The rogue: or The life of Guzman de Alfarache. VVritten in Spanish by Matheo Aleman, seruant to his Catholike Maiestie, and borne in Seuill

CHAP. I.

Guzman de Alfarache excuseth the processe of his discourse, craueth attention, giues notice of his intent; sheweth, that Lying, of all other things is the worst. He treats of the ill gouernment of Great men; Of Courtiers, and their Vices. Of the Spaniards loue to Radishes. Of the order and end of this Worke.

COME, let vs away. Thou hast now bayted and refresht thy selfe in thy Inne; Come, I * 1.1 say: Arise, and let vs be gone, if thou beest willing to haue my Company, and that I should doe thee seruice in this iourney; though there is another iourney that I must goe through with, for whose happy end I goe trauelling through these stony and de∣sart places.

Through these craggy Rocks, and vn∣euen * 1.2 wayes, beset with Bushes and Bryers, I doubt not but I shall make this iourney seeme easie vnto thee, with that assured promise which I shal be able to make vnto thee, of bringing thee safe to the end of thy desire.

Pardon my bold proceeding, and taxe me not of inciuilitie, that I treat with thee in this manner; I confesse that I faile in that respect, which is due vnto such a one as thou art.

But consider, I pray', that what I say, it is not spoken to thee, but that thou should'st reprehend others, who perhaps haue as much need of re∣proofe as my selfe.

I goe talking at randome, (like those that play at blind-man-buffe) and thou maist very vvell tell me, that my tongue runnes ryot, and that I talke like a foole, or a mad-man, because I shoot my bolts without feare or wit, and vnaduisedly throw the stone out of my hand, not knowing where it may light, or the harme it may doe.

But I shall answer this, with that which a foole once said, that fell a throwing of stones, who as oft as he threw, would cry out aloud, saying, Take heed, take heed, my Masters, for it cannot fall amisse; where-euer it light, it must needs hit right. So I likewise tell thee, Que como tengo las hechas, tengo so∣spechas. * 1.3 That if I haue sate vpon any bodies skirts, or shall chance to sit closer vnto them, I haue reason to suspect, that they will pay me home if they can. For he that reprehends other mens faults, cannot but liue in feare of being * 1.4 told his owne.

I imagine with my selfe, that all men are iust such as I am; weake, facill, and full of naturall passions; nay, sometimes strange and extrauagant hu∣mours. But it were a thousand pities, that all a 1.5 Sacks should be alike. But being bad my selfe, I thinke no man good: such is my wretched condition, and of as many as beare the same minde. I conuert Violets into poyson; throw durt vpon Snow; and in my thought, trample the fresh and fra∣grant Rose vnder my feete. It might in some sort haue beene happy for mee, that I had stayd when I was well, and had not gone on with this my discourse.

I know, that albeit I haue beene troublesome vnto thee, thou wilt hold me excused, and therefore I shall not need to craue thy pardon, and to begge thy good word and attention; the purchasing whereof, is that which I principally pretend: And albeit many, and peraduenture all those that haue tasted of the Apple, will deeme it to be impertinent and superfluous.

But mee thinkes it is not possible that it should bee so. For albeit I should be as bad as thou wouldst make me to be, or that I were such an ar∣rant Asse and Coxe-combe, as you forsooth in your Idea would forme me to be; yet cannot I perswade my selfe, that thou hadst set thy figure right, or that thy iudgement were truely grounded. For no man thinkes himselfe to be the same man, that other men would make him to be; nor iudges him∣selfe by anothers opinion. I thinke of my selfe, as thou thinkest of thy selfe. Euery man holds his owne fashion the best; his owne life, the vp∣rightest; his owne cause, the iustest; his owne honour, the greatest; and his owne conceits, those that hit rightest. I tooke counsell of my pillow, it seeming vnto mee (which indeed is true) that a prudent consideration doth euermore beget happy euents; and that too much haste is the mother of various and vnfortunate issues; whose Handmaid is repentance. For doe you graunt but one absurditie, and a thousand will follow vpon it. And therefore, that the ends may not erre, (as too too vsually it hapneth,) it is fit, that wee make a faithfull examination of the principles; which being found out, and well chosen, they affoord vs that helpe, that wee may * 1.6 boldly say, that the better halfe of the vvorke is already finished, reaching forth such a resplendour and fulnesse of light vnto vs, that afarre off, by naturall signes and tokens, they discouer those things vnto vs, which are like∣ly to happen hereafter.

And howbeit in themselues, they are in substance small, yet in their vertue and operation, they are great, and are in a disposition to matters of much importance.

And therefore, when we will experiment them, we must propose all the

difficulties, examining them with all diligence, seeking to draw all the good out of them that we can, and the soundest counsell; but when we are once resolued that they are actions of Prudence, and so generally taken and estee∣med, they ought in all mens iudgements to be brauely followed, and put in execution: And by so much the more, by how much the more noble shall that enterprize be, which we pretend to vndertake.

And it is an imperfection, and a notable note of lightnesse, to enterprize * 1.7 those things▪ which we cannot effect, especially if they be not crost by some sudden and vnexpected accident, or some great impediment or other; for in their end, consisteth our glory.

My purpose only was (as I told thee before) to benefit thee, and to teach thee the way, how thou mightest with a great deale of content and safetie, passe thorow the gulph of that dangerous sea wherein thou saylest. The blowes I shall receiue, thou the good counsels; The hunger is mine, but the industry must be thine, that thou mayst not suffer hunger. I indure those af∣fronts, from whence thy honour rises. And since thou hast heard it said, Que à que se te hizo rico, que te hizo el pico. That is, that he that made thee rich, made thee likewise to open thy beake, that thou mightest be ready to receiue a blessing.

And therefore thou must striue to imitate that discreet sonne in Law, who knowes by the sweetnesse of his behauiour and courteous carriage, how to gaine the good will of his hard-laced father in Law, and to draw him gently along, to pay his house-rent, to bestow vpon him his dyet, and his lodging, to put money in his Purse, and for an vp-shot, a faire wife in his bed; And these are those father in Lawes which (like slaues, and common iesters) breed, serue, and entertaine their children.

I am now imbark't, I haue set foot a Ship-boord, & I cannot goe backe. The Dice are throwne; my promise is past, and I cannot recall it. I haue begun, and I must goe on. The Subiect is meane and base; the beginning small; But that which I intend to treat of, if like the Oxe, thou wilt ruminate there∣upon, and chew the Cud, suffring it to passe from thy stomacke to thy mouth, it may proue important, graue, and great. I will doe all that I can to satisfie thy desire; knowing▪ that I should haue rather giuen thee trouble, then con∣tent, in vnfolding one part of my life, and hyding the other from thee.

I perswade my selfe, that many will, or haue already said it; Better had it beene, that God had neuer giuen it thee, and by consequence, that thou hadst neuer spoke of it; for being notoriously bad and wicked, it had beene better for thy selfe to haue smothered it; and for others, that they had not knowne it. Thou art farre wide of the truth; thou hast no good ground for that thou say'st: much lesse therefore can I be perswaded, that thou meanest well, or that thy drift herein is so faire and honest, as thou wouldst seeme to make shew of; But I am rather afraid, and doe shrewdly suspect, that because they touch thee to the quicke, the very wagging of the rod doth (though it ne're come neere thee) much affright thee; thine owne guiltines makes thee to shrinke; and it is the gall'd backe, that makes the Horse winse, before the Saddle touch him.

There is no a 1.8 Disciplinante that whips himselfe in the holy weeke, that doth at any time complaine of his owne lashing, nor doth halfe so much feele the smart of those stripes which he giues himselfe, as he doth the paine and anguish of anothers hand, when he comes to dresse and cure his wounds.

I either tell thee truthes or lyes. Not lyes. Would to God they were lyes. For I know, that out of thine owne naturall inclination, thou wouldst bee well content to heare them; nay, to play and champe vpon that bitt, it would make thee carry a white mouth, pleasing thy selfe with the some and froth of vntruthes. But I deliuer truths vnto thee; and these are as bitter

Pils vnto thy Palate. Thou findest fault with them, because they lay open thy faults. Only displeased, because they please thee not. If thou finde thy selfe sound and in health, and thy neighbour sicke and weake; if the Lightning shall light vpon another mans house, and thine owne scape the flame, thou wouldst the better beare it, so as thou be left vntoucht, no morsell is vnsauo∣ry to thy mouth, all is Phesant and Partridge, and I shall be well receiued, and kindely entertained by thee. But that thou mayst not (like the Eele) slip out of my hands, I will seeke out some Fig-leaues against these your slippery tricks, I will hold you fast while I haue you; you shall not for this once, so easily (as you thinke) escape my hands.

I tell thee, (if thou art willing to heare me, if thou wilt not, thou mayst choose) that this generall confession that I make; this publike opening of my Packe, laying before thee all my Knacks, and my Trinkets; I doe not therefore shew these things vnto thee, that thou shouldst either imitate me, or my euill actions; but rather, that (when thou shalt come to know them) thou mayst learne thereby to correct thine owne. If thou seest me falne, be∣cause I was wilfull, and would not be ordred; looke thou so well to thy steps, that thou mayst hate and auoyd those occasions, that wrought my * 1.9 fall. Set not thy foot, where thou hast seene me slip before thee; but let my trippings and my stumblings, serue as so many markes to make thee more wary. For thou art a man, mortall as I am, and peraduenture neither stron∣ger, nor wiser then my selfe.

Looke well into thy selfe; runne ouer very leisurely and carefully, the house * 1.10 of thy Soule, and see if thou haue not made there, euen in the greater and better part of it, Dung-hils of filth, and all manner of beastlinesse; and doe not sift and prie so narrowly into thy neighbours, to see if thou canst finde but the feather of some bird at the foot of the Stayres, whereat thou mayst picke a quarrell.

But heere I know thou wilt tell me, that I preach vnto thee, and that hee is a foole, that will seeke his cure, from a sicke Physician. And that hee that * 1.11 cannot helpe himselfe, can hardly giue health to others.

What wholsome Medicine, or good Cordiall, can a man haue from a Vi∣pers tooth, or the sting of a Scorpion? How shall he, that is ill himselfe, ad∣uise another not to be ill? I doe not denie, that I am such a one as thou sayst: But that will befall me with thee, which betideth some nimble and cunning Caruer at his Lords table, who curiously cutteth vp the Brawne, the wing, or the legge of some dainty Fowle, and hauing respect to the qualitie of the Guests, whom he is to serue, giues euery man his seuerall Plate, studying to please and content them all; They all eate, all rest satisfied and well conten∣ted, whilest he himselfe goes away both weary and hungry.

At mine owne cost and paines, I discouer shelfes, quick-sands, and dange∣rous rockes vnto thee, to the end that thou mayst not fall vpon them, and dash thy selfe in pieces against them, or runne thy selfe on ground, where there is neuer any hope of comming off.

Your Arsenicke is not altogether vnprofitable, but that it will serue for some good vse or other; it is worth money, and it is sold in Apothecaries shops. And though it be bad to eate, as it may be applyed, it will proue good. In a word, with it those Wormes and Vermine are poysoned, which bring hurt and preiudice to mans body.

My example might serue as Treacle to a Common-wealth, if these fierce beasts that gouerne it were poysoned; not excusing house-keepers, though * 1.12 neuer so much in apparance, seeming familiar and friendly vnto vs, as being one of the worst qualities that they haue. For, figuring forth our selues vnto them, to be men of flesh and bloud, kinde-hearted, and subiect vnto passions, wee deposit our secrets in their bosomes, and trust them with all that

we haue, as relying on their saith and their loue, and they cunningly shed * 1.13 seigned teares in a seeming commiseration of our miseries, when in the meane while not-withstanding, they rend our flesh, & teare our very sinewes from the bone with their tyrannies, iniuries, and violencies.

O that it were in my power to consume and destroy another sort of cruell beastes, as those that looke bigge, and grow proud of their ease and plenty, goe vaunting and boasting of their valour, tearing vp the stones in the streets, world-wandrers, Vagabonds from Countrie to Countrie, from Parish to Parish, and from house to house, making them-selues skimmers of other mens pottes, being no way of any profit, or seruing for any other vse, then the Porters in the a 1.14 Alhondiga of Seuilla, to lay in one burthen, and to take out another; venting lyes in one place, and taking them vp in another, carrying newes to and fro, reporting those things, that he ought to haue silenced, being trusted therewith, and will'd to be secret, vttering them in preiudice of the person to whom he reuealeth them, who cannot but take it ill; maliciously causing differences, and relating things worse then they were meant; bearers of false witnesse, raysers of dissension, robbers of mens honours, defaming the good, persecuting the iust, stripping men of their wealth, and murthering and martyrizing the innocent. It were a pleasing sight to see all such perish, and to be made a publike spectacle to the world. Nor is there in all Bruxels any such goodly hangings, that doe either so much adorne, or halfe so well become any Noble mans house, as these would the Common-wealth, if they were hung vp one after another by the Com∣mon Hang-man.

For, it is very fit, that there should be Poena & praemium; A punishment and a reward. For if all were good and honest, Lawes had beene superfluous * 1.15 and impertinent. And if all men should haue beene wise, Writers had beene fooles. Phisicke was made for the sicke; Honours for the vertuous; and the Gallowes for lewd liuers. And because I likewise know, that Vice is so powerfull, for that it rises out of a desire of libertie, without acknowledge∣ment of any Superiour either humane or diuine, I am much afraid, that these my written labours, and my many indured misfortunes, will not be of force to bridle thy vnruly appetites, and to bring forth that good fruit which I could wish; Holding that paines vaine and fruitlesse, which is vndertaken * 1.16 vpon any respect whatsoeuer, if it doth not in that it pretendeth, obtaine it's desired end. But because that the Rhethorician doth not alwaies perswade; nor the Physician cure; nor the Pilot arriue safely at his Port; I must toge∣ther with them comfort my selfe, in that I haue performed my dutie, by gi∣uing thee good counsell, and by affording thee light, being therein like the Flint, which being strooken, giues fire to others, to bee kindled in this or that place, though it selfe remaine without: In like manner, the lewd liuer loseth his life, receiueth punishment, and indureth affronts, making himselfe an example to all those that shall looke vpon him.

But here I will betake me to that way, which presents it selfe vnto mee in this place; Imitating therein your rude Clownes, as also your nice Courtiers, who passing along by the b 1.17 Roperia (which is a publike place where all sorts of cloathes are to bee sold;) if by chance they lift vp their eyes, and looke vpon them, those Merchants that sell these commodities, (like your Birchen-Lane men) fall presently a balling and plying of them; one drawes him this way, another that, and keepe such a calling, and such a tug∣ging of them, that they know not well which way to turne or winde them∣selues, they are so distracted by them.

For they hauing an opinion (if not a thorow'perswasion) that they doe all deceiue, all coozen, and lye, they goe warily to worke, when they buy any wares of them; & I well wot the cause why, which I need not to tell you, * 1.18

because that which they sell, will speake it out alowd, without any other bo∣dies helpe.

Well, let vs now giue them way, and suffer them to passe by, if for no other reason, at least for those fauours and courtesies which I haue had from * 1.19 them, in the buying of things that were neuer bought, giuing me good mo∣ney for that which I brought, and sold vnto them; and for teaching mee from ouer-night against the next morning, how to make Cassocks of Cloakes, selling them the shreds for to foot Stockins, and to make soles to keepe the feet warme, and free from wet.

Or shall I here tell thee, that the same is like to befall me, which vsually happens to the carelesse traueller; who not knowing the way, goes from * 1.20 home, neuer inquiring how he may hit it, which hand to take, or what tur∣nings to make; so that when hee hath gone some halfe league on his iour∣ney, he chanceth to come to the foot of a Crosse, where he meetes with three or foure seuerall wayes; and straining himselfe vpon his stirrops, wri∣thing his body, he turnes his head about, to see if he can espy any body, that is able to direct him in his way?

But seeing none there at hand, he fals to a Cosmographicall conside∣ration with himselfe, choosing either this, or that, which shall seeme likeliest vnto him, to leade directly towards that place, whither hee in∣tended his iourney.

I see heere present before me so many diuers dispositions, and such vari∣ous and sundry sorts of tasks, all of them hanging about mee, euery one striuing to hale and pull mee as it were by force, to come into their shop. But God he knowes, why, and wherefore they doe it.

One would haue sweet and pleasant things; another, those that are tart and sowre; this man will haue his Oliues fryde; that will no salt, no not * 1.21 with an Egge.

And if one man haue a minde to eate the legge of a a 1.22 Larke rosted in the snuffe of a Candle, another would not be wanting, who shall make no bones to tell they, that of all the pulse and rootes that God made, there was neuer any yet that could compare and come neere to the Radish for goodnesse.

The truth whereof vvas to bee seene in a certaine b 1.23 Papelisticall Mini∣ster, a kinde of Officer (as I may so tearme him) betwixt a Clerke and a Scriuener that is conuersant in Paper-businesses; a fellow wonderfull ill be∣lou'd, a notorious lyer, and aboue all, extremely couetous; who remo∣uing from one house to another, after that he had carried his houshold-stuffe, and other old moueables belonging there-vnto, he stayd there behinde alone by himselfe, searching and prying very diligently into euery nooke and corner thereof, rifling and ransaking it from the floore to the roofe, not so much as leauing a nayle to the walles, for to hang a Hat on, or the like ne∣cessary vse.

At last, it was his hap to come into the Kitchen, where hee lighted vpon an odde hole in the chimney, wherein were three or foure Radishes, which had lyen there a long time, being dry, tough, withered, and good for no∣thing. These hee charily tyes vp in one bunch, and very carefully brings them home to his Wife, and with a Black-Smithes face, looking frowning∣ly vpon her, he said vnto her; Is this your good hous-wifery, this your care of my house and goods, to let things runne to spoyle? Is money so easily come by (thinke you) that you make no more reckning of sauing a penny? But as you brought me nothing in Dowry, so you care not (it seemes) which end goes forward; sinke, or swimme, all's one to you. See you this waste of yours? Looke I pray vpon these Radishes, they cost money I can tell you. You haue done well, haue you not, to looke no better vnto them? Keepe them I pray against I call for them. I thinke there is not a more wastefull wo∣man

in the world; but I am the worse of the two, and may thanke my selfe, that I would be such an vnthrift as to bring a whole bunch into the house at once, when as fewer would haue seru'd the turne.

His wife laid them vp safe, as he had willed her, and that very night (that they might not fall out any more about them) the crafty Hileding, very de∣murely and with a sober countenance, without any the least shew of chol∣ler, or dislike, sets them downe before him, when hee was sitting downe to supper, vvho falling earnestly vnto them, spake to his Wife, and said:

Now in troth (Wench) I sweare vnto thee, there is no meat in the world can rellish better, or hath halfe so good a sauour and taste with it, as an old Radish. I protest vnto thee, I like them better a thousand times, being thus lyther, and withered as you see, then when they are fresh and cripsie. I prethee Wife proue one of them, and then tell me if it bee not as I say.

The poore woman had as little fancie to make tryall thereof, as shee had faith to beleeue it; but my Spaniard (carrying as they doe all a kinde of high * 1.24 hand ouer their wiues) forcing her in a manner there-vnto, by his sterne both lookes and words, made her to eate one sore against her will, and much against her stomake.

There are a certaine kinde of men, which are not contented onely to commend that, which they themselues like, (be it what it will) but they * 1.25 will (and are angry and offended if it bee otherwise) that others doe the same, pressing them, as it were, to follow their humour, and contrarie to their owne will, seeme to approue it, at least not sticke to praise it.

And there are likewise another sort of people, which discommend other mens tastes; not considering, that de gustibus non est disputandum, for that they are diuers and various, as are the conditions and countenances of men.

For though peraduenture two may bee found, that may resemble one another, yet it is impossible that they should be so like, that you may not perceiue some difference. And therefore I must be driuen to doe that heere, which was my hap once to doe at a Comedy; where, for that I was one of the first, it was my fortune to be one of the formost before the Stage. * 1.26

Now those that came after, being nothing so well fitted, spake vnto me, that I would leane a little on t'one side. I did so; but in this my mouing some-what aside, others thought much of it, complaining that I hindred their sight; for whom likewise to giue them content, I was forced to shift a foote. So that, both the one and the other, made me to stand where they would haue me. For they were all willing to see. Insomuch, that not know∣ing how to accommodate my selfe for pleasuring of them, I put on Mer∣chants eares, not vouchsafing to giue them the hearing: and standing stiffe∣ly * 1.27 on my right legge, gaue them leaue to shift for themselues, to heare, and see, as well as they could.

The Melancholly man, the Sanguine, the Chollericke, the Flegmaticke, the Ciuill, the Swaggerer, the Rhetorician, the Philosopher, the Religious, * 1.28 the Reprobate, the Courtier, the Clowne, the rude, the Discreet, nay, euen my Lady Ninny-hammer would that I should onely write for her pleasure, words finely pleyted, and curiously folded, and that I should apply my selfe to her conceit, and conforme my selfe according to her stile, making her Mi∣stresse both of my pate and Pen.

It is not possible for me to second so many humours, and to satisfie such different desires: For then had I need (besides the making for euery parti∣cular man his seuerall Booke,) to liue so many mens liues, as there are sun∣dry * 1.29 opinions.

I haue liu'd but one onely; and that which they would falsely intitle mee

withall, is a testimonie against some, of the great wrong they haue done me therein.

My true life, I shall onely set it downe my selfe. I will goe prosecuting of that, though they goe persecuting of me. For there will not another (a) Gill * 1.30 be wanting for the third Part, to come forth against mee, as in the Second; and charge me with that, which I neuer either did, said, or thought.

That, which I intreat at thy hands, is; That thou wilt neither feare mee so much, nor be angry with me in so high a measure, that (I know not out of what humour) thou should'st wish me hang'd; for I finde not my selfe fit for it at this time, neither indeed doe I deserue it. Suffer mee therefore to liue, since it hath pleased God to giue mee life, that I might correct my er∣rours; and time, that I may amend my faults.

For my punishments, and my mis-fortunes, if thou wilt truely informe thy selfe of them, will serue thee in stead of a Looking-glasse, whereby thou may'st see how to linke a little better together the past, and the present, with that which is to come in the third Part; to the end, that thou making it all one continued piece of worke, weauing it well and handsomely, run∣ning along in euen threds, thou maist the better (which is no more then be∣comes thee) be instructed in the truth of things.

And this is that marke, whereat I haue aymed, and the white, which I seeke to hit. Nor am I dainty in discouering my conceits, to those that will bee pleased to saue mee this labour: yet, let it bee so carried, that they may boast them of that's their owne. For I hold it as a thing vndecent, and vn∣seemely, for a man to deny his owne name, and to put forth his workes vn∣der that of another, which hath, and shall vpon the like occasion, oblige mee at any time, to write so much againe as this, that I may not beetaken for a Foole, by taking vpon mee other mens ouer-sights. But let this rest, lest I might seeme to some, to speake more out of passion, then reason; though the iudicious (I am perswaded) will excuse this my iust complaint, and not thinke it in this place to be impertinent to the purpose.

But to returne againe into the way, whence we haue stept a little aside, I say; That I would haue euery man to make choyse of his owne Plate, and * 1.31 to fall to that dish (amongst those many, that we shall serue into this boord) which hee hath most minde vnto; Leauing that vnto others, vvhich shall not please his palate, or not agree with his stomake. Nor would I haue my guests to thinke, that this booke of mine should bee like vnto Heliogabalus his banquet, whose boord was furnished with many and sundry sorts of meates, yet all of them only seruing for the food & sustenance of man, whether they vvere Peacocks, Chickens, Phesants, wilde Boare, Fish, Milke, Sallets, or Conserues, it was one onely kinde of Vyand, but like Manna, differenced by mens seuerall tasts; howbeit those of Manna, were as euery man would haue them to rellish as himselfe desired; but these other, according as the Cooke was willing to season them, seeking therein to please the filthy luxurious throat of his Master. With varietie, nature is adorned; this is that, that beautifies the Fields, to see heere Hils, there Vallies; in this place Brookes and Riuers; in that Fountaines sprinkling and sparkling forth their pearled drops.

Let not men be so couetously minded, as to desire to haue all to themselues. I haue seene the bestowing of many Liueries in my life-time, and the little Page, (I haue perceiued) was as well contented with his, though it vvere not so full of Silke, as the tallest man, that had twice as much as he, in re∣gard of the largenesse of his stature. I am resolued to follow that path, that shall seeme best vnto me, for the more direct bringing of me to the end of my desire, and to that place, whereunto I intend my iourney. And thou (my dis∣creet Host) who stay'st looking for me, since thou doest so well vnderstand

and know the miseries, that he suffers and indures, who (like my selfe) goes trauelling abroad to see the world; doe not looke scornefully vpon me, when thou shalt meet with me in thine owne Countrie, and though I come to thy Gate like a Rogue, poore and pennilesse, dis-fauoured by fortune, and for∣saken of my friends, yet doe thou vouchsafe mee a cheerefull countenance, and giue me that kinde entertainment, which thou owest vnto thine owne worth. For my errand is only to thee, thee only doe I seeke after, and for thy sake haue I vndergone this iourney, not for to put thee to any charge; nor with purpose to oblige thee to more then thy good will and affection, which thou naturally owest vnto him, who offers thee his loue: Which if I shall receiue from thee, I shall rest fully satisfied, and remaine besides, in requitall of thy good will, indebted vnto thee in an infinite number of thankes.

But if they which take pleasure in hearing me talke, if they shall likewise be desirous to see me, let them beware, that doe not befall them, which is wont to happen to those that are ouer-curious, who watch and listen, to heare what is said of them; Which kinde of men doe alwayes Malè audire, heare no great good spoken of them. For with the finest gold, is the bitterest * 1.32 Pill couered. And often-times, that moueth some to laughter, which indeed ought to draw teares from their eyes.

Besides, if any man shall long to know the life that I lead, and the place where I liue, he shall therein bewray his owne needlesse curiositie, and giue me iust cause to suspect the vniustnesse of his intent, and the little good loue that he beares me.

Let him first apply himselfe to consider my state and condition, and the great miserie, whereunto my disorder brought me. Let such another as I am, be set before him, or let his owne imagination represent it vnto him, and then shall he presently be able to goe discoursing with himselfe, what passe-time may be made with him, who doth passe his time (being a Prisoner and laden with Irons) with a Renegador, or some ruffianly blaspheming officer, that looks to the sure chaining of the slaues in the Gallies; vnlesse happely he will take pleasure in my miseries, and make himselfe merry with them, as some doe with the Bull that is brought in the Market-place to be bayted, whose Dartes sticking in his sides, whose stroakes and wounds glad the beholders; though I for my part, hold it an inhumane act. And if thou shalt twit mee in the teeth, and tell me, that either I cause nauseousnesse in this my Discourse, or that I fell it vnto thee at too deare a rate, seeking forsooth to be intreated, or that I straine too much courtsie, or that I am a little too coy, and too nice with you, making my selfe more daintie then needeth, or that by my indea∣rings and flatteries, I should commend it for good vnto thee; it would grieue me, that thou shouldst haue that conceit of me.

For albeit it be wellknowne, that I alwayes seru'd my Lord Embassadour as a merry companion, and to make his Lordship laugh at my pleasant and witty conceits; for I could then make him sport, when I knew not so much as I doe now; and now that I know more, I can not doe it. For it is a thing that costs a man deare, and the times are not still alike.

But that thou mayst well vnderstand what I say, and know what my iests and merriments were then, and what now shall be thought necessary in that kinde, hearken, I beseech you, with attention to that, which I shall deliuer vn∣to you in this insuing Chapter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cūpany makes the way lesse tedious.
• * 1.2

  The Author goes excusing himselfe.
• * 1.3

  Prouerb.
• * 1.4

  Chi riprende l'altrui diffe∣to, viue con sospetto. Prouerb.
• a 1.5

  Mal seria, si todos los Co∣stales fuessen tales.
• * 1.6

  Principia pri∣us quaerenda.
• * 1.7

  To begin things, and not to goe thorow with them, argues lightnesse. Prouerb. How a good son in Law ought to carry himselfe to∣wards his father in Law.
• a 1.8

  Mens whip∣ping of them∣selues, is vs'd by religious persons, for to more fie the •…•…sh, and in remembrance of those stripes, which our Saui∣our suffered for vs. There are some that •…•…sh themselues meerely out of Ostentation. These are fooles, and as abomina∣ble as Baals Priests. The Pre∣lates of the Church, and other secular Mogi∣strates should take order to de∣barie those to goe in Procession, that vse it so pro∣phanely, and to punish them se∣uerely, for •…•…ose their ro•…•… excesses, w•…•…ch I am asham'd to speake of. an Germany, there was a Sect of Herelikes, called Flagel∣lantes, that were notable Villaines, and Drunkards, and condemned for such. Vide Co∣uarruuias. Verb. Dici∣plinarse. L•…•…es haue euer the best attention.
• * 1.9

  Take the good, and leaue the bad.
• * 1.10

  Looke well into thy selfe, and let others alone.
• * 1.11

  Medice, cura teipsum.
• * 1.12

  The hurt which ill gouernment, •…•…ses in great mens houses.
• * 1.13

  Tricks of Court∣ship.
• a 1.14

  Al•…•…ondiga is a house appoin∣ted for Country people, to bring their corne into the Citie, and there to lay it vp. It signifieth also a Ware house for merchandize, where some bring in, and some car∣ry out. Vid. Co∣uarru. pag. 48.
• * 1.15

  Lawes were made for the wicked.
• * 1.16

  When a mans la∣bour is lost.
• b 1.17

  Roperia. i. Locus Vesti∣mentarius.
• * 1.18

  The •…•…ery of so•…•… Tredes-men.
• * 1.19

  Receiuers of stoln goods.
• * 1.20

  The case of a carelesse tra∣ueller.
• * 1.21

  The diuers gusts and palates of men.
• a 1.22

  The Spanish word, is pie de la perdis, but the other fits better with our phrase of •…•…peach.
• b 1.23

  Papelistas; Los que son dados à en∣tender en papeles. Couarruuias. A short tale of a couetous Spa∣niard.
• * 1.24

  The Spaniard ge∣nerally carries a great command ouer his Wife.
• * 1.25

  The capri•…•…ious humours of some extrauagant persons.
• * 1.26

  Writers, where∣vnto they are likened.
• * 1.27

  Prouerb.
• * 1.28

  No writer can please all.
• * 1.29

  The Author ap∣proueth this to be his true Second Part.
• * 1.30

  Prou. Nunca falta vn Gil, que no•…•… persigua. Dando à en∣tender, que aunque desista vn emulo no falta otro que se substituya ensu lugar. No sooner one corriuall gone, but another comes in his place. The Authors end and purpose.
• * 1.31

  Of the order and end of this Booke: And wherevnto it is likened.
• * 1.32

  Prouerb. Con oro fino, se cubre la pil∣dora.