to shewe and to discharge with diligence, I am not ig∣norant For, in somuch as it pleased you, euen the very same day, that I had accesse and entrance to your fauour & friend∣ship, not only to be careful of my commoditie & furtherance, but also bus•…•…e and painfull in procuring my promotion if my wil be no lesse towarde then it ought to be, if I am loth to be thought vnworthy of those honest studies wherevnto euer since I was a child, I was addicted, then must I circūspectly cast mine accounts, that I may be able and sufficient, to giue manifest and euident assurances of your readinesse to do me good, & deliuer testimonies of certaintie of your forward wil to worke my preferment: to comprehend which enterprise,

that my desire may be somwhat satisfied, I sée none other re∣medie at this present time to be vsed, then to deuise and to direct my letters vnto your person. If euer myne abilitie be answerable to my desire, I wil do mine indeuour to make full recompence: and yet neuerthelesse, I will let slip no time wherein I may giue some tryall of acquitaunce. In the meane season, I will not onely confesse my selfe to be your debter, and that vnfeinedly: but myne owne tong shal beare witnesse of the same, with my conscience in al places and in all companies, and that not vnwillingly. For what can re∣dound more to myne honestie, and to myne honour, then that you, being a man furnished with all vertuous ornaments, possessing a stately roome of authoritie and excellent dignitie, discerning the secrete dispositions of mens seuerall natures, by the soundnesse and certaintie of your iudgement, shoulde pretermit and let passe, no kinde of courtesie, no kynde of friendly vsage, which might tende either to my commoditie, or to my cōmendation? Now vndoubtedly shal I disclose the truth w^tout hypocrisie? there was neuer any thing so auail∣able as this, to make vs grow in credit among men through this praise worthy opinion of learning and honestie. Wher∣fore, as mine intent was to treade in the same path, whiche my father before me had passed through, and worne with his frequent and often going, leading directly to the triumphant tower of renoune, as (I say) I framed my selfe by my fathers exāple; to be thus exercised: so now, through the incitation & incouragemēt of your courteonsly conceiued opiniō, I wil be y^• more earnest, & aduised, to make it mine accustomed prac∣tise: vnto which opinion, I feare greatly, that I shall not be able to affoorde answerable seruice: and thus much I know∣y^• it is no easie thing, nay, it is as hard a matter as can be, to sée the same satisfied, with such measure of dutifulnesse, as is requisite. Neuerthelesse, bicause I leade my lingering life in such order, that so much time and leasure, as my weakenesse of body doth permit, I bestow at my booke, and (as it were) de siring to quench y^• continual thirst wherew^t I am attainted, draw liquor out of y^• self same springs & riuers, from whence

euen y^• chiefest and the greatest instruments of your renoune tooke their beginning. I build vpon sure hope & stedfast con∣fidence, that all men shall thinke your benefites well besto∣wed: and that you your selfe (in like manner) shall perceiue (thoughe it bée somewhat longe) that the amendes which I am to make, are not to be contemned, nor lightly to be re∣garded: till the accomplishment and performance whereof, it is my duetie, to remember your singular beneuolence, yea so to remember it, that I neuer forget it: and it shall béelong to your courtesie, to continue for euer that goodwil which of your owne accord you haue applied to the procurement of my profite, that in the same, by the same, and through y^• same, I may not be destitute of my desired succour: y^• one of which, I meane to the vttermost of my power, to sée accomplished: and touching the perfourmance of the other, (such is the in∣credible bountifulnesse of your noble nature) you are not to be admonished.

From Venice.

Fare you well.

P. Manutius to Hieronymo Capilupo, Bishoppe.

THE ARGVMENT.

This epistle differreth very litle from the former: for thoughe in words it varrie, yet in sense it doth very litle disagree: the summe and totall effect thereof, consisteth in the acknowledging of be∣nefites receiued: whereunto are annexed certaine significations of his owne thanckfull heart: In the conclusion of the epistle, hee promisseth to shewe himselfe recōpenceable to his power, though not with like recourse of benefits, yet with giuing thankes.

THe auncient duetifulnesse, which I owe to your reue∣rence, taking beginning and roote, srom the gratious or∣namentes of your noble nature, required (vndeubtedly) to write some thing vnto you in an epistle: but there were hin∣draunces alwayes in these purposes, whereby I was both a∣mased as mistrusting, and discouraged as not daring to take in hand such an aduenture: namely, the dignitie and worthi∣nesse

of your calling, and the excellencie of your person. For, I was carried into thoughtes of vncertaintie, and conceiued an inward reuoking feare, least in sending vaine and trifling letters, to such a man, vppon whome continuall burthens of great and weightie buisinesse doe attend, I should shewe and bewray the pointe of an impudent and shamelesse fellowe. But nowe I will declare my minde truely and vnfaynedly: I finde fault, and doe almost euen accuse my modestie: be∣cause, whiles I am consulting and deliberating to write to your reuerence, and yet bring not the accompts of my deter∣minations to perfourmance, it commeth to passe (in the meane season, these delaying causes béeing vsed) that your humanitie outrunneth, and recouereth much ground of my duetifulnesse, althoughe I am full loathe, that your beneuo∣lence, should suffer further triall (whome I knowe, to bée a man for the excellencie of your vertues, right praise worthie, whereunto I may not, neither canne aspire) considering that euen in this which you haue alreadie done (béeing a principal pointe of your good will towardes mée, & then the which I e∣stéeme nothing more precious,) no ydle proofe of your boun∣tie, (in partile requiting whereof, I remaine a debtour,) ap∣peareth. Wherefore, as I am ashamed and repent mée of my bashfulnesse, in that I had not the audacitie and bould∣nesse to write to your reuerence, no not euen then, when my will and desire was in excéeding great towardnesse: euen so I féele my selfe meruayloufly delighted, in this comfortable & ioyfull declaration of your woonted kindnesse, together with the commendations which it pleaseth you to bestowe vppon mée, in your praysing Epistle. And surely, I would not you should thincke, that I haue either attempted, or ac∣complished any thing without mine vnwearisome labours, and incessaunt watchinges (which deserued well lyking, and not controlling contempt) that I was in hope to reape any other aduauntage, or to obteine any better reward, then I haue already recouered, through the iudgement and testimo∣nie of you, and such as bée like you: Prelates (I meane) of

highe calling, and for their vertue most renowmed: which if I haue gotten, I thincke mée selfe wel recompenced, and I triumph therin, and reioyce. But if you do so commend mée (which indéed I may suspecte) as if by your words you would incourage mée, fainting (as it were) and waxing wearie in the race which I haue to runne: yet notwithstanding, e∣uen thereby, as with a principall benefite, you binde mée to haue you in reuerence: fythence, if any thing in the worlde bée forceable and effectuall, to persuade and prouoke mée, it is your authoritie, wherein that working chiefely consisteth. Wherefore, I wil so order my doinges, and therein vse such diligence, that I may bée thought, truly to interprete and expounde the meaning of your epistle. For, I will bée more industrious, more circumspect, more earnest and painefull, to obteine those thinges, which whosoeuer doeth purchase and possesse, he cannot but enioy the pension of perfect praise. And to turne the residue of my talcke to your highnesse, whom it hath pleased courteously to visite mée with the em∣bassage of a most louing letter, and voluntarily (without the helpe of any mediatour) to graunt mée frée passage and ac∣cesse to your friendshippe, which a long time I desired, and now at lengthe to the full delight of my heart, I haue obtei∣ned, if I bée not able to make sufficient recompence for such speciall benefites as I haue receiued, (sythence I owe more to your goodnesse, then it is possible for mée to discharge, and sée fully payed) yet will I (at least) not shewe my selfe vn∣thanckfull: and I am content, in consideration of abilitie, to remaine your debtour, but in respect of my will and desire, I will doe what I can, that my duetie be not vnsatisfied.

From Venice.

Fare you well.

P. Manutius to Francisco Commenduno, Cardinall created.

THE ARGVMENT.

Writing to a certaine Cardinall, a friend of hi•…•…, whose name is Fran∣cisco Commenduno, hee beginneth his letter with an interiection of ioye, or a kinde of speache importing his inwarde gladnesse, through the honourable estate of F. Com. conceiued. Hee giueth a short note (by the way) of such things, wherby men ostentimes are aduaunced: among which hee maketh mencion of vertue, which being lest regarded, is also lest auayleable to preferre such men, of whome shee is possessed: hee praiseth P. Pius the fourth of that name: sheweth that rewards & punishments are the main∣tenaunces of all well ordered commonwealthes: praiseth him, for sundrie considerations, to whome he writeth this epistle: profes∣seth that hee was exceeding glad, when he was infourmed, that he was made Cardinall, and so concludeth.

O Most happie and glorious day, which hath ministred vn∣to vs perpetuall pleasure, comfort knit to continuaunce, and euerlasting ioyfulnesse. O most blessed day, being the fourth of the Ides of March. For, vppon that day it pleased our Gratious Lord, and high bishop, with other worthie Pre∣lates and excellent men, to nominate and create you Cardi∣nall, which thing all good and vertuous men most hartily de∣sired. Let vs now stopp the course of our complaintes. Let vs not saye that vertue is vnprouided of a place, which hereto∣fore hath béene the lamentable song of a great number: and surely, not wichout iust occasion. For some haue béene ad∣uaunced to degrées of statelynesse, through the noblenesse of their byrth: othersome haue growne in countenaunce by the meanes of their riches and possessions: and some by one thing some by another, haue crept vpp to authoritie: onely Uertue hath béene to a verie fewe an instrument and helpe to prefer∣ment. This blemishe and offensiue inconuenience is nowe abolished, and the auncient custome of high Bishopps, which verie fewe haue obserued, that long hath béene desired, by

and through y^• wysedome of P. Pius (the fourth of that name by succession in the seate of supremacie) which is so excellent, that it can neuer bée sufficiently commended, is renewed. Which béeing come to passe, I am assured, that according to the ful measure of perseuerance and knowledge, wherw^t you bée stoared, you are not to be taught, what belongeth to the function whereunto you are called, nor yet what things your present dignitie requireth, or to your life past vertuously go∣uerned, is agréeable. Thus much I haue to say, and I may bouldly affirme it, that with one heart toung & voyce, al good men throughout the whole cōmonwelth, reioyce & are excée∣ding glad, for this your aduancement: & that they giue infinit thankes, with al reuerence, to our Gracious Lord and chiefe bishop, for that it hath pleased him, in these troublesome and daungerous dayes; to choose such a sure prop and substantiall piller (as you) to stay vpp the Churche, when it was like to fall, and ready to runne to ruine: offering vnto you this ho∣nourable roome, whereunto you are now elected, of his owne voluntarie motion, not being required: bestowing vpon you (I say) this place of preeminence, which to diuerse noble Gentlemen, earnestly labouring and making great suite for the same, hée thought more méete to bée denyed, then to bée graunted. You know that vertue hūteth not after rewards, neither doeth it arrogate and take to it selfe any externall thinge, wherewith to bée adorned and beautified. Neuer∣thelesse, if in y^• due administration of two specialties (name∣ly Punishment and Recompence) the safetie of the common∣wealth consisteth, as Philosophers & men of excéeding great wisedome and learning, haue left witnessed in writing: good cause then (no doubt) there is to reioyce in both, sythen•…•…e to vertuous men the verie best aduauncementes that bée, are largely giuen: and that wickednesse is so noted and reuen∣ged, that none hath to vaunt himselfe of his ill doing, nor yet to make reckoning that in offending hée should escape vnpu∣nished. In consideration whereof, you, as well as other, haue necessarie cause greatly to reioyce in this your honour, and not to make light accompt of such a benefite, deserued, & yet

not desired, though for the commoditie of the seate apostoti∣call, you refused no labours, albeit passing burthenous: you withdrew your selfe from the aduenture of no daunger. You cast all your care, fixed all your thoughtes, had your minde wholy occupied, and your trauell altogether employed, in the maintenance and preseruation of all, none excepted. So soone as it was aduouched vnto mée for a veritie, that you were chosen and created Cardinall, I was immediately swallo∣wed vpp (as it were) in a gulffe of gladnesse. My hear•…•… was so inflamed with ioyfulnesse, that it triumphed: yea such was the plentie of my pleasure, that it is not possible with penne to bée expressed: howbeit, thoughe it bée so abundaunt, as the tongue séemeth an insufficient instrument to testifie it: yet notwithstāding in thought and immagination it may be cō∣prehended: if it would please you to call in examination, the greatnesse of my goodwill, which remayneth at all times vn∣diminished: and the reuerence I haue of your person, daily in∣creasing, as your honour is inlarged, through the brightnesse of your vertue. Which that you would doe, I beséech you most instantly.

Dated at Rome the xii. of the Kalends of A∣prill.

Fare you well.

P. Manutius to Carolo Bor∣romeio, Cardinall.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.

Hauing a certaine petition to Carolo Borromeio a Cardinall, which hee is desirou•…•… to haue furthered, he renueth his suite: wherunto hee seemeth to bee drawne by necessitie, not being so venturou•…•…, by reason of his bashfulnesse & modestie, to moue it to memorie. Howbeit taking stomache and (as the Prouerbe saith) heart at gras•…•…e, after many thinges vttered in the Cardinals commenda∣tion, he proceedeth in his petition, which is nothing else, but that hee might liue quietly in Rome: for (bee like) some there were that sought his disturbaunce.

SUch is your bountifulnesse vnto mée plentifully testified, and the perfecte experience that I haue of your condi∣tions, that I cannot put you in minde, or rather, that I may not clayme perfourmaunce of those thinges, which vnto mée, not once nor twise most courteously you promissed. And surely, such is my nature, that I am ashamed to craue that the second time, to the attainement whereof, I haue once al∣readie plaide the parte of a suppliant, althoughe it touched mine estate so narrowely, that thereuppon my making and marri•…•…ge séemed to depend. Neuerthelesse, I labour not in mistruste, that the renewing of an olde suite, wilbe tedi∣ous in your hearing, sythence it is the suite of such a man, specially, as doeth exhibite vnto you singular reuerence: bée∣sides that, as sheweth himselfe, according to the measure of his imbecillitie and weakenesse, not vnmindefull of your surpassing praises. It is a thing much to bee wished, that such as couette principall benefites, should either haue in themselues, a sufficiencie to serue their contentation: or else should be in great credit and fauour with such princes, no∣bles and Gentlem•…•…n, whose woordes and authoritie are most effectuall, for their poore suppliants furtheraunce. In the want of which two thinges you doe not wade, as wise men hould opinion. For you are by nature, meruaylous proane and inclinable, to those thinges which are most precious and honourable: besides that, this your readinesse and aptnesse, béeing coupled with singular policie, and not seperated from vertue, doeth so purchase the fauour and well lyking of your Unckle, our * Metropolitane, a man fraught and furnished with all wisedome and vnderstanding, that hée thinketh no∣thing to good to bestowe vpon you, but doeth, as it were, loade you with burthens of benefites: and hath committed to your charge and credite, a great par•…•… of his weightie affayres, (such is the opinion and good lyking that hée hath conceiued of your singular worthinesse) to the intent that by the com∣municating and imparting of them, vnto you, hée might bée some what eased. Wherfore, imbrace and make much of this

acceptable time, as best beséemeth your grauitie, or rather so kéepe it, that you lose it not, sithence it is your good and gra∣cious luck, therin to haue interest. The miserie of the ti•…•…e, hath wéeded out all woonted well deseruing: which if it shall please you to plant a new, and to sée that restored, which you haue alreadie attempted, and wil (I hope) also accomplishe, you shall mount vp to the heauenly Olympus, euen by the selfe same steps, that your predecessours before you haue as∣cended, leauing behinde you such a monument of honour and worthinesse, as no age, no succession of yeares shall wast and confume. And as touching mine owne person, thus much I am to say: that if it bée my happie chaunce to obteine that by your meanes, which doth wholy rest in you, or wherein (at least) you may doe much to the purpose, namely that I may liue at Rome to the cōtentment of my minde: (for what man would willingly leade his life in such a place, where thinges are so preposterous and ouerthwart, that disquietnesse, and a worse inconuenience followeth?) I will doe the vttermost of mine endeuour, yea I will peraduenture bring to pass•…•…, that such a singular benefite shal be throughly acknowledged: and though for lacke of abilitie answerable to my will, I might s•…•…eme accusable of ingratitude: yet daily & continual remem∣braunce of your goodnesse, from which I will neuer reuolt, shall pleade mée excusable of vnthanckfulnesse.

Dated at Rome the 4. of the kalends of Nouember.

Fare you well.

D. Erasmus Roterodamus to •…•…lermo Burbanco, Secretarie to the right reuerend the B. of Yorke, and Cardinall.

¶ THE ARGVM•…•…NT.

Hee beginneth his epistle with a sentence, touching friendship: cō∣mending Ilermo Burbanco for his courtesie and kindnesse, which •…•…ee professeth on his behalfe to bee vndeserued. Reckoneth vpp

by name diuerse Gentlemen, with whome he was in fau•…•…ur: where, by the way, he calleth him selfe happie, and riche, becaus•…•… he hath the goodwilles and freendeship of such as he 〈◊〉〈◊〉: commendeth (by the way) the Lord Cardinall, in th•…•…t he vouch∣safeth to make wise men of his counsel: Then toward his con∣clusion, he saith, that as he hathe welwillers, so he hath aduersa∣ries, noting also that he had rather haue a very fewe (so they be•…•… •…•…ertuously disposed) to be his freendes, then to haue the hearts of many, being viciously inclined. For end, he wisheth malicious and enuious persons a better spirit then they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to possess•…•… and so wrappeth vp all with commendations.

TRue is his loue and vnfeigned, that measureth not his good will•…•… with rewardes: but loueth freely, not loo∣king for recompence: but you haue loued Erasmus, whose desartes are not to make any challenge to kindenesse, with suche constancie, with suche zeale and earnestnesse, that it is not possible to picke out one man from among a great mul∣titude, that loueth him more sincerely, more hartily, or more faithfully, whose merites might make iust claime to suche excéeding kindenesse. Howe singularly did you loue mée when I was resident in Rome, giuing you no occasion of exhibiting suche courtesie: and therefore, béeing so muche the more bounde vnto you, in speciall dutifulnesse, I haue not suffered your vndeserued humanitie, to waxe colde in mée, no not a litle to languishe: sithence betwéene vs there haue béene, these many yeares, often and sundrie re•…•…∣ses of fréendely seruices, whiche once ceassing, fréendshippe must néedes be in daunger of a consumption, O hear•…•… appointed euen from thy creation to harbour kindenesse, to∣wa•…•…des whome if I should not shewe some 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of goodwil againe, then doe not I desire, that men shoulde say of me, howe I beare my fr•…•…d and beloued, about me in my body. And here by the way the olde a•…•…ge or prouerbe must not bee vnremembred, whi•…•…e sayeth, that one good turne requireth another. My fréende Montioy

hathe made you priuie, what good will he doeth beare me, and the desire of you bothe, inclined to doe mée good, hathe procured mée many fréendes and fauourers in o•…•…e fami∣lie. For what shoulde I else coniecture to be the occasi∣on of so gracious a benefite? and what is there in mée that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ha•…•…e in it suche force and effectuall woorkinge, th•…•…t it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kindle the affection of M. T. Louell, the mo•…•…e wise and learned Ciuilian, towardes mine vnwor∣t•…•…ie person? Or that M. R. Tonicio, a man of rare 〈◊〉〈◊〉, should pro•…•…esse and put in practise, suche ap∣paraunt tokens of conceiued ki•…•…enesse? Or that M. F. Phil•…•…ppo a young Gentleman of great hope and toward∣nesse, shoulde affoorde mée suche singular fauour? What shoulde I stand •…•…eckoning vppe in the number, M. Fran∣cisco, the Physician, whose courtesie, is not newely kin∣deled, but hathe béene long a burning? What shoulde I make mention of M. D. Samsono, a man of incompa∣rable knowledge, then whome a faithfuller and fréer heart can not be wished? What néede I repeate M. Gonello, h•…•…m whome I account, not as a fréende, but estéeme euen as the halfe of my life. Among the rest, what shoulde I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to name M. Clemens, to whome S. T. Moore hathe discouered a fewe sparckles of his beneuolence to∣wardes 〈◊〉〈◊〉? What shoulde I stande adding further to t•…•…ese whome I haue recited, M. R. Pacaeo, who both in pro∣mi•…•…ng and also in perfourming, proueth himselfe a moste trustie & faithfull Pylades▪ What should I setdowne in this r•…•…gister, the Right Reuerend C. Tonstallo, whom I may compare with the best of them, that in auncient time haue beene highly commended for the synceritie and vnfeigned∣nesse of their fréendshippe? O happie man that I am, bles∣sed with aboundaunce of richesse: O moste honourable familie throughe whom I am made a communicant of such speciall ben•…•…fites: O right Noble and renoumed Car∣dinall, whose wisedome admitteth suche men to bee of his counsell: whose table is furnished with suche starres that

cast so glorious a brightnesse. But (good God) howe en∣tierly doe they loue Erasmus, in what account and rep•…•…∣tation they haue the man, considering that his meri•…•…es haue not beene suche, as that they shoulde purchase this vn∣measurable good will. Howbeit, as these men are my fauourers and loue mée (I thanke them) excéedingly, so E∣ras•…•…us is not without many an open and a secrete enimie, althoughe his vsage hathe not deserued suche doggishe dealing: and I pray God, these séedes of enuie b•…•… not fur∣ther scattered, and so taking roote, increase to greater incon∣uenience. I am at this point, for so I thinke it best, to please a fewe and let the multitude alone, and these fewe whome I woulde gladly please and so enioy the aduantage of their fauour, I wishe them to be suche as are vertu∣ous. This done, I rather desire as I say, to haue the fa∣uour and goodwill of a fewe, so that they be commendably disposed, then to haue the fréendshippe of an infinite num∣ber, whose malice is infected with many a foule and oug∣ly disease: as for example, with grudging hatred, the very canckar and Caterpiller of all kindenesse: with froward∣nesse and wilfull follie, the aduersarie of wisedome and aduisement: with backbyting and slaunder, the professed enimies of honestie: wher with whiles they acquaint them∣selues, wishing well to none, they inda•…•…age themselues, they wounde themselues with their owne weapons: but to suche malicious people wée wishe a better minde, and a more tractable nature. Be you my deputie in mine ab∣sence, and commend mée to euery one of my fréendes, by name particularly.

Dated at Louane, in the Calendes of September.

Fare you well.

D. E. Roterodamus, to S. T. Moore highe Treasurer to the Kings Maiestie.

THE ARGVMENT.

Hee commendeth to S. T. Moore, Lorde Treasurer of England, a sreende of his, named Conradus Goclenius, a man (by his re∣porte) of singular learning and praisewoorthie p•…•…operties: who hauing but a bare maintenaunce, in consideration of his worthi∣nesse, whiche deserued farre better, Erasmus is moued in minde to write for his preferment, hauing suche a speciall regarde of modestie, t•…•…roughout the whole course of his letter, whiche is in deed pe•…•…itorie, that he seemeth not to craue at all, when he cra∣ueth moste earnestly.

I Can not but highly commend (Right noble & Honoura∣ble) this your well disposed minde, in that you séeke to in∣riche your selfe with nothing so much, as with fréends faith∣full and syncere, on whom the most part of your pleasure & hearts delight, you are persuaded (and that not amisse) doeth depend. Some there bee, that are maruelous cir∣cumspecte, least they should be deceiued, with counterfet pearles, precious stones, and metals of value: you contrarie wise making none account of the admission of suche tran∣sitorie richesse, thinke your selfe to be (as you are in deede, who calleth it in doubt?) wealthie enoughe, yea to swimme in aboundaunce of all necessaries, if among all o∣ther your possessions, you haue one faithful freend and vn∣•…•…eigned. Neither is there any man to be found, whose minde conceiueth more pleasure in casting a paire of dyce, in play∣ing at tables, in riding and running a hunting, in the swéet and comfor•…•…able so•…•…nde of musicall instrumentes, then you

reape pleasure in hauing frée talke and liberall communica∣tion with one that is learned, and indued with vnderstan∣ding. And although you haue plentie and store of this kinde of substaunce, yet notwithstanding, because I knowe thus muche, that the couetous mans heart is alwayes greedie and euermore vnsatisfied, and for that also I consider, that you and I haue had (oftentimes) passing fortunate success:: I thought it not amisse to commende vnto you, and as it were to deliuer into your possession, one speciall man, whom you might loue with all your hart, and to haue him in singu∣lar estimation: the man, whō I meane, is named Conradus Goclenius a Westphalian: which kinde of countrie people, as there be of the common sort, very many that be ignorant and vnciuil: so there are to be found among thē (as we haue had experience) many that be of a noble nature, fraught with all manner of learning, and in knowledge moste excellent. There is no kinde of people more painefull, able and wil∣ling (I meane) to susteine labours, none in manners and be∣hauiours more trustie & deseruing credit, none for simplici∣tie plainesse & vprightnes in dealing, more to be cōmended, or at least wise, they principally praise worthie. You are not ignoraunt that in Louane there is erected & founded a Col∣lege, wherin three seueral toungs or languages are profes∣sed: in that College it was his happie lucke, to reade in the open schooles in Latine that thereby he purchased to him self passing praise and commendation, and procured to his hea∣rers excéeding great profite by his learned lectures: yea the whole Uniuersitie hathe reaped singular aduantage, by his readinges. Besides that, he is a man of suche a minde and gentle spirit, so honest and vpright in conuersation, and not destitute of any thing that is requireable in humanitie, that the same concurring, and as it were running hand in hande with his wonderfull knowledge, that he maketh suche to loue learning excéedingly, and to haue it in reuerence, as before coulde by no meanes digest it, by reason of their continuall loathing. He•…•… hathe (moreouer) a pleasaunt inuention and a subtile, whereof he hath giuen substantiall

significations, yea, in those exercises, that are vsually prose∣quuted in the cōmon schooles. He hathe in him also very ma∣ny, (and the selfe same approuable) merrie conceites, sauou∣ring altogether of Athenien delightsomnesse: and for plea∣saunt hystories, pretie fables, and suche like gyftes in times conuenient not vnnecessarie, hee may contende and striue euen with you, for the maisteries. In versifying, he hath a peculiar maiestie, and grace: his deuises are not darkened with mystie cloudes of doubtes, the conueiaunce of his mat∣ter is manifest and perceiuable: to conclude, the soyle of his inuention, memorie, and iudgement, is so ordinarily plough∣ed with practise and experience, that in all his dooinges hee is plentifull and delectable. There is no Argument, no matter (I meane) so barren, so to be misliked, so vndispu∣table, but if he haue it in handling, it shalbe bothe pleasaunt and profitable. In writing proese, he is so like, or rather so vnlike him selfe, that a man reading and marking his methode and style therein, would thinke that in versifying he is but a smatterer, and not that scarcely. As for fréende∣ly behauiour, he is of the right moulde, none to receiue so woorthie a stampe more appliable: and surely, if you doe enter acquaintaunce and familiaritie with him, thus muche I dare able, that you néede not to feare the vio∣lating and breaking of the same, through any kinde of casu∣altie: thoughe we see it doeth chaunce moste commonly, that suche as are of a faithlesse nature, beeing hollowe hear∣ted, and in subiection to the f•…•…rce of their vnbrideled and es•…•… raunging affections, for euery light occasion runne in∣to an apostacie or reuolting from fréendshippe, cracking in sund•…•…r the conditions of that couenaunt, whiche with the seale and subscription of faithfulnesse, was neuer con∣firmed: and yéelding themselues in obedience, to their owne vaine mindes, and deceiuable desires. But in the behalfe of him, thus muche I am to auouche, that hee is constant, that he is not ambitious, that he is not gréedy of vaineglorie, that hee is no reuenger of suffered iniuries, and that there

is no pleasure, but he knoweth howe to vse the benefite thereof with measure: so farre is hee from surfetting in ex∣cesse: His forbearing an inward hate and enuious minde against any man: he is so farre from vnderstanding & bée∣ing acquainted with the mischéefes of suche a monster, that neuer so much as once dreampt of the shadowe of the same: suche is the goodnesse of his nature, in all pointes moste woorthie commendation. As for kéeping companie with him, somewhat I can say, that he is gentle, louing, easie to be dealt withal, farre from frowardnesse, and suche lyke rebukeable conditions, so that his fréendshippe can not but bée alloweable. Furthermore, he careth not for gaine, he setteth light by lucre and aduauntage, though his estate and calling bée but indifferent: and haueing (in deede) no∣thing beside bare findeing, apparell, and bookes. Nowe, Syr, if our Lordes, they of the Temporaltie, and they al∣so of the Spiritualtie, had learned to exhibite vnto learned men due and deserued honour, as among the Italians it is not •…•…nprouided, then (no doubt) Goclenius our fréende had wanted no manner of wealthe, but should haue had in present possession mountaines of Golde and Siluer, and a∣boundanuce of all other necessaries. But nowe, after their long sléepe and slugging, they are awaked, and euery noble man, is desirous and carefull, to haue his children trained and brought vppe in learning, albéeit among gallant cour∣tiers, there is none that is learned in déed, but M. G. Hallo∣inus, who is so farre frō reaping any profite therby, that he hath had none other rewarde for his labour, but enuie and grudginge stomaches: Neuerthelesse, ere it belong (I hope) hee shall gaine by the bargaine, and recouer great commo∣ditie and preferment. Nowe, I haue this considencein you, that hereafter, when you are better acquainted with Goclenius, there shalbe occasion on bothe partes, as well yours as his, sufficiently offered, to giue me hartie thankes for this my good motion: as chaunced but of late in M. Francisco Craneueldio, who is so déepely in your bookes

of accountes, and with you all in all, that after a sorte I doo, in manner, beare him an inward grudge.

Fare you well.

D. E. Roterodamus, to the Right Renoumed, King Henrie the eight, King of England. &c.

THE ARGVMENT.

In this letter are specified three principall pointes: in the firste hee commendeth learning and knowledge, but specially that lear∣ning and knowledge wherein Christe is glorified: in the seconde he praiseth the kinges highnesse, for refourming religion: in the third is mentioned an aduersarie of his, against whome he com∣plaineth, and sendeth a booke to the Kinges maiesti•…•…, written a∣gainst the same his aduersarie▪ Finally, he wisheth good success•…•… to the Kinges proceedinges, and concludeth with a petition to his grace, for the continuance of his wonted fauour.

MOste high and mightie King, sithence a greate parte of the life of man, and of the felicitie therupon attending, consisteth in learning and knowledge, which howe muche in this blinde time of ignoraunce, they are sought to bee defaced by a companie of bussardly pezantes, so muche the more are they to be supported by the fauour and coūtenan∣ces of Kings, Princes, and Nobles, towards whome, therby, in processe of time, singular aduauntage is like to growe. And because there are diuerse kindes of exercises belonging to learning, of which not so muche as the least is to be neg∣lected: so principally and aboue all other, those studies are chiefly to be séene vnto and regarded, whiche are necessarie for the aduauncement of godlines, and auailable for the in∣crease of Christes glorie, our souereigne Lord and Monarch full of maiestie: in this respect, I wishe with all my harte, •…•…ea in the feruentnes of my zeale I desire it, that all other Kinges, Nobles, and P•…•…eeres, would followe the example of

your puisaunce, and make your dooinges the patterne, to frame all their actions and inuentions accordingly. Some there bée that do so, and I hope the number of them hereaf∣ter, will multiplie, so that you shal not want disciples, you being so worthie a schoolemaister. Small is my knowledge (I must néedes confesse) and litle (yea whose so euer is least, mine is lesser) is my learning: neuerthelesse, howesoeuer bee the measure of mine vnderstanding, so God be my good guide and gracious comforter at al times, and in my neces∣sitie, as I referre all my dooinges to the glorifying of his name, and make his honour and praise the ayme whereat I leuell, all that I haue hitherto written, or hereafter shall write, whiles I am able to put penne to paper. Undoub∣tedly, euen til this day, al godly minded men allowe and wel like of our dooings: and among all other, the P. Grace doeth count them worthie acceptation. How be it some priuie nippers there be, and close whisperers in the worlde, who taking their pleasure of custome in olde léeze & thicke dreggs, can in no wise frame their stomaches, to the digestion of this our newe and holsome wine. There are not many of these malicious men, that are thus fettered in extréeme folly and blockishnesse: neuerthelesse, thoughe there be of them but a very fewe, yet with moste accursed & execra•…•…le hartes they haue conspired against learning and religion: yea, they wishe, thoughe it were to their owne harme and detriment, that the reformation of things amisse in the churche (at the prosperous flourishing wherof they grudge and are aggrée∣ued) might come to naught, and haue no good successe. The suggestions, and vehement persuasions of these men (as by coniecture I gather) haue drawne one Ed. L. to raile against vs with outragious language: and they them selues not ha∣uing the audacitie and bouldnes of spirit, to come vpon the stage, haue gotten this youngman, beeing desirous of vaine glorie, to play al the partes throughout the whole enterlude: I would he had otherwise set him sel•…•…e a worke, in writing & deuising: or else I would it had béene his fortune to haue béene borne in another countrie, and not within the coastes

of England. I owe nothing to the man: howbeit, as it is the duetie of one Christian to another, I wishe him well, thoughe he wishe mée ill, and worse to himselfe. I owe to the Englishe nation, more then I doe owe to any other Region. I present to your highenesse a litle booke, wher∣in I make him answere, ye•…•… voide of reprocheful spéeches, taunting termes, and all vnreuerend vsage of the tounge: whiche booke if hee peruse and examine, he shall soone sée, howe with him selfe hée is at contrarietie and disagrée∣ment. I woulde not haue him turne to the filthie vomite of his cont•…•…melious and shamefull language, if he loue his owne honestie and honour: and as for argument, to replye vppon mine assertions, to bring any, I knowe hee is vna∣ble and insufficient. In the penning and compiling of the same, I haue bestowed almost fortie dayes: whiche time, I woulde I had spent, either in the extolling of your incom∣parable noblenesse, and encounterable valiauntnesse: or else in the aduauncement of the glorie of my Messias Christ: so might I (in déede) haue béene better occupied. I bée∣séeche Christe Iesus, the moste mightie, to fauour and fur∣ther your maiesties godly and religious procéedinges, to giue them fortunate and happie successe, and that it woulde please him, to graunt me the vse and benefite of this life, but till I haue giuen some signification and testimonie, how muche I am bound to your highnes, for your vnspeakable goodnesse: whome I beséeche, like an humble Suppliant, to vouchesafe mée your Graces poore Client, with your accus∣tomed fauour.

Dated at Antwerpe.

D. E. Roterodamus to King Hen∣rie the eight, King of England. &c.

THE ARGVMENT.

After his duetie done in moste obedient manner, by way of gree∣ting, he declareth what pleasure he tooke in the gifte whiche the Kinge bestowed on him: in the commendation of whome, hee spendeth the best part of his Epistle, praising principally his libe∣ralitie to learning: this being done, he reporteth honourably of the kinges courte: wisheth the King a long and a prosperous reigne: toucheth briefly, in how short a time he is constrained to set out the newe Testament, whiche he turned into Latine: & lastly dequeatheth him selfe and his seruice to the kinges com∣maundement.

GRéetinges and immortalitie moste gratious King. &c. Your maiesties gifte, for diuerse considerations, was moste woorthie acceptation, either because in respecte of it selfe, it was of great value and price: or because it came from a king, yea, frō such a king, whose noblenes is passing famous, both for the loue that he beareth to all honest & ver∣tuous exercises, and also for his inualuable treasure and a∣boundance of all kinde of riches: in whose opinion & iudge∣ment to be allowed and liked, it is farre greater honour, thē to be made Lorde and possessour of muche golde and siluer. Neuerthelesse, I had it in high estimation and reuerence, for this cause principally, that I accounted it to be, as it were, a certaine pledge or assuraunce of your Graces woonted good wil, neuer declining from Erasmus, whom as your ma∣iestie moste bountifully intertained into fauour, so moste honourably your highnesse hath inriched him with many re∣wardes. And as though this seemed, but a thing of small reckoning, to the intēt y^• your affection & loue towards lear∣ning,

might bee more manifest and apparaunt, it pleaseth your highnesse, to open the sluses of your gracious good∣nesse, that the riuers of your liberalitie running abroade, many a drie and simple soyle, is thereby abled, to yeald plen∣tifull fruite: I meane, that your maiestie, of your owne accorde, giue many pensions to the maintenaunce of lear∣ning, and not onely many, but the selfe same also very large: among which number of them that haue tasted the swéete∣nesse of your Graces liberalitie, I am one, to whome your highnesse hathe offered a yearely liuing, the profite where∣of I might enioye for terme of life: whiche sithence it is so fréely giuen, I may not séeme thereof to make a refu∣sall, beeing the gyfte of suche a Noble and Renowmed Prince, within the compasse of whose dominion I coulde finde in my heart, to liue and dye, (thoughe I were not re∣warded:) vnder such a Prince full of valiauntnesse, I would gladly employ my seruice, without hope of pension: with whome there is suche respecte of persons in their woorthi∣nesse, that howe muche one excelleth another in learning and knowledge, in vprightnesse of life, and vertuous conuer∣sation, in so muche the more fauour is he, in so muche the more credite, countenaunce, and estimation with his Souereigne: whose court being replenished with famous men, furnished with all kinde of vnderstanding, is a liue∣ly example of Christian discipline, in so muche that euery Uniuersitie repineth at it, that it should so flourishe out of measure. I beséeche the moste mightie Monarche, whose kingdome is eternall, and power infinite, that it woulde please him of his goodnesse, to continue this your well dispo∣sed minde, that it neuer become subiect to alteration: to blesse you with the long possession of your kingdome, in health, wealthe, and all happines, that vnder the scept•…•…r and gouernment of so excellent and Conquerous a Prince, it may flourishe in all true felicitie. Wee are constrai∣ned to publish the translation of the new Testament, with in the space of a foure monethes: that worke being dispat∣ched and rid out of my handes, I and my labours are all

and wholy at your Maiesties commaundement.

Dated at Louane, the seuenth of the Calendes of Maie.

Io. Rauisius Textor, to N. L. Maluerino.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.

This letter, not being sent of Textor to any manner of person: but made and inuented for the behoofe of young scholers, runneth altogether vpon the dispraise of idlenesse: the whole •…•…cope of the •…•…ame may serue for Imitation, and may rather be called a Theame, then an Epistle (as many more may be of his making) though he giueth it that name and title. After he hathe shewed (to the supplanting of idlenesse and slouthe) howe all creatures, as well heauenly as earthly, attend on their calling, and do such seruice diligently and ordinarily, as is to them appointed, hee draweth toward an end, vsing reasons of persuasion to auoid such a vicious annoyaunce. Lastly, he writeth in that sort, as if one young scholer were incouraging another young scholer, to some scholerly exercise, & immagining that audience is present •…•…o heare what they haue to say, •…•…e feigneth to one of them a de∣clamation, whereof he setteth downe a methodicall and proper beginning.

THe statute enacted by Amasis the Egyptian king, and at his comaundement solemnly proclaimed, is most com∣mendable and praiseworthie, whereby it was prouided that all, and euery one, lining within the limittes of his lands, should be called to a yearely account, and giue a true recko∣ning to the magistrate of the Prouince, where they liued, howe they spent their time, and whereupon they were mainteined: whiche who so did not, he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to suffer sharpe and extréeme punishment. Unto which singu∣lar lawe and moste politique ordinaunce, the custome of the · Gymnosop•…•…stes of India, séemeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 agréeable, among whome suche as by their dayly labour, brought to

their Parentes none aduauntage, shoulde loo•…•…e their mid∣dayes meale for their negligence and ydlenesse. With certaine Ilanders in Spaine, named Bal•…•…ares, this was a vse and receiued order, that the mother should shewe the sonne a marke to shoote at, which if he did hitte with his ar∣rowe, then had hée for his desarte, meate measurablie ministred: but if he failed, and was either short, or gone, or wyde, in directing his shafte, then was fasting the pe∣naltie of his amisse. For, as in the common games plaide and practised at Olympus, none is to challenge the garlande of victorie, but he that is called lawfully to giue a testi∣monie of his actiuitie, and passeth all the rest in the triall and proofe of those exercises: Euen so, hee is not woorthie to liue, who like an ydle and •…•…outhfull Droane, doeth no∣thing that deserueth life. In all the Elementes and other celestiall bodies, God or Nature hathe set them in suche estate, that they are neuer ydle, but still occupied in the •…•…ffices, whereunto by and through diuine prouidence they are a•…•…igned. The Heauen it selfe, whiche incompasseth the whole worlde, moueth it selfe orbicularly, that is, in circle. The Sunne and the Moone, haue their distincte seasons, wherein they runne their course turne by turne, according to eternall appointment: to the one is commit∣ted the gouernement of the day: to the other appointed the guideing of the night. The windes, kéeping conuenient places and regions, blowe with continuall blastes. The signes of the Zodiake, one with another, obserue their pre∣script times of circular mouing. The Sea, when the windes cea•…•…e puffing, is allaide with calm•…•…nesse: when they cast out blustering blastes, it is stormis and full of roa∣ring outrage: it giueth increase of fishe, for the foode and sustenaunce of man, without intermission. The earth ly∣ing barren and fruitelesse, in the comfortelesse time of Winter, maketh a large amendes of that ydlenesse, with yéelding a goodly and gallant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the pleasaunt sea∣son of Summer. Trees and plantes, so soone as they

féele the time of the yeare approcheing, whiche serueth to bring foorth fruite, they conforme themselues to the na∣ture of the time, and yéelde their increase accordingly: they receiue sappe through out all and euery parte of them, they •…•…hoote foorthe their blossomes and buddes: their Peares, their Apples, th•…•…ir Cytrons, their Pomegranats, their clus∣ters of Grapes, and euery trée in his peculiar kinde, their se∣uerall fruite, in due and conuenient order The Oake yéel∣deth akehornes: the fyl•…•…ert yéeldeth Nuttes: the Haw∣thorne, the Iuie, the Baytrée and the Oliue, yéelde ber∣ries: the Seruice trée, the Medler trée, yéelde their fruite accordingly. Not so muche as the pricking Blackthorne, the hedge bushe, the Bryer, the bramble, whiche are wilde, but giue their increase, as nature hathe ordeined. But among all other trées, Plantes, and Hearbes, let vs bu∣sie our braines aboute the marking and considering of the spreading Uine: let vs occupie our cogitations and witte, in the weighing of the precious Pearles whiche it dooeth yéelde, to the singular comforte and delectation of mannes heart. Let vs prudently ponder with what faithfulnesse, and trustie seruice, the earthe, béeing the moother of all thinges, imbraceth the séede caste into her bosome, nouri∣sheth it with the milke of her owne pappes, ministreth con∣uenient fustenance vnto it, that it springeth vppe and grow∣eth gaily: whereby it turneth to the succour of man in due season, haueing receyued ripenesse: and thus doeth the earthe applie her selfe to the maintenaunce of all creatures: for without it, where shal the créeping things of the ground, vermine, and suche like, (that we may beginne with those creatures, whiche in our estimation a•…•…d thinking are most vile and yrksome) haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉? where shall the birdes of the Ayre finde their necessarie nourishment▪ where shal the fishes of the Sea be succoured? Or what should become of the water, if it were not imbancked with the earth? should not all kinde of cattell, that liue by the benefite of the ground perishe, and be hungerstarued? Finally, shoulde

not a creature moste excellent, for whose commoditie all these forecited graces were giuē, consume with famishment: Howe bountifull a seruitour is the earthe, to the husbande∣man? what vsurie doeth it pay for that which it borroweth? Howe doeth it inriche the husbandman with all manner of increase? with Wheate, with Rie, with Dates, with Barlie, with Beanes, with Pease, with Lupines, with Lintelles, with Uetchesse, with Millette, & all other kinde of pulse in great plentie and aboundance? What shall we say of the yeare it selfe, and the foure quarters of the same, whiche we knowe to be the measurer and meater of our life and all our dooinges, when hathe it reuoulted from the qualities wherewith naturally it is indued? what man is able to affirme, that he euer sawe the Spring tide without Marche Uiolettes, Primeroses, and other pleasant floures? What man can say, that euer he sawe Summer without Graine, Berries, and quickening heate ful of comfort? what man hathe so impudent and shamelesse a countenaunce, as to affirme, that euer he saw a haruest vnfurnished of fruite? what man can say, that euer he sawe a Winter season with out ysickles, without hoare frostes, without snowe, and such like colde meteors? Do not the very Monethes throughout the yeare, successiuely and in due order, perfourme their se∣ueral offices? who at any time can proue the contrarie, and dares say that this inuielable ordinaunce and euerlasting appointment hath béene broken? wherefore, if so be that al these creatures, some béeing of most excellencie, other some of basenesse, and some againe of indifferencie, shewe suche obedience and dutifulnesse, in accomplishing the lawes and statutes, whiche nature (not with out singular prouidence) hathe made, and from all beginnings enacted ratified, and established, all & euery one of them in their kinde, some to yéelde increase, and some againe to other seruices not vnne∣cessarie, were it not an intollerable shame, that Man (whō God hathe made Lorde and Owner of all these speciall be∣nesites) should lye tumbling vpon the bedde of ease, and

shrowde himselfe, head and eares, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉: that hée should (as it were) putrifie and •…•…ott in ydlenesse, and teare out the tearme of his yeares, till bée enter into olde and croo∣ked age, in occupying himselfe about nothing that is profita∣ble? to runne ou•…•… his race, not reaping any aduauntage, be∣cause labour is too hard meate for his nyce stomach to digest? Finally, that hée alo•…•…e, among the rest, whome hée should so farre excell, as God surpasseth him, should dye like a beast in dishonour, not leauing behinde him, of his former life orderly lead, any commendable testimonie? What man is there, that will thinke this allowable: who can like of it? but such béetell headed lubbers, as neither haue in them discretion, reason, wysedome, iudgement, nor any other propertie praise∣worthie•…•… sythence br•…•…te beastes, that bée estranged from rea∣son, and other creatures indued with life, leaue vnto vs cer∣taine testimonies of their susteined labours, which are in our sight as it were looking glasses, wherein to vewe and behold the fowlenesse of our slouthfulnesse. Some beastes there are, which vnto vs are most profitable, by yéelding the in∣crease of their bodies, for our succour and maintenaunce: and as they are vnto man principall benefites, so to themselues and to their kind, they are most louing and tender: very fewe or none at all, are there to bée found, so barren and fruitlesse, which yéeld not some commoditie or other for our behoofe. If wée séeke a proofe hereof in fishes, that liue by water, wée shal sée a manifest example. The fishe called Balena, nourisheth her younge with milke: the fishe called Cephalus bringeth forth egges: the Dolphine féedeth her young with milke in like maner, and that abundantly: when the Springtide ap∣procheth, they couple, and they bring foorth in the Summer season: the fishe called Echinus, bringeth foorth egges: the fishe called Hippocampus, is a present and souereigne reme∣die, against the byting of a madde dogge: and as all these loue their owne kinde tenderly: so they are by one meanes or another, seruiceable to man. Now let vs sée the kindnesse which resteth in the fowles of the ayre, which is wonderfull: and let vs marke their qualities, for they are straunge. The

Eagle •…•…ryeth her young oues against the bright sunne shine, which cleare light and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, if they cannot abide, shée forsaketh them, and accompteth them no better then of bastard byrds. Pigeons bring foorth two egges, the first a cocke, the second a henne, in fortie dayes they conceiue and bréede. The cocke bringeth forth l•…•…ng egges, the henne round egges: the cocke also bewrayeth the breaking of the day, by his crowing, and awaketh the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 headed lubber to his daily labour. The Peacocke doeth sitt abróode of twelue eggs. The swallow bringeth foorth foure young ones, whom shee fostereth and féedeth in true measure of equitie and loue, beginning with the eldest, and so kéeping order in the residue. Now I will descend to other liuing creatures, and what is to be said in this case, concerning the beastes of the field, you shall likewise vnderstand. The Ore is a fellowe labourer with his maister, hée aswageth the tediousnesse of his swea∣ting trauell: they are husbandmen, for they till the land, they drawe the plough, they furrowe the soyle, they carrie the croppe of the ground into the Barne, and other seruices doe they, so that wée finde speciall benefites redounding to vs, by and through the vse of their ministerie. The shéepe is s•…•…orne and yéeldeth her woll, which is wouen & wrought to make vs wearing garmentes: they are •…•…eade and slaine, that their flesh might turne to our nourishment: they loue their young bleating lambes, to whome they giue sucke most tenderly. The Bée flyeth about the fragrant féeld, and the swéete gar∣den, gathering of euery flower somewhat, to carrie to her hiue, where shée laboureth in making honie. The hogge is fatt fedde, with oakehornes and other meate, of purpose to become our sustenaunce. The dogge is a diligent dorekée∣per, a circumspect watchman, a necessarie seruaunt: driueth away the rauening. Woolfe from the flock, least there should bée a spoile and flaughter committed: they kéepe, preserue, and defend our houses from théeues, vagaboundes, lewde fellowes, robbers, and false knaues, who watche opportu∣nitie, leasure and time conuenient, when they might (to their

contentation and fulfilling of their desires) put their mis∣chefous deuises in practise. The Catt frayeth away rat∣tes, myce, and noysome vermine, and haunteth euerie cham∣ber though it bée neuer so secrets. Thus whiles I looke before mée, behinde mée, béeside mée, nowe on this hand, and then on that hande, I finde nothing, but is occupied and that most diligently, in perfourming those thinges wher∣unto by Nature they were appointed. I finde nothing that loueth slouth, that is inclined to ydlenesse, but eue∣rie creature in his kinde, dooing their duetie, in that ser∣uice whereunto they are alotted accordingly. What then, (that I may yet at the lengthe come to my purpose) should wée doe, to whome the light of reason so graciously is giuen? What (I saye) should wée buisie our heades and handes about? Wherein should wée bée exercised? Are wée brought to so lowe an ebb of discretion, and to so highe a floud of fol∣lie, that wée are content to bée ouercome of brute beastes, whome wée ought to excell (for howe doe wée passe them, or howe canne wée bée better then they, vnlesse wée haue the vse of those benefites which wée are •…•…uriched withall, in such conuenient order, as it bée commeth our calling and conditi∣on?) in reason, vnderstanding, maiestie, worthinesse, noble∣nesse: Finally, in all other thinges belonging to oure Na∣ture? Let vs not so wallowe in the waues of ydlenesse, that at lengthe wée bée ouerwhelmed. Let vs not vse the socie∣tie and fellowshippe of lazie slouthe, with satietie and excesse, least at laste wée bée so intangled in her snares, that wée finde no way to vnwinde oure selues againe. Nay rather, let vs followe the example of painefull Apelles, of whome Plinie maketh mencion, who was such an enimie to ydle∣nesse, that his pencill was neuer drie, but still drawinge a line, in one colour or another. Let vs abhorre to resemble that slouthfull slouen, who lead all his life in the countrie in such order, that hée differed nothing from a dead car∣kasse, lying in the graue. The yeare hath runne his course. The ground hath yéelded her cropp. Ortchardes haue giuen the increase of their fruite.

The Garde•…•… hath giuen Uioletts, Roses, Marygolds, Gilli∣flowers, Cornashions, and whatsoeuer else is pleasaunt in sauour and smelling. The Uinetrée hath yéelded her pur∣ple grapes, by clusters: and all trées haue affoorded their fruite, in abundaunce: onely wée miserable wretches, are behinde hande, and haue not payed our yearely rent, which if wée pay not, then are wée not like to make any clayme or challenge for a quittaunce. Let vs (for shame) start out of the cabbine of this carelessnesse: Let vs shake off this slouthfulnesse, and nowe at lengthe (though somewhat late, yet Better late then neuer,) call to remembraunce, what re∣proche and infamie doeth flowe from ydlenesse. Let vs call to consideration, what an ignominious name, wée are like to purchase, if wée wincke at such a foule and loathsome vice: if (I say) wée will not sée it in our selues, and doe what wée may, to haue it redressed: let vs call to memorie, what ha∣zardes and inconueniences hang ouer our heades, béeing readie to fall vppon vs, for this our dissolutenesse and neg∣ligence. Let vs spring out of our nastie nestes of sluggish∣nesse: Let vs leaue sleaping in ydlenesse: Let vs catche the ploughe by the handle, and fall to furrowing: Let vs take it by the tayle, and thincke no scorne to toyle: Let vs lift vpp lustily the mattocke and the spade, and fall to deluing: Let vs take the axe, the wedge and the béetle, and settle our sel∣ues to cleauing and riueing: Let vs gett a hedgebill and fall to repayring broken fences, about fieldes and pastures: Let vs play the practitioners within our owne houses, in declameing, reasoning, and discoursing, about questions and causes of learning, that wée may bée able to speake in the Se∣nate, and to defend Milo against his aduersarie: to preuaile against conspyring Catiline, and to thrust him out, and his fardle of troubles, that hée bréede no more annoyaunces to the Common wealthe: to supporte and maintaine Cluen∣tius, that hée bée not abused with too much iniurie: to fur∣ther the cause of the Orphàn and fatherlesse, that they may not vtterly bée forsaken, as forlorne and succourlesse: to ex∣pell oppressours, extortioners, vniuste personnes, whose

whole delight is in deuising mischiefe, and putting the same in execution: to bée profitable members to the bodie of oure naturall countrie, within whose vowels wée are so tenderly and louingly included and clasped: to resist the vsurping po∣tentacie, and outragious rule of thundering Tyraunts. Let vs try what wée can doe, a fewe of vs gathered together, not contemning one anothers infancie and young knowledge, but alowing one anothers weakenesse of wit, which, though it bée but rawe, yet in tracte of time, (there is no doubt) it wil waxe riper. Let vs challenge one another, who can doe best, for the obteyning of victorie. Let vs stretch our inuention, and search euery corner of our braines. Let vs rub off the rustinesse of our tongues, that our vtteraunce may be plea∣saunt and eloquent: this let vs doe before wée come in place and presence of stately counsellours, of subtile headed Law∣yers, of curious attourneis, and such like fine fellowes, that bée verie deintie and circumspect in speaking, least any word should escape them, vnaptly and vnproperly placed: and to whose eares, it is a thing, then which a worsse cannot bée na∣med, to babble beside the booke: considering that what soeuer is vttered in such mennes hearing, must bée done in printe, as wée say in oure common Prouerbe. Behold, the head maister of the schole lysteneth what wée haue to say: he wai∣teth when wée will buckle our selues to our buisinesse: his eares are readie to receiue our reasoninges: his handes are prepared to take our written papers: hée refuseth not to be∣stow vppon vs his present seruice and loue. The Usher, with as much modestie on the other side, is willing to giue vs the hearing, and to determine the controuersie. The rest also of oure instructours, are in a readinesse to lysten attentiucly: men of great learning and singular vnderstāding: they looke vpon vs with a fauourable countenance, and with a smiling face promise vs their beneuolence. Wée must not bée af∣fraid to take vppon vs this aduenture: why shoulde wée a∣uoide so profitable and so commendable an experience, ha∣uing at this present so gentle an audience. Wée haue no cause to suspecte, that-they will scoffe and mocke at our do∣inges,

though wée should speake scarse eloquently, smoothly, finely, plaustbly, pleasauntly, artificially, and Oratour like. Let vs giue the onsett to this exercise.

¶ The Proeme of a De∣clamation.

MOst learned audience, you are not ignoraunt, that euen knowledge it selfe, hath a kinde of infancie, and that Marcus Fabius beganne with his first elements aud princi∣ples, before hée had that name and title, which in processe of time, he deserued. The stronge Captaine and valliaunt war∣riour, was once wrapped in swathling clowtes, and lay cry∣ing in a wicker cradle. Those graue and wise counsellours, that are propps and pillers of Princes places, and the co∣lumnes or maine postes of the weale publique, though nowe for their knowledge and policie, they drawe the mindes of people into an admiration: yet the time hath béene, wherein they had their first beginning, going to schole, and learning their Alphabet or A. B. C. Wil you require that at the hāds of a simple childe, (whose witt is but weake, whose vnder∣standing is slender, whose iudgement is rawe) which besée∣meth Cicero that incomparable Rhetorician? Will you lay a heauie and weightie burthen, vppon the neckes and shoul∣ders of a young beginner, of a weakling, of an infant, which is able to make Demosthenes sincke vnder it, and falter to the grounde? No, but you must haue due regard and consi∣deration of yeares. For olde age is not indued with the strength and lustines of gallant youth: neither is youth fur∣nished with the wisedome, counsell, grauitie, and experience of sober old age. &c.

Fare you well.

Macropedius to Chrysogono.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.

This epistle conteineth three parts in respect of the persons, namely, him to whom it is written: him by whom it is written: and him in whose behalfe it is written. In cōsideration of the matter, it cō∣teineth foure partes: in the first is comprehended the seeking of goodwil, by circumstaunces: In the second the causes that moued him to write, &c. In the third, hee praiseth Gualtero, whome hee commendeth to Chrysogono, &c. In the fourth hee toucheth the matter it selfe, by circumstances, well worthie of reading▪ mar∣king and learning.

BUt that I knowe of a certaintie, your singular beneuo∣lence, not tēding to mine auaile alone, but fréely testified to the profite of al such as loue learning, albeit they bée méete straungers: I should bée in doubt (friend Chrysogono) to in∣terrupt the quietnesse of your studies, through my temeri∣ritie and rashnesse. Neuerthelesse, sythence I am not igno∣raunt, that for the renewing of old friendshipp, your desire is rather to be sollicited, then, to the vtter vanishiug of acquain∣taunce, not at all to bée visited, I armed my selfe with auda∣citie: and in my friends behalfe, I confesse mée your suppli∣aunt. My welwiller Gualtero, at whose hands you receiue these my letters, is one whome I do most ardently loue, and (for his singular kindnesse vnto mée alwayes professed) ex∣céedingly fauour. For, euer since the time of his infancie, hée hath exhibited vnto mée, as to his father naturall, passing re∣uerence, duetifulnesse, and obedience. This man, vnderstan∣ding vndoubtedly, that I was one of whome you did well thincke and estéeme, and hoping also by the mediation of my letters vnto you, to gett your fauour and furtheraunce, bée∣sought mée instantly, to write vnto you in his cause, that his suite might bée satisfied: althoughe I mistrust not the modestie of the man, his honestie, and vertuous behauiours,

but that, without our commendable certificate, hée is like enoughe to please and preuaile. For, hée is a proper youthe, descended of well disposed parentes, though somewhat base in degrée, and with substaunce not so well furnished. His edu∣cation and bringing vp was so good, as it cannot bée misliked, and from his tender yeares til this present day, he hath béene not onely inclined to learning, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ben•…•… y^• way, with a •…•…esire (in maner) irreu•…•…cable: insomuch that, thorough his owne diligence, employed in exercises of knowledge, and the good successe which the Gods haue graunted him, in his procéedings: hée hath reaped such pro•…•…te, both in poeticall cō∣ueyaunce, and also in the fa•…•…ultie of R•…•…etorique, that there is not so much as one comparable to him, among al our scho∣lers. For, what is too hard for him to compasse (as you shall perceiue quickly if you take experience) whose witt is s•…•… quicke, and of so readie a capacitie? His maners deserue cō∣mendation: for, no man hath séene him i•…•…oderate a•…•… •…•…eate and drincke: no man hath taken him play•…•…ng any •…•…ranck of l•…•…wdnesse, like a wanton: no man hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or fighting: no man hath taken him quarell•…•…ng and cōplay∣ning: but he hath alwayes béene obedient to his parents: du∣tifull to his friends: tractable towards his teachers: gentle to al his companion•…•…, and therefore beloued: •…•…hat •…•…éedes mul∣titude of woords in this matter? Such a young 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is, as good men doe •…•…oth loue and laude. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, at such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as hée left our scholes, & prouiding to studie in your Uniuersitie, ha∣uing none acquaintance in Louane, whose friendshipp & con∣ference hée might vse, was desirous, that through mine indu∣strie and labour, meanes might •…•…ée made, •…•…o 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…uour with one or other, to whose wisedome, coun•…•…ll, •…•…elpe and as∣sistance, hée might committ himselfe: and aboue all other, did choose you, whome hée knewe but by report, to •…•…ée to him in stéede of a father or gouernour: Which thing, sythence you want no abilitie (frend Chrysogonus) to perfourme sythence (I say) you may w^tout any discōmodi•…•…ie redoun•…•…g to your owne person, take vpō you this char•…•…e, execu•…•…e this office sim ply, iustly, and according to the rule of a r•…•…ght cōscience, to the

greater increase and aduauncement of your vertue, I be∣séech you heartily, that you wil •…•…ouchsafe this young man, y^• benefite of your patronage and countenaunce, in penurie, in plentie, in prosperitie, in aduersitie, in weale and woe, final∣ly, in all chaunge•…•… and chaunces, euen as you would doe to my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and kinsfolkes, if necessitie required, that they should haue recourse •…•…o your assistaunce: that in so doing, he may vnderstand, howe the friendship betwéene vs is not so frus•…•…rate, but that the commendable report wh•…•…che I haue sounded in your eares, touching his credite, hath had verie good effect. I, on the other s•…•…de, will straine myne abilitie in such sort, towardes the requi•…•…ing of so singular a benefite, on vs both bestowed, tha•…•… of your well doing, repentaunce shall not be the reward: but one day (albeit, to tye friendshipp to promis•…•…s of dutie, séemeth a thing not to be allowed) to reape such fruite, as shall not be vnworthy of your bene•…•…lence. For, I will be your debter, and Gualtero shall be as déepe in your bookes of reckoning.

Fare you well.

Macropedius to Hieronymo.

TH•…•… ARGVMENT.

This Epistle is a persuading Epistle, and it consisteth of fiue necessa∣ri•…•… partes. In the first is conteined, the person of him, whom Ma∣cropedius doth per•…•…uade, with the circumstaunces therevnto be∣longing. In the second, his narration, which is short and compē∣dious. In the thirde, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & arguments perteining to his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…urpose. In the fou•…•…th, a confut•…•…tion of contrarie allegations. In •…•…he fi•…•…th, the conclusion, wherein he endeuoureth to winne the mynde of Hieronymo, to the accomplishment of such thinges, as are comprehended in his Epistle.

ALthough (wel beloued friende) there is no doubt of your wisedome, which floweth in you aboundantly: yet I can not choose (if I haue any desire at all, to satisfie myne owne thankfu•…•…nesse, for your singular courtes•…•…es, plen•…•…fully on me bestowed) but

fréely declare vnto you, such thinges as tende both to your worship, and also to your safetie. And for so muche as, we consider the estate of others, more precisely then we do pon∣der oure owne, I am bounde of duetie, to minister some counsell, (though homely, yet hoalsome) vnto you (my wel∣beloued friende) by whose wordes, seasoned with the salt of wisedome, I haue bene comforted. Your brother Theodo∣ricus, not many dayes since, tolde me, not without great heart grie•…•…, that you haue forsaken your booke, applyed your selfe to an occupation, and that you will not be wey∣ned from that vntowarde purpose of your owne, neyther by parentes admonishment, neyther by friendes exhortation, neyther yet by any inwarde motion of care touching youre owne honestie, your owne commoditie, their present condi∣tiō, or y^• greatnesse of their former expences, layd out in hope, that in s•…•…udie you would haue made continuaunce. Where∣fore (my Hieronymo) if my counsell may winne with you any authoritie, then woulde I wishe you to chaunge this preposterous determination, and forsaking all •…•…laueishe ha•…•…dicraftes and drudging trades of occupation, sticke still to your tackling: and as you haue begonne, so procéede, so likewise ende, in the studie of humanitie I meane, in the knowledge of liberall sciences, whose commendation haue no limitted measure, but surpasse all the prayse, that can, eyther be ascribed, or deuised: and which, next and imme∣diately after vertue, deserueth before all thinges in the worlde, souereignitie and preferment. To the imbracing whereof, you ought to be applyable, not onely in respect of your parent•…•…s, to whome (euen by the lawe of Nature) you are streightly •…•…ounde to be obedient: or for that you are intreated so to doe, by such as beare you good will, being in∣déede your verie friendes, whose requestes you ought not lightly to regarde: but in consideration of honestie, and dis∣charging of your owne dutifulnesse, then which nothing is more to be approued, nothing more profitable, nothing wher∣in you should be more delighted. For, if ho•…•…estie mo•…•…e you▪ which in all well disposed persons should worke singular ef∣fectes,

what thing then can be named, comparable to lear∣ning & honestie, which al wisemen, many yeares agoe, had in great price and estimation, although in excellencie they were matchlesse, and had, euen from heauen aboue, their original? what thing can be more honest then that, whiche maketh a difference betwéene you, and such as are so•…•…ed in sensualitie, in blockishnesse, in vnciuilitie, and méere barbarousnesse? what is more honest, then that, which if it want in men, they are no better then brute beasts, carried away with the force of their appetites, and not lead by the rule of reason? what is more honest, then that, which bringeth you to the c•…•…ntem∣plation of celestiall spirites, of the true and incomprehen∣sible eternitie, to the vnderstanding of thinges supernatu∣rall, and to the moste comfortable imbracing of vertue, wherewith what man so euer is not furnished, he maye be compared •…•…o a filthy swine, whose seruice tendeth to the filling of the paunche, praying vpon worldly vanities, and gaping after the gaudinesse of this transitorie earth, heauen and heauenly riches, in the meane season, had in contempt? If you séeke pleasure and delight, you shall finde the same so lincked to learning, that I am much in doubt, whether there be in learning, more honesti•…•… or swéetenesse. For, what can there be, which is tempered with more del•…•…tation, then to kéepe continuall companie with the Muses: and to enioy thy pleasure (as it were in a bedchamber) with chaste Ladi•…•… learning? what can be more fraught with ioy, then to haue their friendship, that neuer flit, but followe thée, or rather, goe euen hande with thée, and treade foote by foote? If you are in the fielde, they offer talke: if you are within the house, they are at your elbow: they rest with you: they take paines with you: heauinesse shall neuer haunt your heart, whiles your mind is marching with the Muses. In their con∣uersation is no tediousnesse, no 〈◊〉〈◊〉, no vnswéetenesse. If you consider of thinges profitable, (which many doe nowe and then) more then such thinges as sauour of honestie, or be tempered with delight: then would I know, what thing in worthinesse cā co•…•…teruaile learning: nay, what thing is more

requisite and necessarie? For, the want of this, bringeth ig∣noraunce of vertue, ignoraunce of philosophie, ignoraunce of things diuine, ignoraunce of things deuised by the head of man: and what but ignoraunce doth the lacke of learning bréede in so much as, in whome this fayleth, he can neyther vnderstande, teach, nor interprete. Take learning from a∣mong men, and what insueth but disorder? what followeth but meere confusion, and a hotch potche o•…•… precious Iuells▪ with vadeing shadowes, and vncertaine vanities? Take awaye learning from among men, and howe shall the common wealthe bee administred? Take awaye learning from among menne, and howe shall your house and familie bee gouerned? Take awaye learning from among men, & how shall trades mechanical, occupations (I meane) be mainteined? take learning from among men, and shall not domesticall rule suffer ruine and decay? what shall be∣come of all things else, incident to so religious a profession? howe shall consolation be ministred to the diseased? howe shall the offender be reprehended? howe shall the vertuous and vpright liuer be rewarded? how shall these duties, and insinite more, be accomplished, if among men, no place bee left for learning? If you séeke riches, (which a vertuous mā should contemne) what man hauing bene learned, hath lac∣ked? If 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. euery countrie main∣teines the craftes maister, then why shoulde you otherwise thinke, but that your learning, is of sufficiencie, to supply your necessities, wherewith, farre beyonde any artificers a∣bilitie, you may profite and preuaile: but not without labor, say you, not without sweating, not without wringing, not without paines taking. For, say you, The condition of men, euen from their generation, is, in their owne sweate to earne their owne meate: the lawe of Nature, or rather, of God, in this case so prouided. I graunt, your wordes do agrée with truth and reason: neuerthelesse, shall I thinke that your wit is so ch•…•…ldish, that your discretion is so féeble, and your vnder∣standing is so base and grosse, to take this for the meaning of that diuine ordinaunce, namely, that in bodilie sweate and

labour only, men are borne to prouide for their liuing? doth not exceeding great labour accompanie learning? is stud•…•…e without paines? did you attain•…•… the knowledge, whiche you haue already gotten, without i•…•…dustrie and trauell? No: labour followeth learning, as the shadowe doth followe the body, and yet in that labor is no lothsomnesse. Are men idle, and like vnprofitable droanes, are they frée from paines ta∣king, neglect they labour, after they haue lodged learning in the castles of their memories? No: they are still occupied: they are in one exercise or an other delighted: One instruc∣teth the people in things whereof they be ignorant, another teacheth childrē their first elements, their A. B. C. (I meane) the séede of all sciences: and the principles of sundry profes∣sions: One giueth counsell to the distres•…•…ed, and is •…•…arnest in pleadable controuersies of lawe before a Iudge: another employeth his labour in curing the sicke, in searching woun∣des, tempering o•…•… plaisters, coniecturing of vrines, op•…•…ning veines, and such like offices belonging to physicke and surge•…•… rie: Thus you sée, labour and learning are indissolubly lin•…•…∣ked, wherefore (friend Hieronymo) nowe at last to e•…•…de my long letter, considering the weake disposition of your bodie, when but a litle labour is more then you can suffer, I passe it ouer with silence: and sithence, there is within the whole compasse of the world, no special thing counterp•…•…ifable with learning, nor valuable with wisedome and knowledge, ey∣ther for honestie, profit, or yet for pleasure & delight: you shal reuolt from your vnaduised and rash intent, not so much for my counsel in this behalfe ministred, but for the verie truths sake, which at this present in my letter, I haue discouered: and you shall according to the ablenesse of your discretion, and the ripenesse of your iudgement, frame your self to lear∣ned exercises, wh•…•…re to your capacitie is readie, and from one •…•…cience to an other you shall procéede, as it were by degrées, as well to the increasing of your knowledge, as also to the confirming of the same. Let not your f•…•…thers desire, in this case, ly frustrate: let not your mothers moist teares be fruit∣lesse: let not the int•…•…eataunce of your friendes, and wel wil∣•…•…

be vnregarded, & let not the considence of your friend•…•…s in general, be dece•…•…ed. You can not (for h•…•…nestie) I am sure, denye to do as we giue you counsell, but you must néedes set our persuasions at nought, and acc•…•…unt of vs as of persons n•…•…t es•…•…éemed, & (as I may wel say) contemned.

Fare you wel.

Macropedius to Mossellano.

THE ARGVMENT.

A fourme of an Epistle called, Conciliatorie, wherein he craueth ac∣quaintaunce with one whome he neuer knewe, but by report: it consisteth of three special members. In the first is conteyned an enumeration or rehearsal of his vertues to whom he writeth &c. In the seconde is conteined his petition, wherein he craueth ac∣quaintance. &c. In the thirde, is conteined certaine circumstan∣ces touching his owne person, which tend to his purpose, al which are mencioned in such order, as arrogancie is auoyded.

I Can not tell (syr) how it commeth to passe, that men excel∣ling in vertue, in wisedome, and in learning, drawe (as it were) diuers into an admiration of them selues, and are so déepely planted in the fauour of some, that they will neuer be in quiet, till they haue taken vp a lodging, lying somwhat neare them, notwithstanding the distaunce of place is verie great, whereby they are seperated. I receiued your exerci∣ses, your verses I examined, and surely (I speake without flatterie, I would not haue you otherwise to thinke) I haue not read any thing wherin more learning is shewed, or more •…•…loquence vsed. I haue heard great report of your myldenes, of your modestie, of your gentlenesse, of your honestie, final∣ly of other the excellent ornaments, and ines•…•…imable iuels of your mynde, in so muche that I can not, but (as it were) of∣fer my selfe impudently and without shame, to your ac∣quaintaunce and friendship, of a méere voluntarie motion. I craue thus much therefore at your handes, that it woulde please you to admit me (thoughe an vnprofitable friende, though vnlearned and ignoraunt, though a stranger to you, and vnknowne) into the number of your friendes, and to en∣ter my name into the register of your acquaintaunce, that I may not be destitute of one, so long as I haue you, with whome I may vse familiar conference, and reason pleasant∣ly.

I dare not promise you any benefite of great learning, to be looked for on my part. I dare not make any vaunt of vertue remaining in my mynd: I dare not put you in hope, of any rare riches of knowledge and vnderstanding, to make account of: (none of whiche I acknowledge in me to be har∣boured:) but I promise you perfect loue, I promise you a faythfull heart, I promise you mutuall good will, and this I offer fréely. You shall finde me such a friende, as slatterie shall not attaint, as hypo•…•…risie shall not seduce: suche a o•…•…e shall you finde me, as to whome you may be bolde to commit most secrete counsels: such a one (I say) as is no lesse care∣full for your commoditie, then he is circumspect for his owne aduauntage: Fare you well, and to him that loueth you ex∣céedingly, make recōpence with a liuely requitall.

Macropedius to Theodoro.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.

This Epistle is expostulatorie, wherein he calleth Theodorus to rec∣koning, why he writeth not to him: considering, that for te•…•…e l•…•…tters, hee deserued one. It consisteth vpon three p•…•…rtes, by∣cause it passeth from friende to friende. The first controuleth him for negligence of dutie. &c. The seconde sheweth reasons, why he ought not to be insolent. &c. The thirde contei•…•…eth an excuse of his doinges, with an exhortation that hee shoulde not neglect auncient friendship.

WHat impediment was •…•…here (my friend Theodorus) that you haue not written so muche as one letter vnto me, •…•…ince Christmas, considering that I haue sent you halfe a score by my friende Tribonius? Is that olde acquaintaunce which did knit vs twain in an vnitie, so frosen and consumed in you, that you can scarse vouchsafe a frendly gréeting? If I had bene behind hande in duties of courte•…•…ie, if I had not vsed meanes to mainteine our acquaintance, if I had omit∣ted intercourse of letters wherein you were named, and (not a fewe times) remembred: •…•…inally, if whatsoeuer I did, con∣cerning you, had not made for your auaile: thē could I be wel content, that you should waxe straunge, and it should not so muche make me muse, that I growe out of your acquain∣tance. * Haue not I (euen from the verie swathling cloutes)

nourished thée, and séene thée well brought vp in the yeres of thy youth, haue I not thought of thée, as of myne owne bro∣ther: nay rather, haue I not loued thée as dearely as the sonne of myne owne body? what then shoulde be the cause that I am blotted out of the booke of your remembraunce, & that my name is raced out of the register of your acquain∣taunce? howe commeth it to passe, that for my good déedes, I reape such yll pay? doeth nature allowe this dealing? doeth honestie dispense with it? doth conscience account it vncon∣troulable? What lawe, eyther holy or prophane, what com∣mendable custome among men, what yll disposed persons o∣pinion, and corrupt iudgement, can excuse this your silence: nay, can not but condemne this your insolencie? at what time you parted from me, you made an other couenaunt, contrarie to this your present vsage: you promised (indéede) that which you haue not perfourmed. But, for as much as I can not, for all this, be persuaded that I am forgotten, or that of very negligence you passe not for my friendship, but rather that some infirmitie, or some thing hapening against your hope and expectation, restrained you from writing: I am to request thus much at your handes, that yet nowe at length, once after so long an intermission, you will vouchsafe to visite me, though but with one Epistle, seruing as an an∣swere to those many that I haue sent you heretofore: in so doing you shall disburthen my mynd of a great and foule sus∣picion.

Fare you well.

Macropedius to Sadoleto.

THE ARGVMENT.

To Sadoleto is this Epistle written, wherein is conteined an accusa∣tion, by way of friendship intended. &c. a commendation also of Soph•…•…onius, who for good will in admonishing a lewde fellowe of his vnthriftinesse, was but yll rewarded for his labour: an in∣•…•…ectiue (the same being short and somewhat sharpe) against him that is accused: lastly, an exhortation to him in whose handes it

lyeth, to see the yll behauiours of his sonne refourmed, and punished: This Epistle consisteth of foure parts in respect of the persons. First, him that cōpleyneth: the second, him to whom the complaint is made: the third, the partie accused: and the •…•…ourth, •…•…he partie abused. &c.

FOr as much, as I haue learned by common voice, that you are a man not onely indued with wisedome, but also of a very good and vpright conscience, besides that of a rare dispo∣sition to vertue and vertuous exercises, I hope you will not be offended, if I, being touched with a certaine brotherly kindnesse, discouer vnto you the crimes of such as be of your affinitie and consanguinitie (notwithstanding I am vnkno∣wen vnto you, and a méere straunger) to the intent that he which hath done amisse, may be allured to amendment: or that you (if by any meanes it maye be brought to passe) may (yet in time) saue your good name from the blemishe of rebuke, and your worship vndamnified. For, it is the du∣tie of a good man, to winke no more at the faultes of his kinsefolke, then at the misdeedes of suche as are neyther of his alliaunce, nor yet of his acquaintaunce: and no lesse to punishe such as are neare to him by degree of bloud (so farre foorth as lawe pronounceth sentence) then such as vnto him bee altogether. vnknowne. We are inioyned by a precept from the supernall prince, to haue a regard of our honest re∣port: for that (sayth myne authour) shall continue with thée, when thousand treasures passing precious, shall vanishe and consume. Not many dayes agoe (as it was tolde me of a cer∣taintie) M. Sophronius (whether he be your sonne or no, I can not directly affirme) a young man, out of question, very well disposed, and one whose behauiours are answe∣rable to his name, for he is wise, discrete, sober, and courte∣ous. This yong Gentleman, rebuking some what sharply (I pray you let not my wordes styrre you to anger) your sonne for diuers abuses, after sundry admonitions & friendly war∣nings giuen him, for the auoyding of vicious annoyances, and among al other his misdemeanours, for the filthy abusing of his body with courtesans and common strumpets, for his in∣ordinate

belly cheare, and beastly surfetting, to the intent that he and all his friends might escape the gulfe of infamie, and kéepe their estimation from staines of reproch: procured vnto him selfe, by speaking the truth without dissimulation, a doubtfull inconuenience: namely, malice and mischiefe. For, anon after he had rebuked your sonne, with mild words and humilitie of spirite, (wherewith neuerthelesse his cho∣ler extremely boyled) to the ende he might appease this out∣ragious perturbation in your sonne, he made a supper which might content any honest man (for the cheare was not so homely) albeit, the fare (peraduenture) was not fine enough, but ouer grosse, for the mouth of suche a delicate ruffian: to this supper your sonne being inuited, came accordingly, and like a malicious villaine, dissembling his canckred sto∣mach, and poysoned hart, with hypocritical pretences, when the table did (as it were) sounde with pleasant merriments, when the cuppe went from hand to hand in most friendly fa∣shion, and when the guestes, at that instant▪ gathered toge∣ther, were in the middest of their pleasantest conceites, what doth the varlot your sonne, but (euen like a théefe that vseth violence for his auaile) with naked sword in hande, falleth vpon Sophronius suspecting no harme▪ as he was putting the pot to his lips ready to drinke, and wounded him to the very skul: yea, he had cleft his head in two péeces, if the pew∣ter pot which was betwéene the sword and his head, had not broken the force of the blowe as it fell. Thus much I tho∣ught it good to certifie you of, that in perusing this Epistle, you may sée the shamelesse vsage of your sonne, and so pro∣uide in due time, that to him selfe he bring not destruction, & to his kinred an ignominious name▪

Fare you well.

Macropedius to Nicasio.

¶THE ARGVMENT.

Hee writeth to Nicasio, a friend of his, vpon occasion of his young children, whome he is verie desirous to haue vertuously and lear∣nedly

brought vp, and that hee may make his matter good, wherein the whole summe of his letter consisteth, he beginneth with the commendation of learning: shewing howe necessarie it is in the life of man: and what inconueniences insue the lacking of so singular an ornament. Lastly, he concludeth with an exhor∣tation to the saide Nicasius, whome he moueth with diuers rea∣sons, to satissie his minde, in that whereof he writeth.

AMong all things that be in the vse and possession of man, deseruing commendation, Learning (in myn•…•… opinion) is worthy of the chiefest prayse that can be giuen: by the be∣nefite whereof, he in whome it is lodged is so lightened, that the darkenesse of ignoraunce can not make him stumble: besides that, it is a speciall helpe vnto him at all assayes, an excellent ornameut full of worship and honour, and suche a purueyaunce as shall neuer be spent or wasted. This noble gift of learning, euer since the foundation of the worlde, was bestowed on men, among whome it continued in degrées of ages & posterities, neuer loosing any part of her brightnesse, but euen to these our days and times, hath reserued the same vndiminished. A thing it is, so necessarie in the life of man, that it can no more be missing, then can meate, whereby the body is nourished. For, if man representing an heaue•…•…ly fi∣gure, be not beautified with the Iueis of learning, nor inri∣ched with vertue, what little difference (I pray you) is there betwéen him and brute beasts, in whom reason hath no rule? we liue as beastes doe, we moue as they doe, we goe as they doe, we vse our outwarde senses as they doe, we enioy the pleasure of our appetites as they doe, onely learning and dertue, are the thinges that make a difference betwéene them and vs, by the which we beare the resemblaunce of a more worthy, namely a di•…•…ine, nature. And surely, if we will giue any credite to poeticall inuentions, these twaine, (Learning & Vertue,) are the two virgines of heauenly des∣cent, which promised Hercules, being a well disposed young gentleman, if he would imbrace, and haue them in estima∣tion, such honor as neuer should weare out of memorie, such

glorie and renoune as shoulde be ioyned to immortalitie. Betwéene these twaine, there is such affinitie, that the one is abased if the other be absent, bycause the one increaseth the others dignitie, when they be both present, and kéepe continuall companie. And, if I may speake what I thinke without offence, learning is the mother of vertue, bycause from her principally vertue doth procéede: Learning giueth vnderstanding of all thinges, as well of heauenly preceptes and Oracles, as also of all other sciences by y^• wit of man in∣uented, out of which, as out of a cleare and hoalesome spring, we can drawe nothing but that which is vertuous, but that whiche is honest, but that whiche in all respectes is allowa∣ble. And, to the intent you may not be ignoraunt, what cre∣dite and worshippe is wonne by learning, the next way is to consider the contrarie, that is to say, what discommodities followe ignoraunce: for the nature of opposites is such, that the one by the other is made manifest. Ignoraunce is suche an impediment in man, from attaining those benefites whiche tende to his speciall behoofe, as a greater can not lightly bée named: this bréedeth suche blindnesse in him, that he is vtterly voyde of that iudgement, whiche maketh distinction betwéene thinges to bée desired, and thinges to bée auoyded: it taketh away the right vse of election and choyce: it maketh him vnacquainted with ciuilitie: it in∣gendreth in him rusticalitie or clownishnesse: it maketh him vnméete metall for the impressions of vertue: it maketh him vnfit for good companie: it doeth kindle in his mynde, forgetfulnesse of him selfe: yea, the greatest duetie of all o∣ther, is, by ignoraunce, withdrawne from him, and that is the knowledge of God, from whome he receiued the incōpa∣rable grace of his creation: finally, what enormities be there, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ignoraunce doth (as it were) pile them vp one vpon ano∣ther, whereby all abilitie, to compasse that whiche is praise∣worthy, and commendable indéede, is brought to naught, and quite turned out of possession. But the commodities of lear∣ning, are not only manifolde and diuers, but they are also sin∣gular and necessarie: sithence, in consideration of it selfe,

it is soone gathered, what a treasure it is, and howe expe∣dient the happye hauing of the same is, not onely for that it procureth priuate profite, but also bycause the whol•…•… common wealth, reapeth thereby speciall aduaunatge: in so muche that I am in doubt (I tell you trueth) whether in the worlde vniuersall, there be any thing more requisite in the life of man, any thing of equall worthynesse, any thing so behoofull, any thing more noble and honourable. If you take learning and knowledge from among men, what d•…•…e you else make of a publique bodye, but a stable of Asses, a wildernesse of Beares, Wolues, and beastes vntameable. Take learning away, and what shall become of h•…•…alsome lawes, whiche are the sinewes and bones of euery common wealth? shall not that foule monster ignoraunce, with her sister confusion, enter in and make spoyle of all goodnesse? if this doe once rule the roaste, learning is as much set by as a bench whistler: lawes, and execution of lawes ceasse, and lye gasping vnder foote. The innocent is not defended. The oppressed persones cause is not supported. Artes and sci∣ences are not mainteined. Finally, nothing that maketh for the profite of the people, is regarded: and these bée the in∣conueniences that ignoraunce ingendereth, with an infi∣nite number more, too tedious to recount. O what an excellent thing, therefore is learning, whereby all these dis∣orders are redressed, all these abuses abolished, and refor∣mation of thinges amisse, introduced, and set in sure pos∣session. By learuing, the common wealth is rightly go∣uerned. By learning, the true vse of lawes and statutes, are executed. By learning, the Prince is taught to fauour his people: the subiectes to bee loyall to their souereigne. By learning, due order is obserued in all offices. By learning, domesticall affaires, housholde matters (I meane) are well gouerned: children vertuously instructed: the whole fa∣milie well prouided and seene vnto. By learning, men of meane condition growe in countenaunce, and by the credite whiche they get by their knowledge, are aduaunced to de∣grees of honour. Learning maketh hard thinges easie.

Learning maketh doubtfull thinges perceiuable. Learning is a comfort in aduersitie. Learning keepeth men from waxing insolent in felicitie: yea, and to be short, then is the possession of learning most pleasaunt and profitable, when a man is solitarie, and (as it were) forsaken. Wherefore, •…•…thence the comm•…•…dities of learning be suche, as the like vnto them can not be founde among men, I am to giue you counsell, that (for the aduauncement of your owne persent to perpetuall renoune, and the purchasing of perpetuall prayse to your posteritie) you wil, not onely shewe your selfe a good patrone to learning, a fauourer and furtherer of suche as apply them selues to learned faculties, whereby in time they growe to be necessarie instrumentes in the common wealthe: but that you will also, sithence you are a father o•…•… children, whose towardnesse in their tender yeares, promi∣seth great hope of singular giftes, hereafter to be shewed, so prouide and see to their vertu•…•…us education, that like young plants, vnder the diligent hand of a painefull and run∣ning Gardener, they may spring vp, and fructi•…•…ie in such de∣cent order, that you their father (through the benefite of the learning and knowledge, whiche by your carefull meanes they haue attained) may haue iu•…•… cause to reioyce, at y^• hap∣py successe of those labours, which in trayning vp your yong∣lings, were employed: that I say you may in th•…•…m be cōfor∣ted: that they may sée and perceiue in what dueties of obe∣dience they are bounde, to such good parents, by whose boun∣tie it is come to pa•…•…se, that they are enabled, both to aspire to preferment them selues: and also to be meanes, that o∣thers be •…•…urthered. Thus if you doe, as I haue put you in mynde, persuade your selfe that you can not be more vertu∣ously disposed: that you can not bestowe a more excellent thing vpon your children: •…•…or this (though you should dye in pouertie, which hard fortune be farre from my friendes and fauourers) will be a sufficient patrimonie to mainteine them in their youth, and to succour them in their age. Be∣sides that, when your bones are putrified in the graue: yet so long as the pledges of your presence are to be séene and

viewed (your children I meane) the memorie of you shall flourish, and such fame shall followe your name (though your bo•…•…ie be deade) as neuer shall ceasse to sounde your prayses, among people farre and neare: that by the mirrour of your doings, they may be wonne, sembl•…•…bly to sée their youthes taught and instructed, that for their well doing, they (as you haue alreadie before them) may reape an euerlasting com∣mendation.

Forget not, and Fare you well.

Macropedius to his Souereigne, N. O. P.

THE ARGVMENT.

In this Epistle following, it is Macropedius his desire to set downe a perfect platfourme of a prince▪ wherein (vnder the person of Alexander, whome hee comme•…•…deth, as well for outwarde as in∣warde qualities) hee sheweth what manner of person, a King or Emperour ought to be. Hee beginneth first of all, with the in∣fancie of Alexander, which ministred manifest and manifold pro∣babilities, of things which came afterwards to passe. He procee∣deth with his yonger yeres, and declareth how he was then dispo∣sed. Lastly, hee concludeth with his estate when hee came to the possession of the kingdome, after his father Philippes deceasse: in al these digressions, and discourses, vnder the example of Alex∣ander, shewing howe a prince ought to apply him selfe, if he in∣tende to be famous, & after his death, yet to liue among people.

ALexander * king of Macedonia (whom I haue determi∣ned, aboue al other Princes and Emperors of his time in the worlde, to praise to your maiestie, my most gracious so∣uereigne, and that in fewe words, least I should séeme too te∣dious, in recounting his worthinesse, whose noble déedes, giue a sounde, lowde enoughe to his commendation,) descen∣ded of the loynes of Philippe, who possessed the Macedo∣nishe Monarchie, nexte before Alexander his sonne, and lawfull successour. His mothers name also was Olympi∣as, a Quéene muche commended in histories, and a passing goodly La•…•…ie. But if you estéeme it a thing not so precious, nor so muche sending to the praise of any person, to come of

an honourable house, to haue princes to his parents, to be a Gentleman borne, to haue this title or that of dignitie, by∣cause (as you say) not the place where a man is borne, nor the stocke from whence he draweth his descent, shoulde so muche commende a man, as his owne vertues, and inwarde qualities of his mynde, wherby he is indéede highly aduann∣ced: heare therfore that which you can not choose but praise excéedingly, and not lightly regard like smoake or shadowes. This Alexander, euen in his infācie gaue many and the self same most assured significations of excellent giftes, natural∣ly ingraffed in him: yea, and aboue all other, of prowesse and magnanimitie he shewed manifest proofes, insomuch, that the Macedonish magicians, vpon circumstaunces made a con∣iecture, or rather a prognostication wherin was certaintie, y^• he should be a whip or scourge to al Asia. Touching the order of his education, histories most plentifully make sundrie and straunge declarations: For, he was not onely trayned in ex∣ercises of actiuitie, but also in the knowledge of sciences li∣berall, and specially in Khetorique and Philosophie: then which two necessarie stayes, the first seruing the bodie, the second seruing the mynde, nothing for a king or noble man more conuenient. In actiuitie he did excell (considering his person, and his descent): For it is sayde of him that in run∣ning he was singular, and in ryding not to be amended: and though his father Philippe, in this laste qualitie, did weare (as they say) the golden spurres, yet his sonne Alexander did better deserue them, sithence his knowledge in that Art, was (as it séemed) much more assured, and his cunning groū∣ded vpon better experience. As for other properties to the bodie belonging, it is no question to be asked, whether he had them or no: For, it is not an vnlike reason, that he, in whome the greatest and the best thinges were to be founde, shoulde want the lest and the baser. Concerning his person, his com∣plexion, his proportion, and suche like things requisite in a noble man, they did al concurre in him, and nothing did lacke y^• might make him amiable. He was ruddie coloured, much like the damaske rose, not only in his face, but throughout al

and euery part of his body: insomuch that whosoeuer looked vppon him, and beheld his countenance, they might wel mer∣uaile at the vniformitie that nature kept, in frameing so goodly a creature. His complexion was of the perfectest, and soundest, & as for his proportion and making, there was no∣thing in him that was out of square, but euery ioynte and limme, both in measure and in place, verie formall, and pas∣sing hansome. This Alexander, as hée was furnished with externall giftes, beautifying and well beséeming his bodie: so his minde was garnished with all maner of vnderstanding. For, as hée was a Prince of rare renowne, so had hée to in∣struct him, a Philosopher without peere, (Aristotle I meane, of whose fame al places of learning doe ring at this day) who taught him not onely morall preceptes touching humanitie, but other secrete sciences, which hée did impart but to a ve∣rie fewe, the same being special persons, among whom Alex∣ander was one. O happie Prince whose lucke it was to haue such a maister: and O no lesse fortunate Philosopher, in whose lapp the lott fell to haue so noble a scholer. No doubt, this was the Gods foreappointment: For, as these twaine were incomparable, in cōsideration of the ornaments, wher∣with they wonne immortall memorie: so neither of them lost their labour, not Aristotle in teaching, nor Alexander in lear ning, but the one and the other did reape conuenient profite. But what néede I heape vpp so many words in this matter, my penne hath not the power to paint out that puisaunt Prince, in such liuely colours as hee deserueth. Lysippus the cunning ingrauer must be sent for: and Appelles the fa∣mous limmer must be fett, to accomplish this curious peece of woorke. Wee had neede of a Cicero or a Demosthenes, both tryed Rhetoricians, to sett him out with their blasing e∣loquence. Maro and Homer must take in hand to write in heroicall Uerses, y^• vertue and noblenesse of him, whose wor∣thinesse when I examine, I see such oddes, betweene the ma∣iestie of his person, and the homelinesse of mine inuention, that I thinke it more auailable to kepe silence, and so auoyde blame, then by saying litle, and y^• same super•…•…ciall, to incurre

reprehension, for attempting that, which I am not able to cō∣passe. Neuerthelesse, because euery man hath knowledge de∣liuered him, as it were by weight and measure, it is my part to employ, that which remayneth in mée, insemblable pro∣portion: and therefore (most Gracious Souereigne) accor∣ding to mine abilitie, I will procéede in commending my A∣lexander, as I haue alreadie begunne, least I should giue oc∣casion to your highnesse, that I haue taken vppon mée a péece of worke, whereof I cannot be the maister. To pretermitte his infancie, to let slippe his yonger yeres, both which were neuer destitute, of most honourable behauiours, and to come to his riper age, to come to that time wherein he gaue singu∣lar manifestations of his valliantnesse, which was neuer se∣perated from policie, it is a world to cōsider y^• victories which he obteyned, to recount the countries which he subdued, to number vp y^• people whom he drue to his subiection, to make rehersal of his straung aduentures, finally to declare the ma∣nifold wayes which lay wyde open vnto him, to good fortune, and the getting of euery thing, according to his owne will, whereby be purchased that rare title of Empyre, to be called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Magnus, Great and mightie, it would excéede the due proportion and length of an epistle, drawe the veyne of mine inuention drie, bréede wearisomnesse to you in reading, and séeme rather to sauour somewhat of the nature of an hi∣storie, which rippeth vpp circumstances to the very proofe, leauing litle or nothing vnremembred. What Prince in po∣wer hath euer béene heard off, comparable to Alexander? What king in his aduētures hath had more happie successe? On whome haue the Gods and Goddesses more smiled, that hée should strike such an astonishment of his owne person in∣to the mindes of people, as to be thought and named Iupiter, and not Alexander the sonne of Philippe and Olympias? When hée was twentie yeares old, hée was admitted to the Scepter of the kingdome, and had in his hands the Macedo∣nian Monarchie, after the deceasse of his father, who was slaine of Pausanias: who being no sooner installed in the seate royall, and wearing the Diademe of empire, was much trou∣bled

wyth commotions of his people, & such as ought to haue béene most loyal and obedient to their leage lord & king, made insurrection and playd the arrant rebells, seeking not his dis∣possession onely, but also his destruction: neuerthelesse, he e∣stéeming these tumults but as vayne shadowes, was so farre from being carryed away with the conceite of fearefulnesse, (the next and readie way to cowardise) that with boldnesse of heart, and constancle, hée suppressed them all, and that in ve∣rie short space, confirming to himselfe the true seruice of his subiects, and winning the fauour of his Peeres and Nobles, that he could not but prosper in all things which he attēpted. He beséeged the citie of Thebes, ouercame it, & did ransack it. By concluding peace, he reconciled vnto himself & his people, the Atheniens. He discomfited Darius and his whole armie, tooke his wyfe & children prisoners, whom he vsed very parci∣ally, nay, very mercifully, considering y^• he had iuster occasion to execute tyrānical violence, then to shew any sparkle of cō∣passi•…•…. He behaued himself in al his warlike enterprises, like a puisant Martialist, hauing vertue his forrunner, and For∣tune his weighting mayd. Pamphylia, Cilicia, Pisidia, Phry∣gia, Paphlagonia, Cappadocia &c. fel into his dominiō, & thus most miraculou•…•…y were y^• bo•…•…ds of his kingdome amplified & inlarged. He passed ouer the •…•…oud Issus & came to Damascus, tolte Cyprus, all Phenicia, Tyrus excepted: which citie, when he was assaulting, there appeared vnto him in his dreame, Hercules calling him by his name, and offring himself to take him downe from the walls. Another thing appeared also vn∣to him in his sleape, a Satyre playing with him, whom when he would haue caught, it ran away from him: neuerthelesse, at last it came voluntarily, & yelding vnto him, was taken in his hands. This last dreame, being put to expositours, to be interpreted, was thus vnderstoode, that by the diuision of the word Satyrus, the dreame did import this meaning, namely 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: The citie Tyrus shalbe yours. After that he tooke Gaza, a great and stately citie in Syria: hée conquered Aegypt, in which countrie, hee was desirous to leaue some monument of himselfe, that the memorie of him, and his peo∣ple,

might flourish throughout all posterities. This citie he called after his owne name, which he built in such a plott of land, as a better, neither for pleasauntnesse, nor commoditie, might be chosen in all that region. Thus procéeding from wor thinesse to worthinesse, from renowne to renowne, moun∣ting as it were by steppes, he became so famous, that all the world heard of the déedes of Alexander, counting him rather a God, then a man. So then your Grace may sée by these confused and disordered discourses, packt together in praise of a right praise worthie Prince, what a valliaunt spirite hee was directed withal in al his aduentures. How farre he was to reuolt from manhoode, no not when hee was in extremitie of daunger, but withstanding all inconueniences, thoroughe the good guiding of vertue, and the fauour of fortune, that neuer failed, hee purchased a name of noblenessé, which re∣mayning in the registers of many Chroniclers and writers, may serue for an incitation, or incouragement to other kings and Princes, to followe his steppes in puisaunce and marti∣all excercises, though their lucke be not like his, nor the suc∣cesse of their labours so fraught with happinesse. Nowe, to ende with that, wherein I should haue begunne, namely, the ornamentes of his minde, which proued him a noble gentle∣man in déede: it is manifest in all that was written of him, how studious and painefull he was, to be seene in the know∣ledge of the sciences liberall, and no lesse earnest and desirous to put that in experience, wherein he was instructed. The learning of things tending to humanitie, what goodly effects wrought it in his hart, yea euen in the heate of warre when the force of his anger should haue pluckt him violently to re∣uengement, then was hée passing appliable to compassion, in somuch that hée did both forgiue and forgett offences com∣mitted against his maiestie, albeit they were oftētimes done to worke his owne mischiefe. In the mysteries of nature he laboured so diligently, being taught of Aristotle, that there was kindled in him such a meruailous delight, that he could not abide, others to be communicants and partakers of that which hee knewe, but himselfe to haue the vnderstanding of

that onely and alone, whereof others should be ignoraunt. In the art of Physick he did profite wonderfully, not in that on∣ly which consisteth in speculation, but in that also which is altogether occupied in practise & experience: in so much that when he was but sixtéene yeares of age, he was able to doe such things, as men of greater age, and longer practise, could not compasse, neither by knowledge nor cunning. Thus your Grace séeth the expresse picture of a prince, to whose pathes I would wish you directe your footestepps, if you meane to be a partaker of his praise.

Ch. Hegendorphinus, to Lau∣rentio Czocho.

¶THE ARGVMENT.

This epistle is written to Lau. Czo. not as a dehortation vnto him, to leaue the foule abuse of drunkennesse (for he was a sober young man, & such a one of whose vertuous disposition Hegendorphi∣nus, and others had good hope:) but it is sent vnto him, as an ex∣ample or president to make the like epistle in dehorratorio ge∣nere, if occasion so serued him to write, either for excercise sake, or otherwise.

IS it a good hearing, thinke you, that you are neuer from the Alehouse, nor the Tauerne, but like an Epi•…•…urean por∣ket, wallowe day and night in the dregges of dronckennesse? Haue you not the witt, and discretion to perceiue, how foule and filthie a vice it is? and how vnséemely a qualitie for any man to vse? There is but one thing that maketh a difference betwéene a man and a beast, and that is Reason: in this pro∣pertie of the minde, he excelleth all other creatures, as farre as the glorie of y^e heauens passeth the vilenesse of the yearth. This gift of reason, by the benefite of the Gods giuen vnto you, for your owne auaile, you doe most miserably abuse, by ingurgitating and powring downe your throate continuall streames of delicat•…•… wine and strong drincke: insomuch that

the light of reason, being greatly dimmed, & in maner cleane put out, you differ verie little from a filthie swine. What meanest thou man? what swéetnesse doest thou find in tum∣bling thée selfe in such a loathsome vice? Is all thy iudge∣ment consumed through thine excessiue abuse? Hast thou not one sparckle of perseueraunce lefte, to examine and take ac∣compt in thine owne conscience, what inconueniences giue attendaunce vppon drunkennesse? Doeth not the huge ar∣ruie of mischiefous maladies, whereof Plinie in his Natu∣rals maketh an enumeration or rehearsall, make thée afraid to frequent the same? Of drunkennesse (sayth hée) come han∣ging and blabber cheekes: from drunkennesse proceede disseases in the eyes, as bloudshotts, &c. From drunkennesse proceedeth trembl•…•…ng handes, spiced with the Palsie, not a∣ble to hold a cupp of wine from spilling: from drunkennesse doe proceede terrible and fearefull dreames, vnquiet sleepes &c. These thinges would bée considered. What will bée the communication of your aduersaries, and the vsuall talke of such as beare you no goodwill? What will bée the words of such as marcke your missdemeanours? Yea, what will your best friendes say, when they heare of this your beastly béehauiour? Sée, will one say, this fellowe could take vppon him to disuade vs from drunkennesse, who should be vnto vs as a burning Beacon, to giue vs warning to béeware of a∣buses: and who is more immoderate then hée? who is giuen to excessiue swilling so much as hée? Whooe swerueth so farre and wyde from sobrietie as hée? Hée is neuer from the I•…•…e bush: his lippes are alwayes staynd with the Iuice of Bacchus his berries. What a shameful report is this? Do you not remember, that the propertie of drunkards is to kepe no∣thing in secrete, but with the Terentian Parmeno, to blab a∣broad in the hearing of all men, whatsoeuer is told him in si∣lence, though it be a thing of neuer such weight & counsell? I say no more but end wyth this caueat: Take héede that you forsake drunkennesse, and fashion your selfe to sobernesse, if you meane to kepe the credite and opinion of a wise man, and the report of one that is honest.

Fare you well.

Ch. Hegend. to Laur. Cz▪

THE ARGVMENT.

By this short letter, hee teacheth howe a letter of request should bee made by one friend to another, if the one maye refourme that wherin the other is abused: immagining his argument or matter of a Sycophant, or vaine lying merchaunt, whose studie it is to carrie tales vpp and downe from eare to eare, that trueth might be falsified.

I Haue a request to your goodnesse (right worshipfull syr) wherein I would gladly bée satisfyed. So it is, that a cer∣taine Sycophant, and •…•…alse varlot, wel ynough knowne vnto you, ouercloyeth me with many and continuall troubles: in consideration whereof, because vppon sundrie considerations I sée it auayleable, I haue thought good to open y^e matter vn∣to you, as to one that fauoureth not any such deceitful & lewd fellowes, to the intent you may take him in hand, suppre•…•… his •…•…awcinesse, and make him leaue off his mallapertnesse, that I, through your benefite, may finde an end of disquiet∣nesse. Can any thing be seasoned with more iustice, then one frend to take another frendes part, to defend and maintaine him against the backbiting, slaunderous, and hellish barking of a maliciously disposed Sycophant? And surely, I cannot sée what you may do wyth more facilitie and easinesse, sythence a countenaunce of your authoritie, may redresse this abuse. Doe but so much as giue this naughty fellowe warning, to rule his spitefull tongue: and to leaue his opprobrious spea∣ches, and raseallike raylinges. This may you doe passing conueniently, at such time as hée commeth to sal•…•…le and vi∣site you, as hée is accustomed: and I am yours in what you please, at seruice and commaundement.

Fare you well.

Ch. Hegend. to Laur. Czoc.

THE ARGVMENT.

A letter of imitation, made, in Suasorio scribendi genere, wherin He∣gendorphinus goeth about by counsell and reason drawne from that which is dishonest, from that which is discommodious, from that which is hard and laborious, from that which is not necessa∣rie, from that which is wicked, from that which is daungerous, and from that which is vnpossible, to winne his friends minde, from the trade of a merchant, and to frame himselfe to some facul•…•…ie of learning.

ALthough (my bes•…•… beloued friend) you are of sufficient wisedome to be your owne counseller: yet notwithstan∣ding, in consideration of my singular loue and speciall kinde∣nesse, wherwith I tender your safetie, I cannot smoulther si∣lence in a cause of constraint, but néeds must impart vnto you for your profite (as I hope) my priuate opinion touching your determination and purpose. It is reported vnto me, that you meane to be a merchaunt venturer: I am sorrie that you should so employ the time and your labour, yea I would (if I could) disuade you from this intent. Consider with your selfe that your substaunce and wealth is not verie great, and ther∣fore you cannot deale franckly in traffique: and surely, the trade of merchandise, except it bée sumptuous and costly (ac∣cording to the authoritie of Cicero) it is lightly to be regar∣ded: yea it is to be thought a kind of pedlarie exchange, to buy that at the merchants hand, which shortly after is set to open sale: what gaine or aduauntage doe they reape by their chop∣ping, chaunging and intercourse of traffique, vnlesse they lye most odi•…•…usly? neither is there any thing in the world more beastly and dishonest, then vanitie &c. Thus sayth Cicero. Furthermore, set before your eyes, the dangers which pur∣sue you from place to place, whether you ryde, whether you goe on foote, or whether you sayle. If you carrie monie wyth you in your budgett, you are in a thousand hazards. For, ey∣ther

you are like to loose them and your life likewise, in the swelling waues: you are in peril of Pyrates and Rouers to spoyle you: of cuttethrote théeues and knaues by lande to robbe and take them from you: what should I talke of the stormie shoures that you must suffer in your iourney or voi∣age: what shoulde I talke of thunder, lightning, blustering blastes of windes, hayle, and other tempestes, whereunto you be subiect when you are abroade. I wil say nothing of the labour that is emploied in bargaining: of the toile in pac∣king: of the paine in shipping, of the care in conueying your wares and merchandise home to your owne house. These inconueniences wel considered, it is great meruaile, if you abhorre not the trade of a merchaunt, as muche as you ab∣horre an Adder or Toade. But peraduenture the gayne that ariseth by occupying, pleaseth you marueilous well, so that you thinke it in no wise to be mislyked. But weighe with your self on the other side, w^t what drudgerie it is got∣ten, with what small regarde of vpright dealing, honestie or conscience. For, you buy a thing good cheape, for a small price, and in manner a trifle: you sell the same againe to your Brother too déere and out of reason. Sée I pray you, is this kinde of gaine to be liked? is it to be commended? Nay, is it not to be detested, is it not to bee abhorred, hated and despised? what if you loose by one kinde of ware, or twoe, more then you shall recouer againe in manie? what if you haue not monie for present and readie payment, whereby you are forced (because of credit and forbearaunce) to giue a greater price, for that whiche you buy, then you take by their vtteraunce, yea, many times it commeth to passe, that in thus bargaining you are so farre from being a sauer, that you are a great looser. And what if it so chaunce (as per∣aduenture it may) that moste men buy suche ware as you want, whereby your merchandise lye vpon your hande, in your storehouse vnfolde: where is your gaine become nowe in these harde cases? To conclude, what neede (in Gods name) haue you, to giue your selfe to suche an vncertaine trade, so daungerous, bothe in consideration of losse of goods,

and in respecte of losse of life in like manner? What man, are you not learned? haue you not knowledge in the sci∣enc•…•…s liberal? are not these a sufficient purueyance, in what place of the worlde soeuer you chauuce to trauell? For (as saithe the prouerbe)

No land there is but doth maintaine Eache Noble Art with goodly gaine.

Why do not you apply your selfe, to some one kinde of pro∣fessiō, or other, wherin there is certaintie & stay of liuing? as for example, Physicke, or the Law, which of the twaine you do best like? By these you shall soone and safely mount to be riche and woorshipful, whereafter▪ I knowe you hunger and thirst, like to one that is famished for want of necessarie sustenaunce: wherfore, if you meane, that I shall continue towardes you, mine accustomed fauour and fréendshippe, chaunge this your perillous purpose, and determine other∣wise to shifte in the worlde.

Fare you well.

Ch. Hegend. to Laur. Cz•…•…cho.

THE ARGVMENT.

This Epistle, being in d•…•…liberatiuo genere, runneth altogether vpo•…•… persuasions. The whole summe of the letter doeth signifie thus much. One freend being desirous of another good freends estate, giueth him counsell (because he was learned and well seene in the liberal Arts) to frame himselfe to the studie of the ciuil law: and to the ende •…•…e might per•…•…uade himselfe thereunto, he vseth sundrie reasons, drawne from sundrie Rhethorical places▪ a•…•… for •…•…xample: first from that which is honest. 2. Frō that which is pro fi•…•…able. •…•… From that which is possible. 4. From that which is ne∣cessarie. •…•…. Frō that which is easie. 6. From that which is pleasant o•…•… delight some. &c. It may serue ve•…•…y wel for 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

I Heare say (my good fréende) that you are consid•…•…ring w^t your selfe vpon what kinde of profession, it were best to be•…•…ow your time & labour. Surely, if it please you to admit the counsell that I shall minister, whiche is bothe freendely and profitable, aboue al other faculties, I woulde wishe you to be a Ciuilian. For, then this profession what can be rec∣koned more honest? what can be immagined more honou∣rable? By the benefite of this, you may succour the distres∣sed, you may mainteine the right of the Orphan, you may defende the wronged widowe, and what is there that belon∣geth to iustice and equitie, but you may put it in experience? And what (I pray you) can be more necessarie? take out of Cities and incorporations the ciuil Lawe, and what will followe but an ouerthrowe of common wealths, a displacing of order, a confusion of estates, and other incon•…•…eniences? you are not ignoraunt (I suppose) of Ciceroes wordes, had in his Oration pro Cluentio, wherein he saith: That the Ciuil Lawe is the bond of the Citie, it is the foundation of freedome. For (saith he,) looke what our bodies be, when the soule hath forsaken them, euen that is a Citie, wherein are no Lawes: these lawes, are to the common wealthe (as it were) members, limmes, ioyntes, sinowes, veines, bloude, soule and spirit, the vse wherof wanting in a Citie, no good can insue. Lysten yet a litle further, and heare what the same Oratour saieth, in his Plée for Caecinna: There is nothing, that ought to be mainteined with suche care, dili∣gence, and circumspection, in any Citie and incorporation, then the ciuil Law: which being abolished and put to silence, what man is there that can haue certaine knowledge, what is his owne right, and what is anothers interest? The ciuil lawe laboureth wholy to this end, namely that euery Citie be brought into suche good frame & order, as a better can not be deuised: so affirmeth mine authour Alcinous. Loe, nowe you sée the necessitie of the ciuil Lawe. As for the credite, the countenaunce, the fauour, the estimation, and the ho∣nour whiche it doeth bring, who is there but is able to testifie? To pretermit & passe ouer a great number, who by

this facultie haue béene aduaunced: what shall we thinke of Mutius Scaeuola, who by this profession grewe in exceè∣ding reputation, among the Romanes, in so muche that his house was called Oraculum Ciuitatis, the Oracle of the whole Citie? A certaine Sabine, descending of a simple stock, and béeing therwithal in like manner very poore, was made a Knight of the Noblest order, by Tyberius Caesar, for none other cause, then for that he was a learned and skil∣full Ciuilian: yea, to this state of honour attained he, when he was aged, béeing almoste (as it is registred) fiftie yeares olde. Caius Cassius Longinus, by and through the same science, became very worshipful vnder the forenamed Ty∣berius, and vnder Claudius he was created and made Lord President of Syria. Nowe, if so be the thing whereat you lay the leuell of your thoughtes and purposes, be gaine and commoditie, then I say vnto you, and that out of the booke, there is no profession that affoordeth larger aduauntage, no trade that yéeldeth the like profite: whiche wordes of mine to be true, that vsuall verse, althoughe it hault in one syllable, manifestly affirmeth, saying:

Galene giues richesse and substance good store: Iustiman giues honours and titles of glore.

D•…•…o you not sée, that the simplest Lawyer of all, hée who in comparison of other, is but an Idiot, to liue like a Gentleman, in abilitie to mainteine his house and fa∣mili•…•…, to beare a port and countenaunce. &c. So that there is no cause (as farre as I can coniecture) wherby you shoulde be discouraged, and driueu into dumpes of doubtfulnesse. The studie of this science, is meruailous easie, if a man bée sufficiently armed and furnished with the knowledge of other Artes: and •…•…thence you haue toung at libertie, that is, vtteraunce at pleasure: sithence you are more eloquent then eloquence is it selfe, sithence your memorie is cor∣taine and i•…•…fallible, sithence your iudgement is sounde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not to be dissalowed: what hardnesse can there bée in

studying the ciuillawe? Nay rather, what canne be more easily learned, especially of you, in whome is suche ripenesse of learning? Here vnto is to be added, as not vnwoor∣thie the consideration, that the whole substaunce of this sci∣ence, is conteined in certaine bookes, not infinite and innu∣merable, so that it is but a kinde of pastime for you, to at∣teine the knowledge of the same with perfection (which you can not but doe, if you apply your minde thereunto) where∣by you may in time, growe to be a seconde Scaeuola: in the studying of this Art, this caueat muste bee had, name∣ly, to take vnto you one certaine writer: you must not doe, as a great many doe in these dayes, who whyles they are buisie with this booke of lawe, and that booke of lawe, fol∣lowing the interpretations and notes of diuerse men, they themselues be vncertaine whiche chiefly to immitate, and their counsel, in the meane while, is no furtherance to their clientes. To be shorte, in the vnderstanding and perfecte knowledge of the Lawe, there is a certaine swéetnesse and delectation to be gathered. For (that I may vse the words of Cicero) if any man conceiue pleasure in the studie of for∣reigne and straunge thinges, let him haue recourse to the Ciuil lawe, let him searche the Priestes registers, let him looke vpon the twelue tables of antiquities, whereby the auncient customes of the Romanes, their diuerse kindes of exercises, and their trade of life are discouered: and hee shal finde much and manifolde matter, in the which he may be delighted. Go too then: sithence there is no facultie, then the ciuil lawe more honest, none more necessarie, none more profitable, none more easie, for end, none more plea∣saunt: you shalbe counted as very a dawcocke and dizzarde as euer was Coroebus, if to the profession and practise of the same, you shewe not your selfe appliable.

Fare you well.

C. Hegendorphinus, to Laur. Czocho.

THE ARGVMENT.

He setteth downe an example, how to write an epistle in demonstra∣tiuo genere, concerning the commendation of some worthie and famous deed. The places, from whence, he boroweth his reasons, are these. From that whiche is honest and honourable, from that whiche is harde and •…•… karse venturable. &c. All which belong to the confirmation of his purpose.

MAny are the Noble déeds of armes of the Romanes, but among all other, this carieth away the pearle of praise & renoune: that P. Decius, for the preseruation of his countrie whiche was in irrecouerable daunger, offered his owne life (then which nothing in the world more swéet and precious) to a gaping gulffe, & that of a voluntarie motion, to bee swa∣lowed vp and deuoured. For, what could hee attempt sauou∣ring of more honestie and honour, in consideration, either of his priuate estate, or in respect of the whole body of the com∣mon wealthe? In consideration of his owne priuate person: because it is no small argument and token, of a couragious harted man, of his owne accorde, to pushe vpon the pykes of death: because it is a manifest testimonie, of a valiant spi∣rit, not to loue life, (then whiche among men nothing more déere,) but to forsake it, & that moste willingly, that others by his death might inioy the benefite of life. He did not put himselfe into this horrible aduenture, vppon temeritie and rashnesse: but being warned so to do by a vision in his sléepe, or rather beeing so admonished by reuelation from heauen, he was not wayward to shew himselfe conformable to such forceable representations. In respect of the whole Common wealthe: because it can not but be honest and honourable, that a good and vertuous man dyeth, for the deliueraunce of his countrie, from an inconuenience. Let vs procéede

and consider what commodities did redounde to the Com∣mon wealthe, by this his déede of valiauntuesse. He saued the life of many a Noble Duke: he wrought the safegard of many a conquerous Capteine: he sente home the armie with victorie and triumphe: to the Romanes hee purchased euerlasting renoune: for ende, to his owne selfe, he wonne a name of immortal maiestie. He may (of right) chalenge to him self this singular title, to be called Pater Patriae, The fa∣ther of his Countrie. What should I here stand in rehersing the daunger of the enterprise, what should I doe spending the time, in putting you in minde of the hardnesse of the ad∣uenture? Howe terrible a thing it was, that he so coura∣giously attempted, you may gather by the circumstaunces. What man is there but loueth his life? & good reason: ne∣uerthe lesse, what is he among a mylliā, that is not surprised with sorrowe, when hee séeth that soule and body must bee separated? yea, this parting in sunder, maketh the valiaunt mans heart to quake and tremble. Howebeit, this Noble Gentleman, vnderstanding by reuelation, that if he en∣ioyed life, the whole common wealthe was like to be mar∣uelously molested, did chuse rather, of his owne life to make a resignation, then that his countrie, whiche he moste ten∣derly loued, should fall in the gréedy iawes of deuouring de∣solation. All noble harted men therefore, setting before them, this worthie fact of Decius, let them put in practise some parte of his prowesse, if they meane to be partakers with him, of his perpetuall renoune.

Fare you well.

Conradus Celtis, to N. Patritio.

THE ARGVMENT.

He exhorteth N. Pat. a young Gentleman being in warrefare, & de∣sirous to return home to his countrie, to continue stil in battel,

and as he hath begunne, so to perseuere. To proue that there i•…•… no losse, but gaine gotten by absence from ones natural countrie, he vseth the example of Medea. Lastly he concludeth with a short sentence out of Euripides.

IN all the Epistles that I sende to your Capteine and go∣uernour, I see good and necessarie occasion offered, not to pretermitte your commendation: touching whiche I must say somewhat, euen with an vpright iudgement, and eui∣dent witnesse, of my beneuolence towardes you alwayes inclined. First, I would wishe you to set aside all trifling affaires, and vaine follies: shake off that delightfull desire whiche you haue, to be conuersaunt in the Citie: and there∣vnto labour to aspire by continuance and vertue, whereto you haue once giuen assayes to mount already: Fye man, mi•…•…se not of your aduenture. Let Medea be a patterne and example for you to followe, who although she were a nyc•…•… and delicate Ladie, at what time she returned home to her countrie, after a certaine time of absence expir•…•…d, and bée∣ing asked the question of Matrones and auncient Gentle∣women, howe she liked thereof: she made them this an∣swer to their d•…•…maunde: saith she: to gette vertue and ho∣nour, it is a goodly thing (doubtlesse) to be absent from ones countrie. For, many when they are farre distant from their natiue soyle, •…•…inde themselues thereby muche bene∣fited, and their dooinges and dealinges (in suche a case) are more allowable. Contrariwise, many that haue spent their yeares at home, haue béene so farre from being therefor•…•… commended, that they haue incurred rather a great mislike∣ing, in the number of whome, it had béene your lucke to haue béen reckoned, had not we perforce thrust you out, and vrged you to attempte that, wherewith you were verie loathe to meddle. But we will deferre these matters till another time, intending to write of them largely, when we are at more leasure. And because I haue taken vpon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to represent the person of •…•…uéene Medea, I thinke it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to put you in re•…•…embraunce of this sentence:

That wise mans wit is nought but vaine, Who for himselfe no good can gaine.

Looke to your healthe: and fare you well.

Conradus Celtis to Hasilina Eudemia.

¶ TH•…•… ARGVM•…•…NT.

In this epistle he setteth downe an example, how one that is in loue should write to his beloued: beginning firste with a certaine af∣fection of minde somewhat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉: (whereby •…•…oe 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that men beeing b•…•…nded with loue, must, if they meane to get her fauour, feede her with f•…•…re speeche•…•…, tend•…•…ng 〈◊〉〈◊〉 th•…•… praise of her person: for therin women conceiue a passing pride, and are muche delighted) then falling into a complaint of her crueltie, and his miserie: after that he falleth to intreating and to promising: by which he doeth nothing else, but set downe a president or an example, (as I saide) howe he shoulde write that is in loue, and woulde obteine goodwill for his ki•…•…dnesse.

I Can not but sighe and be sorrowful, so often as thou com∣mest to my remembraunce. I can not but féele mee selfe much pricked with griefe, whiles I thin•…•…e vpon thy golden glistering hairy lockes: when I thinke vppon thy moste comfortable countenaunce: when I thinke vpon thy crim∣son chéekes: when I thinke vpon thy sugred lippes: when I thinke vpon thy neate proportion: when I thinke vpon thy swéete tounge: finally, when other heauenly ornaments wherewith thou art inriched & beautified, of•…•…er themselues to my cogitations and memorie. But (Oh cruel and blo•…•…∣die woman) thou regarde•…•…t not my wa•…•…ling wordes: th•…•… hast no compassion vpon mée in my perplexiti•…•…s: thou suffe∣rest mee to pine away in gréeuous agonies: thou lettest death swallowe me vp, th•…•… art art so full of vnkindenesse. I wot not howe i•…•… commeth to pa•…•…e, whether by the froward∣nesse of my fortune: the vnhappin•…•…sse of my destinie: the cro∣•…•…

of my lucke: or the cursed houre of my birthe and natiuitie: to which of these, I may best ascribe it, I am vncer∣taine: that I louing thée so excéedingly, can not obteine so muche as one louely looke: not so muche as one wanton winke: not so muche as one priuie token of goodwill, wher∣by I may féele my selfe refreshed. I sende thée a lamentable letter, a letter written with teares. Alas, be not so sa∣uage, be not so cruell, be not so mercilesse: repaire vnto mée, sitte by mée, talke with me, and let me inioy thy companie. For what thing is more pleasaunt, what thing is more •…•…electable, then that we two shoulde liue together, shoulde loue together, shoulde imbrace one another, and minister long required recreation one to another? Our age is not farre spent, gyftes we want none to bestowe vpon thée, thou hast our heart wholy in thy perpetuall possession.

Fare you well, and haue mée in remembraunce.

Conradus Celtis, to Paleologo Con∣stantinopolitano.

THE ARGVM•…•…NT.

This Epistle •…•…eacheth, howe one shoulde indite a letter of consola∣tion to his distressed freende. The order whiche he vseth in his example is this. First he beginneth with the person of himselfe, shewing that his sorrow is such for his freends sak•…•…, that he had no lesse neede himselfe to be succoured, then his freend by his counsels & exhortations to be comforted. Then he proceedeth, shewing that he ought not so muche to be greeued, for his pre∣•…•…ent losse, because others in times past, haue been, partakers of the like. Lastly, he giueth him counsel to shake off sadnesse, persua∣ding him to hope, and not to despai•…•…e.

ALthoughe I haue more néede to be comforted, then to minister consolation to suche as be grieued: yet notwith∣standing,

in consideration that nothing doeth so muche mo∣lest mée, as the thought of your losse and ill lucke, I can not chuse but earnestly exhort you, and hartily beséech you, for the speciall kindenesse whiche knitteth our two harte•…•… together, that you would not be discouraged, but shewe your selfe to be manful and valiant: I would haue you to consider the condition whéreunto all men are subiect, the ma•…•…folde miseries wherein we be wrapped, and the vnhappie times wherein we are borne and conceiued. Your vertue (Man) your vertue hathe done you more honour, then your fortune hathe wrought you disworship: and though by the last, your riches are diminished, yet by the first your estate is aduaun∣ced. For you haue ob•…•…eined that whiche many men haue not gotten: and you haue lost that, wherof many a Noble Gen∣tleman (in like manner) hathe béene depriued. Then, sithence it is so, let not greefe and heauines of heart, bring you into suche thraldome, as that you should forget the duetie of a couragious man. You are not the first that haue suffred ship wrack: you are not the first vpon whom fortune hath frow∣ned: you are not the firste whose floure of felicitie hath béene soudenly blasted: then why should you so yéelde to sorrowe, as thoughe there were no hope of after ioye? why shoulde present heauinesse so vexe you, as though by future com∣fort, you were not to be reuiued. The Sunne is not alwayes darkened with cloudes: the Sea is not alwayes tossed with a storme: the windes doe not alwayes bl•…•…steringly blowe. The Winter Frostes doe not alwayes indure: no more should your gréefe heauines and anguish be continual. You haue had the name of a wiseman, and not without deserte: shew not your selfe therfore in time of necessitie, when wis∣dome should shew her selfe in brauest and brightest beauty, an vndiscréet person, wanting wit, iudgemēt & reason. Re∣member: there is nothing that is perpetuall, the hard rockes consume in time, so doeth yron, so doeth the harde flint: & thinke you that your fal is so sore, that you are neuer like to rise, that your ebb is so lowe, that you are neuer like to haue a f•…•…l tyd•…•…? I warrant you I▪ though you wade betwixt hope

and despair•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vncertaine yet, where your lotte will ligh•…•…, yet▪ because despaire is a signe of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and hope an ar∣gume•…•…t of valiauntnesse, leane to the one, and forsake the other: for in despaire there is no succour, in hope there is some comforte.

Fare you well.

Conradus Celtis, to Marco Car∣dinali.

¶THE ARGVMENT.

An example or president to make a letter of commendation, for the furtheraunce of a mans freende, if n•…•…de so require▪ wherein first hee confesseth the beneuolence of him to whome hee writeth, and so maketh an entraunce into his purpose. Then he moueth the matter it selfe, and nameth the person for whome he labou∣re•…•…h. Lastly he concludeth with a repetition of his request, shew∣ing therein a certaine earnestnesse.

B•…•…use the proofes of your beneuolence vnto me, are not onely manifolde, but also manifest, in so muche that they are s•…•…led with a thousand testimonies: therefore it com∣meth to passe, that many haue recourse vnto mée, requiring that I woulde be a mediatour for them vnto you, that vpon the •…•…ght of their commendable report, signified vnto you by letter, it wo•…•…ld please you to be their furtherer. Wherfore, among al other, in whose behalf I am to intreate, and make reque•…•…, F. Francisco, a very fréend of mine, and a Citizen no lesse honest then worshipful, commeth to my remembrance. This man hath a younger brother, very modest in behaui∣our, and vertuously disposed, and suche a one, whome we can not but like and loue: hee it is whome we commend at this present to your courtesie, & goodnesse, desiring you to stande his faueurer and furtherer. Yeu shall do me an excéeding gre•…•…t pleasure, if he may vnderstande by some assuraunce, that my letter of commendation, written vnto you in his behalfe, hath béen for his profite & preferment.

Fare you wel.

Jo. Ludouicus Viues, to Idiaqueo &c. Secretarie to Charles the fifte.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.

This Epistle conteineth a Catalogue, or rehersall of suche as haue written Epistles heretofore. Some of the he commendeth, other∣some he dispraiseth, shewing wherin they deserued liking, and whorein againe they were woorthie of reprehension. His mea∣ning is that their authorite is rather to be vsed, whose Epistles carrie away moste credite: and who they are, the Epistle mani∣festly declareth.

HAueing written vnto you a methode, or platfourme of inditing letters, not that I thought, thereby to bée your teacher, (for I am not ignoraunte howe exquisite∣ly you haue the knowledge of that facultie) but because my desire was, that vnder the protection of your name, this small Epistol•…•…call treatise, written and deuised by me for the instruction of the ignorannt, might be published: I thought it not amisse, after many preceptes giuen, for good order kéeping in making a letter, to say somewhat touching the Authors of Epistles. And to beginne with the Epistles of Plato and Demosthenes, because they are most auncient and but a very fewe in number, I omitte with silence. As for the Epistles of Tullre, althoughe wee ha•…•…e diuerse of them re•…•…erued vnto our owne vse, euen till this age (as it were through many tempestes, and daungers) wherei•…•… as he excelled all other wryters, and specially the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in cho•…•…en wordes, finenesse of phrase, and eloquence of style; so in them are many things to be learned, bothe touching matters of common wealthes,

and priuate preceptes tending to iudgement and wisedome: yet notwithstanding, many of them were lost, but howe ma∣ny, it is vncertaine. The Epistles of Seneca are full of Philosophie. The Epistles of Plinie are necessarie for vse and exercise: bothe in consideration of mennes priuate buisinesse, and in respecte of affaires tending to the weale publique: neuerthelesse in bothe pointes, because Cicero is the better, I count him the rather of the twaine to bee chosen. Plinie in his Epistles, is short, pleasaunt, readie, abounding with apt, sententious clauses, and merueilous conuenient, for quicke witted youthes to reade and peruse, when they sende letters one to another for practise sake, sa∣uouring of an eloquent veine, thoughe the matter and Ar∣gument be not so weightie: among the Graecians there are found some, whose Epistles are read here and there, in di∣uerse writers volumes, among whome Lucianus is one, whose Epistles are plaine and easie: and the Epistles of Philostratus, whiche are fuller of painted wordes, then be∣séemeth the matter wherein he is conuersaunt. The Epistles of them bothe, to say the very trueth, are vaine, trifling, and seruing to small purpose. The Epistles of Synesius, are not a litle laboured in, and chiefly for Me∣taphors, whiche hee moste vseth. There are also Epistles of Basilius, Gregorius, and Libanius, and many more, bréefe and wittie (I must néedes confesse) but yet more méete for common Schooles, and men to reade for pleasure, when they haue nothing whereaboutes to be occupied: then fitte otherwise in matters of weight and importaunce. But let the Graecian writers passe, and let vs come to the La∣tines. After Caius Plinie, by succession of time, were many Christian writers, not onely more learned then the residue of their profession, but excelling all other whatsoeuer without controuersie. Tertullian is mysticall, obscure, darke and harde in his methode of writing. Cyprian is not so doubtful and intangled in his style, though hée were of the same Countrie and Region. Augustine is some∣what

smoother then the other twaine, but not so eloquent and curious. Hieronymus is pathetical and vehement, as thoughe hee seemed to be alwayes directing his talke to Iudges, sitting vppon matters of life, and deathe.

Ambrosius is somwhat milder and nothing so earnest: in some places, neuerthelesse perplext and cumbersome to bée vnderstoode. Symmachus, neither by the hautinesse of his Argument, nor yet by the finenesse of his phrase, coulde winne fame and credite with his posteritie. Sydo∣nius Apollinaris Aluernas, is so enigmaticall, so darke and mystie (as I may terme it) that a man can searse tell where to finde out his meaning: in so muche that hée obteined not the fauour and well liking of his hearers, because (in déede) he deserued no such benefite. A long time after these, Franciseus Petrarcha, appeared as it were a bright shineing starre, in thicke and palpable fogges: this man is somewhat long and tedious, curious also therewith all, and not voide of difficulties, drawing to his methode, very many obseruations out of rustie and mouldie antiquaries. After him succéeded Gasparinus: who (among many other seniours) was the firste that sette penne to paper, in Italie, to write latine Epistles: whose letters, euen for this cause, deserue to be read, because they are reckoned in the num∣ber of them that be learned. After this man followed di∣uerse others, a•…•… Leonardus Aretinus, not all of the fi∣nest: the twoe Philelphes, namely the Father and the Sonne, pretily garnished with painted woordes, but in vt∣tering wise sayinges, not so full of grace or maiestie. Then Poggius the babbler, the trifler, the railer. Pius Socun∣dus pontifex, whose name was also Aeneas Syluius, had a good naturall inuention and style of his owne, but he wan∣ted Art. Aegidius Cal•…•…ntius and Campanus, neither of them are to bee contemned, althoughe one of them séem•…•… vaineglorious and arrogant. Sabellicus in all his dooings is like himselfe, bothe for copie of matter & wordes, & also for

facilitie, easinesse, plainenesse, and pleasauntnesse. Pomnonius Loetus, beeing desiro•…•…s of the puritie of the Lati•…•…e tongue, refused to studie Greeke writers, bee∣cause he would not make a mingle mangle, of the pro∣perties of two seuerall languages, and so corrupt the one, with the other: his wordes that he vsed, were chosen, and his style was cleane, and not to be amended. Io. Picus, and Angelus Politianus, imbrace them bothe, for they are not vnworthie of credite with the Reader, thoughe hee be no∣uer so deintie and delicate: neither of them is to be dissa∣lowed▪ One of them passeth in swéete sentences, carry∣ing with them matter of weight, woorthie to be conside∣red, the ot•…•…er for his wittie inuention and pleasauntnesse of style, is not to be neglected: yea, he is muche to be estéemed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉〈◊〉, saue onely for his gréedinesse of glorie and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whiche maketh him (many times) to wander out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ust limittes of an Epistle. He occupieth his penne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then in toyes, and conceites of his owne immagi∣•…•… or fancie: againe, in some thinges wherein hee shew∣•…•…th •…•…reat learning▪ knowledge and grauitie, he may séeme scar•…•…e delightsome: because in a trifling matter, of no weight nor importaunce, he bestoweth muche labour, to giue a shewe principally, of his fine compa•…•…ing witte and elo∣quence: quipping and nipping suche, as dissalowe of his dooinges. These thinges like younge heades passing well, and therein they delight them selues, as it were in questioning and reasoning for the maistrie: but to men of more grauitie & iudgement, they appeare as méere ridicu∣lous, and not approueable. The tender and yonger wits, in whome reason hathe not yet taken fast roote, are infected with two vices, very daungerous and noysome among men: the one of them, is vaineglorie or a•…•…rogancie: the other is bitter rayling and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 abuse of the tounge: by reading suche Epistles: whiche is so much the more odi∣ous and to be abhorred, because suche bytter bra•…•…ling, and wrangling woordes, spring from very small and light cau∣fes,

yea from such, then which more vaine and vile cannot be: as vppon a letter of the Alphabet: vppon a syllable: about a vowell, about a consonant, about a liquide: about a double: about the skanning of a Uerse: about the vnderstanding of a sentence, &c. Yea, many times by reading such tryfles wher∣in more wordes are vttered, then witt is declared, the man∣ners of younge learners are disordered: wherefore they are not to be regarded that sett downe such friuolous fansies, of their owne running inuention. In Hermolaus Barbarus, there is more grauitie, & more knowledge of Arts bewrayed in his writing, then in any one béeside, I admitt no compari∣son: neuerthelesse, I must néedes say, that hée is somewhat intricate, and hard to bée vnderstoode. Amonge these, the counterfect Philosopher Marsilius Ficinus sheweth himself, like vnto a sea Gull among a sort of faire swānes: this mans epistles sauouring of Platonicall questions and reasons, tho∣ughe in matter they be pithie, yet in words and phrases they want beautie, and delight not the reader. The epistles of Franciscus Picus, althoughe they are not fully so sine and elo∣quent as his Unckles, yet in consideration of their style, they are not to be dispraised, because it is good and not blame wor∣thie: and in respecte of the weightie sentences, which he doeth vse, they deserue to be cōmended: but this man lacking luck, did also lacke wel lyking. Rodolphus Agricola, if he had a∣mended his owne doings, if his owne works had fallen vnder his correction, he might haue worne the wreath of worthines with the chiefest, and the best, amonge the auncient writers: and why? Because of the soundnesse of his knowledge: the déepenesse of his learning: and the perfectnesse of his iudge∣ment. Wée sawe (of late yeares) the epistles of Ioannes Cap∣nio, both bredd (as a man may say) and also buried: the common consent of the learned sort, did so much mislike them that they did quite condemne them: howe then could they continue longe aliue? Nay, how could they but quickly dye? for, ere many monethes were expyred, they grewe out of cre∣dite. Christophorus Longolius, béeing too too curious in imi∣tation, marreth the readinesse of his naturall inuention. Hée

hath many of Ciceroes words, which whether he obserue of a good meaning, or for a fashion, it remayneth to be decided as a case of doubt? This is once true, the sense of his epistles may be amended, and made better & sitter for his phrase, because in small matters he vseth great and thumpiug words, wher∣in is no good agréement. For, it is not sufficient and enough for him, with excéeding diligence to imitate the woords and y^• phrase of Cicero, except he had also expressed Cicero in all o∣ther points. Should hée feigne to himself a weale publique, and immagine y^• gouernment of the same, he himselfe being but a priuate man, and shutt vp close in an odde corner, farre vnlike a man allotted to such a calling? Wherein hée deser∣ued as much to be laughed at, as if hée had put vppon him the attyre of a Gyant, and had spoken his words with a feigning voice like a Gyant, to the end men might beléeue •…•…e was in∣déede a Gyant: neuerthelesse, hée is not altogether not to bée regarded: but for his words sake, wherein he commeth some∣what néere Tullie, deserueth to be read. All the writers of e∣pistles in this age, they are but •…•…enche whistlers to Erasmus Roterodamus, and Gulihelmus Budeus, who in déede, excell all their predecessours, that liued either in the dayes of their syers, or their grandsyers, in wisedome, in learning, in elo∣quence, in varietie of writing and choice of inuention: and ei∣ther of them in his peculiar style, and proper kinde of excerci∣ses, notable men both, and singular. Erasmus is easie, plaine, perceiuable, and neuer swaruing from his accustomed veine. * Budeus is delighted in a newe, straunge, and vnusuall order of writing, which is more méete to be wondered at, then to be followed. The epistles of S. Paule, are too loftie, to mysticall, to déepe, and profound, so that it is not séemely for vs, to mea∣sure them by our iudgement. And thus haue I runne about a round row of writers, and haue shewed wherein they are to be marked: it remaineth to choose the best approued, & to let the other alone as lesse necessarie.

Fare you well.

Christophorus Longolius to Petro Michianello.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.

Hee excuseth himselfe of intermission or ceassing from writing to his friend Petro Michianello, in the constancie of whose frendship hee confesseth himselfe much comforted. To conclude, hee she∣weth that his loue is so farre from being reptoued, that it is aug∣mented. Lastly he giueth a short reckoning of his estate.

THe comming of Antonius Francinus vnto mée was sim∣ply and of it selfe most pleasaunt and ioyfull: yea so much the more delightsome was it, and fuller of gladnesse, because by his report vnto mée made, I was certified that you conti∣nue the beneuolence and remembraunce of courtesie, which old acquaintaunce requireth, and approued frendshipp chal∣lengeth. For surely, I was surprised with a foule suspicion and motion of mistrust, least you hauing taken an offence at my long intermission, and ceassing from writing, had aliena∣ted your minde, and so suffered the same to be estraunged from accustomed kindnesse: with which doubt I was the ra∣ther troubled, because in a thing which I promissed to do the last yeare in a letter, I haue crackt my credite. But into the daungers of those times, vppon a soudaine, I am tumbled, which haue not onely cut off all libertie of cōming vnto you, but haue also not giuen me so much leasure as to send: with the allegation of which probable causes, although I did sup∣pose my selfe not inexcusable, and that you could not but ad∣mit such impedimentes as, I might not withstand: yet thus much be you persuaded off, and well assured, that the report which our friende Francinus made to mée, touching the con∣stancie and vnuariablenesse, of your goodwil towards mée in∣clined, was most delectable, and so singular a comfort, as a greater might not be wished. For, thus bée you fully resol∣ued of my nature, that with such reuerence I remember

you in your absence, as that not onely any part of my loue and affection towardes you is diminished, but the same also, how much soeuer it hath béene in measure and proportion, is through a longing desire of your companie and presence, so kindled and increased, that I make reckoning of nothing so much at this instant, as I doe of the sight of your person, in comparison of whome I set light by all thinges else beside, whatsoeuer. I would write vnto you a discourse of the trade of my life, and the order of my studies, but that I haue alrea∣die communicated and shewed the same to Francinus, vppon condition, that hée should certifie you thereof, by woord of mouth in euery respect, as by mée he was infourmed▪ Wher∣fore hée is to giue you vnderstanding of all maner of circum∣stances more precisely: thus much in breuitie, least I should séeme to say nothing to the purpose. Such is my life (through the bountifulnesse of God) as I am therewith contented: such is my quietnesse, as therewith I finde my heart singularly delighted: for end, this comfort of conscience I haue in like manner, that if a Christians mannes minde bée not defec∣tiue, then am I not forlorne, wretched, or miserable.

Fare you well.

At Patauium, the 7. of the Calends of July.

Ch. Longolius to Francisco Belino.

¶THE ARGVMENT.

Betweene Ch. Longolius and Franciscus Belinus, as there was great•…•… and familiar acquaintaunce, so there was no great distaunce of dwelling (for so the breefe of the epistle seemeth to import) inso∣much that they had often meetinges and talkings together: Now Frāciscus Belinus promising Longolius to come to him home to his house, (where hee was looked for of Longolius) but beeing not so good as his woord, hee is therefore charged with vnkinde∣nesse.

HOw desirous you were to visite mée to day, I am not able to declare, at whose request made vnto me but yesterday,

I was wylling to hée intreated, gyuing attendaunce at home. in mine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of purpose to looke and tarrie for your comming▪ I was much troubled wyth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and looking 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you▪ but it makes no matter, you are not lyke to escape scotfrée, and as for 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which peraduenture you wil make by reason of the great showers, I meane to admitt none. For the more fowle the day was, the more blustering, and the more tempestuous▪ •…•…omuch y^• more méete was it, to be spent in frendly company, and familiar cōmunication, which might haue mynistered occasion of delight. Now, thoroughe your offence it is come to passe, that I did not only want your pre∣sence, wherupon a special portion of my pleasure dependeth: but did lacke, in like manner, Petrus Bembus his méeting, wyth whom I would haue béen meruailous merrie, this day chiefly, wherein I was at such leasure. For, I was fully de∣termined to haue gone to him, and to haue spent away the te∣dious time, in some talke, if you had not béene so car•…•…estly in hand wyth me yesterday, to tarry within the walles of mine owne house, in hope of your cōpany. Thus much I did meane to let you vnderstand, to the intent that hereafter, I should not be deluded and mocked wyth vaine expectation, of your comming: besides that also, to the end you might alledge (if you can) some other impediment which cut you off from kee∣ping company, béeside rayne, lightning and thunder excepted. For, I thinke that you are neither tongu•…•… tyed, nor vnproui∣ded, what to say for your selfe in this behalfe, though such bée your degrée, that whatsoeuer you alledge by the way of ex∣cuse, it is not of me to bée dissallowed or despysed, vnlesse (per∣happes) you vse these or such lyke woords, that our company and conference is not wyth you, in such great accompt, that you should in stormy weather, and durtie wayes, set al aside, and come tripping to mée in your silcken sleppers. But, of durtiè way you are not to cōplaine, for you might haue gone al along the cloysters, and so escaped the showers: againe, the rayne did not fall continually, but at certaine times, now one shower and then another, so that you might haue found the meanes to haue come and séene mée, according to promisse.

But I will omitt this matter, desiring rather to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 informed by your owne mouth, for the more certaintie : Doe what you can (if not to your owne hinderance) that we may méete and talke together after supper: For I haue in my head to tell you, that which I am desirous to discouer.

Fare you well.

Ch. Longolius to Nic. Draconi.

THE ARGVMENT.

Writing to N. Dra▪ he certifieth him first of all•…•… of the ••••ceipt of his let∣ters: telling him that in reading them hee was delighted: commē∣deth by the way somewhat at large, the famous Oratour & Rhe∣torician M. T. Cicero▪ both for his eloquence, and also for other his singular ornamentes of Arte and Nature: exhorteth D•…•…aco to excercise himselfe in reading and studying▪ so learned a writers workes: annexeth the commodities that grow by labouring in so notable an Authour: From thence hee descendeth to particular affiyres, touching him and his friendes: giueth him thankes, for his readinesse to do him pleasure: saith somewhat of one Fuluius a Student: and lastly maketh a discourse of certaine pleasaunt delights, whereof he wisheth himselfe a partaker.

EUen then (as also long before) I began to labour & long after your friendly letters, when in good time, namely on the nynthe of the Calends of Auguste, they were deliuered vnto my hands: in reading whereof, among all other circum∣staunces therewithin conteyned, that one thing was most pleasaunt, yea so effectuall was it to make mee glad and ioy∣full, as I sawe nothing to that ende so forceable: and what was the thing wherewith I was delighted? Euen the assuraunce which I gott by the sight and style of your wri∣ting, that you are more diligent, then you haue béene wont, in studying the workes of Mar. Tul. Cicero. For vndoubted∣ly, there were in your epistle, diuers and sundry appearan∣ces, whereby I gathered, and that manifestly, the thing to

bée 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which I haue affirmed •…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, shall I •…•…ell you fur∣ther •…•… •…•… did so well like of your letter▪ that from the begin∣ning to the ending, I cannot but giue this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that it sauo•…•…red altogether of Ciceroes phrase, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 w•…•…th fine∣nesse and swéetenesse, I doe highly commend your purpose, and inde•…•…our, instantly exhorting you, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as it were, ha∣stening you forward in your running race) to excercise your selfe in the woorkes of this approued Authour. For, if the knowledge of the Latine tongue, bée obteyned, not so much by priuate practise at h•…•…ame, or by publique pleading in the common place, as it is by vsuall trayning our mindes in the bookes of famous and learned writers: to whom then may wée submitt our selues as Scholers, then to him, who by the iudgement and generall voyce of all ages, hath the name to bée more eloquent then al the best lea•…•…ned: and more learned, then they all that are thought most eloquent? I am of this opinion, doubtlesse, that it is a thing vnpossible, that any man should sufficiently painte out in pure and pickt La∣tine tearme•…•…, the inuentions of his owne braine, haueing not diligently and attentiuely layd to his lystening care and la∣bour for the fynenesse of Tullies phrase, and his * varietie of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Againe, touching him that is buisily and studi∣•…•…usly occupyed in reading and marking his style, this is my iudgement, that althoughe his knowledge bee but indiffe∣rent, yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is like in time to come to passe, that euen by that indifferent knowledge, hée shall growe to greater vnderstanding, and in the ende shall béecome to ma∣ny, a very myrrour▪ More•…•…er▪ if the knowledge which hée hath bée but simple and small▪ neuerthelesse, thorough the due obseruation and marking of his maister, hée shal vse such on orderly conueying of such thinges, as hee deuiseth in wry∣ting▪ that through the whole course of his doing, none shalbe able do finde any thing amisse, and blame worthie. I do not reuerence Cicero in this respecte so much, because heè excel∣leth all other authors that euer haue béene in any age, both in pleasantnesse, and also in plentifulnesse of words and mat∣ter:

But because such is the subtiltie of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, so per∣•…•…ect and exquisite of iudgement, that with him there is none to be compared: besides that, in disposing and aptly placeing that which he hath deuised, by the helpe of his wysedome and the benefite of his knowledge, that nothing can bée immagi∣ned more méete, nor to the purpose better agréeable. To the forecited qualities, right worthy of commenda•…•…ion, a third is to be added, namely the methode & forme of his style in wry∣ting, méere angelicall and heauenly, which as in eloquence it is singular, so for the easie vnderstanding of the same, it is meruaylo•…•…s and matchlesse: insomuch that euen those things which are pouldered wyth most grauitie, and polished wyth most beautie, séeme smothly & mildly to offer themselues to the readers capacitie, and not to sauour of any curious labour therein employed, t•…•…ough they be tyed to the obseruation of numbers in syllables. It shalbe your part therefore (euen as you doe) to haue this man in estimation and reuerence, and so farre foorth as your abilitie will permitt, let him be a presi∣dent & example for you to imitate and followe. For, although you cānot (be your studie neuer so great & your labour neuer so earnest) aspire to the perfection & fulnesse of his praise•…•… yet notwithstanding, it shalbe no smal commendation vnto you, nor lightly to be estéemed, if you draw towards him y^• is most excellent, though you come not néere him by a great distance: it shall I say make much for the aduancement of your name, if you be next him, though but in y^• third or the •…•…ourth degrée. But I am fallen from my determinatiō, sythence it was my meaning, to answere your letter. I could not wel haue kept in sylence, that which I haue somwhat largely declared, to y^• intent I might giue you a signification, of my good lyking and wel allowing of your endeuour in Tullies works employed. Wherfore to let y^• passe, and to come to your epistle•…•… in the which, whereas you say that your authoritie was to Fuluius néedelesse and litle auaylable, hée signified the same vnto mée in his owne letter: whereby I founde mée selfe delighted twooe sundrie wayes, both because you were disburthe∣ned, of that trouble, (for I am certaine that it could not

but be cumbersome to you, bothe at this time to come into the citie, & also to be drawne from your purposed studies) & bycause those of your affinitie, had shewed thē selues reaso∣nable to their brother. Howbeit, there remaineth behinde a certeine cause deseruing the dutie of giuing thanks, in y^• you promise, that you will hereafter, and are ready euen nowe, i•…•… the matter so require, for my sake to •…•…traine your abilitie. I would haue you to confirme Fuluius, in the good mynd wher∣in he is nowe, touching a students life, this must you do by •…•…aire persuading meanes, whome, when you haue incoura∣ged and established in that his towardnesse of will, send him backe againe to vs as soone as may be, with sufficient proui∣•…•…ion and maintenance. For you (if you be wise, and as I take you to be) neuer remoue from the place where you be har∣boured, sithence you enioy such an heauenly life, in compari∣son of which, my leasure, my libertie, and all my quietnesse, séemeth vnto me vnpleasant: and yet you would not beléeue, how happie and blessed I thinke my selfe somtimes, through the vse of this benefite. To be raysed out of your bed early in a morning, with the chirping noyse and swéete singing of byrdes: to be incouraged to sit downe to your studie, and to bestow a few houres at your booke: to rise out of your chaire and walke about the flelds brauely beautified with flowres, hearbes, and blossomes: to fetch a clyming course vp and a∣bout the pleasaunt and delightsome hilles: Then, after your returne from walking, to betake you to your accustomed companions, and with them to haue conference, til the heate of the day decline and be ouerpast: or else, all noonetide to so∣lace your selfe in the refreshing shadowe, or else to be exerci∣sed with shooting in a crossebowe, and to make tryall howe you can leuell at a marke. Sometimes to mount on horse∣backe, and goe abroade a hunting: then to sit close at your booke, for a while, and when you are wearie with reading, nay, when your reason hath persuaded you in a measure of studie, (for the Muses are such pleasant companions, that the more we frequent them, the more desirous we are to vse them, •…•…o farre they be from breeding loathsomenesse) then

you haue your deintie suppers prouided, and dishe vpon dishe presented to t•…•…e table: After that, you haue your fine wal∣kes, in places of pleasure, and therewithall communication seasoned with the leuen of learning: to c•…•…clude and shut vp all in breuitie: you haue your swéete and delicate sléepes in your comfortable chambers. I would I were deade, if these •…•…e not such rare delightes, to mée specially, as that I coulde finde in my heart, if I wist where to haue them, euen to saile euer seas, but euen to sée them: and what I woulde then gladly doe to enioy them, may soone be •…•…uspected. Day and night I thinke, nay, I wishe that I had wings, that I might flée vnto you. Wherefore, sée that you looke for me about the Ides •…•…f September. For I meane (by Gods helpe) at that appointed day, to be present with you: neyther will I goe forwarde with the rest of my determined peregrination and voiage, before I see the euent and full successe of my labours, and the whole trade of my life: that is, til I haue part of your pleasures, a fewe dayes, in your gay gréene medowes.

Fare you well.

Dated at Patauium.

Ch. Longolius to Ia Sadoleto.

¶ THE ARGVMENT.

He confesseth what pleasure he conceiued by the letter which M. A. Michael receiued, frō Sadoletus, to be conu•…•…yed vnto him: pre∣ferreth the bountie of his nature before perfourmaunce of pro∣mises: acknowledgeth him selfe to continue myndfull of Sado∣letus his curtesie: discouereth the occasion why he rather choseth to dwell in Pata•…•…ium, then in the citie of Rome: declareth that whē his troubles be vntwisted, he will visite Sadoletus: Lastly, he concludeth, with the mouing of a petition, in his former lett•…•…r mencioned.

THE letter whiche M. Antonius Michael sent me the last daye from Venice, minis•…•…red vnto me a great sig∣nification of familiaritie betwéene vs both, and a manifest

proofe of your good liking of me: of our familiaritie, in that you persuade your sel•…•…e to be excusable, and that I will not burthē you for the long delaying and silence which you vsed, before you writte vnto me: of good liking, in that you be de∣sirous to haue me leade my life with you, and to turne all that is yours into my vse and seruice. But surely, although suche be my condition at this present, that nothing vnto me could séeme more worthy acceptation, then the receiuing of letters from you: yet notwithstanding, here•…•…f I would not haue you ignoraunt, that your good will and kynde heart, is to me in more price and estimation, then the p•…•…rfourmaunce of all promises: not for that by them you giue a testimonie and declaration, to outreach myne opinion (for I haue bene alwayes resol•…•…ed thus in mynde, that what soeuer might be looked for at the handes of a v•…•…rie friend, should, (nothing to the contrarie) passe from you vnto me, that hope in her account might not be vnsatisfied) but bycause I reading and perusing your Epistles, might in them see and beh•…•…ld a most liuely representation of your liberall and bounti•…•…ull nature. In consideration whereof, I yealde you infinite thankes, as by duetie I féele my selfe constreined: and also, that it will please you to continue this your accustomed kindn•…•…sse, to my behoofe, I beséech you most earnestly. For, I trust so to es∣cape the rocks of forgetfulnesse and vnthankfulnesse, which haue caused many a one to suffer shamefull shipwracke, that I shalbe able enough to performe and accomplish as I hope, with daily dutifulnesse and continuall recourse of courtesie, all suche seruice as your deserts doe exact and require. In that you say, you sée no cause, why I shoulde rather desire to dwell at Patauium, then in another house within the citie, to the end I may kéepe in secrete, the inwarde grudge of my heart, and not discouer my hidden thoughtes touching the citie, I tell you trueth, that if the worlde did laughe vppon mée, as it doeth vppon you, I woulde not passe a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in what place I spent the time that I haue to liue. As for you that haue all thinges about you, whiche are neces∣sarie and requirable, it makes no greate matter, sythence

in any countrie whersoeuer you come, you are able to main∣teine your selfe in welth and honour, according to the noble∣nesse of your fortune, and the worthy calling where vnto you are allotted: but my condition and estate is farre otherwise, that euen in this plentie and abundaunce of all things, I am so farre from bearing any port, or hauing a traine of men to daunce attendance vpō me, that I am not of abilitie suffi∣cient, to finde a poore lackie to doe my necessarie seruice: and what shoulde I then doe (thinke you) at Rome? But, for so much as it pleaseth you, to offer me the vse and commoditie of your house, that is, to drawe me thether where you be re∣sident, I will not shew my selfe so vntoward, as to refuse the benefite of your proffered curtesie, neyther will I shew any signe of such foolishnesse, as to labor longer in the lack of your familiaritie, whiche I haue desired most heartily, yea, so ear∣nestly, as nothing aboue it, whatsoeuer. But bycause my matters are brought into so narrowe a streight, that they can not with such ease, nor yet with suche spéede, be set at li∣bertie, and obteine a larger scope, I haue not as yet to write any thing vpon certaintie to you, of my comming: so soone as I haue vntwinde my selfe out of the bryers, I will giue you informatien. In the meane seas•…•…n, remember I am so affec∣ted in mynde, that I wishe with all my heart to enioy your bountifulnesse, and your familiaritie: moreouer, the same petition which I made vnto you in my former letter, I re∣newe againe in this: namely, that through your friendly fur∣theraunce (when you are at conuenient leysure) I may haue accesse to our supreme Bishop, and with him obteine fa∣uour, by the means of your commendation tending to my credite. Thus much I craue at your hands, and that most instantly.

Fare you well.

Dated at Pataui∣um: the third of the Calends of Au∣gust.

¶ Thus farre out of later Epistoliographers.

Notes

• A cōplaint conteining a catalogue and briefe summa rie of his ca∣lamities.
• An argumēt ground ed vp∣on necessitie.
• That i•…•…ra∣tion of one word▪ signifi∣eth the vehe∣ment passion•…•…▪ of his mynde.
• I thinke he meant Rome, for there hee lead a great portion of his life.
• The bene∣fites whiche reason yeal∣deth to suche as loue and im brace reason•…•…
• Christ Iesus an especiall patterne of fortitude and valiantnes•…•…e.
• Who would not then (ex∣cept •…•…e bee wholy and al∣together a wretched wor ldling) bee glad of so gra cious a guide.
• A singular commendatiō giuen to Fran cisco va•…•…. by P. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• By this phrase of spea che he testifi∣eth the vnsei∣nednesse of his aff•…•…ction.
• Not as tho∣ugh his beha∣uiours were to be amen∣d•…•…d, but that in •…•…uffering sorrowes, hee should shewe him selfe a wise man: for i•…•… is vndecent, and vnseemly that a man should be o∣u•…•…rtrodē wi•…•…h g•…•…ef and such like c•…•…sualties▪
• Where I am nowe resident and abiding.
• He was c•…•…r∣ried away with the streame of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ons & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 motions, wh•…•… h•…•… did i•…•…dite this Epistle.
• A defence of his, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a•…•…d vpright∣•…•….
• Note his mod•…•…stie and mildn•…•…sse: for he was desti∣tute of ney∣ther of both.
• Hercules Duke of Fer∣raria: •…•…o whō M•…•…rcellus Pa∣lingenius did d•…•…dicate his zodiak of lif•…•….
• A suppositi•…•… appliable to his purpose.
• By this pro∣uerbial speach he giueth to note, with what a naugh tie and ouer∣thwart mā he had to deale.
• Or, whereof I haue bene a da•…•…y partake
• The iniurie which he suf∣fered was (he∣like) intollera ble: and that made him so hote and cho∣leriqu•…•….
• Which eue∣ry vertuous man will doe, without grud ging.
• * Which ou∣ght to mini∣ster greater cause of ioy and gladnesse, for how much more is the excellencie of the person cō∣mending: so much more is the comfort of the person commended.
• Which opi∣niō I cōceiued vpon necessa∣rie reasons.
• Special prai∣ses ascribed to cardinal Chri stophero Ma∣drutio.
• The conside ration wherof could not but kindle reue∣rence in the mind of a mā vertuously in∣clined.
• Your braine or your wit, and your pen, the one to in∣uent and de∣uise: the other to write and set down your meaning.
• Bycause all outward thin ges (the exter∣nall ornamēts of the bodie, and the a∣bilities of the same, whiche are called cor∣porall facul∣ties, excepted) are saide to be the giftes & goods of For∣tune.
• A supposed obiection, whervnto fol∣loweth a full answere, touching his owne estate.
• Telluris inu∣tile pondus: as the Poet saith.

  Greate burthens to the ground, That doeth their life maintaine: No good in them is found, But vices fond & vaine.
• By Muses in this place, speaking figu ratiuely, he meaneth lear∣ning: For the Muses were the Ladies of learning, as not so muche as the most ig norant, but knoweth.
• Two great occasions of intermitting the writing of letters.
• Two great occasions of intermitting the writing of letters.
• Two force∣able prouoca∣tions to take pen in hande∣and fall to in∣dite epistles.
• Two force∣able prouoca∣tions to take pen in hande∣and fall to in∣dite epistles.
• Which may deliuer vnto you, the true message of mi minde.
• He maketh it a matter of great account to haue the friendship and fauor of such a one, as is not only in au thoritie, but also furnished with the preci ous ornamēts of vertue, and learning.
• Which is the duetie of a thankful man and vpon such a one a bene∣fite cannot be ill bestowed.
• Hee be gin∣neth still with the consession of a thankfull heart.
• Which is in some so aboū dante, that it turneth to their discom∣moditie: wher fore modestie in measure & with reason, is commendable and also pro∣fitable.
• Which is in some so aboū dante, that it turneth to their discom∣moditie: wher fore modestie in measure & with reason, is commendable and also pro∣fitable.
• Lest all that you haue don for my weale, should seeme vtterly lost & cast away.
• On which day hee was created C•…•…rdi∣nall: for which aduancement, hee had to thanke P. Pius the fourth.
• Francisco Cō menduno, pre ferred before many gentle∣men of a good house, to the dignitie of a Cardinall.
• Wherein a testimonie & proofe of your worthinesse appeared.
• Which is a∣ble to compre hend that, that neither toung nor penne can expresse.
• Hee confes∣seth the soft∣nesse of his owne nature and his excee∣ding modestie
• A reason fol∣lowing of veri∣tie, but •…•…ot of nece•…•…itie.
• these words are to be mēt of himself: for •…•…e was belike in some trou∣ble, wherwith he was so dis∣quieted, that •…•…e forgatt (in maner) accu∣stomed ser∣uice & dueti•…•… to his benefa∣ctours.
• In the ac∣knowledging of thankful∣nesse, this, or the like begin ning is vsuall with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Epistles.
• This is som∣what 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ mently spokē & may •…•…here∣fore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ith 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cred•…•…t •…•…f ki•…•…∣nesse.
• M•…•…nus ma∣num 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the pro•…•…erb
• He rehear∣seth the names of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gentle∣men that were his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ tours an•…•… fa∣uourers.
• He rehear∣seth the names of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gentle∣men that were his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ tours an•…•… fa∣uourers.
• He rehear∣seth the names of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gentle∣men that were his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ tours an•…•… fa∣uourers.
• He rehear∣seth the names of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gentle∣men that were his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ tours an•…•… fa∣uourers.
• He rehear∣seth the names of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gentle∣men that were his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ tours an•…•… fa∣uourers.
• He rehear∣seth the names of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gentle∣men that were his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ tours an•…•… fa∣uourers.
• He rehear∣seth the names of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gentle∣men that were his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ tours and fa∣uourers.
• He rehear∣seth the names of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gentle∣men that were his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ tours an•…•… fa∣uourers.
• He rehear∣seth the names of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gentle∣men that were his 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ tours an•…•… fa∣uourers.
• Sometime Byshop of Dy•…•…rham.
• He meaneth the Byshop of Yo•…•…ke, to whō thi•…•… B•…•…banco was 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• He excu∣seth himselfe by reporte of his owne me∣rit•…•…s and be∣hauiour.
• The wordes folowing, next and im∣mediatly, ex∣pounde those wordes plain∣ly.
• This Epis∣tle in the for∣m•…•…r part ther∣of, commen∣deth S. Tho∣m•…•… Moore 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for his courteous & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 na∣ture.
• Those wor∣des are not to be taken in an euill but in a good sense.
• Whereupon it was named Collegium trilingue, the three tounged College.
• A thing de∣seruing singu∣lar commen∣dation.
• He had full expe•…•…ence & proofe of his qualities in freendship, or else he woulde not haue vsed suche earnest wordes, speci∣ally, to a man of so high a calling.
• The Itali∣ans make muche of lear ning and lear∣ned men: wher in they deser∣ue greatly to be praised.
• Because spe∣ciall benefite is like to in∣sue thereupon.
• Learning & knowledge.
• About the d•…•…e of this E∣pistle, resour∣mation began in the English Churche.
• Such there bee in the world, at this day, that haue their close cor ners to lurke and lye in.
• Erasmus gi∣ueth an exam∣ple, in himself, o•…•… Christian charitie.
• He seemeth sorie & grie∣ued, in occu∣pying his pen (as by the course of his wordes, is to be coniectu∣red) so vnne∣cessarily.
• By iterating that same one speeche, he no∣teth the wor∣thines•…•…e of the Kings maies∣ti•…•….
• By that Alle go•…•…cal clause, he magnifieth the King for his loue and lib•…•…alitie to learning.
• These words giue to note, that the king, had a respect and considera tion, where, & towards whō, he shewed fa∣uour & good liking.
• Amasis, a king of E∣gypt. There was also be∣sides him, (•…•… Herodotus w•…•… nesleth) ano∣ther of the same name, who was cap∣teine generall of D•…•…ius his armie of foot∣men against the Cy•…•…ene∣ans..
• ·

  Wise men of India. Cic. Tuscul. quest. lib. 5.
• Of them, Plinie. lib. 3. cap. 5. Silius. lib. 5. Flo. lib. 3. cap. •…•…. Diod. sic. lib. 6. Plin. lib. 8. cap. 55.
• The two com•…•…ortable lightes of the worlde.
• Winter and Summer, con∣trarie seasons.
• Persuasions to moue men to shake off vnprofitable ydlenesse: and to frame thē∣selues to bee thristily occu pied.
• Reasons of experience to proue his pur∣pose.
• Vnder that word: lighte∣ning, thunder, fiers in the ele ment, raine, winde, snowe, haile, deaw, & suche like thinges, my sts fogges, earth∣quakes. &c. are to be vn∣derstoode.
• Man, the Lord & King ouer all crea∣tures.
• What beasts they bee, none can be so igno raunt & bloc∣kish, but may perceiue and testifie.
• A straung propertie of naturall affec∣tion described in the swal∣lowe.
• Iohannes Ca ius, in his let∣rer sent to Cō radus Gesne∣rus, sheweth at large the pro∣perties of dog ges, their seue∣rall kinds and seruices.
• What a shame is it then for man being indued with reasō, (or at least ought to bee) know∣ledge and vn∣derstanding &c. should giue himselfe to ydlenesse?
• Apelles a no ble painter of the countrie Cos, an Iland in the Acgean sea: of him Quint. lib. 12. de instit. orat. Plin. lib. 35.
• Hauing delt before with exāples: Now hee falleth to admonitions, exhortations, persuasions, &c.
• As well in bodilie exer∣cises, as in thē also that beelong vnto the minde: for in so doing wee shall reap singular com∣moditie.
• Curiositie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speaking, or sine and affec∣ted speach, not wanting in manie.
• * The decla∣mation: or ra∣ther the pro∣eme and be∣ginning of the same, worthie to be marked of young scho lers, & fruitful to be follo∣wed.
• The first mē ber of the clause follow∣eth of necessi∣tie: but the last is not alwayes grounded vp∣pō certaintie: for we see the contrarie pro∣ued by daily experience.
• Which good nature in him so apparant & plentiful, kin∣dleth in mee the more lo∣uing affectiō.
• As who said: there is no∣thing so hard and difficult, which passeth his capacitie.
• What could he say more, in the behalfe of Gualtero to Chrysogo∣no, thē in this present 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is compris•…•…d.
• The con•…•…ide •…•…tion of whi∣che two ci•…•…cū∣stances, con∣•…•…raine me to cease from •…•…∣lence.
• Though those wo•…•…des •…•…e •…•…poken in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, y•…•…t may they ser•…•…e for a ge∣•…•…erall 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Nothing is to be compa∣red with lear∣ning and ho∣nestie.
• The maie∣stie of God, which the rea∣son of man can not reach•…•… vnto: but in spirite it is somewhat ta∣sted and per∣cei•…•…ed.
• Which is so excellent, that nothing ther∣with is coun∣terpeisable.
• Hee li•…•…eth in his co•…•…ntrie, That hathe an oc•…•…upation: W•…•…he reason∣able bo•…•…tie, •…•…to his contentation. as sayeth the auncient & vs∣•…•…all prouerbe.
• Labour and learning ind•…•… solubly lin•…•…∣ked: wherfore tryants and loyterers that loue not la∣bour, can ne∣•…•…er obteine learning.
• Drawing •…•…∣wards the cō∣clusion of his epistle, he fal∣leth to exhor∣ting, wher•…•…in he vs•…•…th p•…•…o∣per reason•…•….
• So great a desire bredeth in thē of their compa•…•…e, for their learning sake.
• Or, to be ac∣qua•…•…nted with you.
• Speaches of much mode∣stie and milde nesse.
• Which is an insa•…•… l•…•…ble proofe of vn∣feigned friend ship.
• As if he had saide: I haue not bene be∣hinde hand in any office be∣longing to •…•… friend.
• As if he had saide: youre protestations in times past differ muche from your practises present.
• * Meaning the suspicion of ingratitude or vnthankful n•…•…sse, which among all o∣ther vices, de∣serueth the name of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• which word beeing engli∣shed, noteth a man of tem∣perance, conti nence, wisdom knowledge, honestie, and much vertue: such aone was that Sophro∣nius, of whom he writeth.
• Goodwill & courteous in∣terteinmēt cur rishly recom∣penced.
• Learning described and set out accor∣ding to her ex cellencie and noblenesse.
• The sonne of Iupiter & Alcmena: Macrobius saith that Her cules is the sunne: and that by the. 12 •…•…abours which he susteined, nothing else is signisied, but the yerely course of the Sunne throgh the. 12. signes Zodiacall.
• What confu sion and disor der there is▪ where lerning is lacking.
• In the com∣mendation & aduauncemēt wherof none can speake suf ficiently.
• after his pro longed com∣mendation of learning (in the praising whereof, too much is too li tle) he falleth to persuading
• Which bene fites, learning breedeth and bringeth, to such as loue and imbrace it as we see by daily proofe and expe•…•…i∣ence.
• Whose name is so noble, & his deedes so renouned, that who hathe heard least of his fame, may sone iudge of his inconque∣rable valiaunt∣nesse.
• Soothsayers or wisemen, expert in the art of diuina∣tion and fore∣telling things to come.
• Alexander commended for the orna∣ments of his minde.
• He meaneth Alexander the king: and A∣iistotle the Philosopher.
• For it pas∣seth my capa∣citie to drawe out his por∣trayture in suf ficient liuely∣nesse.
• Because an epistle should bee short, and trussed vp in a fewe lines.
• A younge Gentleman, of Macedonia, & a gallant cour ti•…•…the occasi∣on why he slew king Phi∣lippe, is men∣cioned in Trog. and o∣ther historio∣graphers, to long here to insect.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Tua Tyrus: The lād of T•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sea•…•… yflown At 〈◊〉〈◊〉 d•…•…sire, shalbe thine own•…•….
• He draweth to his conclu∣sion, wherein he maketh an application of that which is before spoken
• Which con∣sisteth in the precepts of mor•…•…ll Philo∣s•…•…phie, wherof Aristotle wrot a lerned wo•…•…k called his E∣thickes.
• A Proeme or beginning expostulato•…•…e wherein hee reasoneth with authoritie.
• Plinie lib. 4. de Naturalib.
• As if he had said: your ad∣uersaries will take an occa∣sion, by your misdemea∣nour, to giue you a very ill report.
• With wine. For the grape is called the berrie of Bac∣chus, whome Poets feigned to be the God of wine.
• A letter of petition and complaint.
• By whose meanes I am so molested▪ vexed, & dis∣quie•…•…ed.
• Which in a true harted friend, cannot but shew fruit suff•…•…cient.
• An enumera tion of such hazardes as merchantes & occupiers are •…•…ubiecte vnto.
• A supposed obiectiō wher to foloweth immediatly after a fitt re∣solution or answer.
• As i•…•… he •…•…ad said: being learned as you are, what neede you tye your selfe to a trade or occu pa•…•…ion.
• A profes∣sour o•…•…stu li∣ent of the Ci∣uil lawe, whi∣che yeeld•…•… great aduan∣tage.
• Ci•…•…r. in orat. pro. A. Cluentio: as I remember, he speaketh there of lawe•…•… in general, not meaning any certaine espe∣cial kinde of Lawe.
• There were ma∣ny Gentlemē, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the name o•…•… Mu∣tius, touching whom, Rapha •…•…l Volaterane hath spoken somewhat largely.
• Whom Ne∣ro commaun∣ded to bee put to deathe be∣cause he bare the name and gaue the badge or cog∣nisaunce of the same Cas∣si•…•… that slew 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Pompon.
• An enume∣•…•… of such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as make 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• This was not Coroc∣bus the Athe∣nien, of whom Plinie lib. 7. cap. 56. but the same whome Virgil spea∣keth 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2. Aeneid.
• Of whose valiauntnesse diuerse au∣thours haue written: and a∣mong the rest Valerius Max imus.
• The fruites and commo∣dities which insued the va∣liant death of P. Decius.
• As who said: there is none but thinketh and persua∣deth himselfe that life is passing sweet.
• And speci∣ally lustie Gentlemen & gallant Cour∣tiers, who should be a spectacle and patterne to the rest.
• Wherein to be busie and occupied, is a thing •…•…arre vn∣sitte for your p•…•…rson, and degree.
• When we sha•…•… haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 leasure, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…etter op∣•…•… to 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• A sentence taken out of Euripides.
• He descri∣beth the beau tie and come∣linesse of his loue, a •…•…aire Damosel, in re peating the occasions of his perturbed▪ and vexed minde,
• He pleadeth like a suppli∣aunt, for pitie and compas∣sion▪ a thing not out of vse and custome with louers.
• At the re∣membraunce whereof▪ I feele my self•…•… assaulted with muche sorow and anguishe.
• Whiche is, no•…•… to relent at any moles∣tation & trou ble, but to in∣dure al with patience, for∣bearaunce, & valiauncie.
• Words of com•…•…ort and consolation prouerbially vsed.
• Hope and Despaire
• A •…•…mber 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ mea∣ni•…•…g innu∣mer•…•…ble, and exceeding the ord•…•…r of ac∣comptes.
• This man∣ne•…•… of conclu∣ding is fami∣liar and v∣suall, with the best •…•…he∣thoricians, in this kinde of lipistle.
• Writers of no lesse excel∣lentnesse then auncientnes•…•…e.
• A man, in his kin•…•…e of profession, without matche.
• A darke & mystical Phi∣losopher, crab bed & harshe, yet profound and learned in writing.
• So are they also shorte breefe, and compendious
• A christian Philosopher, of Pentapolis in Africa, pre∣sident of Pto∣lemais. &c. Suidas. he was a great writer
• Auncient Fathers of the Church, epis∣toliogra∣phers, or wri∣ters of epistles
• Or with them that suc ceeded him from age, to age, by de∣grees of times.
• A catalogue of late writer•…•… or at leastwise of no great antiquitie or auncientnesse
• Whether his r•…•…susal deserned com men•…•…tion or reprehension, shal rest (for mee) in con∣trouersie.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 due order.
• An affection not proper to younger vvitts only, but oftē times also inci dent to more settled heads.
• * Commen∣dation wonn•…•… by desarte.
• * A proper & pleasant com∣parison.
• Or, in the glosse of their glorie, and the blemish of their beautie: that is, when they were most famous, and when the prosperous vpspring of other writers was an occa∣sion that his wonted wor∣thinesse withe red and wa∣sted.
• By this Alle∣gorical speach he meaneth nothing else, but that Lōg. tooke more vpon him, thē he was able to performe in imitating Tul lie.
• Some Gen∣tleman and frend of his.
• Or, hauing •…•… gainst mee some conceite of displeasure. for my delay∣ing and put∣ting of my let ters &c.
• Whome in the beginning of his epistle he nameth.
• An earnest protestati•…•…n •…•…o giue testi∣monie & wit∣nesse of his hartie affectiō and kindoes.
• Or, that if a Christian mās minde may be contenta∣ble.
• Or, I found & felt my self much grieued with the ex∣pectation and hope of your comming.
• A man of great fame & worthinesse, tho•…•…ough the notable lear∣ning & know∣ledge wher•…•…∣with he was indued.
• O•…•… galleries▪ both interp•…•…e∣tations are tol∣lerable.
• Beelike they were not farre distant one frō another.
• You haue ta ken paines at your studie in times past ve∣ry diligently: but the order of your style and phrase, gi ueth euidence of your exce∣ding earnest∣nesse, there∣in presently employed.
• In which two fingular 〈◊〉〈◊〉 requi∣si•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Rhe∣torician, C•…•…ce∣ro excelled. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 writers of all ages.
• In wh•…•…t re∣spect Longol∣commendeth Cicer•…•….
• A rare gift, and therefore deseruing pe∣culiar prai•…•…e.
• Tullie hee meaneth, of whome, and touching whō hee hath com∣mendably written.
• He •…•…cheth certaine speci∣alties contei∣ned and men∣cioned in his friends letter.
• Or, being disposed to his booke, & the loue of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• By that clause he mea neth nothing els, but that in lea•…•…ning is no loathing, ex∣cept it be in a loytere•…•….
• A protestati on of heartie goodwill and friendly af•…•…ec∣tion.
• The situati∣•…•…n whereof, to gether with the auncient descent of the people there inhabiting▪ i•…•… to be read in euerie geog•…•… pher.
• Though •…•…he seede, osten∣times, vpon things of gr•…•…t 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and vncertein∣tie.
• A citie in •…•…∣talié, now cal∣led Padua, foū ded by Ante∣nor a Troian Duke whose aūcient tumb or sepulchre is there remai ning to bee seene.
• Matters of necessitie, be∣like, for so it may be con iectured.
• He meaneth the P•…•…in whos fauour this Sa doletus was, and might therefore doe much in his friendes be∣•…•…lfe.