Bel-vedére, or, The Garden of the muses

Of Praise, &c.

Praise is the hyre of vertue, for those partes That well deserue it, both in eyes and hearts.

PRaise is but smoake that sheddeth in the skie. Men for their owne deeds shall be prais'd or blam'd. True la••d proceeds by the report of other: Of more esteeme, when we our selues it smoother. The peoples voice, is neither shame nor praise. Safetie may breed delight, not nourish praise. Hard words doe discommend some men to day, Yet praise tomorrow with all might they may. Many will praise in words, but spight in workes. Chiefe praise consisteth in contented life. It's better to be praised for a truth, Than for a leasing to be honoured. To praise vnworthie men, is flatteri••.

Saue vertuous deeds, there's nothing merits praise. When men doe praise themselues immoderately, Makes other sentence them with obloquie. Praise stirres the mind to great and mightie things. Praise nourisheth true vertue where it sprang. The benefits of peace deserue more praise, Than all the cunningst stratagenis of warre. Praise maketh labour light, enricheth hope. When others praise thee, best to iudge thy selfe. Praise is a poyson to ambitious men, Because it makes them out ran honestie. In doing that we ought, deserues no praise. By counterfeited vertue seeke no praise. In vaine we seeke the idle smoake of praise, Since all things by antiquitie decayes. All good things haue preheminence in praise. Neuer praise that which is not commendable. Oft those whome princes patronage extold, Forget themselues, and what they were of old. Condemne not that deserueth praise by due. An ill mans praise, is praise for doing ill. Who striues to gaine inheritance of aire, Leaues yet perhaps but begg••••ie to his heire. Helping the poore, deseru••th double praise. Vertue begetreth praise; praise, honours height. Nothing of more vncertaintie than praise: For one dayes gift, another robs vs of. An open praise deserues a secret doubt. Too much commending, is a heauie load. He that commends a man before his face, Will scant speake well of him behind his backe. Bad nature by good nurture mended, merits praise. Abasing worthie men, argues selfe-praise. It is more worthie praise to keepe good fame,

Than the bare stile, or getting ••f the same. Our elders praise, is light vnto our liues. Be not too rash in discommending any. Be not too hastie in bestowing praise: Nor yet too slow when due time calls for praise. A mans owne praise, is publicke infamie. Honest attempts can neuer want due praise.

Similies on the same subiect.

AS shadowes on our bodies doe attend, So praise doth wait on vertue to the end. As praising make the Peacocke spread her taile, So men commended doe expresse themselues. As fooles in folly are not to be sooth'd, So wicked actions are not to be prais'd. As Cockes by crowing shew their victorie, So mens owne praises blab their obloquie. As niggards are discerned by their giftes, So mens commendings doe expresse their loue. As greatest praises fatten not thy fields, So much commending pleaseth not thy friend.

Examples likewise on the same.

THe noble Romane Titus Flaminius, Could not endure when any praised him. Caesar beholding Alexanders image, Wept, in remembring his exceeding praise. Pompey did count it praise enough for him, To set Tigranes in his throne againe. Agathocles condemned all vaine praise, And still confest himselfe a potters sonne. By vertue (saith Euripide••) get praise, For that will liue when time expires thy dayes.

Solon said, All vaine-glorious men were fooles; And none praise-worthie, but the humble-wise.