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. VII.

The iest being publikely knowne through Rome, which befell Guzman de Alfa∣rache, together with the ill successe that hee had with the Boore; for very shame he departs from thence, and goes for Florence. In which iourney, a Thiefe enters into friendship with him, that he might the better vnder that colour, rob him of all that he had.

I Haue often considered with my selfe, how much Passion blindeth him, that is in Loue. And I begin now to thinke vpon my Master, that hee should recommend his honour vnto me, as if I knew how to handle it, without soyling it. It comes likewise vnto my remembrance, (nor can I choose but laugh, when I thinke vpon it) how it was possible for me, beeing so notorious and offensiue a Lyer, as I was, to stand in such fauour as I did with my Lord: and that his Excellency should treat with mee, more then any other, of matters of importance; as also, that he should trust mee with his secrets, and his substance, admit of my opinion, and giue credit to all that I should say; and that I being such a one as I was, from whose mouth neuer came any Truth, vvhich vvas not adulterated by mee in its going forth, yet I could not indure a Lye in another.

And for that very cause did I hate that man to the death, and could neuer afterwards abide him, that should abuse me (though but once) in that kinde. Nor was this any wonder in mee, beeing that it is naturall to all those that negotiate businesses, to be much offended, if they be not in all things pun∣ctually dealt withall; when as they themselues know not how to speake a true word, and are neuer weary of lying. They begin with the highest, and end with the lowest. For what can bee more noble then Truth? and vvhat more base then Lying? If you are to receiue any courtesie from them; or that you would haue them to doe you a fauour (though this kindnesse shall cost them nothing) how many sleights; how many tricks; how many de∣layes, and puttings off from one day to another, and from this, to the next morning, which morning neuer comes; beeing like vnto that of the Crow, which cryes still Cras, promising that which she neuer performeth?

But if you are to giue them any thing, and that you doe not keepe touch with them at the time appointed, (and which is the fault now and then of your best Watches) that you misse but one minute, if you faile neuer so lit∣tle of your promise, if you doe not iustly make payment, and delay them but one houre, you are no man of your word, nor doe you know what be∣longs to good dealing, nor are so honest as you should bee. I did the like with those that I had to doe withall. I did consider (but foolishly I must confesse) with my selfe; What will it benefit mee to tell truth? What does it concerne mee, that it is the Vice of those that are vile and base, and the repast and food of beasts? What harme shall I receiue, if men will not giue credit vnto me, if I haue got the same already, although they appa∣rantly see that I lye, and that such is their passion, that they will not dis-de∣ceiue themselues of my deceit? What honour haue I to lose? How can I faile in my credit? I am well inough knowne, and the world is now come to that passe, that onely for this cause of my lying, they vphold, maintaine, fa∣uour, and esteeme me.

Lying, and Flatterie, is meat alone for g•…•… men, it is the onely dish that

pleaseth their palate, the onely musicke that delighteth their eares. But you are no welcome man vnto them, if you come and tell them, that it is time for them to leaue off gaming, that they haue wasted and consu∣med their estate, and that their Vassals and Tenants are growne poore and beggerly. That they should not play the Fanfarrones, roysting and swag∣gering where e're they come: nor shew themselues dissolute, and loose in their behauiour, either in the open streets, or in the Church, which must needs giue occasion of much both hurt and scandall. That they should not bee such lauish and prodigall spenders, as to ruine themselues, and to breake their neckes through too much haste, by taking Post-horses, as it were to runne out of their estates. And seeing that they can finde in their hearts, and make no bones of it, to foole away such a deale of money as they doe, and that so vainely, and so idly, that they vvould yet make a conscience to pay their seruants their vvages, and not to let them goe totter'd and torne, and ready to starue for hunger. That if they bee rich, and in fauour vvith their Prince, that they dispence a part of these their good fortunes to the poore. That if they haue their Kings eare, and are inward vvith him, that they should make benefit of this their priuacie, by procuring themselues good and sure friends; for there is no firmenesse in Fortune; nor no Princes fauour so fixed, but it may fall off. That at least, on Festiuall dayes, they should rise betimes and get them to Church to heare Masse. And that they should truely and sincerely make confession of their sinnes, and not onely for fashion sake, to cumply with the Parish, be∣ing therein onely nominall, but not reall Christians, hauing the name, but not the nature of true Christians; for there are a kinde of men, that make a show of hauing faith, and that obserue the precepts of the Church, but for no other end, least they should bee punished, if they should doe otherwise. That they should looke well into themselues, and learne to know that they were but men.

And in case that they should bee old and strooken in yeeres, that they are now wrestling with death, who is ready to trip vp their heeles, and throw them into the graue, which lyes ready open to receiue them; Their sentence is already notified vnto them; and as they that are to be executed, take leaue of their friends, and haue those Ensignes borne before them, which are prepared for that conflict; So must they at last take their fare∣well of all those things, where-vnto they liuing bare most affection: As their taste, their sleepe, their seeing, their hearing, & the like; To which sweet Sences sentence of death is dayly, if not hourely notified, by the Reynes, the Kidneys, the Liuer, the lesser Guts, and our Vrine: The stomake begins to lan∣guish, the strength of it waxes weake, its naturall heat begins to faile; heere the eye-teeth drop away, there the gumm's fall on aking: all which are as a mouldring away of these our clods of earth, and that the timber of this our house is rotten, and the roofe ready to fall about our eares, and that there are no buttresses to vphold this tottering wall; from the founda∣tion to the very top, it is wholly runne to decay, and the ruine thereof is at hand.

Admonish a young man of these, and the like things; or some rich yong Gallant, who is as daring, as hee is indiscreet, and so head-strong, that hee will not bee ruled; represent, I say, vnto him, that hee doth not know his friends from his foes, that for speaking thus, looking there, commen∣ding that, and peraduenture for but walking by, if not entring where hee should not, hee will bee suddenly stab'd at one time or other, not hauing so much time as to receiue the blessed Sacraments, nor to call vpon God, to helpe him in this his extremitie; or to aduise him to consider, that his bloud is corrupted, ill humours abound in him, that hee liues disorderly,

as giuen to all excesse and ryot, that he vseth little exercise, and that his often surfeitings will bring him to an Apoplexie, or some other dangerous disease, that will quickly make an end of him, or that the Lambe goes as soone to the Shambles as the sheepe; and that he should not flatter himselfe, because hee findes himselfe strong in his armes, so and in his feet, lusty in his legges, able in his body, and free from all aches, either in his head, or those his other parts, that therefore he is safe, is priuiledg'd from sicknesse, hath an established health, and assurance of long life.

And here (me thinkes) I heare this young gallant say; Such poore Rascals as thou art, must come to die, and suffer such mis-fortunes as these; For I am rich, strong, valiant, discreet, and nobly descended. I haue a faite house to dwell in, a soft bed to lie in, I eate what I list, I want nothing that my heart can desire, I liue at pleasure, and doe what I will, with-out controlement; and where there are no troubles, nor no care-taking, there is no sickenesse, there no doore open for old age to enter. Ah, poore silly foole that thou art! Samson, Dauid, Salomon, and Lazarus, were more good, more discreet, more valiant, more gallant, and more rich then thou, and yet they dy'd, when their time was come.

There haue beene many millions of men from Adams time to thine, and yet there was not any one of them that liu'd for euer in this world. He then that shall tell them this Truth, or any thing else that may be for their good, they will take him to be a foole. Who then will aduenture to tell them their faults? Or who dare speake their minde freely vnto them? Let a Vargas speake to this point. He must be either desperate or foolish, that shall pre∣sume to tell Princes and great Persons of these things; for if thou be a man of vnderstanding, and haue any thing in thee worthy commendation, they will presently call thee into the Court, and frame a bill against thee, executing that Statute vpon thee, of Scandalum magnatum. And if thou beest a Buffone and common Iester, they will send thee to the Porters Lodge, and there haue thee whipt. Therefore thou must neither iest with those that are rich and mightie, nor yet be so plaine with them, as to tell them the truth. For, I am not bound to speake the truth, where I know it will not bee accepted, and whence I am sure I shall get great hatred, if not harme, for my good will. It shall be sufficient for my vnderstanding, and all such as I am, to know that all things in this world passe away, and that we shall passe away likewise with them. I could be content to say this ouer and ouer a thousand times to∣gether, and repeat no other lesson; For, to vnderstand this truth alone, is that which most importeth vs, and doth most neerely concerne vs. And why should we promise that vnto our selues, which we can not accomplish? Hee that holdes himselfe to be the strongest man, of the soundest constitution, of the best composed humours, and the purest mixed elements, this man, I say, (for all his well ordered frame of nature) hath no assurance of his long con∣tinuance, but is more apt to fall, then those other houses of Clay, which are lesse substantially built. There is not any mans strength, be it neuer so great, that can resist but a puffe of sicknesse; the best of vs all are but dung-hills, and heaps of dust, which a little blast of winde will scatter away, and lay vs leuell with the earth. Let no man flatter and deceiue himselfe: let him not feigne that to himselfe, which is nothing so: nor intertaine that, which his lying sensualitie shall dictate vnto him. For she will speake that vnto thee, which she vtters to all the world besides. Shee will tell thee; Thou art great and powerfull, and may'st therefore doe what thou list. That thou art a Gallant, and mayst therefore goe vp and downe, and take thy pleasure. Thou art faire and rich, and mayst therefore be dis-honest, and dissolute. Thou art noble, and mayst therefore lawfully scorne thy inferiours, and thinke none to be equall vnto thee. And if thou receiuest an iniury, it is not for thine

honour to put it vp, but to reuenge it to the full. Thou art a Gouernour, and set in authoritie ouer others, and therefore mayst gouerne according to thine owne will, and order businesses for thine owne best aduantage, though it be to the hurt of others, let them maunder their worst, or come what will come, thou need'st not to care. Thou art a Iudge, and mayst therefore iudge in thy friends fauour, mayst tread iustice vnder thy foot and peruert the Lawes at thine owne pleasure. Thou art fauoured by the King, and art able to shew fa∣uour vnto others; thou mayst therefore vse this thy fauour, as thou shalt thinke fit, and shall sute best with thine owne liking, & blow a smoake in the noses of the poore, not regarding how thou doest offend, and distaste them. For it stands not with thy reputation, thy Office, thy Dignitie, nor thy ho∣nour, that they should aske thee that which thou owest them, nor speake to thee for that his cloake, which thou hast wrongfully taken from him.

But, in good faith (my Lords) I must be so bold to tell you, that be yee ne∣uer so great, or be yee so great as yee imagine your selues to be, (though you can neuer be so great, as you conceit your selues to be) yet the very best of you, when you are at the best, are no better then a little dust. Make your choyse of which dust yee will; be it earth, or ashes; for there are no other sorts of dust. If of earth; let it put yee in minde, that your beginning was dust, though tempred with a little water, giuing yee thereby to vnderstand (if your greatnesse make yee not like beasts, that vnderstand not) that you should make your selues fruitfull for heauen, by entring into a due considera∣tion of your selues, and an acknowledgement of your owne vnworthinesse. Yee know well enough, that the earth cannot, without water, yeeld any fruit; And if this earth of yours become drie through your vices, and that it bee not watred with the deaw of heauen, with holy inspirations, and with good workes, that it may fructifie and bring sorth fruit, by pardoning of iniuries, asking forgiuenesse for those wrongs which yee haue done to others, by pay∣ing those debts that yee owe, and by shewing true repentance, yee shall be but as heapes of Ashes, good for nothing, and cast out vpon the dung-hill. And that in the end shall befall ye, which we see to happen vnto Ashes, wherof that Sope is made, that serues to take out the soyles and spots that are in cloathes, and are afterwards as things of no vse, throwne forth vpon some one filthy∣stinking mixen, or other. Yee shall by your bad examples, so terrifie others, and make them so afraid of following the euill courses, that they shall there∣by be saued, and yee damned to the pit of hell, that euerlasting burning coale∣pit, whose fire shall neuer goe out. These I tell yee, are truths, and now it is time to tell yee them. And if I told yee lyes in my youth, out of a kinde of pride and brauery that I tooke in them, now experience teaches me another lesson, and riper yeeres haue brought me to the knowledge of those many er∣rours, which I then committed.

Nor let any man indanger himselfe, for to thinke, that that may happen vnto him, which hath befalne me; to wit, Long-life; and relying there∣upon, grow slacke and carelesse of their amendment, hoping that they may doe that time enough hereafter, when they begin to waxe old; for a sharpe Easterly winde shall come vpon thee on the sudden, ere euer thou art aware of it, and nip this thy flower of youth, with the cold bitter frost of death, and sheere thee downe to the ground in this thy greene and flourishing state, as grasse is cut downe by the Sithe of the Mower, and thou shalt presently wither, and be carried cleane away, neuer more to be seene. I was neuer sure that I should come to liue thus long, nor can any man else warrant his owne life. For we are all of vs but as Birds that flye abroad in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 s singing and sporting▪ while in the meane time the Eagle comes, and seazeth vpon one of them, which seemeth best vnto him. Or else comes the Owner of those grounds, vsing a thousand tricks and deuices to take them. None of vs know

the set houre of our death, but all of vs know this, that we must goe one af∣ter another. I likewise, haue followed mine owne idle humour, not thinking vpon any settled course in this world; but because the end which I intend, is to build vp a perfect man, still as I meet with stones fit for this building, I goe setting of them vp; these occasions, are my Center, and by them, as by so many lines, I come thereunto. But here I will lay downe this load of stones, and when time shall serue, I will returne againe with another, and it shall not be long e're I gather more, and bring them in place.

Returning therefore to our present purpose; I say, that I was wholly com∣pacted of lyes, as I had euer beene. With some I would be a Martyr, with other some a Confessor. For all things are not to be communicated to all. And therefore I would neuer truly impart my troubles to any, nor punctually publish them; but when I was forced to manifest the same, I would tell one man one tale, and another, another; and no man had it without it's com∣ment. And because a Lyer (they say) had need of a good memorie; I, that had none of the best, to day I would recount the case one way, and to mor∣row another, and so many times, so many different wayes did I varie from that which I first deliuered: So that, bearing my selfe in this manner, I gaue occasion to those that knew me to be a Lyer, not to giue credit so much to me, as to the generall voyce and report that went abroad. For they did all of them truly and really agree vpon the thing it selfe; they did iumpe in the matter, but not in the manner. For euery one did either take away, or adde thereunto, as he thought best; and as thou thy selfe perhaps art wont now and then to doe.

Now, for some few dayes, as a noueltie that had beene newly set abroach, there was no other thing talkt of in all Rome. My mis-fortune was the theame of their Discourse, and my being be•…•…myr'd, the salt that seasoned their con∣uersation. It came likewise to my Masters eare, but he being wise, gaue it the hearing, but spake not a word of it. For a Master is not alwaies bound to take notice of all that is done; for then he should be ty'de (by the Law of goodnesse, and out of the noblenesse of his nature) to remedie what is amisse. Hee did dissemble it all that he could, but not so cunningly, but that by some inter-smilings, and casting of his eyes, he made it knowne. He plough'd with me, and therefore knew what furrow I had turned vp. And as it was fit for him to dissemble it, so was it for me to denie it. We were silent on all sides, but not very long, for the Deuils clouen foot at last brake out at his shooes. There was a certaine friend of his, and consequently my enemy, who taking him one day all alone, told him, how much it imported both his qualitie and credit, to rid himselfe of me, in regard of the publike and open language, which I vsed of those things which his Lordship had in-trusted me withall, and that euery one might scrue what he would from me, and draw all those secrets from me, which he had committed to my bosome. That Gentlemen of his place and profession should proceed according to that, which repre∣sented it selfe vnto them, and that his Lordship doing the contrary, it would proue very preiudiciall to his owne reputation, and his masters seruice. This discourse is mine owne; and though happely these formall words were not deliuered iust in the same phrase, as I haue now deliuered vnto you; yet I ve∣rily beleeue, they were like vnto these, if not more effectuall then what I haue here set downe. But howsoeuer they were the same, or not the same, I am sure that none of them all could tell him more, then he himselfe already knew, nor aduise him better then he was able to aduise himselfe. And I make no question▪ that he was not well pleased with that which they said vnto him. But he spake not one word thereof vnto me at that time, nor made any shew of alteration, or carryed any other kinde of countenance towards me, then he was wont to doe. Only, because Lent was now newly come in, hee made

vse of that occasion, to liue a little more retyred, and not to talke of prophane and idle matters, and particularly, not of women.

Thus did things runne along. But in regard that I was become the common Table-talke of all the Towne, those that waited on my Lord in his Chamber, his Pages, and other his ordinarie seruants, tooke a little more libertie and licence of language vnto them, then did well be∣seeme them. For, to make themselues merry, and to intertaine the time, what betweene iest and earnest, they did so nip mee with their witty iests, and pay mee home with their Satyricall lashes, that your Mariners doe not more straine their tacklings in a tempest, then they did wrest and wring the very bowels within mee. So that now at last, neither at home, nor abroad, had I any place, wherein I might rest secure; nor any wall, where-against to leane, and from whence some Eccho did not sound, that did voice forth the sinnes that I had done.

I had now so lost all patience, and was so in a manner besides my selfe, that one day as I past along the street, I was almost inforced to haue com∣mitted many fooleries. He said well, who being ask't, in how long a time, a wise man might turne foole? Answered; That is according as the boyes in the street shall flocke about him, abuse him, and hoote at him. This was it that brought the water vp aboue my chinne, and was ready to drowne me; this was it that made me to for-sweare all sufferance, and to renegue my wonted patience.

Many little children, as well as the greater lubbers, did persecute mee, wheresoeuer I went, laughing and scoffing at mee, with strange out-cryes, and loud showtings, making a most hideous noise. I tooke vp stones, and would haue throwne at them; but a yong man, of mine owne stature, qualitie and yeeres, well-behaued, but some-what hot and cholericke, came running in vpon mee, and held my arme so fast, that I was not able to moue a finger to doe them any hurt; yet did hee deale so honestly with mee, as to take part with mee against them all, and to defend mee against this their rage and fury, drawing in two or three other of his friends, that came along in his Company, making resistance both in deeds, and in words, against those Hobber-de-hoyes, which like so many Hob-gobblins, or little Diuels, did haunt me vp and downe from street to street, and from house to house. And hauing now quieted and laid these vnruly sprites, he tooke mee by the hand, bringing me himselfe alone home to my lodging, leauing his Compa∣nions behinde to keepe backe the boyes.

When he had brought me thus home, I would faine haue had him to stay with mee, that I might haue fastned some kindnesse vpon him, and haue done him all the courtesie and honour the house could afford: But could by no meanes get him to accept thereof.

Then did I intreat him, that he would tell mee his name, as also vvhere was his lodging, that I might come to kisse his hands, and giue him thankes for the vn-deserued kindnesse I had receiued from him; but hee would nei∣ther acquaint mee with the one, nor the other; promising to returne some other time to visit me. Onely he told me, that he did beare particular affecti∣on as well to my person, as my Country; for that I was a Spaniard, and that hee was as sensible of this disgrace of mine, as if it were his owne. And with this we tooke leaue each of other. I came home with my colour so changed, my eyes so inflamed, and my vnderstanding so confounded, that (not consi∣dering well what I did) comming iust in the nick, when dinner vvas a seruing vp, I would needs goe vp with the rest of the Pages to wait at his Lordships table. But when I was come into the dining roome, and found what Gentlemen were there attending on his Excellencie, I then saw my simplicitie, and saw how egregiously I had playd the foole; and would faine

haue holpe my selfe, by getting forth from amongst them: but it was too late; for my Master had already perceiued by my countenance what I ay∣led, and (without casting my water) that all was not well with me, and that I was inwardly much troubled. Wherevpon he demanded of mee, what was the cause of this my perturbation? I beeing taken thus on a sud∣den, hauing no leisure to fall then a coyning, and hauing neuer a new lye in store, went plainely to worke, and told him all the whole truth of the businesse, and euery particular passage thereof; which was all out, be∣fore I was aware, telling that, which I was not willing to vtter. And this was the first Wine, that came out of my Tauerne without water, and the first truth that euer I told in my life. My Master said nothing to it: but those that waited at the boord, not beeing able to forbeare laughing, one claps mee the couer of the Cup that he held in his hand before his face, another the Plate that he held betweene his Thumbs, a third the Napkin where-with hee seru'd as Seruer, and those that were empty-handed; lay∣ing one hand on their face, and with the other stopping their mouth; their hearts being ready to burst in their bellies, hy'de them (for feare of blurt∣ing in my Lords face) as fast out of the roome, as their legges would carry them. And they past so farre therein beyond the bounds of modestie, that his Excellency was some-what mooued thereat, and call'd out aloud vnto them to be quiet, rebuking them with sharper words then euer heretofore he was wont to doe, reprehending them for this their ouer-boldnesse in his presence. Where-with I was so ashamed, and so quite altered from that I was before, as if I had been sensible of the tearmes of honour, or had some signes thereof still remaining in me.

O how many things doth Rigour correct, which Loue is not able to effect! O, how much doth it import oftentimes, for to take a good fall, that a man may the better learne to looke to his feet hereafter, and to know how to walke more steddily, and more surely! Then did I take notice of mine owne deformitie, in that glasse did I see euery spot that I had about me; and was so quite dasht out of countenance, and so confounded in my selfe, that for all the Masters, and women that were in the world, I would neuer more take vpon mee to treat of their Loue-matters, nor be a Broker in that kinde for the greatest Prince in Christendome. O, what a braue resolution was this, if it would haue held!

The storme being now laid, my Master remained very sad, leaning his cheeke on his hand, and his elbow on the boord, holding his Pick-tooth in his mouth betweene his teeth, beeing much discontented, that these things of mine should runne on in that manner, that he must be forced to doe that, which he neuer thought to haue done; how-beit it was requisite for him so to doe, for the auoiding of a greater mischiefe; seeing himselfe now so farre ingaged, that hee should giue some notable touch to his Reputation, if hee should declare himselfe in my defence; especially, considering that mens seruants are the reall and true marke of what goodnesse and finenesse is their Masters cloth. He will'd me to get me downe to dinner; And from that time forward, neither I, nor any of my fellowes did for many dayes together, see his countenance so cheerefull, nor finde his tongue so affable, as hereto∣fore it was wont to be.

Now I durst not goe (as before) out of doores, but by night. So that all day long I kept my selfe close in my Chamber, spending my time, either in reading good bookes, or playing vpon some Instrument, or talking vvith my friends. Insomuch, that this retiring of my selfe, wrought in those of the house a new respect; and in those abroad, silence; and in my selfe, another course of life, differing from that which I led before.

Now euery mans tongue was still, and now by absenting my selfe from

their sight, all these my businesses were forgotten, as if they had neuer beene. The Yong man came often to visit mee, that had taken my part, when I was so vilely mockt and abus'd by the Boyes. He made mee many offers of his Purse and his Person; hee acquainted mee with his Country, his Name, and the cause of his comming to Rome, which was to get a Dispensation of his Holinesse, and that hee had spent therein a great deale of money and time, and yet was as farre from effecting his busi∣nesse, as the first houre that heeset foot in that Citie. I held my selfe bound to doe him all the good offices that I could to further this his pretension, giuing credit to all that he told mee. And because I did desire, that some faire occasion might bee offered, whereby I might repay part of that debt, wherein I stood bound vnto him; I intreated him, that hee would ac∣quaint mee with his businesse, and I would petition my Lord Embassador in his behalfe, and negociate it with all the speed I could. Hee returned mee many thankes for this my kinde offer, and told mee that hee had now hit into the right path, wherein hee was to walke, and that he had now very good and assured hopes to bring his purpose to passe. But in case this course should faile him, whereinto hee had now put himselfe, hee would then in∣tertaine that courtesie whereof I had made him so willing a tender. And thus wee past the time a while in complement, giuing and taking by turnes some Ceremonies of Court-ship, till at last he askt mee, whether I vvould take the paines to walke along with him to the Palace? I excused my selfe vnto him, and told him the cause why I had retyred my selfe, and how vvell it sped with mee; for by my not going abroad, mine owne minde was now quieted, and the noise and hurry of the Towne very well allayd.

This yong fellow was as very a Wagge as my selfe, much of my age, and his Beard (like mine) newly budding forth; he presently caught hold of these words, as those, which he most desired to heare to come from me; and when I had herein satisfied his longing, he said thus vnto me:

Sen̄or Guzman, you haue carried your selfe with that discretion, as is proper vnto you, and may truely bee termed your owne. And I hold this for as good and sure a remedie, as I find it difficult for you to put it in practise, and to make continuall vse of it; For sometimes such necessarie occasions re∣present themselues vnto vs, that men are inforced, whether they will or no, to breake these their firme purposes, and religious resolutions. If I, Sir, were in your case, rather then I would bee thus mewed vp, and for so long a time, I would weare out this disgrace by trauelling abroad, rounding all Italy, before I would returne. In which your trauell, you shall not onely take singular content, but you shall likewise obtaine your intended end, and with more aduantage, then you can possibly pretend, by this your priuate shut∣ting vp of your selfe in your Lords house. For Time and Absence, weare out all things, and are the best Physicians that can bee found for such kinde of diseases as these.

He went likewise leading me along with the relation of diuers and sun∣dry curiosities, presenting vnto mee the great excellencies of Florence, the beauty of Genoa, and the incomparable gouernment of Uenice, and other things of great delight, which did so dispose mee to vndergoe this course, which (after that hee had taken his leaue of mee) wrought so vpon mee all that night, that I could not take any rest, nor thinke vpon any other thing. Me thought, that I had already pluckt on my Bootes, and put on my Spurres, and that I vvas now onward on my way. Wherevpon I got mee vp as soone as it was day, and brought my Lord his cloathes; to whom, while hee was making him ready, I gaue an account of this my resolution. Hee liked very well of it, holding it a commendable, and an

honest course, that it would make much for my good, and stop all those mouthes, that were now so clamorous against me. He then told me, what o∣thers had said of mee; and that, which hee sate musing on at boord, when he shew'd himselfe so sad how he was then beating his braines about my good & how much he did desire to see me well accommodated, for the great affection that he bare vnto me, and that he had set his wits aworke for me; but seeing that mine owne inuention had hit so well; he told me, that if I had a minde to goe into France, I should haue Letters of recommendation to his friends there in my fauour; or if that I should make any other choyse to my better liking, he would not be wanting vnto me, but deale well and worthily with me, as one that had done him true and faithfull seruice.

I had a great desire to haue gone into France, for the great state and Maie∣stie that I had often heard of that Kingdome, but much more of that their noble and renowned King; But things were not then in that case that I could conueniently execute my longing. I kist his hands, and thank't his Excellencie for these his fauours towards me; and told him, that (if it might stand with his good leaue and liking) I was very desirous to trauell first thorow all Italy, and especially see Florence, whereof I had heard such large commendations; and from thence goe to Siena, where Pompeyo did then reside, one that was my especiall good friend, and well knowne to his Lordship, for we did ordi∣narily conuerse together by our Letters, though we had neuer seene one ano∣ther. Which correspondence had knit a strict knot of friendship betweene vs.

My Master was very glad of this motion; and from that day forward, began to set things in order for my iourney. Purposing with my selfe to make hereafter a new Booke, washing away by my vertues, those spots, which Vice had stained me with all.

Notes

• Passion blindeth Louers.
• A Lyer loues not a Lye in another.
• The effects of a Lyer.
• Lying, the food of beasts.
• Notable instru∣ctions for great Princes, & men of qualitie.
• Deaths sentence what manner of thing it is?
• Necessary lessons for yong Gal∣lants.
• The poore reasons that the rich al∣ledge against the poore.
• None liue for euer in this world.
• a

  There is a Spanish Prouerb that sayes, Aue∣riguelo Var∣gas Let Vargas approue it. Which is to be vnder∣stood, when a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is very in∣trua•…•… and hard to be decided. This Prouerbe grew first from the Licenciado Francisco de Vargas, of the Colledge of San∣ta Cruz in Valladolid, a man of a strong braine, and of a quicke dispatch, whom King Don Fernando made choyse of to be his Secretary. And because he did remit all his Memorials to his scanning, and to giue him an ac∣count of them, he would vsually say, when any made suit vnto him; Auerigue∣lo Vargas. Couarru. Verb. Vargas. Wee must neither iest with great men, nor tell them the truth. Wee are all of vs but weakelings. Wee ought not to flatter our selues.
• Prouerb.
• a

  Dara vn humo à na∣rizes. i. disgu∣•…•…arle, y •…•…o∣jarle. Couarr. Verbe Humo. None is so good as he thinkes himselfe to be. Man is but dust; and what kinde of dust.
• We must not de∣ferre our amend∣ment vpon hope of long life.
• The Authors in∣tention.
• Guzman, a no∣table lyer.
• A lyer had need of a good memory.
• A Master is not bound to take no∣tice of euery 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tale that is told him.
• An Embassa∣dours must haue a care as well of his Masters, as his owne reputa∣tion.
• How a wise man may be made to turne Foole, or mad-man.
• Guzman perse∣cuted by boyes and children.
• Guzmans in∣discretion.
• The first truth, that euer Guz∣man told.
• It is good some∣times to fall into an errour, that man may learne thereby to take better •…•…eed here∣after.
• Trauell yeeldeth much delight.
• A louing Master, what manner of man he it.