The golden meane Lately written, as occasion serued, to a great lord. Discoursing the noblenesse of perfect virtue in extreames.

THE Golden Meane.

MEN, as they are all the sons of their Mothers, are all the sub∣iects of misery; borne to liue few dayes in many dan∣gers whose glory (if they were Monarches of their owne desires) may be well

compared to their sha∣dowes in the Sunne; For, as the bodies shadow is at Morning before vs, at Noone beside vs, and at Night behinde vs; so is earthly glory, at Morning or in the prime before vs, in a goodly lustre; at Noone or in the full, be∣sides vs, in a violent heat; at Night or in the wane, behinde vs, in a neglected pitty. The difference is amongst some, that at Noone, or in the Meridian of their greatnes, in stead of hauing their glory be∣side them, they are beside their glory. But such vn∣doubtedly,

are rather strangers to the bloud of Vertue, then any way in∣dued with the spirit of per∣fect Noblenes. But so vn∣setled are the grounds of frailties courses, as here is yet not the totall sum of being miserable. If men could as well frame their mindes to their change of fortunes, as their change of misfortunes doth cor∣rupt their mindes, great∣nesse would as truely wel∣come calamitie, as the base doe reioyce in being great. Heereunto not the outward actions of the bo∣dy, but the inward remper

of the minde must be fra∣med, since the first are but hand-maides to the latter. Euen as one lying in the bed of visitation & death, doth not therefore die be∣cause hee is sicke, but be∣cause he liues (for the de∣priuation of life is death, not sicknesse) so the minde of man diuided by the consumption and disease of humor, being touched with affliction, is not therefore miserable be∣cause it suffers misery, but because it hath once ta∣sted (and bin lifted vp to) happinesse.

The Golden Meane, so

aunciently commended, is onely there perfectly obserued, where true Wisedome and true No∣bilitie are the speciall or∣naments of a prepared minde: In which, if those two meet, is figuratiuely included an allusion to the Sea: which, though clouds raine downe into it waters from aboue, and waters send flouds here beneath, yet doth it retayne all, ei∣ther without Iosse of salt∣nesse, or any shew of ouer∣flowing: The minde of a Wise and Noble man is such, that what or how many gusts and tides of

aduersity assault him, they may at all times rather arme, then at any time op∣presse him, since his reso∣lution cannot ouerflow with the rudenesse of pas∣sion; for that his excel∣lent and refyned tempe∣rature will euer retaine the salt of iudgement and moderation; the one pro∣uing a Wise, the other a Noble man.

In sorrowes or aduer∣sities nothing is so feare∣full as feare it selfe; which pashion of weakenesse is so below the heart of ver∣tue, that a minde trained vp in the exercises of ho∣nour,

cannot as much as let fall one looke to be∣hold it. If it be inquired what it is, or to what vse∣full ende, either of ease or pollicy, it may be imploy∣ed? in the first will be found little lesse then a de∣sperate basenesse; in the latter nothing more then an vngrounded desperate∣nesse. A man in the float of prosperitie to feare that he may fall, argues both the distrust of his owne merite, or the danger of his disposition. A man in the ebbe of his plenty, to feare a worse mischiefe then that of being poore

or despised, argues both his vnworthinesse in pro∣curing, & his impatiencie in bearing his fortune.

Feare with hope, is the readie witnesse of ba∣senesse: Feare without hope, the proclaimer of folly. And if there can be any miserie superlatiue, or if it were possible that there could be an ex∣treame in measure, it is in the feare of those twaine; yet doubtlesse the heauiest of the two torments is to feare without hope. Ei∣ther of which, to a minde Noble & vertuous, are so much a stranger, as there

cannot be found an in∣terpretor, who to an ho∣nourable resolution can inforce either the constru∣ction or vnderstanding thereof For it is as meere∣ly impossible for a great and excellent spirit to conceiue thoughts ten∣ding to basenesse, as for the base to apprehend the singular designes belong∣ing to the Noble minded. Soone then it is to be ob∣serued; that the distincti∣on betweene a worthy and a seruile person, must be rather sound out in the qualitie of their mindes, then the command of au∣thority

and complement. In which it is also further to be obserued, that in the composition of their mindes, there is as great and exquisite choise to be made, aswel how as where∣in the excellency of such a composition must bee remarked. The seruile weakenes of such, whose education, nature, experi∣ence, and wisedome can∣not claime any prioritie in desert, is so great, as it onely shewes that it dista∣steth not calamitie, so long as it is full fed with the happinesse of plenty and ease. In the worthy

and desertful it is nothing s•…•…: for they truely conside∣ring the custome and ne∣cessitie (as they are men) of feeling change of states, doe euer arme their resolution before it come for calamitie, as when it comes, in it, against cala∣mitie; wherein if the great and vertuous accidentally (not to speake of diuine prouidence) fall, they therein chiefly shewe the vertue of their greatnes, and the greatnes of their vertue, in that they know they then feele no more then at all times they were ordained to beare. Such

referre all accidents of in∣felicitie, to the incidence of their frailtie; measuring that being Men, they are but the miseries of men that befall them. It was (not to be tedious in ex∣amples) a wonderfull no∣blenesse and constancy in •…•…socacius, a chiefe man of Antioch, who standing at the Barre of iudgement, was spoken too by Posaeus the Soueraigne, who said; Seest thou not Isocacius in what plight thou art? ISO∣CACIVS answered him, I see it (qd. he) and maruell not; for since I am my selfe humane, I am come into an

humane miserie.

Rare and wonderfull∣was the courage and temperance of this vn∣imited Nobleman: and surely, where the minde is conformable to re∣member it is carryed in a body of Flesh, Discretion is the plotter, and mode∣ration the actor of a no∣table worke. This worke, as it is to be continued with singular fortitude, so must there a foundation be layde of an especiall wisedome; for he who will climbe to the full height of deserued glory, must ascend by the degrees of

deseruing fore-cast: which fore-cast, is euen the ground-worke or basis of perfect Vertue in extre∣mitie. It behoueth then a Noble and wiseman so to order the frame of his minde, that in what Sun∣shine of greatnessoeuer he be, he may euer expect a storme to onercloude his eminence. And this is to be done by iudicially exa∣mining, what the greatest temporal blessings a ppro∣ued by the vulgar opini∣on, in their owne proper∣ties are, and how subiect to monthly, daily, houre∣ly alteration: As what

riches are they (as wealth is vnderstood) whom po∣uertie and famine may not suddenly follow? what honour is that (as polliti∣que dignitie is vnder∣stood) whose power, whose largenesse, whose depen∣dences may not be follow∣ed by blemish, by enuy, or by extreame contempt? what Kingdome is that (as commaund and worldly gouernement is vnder∣stood) to which may not ruine be ordained, depo∣pulation, and mischiefe?

Prosperitie and aduer∣sitie are not by long times often sundred; for some∣times

is scant an houres difference betweene a Ihrone and a Cottage: whereby all men may know that the condition of euery man is changeable; and the wise may know that whatso∣cuer may happen to another, may happen to himselfe.

In auncient Records Pompey for wealth, Seianus for honour, Ptolomy for Kingdomes, are memora∣ble: yet was Pompey for all his wealth poore, & begd. Seianus for all his honour disgraced and executed: Ptolomy for all his King∣doms forgotten & extin∣guisht. If we would inquire

into our owne moderne Chronicles; we may read of VVoolsey the Cardinall, abounding in riches and abounding in miserie: ROBERT, Earle of ESSEX, propt vp in ho∣nours, and cast downe by enuie. Many of the Hen∣ries, Kings of much power and small fortune: other our Histories mention, who might as fitly be heere induced, but that those beeing freshest in memorie, and all within the compasse of one age, will sooner stirre vp our hearts, and worke an im∣pressiō in our beliefes, then

others who are with vs of lesse credite, because of more antiquitie.

Another effectuall con∣sideration to the building of this excellent worke of a resolued and prepared minde, is euen in the foun∣dation to be thought on. For if there be no certain∣tie in VVealth, in Honour, in Soueraignty (in the frui∣tion of whom, chiefely, if not onely, resteth the Pa∣radice of an earthly Hea∣uen) much lesse assurance may be dream't of in any inferiour pleasures: for which a wiseman (who is the true Nobleman) ought

thus to resolue, that he is not lord of his owne mind who is vndaunted, as long as his fortunes are mini∣sters to his will: but when he is cast downe, or rather cast away in his hopes, vn∣done in his expectation, set below his owne heart, vnfriended, and the sub∣iect of vncomforting pit∣tie: Hee then who now witnesseth by his modera∣tion in those sadnesses, the courage of his Noblenesse, by the Noblenesse of his VVisedome, is both per∣fectly wise in being so cou∣ragious, and as perfectly couragious in beeing so

noble. It was well said of one, that A calme Sea and a faire VVinde proues not a Sailers skill. A sure Pilot is proued in a doubtfull storme, and a wise noble minde is truely tried in the storme of aduersitie, not in the calme of felicitie. Fortune enuies nothing more then a setled and well gouerned resolution; and such a Marriner de∣serues remembrance to posteritie, who in Ship∣wracke dies, imbracing the Maste, rather then hee who faintly for feare of drowning leapes into the Sea.

Lastly, if neither the re∣spect of the instabilitie of humane endowments, nei∣ther the regard of honor, being prone to fall, nor the vnstaidnesse of Kingdomes (the Scepter beeing the highest flight of Ambiti∣on) cannot imprint in the minde an abandoning of itselfe, by reputing earthly delights and acquisitions to be in their owne nature, as in their owne nature they are, passable and vn∣certaine; yet may the sure∣nesse of paying a debt (which cannot be excu∣sed) to death, be a mayne and singular motiue to a

noble and wise man, for sufferance of all changes of conditions and estates, with the sweetely-vnited blessings, Iudgement and content. He that remem∣bers that hee liues a life, cannot but forethinke that hee must dye a death: If hee looke into what life it selfe is, hee shall finde (by experience of the past, and proofe of the present age) that it is none other but a iourney to death. If a man examine the scope of his owne desires, they will fall out to be a desiring to hasten to his graue Death and the graue (two tor∣tures

to the memory of worldly foolish men) are the onely principa•…•…l ends to which the vanitie of pleasures runne at: For men in wealth, in honour, in gouernment, desire the time to come; the one in hope of increase of his gaine, the other of his greatnesse, the third•…•… of Empyre. So what else doe they but couet by growing elder in dayes, to flye to the full race of their li∣uing, which is death? Of this a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Noble-man should-not; and a true wise man cannot feare. It was an answer (worthy the fpe∣ker,)

of the Philosopher, who hearing of his Sonnes death said: When I had be∣gotten him I well knew hee should dye: and who would be so ignorant as not to confesse that whosoeuer is brought out of the wombe is destined also to the se∣pulchre of the earth? To a man prepared by the light of the minds vertue, this is euer seeming neces∣sarie, as well willingly to restore that when it is re∣quired of him, though it were by death, as to enioy that which is giuen him if it were his life, since one being borne into the one,

cannot escape the other. The Minde should euer keepe measure, what of ne∣cessitie it must suffer let it not feare: what is doubt∣full that it may suffer, let it alwayes looke for: So shall it not be afflicted be∣fore afflictions doe come; nor vnprouided when they are come.

All men, yea all things, must be freed by an end, though the end bee not a like to all, neither in man∣ner or time; some forgoe their liues in the middle of their time, some in the dawning of their life, some liue till they are euen wea∣ry

of liuing, some dying naturally, some violently, others enforcedly, many (in respect of men) casual∣ly, but all at some time dying. In this kinde then it is questionable, whether it bee more foolish not to know, or more shame∣full not to imbrace na∣ture: Hee that liues well needeth not to feare the vglines of death appearing in any forme, or in any disguise; if he first resolue, that whensoeuer or how∣soeuer hee comes, yet it is but death, and it must come.

Some one that is to

trauaile of necessitie vpon the hazard of his life, vnto Constantinople by land, being vnexperienc't in the dangers, and the many miseries of his ioumey, for his better instructions, seekes comfort in the councel of another, who hath bought knowledge of the way with the price of many weary and distressed paces, and being come, learnes this for an app•…•…∣ued certainty, that first the iourney it selfe is long and tedious, the way trouble∣some and vneuen, the change of ayres infectious and vnhealthy, the desarts

wast and vncomfortable, directions chargeable and vncertaine, here theeues prepared to spoyle, there beasts set all on rauine, surety no where, danger on all hands, and what is the worst of these aduentures; if hee obtaine the scope of his desires, and arriue euen to the furthest of his iourney, yet shall he there finde a Turke that is Em∣perour, cruell in nature, boundlesse in command, faithlesse of truth, treache∣rous and full of the bloud of Christians: what com∣fort resteth to bee hoped for from this afflicted tra∣uailler,

or what should he doe? To goe is the hazard of life, to stay the certainty of death: now the Noble∣nes of Wisedome must di∣rect, & the Vertue of No∣blenesse incourage his re∣solution, to resolue a stead∣dines of minde to counter∣maund the heauinesse of both fortunes: And it be∣houes such a man, so tra∣uailing, to be prepared, as∣well to beare danger when he mee•…•…es with it, as to be instructed before, that there is danger to be met with. In like manner is e∣uery man borne to great∣nesse, so likewise borne to

iourney to death. To which ere he come, (death being the furthest home of all our trauailes) wee must know that wee are to passe through the miseries of mortallity, and particular∣ly informe our selues that life it selfe (how short so∣euer) in respect of it's frailty, is long and tedi∣ous, the manner of liuing troublesome and vneuen, the change of estates infe∣ctious to the minde, vn∣healthy to the soule, the wildernesse of opinion and iudgement wasted by the cause, and comfortlesse in the effects of folly:

directions to reformation chargeable, if wee respect our ignorance, vncertaine if wee remember our wil∣fulnesse: Here on the one side are theeues, euen our affections to spoile vs of vertue; there on the other side Beasts, which are de∣fects of reason, set on to deuoure vs; euen our man∣ner of liuing is a baite to allure vs from the surety of life, and when wee are come to the deadly sicke∣nesse that must finish our course, the worst of euill is, that hauing past all the quicksands and perils of life, wee haue within vs

death it selfe in our owne consciences to bring vs to death.

Nothing is left there∣fore to a man borne to liue, but a stayed and a sure resolution to be ar∣med to die. In which hee is to care, not where hee shall die, or in what man∣ner, or in what estate, but that hee must die, and in what minde, and in what memorable vertues.

Heere, the foundation to the erecting the Ma∣ster-piece of the Golden Meane being layd now vp∣on these or some other considerations, not much

differing from these; a No∣ble wise man is then to know his owne worth, wherby calamity may not cast him so downe, as that hee cannot call to minde that hee hath beene once happy; as greatnes might not so lift him vp as that hee should be secure that he could neuer be vnhap∣pie.

It is much needfull that worthy personages ha∣uing merit to commend their bloud, and birth to make goodly their merit, should in such sort be both knowers and dire∣ctors of their own vertues,

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

as neither honorable esti∣mation should so purchase the opinion of vanitie, to be blowne vp with the sim∣plicitie of pride; neither a too low discent to the weakenesse of seruilitie, that they are become the miracles of pittie. He that knowes himselfe, not that he is so much a great man as a good man; knowes likewise it is a labour of as rare desert to preserue Goodnesse, as to finde it; as on the other part, the meerely ambitious rather studie to finde greatnesse, then being found and en∣ioyed to preserue it. Such

principles ingenerall, be∣ing by a discerning iudge∣ment cont•…•…iued, the con∣triuer cannot be far from the parts that leade to this Golden Meane.

It is many times seene that those who leade their liues according to the measure of their will and power, doe not measure their will and power ac∣cording to the frailtie of their liues; yet certainely they lead an euill life who are still beginning to liue, for that life is euer vnper∣fect which hath learned but the first onely rule to goodnesse: certaine other,

then chiefly begin to liue when they are certaine to end the race of so liuing by death; and some also there are, who end their liues before they can well be said to haue begunne to liue.

Most men subiect to those vnhappinesses, like things floating on the wa∣ter, doe not goe, but are carried; not the counsell of prouidence directs their steps to goe by the staffe of discretion, but they are wholly rather carried by the violent streame of opinion and conceit, precisely termed

Humour. To vnmaske the vizour that hides the de∣formitie of this customa∣rie vilenesse, much guilt is to be laid on the change of the times, or indeed on the change of men in the times. For, whiles the World was yet in her in∣fancie, neither was such plenty of temptation to inuite, neither was vanity so plentifull to tempt the happinesse of that age to the miseries of this: But as dayes grow more num∣berles in number, so men in those dayes waxed more irregular in man∣ners: which irregularitie

of manners, increased by the deprauation of reason in men of all conditions; in fooles euer, in the wise often; for euen the wise do themselues, not seldom suffer an eclipse of reason.

The difference that is, is for that such a defect proceeds rather out of the firmitie of Nature, then out of any subiection of the minde: for, where the minde is subiected to the grossenes of errour, there doth the man so for the time (so subiected) for∣sake the course of Wise∣dome, which like a fixed Starre should (how soeuer

the heauens moue) be vn∣moueable, and vnmoued in the Center of his place; and such as so is, is truely said to be true Noblenesse, true Vertue, true Wise∣dome.

Euen as one that is to frame a goodly building on a delightfull plot of ground, doth first proui∣dently forecast aswell of the hazards and hinderan∣ces that may come, as the charge which daily must come. Amongst which must principally be con∣sidered, the title of the right, and what claime may belayd thereto, and

what meanes may be vsed to remoue that claime. Then the necessitie of prouision, the casuall change of weather, the wearinesse of working; for all which, if interaccidents of extremity should hap∣pen remedies for the same must be thought on. So a man in his minde wisely resolued to the building of this excellent frame of the Golden Meane, on the plot of a prepared resolu∣tion, must endeuour to prouide cures against the fates of extremitie. A few of which extremities that doe many times assault the

temper of a Noble vertue, it shall not much differ from the purpose and present to point at.

With men of Honour and Nobilitie, the chiefe misfortunes that can, or doe vsually, happen, are either Disfauour, Neglect, forfeite of Estate, Banish∣ment, Imprisonment, or Death. The remedies a∣gainst all which, shall easi∣ly in perticular bee sub∣serted.

Disfauour, often times comes either through Pri∣uie malice, selfe-vnworthy∣nesse, Enuie, or sometimes through the variablenesse

of an vnguided Prince inclination: To each 〈◊〉〈◊〉 those, a wise man may, and a good man will soone ap∣ply a medicine, and in tha•…•… a recouery. To deser•…•… the grace of a Prince is an•…•… honorable happines; yo•…•… is not the losse of it (being once deserued) a misery; especially to wise men, since vvise men may bee made subiect, but neuer subiects to misery: cala∣mity may exercise, but not ouersway their vertues: misfortune may bee an vsurping tyrant to paine them, but neuer a recei∣ued soueraigne to com∣mand

them: If the Prince his gracious fauour be lost through the priuie malice of some, who fill the eares of Maiestie with the dis∣•…•…ord of slander and vn∣truth, grounded vpon the sandy foundation of vn∣certaine discontent, or dishonourable reuenge, then hath a wise Noble man, out of those very wrongs, strong arguments to perswad his reason, that there is much reason why hee should be perswaded to moderation: for being innocent of any voluntary action or intent that might make his faith que∣stionable,

or his serui•…•… dangerous, or his merit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lesse value then a voy•…•… of generall commenda•…•…, hath formerly 〈◊〉〈◊〉, his owne cleerenes•…•… may euer rest vpon the vn∣moued pillars of his own•…•… Noble integritie.

Where a man in grace with his Soueraigne falls from it by a selfe-vnworthy∣nesse, it is far otherwise: & vndoubtedly, whosoeuer is so impoisoned with the dis∣eases of his minde, or the infirmity of his body hath great & principal causes to moue him to seeke for re∣medy against the disperti∣on

of the one, & the asper∣•…•…ion of the latter. To this •…•…elfe-unworthynes, either in •…•…inde or body, may be re∣•…•…erred Ambition, the Mo∣•…•…her of disloial plots & pra∣ctises: Discontent, the Nurse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conspiracies; Couetous•…•…es, that kindling fires with the fuell of Monopolies, is in∣forced to quench them with the teares of disgrace, and that which soone fol∣lowes thereon, Contempt. •…•…aine-glory, or Pride, which whiles with Pompeys minde it cannot brooke the title of a superiour, is with Pompeys fortunes cast down beneath the pittie of their equals.

Faction, vvhich like foolish flye in the cand•…•… labours her owne dea•…•… with other diseases, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 many to be tediously rec∣ted: or to this self-〈◊〉〈◊〉, through the infi•…•…mitie of the body, which more especially consists in action, may bee referred Ryot, in all men a madnes, in Noble men a blemish, and to good Princes most displeasant; or Quarrelling, which euer brings danger, with too late repentance; or Wantonnesse, the ouer∣throw of many goodly kindreds and familyes; or Scurrilitie, with other such

like. Since when mention was made of the unworthi∣•…•…esse of body, it is not any defect in Nature, or natu∣rall proportion, but in manners outwardly acted: For many times it is com∣monly seene, that where Nature hath fail'd in some parts of the outward man, shee hath oftentimes sup∣plyed those wants with a pregnancy of minde.

A president whereof is (not to borrow of aunci∣ent Histories,) euen in the CHRONICLES of our pre∣sent memories, in the per∣son of ROBERT, the late Earle of SALISBVRY,

a man whose vneuenes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shape was perfected with the perfect furniture of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 reaching and industrio•…•… wit. So was the crookedness of Aesape made straight in the sweetnes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his inuention. And Scora∣tes, that odde man of A∣thens, is said to haue said of himselfe, that education & Art in him, had changed the course of Natures vn∣furnished workmanship.

Of these, and such im∣perfections of body, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is not heere intended, but of such as by their owne selfe-vnworthines in body in minde, & often in both,

doe loose the intrest, their Blood, Birth, and Noble∣nesse (being noble indeed by those both) hath in their Princes opinion.

A remedy against self-un∣worthinesse; must be found out in a selfe-reformation; which being sincerely per∣formed, the follyes of the past times belong not to the reformed.

If one should call such a one (as hath bin knowne for a notorious robber.) Theefe, being certainely sorrowfull, penitent, and accomptable for all his er∣rours in that kinde, doubt∣lesse it were much indis∣cretion

in the Agent to speake so to him, & more in the Patient to esteeme it as spoken of him, since wise and good men as they do not repute those things theirs which they haue not done, so must they neither acknowledge for theirs which they now presently doe not. Non vocamus •…•…∣nostra quae non ipsi fecimus, at quae non ipsi facimus, as the right sence of the olde Verse contayneth.

So then: Hath a great PEERE loft his Princes fa∣uour, because he deserued to loose it? let not this de∣iect or caft him downe in

mind, since as by a change from good to worser hee forewent his Princes loue, or rather his Princes loue∣him; So yet by a change from bad to better, he still is worthy of a reposses∣sion of that loue, though hee repossesse it not: And what worth cannot be seen by the publique little eye of the great world, by rea∣son of his being clouded from the Sunne of his life and glory, his Prince; let it bee so much the more seene by the priuate great eye of his own little world (euen himselfe and his owne comforts) and teach

him to know the difference betweene a great and a good man, the one pre∣ferring vertue onely for greatnesse, the other pre∣ferring greatnesse for the greatnes of vertue onely.

Another cause, which not seldome procureth dis∣fauour from the Prince, is that old enimie to desert Enuy, who is so aunci∣ent a Courtier, and so try∣ed in the passages of all ages, that such a man as is in fauour with his Soue∣raigne, deseruing so to be, and imagining himselfe to bee without the compasse of Enuy, is too securely, &

in that security, too simply armed against his owne ruine.

Heere now is a broad path, leading, or more truely teaching the ready course to the excellent meane of Temperance and Moderation. Euery man ought to reioyce and so∣lace himselfe in his owne perfections: for it is as beast-like not to know his proper value at all, as it is diuellish to know it too much. Humble-Pride is a proud humilitie, and such as exercise it with inno∣cence rather then curiosi∣tie, doe but shew the diffe∣rence

betweene a nobly and generous, and a base∣ly fantasticall Nature. Whereby then should a man be perswaded that he is an imbracer of vertue, more then in that hee is prosecuted by the restlesse venome of the enuious.

Hath this secret mis∣chiefe displaced any de∣sertfull fauorite of the be∣nefite of the fauour royall? assuredly hee hath little cause to distaste it any thing, or to be moued from the commendation of a resolued minde, that as hee shall by tempering his disgrace vvith suffe∣rance,

increase the honor of his merit, so shall hee giue matter still of more enuie to the enuious, who are oftentimes as much afflicted with the patience, as they are with the pro∣speritie of the party enui∣ed.

It is better to be enui∣ed then pittied: pitty pro∣ceeding out of a cold cha∣ritie towards the misera∣ble: enuie out of a corrup∣tion of qualitie against the vertuous: If it be ob∣iected that the losse of a Princes fauour, through the instigation of some enuious opposite, hath

most cause to afflict a no∣ble minde, in that his e∣nemie hath preuailed a∣gainst him; the same rea∣son may be answered with the same reason. That such an enemy cannot be said to preuaile, who fights with the weapons of a dishonourable treachery; and what greater triumph or conquest can a Wise or a Noble man wish to en∣ioy, then to torment his aduersary with the perfe∣ctions of his vertue? But in the meane time enuy ouer∣rules? True, and heere is an inducement to a steady moderation, in that it is

but enuy. But the Princes fauour is by this meanes lost? So is a Noble mans selfe-worthinesse by the same meanes found: and it is a greater blemish to the iudgement of a Prince so traduced, not to exa∣mine the particulars why he doth reiect a worthy subiect, then to the sub∣iects worthinesse, with∣out particular examina∣tions from his Prince to be reiected. So, neither then should enuy remoue, but for that it is enuy, confirme and strengthen a noble resolution.

Sometimes the variable∣nesse of the Princes incli∣nation, his addiction to change from royall Ver∣tues to horrible Vices, is the reason of his disfavour with those who are of the best desert: Such and of such conditions were ill England, RICHARD the second, in Rome, NERO, in Sicile, DIONISIVS, and such are for the most part all Tyrants, who if they exercise not their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ouer the liues, yet certain∣ly exercise it ouer the harts of their faithfullest subiects. Such Princes are rather vvanton in their

fauours then iudicious, and the weakenesse of ver∣tue is the cause of that de∣priuation of iudgement. How happy is that man who hath lost that grace (with a Prince of that con∣dition) which he may rest confident he neuer surely had?

And aboue many o∣ther motiues, this is most generall and most effectu∣all to rectifie a wise mans minde, for such a one as layes the foundations of his hopes on the moue∣able sandes of his Princes fauour, is like a foolish Marchant that aduen∣tures

all his substance in a broken vessell: and hee that relyes on the vnhap∣pinesses of such fauour, must of necessitie banish al Noble resolutions from his dissignes, for it is a headlong folly, and a wil∣full detraction that such a one seekes, if he doe not as∣well resolue to endeuour to preserue and continue his Princes grace, as to finde and enioy it.

Now this is a direct, or indeede indirect running away from the maine worke of goodnesse: for to as many vices as the Nature & life of a wicked

man may be inclined, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 many must he addresse •…•…imselfe to be a bawd, if not an actor in them; and of all vnhappines this is the first. Certainly good Clarkes haue said, and ex∣perience doth vvitnesse, that an exact Courtier is •…•…eldome a good man; for not to speake of generall enormities in particular; Courtiers are most times giuen ouer to those two wonderful madnesses Pride and Riot, Pride counte∣nancing their Riot, and RIOT making glorious their Pride. What a bles∣sing (for it is more then a

happinesse) the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of those common errors 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the wiseman will acknow∣ledge, and the fortunate Noble may proue.

Princes sometimes an•…•… vnguided in their dis∣positions, and then he•…•… who is neerest in fauo•…•… is in greatest danger of his place, which happening many times, puts him in many feares, in so much as euen the ground work that beares vp his ambi∣tion is shaken with euery breath of an vnpleasant word: And what miserie then can that be, to be out of this miserie; especially when the Prince is of a

changeable and deuided minde? So that hee that will ingeniously looke into the worst of a Princes dis∣•…•…auour (himselfe not detected of vnworthynesse) may likewise ingeniously confesse that there is much gaine in such a losse.

Of other miseries (which are so reputed amongst men) that may happen to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Noble 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Neglect 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 another, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉, when his seruice for his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or aduise for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or indeuours to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Soueraigne, are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not commended, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 least not rewarded; here

is required indeede much vertue to conquer that part of man vvhich is meerely man, and to stand resolute vpon the gard of his owne worthynesse. This Neglect in a Prince, comes from an insensible ingra∣titude, or want of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quicknesse in the fa∣culties of his soule. If from ingratitude, (a sinne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 full in all men, but in Kings, estates, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nours horrible) then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fortune, or (if you so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to terme it) misery of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for by how much a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is vnt hankfull in rewarding

the seruice of his subiect, by so much the more is hee ingaged to all memo∣ries of being a dishonora∣ble debtor.

And though a man is bound to pay the best of his seruice either to his KING or COVNTRY, in the safety of the one, and preseruation of the o∣ther, and dutie to both, yet so are both his KING and Country interchangeably bound to fauour, cherish, and respect worth in a wor∣thy deseruer. But if Neg∣lect proceede out of a want of iudgment, or a decer∣ning Vertue, then hath the

neglected much mo•…•… cause to beare that iniu•…•… A man is not to expect thankes from a Oxe, or Horse, for feeding, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ring, dressing and smoothing of him, because it is an Oxe or a Horse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whom hee doth it. Truel•…•… a gouernour of people that can eate, clothe an•…•… feede another mans la∣bours, and cannot giue ac∣knowledgement at least to him who by the working of his braines, expence of his bloud, and consumpti∣on of his estate, or such like seruices, doth in peace feede and clothe his King

and Country, such a ruler •…•…ffers, in this, little from a •…•…east, that hath not rea∣•…•…on, or at least the vse of •…•…eason.

But if Neglect come •…•…om the vnsteddinesse of •…•…he common people, then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is nothing strange: for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they are wonne in an •…•…oure, so are they lost in a minunte; & whosoeuer co∣•…•…etech popular applause, •…•…or depends vpon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the vulgar, doth with the dogge in Esope, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 carnes, captare vmbres; •…•…imbrace clouds, and beget Centaures; and doth iustly deserue no commendati∣ons

at all for so seeking to be commended.

If yet it be fit to inqui•…•… further into the maine con∣struction, what, or of what value and, moment this Neglect is, experience 〈◊〉〈◊〉 others will learne vs to be Schoole-masters to our selues; for let a man be n•…•…∣uer so iminent in authori∣tie vnder his PRINCE, let him haue what greatnesse he can imagine, and what adoration and reueren•…•… the humilitie of the pub∣lique wonder can giue•…•… Let his words be obserued as Oracles, his commands as Lawes, his displeasure

•…•…s death, yet with the flight of a thought if vpon some dislike grounded or vn∣grounded, the King at any time shorten his Royall fa∣•…•…our, or the Law in any point take hold on him, •…•…hereby hee appeares to •…•…he iudgement of the world, to bee entring into •…•…he way of miserie, how •…•…ensibly and how soone 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all hefeele an alteration of those large flatteries which the seruilitie of the •…•…ncertaine people promi∣•…•…ed?

A witnesse hereof in his time was, and in this time may be, Iohn, that great

and last Duke of No 〈◊〉〈◊〉 THVMBERLAN 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whose pride and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were at once hastened by the too much confident he had in the harts of the Cominaltie; with what speed was hee disgran•…•… of his Soueraigne, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Lords, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the multitude 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who is onely couetous of any 〈◊〉〈◊〉, though 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be change from the good to the worst? A iust man therefore (whose sound∣nesse of minde like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Centre of the earth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 euer vnmoued) by the light of those few 〈◊〉〈◊〉

dent reasons may vnder∣stand how easie it is for the popular iudgement as •…•…ell in distinctions of mi∣•…•…eries as of happinesse to •…•…rre: for as they account •…•…states and conditions miserable, which are not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the vanitie of outward glory, or fulnesse of substance; so doe they likewise reckon that feli∣city the truest happinesse, whose dignitie and migh∣•…•…inesse is like the blazing Starre, for the present, as strange as fearefull: and for a wise, a good •…•…noble spirit to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the neglect of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in such

creatures, would be strong proofe that hee neuer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the perfect relish eythe•…•… of perfect wisedome, per∣fect goodnesse, or perfect Nobilitie.

Like as hath before beene said of Neglect, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much or more may be inferred of that misery called the forfeiture 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Estate, that is, of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 plenty or fulnesse of tem∣porall substance, as with worldly men the name and possession of riches doth include. Of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ther miseries this in th•…•… iudgement of such as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not truly directed by true•…•…

iudgement of such as are not truely directed by tru∣est iudgement, is reputed the most miserable: Inso∣much as most men thinke, and so thinking, so resolue, that Death, in any forme, is much more tollerable then beggary (for so they terme pouerty) by any ca∣sualty.

One example or presi∣dent to both Noble and vnderstanding men, of what commendation the abandoning of rich for∣tunes, being reported by Quintus Curtius, may be remembred with immor∣tall glory, of Abdo-homi∣nas,

a poore man; rich in all plenty, except plenty of riches, to whom Alexan∣der of MACEDON, proffer∣ring the Kingdome of Si∣don to him, who was bee∣fore but a Gardener, was by him refused, who reply∣ed that hee would take no care to loose that which hee neuer cared to enioy. The Historie is worthy, & the answere full of obser∣uation, and will bee euer memorable.

Of all other things, free spirits & wise men should least respect the losse of temporall wealth, which is no part of a man.

Riches were fitly by the Philosophers called bona Fortunae, vncertaine en∣dowments; to figure vnto vs, that as fortune is euer variable, so should her be∣nefits bee reputed but vn∣constant friends: in regard whereof they were exclu∣ded from the gifts as well of the body as of the minde, that is, neither Health, Beautic or vertues of any sort, did neede the ornament of those gifts of Fortune.

A good man, if of his owne industrie and merit, hee hath purchased vnto himselfe wealth, hath little

reason to grieue at the losse of them, since he remaines still as perfect in the cun∣ning of gayning as when he first began: but another of more aboundance, whose possessions come to him by inheritance, with∣out any care of his owne, he hath no reason at all to distaste the seizure of his estate, since he doth forgo but that which hee neuer laboured for. Truly in re∣spect of this it behoueth euery resolued minde to beare the courage of the wise man of GREECE, that said, he at all times carried all what was his with him

wheresoeuer he went.

Wisedome, Temperance, Valour, Iustice, are the sub∣stance and hereditary pos∣sessions of a perfectly hap∣py man, and these riches cannot bee forfaited, ex∣cept by a decay of Vertue, they cannot be seized ex∣cept the owner cast them off, they cannot suffer con∣tempt so long as they bee nourished in a noble minde. Indeede riches are to a good man like a light silken Cloake vpon his backe, who is else prouided against the extreamitie of colde with warme furres: So hee that hath his owne

goodnesse and resolution to warme him in all win∣ters of aduersitie, needes wealth but as a thinne sil∣ken Cloake vpon a furred Gowne, rather to shew the vanitie of his disposition, then any vsefull imploy∣ment to the sustenance of life.

If nature be prouided for against hunger with meate; against frosts with apparell; against con∣tempt with comelinesse, the desire of money or large Lordships, argues but the base filthinesse of an vnsatisfied couetous∣nesse.

There may be obiected, that ô my estate being for∣feited, mine Heires are beggard, and the antiqui∣tie of my ancestors house made the spectacle of ruine.

This being admitted, it is soone answered, that the houses of most conti∣nuance, and personages of Noblest births account that antiquitie of best esti∣mation which is deriued from the longest discent, in which they shall finde, that the first of their ho∣nors were gotten by him, who was in as low an ebbe of fulnesse, as hee is now

at the present: for all greatnes had a beginning, and the beginning of that greatnesse is desert. Am I Noble, let me know that this noblenesse is the least part of mine; for my fa∣thers wonne it by their vertue, they had the glo∣ry, but I enioy the Titles. Haue I robd mine Heires of those Titles, Honours, or Possessions? let them striue to haue more ho∣nour in deseruing more, that their Successors may asmuch remember their vertues, as I haue remem∣bred the vertues of my Ancestors. Questionlesse

howsoeuer the reputation of a continued Family in ancient Honours, be pre∣ferred aboue any men of latter greatnesse, of some whose worth hath raised his house to a noble stile, yet is it in the lawes of reason most reasonable; that hee should deserue more respect, that by his owne atchiuements hath purchased dignitie, then others that onely haue it by the priuiledge of bloud, since the one weares but the shaddowes of his Predecessors tri∣umphes, the other the substance of his owne

Pouerty is no burthen to them as can susteine it, is no enemy to such as will imbrace it: He is only miserable that knowes not to be content with his Fortune, especially if his fall be procured by his owne errours. Then the surest, the Noblest, the on∣ly meanes to redeeme publike calamitie, is by a publike (and yet inward profession of sufferance; for in all persons and per∣sonages, reformation of folly is a worke of more praise then the working of folly is a cause of disgrace.

What misery can it

then be to be eased of that care, which onely brings care in the possession. Of all mischiefes, the greatest mischiefe is to be a rich man, with a rich mans minde. There is no more reason why a meerely co∣uetous man should loue Gold, but for that it is yellow or faire; Pastures, because they are greene; and so hath the enuious much more reason to Co∣•…•…uer abundance of wealth, because other men should want it. A couetous mi∣ser, is rightly a malicious consumer, for in heaping for himselfe, he consumes

the maintenance of the needy: yet it is to be no∣ted, that plenty is not al∣wayes to be dispraised, if the hauing of it doe no•…•… procure a scarcitie. But what losse is so great in a worldly estate (conside∣ring how weake it is more then in opinion) which a wise man should not beare with mode∣ration?

It is a misery to want, but a greater misery to haue too much: but for a good man to hugge the loue of abundance, that he should imagine the losse of it, should make him misera∣ble,

I must conclude this point that he hath neither goodnes nor resolution: if goodnesse, his content should be his best estate; if resolution, his want can∣not be esteemed the worst pouertie, since extremity is a singular teacher to learne vs that we are men, and that there is both a diuine power and a pro∣uidence aboue vs; the one consisting in being a God, the other in hauing a God-head.

The difference between a wise man, reformed by counsell and instruction, and an ignorant man, in∣formed

in will and folly, is, that the wife will make good vse of all aduersity, when the ignorant thinks all aduersitie intollerable. This is proued in the greatnes of a Noble cou∣rage, when it is enforced to forsake (either vpon publike disgrace, or some priuate causes) the com∣forts of his friends and Countrie, which men of low hearts) doe account a misery of mischiefes, and reckon that banishment is a bad kinde of torture.

It may not be denied but that such may be the vnworthinesse of the acti∣on

for which a man is ba∣nished, that his owne con∣science will in all places be a tormentor to his me∣mory, and then the wound which he beares with him can neuer by change of place or time be wholy cured. Such a one, ano∣ther of this latter times, well compared to the wounded Doe in Virgill, who (as the Poet sayes) fled ouer Hils and Moun∣taines to escape death, but all in vaine; for still in her sides the Bow-mans kil∣ling Arrowe sticks. So, those men who haue the arrow of some mischieuous

art, piercing their afflicted hearts, although they be banished from the place where they haue commit∣ted villanie, yet they doe but goe from it, they can∣not forget it. They flie the detraction of their sin, but cannot shunne it; or if they could shun the deed (as they cannot) what can that auaile when the doer is the man himselfe?

In good men, who through diuers misfor∣tunes are sequestred from their natiue Countries vp∣on wrongfull or sleight occasions it is nothing so: for to them if they right∣ly

(as beeing good they will) instruct themselues in the first rules of wise∣dome, all Countreyes are a home. A noble and free resolution is a stranger no where; in which respect men perfectly wise, are said to be perfectly vali∣ant, since as true wisedome is perfect vallour, so is true vallour perfect modera∣tion.

Many men haue aban∣doned their Countries, & made themselues volunta∣ry exiles vpon a desire and greedy hope of gaine, or better prosperitie: such haue beene the Romans,

Romulus and Aeneas; of the Patauynes, Antenor; of the Britaines (if the history bee of credite) euen our owne Brute; yet truely the end of those men was no•…•… vvay glorious; for they may more rightly be cal∣led fugitiues and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then exiles or tra∣uailers.

He deserued well of the Common-vvealth of Athens, who hauing institut∣ed excellent lawes for th•…•… state publique, tooke Oat•…•… of the Magistrates tha•…•… his lawes should be day•…•… and duely practised, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his returne from a iourne•…•…

vvhich hee vvas to vnder∣take: the oath being re∣ceiued, the good man free∣ly liued banished from his Country, neuer returning, that for the safety of his Country, his lawes might •…•…ee kept inuiolable: Yet •…•…as this wise man so farre in this banishment from reproofe, that his action and memory in his action, will neuer be forgotten.

Of all accidents that can happen to a prepared minde, this of banishment hath little cause to trouble the quiet calme of a steady resolution. It is often seene that sundry persons for ra∣rities

sake, for morall in∣struction in complement or in behauiour, willingly some times trauaile into forraine lands, and there spend their time for three, sixe, tenne yeeres or more with great delight, taking pleasure and content in so growing old: Euen so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 like manner let a good man resolue him selfe tha•…•… this hard word of banish∣ment is but a iourney of pleasure into some out∣landing country, not pro∣posing or limitting to the minde a time of comming backe, but alwayes mind∣ing some fit imployment

why hee should goe: as if •…•…ee were but Ambassador from his owne to some vn∣knowne Prince: and with what dishonor can an Am∣bassadour be blemished, who in the seruice of his Soueraigne leaues his life as a pledge of his dutie? It may be in the bondes of Nature, some man will esteeme it an heauy mis∣fortune to forsake, or (as in the vvorst sence they terme it) to be thrust from the fruition of the com∣fort of his Friends, Chil∣dren, Allyes, and Kins∣folkes: such a thought can no more moue the temper

of a resolued minde; the•…•… it should doe if hee were to leaue the world, since in dying, and in being ba∣nished, heere is the diffe∣rence, that the one neces∣sitie is commanded by an vnchangeable decree from Heauen, the other by a seuere imposition of man; both being a seuera∣tion of old friends.

What a madnesse were it in any to repute death (being thereto naturally called) a misery? Euen so let him thinke of banish∣ment, and withall, com∣pare the great fortunes that some haue attained

vnto in that estate of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, with the possibilitie of his owne.

THOMAS MOV∣•…•…RAY, Duke of Norffolke, in the Reigne of RICHARD the second, being by the said King, by reason of the Kings youth and indiscre∣tion; and in regard of some other differences between Mowbray and other Prin∣ces of the bloud, vpon an appeale of Treason, bani∣shed; was so far from be∣ing heerewith deiected, that adding practise to the noblenesse of his cou∣rage, hee vndertooke a glorious warre in the land

of Palestine, against the common enemie of God and Truth, the Turke, and willingly made his bloud a sacrifice to the redemp∣tion of his Fame. Happy man, that sought out death with victorie, be∣fore that death could make him vnhappy by finding him out with o∣uerthrow: Happy banish∣ment, which hath beene the meanes of such a memory, and happy cause of banishment that was the first occasion to such meanes of being memo∣rable.

In like manner, Hem•…•…

of Richmond, being for his interest in the Crowne by that monster of men and Kings, RICHARD the third, found (by his euen carriage and vvell tempered moderation) such fauour and loue in the Courts and hearts of forraine Princes, as that being strengthened with their strengths, and en∣couraged by his owne right and vertue, he not onely returned to chal∣lenge but to recouer his owne, and to purge the Land of so intollerable mischiefe as the gouerne∣ment

of that cruell vsur∣per and bloudy King had made it sigh vnder. Hap∣py banishment, in so glori∣fying that Prince: Happy Prince, in so disposing that banishment: for it is cer∣tainely true, that not any accident of misfortune (as the world accounts) but the minde of the patient in suffering, or not suffe∣ring, makes it a misery.

If examples be of any force (as they must be) by the president of former times to instruct the pre∣sent, then may Pompey for greatnesse, Affricanus for

Counsell, Hanyball for courage, and Ouid for wit, tell vs that banish∣ment doth not alwayes happen to miserable men, except their owne impa∣tiencie worke their owne calamitie.

In short, a VVise and Noble man, by what hath beene said, may consider what might more haue beene said, to the building in this life this structure of the Golden Meane a∣gainst the stormes and in∣felicitie of being a bani∣shed man, since a wise man resolued in all trials,

is neuer confined within the limits of place, but vpon all necessary occur∣rents doth repute him∣selfe euen in his birth to be the worlds Citizen.

Heere yet followes Imprisonment; which often happening to men of great place and qualitie, is not thought the least kinde of miserie, which men of such mindes doe with their bodies restraint locke vp and imprison all the best faculties of their reason, forcing Reason to be a slaue to Fortune, and rewarding the excellent

dignitie of the soule, with the corruption of Iudge∣ment and Nature.

Such a man as is kept within the inforcement of restraint, must imitate that Daedalus whom the auncient Poets faine to haue wings, with which he fled from that inaccessible Castell where he was de∣tained with his son Icarus a prisoner.

The Morall cannot but giue matter of note and application: lcarus the son betokens or may betoken the incapacitie of mens bodies, and Daedalus the

quickenesse of minde: both which, being the one with the other imprisoned; the one, which is the body, personated in Icarus, for want of moderation falls into the attempt of escape: the other, which is the minde, pattern'd in Deda∣lus, conquers aduersitie by flying from it in bearing it: 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 The GOLDEN MEANE super at ferendo; tryumphs on the rigour of imprison∣ment by the freedome of a noble minde.

To a man arm'd in his ex∣tremities, often trials are

but as many often prai∣ses, and euery triall giues a seuerall crowne of com∣mendation in bearing many troubles with one and the selfe-same resolu∣tion.

If the vse of imprison∣ment be but onely a little made vse of, it will be found that there is no means vnder the ordinan∣ces of Heauen so auaile∣able for a man to consider the miserie of greatnesse, as the feeling the miserie (so mistermed) of impri∣sonment.

Men, accompanied with

the imployment of worthy thoughts, are neuer lesse idle then when they are a∣lone, neuer more seriously busied then when they are onely busied (and haue time so to be busied) with remembring that they are men: not that such a re∣membrance should cast them lower then the con∣sideration of frailtie, but raise them higher then the acting of folly; not to depresse the motions perswading temperance, but to rectifie the perswa∣sions mouing to vertue: Hee is stronger that con∣quers

his owne passions, then hee that after win∣ning many Countries, be∣comes a passionate con∣querour.

The life of instruction is reading, and leisure the life of reading, and a re∣tired restraint the life of leisure: which restraint is onely terrible in being called imprisonment. One that for a great some of money would pledge him∣selfe to liue in a chamber a ye•…•…re or two, or seauen, will not thinke such an in∣durance a misery, because the hope of gaine doth

lessen or rather annihil∣late the seuerity of that in∣iunction.

Miserable men, and Miserable mankinde that will vndertake such an af∣fliction for bettering of their temporall estates, which being imposed for the bettering of the estate of their reason and iudg∣ment, they account insuf∣ferable. Basenesse of Na∣ture that suffers that for greedinesse, which being had, is not certaine one houre to be possessed, and yet will in the same kinde forgoe that which being

once possest is neuer lost; O the furniture of the minde, vvhich being in∣deede the true lasting and onely best Riches! variety of bookes are sweet com∣panions, and plenty of no∣ble thoughts happy recre∣ations: If I be a prisoner I will either talke with my Library, or sport with my thoughts, since one being learned, will proue sure instructers, the latter be∣ing Noble, vvorthy de∣lights.

A man that is restrai∣ned from liberty, hath the liberty of retaining his

owne worthynesse, as wor∣thily may be seene in Mas∣sinissa vvho being made captiue to Scipio, told him, thou must SCIPIO (qd. he) enioy the benefit of thy fortune, by taking from me my life, or of thy mercy by lo•…•…sing my bondes: Take my life thou freest mee from bondes, free mee from bondes, thou bindest mee in bondes of loue; but if thou lettest me liue a cap tiue, know Scipio I haue a heart that did neuer, nor euer can seele seruile cap∣ti•…•…ty.

It is certaine that such

as see their friends in bon∣dage and in durance, who haue Noble mindes, see them, and see them not: they see them as men, but not as they are more then men.

Imprisonment is an excel∣lent preparation to good∣nesse, since euer after, in all fortunes, a man that hath beene a prisoner may knovv by himselfe hovv subiect a humane estate is to the brittlenesse of alteration; and he that doth not much amend his errors by this kinde of tri∣all, is neither destined to

be an attemptor of any notable vertue, or a desire of any vertuous note. It is a milde Tutor, to teach as vvell how to gouerne as how to serue; for he who can serue aduersitie with meekenesse, can guide pro∣speritie with discretion.

Hee who is a prisoner, hath herein great cause to finde his friend, for such as are ingaged in a pro∣mise of loue, that loues not the person for his for∣tune, will shew likewise that they feare not his misfortune, because they loue his person. The say∣ing

is old, and verified in this age of the VVorld, that a man may haue many friends and yet little friend∣ship: but here a man shall soone be taught to distin∣guish the difference be∣tvveene friendship and friends, although it is not to be vrged that therefore it is fit that euery one who vvould know truely his friends, should make him∣selfe, or bee made a pri∣soner; but that euery one beeing a prisoner should then haue fit time to know how hee is esteemed.

Imprisonment is not of

such vertue in it selfe that men should seeke to be prisoners, thereby to be happy, but being by ca∣sualtie enforced vpon any, the vse thereof may be so happy, that hee who is imprisoned may not think himselfe miserable.

Euen as hee who being followed by the memory of some euill act, though he haue his body at liber∣tie, yet is still imprisoned in the guilt of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 So hee that reformeth the crookednesse of his condi∣tion, by the imitation of goodness, though his bo∣dy

be imprisoned, hath by the selfe-same reason the freedome of the minde.

Imprisonment is a gen∣tle sickenesse, not to kill, but to chasten the patient: and as men naturally proud may be humbled, but will neuer be humble, so men of a meeke condi∣tion may be launced for the recouery of health, but not wounded to the hastening of death: which a Wise and Noble man, well fore-casting, may arme himselfe against re∣puted miseries, and a∣mongst them all, against

this one of imprisonment, that whensoeuer it should come to him, it should come to him rather to ex∣ercise then to ouerthrow him.

Finally, amongst such men, whose reason is ouer∣swayed by nature, Death is reckoned for a misery, and is to them a misery in∣deed, but to others guided by the refined light of Iudgement: it is esteemed (as it is) the onely reme∣die and securest ease a∣gainst misery.

Death to a wiseman can∣not come vnlooked for,

nor to a good man vn∣wisht for: since the wise, knowing that they must die, know likewise that re∣solution is the best com∣fort to welcome death, and the good being confident of their owne innocen∣cies, desire the change of a better life.

He that will ouercome affliction by sufferance, beare calamitie with cou∣rage, weary out feare with hope, let him be resolute, that the worst of trials is death; and for that be ar∣med whensoeuer it shall come, and be ready to

imbrace it.

If a Noble or a Wise man after disfauour of his Prince, neglect of his Countrey, forfeiture of his Estate, banishment from his Friends, impri∣sonment of his Person, or any other esteemed ex∣treames bee threatned, with the losse of his head, or execution in any man∣ner, certainely hee hath great cause to reioyce; for he is not worthy to see any end of his sorrowes, who is not prepared to meet it with a merry heart.

The end of all sorrowes

is Death, if the party to die be truely reconciled to his God and to his con∣science.

The old Poets did fitly faine Death to be the childe of the Night, and Sleepe to be the Sister of Death; wisely including, that as Night and Sleepe wrap vp all in stilnesse, so should Death more per∣fectly finish the course of euils, by burying them in a graue, neuer to arise.

And no doubt, but heerein Death and Night haue much affinitie, that as the Night is fearefull,

because darke; but sweet, because giuing rest: So is Death in his shaddowe (which is the night of opi∣nion) before it, comes full of horrour, but in sub∣stance (which is the quic∣kening to a better life) when it comes, full of ioyes.

It may be here obie∣cted, that to die for some supposed offence by an enforced death, is scanda∣lous, and therefore mise∣rable.

But it may be answered, that such an obiection be∣tokens but the feare of

frailty. For if it be ex∣amined, we must consesse that the houre of death •…•…uen to them that most •…•…oke for and desire it, is •…•…ncertaine, and they can∣not be so prouided at an •…•…stant as others that •…•…now the instant when they are to suffer.

Heerein men destined 〈◊〉〈◊〉 death for some offence, •…•…re (as it may seeme) •…•…ore happy in their end, •…•…hen they are vnhappy in their disorder of liuing •…•…hat hath brought them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that end.

Men, appointed to die,

knowing the time certain, haue reason, and no doubt, doe accordingly fit themselues to forsake and cast off all those parts and thoughts that might make them mortall, then others who onely dreame of a dying time, but not resoluing that they draw neerer to the time, are many times suddenly ta∣ken in the fulnesse of their filthinesse, and in the high tide of acting vnlawfull pleasures or abuses: and here surely betweene the manner of dying, the last is most fearefull, since the

former, knowing the mi∣nute in which they are to depart from the World, doe by the stroake of Iustice enioy that benefit which wise and good men doe in mercy sigh and hope for.

Death is a happy Hauen, and men shipwrackt in the Sea of this earth cannot but couet it: It is a safe Inne, and men poa∣sting in the iourneyes of wearinesse, cannot but seeke it: It is a path to blessednesse, and such as are good will finde it: It is a banquet of all goodnes,

and such as be blessed haue found it.

Hee is vnworthy to liue that is not worthy inough to dye, and hee is not vn∣worthy to dye that hath liued worthily. The wo∣man that demaunded of Iupiter that hee would giue to her two sonnes the greatest happinesse that could bee bestowed from heauen on men, had the same night her sonnes both dead, as if the grea∣test humane felicitie were to bee freed from beeing humane.

To conclude (for some∣thing hath beene said of this before) he which will wisely and nobly practise the obseruation of the Golden Meane, and shew the greatnesse of Vertue in extreames, must keepe truce with his passions, & prepare his courage with this resolution, that Mise∣ry is no Misery; for that is onely a misery which is lasting, and thought so: and reputed misery is not lasting, because death out vveares it; is not thought so because death vvill finish it: in the re∣soluing

on the one Wise∣dome will proue a No∣ble minde, in the other Noblenesse will patterne out a wiseman: for mo∣deration in extreames make perfect both.

In the view of vvhat hath beene said, vnder the titles of a wise and a Noble man, are com∣prehended all men, of all degrees and fortunes, whose Vertues doe make them wise; as their wise∣dome doth make them Noble. For vvisedome consisteth not onely in gray heads, but in a

steady prouidence hovv to doe, and Noblenesse consisteth not onely in an Honorable race; but in a prudent resolution what to doe. Wisedome informes the minde, and NOBLENESSE com∣mends the actions; in so∣much as euery one who can act wisely, and de∣liberate Nobly, squa∣ring his resolution to re∣solue steaddinesse in both fortunes, may of merrit be inrolled amongst the memorable: and bee re∣membred by the desert∣full to bee truely wise

because Noble: to bee perfectly Noble because wise.

FINIS.

Notes

• Sixe Mi∣series that may be∣fall a No∣ble man.
• 1 Disfauor.
• Priuie Malice 1. cause of Dis∣fauour.
• Selfe-vn∣worthynes, 2. cause of Disfa∣uour.
• Enuy the 3. cause of Disfauour.
• The Prin∣ces incon∣stancy, the last cause of Disfa∣uour.
• Quinquen∣nium Nero∣nis.
• Of Neglect.
• Forfeiture of Estate.
• Of Banish∣ment.
• Lipsius.
• Of Death.