named Signior Herminio de Grimaldi, who (as euery one wel knew)
was more rich in inheritances, and ready summes of currant mony, then
any other knowne Citizen in Italy. And as hee surpassed other men in
wealth, so did he likewise excell them in wretched Auarice, being so mi∣serably
greedy and couetous, as no man in the world could be more wic∣ked
that way; because, not onely he kept his purse lockt vp from pleasu∣ring
any, but denied needful things to himself, enduring many miseries &
distresses, onely to auoide expences, contrary to the Genewayes generall
custome, who alwayes delighted to be decently cloathed, and to haue
their dyet of the best. By reason of which most miserable basenesse, they
tooke from him the sir-name of Grimaldi, whereof hee was in right des∣cended:
and called him master Herminio the couetous Mizer, a nickname
very notably agreeing with his gripple nature.
It came to passe, that in this time of his spending nothing, but multi∣plying
daily by infinite meanes, that a ciuill honest Gentleman (a Cour∣tier,
of ready wit, and discoursiue in Languages) came to Geneway, be∣ing
named Guillaume Boursier. A man very farre differing from diuers
Courtiers in these dayes, who for soothing shamefull and gracelesse ma∣ners,
in such as allow them maintenance, are called and reputed to bee
Gentlemen, yea especiall fauourites: whereas much more worthily, they
should be accounted as knaues and villaines, being borne and bred in all
filthinesse, and skilfull in euery kinde of basest behauiour, not fit to come
in Princes Courts. For, whereas in passed times, they spent their dayes
and paines in making peace, when Gentlemen were at warre or dissen∣tion,
or treating on honest marriages, betweene friends and familiars, &
(with louing speeches) would recreate disturbed mindes, desiring none
but commendable exercises in Court, and sharpely reproouing (like fa∣thers)
disordred life, or ill actions in any, albeit with recompence little,
or none at all: these vpstarts now adayes, employ all their paines in de∣tractions,
sowing questions and quarrels betweene one another, making
no spare of lyes & falshoods. Nay which is worse, they will do this in the
presence of any man, vpbraiding him with iniuries, shames, and scandals
(true or not true) vpon the very least occasion. And by false and deceit∣full
flatteries and villanies of their own inuenting, they make Gentlemen
to become as vile as themselues. For which detestable qualities, they are
better beloued and respected of theyr misdemeanor'd Lords, and recom∣penced
in more bountiful manner, then men of vertuous carriage and de∣sert.
Which is an argument sufficient, that goodnesse is gone vp to hea∣uen,
and hath quite forsaken these loathed lower Regions, where men are
drowned in the mud of all abhominable vices.
But returning where I left (being led out of my way by a iust and reli∣gious
anger against such deformity) this Gentleman, Master Guillaume
Boursier, was willingly seene, and gladly welcommed by all the best men
in Geneway. Hauing remayned some few dayes in the City, & (among
other matters, heard much talke of the miserable couetousnes of master
Herminio, he grew verie desirous to haue a sight of him. Master Herminio