Galateo espagnol, or, The Spanish gallant instructing thee in that which thou must doe, and take heed of in thyusuall cariage, to be well esteemed, and loved of the people. Written in Spanish by Lucas Gracian de Antisco servant to his Majesty. And done into English by W.S. of the Inner Temple Esquire. Full of variety, and delight, and very necessary to be perused, not only of the generous youth of this kingdom, but also of all such as are exercised in their gentile education.

Of those that take offence at words.

10. On the other side, jests can hardly be distinguished, from wrongs, especially by some persons, who are so captious, that they take all jests, and quips, for affronts, and are so unsavory, and so voyd of understand∣ing, that insteed of being pleased, or delighted therewith, they grow into choller, so that none can jest or meddle with them: And there are some, that

suppose you should beare with their necessities and troublesomenesse, and if you say any thing to them, how slight so ever it bee: they are of such a disposition, that they are presently off of the hookes, and are so offen∣sively disquiet, that although they are (sometimes) quickly appeased, yet during that small time, that their foolish anger doth last, they may in∣fect others, with such an humour, that may bee their destruction. But what will it bee, if they bee head∣strong, and that their displeasure doe not depart, but that they sleepe with it, and they dissemble their inten∣tions, and wounded minde, with cheerfull countenances: wee can say no more of these, but this, that (if wee fall into merriment,) wee must sow a Hose about their Legges, as we use to doe to Chickens, that wee may know them a farre off. To this pur∣pose Doctor Villabos, the great Phy∣sitian, as it is related in a certaine very pleasing Dialogue of his, ha∣ving put a jest upon another Physiti∣an, in the presence of the King, hee grew in choler, and to bee revenged spake thus to the King. Your Majesty

may understand, that I value my selfe more, for that I am a Phisitian, then to be accompted a merry companion, or a jester, To whom Vilabos answe∣red, Seignior Doctor makes mee to bee very simple; for hee is so great a master, that he cannot be compted a wity companion, which answer being so readily given, was well ta∣ken, and the other received the pay he deserved. And it so falls out, that hee who is jeered, but in mirth, and in a friendly manner, doth often, by inconsideratnesse, take it for an affront and a disgrace. And although it bee so, that quips and jeeres are many times well taken, yet will not I counsell a civill Gentleman, to ad∣dict himselfe much unto them. Nor ought he to occasion them often to be spoken, nor at all times, and upon all occasions. For jestes well scanned, are nothing else, but bould, and subtile deceiptes. And therefore wee should leave the perpetuall making of jests, to those that live by them. Who though they jeere never so much, can prejudice none by it, but if they doe it wittyly are to bee rewarded for it. But when a brave Gentleman

speakes any thing sharply, hee is to consider that every one is offended with him, that telleth him of his fault or error. Therefore, for many rea∣sons it seemes that hee that desires to bee well esteemed, should not make himselfe a master of jests, much lesse to esteeme himselfe for his ability, in being Satyricall, and scandalous: like those that are full of censuring, al∣though they be very witty, and plea∣sing in it, nor let them take such jollity in it as to lose a friend there∣by. But especially it is worthy blame to make a jeere of the naturall defects of any one.