The boke named the Gouernour, deuysed by syr Thomas Elyot knight

THE FYRSTE BOKE.

¶The signification of a publyke weale, and why it is called in latyn Respublica.

A Publike weale is in son∣dry wise defined by phi∣losophers, but knowing by experience, that the often repetition of any thyng of graue or sadde importaunce, wyll be te∣dyous to the reders of this warke, who perchaunce for the more parte haue not ben trayned in lerning con∣teynynge semblable matter: I haue com∣piled one definition out of many, in as com∣pendious fourme, as my poore wytte can deuyse: trustynge that in those fewe wor∣des the true signification of a publike wele shall euidently appere, to them whom rea∣son can satisfie.

¶A publike weale is a body lyuyng, com∣pact or made of sōdry astates and degrees of men, whiche is dysposed by the order of equytye, and gouerned by the rule and moderation of reason. In the latin tongue it is called Respublica, of the whiche the worde Res, hath dyuers significations, and dothe not onely betoken that, that is cal∣led a thynge, whiche is distinct from a per∣son,

but also signyfieth astate, condityon, substaunce, and profyt.

¶In our olde vulgare, profytte is called weale. And it is called a welthy countray, wherin is al thynge that is profitable: And he is a welthy man, that is ryche in money and substaunce. Publyke (as Uarro sayth) is diriuied of people: which in latyn is cal∣led Populus. wherfore it semeth, that men haue ben longe abused, in calling Rempub∣licam, a commune weale. And they which do suppose it so to be called, for that, that euery thynge shoulde be to all men in com∣mune, without discrepaunce of any astate or condition, be therto moued more by sen∣sualite, than by any good reason or inclina∣tion to humanitie. And that shall so one ap∣pere vnto them, that wyll be satysfied ey∣ther with auctoritie, or with naturall order and example.

¶Fyrste the propre and trewe significatiō of the wordes, Publike and Comune, whi∣che be borowed of the latin tongue, for the insufficiencie of our owne langage, shal sufficiently declare the blyndenes of them, which haue hitherto holden and meyntey∣ned the sayde opinions. As I haue sayde, publyke toke his begynnynge of people, whiche in latin is Populus: in which worde is conteyned, all the inhabytantes of a re∣alme

or citie, of what astate or condition so euer they be.

¶Plebs in englisshe, is called the commu∣naltie, whiche signifieth onely the multy∣tude, wherin be conteyned the base & vul∣gare inhabitantes, not auaunced to any ho∣nour or dignitie: whiche is also vsed in our dayly comunication. for in the citie of Lon∣don, and other cities, they that be none al∣dermen, or sheriffes, be called communers. And in the countrey, at a sessions, or other assembly, if no gentyll men be there at, the sayinge is, that there was none but the cō∣munaltye, whiche proueth, in myne opini∣on, that Plebs in latine, is in englishe com∣munaltie: and Plebeij be communers.

¶And consequentely there maye appere, lyke diuersitie to be in englishe, betwene a publyke weale, and a commune weale, as shuld be in latyn, betwene Res publica, and Res plebeia. And after that signification, if there shulde be a commune weale, eyther the communers onely must be welthy, and the gentyl and noble men, nedy and myse∣rable: orelles excludyng gentylitie, al men muste be of one degre and sort, and a newe name prouided. For as moche as Plebs, in latine, and comminers in englyshe, be wor∣des onely made for the discrepance of de∣grees, wherof procedeth Ordre: whiche

in thynges, as well naturall as supernatu∣rall, hath euer hadde suche a preeminence, that therby the incomprehensible maiestye of god, as it were by a bryght leme of a tor∣che or candell, is declared to the blynd in∣habitantes of this worlde.

¶ More ouer, take awaye Order from all thynges, what shulde than remayne? Cer∣tes nothynge finally, excepte somme man wolde imagine eftsones, Chaos, whiche of some is expounded, a confuse mixture.

¶ Also where there is any lacke of order, nedes muste be perpetuall conflycte. And in thynges, subiecte to nature, no thyng of hym selfe onely maye be nourysshed: but whan he hath distroyed that, wherwith he doth participate, by the order of his crea∣tion, he hym selfe of necessitie muste than perysshe, wherof ensueth vniuersall dysso∣lution.

¶ But nowe to proue by example of those thynges, that be within the coumpasse of mannes knowlege, of what estimation Or∣dre is, not onely among men, but also with god, all be it his wysedome, bountye, and magnificence, can be with no tonge or pen sufficiently expressed. Hath not he sette de∣grees & astates in all his glorious warkes?

¶ Fyrste in his heuenly ministers, whom, as the Churche affyrmethe, he hath con∣stituted

to be in dyuers degrees, called hi∣erarches. Also Christe sayth, by his euan∣gelist, that in the house of his father (whi∣che is god) be many mansions.

¶ But to treate of that, whiche by natu∣rall vnderstandynge, maye be comprehen∣ded, Beholde the foure elementes, wher∣of the body of man is compacte, how they be set in theyr places, called spheres, high∣er or lower, accordynge to the souerayn∣tie of theyr natures: that is to saye, the fi∣er, as the moste pure elemente, hauinge in it nothyng, that is corruptible, in his place, is hygheste, and aboue other elementes.

The ayer, whiche next to the fyre, is most pure in substance, is in the seconde sphere or place: The water, whiche is somewhat consolidate, and approcheth to corruptiō, is nexte vnto the erthe: The erthe, which is of substance gros and ponderous, is set, of all elementes, moste lowest.

¶ Beholde also the order, that god hath put generally in all his creatures, begyn∣nynge at the mooste inferiour or base, and assendynge vpwarde: he made not onely herbes to garnishe the erthe, but also trees of a more eminent stature, than herbes: and yet in the one and the other, be degrees of qualities, some pleasante to beholde, some delycate or good in taste, other holsome

and medycinable, some commodyous and necessarie. Semblably in byrdes, beastis, and fysshes, some be good for the sustināce of man: some beare thynges profytable to sondry vses: other be apte to occupation and laboure: in dyuerse is strengthe and fiersenes onely: in many is both strengthe and commoditie: some other serue for ple∣sure: none of them hath all these qualities: fewe haue the more parte or many, special∣ly beautie, strengthe, and profytte. But where any is founde, that hath many of the sayde propreties, he is more sette by, than al the other, and by that estimation, the or∣dre of his place and degree euidentely ap∣pereth. So that euery kynde of trees, her∣bes, birdes, beastis, and fisshes, beside their diuersitie of fourmes, haue (as who sayth) a peculyer dysposityon, appropered vnto them, by god theyr creatour: so that in e∣uery thynge is ordre, and withoute ordre maye be nothyng stable or permanent. And it maye not be called Ordre, excepte it do conteyne in it, degrees, high and base, ac∣cordyng to the meryte or estimation of the thynge that is ordered.

¶ Nowe to returne to the astate of manne kynde, for whose vse, all the sayde creatu∣res were ordeyned of god, and also excel∣leth them all, by prerogatiue of knowlege

& wysedome. It semeth, that in hym shulde be no lesse prouidence of god declared, thā in the inferiour creatures: but rather with a more perfect ordre and dysposition. And therfore it appereth, that god gyueth not to euery man like gyftes of grace, or of na∣ture, but to some more, to some lesse, as it lyketh his diuine maiestie. Ne they be not in cōmune (as fantastical foles wolde haue all thynges) nor one man hath not all ver∣tues, and good qualities.

¶ Not with standynge, for as moch as vn∣derstandynge, is the moste excellent gyfte, that man can receyue in his creation, wher¦by he doth approche moste nyghe vnto the similitude of god, whiche vnderstandynge is the pryncipall parte of the soule: It is therfore congruent, and accordynge, that as one excelleth an other, in that influence, as therby beinge nexte to the similitude of his maker: so shulde the astate of his per∣son be auaunced in degree, or place, where vnderstandynge maye profyt, which is al∣so dystrybuted into sondry vses, faculties, and offices, necessary for the lyuynge and gouernaunce of mankynd. And lyke as the angels, whiche be most feruent in contem∣plation, be hyghest exalted in glorye (after the opinion of holy doctours) and also the fire, which is the most pure of elementes,

and also dothe clarifie the other inferioure elemētes, is deputed to the highest sphere or place. So in this worlde, they, whiche excelle other in this influence of vnderstan dynge, and do imploye it to the deteynyng of other within the boundes of reason, and shewe them, howe to prouide for theyr ne∣cessarie lyuynge: suche ought to be sette in a more highe place, than the residue, where they maye se, and also be sene, that by the beames of theyr excellente wytte, shewed throughe the glasse of auctoritie, other of inferiour vnderstanding, maye be directed to the way of vertu and cōmodious liuing.

¶ And vnto men of suche vertue, by verye equitie apperteineth Honour, as theyr iust rewarde and duetie: which by other mens labours, muste also be meynteyned, accor∣dynge to theyr merytes. For as moche as the sayde persons, excellinge in knowlege, wherby other be gouerned: be mynysters for the only profite and cōmoditie of them, whiche haue not equall vnderstandynge: where they, whiche do exercise artificiall science, or corporall labour, do not trauaile for theyr superiours only, but also for their owne necessitie. So the houseband man fe∣dethe hym selfe and the clothe maker: the clothe maker apparayleth him self and the housebande: they bothe socour other ar∣tificers:

other artificers them: they and o∣ther artificers, them that be gouernours.

¶ But they that be gouernours (as I be∣fore sayde) nothyng do acquire by the sayd influence of knowlege for theyr owne ne∣cessities, but do imploye all the powers of theyr wyttes, and theyr dylygence, to the only preseruation of other their inferiours. Amonge whiche inferiours also behoueth to be a disposition and order, accordyng to reason: that is to say, that the slouthfull or idell person, do not participate with hym, that is industrious, and taketh peyne, wher by the fruites of his labours, shulde be di∣minisshed, wherin shulde be none equalite, but therof shulde procede dyscourage, and finally dysolution, for lacke of prouysion. Wherfore it can none other wise stand with reason, but that the astate of the person in preeminence of lyuynge, shuld be estemed, with his vnderstandynge, labour, and po∣licie: where vnto muste be added an aug∣mentation of honour and substaunce, whi∣che nat only impresseth a reuerence, wher∣of procedeth due obedience amonge subie∣ctes, but also inflameth men, naturally in∣clined to idelnes, or sensual appetite, to co∣ueyte lyke fortune, and for that cause, to dis pose them to study or occupation.

¶ Howe to conclude my fyrste assertion or

argument. where al thing is comune, there lacketh ordre: and where ordre lackethe, there all thynge is odyouse, and vncomly. And that haue we in dayly experience. for the pannes and pottes, garnysshe well the ketchyn, and yet shuld they be to the chā∣bre none ornamente. Also the beddes, te∣stars and pyllowes, beseme not the hall, no more than the carpettes and kusshines be∣come the stable. Semblably the potter and tynker, onely perfecte in theyr crafte, shal littell do, in the ministration of Iustice. A ploughman or carter, shall make but a foble answere to an ambassadour. Also a wayuer or fuller, shuld be an vnmete capitaine of an army, or in any other office of a gouernour. wherfore to conclude, it is only a publyke weale, where, lyke as god hath dysposed the sayde influence of vnderstandynge, is also appoynted degrees and places, accor∣dynge to the excellencie therof, and ther∣to also wolde be substance conuenient, and necessarie, for the ornamente of the same: which also impresseth a reuerence and due obedience to the vulgare people or cōmu∣naltie, and without that, it can be no more sayde, that there is a publike weale, than it may be affyrmed, that a house without his propre and necessary ornamentes, is well and sufficiently furnyshed.

That one soueraygne gouernour ought to be in a publyke weale. And what damage hath happened, wher a multytude hath hadde equall auctorite without any soue∣raygne. Cap. ii.

LYke as to a castel or fortres, suffiseth one owner or soue∣raign, and where any mo be of like power and authorite, seldome cometh the warke to perfection, or beynge all redy made, where the one diligently ouer∣seth, & the other neglecteth, in that conten tion all is subuerted and cōmeth to ruyne, In sēblable wise doth a publike weale, that hath no chiefe gouernours than one. Ex∣ample we may take of the Grekes, amonge whom in diuers cities, weare diuers four∣mes of publyke weales, gouerned by mul∣titudes: wherin one was moste tollerable, where the gouernance and rule was alway permitted to them, which excelled in ver∣tue, and was in the Greke tonge called A∣ristocratia, in latin Optimorum Potentia, in englishe, the rule of mē of best disposition. which the Chebanes of lōg time obserued.

¶ An other publyque weale was amonge the Atheniensis, where equalytye was of

astate among the people, and only by their hole consente, theyr Citie and dominions were gouerned: whiche moughte well be called a Monster with many heedes, nor neuer it was certayne or stable, and often tymes they banisshed, or slewe the best cy∣tezins, whiche by theyr vertue and wyse dome, had moste profited to the publyke weale. This maner of gouernaunce was called in greke Dimocratia, in latin, Popu∣laris potentia: in englysshe, the rule of the comminaltie. Of these two gouernances, none may be sufficient. For in the first, whi∣che consisteth of good men, vertue is not so constant in a multitude, but that some be∣ynge ones in authoritie, be incensed with glorie, some with ambition, other with co∣uetise and desyre of treasure or possessions, wherby they falle in to contention, and fy∣nally, where any achiueth the superioritie, the hole gouernāce is reduced vnto a fewe in nombre, whiche fearynge the multitude, and theyr mutabilitie, to the intent to kepe them in drede to rebell, ruleth by terrour, and crueltie, thynkynge therby, to kepe them selfe in suertie. Not withstandynge, rancour coarcted, and longe deteyned in a narowe roume, at the last brasteth out, with intollerable vyolence, and bryngeth all to confusion. For the power, that is practized,

to the hurte of many, can not continue.

¶The popular astate, if it any thyng do va¦ry from equalitie of substāce, or estimation, or that the multitude of people, haue ouer moch libertie, of necessitie one of these in∣conueniēces must happen, either tyranny, where he that is to moch in fauor, wold be eleuate, & suffre none equalitie, or elles in to the rage of a communaltie, whiche of al ru∣les is mooste to be feared. For lyke as the communes, if they fele some seueritie, doo humbly serue and obeye, so where they im∣bracing a lycence, refuse to be brydeled, do flyng and plunge: and if they ones throwe downe theyr gouernour, they order euery thyng without iustice, only with vengeāce and crueltie, and with incomparable diffy∣cultie, and vnneth by any wysedome, be pa∣cified and brought again into order. Wher∣fore vndoutedly, the best and the most sure gouernāce, is by one King or Prince, whi∣che ruleth onely for the weale of his peo∣ple: and that maner of guernaunce is beste approued, and hath longest continued, and is moste auncient. For who can denye, but that all thynge in heuen and erth is gouer∣ned by one god, by one perpetual ordre, by one prouidēce? One sonne ruleth ouer the day, and one Moone ouer the nyght. And to descende downe to the erthe.

¶In a lyttell beast, whiche of all other is most to be maruayled at, I meane the Bee, is lefte to man by nature, as it semeth, a perpetuall figure, of a iuste guernaunce or rule: who haue among them, one principal Bee, for theyr gouernour, whiche excel∣leth all other in greatenes, yet hath he no pricke or stinge, but in hym is more know∣lege, thanne in the residue. For if the daye folowynge shall be fayre and dry, and that the bees may issue out of theyr stalles, with out peryl of raine, or vehemēt wynd, in the mornynge erely he callethe them, makyng a noyse, as it were the sowne of a hurne, or a trumpet, and with that, al the residue pre pare them to labour, and fleeth abrode, ga∣therynge nothynge, but that shall be swete and profitable, all thoughe they sytte of∣ten tymes on herbes, and other thynges, that be venemous and stynkynge. The ca∣pirayne hym selfe, laboureth not for his su∣stynaunce, but all the other for hym: he onely seeth, that if any drane, or other vn∣profitable bee, entreth in to the hyue, and consumeth the honye, gathered by other, that he be immediately expelled from that company. And whanne there is a nother nombre of bees encreased, they semblably haue also a capitayne, whiche be not suffe∣red to continue with the other. Wherfore

this newe company, gathered in a swarme, hauynge theyr capitayne among them, and enuir onynge hym, to preserue hym frome harme, issue forthe, sekinge a newe habita∣tion: which they finde in some tree, except with some pleasaunt noyse, they be alured and conueyed vnto an other hyue.

¶I suppose, who seriously beholdeth this example, and hath any commendable wyt, shall therof gather moche mattyer, to the fourmyng of a publike weale. But bicause I may not be long therin, considerynge my purpose, I wolde the reder herof, if he be lerned, shuld repayre to the Georgikes of Uirgile, or to Plini, or Collumella, where he shal fynde the example more ample, and better declared.

¶And if any desyreth to haue the gouer∣naunce of one person, proued by histories, let him firste resorte to the holy scripture, where he shall fynde, that almyghtye god cōmanded Moises onely, to brynge his e∣lected people out of captiuitie, giuinge on∣ly to hym that auctoritie, without appoyn∣tinge to hym any other assystence of equall power or dignitie: except in the message to kynge Pharao, wherin Aaron, rather as a minister thanne a companyon, wente with Moises. But only Moises conducted the people throughe the redde see, he onely

gouerned them forty yeres in deserte. And bycause Dathan and Abiron disdayned his rule, and coueted to be equal with him, the erthe opened, and fyre issued out, and swa∣lowed them in, with all their holle familye, and confederates, to the nōbre of. 14700. And all thoughe Hietro, Moses father in lawe, counsailed hym to depart his impor∣table labours, in continual iugemētes, vnto the wise men, that were in his company: he nat withstandyng, styll retayned the soue∣rayntie, by goddis commandement, vntyll a litle before he died, he resigned it to Iosue, assigned by god to be ruler after hym.

¶ Semblably after the deth of Iosue, by the space of. 246. yeres, succeded frome tyme to tyme, one ruler amōge the Iewes, which was chosen for his excellēcy in ver∣tue, and specilly iustyce. Wherfore he was called the iuge, vntil the Israelites desired of almyghty god, to let them haue a kyng, as other people hadde: who appointed to them Saul, to be theyr kyng, who exceded all other in stature.

¶ And so successiuely one kyng gouerned all the people of Israel, vnto the tyme of Roboaz, sonne of the noble kyng Salomō: who beinge vnlyke to his father in wyse∣dome, practised tyrannye amonge his peo∣ple. Wherfore. ix. partes of theym, whiche

they called Tribus, forsoke hym, & elected Hieroboam, late seruaunt to Salomon, to be theyr kynge, onely the .x. parte remay∣nynge with Roboaz. And so in that realme were contynually two kynges, vntyll the kynge of Mede had depopulate the coun∣trey, and brought the people in captiuytie to the citie of Babylon: So that durynge the tyme, that two kynges rayned ouer the iewes, was euer continuall batayle among them selfes: where if one kynge had alway rayned lyke to Dauid or Salomon, of lyke lyhode the countrey shuld not so sone haue ben brought in captiuitie.

¶ Also in the tyme of the Machabeis, as longe as they had but one busshop, which was theyr ruler, and was in the stede of a prynce, they valiantly resysted the gentils: and as well the Romaynes, than great lor∣des of the worlde, as Persians, and diuers other realmes, desyred to haue with them amitie and aliaunce: and al the inhabitantes of that countrey, lyued in great weale and quietnes. But after that by symonye and ambition, there happened to be two bys∣shoppes, whiche deuyded theyr authory∣ties, and also the Romaynes had deuyded the realme of Iudea to foure princes, cal∣led Tetrarchas, and also constytuted a Ro∣mayne capitayne or presidente ouer them:

amonge the heddes there neuer cessed to be sedition, and perpetual dyscorde: wher∣by at the laste the people was dystroyed, and the countrey brought to desolation and horrible barrennes.

¶ The Grekes, which were assembled to reuenge the reproche of Menelaus, that he toke of the Troians by the rauisshynge of Helene his wyfe, dydde not they by one assente electe Agamemnon to be theyr em∣perour or capitayne: obeying him as their souerayne, durynge the siege of Troy? all though that they had diuers excellent prin¦cis, not only equal to hym, but also excel∣lyng hym, as in prowes Achilles, and Ai∣ax Thelemonion: in wysedome Nestor, and Ulisses, and his owne brother, Mene∣laus: to whom they moughte haue gyuen equal auctoritie with Agamēnon: but those wise princes considered, that without a ge∣nerall capitayne, so many persons as were there, of dyuers realmes gathered toge∣ther, shulde be by no meanes well gouer∣ned wherfore Homere calleth Agamēnon the shepeherd of peple. They rather were cōtented to be vnder one mans obedience, than seuerally to vse theyr auctorites, or to ioyne in one power and dignite, whereby at the last shulde haue sourded discention a∣monge the people, they beinge seperately

enclined towarde theyr naturall souerayne lorde: as it appered in the particuler con∣tention, that was betwene Achilles and A∣gamemnon for theyr cōcubines, where A∣chilles, renouncynge the obedience, that he with all other pryncis had before pro∣mysed, at the batayle fyrste enterprysed a∣gaynste the Troyans. For at that tyme no lyttell murmur, and sedition was moued in the hoste of the grekes, whiche not with∣standynge was wonderfully pacified: and the armie vnscatered, by the maiestie of A∣gamemnon, ioynynge to him counsailours, Nestor and the wytty Ulisses.

¶ But to retourne agayne. Athenes and other cities of Grece, whan they had abā∣doned kynges, and concluded to lyue as it were in a cōmunaltie, whiche abusifly they called equality: howe long tyme did any of them continue in peace? Yea what vacati∣on had they from the warres? or what no∣ble man had they, which auaunced the ho∣nour and weale of theyr Citie, whom they did not banishe or slee in prison? Surely it shall appere to them, that wyll rede Plu∣tarche, or Emilius probus, in the lyues of Milciades, Cimon, Themistocles, Aristi∣des, and diuerse other noble & valiant capi∣taynes: which is to longe here to reherse.

¶ In lyke wyse the Romaynes, durynge

the time that they were vnder kinges, whi¦che was by the space of. 144. yeres, were well gouerned, nor neuer was among them discorde or sedition: But after that by the persuatiō of Brutus and Colatinus, whose wyfe (Lucretia) was rauyshed by the sōne of Tarquine, kynge of Romaynes, not on∣ly the sayde Tarquine and all his postery∣tie, were exiled out of Rome for euer, but also it was finally determyned amonge the people, that neuer after they wolde haue a kynge reygne ouer them. Consequently the cōmunaltie more and more encroched a lycence, and at the last compelled the Se¦nate to suffre them to chose yerely amonge them, gouernours of theyr owne astate & condition, whō they called Trybunes: vn∣der whom they resceyued suche audacytie and power, that they finally opteyned the highest auctoritie in the publyke weale: in so moche, that oftentymes they dyd repele the actes of the Senate, and to those Tri∣bunes mought a man appele from the Se∣nate, or any other offyce or dygnitie. But what came therof in conclusion? Surelye whan there was any difficulte warre immi∣nent, they were constrayned to electe one soueraygne and chyefe of all other, whom they named Dictator, as it were commaun∣der, from whom it was not laufull for any

man to appele. But bycause there appered to be in hym the prystinate auctorytie and maiestie of a kynge, they wolde no longer suffre hym to continue in that dignitie, than by the space of .vi. monethes, excepte he than resigned it, and by the consente of the people eftsones dyd resume it. Finally vn∣tyl Octauius Augustus had distroied An∣thony, and also Brutus: and finished al the Ciuile warres (that were so called bycause they were betwene the same selfe Romayn citezins) the citie of Rome was neuer long quiete from factions or sedicions amonge the people. And if the nobles of Rome had not bē men of excellent lerning, wisedome, and prowesse, & that the Senate, the moste noble counsaylle in all the worlde, whiche was fyrste ordeyned by Romulus, and en∣creased by Tullus hostilius, the thyrd king of Romaynes, had not continued, and with great difficultie reteyned theyr auctoritie, I suppose verylye, that the Citie of Rome had ben vtterly desolate sone after the ex∣pellynge of Tarquine. And if it hadde ben eftesones renewed, it shulde haue ben twē∣ty tymes dystroyed, before the tyme that Augustus raygned: so moch discorde was euer in the citie, for lacke of one gouernor.

¶ But what nede we to serche so fer from vs, sens we haue sufficiente examples nere

vnto vs? Beholde the astate of Florence and Gene, noble cities of Italy, what cala∣mite haue they both sustened by their own factions, for lacke of a cōtinuall gouernor?

¶ Ferrare, and the moste excellent cite of Uenise, hauynge dukes, seldome suffre da∣mage, excepte it happen by outwarde ho∣stilitie.

¶ We haue also an example at home, which is moste necessary to be noted.

¶ After that the Saxons by treasone had expelled out of England the Britons, whi∣che were the auncient inhabitauntes, this realme was deuyded into sondry regions, or kyngedomes. O what mysery was the people than in? O howe this moste noble Isle of the worlde was decerpt and rent in pieces? the people pursued and hunted like wolfes, or other beastes sauage: none in∣dustry auayled, no strength defended, noo ryches profited. Who wolde then haue de∣sired to haue ben rather a man than a dog, whan men eyther with swerde or with hū∣gre peryshed, hauynge no profite or susty∣nance of theyr owne corne or catell, which by mutuall warre was contynually distroy∣ed? Yet the dogges, eyther takynge that that men coulde not quietly come by, or fe∣dynge on the deed bodies, whiche on eue∣ry parte lay scatered plentously, dyd satis∣fye

theyr hungre.

¶ Where fynde ye any good lawes, that at that tyme were made and vsed? or any cō∣mendable monumente, of any scyence or crafte in this realme occupied? suche ini∣quitie semeth to be than, that by the multi∣tude of soueraygne gouernours, all thyn∣ges hadde ben brought to confusion, if the noble kinge Edgar hadde not reduced the monarchie to his pristinate astate and fy∣gure: whiche brought to passe, reason was reuiued, & people came to cōformitie, & the realme began to take comfort, and to shewe some visage of a publike weale: and so (lau∣ded be god) haue continued: but not being alway in like astate or condition. Al be it, it is not to be dispaired, but that the king our soueraigne lorde nowe reignynge, and this realme, alway hauyng one prince, like vnto his highnes, equall to the auncient princis, in vertue and courage, it shall be reduced (god so dysposyng) vnto a publyke weale, excellynge al other in preeminence of ver∣tue, and abundance of thynges necessary.

¶ But for as moche as I do wel perceiue, that to wryte of the offyce or duetye of a soueraygne gouernoure or prynce, farre excedeth the compasse of my lernyng, ho∣lye scrypture affyrmynge, that the har∣tes of pryncis be in goddes owne handes

and dysposition: I wyll therfore kepe my penne within the space that is discrybed to me, by the thre noble maysters, reason, ler∣nynge, and experience. And by theyr en∣seignement or teachynge, I wyl ordynate∣ly treate of the two partes of a publyke weale, wherof the one shall be named due administration, the other necessary occu∣pation, whiche shall be deuyded in to two volumes. In the fyrste shal be comprehen∣ded the best fourme of education or bryn∣gyng vp of noble chyldren, from their na∣tiuitie, in suche maner as they may be foūd worthy, and also able to be gouernours of a publyke weale. The second volume, whi∣che god grauntinge me quietnes and liber∣tie of mynde, I wyl shortly after send forth: It shall conteyne all the remenant, whiche I canne eyther by lernynge or experience fynde apte to the perfection of a iuste pub∣lyke weale: in the whiche, I shall so ende∣uour my selfe, that al men, of what astate or condition so euer they be, shall fynde ther∣in occasion to be alway vertuously occupy∣ed: and not without pleasure, if they be not of the scholes of Aristippus, or Apicius: of whom the one supposed felycitye to be onely in lechery, the other in delycate fe∣dyng and glotony. From whose sharpe ta∣lons and cruell tethe, I beseche all gentyll

reders to defende these warkes, whiche for theyr commodite is onely compiled,

That in a publyke weale ought to be infe∣riour gouernours called Magistrates, whiche shal be appoynted or chosen by the soueraygne gouernour. Capitulo. iii.

THere be bothe reasons and examples vndoutedly infy∣nite, wherby maye be pro∣ued, that there can be no per¦fect publyke weale, without one capitall and soueraygne gouernour, whiche maye longe endure or continue. But sens one mortal man can not haue knowlege of all thynges done in a re∣alme or large dominion, and at one time dis∣cusse all controuersics, refourme all trans∣gressions, and exploite al cōsultations, cō∣cluded as well for outwarde, as inwarde affayres: it is expedyente, and also nede∣full, that vnder the capytall gouernour be sondry meane auctorities, as it were ay∣dynge hym in the dystribution of iustice in sondry partes of a huge multitude: wherby his labours being leuigate, and made more tollerable, he shal gouerne with the better aduyse, and consequently with a more per∣fecte gouernaunce. And as Iesus Sirach,

saythe, The multitude of wyse men is the welth of the world. They which haue such auctorities to them cōmitted, may be called inferiour gouernours, hauynge respect to theyr office or duetie, wherin is also a re∣presentation of gouernance: All be it they be named in latine Magistratus. And heraf∣ter I intende to cal them Magistrates, lac kynge an other more conuenient worde in englyshe: but that wyll I do in the seconde parte of this warke, where I purpose to write of theyr sondry offices, or effectes of theyr auctoritie.

¶ But for as moche as in this parte, I in∣tende to write of theyr education and ver∣tue in maners, whiche they haue in cōmune with princes, in as moche as therby they shal as wel by examble, as by auctoritie, or∣dre wel them, whiche by theyr capital go∣uernour, shall be to theyr rule commytted, I may without anoyance of any man, name them gouernours at this tyme, aproprya∣tinge to the soueraygnes, names of kinges and princis, sens of a longe custome, these names, in cōmune fourme of speking, be in a higher preemynence and estimation than gouernours. That in euery cōmune weale ought to be a great nombre of suche maner of persons, it is partly proued in the chap∣tre next before written, where I haue spo∣ken

of the commoditie of ordre.

¶ Also reason and commune experyence playnely declare, that where the dominion is large and populouse, there it is conueni∣ent, that a prynce haue many inferiour go∣uernours: whiche be named of Aristotel, his eies, eares, handes, and legges: whi∣che if they be of the beste sorte (as he fur∣ther more saith) it semeth impossible, a coū tre not to be wel gouerned by good lawes. And excepte excellent vertue and lernyng do inhable a manne of the base astate of the communaltie, to be thought of al men wor∣thy to be so moche auaunced, els suche go∣uernours wold be chosen out of that astate of men, whiche be called worshypfull, if amonge them may be founden a sufficiente nombre, ornate with vertue and wysedome, mete for suche purpose: and that for son∣dry causes.

¶ Fyrste it is of good congruence, that the superiours in condition or hauiour, shulde haue also preeminence in administration, if they be not inferiour to other in vertue.

Also they, hauynge of theyr owne reuen∣nues certayne, wherby they haue compe∣tente substaunce to lyue withoute takynge rewardes: it is lykely, that they wyll not be so desirous of lucre (wherof may be en∣gendred corruption) as they, whiche haue

very lytteli or nothynge so certayne.

¶ More ouer, where vertue is in a gentyl man, it is commonly myxte with more suf∣ferance, more affabilitie, and myldenes, thā for the more parte it is in a person rurall or of a very base lynage, and whan it hapneth other wyse, it is to be accompted lothsome and monstruous.

¶ Furthermore, where the person is wor∣shyppefull, his gouernaunce, though it be sharpe, is to the people more tollerable, and they therwith the lesse grutche or be dysobedient.

¶ Also suche menne hauynge substaunce in goodes by certeyne and stable possessions, which they may aporcionate to theyr owne lyuynge and bryngynge vp of theyr chyl∣dren in lernynge and vertues, maye (if na∣ture repugne not) cause them to be soo in∣structed and furnyshed towarde the admi∣nistration of a publyke weale, that a poore mannes sonne, onely by his naturall wytte, without other helpe, neuer or seldome may atteyne to the lyke. Towarde the whiche instruction, I haue prepared this warke.

The education or fourme of bryngynge vp of the chylde of a gentylman, whiche is to haue auctoritie in a publyke weale. Capitulo. iiii.

FOr as moche as al noble au∣thors do conclude, and com∣mune experyence proueth, that where the gouernours of realmes & cities be foun∣den adourned with vertues, and do employ theyr studye and mynde to the publyke weale, as well to the augmen∣tation ther of, as to the establysshynge and longe continuaunce of the same: there a publyke weale muste nedes be both hono∣rable and welthy. To the entēt to declare, howe suche personages may be prepared, I wyll vse the polycie of a wyse and cun∣nynge gardener, who purposynge to haue in his gardeine a fyne and preciouse herbe, that shulde be to hym and all other, repay∣rynge therto, excellentely cōmodious, or pleasaunt: he wyll syrste serche throughe∣out his gardeyne, where he can fynde the moste melowe and fertyle erth, and therin wyl he put the sede of the herbe to growe, and be norysshed, and in moste diligent wise attende, that no weede be suffred to growe or approche nyghe vnto it: and to the ende it maye thryue the faster, as scone as the fourme of an herbe ones appereth, he wyl set a vessel of water by it, in suche wyse, that it may contynually distyll on the rote swete dropes: and as it spryngeth in stalke, vnder

sette it with some thinge, that it breake not, and alway kepe it clene from wedes. Like ordre wyll I ensue, in the fourmynge the gentyll wyttes of noble mennes chyldren, who frome the wombes of theyr mother, shalbe made propise or apte to the gouer∣naunce of a publyke weale.

¶ Fyrste they, vnto whom the bringing vp of suche chyldren apperteyneth, ought a∣gainste the tyme that theyr mother shall be of them deliuered, to be sure of a nourise, whiche shoulde be of no seruile condicion, or vice notable. For as some auncient wri∣ters do suppose, oftē times the childe sou∣keth the vice of his nourise, with the mylke ofher pappe. And also obserue, that she be of mature or ripe age, not vnder. xx. yeres, or aboue. xxx. her body also beynge clene from all sykenes, or deformyte, and hauing her complection mooste of the ryghte and pure sanguine. For as moche as the mylke therof cominge, excelleth all other, bothe in swetenes and substance.

¶ More ouer, to the nouryse shuld be ap∣poynted an other womanne, of approued vertue, dyscretion, and grauitie, who shal not suffre in the childes prescence to be she∣wed any acte or tatche dyshoneste, or any wantō or vnclene worde to be spoken. And

for that cause all menne, excepte phisyty∣ons onely, shulde be excluded and kepte out of the nursery.

¶ Perchaunce somme wyll scorne me, for that I am soo seryous, sayinge that there is no suche damage to be fered in an infant, who for tendernesse of yeres, hath not the vnderstandynge, to decerne good from y∣uell. And yet no manne wyll deny, but in that innocency he wyldecerne mylke from butter, and breadde from pappe, and er he canne speake, he wyll with his hande or countenaunce sygnyfie, which he desyreth. And I veryly suppose, that in the braynes and hartes of yonge chyldren, whiche be membres spirytuall, whyles they be ten∣der, and the lyttell slyppes of reason begin in theym to burgyne, there maye happe by yuell custome, some pestyferours dewe of vyce to perse the sayde membres, and in∣fecte and corrupt the soft and tendre bud∣des, wherby the fruite maye growe wilde, and some tyme conteyne in it feruente and mortall poyson, to the vtter destruction of a realme.

¶ And we haue in dayly experience, that lyttell infantes assaye to folowe, not onely the wordes, but also the faictes, and ge∣sture of them, that be prouecte in yeres.

For we dayly here, to our greate heuynes, chyldren swere greatte othes, and speake lasciuious and vnclene wordes, by the ex∣ample of other, whom they here: wherat the leude parentes do reioice, sone after, or in this worlde, orels where, to theyr gret peyne and tourmente. Contrary wyse, we beholde some chyldren, knelynge in theyr game before images, and holdyng vp their lyttell whyte handes, moue theyr pratye mouthes, as they were prayeng: other go∣ynge and syngyng, as it were in procession. wherby they do expresse theyr dysposition, to the imitation of those thynges, be they good or yuel, which they vsually se or here. Wherfore not onely princis, but also all o∣ther chyldren, from theyr nurises pappes, are to be kepte diligently from the heryng or seinge of any vise or yuell tache. And in continent, as sone as they can speake, it be∣houeth with most pleasaunt allurynges, to instill in them swete maners and vertuouse custome.

¶ Also to prouide for them suche compa∣nions and play felowes, as shall not doo in theyr presence any reprocheable acte, or speake any vncleane word or othe, ne to ad uaunte theym with flattery, remembrynge theyr nobylytie, or any other lyke thynge, wherin they moughte glory: onles it be to

perswade them to vertue, or to with drawe them from vice, in the remembring to them the danger of theyr yuell example. For no∣ble men more greuously offend by theyr ex∣ample, than by theyr dede. Yet often remē∣braunce to them of theyr astate, maye hap∣pen to radicate in theyr hartes intollerable pryde, the moste dangerous poyson to no∣blenes. wherfore there is requyred to be there in moche cautele and sobrenes.

The ordre of lernynge, that a noble man shulde be trayned in, before he come to thaige of seuen yeres. Cap. v.

SOme olde auctours hold o∣pinion, that before the age of seuen yeres, a chylde shulde not be instructed in letters, but those wryters were ey∣ther grekes or latines: amōg whom all doctryne and scyences were in theyr maternall tonges, by reason wherof they saued all that longe tyme, whiche at this dayes is spente in vnderstandyng per∣fectely the greke or latyn. Wherfore it re∣quireth nowe a longer tyme to the vnder∣standynge of bothe. Therfore that infely∣citie, of our tyme and countrey compelleth vs to encroche somwhat vpon the yeres of

chyldren, and specially of noble men, that they maye soner attayne to wysedowe and grauitie, than priuate persones: consyde∣rynge, as I haue sayde, theyr charge and example, whiche aboue al thynges is most to be estemed. Not withstandynge I wold not haue them inforced by violēce to lerne, but accordynge to the counsayle of Quin∣tilian, to be swetely allured therto, with prayses, and suche pratye gyftes as chyl∣dren delyte in. And theyr fyrste letters to be paynted or lymned in a pleasaunt maner: wherein chyldren of gentyll courage haue moche delectation. And also there is noo better allectiue to noble wyttes, thanne to induce theym in to a contention with theyr inferiour companions: they somtyme pur∣posely suffrynge the more noble chyldren to vainquy she, and as it were gyuynge to them place and soueraintie, though in dede the inferiour chyldren haue more lernyng. But there can be nothyng more conueniēt, than by lytel and lyttel to trayne and exer∣cyse them in spekynge of latin: infourming them to knowe first the names in latin of al thynges that come in syghte, and to name all the parties of theyr bodyes: and giuing them some what that they couete or desire in moste gentyll maner, to teache theym to aske it agayne in latin. And if by this mea∣nes

they maye be induced to vnderstande and speake latyne, it shall afterwarde be lesse grefe to them in a maner, to lerne any thing, where they vnderstand the langage, wherin it is wrytten. And as touchynge grammer, there is at this day better intro∣ductions, and more facile, than euer before were made, concernynge as well greke as latine, if they be wysely chosen.

¶ And it is no reproche to a noble manne, to instructe his owne chyldren, or at the leaste wayes, to examine them by the waye of dalyaunce or solace, consyderynge that the emperoure Octauius Augustus, dys∣dayned not to rede the warkes of Cicero, and Uirgile, to his chyldren and neuewes. And why shulde nat noble men rather soo do, thanne teache theyr chyldren howe at dyse and cardes they maye connyngly lese and consume theyr owne treasure and sub∣staunce?

¶ More ouer, teachyng representeth the auctorytie of a pyrnce. wherfore Dionyse, king of Cicile, whan he was for tiranny ex∣pelled by his people, he came in to Italy, and there, in a commune schole taught grā mer: where with whan he was of his ene∣mies embraided, & called a schole mayster, he answered them, That although Sicili∣ans had exiled hym, yet in despite of them

all he reigned: notynge therby the aucto∣ritie that he hadde ouer his scholers. Also whan it was of hym demanded, what auai∣led hym Plato, or philosophy, wherin he had ben studious, he answered, That they caused hym to susteyne aduersitie pacient∣ly, and made his exile to be to hym more fa¦cile and easye. whiche courage and wyse∣dome considered of his peoble, they efte∣sones restored him vnto his realme and a∣state royal, where if he hadde procured a∣gayne them hostilitie, or warres, or hadde returned into Sicile with any violence, I suppose the people wolde alway haue resi∣sted and kepte hym in perpetuall exile: as the Romaynes dyd the proude kinge Tar∣quine, whose sonne rauished Lucrece. But to retourne to my purpose.

¶ It shall be expedient, that a noble man∣nes sonne, in his infancye, haue with hym continually, only suche, as may accustome hym by lyttel and lyttel to speake pure and elegant latyn. Semblably the nourises and other women aboute hym, if it be possyble, to do the same: or at the leaste waye, that they speke none englishe, but that, whiche is cleane, polite, perfectly, and articulate∣ly pronounced, omittynge no letter or syl∣lable, as folyshe women often tymes do of a wantonnes, wherby diuers noble menne,

and gentylmens chyldren (as I do at this daye knowe) haue atteyned corrupte and foule pronuntiation. This industry vsed in fourmynge lyttell infantes, who shall dout, but that they (not lackynge natural wytte) shall be apt to receyue lerninge, whan they come to mo yeres? And in this wyse maye they be instructed, without any violence or inforsynge: vsynge the more parte of the tyme, vntyll they come to the aege of .vii. yeres, in suche dy sportes as do apperteine to chyldren, wherin is no resemblaunce or similitude of vice.

At what age a tutour shulde be pro∣uyded, and what apperteyneth to his office to do. Capi. vi.

AFter a chylde is come to se∣uen yeres of age, I holde it expediente, that he be taken from the company of womē: sauynge that he maye haue one yere or two at the most, an aunciente and sad matrone attendynge on hym in his chaumbre, whiche shall not haue any yonge woman in her company: For though there be no perylle of offence in that tender and innocent age, yet in some chyldren nature is more proue to vice than

to vertue, and in the tender wittes be spar∣kes of voluptuositie: whiche norisshed by any occasion or obiecte, encrease often ty∣mes in to so terrible a fyre, that therwith all vertue and reason is consumed. wher∣fore to eschewe that danger, the most sure counsaylle is, to withdrawe hym from all company of womē, and to assigne vnto him a tutor, whiche shulde be an aunciente and worshypfull man, in whom is approued to be moche gentilnes, myxte with grauitie, & as nyghe as can be suche one, as the child, by imitation folowynge, may growe to be excellente. And if he be also lerned, he is the more commendable,

¶ Pelcus the father of Achilles, commit∣ted the gouernaunce of his sonne to Phe∣nix, whiche was a straunger borne: who as well in speakynge elegantely, as in doinge valyauntely, was mayster to Achilles, as Homere sayth.

¶ Howe moche profited it to kynge Phi∣lip, father to the great Alexander, that he was deliuered in hostage to the Thebanes where he was kepte and brought vp vnder the gouernaunce of Epaminondas, a no∣ble and valyaunte capytayne, of whom he receyued suche lernynge, as well in actes martiall, as in other lyberall sciences, that he excelled al other kynges, that were be∣fore

his tyme in Grece: and fynally as wel by wysedome as prowes, subdued all that countrey?

¶ Semblably he ordeyned for his sonne Alexaunder a noble tutor, called Leoni∣das, vnto whom for his wysedome, huma∣nytie, and lernyng, he commytted the rule and preemynence ouer all the maisters and seruantes of Alexander. In whom not with standynge was suche a famylier vyce, whi∣che Alexander apprehendynge in chyld∣hode, coulde neuer abandon, some suppose it to be fury and hastynes, other superflu∣ous drynkynge of wyne, whiche of theym it were, it is a good warnynge for gentyll menne, to be the more seryous, inserchyng not onelye for the vertues, but also for the vyces of theym, vnto whose tuityon and gouernaunce they wyll commytte theyr chyldren.

¶ The offyce of a tutor is fyrste to knowe the nature of his pupil, that is to say, wher to he is moste inclyned or dysposed, and in what thing he setteth his most delectation or appetyte. If he be of nature curteise, pi∣teouse, and of a free and liberall harte, it is a pryncypall token of grace (as it is by all scripture determined) Than shal a wyse tu¦tor, purposely cōmende those vertues, ex∣tolling also his pupil, for hauynge of them:

and therwith he shall declare them to be of al men most fortunate, whiche shal happen to haue suche a mayster. And more ouer shall declare to hym, what honour, what loue, what commoditie shal happen to him by these vertues. And if any haue benne of dysposytion contrary, than to expresse the enormities of theyr vice, with as moch de∣testation as maye be. And if any daunger haue therby ensued, mysfortune, or punishe¦mente, to agreue it in suche wyse, with soo vehement wordes, as the childe maye ab∣horre it, and feare the lyke aduenture.

In what wyse musike may be to a noble man necessary: and what modestie ought to be therin. Cap. vii.

THe discretion of a tutor, con¦sisteth in temperaunce: that is to saye, that he suffre not the child to be fatigate with continuall study or lernyng: wherwith the delycate and tender wytte maye be dulled or oppressed: but that there may be therwith entrelased and myxte, some pleasaunte lernynge, and exercise, as playeng on instrumētes of mu∣sike, whiche moderately vsed, and without diminution of honour, that is to say; with∣out

wanton countenance and dissolute ge∣sture, is not to be contemned: For the no∣ble kyng and prophete Dauid, kyng of Is∣rael (whom almyghty god sayd, he hadde chosen as a man accordyng to his harte or desyre) duringe his lyfe, delyted in musike: And with the swete harmony, that he made on his harpe, he cōstrained the iuel spirite, that vexed kinge Saul, to forsake him, con∣tinuynge the tyme that he harped.

¶ The moste noble and valiaunt princis of Grece often tymes, to recrete theyr spiri∣tes, and in augmentinge their courage, en∣braced instrumentes musicall.

¶ Thus dydde the valiant Achilles (Ho∣mere sayth) who after the sharpe and ve∣hement contention, betwene hym and Aga¦memnon, for the takynge away of his con∣cubine: wherby he beinge set in a fury, had slayne Agamemnon, emperour of the gre∣kes army, had not Pallas the goddes with drawen his hande. In whiche rage he all inflamed, departed with his people to his owne shyppes, that lay at rode, intendyng to haue retourned in to his countrey: but after he had taken to hym his harpe (wher on he hadde lerned to playe of Chiron the Centaure, whiche also taughte hym feates of armes, with physicke and surgery) and playeng theron, had songen the gestis and

actis martiall of the auncyente pryncis of Grece, as Hercules, Perscus, Perithous, Theseus, and his cosin Iasō, and of diuers other of semblable value and prowesse: he was therwith asswaged of his fury, and re∣duced in to his fyrst astate of reason: in su∣che wise, that in redoubing his rage, & that there by shuld not remaine to him any note of reproche, he reteining his fiers & stour∣dy countenaunce, so tempered him selfe, in the enterteinemente and aunswerynge the messagers, that came to hym from the resi∣due of the Grekes, that they reputynge al that his fiers demeanour to be (as it were) a diuine maieste, neuer embraided him with any inordinate wrath or fury.

¶ And therfore the great kynge Alexan∣der, whan he had vainquished Ilion, where some tyme was sette the mooste noble citie of Troye, beyng demaunded of one, if he wolde se the harpe of Paris Alexander, who rauisshed Helene, he there at gentil∣ly simylynge, aunswered, It was not the thynge that he moche desyred, but had ra∣ther se the harpe of Achilles, wherto he sange, not the illecebrous dilectatyons of Uenus, but the valyant actes and noble af∣faires of excellent princis.

¶ But in this commendation of musyke, I wolde not be thought to allure noble men,

to haue soo moche delectation therin, that in playinge and syngynge onely, they shuld put theyr hole study and felicitie: As dyd the epmerour Nero, whiche all a long so∣mers day wolde syt in the Theatre (an opē place where al the people of Rome beheld solemne actis and playes) and in the pre∣sence of all the noble menne and senatours, wolde playe on his harpe and synge with∣out cessynge. And if any manne hapned by longe sitting to slepe, or by any other coū∣tenance, to shewe hym selfe to be wery, he was sodeynely bobbed on the face by the scruantes of Nero, for that purpose atten∣dynge. Or if any person were perceiued to be absent, or were sene to laughe at the fo∣ly of the emperour, he was forth with ac∣cused, as it were of misprision. Wherby the emperour founde occasion to commyt him to prison, or to put him to tortures. O what misery was it, to be subiect to suche a min∣strell, in whose musike was no melody but anguishe and dolour?

¶ It were therfore better, that no musike were taught to a noble man, than by the ex∣acte knowledge therof, he shuld haue ther∣in inordinate delyte: and by that be illected to wantonnes, abandonynge grauitie and the necessary cure and office in the publike weale to hym commytted.

¶ Kynge Philip, whan he harde that his sonne Alexander dydde synge swetely and proprely, rebuked hym gentylly, sayinge, But Alexander, be ye not ashamed, that ye can synge so well and connyngly? wherby he mente, that the open profession of that craft was but of a base estimation. And that it suffysed a noble man, hauing therin know¦lege, eyther to vse it secretelye, for the re∣freshynge of his wytte, whan he hath time of solace: orels onely herynge the conten∣tion of noble musicyens, to gyue iugement in the excellēcie of theyr conninges. These be the causes, wherento hauyng regarde, musyke is not onely tollerable, but also cō∣mendable. For as Aristotle sayth: Musike in the olde tyme was nombred amonge sci∣ences, for as moche as nature seketh not onely, howe to be in busynes well occupy∣ed, but also howe in quyetnes to be com∣mendably dysposed.

¶ And if the childe be of a perfect inclina∣tiō and towardnes to vertue, and very apt∣ly disposed to this science, and rypely doth vnderstand the reason and concordance of tunes, the tutors office shal be, to persuade hym, to haue principally in remembraunce his astate, which maketh hym exempt from the lybertie of vsynge this science in euery tyme and place: that is to say, that it onely

serueth for recreation, after tedious or la∣borious affaires. And to shewe hym, that a gentylman playinge or syngynge in a com∣mune adyence, appayreth his estimation: The people forgettynge reuerence, whan they beholde him in symilitude of a cōmon seruaunt or mynstrel. Yet notwithstanding, he shal commende the perfecte vnderstan∣dynge of musyke, declarynge howe neces∣sary it is for the better attaining the know∣lege of a publyke weale. which as I before sayd, is made of an ordre of astates and de∣grees, and by reason therof conteyneth in it a perfect harmony: whiche he shall after warde more perfectly vnderstand, whan he shal happē to rede the bokes of Plato and Aristo. of publike weales: wherin be writ∣ten dyuers examples of musyke and geme∣try. In this fourme may a wise and cyrcū∣specte tutor, adapte the pleasant science of musike to a necessary & laudable purpose.

That it is cōmendable in a gentyllman to paint and kerue exactly, if nature ther to doth induce hym. Cap. viii.

IF the chylde be of nature inclyned (as many haue ben) to peynte with a pen, or to fourme images in stoone or tree: he shulde not be therfrom with drawen, or na∣ture

be rebuked, whiche is to hym beniuo∣lent: but puttynge one to hym, whiche is in that crafte, wherin he deliteth, most ex∣cellente, in vacant tymes from other more serious lernynge, he shulde be in the moste pure wyse enstructed in payntynge or ker∣uinge. And nowe per chance some enuious reder wyll here of take occasyon to scorne me, sayinge, that I hadde well hyed me, to make of a noble man, a mason or peynter.

And yet if eyther ambition or voluptuouse idelnes wolde haue suffered that reder to haue sene histories, he shuld haue founden excellent princis, as wel in payntyng as in keruynge, equal to noble artificers: Suche were Claudius Citus, the sonne of Uaspa∣sian, Hadriane, both Antonines, and diuers other emperours and noble princis: whose warkes of longe tyme remayned in Rome and other cities, in suche places, where al men mought beholde them: as monumen∣tes of theyr excellent wittes and vertuous occupation, in eschewynge ofydelnes.

¶ And not without a necessary cause, prin∣cis were in theyr chyldhode so instructed: for it serued them afterwarde for deuysing ofingynes for the warre: or for makynge them better, that be all redy deuysed. For as Uitruuius (whiche writeth of buyldyng to the emperour Augustus) sayth: Al tur∣mentes

of warre, whiche we call ingyns, were fyrste inuented by kynges or gouer∣nours of hostes: or if they were deuysed by other, they were by them made moche better.

¶ Also by the feate of portraiture or pain∣tynge, a capitayne maye dyscriue the coū∣trey of his aduersary, wherby he shall es∣chewe the daungerous passages with his hoste or nauie: also perceyue the placis of aduātage, the forme of embataylyng of his ennemyes, the situation of his campe, for his most suretie, the strength or weakenes of the towne or fortresse, whiche he inten∣deth to assaulte. And that, whiche is moste specially to be considered, in visitynge his owne dominions, he shall sette them out in figure, in suche wyse, that at his eie shal ap¦pere to hym, where he shal employ his stu¦dy and treasure, as well for the saufegarde of his countrey, as for the commodite and honour therof, hauynge at all times in his sight the suretie and feblenes, auauncemēt and hyndrance of the same. And what ple∣sure and also vtilitie is it to a man, which in tendeth to edifie, hym selfe to expresse the fygure of the warke that he purposeth, ac∣cordynge as he hath conceyued it in his owne fantasie, wherin by often amendinge and correcting, he fynally shall so perfecte

the warke vnto his purpose, that there shal neyther ensue any repentaunce, nor in the employment of his money he shall be by o∣ther dysceyued.

¶ More ouer the feate of portrayture shal be an allectiue to euery other study or exer¦cise. For the wit therto disposed, shal alway coueite congruent matter, wherin it maye be occupyed, And whan he happeneth to rede or here any fable or history, forthwith he apprehendeth it more desircusly, and re teyneth it better than any other, that lac∣keth the sayd fcate: by reason that he hath founde matter apte to his fantasy. Fynally euery thynge that portraiture maye com∣prehend, wyll be to hym delectable to rede or here. And where the lyuely spirite, and that which is called the grace of the thing, is perfectely expressed, that thynge more perswadeth and stereth the beholder, and soner instructeth hym, than the declarati∣on in writynge or speakyng doth the reder or hercr. Experiēce we haue ther of in ler∣nynge of geometry, astronomy, and cosmo¦grophy, called in englysshe the discription of the worlde. In whiche studies I dare af∣fyrme, a man shal more profyte in one wike by figures and cartis, well and perfectely made, than he shall by the onely redyng or herynge the rules of that scyence, by the

space of halfe a yere at the leaste. Wherfore the late writers deserue no small commen∣dation, which added to the autors of those sciences apt and propre figures.

¶ And he that is perfectely instructed in portrayture, and hapneth to rede any no∣ble and excellent historie, wherby his cou∣rage is inflamed to the imitation of vertue, he forthwith taketh his pen or pensyl, and with a graue and substanciall study, gathe∣rynge to hym al the partes of imagination, endeuoureth hym selfe to expresse lyuely, and (as I mought say) actually, in portrai∣ture, not onely the faicte or affayre, but al∣so the sondry affectiōs of euery personage in the historie recited, whiche moughte in any wyse appere or be perceyued in theyr visage, countenance, or gesture: with lyke diligence, as Lysippus made in metal king Alexander, fightynge and struggling with a terrible lyon of incomparable magnitude and fiersenes: whom, after longe and dyf∣ficulte batayle, with wonderfull strengthe and cleane might, at the last he ouerthrewe and vainquished. Wherin he soo expressed the similitude of Alexander, and of his lor∣des standinge about hym, that they all se∣med to lyue. Among whom the prowes of Alexander appered excellynge all other, the resydue of his lordes after the value

and estimation of theyr courage, euery man set out in suche forwardnes, as they than semed more promte to the helpyng of their maister, that is to saye, one lasse aferd than an other.

¶ Phidias the Atheniense, whom all wry∣ters do commende, made of yuory the simu lachre or image of Iupiter, honoured by the gentiles, on the hyghe hille of Dlym∣pus: whiche was done so excellently, that Pandenus, a counnynge paynter, therat admaruaylynge, required the craftis man, to shewe hym where he had the example, or paterne of so noble a warke. Than Phi∣dias answered, that he had taken it out of thre verses of Homere the poete: the sen∣tence wherof ensueth as well as my poore wytte can expresse it in englishe.

Than Iupiter, the father of them all Therto assented with his browes blacke, Shaking his heare, & therwith dyd let fal A coūtenāce, that made al heuē to quake.

¶ Where it is to be noted, that Thetis the mother of Achilles, desired Iupiter to in∣cline his fauour to the part of the Troiās.

¶ Howe (as I haue before sayd) I intend not by these examples, to make of a prynce or noble mannes sonne a commune payn∣ter or keruer, whiche shal present hym selfe openly, stained or embrued with sondry co∣lours,

or poudered with the duste of stones that he cutteth, or perfumed with tedy∣ous sauours of the mettalles by him yoten. But veryly myne intente and meanynge is onely, that a noble chylde, by his owne na∣turall disposition, and not by coertion, may be induced, to receyue perfect instruction in these sciences.

What exacte diligence shulde be in cho∣synge maysters. Capitulo. ix.

AFter that the childe hath bē pleasauntly trayned and in∣duced to knowe the partes of speche, and can seperate one of them from an other, in his owne langage, It shal thā be time, that his tutor or gouernour do make dilygente serche for suche a mayster: as is exellentely lerned bothe in greke and latyne, and therwithall is of sobre and ver∣tuous dysposition, specially chast of liuing, and of moche affabilitie and patience: leste by any vncleane example the tender minde of the chylde maye be infected, harde after warde to be recouered. For the natures of chyldren be not so moche or sone aduaun∣ced by thynges well doone or spoken as they be hyndred and corrupted by that,

whiche in actis or wordes is wontonly ex∣pressed. Also by a cruel and irous mayster, the wyttes of chyldren be dulled: and that thynge, for the whiche chyldren be often tymes beaten, is to them euer after fastidi∣ous: wherof we nede no better auctor for wytnes, than dayly experience. Wherfore the moste necessary thinges to be obserued by a maister in his disciples or scholers (as Licon the noble gramarien sayd) is sham∣fastnes and prayse. By shamefastnes, as it were with a brydell, they rule as well their dedes, as theyr appetites. And desyre of prayse addeth to a sharpe spurre to theyr dysposition towarde lernynge and vertue. Accordynge there vnto Quintilian instru∣ctynge an oratour, desireth suche a chylde to be giuen vnto hym, whom commendati∣on feruently stereth, glory prouoketh, and beinge vaniquisshed, wepeth. That childe (saith he) is to be fedde with ambition, him a lyttel chyding sore biteth, in hym no part of slouth is to be feared.

¶ And if nature disposeth not the chyldes wytte to receyue lernyng, but rather other wyse: it is to be applyed with more dyly∣gence and also polycie, as chosynge some boke, wherof the argument or matter ap∣procheth moste nyghe to the childes incli∣nation or fantasy, so that it be not exstreme∣ly

vicious, and therwith by littel and lytel, as it were with a pleasaunt sauce, prouoke hym to haue good appatite to studye. And surely that child, what so euer he be, is wel blessed and fortunate, that fyndeth a good instructour or mayster. Whiche was consy∣dered by noble kynge Philip, father to the great kynge Alexander, who immediately after his sonne was borne, wrote a letter to Aristotle, the prynce of philosophers, the tenour wherof ensueth.

¶ Aristotle, we grete you well. Lettynge you wytte, that we haue a sonne borne, for the which we gyue due thankes vnto god, not for that he is borne onely, but also for as moch as it happeneth hym to be borne, you lyuinge. Trustynge that it shall happē, that he by you taught and instructed, shall be hereafter worthy to be named our sōne, and to enioy the honour and substance that we now haue prouided. Thus fare ye wel.

¶ The same Alexander was wonte to saye opnly, that he ought to gyue as great thā∣kes to Aristoble his mayster, as to kynge Philip his father, for of hym he toke the occasion to lyue, of the other he receyued the reason and way to lyue well. And what maner a prince Alexader was made by the doctryne of Aristotle, it shall appere in di∣uers places of this boke: where his exam∣ple

to princis shall be declared.

¶ The incomparable benefite of maisters, haue ben well remembred of dyuers pryn∣cis. In so moche as Marcus Antoninus, whiche amonge the emperours was com∣mended for his vertue and sapyence, had his mayster Proculus (who taughte hym grammer) so moche in fauour, that he ad∣uaunced hym to be proconsull: which was one of the hyghest dygnyties amonge the Romaynes.

¶ Alexāder the emperour caused his mai∣ster Julius Fronto, to be cōsul: which was the highest office, and in astate next the em¦perour: & also opteyned of the senate, that the statue or image of Fronton was set vp amonge the noble princis.

¶ What caused Traiane to be soo good a prince (in so moch that of late dayes, whan an Emperoure receyued his crowne at Rome, the people with a commune crie de∣syred of god, that he moughte be as good as was Trayane) but that he hapned to haue Plutarche, the noble phylosoper, to be his instructour?

¶ I agree me, that some be good of natu∣ral inclination to goodnes, but where good instructyon and exaumple is therto added, the naturall goodnes muste there with ne∣des be amended, and be more excellent.

What order shulde be in lernynge, and whiche autours shulde be fyrste redde. Capitulo. x.

NOwe let vs retourne to the order of lernynge apte for a gentyll man. Wherin I am of Quintilians opinion, that I wolde haue hym lerne greke and latine authours bothe at one tyme, orels to begyn with greke, for as moche as that is hardeste to come by: by reason of the diuersytie of tonges, whiche be fyue in nombre, and all most be knowen, or elles vneth any poete can be wel vnder∣stande. And if a chylde do begyn therin at seuen yeres of aege, he maye contynually lerne greke autours thre yeres, and in the meane tyme vse the latin tonge as a family∣ar langage: which in a noble mannes sonne maye well come to passe, hauynge none o∣ther persons to serue hym or kepynge him company, but suche as can speake latine e∣legantly. And what doubt is there? but so maye he as soone speake good latine, as he maye do pure frenche, whiche nowe is broughte into as many rules and fygures, and as longe a grāmer, as is latin or greke. I wyll not contende, who amonge them, that do write grammers of greke (whiche

nowe all most be innumerable) is the best: but that I referre to the discretiō of a wyse mayster. Alway I wolde aduyse hym, not to deteyne the chylde to long in that tedy∣ous labours, eyther in the greke or latyne grammer. For a gentyl wytte is there with sone fatigate.

¶Grammer, beinge but an introduction to the vnderstandynge of autors, if it be made to long or exquisite to the lerner, it in a ma∣ner mortifyeth his courage: And by that tyme he cometh to the most swete and ple∣sante redynge of olde auctors, the sparkes of seruente desyre of lernynge is extyncte, with the burdone of grammer, lyke as a li∣tel fire is sone quenched with a gretheape of smal stickes: so that it can neuer come to the principall logges, where it shuld longe bourne in a great pleasaunt fyre.

¶Nowe to folowe my pourpose. After a fewe and quicke rules of grammer, imme∣diately, or interlasynge it therwith, wolde be redde to the chylde, Esopes fables in greke: in whiche argument children moch delyte. And surely it is a moche pleasante lesson, and also profitable, as well for that it is elegante and brefe (and not with stan∣dyng it hath moch varietie in wordes, and therwith moche helpeth to the vnderstan∣dynge of Greke) as also in those fables is

included moche morall and polytyke wyse∣dome. Wherfore in the teachynge of them, the maister dilygently muste gather to ge∣ther those fables, whiche maye be most ac∣commodate to the aduauncement of some vertue, wherto he perceyueth the chylde inclyned: or to the rebuke of somme vyce, wherto he fyndeth his nature dysposed. And therin the maister oughte to exercyse his wytte, as well to make the child plain∣ly to vnderstand the fable, as also declaring the signification therof compendiously, and to the purpose. Fore sene allwaye, that as well this lesson as all other auctors, which the chylde shall lerne, eyther greke or la∣tine, verse or prose, be perfectly had with∣out the boke: wherby he shal not onely at∣teyne plentie of the tonges called Copie, but also encrease and nourishe remembrāce wonderfully.

¶The nexte lesson wolde be some quycke and mery dialoges, elect out of Luciane, whiche be without ribawdry, or to moche skornynge: for eyther of them is exactely to be eschewed, specially for a noble man, the one anoyenge the soule, the other his estimation, concernynge his grauitie.

¶The comedyes of Aristophanes maye be in the place of Luciane, and by reason they be in metre, they be the soner lerned

by harte. I dare make none other compari son betwene them, for offendinge the fren∣des of them bothe: but thus moche dare I saye, that it were better, that a chyld shuld neuer rede any parte of Luciane, than all Luciane.

¶I coud reherse diuers other poetis, whi che for mater and eloquēce, be very neces∣sary, but I feare me to be to longe from no∣ble Homere: from whom as from a foun∣tayne, proceded al eloquence and lerning. For in his bokes be conteyned, and moste perfectly expressed, not only the documētis marciall and discipline of armes, but also in comparable wysedomes, and instructions for polytike gouernaunce of people: with the worthy commendatiō and laude of no∣ble princis, wherwith the reders shall be so all inflamed, that they moste feruentely shall desire and coueite, by the imitation or their vertues, to acquire semblable glory. For the whiche occasion Aristotle, mooste sharpest witted, and excellent lerned Phi∣losopher, as sone as he had receiued Alex∣ander from kinge Philip his father, before any other thynge taught him the most no∣ble warkes of Homere. Wherin Alexander founde suche swetenes and frute, that euer after he had Homere, not onely with hym in all his iourneyes, but also laide hym vn∣der

his pillowe, whan he went to reste: and often tymes wolde purposely wake some houres of the nyght, to take as it were his passe tyme with that most noble poete. For by the redynge of his warke, called Illia∣dos, where the assembly of the most noble grekes againe Troy is recyted, with their affaires, he gathered courage and strength againe his ennemies, wysedome and elo∣quence for consultations and perswations to his people and army. And by the other warke, called Odissea, whiche recounteth the sondry aduentures of the wyse Ulisses: he by the example of Ulisses, apprehended many noble vertues, and also lerned to es∣kape the fraude and deceytfull imagynati∣ons of sondry & subtile crafty wittes. Also there shal he lerne to enserche and pceyue the maners and conditions of them that be his familiars, sifting out (as I mought say) the best from the worste, wherby he maye surely commytte his affaires and truste to euery person after his vertues. Therfore I nowe conclude, that there is no lesson for a yonge gentyll man to be compared with Homere, if he be playnly and substancially expouned and declared by the mayster.

¶Notwithstandyng, for as moche as the sayd warkes be very longe, and do require therfore a great tyme to be all lerned and

kanned: some latin auctour wolde be ther∣with myxt, and specially Uirgile: whiche in his warke called Eneidos, is moste lyke to Homere, and almoste the same Homere in latin. Also by the ioining together of those auctors, the one shall be the better vnder∣stande by the other. And veryly (as I be∣fore sayd) no one auctour serueth to so dy∣uers wittes, as doth Uirgile. For there is not that affect or desire, wherto any childes fantasy is dysposed, but in some of Uirgils warkes may be foūden matter therto apt & propise. For what thing can be more famy∣liar than his bucolikes? nor no warke soo nyghe approcheth to the cōmune dalyance & maners of chyldrē, & the praty cōtrouer∣sies of the simple shepeherdes therin con∣teyned, wonderfully reioyceth the chylde that hereth it wel declared, as I knowe by mine owne experience. In his Georgikes, lorde what pleasaunt varietie there is, the dyuers graynes, herbes, and flowres, that be there described, that redynge therin, it semeth to a man to be in a delectable gar∣deyne or paradyse. What ploughe manne knoweth so moch of housebandry, as there is expressed? who delytynge in good hor∣sys, shall not be therto more enflamed, re∣dynge there, of the bredyng, chesyng, and kepyng of them? In the declaration wher∣of

Uirgille leaueth farre behynde hym all breders, hakney menne, and skorsers, Is there any astronomer, that more exactely setteth out the ordre and course of the cele¦stiall bodyes: or that more truely doth de∣uine in his pronostications of the tymes of the yere, in their qualities, with the future astate of all thynges prouided by huseban∣dry, thā Uirgile doth recite in that warke?

If the chylde haue a delyte in huntynge, what pleasure shall he take of the fable of Aristeus? semblably in the hunting of Di∣do and Eneas, whiche is discryued mooste elegantly in his boke of Eneidos.

If he haue pleasure in wrastling, renning, or other lyke exercise, where shall he se a∣ny more plesaunte esbatementes, than that whiche was doone by Eurealus and other troyans, whiche accompanyed Eneas?

If he take solace in herynge mynstrelles, what mynstrel may be compared to Iopas, whiche sange before Dido and Eneas? or to blinde Demodocus, that played & sange moste swetely at the dyner, that the kynge Alcinous made to Ulisses? whose dityes & melody excelled as farre the songes of our minstrelles, as Homere and Uirgile excell all other poetes,

¶ If he be more desyrous (as the mooste parte of children be) to here thinges mar∣uailous

and exquisite, which hath in it a vi∣sa ge of some thinges incredyble: wherat shal he more wonder, than whan he shal be∣holde Eneas folowe Sibille into hel? what shal he more drede, than the terrible vysa∣ges of Cerberus, Gorgon, Megera, and other furies and monsters? howe shall he abhorre tyranny, fraude, & auarice, whan he doth se the peines of duke Theseus, Sisi∣phus, and suche other, tormented for their dissolute and vicious lyuynge? Howe glad sone after shall he be, whan he shal beholde in the pleasaunt fieldes of Elisius, the sou∣les of noble princis and capitaynes, which for their vertue and labours, in aduaunsing the publyke weales of theyr countryaes, do lyue eternally in pleasure inexplycable? And in the laste bokes of Eneidos, shal he finde matter to minister to hym audacytie, valiaunt courage and polycie, to take and susteyne noble enterprises, if any shall be nedefull for the assailynge of his enemyes. Finally (as I haue sayde) this noble Uir∣gile, like to a good norise, giueth to a child, if he wyll take it, euery thynge apte for his witte and capacitie. Wherfore he is in the ordre of lerninge to be preferred before a∣ny other autor latine.

¶ I wolde set nexte vnto hym two bokes of Ouid, the one called Metamorphosios,

whiche is as moche to saye, as changynge of men in to other fygure or fourme: the o∣ther is intytled De fastis: where the cere∣monies of the gentyles, and specyally the Romaynes, be expressed: bothe ryght ne∣cessarye for the vnderstandynge of other poetes. But by cause there is lyttell other lernynge in them, concernynge eyther ver¦tuous maners or polycie, I suppose it were better that as fables and ceremonyes hap∣pē to come in a lesson, to be declared abon∣dantly by the maister, than that in the saide two bokes, a longe tyme shulde be spente and almoste loste: whiche mought be bet∣ter employed on suche autors, that do mi∣nyster both eloquence, ciuile polycie, and exhortation to vertue.

¶ Wherfore in his place, lette vs brynge in Horace, in whom is conteyned moch vari∣etie of lerning, and quickenesse of sentence. This poet may be enterlaced with the les∣son of Odissea of Homere, wherin is decla∣red the wonderfull prudence and fortitude of Ulisses, in his passage from Troye. And if the chylde were induced to make versis by the imytation of Uirgile and Homere, it shulde mynister to hym moche dylectati∣on and courage to study: ne the makynge of versis is not discōmended in a noble mā, sens the noble Augustus, and almoste all

the olde emperours made bokes in versis.

¶ The two noble poetis, Silius and Lu∣cane, be very expediente to be lerned: for the one setteth out the emulation in qualy∣ties and prowes of two noble and valiante capitaynes, one ennemye to the other, that is to say, Silus writeth of Scipio the Ro∣mayne, and Haniball, duke of carthaginen∣sys: Lucane declareth a semblable matter, but moche more lamentable: for as moche as the warres were ciuile, and as it were in the bowells of the Romaynes, that is to say, vnder the standerdes of Julius Cesar and Pompei.

¶ Hesiodus in greke, is more briefe than Uirgile, where he writeth of housebandry, and doth not ryse so hyghe in philosophy, but is fuller of fables: And therfore is more illeccbrous.

¶ And here I conclude, to speke any more of poetis necessary for the chyldehode of a gentyll manne: for as moche as these (I doubt not) wyll suffyce, vntyll he passe the age of .xiii. yeres, In whiche tyme child∣hode declyneth, and reason waxeth rype, and apprehendeth thinges with a more cō∣stante iugement.

¶ Here I wolde haue remembred, that I require not al these warkes to be through∣ly red of a chylde in this time, which were

almoste impossible: But I only dosyre, that they haue in euery of the sayde bokes soo moch instruction, that they may take ther∣by some profytte. Than the chyldes cou∣rage infiamed by the frequente redynge of noble poetes, dayely more and more desy∣reth to haue experyence in those thynges, that they so vehemently do commende in them, that they write of.

¶ Leonidas, the noble kynge of Sparta∣nes beynge ones demaunded, of what esti∣matiō in poetry Tirtaeus (as he supposed) was: it is written, that he answering sayd, That for steryng the mindes of yong men, he was excellent, for as moche as they be∣inge meued with his versys do renne into the batayle, regardynge no peryll, as men all inflamed in martiall courage.

¶ And whan a man is comen to rype ye∣res, and that reason in hym is confyrmed with serious lernyng and long experience: than shall he, in redyng tragedies execrate and abhorre the intollerable life of tirātes: And shall contemne the foly and dotage, ex¦pressed by poetes lasciuious.

¶ Here wyll I leaue to speake of the firste parte of a noble mannes study: And wyll write of the seconde parte, whiche is more serious, and cōteyneth in it sondry maners of lernynge.

The most commodious and necessary studyes succedynge ordinatly the lesson of poetes. Capitulo. xi.

AFter .xiiii. yeres be passed of a chyldes age: his mai∣ster, if he can, or some other, study ously exercysed in the arte of an oratour, shal fyrst rede to hym some what of that parte of logike, that is called Topica, either of Cicero, or els of that noble clerke of Almayne, whiche late floured, called A∣gricola: whose warke prepareth inuenti∣on, tellynge the places, from whens an ar∣gumente, for the profe of any mater, maye be taken with lyttell studye. And that les∣son with moche and dylygent lernyng, ha∣uynge myxte there with none other exer∣cyse, wil in the space of halfe a yere be per∣fectely kanned.

¶ Immediately after that, the art of Rhe∣torike wolde be semblably taughte, eyther in greke out of Hermogines, or of Quin∣tilian in latin, beginnyng at the thyrd boke, and instructynge dylygently the chylde in that parte of rheteryke principally, whi∣che concerneth persuation: for as moch as it is most apte for consultation. There can be noo shorter instruction of Rhetoryke,

than the treatise that Tulli wrote vnto his sonne, whiche boke is named the partyci∣on of rhetorike.

¶ And in good fayth, to speake boldly that I thinke, for hym that nedeth not, or doth not desyre to be an exquisite oratour, the li∣tell boke, made by the famous Erasmus (whom al gentil witt{is} ar bounden to thāke, and supporte) whiche he calleth Copiam uerborum & Rerum, that is to say, plentie of wordes and maters, shall be sufficiente.

¶ Isocrates, concerning the lesson of ora∣tours, is euery where wōderful profitable, hauinge almost as many wyse sentences as he hath wordes, and with that is so swete & delectable to rede, that after hym almost all other seme vnsauery and tedyous: and in persuadynge as well a prynce as a pry∣uate person to vertue, the two very lyttell and compēdious warkes, wherof he made the one to kyng Nicocles, the other to his frende Demonicus, wolde be perfectly kā∣ned and had in continuall memorye.

¶ Demosthenes and Tulli, by the consent of all lerned men, haue preemynence and souerayntie ouer al oratours: the one reig∣nynge in wonderfull eloquence in the pub∣lyke weale of the Romaynes, who had the empire and dominion of all the worlde: the other of no lesse estimation in the Citie of

Athenes, whiche of longe tyme was ac∣counted the mother of Sapience, and the palaice of musis and all lyberall scyences. Of whiche two oratours may be attayned, not onely eloquence excellent and perfect, but also preceptes of wysedome and gentill maners: with moste commodious exaum∣ples of al noble vertues and policie. Wher∣fore the mayster in redynge them, must wel obserue and expresse the partes and co∣lours of rhetoryke in them conteyned, ac∣cordynge to the preceptes of that arte be∣fore lerned. The vtilytie that a noble man shal haue by redyng these oratours is, that whan he shall happe to reason in counsayle, or shall speke in a greatte audyence, or to strange ambassadours of great princis: he shall not be constrayned to speake wordes sodayne and dysordred, but shall bestowe them aptely and in theyr places. Wherfore the mooste noble Emperour Octauius is hyghelye commended, for that he neuer spake in the Senate, or to the people of Rome, but in an oration prepared and pur∣posely made.

¶ Also to prepare the chylde to vndestan∣dynge of histories, whiche beinge repleni∣shed with the names of countres & townes vnknowen to the reder, do make the histo∣rye tedious, orels the lesse pleasaunt, so if

they be in any wyse knowen, it encreaseth an inexplicable delectation: It shalbe ther∣fore, and also for refresshynge the wytte, a conuenyent lesson, to beholde the olde ta∣bles of Ptholomee, wherin all the worlde is painted, hauinge fyrste some introducti∣on in to the sphere, wherof nowe of late be made very good treatises, and more plaine and easy to lerne than was wonte to be. All be it there is none soo good lernynge, as the demontration of cosmographie, by materyall fygures and instrumentes, ha∣uynge a good instructour. And surely this lesson is bothe pleasaunt and necessary. For what pleasure is it, in one houre to beholde those realmes, cities, sees, ryuers, & foun∣taynes, that vneth in an olde mannes lyfe can not be iournayde? what incredible de∣lyte is taken in beholdynge the dyuersities of people, beastis, foules, fishes, tres, frui∣tes, and herbes? To knowe the sondry ma¦ners and condition of people, and the vari∣etie of theyr natures, and that in a warme studye or parler, without peril of the see, or daunger of longe and paynfull iourneyes? I cā not tel, what more pleasure shuld hap∣pen to a gentil wyt, than to beholde in his owne house euery thyng that within al the worlde is conteyned.

¶ The cōmoditie therof knewe the great

kinge Alexander, as some writers do re∣membre. For he caused the countrayes, whervnto he purposed any enterprise, dili∣gently and cunnyngly to be dyscrybed and paynted, that beholdynge the pycture, he mought perceyue, which places were most daungerous, and where he and his hoste moughte haue moste easy and conuenable passage.

¶ Semblably dyd the Romayns in the re∣bellion of Fraunce, and the insurrection of their confederates, settyng vp a table opē∣ly, wherin Italy was paynted, to the intēt that the people lokynge in it, shulde reason and consulte, in which places, it were best to resiste or inuade theyr ennemies.

¶ I omyt for length of the matter, to write of Cirus, the great king of Perse, Crassus the Romaine, and diuers other valiant and experte capitaines, which haue loste them selfes & all theyr army by ignorance of this doctryne. Wherfore it maye not be of any wyse man denyed, but that Cosmographie is to all noble men, nat onely pleasaunt but profitable also, and wonderfull necessary.

¶ In the parte of Cosmographie, wher∣with historie is mingled, Strabo reigneth, whiche toke his argumente of the diuyne poete Homere.

¶ Also Strabo hym selfe (as he sayth) la∣boured

a great part of Africa and Aegipt, where vndoubtedly be many thynges to be maruailed at.

¶ Solinus wryteth almoste in lyke forme, and is more briefe, and hath moch more va∣rietie of thynges and matters, and is ther∣fore maruaylous delectable. Yet Mela is moch shorter, and his style (by reason that it is of a more antiquitie) is also more clene and facile. Wherfore he, or Dionisius shall be sufficient,

¶ Cosmographie being substancially per∣ceyued, it is than tyme to induce a chylde to the redyng of histories. But fyrst to set him in a feruent courage, the maister in the moste pleasaunt and elegant wyse, expres∣synge what incomparable delectation, vti∣litic, and commoditie shall happen to em∣perours, kynges, pryncis, and all other gentyllmen, by redynge of histories: She∣wyng to hym, that Demetrius Phalareus, a man of excellent wysedome and lerninge, and whiche in Athenes had ben long exer∣cised in the publike weale, exhorted Ptho∣lome king of Aegipt, chiefly aboue al other studies to haūt & embrace histories, & suche other bokes, wherin were cōteined precep¦tes made to kinges & princis, saying, That in them he shulde rede those thinges, whi∣che no man durst reporte vnto his persone.

¶ Also Cicero, father of the latine elo∣quence, calleth an hystorie the wytnesse of tymes, maystres of lyfe, the lyfe of remem∣braunce, of trouthe the lyghte, and messa∣ger of antiquitie.

¶ More ouer, the swete Isocrates exhor∣teth the kynge Nycoles, whom he instru∣cteth, to leaue behynde hym statues and images that shall represente rather the fy∣gure and similitude of his mynde, than the features of his body, signifieng therby the remēbrance of his actes writē in hystories.

¶ By semblable aduertisementes shal a no ble harte be trayned to delyte in hystories. And than accordynge to the counsaylle of Quintilian, it is beste that he begynne with Titus Liuius, not onely for his elegancie of writinge, whiche floweth in hym lyke a fountayne of swete mylke, but also for as moche as by redynge that auctor, he maye knowe, howe the most noble citie of Rome of a small and pore begynnynge, by prowes and vertue, lyttel and lytel came to the em∣pire and dominion of all the worlde.

¶ Also in that Citie he maye beholde the fourme of a publike weale, which if the in∣solencie and pryde of Tarquine had not ex cluded kinges out of the citie, had ben the moste noble and perfecte of all other.

¶ Xenophon, beinge bothe a philosopher,

and an excellent capitayne, so inuented and ordred his warke, named Paedia Ciri, whi∣che maye be interpreted the Chyldehode or disciplyne of Cyrus, that he leaueth to the reders therof an incomparable swete∣nes and example of lyuynge, specyally for the conductynge and wel orderyng of ho∣stes or armies. And therfore the noble Sci pion, who was called Affricanus, as wel in peace as in warre, was neuer sene without this boke of Xenophon.

¶ With hym may be ioyned Quintus Cur∣tius, who writeth the lyfe of kynge Alex∣ander elegātly & swetely. In whom may be founden the fygure of an excellent prynce, as he that incomparably excelled all other kynges and emperours, in wisedome, har∣dynes, strength, policie, agilite, valiaunte courage, nobilitie, liberalite, and courtaisy. Wherin he was a spectakle or marke for all princis to loke on. Contrary wise, whan he was ones vainquysshed with voluptie and pryde, his tyranny and beastly crueltie ab∣horreth all reders. The comparison of the vertues of these two noble princes, equally described by two excellent writers, wel ex∣pressed, shall prouoke a gentyll courage, to contende to folowe theyr vertues.

¶ Iulius Cesar and Salust, for theyr com∣pendious writynge, to the vnderstandinge

wherof is required an exacte and perfecte iugemente, and also for the exquisite order of batayle, and continuynge of the history, without any varietie, wherby the peyne of study shulde be alleuyate, they two wolde be reserued, vntyll he that shall rede them, shall se some experience in semblable mat∣ters. And than shall he fynde in them suche plesure and commoditie, as therwith a no∣ble and gentyll harte ought to be satisfyed. For in them both it shall seme to a man, that he is present and hereth the counsailes and exhortations of capitaynes, which be cal∣led Conciones, and that he seeth the order of hostes, whan they be embatayled, the fyers assaultes and encountringes of both armies, the furyouse rage of that monster called warre. And he shal wene that he he∣reth the terrible dintes of sōdry weapons, and ordynaunce of battayle: the conducte and policies of wyse and experte capytay∣nes, specyally in the commentaries of Iu∣lius Cesar, whiche he made of his exploi∣ture in Fraunce and Brytayne, and other countreyes nowe rekned amonge the pro∣uynces of Germany. Whiche boke is stu∣dyously to be redde of the pryncis of this realme of England and theyr consaylours: consyderynge that therof maye be taken necessarye instructyons concernynge the

warres, agayne Irysshe men or Scottes: who be of the same rudenes and wilde dis∣positiō, that the Suises and Britons were in the tyme of Cesar.

¶ Semblable vtilitie shal be founden in the historie of Titus Liuius, in his thyrde De∣cades, where he writeth of the battayles, that the Romaynes had with Anniball and the Charthaginensis.

¶ Also there be diuers orations, as wel in all the bokes of the sayde auctors, as in the historie of Cornelyus Tacitus, whiche be very delectable, and for consayles very ex∣pedient to be had in memory.

¶ And in good faith I haue oftē thought, that the consultations and orations, writen by Tacitus, do import a maieste, with a cō∣pendious eloquence therin conteyned.

¶ In the lerninge of these autors, a yonge gentyllmanne shall be taughte to note and marke, not onely the ordre and elegancie, in declaration of the hystorie, but also the occasion of the warres, the counsailes and preparations on eyther parte, the estyma∣tion of the capitaines, the maner and forme of theyr gouernaunce, the continuance of the battaylle, the fortune and successe of the holle affayres. Semblably out of the warres in other dayely affayres, the astate of the publike weale, if it be prosperous or

in decaye, what is the very occasion of the one or of the other, the forme and maner of the go uernaunce ther of, the good and y∣uell qualities of theym that be rulers, the cōmodites and good sequele of vertue, the dyscommodities, and yuel conclusion of vi∣cious lycence.

¶ Surely if a noble man do thus seryously and diligētly rede histories, I dare affirme, there is no study or science for him of equal cōmoditie and pleasure, hauynge regarde to euery tyme and age.

¶ By the tyme that the chylde doth come to .xvii. yeres of age, to the intent his cou∣rage be brydled with reason, it were nede∣full to rede vnto hym some warkes of phi∣losophy, specially that parte that maye en∣forme hym vnto vertuous maners, whiche parte of philosophy is called moral. Wher∣fore there wold be redde to hym for an in∣troductiō, two the first bokes of the warke of Aristotle, called Ethicae, wherin is con∣teyned the defynitions and propre sygnifi∣cations of euery vertue, and that to be ler∣ned in Greke: for the translations that we yet haue, be but a rude and grosse shadowe of the eloquēce and wysdome of Aristotle.

¶ Forth with wolde folowe the warke of Cicero, called in latine De officijs, where∣vnto yet is no propre englisshe worde to be

gyuen, but to prouyde for it some maner of exposition, it maye be sayde in this fourme, Of the duetyes and maners apperteynyng to men.

¶ But aboue al other, the warkes of Pla∣to wold be most studiously redde, whan the iugement of a man is come to perfectyon, and by the other studies is instructed in the fourme of speakynge that philosophers v∣sed. Lorde god, what incomparable swet∣nesse of wordes and matter shal he fynde in the sayd warkes of Plato & Cicero, wher∣in is ioyned grauitie with delectatiō, excel∣lent wysedome with diuine eloquence, ab∣solute vertue with pleasure incredible, and euery place is so infarced with profytable counsayle, ioyned with honestie, that those thre bokes be almoste sufficiente to make a perfecte and excellent gouernour.

¶ The prouerbes of Salomom, with the bokes of Ecclesiastes and Ecclesiasticus, be very good lessons.

¶ All the historiall partes of the bible, be ryght necessary for to be redde of a noble man, after that he is mature in yeres. And the residue (with the newe testament) is to be reuerently touched, as a celestiall iewel or relyke, hauynge the chiefe interpretour of those bokes, trewe and constante faith, and dredefully to set handes theron, remē∣brynge

that Oza, for putting his hande to the holy shryne, that was called Archafede¦ris, whan it was broughte by kynge Dauid from the citie of Gaba, though it were wa∣uerynge and in daunger to fall, yet was he stryken of god, and fell deed immediately.

¶ It wolde not be forgoten, that the lytell boke of the moste excellent doctour Eras∣mus Roter. (which he wrote to Charles, nowe beinge emperour, and than prince of Castile) whiche boke is intituled, the insti∣tution of a christen prince, wolde be as fa∣miliare alway with gentylmen, at al tymes and in euery age, as was Homere with the great kynge Alexander, or Xenophō with Scipio. For as all men may iuge, that haue red the warke of Erasmus, there was ne∣uer boke written in latin, that in so lyttell a portion, conteyned of sentence, eloquence, and vertuous exhortation, a more compen∣dious aboundaunce.

¶ And here I make an ende of the lerning and study, wherby noble menne maye at∣tayne to be worthy to haue auctorytie in a publyke weale.

¶ Alwaye I shal exhorte tutours and go∣uernours of noble chyldren, that they suffre them not, to vse ingourgytations of meate or drinke, ne to slepe moche, that is to say, aboue .viii. houres at the most. For

vndoubtedly, both repletion and superflu∣ous slepe be capitall enemies to studye, as they be semblably to helth of body & soule.

¶ Aulus Gellius sayth, that childrē, if they vse to eate and slepe ouer moche, be made therwith dul to lerne. And we se, that ther of slownesse is takē, and the childrens per∣sonages do waxe vncomly, and growe lesse in stature. Galen wyll not permytte, that pure wyne, without alaye of water, shulde in any wyse be gyuen to chyldren, for as moch as it humecteth the body, or maketh it moyster and hotter, than is conueniente: also it fylleth the heed with fume, in theym specially, whiche be lyke, as chyldren of hote and moyst temperature. These be wel nyghe the wordes of the noble Galen.

Why gentylmen in this present tyme, be not equall in doctryne to the aunci∣ent noble men. Capitulo. xii.

NOwe wyll I some what de∣clare of the chiefe causes, why in our time noble mē be not as excellēt in lerning, as they were in olde time amōg the Romaynes and grekes. Surely as I haue diligently marked in day ly experiēce, the principal causes be these.

The pride, auarice, and negligence of pa∣rentes, and the lacke or fewenes of suffici∣ent maysters or teachers.

¶ As I sayde, Pride is the fyrste cause of this inconuenience. For of those persones be some, which without shame dare affirme, that to a great gentylman, it is a notable reproche, to be well lerned, and to be cal∣led a great clerke: whiche name they ac∣counte to be of so base estimation, that they neuer haue it in theyr mouthes, but whan they speake any thyng in derision. Whiche perchaunce they wolde not do, if they had ones layser to rede our owne cronycle of England, where they shal fynde, that kyng Henry the fyrst, sonne of Wylliam conque∣rour, and one of the most noble princis that euer reygned in this realme, was openly called Henry beau clerke, whiche is in en∣glyshe, fayre clerke, and is yet at this daye so named. And wheder that name be to his honour, or to his reproche, let them iuge that do rede and compare his lyfe with his two bretherne, Wylliam, called Rouse, and Robert le courtoyse, they both not hauyng semblable lernynge with the sayde Henry, the one for his dissolute lyuynge and tiran∣ny, beynge hated of al his nobles and peo∣ple, fynally was sodeynely slayne by the shotte of an arrowe, as he was huntinge in

a forest, which to make larger, and to giue his deere more libertie, dyd cause the hou∣ses of .lii. parisshes to be pulled downe, the people to be expelled, and all beinge deso∣late, to be tourned into deserte, and made onely pasture for beastis sauage. Which he wolde neuer haue done, if he had so moche delyted in good lernynge, as dyd his bro∣ther. The other brother, Robert le Cur∣toyse, beynge duke of Normandy, and the eldest sonne of Wylliam Conquer our, all be it that he was a manne of moche prowesse, and right expert in martial affayres, wher∣fore he was electe before Godfray of Bo∣loigne, to haue ben kynge of Hierusalem: yet not with standynge, whan he inuaded this realme with sondry puissaunt armies, also dyuers noble menne aydynge hym, his noble brother Henry beau clerke, more by wysedome than power, also by lernyng, addynge policie to vertue and courage, of∣ten tymes vaynquysshed hym, and dyd put hym to flyght. And after sondry victories, finally toke hym and kepte hym in pryson, hauyng none other meanes to kepe his re∣alme in tranquillitie.

¶ It was for no rebuke, but for an excel∣lent honour, that the emperour Antonine was surnamed philosopher, for by his most noble example of lyuinge and industrye in∣comparable,

he durynge al the tyme of his reygne, kept the publike weale of the Ro∣maynes in suche a perfecte astate, that by his actis he cōfyrmed the saying of Plato, That blessed is that publike weale, wherin either philosophers do reygne, or els kin∣ges be in phylosophy studiouse.

¶ These persons, that so moche contemne lernynge, that they wolde that gentilmens chyldren shulde haue no parte or very lyt∣tell therof, but rather shulde spende theyr youth alway (I saye not onely in huntynge and haukynge, whiche moderately vsed as solaces ought to be, I intende not to dys∣prayse) but in those ydle pastymes, which for the vice that is therin, the commaunde∣ment of the prynce, and the vniuersall con∣sente of the people, expressed in statutes & lawes, do prohibite, I meane playenge at dyce & other games named vnleful. These personnes I saye, I wolde shulde remem∣bre, orelles nowe lerne, if they neuer elles harde it, that the noble Philyp, kynge of Macedonia, who subdued al Grece, aboue all the good fortunes that euer he hadde, moste reioysed, that his sonne Alexander was borne in the tyme that Aristotle the philosopher flourysshed, by whose instru∣ction he mought attayne to most excellent lernynge.

¶ Also the same Alexaunder often tymes sayde, That he was equally as moch boū∣den to Aristotle, as to his father king Phi∣lip: for of his father he receyued lyfe, but of Aristotle he receyued the waye to lyue nobly.

¶ Who dyspraysed Epaminondas, the most valyaunt capitayne of Thebanes, for that he was excellentely lerned and a greatte phylosopher?

¶ Who euer discōmēded Iulius Cesar for that he was a noble oratour, and nexte to Tully in the eloquence of the latin tongue, excelled all other?

¶ Who euer reproued the emperour Ha∣driane, for that he was so exquisitly lerned, not onely in greke and latine, but also in all sciences liberal, that openly at Athenes, in the vniuersal assembly of the grettest cler∣kes of the worlde, he by a longe tyme dys∣puted with phylosophers and Rheroricy∣ens, whiche were estemed most excellent: and by the iugemente of them that were presente, had the palme or rewarde of vy∣ctorie? And yet by the gouernance of that noble ēperour, not only the publike weale florysshed, but also dyuers rebellions were suppressed, and the maiestie of the empyre hugely increased.

¶ Was it any reproche to the noble Ger∣manicus

(who by the assignemēt of Augu∣stus shulde haue succeded Tiberius in the empyre, if traytorous enuy had not in his flourysshynge youth birefte hym his lyfe) that he was equal to the most noble poetis of his tyme: and to the increase of his ho∣nour and most worthy commendation, his image was sette vp at Rome in the habyte that poetis at those dayes vsed?

¶ Fynally, howe moche excellent lerning commendeth, and not dysprayseth nobily∣tie, it shall playnely appere vnto them that do rede the lifes of Alexander, called Se∣uerus, Tacitus, Probus, Aurelius, Con∣stantyne, Theodosius, and Charles the great, surnamed Charlemayne, all beynge emperours: and do compare them with o∣ther, whiche lacked or had not soo moche of doctrine.

¶ Ueryly they be ferre from good reason in myne opinyon, whiche couayte to haue theyr chyldren goodly in stature, delyuer, well syngynge: wherin trees, beastis, fys∣shes, and byrdes, be not onely with theym equall, but also ferre do excede them, And connynge, wherby onely man excelleth all other creatures in erthe, they reiecte and accoumpte vnworthy to be in theyr chyl∣dren. What vnkind appetite were it, to de∣syre to be father rather of a pece of fleshe,

that can only moue and fele, than of a child, that shulde haue the perfecte fourme of a man? what so perfectely expresseth a man, as doctrine?

¶ Diogines the phylosopher, seynge one without lernynge sytte on a stone, sayde to them that were with hym, Beholde where one stone sytteth on an other. Whiche wor∣des wel consydered and tried, shal appere, to conteyne in them wonderfull matter, for the approbation of doctryne.

The seconde and thyrde decay of lerninge amonge gentylmen. Cap. xiii.

THe seconde occasion, wher∣fore gentyll mens chyldren seldome haue sufficiente ler∣nyng, is auarice. For where theyr parentes wyll not ad∣uenture, to sende them farre out of theyr propre countreyes, partly for feare of dethe, whiche perchance dare not approche them at home with theyr father, partely for expence of money, whiche they suppose wold be lesse in theyr own houses, or in a vyllage with some of theyr tenantes or frendes, hauynge seldome any regarde to the teacher, whether he be well lerned or ignorant. For if they hire a schole may∣ster

to teche in theyr houses, they chiefely enquire, with howe smal a salary he wyl be contented, and neuer doo inserche, howe moche good lernynge he hath, and howe amonge well lerned men, he is therin este∣med: vsynge therin lesse dilygence than in takynge seruantes, whose seruice is of mo∣che lesse importaunce, and to a good schole mayster, is not in profyte to be compared.

¶ A gentyllman, er he take a cooke in his seruice, wyll fyrste examine him diligently, howe many sortes of meates, potages, and sauces he can perfectely make, and howe well he can season them: that they maye be both pleasant and nourishynge. Yea, and if it be but a fauconer, he wyll scrupulusly en∣quire, what skyll he hath in fedynge, cal∣led dyete, and kepyng of his hauke from al syckenes: also howe he can reclaime her & prepare her to flight. And to suche a cooke or fauconer, whom he fyndeth experte, he spareth not to gyue moche wages, with o∣ther bounteous rewardes. But of a schole maister, to whom he wyll cōmytte his child to be fedde with lernyng, and instructed in vertue, whose lyfe shall be the princypall monument of his name and honour, he ne∣uer maketh further enquirie, but where he may haue a schole maister, and with howe lytel charge. And if one perchance be foū∣den

well lerned, whiche wyll not take pei∣nes to teache without great salary: he than speketh nothynge more, or els sayth, what shall so moche wages be gyuen to a schole mayster, whiche wolde kepe me two ser∣uantes? To whom may be sayd these wor∣des, that by his sonne, beynge well lerned, he shall receyue more commoditie and also worshyp, than by the seruyce of a hundred cookes and fauconers.

¶ The thyrde cause of this hyndrance, is negligence of parentes: which I note spe∣cially in this poynte. There haue ben dy∣uers, as well meane gentyll men as of the nobilitie, whiche delytynge to haue theyr sonnes excellent in lernynge, haue prouy∣ded for them connynge maisters, who sub∣stancially haue taught them grammer, and very wel instructed them, to speake latin e∣legantly: wherof the parentes haue taken moch delectation, but whan they haue had of grammer sufficient, and be comen to the aege of .xiiii. yeres, and do approche or drawe towarde the astate of man, whiche aege is called mature or rype (wherin not onely the saide lernynge continued by mo∣che experyence shall be perfectely dyge∣sted and confyrmed in perpetuall remem∣brance, but also more seriouse lernyng con∣teyned in other lyberall sciences, and also

philosophy wolde than be lerned) the pa∣rentes, this thynge nothynge regardinge, but beinge suffised, that theyr chyldren can onely speke latine proprely, or make verses without matter or sentence: they from thēs forthe do suffre theym to lyue in idelnes, or elles puttynge them to seruyce, do as it were banishe them from al vertuous study, and from excercise of that, whiche they be fore lerned. So that we maye beholde dy∣uers yonge gentyll menne, whiche in theyr infancie and chyldehod, were wondred at for theyr aptnes to lernynge, and prompte speakynge of elegant latine, nowe beynge men,: haue not onely forgotten theyr con∣gruite (as the commune worde is) and vn∣neth can speake one hole sentence in trewe latine, but that wars is, haue all lernynge in derision, and in skorne therof, wil of wā∣tonnesse speake the moste barberously that they can imagine.

¶ Nowe some mā wil require me to shewe myne opinion, if it be necessary, that gentil men shulde, after the aege of .xiiii. yeres, continue in study. To be plaine and trewe, therin I dare affirme, that if the elegante speakynge of latine be not added to other doctrine, lytel fruite may come of the tong, sins latine is but a naturall speche, and the fruite of speche is wyse sentence, which is

gathered and made of sondry lernynges. And he that hath nothyng but langage on∣ly, maye be no more praysed than a popin∣iay, a pye, or a stare, whan they speake feat∣ly. There be many nowe a days in famouse scholes and vniuersities, whiche be so mo∣che gyuen to the study of tonges only, that whan they write epistels, they seme to the reder, that lyke to a trumpet they make a soune without any purpose, where vnto mē herken more for the noyse than for any de∣lectation that therby is meued. Wherfore they be moche abused, that suppose elo∣quence to be onely in wordes or colours of Rhetorike. For as Tully sayth, what is so furiouse or mad a thynge, as a vayne soune of wordes of the best sort and most ornate, conteyninge neither conning nor sentence.

¶ Undoubtedly, very eloquence is in eue∣ry tonge where any matter or acte done or to be done is expressed in wordes clene, pro pise, ornate, and comely, wherof sentencis be so aptly compact, that they by a vertue inexplicable, do drawe vnto them the myn∣des and consent of the herers, being ther∣with eyther persuaded, meued, or to dele∣ctation induced.

¶ Also euery man is not an oratour, that can write an epistle or a flatterynge oration in latin, wherof the laste (as god helpe me)

is to moche vsed. For a ryght oratour may not be without a moche better furniture. Tulli sayth, that to hym belongeth the ex∣ply catynge or vnfoldinge of sentence, with a great estimation, in gyuynge counsaylle concernyng matters of great importaunce: also to hym apperteyneth the sterynge and quickenynge of people, languysshynge or dyspeyryng, and to moderate them that be rashe and vnbrydled. Wherfore noble au∣ctours do affyrme, that in the fyrste infancy of the worlde, men wandrynge lyke beastis in woddes and on mountaynes, regarding neyther the religion due vnto god, nor the office perteynynge vnto man, ordered all thynge by bodyly strength: vntyl Mercu∣rius (as Plato supposeth) or somme other man holpen by sapience, and eloquence, by some apt or propre oration, assembled them to gether, and perswaded to theym, what commoditie was in mutual couersation and honest maners.

¶ But yet Cornelius Tacitus descrybeth an oratour, to be of more excellēt qualites, sayinge, An oratour is he, that can or may speke or reason in euery question sufficiēt∣ly, elegantly, and to perswade proprely, ac∣cordynge to the dygnitie of the thing that is spoken of, the oportunitie of tyme, and pleasure of them that be herers.

¶ Tully before hym affyrmed, that a man may not be an oratour, heaped with preise, but if he haue gotten the knowlege of all thinges, and artes of greatest importance. And howe shall an oratour speake of that thynge, that he hath not lerned? And by∣cause there maye be nothynge, but it maye happen to come in preyse or dysprayse, in consultation or iugemente, in accusation or defence: therfore an oratour, by others in∣struction perfectly furnyshed, maye in eue∣ry matter and lernynge, commende or dys∣prayse, exhorte or dissuade, accuse or defēd eloquently, as occasion hapneth. Wherfore in as moche as in an oratour is required to be a heape of all maner of lernynge, whi∣che of some is called the worlde of science, of other the circle of doctrine, whiche is in one worde of Greeke ENCYCLOPEDIA, therfore at this daye, maye be founden but a very fewe oratours. For they that come in message from pryncis, be for ho∣nour named nowe oratours, if they be in a∣ny degre of worshyppe: onely poore men, hauynge equall or more of lernynge, beyng called messagers.

¶ Also they, which only teache rhetorike (whiche is the scyence, wherby is taughte an artisiciall fourme of spekyng, wherin is the power to perswade, moue, and delyte,

or by that science onely do speake or write without any admynistratyon of other scy∣ences) ought to be named rhetoriciens, de clamatours, artificiall speakers (named in Greke Logodedali) or any other name than oratours.

¶ Semblably they that make verses, ex∣pressynge therby none other lernynge, but the crafte of versifienge, be not of auncient writers named poetes, but only called ver∣sifyers. For the name of a Poete (wherat nowe, specially in this realme, men haue su¦che indignation, that they vse only poetes and poetry in the contempte of eloquence) was in auncient tyme in highe estymation: in so moche that all wysedome was suppo∣sed to be therin included. And poetry was the first philosophy that euer was knowen, wherby men from theyr chyldhode were brought to the reason, how to liue wel, ler∣nynge therby not onely maners and natu∣rall affections, but also the wonderful war∣kes of nature, myxtyng serious mater with thynges that were pleasaunt: as it shall be manyfeste to them that shall be so fortunate to rede the noble warkes of Plato and A∣ristotle: wherin he shall fynde the auctori∣tie of poetes frequentely alleged: ye and that more is, In poetis was supposed to be science misticall and inspired: and therfore

in latyne they were called VATES, whi∣che worde signifieth as moche as prophe∣tes. And therfore Tulli in his Tusculane questions supposeth, that a poete can not abundantly expresse verses sufficiente and complete, or that his eloquence may flowe without labour, wordes well sounyng and plentuouse, without celestial instinciō, whi∣che is also by Plato ratified.

¶ But sens we be now occupied in the de∣fence of Poetes, it shall not be incongru∣ent to our matter, to shewe what profytte maye be taken by the dyligente redynge of auncient poetes: contrary to the false opi∣nion that nowe rayneth, of them that sup∣pose, that in the warkes of poetes is con∣teyned nothynge but baudry (such is their foule word of reproche) and vnprofytable leasynges. But fyrst I wyl interprete some verses of Horace, wherin he expresseth the offyce of poetes, and after wyl I resorte to a more playne demonstration of some wise∣domes and counsaylles conteyned in some verses of poetes. Horace in his seconde boke of epistles, sayth in this wyse, or mo∣che lyke,

The poete facioneth by some plesant meane, The speche of chyldren tendre and vnsure: Pulling their eares from wordes vnclene, Gyuinge to them preceptes that are pure:

Rebukynge enuy and wrath, if it dure: Thinges wel done he can by exāple cōmende, The nedy and sycke he doth also his cure To recomforte, if aught he can amende.

¶ But they, which be ignorant in poetes, wyll perchance obiecte as theyr maner is, agaynst these verses, sayinge, that in The∣rēce and other, that were writers of come∣dies, Ouide, Catullus, Martialis, and all that route of lasciuious poetes, that wrate epistles and ditties of loue, some called in latin Elegiae, some Epigrāmata, is nothing conteyned, but incitation to lechery.

¶ Fyrste comedies, whiche they suppose to be a doctrinall of rybaudry, they be vn∣doutedly a picture, or as it were a mirrour of mans lyfe: wherin yuell is not taughte, but dyscouered, to the intent that men, be∣holding the promptnes of youth vnto vice, the snares of har lottis and baudes, layd for yonge myndes, the disceipt of seruauntes, the chaunces of fortune, contrary to mens expectation, they beynge therof warned, maye prepare them selfe to resyste and pre∣uente occasion. Semblably remembrynge the wysedomes, aduertysementes, coun∣sayīes, dissuasyon from vice and other pro∣fytable sentences, moste eloquently and fa∣miliarly shewed in those comedyes, Un∣doubtedly there shall be no lyttel fruite out

of them gathered. And if the vices in them expressed, shulde be cause, that myndes of the reders shuld be corrupted: than by the same argumente not onely enterludes in englyshe but also sermones, wherin some vyce is declared, shulde be to the behol∣ders and herers lyke occasion to encreace sinners. And that by comedies, good coū∣saylle is ministred: it appereth by the sen∣tence of Parmeno, in the seconde comedy of Therence.

In this thing I triūphe in mine own cōceipte, That I haue foūden for al yong mē the way, Howe they of harlots shal knowe the deceipt, Their witt{is}, their maners, y^• therby they may Them perpetnally hate: for so moch as they Out of their own houses be freshe & delicate, Fedynge curiousely: at home all the daye Lyuynge beggarly, in most wretched ast ate.

¶ There be many mo wordes spoken, whi¦che I purposelye omytte to translate, not with standynge the substaunce of the hole sentence is herein comprised. But nowe to come to other poetes. what may be better sayde, thanne is witten by Plautus in his fyrste comedie?

¶ Verily vertue doth all thinges excelle. For if libertie, helthe, lyuynge, and substance, Our countrey, our parētes & children do wel, It hapneth by vertue, she doth al aduaunce.

Vertue hath all thinge vnder gouernaunce, And in whom of vertue is fouden gret plētie, Any thinge that is good may neuer be deinte.

¶ Also Ouidius, that semeth to be most of al poetes lasciuious, in his mooste wanton bokes, hath ryghte commendable and no∣ble sentēces: as for proufe therof, I wil re∣cyte some that I haue taken at aduenture.

¶ Tyme is in medicine, if it shall profytte. Wyne giuen out of tyme, may be annoyaunce. A man shall irritate vice, if he prohibite. Whan time is not mete vnto his vtteraunce. Therfore, if thou yet by counsayle arte recu∣perable Fle thou from idelnesse, and alway Be stable.

¶ Martialis, whiche for his dissolute wry∣ting, is most seldome red of men of moche grauitie, hath not withstanding many com∣mendable sentences and ryght wyse coun∣sailes, as among diuers, I wil reherce one, whiche is first come to my remembraunce.

¶ If thou wyit eschewe byttev aduenture And aduoyde the gnawyng of a pensiful hart Sette in no one person all holly thy pleasure The lesse shalte thou ioye, But lesse shalt thou smarte.

¶ I could recite a great nombre of sembla∣ble good sentences, out of these and other wanton poetes, whiche in latine do expres them incomparably, with more grace and

delectation to the reder, than our englishe tonge may yet comprehend. Wherfore sens good and wyse mater maye be pycked out of these poetes, it were no reason for some lyttel mater, that is in theyr verses, to abā∣done therfore all theyr warkes, noo more than it were to forbeare or prohibite a man to come into a fayre gardeyne, lest the re∣dolēt sauours of swete herbes and floures, shall meue hym to wanton courage, or leste in gadringe good and holsome herbes, he may happen to be stunge with a nettle. No wyse man entreth into a gardeyne, but he sone espieth good herbes from nettils, and treadeth the nettils vnder his feete, whiles he gadreth good herbes: wherby he ta∣keth no damage. Or if he be stungen, he ma¦keth lyght of it, and shortly forgetteth it.

Semblably if he do rede wanton mattier, mixte with wisedome, he putteth the worst vnder fote, and sorteth out the beste: or if his courage be stered or prouoked, he re∣membreth the lyttel pleasure and great de∣trimente that shulde ensue of it: and with∣drawynge his mynde to some other study or exercise, shortely forgetteth it.

¶ And therfore among the iewes though it were prohibyte to chyldren, vntyll they came to rype yeres, to rede the bookes of Genesis, of the iuges, Cantica Canticorum,

and some parte of the booke of Ezechiel the prophete, For that in theym was con∣teyned some matter, whiche moughte hap∣pen to incense the yonge mynde, wherin were sparkes of carnall concupiscence, yet after certayne yeres of mennes aeges, it was lefull for euery man to rede and dily∣gently studye those warkes. So al though I approue not the lesson of wanton poetes, to be taughte vnto al chyldren: yet thinke I conueniente and necessary, that whanne the mynde is become constaunte, and cou∣rage is asswaged, or that chyldren of theyr naturall dysposition be shamefaste and con∣tinente, none aunciente poete wolde be ex∣cluded frome the lesson of suche one, as desyreth to come to the perfecty on of wise¦dome.

¶ But in defendyng of oratours and poe∣tes, I had almost forgotten where I was. Ueryly there maye no man be an excellent poete, nor oratour, vnlesse he haue parte of all other doctrine, specially of noble philo∣sophy. And to saye the trouthe, no man can apprehende the very delectation, that is in the lesson of noble poetes, vnlesse he haue redde very moche, and in dyuers autours of dyuers lernynges. Wherfore, as I late sayde, to the augmentation of vnderstan∣dynge, called in latine Intellectus et mens,

is required to be moche redynge and vigi∣lante studye in euery scyence, specially of that part of philosophy named moral, whi∣che instructeth menne in vertue and poly∣tike gouernance. Also no noble autour, spe¦cially of them that wrate in greke or latine before .xii. C. yeres passed, is not for any cause to be omytted. For therin I am of Quintilians opinion, that there is fewe or none auncyente warke, that yeldeth not some fruite or commoditie to the diligente reders. And it is a very grosse or obstinate wytte, that by redyng moche, is not some what amended.

¶ Concernynge the election of other au∣tours, to be redde, I haue (as I trust) de∣clared sufficiently my conceipte and opini∣on, in the x. and .xi. chapiters.

¶ Fynally, like as a delycate tree, that co∣meth of a kernell, whiche as sone as it bur∣geneth out leues, if it be plucked vppe, or it be sufficiently rooted, and layde in a cor∣ner, becometh drye or rotten, and no fruite cometh of it: if it be remoued and sette in an other ayre or erthe, whiche is of con∣trary qualities where it was before, it ei∣ther sēblably dieth, or beareth no fruite, or els the fruite that commeth of it, leseth his verdure and tast, and fynally his estimatiō. So the pure and excellent lerning, wherof

I haue spoken, thoughe it be sowen in a chylde neuer so tymely, and spryngeth and burgeneth neuer so pleasauntly, if before it take a depe rote in the minde of the childe, it be laide a side, eyther by to moch solace, or continuall attendaunce in seruice, or els is translated to an other study, which is of a more grosse or vnplesaunt qualitie, before it be confirmed or stablyshed by often re∣dynge or dilygent exercise, in conclusion it vanisheth and cometh to nothynge. Wher∣fore let men replie as they lyst, in myne o∣pinion, men be wonderfully disceiued nowe a days (I dare not say with the persuasion of auarice) that doo put theyr chyldren at the age of xiiii. or .xv. yeres, to the study of the lawes of the realme of Englande. I wil shewe them reasonable causes why, if they wil paciently here me, informed partely by myne owne experience.

Howe the studentes in the lawes of this re∣alme, maye take excellent commoditie by the lessons of sōdry doctrines. ca. xiiii.

IT maye not be denyed, but that al lawes be founded on the depest part of reason, and as I suppose, no one lawe so moche as our owne: and the deper men do inue∣stigate reasō, the more difficile or hard must nedes be the studye. Also that reuerende

study is inuolued in so barbar ouse a lāgage, that it is not only voide of al eloquence, but also beynge seperate from the exercyse of our lawe onely, it serueth to no commodi∣tie or necessary purpose, no man vnderstan∣dinge it, but they, whiche haue studyed the lawes. Than chyldrē at .xiiii. or .xv. yeres olde, in whiche tyme spryngeth courage, set al in pleasure, and plesure is in nothing, that is not facile or elegant, beyng brought to the moste difficulte and graue lernynge, whiche hath nothynge illecebrouse or deli∣cate to tickyll theyr tender wittes, and al∣lure them to studye (onles it be lucre, whi∣che a gentyl wyt littell estemeth) the more parte vainquysshed with tediousenesse, ey∣ther do abandone the lawes, and vnwares to theyr frendes, do gyue them to gamyng, and other (as I mought say) idle businesse, nowe called pastimes, orels if they be in a∣ny wyse therto constrayned, they apprehē∣dynge a piece therof, as if they being long in a darke dungeon, onely dydde se by the lyght of a candell. Than if after .xx. or .xxx. yeres studie, they happen to come amonge wyse men, herynge matters commened of, concernynge a publyke weale, or outward affayres betwene princis, they noo lesse be astonyed, than if they commynge out of a darke house at none dayes, were sodeynly

strikē in the eies with a bright sōne beame. But I speake not this in reproch of lawy∣ers, for I knowe dyuers of them, which in consultation wyll make a ryght vehemente raison: and so do some other, whiche haue neyther lawe nor other lernynge, and if they were fournyshed with excellente do∣ctrine, theyr reason shuld be the more sub∣stanciall and certayne.

¶ There be some also, which by theyr frē∣des, be coarted to aplye the studye of the lawe only, and for lacke of plētuous exhy∣bition be let of theyr liberte, wherfore they can not resorte vnto pastyme. These of all other be moste cast away, for nature repug nyng, they vnneth tast any thyng that may be profitable, and also theyr courage is so mortified (which yet by solace perchaunce mought be made quicke or apte to some o∣ther studye or laudable exercise) that they liue euer after out of all estimation. Wher∣fore Tulli saith, we shuld so indeuour our selfes, that we striue not with the vnyuer∣sal nature of man, but that being conserued let vs folowe our owne propre natures, for though there be studies of more grauytie and importaunce, yet ought we to regarde the studies, wherto we be, by our own na∣ture, inclined. And that this sentēce is true, we haue dayely experience, in this realme

specially. For howe many menne be there, whose sonnes in chyldehode are aptly dis∣posed by nature to paynt, kerue, or graue, to embrowder, or do other lyke thynges, wherin is any arte commendable concer∣nyng inuention, which as sone as they espy it, be there with dyspleased, and forth with byndeth theym apprentyses to taylours, weyuers, towkers, and some tyme to cob∣lers? whiche hath ben the inestimable losse of manye good wyttes, and hath caused, that in the sayde artes, englysshemen be in∣feryours to all other people, and be con∣strayned, if we wyll haue any thynge well paynted, kerued, or embroudred, to leaue our owne countray menne, and resorte vn∣to strangers: but more of this shal I speke in the nexte volume. But to resorte vnto lawyers.

¶ I thinke verily, if childrē were brought vp, as I haue written, and continually were reteined in the right study of very philoso¦phy, vntil they passed the age of .xxi. yeres, and thā set to the lawes of this realme (be∣ing ones brought to a more certain & com∣pendious study, and eyther in englishe, la∣tine, or good french, written in a more clene and elegant stile) vndoubtedly they shulde become menne of so excellente wysedome, that throughoute all the worlde shulde be

founden in no commune weale more noble counsaylours, our lawes not only compre∣hendynge moste excellent reasons, but also beyng gathered & compacte (as I mought saye) of the pure meale or floure, sisted out of the best lawes in all other countreys, as some what I do intende to proue euidently in the nexte volume, wherin I wyll rendre mine office or duetie, to that honorable stu∣dy, wherby my father was aduaunced to a iuge, and also I my selfe haue attayned no lyttell commoditie.

¶ I suppose, there be dyuers men wil say, that the swetnesse that is conteyned in elo∣quence, & the multitude of doctrines, shuld vtterly withdrawe the myndes of yonge men from the more necessary studye of the lawes of this realme. To them wyl I make a briefe answere, but trewe it shall be, and I trust sufficient to wise men. In the great multitude of yonge men, whiche alway wil repayre, and the lawe beinge ones brought in to a more certayne and perfect langage, wyll also increase in the reuerent studye of the lawe: vndoughtedly there shall neuer lacke, but some by nature inclyned, dyuers by desire of sōdry doctrines, many for hope of lucre or some other aduauncement, wyll effectually study the lawes, ne wyll be ther from withdrawen by any other lesson, whi∣che

is more eloquent. Example we haue, at this present tyme, of dyuers excellent ler∣ned men bothe in the lawes ciuile and al∣so in phisike, whiche beynge exactly studi∣ed in all partes of eloquence, bothe in the Greke tonge and latine, haue not withstan¦dynge red and pervsed the great fardelles and trusses of the most barbarouse autours stuffed with innumerable gloses: wherby the most necessary doctrines of lawe & phi∣syke be mynced into fragmentes, and in all wyse mens opinions, do perceyue no lesse in the sayd lerninges, than they, which ne∣uer knew eloquence, or neuer tasted other but the fecis or dragges of the sayde noble doctrines. And as for the multitude of sci∣ences can not indamage any student, but if he be meued to study the lawe by any of the sayde motions, by me before touched, he shal rather increse therin than be hindred, and that shall appere manyfestely to them, that eyther wyll gyue credence to my re∣porte, or elles wyl rede the warkes that I wyll alledge, whiche if they vnderstande not, to desyre some lerned man by interpre∣tinge to cause them perceyue it. And firste I wyll begynne at oratours, who beare the principall tytle of eloquence.

¶ It is to be remēbred, that in the lernyng of the lawes of this realme, there is at this

day an exercise, wherin is a maner of a sha∣dowe or figure of the auncient rhetorike. I meane the pleading vsed in courte & Chan∣cery called motes. Where fyrst a case is ap∣poynted to be moted by certayne yong mē, conteinynge some doubtefull controuersy, which is in stede of the hede of a declama∣tion called thema, the case beinge knowen, they which be appoynted to mote, do exa∣myne the case, and inuestygate what they therin can espie, whiche maye make a con∣tention, wherof maye ryse a question to be argued, and that of Tulli is called constitu∣tio, & of Quintilian status causae. Also they consider what plees on euery parte ought to be made, and howe the case may be rea∣soned. Whiche is the fyrste parte of Rhe∣torike, named Inuention. Than appoynte they, howe many plees maye be made for euery parte, and in what formalytie they shulde be sette, Whiche is the seconde part of Rhetoryke, called disposition, wherin they do moche approche vnto Rhetorike. Than gather they al in to perfecte remem∣braunce, in suche order as it oughte to be pleaded, whiche is the parte of Rhetorike named memorie. But for as moche as the tonge, wherin it is spoken, is barberouse, and the stering of affectiōs of the minde in this realme was neuer vsed: therfore there

lacketh Eloquution, and Pronunciatiō, two the pryncipall partes of Rhetorike. Not∣withstandyng some lawyers, if they be wel reteyned, wyll in a meane cause pronounce right vehemētly. More ouer, there semeth to be in the sayd pledinges, certaine partes of an oration, that is to say, for Narrations, Partitions, Confirmations, and Confutatiōs, named of some Reprehentions, They haue Declarations, Barres, Replications, and Re∣ioyndres, only they lacke pleasaunt fourme of begynnynge, called in latine Exordium: nor it maketh therof no great matter, they that haue studied rhetorike, shall perceyue what I meane. Also in arguynge theyr ca∣ses, in myne opinion, they lacke very lytell of the hole art: for therin they do diligent∣ly obserue the rules of Confirmation and Confutatiō, wherin resteth proufe and dis∣proufe: hauing almost al the places, wherof they shall fetche theyr reasons, called of oratours loci cōmunes, whiche I omyt to name, fearynge to be to longe in this mat∣ter. And verily I suppose, if there mought ones happen some man, hauing an excellēt wyt, to be brought vp in suche fourme, as I haue hytherto written, and may also be ex∣actely or depely lerned in the arte of an o∣ratour, and also in the lawes of this re∣alme, the prynce so wyllynge and therto

assistinge, vndoubtedly it shuld not be im∣possible for hym, to brynge the pleadynge and resonynge of the lawe, to the auncient fourme of noble oratours: and the lawes and exercise therof, beinge in pure latin or doulce frenche, fewe men in consultations, shuld (in myne opinion) compare with our lawyars, by this meanes beyng brought to be perfect oratours, as in whom shuld than be founden the sharpe wyttes of logitians, the graue sentences of philosophers, the elegancie of poetes, the memory of ciuili∣ans, the voice and gesture of them that can pronounce comedies: which is al that Tul∣li, in the person of the moste eloquente man Marcus Antonius, coulde require to be in an oratour.

¶ But now to cōclude mine assertiō. What let was eloquence to the study of the lawe in Quintus Sceuola, whiche beyng an ex∣cellent autour in the lawes ciuile, was cal∣led of al lawiars most eloquente? Or howe moch was eloquence mynished by knowe∣lege of the lawes in Crassus, whiche was called of all eloquent men the best lawyar? ¶ Also Seruus Sulpitius, in his tyme one of the most noble oratours, next vnto Tul∣li, was not so let by eloquence, but that on the ciuile lawes he made notable commen∣tes, and many noble warkes by all lawyers

approued. Who redeth the texte of Ciuile, called Pandectes or Digestes, and hath a∣ny cōmendable iugemēt in the latin tonge, but he wil affirme, that Ulpianus, Sceuola, Caius, and all the other there named, of wh••se sayinges all the sayde textes be as∣sembled, were not onely studyous of elo∣quēce, but also therin wonderful exercised: for as moche as their stile dothe approche nere to the antique & pure eloquence, than any other kynde of writers, that wrate a∣boute that tyme?

¶ Sēblably Tulli, in whom it semeth, that Eloquence hath set her glorious Throne moste ryhcly and preciously adourned for al men to wonder at, but no man to approch it, was not let from beynge an incompara∣ble oratour, ne was by the exact knowlege of other sciences withdrawen, from plea∣dyng infinite causes before the Senate and iuges, and they beinge of moste wayghtye importaunce: In soo moche as Cornelius Tacitus, an excellente oratour, historien, and lawiar, sayth, Surely in the bookes of Tulli, men maye deprehende, that in hym lacked not the knowlege of geometrye, ne musyke, ne grammer, fynally of no maner of arte that was honest, he of logike per∣ceyued the subtiltie, of that parte that was moral al the commoditie, and of al thinges

the chiefe motions and causes. And yet for all this abundaunce, and as it were a gar∣nerde heaped with al maner sciēces: there fayled not in hym substaunciall lernynge in the lawes Ciuile, as it maye appere as wel in the bookes, whiche he hym selfe ••••••de of lawes, as also, and mooste specially, in many of his moste eloquent orations: whi∣che if one well lerned in the lawes of this realme, dydde rede and well vnderstande, he shulde fynde, specially in his orations called Actiones agayne Uerres, many pla∣ces, where he shulde espye by lykelyhode the fountaynes, from whens proceded dy∣uers groundes of our cōmune lawes. But I wyll nowe leue to speake any more ther∣of at this tyme.

¶ Moreouer, when yonge men haue red lawes, expouned in the orations of Tulli, and also in histories, of the begynnynge of lawes, and in the warkes of Plato, Xeno∣phon, and Aristotell, of the dyuersyties of lawes and publyke weales, if nature (as I late sayde) wyl dyspose them to that maner study: they shall be therto the more incen∣sed, and come vnto it the better prepared and furnysshed. And they whom nature therto nothynge meueth, haue not only sa∣ued al that time, which many nowe a dayes do consume in idlenesse, but also haue won

suche a treasure, wherby they shall all waye be able to serue honourably theyr prynce, & the publike weale of theyr coun∣traye, pryncipally if they conferre all their doctrines to the moste noble studie of mor∣rall philosophy, which teacheth both ver∣tues maners, and ciuile policie: wherby at the last we shuld haue in this realme suffici¦encie of worshyppefull lawyers, and also a publyke weale equiualente to the Grekes or Romaynes.

For what cause at this daye there be in this realme fewe perfecte schole maysters. Capitulo. xv.

LOrde god howe many good and clene wittes of chyldren be nowe adayes perished by ignoraunte schole maysters. Howe lyttell substancial do∣ctrine is apprehēded by the fewenesse of good grammariens? Not with stāding I know that there be some weller∣ned, which haue taught, and also do teche, but god knowethe a fewe, and they with smal effect, hauing therto no comfort: their aptist and most propre scholers, after they be well instructed in spekynge latine, and vnderstandynge some poetes, beinge taken

from theyr schole by theyr parentes, and eyther be brought to the courte, and made lakaies or pages, or elles are bounden prē∣tises, wherby the worshyp that the maister aboue any rewarde, couayteth to haue by the prayse of his scholer, is vtterly drow∣ned. Wherof I haue harde schole maisters very wel lerned, of good right, complaine. But yet (as I sayd) the fewenesse of good grammariens is a great impediment of do∣ctrine. And here I wolde the reders shuld marke, that I note to be fewe good grāma∣riens, and not none. I cal not them grama∣riens, whiche only can teache or make ru∣les, wherby a chylde shall onelye lerne to speake congrue latine, or to make sixe ver∣sis standyng in one fote, wherin perchance shall be neyther sentence nor eloquence. But I name hym a grammarien by the au∣ctorytie of Quintilian, that speakynge la∣tine elegantly, can expounde good autors, expressynge the inuention and dysposition of the mater, theyr style or fourme of elo∣quence, explycatinge the figures, as well of sentences as wordes, leuynge nothing, person or place named by the auctour, vn∣declared, or hyd from his scholers. Wher∣fore Quintilian sayth, It is not inough for hym to haue red poetes, but all kyndes of wryting must also be sought for, not for the

histories only, but also for the propretie of wordes, which cōmunely doo receiue their auctoritie of noble auctours. More ouer, without musike, grammer may not be per∣fecte: for as moche as therin muste be spo∣ken of metres & harmonies, called rythmi in greke. Neither if he haue not the know∣lege of storres, he maye vnderstande poe∣tes, whiche in description of tymes (I o∣mytte other thynges) they traict of the ri∣singe and goinge downe of planettes. Also he may not be ignorant in philosophye, for many places that be almost in euery poete, fetched out of the most subtile parte of na∣turall questions. These be well nyghe the wordes of Quintilian. Than beholde how fewe grammariens, after this description, be in this realme.

¶ Undoutedly there be in this realme ma∣ny wel lerned, which if the name of a schole mayster were not soo moche hadde in con∣tempte, and also if theyr labours with abun¦dante salaries moughte be requited, were ryghte sufficiente and able to induce theyr herers to excellente lernynge: so they be not plucked away grene, and er they be in doctrine sufficiently rooted. But nowe a∣dayes, if to a bachelar or mayster of arte, study of philosophy waxeth tedious, if he haue a spone full of latine, he wyll shewe

forth a hoggesheed, without any lerninge, and offre to teache grammer, and expoune noble wryters: and to be in the roume of a mayster, he wyll for a smalle salarie, sette a false colour of lernynge on propre wyttes, whiche wyll be wasshed awaye with one shoure of rayne. For if the chyldren be ab∣sente from schole, by the space of one mo∣neth, the beste lerned of them, wyll vnneth tell whether FATO, wherby Eneas was broughte in to Itali, were other a manne, a horse, a shyp, or a wylde goose: Al though theyr mayster wyll perchance auaunte him selfe to be a good philosopher.

¶ Some men peraduenture do thinke, that at the begynnynge of lernynge, it forceth not, all thoughe the maysters haue not soo exacte doctryne as I haue reherced, but let them take good hede, what Quintilian saythe, It is so moche the better, to be in∣structed by them that are beste lerned, for as moch as it is dyfficultie to put out of the mynde, that whiche is ones settylled, the double bourden beynge paynefull to the maysters that shal succede, and veryly mo∣che more to vnteache than to teache. Wher¦fore it is writen, that Timothe the noble musitian, demaunded alwaye a greatter re∣warde of them, whom other had taughte, than of them that neuer any thinge lerned.

These be the wordes of Quintilian or like.

¶ Also the commune experiēce teacheth, that no man wyl put his sonne to a botcher to lerne, or he bynde hym prentyse to a tai∣lour. Or if he wil haue him a conning gold∣smyth, wyll bynde hym fyrste prentise to a tynkar. In these thinges poore men be cir∣cumspect, and the nobles and gentyll men, who wolde haue theyr sonnes by excellent lernynge come vnto honour, for sparyng of coste, or for lacke of dyligente serche for a good schole maister, wilfully dystroy theyr chyldren, causynge them to be taught that lernynge, whiche wolde require sixe or se∣uen yeres to be forgoten, by whiche tyme the more parte of that age is spente, wher∣in is the chiefe sharpnesse of wyt, called in latin acumen, and also than approcheth the stubborne age, where the chylde broughte vp in pleasure, dysdayneth correction.

¶ Nowe haue I all declared (as I do sup∣pose) the chiefe impechementes of excel∣lent lernynge, of the reformation I neede not to speake, sens it is apparaunt, that by the contraries, men pursuing ernestly with discrete iugement, and liberalitie, it shulde sone be amended.

Of sondry fourmes of exercise necessary for euery gentyll man. Cap. xvi.

AL thoughe I haue hither∣to aduaunced the commen∣dation of lernynge, special∣ly in gentyll men: Yet it is to be considered, that continu∣all studye, without somme maner of exercise, shortely exhausteth the spirytes vytall, and hyndereth natural de∣coction and dygestion, wherby mannes bo∣dy is the sooner corrupted and broughte in to dyuers sickenessis, and fynally the life is therby made shorter. Where contrary wise, by exercise, whiche is a vehement motion (as Galene prince of phisytions defineth) the helthe of manne is preserued, and his strength increased: for as moch as the mē∣bres by meuynge and mutuall touchynge, do waxe more harde, and naturall heate in all the body is therby augmented. More ouer it maketh the spyrytes of a man more stronge and valiant, so that by the hardnes of the membres, all labours be more tolle∣rable, by naturall heate, the appetite is the more quicke: the chaunge of the substance receiued, is the more redy, the nourisshing of all partes of the body, is the more suffi∣ciente and sure. By valyaunt motion of the spirites, all thynges superfluous be expel∣led, and the conduitis of the body clensed.

¶ Wherfore this parte of phisike, is not to be contempned or neglected in the educa∣tion of chyldren, and specially from the age of .xiiii. yeres vppewarde, in whiche tyme strength, with courage increaseth.

¶ More ouer, there be dyuers maners of exercyses, wherof some, onely prepareth and helpeth dygestyon, some augmenteth also strength and hardynesse of body, other serue for agilitie and nymblenes, some for celeritie or spedines. There be also, which ought to be vsed for necessite only. Al these oughte he that is a tutor to a noble man, to haue in remembraunce: and as aportunitie serueth, to put them in experiēce. And spe∣cially them, whiche with helthe do ioyne commoditie (and as I mought say) neces∣sitie: considerynge that be he neuer so no∣ble or valyant, some tyme he is subiecte to peryle, or (to speake it more pleasauntely) seruaunte to fortune. Touchinge suche ex∣ercises, as many be vsed within the house, or in the shadowe (as is the olde maner of speakynge) as deambulations or moderate walkynges, laborynge with poyses made of leade or other metall, called in latin Al∣teres, Lyftynge and throwynge the heuy stone or barre, playing at tenyse, and dy∣uers semblable exercyses, I wyll for this tyme passe ouer, exhortynge them, whiche

do vnderstande latine, and doo desyre to knowe the commodities of sondry exerci∣ses, to resorte to the booke of Galene, of the gouernaunce of helthe, called in latine De sanitate tuenda, where they shall be in that matter abundantly satisfied, and finde in the readynge moche delectation: which booke is translated into latine, wonderfull eloquently by doctor Linacre, late mooste worthy phisition, to our moste noble soue∣raygne lorde kynge Henry the .viii. And I wyl nowe onely speake of those exercises, apte to the furniture of a gentyll mannes personage, adaptynge his body to harde∣nesse, strengthe, and agilitie, and to helpe therwith hym selfe in peryle, whiche maye happen in warres or other necessitie.

Exercises, wherby shulde growe both recreation and profite. Cap. xvii.

VUrastlynge is a very good exercyse in the begynnyng of youth, so that it be with one that is equal in strength, or somwhat vnder, & that the place be softe, that in fallinge their bodies be not brused.

¶ There be diuers maners of wrastlinges, but the best, as well for helthe of body, as for exercise of strength is, when laying mu∣tuallye theyr handes one ouer a nothers

necke, with the other hand they holde fast eche other by the arme, and claspyng their legges together, they inforce them selfes with strength and agilitie, to throwe down eche other, whiche is also praysed by Ga∣lene. And vndoubtedly it shall be founde profytable in warres, in case that a Capy∣tayne shall be constrayned to cope with his aduersarye hande to hande, hauynge his weapon broken or loste. Also it hath benne sene, that the weaker person, by the sleight of wrastlyng, hath ouerthrowen the stron∣ger, almost or he coulde fasten on the other any violent stroke.

¶ Also rennynge is bothe a good exercise and a laudable solace. It is written of Epa∣minondas, the valiant capitayne of Cheba∣nes (who as wel in vertue and prowesse, as in lernyng, surmounted al noble men of his tyme) that dayly he exercised hym selfe in the morning, with rennynge and leapinge, in the eueninge in wrastling, to the intente that lykewyse in armure he moughte the more strongely, embracinge his aduersary, putte hym in daunger. And also that in the chase rennynge and leapinge, he moughte either ouertake his enemy, or beinge pur∣sued, if extreme nede required, escape him.

¶ Semblably before hym dyd the worthye Achilles, for whyles his shyppes laye at

rode, he suffred not his people to slomber in idlenesse, but dayly exercised them and hym selfe in rennynge, wherin he was most excellent, and passed al other: and therfore Homere through out all his warke, calleth hym swyfte fote Achilles.

¶ The great Alexander, beynge a childe, excelled all his companions in rennynge, wherfore on a tyme, one demanded of him, if he wolde renne at the great game of O∣lympus, wherto out of al partes of Grece, came the moste actife and valiant persones, to assay maistries. Whervnto Alexāder an∣swered in this fourme, I wolde very glad∣ly renne there, if I were sure to renne with kynges: for if I shuld contende with a pri∣uate person, hauynge respecte to our both astates, our victories shulde not be equall.

¶ Nedes must rennyng be taken for a lau∣dable exercise, sens one of the moost noble capitaynes of all the Romaynes, toke his name of rennynge, and was called Papirius Cursor, whiche is in englishe, Papirius the Renner. And also the valiant Marius the Romayne, whan he had bene seuen tymes Consull, and was of the age of foure score yeres, exercised him selfe dayly among the yonge menne of Rome, in suche wyse, that there resorted people out of farre partes, to beholde the strength and agilitie of that

olde Consul, wherin he compared with the yonge and lusty soudiours.

¶ There is an exercise, whiche is ryghte profitable in exstreme daunger of warres, but bicause there semeth to be some peril in the lernyng therof, and also it hath not ben of longe tyme moche vsed, specially among noble men, perchaunce some reders wyll lyttle esteme it, I meane swymmynge. But not withstandynge, if they reuolue the im∣becilitie of our nature, the hasardes and daungers of battayle, with the exaumples, whiche shal here after be shewed, they wil (I doubt not) thinke it as necessary to a ca¦pitayne or man of armes, as any that I haue yet rehersed.

¶ The Romaines, who aboue all thinges, had mooste in estimation martiall prowesse, had a large and spaciouse fielde, withoute the citie of Rome, which was called Mar∣ces field, in latine Campus Martius, wherin the youth of the citie was exercised. This fielde adioyned to the ryuer of Cyber, to the intente that as well menne as chyldren shulde washe and refreshe them in the wa∣ter after theyr labours, as also lerne to swymme, And not men and chyldren only, but also the horses: that by such vsage they shulde more aptely and boldely passe ouer greatte ryuers, and be more able to resyste

or cut the waues, and not be aferde of pir∣ries or great stormes. For it hath ben often tymes sene, that by the good swymming of horses, many men haue benne saued: and contrary wise, by a timorouse royle, where the water hath vnneth come to his bealy, his legges hath foltred, wherby many a good and propre man hath perished. What benefite receyued the hole citie of Rome, by the swymmynge of Oratius Cocles? whiche is a noble hystorie, and worthy to be remembred.

¶ After the Romaines had expelled Car∣quine theyr king, as I haue before remem∣bred, he desired ayde of Porsena, kinge of Chuscanes, a noble and valiaunt prince, to recouer eftsones his realme and dignitye: who with a great and puissaunt host, besie∣ged the citie of Rome, and so sodeinely and sharpely assaulted it, that it lacked but litle, that he ne hadde entred into the citie with his host, ouer the brydge, called Sublitius: where encountred with hym this Oratius with a fewe Romaynes. And whyles this noble capitayne, beynge alone, with an in∣credible strengthe resysted all the hoste of Porcena, that were on the bridge, he com∣maunded the bridge to be broken behynde hym, where with all the Chuscanes ther∣on standynge, fell into the greatte ryuer of

Ciber, but Oratius al armed lepte into the water, and swamme to his company. Al be it that he was striken with many arowes & dartes, and also greuouslye wounded, not with standynge by his noble courage and feate of swymmynge, he saued the cytie of Rome from perpetuall seruitude, whiche was likely to haue ensued by the returne of the proude Carquine.

¶ Howe moch profited the feate in swim∣mynge to the valiaunt Iulius Cesar? who at the batayle of Alexandri, on a bridge be∣inge abandoned of his people for the mul∣titude of his ennemyes, whiche oppressed them, whan he mought no lenger susteyne the shotte of dartes and arowes, he boldly lepte in to the see, and dyuynge vnder the water, escaped the shotte, and swamme the space of .CC. pasis to one of his shyppes, drawynge his cote armure with his teethe after hym, that his enemies shulde not at∣teyne it, and also that it moughte somwhat defende hym from theyr arowes: And that more meruayle was, holdynge in his hande aboue the water, certayne letters, which a littel before he had receyued from the Senate.

¶ Before hym Sertoryus (who of the spanyardes was named the seconde Anni∣ball for his prowesse) in the battaylle that

Scipio faught agayne the Cimbres, which muaded Fraunce, when by negligence of his people, his enemyes preuailed, and put his hoste to the warse, he beinge sore woū∣ded, and his horse beinge lost, armed as he was in a gesseron, holdynge in his handes a tergate, and his sworde, lept into the ri∣uer of Rone, whiche is wonderfull swyft, and swymmynge agayne the streme, came to his company, not without greatte won∣drynge of all his enemies, which stode and behelde hym.

¶ The great kynge Alexander lamented, that he had not wel lerned to swimme. For in Indee whan he wente againste the puis∣saunt kynge Porus, he was constrained, in folowynge his enterprise, to conueye his hoste ouer a ryuer of wonderful greatnes: than caused he his horse men to gage the water, wherby he firste perceyued, that it came to the brestes of the horses, and in the myddle of the streme, the horsis wente in water to the necke, wherwith the fotemen beinge aferde, durst not aduenture to passe ouer the ryuer. Alexaunder perceyuynge that, with a dolorous maner in this wise la∣mented, O howe mooste vnhappy am I of all other, that haue not or this tyme lerned to swymme? And therwith he pulled a ter∣gate from one of his soudiours, and casting

it in to the water, standynge on it, with his spere cōueyed hym selfe with the streme, & gouernynge the tergate wysely, broughte hym selfe vnto the other syde of the water. wherof his people beinge abasshed, some assayed to swymme, some holdynge faste by the horses, other by speares, & other lyke weapons, many vpon fardels and trusses, gate ouer the ryuer: in so moch as nothing was perished saue a litell baggage, and of that no great quantitie loste.

¶ What vtilitie was shewed to be in swym∣mynge at the fyrst warres, which the Ro∣maynes had agaynst the Carthaginensys? It happened a batayle to be on the see be∣twene them, where they of Carthage, be∣inge vainquished, wolde haue set vp theyr sayles to haue fled, but that perceyuyng di∣uers yong Romaynes, threwe them selfes in to the see, and swymmyng vnto the ship∣pes, enforced theyr ennemies to stryke on lande, and there assaulted them so asprely, that the capitaine of the Romaynes, called Luctatius, mought easily take them.

¶ Nowe to beholde, what excellent com∣moditie is in the feate of swymmynge, sens no kynge, be he neuer so puissaunte or per∣fecte in the experience of warres, maye as∣sure hym selfe from the necessities, whiche fortune soweth among men that be mortal,

And sens on the helth and saulfegarde of a noble capitaine, often tymes dependeth the weale of a realme, nothing shulde be kepte from his knowlege, wherby his personne maye be in euery ieoperdie preserued.

¶ Amonge these exercises, it shall be con∣uenyente, to lerne to handle sondry way∣pōs, specyally the sword & the bataile axe: which be for a noble man most conuenient.

¶ But the most honorable exercise in mine opynion, and that besemeth the astate of e∣uery noble personne, is to ryde surely and cleane, on a great horse and a roughe, whi∣che vndoubtedly not only importeth a ma∣iestie and drede to inferiour persones, be∣holdyng hym aboue the common course of other men, daūting a fierce and cruel beast, but also is no lyttell socour, as well in pur∣suete of ennemyes and confoundyng them, as in escapynge imminente daunger, whan wysedome therto exhorteth. Also a strong and hardy horse doth some tyme more do∣mage vnder his mayster, than he with all his weapon: and also setteth forwarde the stroke, and causeth it to lyghte with more vyolence.

¶ Bucephall, the horse of greatte kynge Alexander, who suffred none on his backe saulfe onely his mayster, at the battayle of Thebes beinge sore wounded, wolde not

suffre the kynge to departe from hym to a nother horse, but persystynge in his fury∣ouse courage, wonderfully continued out the batayle, with his fete and tethe beating downe and destroyenge many ennemyes: and many sēblable maruailes of his strēgth he shewed. Wherfore Alexander, after the horse was slayne, made in remembrance of hym a citie in the countreye of India, and called it Bucephal, in perpetuall memorie of so worthy a horse, which in his lyfe had so well serued hym.

¶ What wonderful enterprises dyd Iulius Cesar achieue by the helpe of his horse? whiche not onely dyd excell al other horsis in fiercenesse and swyste rennyng, but also was in some partes discrepante in fygure from other horses, hauyng his fore houes like to the fete of a man. And in that figure Plinius writeth, that he sawe hym kerued before the temple of Uenus.

¶ Other remembrance there is of dyuers horses, by whose monstruous power, men did exploite incredible affaires: but by cause the reporte of them conteynethe thynges impossyble, and is not writen by any appro∣ued auctour, I wyll not in this place re∣herce them. Sauynge that it is yet suppo∣sed, that the castell of Arundell in Sussex, was made by one Beauuize, erle of South

hamton, for a monument of his horse called Arundell, whiche in farre countreyes had saued his mayster from many peryls.

¶ Nowe consyderynge the vtilitie in ry∣dynge great horses, it shal be necessary (as I haue sayde) that a gentylman do lerne to ryde a great and fierce horse whyles he is tender, and the braunes and sinewes of his thighes not fully consolidate.

¶ There is also a ryghte good exercyse, whiche is also expedient to lerne, which is named the vauntynge of a horse: that is to leape on hym at euery side without styrope or other helpe, specially whyles the horse is goinge. And beinge therin expert, than armed at all poyntes to assaye the same, the commoditie wherof is so manifeste, that I nede no further to declare it.

The auncient hyuntynge of Greckes and Romaynes. Cha. xviii.

BUt nowe wyll I procede to write of exercises, whiche be not vtterly re∣proued of noble auctours, if they be vsed with oportunitie & in measure, I mene huntynge, haukynge, and daunsing. In hū∣tynge maye be an imitation of batayle, if it be suche as was vsed among them of Per∣sia: wherof Xenophon, the noble and most

eloquent philosopher, maketh a delectable mention, in his boke, called the doctrine of Cirus: and also maketh a nother specyall booke, conteynynge the hole disciplyne of the auncient huntynge of the Grekes, and in that fourme beynge vsed, it is a laudable exercyse, of the whiche I wyll nowe some what write.

¶ Cirus, and other auncyente kynges of Persia (as Xenophon wryteth) vsed this maner in all theyr huntynge. Fyrste, where as it semeth, there was in the realme of Persia but one Citie, whiche as I suppose, was called Persepolis, there were the chil¦dren of the Persians, from theyr infancye, vnto the aege of seuentene yeres, broughte vp in the lerning of iustice and temperance, and also to obserue continēce in meate and drynke: in so moche, that whyther so euer they wente, they toke with them for theyr sustenaunce, but onely breade and herbes, called Cressis, in latine Nasturtium: and for theyr drynke, a dyshe to take water out of the ryuers as they passed. Also they ler∣ned to shote, and to caste the darte or iaue∣lyn. Whan they came to the aege of .xvii. yeres, they were lodged in the palayses, that were there ordeyned for the kyng and his nobles, whiche was as wel for the saue garde of the citie, as for the example of tē∣peraunce,

that they dayly had at theyr eies gyuen to them by the nobles: whiche also mought be called Peeres, by the significa∣tion of the greeke word, wherin they were called Omotimi. More ouer, they were ac∣customed to ryse alwaye in the fyrst spring of the daye, and pacyentely to susteyne al∣waye bothe cold and heate: And the kyng dydde se them exercised in goinge and also in rennynge. And whan he intended, in his owne personne, to hunte, which he dydde commenly euery moneth, he toke with him the one halfe of the company of yonge mē, that were in the palayses. Than toke eue∣ry man with hym his bowe and quiuer with arowes, his sworde or hache of steele, a li∣tel tergate, and two dartes. The bowe and arowes serued to pursue beastes that were swyft: and the dartes, to assayle them and all other beastes. And whan theyr courage was chaufed, or that by fiersenesse of the beast they were in daunger, than force con∣strayned them to strike with the sworde, or hache, and to haue good eye at the violent assaulte of the beaste, and to defende them if nede were, with theyr tergates, wherin they accounted to be the trewest and moste certayn meditation of warres. And to this huntynge the kynge didde conducte them, and he hym selfe fyrst hunted suche beastes

as he hapned to encounter. And whan he had taken his pleasure, he than with moste dilygence didde set other forwarde, behol∣dynge who hunted valyauntly, and refour∣mynge them, whom he sawe negligente or slouthfull. But er they wente forth to this huntynge, they dyned competentely: and duryng theyr huntyng they dined no more. For if by any occasyon theyr hyntinge con∣tinued aboue one daye, they toke the saide dyner for theyr supper: and the next daye, if they kylled no game, they hunted vntyll supper tyme: accountynge those two daies but for one. And if they toke any thynge, they eate it at theyr supper with ioye and pleasure. If nothynge were kylled, they eate only bread and cressis, as I before re∣hersed, and dranke therto water. And if a∣ny man wyll dispreyse this diete, lette hym thinke what pleasure there is in breade, to hym that is hungry: and what dylectation is in drinkynge water to hym that is thur∣sty. Surely this maner of huntyng may be called a necessary solace and pastyme, for therin is the very imitation of battaile. For not onelye it doth shewe the courage and strengthe, as well of the horse as of hym that rydeth, trauersynge ouer mountaines and valeys, encountrynge and ouerthro∣wyng great and myghty beastes: but also it

increaseth in them both agilitie and quick∣nesse, also sleyght and policie to fynde such passages and straites, where they may pre∣uent or intrap theyr enemies. Also by con∣tinuaunce therin, they shall easyly susteyne trauayle in warres, hunger & thurst, colde and heate. Hytherto be the wordes of Xe∣nophon, although I haue not sette them in lyke order as he wrate them.

¶ The chiefe huntynge of the valyaunte Grekes was at the lyon, the libarde, the ti∣gre, the wylde swyne, and the beare, and sometime the wolfe, and the harte. These∣us, which was companion to Hercules, at∣teyned the greatest parte of his renoume, for fightynge with the greate bore, whiche the Grekes called Phera, that wasted and consumed the fieldes of a great countrey.

¶ Meleager likewise for sleinge the great bore in Calidonia, whiche in greatnes and fiercenes, excelled al other bores: and had slayne many noble and valyaunt persones.

¶ The great Alexander, in tymes vacante from bataile, delited in that maner hunting. On a tyme he faughte alone with a lyon, wonderfull great and fierce, being present amonge other straungers, the ambassadour of Lacedemonia. And after longe trauaile, with incredible myght, he ouerthrewe the lyon, and slewe hym, wherat the sayde am∣bassadour,

wondrynge maruaylously, sayd to the kynge, I wold to god (noble prince) ye shulde fighte with a lyon for some great empire. By whiche wordes it semed, that he nothynge approued the valiauntnes of a prince by fighting with a wild beast, wher∣in moch more was aduentured, thā mought be by the victorie goten.

¶ All be it Pompei, Sertorius, and diuers other noble Romaynes, whan they were in Numidia, Libia, and such other countreys, whiche nowe be called Barbary and Mo∣risco, in the vacaty on season from warres, they hunted lions, liberdes, and such other beastes, fierce and sauage, to thentēt ther∣by to exercise them selfes and theyr souldi∣ours. But al mgihty god be thāked, in this realme be no suche cruel beastis to be pur∣sued. Not withstandyng, in the huntyng of redde dere and falowe, mought be a great parte of semblable exercise, vsed by noble men, specially in forestis, whiche be spaci∣ouse: if they wolde vse but a fewe nombre of houndes, onely to harborowe or rouse the game, by theyr yornyng to giue know∣lege, whiche waye it fleeth, the remenaunt of the disporte to be in pursuing with iaue∣lins and other waipons, in maner of warre. And to them, whiche in this huntynge doo shewe moste prowesse and actiuitie, a gar∣lande,

or some other lyke token, to be gy∣uen in sygne of victory, and with a ioyfull maner to be brought in the presence of him that is chiefe in the companye, there to re∣ceyue condygne prayse for theyr good en∣deuour.

¶ I dyspraise not the huntynge of the foxe with rennynge houndes, but it is not to be compared to the other huntyng in commo∣ditie of exercise. Therfore it wolde be vsed in the depe wynter, whan the other game is vnseasonable.

¶ Hunting of the hare with grehoundes, is a ryght good solace for men that be stu∣dyouse, or them to whom nature hath not gyuen personage, or courage apte for the warres. And also for gentylwomen, which feare neyther sonne nor wynde for appay∣ringe theyr beautie. And perauenture they shall be there at, lasse idell, than they shulde be at home in theyr chambres.

¶ Kylling of dere with bowes or greyhoū¦des, serueth well for the pot (as is the cō∣mune saying) and therfore it must of neces∣sitie be some tyme vsed. But it conteynethe therin no commendable solace or exercise, in comparison to the other fourme of hun∣tinge, if it be diligently perceyued.

¶ As for haukynge, I can finde no notable remembrance, that it was vsed of auncient

tyme amonge noble pryncis. I call auncy∣ente tyme, before a thousand yeres passed, sens whiche tyme, vertue and noblenesse hath rather decayed than increased. Nor I coulde neuer knowe, who founde fyrst that dysporte.

¶ Plinius maketh menciō in his .viii. boke of the hystorye of nature, that in the par∣tes of Grece, called Thracia, menne and haukes, as it were by a confederacie, toke byrdes to gether in this wyse. The menne sprange the byrdes out of the busihes, and the haukes sorynge ouer them, beate them downe, soo that the men moughte easyly take them. And than dyd the men departe equally the praye with the faukons, which beynge well serued, eftsoones and of a cu∣stome repayred to suche places, where be∣inge a lofte, they perceyued men to that purpose assembled.

¶ By whiche rehersal of Plinius, we may coniecte, that from Thratia came this dis∣porte of haukynge. And I doubt not, but many other as well as I, haue sene a sem∣blable experience of wilde hobies, whiche in some countreys., that be champaine, will sore and lie a lofte, houeringe ouer larkes and quayles, and kepe them downe on the ground, whiles they, which awayte on the

praye, do take them. But in what wyse, or where so euer the beginninge of haukynge was, surely it is a ryghte delectable solace, thoughe therof commeth not so moch vti∣litie (concernynge exercise) as there doth of huntynge. But I wolde oure faukons moughte be satisfied with the dyuysion of their pray, as the faukons of Tracia were, that they nedeed not to deuour the hennes of this realme, in suche nombre, that vnles it be shortely considered, and that faukons be broughte to a more homely dyete, it is ryght lykely, that within a shorte space of yeres, our familiar pultrie shalbe as scarce, as be nowe partriche and fesaunt. I speake not this in disprayse of the faukons, but of them whiche kepeth them lyke cokneyes. The meane gentyl men and honeste house∣holders, whiche care for the gentyl enter∣teinement of their frendes, do find in their dyshe, that I saye trouthe, and noble men shal ryght shortly espie it, whan they come sodeinly to theyr frendes house, vnpuruei∣ed for lacke of longe warnynge.

¶ But now to returne to my purpose. Un∣doubtedly haukynge, measurably vsed and for a passetyme, gyueth to a man good ap∣petite to his supper. And at the least waye withdraweth hym from other daliaunce or disportes dishonest, and to body and soule

perchaunce pernicious.

¶ Nowe I purpose to declare some thing, concernynge daunsynge, wherin is merite of prayse and dysprayse, as I shall expresse it in suche fourme, as I trust the reder shal fynde therin a rare and synguler pleasure, with also good lernynge in thinges not yet communely knowen in our vulgare. Which if it be red of hym, that hath good oppor∣tunitie and quyete sylence, I doubte not, but he shall take therby suche commoditie, as he loked not to haue founden in that ex∣ercise, whiche of the more parte of sad men is so lyttell estemed.

That all daunsynge is not to be re∣proued. Capitulo. xix.

I Am not of that opinion, that all daunsing generally is repugnaunt vnto vertue, all thoughe some persones excellently ler∣ned, specially diuines, so do affirme it: whi∣che alwaye haue in theyr mouthes (whan they come into the pulpette) the sayinge of the noble doctour, sainct Augustine, That better it were, to delue or to go to ploughe on the sondaye, thanne to daunce. Whiche moughte be spoken of that kynde of daun∣synge, which was vsed in the tyme of sainct Augustine, whan euery thing with the em∣pire

of Rome, declined from their perfec∣tion, and the olde maner of dansynge was forgoten, & none remayned, but that which was lasciuious, and corrupted the myndes of them that daunsed, and prouoked synne, as semblably some do at this daye. Also at that tyme idolatry was nat clerely extinct, but diuers fragmentes therof remayned in euery region. And perchance solemne daū¦ses, whiche were celebrate vnto the pay∣nims false goddis, were yet continued, for asmoch as the pure religion of Christ was nat in al places consolidate, and the pastors and curates dyd winke at suche recreatiōs, fearynge, if they shulde hastily haue reme∣ued it, & induced sodaynly the seueritie of goddis lawes, they shulde styre the peo∣ple therby to a generall sedition, to the im∣minent daunger and subuertion of Christis hole religion, late sowen among them, and nat yet sufficiently rooted. But the wyse & discrete doctour saynte Augustine, vsynge the art of an oratour, wherin he was right excellent, omytting all rigorous menace or terrour, dissuaded theym by the moste ea∣siest way, from that maner ceremony, belō∣gyng to idolatrie, preferryng before it bo∣dyly occupation, therby aggrauatynge the offence to god, that was in that ceremony, sens occupation, whiche is necessarye for

mans sustinaunce, and in due tymes vertu∣ous, is nat withstandynge prohibited to be vsed on the sondayes. And yet in these wor¦des of this noble doctour, is not so gene∣rall disprayse to all daunsynge as some men do suppose. And that for two causes. Fyrst in his comparison, he preferreth nat before daunsynge, or ioyneth therto any vycious exercyse, but annecteth it with tyllyng and diggynge of the erthe, whiche be labours incident to mans lyuyng, and in them is cō∣teyned nothynge that is vycyous. Where∣fore the preemynence therof aboue daun∣synge, qualifyeng the offence, they beinge done out of due tyme, that is to saye, in an holy daye, concludeth nat daunsynge to be at all tymes and in euery maner vnlaufull or vicious, consyderynge, that in certayn ca∣ses of exstreme necessytie, menne mought bothe ploughe and delue without doing to god any offence. Also it shall seme to them, that seriously do examyne the said wordes, that therein, Sayncte Augustine dothe nat prohybyte daunsynge so generally, as it is taken, but onely suche daunses, whiche (as I late sayde) were superstytious, and con∣teyned in theym a spyce of ydolatrie, or el∣les dydde with vncleane motions or coun∣tynances irritate the myndes of the daun∣cers to venereall lustes. Wherby fornicatiō

and auoutry were dayly increased. Also in those daūces were enterlased dities of wan ton loue or rybaudry, with frequente re∣membraūce of the most vile idolles, Uenus & Baccus, as it were that the daunce were to their honour and memory, whiche moste of all abhorred from Christis religion, sa∣uering the auncient errour or paganisme.

¶ I wold to god those names were not at this day, vsed in balades and ditties, in the courtes of pryncys and noble men, where many good wittes be corrupted with sem∣blable fantasies, whiche in better wyse em∣ployed, moughte haue bene more necessa∣ry to the publyke weale, and theyr princes honour. But nowe wyll I leaue this sery∣ouse matter to diuines, to perswade or dys∣suade herein, accordynge to theyr offyces. And sens in myne opinion sayncte Augu∣stine, that blessed clerke, reproueth not so generally all daunsynge, but that I maye laufully reherse some kynde therof, which maye be necessary, and also commendable, takynge it for an exercise: I shal nowe pro∣cede to speake of the fyrst beginnyng ther∣of, and in how great estimation it was had in dyuers regions.

Of the fyrst beginning of daunsinge, and the olde estimation therof. Cap. xx.

THere be sendry opinions of the ory∣ginall beginninge of daunsynge. The poetes do faine, that whan Saturne, whiche deuoured dyuers his children, and semblably wolde haue done with Iupiter, Bhea the mother of Iupiter, deuised, that Curetes (whiche were mē of armes in that countrey) shuld daunse in armour, playing with theyr swordes and sheldes, in suche fourme, as by that newe and pleasaunt de∣uise they shulde assuage the melancolye of Saturne, and in the meane tyme, Iupyter was cōueyed into Phrigia, where Saturne also pursuyng hym, Bhea semblably taught the peple there, called Coribantes, to cāce in a nother fourme: where with Saturne was eftsones demulced and appaised. Whi∣che fable hath a resemblaunce to the histo∣ry of the bible, in the fyrste boke of kinges, where it is remēbred, that Saul, whō god chase from a keper of asses, to be kynge of iewes (who in stature excelled, and was a∣boue all other men by the heed) declinyng from the lawes and preceptes of god, was possessed of an iuell spirite, which often ti∣mes turmented and vexed hym: and other remedye founde he none, but that Dauid, whiche after hym was kynge, being at that tyme a propre childe, and playinge swetely on a harpe, with his pleasaunt and perfect

harmonie, reduced his mynde into his pri∣stinate estate: and durynge the tyme that he played, the spirite cessed to vexe hym: whiche I suppose hapned nat onely of the efficacie of musyke (albeit therin is moche power, as well in repressynge as excytinge naturall affectes) but also of the vertue in∣generate in the chylde Dauyd, that playd, whom god also had p̄destinate to be a great kyng, and a great prophete. And for the so¦uerayn gyftes of grace and of nature, that he was endowed with, all myghty god said of him, that he had founde a man after his harte and pleasure. But nowe to retourne to speake of daunsynge.

¶ Some interpretours of poetes do ima∣gin, that Proteus, who is supposed to haue turned him self into sondry figures, as som tyme to shew hym selfe like a serpent, some tyme lyke a lyon, otherwhyles lyke water, an other tyme like the flame of fyre, signifi∣eth to be none other, but a delyuer & crafty daunser, whiche in his daunse coulde ima∣gyne the inflexions of the serpent, the soft and delectable flowynge of the water, the swiftnes and mountynge of the fyre, the fierse rage of the lyon, the violence & furye of the lybarde. Whiche exposition is nat to be dispraised, sins it discordeth nat from re∣son. But one opinyon there is, whiche I

wylle reherse, more for the merye fantasy, that therin is cōteined, than for any faythe or credite that is to be gyuen therto.

¶ Ouer Syracusis (a greate and auncient citie in Sicile) there raigned a cruel tyrant called GELO, which by horryble tyrannies and oppressions, brought hym selfe into the hatrede of all his people, whyche he per∣ceyuynge, leste by mutuall communication, they shulde conspyre agaynst hym any re∣bellyon, he prohibited all men vnder terri∣ble menaces, that no man or woman shulde speake vnto an nother, but in stede of wor∣des, they shoulde vse in their necessary af∣fayres, countenaunces, tokens, and mo∣uynges, with theyr fete, handes, and eien, whiche for necessitie fyrste vsed, at the laste grewe to a perfecte and delectable daun∣synge. And GELO, nat withstandynge his folyshe curiosite, at the laste was slayne of his people moste myserably. But although this hystorie were true, yet was nat daun∣synge at this tyme fyrst begon: for Orphe∣us and Museus, the moste auncient of po∣etes, and also Homere, whiche were longe afore GELO, do make mention of daūsing. And in DELVS, whiche was the moste an∣cient temple of Apollo, no solemnitie was done without daunsynge.

¶ Also in Indie, where the people hono∣reth

the sonne, they assemble togyther, and whanne the sonne fyrste appereth, ioyned all in a daunce, they salute hym, supposinge that for as moche as he mouethe without sensible noyse, it pleaseth him best to be like wyse saluted, that is to say with a pleasante motion and silence.

¶ The interpretours of Plato do thinke, that the wonderful and incōprehensible or∣dre of che celestiall bodies, I meane ster∣res and planettes, and theyr motions har∣monicall, gaue to them, that intentifly, and by the depe serche of reason beholde their coursys, in the sondry dyuersities of nom∣bre and tyme, a fourme of imitation of a sē∣blable motion: whiche they called daun∣synge. Wherfore the more nere they ap∣proched to that temperaunce, and subtyle modulation, of the sayd superiour bodyes, the more perfect and commēdable is theyr daunsynge: whiche is mooste lyke to the trouthe of any opinion that I haue hither∣to founden.

¶ Other fables there be, which I omytte for this presente tyme: And nowe I wyll expresse, in what estymation daunsyng was hadde in the aunciente tyme, and also son∣dry fourmes of daunsynge, not all; but such as hadde in them a semblaunce of vertue or kunnynge.

¶ Whan the arke of god (wherin was put the tables of the commaundementes, the yerde, wherwith Moises deuided the red see, and did the miracles in the presence of Pharao, kynge of Egipte: also a parte of manna, wherwith the chyldren of Israel were fedde fourty yeres in desert) was re∣couered of the Philisties, and brought vn∣to the citie of Gaba, the holy kyng Dauid, wearynge on hym a linen surplesse, daun∣sed before the sayd arke, folowynge hym a gret nombre of instrumētis of musike: wher at his wyfe Micol, the daughter of kynge Saul, disdayned and scorned hym, wher∣with (as holy scripture saythe) all myghty god was moche displeased. And Dauid not cessinge, daunsed ioyousely through the ci∣tie, in that maner honourynge that solemne feaste, whiche amonge the iewes was one of the chiefe and principall, wherwith god was more pleased, than with all the other obseruances that then were done vnto hym at that time.

¶ I wyll not trouble the reders with the innumerable ceremonyes of the gentyles, which were comprehended in daunsinges, sens they oughte to be noumbred amonge superstytions. But I wyll declare, howe wyse menne and valiaunte capitaynes im∣braced daunsyng for a soueraygne and pro∣fytable

exercise.

¶ Licurgus, that gaue firste lawes to the Lacedemones (a people in grece) ordey∣ned that the children there shuld be taught as diligētly to daūse in armure, as to fight. And that in tyme of warres, they shoulde meue them in bataile againe their enemies, in fourme and maner of daunsynge.

¶ Semblably the old inhabitātes of Ethi∣opia, at the ioynyng of theyr batayles, and whan the trumpettes and other instrumen∣tes soune, they daūce: and in stede of a qui∣uer, they haue theyr dartes set about theyr heades, lyke to rayes or beames of the sonne, wherwith they beleue that they put theyr enemies in feare.

¶ Also it was not lefull for any of them, to caste any darte at his enemie but daunsyng. And not onely this rude people estemed so moche daunsynge, but also the moste noble of the grekes, whiche for theyr excellencie in prowesse and wisedome, were called half goddis, as Achilles, and his sonne Pir∣rhus, and diuers other. Wherfore Homere, among the highe benefites that god giueth to man, reciteth daunsynge. For he saythe in the fyrste boke of Iliados,

God graunteth to some man prowesse martiall To a nother daunsinge, with song harmonical.

¶ Suppose ye, that the Romaynes, which

in grauitie of maners passed the Greekes, had not gret pleasure in daunsing? Did not Romulus, the fyrst kyng of Romaines, and builder of the citie of Rome, ordeyne cer∣tain priestes & ministers to the god Mars. whom he aduaunted to be his father? whi∣che prestes, for as moch as certayne times they daūsed about the citie with tergates, that they imagined to fal from heuen, were called in latine Salij, whiche in to englyshe may be translated daūsers: who cōtinued so long time in reuerēce amōg the Romayns, that vnto the tyme that they were christ∣ned, the noble men & princis childrē there, vsing moch diligence and suite, coueyted to be of the college of the sayde daunsers

¶ More ouer, the emperours, that were most noble, delited in daunsyng, perceiuing therin to be a perfecte measure, which may be called modulation: wherin some daun∣sers of olde tyme so wonderfully excelled, that they wolde playnely expresse in daun∣synge, without any wordes, or dyttie, hi∣stories, with the hole circumstaunce of af∣faires in them conteyned: wherof I shal re¦herse two maruailouse experiences.

¶ At Rome, in the tyme of Nero, there was a philosopher called Demetrius, whi∣che was of that secte, that for as moche as they abandoned all shame fastenes in theyr

wordes and actes, they were called Cinici in englishe doggyshe. This Demetrius of∣ten reprouinge daunsynge, wolde saye, that there was nothynge therin of any impor∣taunce, and that it was none other, but a counterfaytyng with the feete and handes, of the armonye that was shewed before in the rebecke, shalme, and other instrument, and that the motyons were but vayne and seperate from all vnderstandyng, and of no purpose or efficacie. Wherof herynge a fa∣mouse daunser, and one as it semed, that was not without good lernynge, and had in remembraunce many histories, he came to Demetrius, and sayde vnto hym, Syre I humbly desire you, refuse not to do me that honestie with your presence, in beholdyng me daunce, whiche ye shall se me do with∣out soune of any instrument. And than if it shall seme to you worthy disprayse, vtterly banyshe and confounde my science. Wher∣vnto Demetrius graunted. The yong man daūsed the aduoutry of Mars and Uenus, and therin expressed howe Uulcane, hous∣bande to Uenus, therof beinge aduertysed by the sonne, layde snares for his wyfe and Mars: also howe they were wounden and tyed in Uulcanes nette: more ouer, howe al the goddes came to the spectable: finally howe Uenus all ashamed and blusshynge,

fearefully desyred her louer Mars to deli∣uer her from that peril, and the residue cō∣teyned in the fable: whiche he dyd with so subtile & crafty gesture, with suche a playne declaration of euery acte in the mater (whi¦che of all thynge is mooste dyfficyle) with suche a grace and beautie, also with a wytte so wonderfull and pleasaunte, that Deme∣trius, as it semed, therat reioysyng and de∣lytynge, cried with a loude voyce, O man I do not onely se, but also here what thou doest: And it semeth also to me, that with thy handes thou spekeste. Whiche sayinge was confirmed by al them that were at that tyme present.

¶ The same yonge man songe and daun∣sed on a tyme before the emperour Nero, whan there was also presente a straunge kynge, whiche vnderstode none other lan∣gage but of his owne countreye: yet not∣withstandynge, the man daunsed so aptely and playnely, as his custome was, that the straunge kynge, all thoughe he perceyued not what he sayde, vnderstode euery deale of the matter. And whan he hadde taken his leaue of the emperour to departe, the emperour offered to gyue hym any thynge that he thoughte moughte be to his com∣moditie. Ye maye (sayde the kynge) boun∣teouselye rewarde me, if ye lende me the

yonge man that daunsed before your maie∣stie. Nero wondring, and requiring of him, why he so importunately desyred the daū∣ser, or what cōmoditie the daunser mought be vnto hym. Syr, sadie the kynge, I haue dyuers confins and neyghbours, that be of sondry langages and maners, wherfore I haue often tymes nede of many interpre∣tours. Wherfore if I hadde this man with me, and shulde haue any thynge to do with my neyghbours, he wolde so with his faciō and gesture expresse euery thing to me, and teche them to do the same, that from hens∣forth I shulde not haue nede of any inter∣pretour.

¶ Also the auncient philosophers commen¦ded daunsynge: in so moche, as Socrates, the wysest of al the grekes in his tyme, and from whom all the sectes of philosophers, as from a fountaine were deriuied, was not ashamed to account daunsynge amonge the seriouse disciplines, for the commendable beautie, for the apte and proportionate me∣uynge, and for the crafty disposition and fa∣cionynge of the body.

¶ It is to be cōsidered, that in the sayd an∣ciente tyme, there were dyuers maners of daunsyng, which varied in the names, lyke wyse as they dydde in tunes of the instru∣mente, as semblably, we haue at this daye.

But those names, some were general, some were speciall: the general names were gi∣uen of the vniuersall fourme of daunsynge, wherby was represented the qualyties or conditions of sondry astates: as the maie∣stie of princis was shewed in that daunse whiche was named Eumelia, and belōged to tragedies: dissolute motiōs, and want on countenaunces, in that whiche was called Cordax, and pertained to comedies: wher∣in men of base hauiour onely daunsed. Also the fourme of battayle and fyghting in ar∣mure, was expressed in those daunses, whi∣che were called Enopliae. Also there was a kynde of daunsynge called Hormus of all the other moste lyke to that, whyche is at this tyme vsed, wherin daunsed yonge men and maydens: the manne expressyng in his motion and countenance strength and cou∣rage, apte for the warres: the mayden mo∣deration and shamefastnes, whiche repre∣sented a pleasant coniunction of fortitude and temperance.

¶ In stede of these we haue now base daū∣ses, bargenettes, pauyons, turgions, and roundes. And as for the specialle names, they were taken as they be nowe, either of the names of the fyrste inuentours: or of the measure and noumbre that they do cō∣teyne: or of the fyrste wordes of the ditie,

whiche the songe comprehendeth, wherof the daunse was made. In euery of the sayd daunses, there was a cōcinnitie of meuing the foote and body, expressyng some plea∣sant or profitable affectes or motions of the mynde.

¶ Here a man maye beholde, what crafte was in thauncient tyme in daunsynge, whi∣che at this day no man can imagine or con∣iecte. But yf men wolde nowe applye the fyrste parte of their youthe, that is to saye from seuen yeres to twentie, effectually in the scyences liberall, and knowlege of hy∣storyes, they shoulde reuiue the aunciente fourme as welle of daunsynge, as of other exercises. Wherof they moughte take nat only plesure, but also profit and cōmoditie.

¶ Wherfore in the good order of daunsing a man and a woman daunseth togyther. Cap. xxi.

IT is diligently to be noted, that the cō∣panye of man and woman in daunsynge, they bothe obseruynge one nombre and tyme in their meuynges, was nat begonne without a speciall consyderation, as welle for the necessarie coniunction of those two persons, as for the intimation of sondry v∣tues: whiche be by them represented.

¶ And for as moche as by the ioynyng of a man and a woman in daunsynge may be si∣gnified matrimonye, I coulde in declaryng the dignitie and commoditie of that sacra∣ment, make intiere volumes, if it were nat so cōmunely knowen to all men, that almost euery frere limit our carieth it writen in his bosome. Wherfore leste in repeting a thing so frequent and commune, my boke shulde be as fastidious or fulsome to the reders, as suche marchaunt preachers be nowe to their customers, I wylle reuerentely take my leaue of diuines. And for my parte, I wyll endeuour my selfe, to assemble oute of the bookes of auncient poetes, and philo∣phers, matter as well apte to my purpose, as also newe, or at the leste wyse infrequēt or seldome harde of theym, that haue nat radde very many autours in greke & latine.

¶ But now to my purpose. In euery daūse of a moste auncient custome, there daūseth to gyther a man and a woman, holdyng ech other by the hande or the arme, whych be∣tokeneth concorde. Nowe it behoueth the daunsers, and also the beholders of them, to knowe al qualities incident to a man, and also all qualities to a woman lykewise ap∣pertaynynge.

¶ A man in his natural perfection is fiers, hardye, stronge in opynyon, coueytous of

glory, desirous of knowlege, appetiting by generation to brynge forthe his semblable. The good nature of a womā is to be myld, timerous, tractable, benigne, of sure remē∣brāce, & shamfast. Diuers other qualites of eche of them mought be foūd out, but these be most apparant, and for this time sufficiēt.

¶ Wherfore whan we beholde a man and a woman daunsing to gether, let vs suppose there to be a concorde of al the sayd quali∣ties, beinge ioyned togyther, as I haue set them in order. And the meuynge of the mā wold be more vehemēt, of the woman more delycate, and with lesse aduansynge of the body, signifienge the courage and strength that ought to be in a mā, & the plesant sobre¦nesse that shuld be in a woman. And in this wsse Fiersenes, ioyned with Myldenesse, ma∣kethe Seueritie: Hardynesse with Timerosi∣tie, maketh Magnanimitie, that is to say, va∣liant courage: wilful opinion and Tractabi∣litie, (which is to be shortly perswaded and meued) makith Cōstance, a vertue: Couetise of glorie, adourned with benignitie, causith honour: Desire of knowlege, with sure re∣membrance, procureth Sapience: Shamfast∣nes ioyned to appetite of generatiō, maketh Continence: which is a meane betwene Cha¦stitie and inordinate lust. These qualities, in this wise being knyt togither, and signified

in the personages of man and woman daū∣singe, do expresse or sette out the figure of very nobilitie: whiche in the higher astate it is contained, the more excellente is the vertue in estimation.

¶ Howe daunsing may be an introduction vnto the fyrste morall vertue called prudence. Cap. xxii.

AS I haue all redy affirmed, the prin∣cipall cause of this my lyttell enter∣pryse, is to declare an induction or meane, howe children of gentyll nature or disposition may be trayned into the way of vertue with a pleasant facilitie: And for as moch as it is very expedient, that there be myxte with studye some honest & moderate disport, or at the lest way recreation, to re∣cōfort and quicken the vitall spirites, leste they longe trauaylynge or being moch oc∣cupied in contemplation or remembrāce of thinges graue and serious, moughte hap∣pen to be fatigate, or perchance oppressed. And therfore Tulli, who vneth found euer any tyme vacaunt from studye, permytteth in his fyrste boke of offyces, that men may vse playe and disport: yet nat withstanding in suche wise as they do vse slepe and other maner of quyete, whanne they haue suffi∣ciētly

disposed ernest matters & of weigh∣ty importaunce.

¶ Nowe bycause there is no passe tyme to be cōpared to that, wherin may be founden both recreation and meditation of vertue: I haue among all honest pastymes, wher∣in is exercise of the body, noted daunsyng to be of an excellent vtilitie comprehēding in it wonderfull fygures (whiche the gre∣kes do call Idea, of vertues and noble qua∣lities, and specially of the cōmodious ver∣tue called prudence, whom Tulli defyneth to be the knowlege of thīges, which ought to be desyred & folowed: and also of them, whiche ought to be fled from or eschewed. And it is named of Aristotel the mother of vertues, of other philosophers it is called the capytayne or maystres of vertues, of some the house wyfe, for as moche as by her diligēce she doth inuestigate & prepare places apt and cōuenient, where other ver¦tues shall execute theyr powers or offices. Wherfore as Salomon saith, lyke as in wa∣ter be shewed the vysages of them that be∣holde it, so vnto menne that be prudent, the secretes of mens hartes be openly disco∣uered. This vertue beinge so cōmodious to man, and as it were the porche of the no¦ble palayce of mannes Reason, wherby all other vertues shall entre, it semeth to me

ryght expediēt, that as sone as oportunitie may be founden, a chylde, or yonge man, be therto induced. And bicause that the study of vertue is tedyous for the more parte to them that do flourysshe in yonge yeres, I haue deuised, how in the fourme of daūsing nowe late vsed in this realme amonge gen∣tylmen, the hole description of this vertue prudence may be founden out and wel per∣ceyued, as wel by the daunsers, as by them whyche standynge by, wylle be dylygente beholders and markers, hauynge first myn instructiō surely grauē in the table of their remembrance. wherfore all they that haue their courage stered towarde very honour or perfecte nobilitie, let them approche to this passe tyme, and either them selfes pre∣pare them to daunse, or els at the leste way beholde with watchynge eyen, other that can daunse truely, kepyng iust measure and tyme. But to the vnderstanding of this in∣struction, they must marke well the sondry motions and measures, which in true form of daunsinge is to be specially obserued.

¶ The first meuing in euery daunse is cal∣led honour, which is a reuerent inclinatiō or curtesie, with a lōge deliberatiō or pause, and is but one motion, comprehending the tyme of thre other motions or setting forth of the foote: By that may be signified, that

at the begynning of all our actes, we shulde do due honour to god, whiche is the roote of prudence, whiche honour is compact of these thre thinges, feare, loue, & reuerēce. And that in the begynnynge of al thinges, we shoulde aduysedly, with some tracte of tyme, beholde and foresee the successe of our enterpryse.

¶ By the seconde motion, which is two in nombre, may be signified celerite and slow∣nesse: whiche two, all be it they seme to di∣scorde in their effectes and natural propre∣ties: therfore they maye be welle resem∣bled to the braule in daunsynge (for in our englyshe tonge we say men do braule, whan betwene them is altercation in wordis) yet of them two springeth an excellent vertue, wherevnto we lacke a name in englyshe. Wherfore I am cōstrained to vsurpe a latin worde, callynge it Maturitie, whiche worde though it be strange and darke, yet by de∣claryng the vertue in a few mo wordes, the name ones brought in custome, shall be as easy to vnderstande as other wordes late comen out of Italy and Fraunce, and made denysens amonge vs.

¶ Maturitie is a mean betwene two extre mities, wherin nothynge lacketh or exce∣deth, and is in such astate, that it may ney∣ther encrease nor minysshe without losinge

the denomiation of Maturitie. The gre∣kes in a prouerbe do expresse it proprely in two wordes, whiche I can none otherwise interprete in englysh, but spede the slowly.

¶ Also of this worde Maturitie, sprange a noble and precious sentence, recyted by Salust in the battayle agayn Catiline, whi∣che is in this maner or lyke, Cōsulte before thou enterprise any thynge, and after thou haste taken counsayle, it is expedient to do it maturely.

Maturum in latyn may be interpretid ripe or redy: as fruite whan it is ripe, it is at the very poynt to be gathered and eaten. And euery other thynge, whan it is redye, it is at the instante after to be occupied. Ther∣fore that worde maturitie, is translated to the actes of man, that whan they be doone with suche moderation, that nothing in the doinge may be sene superfluous or indigēt, we may say, that they be maturely doone: reseruyng the wordes rype & redy, to frute and other thiges seperate from affaires, as we haue now in vsage. And this do I now remembre for the necessary augmentation of our langage.

¶ In the excellent & most noble emperour Octauius Augustus, in whome reygned all nobilitie, nothinge is more cōmended, than that he had frequently in his mouthe this

worde Matura, do maturelly. As he shulde haue sayde, do neyther to moche ne to litle, to soone ne to late, to swyftely nor slowely, but in due tyme and measure.

¶ Nowe I trust I haue sufficiently expoū∣ded the vertue called Maturitie, which is the meane or mediocritie betwene slouthe and celeritie, communely called spedinesse: and so haue I declared, what vtilitie maye be taken of a braule in daunsynge.

The thyrde and fourthe braunches of prudence. Capitu. xxiii.

THe thyrde motion, called singles, is of two vnities seperate in pasinge for¦warde: by whom maye be sygnifyed prouidence and industry, whiche after eue∣ry thynge maturely achieued, as is before written, maketh the firste pase forwarde in daunsynge. But it shall be expedient to ex∣pounde, what is the thynge called Prouy∣dence, for as moch as it is not knowen to e∣uery man.

¶ Prouidence is, wherby a man not onely foreseeth commodytie and incommoditye, prosperitie and aduersitie, but also consul∣teth, and there with endeuoureth as well to repell anoyaunce, as to attayne and get profite and aduauntage. And the difference

betwene it and consideration is, that consi∣deration onely consisteth in pondering and examinyng thinges, cōceiued in the mynd: Prouidence in helpynge them with coun∣sayle and acte. wherfore to consyderation pertayneth excogitation and auysement, to prouydence, prouisyon and execution. For lyke as the good husbande, whan he hath sowen his grounde, setteth vp cloughtes or thredes, whiche some call shailes, some blēchars, or other lyke shewes, to feare a∣way byrdes, whiche he foreseeth redye to deuoure and hurte his corne, also percey∣uynge the improfytable weedes appering, which wyll anoy his corne or herbes, forth with wedeth thē clene out of his ground, and wylle nat suffre them to growe or en∣crease. Semblably, it is the parte of a wyse man, to foresee and prouyde, that eyther in suche thinges, as he hath acquired by his study or diligence, or in suche affaires ás he hath in hande, he be nat indomaged or em∣peched by his aduersaries.

¶ In lyke maner a gouernour of a publyke weale ought to {pro}uide as well by menaces, as by sharpe and terrible punysshementes, that persons yuell and vnprofitable, do nat corrupte and deuoure his good subiectes. Fynally there is in prouydence such an ad∣myration and maiestie, that nat onely it is,

attributed to kinges and rulers, but also to god creatour of the worlde.

¶ Industrie hath nat ben so longe tyme v∣sed in the englyshe tonge, as Prouydence: wherfore it is the more strange, and requi∣reth the more plain exposition. It is a qua∣litie, procedyng of wytte and experiēce, by the whiche a man perceyueth quickely, in∣nenteth freshely, and counsayleth spedily: wherfore they that be called Industrious, do most craftely and depely vnderstande in al affayres, what is expedient, and by what meanes & wayes, they may sonest exployte them. And those thinges, in whome other men trauayle, a person industrious lyghtly and with facilitie spedeth, and findeth new wayes and meanes to bryng to effecte that he desyreth.

¶ Amonge dyuers other remēbred in hy∣stories, suche one amonge the grekes was Alcibiades, who beynge in chyldehoode mooste amyable of all other, and of moste subtile wytte, was instructed by Socrates. The saide Alcibiades, by the sharpenes of his wyt, the doctrine of Socrates, and by his owne experience in sondry affaires in the cōmune weale of the Athenienses, be∣came soo industrious, that were it good or yuel that he enterprised, nothing almost es∣caped that he acheued nat, were the thing

neuer so difficyle (or as who sayth) impeni∣trable: and that many sondrye thinges, as well for his countrey, as also again it, after that, he for his inordinate pryde and leche∣ry, was out of Athenes exyled.

¶ Among the Romains, Caius Iulius Ce sar, which firste toke vpon hym the perpe∣tuall rule and gouernaunce of the empire, is a noble exaumple of industrie, for in his incomparable warres, and busynes almost incredible, he dydde nat onely excogitate most excellēt pollycies and deuyses, to vā∣quyshe or subdewe his ennemyes, but also prosecuted them with suche celeritie and effecte, that diuers and many times he was in the campe of his ennemyes, or at the ga tes of their townes, or fortresses, whanne they supposed, that he and his hooste had ben two days iourney from thens, leauing to them no tyme or leysure, to consulte or prepare ageyne hym sufficient resistence.

And ouer that, this qualitie, INDVSTRIE, so reigned in him, that he hym selfe wolde ministre to his secretaries at one tyme and instant, the cōtentes of thre sondry epistles or letters. Also it is a thynge wonderfulle to remembre, that he being a prince of the moste auncient and noble house of the Ro∣maynes, and frome the tyme that he came to mans astate, almoste continually in war∣res,

also of glorie insatiable, of courage in∣uincible: coulde in affaires of suche impor∣taunce and difficultie, or (whiche is moche more to be meruayled at nowe) wolde soo exactly write the hystory of his owne actis and gestes: that for the natiue & inimitable eloquence, in expressing the coūsailes, deui¦ses, conuentiōs, progressions, enterprises, exploitures, fourmes, and sacions of imba∣taylynge, he seemeth to put all other wry∣ters of lyke matters to sylence.

¶ Here is the perfect paterne of industry, which I trust shall suffyce to make the pro∣pre signification therof, to be vnderstād of the reders. And consequentely to incense thē to ap{pro}ch to the true practising therof.

¶ So is the sengles declared in these two qualities, Prouidēce and Industrie, which seriousely noted, and often remēbred of the daunsers and beholders, shall acquire to them no lytel fruite and cōmoditie, if there be in their myndes any good and laudable matter for vertue to warke in.

¶ Of the fifte braunche called circumspe∣ction, shewed in reprinse. Cap. xxiii.

COmmonly next after singles in daū∣sing is a reprinse, whiche is one mo∣uyng only, puttynge backe the right

fote to his felowe: And that may be welle called circūspection, whiche sygnyfieth as moche, as beholdynge on euery part, what is well and sufficiente, what lacketh, howe, and from whens it may be prouided: Also what hath caused profyte or damage in the tyme passed, what is the astate of the time present, what aduauntage or perylle maye succede, or is immynent. And bycause in it is conteyned a delyberation, in hauyng re∣garde to that that foloweth, and is also of affinytie with prouydence and industrie, I make hym in the fourme of a retreate. In this motion a man may, as it were on a moū¦tayne or place of espiall, beholde on eue∣ry syde farre of, measurynge and estemyng euery thyng: and eyther pursewe it, if it be commendable, or eschewe it, yf it be noy∣ful. This qualitie (lyke as prouydence and industre be) is a braunche of Prudence, whiche some call the pryncesse of vertues: and it is nat onely expedient, but also nede∣full to euery astate and degree of men, that do contynue in the lyfe called actiue.

¶ In the Iliados of Homere, the noble duke Nestor, a mā of meruaylous eloquēce and long experience, as he that lyued thre mennes lyues, as he there auanteth, in the counsayle that he gaue to Agamemnon, to reconcile to him Achilles, the most stronge

and valyant man of all the grekes, he per∣suaded Agamemnon specially to be circū∣specte, declarynge, howe that the pryuate contention betwene them, shuld replenishe the hooste of the Grekes with moche do∣lour: wherat kyng Priamus and his chyl∣dren shulde laughe, and the resydue of the Troyanes in their mindes, should reioyce and take courage.

¶ Among the Romayns Quintus Fabius for this qualitie is soueraignely extolled a∣monge historiens: and for that cause he is often times called of them Fabius cūctator, that is to say, the tarier or delayer. For in the warres betwene the Romayns and An¦niball, he knowynge all costes of the coun∣tray, contynuelly kept him and his host on mountaines and high places, within a small distaunce of Hanniballes armie: so that nei∣ther he wolde flee from his enmies, nor yet ioyne with them battayle. By which won∣derfull policie, he caused Annibal so to tra∣uayle, that some tyme for lacke of vittayle, and for werynesse, great multitudes of his hoste perished. Also he oftentymes awai∣ted them in dangerous places, vnredy, and than skyrmyshed with theym, as longe as he was sure to haue of theym aduauntage: and after he repayred to the hyghe places adioynyng, vsyng his accustomed maner to

beholde the passage of Anniballe. And by this meanes, this moste circumspect capi∣tayn Fabius, wonderfully infeblyd the po∣war of the sayd Anniball, which is no lasse estemed in praise, thā the subduing of Car∣tage by the valyant Scipio. For yf Fabius had nat so fatigate Anniball and his hoste, he had shortly subuerted the cite of Rome, and than coulde nat Scipio haue bene able to acheue that enterprise.

¶ What more clere mirror or spectacle can we desire of circūspectiō, thā king HENRY the SEVENTH, of most noble memorie, fa∣ther vnto our moste drad soueraigne lorde, whose worthy renome, like the sonne in the myddes of his sphere, shyneth & euer shall shyne in mennes remembrance? what incō∣parable circumspection was in him alwaye founden, that nat withstandynge his longe absence out of this realme, the disturbance of the same by sondrye seditions amonge the Nobilitie, Ciuile warres and batayles, wherin infinite people were slayne, beside skirmysshes and slaughters in the pryuate contentions and factions of dyuers gentil∣men, the lawes layde in water (as is the {pro}∣uerbe) affection & auaryce, subduing iustice & equitie: Yet by his moste excellent witte, he in fewe yeres, nat onely broughte this realme in good order, and vnder due obe∣diēce,

reuiued the lawes, auanced Iustyce, refurnyshed his dominyons, and repayred his manours, but also with suche circum∣spection treated with other princis and re∣almes, of leages, of aliaunce, and amities, that durynge the more part of his reigne, he was lytle or nothyng inquieted without warre hostilitie or martiall busynesse. And yet all other princis eyther feared hym, or had him in a fatherly reuerence. Whyche prayse with the honour thervnto dewe, as inheritaunce discendeth by ryght vnto his moste noble sonne, our most dere souerayn lorde that nowe presently reigneth. For as Tulli sayth, The best inheritance, that the fathers leaue to their children, excelling al other patrimonie, is the glorie or prayse of vertue and noble actis: and of suche fayre inheritance his highnes may cōpare with any prynce that euer reygned, whyche he dayly augmenteth, adding therto other sō∣dry vertues, whyche I forbeare nowe to reherse, to the intent I wyll exclude all su∣spition of flatterie, sens I my selfe in this warke doo specially reproue it. But that whiche is presently knowen, and is in expe¦rience nedeth no monument. And vnto so excellēt a prince, there shal nat lacke heraf¦ter condigne writers to register his actes, with eloquent stile in perpetual remēbrāce.

Of the sixte seuenth and eyght braun∣ches of prudence. Cap. xxv.

ADouble in daunsynge is compacte of the nombre of thre, wherby maye be noted these thre branches of pru¦dence, election, experience, and modestie: by theym the sayde vertue of prudence is made complete, and is in her perfection. Election is of an excellente power and au∣toritie, and hath suche a maiestie, that she wyll not be approched vnto of euery man. For some there be, to whom she denyeth her presence, as chyldren, naturall fooles, men beinge frantike, or subdued with affe∣ctes, also they that be subiectes to flaterers and proude men. In these persones reason lacketh libertie, which shuld prepare their entrie vnto election. This Election, whi∣che is a parte, and as it were a membre of prudence, is beste described by Oportuni∣tie, whiche is the principall parte of coun∣saylle, and is compacte of these thynges folowynge.

¶ The importaunce of the thynge consul∣ted, The facultie and power of him that cō¦sulteth, The time whan, The fourme how, The substance wherwith to do it, The dis∣position and vsages of the countreys, For whom and agayne whom it oughte to be

done. Al these thynges prepensed and ga∣thered together seriousely, and after a due examination, euery of them iustly pondred in the balance of reason. Immediately co∣meth the auctoritie of election, who taketh on her to appoynt, what is to be effectually folowed or pursued, reiectinge the refidue. And than ought experience to be at hande, to whom is commytted the actual executi∣on. For without her, Election is frustrate, and all inuention of manne is but a fantasye. And therfore who aduisedlye beholdethe the astate of mans lyfe, shall well perceiue, that al that euer was spoken or writen, was to be executed, and to that intēt was speche specially gyuen to man, wherin he is moste dyscrepante, from brute beastes, in decla∣ringe by them what is good, what vicious, what is profitable, what improfitable, whi∣che by clerenesse of wytte do excel in know¦lege, to these that be of a more inferior ca∣pacitie. And what vtilitie shulde be acquy∣red by suche declaration, if it shulde not be experienced with diligence?

¶ The philosopher Socrates had not ben named of Appollo the wisest man of al Gre¦cia, if he had not dayly practysed the ver∣tues, whiche he in his lessons commended.

¶ Iulius Cacsar, the fyrste emperour, al thoughe, there were in hym moche hydde

lernyng, in so moche as he fyrst founde the order of our kalandre, with the Cikle and bysexte, called the leape yere: Yet is he not so moche honoured for his lernynge, as he is for his diligence, wherwith he exploited or brought to conclusion those counsayles, whiche as wel by his excellent lerning and wisedome, as by the aduise of other expert counsaylours were before trayted, and (as I mought say) ventilate.

¶ Who wyl not repute it a thing vayne and scornefulle, and more lyke to a maye game, than a mater seriouse or commendable, to beholde a personage, whiche in speche or writynge expresseth nothyng but vertuous maners, sage and dyscrete counsayles and holy aduertisementes: to be resolued in to all vices, folowynge in his actis no thynge that he hym selfe in his wordes approueth and teacheth to other?

¶ Who shal any thynge esteme theyr wyse∣dome, which with great studies fynde out remedies and prouisiōs necessary for thin∣gss dysordred or abused, and where they them selfes may execute it, they leaue it vn∣touched, wherby theyr deuyses, with the soune that pronounced them, be vanysshed and come to nothynge?

¶ Semblably it is to be thoughte in all o∣ther doctrine. Wherfore as it semed, it was

not without consideratiō affirmed by Tul∣li, that the knowlege and contemplation of Natures operatyons, were lame and in a maner imperfcte, if there folowed none a∣ctuall experience. Of this shalbe more spo∣ken in the later ende of this warke.

¶ Herwith wolde be conioyned or rather myxte with it, the vertue called Modestie: whiche by Tulli is defined to be the know lege of oportunitie of thynges to be doone or spoken, in apoyntinge and settinge them in tyme or place to them conuenient & pro∣pre. Wherfore it semeth, to be moche lyke to that, whiche men cōmunely call Dyscre∣tion. Al be it discretio in latin signifieth Se∣peration: wherin it is more lyke to Electi∣on. But as it is communely vsed, it is not onely lyke to Modestie, but it is the selfe Modestie. For he that forbereth to speke, all thoughe he can doo it bothe wysely and eloquentely, bycause neyther in the tyme nor in the herers, he findeth oportunitie, so that no fruite maye succede of his speche, he therfore is vulgarely called a dyscrete personne.

¶ Semblably they name him discrete, that punisheth an offendour lesse than his meri∣tes doo requyre, hauynge regarde to the weakenes of his persone, or to the aptenes of his amendement.

¶ So do they in the vertue called Libera∣litie, where in gyuynge, is had consydera∣tion, as well of the condition, and necessy∣te of the persone that receyueth, as of the benefite that cometh of the gifte receyued. In euery of these thynges and theyr sem∣blable, is Modestie: which worde not be∣inge knowen in the englyshe tongue, ne of all them whiche vnderstode latine, excepte they had red good auctours, they impro∣prely named this vertue dyscrecion. And nowe some men do as moch abuse the word modestie, as the other dyd dyscretion. For if a man haue a sad countenaunce at all ty∣mes, and yet not being meued with wrath, but pacient, and of moste gentyllnesse, they whiche wolde be sene to be lerned, wyl say that the man is of a great modestie. Where they shulde rather saye, that he were of a great Mansuetude: whiche terme beynge semblably before this tyme vnknowen in our tongue, maye be by the sufferaunce of wise men, now receiued by custome, wher∣by the terme shall be made famyliare. That like as the Romaynes translated the wise∣dome of Grecia into theyr citie, we maye, if we lyste, bringe the lernynges and wyse∣domes of theym bothe into this realme of Englande, by the translation of theyr war∣kes, sens lyke enterprise hath ben taken by

frenche men, Italyons, and Germaynes, to our no lyttel reproche for our negligēce and slouth.

¶ And thus I conclude the laste parte of daunsynge, whiche dilygentely beholden, shall appere to be as well a necessary study, as a noble and vertuouse pastime, vsed and contynued in suche fourme as I hytherto haue declared.

Of other exercises, whiche if they be mo∣derately vsed, be to euery astate of man expedient. Cap. xxvi.

I Haue shewed howe huntyng and daun∣synge may be in the nombre of commen∣dable exercises, and passetymes, not re∣pugnanute to vertue. And vndoubted, it were moche better to be occupyed in ho∣neste recreation, than to do nothynge. For it is sayde of a noble autour, In doinge no∣thynge, men lerne to do yuell. And Ouidi∣us the poete sayth,

If thou flee idlenes, Cupide hath no myghte, His howe lyeth broken, his fire hath no lighte.

¶ It is not onelye called idlenes, wherin the body or mynde cesseth from labour, but specially idlenes is an omission of all honest exercise: the other maye be better called a vacation from seryouse busynesse, whiche

was some tyme embraced of wyse men and vertuous.

¶ It is writen to the praise of Xerxes king of Persia, that in tyme vacaunt from the af∣faires of his realme, he with his owne hā∣des had planted innumerable trees, which longe or he died brought forthe abundance of fruite, and for the craftie and dylectable ordre in the settynge of them, it was to all men, beholdynge the princis industrye, ex∣cedynge maruaylous.

¶ But who abhorreth not the hystorye of Serdanapalus, kynge of the same realme? whiche hauynge in detestation all princely affaires, and leuyng al company of men, en∣closed him selfe in a chamber with a greate multitude of concubynes: and for that he wold seme to be some time occupied, or els that wanton pleasures and quyetnesse be∣came to hym tedyouse, he was founde by one of his lordes in a womans attyre spyn∣nynge in a distafe amonge persones defa∣med, whiche knowen abrode, was to the people so odiouse, that fynally by them he was burned, with all the place wherto he fledde for his refuge.

¶ And I suppose there is not a more plain fygure of idelnesse, than play inge at dyse. For besides, that therin is no maner of ex∣ercyse of the body or mynde, they whiche

playe therat, muste seme to haue no porti∣on of wyt or kunnynge, if they wyll be cal∣led fayre players, or in some cōpany auoide the stabbe of a dagger, if they be takē with any crasty conueyaunce. And by cause al∣waye wysedome is therin suspected, there is seldome any playinge at dyse, but therat is vehement chydyng and braulynge, hor∣rible othes, cruell, and some tyme mortall menacis. I omytte strokes, whiche nowe and than do happen, often tymes betwene bretherne and most dere frendes, if fortune brynge alwaye to one man yuell chaunces, whiche maketh the playe of the other sus∣pected. O why shulde that be called a play, whiche is compacte of malyce and robry? Undoubtedly they that wryte of the fyrste inuentions of thinges, haue good cause to suppose Lucifer, prince of diuels, to be the firste inuentour of dyse playing, & helle the place where it was foundē, although some do write, that it was first inuēted by Attal{us}. For what better allectiue coulde Lucyfer deuyse to allure and bringe men pleasantly into damnable seruitude, than to pourpose to them in fourme of a playe, his principall treasory, wherin the more parte of synne is contained, and all goodnes and vertue cō∣founded?

¶ The first occasion to play, is tediousnes

of vertuous occupation: Immediately suc∣cedeth couaytynge of an other mans goo∣des, whiche they call playinge: therto is annexed auarice and strayte kepynge, whi∣che they call wynnynge: sone after cometh sweryng, in rentinge the membres of god, whiche they name noblenesse (for they wyl saye, he that swereth depe, swereth lyke a lorde) than foloweth fury or rage, whiche they call courage: among them cometh in∣ordinate watche, whiche they name paine∣fulnesse: he bryngeth in glotony, and that is good felowshyp: & after cometh slepe su∣persluous, called among them naturall rest: and he some tyme bringeth in lechery: whi∣che is nowe named daliance. The name of this treasory is veryly idelnesse: the doore wherof is left wyde open to dyse players: if they happe to brynge, in theyr company, lernyng, vertuous busines, liberalitie, pa∣ciencie, charitie, temperance, good diete, or shamefastnes, they muste leaue them with∣out the gates. For yuell custome, which is the porter, wyll not suffre them to entre.

¶ Alas what pite is it, that any christen mā shulde by wanton company be trayned, I wyl no more saye into this Treasory, but in to this lothesome dungeon, where he shall lye fetored in chaynes of ignoraunce, and bounden with the stronge chayne of obsti∣nacie,

harde to be losed but by grace?

¶ The most noble emperour Octaui{us} Au∣gustus, who hath amonge writers in diuers of his actes an honorable remembraunce: onely for playinge at dyse, and that but sel∣dome, susteyneth in hystories a note of re∣proche.

¶ The Lacedemoniens sent an ambassade to the citie of Corinthe, to haue with them aliance: but whan the ambassadours founde the princis and counsaylours playenge at dyse, they departed without exploytynge their message, sayenge, that they wold not maculate the honour of theyr people with suche a reproche, to be saide, that they had made aliaunce with disars.

¶ Also to Demetrius, the kynge of Par∣thians sente golden dyse, in the rebuke of his lytenesse.

¶ Euery thynge is to be estemed after his value. But who herynge a man, whom he knoweth not, to be called a dysar, doth not anone suppose him to be of lyght credence, dyssolute, vayne, and remisse? who almoost trusteth his brother, whom he knoweth a dyse player? yea amonge them selfes they laughe, whan they perceyue or here any doctrine or vertuouse worde procede from any of theyr companyons, thynkyge that it becometh not his persone: moche more

whan he doth any thynge with deuotion or wysdome.

¶ Howe many gentyll menne, howe many marchauntes, haue in this damnable passe∣tyme consumed theyr substaunce, as well by theyr owne labours, as by theyr paren∣tes, with greatte study and peynefull tra∣uayle in a longe tyme acquyred, and fynis∣shed theyr lyfes in dette and penury? How manye goodly and bolde yemenne hath it broughte vnto thefte, wherby they haue preuented the course of nature, and dyed by the ordre of lawes myserably? These be the fruites and reuennues of that dyuy∣lyshe marchaundyse, besyde the fynall re∣warde, whiche is more terryble, the re∣porte wherof I leaue to dyuines, suche as feare not to shewe theyr lernynges, or fille not theyr mouthes so full with swete mea∣tes, or benefyces, that theyr tonges be not let to speke trouth: for that is theyr duetie and office, excepte I with many other be moche dysceyued.

¶ Playinge at cardes and tables is some what more tollerable, onely for as moch as therin wytte is more vsed, and lesse truste is in fortune, all be it therin is neyther lau∣dable study nor exercise. But yet men deli∣tynge in vertue, moughte with cardes and tables deuyse games, where in moughte be

moche solace and also study commodiouse, as deuising a bataile, or contentiō betwene vertue and vice, or other lyke pleasant and honest inuention.

¶ The chesse of al games, wherin is no bo dily exercise, is most to be commended, for therin is ryght subtile engine, wherby the wit is made more sharpe, and remembrance quickened. And it is the more commenda∣ble and also cōmodious, if the players haue red the moralization of the chesse, and whā they playe do thynke vpon it: whiche bo∣kes be in englysh. But they be very scarse, bicause fewe men do seeke in plaies for ver tue or wysedome.

That shotinge in a longe bowe is principal of all other exercises. Cap. xxvii.

TUlli saith in his first boke of Officis, We be not to that intente broughte vp by nature, that we shulde seme to be made to playe and dysport, but rather to grauitie and studyes of more estymation. Wherfore it is writen of Alexander, empe∣roure of Rome for his grauitie called Se∣uerus, that in his chyldehode, and before he was taughte the letters of greeke or la∣tine, he neuer exercysed any other playe or game, but onely one, wherin was a sy∣mylitude

of Iustice: and therfore it was called in latine Ad Iudices, whiche is in en∣glyshe to the iuges. But the fourme ther∣of is not expressed by the saide auctour, nor none other that I haue yet red. Wherfore I wyll repaire againe to the residue of ho∣nest exercise.

¶ And for as moche as Galene in his se∣conde booke of the preseruation of helthe, declareth to be in them these qualities or dyuersyties, that is to saye, that somme be done with extendynge of myghte, and as it were vyolentely, and that is called valy∣aunte exercyse: Some with swyfte or ha∣sty motion, other with strengthe and cele∣rytie, and that maye be called vehemente: The partycular kyndes of euery of them, he describeth, whiche were to longe here to be rehersed

¶ But in as moche as he also saythe, that he that is of good astate in his body, ought to know the power and effect of euery ex∣ercyse: but he nedethe not to practise any other, but that whiche is moderate and meane betwene euery extremytie: I wyll now brefely declare, in what exercise nowe in custume amonge vs, maye be most found of that medyocritie, and maye be augmen∣ted or mynysshed, at the pleasure of hym that doth exercyse, without therby appay∣payrynge

any parte of dilectation or com∣moditie therof procedynge.

¶ And in mine oppinion none may be com∣pared with shootynge in the longe bowe, and that for sondrye vtylytyes that come therof, wherin it incomparably excelletly all other exercyse. For in drawynge of a bowe, easy and congruent to his strength, he that shooteth, doth moderately exercise his armes, and the other parte of his bo∣dy: and if his bowe be bygger, he muste adde to more strengthe, wherin is no lesse valiaunt exercise than in any other, wherof Galene writeth.

¶ In shootynge at buttes, or brode arowe markes, is a mediocritie of exercyse of the lower partes of the bodye and legges, by goinge a lyttel dystaunce a mesurable pase. At rouers or pryckes, it is at his pleasure that shoteth, howe faste or softly he lysteth to go: and yet is the prayse of the shooter, neyther more ne lesse, for as farre or nyghe the marke is his arowe, whanne he goeth softly, as whan he renneth.

¶ Tenyse, selledome vsed, and for a lyttell space, is a good exercise for yong men, but it is more violent than shotynge, by reason that two men do play. Wherfore neyther of them is at his owne libertie to measure the exercyse. For if the one stryke the balle

harde, the other that intendeth to receyue hym, is than constrayned to vse semblable vyolence, if he wyll retourne the bal from whens it came to hym. If it trille faste on the grounde, and he intendeth to stoppe, or if it rebounde a greatte dystaunce from hym, and he wolde eftesones returne it, he can not than kepe any measure in swyftnes of mocion.

¶ Some men wolde say, that in mediocri∣tie, whiche I haue soo moche praysed in shootynge, why shuld not bouling, claishe, pynnes, and koytynge, be as moche com∣mended? Ueryly as for two the laste, be to be vtterly abiected of all noble men, in lyke wyse foote balle, wherin is nothynge but beastely fury, and extreme violence, wher∣of procedeth hurte, and consequently ran∣cour and malice do remayn with them that be wounded. Wherfore it is to be put in per petuall sylence.

¶ In claysse is employed to littel strength, in boulynge often tymes to moche, wherby the sinewes be to moche strayned, and the veynes to moche chafed: wherof often ty∣mes is sene to ensue ache, or the decreas of strength or agilitie in the armes, where, in shoting, if the shoter vse the strength of his bowe within his owne tiller, he shall neuer be therwith grieued or made more feble.

¶ Also in shotyng is a double vtilitie, wher in it excellethe all other exercyses and ga∣mes incomparably. The one is that it is, and alway hath ben, the most excellent ar∣tillery for warres, wherby this realme of Englande hath ben nat only best defended from outwarde hostilitie, but also in other regions a fewe englyshe archers haue ben sene to preuayle agaynste people innume∣rable. Also wonne inpreignable cities and stronge holdes, and kept them in the mid∣des of the strength of their enemies. This is the feate, wherby englyshe men haue bē most dradde and had in estimation with out warde princis, as well ennemyes as alies. And the commoditie therof hath bene ap∣proued as far as Hierusalem, as it shall ap∣pere in the lyues of Rycharde the fyrst, & Edwarde the fyrste, kynges of Englande, who made seueral iourneis to recouer that holy citie of Hierusalem into the possession of christen men, and achieued them hono∣rably, the rather by the power of this feate of shootynge.

¶ The premisses cōsidered, O what cause of reproche shall the decay of archers be to vs nowe lyuyng? Ye what irrecuperable damage either to vs or them, in whose time nede of semblable defence shall happen? whyche decaye, though we alredy {per}ceiue,

feare, and lament, & for the restoryng ther∣of cesse not to make ordynaunces, good la∣wes and statutes: yet who effectually put∣teth his hande to contynuall execution of the same lawes and prouysyons? or behol∣dynge them dayly broken, wynketh nat at the offendours? But I shall hereof more speake in an nother place, and retourne nowe to the seconde vtilitie, founde in sho∣tynge in the longe bowe, whiche is kylling ofdere, wyld foule, and other game, wher∣in is bothe profyte and pleasure aboue any other artyllery.

¶ And verily I suppose, that before cros∣bowes and handgunnes were brought into this realme, by the sleight of our enemies, to thentent to distroy the noble defence of archery, contynuall vse of shotynge in the longe bowe made the feate so perfect and exacte amonge englishe men, that they thā as surely and soone kylled such game, whi∣che they lysted to haue, as they nowe can do with the crossebowe or gunne. But this suffyseth, for the declaration of shootyng, wherby it is sufficientely proued, that it in∣comparably excellethe all other exercyse, pastyme, or solace.

¶ And hereat I conclude to write of exer¦cyse, whiche apperteyneth as wel to prin∣cis and noble men, as to all other by theyr

example: whiche determyne to passe forth their lyues in vertue & honestie: And here∣after, with the assistence of god, vnto whō I render this myne account, for the talent that I haue of hym receyued, I purpose to wryte of the principal, and (as I mought say) the partycular studye and affayres of hym, that by the prouydence of God, is called to the mooste diffycult cure of a pu∣blyke weale.

Libri primi finis.

Notes

• publike weale.
• Respub∣lica.
• profytte.
• publyke.
• populus.
• plebs.
• plebeii.
• publyke & commune.
• Ordre.
• Chaos.
• Elemen{is}.
• vuderstā∣dynge.
• Honour.
• Dimo∣cratia.
• Bee.
• Moises.
• Raron.
• Dathan & Abiron.
• The coun¦sayle of Hietro.
• Iosue suc∣cessour to Moises.
• Saul.
• Roboaz
• Prynces of Grece.
• Agsmem∣non.
• Maiestie?
• Nestor. Ulisses.
• Kynges in Rome.
• Lucrecia.
• Tribunes.
• Dictator.
• Ciuile▪ warres
• Florence and Gene.
• Ferraria.
• Englande. deuided.
• Kynge Edgar.
• Due ad∣ministra∣tion.
• Occupa∣tion.
• Sapi. vi.
• Politic. li. iiii.
• Gentilmē.
• Education of noble wyttes.
• Norcies▪ howe they oughte to be chosen.
• A goner∣nes or dry¦noryce
• Enfanc••e.
• Instructi∣on in infā∣cie.
• Dionise the tirrāte
• phenix Achilles tutor.
• Alexāder the great. Epaminō∣das tutor to kynge philip.
• Leonidas tutor to kynge A∣lexander.
• Office of a tutor.
• Achilles. Homerus. Iliades primo.
• Chiron.
• Alexan∣ders mu∣syke.
• Musike re¦proueable.
• Theatre.
• Musyke miserable.
• Kynge Philipips wordes. to Alexā∣der.
• Musyke {pro} fitable.
• Lisippus.
• Phidias.
• The epi∣stel of king Philip to Aristotel.
• The fyrste lerninge in childhode.
• Esopes fables.
• The .ii. lesson to children. Lucianus.
• Aristo.
• Homerus.
• Uirgilius.
• Silius. Lucanus.
• Poetis de fēded and prysed.
• Logike. Topica.
• Rhetorik.
• Erasmus.
• Octauius.
• Cosmo∣graphye & the com∣moditie therof.
• Strabo.
• Solinus.
• Wels.
• Dionisius.
• Histories and the fourme in redynge of them.
• Titus Liuius.
• Xenophō.
• Quintus Curtius.
• Cesar Salust.
• Cornelius Tacitus.
• Morall philoso∣phye▪
• Tullies offices.
• Plato.
• Erasmus of the insti¦tution of a christen prince.
• Henry beau clerk kynge of Englande.
• Eloquēce cōmended
• what elo∣quence is.
• Corn. Ta. de orat.
• Poetes.
• Ci. Tusc. quest. ••.
• Horat. ep. li. ii. ep••a ad Augu∣stum.
• Comedies
• Therent. in Euneu.
• Plautus •• Amphit. Alc. loqtur
• Ouidius de reme. amoris.
• Wartialis li. xii. ad Julium.
• The art of retorike in mootinge.
• Ci. de ora¦tore. li. i.
• Corn. Ta. de orator.
• Fab. Quin¦tilian. li. i.
• Uirgilius Aeneid •• su secūdo.
• Fab Qui. lib. i.
• Wrastling. Galenus.
• Renninge.
• Swym∣mynge.
• Campus Martius.
• Oratins Cocles.
• Iuli{us} Ce∣sar swim∣mynge.
• Sertorius
• Defence with wai∣pons.
• Rydynge and vaun∣tynge of horsis.
• Bucephal.
• Arundell.
• The hun∣tynge of Persians. Xenophon pedia Cy∣ri. ii. i.
• The hun∣tynge of the grekes
• The hun∣tynge of the Ro∣manes.
• Haukinge.
• Curetes.
• Choribā∣tes.
• Proteus.
• Gelo the kynge of Sicile.
• Archa fe∣deris.
• Kyng Da∣uid daun∣sing opēty.
• A mannes qualities.
• Ci. offi. i. Prudence.
• Prov. 27.
• Celeritie, or quiknes & slownes.
• A braule.
• Matnritie.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Festin•• lente.
• Prius{que} in cipias cō∣sulto
• Maturum.
• Singles in daūsing.
• Pronidēce what it is.
• Cōsidera∣tion what it is.
• Industry.
• Alcibia∣des.
• Iul. Cesar.
• Reprinse in daūsing.
• Nestor.
• Fabius.
• King Hēry the seueth.
• Election.
• Oportu∣nitie.
• Experiēce or executiō
• Socrates.
• Iul. Cesar.
• Modestie.
• Offi. i.
• Discretiō.
• Discrete.
• Liberalite
• Modestie abused.
• Mansue∣tude.
• Ouid de re¦medio a∣moris. Idelnes.
• Kyng Xer∣xes.
• Sardana∣palus.
• Playing at dise.
• The trea∣sory of Lu¦cifer.
• Il custome
• Counsail∣lors disers
• The esti∣mation of dysars.
• Cardes & Tables.
• Chess.
• Exercise for preser∣uynge of helthe.
• The com∣mendation of shoting in a longe bowe.
• Tenyse.
• Decaye of Archers.