1. Merchant.
He is a Generall, for he commands a great Army.
2. Merchant.
Is he marryed?
1. Merchant.
No, and it is reported he never will marry, but he loves Mistrisses well, which all Souldiers doth for the most part.
2. Merchant.
Then Italy is the best Countrey in the world for a souldier, there being the greatest store and most variety of Curtezans, for many of the Italians are, as many are in other Nations, rather Carpet-Knights, then fighting souldiers, they have more skill in setting musicall notes, than pitching a bat∣tle; in kissing a Mistrisses hand with a good grace, than shooting of a Cannon bullet with a great courage; they can take better aime at a window, than of an enemy. And though they often receive woundes, yet they are from fair Venus, not from cruell Mars.
1. Merchant.
But Mars souldiers when they skirmish in loves duels, re∣ceives woundes as often from fair Venus, as other men, and Italy hath as many gallant valliant men, bred and born in her, as any other Nation; and there are as many Carpet-Knights in other Nations, as in Italy; and if valiant, and gallant men be indued with vertue, they are not the less to be esteemed; and as for Curtizans, all Nations is stored as much as Italy, but they do not so openly prefess it, as those in Italy doth.
2. Merchant.
For my part, I cannot think they are so good Souldiers as they were in Caesars time.
1. Merchant.
That may be, for there is no such souldiers as Caesars souldiers were, no not in the world; that is, there are no men so patient, obedienz, carefull, industrious, laborious, daring, adventurous, resolute, and active, in these Warrs, in this age, as the Romans were in Caesars time; and of all the souldiers, Caesars souldiers were the best, and of all commanders Caesar himself, yet those warriers was not less courtly to the feminine sex, than these of this age; and if you did talk with an understanding Souldier, he would tell you that Amors gave an edge to courage, and that it is a mark of a gallant man, and a brave souldier to be an Amarato; and as for the Curtizans of Italy, if there can be an honest act in a dishonest life, it is that the Curtizans in Italy professes what they are; so that men are, not deceived by them, nor betrayed into marriage; wherein other Nations men are cozened with counterfeit modesty, and drawn into marriage by pretended chastity, and then dishonoured by soul adultery, or shamed by marrying a private Curtizan, not knowing she was so.
2. Merchant.
I perceive by thee, that Merchants loves a Mistris as well as a Souldier.
1. Merchant.
Surely by thy talk thou art ignorant of thy own profession, which is to trade, and traffick into all Nations, and with all sorts; but yet, Merchants may be Souldiers if they will, and Souldiers may be Merchants if they please; but the truth is all men in the world are Merchants.
2. Merchant.
No, beggers are not.
1. Merchant.
But they are, for they traffick with prayers and praises for almes.
2. Merchant.
The best Merchants I know are Priests, for they trade into Heaven; and traffick with Iove.
1. Merchant.
That makes them so poor, for heavens commoditie are not saleable on earth.
Ex.