Essays vvritten in French by Michael Lord of Montaigne, Knight of the Order of S. Michael, gentleman of the French Kings chamber: done into English, according to the last French edition, by Iohn Florio reader of the Italian tongue vnto the Soueraigne Maiestie of Anna, Queene of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, &c. And one of the gentlemen of hir royall priuie chamber

THE ESSAYES OF MICHAEL Lord of Montaigne.

The third Booke.

The first Chapter.

Of profit and honesty.

NO man living is free from speaking foolish things; the ill lucke is, to speake them curiously:

Naeiste magno conatu magnas nugas* 1.1 dixerit. This fellow sure with much a doe, Will tell great tales and trifles too.

That concerneth not me; mine slip from me with as little care, as they are of smal worth: whereby they speed the better. I would suddenly quit them, for the least cost were in them: Nor doe I buy, or sell them, but for what they weigh. I speake vnto Paper, as to the first man I meete. That this is true, marke well what followes. To whom should not treachery be detesta∣ble, when Tiberius refused it on such great interest? One sent him word out of Germany, that if he thought it good, Ariminius should be made away by poison. He was the mightiest e∣nemy the Romans had, who had so vilely ysed them vnder Varus, and who onely empea∣ched the encrease of his domination in that country. His answer was; ••hat the people of Rome were accustomed to be reuenged on their enemies by open courses, With weapons in hand; not by sub∣till steights, nor in bugger mugger: thus left he the profitable for the honest. He was (yon will say) a cosener. I beleeue it; that's no wonder in men of his profession. But the confession of vertue, is of no lesse consequence in his mouth that hateth the same, for so much as truth by force doth wrest it from him, and if he will not admit it in him, at least, to adorne himselfe, he will put it on. Our composition, both publike and priuate, is full of imperfection; yet is there nothing in nature vnserviceable, no not inutility itselfe; nothing thereof hath beene insi∣nuated in this huge vniuerse, but holdeth some fit place therein. Our essence is symented with crased qualities; ambition, jealosie, enuy, revenge, superstition, dispaire, lodge in vs, with so naturall a possession, as their image is also discerned in beasts: yea and cruelty, so vn∣naturall a vice: for in the middest of compassion, we inwardly feele a kinde of bitter-sweet∣pricking of malicious delight, to see others suffer; and children feele it also:

Suaue mari magno turbantibus aequora ventis,* 1.2 Eterra magnum alterius spectare laborem. T'is sweet on graund seas, when windes waues turmoyle, From land to see an others greeuous toyle.

The seed of which qualities, who should roote out of man, should ruine the fundamentall

conditions of our life: In matter of policy likewise; some necessary functions are not onely base, but faulty: vices finde therein a seate, and employ themselues in the stitching vp of our frame; as poisons in the preseruation of our health. If they become excusable, because we have neede of them, and that common necessity effaceth their true property; let vs resigne the acting of this part to hardy Citizens, who sticke not to sacrifice their honours and con∣sciences, as those of old, their lives, for their Countries availe and safety. We that are more weake, had best assume taskes of more ease and lesse hazard. The Common-wealth requi∣reth some to betray, some to lie, and some to massaker: leave we that commission to people more obedient and more p••••able. Truly, I have often beene vexed, to see our judges, by fraude or false hopes of favour or pardon, draw on a malefactor, to bewray his offence, em∣ploying therein both couzinage and impudencie. It were fit for iustice, and Plato himselfe, who favoureth this custome, to furnish me with meanes more sutable to my humour. T'is a ••a••••cious justice, and in my conceit no lesse wounded by it selfe, then by others. I answered not long since, that hardly could I betray my Prince for a particular man, who should be ve∣ry rysery to betray a particular man for my Prince. And loath not onely to deceave, but that 〈…〉〈…〉 me; whereto I will neither furnish matter nor occasion. In that little busi∣nesse I have managed betweene our Princes, amid the diuisions and subdiuisions, which at 〈…〉〈…〉 day so 〈…〉〈…〉 and turn oile vs, I have curiously eeded, that they mistake me not, nor 〈…〉〈…〉 themselves in my maske. The professors of that trade hold themselves most covert; presending and 〈…〉〈…〉 the greatest indifference and nee••enesse to the cause they can. As for me, I offer my selfe in my liveliest reasons, in a forme most mine owne: A tender and yoong Negotiation, and who had rather faile in my businesse, then in my selfe. Yet hath this beene ••ithetto with so good hap (for surely fortune is in these matters a principal actor) that few have dealt betweene party and party with lesse suspition, and more inward favour. I have in all my proceedings an open fashion, easie to insinuate and give it selfe credite at first ac∣quaintance. Sincerity, plainenesse, and naked truth, in what age so ever, finde also their op∣portunity and employment. Besides, their liberty is little called in question, or subiect to hate, who deale without respect of their owne interest. And they may truely vse the answer of 〈…〉〈…〉 vnto the Athenians, complaining of his bitter inuectives and sharpnesse of his speech: Consider not, my masters whether I am free, but whether I be so, without taking ought, or better 〈…〉〈…〉 my state by it. My liberty also hath easily discharged me from all suspition of faint∣nesse, by it's vigor (nor forbearing to speake any thing, though it bite or stung them; I could not have said worse in their absence) and because it carrieth an apparant show of simplicity and carelesnesse. I pretend no other fruite by negotiating, then to negotiate; and annex no long pursuites or propositions to it. Every action makes his particular game, win he if he can. Nor am I vrged with the passion of love or hate vnto great men; nor is my will shackled with anger, or particular respect. I regard our Kings with an affection simply lawfull, and meere∣ly ciuil, neither mooved nor vnmooved by private interest: for which I like my selfe the bet∣ter. The general and iust cause bindes me no more then moderately, and without violent fits. I am not subiect to these piercing pledges and inward gages. Choller and hate are beyond the duty of justice, and are passions fitting only those, whose reason is not sufficient to hold them to their duty: Ʋtatur motu animi, qui vti ratione non potest, Let him vse the motion of his minde, that cannot vse reason. All lawfull intentions are of themselves temperate: if not, they are al∣tered into sedicious and vnlawfull. It is that makes me march every where with my head a∣loft, my face and heart open. Verily (and I feare not to avouch it) I could easily for a neede, bring a candle to Saint Michell, and another to his Dragon, as the good old woman. I will follow the best side to the fire, but not into it, if I can choose. If neede require, let Mon∣taigne my Mannor-house be swallowed vp in the publike ruine: but if there be no such ne∣cessity, I will acknowledge my selfe beholding vnto fortune if she please to save it; and for it's safety employ as much scope as my endeuours can affoord me. Was it not A••••icus, who cleaving to the right (but loosing side) saved himselfe by his moderation, in that gene∣rall Ship••racke of the world, amidst so many changes and divers alterations? To private men, such as he was, it is more easie. And in such kinde of businesses, I thinke one dealeth justly, not to be too forward to insinuate or inuite himselfe: To hold a staggering or midle course, to beare an vnmooued affection, and without inclination in the troubles of his coun∣try, and publike diuisions, I deeme neither seemely nor honest: Ea non media, sed nu••••a via

est velut euenium expectantium, quo fortuna consilia sua applicent, That is not the mid-way, but a mid way, or no way, as of those that expect the euent with intent to apply their dessignes as fortune shall fall out. That may be permitted in the affaires of neighbours. So did Gelon the tyrant of Si∣racusa suspend his inclination in the Barbarian wars against the Greekes, keeping Ambassa∣dours at Delphos, with presents, to watch on what side the victory would light, and to appre∣hend the fittest occasion of reconcilement with the victors. It were a kinde of treason to doe so in our owne affaires and domesticall matters, wherein of necessitie one must re∣solve and take aside; but for a man that hath neither charge, nor expresse commaunde∣ment to vrge him; not to busie or entermedle himselfe therein, I holde it more excusable; (Yet frame I not this excuse for my selfe) then in forraine and strangers wars, wherewith ac∣cording to our lawes, no man is troubled against his will, Neverthelesse those, who wholly ingage themselves into them, may carry such an order and temper, as the storme (with∣out offending them) may glide over their head, Had wee not reason to hope as much of the deceased Bishop of Orleans, Lord of Moruillters? And I know some, who at this pre∣sent worthilie bestirre themselues, in so even a fashion or pleasing a manner, that they are likely to continue on foote, whatsoeuer iniurious alteration or fall, the heavens may prepare against vs. I holde it onely fit for Kings to hee angry with Kings: And mocke at those rash spirits, who from the brauerie of their harts offer themselues to so vnproportionate quarrels. For one vndertaketh not a particular quarrell against a Prince, in marching a∣gainst him openly and couragiously, for his honour, and according to his dutie: If hee love not such a man; hee doth better; at least hee esteemeth him. And the cause of lawes especially, and defence of the auncient state, hath ever found this priviledge, that such as for their owne interest, disturbe the same, excuse (if they honour not) their defen∣dors. But wee ought not terme duty (as now a dayes we do) a sower rigour, and intestine crab∣bednesse, proceeding of priuate interest and passion; nor courage a treacherous and malicious pro∣ceeding. Their disposition to frowardnesse and mischiefe, they entitle zeale: That's not the cause doth heate them, t'is their owne interest: They kindle a warre, not because it is just, but because it is warre. Why may not a man beare himselfe betweene enemies featly and faithful∣ly? Doe it, if not altogether with an equall (for it may admit different measure) at least with a sober affection, which may not so much engage you to the one, that hee looke for all at your hands. Content your selfe with a moderate proportion of their fauour, and to glide in trou∣bled waters without fishing in them. Th'other manner of offering ones vttermost endeuours to both sides, implyeth lesse diseration then conscience. What knowes hee, to whom you betray ano∣ther, as much your friend as hmselfe, but you will doe the like for him, when his turne shall come. Hee takes you for a villaine; that whilst hee heares you, and gathers out of you; and makes his best vse of your disloyaltie: For, double fellowes are onely beneficiall in what they bring, but we must looke, they carry away as little as may be. I carry nothing to the one, which I may not (hauing opportunity) say vnto the other, the accent only changed a little: and report ei∣ther but indifferent or knowne, or common things▪ Noe benefit can induce mee to lye vn∣to them; what is entrusted to my silence I conceale religiously, but take as little in trust as I can▪ Princes secrets are a troublesome charge, to such as haue nought to doe with them. I euer by my good will capitulate with them, that they trust mee with very little; but let them assured∣ly trust what I disclose vnto them. I alwayes knew more then I wold. An open speach opens the way to another, and drawes all out, euen as Wiue, and Loue. Philippides in my minde, answered king Lysi••••achus wisely, when hee demaunded of him; what of his wealth or state hee shoulde empare vnto him; Which and what you please (quoth hee) so it be not your secrets. I see euery one mutinie, if another conceale the deapth or misterie of the affaires from him, wherein he pleaseth to employ him, or haue but purloyned any circumstance from him. For my part, I am content one tell me no more of his businesse then hee will haue mee knowe or deale in, nor desire I, that my knowledge exceede or straine my word. If I must needes bee the instrument of cozinage, it shall at least bee with safety of my conscience. I will not be estee∣med a seruant, nor so affectionate, nor yet so faithfull, that I bee iudged fit to betray any man. Who is vnfaithfull to himselfe, may bee excused if hee be faithlesse to his Maister. But Princes entertaine not men by halfes, and despise bounded and condicionall seruice. What remedy? I freely tell them my limits; for, a slaue •• must not bee but vnto reason; which yet I cannot compasse: And they are to blame; to exact from a free man, the like subiection vnto

their seruice, and the same obligation, which they may from those they haue made and bought; and whose fortune dependeth particularly and expresly on theirs. The lawes haue deliuered mee from much trouble: they haue chosen mee aside to followe, and appointed mee a maister to obey: all other superioritie and duty, ought to bee relatiue vnto that and bee restrained. Yet may it not bee concluded, that if my affection should otherwise trans∣port mee, I would presently afforde my helping hand vnto it. Will and desires are a law to themselues, actions are to receiue it of publike institutions: All these proceedings of mine, are some what dissonant from our formes. They should produce noe great effects, nor holde out long among vs. Innocencie it selfe could not in these times nor negotiate without dissimula∣tion, nor trafficke without lying. Neither are publike functions of my dyet; what my profession requires thereto, I furnish in the most priuate manner I can. Being a childe, I was plunged into them vp to the eares, and had good successe; but I got loose in good time. I have often since shunned medling with them, seldome accepted and neuer required; euer holding my backe toward ambition; but if not rowers, who goe forward as it were backeward; Yet so, as I am lesse beholding to my resolution, then to my good fortune, that I was not wholly embarked in them. For, there are courses lesle against my taste, and more comfortable to my carriage, by which if heere tofore it had called mee to the seruice of the common-wealth, and my aduancement vnto credit in the world; I know that in following the same I had ex∣ceeded the reason of my couceite. Those which commonly say against my prosession, that what I terme liberty, simplicity and plainenesse in my behauiour, is arte, cunning and sub∣tilty: and rather discretion, then goodnesse; industry then nature; good wit, then good hap; doe mee more honour then shame. But truely they make my cunning ouercunning. And whosoeuer hath traced mee and nearely looked into my humoures, lie loose a good wager if hee confesse not, that there is noe rule in their schoole, could, a midde such crooked pathes and diuerse windings, square and raport this naturall motion, and maintaine an appa∣rance of liberty and licence, so equall and inflexible; and that all their attention and wit, is not of power to bring them to it. The way to trueth is but one and simple; that of particular profit and benefit of affaires a man hath in charge, double, vneven and accidentall. I haue often seene these counterset 〈…〉〈…〉 artificiall liberties in practise, but most commonly with∣out successe. They sauour of Aesopes. Asse; who in emulation of the dogge, layde his two fore-feete very jocondly vpon his maisters shoulders; but looke how many blandishments the pretty dogge receiued, vnder one, so many bastinadoes were re∣doubled vpon the poore Asles backe. Id maxime quemque decet; quod est cuiusque su∣um* 1.3 maxime: that becomes euery man especially, which is his owne especially: I will not de∣priue cousinage of her ranke that were to vnderstand the worlde but ill: I know it hath often done profitable seruice, it supporteth, yea and nourisheth the greatest part of mens vacations.

There are some lawfull vices; as many-actions, or good or excusable vnlawfull. Iu∣stice in it selfe naturall and vniuerfall is otherwise ordered, and more nobly distribu∣ted, then this other especiall, and nationall iustice, restrained and suted to the neede of our pollicie: Ʋeri iuris germanaeque iustitiae solidam et expressam effigiem nullam tenemus; vm∣bra* 1.4 & imaginibus vtimur. Wee haue noe liuely nor life-like purtrature of vpright law and na∣turall iustice: wee vse but the shaddowes and colours of them. So that wise Dandamys, hearing the liues of Socrates, Pythagoras and Diogenes repeated, in other thinges, iudged them great and woorthy men, but ouermuch subiected to the reuerence of the lawes: which to authorize and second, true vertue is to decline very much from his naturall vigor: and not onely by their permission, but perswasions diuerse vicious actions are committed and take place. Ex Senatus consultis plobisque scitis scelera exercentur. Euen by de∣crees of counsell, and by statute-lawes are mischiefes put in practise. I follow the common phrase, which makes a difference betweene profitable and honest things; terming some naturall actions which are not onely profitable but necessarie, dishonest and filthie. But to continue our examples of treason. Two which aspired vnto the kingdome of Thrace, were falne into controversie for their right. The Emperor hindred them from falling together by the eares: the one vnder collour of contriving some friendlie accorde by an enterview inui∣ting the other to a feast in his house, emprisoned and murthred him. Iustice required, that the Romanes should be satisfied for this outrage: some difficulties empeached the ordinarie

course. What they could not lawfully doe without warre and hazard, they attempted to accomplish by treason: what they coulde not honestlie archieue, they profitably com∣passed. For exployting whereof, Pomponius Flaccus was thought most fitte: who tray∣ning the fellowe into his Nettes by fained wordes and sugred aslurances; in liew of the fa∣uour and honour hee promised him, sent him bound hand and foote to Rome. One traytour ouer-reached another, against common custome: For, they are all full of distrust, and t'is ve∣ry hard to surprize them in their owne arte: witnesse the heauie and dismall experience wee have lately felt of it. Let who liste bee Pomponius Flaccus; and there are too-too many that will bee so. As for my parte, both my word and faith, are as the rest; pieces of this common bodie: their best effect is the publike seruice: that's ever presupposed with mee. But as, if one should command mee to take the charge of the Rolles or Recordes of the Pallace, I would answere: I have noe skill in them: or to bee a leader of Pioners, I would say; I am cal∣led to a worthier office: Even so, who would goe about to employ mee, not to murther or poyson, but to lye, betraye, and forsweare my selfe, I would tell him; If I have robbed or stolne any thing from any man, send mee rather to the Gallies. For, a Gentleman may law∣fully speake as did the Lacedemonians, defeated by Antipater, vpon the points of their a∣greement: You may impose as heauie burdens, and harmefull taxes vpon vs as you please; but you loose your time, to commaund vs any shamefull or dishonest things. Euery man should give him∣selfe the oathe, which the Aegyptian Kings, solemnlie and vsuallie presented to their judges; Not to swarue from their consciences, what commaund soever they should receive from them∣selues to the contrarie. In such commissions there is an evident note of ignominie and con∣demnation. And whosoever giues them you, accuseth you; and if you conceave them right, giues you them as a trouble and burthen. As much as the publike affaires amend by your en∣deuours, your owne empaireth: the better you doe, so much the worse doe you. And it shall not bee newe, nor peraduenture without shadowe of justice, that hee who setteth you a worke, becommeth your ruine. If treason bee in any case excusable, it is onely then, when t'is employed to punish and betraye treason. Wee shall finde many treacheries, to haue beene not onely refused, but punished by them, in whose fauour they were vnder taken. Who knowes not the sentence of Fabritius, against Pyrrus his Physition? And the commaunder hath often severely revenged them on the partic hee employed in them, refusing so vnbrid∣led a credite and power, and disavowing so lewde and so vile an obedience. Iaropelc Duke of Russia, sollicited an Hungarian Gentleman, to betraye Bol••slaus King of Polonia, in contri∣uing his death, or furnishing the Russians with meanes to worke him some notable mischiefe. This gallant, presently bestirres him in it, and more then euer applying himselfe to the Kings seruice obtained to bee of his counsell, and of those hee most trusted. By which aduan∣tages, and with the opportunitie of his maisters absence, hee betrayde Ʋicilicia, a great and rich cittie to the Russians: which was whollie sackt and burnt by them, with a generall slaughter, both of the inhabitants, of what sexe or age soever, and a great number of nobility there abouts, whom to that purpose he had assembled. Iaropelc his anger thus asswaged with revenge, and his rage mitigated (which was not without pretext, for Bol••slaus had migh∣tily wronged and in like manner incensed him) and glutted with the fruite of treason, examining the vglinesse thereof, naked and alone, and with imparciall eyes behoulding the same, not distempred by passion, conceaved such a remorse, and tooke it so to hart, that he forthwith caused the eyes of his instrumentall executioner to be pulled out, and his tongue and priuie partes to be cut of. Antigonus perswaded the Argyraspides soldiers, to betray Eu∣menes their generall, and his adversarie, vnto him, whom when they had deliuered, and hee had caused to be slaine; himselfe desired to be the Commissarie of diuine justice, for the pu∣nishment of so detestable a trecherie: and resigning them into the hands of the Gouernor of the Prouince, gave him expresse charge, in what manner soever it were, to rid himselfe of them, and bring them to some mischieuous end. Whereby, of that great number they were, not one ever after sawe the smoake of Macedon. The better they serued hit turne, the more wicked hee iudged them, and the more worthie of punishment. The slave that betraide the corner wherein his maister P. Sulpicius lay hid, was set at libertie, accor∣ding to the promise of Syllas proscription: But according to the promise of common rea∣son, beeing freed, hee was throwne head-long from off the Tarpeyan rocke. And Clouis King of France, in liew of the goldenarmes he had promised the three servants of Canna∣cre,

caused them to be hanged, after they had by his sollicitation betraide their maister vnto him. They hang them vp with the purse of their reward about their neckes. Having sa∣satisfied their second and speciall faith, they also satisfie the generall and first. Mahomet the second, desirous to rid himselfe of his brother (through jealousie of rule, and according to the stile of that race) employed one of his officers in it; who stifled him, by much water powred downe his throate all at once: which done, in expiation of the fact, hee deliuered the murtherer into the hands of his brothers mother (for they were brethren but by the fa∣thers side) shee, in his presence, opened his bosome, and with hir owne revenging handes searching for his heart, pluckt it out, and cast it vnto dogges to eate. Even vnto vile dispo∣sitions (hauing made vse of a filthie action) it is so sweete and pleasing, if they may with se∣euritie, as it were, in way of recompence and holie correction, sowe one sure stitche of good∣nesse, and justice vnto it. Besides; they respect the ministers of such horrible crimes, as peo∣ple, that still vpbraide them with them, and couet by their deaths to smother the knowledge, and cancell the testimonie of their practises. Now if perhaps, not to frustrate the publike neede of that last and desperate remedy, one rewarde you for it: yet, hee who doth it (if hee bee not as bad himselfe) will hould you a most accursed and execrable crea∣ture. And deemeth you a greater traytor, then he whom you haue betrayed: for with your owne handes, hee toucheth the lewdnesse of your disposition, without disavowing, without object. But employeth you, as we do out-cast persons in the executions of justice: an office as profitable as little honest. Besides the basenesse of such commissions, there is in them a prostitution of conscience. The daughter of Sejanus, could not in Rome, by any true for∣mall course of lawe, bee put to death, because shee was a virgine: that lawes might haue their due course, shee was first deflowred by the common hang-man, and then strangled. Not his hand onely, but his soule is a slave vnto publike commoditie. When Amurath the first, to aggrauate the punishment of his subjects, who had given support vnto his sons vnna∣turall rebellion, appointed their neerest kinsmen to lend their hands vnto this execution: I finde it verie honest in some of them, who rather chose vnjustly to bee held guiltie of anothers parricide, then to serue iustice with their owne. And whereas in some pal∣trie townes forced in my time, I haue seene base varlets for sauegarde of their owne lives, yeelde to hang their friends and companions, I ever thought them of worse conditi∣on, then such as were hanged. It is reported, that Witoldus Prince of Lituania, introduced an order with that nation, which was that the partie condemned to die, should with his owne handes make himselfe away; finding it strange, that a third man beeing guitlesse of the fact, shoulde bee employed and charged to commit a murther. When an vrgent cir∣cumstance, or any violent and vnexpected accident, induceth a Prince for the necessitie of his estate, or as thay say for state matters, to breake his worde and faith, or otherwise for∣ceth him out of his ordinary dutie, hee is to ascribe that necessitie vnto a lash of Gods rod: It is no vice, for hee hath quit his reason, vnto a reason more publike, and more power∣full, but surely t'is ill fortune. So that to one, who asked mee what remedie? I replyde, none; were hee trulie rackt betweene these two extreames (Sed videat ne quaeratur latebra periurio. But let him take heede hee seeke not a starting hole for periurie) hee must have done it;* 1.5 but if hee did it sans regret or scruple, if it greeued him not to doe it, t'is an argument his con∣science is but in ill tearmes. Now were there any one of so tender or cheuerell a consci∣ence, to whome no cure might seeme worthie of so extreame a remedie: I should prise or regard him no whit the lesse. Hee cannot loose himselfe more handsomelie nor more excusable. Wee cannot doe every thing, nor bee in euery place. When all is done, thus and thus, must wee often, as vnto our last Anker and sole refuge, resigne the protection of our vessellvnto the onely conduct of heauen. To what juster necessitie can hee reserue himselfe? What is lesse possible for him to doe, then what hee cannot effect, without charge vnto his faith, and imputation to his honour? things which peradventure should bee dea∣rer to him, then his owne saluation, and the safety of his people. When with enfoulded armes hee shall deuoutly call on God for his ayde, may hee not hope, that his fatherlie mercie shall not refuse the extraordinarie fauour, and sinne-forgiuing grace of his all powerfull hand, vnto a pure and righteous hand? They are dangerous exemples, rare and crased exceptions to our naturall rules: wee must yeelde vnto them, but with great mo∣deration, and heedie circumspection. No priuate commoditie, may any way deserue wee

should offer our conscience this wrong the common-wealth may, when it is most appa∣rant and important. Timoleon did fitlie warrant and warde the strangenesse of his exploite by the teares hee shed, remembring it was with a brotherlie hand hee slew the tyrant, And it neerelie pinched his selfe-gnawne conscience, that hee was compelled to purchase the com∣mon good, at the rate of his honestie. The sacred Senate it selfe, by his meanes deliuered from thraldome, durst not definitively decide of so haughtie an action, and rend in two so vrgent and different semblances. But the Siracusans having opportunelie and at that very instant sent to the Corinthians, to require their protection, and a gouernour able to re-esta∣blish their towne in former maiestie, and deliuer Sicilie from a number of pettie tyrants, which greeuoushe oppressed the same: they appointed Timoleon, with this new caucat and declaration: That according as hee should well or ill demeane himselfe in his charge, their sentence should encline, either to grace him as the redeemer of his country, or disgrace him, as the murtherer of his brother. This fantasticall conclusion, hath some excuse vpon the danger of the example, and importance of an act so different. and they did well, to discharge their iudgement of it, or to embarke him some where else, and on their considerations Now the proceedings of Timoleon in his renowned iournie did soone yeelde his cause the cleerer, so worthily and vertuously did hee euery way beare himselfe therein. And the good hap, which euer accompanied him in the encombrances and difficulties hee was to subdue in the atchieuement of his noble enterprise, seemed to bee sent him by the Gods, conspiring to se∣cond, and consenting to favour his justification: This mans end is excusable, if euer any could bee. But the encrease and profit of the publike revenues, which serued the Roman Senate for a pretext of the ensuing-foule conclusion I purpose to relate, is not of sufficient force to warrant such injustice. Certaine citties had by the order and permission of the Senate, with mony purchased their libertie, at the hands of L. Sylla. The matter comming in question a∣gaine, the Senate condemned them, to bee fineable and taxed as before: and the mony they had employed for their ransome, should bee deemed as lost and forfetted. Ciuill warres doe often produce such enormous examples: That we punish priuate men, for somuch as they have beleeved vs, when wee were other then now wee are. And one same magistrate doth laie the penaltie of his change on such as cannot do withall. The Schoolemaster whippeth his scholler for his docilitie, and the guide streeketh the blind man he leadeth. A horrible image, of justice. Some rules in Philosophie are both false and fainte. The example proposed vnto vs, of respecting priuate vtilitie before faith giuen, hath not sufficient power by the circumstance they adde vnto it. Theeves have taken you, and on your oath to pay them a certaine sum of money, haue set you at libertie againe: They erre, that say, an honest man is quit of his worde and faith without paying, beeing out of them handes; There is noe such matter, What feare and danger hath once forced mee to will and consent vnto, I am bound to will and per∣forme boing out of danger and feare. And although it have but forced my tongue, and not my will, yet am I bound to make my worde good, and keepe my promise. For my part, when it hath sometimes vnaduisedly ouer-runne my thought, yet haue I made a conscience to disavowe the same. Otherwise wee should by degrees come to abolish all the right a third man taketh and may challenge of our promises. Quasi verò forti viro vis possit adhi∣beri.* 1.6 As though any force could be vsed vpon a valiant man, T'is onely lawfull for our priuate interest to excuse the breache of promise, if wee have rashlie promised things in them selves wicked and vnjust. For, the right of vertue ought to over-rule the right of our bonde. I have heretofore placed Fpaminondas in the first ranke of excellent men, and now recant it not. Vnto what high pitch raised hee the consideration of his particular dutie? who never slew man hee had vanquished; who for that vnvaluable good of restoring his countrie hir liber∣tie, made it a matter of conscience, to murther a Tyrant or his complices, without a due and formal course of lawe: and who judged him a bad man, how good a cittizen soever, that amongest his enemies and in the furie of a battle, spared not his friend, or his hoste. Loc here a minde of a riche composition. Hee matched vnto the most violent and rude actions of men, goodnesse and courtesie, yea and the most choise and delicate, that may bee found in the schoole of Philosophie. This so high-raised courage, so swelling and so obstinate against sorow, death and povertie, was it nature or arte, made it relent, even to the vtmost straine of exceedeng tendernesse and debonaretie of complexion? Being cloathed in the dreadfull liuerie of steele and blood, hee goeth on crushing and brusing a nation, inuinci∣ble

to all others, but to himselfe: yet mildely relenteth in the midst of a combat or confusi∣on, when hee meets with his host or with his friend. Verily, this man was deservedly fit to command in warre, which in the extremest furie of his innated rage, made him to feele the sting of courtesie, and remorse of gentlenesse: then when all enflamed, it foamed with furie, and burned with murder. T'is a miracle, to be able to joine any shew of justice with such a∣ctions. But it only belongeth to the vnmatched courage of Epaminondas, in that confused plight, to joine mildnesse and facilitie of the most gentle behaviour that ever was, vnto them, yea and pure innocencie it selfe. And whereas one told the Mamertins, that statutes were of no force against armed men: another to the Tribune of the people, that the time of justice and warre, were two: a third, that the confused noise of warre and clang of armes, hindred him from vnderstanding the sober voice of the lawes: This man was not so much as empea∣ched from conceiving the milde sound of civilitie and kindnesse. Borrowed hee of his ene∣mies the custome of sacrificing to the Muses (when hee went to the warres) to qualifie by their sweetnesse and mildnesse, that martiall furie, and hostile surlinesse? Let vs not feare, after so great a master, to hold that some things are vnlawfull, even against our fellest ene∣mies: that publike interest, ought not to challenge all of all, against private interest: Ma∣nente memoria etiam in dissidio publicorum foederum privati iuris: Some memorie of private right continuing euen in disagreement of publike contracts.

—& nulla potentia vires* 1.7 Praestandi, ne quid peccet amicus, habet: No power hath so great might, To make friends still goe right.

And that all things be not lawfull to an honest man, for the service of his King, the generall cause and defence of the lawes. Non enim patria praestat omnibus officijs, & ipsi conducit pios habere cives* 1.8 in parentes. For our countrey is not above all other duties; it is good for the countrey to have her in∣habitants vse pietie toward their parents. T'is an instruction befitting the times: wee need not harden our courages with these plates of iron and steele; it sufficeth our shoulders be armed with them: it is enough to dippe our pens in inke, too much, to die them in blood. If it be greatnesse of courage, and th' effect of a rare and singular vertue, to neglect friendship, de∣spise private respects and bonds; ones word and kindred, for the common good and obedi∣ence of the Magistrate: it is verily able to excuse vs from it, if we but allege, that it is a great∣nesse vnable to lodge in the greatnesse of Epaminondas his courage. I abhorre the enraged admonitions of this other vnruly spirit.

- dum tela micant, non vos pietatis imago* 1.9 Vlla, nec aduersa conspect•• fronte parentes Commoveant, vult us gladio turbante verendos. While swords are brandisht, let no shew of grace Once moove you, nor your parents face to face, But with your swords disturbe their reverend grace.

Let vs bereave wicked, bloodie and traiterous dispositions, of this pretext of reason: leave wee that impious and exorbitant iustice, and adhere vnto more humane imitations, Oh what may time and example bring to passe! In an encounter of the civill warres against Cinna, one of Pompeyes souldiers, having vnwittingly slaine his brother, who was on the other side, through shame and sorrow presently killed himselfe; And some yeeres after, in another civill warre of the said people, a souldier boldly demanded a reward of his Captaines for killing his owne brother. Falsly doe wee argue honour, and the beautie of an action, by it's profit: and conclude as ill, to thinke every one is bound vnto it, and that it is honest, if it be commodious.

Omnia non pariter rerum sunt omnibus apta.* 1.10 All things alike to all Doe not well-fitting fall.

Choose we out the most necessary and most beneficiall matter of humane society, it will be a mariage: yet is it, that the Saints counsell findeth and deemeth the contrary side more honest, excluding from it the most reverend vocation of men: as we to our races assigne such beasts as are of least esteeme.

The second Chapter.

Of Repenting.

OThers fashion man, I repeat him; and represent a particular one, but ill made; and whom were I to forme a new, he should be far other then he is; but he is now made. And though the lines of my picture change and vary, yet loose they not themselves. The world runnes all on wheeles: All things therein moove without entermission; yea the earth, the rockes of Caucasus, and the Pyramides of Aegypt, both with the publike and their owne motion. Constancy it selfe is nothing but a languishing and wauering dance. I cannot settle my obiect; it goeth so vnquietly and staggering, with a naturall drunkennesse. I take it in this plight, as it is at th'instant I ammuse my selfe about it. I describe not the essence, but the pas∣sage; not a passage from age to age, or as the people reckon, from seaven yeares to seaven, but from day to day, from minute to minute. My history must be fitted to the present. I may soone change, not onely fortune, but intention. It is a counter-roule of divers and vari∣able accidents, and irresolute imaginations, and sometimes contrary: whether it be that my selfe am other, or that I apprehend subiects, by other circumstances and considerations. Howsoever, I may perhaps gaine say my selfe, but truth (as Demades said) I never gaine-say: Were my minde setled, I would not essay, but resolue my selfe. It is still a Prentise and a pro∣bationer. I propose a meane life, and without luster: T'is all one. They fasten all morall Philosophy as well to a popular and priuate life, as to one of richer stuffe. Every man beareth the whole stampe of humane condition. Authors communicate themselves vnto the world by some speciall and strange marke; I the first, by my generall disposition; as Michael de Mon∣taigne; not as a Grammarian, or a Poet, or a Lawyer. If the world complaine, I speake too much of my selfe, I complaine, it thinkes no more of it selfe. But is it reason, that being so private in vse, I should pretend to make my selfe publike in knowledge? Or is it reason, I should produce into the world, where fashion and arte have such sway and command, the raw and simple effects of nature; and of a nature as yet exceeding weake? To write bookes without learning, is it not to make a wall without stone or such like thing? Conceites of musicke are dire∣cted by arte; mine by hap. Yet have I this according to learning, that never man handled subject, he vnderstood or knew, better then I doe this I have vndertaken; being therein the cunningest man alive.

Secondly, that never man waded further into his matter, nor more distinctly sifted the partes and dependances of it, nor arrived more exactly and fully to the end he proposed vn∣to himselfe. To finish the same, I have need of naught but faithfulnesse: which is therein as sincere and pure as may be found. I speake truth, not my belly-full, but as much as I dare; and I dare the more, the more I grow into yeares: for it seemeth, custome alloweth old age more liberty to babbell, and indiscretion to talke of it selfe. It cannot herein be, as in trades; where the Crafts-man and his worke doe often differ. Being a man of so sound and honest conuersation, write he so foolishly? Are such learned writings come from a man of so weake a conversation? who hath but an ordinary conceite, and writeth excellently, one may say his capacity is borrowed, not of himselfe. A skilfull man, is not skilfull in all things: But a sufficient man, is sufficient euery where, even vnto ignorance. Heere my booke and my selfe march together, and keepe one pace. Else-where one may commend or condemne the worke, without the worke-man; heere not: who toucheth one, toucheth the other. He who shall iudge of it without knowing him, shall wrong himselfe more then me: he that knowes it,

hath wholly satisfied mee. Happie beyond my merite, If I get this onely portion of publike approbation, as I may cause men of vnderstanding to thinke, I had beene able to make vse and benefit of learning, had I beene endowed with any: and deserued better helpe of me∣morie. excuse wee heere what I often say, that I seldome repent my selfe, and that my con∣science is contented with it selfe; not of an Angels or a horses conscience, but as of a mans con∣science. Adding euer this clause, not of ceremonie, but of true and essentiall submission; that I speake inquiring and doubting, meerely and simply referring my selfe, from resolution, vnto common and lawfull opinions. I teach not; I report: Noe vice is absolutely vice, which offendeth not, and a sound iudgement accuseth not: For, the deformitie and incommoditie thereof is so palpable, as peraduenture they haue reason, who say, it is chiefly produced by sottishnesse and brought forth by ignorance; so hard is it, to imagine one should know it without ha∣ting it. Malice sucks vp the greatest part of her owne venome, and therewith impoysoneth herselfe. Ʋice, leaueth, as an vlcer in the flesh, a repentance in the soule, which still scratcheth, and bloodieth it selfe. For reason effaceth other griefes and sorrowes, but engendereth those of repentance: the more yrkesome, because inwarde: As the colde and heate of agues is more offensiue then that which comes outward. I account vice (but each according to their measure) not onely those which reason disalowes, and nature condemnes, but such as mans opinion bath forged as false and erronious, if lawes and custome authorize the same. In like manner there is not goodnesse but gladdeth an honest disposition. There is truely I wot not what kinde or con∣gratulation, of well doing, which reioyceth in our selues, and a generous jollitie, that ac∣companieth a good conscience. A minde couragiouslie vicious, may happily furnish it selfe with security, but shee cannot bee fraught, with this selfe-ioyning delight and satisfaction. It is noe small pleasure, for one to feele himselfe preserued from the contagion of an age so in∣fected as ours, and to say to himselfe; could a man enter and see euen into my soule, yet should he not finde me guilty, either of the affliction or ruine of any body, nor culpable of enuie or re∣uenge, nor of publike offence against the lawes, nor tainted with innouation, trouble or sedi∣tion; nor spotted with falsifying of my worde; and although the libertie of times alowed and taught it every man, yet could I neuer bee induced to touch the goods or diue into the purse of any French man; and haue alwayes liued vpon mine own, as well in time of war, as of peace: nor did I euer make vse of any pooremans labour, without reward. These testimonies of an vnspotted conscience are very pleasing, which naturall ioy is a great benefit vnto vs; and the onely payment neuer faileth vs. To ground the recompence of vertuous actions, vpon the approbation of others, is to vndertake a most vncertaine or troubled foundation, namely in an age so corrupt and times so ignorant, as this is: the vulgar peoples good opinion is iniurious. Whom trust you in seeing what is commendable; God keepe mee from beeing an honest man, according to the description I dayly see made of honour, each one by himselfe. Quae fuerant vitia, mores sunt. What earst were vices, are now growne fashious. Some of my friendes, have sometimes attempted to schoole me roundly, and sift mee plainely, either of their owne motion, or envited by me, as to an office, which to a well composed minde, both in profit and lovingnesse, exceedeth all the duties of sincere amity. Such have I euer entertained with o∣pen armes of curtesie, and kinde acknowledgement. But now to speake from my conscience, I often found so much false measure in their reproches and praises, that I had not greatly er∣red if I had rather erred, then done well after their fashion. Such as wee especially, who live a private life not exposed to any gaze but our owne, ought in our hartes establish a touch∣stone, and thereto touch our deedes and try our actions; and accordingly, now cherish, and now chastise our selues. I haue my owne lawes and tribunall, to iudge of mee, whether I a∣dresse my selfe more then any where els. I restraine my actions according to other, but ex∣tend them according to my selfe. None but your self knowes rightly whether you be demisse and cruel, or loyall and deuout. Others see you not, but ghesse you by vncertaine coniectures: They see not so much your nature, as your arte. Adhere not then to their opinion, but hold vnto your owne. Tuo tibi iudicio est vtendum. Virtutis & viciorum graue ipsius conscientiae pon∣dus* 1.11 est: qua sublata iacent omnia; You must vse your owne iudgement: The weight of the very con∣science of vice and vertues is heauy: take that away, and all is downe. But where as it is said, that re∣pentance nearely followeth sinne, seemeth not to emplye sinne placed in his rich aray, which lodgeth in vs as in his proper mansion. One may disavowe and disclaime vices, that surprise vs, and whereto our passions transport vs: but those, which by long habite are rooted in a

strong, and ankred in a powerfull will, are not subiect to contradiction. Repentance is but a de∣nying of our will, and an opposition of our fantasies which diuerts vs here and there. It makes some disauow his former vertue and continencie.

Quae mens est hodie, cur eadem non puero fuit,* 1.12 Ʋel cur his animis incolumes non redeunt genae? Why was not in a youth same minde as now? Or why beares not this minde a youthfull brow?

That is an exquisite life, which euen in his owne priuate keepeth it selfe in awe and order. Euery one may play the jugler, and represent an honest man vpon the stage; but within, and in bosome, where all thinges are lawfull, where all is concealed; to keepe a due rule or for∣mall decorum, that's the point. The next degree, is to bee so in ones owne home, and in his ordinary actions, whereof we are to giue accoumpt to no body: wherin is no study, nor arte, And therefore Bias describing the perfect state of a family, whereof (saith hee) the maister, be such inwardly by himselfe, as hee is outwardly, for feare of the lawes, and respect of mens speaches. And it was a worthy saying of Iulius Drusus, to those worke-men, which for three thousande crownes, offered so to reforme his house, that his neighbours should no more ouer looke into it: I will giue you sixe thousand (said hee) and contriue it so, that on all sides euery man may looke into it. The custome of Agesilaus is remembred with ho∣nour, who in his trauaile was wont to take vp his lodging in churches, that the people, and Gods themselues might pry into his priuate actions. Some haue beene admirable to the world, in whom nor his wife, nor his seruant euer noted any thing remarkeable. Few men haue beene admired of their familiars. No man hath beene a Prophet, not onely in his house, but in his owne country, saith the experience of histories. Euen so in things of nought. And in this base example, is the image of greatnesse discerned. In my climate of Gascoigne they deeme it a iest to see mee in print. The further the knowledge which is taken of mee is from my home, of so much more woorth am I. In Guienne I pay Printers; in other places they pay mee. Vpon this accident they ground, who liuing and present keepe close-lurking, to pur∣chase credit when they shall be dead and absent. I had rather haue lesse. And I cast not my selfe into the world, but for the portion I draw from it. That done, I quit it. The people attend on such a man with wonderment, from a publike act, vnto his owne doores: to∣gether with his roabes hee leaues-of his part; falling so much the lower, by how much high∣er hee was mounted. View him within, thereall is turbulent, disordered and vile. And were order and formality found in him, a liuely, impartiall and well sorted iudgement is re∣quired, to perceiue and fully to discerne him in these base and priuate actions. Considering that order is but a dumpish and drowsie vertue: To gaine a Battaile, perfourme an Ambas∣sage, and gouerne a people, are noble and woorthy actions; to chide, laugh, sell, pay, loue, hate, and mildely and iustly to conuerse both with his owne and with himselfe; not to relent, and not gaine-say himselfe, are thinges more rare, more difficult and lesse re∣markeable.

Retired liues sustaine that way, what euer som say, offices as much more crabbed, and extended, then other liues doe. And priuate men (saith Aristotle) serue vertue more hardly, and more highly attend her, then those which are magistrates or placed in authority. Wee prepare our selues vnto eminent occasions, more for glory then for conscience. The nearest way to come vnto glory, were to doe that for conscience, which wee doe for glory. And me seemeth the vertue of Alexander representeth much lesse vigor in her large Theater, then that of So∣crates, in his base and obscure excercitation. I easily conceiue Socrates, in the roome of A∣lexander; Alexander in that of Socrates I cannot. If any aske the one, what hee can doe, hee will answere, Conquer the world; let the same question bee demaunded of the other, he will say, leade my life conformably to it's naturall condition; A science much more generous, more important, and more lawfull.

The woorth of the minde consisteth not in going high, but in marching orderly. Her greatnesse is not excercised in greatnesse; in mediocritye it is. As those, which iudge and touch vs inwardely, make no great accoumpt of the brightnesse of our publique actions; and see they are but streakes and poyntes of cleare Water,

surging from a bottome, otherwise slimie and full of mud: So those who iudge vs by this gay outward apparance, conclude the same of our inward constitution, and cannot couple popular faculties as theirs are, vnto these other faculties, which amaze them so farre from their leuell. So doe we attribute sauage shapes and ougly formes vnto diuels. As who doeth not ascribe high-raised eye-browes, open nostrils, a sterne frightfull visage, and a huge bo∣dy vnto Tamburlane, as is the forme or shape of the imagination we haue fore-conceiued by the bruite of his name? Had any heretofore shewed me Erasmus, I could hardly had bin in∣duced to think, but whatsoeuer he had said to his boy or hostes, had beene Adages and Apo∣thegmes. We imagine much more fitly an Artificer vpon his close stoole or on his wife, then a great judge, reverend for his carriage and regardfull for his sufficiencie; we thinke, that from those high thrones they should not abase themselues so low, as to liue. As vicious mindes are often incited to do well by some strange impulsion, so are vertuous spirits mooued to d••e ill. They must then bee judged by their settled estate, when they are neare themselues, and as we say, at home, if at any time they be so; or when they are nearest vnto rest, and in their naturall seate. Naturall inclinations are by institution helped and strengthned, but they nei∣ther change nor exceed. A thousand natures in my time, haue a thwart, a contrary discipline, escaped toward vertue or toward vice.

Sic vbi desuetae siluis in carcere clausae,* 1.13 Mansueuére ferae, & vultui posuere minaces, Atque hominem dedicere pati, si torrida paruus Ʋenit in or a cruor, redeunt rabies{que} furorque, Admonitaeque tument gustato sanguine fauces, Feruet, & à trepido vix abstinet ir a magistro. So when wilde beasts, disused from the wood, Fierce lookes laide-downe, growe tame, closde in a cage, Taught to beare man, if then a little blood Touch their hot lips, furie returnes and rage; Their iawes by taste admonisht swell with vaines, Rage boyles, and from fainte keeper scarse abstaines.

These originall qualities are not grubd out, they are but covered, and hidden: The Latine tongue is to mee in a manner naturall; I vnderstand it better then French; but it is now fortie yeares, I have not made vse of it to speake, nor much to write: yet in some ex∣treame emotions and suddaine passions, wherein I haue twice or thrice falen, since my yeares of discretion; and namely once, when my father being in perfect health, fell all along vpon me in a swoune, I haue euer, euen from my very hart vttered my first wordes in latine: Na∣ture rushing and by force expressing it selfe, against so long a custome; the like example is aleaged of diuers others. Those which in my time, haue attempted to correct the fasti∣ons of the world by new opinions, reforme the vices of apparance; those of essence they leaue vntouched if they encrease them not: And their encrease is much to be feared. We willinglie protract all other well-doing vpon these externall reformations, of lesse cost, and of great∣ter merit; whereby wee satisfie good-cheape, other naturall consubstantiall and intestine vices. Looke a little into the course of our experience. There is no man (if he listen to him∣selfe) that doth not discouer in himselfe a peculiar forme of his, a swaieng forme, which wrestleth against the institution, and against the tempests of passions, which are contrarie vnto him. As for me, I feele not my selfe much agitated by a shocke; I commonly finde my selfe in mine owne place, as are sluggish and lumpish bodies. If I am not close and neare vnto my selfe, I am never farre-off: My debauches or excesses transport me not much. There is nothing extreame and strange: yet haue I sound fits and vigorous lusts.▪ The true condem∣nation, and which toucheth the common fashion of our men, is, that their very retreate is full of corruption and filth: The Idea of their amendment blurred and deformed; their re∣pentance crazed and faultie, very neere as much as their sinne. Some, either because they are so fast and naturally ioyned vnto vice, or through long custome, haue lost all sence of it's vglinesse. To others (of whose rancke I am) vice is burthenous, but they counter-ballance it with pleasure, or other occasions: and suffer it, and at a certaine rate lend themselues vnto it; though basely and viciously. Yet might happily so remote a disproportion of measure bee imagined, where with justice, the pleasure might excuse the offence, as we say of profit,

Not onely being accidentall, and out of sinne, as in thefts, but even in the very excercise of it, as in the acquaintance, or copulation with women; where the prouocation is so violent, and as they say, sometime vnresistable, In a towne of a kinsman of mine; the other day, beeing in Armignac, I sawe a country man, commonly sirnemed the Theefe: who him∣selfe reported his life to haue beene thus. Beeing borne a begger, and perceiuing, that to get his bread by the sweate of his brow and labour of his handes, would neuer sufficient∣ly arme him against penury, he resolued to become a Theefe; and that trade had employed all his youth safely, by meanes of his bodily strength: for he euer made vp Haruest and Vin∣tage in other mens groundes; but so farre off, and in so great heapes, that it was beyond ima∣gination, one man should in one night carry away so much vpon his shoulders: and was so carefull to equall the pray, and disperce the mischiefe he did, that the spoile was of lesse import to euery particular man.

Hee is now in olde yeares indifferently rich; for a man of his condition (Godamer∣cy his trade) which hee is not ashamed to confesse openly, And to reconcile himselfe with God, hee affirmeth, to bee dayly ready, with his gettings, and other good turnes, to satisfie the posterity of those hee hath heeretofore wronged or robbed; which if himselfe bee not of abilitie to performe (for hee cannot doe all at once) hee will charge his heires withall, according to the knowledge hee hath, of the wrongs by him done to euery man. By this de∣scription, bee it true or false, hee respecteth theaft, as a dishonest and vnlawfull action, and ha∣teth the same: yet lesse then pinching want: Hee repents but simplie; for in regarde it was so counterballanced and recompenced, hee repenteth not. That is not that habit which in∣corporates vs vnto vice, and confirmeth our vnderstanding in it; nor is it that boysterous winde, which by violent blastes dazeleth and troubleth our mindes, and at that time confoundes, and ouerwhelmes both vs, our iudgement, and all into the power of vice. What I doe, is ordinarily full and compleate, and I march (as wee say) all in one piece: I haue not many motions, that hide themselves and slinke away from my reason, or which ve∣ry neare are not guided by the consent of all my partes, without diuision, or intestine sediti∣on: my iudgement hath the whole blame, or commendation; and the blame it hath once, it hath euer: for, almost from it's birth, it hath beene one, of the same inclination, course and force. And in matters of generall opinions, euen from my infancie, I ranged my selfe to the point I was to hold. Some sinnes there are outragious, violent and suddaine; leaue we them.

But those other sinnes, so often reassumed, determined and aduised vpon, whether they bee of complexion, or of profession and calling, I cannot conceiue how they should so long bee settled in one same courage, vnlesse the reason and conscience of the sinner were thervnto inwardly priuie and constantly willing. And how to imagine or fashion the repen∣tance thereof, which hee vanteth, doeth some times visite him, seemeth somewhat hard vn∣to mee. I am not of Phythagoras Sect, that men take a new soule, when to receive Oracles, they approach the images of Gods; vnlesse he would say with all, that it must bee a strange one, new, and lent him for the time: our owne, giuing so little signe of purification, and clea∣nesse worthy of that office, They doe altogether against the Stoycall precepts, which ap∣point vs to correct the imperfections and vices we finde in our selues, but withall forbidde vs to disturbe the quiet of our minde. They make vs beleeue, they feele great remorse, and are inwardly much displeased with sinne; but of amendment, correction or intermission, they shew vs none. Surely there can bee noc perfect health; Where the disease is not per∣fectlye remooued. Were repentance put in the scale of the ballance, it woulde weigh downe sinne. I finde no humour so easie to bee counterfeited as Deuotion: If one conforme not his life and conditions to it, her essence is abstruse and concealed, her apparance gentle and stately.

For my part, I may in generall wish to bee other then I am; I may condemne and mislike my vniuersall forme; I may beseech God to grant mee an vndefiled reformation, and excuse my naturall weakenesse; but mee seemeth I ought not to tearme this repentance noe more then the displeasure of being neither Angell nor Cat••. My actions are squared to what I am and conformed to my condition. I cannot doe better: And repentance dooth not properly concerne what is not in our power; sorrow dooth. I may imagine infinite dispositions of a higher pitch, and better gouerned then myne, yet doe I nothing better my faculties;

noe more then mine arme becommeth stronger, or my wit more excellent, by conceiuing some others to be so. If to suppose & wish a more nobler working then ours, might produce the repentance of our owne, wee should then repent vs of our most innocent actions: for∣somuch as wee iudge that in a more excellent nature, they had heene directed with greater perfection and dignity; and our selves would doe the like. When I consult with my age of my youthes proceedings, I finde that commonly, (according to my opinion) I mana∣ged them in order. This is all my resistance is able to performe. I flatter not my selfe: in like circumstances, I should euer bee the same. It is not a spot, but a whole dye, that staynes mee. I acknowledge noe repentance, that is superficiall, meane and ceremoious. It must touch mee on all sides, before I can terme it repentance. It must pinch my entrailes, and afflict them as deepely and throughly, as God himselfe beholdes mee. When in negoti∣ating, many good fortunes haue slipt mee for want of good discretion, yet did my pro∣iects make good choyce, according to the occurrences presented vnto them. Their man∣ner is euer to take the easier and surer side. I finde that in my former deliberations, I proceeded, after my rules, discreetely, for the subiects state propounded to mee; and in like occasions, would proceede a like; a hundred yeares, hence. I respect not what now it is, but what it was, when I consulted of it. The consequence of all dessignes consistes in the seasons; occasions passe, and matters change vncessantlie. I have in my time runne into some grosse, ab∣surde and important errors; not for want of good aduise, but of good happe. There are se∣cret and indiuinable partes in the obiects men doe handle; especiallie in the nature of men and mute conditions, without shew, and sometimes vnknowne of the very possessours, pro∣duced and stirred vp by suddaine occasions. If my wit coulde neyther finde nor presage them, I am not offended with it; the function thereof is contained within it's owne limits. If the successe beate mee, and favour the side I refused; there is noe remedy; I fall not out with my selfe; I accuse my fortune, not my endeuour: that's not called repentance. Phocion had giuen the Athenians some counsell, which was not followed; the matter, against his opinion, succeeding happily; How now Phocion, (quoth one) art thou pleased the mat∣ter hath thriued so well? yea (saide hee) and I am glad of it, yet repent not the aduise I gaue.

When any of my friends come to mee for counsell, I bestowe it francklie and cleare∣lie, not as (well nigh all the worlde doth) wavering at the hazard of the matter, where∣by the contrary of my meaning may happen, that so they may justly finde fault with my aduise: for which I care not greatly. For they shall doe mee wrong, and it became nor mee to refuse them that dutie. I haue no body to blame for my faultes or misfortunes, but my selfe. For in effect I seldome vse the aduise of other vnlesse it be for complements sake, and where I haue need of instruction or knowledge of the fact. Marry in things wherin nought but judg∣ment is to bee employed; strange reasons may serve to sustaine, but not to divert me. I lende a favourable and curteous eare vnto them all. But (to my remembrance) I never be∣leeued any but mine owne. With mee they are but Flyes and Moathes, which distract my will. I little regarde mine owne opinions, other mens I esteeme as little: Fortune payes mee accordingly. If I take no counsell I give as little. I am not much sought after for it and lesse credited when I give it: Neither knowe I any enterprise, either private or publike, that my aduise hath directed and brought to conclusion. Euen those whome fortune had some-way tyde therevnto, have more willingly admitted the direction of others conceites, then mine. As one that am a jealous of the rights of my quiet, as of those of my authoritie; I would rather haue it thus.

Where leaving me, they iumpe with my profession, which is, wholly to settle and con∣taine mee in my selfe. It is a pleasure vnto mee, to bee disinteressed of other mens affayres, and disingaged from their contentions. When sutes or businesses bee ouer-past, how-so-e∣ver it bee, I greeve little at them. For, the imagination that they must necessarily hap∣pen-so, puts mee out of paine; behould them in the course of the Vniuerse, and en∣chained in Stoy call causes. Your fantazie cannot by wishe or imagination, remooue one point of them, but the whole order of things must reverse both what is past, and what is to come. More-over, I hate that accidentall repentance which olde age bringes with it.

Hee that in ancient times said, hee was beholden to yeares, because they had ridde him of voluptuousnesse, was not of mine opinion. I shall neuer giue impuissance thankes, for any good it can doe mee. Nec tam aversa vnquam videbitur ab opere suo providen∣tia, vt debilitas inter optima inuenta sit. Nor shall fore-sight euer bee seene so auerse from hir owne worke, that weakenesse bee found to bee one of the best things. Our appetites are rare in olde-age: the blowe over-passed, a deepe sacietie seazeth vpon vs: There∣in I see no conscience. Fretting care and weakenesse, imprint in vs an effeminate and drowzie vertue.

Wee must not suffer our selues so fully to be carried into naturall alterations, as to corrupt or adulterate our iudgement by them. Youth and pleasure haue not hereto∣fore prevailed so much ouer me, but I could ever (even in the midst of sensualities) discerne the vgly face of sinne: nor can the distaste which yeares bring on me, at this in∣stant, keepe mee from discerning that of voluptuousnesse in vice. Now I am no longer in it, I judge of it as if I were still there. I who lively and attentively examine my reason, finde it to be the same that possessed me in my most dissolute and licentious age; vnlesse perhaps, they being enfeebled and empayred by yeares, doe make some difference: And finde, that what delight it refuseth to affoorde mee in regarde of my bodilie health, it would no more denie mee, then in times past, for the health of my soule. To see it out of combate, I holde it not the more couragious. My temptations are so mortified and crazed, as they are not worthy of it's oppositions; holding but my hand before me, I be-calme them. Should one present that former concupiscence vnto it, I feare it would be of lesse power to sustance it than heretofore it hath beene. I see in it, by it selfe no encrease of iudgement, nor accesse of brightnesse, what it now iudgeth, it did then. Wherefore if there be any amendment, t'is but diseased. Oh miserable kinde of reme∣die, to be beholden vnto sicknesse for our health. It is not for our mishap, but for the good successe of our iudgement to performe this office. Crosses and afflictions, make me doe nothing but cursse them. They are for people, that cannot be awaked but by the whip. The course of my reason is the nimbler in prosperitie; It is much more distracted and busied in the digesting of mischiefes, than of delights. I see much cleare•• in faire wea∣ther. Health forewarneth me, as with more pleasure, so to better purpose than sicknesse. I approached the nearest I could vnto amendment and regularity, when I should have enioyed the same; I should be ashamed and vexed, that the misery and mishap of my old age could exceede the helth, attention and vigor of my youth: and that I should be estee∣med, not for what I have beene, but for what I am leaft to be. The happy life (in my opinion) not (as said Antisthenes) the happy death, is it that makes mans happinesse in this world.

I have not preposterously busied my selfe to tie the taile of a Philosopher, vnto the head and bodie of a varlet: nor that this paultrie end, should disavow and belie the fairest, soundest, and longest part of my life. I will present my selfe, and make a ge∣nerall muster of my whole, every where vniformally. Were I to live againe, it should bee as I have already lived. I neither deplore what is past, nor dread what is to come: and if I be not deceived, the inward parts have neerely resembled the outward. It is one of the chiefest points wherein I am beholden to fortune, that in the course of my bodies estate, each thing hath beene carried in season. I have seene the leaves, the blossomes, and the fruit; and now see the drooping and withering of it. Happily, be∣cause naturally. I beare my present miseries the more gently, because they are in sea∣son, and with greater favour make mee remember the long happinesse of my former life. In like manner, my discretion may well bee of like proportion in the one and the other time: but sure it was of much more performance, and had a better grace, being fresh, iolly and full of spirit, then now that it is worne, decrepite and toyle∣some.

I therefore renounce these casuall and dolourous reformations. God must touch our heartes; our conscience must amende of it selfe, and not by re-inforcement of our reason, nor by the enfeebling of our appetites. Voluptuousnesse in it selfe is neither pale nor discouloured, to be discerned by bleare and troubled eyes. Wee should affect tem∣perance and chastity for it selfe, and for Gods cause, who hath ordained them vnto vs:

that which Catars bestow vpon vs, and which I am beholden to my chollicke for, is nei∣ther temperance nor chastitie. A man cannot boast of contemning or combating sensuali∣tie, if hee see her not, or know not her grace, her force and most attractive beauties. I know them both, and therefore may speake it. But mee thinkes our soules in age are subject vnto more importunate diseases and imperfections, then they are in youth. I said so being young, when my beardlesse chinne was vpbraided mee; and I say it againe, now that my gray beard gives me authoritie. We entitle wisdome, the frowardnesse of our humours, and the distaste of present things; but in truth wee abandon not vices, so much as wee change them; and in mine opinion for the worse. Besides a sillie and ruinous pride, combersome tattle, way∣ward and vnsociable humours, superstition and a ridiculous carking for wealth, when the vse of it is well nigh lost, I finde the more enuie, injustice and leaudnesse in it. It sets more wrinckles in our mindes, then on our foreheads: nor are there any spirits, or very rare ones, which in growing old taste not sowrely and mustily. Man marcheth entirely to∣wards his encrease and decrease. View but the wisedome of Socrates, and divers circum∣stances of his condemnation, I dare say he something lent himselfe vnto it by prevaricati∣on of purpose: being so neere, and at the age of seventie, to endure the benumming of his spirits richest pace, and the dimming of his accustomed brightnesse. What Metamorphoses have I seene it daily make in diuers of mine acquaintances? It is a powerfull maladie, which naturally and imperceptible glideth into vs: There is required great prouision of stu••••, heed and precaution, to auoid the imperfections wherewith it chargeth vs; or at least to weaken their further progresse. I finde that notwithstanding all my entrenchings, by little and little it getteth ground vpon mee: I hold out as long as I can, but know not whither at length it will bring mee. Happe what happe will, I am pleased the world know from what height I tumbled.

The third Chapter.

Of three commerces or societies.

WE must not cleave so fast vnto our humours and dispositions. Our chiefest suffici∣encie is, to applie our selves to divers fashions. It is a being, but not a life, to bee tied and bound by necessitie to one onely course. The goodliest mindes are those that have most varietie and pliablenesse in them. Behold an honourable testimonie of old Cato: Huic versatile ingenium sic pariter ad omnia fuit, vt natum ad id vnum diceres, quodcunque ageret.* 1.14 Hee had a wit so turneable for all things alike, as one would say hee had beene onely borne for that hee went about to doe. Were I to dresse my selfe after mine owne manner, there is no fashi∣on so good, whereto I would bee so affected or tied, as not to know how to leave and loose it. Life is a motion vnequall, irregular and multiforme. It is not to bee the friend (lesse the master) but the slave of ones selfe to follow vncessantly, and bee so addicted to his inclinations, as hee cannot stray from them, nor wrest them. This I say now, as being extremely pestred with the importunitie of my minde, forsomuch as shee cannot ammuse her selfe, but whereon it is busied; not employ it selfe, but bent and whole. How light soever the subject is one giues it, it willingly amplifieth, and wire-drawes the same, even vnto the highest pitch of toile. It's idlenesse is therefore a painefull trade vnto mee, and offen∣sive to my health. Most wits have neede of extravagant stuffe, to vn-benumme and exercise themselves: mine hath neede of it, rather to settle and continue it selfe: Ʋitia otij negotio discutienda sunt, The vices of idlenesse should bee shaken off with businesse: For, the* 1.15 most laborious care and principall studie of it, is, to studie it selfe. Bookes are one of those businesses that seduce it from studie. At the first thoughts that present themselves, it rouzeth vp and makes proofe of all the vigour it hath. It exerciseth it's function sometimes toward force, sometimes toward order and comelinesse, it rangeth, mo∣derates

and fortifieth. It hath of it selfe to awaken the faculties of it: Nature having gi∣ven it, as vnto all other, matter of it's owne for advantage, and subiects fit enough where∣on to devise and determine. Meditation is a large and powerfull studie to such as vigo∣rously can taste and employ themselues therein. I had rather forge then furnish my minde.

There is no office or occupation either weaker or stronger, then that of entertaining of ones thoughts according to the minde, whatsoever it be. The greatest make it their vacation, Quibus viuere est cogitare, to whom it is all one to liue and to meditate. Nature hath also favou∣red it with this priuilege, that there is nothing we can doe so long; nor action, whereto wee give our selves more ordinarily and easily. It is the worke of Gods (saith Aristotle) whence both their happinesse and ours proceedeth. Reading serves mee especially, to awake my conceit by divers objects; to busie my judgement, not my memorie. Few entertainments then, stay mee without vigour and force. T'is true that courtesie and beautie possesse mee, as much or more, then waight and depth. And because I slumber in all other communi∣cations, and lend but the superficiall parts of my attention vnto them, it often befalleth mee, in such kinde of weake and absurd discourses, (discourses of countenance) to blurt out and answer ridiculous toies, and fond absurdities, vnworthie a childe; or wilfully to hold my peace; therewithall more foolishly and incivilly. I have a kinde of raving fan∣cie-full behaviour, that retireth mee into my selfe; and on the other side, a grosse and childish ignorance of many ordinarie things; by meanes of which two qualities, I have in my daies committed five or six as sottish trickes, as any one whosoever; which to my derogation may bee reported. But to follow my purpose, this harsh comple∣xion of mine makes me nice in conuersing with men (whom I must picke and cull out for the nonce) and vnfit for common actions. Wee liue and negotiate with the people: If their behaviour importune vs, if wee disdaine to lend our selves to base and vulgar spirits, which often are as regular as those of a finer mould; and all wise∣dome is vasavourie, that is not conformed to common insipience. Wee are no longer to intermeddle either with our, or other mens affaires: and both publike and private for∣sake such kinde of people.

The least wrested, and most naturall proceedings of our minde, are the fairest; the best occupations, those which are least forced. Good God, how good an office doth wise∣dome vnto those, whose desires shee squareth according to their power! There is no science more profitable. As one may, was the burden and favoured saying of Socrates: A sentence of great substance. Wee must addresse and stay our desires, to things most easie and neerest. Is it not a fond-peevish humour in mee, to disagree from a thousand; to whom my fortune joineth mee, without whom I cannot live, to adhere vnto one or two, that are out of my commerce and conuersation; or rather to a fantasticall con∣ceit, or fancie-full desire, for a thing I cannot obtaine? My soft behaviours and milde manners, enemies to all sharpnesse and foes to all bitternesse, may easily have discharged mee from envie and contention. To bee beloved, I say not, but not to bee hated, never did man give more occasion. But the coldnesse of my conuersation, hath with reason robd mee of the good will of many; which may bee excused, if they interpret the same to o∣ther, or worse sense. I am most capable of getting rare amities, and continuing ex∣quisite acquaintances. For so much as with so greedie hunger I snatch at such acquain∣tances as answer my taste and square with my humour. I so greedily produce and head∣long cast my selfe vpon them, that I doe not easily misse to cleaue vnto them, and where I light-on, to make a steadie impression; I have often made happie and successefull triall of it.

In vulgar worldly friendships, I am somewhat cold and barren; for my proceeding is not naturall, if not vnresisted and with hoised-full sailes. Moreover, my fortune ha∣ving enured and allured mee, even from my infancie, to one sole-singular and perfect amitie, hath verily, in some sort, distasted mee from others: and over-deeply imprin∣ted in my fantasie, that it is a beast sociable and for companie, and not of troupe, as said an ancient writer. So that it is naturally a paine vnto mee, to communicate my selfe by halves, and with modification; and that servile or suspicious wisedome, which in the conversation of these numerous and imperfect amities, is ordained and pro∣posed

vnto vs: Prescribed in these daies especially, Wherein one cannot speake of the world but dangerouslie or falselie. Yet I see, that who (as I doe) makes for his ende, the com∣modities of his lyfe (I meane essentiall commodities) must auoyde as a plague, these diffi∣culties and quaintnesse of humour.

I should commend a high-raysed minde, that could both bende and discharge it selfe: that where-ever hir fortune might transporte hir, shee might continue constant: that could dis∣course with hir neyghbour of all matters, as of hir building, of hir hunting and of any quar∣rell; and entertaine with delight a Carpenter or a Gardiner. I enuye those which can be fa∣miliar with the meanest of their followers, and vouchafe to contract friendship, and frame discourse with their owne seruantes. Nor do I like the aduise of Plato, ever to speake impe∣riouslye vnto our attendants, without blithnesse and sance any familiaritie: be it to men or women seruants. For, besides my reason, it is inhumanitie, and injustice, to attribute so much vnto that prerogatiue of fortune: and the govenrment, where lesse inequalitie is permited be∣tweene the seruant and mayster, is, in my conceite the more indifferent. Some other studie to rouze and raise their minde; but I to abase and prostrate mine: it is not faultie but in extension.

Narras et genus Aeaci,* 1.16 Et pugnata sacro bella sub Ilio. Quo Chium pretio cadum Mercemur, quis aquam temperet iguibus, Quo praebente domum, et quota Pelignis caream frigoribus, taces. You tell of Aeacus the pedegree; The warres at sacred Troye you doe display, You tell not at what price a hogs-head we May buie of the best Wine; who shall allaye Wine-fire with water. at whose house to holde. At what a-clock, I may be kept from colde,

Even as the Lacedemonian valoure had neede of moderation, and of sweete and pleasing soundes of Flutes, to flatter and allaye it in time of warre, least it should runne head-long into rashnesse and furye: whereas all other nations vse commonly pearcing soundes and strong shouts, which violently excite, and enflame their souldyers courage: so thinke I (against ordinarye custome) that in the imployment of our spirite, wee have for the most part more need of leade then winges; of coldenesse and quiet, then of heate and a∣gitation. Above all, in my mind, The onely way to playe the foole well, is to seeme wise among fooles: to speake as though ones tongue were ever bent to Fauelar' in punta diforchetta, To* 1.17 syllabize or speake minsinglie. One must lend himselfe vnto those hee is with, and sometimes affect ignorance: Set force and subtiltie aside; In common employments t'is enough to re∣serue order; dragge your selfe even close to the ground, if they will have it so. The lear∣ned stumble willinglie on this blocke; making continuall muster, and open showe of their skill, and dispersing their bookes abroade: And have in these dayes so filled the clo∣sets, and possessed the eares of Ladyes, that if they retayne not their substance, at least they have theyr countenance: vsing in all sortes of discourse and subject how base or popular so∣ever, a newe, an affected and learned fashion of speaking and writing.

Hoc sermone pauent, hoc iram, gaudia, curas,* 1.18 Hoc cuncta effundunt animi secreta, quid vltra? Concumbunt docte. They in this language feare, in this they fashion Their ioyes, their cares, their rage, their inward passion; What more? they learned are in copulation.

And alleadge Plato, and Saint Thomas for things, which the first man they meete would decide as well, and stand for as good a witnesse. Such learning as could not enter

into their minde, hath staid on their tongues. If the well borne will give any credit vnto me, they shall be pleased to make their owne and naturall riches to prevaile and be of worth: They hide and shroud their formes vnder fortaine and borrowed beawties: It is great simpli∣city, for any body to smoother and conceale his owne brightnesse, to shine with a borrowed light: They are buried and entombed vnder the Arte of CAPSƲLA TOTAE, It is be∣cause they doe not sufficiently know themselves: the World containes nothing of more beauty: It is for them to honour Artes, and to beawtifie embellishment. What neede they more then to live beloved and honoured? They have, and know but too much in that matter. There needes but a little rouzing and enflaming of the faculties that are in them.

When I see them medling with Rhetoricke, with Law, and with Logicke, and such like trash, so vaine and vnprofitable for their vse; I enter into feare, that those who advise them to such things, doe it, that they may have more law to governe them vnder that pretence. For, what other excuse can I devise for them? It is sufficient, that with∣out vs, they may frame, or roule the grace of their eyes, vnto cheerefulnesse, vnto se∣verity, and vnto mildenesse: and season a No with frowardnesse, with doubt and with favour; and require not an interpretor in discourses made for their service. With this learning they command without controule, and over-rule both Regents and Schooles. Yet if it offend them to yeeld vs any preheminence, and would for curiosity sake have part in bookes also: Poesie is a study fit for their purpose: being a wanton, ammusing, subtill, disguised, and pratling Arte; all in delight, all in shew, like to themselves. They may also select diverse commodities out of History. In Morall Philosophy, they may take the discourses which enable them to judge of our humours, to censure our conditions, and to avoide our guiles and treacheries; to temper the rashnesse of their owne desires. to hus∣band their liberty: lengthen the delights of life; gently to beare the inconstancy of a ser∣uant, the peevishnesse or rudenesse of a husband, the importunity of yeares, the vnwell∣comnesse of wrinckles, and such like minde-troubling accidents. Loe heare the most and greatest share of learning I would assigne them. There are some particular, retired and close dispositions.

My essentiall forme is fit for communication, and proper for production: I am all outward and in apparance; borne for society and vnto friendship. The solitude I love and commend, is especially but to retire my affections and redeeme my thoughts vnto my selfe; to restraine and closevp, not my steppes, but my desires and my eares, resigning all forraigne solicitude and trouble, and mortally shunning all manner of seruitude and ob∣ligation; and not so much the throng of men as the importunity of affaires. Locall solita∣rinesse (to say trueth) doth rather extend and enlarge mee outwardly; I give my selfe to State-businesse, and to the world, more willingly when I am all alone. At the Court, and in presse of people, I close and slinke into mine owne skinne. Assemblies thrust mee againe into my selfe. And I never entertaine my selfe so fondly, so licenciously, and so particu∣larly, as in places of respect, and ceremonious discretion. Our follies make mee not laugh, but our wisdomes doe. Of mine owne complexion, I am no enemy to the agita∣tions and stirrings of our Courts: I have there past great part of my life: and am en∣ured to bee merry in great assemblies; so it beeby entermission, and sutable to my humour.

But this tendernesse and coinesse of judgement (whereof I speake) doth perforce tie mee vnto solitarinesse. Yea even in mine owne house, in the middest of a numerous familie and most frequented houses, I see people more then a good many, but seldome such as I love to converse or communicate withall. And there I reserve, both for my selfe, and others, an vnaccustomed libertie; making truce with ceremonies, assistance, and invitings, and such o∣ther troublesome ordinances of our courtesie (O servile custome and importunate manner) there every man demeaneth himselfe as hee pleaseth, and entertaineth what his thoughts af∣fect; whereas I keepe my selfe silent, meditating and close, without offence to my guests or friends.

The men whose familiaritie and societie I hunt after, are those which are called honest, vertuous and sufficient: the image of whom doth distaste and divert mee from others. It

is (being rightly taken) the rarest of our formes; and a forme or fashion chiefly due vnto nature.

The end or scope of this commerce, is principally and simply familiarity, conference and frequentation: the exercise of mindes, without other fruite. In our discourses, all subiects are alike to mee: I care not though they want either waight or depth; grace and pertmency are never wanting; all therein is tainted with a ripe and constant iudge∣ment, and commixt with goodnesse, liberty, cheerefulnesse, and kindnesse. It is not onely in the subiect of Lawes and affaires of Princes, that our spirit sheweth it's beautie, grace and vigor: It sheweth them as much in priuate conferences. I know my people by their very silence and smyling, and peraduenture discover them better at a Table, then sitting in serious counsell.

Hippomacus said, hee discerned good Wrestlers but by seeing them march through a Street. If learning vouchsafe to step into our talke, shee shall not be refused; yet must not shee be sterne, mastring, imperious and importunate, as commonly shee is; but assi∣stant, and docile of hirselfe. Therein wee seeke for nothing but recreation and pastime: when we shall looke to be instructed, taught and resolved, we will goe seeke and sue to hir in hir Throne. Let hir if shee please keepe from vs at that time; for, as commodious and pleasing as shee is: I presume that for a neede wee could spare hir presence, and doe our businesse well-enough without hir. Wits well borne, soundly bred and exercised in the practise and commerce of men, become gracious and plausible of themselves. Arte is but the Checke-roule, and Register of the Productions vttered, and conceites produced by them.

The company of faire, and society of honest women is likewise a sweet commerce for me: Nam••••s quoque oculos cruditos habemus, for wee also have learned eyes. If the minde have* 1.19 not so much to solace hir-selfe, as in the former; the corporall sences, whose part is more in the second, bring it to a proportion neere vnto the other; although in mine o∣pinion not equall. But it is a society wherein it behooveth a man somewhat to stand vpon his guard; and especially those that are of a strong constitution, and whose bo∣dy can doe much, as in mee. In my youth I heated my selfe therein and was ve∣ry violent; and endured all the rages and furious assaults, which Poets say hap∣pen to those who without order or discretion abandon themselves over-loosly and riotously vnto it. True it is indeed, that the same lash hath since stood me instead of an in∣struction.

Quicunque Argolica de classe Capharea fugit,* 1.20 Semper ab Euboicis vela retorquet aquis. Greeke Sailers that Capharean Rockes did fly, From the Euboean Seas their sailes still ply.

It is folly to fasten all ones thoughts vpon it, and with a furious and indiscreet affection to engage himselfe vnto it: But on the otherside, to meddle with it without loue or bond of affection, as Comediants doe, to play a common part of age and manners, without ought of their owne but bare-conned words, is verily a prouision for ones safety: and yet but a cowardly one; as is that of him, who would forgoe his honour, his profit or his pleasure for feare of danger; for it is certaine that the practi∣sers of such courses, cannot hope for any fruite able to moove or satisfie a worthy minde.

One must very earnestly have desired that, whereof he would enioy an absolute delight: I meane, though fortune should vniustly fauour their intention: which often hapneth because there is no woman, how deformed and vnhandsome soever, but thinkes hir-selfe louely, amiable and praise-worthy, either for hir age, hir haire or gate (for there are generally no more faire then foule ones) And the Brachmanian maides wanting other commendations; by Proclamation for that purpose, made shew

of their matrimoniall parts vnto the people assembled, to see if thereby at least they might get them husbands. By consequence there is not one of them, but vpon the first oath one maketh to serve her, will very easily bee perswaded to thinke well of her selfe. Now this common treason and ordinary protestations of men in these daies, must needes produce the effects, experience already discovereth: which is, that either they joine together, and cast away themselves on themselves, to avoid vs, or on their side follow also the example wee give them; acting their part of the play, without passion; without care, and without love, lending themselves to this entercourse: Neque affectui suo aut alieno obnoxiae: Neither liable to their owne nor other folkes affection. Thinking, according to Lysias perswasions in Plato, they may so much the more profitably and commodiously yeeld vnto vs; by how much lesse we love them: Wherein it will happen as in Comedies, the spectators shall have as much or more pleasure, as the Comedians. For my part, I no more acknowledge Ʋenus without Cupid, then a motherhood without an off-spring: They are things which enter-lend and en∣ter-owe one another their essence. Thus doth this cozening rebound on him that vseth it; and as it costs him little, so gets he not much by it. Those which made Venus a Goddesse, have respected that her principall beautie was incorporeall and spirituall. But shee whom these kinde of people hunt after, is not so much as humane, nor also brutall; but such as wilde beasts, would not have her so filthy and terrestriall. We see that imagination enflames them, and desire or lust vrgeth them, before the body: Wee see in one and other sex, even in whole heards, choise and distinctions in their affections, and amongst themselves acquaintances of long continued good-will and liking. And even those to whom age denieth bodily strength, doe yet bray, neigh, roare, skip and wince for love. Before the deed wee see them full of hope and heat; and when the body hath plaid his part, even tickle and tingle them∣selves with the sweetnesse of that remembrance: some of them swell with pride at parting from it, others all weary and glutted, ring out songs of glee and triumph. Who makes no more of it but to discharge his body of some naturall necessitie, hath no cause to trouble others with so curious preparation. It is no food for a greedie and clownish hunger. As one that would not be accounted better then I am, thus much I will display of my youths wan∣ton-errours: Not onely for the danger of ones health that followes that game (yet could I not avoid two, though light and cursorie assaults) but also for contempt, I have not much beene given to mercenarie and common acquaintances. I have coveted to set an edge on that sensuall pleasure by difficultie, by desire, and for some glory. And liked Tiberius his fashions, who in his amours was swa••ed as much by modesty and noblenesse, as by any other qualitie. And Floras humour, who would prostitute her selfe to none worse then Dicta∣tors, Consuls, or Censors, and tooke delight in the dignitie and greatnesse of her lovers, doth some-what sute with mine. Surely glittering pearles and silken cloathes adde some thing vnto it, and so doe titles, nobilitie and a worthie traine. Besides which, I made high esteeme of the minde, yet so as the body might not iustly be found fault with∣all: For, to speake my conscience, if either of the two beauties were necessarily to bee wan∣ting, I would rather have chosen to want the mentall, whose vse is to be emploied in better things. But in the subject of love; a subject that chiefly hath reference vnto the two senses of seeing and touching, some thing may be done without the graces of the minde, but little or nothing without the corporall. Beautie is the true auailefull advantage of women: It is so pe∣culiarly theirs, that ours though it require some features and different allurements, is not in her right kue, or true bias, vnlesse confused with theirs; childish and beard∣lesse. It is reported, that such as serve the great Turke vnder the title of beautie (where∣of the number is infinite) are dismissed at furthest when they once come to the age of two and twenty yeeres. Discourse, discretion, together with the offices of true amitie, are better found amongst men: and therefore governe they the worlds affaires. These two commerces or socie∣ties are accidentall and depending of others; the one is troublesome and tedious for it's raritie; the other withers with old age: nor could they have sufficiently provided for my liues necessities. That of bookes, which is the third, is much more solid-sure and much more ours; some other advantages it yeeldeth to the two former; but hath for her share constan∣cie and the facilitie of her service. This accosteth and secondeth all my course, and every where assisteth me: It comforts mee in age, and solaceth me in solitarinesse: It easeth mee of the burden of a weary-some sloth; and at all times rids mee of tedious companies; it abateth

the edge of fretting sorrow, on condition it bee not extreme and over-insolent. To divert me from any importunate imagination or insinuating conceit, there is no better way then to have recourse vnto bookes: with ease they allure mee to them, and with facilitie they remoove them all. And though they perceive I neither frequent nor seeke them, but wanting other more essentiall, lively, and more naturall commodities, they never mutinie or murmure at mee; but still entertaine mee with one and selfe-same visage. Hee may well walke a foot, that leades his horse by the bridle, saith the proverbe. And our Iames king of Naples and Sicilie, who being faire, yoong, healthy and in good plight, caused himselfe to bee caried abroad in a plaine wa∣gon or skreene, lying vpon an homely pillow of course feathers, cloathed in a sute of home∣spunne gray, and a bonet of the same, yet royally attended on by a gallant troupe of Nobles, of Litters, Coches, and of all sorts of choice led-horses, a number of gentlemen, and offi∣cers, represented a tender and wavering austeritie. The sicke man is not to be moaned, that hath his health in his sleeve. In the experience and vse of this sentence, which is most true, consist∣eth all the commoditie I reape of bookes. In effect I make no other vse of them, then those who know them not. I enioy them, as a miser doth his gold; to know, that I may enioy them when I list; my minde is setled and satisfied with the right of possession. I never travell without bookes, nor in peace nor in warre; yet doe I passe many daies and moneths with∣out vsing them. It shall be anon, say I or to morrow, or when I please; in the meane while the time runnes away, and passeth without hurting mee. For it is wonderfull, what repose I take, and how I continue in this consideration, that they are at my elbow to delight me when time shall serve: and in acknowledging what assistance they give vnto my life. This is the best munition I have found in this humane peregrination; and I extremely bewaile those men of vnderstanding that want the same. I accept with better will all otehr kindes of am∣musements, how slight soever, forsomuch as this cannot faile me. At home I betake me som∣what the oftner to my Librarie, whence all at once I command and survay all my houshold; It is seated in the chiefe entrie of my house, thence I behold vnder mee my garden, my base court, my yard, and looke even into most roomes of my house. There without order, with∣out method, and by peece-meales I turne over and ransacke, now one booke and now ano∣ther. Sometimes I muse and rave; and walking vp and downe I endight and enregister these my humours, these my conceits. It is placed on the third storie of a tower. The lowermost is my Chapell; the second a chamber with other lodgings, where I often lie, because I would bee alone. Above it is a great ward-robe. It was in times past the most vnprofitable place of all my house. There I passe the greatest part of my lives daies, and weare out most houres of the day. I am never there a nights: Next vnto it is a handsome neat cabinet, able and large enough to receive fire in winter, and very pleasantly windowed. And if I feared not care, more then cost; (care which drives and diverts mee from all businesse) I might ea∣sily ione a convenient gallerie of a hundred paces long, and twelve broad, on each side of it, and vpon one floore; having already, for some other purpose, found all the walles raised vnto a convenient height. Each retired place requireth a walke. My thoughts are prone to sleepe, if I sit long. My minde goes not alone as if legges did moove it. Those that studie without bookes, are all in the same case. The forme of it is round, and hath no flat side, but what serveth for my table and chaire: In which bending or circling manner, at one looke it offreth mee the full sight of all my bookes, set round about vpon shelves or desks, five rankes one vpon anotehr. It hath three bay-windowes, of a farre-extending, rich and vnresisted prospect, and is in diameter sixteene paces void. In winter I am lesse continually there: for my house (as the name of it importeth) is pearched vpon an over-pearing hillocke; and hath no part more subject to all wethers then this: which pleaseth me the more, both because the accesse vnto it is somwhat troublesome and remote, and for the benefit of the exercise, which is to be respected; and that I may the better seclude my selfe from companie, and keepe in∣crochers from mee: There is my seat, that is my throne. I endevour to make my rule therein absolute, and to sequester that onely corner from the communitie of wife, of children and of acquaintance. Else-where I have but a verball authoritie, of confused essence. Miserable, in my minde is hee, who in his owne home, hath no where to be to himselfe; where hee may particularly court, and at his pleasure hide or with-draw himselfe. Ambition paieth her fol∣lowers well, to keepe them still in open view, as a statue in some conspicuous place. Mag∣na* 1.21 seruitus est magna fortuna: A great fortune is a great bondage. They cannot bee private so

much as at their priuie, I have deemed nothing so rude in the austeritie of the life, which our Church-men affect, as that in some of their companies they institute a perpetuall socie∣tie of place, and a mumerous assistance amongst them in any thing they doe. And deeme it somewhat more tolerable to bee ever alone, then never able to be so. If any say to mee, It is a kinde of vilifying the Muses, to vse them onely for sporte and recreation, he wots not as I doe, what worth, pleasure, sporte and passe-time is of: I had well nigh termed all other ends ridiculous. I live from hand to mouth, and with reverence bee it spoken, I live but to my selfe: there end all my designes. Being young I studied for ostentation; then a little to enable my selfe and become wiser; now for delight and recreation; never for gaine. A vaine conceit and lavish humour I had after this kinde of stuffe; not onely to prouide for my neede but somewhat further to adorne and embellish my selfe withall: I have since partlie leaft it. Bookes have and containe diuerse pleasing qualities to those that can duly choose them. But no good without paines; no Roses without prickles. It is a pleasure not absolutely pure and neate, no more then all others; it hath his enconueniences attending on it and somtimes waightie ones: The minde is therein exercised, but the body (the eare whereof I have not yet forgotten) re∣maineth there-whilst without action, and is wasted, and ensorrowed. I know no excesse more hurtfull for me, nor more to be auoided by me, in this declining age. loe here my three most favoured and particulare employments. I speake not of those I owe of dutie to the world.

The fourth Chapter.

Of diuerting and diuersions.

I Was once employed in comforting of a trulie-afflicted Ladie: the greatest part of their discourses are artificiall and ceremonious.

Ʋberibus semper lachrimis, semperque paratis.* 1.22 In statione sua, atque expectantibus illam, Quo iubeat manare modo. With plenteous teares; still readie in their stand, Expecting still their Mistresses commaund, How they must flowe, when they must goe.

Men doe but ill in opposing themselves against this passion; for opposition doth but in∣cense and engage them more to sorrowe and quietnesse: The disease is exasperated by the iealousie of debate. In matters of common discourse, we see, that what I have spoken without heede or care, if one come to contest with me about it, I stiffly maintaine and make good mine owne; much more if it bee a thing wherein I am interessed. Besides, in so dooing, you enter but rudely into your matter, whereas a Physitions first entertainement of his pacient should be gracious, cheerefull and pleasing. An vglie and froward Physition wrought never any good effect. On the contrary then, wee must at first assist and smoothe their laments, and witnesse some approbation and excuse thereof. By which meanes you get credit to goe on, and by an easie and insensible inclination, you fall into more firme and serious discourses and fit for their amendment. I, who desired chieflie but to gull the assistants, that had their eyes cast on me, meant to salve their mischiefe; I verilie finde by experience, that I have but an ill and vnfruitefull vaine to perswade. I present my reasons either too sharpe, or too drie; or too stirringly or too careleslie. After I had for a while applyed my selfe to hir tor∣ment, I attempted not to cure it by strong and liuely reasons; either because I want them, or because I supposed I might otherwise effect my purpose the better. Nor did I cull out the severall fashions of comfort prescribed by Phylosophy: That the thing lamented is not ill, as Cleanthes: or but a little ill, as the Peripatetikes: That to lament is neither just, nor com∣mendable; as Chrysippus; Nor this Epicurus, most agreeing with my manner, to translate the conceit of ykresome into delightsome things; Nor to make a loade of all this masse, dispensing the same, as one hath occasion, as Cicero. But faire and softly declining our

discourses, and by degrees bending them vnto subjects more neare; then a little more re∣mote, even as shee more or lesse enclined to mee. Ivnperceaueably remooved those dole∣full humours from hir; so that as long as I was with hir, so long I kept hir in cheerefull countenance,, and vntroubled fashion; wherein I vsed diversion. Those which in the same seruice succeded mee, found hir no whit amended: the reason was, I had not yet driven my wedge to the roote. I haue peraduenture else where, glaunced at some kindes of pub∣like diuersions. And the militarie customes vsed by Pericles in the Peloponensian warre, and a thousand others else-where, to diuert or withdrawe the armie of an enemie from their owne countrie, is too frequent in histories. It was an ingenious diuerting, where-with the Lord of Himbercourt saved both himselfe and others in the towne of Liege, into which the Duke of Burgondie, who beleagred the same, had caused him to enter, to performe the covenants of their accorded yeelding. The inhabitants thereof, to provide for it, assembled by night, and began to mutinie against their former agreement, determining vpon this ad∣vantage to set vpon the Negotiators, now in their power. Hee perceiuing their intent, and noise of this shoure readie to fall vpon him, and the danger his lodging was in, forth-with rushed out vpon them two cittizens (whereof hee had diuers with him) furnished with most plausible and new offers to bee propounded to their counsell; but indeed forged at that in∣stant to serue his turne withall, and to ammuse them. These two stayed the first approching storme, and carryed this incensed Hydra-headed-monster multitude backe to the towne∣house, to heare their charge, and accordingly to determine of it. The consultation was short; when loe a second tempest came rushing on, more furiouslie inraged then the former; to whom he immediatly dispatched foure new and semblable intercessors, with protestations, that now they were in earnest to propose and declare newe and farre more ample conditi∣ons vnto them, wholly to their content and satisfaction; whereby this disordered rout was againe drawen to their Conclaue and Senate-house. In summe, he by such a dispensation of amusements, diuerting their headlong fury, and dissipating the same with vaine and friuo∣lous consultations, at length lulled them into so secure a sleepe▪ that he gained the day, which was his chiefest drift and only aimed scope. This other storie is also of the same predica∣ment. Atalanta a maid of rare surpassing beautie, and of a wondrous strange disposition, to ridde herselfe from the importunate pursuit of a thousand amorous sutors, who sollicited her for mariage, prescribed this law vnto them; that shee would accept of him that should equall her in running; on condition those she should ouercome might lose their lives. Some there were found, who deemed this prize worthy the hazard, and who incurred the penaltie of so cruell a match. Hippomenes comming to make his essay after the rest, deuoutly addres∣sed himselfe to the diuine protectresse of all amorous delights, earnestly inuoking her assi∣stance; who gently listning to his hearty praiers, furnished him with three golden Apples, and taught him how to vse them. The scope of the race being plaine, according as Hippo∣menes perceiued his swift▪ footed mistresse to approch his heeles, he let fall (as at vnawares) one of his Apples: the heedlesse maiden gazing and wondring at the alluring beautie of it, failed not to turne and take it vp.

Obstupuit virgo, nitidique cupidine pomi,* 1.23 Declinat cursus, aurumque volubile tollit. The maid amaz'd, desiring that faire gold, Turnes by her course, takes it vp as it rold.

The like hee did (at his need) with the second and third: vntill by this digressing and diverting, the goale and aduantage of the course was judged his, When Physitians can∣not purge the rheume, they divert and remooue the same vnto some lesse dangerous part. I also perceiue it to be the most ordinary receit for the mindes diseases. Abducendus etiam nonnunquam animus est ad alia studia, sollicitudines, curas, negotia: Loci denique mutatione, tan∣quam aegroti non conualescentes, saepe curandus est: Our minde also is sometimes to bee diuerted to other studies, cogitations, cares and businesses: and lastly to be cured by change of place, as sicke folkes vse, that otherwise cannot get health. We make it seldome to shocke mischiefes with direct re∣sistance: we make it neither to beare nor to breake, but to shun or divert, the blow. This other lesson is too high, and over-hard. It is for them of the first ranke, meerely to stay vpon the thing it selfe, to examine and iudge it. It belongeth to one onely Socrates, to accost and entertaine death with an vndaunted ordinary visage, to become familiar and play with it.

He seeketh for no comfort out of the thing it selfe. To die seemeth vnto him a naturall and indifferent accident: thereon he wishly fixeth his sight, and thereon he resolueth without looking else-where. Hegosias his disciples, who with hunger starued themselues to death, in∣censed therevnto with the perswading discourses of his lessons; and that so thicke as King Ptolomey forbad him any longer to entertaine his schoole with such murtherous precepts. Those considered not death in it selfe, they iudge it not: This was not the limit of their thoughts, they run on, and ayme at another being. Those poore creatures we see on scaf∣folds, fraught with an ardent deuotion, therein to the vttermost of their power, employing all their sences; their eares attentive to such instructions as Preachers give them, their hands and eies li••t vp towardes heaven; their voice vttering loud and earnest praiers; all with an eager and continual ruth-mooving motion; doe verily what in such an vnavoidable exigent is commendable and conuenient. One may well commend their religion, but not properly their constancy. They shunne the brunt; they divert their consideration from death; as we vse to dandle and busie children, when we would lance them or let them bloud. I have seene some, who if by fortune they chanced to cast their eies towards the dreadfull preparations of death, which were round about them, fall into trances, and with fury cast their cogitations else-where. We teach those that are to passe-over some steepy downe fall or dreadfull abisse, to shut or turne aside their eies. Subrius Flauius, being by the appointment of Nero to be put to death by the hands of Niger, both chiefe commanders in war: when he was brought vnto the place where the execution should be performed, seeing the pit Niger had caused to be dig∣ged for him vneuen and vnhandsomely made; Nor is this pit (quoth he to the souldiers that stood about him) according to the true discipline of war: And to Niger, who willed him to hold his head steddy, I wish thou wouldest stricke as steddily. He guessed right; for Nigers arme trembling, he had divers blowes at him before he could strike it off. This man seemeth to haue fixed his thoughts surely and directly on the matter. He that dies in the fury of a bat∣tle, with weapons in hand thinkes not then on death, and neither feeleth nor considereth the same: the heate of the fight transports him. An honest man of my acquaintance, falling downe in a single combat, and feeling himselfe stab'd nine or ten times by his enemy, was called vnto by the by-standers to call on God and remember his conscience: but he tould me after, that albeit those voices came vnto his eares, they had no whit mooued him, and that he thought on nothing, but how to discharge and reuenge himselfe. In which combat he vanquished and slew his aduersary.

He who brought L. Syllanus his condemnation, did much for him; in that when he heard him answer he was prepared to die, but not by the hands of base villaines; ran vpon him with his souldiers to force him; against whom obstinately defending himselfe though vnar∣med) with fists and feet; he was slaine in the conflict: dispersing with a ready and rebellious choller the painefull sence of a long and fore-prepared death; to which he was assigned. We euer thinke on somewhat else: either the hope of a better life doth settle and support vs, or the confidence of our childrens worth; or the future glory of our name; or the auoyding of these liues mischieues; or the reuenge hanging ouer their heads that have caused and pro∣cured our death:

Spero equidem medijs, si quid ••ia numina possunt,* 1.24 Supplicia hausurum scopulis, & nomine Dido Saepe vocaturum. Audiam, & haec manes veniet mihi fama sub imos.* 1.25 I hope, if powers of heaven have any power, On rockes he shall be punisht, at that houre, He oft on Didoes name shall pittilesse exclaime. This shall I heare, and this report, shall to me in my grave resort.

Xenophon sacrificed with a crowne on his head, when one came to tell him the death of his sonne Gryllus in the battell of Mantinea. At the first hearing whereof hee cast his crowne to the ground; but finding vpon better relation how valiantly hee died, hee tooke it vp and put it on his head againe. Epicurus also at his death comforted himselfe in the eternitie and worth of his writings. Omnes clari & nobilitati labores fiunt tolerabiles.* 1.26

All glorious and honourable labours are made tolerable. And the same wound, and the same toile (saith Xenophon) toucheth not a Generall of an armie, as it doth a private souldier. Epaminondas tooke his death much the more cheerefully, being informed that the victorie remained on his side. Haec sunt solatia, haec fomenta summorum dolorum: These are the comforts,* 1.27 these the eases of most grieuous paines. And such other like circumstances ammuse, divert and remoove vs from the consideration of the thing in it selfe. Even the arguments of Philo∣sophie, at each clappe wrest and turne the matter aside, and scarcely wipe away the scabbe thereof. The first man of the first Philosophicall Schoole and Superintendent of the rest, that great Zeno, against death, cried out; No euill is honourable; death is: therefore is death no euill. Against drunkennesse; No man entrusts his secrets to a drunkard; every one to the wise: therefore the wise will not be drunke. Is this to hit the white? I love to see, that these princi∣pall wits cannot rid themselves of our company. As perfect and absolute as they would be, they still are but grosse and simple men. Revenge is a sweet-pleasing passion; of a great and natu∣rall impression: I perceive it well, albeit I have made no triall of it. To divert of late a yoong Prince from it, I told him not, hee was to offer the one side of his cheeke, to him who had strooke him on the other, in regard of charitie; nor displaid I vnto him the tragicall events Poesie bestoweth vpon that passion. There I left him, and strove to make him taste the beautie of a contrary image: the honour, the favour and the good-will he should acquire by gentlenesse and goodnesse: I diverted him to ambition. Behold how they deale in such ca∣ses. If your affection in love be over-powerfull, disperse or dissipate the same, say they; and they say true, for I have often, with profit made triall of it: Breake it by the vertue of severall de∣sires, of which one may be Regent or chiefe Master, if you please; but for feare it should misuse and tyrannize you, weaken it with dividing, and protract it with diverting the same.

Cùm morosa vago singultiet inguine vena,* 1.28 Conijcito humorem collectum in corpora quaeque. When raging lust excites a panting tumor, To divers parts send that collected humor.

And looke to it in time, lest it vex you, if it have once seized on you.

Si non prima novis conturbes vulnera plagis, Volgiuagáque vagus Venere ante recentia cures,* 1.29 Vnlesse the first wounds with new wounds you mix, And ranging cure the fresh with common tricks.

I was once neerely touched with a heavie displeasure, according to my complexion; and yet more just then heavie: I had peradventure lost my selfe in it, had I only relied vpon mine owne strength. Needing a vehement diversion to with-draw me from it; I did by Art and studie make my selfe a Lover, whereto my age assisted mee; love discharged and diverted me from the inconvenience, which good-will and amitie had caused in mee. So is it in all things else. A sharpe conceit possesseth, and a violent imagination holdeth mee: I finde it a shor∣ter course to alter and divert, then to tame and vanquish the same: if I cannot substitute a contrary vnto it, at least I present another vnto it. Change ever easeth, varietie dissolveth, and shifting dissipateth. If I cannot buckle with it, I slip from it: and in shunning it, I stray and double from it. Shifting of place, exercise and company, I save my selfe amid the throng of other studies and ammusements, where it loseth my tracke, and so I slip away. Nature pro∣ceedeth thus, by the benefit of inconstancie: For, the time it hath bestowed on vs, as a sove∣raigne Physitian of our passions, chiefly obtaines his purpose that way, when fraughting our conceits with other and different affaires, it dissolveth and corrupteth that first apprehensi∣on, how forcible soever it be. A wise man seeth little lesse his friend dying at the end of five and twenty yeeres, then at the beginning of the first yeere; and according to Epicurus, no∣thing lesse: for he ascribed no qualification of perplexities, either to the foresight or antiqui∣tie of them. But so many other cogitations crosse this, that it languisheth, and in the end groweth weary. To divert the inclination of vulgar reports, Alcibiades cut off his faire dogges cares and taile, and so drove him into the market place; that giuing this subject of prattle to the people, they might not meddle with his other actions. I have also seen some women, who to divert the opinions and coniectures of the babling people, and to divert the fond tatling of some, did by counterfet and dissembled affections, ouershadow and cloake true affections.

Amongst which I haue noted some, who in dissembling and counterfeting haue suffred them∣selues to be intrapped wittingly and in good earnest; quitting their true and originall humor for the fained: of whom I learne, that such as finde themselues well seated, are very fooles to yeelde vnto that maske. The common greetings, and publike entertainements being reser∣ued vnto that set or appointed seruant, beleeue there is little sufficiencie in him, if in the end he vsurpe not your roome and send you vnto his. This is properly to cut out and stitch vp a shoe, for another to put on. A little thing doth diuert and turne vs; for a small thing holas vs. We do not much respect subiects in grosse and alone: they are circumstances, or small and super∣ficiall images that mooue and touch vs; and vaine rindes which rebound from subiects.

Folliculos vt nunc ter etes aestate cicadae* 1.30 Linquunt. As grasse-hoppers in summer now forsake The round-grown sheafes, which they in time should take.

Plutarke himselfe bewailes his daughter by the fopperies of his childehood. The remem∣brance of a farewell, of an action, of a particular grace, or of a last commendation, afflict vs. Caesars goune disquieted all Rome, which his death had not done; The very sound of names, which gingleth in our eares, as, Oh my poore maister; or, Alas my deare friend; Oh my good fa∣ther; or, Alas my sweete daughter, When such like repetitions pinch me, and that I looke more nearely to them, I finde them but grammaticall laments, the word and the ••••ne wound mee. Euen as Preachers exclamations doe often mooue their auditorie more, then their reasons; and as the pitty full groane of a beast yerneth vs though it be killed for our vse; without poy∣sing or entring there-whilst, into the true and massie essence of my subiect

His se stimulis dolor ipse lacessit. Griefe by these prouocations.* 1.31 Puts it selfe in more passions.

They are the foundations of our mourning. The conceipt of the stone, namely in the yarde hath sometime for three or foure dayes together, so stopped my vrine, and brought mee so neare deathes-dore, that it had beene meere folly in mee, to hope, nay to desire, to a∣uoyde the same, considering what cruell pangs that painefull plight did seaze mee with. Oh how cunning a maister in the murthering arte, or hangmans trade was that good Emperour, who caused malefactors yardes to bee fast-tide, that so hee might make them dye for want of pissing. In which ill plight finding my selfe, I considered by how flight causes and friuo∣lous obiects, imagination nourished in mee the griefe to loose my life: with what Atomes the consequence and difficulty of my dislodging was contriued in my minde; to what idle conceits and friuolous cogitations we giue place in so waighty a case or important affaire. A Dogge, a Horse, a Hare a Glasse, and what not? were corrupted in my losse. To others, their ambitious hopes, their purse, their learning; In my minde as sottishly. I view death care∣lessely when I behould it vniuersally as the end of life. I ouerwhelme and contemne it thus in great, by retayle it spoyles and proules me. The teares of a Lacquey, the distributing of my cast sutes, the touch of a knowne hand, an ordinary consolation; doth disconsolate and ••ntende•• me. So doe the plaints and of fables trouble and vex our mindes; and the wailing la∣ments of Dydo, and Ariadne passionare euen those, that beleeue them not in Ʋirgill, nor in Catullus: It is an argument of an obstinate nature, and indurate hart, not to be mooued there∣with: as for a wonder, they report of Polemon: who was not so much as appaled, as the bi∣ting of a Dog, who tooke away the braune or calfe of his leg. And no wisedome goeth so far, as by the due iudgement to conceiue aright the euident cause of a Sorrow and griefe, so liuely and wholly that it suffer or admit noe accession by presence, when eyes and eares haue their share therein: parts that cannot be agitated but by vaine accidents. Is it reason, that euen arts should serue their purposes, and make their profit of our imbecility and naturall blockishnes? An Orator (saith Rethorick) in the play of his pleading, shall bee mooued at the sound of his owne voice, and by his fained agitations; and suffer himselfe to be cozoned by the passion he representeth: imprinting a liuely and essentiall sorrow, by the iugling he acteth, to transferre it into the iudges, whome of the two it concerneth lesse: As the persons hyred at our funerals, who to ayde the ceremony of mourning, make sale of their teares by measure, & of their sor∣row by waight. For although they striue to act it in a borrowed forme, yet by habituating

and ordering their countenance, it is certaine they are often wholly transported into it, and entertaine the impression of a true and vnfained melancholly. I assisted amongst diuers others of his friends, to conuay the dead corpes of the Lord of Grammont from the siege of Laferre, where hee was vntimely slaine, to Soissous. I noted that euery where as we passed a long, we filled wth lamentation and teares all the people we met, by the onely shewe of our conuoyes mourning attire; for the deceased mans name was not so much as knowne, or hard of about those quarters. Quintilian reporteth, to haue seene Comediants so farre ingaged in a sorrow∣full part, that they wept after being come to their lodgings: and of himselfe, that hauing vn∣dertaken to mooue a certaine passion in another, hee had found himselfe surprised not onely with shedding of teares, but with a palenesse of countenance, and behauiour of a man truely deiected with griefe. In a country neare our Mountaynes, the women say and vnsay, weepe and laugh with one breath: as Martin the Priest; for, as for their lest husbands they encrease their way mentings by repetition of the good and gracefull parts they were endowed with, therewithall vnder one they make publike relation of those imperfections; to worke, as it were some recompence vnto themselues, and transchange their pitty vnto disdaine; with a much better grace then we, who when we loose a late acquaintance, striue to loade him with new and forged prayses, and to make him farre other, now that we are depriued of his sight, then hee seemed to bee when wee enioyed and beheld him. As if mourning were an instru∣cting party; or teares cleared our vnderstanding by washing the same. I renounce from this time forward all the fauourable testimonies any man shall affoorde mee, not because I shall deserue them, but because I shall bee dead. If one demand that fellow, what interest hee hath in such a siege; The interest of example (will bee say) and common obedience of the Prince; I nor looke nor pretend any benefit thereby; and of glory I know how small a portion commeth to the share of a priuate man, such as I am. I haue neyther passion nor quarrell in the matter; yet the next day shall you see him all changed, and chafing, boyling and blushing with rage, in his ranke of battaile, ready for the assault. It is the glaring reflecting of so much steele, the flashing thundering of the Cannon, the clang of trumpers, and the ratling of Drummes, that haue infused this new furie, and rankor in his swelling vaines. A friuolous cause, will you say: How a cause? There needeth none to excite our minde. A doating humour without bo¦dy, without substance ouerswayeth and tosseth it vp and downe, Let mee thinke of buil∣ding Castles in Spayne, my imagination will forge mee commodities and afforde mee meanes and delights wherewith my mynde is really tickled and essentially gladded. How often doe wee pester our spirits with anger or sadnesse by such shaddowes, and entangle our selues into fantasticall passions which alter both our mynde and bodye? what astonished, flearing and confused mumpes and mowes doth this dotage stirre vp in our visages? what skip∣pings and agitations of members and voyce, seemes it not by this man alone, that hee hath false visions of a multitude of other men with whome hee dooth negotiate; or some inwarde Goblin that torments him? Enquire of your selfe, where is the object of this alteration? Is there any thing but vs in nature, except subsisting nullitye? ouer whome it hath any power? Because Cambyses dreamed that his brother should bee King of Persia, hee put him to death; a brother whom he loued, and euer trusted. Aristodemus King of the Messenians killed him∣selfe; vpon a conceite he tooke of some ill presage, by, I know not what howling of his Dogs, And King Midas did asmuch, beeing troubled and vexed by a certaine vnpleasing dreame of his owne. It is the right way to prize ones life at the right worth of it, to forgo it for a dreame. Heare notwithstanding our mindes triumph ouer the bodies weakenesses and misery; in that it is the prey and marke of all wrongs and alterations, to seede on and aime at. It hath surely much reason to speake of it.

O prima infoelix fingenti terra Prometheo;* 1.32 Ille parum cauti pectoris egit opus. Corpora disponens, ment em non vidit in arte; Recta animi primum debuit esse via.

Vnhappy earth first by Prometheus formed, Who of small providence a worke performed:

He framing bodies saw in arte no minde? The mindes way first should rightly be assign'd.

The fifth Chapter.

Vpon some verses of Virgill.

PRofitable thoughts, the more full and solide they are, the more combersome and heauy are they; vice, death, poverty and diseases, are subjects that waigh and grieve. We must have our minde instructed with meanes to sustaine and combate mischiefes, and furnished with rules how to live well and believe right: and often rouze and exercise it in this goodly study. But to a minde of the common stampe; it must be with intermission and moderation; it groweth weake, by being continually over-wrested: When I was young, I had neede to be aduertised and sollicited to keepe my selfe in office: Mirth and health (saies one) sute not so well with these serious and grave discourses. I am now in another state. The conditions of age doe but over-much admonish, instruct and preach vnto me. From the excesse of iol∣lity, I am falne into the extreame of severity; more peevish and more vntoward. Therefore, I doe now of purpose somewhat give way vnto licentious allurements; and now and then employ my minde in wanton and youthfull conceits, wherein she recreates hir selfe. I am now but too much setled; too heavy and too ripe. My yeares read me daily a lesson of cold∣nesse and temperance. My body shunneth disorder, and feares it: it hath his turne to direct the minde toward reformation; his turne also to rule and sway; and that more rudely and imperiously. Be I awake or a sleepe, it doth not permit me one houre but to ruminate on instruction, on death, on patience and on repentance. As I have heer••tofore defended my selfe from pleasure, so I now ward my selfe from temperance: it haleth me too far backe, and even to stupidity. I will now every way be master of my selfe. Wisdome hath hir excesses, and no lesse neede of moderation, then folly. So that least I should wither, tarnish and over cloy my selfe with prudence, in the intermissions my evils affoord mee;

Mens intenta suis ne sict vsque malis.* 1.33 Still let not the conceit attend, The ils that it too much offend.

I gently turne aside, and steale mine eies from viewing that tempestuous and cloudy skie, I have before me; which (thankes be to God) I consider without feare, but not without contention and study. And ammuse my selfe with the remembrance of passed youth-tricks:

—animus quod perdidit, optat,* 1.34 Atque in praeterita se totus imagine versat. The minde, what it hath lost, doth wish and cast, And turne and wind in Images forepast.

That infancy looketh forward, and age backward; was it not that which Ianus his double visage signified? yeares entraine me if they please; but backward. As far as mine eies can dis∣cerne that faire expired season, by fits I turne them thitherward. If it escape my bloud and veines, yet will I not roote the image of it out of my memory:

—hoc est,* 1.35 Ʋinere bis, vita posse priore frui, This is the way for any to live twise, Who can of former life enioy the price.

Plato appoints old men to be present at youthfull exercises, dances and games, to make them reioyce at the bodies agility and comlinesse of others, which is now no longer in them; and call to their remembrance, the grace and fauour of that blooming age: and willeth them to give the honour of the victory to that young-man, who hath gladded and made most of them mery. I was heretofore wont to note sullen and gloomy daies, as extraordinary: now are they my ordinary ones; the extraordinary are my faire and cleere daies. I am ready to

leape for ioy, as at the receaving of some vnexspected fauour, when nothing grieueth mee. Let me tickle my selfe, I can now hardly wrest a bare smile from this wretched body of mine. I am not pleased but in conceite and dreaming: by sleight to turne aside the way-ward cares of age: but sure ther-s neede of other remedies, then dreaming, A weake contention of arte against nature. It is meere simplicitie, as most men doe, to prolong and anticipate humane in commodities. I had rather be lesse while olde, then old before my time. I take hold even of the least occasions of delight I can meet withall. I know by how heare-say diuers kindes of wise, powerfull and glorious pleasures: but opinionis not of sufficient force over me, to make mee long for them. I would not haue them so stately, lofty and disdainfull; as pleasant gentle and* 1.36 ready. A natura discedimus; populo nos damus, nullius rei bono auctori; We forsake nature, We followe the people aucthor of no good. My Philophie is in action, in naturall and present little in conceit. What if I should be pleased to play at cob-nut, or whip a top?

Non ponebat enim rumores ante salutem.* 1.37 He did not prize what might be said, Before how al might safe be laid.

Voluptuousnesse is a qualitie little ambitious; it holds it selfe rich enough of it selfe with∣out any accesse of reputation; and is best affected where it is most obscured. That young man should deserue the whip. who would spend his time in choosing out the nearest Wine, and best sauces. There is nothing I ever knew or esteemed lesse: I now beginne to learne it. I am much ashamed of it, but what can I doe withall? and am more ashamed and vexed, at the occasions that compell me to it. It is for vs to dally, doate and trifle out the time; and for youth to stand vpon nice reputation, and hold by the better end of the staffe. That creepeth towards the world and marcheth toward credite; we come from it. Sibi arma, sibi equos, sibi* 1.38 hastas, sibi clauam, sibi pilam, sibi natationes & cursus habeant: nobis senibus, ex lusionibus multis, talos relinquant, & tesseras; Let them keepe their armor, their horses, their lances, their polaxes, their tennis, their swimming, and their running; and of their many games, let them put ouer to vs old men the tables and the cardes. The very lawes send vs home to our lodgings. I can do no lesse in favour of this wretched condition, whereto my age forceth mee, then furnish it with some∣what to dandle and ammuse it selfe, as it were childehood; for when all is done we fall into it againe. And both wisedome and folly shall have much a doe, by enterchange offices to sup∣port aud succour me in this calamitie of age.* 1.39

Misce stultitiam consilijs breuem. With short-like-foolish tricks, Thy grauest counsels mixe.

Withall I shun the lightest pricklings; and those which heretofore could not have scratcht me, doe now transpearce me. So willingly my habite doth now begin to apply it selfe to euill:* 1.40 infragili corpore odiosa omnis offensio est: all offences is yrkesome to a crazed body.

Mens{que} pati durum sustinet agra nihil.* 1.41 A sicke minde can endure, No hard thing for hir cure.

I have ever beene ticklish and nice in matters of offence, at this present I am more tender, and every where open.

Et minimae vires frangere quassavalent.* 1.42 Least strength can breake, Things worne and weake.

Well may my iudgement hinder mee from spurning and repining at the inconueniences which nature allots mee to indure; from feeling them it cannot. I could finde in my heart to runne from one ende of the world to another, to searche and purchase one yeare of pleasing and absolute tranquillity; I who have no other scope, then to live and be mery. Drouzie and stupide tranquillitie is sufficiently to bee found for mee, but it makes me drouzie and dizzie; therefore I am not pleased with it. If there bee any body, or any good company in the cun∣trie, in the cittie, in France, or any where els, resident traveiling, that likes of my conceites, or whose humoures are pleasing to mee, they neede but holde vp their hand, or whistle in their fiste, and I will store them with Essayes, of pithe and substance, with might and maine. Seeing it is the mindes priuiledge to renew and recouer it selfe on olde age, I earnestly ad∣uise it to doe it: let it bud, blossome, and flourish if it can, as Misle-toe on a dead tree. I

feare it is a traitor; so straightly is she clasped, and so hard doth she cling to my body, that e∣very hand while she forsakes me; to follow hir in hir necessities. I flatter hir in private, I vrge hir to no purpose; in vaine I offer to diuert hir from this combination, and bootlesse it is for me to present hir Seneca or Catullus, or Ladies, or stately dances; if hir companion have the chollicke, it seemes she also hath it. The very powers or faculties that are particulare and pro∣per to hir, cannot then rouze themselues: they euidently seeme to be en-rheumed: there is no blithenesse in hir productions, if there be none in the body. Our schollers are to blame, who searching the causes of our mindes extraordinary fits and motions, besides they ascribe some to a diuine fury, to love, to warre-like fiercenesse, to Poesie, and to Wine; if they haue not al∣so allotted health her share. A health youthfull, lustie, vigorous, full, ••dle, such as heretofore the Aprill of my yeares and security offorded mee by fittes. That fire of iocondnesse stirreth vp lively and bright sparckles in our minde, beyond our naturall brightnesse and amongst the most working, if not the most desperate Enthusiasmes or inspirasions. Well, it is no wonder if a contrary estate clogge and naile my spirite, and drawe from it a contrary effect.

Ad nullum consurgit opus, cum corpore lauguet,* 1.43 It to no worke doth rise, When body fainting lyes.

And yet would have me beholden to him, for lending (as he sayth) much lesse to this con∣sent, then beareth the ordinary custome of men. Let vs at least whilste we have truce, chase all euils, and expell all difficulties from our societie.

Dum licet obduct a soluatur fronte senectus: With wrinckled wimpled for head let old yeares,* 1.44 While we may, be rosolu'd to merie cheeres.

Tetrica sunt amoenanda iocularibus, Vnpleasant things, and sowre matters should be sweetned and made pleasant with sportefull mixtures. I love a lightsome and civill discretion, and loathe a roughnesse and austeritie of behauiour: suspecting every peevish and wayward countenance.

Tristem{que} vultus tetrici arrogantiam. Of austere countenance,* 1.45 The sad soure arrogance. Et habet tristis quoque turba cynaedos, Fidlers are often had, Mongst people that are sad.

I easily beleeue Plato, who saieth, that easie or hard humoures, are a great preiudice vnto the mindes goodnesse or badnesse. Socrates had a constant countenance, but light-some and smy∣ling: not frowardly constant, as olde Crassus, who was neuer seene to laugh. Vertue is a plea∣sant and buxom qualitie. Few, I know will snarle at the liberty of my writings, that haue not more cause to snarle at their thoughts-loosenes. I conforme my selfe vnto their courage, but I offend their eyes. It is a well ordered humour to wrest Platos writings, and straine his pre∣tended negotiations with Phedon, Dion, Stella, Archeanassa. Non pudeat dicere, quod non pu∣deat sentire. Let vs not bee ashamed to speake, what wee shame not to thinke. I hate a way ward and sad disposition, that glideth ouer the pleasures of his life, and fastens and feedes on miseries. As flyes that cannot cleaue to smooth and sleeke bodies, but seaze and holde on rugged and vneuen places. Or as Cupping-glasses, that affect and suck none but the worst bloud. For my part I am resoluted to dare speake whatsoeuer I dare doe: And am displeased with thoughts not to be published. The worst of my actions or condicions seeme not so vgly vnto me, as I finde it both vgly and base not to dare to avouch them. Every one is wary in the confession; we should be as heedy in the action. The bouldnesse offending is somewhat recompensed and restrai∣ned by the bouldnesse of confessing▪ he that should be bound to tell all, should also bind him∣to doe nothing which one is forced to conceale. God graunt this excesse of my licence drawe men to freedome, beyond these cowardly and squeamish vertues, sprung from our imperfecti∣ons; and that by the expence of my immoderation, I may reduce them vnto reason. One must sur••ay his faultes and study them, ere he be able to repeat them. Those which hide them from o∣thers, commonly conceale them also from themselues; and esteeme them not sufficiently hid∣den, if themselues see them. They withdraw and disguise them from their owne consciences.

Quare vicia confitetur? Quia etiam nunc in illis est, somnium narrare vigilantis est. Why doth noe* 1.46 man confesse his faults? Because hee is yet in them; and to declare his dreame, is for him that is wa∣king. The bodies euils are discerned by their increase. And now we finde that to be the gout which we termed the rheume or a bruse. The euils of the minde are darkened by their owne force; the most infected feeleth them least. Therfore is it, that they must often a day be hand∣led, and violently be opened and rent from out the hollow of our bosome. As in the case of good; so of bad offices, onely confession is sometimes a satisfaction. Is there any deformitie in the error, which dispenseth vs to confesse the same? It is a paine for mee to dissemble: so that I refuse to take charge of other mens secrets, as wanting hart to disauow my knowledge. I cannot conceale it; but deny it I cannot, without much a do and some trouble. To be perfectly secret, one must be so by nature; not by obligation. It is a smal matter to be secret in the Princes ser∣uice, if one be not also a liar. He that demanded Thales Milesius, whether he should solemn∣ly deny his lechery; had he come to me, I would haue answered him, he ought not do it: for a lie is in mine opinion, worse then lechery. Thales aduised him otherwise, bidding him sweare, therby to warrant the more by the lesse. Yet was not his counsell so much the electi∣on, as multiplication of vice. Wherevpon we sometimes vse this by-word, that we deale well with a man of conscience, when in counterpoise of vice we propose some difficulty vnto him? but when he is inclosed between two vices, he is put to a hard choise. As Origen was dealt with al, either to commit idolatry, or suffer himself to be Sodomaticaly abused by a filthy Egiptian slave, that was presented vnto him; he yeilded to the first condition, and viciously, saith one. Therfore should not those women be distasted, according to their error, who of late protest, that they had rather charge their conscience with ten men, then one Masse. If it bee indiscretion so to divulge ones errors, ther is no danger though it come into example and vse, For Ariston said, that The winds men feare most, are those which discouer them. We must tuck vp this homely rag, that cloaketh our maners. They send their conscience to the stewes, and keep their countenance in order. Even traitors and murtherers obserue the lawes of complements, and therto ••ixe their endeuors. So that neither can iniustice complaine of inciuility, nor malice of indiscretion. T's pitry a bad man is not also a foole, a••d that decency should cloake his vice. These pargettings belong only to good and sound wals, such as deserue to bee whited, to bee preserued. In fauor of Hugonots, who accuse our auricular and priuate confession, I confesse my selfe in publike; religiously and purely. Saint Augustine, Origene, and Hippocrates, haue publi∣shed their errors of their opinions; I likewise of my maners. I greedily long to make my selfe known; nor care I at what rate, so it be truly: or to say better, I hunger for nothing; but I hate mortally to be mistaken by such as shall happen to know my name. He that doth all for honor and glory, what thinks he to gaine by presenting himselfe to the world in a maske, hiding his true being from the peoples knowledge? Commend a crook-back for his comely stature, hee ought to take it as an iniury: if you be a coward, and one honoreth you for a valiant man, is it of you he speaketh? you are taken for another: I should like as well, to have him glory in the cour••sies and lowtings that are shewed him, supposing himselfe to be ring-leader of a troupe when he is the meanest folower of it, Archelaus king of Macedon, passing throgh, a street some body cast water vpon him, was aduised by his followers to punish the party: yea but (quoth he) who ever it was, he cast not the water vpon me, but vpon him he thought I was. Socrates to one that told him he was railed vpon and ill spoken of? Tush (said he) there is not such thing in me. For my part, should one commend me to be an excellent Pilote, to be very mo∣dest, or most chaste, I should owe him no thankes. Likewise should any man call meetraitour, theefe or drunkard, I would deeme my selfe but little wronged by him. Those who misknow themselues, may feed themselues with false approbations; but not I, who see and search my selfe into my very bowels, and know full well what belongs vnto me. I am pleased to belesse commended, provided I be better knowne. I may be esteemed wise for such conditions of wisedome, that I account meere follies. It vexeth me, that my Essayes serue Ladies in liew of common ware and stuffe for their hall: this Chapter will preferre me to their cabinet: I love their societie some what private; their publike familiaritie wants fauor and sauor. In farewels we heate aboue ordinary our affections to the things we forgoe. I heere take my last leave of this worlds pleasures: loe heere our last embraces. And now to our theame. Why was the acte of generation made so naturall, so necessary and so iust, seeing we feare to speake of it without shame, and exclude it from our serious and regular discourses we pronounce boldly,

to rob, to murther, to betray; and this we dare not but betweene our teeth. Are we to gather by it, that the lesse wee breath out in words the more we are allowed to furnish our thoughtes with? For words least vsed least writen and least concealed should best be vnderstood, and most generally knowne. No age, no condition are more ignorant of it, then of their bread. They are imprinted in each one, without expressing, without voice or figure. And the sexe that doth it most, is most bound to suppresse it. It is an action we have put in the precincts of silence, whence to draw it were an offence: not to accuse or iudge it. Nor dare we beate it but in cir∣cumlocution and picture. A notable fauor, to a criminall offender, to be so execrable, that just∣ice deeme it injustice to touch and behold him, freed and saved by the benefit of this condem∣nations seuerity. It is not herein as in matters of bookes, which being once called-in and for∣bidden become more saleable and publike? As for me, I will take Aristotle at his word, that bashfulnesse is an ornament to youth, but a reproach to age. These verses are preached in the old schoole; a schoole of which I hold more then of the moderne: her vertues seeme greater vnto me, her vices lesse.

Deux qui par trop fuiant Venus estriueut Failent aut aut que ceux qui trop la suiuent. Who striues ore much Venus to shunne, offends Alike with him, that wholy hir intends, Tu dea, tu rerum naturam sola gubernas,* 1.47 Nec sine te quisquam dias in luminis oras Exoritur, neque fit laetum, nec amabile quicquam, Goddesse, thou rul'st the nature of all things. Without thee nothing into this light springs. Nothing is louely, nothing pleasures brings.

I know not who could set Pallas and the Muses at oddes with Venus, and make them colde and flowe in affecting of love; as for me, I see no Deities that better sute together, nor more endebted one to another. Who▪ ever shall goe about to remooue amorous imaginations from the Muses, shall depriue them of the best entertainment they have, and of the noblest sub∣ject of their worke: and who shall debarre Cupid the seruice and conuersation of Poesie, shall weaken him of his best weapons. By this meanes they caste vpon the God of acquaintance, of amitie and goodwil; and vpon the Goddesses, protectresses of humanitie, and justice, the vice of ingratitude, and imputation of churlishnesse. I haue not so long beene cashiered from the state and seruice of this God, but that my memorie is still acquainted with the force of his worth and valour.

—agnosco veteris vestigia flammae.* 1.48 I feele and feeling know, How my old flames regrow.

There commonly remaine some reliques of shiuering and heate after anague,

Nec mihi d•• ficiat••alor hic, hyemantibu, annis. When Winter yeares com-on, Let not this heate be gon.

As drie, as sluggish and as vnwieldie as I am, I feele yet some warme cinders of my passed heate.

Qual'•• alto Aegeo perche Aquiloneo Noto Cessi che tutto prima il volse et scosse, Nons' accheta ei peró, ma il suono ••'l moto, Ritien delionde anco agitat••••t grosse. As graund Aegean Sea, because the voice Of windes doth cease, which it before enraged, Yet doth not calme, but stil retaines the noise And motion of huge billowes vnaswaged.

But for so much as I know of it, the power and might of this God, are found more quicke and lively in the shadowe of the Poesie, then in their owne essence.

Et versus digitos habet. Verses have full effect, Of fingers to erect,* 1.49

It representeth a kinde of ayre more lovely then love it selfe. Venus is not so faire, nor so alluring all naked, quick and panting, as she is here in Virgill.

Dixerat, & niveis hinc atque hinc diua lacertis* 1.50 Cunctant••m amplexu mollifouet: Ille repente

Accepit folitam flammam, notusque medullas Intrauit calor, & labefacta per ossa cucurrit. Nonsecus atque olim tonitru cùm rupta corusco, Ignea rima micans percurrit lumine nimbos. So said the Goddesse, and with soft embrace, Of Snow-white arme, the grim-fire doth enchase, He straight tooke wonted fire, knowne heate at once, His marrow pearc't, ranne through his weakned bones; As firie flash with thunder doth divide, With radiant lightning through a storme doth glide. —ea verba loquutus, Optatos dedit amplexus, placidumque petiuit.* 1.51 Coniugis infusus gremio per membra soporem. A sweete embrace, when he those words had said He gave, and his limmes pleasing-rest he praid To take in his wiues bosome lolling-laide.

What therein I finde to be considered, is, that he depainteth hir somewhat stirring for a ma∣ritall Ʋenus. In this discreete match, appetites are not commonly so fondling; but drowsi•• and more sluggish. Loue disdaineth a man should holde of other then himselfe, and dealeth but faintly with acquaintances begun and entertained vnder another title; as mariage is. Allian∣ces, respects and meanes, by all reason, waigh as much or more, as the grace and beauty. A man doth not mary for himselfe, whatsoeuer he allegeth; but as much or more for his posteritie and familie. The vse and interest of mariage concerneth our off-spring, a great way beyond vs. Therefore doth this fashion please me, to guide it rather by a third hand, and by anothers sence, then our owne: All which, how much doth it dissent from amorous conuentions? Nor is it other then a kinde of incest, in this reverend alliance and sacred bonde, to employ the ef∣forts and extravagant humor of an amorous licentiousnes, as I thinke to haue said else-where. One should (saith Aristotle) touch his wife soberlie, discreetly and seuerely, least that tickling too lasciviously, pleasure transport her beyond the bounds of reason. What he speaketh for conscience, Phisitions alledge for health: saying that pleasure excessively whotte, voluptu∣ous and continuall, altereth the seede, and hindereth conception. Some other say besides, that to a languishing congression (as naturally that is) to store it with a couuenient, and fertile heat, one must but seldome, and by moderate intermissions present himselfe vnto it.

Quo rapiet sitiens venerem interiusque recondat.* 1.52 Thirsting to snatch a fit, And inly harbor it.

I see no mariages faile sooner, or more troubled, then such as are concluded for beauties sake, and hudled vp for amorous desires. There are required more solide foundations, and more constant grounds, and a more warie marching to it: this earnest youthly heate serueth to no purpose. Those who thinke to honour marriage, by ioyning love vnto it (in mine opinion) doe as those, who to doe vertue a fauour, holde, that Nobilitie is noe other thing then Vertue. In∣deed these things have some affinitie; but therewithall great difference: their names and titles should not thus be commixt: both are wronged so to bee confounded. Nobilitie is a worthy, goodly qualitie, aud introduced with good reason; but in as much as it dependeth on others, and may fall to the share of my vicious and worthlesse fellowe, it is in estimation farre shorte of ver∣tue. If it be a vertue, it is artificiall and visible; relying both on time and fortune; diuers in forme, according vnto countries; living and mortall; without birth, as the riuer Nilus gene∣alogicall and common; by succession and similitude; drawne along by consequence, but a very weake one. Knowledge, strength, goodnesse, beautie, wealth and all other qualities fall within compasse of commerce and communication: whereas this consumeth it selfe in it selfe, of no employment for the seruice of others. One proposed to one of our Kinges the choise of two competitors in one office, the one a Gentleman, the other a Yeoman: hee ap∣pointed that without respect vnto that qualitie, hee who deserued best should be elected; but were their valour or worth fully a-like, the Gentleman should be regarded: this was iust∣lie to give nobilitie hir right and ranke. Antigonus, to an vnknowne young-man, who sued

vnto him for his fathers charge, a man of valour and who was lately deceased: My friend (quoth hee) in such good turnes, I waigh not my souldiers noble birth, so much as their sufficien∣cie. Of truth it should not be herein, as with the officers of Spartan kings; Trumpetors, Mu∣sitions, Cookes, in whose roome their children succeded, how ignorant soeuer, before the best experienced in the trade. Those of Calicut make of their nobility a degree aboue humane. Marriage is interdicted them, and all other vocations, sauing warre. Of Concubines they may haue as many as they list, and women as many lechardes, without Jealousie one of ano∣ther. But it is a capitall crime, and vnremissible offence to contract or marry with any of dif∣ferent condition: Nay they deeme themselues disparaged and polluted, if they haue but touch∣ed them in passing by. And as if their honour were much iniuried and interressed by it, they kil those who but approach some what to neare them. In such sort, that the ignoble are bound to cry as they walke along, like the Gondoliers or Water-men of Ʋenice along the streetes, least they should iustle with them: and the nobles command them to what side of the way they please. Thereby doe these auoyde an obloquie which they esteeme perpetuall; and those an assured death. No continuance of time, no fauour of Prince, no office, no vertue, nor any wealth can make a clowne to become a gentleman. Which is much furthered by this custome, that mariages of one trade with another are stricktlie for bidden. A Shoo-maker cannot marry with the race of a Carpenter; and parents are precisely bounde to traine vp orphanes in their fathers trade, and in no other. Whereby the difference, the distinction and continuance, of their fortune is maintained. A good marriage (if any there be) refuseth the company and conditions of loue; it endeuoureth to present those of amity. It is a sweete society of life, full of constancie, of trust, & an infinite number of profitable and solid offices, and mutuall obligations: No woman that throughly and impartially tasteth the same,

(Optat•• quam iunxit lumine taeda Whom loues-fire ioyned in double band,* 1.53 With wished light of marriage brand)

would forgoe her estate to bee her husbands master. Be she lodged in his affection, as a wife, she is much more honourably and surely lodged. Be a man passionately entangled in any vn∣lawful lust or loue, let him then be demanded on whom he would rather haue some shame or disgrace to alight; eyther on his lawfull wife, or on his lechard mistris whose misfortune would afflict him most, and to whom hee wisheth greater good or more honour. These questions admit no doubt in an absolute sound marriage. The reason we see so few good, is an apparent signe of it's worth, and a testimony of it's price. Perfectly to fashion and rightly to take it, is the wor∣thiest and best part of our society. We cannot be without it, and yet wee disgrace and vilifie the same. It may bee compared to a cage, the birdes without dispaire to get in, and those with∣in dispaire to get out. Socrates being demanded, whether was most commodious, to take, or not to take a wife; Which soever a man doth (quoth he) he shall repent it. It is a match wherto may well be applied the common saying, homo homini aut Deus, aut▪ Lupus. Man vnto man is either* 1.54 a God or a Wolfe▪ to the perfect erecting wereof are the concurrences of diuers qualities requi∣red: It is now a dayes found most fit or commodious for simple mindes and popular spirits whom dainties, curiosity and idlenesse doe not so much touble. Licentious humours, debaush∣ed conceits (as are mine) who hate all manner of duties, bondes, or obseruances are not so fit, so proper, and so sutable for it.

Et mihi dulce magis resolute viuere collo.* 1.55 Sweeter it is to me, with loose necke to liue free.

Of mine owne disposition, would wisedoome it selfe haue had me, I should haue refused to wed her. But we may say our pleasure; the custome and vse of common life ouer beareth vs. Most of my actions are guided by example, and not by election: Yet did I not properly en∣uite my selfe vnto it, I was led and brought therevnto by strange and vnexpected occasions: For, not onely incommodious things, but foule, vicious and ineuitable, may by some condition and ac∣cident become acceptable and allowed. So vaine is mans posture and defence. And truely I was then drawne vnto it, being but ill prepared and more backeward, then now I am that haue made triall of it. And as licentious as the world reputes mee, I haue (in good truth) more stricktly obserued the lawes of wedlock, then either I had promised or hoped. It is no longer time to wince when one hath put on the shackles. A man ought wisely to husband his liberty; but after he hath once submitted himselfe vnto bondage, he is to stick vnto it by the lawes of com∣mon

duty or at least enforce himselfe to keepe them. Those which vndertake that couenant to deale therein with hate and contempt, doe both iniustly and incommodiously. And that goodly rule I see passe from hand to hand among women, as a sacred Oracle,

Serston mary comme maistre: Et t'en garde comme d'un traistre. Your husband as your master serue-yee: From him as from false friend preserue-yee.

which is as much to say; Beare thy selfe toward him with a constrained, enemy and distrust∣full reverence (a stile of warre, and cry of defiance) is likewise iniurious and difficult. I am to milde for such crabbed dissignes. To say truth, I am not yet come to that perfection of sufficiency and quaintnesse of wit, as to confound reason with iniustice: and laugh or scoffe at each order or rule, that iumps not with my humour. To hate superstition, I doe not presently cast my selfe into irreligion. If one doe not alwaies discharge his duety, yet ought he at least euer loue, euer acknowledge it: It is treason for one to marry vnlesse he wed. But goe we on. Our Poet describeth a marriage full of accord and good agreement, wherein notwithstanding there is not much loyaltie. Did he meane it was not possible to performe loues rights, and yet reserue some rightes toward marriage; and that one may, bruse it, without altogether breaking it? A servant may picke his masters purse, and yet not hate him. Beautie, opportunitie, destinie, (for destinie hath also a hand therein)

—fatum est in partibus illis.* 1.56 Quas sinus abscondit; nam si tibi fideracassent, N••l faciet longi mensura incognita nervi. In those parts there is fate, which hidden are; If then thou be not wrought-for by thy starre, The measure of long nerves, vnknowne to nothing serves.

have entangled a wo••an to a stranger, yet peradventure not so absolutely but that some bond may bee left to hold her to her husband. They are two dissignes, having severall and vnconfounded pathes leading to them. A woman may yeeld to such a man, whom in no case she would have married. I meane not for the conditions of his fortune, but for the qualities of his person. Few men have wedded their sweet hearts, their para∣mours or mistresses, but have come home by weeping Crosse, and ere long repented their bargaine. And even in the other world, what an vnquiet life leades Iupiter with his wife, whom before hee had secretly knowen, and lovingly enioied? This is as they say, to beray the panier, and then put it on your head. My selfe have seene in some good place, love, shamefully and dishonestly cured by mariage: the considerations are to much different. Wee love without disturbance to our selves; two divers and in themselves contrary things. Isocrates said, that the towne of Athens pleased men, even as Ladies doe whom wee serve for affection. Every one loved to come thither, to walke and passe away the time: but none affected to wed it: that is to say, to endenison, to dwell and habituate himselfe therein. I have (and that to my spight and griefe) seene husbands hate their wives, onely because themselves wronged them: Howsoever, wee should not love them lesse for our faults; at least for repentance and compassion they ought to be dearer vnto vs. These are different ends (saith hee) and yet in some sort compatible. Wedlocke hath for his share honour, justice, profit and constancie: a plaine, but more generall delight. Love melts in onely pleasure; and truly it hath it more ticklish, more lively, more quaint, and more sharpe: a pleasure inflamed by difficulty: there must be a kinde of stinging, tingling and smarting. It is no longer loue, be it once without Arrowes, or without fire. The liberality of Ladies is to profuse in marriage, and blunts the edge of affection and desire. To avoide this inconnenience, see the punishment inflicted by the lawes of Lycurgus and Plato. But Women are not altogether in the wrong, when they refuse the rules of life prescribed to the World, forsomuch as onely men have established them without their consent. There is commonly brauling and contention betweene them and vs. And the nearest con∣sent wee have with them, is but stormy and tumultuous. In the opinion of our Authour, we heerin vse them but inconsiderately. After wee have knowen, that without comparison they are much more capable and violent in Loues-effectes then wee, as was testified by that ancient Priest, who had beene both man and wo∣man,

and tried the passions of both sexes.

Ʋenus huic erat vtraque nota: Of both sortes he knew venery.* 1.57

We haue moreouer learned by their owne mouth, what tryall was made of it, though in di∣vers ages, by an Emperour and an Empresse of Rome, both skilfull and famous masters in law∣lesse lust and vnrulye wantonnesse; for hee in one night deflowred ten Sarmatian virgines, that were his captiues; but shee realy did in one night also, answere fiue and twenty seuerall as∣saults, changing her assailants as she found cause to supplye her neede, or fitte her taste,

—adhuc ardens rigidae tentigine vuluae* 1.58 Et lass••ta viris, non dum satiata recessit.

and that vpon the controuersie happened in Catalogne, betweene a wife and a husband; shee complaining on his ouer violence and continuance therein (not so much in my conceite, be∣cause she was thereby ouerlabored (for but by faith I beleeue not miracles) as vnder this pre∣text, to abridge and bridle the autority of husbands ouer their wiues, which is the fundamen∣tal part of marriage: And to shew that their frouning, sullennesse and peeuishnesse exceede the very nuptial bed, and trample vnder-foote the very beauties, graces and delightes of Ʋenus; to whose complaint her husband, a right churlish and rude fellow answered, that euen on fasting dayes he must needes do it ten times at least) was by the Queene of Aragon giuen this nota∣ble sentence: by which after mature deliberation of counsel, the good Queen to establish a rule and imitable example vnto al posterity, for the moderation and required modesty in a lawfull marriage, ordained the number of sixe times a day, as a lawfull, necessary and competent limit. Releasing and diminishing a great part of her sexes neede and desire: to establish (quoth she) an easie forme, and consequently permanent and immutable. Here vpon doctors cry out; what is the appetite and lust of women, when as their reason, their reformation and their vertue, is re∣tailed at such a rate? considering the diuers iudgement of our desires: for Solon master of the lawiers schoole alloweth but three times a moneth, because this matrimoniall entercourse should not decay or faile. Now after we beleeued (say I) and preached thus much, we haue for their particular portion allotted them continencie; as their last and extreame penalty. There is no passion more importunate then this, which we would haue them only to resist: Not simply, as a vice in it self, but as abhemination and execration, and more then irreligion and parricide; whilst wee our selues without blame or reproach offend in it at our pleasure. Euen those a∣mongst vs, who haue earnestly labored to ouercome lust, haue sufficiently vowed, what diffi∣culty, or rather vn•• esistable impossibility they found in it, ▪vsing nevertheles material reme∣dies, to tame, to weaken and coole the body. And we on the other side would haue them sound, healthy, strong, in good liking, wel-fed and chaste together, that is to say, both hotte and colde. For marriage which we auerie should hinder them from burning, affords them but small re∣freshing, according as our manners are. If they meete with a husband, whose force by reason of his age is yet boyling, he will take a pride to spend it else-where:

Sit tandem pudor, aut eamus inius,* 1.59 Multis mentula millibus redempta, Non est haec tua, Basse, vendidisti.

The Philosopher Polemon was iustly called in question by his wife, for sowing in a barren fielde the fruite due to the fertile. But if they match with broken stuffe in ful wedlocke, they are in worse case then either virgines or widowes. Wee deeme them sufficiently furnished, if they haue a man lie by them. As the Romans reputed Clodia Laeta a vestall virgine deflou∣red, whom Caligula had touched, although it was manifestly prooued hee had but approa∣ched her: But on the contrary, their neede or longing is thereby encreased; for but the touch or company of any man whatsoever stirreth vp their heate, which in their soly∣tude was husht▪ and quiet, and laye as cinders raked vp in ashes. And to the ende, as it is likely, to make by this circumstance and consideration their chastitie more meritori∣ous: Bòlestaus and Kingè his wife, King and Queene of Poland, lying together, the first day of their mariage vowed it with mutuall consent, and in despight of all wedlocke com∣moditie of nuptiall-delightes maintained the same. Euen from their infancie wee frame them to the sportes of loue: their instruction, behauiour, attire, grace, learning and all their words aimeth onely at loue, respects, onely affection. Their nurces and their keepers

imprint no other thing in them, then the louelinesse of love, were it but by continually pre∣senting the same vnto them, to distaste them of it: My daughter (all the children I have) is of the age wherein the lawes excuse the forwardest to marry. She is of a slowe, nice and milde complexion, and hath accordingly beene brought vp by hir mother, in a retired and parti∣cular manner: so that shee beginneth but now to put-off childish simplicitie. She was one day reading a French booke before mee, an obscene word came in hir way (more bawdie in sound then in effect, it signifieth the name of a Tree and another thing) the woman that lookes to hir, staid hir presently, and somwhat churlishly making hir step ouer the same: I let hir a∣lone, because I would not crosse their rules, for I medle nothing with this government; wo∣mens policie hath a misticall proceeding, wee must be content to leave it to them. But if I bee not deceiued, the conuersation of twenty laqueis could not in six moneths have setled in hir thoughts, the vnderstanding, the vse and consequences of the found belonging to those filthy silables, as did that good olde woman by hir checke and interdiction.

Motus doceri gaudet Ionicos Matura virgo, et fingitur artubus* 1.60 I am nunc, et incestos amores De tenero meditatur vngui. Maides mariage-ripe straight to be taught delight Ionique daunces, fram'de by arte aright In every ioynt, and eu'n from their first haire Incestuous loves in meditation beare.

Let them somwhat dispence with ceremonies, let them fall into free libertie of speach; wee are but children, wee are but gulles, in respect of them, about any such subject. Heare them relate how wee sue, how we wooe, how we sollicite and how we entertaine them, they will soone giue you to vnderstand, that wee can say, that we can doe, and that we can bring them nothing, but what they already knew, and had long before disgested without vs. May it be) as Plato saith) because they have one time or other beene themselues wanton, licentious and amorous lads? Mine eares hapned one day in a place, where without suspicion they might listen and steale some of their priuate, lavish and bould discourses; oh why is it not lawfull for me to repeate them? Birlady (quoth I to my selfe) It is high time indeede for vs to goe studie the phrases of Amadis, the metaphors of Aretine, and eloquence of Boccace, thereby to be∣come more skilfull, more ready and more sufficient to confront them: surely we bestowe our time well; there is nor quaint phrase, nor choise worde, nor ambiguous figure, nor patheticall example, nor love-expressing gesture, nor alluring posture, but they knowe them all better then our bookes: It is a cunning bred in their vaines and will never out of the flesh,

Et mentem Venus ••psa dedit.* 1.61 Ʋenus hir selfe assign'de, To them both meanes and minde,

which these skill infusing Schoole-mistrisses nature, youth, health and opportunitie, are ever buzzing in their eares, euer whispering in their mindes: They neede not learne, not take paines about it; they beget it; with them it is borne.

Nec tantum niueo gauisa est nulla columbe Compar, vel si quid dicitur improbius,* 1.62 Oscula mordenti semper decerpererostro: Quantum praecipuè multiuola est mulier. No pigeons hen, or paire, or what worse name You list, makes with hir Snow-white cock such game, With biting bill to catch when she is kist, As many minded women when they list.

Had not this naturall violence of their desires beene somwhat held in awe, by feare and honor, wherewith they have beene provided we had all beene defamed. All the worlds motions bend and yeelde to this coniunction: it is a matter euery-where infused; and a Centre whereto all lines come, all things looke. The ordinances of ancient and wise Rome, ordained for the ser∣uice and instituted for the behoofe of love, are yet to be seene: together with the precepts of Socrates to instruct courtizans.

Nec non libelli Stoici inter sericos* 1.63 Iacere puluillos amant. Ev'n Stoicks bookes are pleas'd Amidst silke cushions to be eas'd.

Zeno among other lawes, ordered also the struglings, the opening of legges, and the actions, which happen in the deflowring of a virgin. Of what sence was the booke of Sirato the Phi∣losopher, of carnall copulation? And whereof treated Theophrastus in those he entitled, one The Lover, the other, Of Love? Whereof Aristippus in his volume Of ancient deliciousnesse or sports? What implied or what imported the ample and lively descriptions in Plato, of the loves practised in his daies? And the lover of Demetrius Phalereus? And Clinias, or the for∣ced lover of Heraclides Ponticus? And that of Artisthenes, of the getting of children, or of weddings? And the other, Of the Master or of the lover? And that of Aristo, Of amorous ex∣ercises? Of Cleanthes, one of love, another of the Art of love? The amorous dialogues of Spherus? And the filthy intolerable, and without blushing not to be vttered table of Iupiter and Iuno, written by Chrysippus? And his so lascivious fifty Epistles? I will omit the writings of some Philosophers, who have followed the sect of Epicurus, protectresse of all maner of sensualitie and carnall pleasure. Fifty severall Deities were in times past allotted to this of∣fice. And there hath beene a nation found, which to allay and coole the lustfull concupi∣scence of such as came for devotion, kept wenches of purpose in their temples to be vsed; and it was a point of religion to deale with them before one went to praiers. Nimirum propter con∣tinentiam incontinentia necessaria est, incendiumignibus ex••inguitur. Belike we must be incontinent that we may be continent, burning is quenched by fire. In most places of the world, that part of our body was Deified. In that same province, some flead it to offer, and consecrated a peece thereof; others offred and consecrated their seed. In another the young-men did publikely pierce, and in divers places open their yard betweene flesh and skin, and thorow the holes put the longest and biggest stickes they could endure, and of those stickes made afterward a fire, for an offring to their Gods, and were esteemed of small vigour and lesse chastitie, if by the force of that cruell paine they shewed any dismay. Else-where, the most sacred magistrate was reverenced and acknowledged by those parts. And in divers ceremonies the portraiture thereof was carried and shewed in pompe and state, to the honour of sundry Deities. The Aegyptian Dames in their Bacchanalian feasts wore a wodden one about their necks, exquisit∣ly fashioned, as huge and heavie as every one could conveniently beare: besides that which the statue of their God represented, which in measure exceeded the rest of his body. The maried women heere-by, with their Coverchefs frame the figure of one vpon their forheads; to glory themselves with the enioying they have of it; and comming to bee widowes, they place it behinde, and hide it vnder their quoifes. The greatest and wisest matrons of Rome, were honoured for offring flowers and garlands to God Priapus. And when their Virgins were maried, they (during the nuptials) were made to sit vpon their privities. Nor am I sure, whether in my time, I have not seene a glimps of like devotion. What meant that laughter∣mooving, and maids looke-drawing peece our Fathers wore in their breeches, yet extant a∣mong the Switzers? To what end is at this present day the shew of our formall peeces vnder our Gascoine hoses? and often (which is worse) above their naturall greatnesse, by falshood and imposture? A little thing would make me beleeve, that the said kinde of garment was in∣uented in the best and most vpright ages, that the world might not be deceived, and all men should yeeld a publike account of their sufficiencie. The simplest nations have it yet some∣what resembling the true forme. Then was the worke-mans skill instructed, how it is to bee made, by the measure of the arme or foot. That good-meaning man, who in my youth, thorowout his great citie, caused so many faire, curious and ancient statues to bee guelded, left the sense of seeing might bee corrupted, following the advice of that other good ancient man;

Flagitij principium est nudare inter cives corpora:* 1.64 Mongst civill people sinne, By baring bodies we beginne.

should have considered, how in the mysteries of the good Goddesse, all apparance of man was excluded; that he was no whitneerer, if he did not also procure both horses and asses, and al length nature her selfe to be guelded.

Omne adeo genus in torris, hominum{que}, ferarum{que},* 1.65 Et genus ••quoreum, pecudes, pictaeque volucres, In furias ignem{que} ruunt. All kindes of things on earth, wilde beasts, mankinde, Field-beasts, faire-fethered fowle, and fish (we finde) Into loves fire and fury run by kinde.

The Gods (saith Plato) have furnished man with a disobedient, skittish, and tyrannicall member; which like an vntamed furious-beast, attempteth by the violence of his appetite to bring all things vnder his becke. So have they allotted women another as insulting, wilde and fierce; in nature like a greedie, devouring, and rebellious creature, who if when hee cra∣veth it, hee bee refused nourishment, as impatient of delay, it enrageth; and infusing that rage into their bodies, stoppeth their conduicts, hindreth their respiration, and causeth a thousand kindes of inconveniences; vntill sucking vp the fruit of the generall thirst, it have largely bedewed and enseeded the bottome of their matrix. Now my law-giver should also have considered, that peradventure it were a more chaste and commodiously fruitfull vse, betimes to give them a knowledge and taste of the quicke; then according to the liberty and heat of their fantasie, suffer them to ghesse and imagine the same. In lieu of true essentiall parts, they by desire surmise, and by hopesubstitute others, three times as extravagant. And one of my acquaintance was spoiled, by making open shew of his in place, where yet it was not convenient to put them in possession of their more serious vse. What harme cause not those huge draughts or pictures, which wanton youth with chalke or coales draw in each passage, wall, or staires of our great houses? whence a cruell contempt of our naturall store is bred in them. Who knoweth, whether Plato ordaining amongst other well-instituted Common-wealths, that men and women, old and yoong, should in their exercises or Gym∣nastickes, present themselves naked one to the sight of another, aimed at that or no? The Indian women, who daily without interdiction view their men all over, have at least where∣with to asswage and coole the sense of their seeing. And whatsoever the women of that great kingdome of Pegu say, who from their waste downward, have nothing to cover themselves but a single cloth slit before; and that so straight, that what nice modestie, or ceremonious decencie soever they seeme to affect, one may plainly at each step see what God hath sent them: that it is an invention or shift devised to draw men vnto them, and with-draw them from other men or boies, to which vnnaturall brutish sinne that nation is wholly addicted: it might be said, they lose more then they get: and that a full hunger is more vehement, then ••ne which hath beene glutted, be it but by the eies. And Livia said, that to an honest woman, a na∣ked man is no more then an Image. The Lacedemonian women, more virgin-wives, then are our maidens, saw every day the yoong men of their citie, naked at their exercises: themselves nothing precise to hide their thighes in walking, esteeming themselves (saith Plato) suffici∣ently cloathed with their vertue, without vardingall. But those, of whom S. Augustine spea∣keth, have attributed much to nakednesse, who made a question, whether women at the last day of judgement should rise againe in their proper sex, and not rather in ours, lest even then they tempt vs in that holy state. In summe, we lure and every way flesh them: we vncessantly enflame and encite their imagination: and then we cry out, but oh, but oh the belly. Let vs con∣fesse the truth, there are few amongst vs, that feare not more the shame they may have by their wives offences, then by their owne vices; or that cares not more (oh wondrous charity) for his wives, then his own conscience; or that had not rather be a theefe and church-robber, and have his wife a murderer and an heretike, then not more chaste then himselfe. Oh impi∣ous estimation of vices. Both wee and they are capable of a thousand more hurtfull and vn∣naturall corruptions, then is lust or lasciviousnesse. But we frame vices and waigh sinnes, not according to their nature, but according to our interest; whereby they take so many different vnequall formes. The severity of our lawes makes womens inclination to that vice, more vi∣olent and faulty, then it's condition beareth; and engageth it to worse proceedings then is their cause. They will readily offer rather to follow the practise of law, and plead at the barre for a fee, or goe to the warres for reputation, then in the midst of idlenesse and deliciousnesse be tied to keepe so hard a Sentinell, so dangerous a watch. See they not plainly, how there is

neither Merchant, Lawyer, Souldier, or Church-man, but will leave his accounts, forsake his client, quit his glory and neglect his function, to follow this other businesse? And the bur∣den bearing porter, souterly cobler, and toilefull labourer, all harassed, all besmeared, and all bemoiled, through travell, labour and trudging, will forget all, to please himselfe with this pleasing sport.

Num tu quae tenuit dives Achaemenes,* 1.66 Aut pinguis Phrygiae Mygdonias opes, Permutare velis crine Liciniae, Plenas aut Arabum domos, Dum fragrantia detorquet ad os••ula Ceruicem, aut facili saeuitianegat, Quae poscente magis ga••deat eripi, Interdum rapere occupet? Would you exchange for your faire mistresse haire, All that the rich Achaemenes did hold, Or all that fertill Phrygias soile doth beare, Or all th' Arabians store of spice and gold? Whilst she to fragrant kisses turnes her head, Or with a courteous coinesse them denies; Which more then he that speeds she would have sped, And which sometimes to snatch she formost hies?

I wot not whether Caesars exploits, or Alexanders atchivements exceed in hardinesse the resolution of a beautious yoong woman, trained after our manner, in the open view and vn∣controlled conversation of the world, sollicited and battered by so many contrary examples, exposed to a thousand assaults and continuall pursuits, and yet still holding her selfe good and vnvanquished. There is no point of doing more thornie, nor more active, then this of not doing. I finde it easier, to beare all ones life a combersome armour on his backe, then a maiden-head. And the vow of virginitie, is the noblest of all vowes, because the hardest. Diaboli virtus in lumbis est:* 1.67 The divels master-point lies in our loines, saith S. Ierome. Surely we haue re••igned the most dif∣ficult and vigorous devoire of mankinde vnto women, and quit them the glory of it, which might stead them as a singular motive to opinionate themselves therein: and serve them as a worthy subiect to brave vs, and trample vnder feet that vaine preheminence of valour and vertue wee pretend over them. They shall finde (if they but heed it) that they shall thereby not only be highly regarded, but also more beloved. A gallant vndaunted spirit leaveth not his pursuits for a bare refusall; so it bee a refusall of chastitie, and not of choise. Wee may sweare, threaten and wailingly complaine; we lie, for we love them the better. There is no en∣ticing lure to wisdome and secret modestie; so it be not rude, churlish, and froward. It is bloc∣kishnesse and basenesse to be obstinately wilfull against hatred and contempt: But against a vertuous and constant resolution, matched with an acknowledging minde, it is the exercise of a noble and generous minde. They may accept of our service vnto a certaine measure, and make vs honestly perceive how they disdaine vs not: for, the law which enioineth them to abhorre vs, because we adore them; and hate vs, forsomuch as we love them; is doubtlesse very cruell, were it but for it's difficultie. Why may they not listen to our offers, and not gaine-say our requests, so long as they containe themselves within the bounds of modestie▪ Wherefore should we imagine, they inwardly affect a freer meaning? A Queene of our time said wittily, that to refuse mens kinde summo••s, is a testimonie of much weaknesse, and an accusing of ones owne facilitie: and that an vnattempted Lady could not vaunt of her chastitie. Honours limits are not restrained so short; they may somewhat be slacked, and without offending somewhat dispensed withall. At the end of his frontiers▪ there is left a free, indifferent, and newter space. He that could drive and force his mistresse into a corner, and reduce her into her fort, hath no great matter in him, if he be not content with his fortune. The price or honour of the conquest is rated by the difficultie. Will you know what impression your merits, your services and worth have made in her heart? Iudge of it by her behaviour and disposition.

Some one may give more, that (all things considered) giveth not so much. The obligation

of a benefit hath wholly reference vnto the will of him that giveth: other circumstances which fall within the compasse of good-turnes, are dumbe, dead and casuall. That little she giveth may cost her more, then all her companion hath. If rarenesse be in any thing worthy estimation, it ought to be in this. Respect not how little it is, but how few have it to give. The value of money is changed according to the coine, stampe or marke of the place. Whatsoever the spight or indiscretion of some, may vpon the excesse of their discontentment, make them say; Ʋertue and truth doe ever recover their advantage. I have knowen some, whose reputation hath long time beene impeached by wrong, and intere••••ed by reproach, restored vnto all mens good opinion and generall approbation, without care or Art, onely by their constan∣cie; each repenting and denying what he formerly beleeved. From wenches somewhat sus∣pected, they now hold the first ranke amongst honourable Ladies. Some told Plato, that all the world spake ill of him; Let them say what they list (quoth hee) I will so live, that Ile make them recant and change their speeches. Besides the feare of God, and the reward of so rare a glory, which should incite them to preserve themselves, the corruption of our age enforceth them vnto it: and were I in their clothes, there is nothing but I would rather doe, then com∣mit my reputation into so dangerous hands. In my time, the pleasure of reporting and blab∣bing what one hath done (a pleasure not much short of the act it selfe in sweetnesse) was only allowed to such as had some assured, trustie and singular friend; whereas now-a-daies, the ordinary entertainements and familiar discourses of meetings and at tables, are the boast∣ings of favours received, graces obtained, and secret liberalities of Ladies. Verily it is too great an abiection, and argueth a basenesse of heart, so fiercely to suffer those tender, dain∣tie, deliciousioies, to bee persecuted, pelted, and foraged by persons so vngratefull, so vndis∣creet, and so giddy-headed. This our immoderate and lawlesse exasperation against this vice, proceedeth and is bred of jealousie; the most vaine and turbulent infirmitie that may afflict mans minde.

Quis vetat appo••ito lumen de lumine sumi?* 1.68 Dent licet assiduè, nil tamen inde perit. To borrow light of light, who would deny? Though still they give, nothing is lost thereby.

That, and Envie her sister, are (in mine opinion) the fondest of the troupe. Of the latter, I cannot say much; a passion which how effectuall and powerfull soever they set foorth; of her good favour she medleth not with me. As for the other, I know it only by sight. Beasts have some feeling of it. The shepheard Cratis being fallen in love with a shee Goat, her Bucke for jealousie beat out his braines as hee lay asleepe. Wee have raised to the highest straine the excesse of this moodie feaver, after the example of some barbarous nations: The best disciplined have therewith beene tainted, it is reason; but not caried away by it:

Ense maritali nemo confossus adulter, Purpureo stygias sanguine tinxit ••quas. With husbands sword yet no adultrer slaine, With purple blood did Stygian waters staine.

Lucullus, Caes••r, Pompey, Anthoni••, Cato, and divers other gallant men were Cuckolds, and knew it, though they made no stirre about it. There was in all that time but one gullis•••• coxcombe Lepidus, that died with the anguish of it.

Ah tum te miserum mali{que} fati,* 1.69 Quem attractis pedibus patente porta, Percurrent mugiles{que} raphanique. Ah thee then wretched, of accursed fate, Whom Fish-wives, Redish-wives of base estate, Shall scoffing over-runne in open gate.

And the God of our Poet, when he surprised one of his companions napping with his wife, was contented but to shame them:

Atque aliquis de ijs non tristibus optat,* 1.70 Sic fieri turpis. Some of the merier Gods doth wish in heart, To share their shame, of pleasure to take part.

And yet forbeareth not to be en••lamed with the gentle dalliances, and amorous blandish∣ments

she offereth him, complaining that for so slight a matter he should distrust her to him deare-deare affection:

Quid causas pet is ex alto? ••iducia cessit* 1.71 Quo tibi Divamei? So farre why fetch you your pleas pedigree? Whither is fled the trust you had in mee?

And which is more, she becomes a suiter to him in the behalfe of a bastard of hers,

Arma rogo genitrix nato.* 1.72 A mother for a sonne, I crave, An armor he of you may have.

Which is freely granted her: And Ʋulcan speakes honourably of Aeneas:

Arma acrifacienda viro.* 1.73 An armour must be hammered out, For one of courage sterne and stout.

In truth with an humanitie, more then humane. And which excesse of goodnesse by my con∣sent shall only be left to the Gods:

Nec divis homines componier aequum est.* 1.74 Nor is it meet, that men with Gods Should be compar'd, there is such ods.

As for the confusion of children, besides that the gravest law-makers appoint and affect it in their Common-wealths, it concerneth not women, with whom this passion is, I wot not how, in some sort better placed, fitter seated.

Saepe etiam Iuno maxima coelicolum* 1.75 Coniugis in culpa flagravit quotiaiana. Ev'n Iuno chiefe of Goddesses oft time, Hath growne hot at her husbands daily crime.

When iealousie once seazeth on these silly, weake, and vnresisting soules, t'is pitifull, to see, how cruelly it tormenteth, how insultingly it tyrannizeth them. It insinuateth it selfe vnder colour of friendship: but after it once possesseth them, the same causes which served for a ground of good-will, serve for the foundation of mortall hatred. Of all the mindes diseases, that is it, whereto most things serve for sustenance, and fewest for remedy. The vertue, courage, health, merit and reputation of their husbands, are the firebrands of their despight, and mo∣tives of their rage.

Nullae sunt inimicitiae nisi amoris acerbae.* 1.76 No enmities so bitter prove, And sharpe, as those which spring of love.

This consuming feaver blemisheth and corrupteth all that otherwise is good and goodly in them. And how chaste or good a huswife soever a jealous woman is, there is no action of hers, bu•• tasteth of sharpnesse and smaks of importunitie. It is a furious perturbation, a moo∣die agitation, which throwes them into extremities altogether contrary to the cause. The successe of one Octauius in Rome was strange, who having laien with, and enioied the love of Pontia Post humia, increased his affection by enioying her, and instantly sued to mary her; but being vnable to perswade her, his extreme passionate love prec••pitated him into effects of a most cruell, mortall and inexorable hatred; whereupon he killed her. Likewise the or∣dinary Symptomes or passions of this other amorous disease, are intestine hates, slie Monopo∣lies, close conspiracies:

Notumque, furens quid foemina possit.* 1.77 It is knowne what a woman may, Whose raging passions have no stay.

And a raging spight, which so much the more fretteth itselfe, by being forced to excuse it selfe vnder pretence of good-will. Now the dutie of chastitie hath a large extension and farre∣reaching compasse. Is it their will, we would have them to bridle? That's a part very pliable and active. It is very nimble and quick-rolling to be staied. What? If dreames doe some∣times engage them so farre, as they cannot dissemble nor deny them; It lieth not in them (nor perhaps in chastitie it selfe, seeing she is a female) to shield themselves from concupi∣scence and avoid desiring. If only their will interesse and engage vs, where and in what case

are we? Imagine what great throng of men there would bee, in pursuit of this priuilege, with winged-speed (though without eies and without tongue) to be conueied vpon the point of e∣very woman that would buy him. The Scythian women were wont to thrust out the eies of all their slaves and prisoners taken in warre, thereby to make more free and private vse of them. Oh what a furious advantage is opportunitie! He that should demand of me, what the chiefe or first part in love is, I would answer, To know how to take fit time; even so the second, and likewise the third. It is a point which may doe all in all. I have often wanted fortune, but sometimes also enterprise. God shield him from harme, that can yet mocke himselfe with it. In this age more rashnesse is required; which our youths excuse vnder colour of heat. But should our women looke neerer vnto it, they might finde, how it rather proceedeth of con∣tempt. I supersticiously feared to offend; and what I love, I willingly respect. Besides that, who depriveth this merchandize of reverence, defaceth all luster of it. I love that a man should therein somewhat play the childe, the dastard and the servant. If not altogether in this, yet in some other things I have some aires or motives of the sottish bashfulnesse, where∣of Plutarch speaketh; and the course of my life hath diversly beene wounded and tainted by it: a qualitie very ill beseeming my vniversall forme. And what is there amongst vs, but sedi∣tion and ••arring? Mine eies be as tender to beare a refusall, as to refuse; and it doth so much trouble me to be troublesome to others, that where occasions force me or dutie compelleth me to trie the will of any one, be it in doubtfull things, or of cost vnto him, I doe it but faintly and much against my will: But if it be for mine owne private businesle (though Homer say most truly, that in an indigent or needy man, bashfulnesse is but a ••ond vertue) I commonly sub∣stitute a third party, who may blush in my roome: and direct them that employ mee, with like difficultie: so that it hath sometimes befallen me, to have the will to deny, when I had not power to refuse. It is then folly, to goe about to bridle women of a desire, so fervent and so na∣turall in them. And when I heare them bragge to have so virgin-like a will and cold minde, I but laugh and mocke at them. They recoile too farre backward. If it be a toothlessebel∣dame or decrepit grandame, or a yoong drie pthisicke siarveling; if it be not altogether cre∣dible, they have at least some colour or apparance to say it. But those which stirre about, and have a little breath left them, marre but their market with such stuffe: forsomuch as inconfi∣derate excuses are no better then accusations. As a Gentleman my neighbour, who was suspe∣cted of insufficiencie,

Languidi•••• tenera cui pendens sicula beta,* 1.78 Nunquam se mediam sustulis ad tunicam.

to justifie himselfe, three or foure daies after his mariage, swore confidently, that the night before, he had performed twenty courses: which oath hath sinceserved to convince him of meere ignorance, and to divorce him from his wife. Besides, this allegation is of no great worth: For, there is nor continencie nor vertue, where no resistance is to the c••ntrary. It is true, may one say, but I am not ready to yeeld. The Saints themselves speake so. This is vnderstood of such as boast in good earnest of their coldnesse and insensibilitie, and would be credited with a serious countenance: for, when it is from an affected looke (where the eies give words the lie) and from the faltring speech of their profession (which ever workes against the wooll) I allow of it. I am a duteous servant vnto plainnesse, simplicitie and libertie: but there is no remedie, if it be not meerely plaine, simple or infantine; it is fond, inept and vnseemely for Ladies in this commerce: it presently inclineth and bendeth to impudencie. Their disgui∣sings, their figures and dissimulations cozen none but fooles; there lying sitteth in the chaire of honour; it is a by-way, which by a false posterne leads vs vnto truth. If we cannot containe their imaginations, what require we of them? the effects? Many there be, who are free from all strangers-communication, by which chastitie may be corrupted, and honestie defiled.

Illud saepe facit, quod fine teste facit.* 1.79 What she doth with no witnesse to it, She often may be found to doe it.

And those whom we feare least, are per adventure most to be feared: their secret sins are the worst.

Offendor moecha simpliciore minus. Pleas'd with a whores simplicitie,* 1.80 Offended with her nicitie.

There are effects, which without impuritie may loose them their pudicitie; and which is

more, without their knowledge. Obstetrix virginis cuiusdam integritatem manu velut explorans, sive malevolentia, sive inscitia, sive c••su, dum inspicit, perdidit: A Midwife searching with her fin∣ger into a certaine maidens virginitie, either for ill will, or of vnskilfulnesse, or by chance, whilest shee seekes and lookes into it, shee lost and spoiled it. Some one hath lost or wronged her virginitie in looking or searching for it; some other killed the same in playing with it. Wee are not able precisely to circumscribe them the actions we forbid them: Our law must be conceived vn∣der generall and vncertaine termes. The very Idea we forge vnto their chastitie is ridiculous. For, amongst the extremest examples or patternes I have of it, it is Fatua the wife of Faunas, who after shee was maried, would never suffer her selfe to be seene of any man whatsoever. And Hierons wife; that never felt her husbands stinking breath, supposing it to be a qualitie common to all men. It were necessary, that to satisfie and please vs, they should become in∣sensible and invisible. Now let vs confesse, that the knot of the iudgement of this duty consi∣steth principally in the will. There have beene husbands who have endured this accident, not only without reproach and offense against their wives, but with singular acknowledge∣ment, obligation and commendation to their vertue. Some one that more esteemed her ho∣nestie then she loved her life, hath prostituted the same vnto the lawlesse lust and raging sen∣sualitie of a mortall hatefull enemy, thereby to save her husbands life; and hath done that for him, which she could never have beene induced to doe for her selfe. This is no place to extend these examples: they are too high and over-rich, to be presented in this luster: let vs therefore reserve them for a nobler seat. But to give you some examples of a more vulgar stampe: Are there not women daily seene amongst vs, who for the only profit of their hus∣bands, and by their expresse order and brokage, make sale of their honesty? And in old times Phau••ius the Argian, through ambition offred his to king Philip. Even as that Galba, who be∣stowed a supper on Mecenas, perceiving him and his wife beginne to bandy eie-trickes and signes, of civilitie shrunke downe vpon his cushion, as one oppressed with sleepe; to give bet∣ter scope vnto their love; which he avouched as pretily: for at that instant, a servant of his presuming to lay hands on the plate which was on the table, he cried outright vnto him; How now varlet? Seest thou not I sleepe only for Mecenas? One may be of a loose behaviour, yet of purer will and better reformed, then another who frameth her selfe to a precise apparance. As some are seene complaine because they vowed chastitie before yeeres of discretion or knowledge: so have I seene others vnfainedly bewaile and truly lament that they were vowed to licentiousnesse and dissolutenesse before the age of iudgement and distinction. The pa∣rents leaudnesse may be the cause of it; or the force of impulsive necessitie, which is a shrewd counsellor, and a violent perswader. Though chastitie were in the East Indias of singular e∣steeme, yet the custome permitted, that a maried wife might freely betake her selfe to what man soever did present her an Elephant: and that which some glory, to have beene valued at so high a rate. Phedon the Philosopher, of a noble house, after the taking of his country Elis, professed to prostitute the beauty of his youth to all commers, so long as it should continue, for money to live with and beare his charges. And Solon was the first of Greece (say some) who by his lawes, gave women libertie, by the price of their honestie, to provide for their necessities: A custome which Herodotus reporteth, to have beene entertained before him in divers Common-wealthes. And moreover, what fruit yeelds this carefull vexation? For, what justice soever be in this passion, yet should wee note whether it harrie vs vnto our profit or no. Thinkes any man that he can ring them by his industrie?

Pone seram, cohibe; sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? cauta est, & ab illis incipit vxor.* 1.81 Keepe her with locke and key: but from her who shall keepe Her Keepers? She begins with them, her wits so deepe,

What advantage sufficeth them not, in this so skilfull age? Curiosity is every where vicious; but herein pernicious. It is meere folly for one to seeke to be resolved of a doubt, or search into a mischiefe; for which there is no remedie, but makes it worse, but festereth the same: the reproach whereof is increased, and chiefely published by jealousie: and the re∣venge whereof doth more wound and disgrace our children, then it helpeth or gra∣ceth vs. You waste away and die in pursuit of so concealed a mysterie of so obscure a verification. Whereunto how pitiously have they arrived, who in my time have attai∣ned their purpose? If the accuser, or intelligencer present not withall the remedie

and his assistance, his office is injurious, his intelligence harmefull, and which better deser∣veth a stabbe, then doth a lie. Wee flout him no lesse, that toileth to prevent it, then laugh at him that is a Cuckold and knowes it not. The character of cuckoldrie is perpetuall; on whom it once fastneth, it holdeth for ever. The punishment bewraieth it more then the fault. It is a goodly fight, to draw our private misfortunes from out the shadow of oblivion or dungeon of doubt, for to blazon and proclaime them on Tragicall Stages: and misfortunes which pinch vs not, but by relation. For (as the saying is) shee is a good wife, and that a good ma∣riage, not that is so indeed, but whereof no man speaketh. Wee ought to be wittily-wary to avoid this irk some, this tedious and vnprofitable knowledge. The Romans were accusto∣med, when they returned from any iourney, to send home before, and give their wives no∣tice of their comming, that so they might not surprize them. And therefore hath a certaine nation instituted the Priest to open the way vnto the Bridegroome, on the wedding day, thereby to take from him the doubt and curiositie of searching in this first attempt, whether shee come a pure virgin to him, or be broken and tainted with any former love. But the world speakes of it. I know a hundred Cuckolds, which are so, honestly and little vnde∣cently. An honest man and a gallant spirit, is moaned, but not disesteemed by it. Cause your vertue to suppresse your mishap; that honest-minded men may blame the occasion, and curse the cause; that he which offends you, may tremble with onely thinking of it. And moreover, what man is scot-free, or who is not spoken of in this sense, from the meanest vn∣to the highest?

—tot qui legionibus imperitavit,* 1.82 Et melior quàm tu mult is fuit, improbe, rebus. He that so many bands of men commanded, Thy better much, sir knave, was much like branded.

Seest thou not how many honest men, even in thy presence, are spoken of and touched with this reproach? Imagine then they will bee as bold with thee, and say as much of thee else-where. For no man is spared. And even Ladies will scoffe and prattle of it. And what doe they now adaies more willingly flout at, then at any well-composed and peaceable mari∣age? There is none of you all but hath made one Cuckold or other: Now nature stood ever on this point, Kae mee Ile kae thee, and ever ready to bee even, alwaies on recompences and vicissitude of things, and to give as good as one brings. The long-continued frequence of this accident, should by this time have seasoned the bitter taste thereof: It is almost become a custome. Oh miserable passion, which hath also this mischiefe, to bee incom∣municable.

Fors etiam nostris invidit quaestibus aures.* 1.83 Fortune ev'n eares enuied, To heare vs when we cried.

For, to what friend dare you entrust your greevances, who, if hee laugh not at them, will not make vse of them, as a direction and instruction to take a share of the quarie or boo∣tie to himselfe? As well the sowrenesse and inconveniences, as the sweetnesse and plea∣sures incident to mariage, are secretly concealed by the wiser sort. And amongst other importunate conditions belonging to wedlocke, this one, vnto a babling fellow as I am, is of the chiefest; that tyrannous custome makes it vncomely and hurtfull, for a man to communicate with any one all hee knowes and thinkes of it. To give women advice to di∣staste them from jealousie, were but time lost or labour spent in vaine. Their essence is so infected with suspicion, with vanitie and curiositie, that we may not hope to cure them by any lawfull meane. They often recover of this infirmitie by a forme of health, much more to be feared, then the disease it selfe. For even as some inchantment cannot ridde away an evill, but with laying it on another, so when they lose it, they transferre and bestow this maladie on their husbands. And to say truth, I wot not whether a man can endure any thing at their hands worse then jealousie: of all their conditions it is most dange∣rous, as the head of all their members. Pittaeus said, that every man had one imperfe∣ction or other: his wives curst pate was his; and but for that, he should esteeme himselfe most happy. It must needs be a weightie inconvenience, wherewith so just, so wise and worthie a man, felt the state of his whole life distempered: what shall wee petie fellowes doe then? The Senate of Marceille had reason to grant and enroll his request, who demanded leave to

kill himselfe, thereby to free and exempt himselfe from his wives tempestuous scolding hu∣mor; for it is an evill, that is never cleane rid away, but by remooving the whole peece: and hath no other composition of worth, but flight or sufferance; both too-too hard, God knowes. And in my conceit, he vnderstood it right, that said, a good mariage might be made betweene a blinde woman and a deafe man. Let vs also take heed, lest this great and violent strictnesse of obliga∣tion we enioine them, produce not two effects contrary to our end: that is to wit, to set an edge vpon their suiters stomacks, and make women more easie to yeeld. For, as concerning the first point, enhancing the price of the place, we raise the price and endeare the desire of the conquest. Might it not be Venus her selfe, who so cunningly enhanced the market of her ware, by the brokage or panderizing of the lawes? knowing how sottish and tastlesse a delight it is, were it enabled by opinion, and endeared by dearenesse? To conclude, it is all but hogges flesh, varied by sauce, as said Flaminius his hoast. Cupid is a roguish God; his sport is to wrestle with devo∣tion and to contend with justice. It is his glory, that his power checketh and copes all other might, and that all other rules give place to his.

Materiam culpae prosequitur{que} suae.* 1.84 He prosecutes the ground, Where he is faulty found.

And as for the second point; should wee not be lesse Cuckolds if wee lesse feared to be so? according to womens conditions: whom inhibition inciteth, and restraint inviteth.

Vbi velis nolunt, vbi nolis volunt vl••r••:* 1.85 They will not when you will, When you will not, they will. Concessâpudet ire viâ. They are asham'd to passe The way that granted was.

What better interpretation can we finde concerning Messalinas demeanor? In the begin∣ning she made her silly husband Cuckold, secretly and by stealth (as the fashion is) but per∣ceiving how vncontrolled and easily she went on with her matches, by reason of the stupidity that possessed him, shee presently contemned and forsooke that course, and began openly to make love, to avouch her servants, to entertaine and favour them in open view of all men; and would have him take notice of it, and seeme to be distasted with it: but the silly gull and senselesse coxombe awaked not for all this, and by his over-base facilitie, by which hee see∣med to authorize and legitimate her humors, yeelding her pleasures weerish, and her amours tastelesse: what did shee? Being the wife of an Emperour, lustie, in health and living; and where? In Rome, on the worlds chiefe Theater, at high noone-day, at a stately feast, in a publike ceremonie; and which is more, with one Silius, whom long time before she had free∣ly enioied, she was solemnly maried one day that her husband was out of the Citie. Seemes it not that shee tooke a direct course to become chaste, by the retchlesnesse of her husband? or that she sought another husband, who by jealousie might whet her appetite, and who insi∣sting might incite her? But the first difficultie she met with, was also the last. The drowzie beast rouzed himselfe and suddenly started vp. One hath often the worst bargaines at the hands of such sluggish logger-heads. I have seene by experience, that this extreme patience or long∣sufferance, if it once come to be dissolved, produceth most bitter and outragious revenges: for, taking fire all at once, choller and fury hudling all together, becomming one confused chaos, clattereth foorth their violent effects at the first charge.

Irarum{que} omnes ••ffundit habenas.* 1.86 It quite lets loose the raine, That anger should restraine.

He caused both her and a great number of her instruments and abettors to be put to death, yea such as could not doe withall, and whom by force of whipping she had allured to her

adulterous bed. What Virgil saith of Venus and Vulcan, Lucretius had more sutably said it of a secretly-stolne enioying betweene her and Mars.

—belli fer a munera Mav••rs* 1.87 Armipotens regit, in gremium qui saepe tuum se Reijcit, aeterno devinctus vulnere amoris: Pascit amore avidos inhians in te Dea visus, Eque tuo pendet resupini spiritus ore: Hunc tu Diva tuo recubantem corpore sancto Circunfusa super, suaveis ex ore loquelas Funde. Mars mighty-arm'd, rules the fierce feats of armes, Yet often casts himselfe into thine armes, Oblig'd thereto by endlesse wounds of love, Gaping on thee feeds greedy sight with love, His breath hangs at thy mouth who vpward lies; Goddesse thou circling him, while he so lies, With thy celestiall body, speeches sweet Powre from thy mouth (as any Nectar sweet.)

When I consider this, reijcit, pascit, inhians, molli, fovet, medullas, labefacta, pendet, percurrit, and this noble circunfusa, mother of gentle infusus; I am vexed at these small points and ver∣ball allusions, which since have sprung vp. To those well-meaning people, there needed no sharpe encounter or witty equivocation: Their speech is altogether full and massie, with a na∣turall and constant vigor: They are all epigram; not only taile, but head, stomacke and feet. There is nothing forced, nothing wrested, nothing limping; all marcheth with like tenour. Contextus totus virilis est, non sunt circa flosculos occupati. The whole composition or text is manly, they are not bebusied about Rhetorike flowers. This is not a soft quaint eloquence, and only with∣out offence, it is sinnowie, materiall, and solid; not so much delighting, as filling and ravishing, and ravisheth most the strongest wits, the wittiest conceits. When I behold these gallant formes of expressing, so lively, so nimble, so deepe: I say not this is to speake wel, but to thinke well. It is the quaintnesse or livelinesse of the conceit, that elevateth and puffes vp the words. Pectus est quod disertum facit. It is a mans owne brest, that makes him eloquent. Our people terme judgement, language; and full conceptions, fine words. This pourtraiture is directed not so much by the hands dexteritie, as by having the object more lively printed in the minde. Gal∣lus speakes plainly, because he conceiveth plainly. Horace is not pleased with a sleight or su∣perficiall expressing, it would betray him; he seeth more cleere and further into matters: his spirit pickes and ransacketh the whole store-house of words and figures, to shew and present himselfe; and he must have them more then ordinary, as his conceit is beyond ordinary. Plu∣tarch saith, that he discerned the Latine tongue by things. Heere likewise the sense enlight∣neth and produceth the words: no longer windie or spungie, but of flesh and bone. They sig∣nifie more then they vtter. Even weake ones shew some image of this. For, in Italie, I spake what I listed in ordinary discourses, but in more serious and pithy, I durst not have dared to trust to an Idiome, which I could not winde or turne beyond it's common grace, or vulgar bias. I will bee able to adde and vse in it somewhat of mine owne. The managing and em∣ploiment of good wits, endeareth and giveth grace vnto a tongue: Not so much innovating as filling the same with more forcible and divers services, wresting, straining and enfolding it. They bring no words vnto it, but enrich their owne, waigh-downe and cramme-in their signification and custome; teaching it vnwonted motions; but wisely and ingenuously. Which skill how little it is given to all, may plainly bee discerned by most of our mo∣derne French Writers. They are over-bold and scornefull, to shunne the common trod∣den path: but want of invention and lacke of discretion looseth them. There is nothing to be seene in them but a miserable strained affectation of strange Inke-pot termes; harsh, cold and absurd disguisements, which in stead of raising, pull downe the matter. So they may gallantize and flush it in noueltie, they care not for efficacie. To take hold of a new farre-fetcht word, they neglect the vsuall, which often are more significant, forcible and

sinnowy. I finde sufficient store of stuffe in our language, but some defect of fashion. For there is nothing but could be framed of our Hunters gibbrish words or strange phrases, and of our Warriours peculiar tearmes; a fruitfull and rich soyle to borrow off. And as hearbes and trees are bettered and fortified by being transplanted, so formes of speach are embellished and graced by variation. I finde it sufficiently plenteous, but not sufficiently plyable and vigo∣rous. It commonly faileth and shrinketh vnder a pithy and powerfull conception. If your march therein be far extended, you often feele it droope and languish vnder you, vnto whose default the Latine doth now and then present his helping hand, and the Greeke to some o∣thers. By some of these words which I have culled out, we more hardly perceive the Energi•• or effectuall operation of them, forsomuch as vse and frequencie haue in some sort abased the grace and made their beauty vulgar. As in our ordinary language, we shall sometimes meete with excellent phrases, and quaint metaphors, whose blithnesse fadeth through age, and colour is tarnish by to common vsing them. But that doth nothing distaste those of sound judgement, nor derogate from the glory of those ancient Authours, who, as it is likely were the first that brought these words into luster, and raised them to that straine. The Sci∣ences handle this ouer finely, with an artificiall maner, and different from the vulgar and na∣turall forme. My Page makes loue, and vnderstands it feelingly; Read Leon Hebraeus or Fi∣cinus vnto him; you speake of him, of his thoughts and of his actions, yet vnderstands he no∣thing what you meane. I nor acknowledg nor discerne in Aristotle, the most part of my or∣dinary motions. They are clothed with other robes, and shrouded vnder other vestures, for the vse of Academicall schooles. God send them well to speed: but were I of the trade, I would naturalize Arte, as much as they Artize nature. Benbo and Equicola. When I write, I can well omit the company, and spare the remembrance of bookes; for feare they interrupt my forme. And in truth good Authours deiect me too-toomuch, and quaile my courage. I willingly imitate that Painter, who having bungler-like drawne, and fondly represented some Cockes, forbad his boies to suffer any live Cocke to come into his shop. And to give my selfe some luster or grace haue rather neede of some of Antinonydes the Musicions inventi∣on; who when he was to play any musicke, gave order that before or after him, some other bad musicions should cloy and surfet his auditory. But I can very hardly be without Plutarke; he is so vniuersal and so full, that vpon all occasions, and whatsoever extravagant subiect you haue vndertaken, he intrudeth himselfe into your worke, and gently reacheth you a helpe∣affording hand, fraught with rare embelishments, and inexaustible of precious riches. It spights me, that he is so much exposed vnto the pillage of those which haunt him. He can no sooner come in my sight, or if I cast but a glance vpon him, but I pull some legge or wing from him. For this my dissignement, it much fitteth my purpose, that I write in mine owne house, in a wilde country, where no man helpeth or releeveth me; where I converse with no body that vnderstands the Latine of his Paternoster and as little of French. I should no doubt have done it better else where, but then the worke had beene lesse mine: whose principall drift and perfection, is to be exactly mine; I could mend an accidentall errour, whereof I a∣bound in mine vnwary course; but it were a kinde of treason to remoove the imperfections from me, which in me are ordinary and constant. When any body else, or my selfe have said vnto my selfe: Thou art to full of figures or allegories; here is a word meerely-bred Gaskoyne; that's a dangerous phrase: (I refuse none that are vsed in the frequented streets of France; those that wil combat vse and custome by the strict rules of Grammar do but iest) there's an ignorant discourse, that's a paradoxical relation; or there's a foolish conceit: thou doest often but dally: one will thinke thou speakest in earnest, what thou hast but spoken in iest▪ Yea (say I) but I correct vnaduised, not costumarie errors. Speake I not so euery where? Doe I not liuely display my selfe? that sufficeth; I have my will; All the world my know me by my booke, and my booke by me: But I am of an Apish and imitating condition. When I medled with making of verses (and I neuer made any but in Latine) they euidently accu∣sed the Poet I came last from reading: And of my first Essayes, some taste a little of the stran∣ger. At Paris I speake somewhat otherwise then at Montaigne. Whom I behold with atten∣tion, doth easily convay and imprint something of his in me. What I heedily consider, the same I vsurpe: a foolish countenance, a crabbed looke, a ridiculous manner of speech. And vices more: Because they pricke mee, they take fast hold vpon mee, and leaue mee not, vnlesse I shake them off. I have more often beene heard to sweare by imitation, then by

complexion. Oh iniurious and dead-killing imitation: like that of those huge in greatnesse and matchlesse in strength Apes, which Alexander met withall in a certaine part of India: which otherwise it had beene hard to vanquish. But by this their inclination to counterfeit whatsoever they saw done, they afforded the meanes. For, thereby the Hunters learn't in their sight to put on shooes, and tie them with many strings and knots; to dresse their heads with divers strange attires, full of sliding-knots; and dissemblingly to rub their eyes with Glew, or Birde-lime. So did those silly harmelesse beastes indiscreetly employ their Apish disposition. They ensnared, glewed, entrameled, haltred and shackled themselves. That other faculty of Extemp••re and wittily representing the gestures and words of another, which often causeth sport and breedeth admyring, is no more in me then in a blocke. When I sweare after mine owne fashion, it is onely by God; the directest of all oathes. They report that Socrates swore by a Dogge; Zeno by that interiection (now a daies vsed amongst the Italies) Cappari; and Pithagoras by water and by aire. I am so apt at vnawares to entertaine these superficiall impressions, that if but for three daies together I vse my selfe to speake to any Prince with your Grace or your Highnesse, for eight daies after I so forget my selfe, that I shall still vse them for your Honour or your Worship: and what I am wont to speake in sport or iest the next day after I shall speake in good serious earnest. Therefore in writing I assume more vnwillingly much beaten arguments, for feare I handle them at others char∣ges. All arguments are alike fertile to me. I take them vpon any trifle. And I pray God this were not vndertaken by the commandement of a minde as fleeting. Let me begin with that likes me best for all matters are linked one to another. But my conceit displeaseth me, for somuch as it commonly produceth most foolish dotages from deepest studies; and such as content me on a suddaine, and when I least looke for them; which as fast fleete away, wan∣ting at that instant some holde fast. On horse-backe, at the table, in my bed; but most on horse-backe, where my amplest meditations and my farthest reaching conceites are. My speach is somewhat nicely iealous of attention and silence; if I be in any earnest talke, who interrupteth me, cuts me off. In travell, even the necessity of waies breakes off discourses. Besides that I most commonly travell without company, which is a great helpe for continu∣ed reasonings; whereby I have sufficient leasure to entertaine my selfe. I thereby have that successe I have in dreames; In dreaming I commend them to my memory (for what I dream I doe it willingly) but the next morning, I can well call to minde what colour they were of, whether blith, sad or strange; but what in substance, the more I labour to finde out, the more I overwhelme them in oblivion. So of casuall and vnpremeditated conceits that come into my braine, nought but a vaine image of them remaineth in my memory; so much onely, as sufficeth vnprofitably to make me chafe, spight and fret in pursuite of them. Well then, leaving bookes aside and speaking more materially and simply; when all is done, I finde that love is nothing else but an insatiate chirst of enioying a greedily desired subiect. Nor Venus that good huswife, other, then a tickling delight of emptying ones seminary vessels: as is the pleasure which nature giveth vs to discharge other parts: which becommeth faulty by immoderati∣on, and defectiue by indiscretion. To Socrates, loue is an appetite of generation by the mediation of beauty. Now considering oftentimes the rediculous tickling, or titilation of this pleasure, the absurd, giddy and hare-braind motions wherwith it tosseth Zeno, and agitates Cratippus; that vnadvised rage, that furious and with cruelty enflamed visage in loues lustfull and swee∣test effects: and then a graue, sterne, seuere surly countenance in so fond-fond an action, that one hath pell-mell lodged our ioyes and filthes together: and that the supremest voluptu∣ousnesse both ravisheth and plaineth, as doth sorrow: I beleeve that which Plato saies to be true, that man was made by the Gods for them to toy and play withall.

—quanam ista ioc a••••di Ssuitia? What cruelty is this, so set on iesting is?

And that Nature in mockery left vs the most troublesome of our actions, the most com∣mon▪ therby to equal vs, and without distinction to set the foolish and the wise, vs and beasts all in one ranke: no barrell better Hering. When I imagine the most contemplative and dis∣creetly-wise-men in these tearmes in that humour, I hold him for a cozoner, for a cheater to

seene either studiously contemplatiue, or discreetly wise. It is the foulenesse of the Peacockes feete, which doth abate his pride, and stoope his gloatiug-eyed tayle;

—ridentem dicere verum, Quid vetat? What should forbid thee sooth to say, yet be as mery as we may.* 1.88

Those which in playes refuse serious opinions, doe as one reporteth, like vnto him who dreadeth to adore the image of a Saint, if it want a couer, an approne or a tabernacle. We feed full well, and drinke like beastes; but they are not actions that hinder the offices of our minde. In those, we hold good our aduantage ouer them; whereas this brings each other thought vn∣der subiection, and by it's imperious authority make-brutish and dulleth all Platoes philoso∣phie and diuinity; and yet he complaines not of it. In al other things you may obserue decorum and maintaine some decencie: all other operations admit some rules of honesty: this cannot onely be imagined, but vicious or ridiculous. See whether for example sake, you can but find a wise or discreete proceeding in it. Alexander said, that he knew himselfe mortall chiefly by this action, and by sleeping: sleepe doth stifle, and suppresseth the faculties of our soule; and that, both endeuoureth and dissipates them. Surely it is an argument not onely of our originall corruption, but a badge of our vanity and deformity. On the one side nature vrgeth vs vn∣to it; hauing thereunto combined, yea fastned, the most noble, the most profitable, and the most sensually-pleasing, of all her functions; and on the other suffereth vs to accuse, to con∣demne and to shunne it, as insolent, as dishonest and as lewder to blush at it, and allow, yea and to commend abstinence. Are not we most brutish, to terme that worke beastly which begets, and which maketh vs? Most people haue concurred in diuers cerimonies of religion, as sacrifi∣ces, luminaries, fastings, incensings, offrings; and amongst others, in condemning of this acti∣on. All opinions agree in that, besides the so farre extended vse of circumcision. Wee haue perad venture reason to blame our selues, for making so foolish a production as man, and to entitle both the deed and parts thereto belonging, shamful (mine are properly so at this in∣stant). The Esseniens, of whom Plinte speaketh, maintained themselues a long time without nurces, or swathling clothes, by the arriual of strangers that came to their shoares, who secon∣ding their fond humor, did often visit them. A whole nation hazarding rather to consume, then engage themselues to feminine embracements; and rather loose the succession of all men, then forge one. They report that Zeno neuer dealt with woman but once in all his life; which hee did for ciuilitie, least he should ouer obstinately seeme to contemne the sex. Each one auoideth to see a man borne, but all runne hastily to see him dye. To destroy him wee seeke a spacious field and a full light; but to construct him, we hide our selues in some darke corner, and worke as close as we may. It is our dutie to conceale our selues in making him; it is our glory, and the orginall of many vertues to destroy him, being framed. The one is a manifest iniurie, the other a greater fauor; for Aristotle saith, that in a certaine phrase where he was borne, to bonifie or benefit, was as much to say as to kill one. The Athenians, to equall the disgrace of these two actions being to cleanse the Ile of Delos, and iustifie themselues vnto Apollo, forbad within that precinct all buriall and births. Nostri nosmet poenitet, We are weary of our selues. There are some nations that when they are eating, they cover themselues. I know a Lady (yea one of the great∣est) who is of opinion that to chew is an vnseemly thing, which much empaireth their grace* 1.89 and beauty: and therefore by hir will she never comes abroad with an appetite. And a man that cannot endure one should see him eate; and shunneth all company more when he filleth, then when he emptieth himselfe. In the Turkish Empire there are many, who to excell the rest, will not be seene when they are feeding, and who make but one meale in a weeke: who mangle their face and cut their limmes; and who neuer speake to any body; who thinke to honour their nature, by disnaturing themselues: oh fantasticall people, that prize themselues by their contempt, and mend their empairing. What monstrous beast is this that makes him∣selfe a horror to himselfe, whome his delightes displease, who tyes himselfe vnto misfortune? some there are that conceale their life,

Exilio{que}▪ domos & dulcia limina mutant.* 1.90 They change for banishment, The places that might best content.

and steale it from the sight of other men: That eschew health, and shunne mirth as hate∣full qualities and harmefull. Not onely diuers Sects, but many people curse their birth

and blesse their death. Some therebe that abhorre the glorious Sunne, and adore the hiddious darkenesse. We are not ingenious but to our owne vexation: It is the true foode of our spi∣rits force: a dangerous and most vnruly implement.

O miseri quorum gaudia crimen habent,* 1.91 O miserable they, whose ioyes in fault we lay.

Alas poore silly man, thou hast but too-too many necessary and vnauoidable incommo∣dities, without increasing them by thine owne inuention, and are sufficiently wretched of con∣dition without any arte: thou aboundest in reall and essentiall deformities, and needest not forge any by imagination. Doest thou finde thy selfe to well at ease, vnlesse the moity of thine ease molest thee? Findest thou to haue supplied or discharged al necessary offices, wher∣to nature engageth thee, and that she is idle in thee, if thou binde not thy selfe vnto new offi∣ces? thou fearest not to offend hir vniuersall and vndoubted lawes, and art mooued at thine owne partiall and fantasticall ones. And by how much more particular, vncertaine, and con∣tradicted they are, the more endeuours thou bestowest that way. The positiue or∣ders of thy parish tie thee, those of the world do nothing concerne thee. Runne but a little o∣uer the examples of this consideration; thy life is full of them. The verses of these two Poets, handling lasciviousnes so sparingly & so discreetly, as they do, in my conceite seeme to disco∣uer, and display it nearer; ladies cover their bosome with networke; priests many sacred things with a vaile, and painters shadow their workes, to giue them the more luster, and to adde more grace vnto them. And they say that the streakes of the Sunne, and force of the winde, are much more violent by reflection, then by a direct line. The Egyptian answered him wisely, that asked him, what he had hidden vnder his cloake? it is (quoth he) hidden vnder my cloake, that thou maist not know what it is. But there are certaine other things which men conceale to shew them. Here this fellow more open.

Et nudam pressi corpus adusque meum.* 1.92 My body I applide, Euen to her naked side,

Me thinkes he baffles me. Let Martiall at his pleasure tuck-vp Uenus he makes her not by much appeare so wholly. He that speakes all he knows, doth cloy and distaste vs. Who feareth to expresse himselfe, leadeth our conceite to imagine more them happily he conceiueth. There is treason in this kinde of modesty: and chiefly as these doe, in opening vs so faire a path vn∣to imagination: Both the action and description should taste of purloyning, The loue of the Spaniards, and of the Italians pleaseth me; by how much more respectiue and fearefull it is the more nicely close and closely nice it is, I wot not who in ancient time wished his throat were as long as a Cranes neck, that so hee might the longer and more leasurely taste what hee swal∣lowed. That wish were more to purpose then this suddaine and violent pleasure: Namely in such natures as mine, who am faulty in suddainenesse. To stay her fleeting, and delay her with preambles, with them all serueth for fauour, all is construed to bee a recompence, a winke, a cast of the eye, a bowing, a word, or a figue, a becke is as good as a Dew guard. Hee that could dine with the smoake of roste-meat, might we not dine at a cheape rate? would he not soone be rich? It is a passion that commixeth with small store of solide essence, great quantitie of doating vanity, and febricitant raving: it must therefore be required and served with the like. Let vs teach Ladies, to know how to prevaile; highly to esteeme themselues; to ammuse, to circumvent and cozen vs. We make our last charge the first: we shew our selues right French men: ever rash, ever headlong. Wire-drawing their favours, and enstalling them by retaile∣each one, even vnto miserable old age, findes some listes end, according to his worth and me∣rite. He who hath no jovisance but in enjoying; who shootes not but to hit the marke; who loues not hunting but for the prey; it belongs not to him to entermeddle with our Schoole. The more steps and degrees there are: the more delight and honour is there on the top. We should bee pleased to bee brought vnto it, as vnto stately Pallaces, by divers porches severall passages, long and pleasant Galleries, and well contrived turnings. This dispensation would in the end, redound to our benefite; we should stay on it, and longer ioue to lie at Racke and Manger; for these snatches and away, marre the grace of it. Take away hope and desire, we grow faint in our courses, we come but lagging after: Our mastery and absolute possession, is infinitely to bee feared of them: After they have wholy yeelded themselues to the mercy of our faith and constancie, they haue hazarded something: They are rare and difficult ver∣tues: so soone as they are ours, we are no longer theirs.

—post quam cupidae mentis satiata libido est. Verba nihil metuere, nihil periuria curant.* 1.93 The lust of greedy minde once satisfied, They seare no words, nor reke othes falsified,

And Thrasonides a young Grecian, was so religiously amorous of his love, that having after much sute gained his mistris hart and favour, he was refused to enjoy hir, least by that jouis∣sance he might or quench, or satisfie, or languish that burning flame and restlesse heat wher∣with he gloryed, and so pleasingly fed himselfe. Things farre fetcht and dearly bought are good for Ladyes. It is the deare price makes viands sauour the better. See but how the forme of salu∣tations, which is peculiar vnto our nation, doth by it's facilitie bastardize the grace of kisses, which Socrates saith, to be of that consequence, waight and danger, to ravish and steale our hearts. It is an vnpleasing and iniurious custome vnto Ladies, that they must afford their lips to any man that hath but three Lackies following him, how vnhandsome and lothsome soe∣uer he be:

C••••••s liuida naribus caninis, Dependet glacies, riget{que} barba:* 1.94 Centùm occurrere malo culilingis. From whose dog-nosthrils black-blew Ise depends, Whose beard frost-hardned stands on bristled ends, &c.

Nor do we our selues gaine much by it: for as the world is diuided into foure parts, so for foure faire ones, we must kisse fistie foule: and to a nice or tender stomacke, as are those of mine age, one ill kisse doth surpay one good. In Italy they are passionate and languishing sutors to very common and mercenarie women; and thus they defend and excuse themselues, saying; That euen in enioying there be certaine degrees; and that by humble seruices, they will endeuour to obtaine that, which is the most absolutely perfect. They sell but their bodyes, their willes cannot be put to sale; that is too free, and too much it's owne. So say these, that it is the will they at∣tempt, and they haue reason: It is the will one must serue and most solicite. I abhor to ima∣gine mine, a body voide of affection. And me seemeth, this frenzie hath some affinitie with that boyes fond humor, who for pure love would wantonize with that fayre Image of Venus, which Praxiteles had made: or of that furious Aegyptian, who lusted after a dead womans corpes which he was enbaulming and stitching vp: which was the occasion of the lawe that afterwarde was made in Aegypt: that the bodies of faire, young and nobly borne women, should be kept three dayes, before they should be delivered into the hands of those who had the charge to provide for their funerals and burials. Periander did more miraculoussie: who extended his coniugall affection (more regular and lawfull) vnto the enioying of Melissa his deceased wife. Seemes it not to be a lunatique humor in the Moone, being otherwise vn∣able to enjoy Endimion hir fauorite darling, to lull him in a sweete slumber for many moneths together; and feed hirselfe with the jouislance of a boye, that stirred not but in a dreame? I say likewise, that a man loveth a body without a soule, when he loveth a body without his consent and desire. All enioyings are not alike. There are some hecticke, faint and languishing ones, A thousand causes, besides affection and good will, may obtaine vs this graunt of women. It is no sufficient testimonie of true affection: therein may lurke treason, as else-where: they sometime goe but faintlie to worke, and as they say with one buttocke;

Tanquam thura merum{que} parent;* 1.95 As though they did dispense, Pure Wine and Frankincense. Absentem mar more ámue putes.* 1.96 Of Marble you would thinke she were, Or that she were not present there.

I knowe some, that would rather lend that, then their coach; and who emparte not them∣selues, but that way: you must also marke whether your company pleaseth them for some o∣ther respect, or for that end onely, as of a lustie-strong grome of a Stable: as also in what rank, and at what rate you are there lodged or valued;

—tibi si datur vni* 1.97 Quo lapide illa diem candidiore notet. If it afforded be to thee alone,

Whereby she counts that day of all dayes one.

What if she eate your bread, with the sauce of a more pleasing imagination?

Te tenet, absentes alios suspirat amores. Thee she retaines, yet sigheth she* 1.98 For other loves that absent be.

What? have we not seene some in our dayes, to have made vse of this action, for the executi∣on of a most horrible revenge, by that meanes murthering and empoysoning (as one did) a very honest woman? such as know Italie will neuer wonder, if for this subiect, I seeke for no examples else-where. For the said nation may in that point be termed Regent of the world. They have commonly more faire women, and fewer foule then we; but in rate and excellent beauties I thinke we match them. The like I judge of their wi••••; of the vulgar sort they have evidently many more. Blockishnes is without all comparison more rare amongst them: but for singular wits, and of the highest pitch, we are no whit behinde them. Were I to extend this comparison, I might (me thinkes) say, touching valor, that on the other-side, it is in re∣gard of them popular and naturall amongst vs: but in their hands one may sometimes finde it so compleate and vigorous, that it exceedeth all the most forcible examples wee haue of it. The mariages of that countrie are in this somewhat defectiue. Their custome doth generally impose so severe obseruances, and slauish lawes vpon wives, that the remotest acquaintance with a stranger, is amongst them as capitall as the nearest. Which law causeth, that all approa∣ches prooue necessarilie substanciall: and seeing all commeth to one reckoning with them, they haue an easie choise: and haue they broken downe their hedges? Beleeve it, they will have fire: Luxuria ipsis vinculis, sicut fera bestia, irritata, deinde emissa: Luxurie is like a wilde beast, first made fiercer with tying, and then let loose. They must have the reynes giuen them a little.

Vidi ego nuper equum contra sua frenat enacem▪ Ore reluctanti fulminis ire modo.* 1.99 I saw, spite of his bit, a resty colt, Runne head-strong headlong like a thunder-bolt.

They allay the desire of company, by giuing, it some libertie. It is a commendable custome with our nation, that our children are entertained in noble houses there, as in a schoole of nobilitie to be trained and brought vp as Pages. And t'is said to be a kinde of discourtesie, to refuse it a gentleman. I have obserued (for, so many houses so many seuer all formes and orders) that such Ladies as haue gone about to giue their waiting women, the most austere rules, have not had the best successe. There is required more then ordinary moderation: a great part of their government must bee left to the conduct of their discretion: For, when all comes to all no discipline can bridle them in each point. True it is, that shee who escapeth safe and vn∣polluted from out the schoole of freedome, giveth more confidence of hirselfe, then shee who commeth sound out of the schoole of severitie and restraint. Our forefathers framed their daughters countenances vnto shamefastnesse and feare, (their inclinations and desires alwaies alike) wee vnto assurance. We vnderstand not the matter. That belongeth to the Sarmati∣an wenches, who by their lawes may lie with noe man, except with their owne hands they have before killed another man in warre. To mee that haue no right but by the eares, it suffi∣ceth, if they retaine me to be of their counsell, following the priuiledge of mine age: I then aduise both them and vs to embrace abstinence, but if this season bee too much against it, at least modestie and discretion. For, as Aristippus (speaking to some young men who bl••shed to see him go into a bawdy house) said, the fault was not in entring, but in not comming out againe, She that will not exempt hir conscience, let hir exempt hir name: though the substance bee not of worth, yet let the apparance hould still good. I loue gradation and prolonging, in the distribution of their fauours. Plato sheweth, that in all kinds of love, facilitie and readinesse is forbidden to defendants. T'is a trick of greedinesse, which it behoueth them to cloake with their arte, so rashly and fond-hardily to yeeld themselues in grosse. In their distributions of fauours, holding a regular and moderate course, they much better deceiue our desires, and conceale theirs. Let them ever bee flying before vs: I meane euen those that intend to bee ouertaken as the Scithians are wont, though they seeme to runne away, they beate vs more, and sooner put vs to route. Verily according to the lawe which nature giueth them, it is not fit for them to will and desire: their part is to beare, to obay and to consent. Therefore hath nature bestowed a perpetuall capacitie; on vs a seld and vncertaine abilitie. They haue

alwayes their houre, that they may euer be ready to let vs enter. And whereas she hath wil∣led our appetites should make apparant shew and declaration, she caused theirs to bee con∣cealed and inward: and hath furnished them with parts vnfit for ostentation; and onely for defence. Such prankes as this, we must leave to the Amazonian libertie. Alexander the great marching through Hircania, Thalestris Queen of the Amazones came to meet him with three hundred lances of her sex, all well mounted and compleately armed; having left the residue of a great armie, that followed hir, beyond the neighbouring mountaines. And thus aloud, that all might heare she bespake him; That the farre-resounding fame of his victories, and matchlesse valour, had brought hir thither to see him, and to offer him hir meanes and forces, for the aduancing and furthering of his enterprises. And finding him so faire, so young and strong, she, who was perfectly accomplished in all his qualities, aduised him to ly with hir that so there might be borne of the most valiant woman in the world, and onely valiat man then li∣ving, some great and rare creature for posteritie. Alexander thanked hir for the rest; but to take leasure for hir last demands accomplishment, he staide thirteene dayes in that place, du∣ring which, he reuelled with as much glee, and feasted with as great iollitie as possibly could be deuised, in honour and fauour of so couragious a Princes. Wee are well-nigh-in all things parciall and corrupted Iudges of their action, as no doubt they are of ours. I allow of truth as well when it hurts me, as when it helpes me. It is a foule disorder, that so often vrgeth them vnto change, and hinders them from setling their affection on any one subiect: as wee see in this Goddesse, to whom they impute so many changes and severall friends. But withall it is against the nature of loue, not to be violent, and against the condition of violence, to be constant. And those who wonder at it, exclaime against it, and in women search for the causes of this infirmitie, as incredible and vnnatural: why see they not how often, without any amazement and exclaiming, themselues are possessed and infected with it? I might happily seeme more strange to find any constant stay in them. It is not a passion meerely corporeall. If no end be found in coueteousnesse, nor limit in ambition, assure your selfe there is nor end nor limit in letchery, It yet continueth after sacietie: nor can any man prescribe it or end or constant satisfaction: it ever goeth on beyond it's possession, beyond it's bounds. And if constancie bee peraduen∣ture in some sort more pardonable in them then in vs: They may readily alleage against vs, our ready inclination vnto day lie variety and new ware: And secondly alleage without vs, that they buy a pigge in a poake. Ione Queene of Naples caused Andreosse her first husband to be strangled and hang'd out of the barres of his window, with a corde of Silke and golde wouen with her owne handes; because in bed-businesse shee found neither his members nor ende∣uours answerable the hope shee had conceiued of him, by viewing his stature, beauty, youth, and disposition, by which she had formerly beene surprised and abused. That action hath in it more violence then passion: so that on their part at least necessitie is ever prouided for: on our behalfe it may happen otherwise. Therefore Plato by his lawes did very wisely establish, that before marriages the better to decide it's opportunity, competent Iudges might be ap∣pointed to take view of yong men which pretended the same, al naked: and of maidens but to the waste: in making triall of vs, they happily find vs not worthy their choise:

Experta latus, madidoque simillima loro Inguina nec lassa stare coacta manu* 1.100 Deserit imbelles thalamos.

It is not sufficient, that will kerpe a liuelie course: weakenesse and incapacity may lawfully breake wedlock;

Et quoerendum aliunde foret neruosius illud Quod posset Zonam solituere virgineam.* 1.101

Why not, and according to measure, an amorous intelligence, more licencious and more actiue?

Si blando nequeat superesse labori. If it cannot out last, labor with pleasure past.

But is it not great impudencie, to bring our imperfections and weakenesse, in place where* 1.102 we desire to please, and leaue a good report and commendation behind vs? for the little I now stand in need of.

—advnum Mollis opus. Vnable to hold out, one only busie bout,

I would not importune any one, whom I am to reverence.

—fuge suspicari, Cuius vndenum trepidauit at as Claudere lustrum.* 1.103 Him of suspition cleare, Whom age hath brought well neare To fiue and fifty yeare,

Nature should have beene pleased to have made this age miserable, without making it also ri∣diculous. I hate to see one for an inch of wretched vigor, which enflames him but thrice a week, take-on and swagger as fiercely, as if he had some great and lawfull dayes-worke in his belly: a right blast or puffe of winde: And admire his itching, so quick and nimble, all in a moment to be lubberly squat and benummed. This appetite should onely belong to the blos∣som of a prime youth. Trust not vnto it, thogh you see it second that indefatigable, ful, constant and swelling heate, that is in you: for truly it will leave you at the best, and when you shall most stand in neede of it. Send it rather to some tender, irresolute and ignorant girle, which yet trembleth for feare of the rod, and that will blush at it,

Indum sanguineo veluti violauerit ostro,* 1.104 Si quis ebur, vel mista rubent vbi lilia, multa Albarosa. As if the Indian Yuory one should taint, With blodie Scarlet-graine, or Lillies paint, White entermixt with red with Roses enter-spred.

Who can stay vntill the next morrow, and not die for shame, the disdaine of those loue spar∣kling eyes, privie to his faintnesse, dastardise and impertinencie;

Et taciti fecere tamen conuitia vultus.* 1.105 The face though silent, yet silent vpbraydes-it.

he never felt the sweet contentment, and the sence-moouing earnestnes, to have beaten and tarnished them by the vigorous exercise of an officious and active night. When I haue per∣ceiued any of them weary of me, I have not presently accused her lightnes: but made question whether I had not more reason to quarrell with nature, for handling me so vnlawfully and vn∣ciuilly,

Si non longa satis, si non benè mentula crassa:* 1.106 Nimirum sapiunt vident que paruam Matronae quo que mentulam illibenter.

and to my exceding hurt. Each of my pieces are equally mine, one as another: and no other doth more properly make me a man then this. My whole pourtraiture I vniuersally owe vn∣to the world. The wisedom and reach of my lesson, is all in truth, in liberty, in essence: Dis∣daining in the catalogue of my true duties, these easie, saint, ordinary and prouinciall rules. All naturall, constant and generall••; whereof ciuility and cerimonie, are daughters, but ba∣stards. We shall easily haue the vices of apparance, when we shall have had those of essence. When we haue done with these, we run vpon others, if we finde need of running. For there is danger, that we deuise new offices, to excuse our negligence toward naturall offices, and to confound them. That it is so, we see that in places where faults are bewitchings, bewitchings are but faults. That among nation, where lawes of seemelinesse are more rare and slacke, the primitiue lawes of common reason are better obserued: The innumerable multitude of so ma∣nifold duties stifling, languishing and dispersing our care. The applying of our selues vnto sleight matters, with-draweth vs from such as be iust. Oh how easie and plausible a course do these superficiall men vndertake, in respect of ours. These are but shadowes vnder which we shroud, and wherwith we pay one another. But we pay not, but rather heape debt on debt, vnto that great and dreadfull judge, who tucks vp our clouts and rags from about our privie parts, and is not squeamish to view all over, even to our most inward and secret deformities: a beneficiall decencie of our maidenly bashfulnesse, could it debar him of this tainted discove∣ry. To conclude, he that could recouer or vn-be••o•• man, from so scrupulous and verball a superstition, should not much prejudice the world. Our life consisteth partly in folly, and partly in wisedome. Hee that writes of it but reverently and regularly, omits the better moytie of it. I excuse me not vnto my selfe, and if I did, I would rather excuse my excuses, then any fault else of mine: I excuse my selfe of certaine humors, which in number I hold stronger, then

those which are on my side: In consideration of which I will say thus much more (for I desire to please all men; though it be a hard matter, Esse vnum hominem accommodatum ad tantam mo∣rum, ac sermonum & voiuntatum varietatem, That one man should be applyable to so great variety of manners, speeches and dispositions) that they are not to blame me, for what I cause auctorities receiued and approued of many ages, to vtter: and that it is not reason, they should for want of ryme denie me the dispensation, which ever some of our churchmen vsurpe and enjoy in this season; whereof behold here two, and of the most pert and cocker amongst them:

Rimula dispeream, ni monogramma tua est. Ʋn vit a' amy la contente et bien traitte.

How many others more? I love modestie; nor is it from iudgement that I have made choise of this kinde of scandalous speech; t'is nature hath chosen the same for me: I commend it no more, then all formes contrary vnto receiued custome: onely I excuse it; and by circumstan∣ces aswell generall, as particular, would qualifie the imputation. Well, let vs proceed. Whence commeth also the vsurpation of soveraine auctoritie, which you assume vnto your selues, over those that fauour you to their cost and preiudice,

Si furtiua dedit nigra munuscula nocte,* 1.107 If she have giu'n by night, The stolne gift of delight.

that you should immediatly inuest withall the interest, the coldnes, and a wedlock auctority? It is a free bargaine, why doe you not vndertake it on those termes you would have them to keepe? There is no prescription vpon voluntarie things. It is against forme, yet it is true, that I have in my time managed this match (so farre as the nature of it would allow) with as much conscience as any other whatsoeuer, and not without some colour of iustice: and have giuen them no further testimonie of mine affection, then I sincerely felt: and have lively displaide vnto them the declination, vigor and birth of the same; with the fits and deferring of it: A man cannot alwayes keepe an even pace, nor ever go to it alike. I haue bin so sparing to promise, that (as I thinke) I have paid more then either I promised or was due. They have found mee faithfull, euen to the seruice of their inconstancie: I say an inconstancie avowed, and somtimes multiplied. I never broke with them, as long as I had any hold, were it but by a threds end: and whatsoever occasion they have giuen me by their ficklenes, I never fell-of vnto contempt and hatred: for such familiarities, though I attaine them on most shamefull conditions, yet do they bind mee vnto some constant good will. I have sometime giuen them a taste of choller and indiscreet impacience, vpon occasions of their wyles, sleights, close-conuayances, contro∣uersies and contestations betweene vs; for, by complexion, I am subiect to hastie and rash motions, which often empeach my trafficke, and marre my bargaines, though but meane and of small worth. Have they desired to essay the libertie of my iudgement, I neuer dissembled to giue them fatherly councell and and biting aduise, and shewed my selfe ready to scrath them where they itched. If I haue given them cause to complaine of mee, it hath bin most for fin∣ding a love in me, in respect of our moderne fashion, foolishly conscientious. I haue religi∣ously kept my word in things: that I might easily haue bin dispensed with. They then yeel∣ded sometimes with reputation, and vnder conditions, which they would easily suffer to bee infringed by the conqueror. I have more then once, made pleasure In hir greatest efforts strik saile vnto the interest of their honor: and where reason vrged me, armed them against me, so that they guided themselues more safely and seuerly by my prescriptions, if they once freely yeelded vnto them, then they could haue done by their owne. I haue as much as I could en∣deuored to take on my selfe the charge and hazard of our appointments, thereby to discharge them from all imputation; and euer contrived our meetings in most hard, strange and vnsu∣spected manner, to be the lesse mistrusted, and (in my seeming) the more accessible. They are opened, especially in those parts, where they suppose themselues most concealed. Things lest feared are lest defended and obserued. You may more securely dare, what no man thinks you would dare, which by difficulty becommeth easie. Neuer had man his approches more imper∣tinently, genitale. This way to loue, is more according to discipline. But how ridiculous vnto our people, and of how small effect, who better knowes then I? yet will I not re¦pent me of it; I have no more to loose by the matter,

—me tabulasacer* 1.108 V••tiua paries, indicat vuida, Suspendisse potenti

Ʋestimenta maris Deo. By tables of the vowes which I did owe Fastned thereto the sacred wall doth showe; I have hung-vp my garments water-wet, Vnto that God whose power on seas is great.

It is now high time to speake plainely of it. But even as to another, I would perhaps say; My friend thou dotest, the love of thy times hath small affinitie with faith and honestie;

—haec si tu postule••* 1.109 Ratione certa facere, nihilo plus agas, Quàm si des operam, vt cum ratione insanias. If this you would by reason certaine make, You doe no more, then if the paines you take, To be starke mad, and yet to thinke it reason fit,

And yet if I were to beginne anew, it should bee by the very same path and progresse, how fruitlesse soeuer it might prooue vnto me. Insufficiency and so••tishnesse are commendable in a dis∣commendable action. As much as I seperate my selfe from their humour in that, so much I ap∣proach vnto mine owne. Moreover, I did neuer suffer my selfe to bee wholly given over to that sport; I therewith pleased, but forgot not my selfe. I ever kept that little vnderstanding and discretion, which nature hath bestowed on me, for their seruice and mine; some motion towards it, but no dotage. My conscience also was engaged therein, even vnto incontinency and excesse, but neuer vnto ingratitude, treason, malice or cruelty. I bought not the pleasure of this vice at all rates; and was content with it's owne and simple cost. Nullum intrase vi••ium est, There is no vice contained in it selfe. I hate almost alike a crouching and dull lasinesse, and a toilesome and thorny working. The one pincheth, the other dulleth mee. I loue wounds as* 1.110 much as bruses, and blood wipes as well as dry-blowes. I had in the practise of this solace, when I was fitter for it, an even moderation betweene these two extremities. Loue is a vigila••••, liuely and blithe agitation: I was neither troubled nor tormented with it, but heated and distem∣pred by it: There wee must make a stay; It is onely hurtfull vnto fooles. A young man demanded of the Philosopher Panetius, whether it would be seeme a wise man to be in loue; Let wisemen alone (quoth he) but for thee and me that are not so, it were best not to engage our selues into so stirring and violent a humor, which maks vs slaves to others and contemptible vnto our selues. He said true, for we ought not entrust a matter so dangerous, vnto a mind that hath not wher∣with to sustaine the approaches of it, nor effectually to quaile the speach of Agesilaus; That wisedome and loue cannot liue together: It is a vaine occupation (t'is true) vnseemely, shamefull and lawlesse: But vsing it in this manner, I esteeme it wholsome and fit to rouze a dull spi•••••• and a heauy body: and as a phisition experienced, I wold prescribe the same vnto a man of my complexion and forme, as soone as any other receipt, to keepe him awake and in strength, when he is well in yeares; and delay him from the gripings of olde age. As long as wee are but in the suburbes of it, and that our pulse yet beateth.

Dum noua canities, dum prima & recta senectus,* 1.111 Dum superest Lachefi quod torqueat, & pedibus me Port•• meis, nullo dex••ram subeunte bacillo. While hoarie haires are new, and ould-age fresh and straight, While Lachesis hath yet to spin, while I my waight Beare on my feeete, and stand, without staffe in my hand.

Wee had need to bee sollicited and tickled, by some biting agitation, as this is. See but what youth, vigour and iollitie it restored vnto wise Anacreon. And Socrates, when hee was elder then I am, speaking of an amorous obiect: leaning (saies hee) shoulder to shoul∣der, and approaching my head vnto his, as we were both together looking vpon a booke, I felt, in truth, a sudden tingling or prickling in my shoulder, like the biting of some beast, which more then five daies after tickled mee, whereby a continuall itching glided into my heart. But a casuall touch, and that but in a shoulder, to enflame, to distem∣per and to distract a minde, enfeebled, tamed and cooled through age; and of all humane mindes the most reformed. And why not I pray you? Socrates was but a man, and would neither bee nor seeme to bee other. Philosophie contends not against naturall delights, so that due measure bee ioined therewith; and alloweth the moderation, not the shunning of

them. The efforts of her resistance are employed against strange and bastard or lawlesse ones. She saith, that the bodyes appetites ought not to be encreased by the minde. And wittily aduiseth vs, that we should not excite our hunger by sacietie; not to stuffe, insteed of filling our bel∣lies: to auoide all jouissance that may bring vs to want: and shunne all meat and drink, which may make vs hungry or thirstie. As in the seruice of love, she appoints vs to take an obiect, that onely may satisfie the bodies neede, without once moouing the mind: which is not there to have any doing, but onely to follow and simply to assist the body. But have I not reason to thinke, that these precepts, which (in mine opinion are elsewhere somewhat rigorous) haue reference vnto a body which doth his office; and that a dejected one, as a weakned stomacke may be excused if he cherish and sustaine the same by arte, and by the entercouse of fantazie, to restore it the desires, the delights and blithnesse, which of it selfe it hath lost? May we not say, that there is nothing in vs, during this earthly prison, simply corporall, or purely spiri∣tuall? and that iniuriouslie we dismember a living man? that there is reason wee should carrie our selues in the vse of pleasure, at least as fauourablie as we doe in the pangs of griefe? For example, it was vehement, even vnto perfection, in the soules of Saints, by repentance. The body had naturally a part therein, by the right of their combination, and yet might haue but little share in the cause: and were not contented that it should simply follow and assist the af∣flicted soule: they haue tormented the body it selfe with conuenient and sharpe punishments; to the end that one with the other, the body and the soule might a vie plunge man into sorrow; so much the more saving, by how much the more smarting. In like case, in corporall pleasures, is it not iniustice to quaile and coole the minde and, say, it must thereunto be entrained, as vn∣to a forced bond, or servile necessitie? Shee should rather hatch and cherish them, and offer and invite it selfe vnto them; the charge of swaying rightly belonging to her. Even as in my conceit, it is her part, in her proper delights, to inspire and infuse into the body all sense or feeling which his condition may beare, and indevour that they may be both sweet and heal∣thy for him. For, as they say, tis good reason; that the body follow not his appetites to the mindes preiudice or dammage. But why is it not likewise reason, that the minde should not follow hers to the bodies danger and hurt? I have no other passion that keepes mee in breath. What avarice, ambition, quarels, sutes in law, or other contentions worke and effect in others, who as my selfe have no assigned vacation, or certaine leisure, love would performe more commodiously: It would restore me the vigilancie, sobrietie, grace and care of my person; and assure my countenance against the wrinckled frowns of age (those deformed and wretch∣ed frownes) which else would blemish and deface the same; It would reduce me to serious, to sound and wise studies, whereby I might procure more love, and purchase more estimation: It would purge my minde from despaire of it selfe, and of its vse, acquainting the same againe with it selfe: It would divert me from thousands of irksome tedious thoughts, and melancholie carking cares, wherewith the doting idlenesse and crazed condition of our age doth charge and comber vs: It would restore and heat, though but in a dreame, the blood which nature forsaketh: It would vphold the drooping chinne, and somewhat strengthen or lengthen the shrunken finewes, decaied vigour, and dulled lives-blithenesse of silly wretched man, who gallops apace to his ruine. But I am not ignorant how hard a matter it is to attaine to such a commoditie: Through weakenesse and long experience, our taste is growne more tender, more choise and more exquisite. We challenge most, when we bring least; we are most de∣sirous to choose, when we least deserve to be accepted: And knowing our selves to bee such, we are lesse hardy and more distrustfull: Nothing can assure vs to be beloved, seeing our con∣dition and their quality. I am ashamed to be in the companie of this greene, blooming and boyling youth;

Cuius in indomito constantior inguine neruus, Quàm noua collibus arbor inhaeret:* 1.112

Why should we present our wretchednesse admid this their iollitie?

Possint vt iuuenes visere feruidi* 1.113 Multo non fine risu, Dilapsam in cineres facem, That hot young men may goe and see, Not without sport and mery glee, Their fire-brands turn'd to ashes be.

They have both strength and reason on their side: let vs give them place: we have no longer holde fast. This bloome of budding beauty, loues not to be handled by such nummed, and so clomsie hands, nor would it be dealt-with by meanes purely materiall or ordinarie stuffe, For, as that ancient Philosopher answered one that mocked him, because hee could not ob∣taine the fauour of a yongling, whom he suingly pursued: My friend (quoth hee) the hooke bites not at such fresh cheese. It is a commerce needing relation and mutuall correspondency: other pleasures that we receiue, may bee requitted by recompences of different nature: but this cannot be repaid but with the very same kinde of coyne. Verily, the pleasure I do others in this sport, doth more sweetly tickle my imagination, then that is done vnto me. Now if no generous minde, can receive pleasure where he returneth none; it is a base minde that would haue all duty and delights to feed with conference, those vnder whose charge hee remaineth. There is no beautie, nor fauour, nor familiarity so exquisite, which a gallant minde should de∣sire at this rate. Now if women can do vs no good but in pittie, I had much rather not to live at all, then to live by almes. I would I had the priuiledge to demande of them, in the same stile I haue heard some begin Italy: Fate bene per voi, Doe some good for your selfe: or after the manner that Cyrus exhorted his souldiers; Whosoeuer loveth mee, let him follow mee. Consort your selfe, will some say to me, with those of your owne condition, whom the company of like fortune will yeelde of more easie accesse. Oh sottish and wallowish composition;

—nolo Barbam vellere mortuo leoni.* 1.114 I will not pull (though not a fearde) When he is dead a Lions beard.

Xenophon vseth for an obiection and accusation against Menon, that in his love hee dealt with fading obiects. I take more sensuall pleasure by onely viewing the mutuall, even proporcio∣ned and delicate commixture of two yong beauties; or only to consider the same in mine ima∣gination, then if my selfe should be second in a lumpish, sad and disproporcioned coniunction. I refigne such distasted and fantastical appetites vnto the Emperour Galba, who medled with none but cast, worne, hard-old flesh, And to that poore slave,

O ego dij faciant talem te cernere possim, Char áque mutatis osculaferre comis. Amplectique meis corpus non pingue lacertis.* 1.115 Gods graunt I may beholde thee in such case, And kisse thy chang'd locks with my dearest grace, And with mine armes thy limmes not fat embrace.

And amongst blemishing-deformities, I deeme artificiall and forced beautie to be of the chie∣fest. Emonez a young lad of Chios, supposing by gorgeous attires to purchase the beautie, which nature denied him, came to the Philosopher Ar••silaus, and asked of him, whether a wise man could be in l••ue, or no? Yes marrie (quoth hee) so it were not with a painted and sophisticate beautie, as thine is. The fowlenesse of an olde knowne woman is in my seeming, not so aged nor so ill-fauoured, as one that's painted and sleeked. Shall I bouldly speake it, and not haue my throate cut for my labour? Loue is not properly nor naturallie in season, but in the age next vnto infancie:

Quam si puellarum insereres choro, Mille sagaces falleret hospites, Discrimen obscurum, solutis* 1.116 Crinibus, ambiguoque vultu. Whom if you should in crue of wenches place, With haire loose-hanging, and ambiguous face, Strangely the vndiscern'd distinction might Deceiue a thousand strangers of sharpe sight.

No more is perfect beautie. For, whereas Homer extends it vntill such time as the chinne be∣gins to bud. Plato himselfe hath noted the same for very rare, And the cause for which the Sophister Dion termed youthes budding hayres; Aristogitons and Harmodij, is notoriouslie knowne. In man-hoode I finde it alreadie to bee somewhat out of date, much more in olde age.

Importunus enim transuolat aridas Quercus.* 1.117 Importune loue doth ouer-flie. The Okes with withered olde-age drie.

And Margaret Queene of Nauarre, lengthens much (like a woman) the priviledge of women: Ordaining thirty feares to be the season, for them to change the title of faire into good. The shorter possession we allow it ouer our liues, the better for vs. Behold it's behauiour, It is a princock boy, who in his schoole, knowes not, how far one proceeds against all order: study, exercise, custome and practise, are paths to insufficiencie: the novices beare all the sway; Amor ordinem ne∣scit, Loue knowes or keeps no order. Surely it's course hath more garbe, when it is commixt with vnaduisednes and trouble: faultes and contrary successes, giue it edge and grace: so it be eager and hungry, it little importeth whither it bee prudent. Obserue but how he staggers, stum∣bleth and fooleth; you fetter and shackle him, when you guide him by arte and discretion: and you force his sacred liberty, when you submit him to those bearded, grim and tough-hard hands. Moreover I often heare them display this intelligence as absolutely spirituall disdai∣ning to draw into consideration the interest which all the sences have in the same. All serueth to the purpose: But I may say, that I haue often seen some of vs excuse the weakenesse of their minds, in fauour of their corporall beauties; but I never saw them yet, that in behalfe of the mindes-beauties, how sound and ripe soever they were, would afforde an helping hand vnto abedy, that never so little falleth into declination. Why doth not some one of them long to produce that noble Socraticall brood; or breed that precious gem, between the body and the minde, purchasing with the price of her thighes a Philosophicall and spirituall breed and in∣telligence? which is the highest rate she can possibly value them at. Plato appointeth in his lawes, that he who performeth a notable and worthy exploite in warre, during the time of that expedition, should not be denide a kisse or refused any other amorous fauour, of whom∣soever he shall please to desire it, without respect either of his ill-fauourdnes, deformitie, or age. What he deemeth so just and allowable in commendation of Military valour, may not the same be thought as lawfull in commendation of some other worth? and why is not some one of them possessed with the humor to preocupate on hir companions the glory of this chaste loue? chaste I may well say;

—nam si quando ad praelia ventum est, Ʋt quondam stipulis magnus sine viribus ignis* 1.118 In cassum furit. If once it come to handy-gripes; as great, But force-lesse fire in stubble; so his heate Rageth amaine, but all in vaine.

Vices smoothered in ones thought, are not the woorst. To conclude this notable commenta∣rie, escaped from me by a flux of babling: a flux sometimes as violent as hurtfull,

Ʋt missum sponsi furtiuo munere malum, Procurrit casto virginis è gremio:* 1.119 Quod miserae oblitae molli sub veste locatum, Dum aduentu matris prosilit, excutitur, Atque illud prono praeceps agitur decursu, Huic manat tristi conscius ore rubor. As when some fruite by stealth sent from hir friend, From chaste lap of a virgin doth descend, Which by hir, vnder hir soft aprone plast, Starting at mothers comming thence is cast: And trilling downe in hast doth head-long goe, A guiltie blush in hir sad face doth floe.

I say, that both male and female, are cast in one same moulde; instruction and custome excepted, there is no great difference betweene them: Plato calleth them both indifferently to the societie of all studies, exercises, charges and functions of warre and peace, in his Commonwealth. And the Philosopher Antisthenes took away al distinction betweene their vertue and ours. It is much more easie to accuse the one sexe, then to excuse the other. It is that which some say prouer∣bialie. Ill may the Kill call the Ouen burnt taile.

The sixth Chapter.

Of Coaches.

IT is easie to verifie, that excellent authors, writing of causes doe not only make vse of those which they imagine true, but eftsoones of such as themselues beleeue not: alwayes proui∣ded they have some inuention and beautie. They speake sufficiently, trulie and profitably, if they speake ingeniouslie. We cannot assure▪ our selues of the chiefe cause: we hudle vp a ma∣ny together, to see whether by chance it shall be found in that number,

Namque vnam dicere causam.* 1.120 Non satis est, verum plures vnde vna tamensit. Enough it is not one cause to devise, But more, whereof that one may yet arise,

Will you demand of me, whence this custome ariseth, to blesse and say God helpe to those that sneese? Wee produce three sortes of winde; that issuing from belowe is too vndecent; that from the mouth, implieth some reproach of gourmandise; the third is sneesing: and because it commeth from the head, and is without imputation, wee thus kindly entertaine it: Smile not at this subtiltie, it is (as some say) Aristotles. Mee seemeth to haue read in Plutarch (who of all the authors I know, hath best commixt arte with nature, and coupled iudgement with learning) where he yeeldeth a reason, why those which trauell by sea, doe sometimes feele such qua••mes and risings of the stomacke, saying, that it proceedeth of a kinde of feare: hauing found-out some reason, by which hee prooveth, that feare may cause such an effect. My selfe who am much subiect vnto it, knowe well, that this cause doth nothing concerne me. And I know it, not by argument, but by necessarie experience, without alleaging what some haue tolde mee, that the like doth often happen vnto beasts, namely vnto swine, when they are farthest from apprehending any danger: and what an acquaintance of mine hath assured mee of himselfe, and who is greatly subiect vnto it, that twice or thrice in a tempe∣stuous storme, being surprised with execeeding feare, all manner of desire or inclination to vo∣mit had left him. As to that ancient good fellow; Peius vexabar quàm vt periculum mihi suc∣curreret. I was worse vexed then that danger covld helpe me. I never apprehended feare vpon the water; nor any where else (yet haue I often had ••••st cause offred me, if death it selfe may give it) which eyther might trouble or astonie mee. It proceedeth sometimes as well from want of iudgement, as from lacke of courage. All the dangers I haue had, have beene when mine, eyes were wide-open and my sight cleare, sound and perfect: For, even to feare, courage is required. It hath sometimes steaded me, in respect of others, to direct and keepe my flight in order, that so it might be, if not without feare, at least without dismay and astonishment. Indeede it was mooued, but not amazed nor distracted. Vndanted mindes marche further, and represent flight, not onely temperate, setled and sound, but also fierce and bolde▪ Report we that which Alcibiades relateth of Socrates his companion in armes. I found (saith he) after the route and discomfiture of our armie, both him and Lachez in the last ranke of those that ranne away, and with all safetie and leasure considered him, for I was mounted vpon an ex∣cellent good horse, and he on foote, and so had we combatted all day. I noted first, how in respect of Lachez, he shewed both discr••••te iudgement and ••ndanted resolution: then I ob∣serued the vndismaide brauery of his marche, nothing different from his ordinarie pace: his looke orderly and constant, duly obs••••uing and ••eedily iudging what euer passed round about him: sometimes viewing the one, and sometimes looking on the other both friendes and enemies, with so composed a manner, that he seemed to encourage the one and menace the other, signifying, that whosoever should attempt his life, must purchase the same, or his blood at a high-valued rate; and thus they both saued themselues; for, men doe not wil∣lingly graple with these; but follow such as shew or feare or dismay. Loe heare the testi∣monie of that renow••ed Captaine, who teacheth vs what wee daily finde by experience, that there is nothing doth sooner cast vs into dangers, then an inconsiderate greedinesse to a••••••de them. Quo timoris minus est, eo minus fermè periculi est. The lesse feare there is most com∣monly,

the lesse danger there is. Our people is to blame, to say, such a one feareth death, when it would signifie, that he thinkes on it, and doth foresee the same. Foresight doth equally belong as well to that which concerneth vs in good, as touche vs in euill. To consider and iudge danger, is in some sort, not to bee danted at it. I doe not finde my selfe sufficiently strong to withstand the blow and violence of this passion of feare, or of any other impetuosity, were I once therewith vanquished and deterred, I could never safely recouer my selfe. Hee that should make my minde forgoe hir footing, could never bring her vnto her place againe. She doth ouer liuely sound, and ouer deepely search into hirselfe: And therefore neuer suf∣fers the wound which pierced the same, to be throughly cured and consolidated. It hath beene happy for me: that no infirmity could euer yet displace her. I oppose and present my selfe in the best warde I have, against all charges and assaults that beset mee. Thus the first that should beare mee away, would make mee vnrecouerable. I encounter not two: which way soeuer spoile should enter my holde, there am I open, and remedilesly drowned. Epi∣curus saith, that a wise man can neuer passe from one state to its contrary. I have some opinion an∣swering his sentence, that hee who hath once beene a very foole, shall at no time prooue very wise. God sends my colde answerable to my clothes, and passions answering the meanes I haue to indure them. Nature hauing discouered me on one side, hath couered me one the other. Hauing disarmed me of strength, she hath armed me with insensibility, and a regular or soft apprehension. I cannot long endure (and lesse could in my youth) to ride either in coach or litter, or to go in a boate; and both in the Citty and country I hate all manner of riding, but a horse-back: And can lesse endure a litter, then a coach, and by the same reason, more ea∣sily a rough agitation vpon the water, whence commonly proceedeth feare, then the soft stirring a man shall feele in calme weather. By the same easie gentle motion, which the oares giue, conuaying the boate vnder vs, I wot not how, I feele both my head intoxicated and my stomacke distempered: as I cannot likewise abide a shaking stoole vnder me. When as either the saile, or the gliding course of the water doth equally carry vs away, or that wee are but towed, that gently, gliding and euen agitation, doth no whit distemper or hurte mee. It is an interrupted and broken motion, that offendes mee; and more when it is lan∣guishing. I am not able to displaye it's forme. Phisitions haue taught mee to binde and gird my selfe with a napkin or swath round about the lower part of my belly, as a remedy for this accident; which as yet I haue not tride, being accustomed to wrestle and with stand such defects as are in me; and tame them by my selfe. Were my memory sufficientlye in∣formed of them, I would not thinke my time lost, heere to set downe the infinite variety, which histories present vnto vs, of the vse of coaches in the seruice of warre: diuers accord∣ing to the nations, and different according to the ages: to my seeming of great effect and necessitye. So that it is wondrouslye strange, how wee haue lost all true knowledge of them; I will onely aleadge this, that euen lately in our fathers time, the Hungarians did very auaile∣fully bring them into fashion, and profitablie set them a worke against the Turkes; euery one of them containing a Targattier and a Muskettier, with a certaine number of harquebus••s or caliuers, ready charged; and so ranged, that they might make good vse of them: and all ouer couered with a pauesado, after the manner of a Galliotte. They made the front of their battaile with three thousand such coaches: and after the Cannon had playde, caused them to discharge and shoote off volie of smale shotte vppon their enemies, before they shoulde know or feele, what the rest of their forces could doe: which was no smale aduan∣cement; or if not this, they mainely droue those coaches amidde the thickest of their ene∣mies squadrons, with purpose to breake, disroute and make waye through them. Besides the benefit and helpe they might make of them, in any suspicious or dangerous place, to flanke their troupes marching from place to place: or in hast to encompasse, to embarrica∣do, to couer or fortifie any lodgement or quarter. In my time, a gentleman of quality, in one of our frontieres, vnwealdy and so burly of bodye, that hee coulde finde no horse able to beare his waight, and hauing a quarrell or deadly fude in hand, was wont to trauaile vp and downe in a coach made after this fashion, and found much ease and good in it. But leaue wee these warlike coaches, as if their nullity were not sufficiently knowne by better to∣kens; The lastkings of our first race were wont to trauell in chariors drawne by foure oxen. Marke Antonie was the first, that caused himselfe, accompanied with a minsterell harlot to bee drawne by Lyons fitted to a coach. So did Heliogabalus after him, naming himselfe Ci∣bele

the mother of the Gods; and also by Tigers, counterfetting God Bacchus: who sometimes would also bee drawne in a coach by two Stagges: and an-other time by foure mastiue Dogs: and by foure naked wenches, causing himselfe to bee drawne by them in pompe and state, hee being all naked. The emperour Firmus, made his coach to bee drawne by Estriges of exceeding greatnesse, so that hee rather seemed to flye, then to roule on wheeles. The strangenesse of these inuentions, doth bring this other thing vnto my fan∣tasie. That it is a kinde of pusilanimity in Monarkes, and a testimony that they doe not suf∣ficiently know what they are, when they labour to shew their worth, and endeuour to ap∣peare vnto the world, by excessiue and intolerable expences. A thing, which in a strange country might somewhat bee excused; but amongst his natiue subiects, where hee swayeth all in all, hee draweth from his dignity the extreamest degree of honour, that hee may possi∣ble attaine vnto. As for a gentleman, in his owne priuate house to apparrell himselfe rich∣ly and curiously, I deeme it a matter vaine and superfluous; his house, his houshold, his traine and his kitchin doe sufficiently answere for him. The counsell which Isocrates giueth to his King (in my conceite) seemeth to carry some reason: when hee willeth him to bee richly-sto∣red and stately adorned with mooueables and housholde-stuffe, forsomuch as it is an ex∣pence of continuance, and which descendeth euen to his posterity or heires: And to auoyde all magnificences, which presently vanish both from custome and memory. I loued when I was a yonger brother to set my selfe foorth and bee gaye in cloathes, though I wanted o∣ther necessaries; and it became mee well: There are some on whose backes their ritch Robes weepe, or as wee say their rich cloathes are lyned with heauye debts. We haue di∣uers strange tales of our auncient Kings frugalitie about their owne persons, and in their gifts: great and farre renouned Kings both in credit, in valour and in fortune. Demosthenes mainely combates the law of his Cittie, who assigned their publique money to be imployed about the stately setting forth of their playes and feastes: He willeth that their magnificence should bee seene in the quantity of tall ships well manned and appointed, and armies well furnished. And they haue reason to accuse Theophrastus, who in his booke of riches establi∣shed a contrarie opinion, and vpholdeth such a quality of expences, to be the true friute of wealth and plenty. They are pleasures (saith Aristotle) that onely touch the vulgar and basest communalty, which as soone as a man is satisfied with them, vanish out of minde; and whereof no man of sound judgement of gravity can make any esteeme. The imploy∣ment of it, as more profitable, just and durable would seeme more royall, worthy and commendable, about portes, heauens, fortifications and walles; in sumptuous buildings, in churches, hospitales, colledges, mending of heighwayes and streetes, and such like monu∣ments: in which things Pope Gregory the thirteenth shall leaue aye-lasting and commenda∣ble memory vnto his name: and wherein our Queene Catherin should witnes vnto succee∣ding ages her naturall liberality and exceeding bounty, if her meanes were answarable to her affection. Fortune hath much spighted mee to hinder the structure and brake-off the finish∣ing of our new-bridge in our great Citty; and before my death to depriue mee of all hope to see the great necessity of it set forwarde againe. Moreouer, it appeareth vnto subjects, specta∣tors of these triumphs, that they haue a show made them of their owne riches, and that they are feasted at their proper charges: For, the people doe easily presume of their kings, as wee doe of our seruants; that they should take care plenteously to provide vs of whatsoeuer wee stand in neede of, but that on their behalfe they should no way lay handes on it. And there∣fore the Emperor Galba, sitting at supper, hauing taken pleasure to heare a musicion play and sing before him, sent for his casket, out of which he tooke a handful of Crowns and put them into his hand, with these wordes; Take this, not as a guift of the publique money, but of mine owne priuate store. So is it, that it often commeth to passe, that the common people haue reason to grudge, and that their eyes are fedde, with that which he should feede their belly. Libera∣lity it selfe, in a soueraigne hand is not in her owne luster: priuate men haue more right, and may challenge more interest in her. For, taking the matter exactlye as it is, a King hath nothing that is properlye his owne; hee oweth euen himselfe to others. Authority is not gi∣uen in fauour of the authorising, but rather in fauour of the authorised. A superiour is neuer created for his owne profit, but rather for the benefit of the inferiour: And a Phisition is instituted for the sicke, not for himselfe. All Magistracie, euen as each arte, reiecteth her end out of her selfe. Nulla ars in se versatur. No arte is all in it selfe. Wherefore the gouernours and

overseers of Princes childhood or minoritie, who so earnestly endevour to imprint this ver∣tue of bountie and liberalitie in them; and teach them not to refuse any thing, and esteeme nothing so well imploied, as what they shall give (an instruction which in my daies I have seene in great credit) either they preferre and respect more their owne profit then their ma∣sters; or else they vnderstand not aright to whom they speake. It is too easie a matter to im∣print liberalitie in him, that hath wherewith plenteously to satisfie what he desireth at other mens charges. And his estimation being directed not according to the measure of the pre∣sent, but according to the qualitie of his meanes, that exerciseth the same, it commeth to proove vaine in so puissant hands. They are found to be prodigall, before they be liberall. Therefore is it but of small commendation, in respect of other royall vertues. And the only (as said the tyrant Dionyfius) that agreed and squared well with tyrannie it selfe. I would ra∣ther teach him the verse of the ancient labourer,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉* 1.121 Not whole sackes, but by the hand A man should sow his seed i'the land.

That whosoever will reape any commoditie by it, must sow with his hand, and not powre out of the sacke: that corne must be discreetly scattered, and not lavishly dispersed: And that being to give, or to say better, to pay and restore to such a multitude of people, according as they have deserved, he ought to be a loyall, faithfull, and advised distributer thereof. If the libe∣ralitie of a Prince be without heedy discretion and measure, I would rather have him cove∣tous and sparing. Princely vertue seemeth to consist most in iustice. And of all parts of justice, that doth best and most belong to Kings, which accompanieth liberalitie. For, they have it particularly reserved to their charge; whereas all other justice, they happily exercise the same by the intermission of others. Immoderate bountie, is a weake meane to acquire them good will: for, it reiecteth more people, then it obtaineth: Quo in plures vsus sis, minus in multos* 1.122 vti possis. Quid autem est stultius, quàm, quod libenter facias, curare vt id diutius facere non possis? The more you have vsed it to many, the lesse may you vse it to many more: And what is more fond, then what you willingly would doe, to provide you can no longer doe it? And if it be emploied without respect of merit, it shameth him that receiveth the same, and is received without grace. Some Tyrants have beene sacrificed to the peoples hatred, by the very hands of those, whom they had rashly preferred and wrongfully advanced: such kinde of men, meaning to assure the possession of goods vnlawfully and indirectly gotten, if they shew to hold in con∣tempt and hatred, him from whom they held them, and in that combine themselves vnto the vulgar iudgement and common opinion. The subiects of a Prince, rashly excessive in his gifts, become impudently excessive in begging: they adhere, not vnto reason, but vnto example. Verily we have often iust cause to blush, for our impudencie. We are over-paid according to justice, when the recompence equalleth our service: for, doe we not owe a kinde of natu∣rall dutie to our Princes? If he beare our charge, he doth over-much; it sufficeth if hee assist it: the over-plus is called a benefit, which cannot be exacted; for the very name of liberalitie implieth libertie. After our fashion, we have never done; what is received is no more recko∣ned of: only future liberalitie is loved: Wherefore the more a Prince doth exhaust himselfe in giving, the more friends he impoverisheth. How should he satisfie intemperate desires, which in∣crease according as they are replenished? Who so hath his mind on taking, hath it no more on what he hath taken. Covetousnesse hath nothing so proper, as to be vngratefull. The example of Cyrus shall not ill fit this place, for the behoofe of our kings of these daies, as a touch-stone, to know whether their gifts be well or ill emploied; and make them perceive, how much more happi∣lie that Emperour did wound and oppresse them, then they doe. Whereby they are after∣ward forced to exact and borrow of their vnknowen subiects, and rather of such as they have wronged and aggrieved, then of those they have enriched and done good vnto: and receive no aids, where any thing is gratitude, except the name. Craesus vpbra••ded him with his lavish bountie, and calculated what his treasure would amount vnto, if he were more sparing and close-handed. A desire surprised him to iustifie his liberalitie, and dispatching letters over all parts of his dominions, to such great men of his estate, whom hee had particularly ad∣vanced, intreated every one to assist him with as much money as they could, for an vrgent

necessitie of his; and presently to send it him by declaration: when all these count-bookes or notes were brought him, each of his friends supposing that it sufficed not, to offer him no more then they had received of his bounteous liberalitie, but adding much of their owne vnto it, it was found, that the said summe amounted vnto much more, then the niggardly sparing of Croesus. Whereupon Cyrus said, I am no lesse greedy of riches, then other Princes, but am rather a better husband of them. You see with what small venture I have purchased the vn∣valuable treasure of so many friends, and how much more faithfull treasurers they are to mee, then mercenarie men would be, without obligation and without affection: and my exchequer or treasurie better placed then in paltery coafers; by which I draw vpon mee the hate, the envie and the contempt of other Princes. The ancient Emperours were wont to draw some excuse, for the superfluitie of their sports and publike shewes, for so much as their authoritie did in some sort depend (at least in apparance) from the will of the Roman people; which from all ages was accusto∣med to be flattered by such kindes of spectables and excesse.

But they were particular-ones who had bred this custome, to gratifie their con-citizens and fellowes: especially with their purse, by such profusion and magnificence. It was cleane al∣tered, when the masters and chiefe rulers came once to imitate the same. Pecuniarum transla∣tio* 1.123 à iustis dominis ad alienos non debet liberalis videri. The passing of money from right owners to strangers should not seeme liberalitie. Philip, because his sonne endevoured by gifts to purchase the good will of the Macedonians, by a letter seemed to be displeased and chid him in this manner: What? Wouldest thou have thy subiects to account thee for their purse-bearer, and not repute thee for their King? Wilt thou frequent and practise them? Then doe it with the benefits of thy vertue, not with those of thy coafers: Yet was it a goodly thing, to cause a great quantity of great trees, all branchie and greene, to be farre brought and planted in plots yeelding nothing but drie gravell, representing a wilde shady forest, divided in due seemely proportion: And the first day, to put into the same a thousand Estriges, a thousand Stagges, a thousand wilde Boares, and a thousand Buckes, yeelding them over to be hunted and killed by the common people: the next morrow in the presence of all the assembly to cause a hundred great Lions, a hundred Leopards, and three hundred huge Beares to be baited and tugg'd in peeces: and for the third day, in bloodie manner and good earnest to make three hundred couple of Gladiators or Fencers, to combat and murder one another; as did the Emperour Probus. It was also a goodly shew, to see those wondrous huge Amphitheaters all enchased with rich marble, on the out side curiously wrought with carved statues, and all the inner side glitte∣ring with precious and rare embellishments,

Baltheus en gemmis, en illita porticus auro. A belt beset with gemmes behold, Behold a walke bedawb'd with gold.

All the sides round about that great void, replenished and environed from the ground vnto the very toppe, with three or foure score rankes of steps and seats, likewise all of marble co∣vered with faire cushions,

—exeat, inquit,* 1.124 Si pudor est, & de pulvino surgat equestri, Cuius res legi non sufficit. If shame there be, let him be gone, he cries, And from his knightly cushion let him rise, Whose substance to the law doth not suffice.

Where might conveniently bee placed an hundred thousand men, and all sit at ease. And the plaine-ground-worke of it, where sports were to bee acted, first by Art to cause the same to open and chap in sunder with gaps and cranishes, representing hollow cavernes which vomited out the beasts appointed for the spectacle: That ended, immediately to overflow it all with a maine deepe sea, fraught with store of sea-monsters and other strange fishes, all over-laid with goodly tall ships, ready rigd and appointed to represent a Sea-fight; and thirdly, suddenly to make it smooth and drie againe, for the combat of Gladiators: and

fourthly being forthwith cleansed, to strewe it ouer with Vermillion and Storay, insteede of gravell, for the erecting of a solemne banket, for all that infinite number of people: the last act of one onely day.

—quoties nos descendentis arenae Ʋidimus in partes, rupta{que} voragine terrae Emersisse feras, & ijsdem saepe latebris Aurea cum croceo creuerunt arbuta libro. Nec solum nobis siluestria cernere monstra Contigit, aequoreos ego cum certantibus vrsis Spectaui vitulos, et equorum nomine dignum, Sed deforme pecus.

How oft have we beheld wilde beasts appeare From broken gulfes of earth, vpon some parte Of sande that did not sinke? how often there And thence did golden boughs oresaffron'd starte? Nor onely saw we monsters of the wood, But I have seene Sea-calues whom Beares withstood, And such a kinde of beast as might be named A horse, but in most foule proportion framed.

They haue sometimes caused an high steepy mountaine to arise in the midst of the sayde Amphitheaters, all ouer-spred with fruitfull and flourishing trees of all sortes, on the top whereof gushed out streames of water, as from out the source of a purling spring. Other times they haue produced therein a great tall Ship floating vp and down, which of it selfe opened and split a sunder, and after it had disgorged from out it's bulke, foure or fiue hun∣dred wilde beasts to bee baited, it closed and vanished away of itselfe, without any visible helpe. Sometimes from out the bottome of it, they caused streakes and purlings of sweete water to spoute vp, bubling to the highest top of the frame, and gently watring, sprinkling and refreshing that infinite multitud. To keepe and couer themselues from the violence of the wether, they caused that huge compasse to bee all ouer-spred, sometimes with pur∣ple sailes, all curiously wrought with the needle, sometimes of silke, and of some other co∣lour, in the twinkling of an eye, as they pleased, they displaid and spred, or drewe and pul∣led them in againe.

Quamuis non modico caleant spectacula sole Ʋelareducuntur cumvenit Hermogenes. Though fervent Sunne make't hotte to see a play, When linnen-thieues come, sailes are kept away.

The nets likewise, which they vsed to put before the people, to save them from harme and violence of the baited beasts, were wouen with golde.

auro quoque tortarefulgent Retia. Nets with golde enterlaced, Their shewes with glittring graced.

If any thing bee excusable in such lavish excesse, it is, where the inuention and strange∣nesse breedeth admiration, and not the costlie charge. Euen in those vanities, wee may plainely perceiue how fertile and happy those former ages were of other manner of wittes, then ours are. It hapneth of this kinde of fertilitie, as of all other productions of nature. Wee may not say what nature employed then the vtmost of hir power. Wee goe not, but rather creepe and stagger here and there: wee goe our pace. I imagine our

knowledge to bee weake in all sences: wee neither discerne far-forward, nor see much backward. It embraceth little, and liueth not long: It is shotte both in extension of time, and in am∣plenesse of matter or inuention.

Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona* 1.125 Multi, sed omnes illachrymabiles Vrgentur, ignoti•• longa Nocte. Before great Agamemnon and the rest, Many liu'd valiant, yet are all supprest, Vnmoan'd, vnknowne, in darke oblivions nest.

Et supera bellum Troianum & funera Troiae,* 1.126 Mul••s alias alij quoque res cecinere poetae. Beside the Troian warre, Troyes funerall night, Of other things did other Poets write.

And Solons narration concerning what he had learned of the Aegiptian Priests, of their states long-life, and manner how to learne and preserue strange or forraine histories, in mine o∣pinion is not a testimony to bee refused in this consideration. Si interminatam in omnes par∣tes* 1.127 magnitudinem regionum videremus, & temporum, in quam se inijciens animus & intendens, ita latè longeque peregrinatur, vt nullam oram vltimi videat, in qua possit insistere: In haec immenfita∣te infinita, vis innumerabilium appareret formarum. If wee behold an vnlimited greatnesse on all sides both of religions and times, wherevpon the minde casting it selfe and intentine doth trauell farre and neare, so as it sees no bounds of what is last, whereon it may insist; in this infinite immen∣fi••te there would appeare a multitude of innumerable formes. If whatsoeuer hath come vnto vs by report of what is past were true, and knowne of any body, it would bee lesse then nothing, in respect of that which is vnknowne. And even of this image of the world, which whi∣lest wee liue therein, glideth and passeth away, how wretched, how weake and how short is the knowledge of the most curious? Not onely of the particular events, which fortune often maketh exemplar and of consequence: but of the state of mighty common wealths, large Monarkies and renowned nations, there escapeth our knowledge a hundred times more, then commeth vnto our notice. Wee keepe a coyle, and wonder at the miraculous inuention of our artilerie, and rest amazed at the rare deuise of Printing: when as vn∣knowne to vs, other men, and an other end of the worlde named China, knew and had perfect vse of both, a thousand yeares before. If wee sawe as much of this vaste worlde, as wee see but a least part of it, it is very likely wee should perceiue a perpetuall multiplicity, and euer-rouling vicissitude of formes. Therein is nothing singular, and nothing rare, if regard bee had vnto nature, or to say better, if relation bee had vnto our knowledge: which is a weake foundation of our rules, and which dooth commonly present vs a right-false Image of things. How vainely doe wee now-adaies conclude the declination and decrepitude of the worlde, by the fond arguments wee drawe from our owne weakenesse, drooping and declination:

Iamque adeo affecta est ••tas, affecta{que} tellus:* 1.128 And now both age and land So sicke affected stand.

And as vainly did another conclude it's birth and youth, by the vigour he perceived in the wits of his time, abounding in novelties and invention of divers Arts:

Ʋerùm, vt opinor, habet novitatem, summa, recensque* 1.129 Natura est mundi, ne{que} pridem exordia cepit: Quare etiam quaedam nunc artes expoliuntur,

Nunc etiam augescunt, nunc addita navigijs sunt Multae.

But all this world is new, as I suppose, Worlds nature fresh, nor lately it arose: Whereby some arts refined are in fashion, And many things now to our navigation Are added, daily growne to augmentation.

Our world hath of late discovered another (and who can warrant vs whether it be the last of his brethren, since both the Daemons, the Sybilles, and all we have hitherto beene ignorant of this?) no lesse large, fully-peopled, all-things-yeelding, and mighty in strength, than ours: neverthelesse so new and infantine, that he is yet to learne his A. B. C. It is not yet full fifty yeeres that he knew neither letters, nor waight, nor measures, nor apparell, nor corne, nor vines. But was all naked, simply-pure, in Natures lappe, and lived but with such meanes and food as his mother-nurce affoorded him. If wee conclude aright of our end, and the foresaid Poet of the infancie of his age, this late-world shall but come to light, when ours shall fall into darknesse. The whole Vniverse shall fall into a palsey or convulsion of sinnowes: one member shall bee maimed or shrunken, another nimble and in good plight. I feare, that by our contagion, wee shall directly have furthered his declination, and hastened his ruine; and that wee shall too dearely have sold him our opinions, our new-fangles and our Arts. It was an vnpolluted, harmelesse infant world; yet have wee not whipped and submitted the same vnto our discipline, or schooled him by the ad∣vantage of our valour or naturall forces; nor have wee instructed him by our justice and integritie; nor subdued by our magnanimitie. Most of their answers, and a number of the negotiations wee have had with them, witnesse that they were nothing short of vs, nor beholding to vs for any excellencie of naturall wit or perspicuitie, concerning per∣tinencie. The woonderfull, or as I may call it, amazement-breeding magnificence of the never-like seene Cities of Cusco and Mexico, and amongst infinite such like things, the admirable Garden of that King, where all the Trees, the Fruits, the Hearbes and Plants, according to the order and greatnesse they have in a Garden, were most artificially framed in golde: as also in his Cabinet, all the living crea∣tures that his Countrey or his Seas produced, were cast in gold; and the exquisite beautie of their workes, in precious Stones, in Feathers, in Cotton and in Painting; shew that they yeelded as little vnto vs in cunning and industrie. But concerning vnfained devotion, awefull observance of lawes, vnspotted integritie, bounteous liberalitie, due loyaltie and free libertie, it hath greatly availed vs, that wee had not so much as they: By which advantage, they have lost, cast-away, sold, vndone and betraied them∣selves.

Touching hardinesse and vndaunted courage, and as for matchlesse constancie, vn∣mooved assurednesse, and vndismaied resolution against paine, smarting, famine and death it selfe; I will not feare to oppose the examples which I may easily finde amongst them, to the most famous ancient examples, wee may with all our industrie discover in all the Annalles and memories of our knowen old World. For, as for those which have subdued them, let them lay aside the wiles, the policies and stratagems, which they have emploied to cozen, to cunny-catch, and to circumvent them; and the iust asto∣nishment which those nations might iustly conceive, by seeing so vnexpected an arrivall of bearded men; divers in language, in habite, in religion, in behaviour, in forme, in countenance; and from a part of the world so distant, and where they never heard any ha∣bitation was: mounted vpon great and vnknowen monsters; against those, who had ne∣ver so much as seene any horse, and lesse any beast whatsoever apt to beare, or taught to carry either man or burden; covered with a shining and hard skinne, and armed with sli∣cing-keene weapons and glittering armour: against them, who for the wonder of the gli∣string of a looking-glasse or of a plaine knife, would have changed or given inestimable riches in Gold, Precious Stones and Pearles; and who had neither the skill nor the mat∣ter

wherewith at any leasure, they could haue pierced our steele: to which you may adde the flashing-fire and thundring roare ofshotte and Harguebuses; able to quell and daunt even Caesar himselfe, had hee beene so sodainely surprised and as little experienced as they were: and thus to come vnto, and assault silly-naked people, sauing where the inuention of weauing of Cotton cloath was knowne and vsed: for the most altogether vnarmed, ex∣cept some bowes, stones, staues and wodden bucklers: vnsuspecting poore people, sur∣prised vnder colour of amity and well-meaning faith, over-taken by the curiosity to see strange and vnknowne things: I say, take this disparity from the conquerors, and you depriue them of all the occasions and cause of so many vnexpected victories. When I consider that sterne-vntamed obstinacy, and vndanted vehemence, wherewith so ma∣ny thousandes of men, of women and children, doe so infinite times present themselves vnto inevitable dangers, for the defence of their Gods and liberty: This generous obstinacie to endure all extremities, all difficulties and death, more easily and willing∣ly, then basely to yeelde vnto their domination, of whome they haue so abhomi∣nably beene abvsed: some of them choosing rather to starue with hunger and fasting, being taken, then to accept foode at their enemies hands, so basely victorious: I per∣ceaue, that whosoeuer had vndertaken them man to man, without ods of armes, of ex∣perience or of number, should haue had as dangerous a warre, or perhaps more, as any we see amongst vs.

Why did not so glorious a conquest happen vnder Alexander, or during the time of the ancient Greekes and Romanes? or why befell not so great a change and alterati∣on of Empires and people, vnder such handes as would gently haue polished, refor∣med and incivilized, what in them they deemed to be barbarous and rude: or would haue nourished and fostered those good seedes, which nature had there brought foorth: adding not onely to the manuring of their grounds and ornaments of their citties such artes as wee had; and that no further then had beene necessary for them, but therewithall ioy ning vnto the originall vertues of the country, those of the ancient Grecians and Ro∣manes? What reputation and what reformation would all that farre-spredding worlde haue found, if the examples, demeanors and pollicies, wherewith wee first presented them, had called and allured those vncorrupted nations, to the admiration and imitation of vertue, and had established betweene them and vs a brotherly society and mutuall cor∣respondencie? How easie a matter had it beene, profitably to reforme, and christianly to instruct, mindes yet so pure and new, so willing to bee taught, beeing for the most part endowed with so docile, so apt and so yeelding naturall beginnings? whereas con∣trarywise, wee have made vse of their ignorance and inexperience, drawe them more easily vnto treason, fraude, luxurie, auarice and all manner of inhumanitie and cruel∣ty, by the example of our life, and patterne of our customes. Who ever raised the ser∣uice of marchandize and benefit of trafficke to so high a rate? So many goodly cit∣ties ransacked and razed; so many nations destroyed and made desolate; so infinite millions of harmelesse people of all sexes, states and ages, massacred, ravaged and put to the sworde; and the richest, the fayrest and the best part of the world topsi∣turuied, ruined and defaced for the trafficke of Pearles and Pepper: Oh mecanicall victoryes, oh base conquest. Never did blinde ambition, never did greedy revenge, publike wrongs or generall enmities, so moodily enrage, and so passionately incense men against men, vnto so horrible hostilities, bloody dissipation, and miserable calamities.

Certaine Spaniardes coasting alongst the Sea in search of mines, fortued to land in a very fertile, pleasant and well peopled country: vnto the inhabitants whereof they declared their intent, and shewed their accustomed perswasions; saying: That they were quiet and well meaning-men, comming from farre-countries, being sent from the King of Castile, the greatest king of the habitable earth, vnto whom the Pope, representing God on earth, had given the principalitie of all the Indies. That if they would become tributaries to him, they should bee most kindly vsed aud courteously entreated: They re∣quired of them victualles for their nourishment; and some golde for the behoofe of cer∣taine Physicall experiments. Moreover, they declared vnto them, the beleeuing in one

onely God, and the trueth of our religion, which they perswaded them to embrace, adding thereto some minatorie threates. Whose answer was this: That happily they might be quiet and well-meaning, but their countenance shewed them to be otherwise: As concerning their King, since he seemed to begge, he shewed to be poore and needie: And for the Pope, who had made that distribu∣tion, he expressed himselfe a man louing dissention, in going about to give vnto a third man, a thing which was not his owne: so to make it questionable and litigious amongst the auncient possessors of it. As for victualles, they should haue part of their store: And for golde, they had but little, and that it was a thing they made very small accoumpt of, as meerely vnprofitable for the seruice of their life, whereas all their care was but how to passe it happily and pleasantly: and therefore, what quantity soever they should finde, that onely excepted which was employed about the seruice of their Gods, they might bouldly take it. As touching one onely God, the discourse of him had very well pleased them: but they would by no meanes change their religion, vnder which they had for so long time liued so hap∣pily: and that they were not accustomed to take any counsell, but of their friendes and acquaintance. As concerning their menaces, it was a signe of want of iudgement, to threaten those, whose nature, condition, power and meanes was to them vnknowne. And therefore they should with all speed hasten to auoyd their dominions, forsomuch as they were wont to admit or take in good part the kindenesses and remonstrances of armed people, namely of strangers, otherwise they would deale with them, as they had done with such others, shewing them the heads of certaine men sticking vpon stakes about their Cittie, which had lately beene executed. Loe here an example of the stammering of this infancy.

But so it is, neither in this, nor in infinite other places, where the Spaniards found not the marchandise they sought for, neither made stay or attempted any violence, whatsoeuer other commodity the place yeelded: witnesse my Canibales. Of two the most mighty and glori∣ous Monarkes of that world, and peraduenture of all our Westerne partes, Kings ouer so many Kings: the last they deposed and ouercame: He of Peru, hauing by them beene taken in a battell, and set at so excessiue a ransome, that it exceedeth all beliefe, and that truely paide: and by his conuersation hauing giuen them apparant signes of a free, liberall, vndant∣ed and constant courage, and declared to be of a pure, noble, and well composed vnderstand∣ing; a humour possessed the conquerors, after they had most insolently exacted from him a Million, three hundred fiue and twenty thousand, and fiue hundred waights of golde; be∣sides the siluer and other precious things, which amounted to no lesse a summe (so that their horses were all shood of massive golde) to discouer what disloyalty or treachery soever it might cost them) what the remainder of this kings treasure might be, and without control∣ment enioy what euer he might haue hidden or concealed from them. Which to compasse, they forged a false accusation and proofe against him; That he practised to raise his pro∣uinces, and intended to induce his subiects to some insurrection, so to procure his liberty. Whereupon, by the very iudgement of those who had complotted this forgery and treason against him, hee was condemned to be publikely hanged and strangled: hauing first made him to redeeme the torment of being burned aliue, by the baptisme which at the instant of his execution in charity they bestowed vpon him. A horrible and the like neuer heard of ac∣cident: which neverthelesse he vndismayedly endured with an vnmooued manner, and tru∣ly-royall grauity, without euer contradicting himselfe eyther in countenance or speech. And then, somewhat to mittigate and circumvent those silly vnsuspecting people amazed and a∣stonished at so strange a spectacle, they counterfetted a great mourning and lamentation for his death and appointed his funeralls to be solemnly and sumptuously celebrated.

The other King of Mexico, having a long time manfully defended his besieged Citie, and in that tedious siege, shewed what ever pinching-sufferance and resolute-perseverance can effect, if ever any courageous Prince or warre-like people shewed the same; and his disa∣strous successe having delivered him alive into his enemies hands, vpon conditions to bee vsed as beseemed a King: who during the time of his imprisoment, did neuer make the least shew of any thing vnworthy that glorious title. After which victory, the Spaniards not finding that quantitie of gold, they had promised themselves, when they had ran∣sacked and ranged all corners, they by meanes of the crue••lest tortures and horriblest torments they could possibly deuise, beganne to wrest and draw some more from such prisoners as they had in keeping. But vnable to profit any thing that waye, finding stronger hearts then their torments, they in the end fell to such moody

outrages, that contrary to all law of nations, and against their solemne vowes and promi∣ses, they condemned the King himselfe and one of the chiefest Princes of his Court, to the Racke, one in presence of another: The Prince, environed round with hot burning coales, being ouercome with the exceeding torment, at last in most pittious sort turning his dreary eyes toward his Master, as if hee asked mercy of him for that hee could endure no longer▪ The king fixing rigorously and fiercely his lookes vpon him, seeming to vpbraide him with his remisnesse and pusilanimity, with a sterne and setled voyce vttered these few wordes vnto him; What? supposest thou I am in a colde bath? am I at more ease then thou art? Where at the silly wretch immediately fainted vnder the torture, and yeelded vp the ghost. The king halfe rosted, was carryed away: Not so much for pitty (for what ruth could euer enter so barba∣rous mindes, who vpon the surmised information of some odde peece or vessell of golde, they intended to get, would broyle a man before their eyes, and not a man onely, but a king, so great in fortune and so renouned in desert?) but forsomuch as his vnmatched constancie did more and more make their inhumane cruelty ashamed: They afterward hanged him, because he had couragiously attempted by armes to deliuer himselfe out of so long captiui∣ty and miserable subiection; where he end ed his wretched life, worthy an high minded and neuer danted Prince. At another time, in one same fire, they caused to be burned all aliue foure hundred common men, and three score principall Lordes of a prouince, whom by the fortune of warre they had taken prisoners. These narrations we have out of their owne bookes: for they doe not onely auouche, but vauntingly publish them. May it be, they doe it for a testimony of their iustice or zeale toward their religion? verily they are wayes ouer∣different and enemies to so sacred an ende. Had they proposed vnto themselues to enlarge and propagate our religion, they would haue considered, that it is not amplified by possessi∣on of landes, but of men: and would have beene satisfied with such slaughters, as the ne∣cessity of warre bringeth, without indifferently adding therevnto so bloody a butchery, as vpon savage beastes; and so vniversall as fire or sword could ever attaine vnto; having pur∣posely preserued no more then so many miserable bond slaues, as they deemed might suffice for the digging, working and seruice of their mines: So that diuers of their chieftaines have beene executed to death, even in the places they had conquered, by the appointment of the Kings of Castile, iustly offended at the seld-seene horror of their barbarous demeanours, and well nigh all disesteemed, contemned and hated. God hath meritoriously permitted, that many of their great pillages, and ill gotten goods, have eyther beene swallowed vp by the revenging Seas in transporting them, or consumed by the intestine warres and ciuill broyles, wherewith themselues have devoured one another; and the greatest part of them have beene ouer-whelmed and buryed in the bowels of the earth, in the very places they found them, without any fruite of their victory. Touching the obiection which some make, that the receipte, namely in the handes of so thrifty, wary and wise a Prince, doth so little answer the fore-conceaved hope, which was given vnto his predecessors and the said former aboundance of riches, they mette withall at the first discovery of this new-found world, (for although they bring home great quantitye of gold and siluer, we perceiue the same to be nothing, in respect of what might bee expected thence) it may bee answered, that the vse of mony was there altogether vnknowne; and consequently, that all their golde was gathered together, seruing to no other purpose, then for shew, state and ornament, as a mooveable reserued from father to sonne by many puissant Kings, who exhausted all their mines; to collect so huge a heape of vessels and statues for the ornament of their Temples, and embellishing of their Pallaces: whereas all our golde employed in commerce and trafficke betweene man and man. Wee mince and alter it into a thousand formes: wee spend, wee scatter and disperce the same to severall vses. Suppose our Kings should thus gather and heape vp all the golde they might for many ages hoarde vp together, and keepe it close and vn∣touch't. Those of the kingdome of Mexico were somewhat more encivilized, and bet∣ter artistes, then other nations of that worlde. And as wee doe, so judged they, that this Vniuers was neare his end: and tooke the desolation wee brought amongst them as an infallible signe of it. They beleeued the state of the worlde, to bee divided into fiue ages, and in the life of fiue succeeding Sunnes, whereof foure had already ended their course or time; and the same which now shined vpon them, was the fifth and last. The first perished together with all other creatures, by an vniversall inundation of waters. The

second by the fall of the heavens vpon vs which stifled and ouerwhelmed euery living thing: in which age they affirme the Giants to haue beene, and shewed the Spaniards certaine bones of them, according to whose proportion the stature of men came to bee of the height of twenty handfuls. The third, was consumed by a violent fire, which burned and destroy∣ed all. The fourth by a whirling emotion of the ayre and windes, which with the violent fury of it selfe, remooued and ouerthrew diuers high mountaines: saying, that men dyed not of it, but were transformed into Munkeis. (Oh what impressions doth not the weakenesse of mans beliefe admit?) After the consummation of this fourth Sunne, the world continued fiue and twenty yeares in perpetuall darkenesse: in the fifteenth of which one man and one wo∣man were created, who renewed the race of man-kinde. Ten yeares after, vpon a certaine day, the Sunne appeared as newly created: from which day beginneth euer since the calcu∣lation of their yeares. On the third day of whose creation, died their ancient Gods, their new ones haue day by day beene borne since. In what manner this last Sunne shall perish, my aucthor could not learne of them. But their number of this fourth change, doth iumpe and meete with that great coniunction of the Starres, which eight hundred and odde yeares since, according to the Astrologians supposition, produced diuers great alterations and strange novelties in the world. Concerning the proud pompe and glorious magnificence, by occasion of which I am fallen into this discourse, nor Greece, nor Rome, nor Aegipt, can (bee it in profit, or difficultie or nobility) equall or compare sundrie and diuers of their wor∣kes. The cawcy or high-way which is yet to bee seene in Peru, errected by the Kings of that countrie, stretching from the citty of Quito, vnto that of Cusco (containing three hundred leagues in length) straight, euen, and fine, and twentie paces in breadth, curiously paved, raysed on both sides with goodly, high masonrie-walles, all along which, on the inner side there are two continuall running streames, pleasantly beset with beautious trees, which they call Moly. In framing of which, where they mette any mountaines or rockes, they haue cut, raised and leuelled them, and filled all hollow places with lime and stone. At the ende of euery dayes journey, as stations, there are built stately great pallaces, plentiously stored with all manner of good victuals, apparrell and armes, as well for daylie way-fairing men, as for such armies that might happen to passe that way. In the estimation of which worke I haue especially considered the difficulty, which in that place is particvlarly to bee remem∣bred. For they built with no stones that were lesse then ten foote square: They had no o∣ther meanes to cary or transport them, then by meere strength of armes to draw and dragge the carriage they needed: they had not so much as the arte to make scaffolds; nor knew o∣ther deuise, then to raise so much earth or rubish, against their building, according as the worke riseth, and afterwarde to take it a way againe. But returne we to our coaches. In steade of them, and of all other carrying beastes they caused themselues to be carryed by men, and vpon their shoulders. This last King of Peru, the same day hee was taken, was thus carried vpon rafters or beames of massiue Golde, sitting in a faire chaire of state, likewise all of golde, in the middle of his battaile. Looke how may of his porters as were slaine, to make him fall (for all their endeuour was to take him aliue) so many others, and as it were auye, tooke and vnder-went presently the place of the dead: so that he could never be brought down or made to fall, what slaughter so ever was made of those kinde of people, vntill such time as a horseman furiously ranne to take him by some parte of his body, and so pulled him to the ground.

The seuenth Chapter.

Of the incommoditie of greatnesse.

SInce we cannot attaine vnto it, let vs revenge our selues with railing against it: yet is is not absolute railing, to finde faulte with any thing: There are defects found in all

things, how faire soever in show, and desirable they be. It hath generally this evident aduan∣tage, that when ever it pleaseth it will decline, and hath well-nigh the choise of one and other condition. For a man doth not fall from all heights; divers there are, whence a man may descend without falling. Verily, mee seemeth, that we value it at too high a rate: and prize over-deare the resolution of those, whom we have either seene or heard, to have con∣temned, or of their owne motion rejected the same. Hir essence is not so evidently commo∣dious, but a man may refuse it without wonder. Indeed I finde the labour very hard in suffe∣ring of evils; but in the contentment of a meane measure of fortune, and shunning of great∣nesse, therein I see no great difficulty. In my conceit, it is a vertue, wherevnto my selfe, who am but a simple n••nny, might easily attaine, and without great contention. What shall they doe, who would also bring into consideration, the glory, which accompanieth this refusall, wherein may fall more ambition, then even in the desire and absolute enioying of greatnesse? For somuch as ambition is never better directed according to it selfe, then by a straying and vnfre∣quented path. I sharpen my courage toward patience, and weaken the same against desire. I have as much to wish for as another, and leave my wishes as much liberty and indiscretion: but yet, it never came into my minde, to wish for Empire, for royalty or eminency of high and commanding fortunes. I aime not that way: I love my selfe too well. When I thinke to grow, it is but meanely; with a forced and coward aduancement; fit for me: yea in resolu∣tion, in wisedome, in health, in beauty and also in riches. But this credite, this aspiring re∣putation, this overswaying authority, suppresseth my imagination. And cleane opposite to some other, I should peradventure loue my selfe better, to be the second or third man in Pe∣rigot, then the first in Paris: At least, without faining, I had rather be the third man in Paris, then the first in charge. I will neither contend with an Vsher of a doore, as a silly vnknowen man; nor with gaping and adoration make a Lane through the throng as I passe. I am enu∣red to a meane calling; mediocrity best fitteth me, as well by my fortune, as by mine owne humor. And have shewed by the conduct of my life and course of my enterprises, that I have rather sought to avoid, then otherwise to embrace beyond the degree of fortune that at my birth it pleased God to call me vnto. Each naturall constitution, is equally iust and easie. My minde is so dull and slowe, that I measure not good fortune according to her height, but ra∣ther according to her facility. And if my hart be not great enough, it is ratably free and o∣pen, and who biddeth me, bouldly to publish my weaknesse. Should any will me, on the one part, to conferre and consider the life of L. Thorius Balbus, a worthy gallant man, wise, faire, goodly, healthie, of good vnderstanding, richly-plentious in all maner of commodities and pleasures, leading a quiet easefull life, altogether his owne, with a minde armed, and well pre∣pared against death, superstition, griefes, cares and other encombrances of humane neces∣sity; dying in his olde age, in an honourable battell, with his weapons in his hand, for the defence of his country; and on the other side the life of M. Rugulus, so high and great, as all men know, together with his admirable and glorious ende: the one vnmentioned and without dignity, the other exemplare and wonderfull renouned: truely I would say what Cicero saith of it, had I the gift of well-speaking as hee had. But if I were to sute them vnto mine, I would also say, that the former is asmuch agreeing to my quality, and to the de∣sire I endeuour to conforme my quality vnto, as the second is farre beyond it. That to this I cannot attaine but by veneration; and to the other I would willingly attaine by custome. But returne we to our temporall greatnesse, whence we have digressed. I am distasted of all mastry, both actiue and passiue. Otanes one of the seaven that by right might chalenge the crowne, or pretend the kingdome of Persia, resolved vpon such a resolution as I should easily have done the like: which was, that he vtterly renounced all maner of claime he might in any sort pretend vnto that crowne, to his fellow competitores, were it either by election or chance: alwaies provided that both himselfe and all his, might liue in that Empire, free from all subjections, and exempted from all maner of commandement, except that of the ancient lawes: and might both chalenge all liberty, and enioy all immunities, that should not pre∣iudice them: being as impacient to command, as to becommanded. The sharpest and most ai∣ficile profession of the world, is (in mine opinion) worthily to act and play the King. I excuse more of their faults, then commonly other men doe: and that in consideration of the downe-bea∣ring waight of their immense charge, which much astonisheth me: It is a very hard task to keep a aue measure, in so vnmeasurable a power. Yet is it, that euen with those, that are of a lesse excel∣lent

nature, it is a singular incitation to vertue, to be seated in such a place, where you shall doe no manner of good, that is not registred and recorded: And where the least well-dooing, extendeth to so many persons: And where your sufficiencie (as that of Preachers) is principal∣ly directed to the people; a weake and parciall iudge, easilie to be beguiled, and easie to bee pleased There are but few things, of which we may giue a sincere iudgement: for there bee very few, wherein in some sort or other, we are not particularly interessed. Superioritie and inferi∣oritie, maistrie and subiection, are joyntly tied vnto a naturall kinde of enuie and contestati∣on; they must perpetually enter-spoile one another. I beleeue neither the one nor the other, concerning hir companions rights: let vs suffer reason to speake of it, which is inflexible and impassible, when or how wee shall make an end. I was not long since reading of two Scottish bookes striuing vpon this subiect. The popular makes the King to bee of worse condition then a Carter: and hee that extolleth Monarchie, placeth him both in power and soueraign∣ty, many steps aboue the Gods. Now the incommoditie of greatnesse, which heere I have vndertaken to note and speake of, (vpon some occasion lately befalne mee) is this. There is peraduenture nothing more pleasing to the commerce of men, then the Essayes, which wee through iealousie of honour or valour, make one against another, bee it in the exercise of the body or of the minde: wherein soueraigne greatnesse, hath no true or essentiall part. Verily, it hath often seemed vnto mee, that through over much respect, Princes are therein vsed dis∣dainefully and treated iniurioushe: For, the thing whereat (in my youth) I was infinitely of∣fended, was, that those which were trained and schooled with mee, should for beare to doe it in good earnest, because they found mee vnworthy to bee withstood or to resist their ende∣uours. It is that wee dayly see to happen vnto them; euery man finding himselfe vnworthy to force himselfe against them. If one perceive them never so little affected to have the vi∣ctorie, there is none but will striue to yeelde it them, and that will not rather wrong his glory, then offend theirs: No man imployeth more diligence then needes hee must to serue their ho∣nour. What share haue Princes in the throng, where all are for them? Mee thinkes I see those Paladines of former ages, presenting themselues in ioustes, tiltings and combates, with bodies and armes enchanted. Brisson running against Alexander, counterfetted his course: Alexan∣der chid him for it: but hee should haue caused him to bee whipt. For this consideration, was Carneades wont to say, that Prince children learn't nothing aright but to mannage and ride horses; for somuch as in all other exercises, euery manyeeldeth, and giueth them the victory: but a horse who is neither a flatterer nor a Courtier, will as soone throw the childe of a king as the sonne of a base porter. Homer hath beene forced to consent that Venus (so sweete a saint and delicate a Goddesse) should be hurt at the siege of Troy, thereby to ascribe courage and hardinesse vn∣to her qualities neuer seene in those that are exempted from danger. The Gods themselues are fained to bee angry, to feare, to bee jealous, to greeue, to shew passion, and bee subiect to mortall sence, thereby to honour them with the vertues which Poets deuise and Philosophers inuent amongst vs: Nay, they are supposed to runne away▪ and to haue a feeling of all our im∣perfections. Who doth not participate both hazard and difficulties, cannot iustly pretend interest in the honour, or challenge share in the pleasure, that followeth dangerous actions or hazardous at∣temps. It is pitty a man should bee so powerfull, that all things must yeeld and giue place vn∣to him. Such as are in so high eminencie of greatnesse, their fortune reiects society and con∣uersation too farre from them; shee placeth them in over remote and vncouth places. This easefull life and plausible facilitie to bring all vnder, and subiect mens mindes, is an enemy to all manner of pleasure. It is a kinde of sliding▪ and not a going▪ It is to sleepe, and not to liue. Conceaue man accompanied with omnipotencie, you ouerwhelme him: hee must in beg∣ging manner craue some empeachment and resistance of you. His beeing and his good, is in want and indigence. Their good qualities are dead and lost: for, they are not heard but by comparison, and they are excluded: they haue little knowledge of true praise, beeing bea∣ten with so continuall and vniforme an approbation. Have they to doe with the simplest of their subiects? thy haue no meane to take aduantage of him, if hee but say; It is because hee is my King, hee supposeth to haue sufficiently expressed, and you must vnderstand, that in so saying, hee hath lent a helping hand to ouerthrow himselfe. This qualitie suppresseth and consumeth all other true and essentiall qualities: they are euen drowned in the Royaltie; which gives them no leave, to make the offices of their charge to preuaile, except in such a∣ctions as directly concerne and stead the same. To be a King, is a matter of that consequence,

that onely by it he is so. That strange glimmering and eye-dazeling light, which round about enuironeth, overcasteth and hideth him from vs: our weake sight is thereby bleared and dis∣sipated, as being filled and obscured by that greater and further-spredding brightnes. The Senate allotted the honor and prise of eloquence vnto Tiberius; he refused it, supposing that if it had beene true, he could not revenge himselfe of so limited and partiall iudgement. As we yeeld Princes all aduantages of honor, so we aucthorize their defects and sooth-vp their vices: not onely by approbation, but also by imitation. All Alexanders followers bare their heads sideling, as he did. And such as flattered Dionysius, in his owne presence did run and iu∣stle one another, and either stumbled at, or over-threw what euer stood before their feete, to inferre; that they were as short-sighted or spur-blinde, as hee was. Naturall imperfections haue sometimes serued for commendation and fauour. Nay I haue seene deafnesle affected. And because the maister hated his wife, Plutarch hath seen courtiers to sue a diuorce of theirs, whom they loued very well. And which is more paillardise and all maner of dissolution hath thereby beene held in credit; as also disloyaltie, blasphemy, cruelty, heresie, superstition, ir∣religion, wantonnesse and worse, if worse may be. Yea by an example more dangerous, then that of Mithridates his flatterers, who forsomuch as their maister pretended to haue skill in phisicke, and aspired to the honour of a good Physition, came to him to haue their members incized and cauterized. For, these others suffer to haue their soules cauterized; a much more precious and nobler part then the body. But to end where I began: Adrian the Emperor de∣bating with Fauorinus the Philosopher about the interpretation of some word; Fauorinus did soone yeeld the victory vnto him, his friends finding fault with him for it; you but jest, my maisters (quoth hee) would you not haue him to bee much wiser then I, who hath the abso∣lute command ouer thirty legions? Augustus writ some verses against Asinius Pollio, which Pollio hearing, he said, I will hould my peace; for, it is no wisedome to contend in writing with him, who may proscribe. And they had reason: For, Dionysius, because he could not equall Philoxenus in Poesie, nor match Plato in discourse, condemned the one to the stone-quaries, and sent the o∣ther to be sould as a slave in the Ile of Aegina.

The eight Chapter.

Of the Arte of conferring.

IT is a custome of our law, to condemne some, for the warning of others. To condemne them because they haue misdone, were folly, as saith Plato. For what is once done can ne∣uer be vndone: but they are condemned to the end that they should not offend againe, or that others may avoide the example of their offence. Hee who is hanged is not corrected, but others by him. Even so doe I. My errors are sometimes naturall, incorrigible and remedilesse. But whereas honest men profit the Common-wealth in causing themselues to be imitated. I shall happily benefit the same, in making my selfe to be evitated.

Nonne vides Albivt malè viuat filius, utque* 1.130 Barrus inops? magnum documentum, ne patriam rem Perdere quis velit.

Doe you not see, how that mans sonne lives badly, That man's a begger by his spending madly? A lesson great, that none take ioy: His patrimonie to destroy.

By publishing and accusing my imperfections, some man may peraduenture learne to feare them. The partes I most esteeme in my selfe, reape more honour by accusing, then by commending my selfe. And that's the cause I more often fall into them againe, and rest vpon them. But when all the cardes bee told, a man neuer speakes of himselfe, without losse. A mans own

condemnations are ever increased: praises ever decreased. There may be some of my complexi∣on, who am better instructed by contrariety then by similitude; and more by escaping then by following. Cato senior had a speciall regard to this kind of discipline, when he said, that wisemen have more to learne of fooles, then fooles of wisemen. And that ancient player on the Ly∣ra, whom Pausantas reporteth, to haue beene accustomed to compell his schollers sometimes to goe heare a bad Player, who dwelt right over-against him; where they might learne to hate his discordes and false measures. The horror of cruelty drawes me neerer vnto clemen∣cy, then any patterne of clemencie can possibly win mee. A cunning rider or skilfull horse∣man doth not so properly teach mee, to sit well on horse-backe, as doth one of our Law∣yers, or a Venetian by seeing him ride. And an ill manner of speech doth better reforme mine, then any well-polished forme of speaking. The sottish countenance of another, doth dayly advertise and forewarne me. That which pricketh, toucheth and rouzeth better, then that which delighteth. These times are fit to reforme vs backward, more by dissenting, then by consenting; more by difference then by accord. Being but little instructed by good exam∣ples, I make vse of bad: the lesson of which is ordinary. I haue endeuoured, nay I have la∣boured to yeeld my selfe as pleasing and affable, as I saw others peevish and froward: as con∣stant, as I saw others variable; as gentle and milde, as I perceived others intractable and wild: and as good and honest, as I discerned others wicked and dishonest. But I proposed certaine invincible measures vnto my selfe. The most fruitful and natural exercise of our spirit, is, in my selfe-plea••ing conceit, conference. The vse whereof, I finde to bee more delightsome, then any other action of our life: And that's the reason, why, if I were now forced to choose, (be∣ing in the minde I now am in) I would rather yeeld to loose my sight, then fogoe my hearing or my speech. The Athenians and also the Romans, did ever hold this exercise in high honor and reputation, namely in their Academies. And at this day, the Italians doe yet keepe a kinde of forme and trace of it, to their great profit, as may apparantly bee discerned by com∣paring their wits vnto ours. The study and plodding on bookes, is a languishing and weake kinde of motion, and which heateth or earnesteth nothing; whereas conference doth both learne, teach and exercise at once. If I confer••e with a stubborne wit, and encounter a sturdy wrestler, he toucheth me to the quicke, hits me on the flanks, and pricks me both on the left and right side: his imaginations vanquish and confound mine. Ielousie, glory and contention, driue, cast and raise me aboue my selfe. And an vnison or consent, is a qualitie altogether te∣dious and wearisome in conference. But as our minde is fortified by the communication of regular and vigorous spirits; it cannot well be expressed, how much it looseth and is bastar∣dized, by the continuall commerce and frequentation, we have with base, weake and dull spi∣rits. No contagion spreds it selfe further then that. I know by long experience what an ell of it is worth. I love to contest and discourse, but not with many, and only for my selfe. For, to serue as a spectacle vnto great men, and by way of contention▪ for one to make a glorious shew of his ready wit and running tongue; I deeme it a profession farre vnfitting a man of honor. Sottishnes is an ill quality, but not to be able to endure it, and to fret and vex at it, as it hapneth to me, is another kinde of imperfection, which in opportunity is not much behinde sottishnes: and that's it I will now accuse in my selfe: I doe with great liberty and facilitie, enter into conference and disputation: forsomuch as opinion findes but a hard soile to enter and take any deepe roote in me. No propositions amaze me, no conceit woundeth me, what contrarietie soever they have to mine. There is no fantazie so frivolous or humour so extra∣vagant, that in mine opinion is not sortable to the production, of humane wit. We others, who debarre our judgement of the right to make conclusions, regard but negligently the diuerse opinions: and if wee lend it not our judgement, wee easily affoord it our eares. Where one scale of the ballance is altogether empty. I let the other waver too and fro, vnder an old wiues dreames. And me seemeth, I may well be excused, if I rather accept an odde number, then an even: Thursday in respect of Friday, if I had rather make a twelfth or fourteenth at a table, then a thirteenth: if when I am trauelling I would rather see a Hare coasting, then crossing my way: and rather reach my left, then my right foote, to be shod. All such fond conceits, now in credit about vs, deserue at feast to be listned vnto. As for me, they only beare away inani∣ty, and surely they do so. Vulgar and casuall opinions are yet of some waight, which in nature are somthing els then nothing. And who wadeth not so far into them, to auoide the vice of superstition, falleth happily into the blame of wilfulnesse. The contradictions then of judge∣ments,

doe neither offend nor moove, but awaken and exercise me. Wee commonly shunne correction whereas we should rather seeke and present our selves vnto it, chiefly when it com∣meth by the way of conference, and not of regency. At every opposition, wee consider not whether it be iust; but be it right or wrong, how we may avoide it: In steede of reaching our armes, we stretch forth our clawes vnto it. I should endure to be rudely handled and check∣ed by my friends, though they should call me foole, coxcombe or say I raved. I love a man that doth stoutly expresse himselfe, amongst honest and worthy men and whose wordes an∣swer his thoughts. We should fortifie and harden our hearing, against the tendernesse of the cerimonious sound of wordes. I love a friendly society and a virile and constant familiarity: An amitie, which in the earnestnesse and vigor of it's commerce, flattereth it selfe: as love in bitings and bloody scratchings. It is not sufficiently generous or vigorous, except it bee con∣tentious and quarelous: If she be civilised and a skilfull artiste: if it feare a shocke or free en∣counter, and have hir starting hoales or forced by-wayes. Neque enim disputari sine repreher∣sione potest. Disputation cannot be held without reprehension. When I am impugned or contra∣ried, then is mine attention and not mine anger, stirred vp; I advance my selfe toward him, that doth gainesay and instruct me. The cause of truth, ought to be the common cause, both to one and other: What can he answer? The passion of choller hath already wounded his iudge∣ment: trouble, before reason hath seazed vpon it. It were both profitable and necessary, that the determining of our disputations, might be decided by way of wagers; and that there were a materiall marke of our losses: that we might better remember and make more accoumpt of it: and that my boy might say vnto me: Sir, if you call to minde; your contestation, your ignorance and your selfe-wilfulnesse, at severall times, cost you a hundred crownes the last yeare: I feast, I cherrish and I embrace truth, where and in whom soever I finde it, and wil∣lingly and merily yeeld my selfe vnto hir; as soone as I see but hir approach, though it bee a farre-off, I lay downe my weapons and yeeld my selfe vanquished. And alwayes provided, one persist not or proceede therein, with an over imperious stiffnesse or commanding surli∣nesse; I am well pleased to be reprooved. And I often accomodate my selfe vnto my accu∣sers, more by reason of civilitie, then by occasion of amendment: loving by the facilitie of yeelding, to gratifie and foster their liberty, to teach or advertise mee. It is notwithstanding no easie matter to draw men of my times vnto it. They have not the courage to correct, be∣cause they want the hart to endure correction: And ever speake with dissimulation in pre∣sence one of another. I take so great a pleasure to bee judged and knowne, that it is indiffe∣rent to me, in whether of the two formes I be so. Mine owne imagination doth so often con∣tradict and condemne it selfe, that if another doe it, all is one vnto me; especially seeing, I give his reprehension no other aucthoritie then I list. But I shall breake a straw or fall at ods with him, that keepes himselfe so alost; as I know some, that will fret and chafe if their opi∣nions be not believed, and who take it as an iniury, yea and fall out with their best friends, if they will not follow it. And that Socrates ever smiling, made a collection of such contradicti∣ons as were opposed to his discourse, one might say, his force was cause of it; and that the advantage being assuredly to fall on his side, he tooke them as a subject of a new victory. Ne∣verthelesse we see on the contrary, that nothing doth so nicely yeeld our sence vnto it as the opinion of preheminence and disdaine of the adversary. And that by reason, it rather befits the weakest to accept of oppositions in good part, which restore and repaire him. Ve∣rily I seeke more the conversation of such as curbe me, then of those that feare me. It is an vn∣savory and hurtfull pleasure, to have to doe with men, who admire and give vs place. Anti∣sthenes commanded his children, never to bee boholding vnto, or thanke any that should command them. I feele my selfe more lustie and cranke for the victory I gaine over my selfe, when in the heate or fury of the combate, I perceive to bend and fall vnder the power of my adversaries reason, then I am pleased with the victory, I obtaine of him by his weakenesse. To conclude, I receave all blowes and allow all attaints given directly, how weake soever: but am very impacient at such as are strucken at randan and without order, I care but little for the matter, and with me opinions are all one, and the victory of the subject in a manner in different. I shall quietly contest a whole day, if the conduct of the controvesie be follow∣ed with order and decorum. It is not force nor subtiltie, that I so much require, as forme and order. The forme and order, dayly seene in the altercations of Shepheards, or contentions

of shop-prentise-boyes; but never amongst vs; If they part or give one another over, it is with incivility: and so doe we. But their wrangling, their brawling and impacience, cannot make them to forgoe or forget their theame.

Their discourse holdes on his course. If they prevent one another, if they stay not for, at least they vnderstand one another. A man doth ever answere sufficiently well for mee, if hee answere what I say. But when the disputation is confounded and orderlesse, I quit the matter, and betake me to the forme, with spight and indiscretion: and embrace a kinde of debating, teasty, headlong, malicious and imperious, whereat I afterward blush. It is impossible to treate quietly and dispute orderly with a foole. My judgement is not onely cor∣rupted vnder the hand of so imperious a maister, but my conscience also. Our disputati∣ons ought to be forbidden and punished, as other verball crimes. What vice raise they not, and heape vp together, beeing ever swayed and commaunded by choller? First wee en∣ter into enmity with the reasons, and then with the men. Wee learne not to dispute, ex∣cept it be to contradict: and every man contradicting and being contradicted, it common∣ly followeth, that the fruit of disputing, is to loose and to disanull the trueth. So Plato in his common wealth, forbiddeth foolish, vnapt and base-minded spirits, to vndertake that exercise. To what purpose goe you about to quest or enquire that which is with him, who hath neither good pace nor proceeding of woorth? No man wrongs the subject, when he quits the same, for want of meanes to treat or mannage it. I meane not a schola∣sticall and artist meane, but intend a naturall meane, and of a sound vnderstanding. What will the end bee? one goeth Eastward, and another Westward: They loose the principall, and stray it in the throng of incidents. At the end of an houres wrangling, they wot not what they seeke for: one is high, another low, and another wide. Some take holde of a word, some of a similitude. Some forget what was obiected against them, so much are they engaged in the pursuite and thinke to follow themselues, and not you. Some finding them∣selues weake-backt, feare all, refuse all, and at the very entrance mingle the subiect and confound the purpose: or in the heate of the disputation, mutine to holde their peace al∣together: through a spightfull ignorance, affecting a proud kinde of contempt, or a foo∣lish modesty auoydiug of contention. Prouided that one strike and hit, hee careth not how open hee lie. Another compteth his wordes, and wayeth them for reasons; Another em∣ployeth no thing but the aduantage of his voyce and winde. Here one concludeth against himselfe; here another wearieth you with idle prefaces, and friuolous digressions. Another armeth himselfe afore hand with iniuries, and seekes after a Dutch quarrell, to rid himselfe of the society, and shake off the conference of a spirite, that presseth and ouer beareth his. This last hath no insight at all in reason, but still beleagreth you with the dialecticall or lo∣gicall close of his clavs••, and ties you to the rule of his arte or forme of his skill. Now who doth not enter into distrust of sciences, and is not in doubt, whether in any necessity of life hee may reape solid fruite of them; if hee consider the vse wee haue of them? Ni∣hil sanantibus literis. Since learning doth not cure. Who hath learnt any wit or vnderstanding in Logique? Where are her faire promises? Nec admelius vi••endum nec, ad commodius disserendum. Nether to liue better or to dispute fitter. Shall a man heare more brabling or confusion in the tittle-tatle of fish wi••es or scoulding sluts, then in the publike disputations of men of this profession? I had rather my childe should learne to speake in a Taverne, then in the schooles of well-speaking Arte. Take you a maister of artes, and conferre with him, why doth hee not make vs perceive his artificiall exceliencie, and by the admiration of his rea∣sons-constancie, or with the beauty of his quaint order, and grace of his method, ravish silly women, and bleare ignorant men as wee are? Why doth hee not sway, winde, and perswade vs as he list? Why should one so advantageous in matter and conduct, enter∣mixe injuries, indiscretion and chollericke rage with his fence? Let him pull-of his two∣faced hoode, his gowne and his latine, let him not fill our eares with meerely beleeved Aristotle, you will discover and take him for one of vs, and worse if worse my bee. Mee thinkes this implication and entangling of speech, wherewith they doe so much importune vs, may fitly bee compared vnto juglers play of fast and loose: their nimblenesse combates and forceth our sences, but it nothing shaketh our beliefe: Take away their jugling, what they doe is but base, common and slight. Though they bee more wittie and nimble spiri∣ted, they are not the lesse foolish, simple and vnapt. I love wit, and honour wisedome, as

much as them that have it. And being rightly vsed, it is the noblest, the most forcible, yea and richest purchase men can make. But in such (of which kinde the number is infinite) that vpon it establish their fundamentall sufficiency and worth: that from their wit refer them∣selves to their memory, sub aliena vmbra latentes: reposing them vnder another mans protection; and can do nothing but by the booke (if I may be bold to say so) I hate the same, a little more then sottishnes. In my country, and in my daies, learning and bookishnes, doth much mend purses, but minds nothing at all. If it chance to finde them empty light and dry, it filleth, it over-burthens and swelleth them: a raw and indigested masse: if thinne, it doth easily purifie, clarifie, exte∣nuate and subtilize them, even vnto exinanition or evacuation. It is a thing of aquality ve∣ry neare indifferent: a most profitable accessory or ornament vnto a well borne minde, but pernicious and hurtfully domagable vnto any other. Or rather a thing of most precious vse, that wil not basely be gotten, nor vilie possessed. In some hands a royal scepter, in other some a rude mattocke. But let vs proceed. What greater or more glorious victory can you expect, then teach your enemy, that he cannot withstand you? When you gaine the advantage of your propo∣sition, it is Truth that winneth: when you get the advantage of the order and conduct, it is you that winne. I am of opinion, that both in Plato and in Xenophon, Socrates disputeth more in favour of the disputers, then in grace of the disputation: and more to instruct Euthydemus and Protagoras with the knowledge of their impertinency, then with the impertinency of their arte. He takes hold of the first matter, as he who hath a more profitable end, then to cleare it; that is, to cleare the spirits he vndertaketh to manage and to exercise. Agitation, stirring and hunting is properly belonging to our subject or drift; we are not excusable to conduct the same ill and impertinently, but to misse the game, and faile in taking, that's a∣nother matter. For wee are borne to quest and seeke after trueth; to possesse it belongs to a greater power. It is not (as Democritus said) hidden in the deepes of abisse: but rather eleva∣ted in infinite height of diuine knowledge. The world is but a Schoole of inquisition. The matter is not who shall put in, but who shall runne the fairest courses. As well may hee play the foole that speaketh truely, as hee that speaketh falsely: for wee are vpon the man∣ner, and not vppon the matter of speaking. My humour is, to haue as great aregarde to the forme, as to the substance; as much respect to the Aduocate, as to the cause; as Alcibiades appointed wee should doe. And I day lie ammuse my selfe to reade in authors, without care of their learning: therein seeking their manner, not their subiect. Euen as I pursue the communication of some famous wit, not that hee should teach mee, but that I may know him; and knowing him (if he deserue it) I may imitate him. Every one may speake truely, but to speake orderly, methodically, wisely and sufficiently, few can doe it. So falsehood proceeding of ignorance doth not offend mee; ineptnesse and trifling doth. I haue broken-off diuers bargaines, that would haue beene very commodious vnto me, by the impertinencie of their contestation, with whome I did bargaine. I am not mooued once a yeare, with the faults or ouersights of those, over whom I have power: but touching the point of the sottishinesse and foolishnesse of their allegations, excuses, and defences, rude and brutish, wee are every day ready to goe by the eares. They neyther vnderstand what is said nor wherefore, and even so they answer; a thing able to make one dispaire. I feele not my head to shock hard but by being hit with another. And I rather enter into composition with my peoples vices, then with their rashnesse, importunity and foolishnesse. Let them doe lesse, prouided they be capable to doe. You liue in hope to enflame their will: But of a block there is nothing to bee hoped for, nor any thing of worth to bee enioyed. Now, what if I take things otherwise then they are? So it may bee: And therefore I accuse my impatience. And first I hould, that it is equally vicious in him, who is in the right, as in him, that is in the wrong: For, it is ever a kinde of tyrannicall sharpenesse, not to be able to endure a forme different from his: and verily, since there is not a greater fondnesse, a more constant gullish∣nesse, or more heteroclite insipidity then for one to move or vex himselfe at the fondnesse, at the gullishnesse, or insipidity of the world: For it principally formalizeth and moveth vs against our selves: and that Philosopher of former ages should never have wanted occasion to weepe, so long as he had considered himselfe. Miso, one of the seaven sages (a man of a Timonian disposition and Democraticall humour) being demanded, where-at hee laughed alone; he answered, because I laugh alone; How many follies doe I speake and answer every day, according to my selfe; and then how much more frequent according to others? And if

I bite mine owne lips at them, what ought others to doe? In fine, wee must live with the quicke, and let the water runne vnder the bridge, without any care, or at least without alteration to vs. In good sooth, why meet we sometimes with crooked, deformed, and in body mishapen men, without falling into rage and discontent, and cannot endure to light-vpon a froward, skit∣tish, and ill-ranged spirit, without falling into anger and vexation? This vicious austeritie is rather in the Iudge, then in the fault. Let vs ever have that saying of Plato in our mouthes: What I finde vnwholsome, is it not to be vnhealthy my selfe? Am not I in fault my selfe? May not mine owne advertisement be retorted against my selfe? Oh wise and divine restraint, that curbeth the most vniversall and common errour of men: Not only the reproches, we doe one to ano∣ther, but our reasons, our arguments and matters controversed, are ordinarily retortable vn∣to vs: and we pinch our selves vp in our owne armes. Whereof antiquitie hath left me divers grave examples. It was ingeniously spoken and fit to the purpose, by him that first devised the same.

Stercus cuique suum bene olet.* 1.131 Ev'ry mans ordure well, To his owne sense doth smell.

Our eies see nothing backward. A hundred times a day we mocke our selves, vpon our neighbours subject, and detest some defects in others, that are much more apparant in vs; yea and admire them with a strange impudencie and vnheedinesse. Even yesterday, I chan∣ced to see a man of reasonable vnderstanding, who no lesse pleasantly then iustly flouted at anothers fond fashion, and yet vpon every silly occasion doth nothing but molest all men with the impertinent bedrowle and register of his pedigrees, genealogies and alliances, more then halfe false and wrested in; (for it is the maner of such people, commonly to vndertake such foolish discourses, whose qualities are more doubtfull and lesse sure) who if he had im∣partially considered and looked vpon himselfe, should doubtlesse have found himselfe no lesse intemperate, indiscreet, and tedious, in publishing and extolling the prerogative of his wives pedigree and descent. Oh importunate presumption, wherewith the wife seeth her selfe armed by the hands of her owne husband. If he vnderstand Latine, a man should say to him,

Age si h••c non insanit satis sua sponte, instiga.* 1.132 Goe too, if of her owne accord before, She were not mad enough, provoke her more.

I say not, that none should accuse, except hee bee spotlesse in himselfe: For then none might ac∣cuse: no not spotlesse in the same kinde of fault. But my meaning is, that our iudgement charging and blaming another, of whom there is then question, spareth vs nothing, of an inward and severe iurisdiction. It is an office of charitie, that he who cannot remove a vice from himselfe, should neverthelesse endevour to remove it from others, where it may have a lesse hurtfull and froward seed. Nor doe I deeme it a fit answer, for him that warneth me of my fault, to say, the same is likewise in him. But what of that? Well meaning warning is alwaies true and profita∣ble. Had we a good and sound nose, our owne ordure should be more vnsavory vnto our∣selves, forasmuch as it is our owne. And Socrates is of opinion, that he, who should find him∣selfe, and his son, and a stranger guilty of any violence or iniurie, ought first begin by him∣selfe, and present himselfe to the sentence and condemnation of the law, and for his owne discharge and acquital implore the assistance of the executioners hand: secondly for his son, and lastly for the stranger. If this precept take his tune somewhat too high: it should at least be first presented to the punishment of ones owne conscience. Our senses are our proper and first iudges, who distinguish not things, but by externall accidents; and no marvell, if in all parts of the service belonging to our societie, there is so perpetuall and vniversall com∣mixture of ceremonies and superficiall apparances: so that the best and most effectuall part of policies, consists in that. It is man with whom we have alwaies to doe, whose condition is marvellously corporall. Let those, who in these latter daies haue so earnestly laboured, to frame and establish vnto vs, an exercise of religion and service of God, so contempla∣tive and immateriall, wonder nothing at all, if some be found, who thinke, it would have escaped and mouldred away betweene their fingers, if it had not held and continued amongst vs, as a marke, a title and instrument of division and faction, more then by it selfe. As in conference: The gravitie, the gowne and the fortune of him that speak∣eth, doth often adde and winne credit vnto vaine, trifling and absurd discourses. It is not to be presumed, that one of these gowne▪Clarkes or quoifed Serjants, so followed,

and so redoubted, have not some sufficiencie within him, more then popular: and that a man so sullen so grim aud so disdainfull, to whom so many commissions, charges and aucthorities are given▪ be not more sufficient and worthy, then another, who saluteth and vaileth to him so farre-off, and whom no man employeth. Not onely the wordes, but the powtings of such people, are considered and registred, every one applying himselfe to give them some nota∣ble and solide interpretation. If they sloope to common conference, and that a man affoord or shew them other then reverence and approbation, they ouerthrow you with the au∣thoritie of their experience: they haue read, they haue heard, seene and done goodly things, you are cleane ouerwhelmed with examples. I would faine tell them, that the fruit of a Chirurgions experience, is not the storie of his practises, or the remembrance that hee hath cured foure who had the plague, and healed as many that had the Goute, except he know and haue the wit, from his vse and experience, to draw a methode how to frame his judgements and by his skill and practise make vs perceaue, hee is become wiser in his arte. As in a consort of instruments, one heares not seuerally a Lute, a Vyol, a Flute, or a paire of Virginalles, but a perfect-full harmonie: the assemblie and fruit of all those instruments in one. If their travels and charges have amended them, it is in the production of their vnderstanding to make it appeare. It sufficeth not to number the expe∣riments; they ought to be well poised and orderly sorted: and to extract the reasons and conclusions they containe, they should bee well disgested and thorowly distilled. There were never so many Historians. It is ever good and profitable to heare them: for out of the magazin of their memorie, they store vs with diuers good instructions and commen∣dable documents. Verily a chiefe part, for the assistance and directing of our life. But now a daies wee seeke not after that, but raher whether the Collectors and reporters of them be praise woorthy themselues. I hate all maner of tyrannie, both verball and effectu∣all. I willingly bandie and oppose my selfe against these vaine and friuolous circumstances, which by the sences delude our judgement; and holding my selfe aloofe of from these extra∣ordinarie greatnesses, haue found, that for the most part, they are but men as others be:

Rarus enim fermè sensus communis in illa Fortuna.* 1.133 For common sense is seldome found In fortunes that so much abound.

They are peraduenture esteemed and discerned lesse then they bee, forsomuch as they vn∣dertake more, and so shew themselues; they answer not the charge they haue taken. There must necessarily be more vigour and strength in the bearer, then in the burden. Hee who is not growne to his full strength, leaves you to ghesse, whether hee haue any left him beyond that, or have beene tried to the vtmost of his power. Hee who sainteth vnder his bur∣den, bewraieth his measure and the weakenesse of his shoulders. Thats the reason, why amongst the wiser sort, there are so many foolish and vnapt mindes seene, and more then of others. They might happily have beene made good husbandmen, thriving merchants, and plodding artificers. Their naturall vigour was cut out to this proportion. Learning is a matter of great consequence: they faint vnder it. To enstall and distribute, so rich and so powerfull a matter, and availefully to employ the same, their wit hath neither suffi∣cient vigour, nor conduct enough to manage it. It hath no preuailing vertue but in a strong nature; and they are very rare: and such as are but weake (saith Socrates) corrupt and spoilingly deface the dignitie of Philosophie, in handling the same. Shee seemeth faultie and vnprofitable, being ill placed and vnorderly disposed. Loe how they spoile and entangle themselves.

Humani qualis simulator simius oris, Quem puer arridens, pretioso stamine serum* 1.134 Ʋelavit, nudas{que} nates ac terga reliquit, Ludibrium mensis. Such counterfets as Apes are of mans face, Whom children sporting at, featly incase

In coastly coates, but leave his backeside bare For men to laugh at, when they feasting are.

To those likewise, who sway and command vs, and have the world in their owne hands, t'is not sufficient to have a common vnderstanding, and to be able to doe, what wee can effect. They are farre beneath vs, if they be not much above vs. As they promise more, so owe they more. And therefore silence is in them, not onely a countenance of respect and grauitie, but often of thrift and profit: Megabysus going to visite Apelles in his worke-house, stood still a good while without speaking one word, and then began to discourse of his workes. Of whom he received this rude and nipping checke: So long as thou heldest thy peace, by reason of thy ga∣rish clothes, goodly chaines and stately pompe, thou seemedst to be some worthy gallant: but now thou hast spoken, there is not the simplest boy of my shop, but scorneth and contemns thee. That great state of his, those rich habilliments, and goodly traine, did not permit him to bee ignorant with a popular ignorance and to speake impertinently of painting. He should have kept mute, and concealed his externall and presuming sufficiency. Vnto how many fond and shallow minds, hath in my dayes, a sullen, cold and silent countenance, served as a title of wisedome and ca∣pacity? Dignities, charges and places, are necessarily given, more by fortune then by merit: and they are often to blame, that for it lay the blame on Kings. Contrariwise it is a wonder, that being so vntoward, they should therein have so good lucke: Principis est virtus maxima, nosse suos. Chiefe vertue it is knowne, In Kings to know their owne. For Nature hath not given them so perfect a sight, that it might extend it selfe and overlooke so many people, to discerne their pre-excellency; and enter their breasts, where lodgeth the knowledge of our will and better worth. It is by coniectures, and as it were groping they must try vs: by our race, al∣liances, dependences, riches learning, and the peoples voice: all over-weake arguments. He that could devise a meane, how men might be iudged by law, chosen by reason, and advanced by desert, should establish a perfect forme of a Commonwealth. Yea but he hath brought that great businesse vnto a good passe. It is to say something: but not to say sufficiently. For, this sen∣tence is justly received, That counsels ought not to be iudged by the events. The Carthaginians were wont to punish the ill counsels of their Captaines, although corrected by some fortu∣nate successe. And the Roman people hath often refused triumphes too famous, succesfull and most profitable victories, forsomuch as the Generals conduct, answered not his good fortune. It is commonly perceived by the worldes actions, that fortune, to teach vs, how farre hir power extendeth vnto all things; and who taketh pleasure to abate our presumption, having not beene able to make silly men wise, she hath made them fortunate, in enuie of ver∣tue: And commonly gives hir selfe to favour executions, when as their complot and de∣vise is meerely hirs. Whence we dayly see, that the simplest amongst vs, compasse diverse great and important affaires, both publike and private. And as Sirannez the Persian Prince, answered those, who seemed to wonder how his negotiations succeeded so ill, his discourses being so wise: That he was only maister of his discourses, but fortune mistris of his affaires successe. These may answer the like; but with a contrary bias. Most things of the world are made by themselves.

Fata viam inveniunt. Fates finde and know, which way to goe.* 1.135

The issue doth often aucthorize a simple conduct. Our interposition is in a manner nothing els but an experience, and more commonly a consideration of vse and example, then of rea∣son. And as one amazed at the greatnesse of some businesse, I have somtimes vnderstood by those who had atchieved them, both their motives and addresses: wherein I have found but vulgar advises: and the most vulgar and vsed, are peradventure the surest and most commo∣dious for the practise, if not for the shew. And what if the plainest reasons are the best seated: the meanest, basest and most beaten, are best applied vnto affaires? To maintaine the auctho∣rity of our Kings-counsell, it is not requisite, that prophane persons should be partakers of it, and looke further into it, then from the first barre. To vphold it's reputation, it should be re∣verenced vpon credit, and at full. My consultation doth somewhat roughly hew the matter, and by it's first shew, lightly consider the same: the maine and chiefe point of the worke, I am wont to resigne to heaven.

Permitte diuis caetera, How all the rew shall goe,* 1.136 Giue leaue to Gods to know.

Good and bad fortune, are in my conceit two soveraigne powers T'is folly to thinke, that humane wisedome may act the full part of fortune. And vaine is his enterprise, that presu∣meth to embrace both causes and consequences, and lead the progresse of his fact by the hand. And aboue all, vainest in military deliberations. There was neuer more circumspecti∣on and militaty wisedome, then is sometimes seene amongst vs: May it bee that manfeareth to loose himselfe by the way, reseruing himselfe to the catastrophe of that play? I say moreo∣ver, that euen our wisedome and consultation for the most part followeth the conduct of hazard. My will and my discourse, is sometimes mooued by one ayre, and sometimes by an∣other: and there be many of these motions, that are governed without me. My reason hath dayly impulsions and casuall agitations:

Vertuntur species animorum, & pectoramotus* 1.137 Nunc alios, alios dum nubila ventis agebat. Concipiunt. The showes of mindes are chang'd, and brests conceaue At one time motions, which anon they leave, And others take againe, As windes drive clouds amaine.

Let but a man looke who are the mightiest in Citties and who thrive best in their businesse: he shall commonly find, they are the silliest and poorest in wit. It hath hapned to simple women, to weake children, and to mad men, to command great states, as well as the most sufficient Princes. And the gullish or shallow-pated (saith Thucidides) doe more ordinarily come vnto them, then the wisest and subtilest. We ascribe their good fortunes effects, vnto their prudence.

—vt quisque fortuna vtitur,* 1.138 Ita praecellit: at que exinde sapere illum omnes dicimus. As men their fortune vse, so they excell, And so we say, they are wise and doe well.

Wherefore I say well, that howsoeuer, events are but weake testimonies of our worth and ca∣pacitie. I was now vpon this point, that we need but looke vpon a man aduanced to dignity; had we but three dayes before knowne him to bee of little or no worth at all: an image of greatnesse, and an Idea of sufficiencie, doth insensibly glide and creepe into our opinions; and wee perswade our selues, that increasing in state and credit and followers, hee is also increa∣sed in merit. Wee iudge of him, not according to his worth; but after the manner of casting∣counters, according to the prerogatiue of his ranke. But let fortune turne hir wheele, let him againe decline and come downe amongst the vulgar multitude; euery one with admiration enquireth of the cause, and how he was raised so high. Good Lord, is that he? will some say. What? knew he no more? had he no other skill when hee was so aloft? Are Princes pleased with so little? Now in good sooth wee were in very good hands, will others say. It is a thing my selfe have often seene in my dayes. Yea the very maske of greatnesse, or habite of maie∣sty, represented in Tragedies, doth in some sort touch and beguile vs. The thing I adore in Kings, is the throng of their adoratores. All inclination and submission is due vnto them, ex∣cept the mindes. My reason is not framed to bend or stoope; my knees are. Melanthius being demanded, what he thought of Dionysius his tragedy, answered, I haue not seene it, so much was it over-clouded with language. So should those say, that judge of great mens discourses: I haue not vnderstood his discourse, so was it ouerdarkned with grauity, with greatnes and with maiesty. Antisthenes one day perswaded the Athenians, to command, that their asses should as well be employed about the manuring of grounds, as were their horses: who answered him, that the Asse was not borne for such seruice: that's all one (quoth he) there needs but your al∣lowance for it: for the most ignorant and incapable men you imploy about the directing of

your warres, leaue not to become out of hand most worthy, onely because you employ them. Wherevpon depends the custome of so many men, who canonize the king, whom they haue made amongst them, and are not contented to honour him, vnlesse they also adore him. Those of Mexico, after the cerimonies of his consecration are finished, dare no more looke him in the face: but as if by his royalty, they had deified him, they afterward deeme him to bee a God: amongst the oathes, they make him sweare to maintain their religion, to keepe their lawes, to desend their liberties, to be valiant, iust and debonaire; hee is also sworne to make the Sunne march in his accustomed light: in time of need to cause the cloudes showre downe their wa∣ters; to enforce riuers to runne in their right wonted chanels; and compell the earth to pro∣duce all necessary things for his people. I differ from this common fashion, and more distrust sufficiencie, when I see it accompanied with the greatnes of fortune, and applanded by popu∣lar commendation. We should heedfully marke, of what consequence it is, for a man to speake in due time, to choose fit opportunity, to breake or change his discourse with a magi∣strale authority: to defend himselfe from others oppositions, by a nod or moouing of the head, by a smile, a shrug or a silence, before an assembly, trembling with reuerence and re∣spect. A man of monstrous fortune, chancing to shoote his boult, and giue his opinion vpon a frivolous subiect, which but jestingly was tossed too and fro at his table, beganne ever thus; he cannot choose but be a lyer, or an ignorant asse, that will say otherwise then, &c. Follow this Philosophicall point, out commeth a dagger, and there is some mischiefe. Loe here ano∣ther aduertisment; from whence I reape good vse; Which is, that in disputations and confe∣rences, all good seeming wordes, ought not presently to be allowed and accepted. Most men are rich of a strange sufficiency. Some may chance to speake a notable saying, to give a good answere, to vse a witty sentence, and to propound it, without knowing the force of it. That a man holdeth not all he borroweth, may peraduenture be verified in my selfe. A man should not alwayes yeeld, what truth or goodnes soever it seemeth to containe. A man must either combat the same in good earnest, or draw-backe, vnder colour of not vnderstanding the mat∣ter: to try on all parts, how it is placed in it's author. It may fortune, that we shut our selues vp, and further the stroake, beyond its bearing. I haue sometimes in necessity and throng of the combat, employed some reuiradoes or turnings, which beyond my intent, have prooved false offers. I but gave them by tale, and they were received by waight. Euen as when I con∣tend with a vigorous man; I please my selfe to anticipate his conclusions: I ease him the la∣bour to interpret himselfe, I endeuour to preuent his imperfect and yet budding imagination: the order and pertinencie of his vnderstanding for warneth and menaceth a farre off: of these others I doe cleane contrary; a man must vnderstand or presuppose nothing but by them. If they judge in generall termes: This is good; that's naught: and that they iump right; see whi∣ther it be fortune, that iumpeth for them. Let them a little circumscribe and restraine their sentence; wherefore it is, and which way it is. These vniuersall judgements, I see so ordina∣rily say nothing at all. They are men, that salute a whole multitude, in throng and troupe. Such as have true knowledge of the same, salute and marke it by name and particularly. But it is a hazardous enterprise. Whence I haue oftner and dayly seen, to happen that wits weak∣ly grounded, intending to shew themselues ingenious, by obseruing in the reading of some worke, the point of beaury: stay their admiration with so bad a choise, that in liew of teach∣ing vs the authors excellencie, they shew vs their owne ignorance. This manner of exclai∣mation is safe; Loe this is very excellent; Surely this is very good, hauing heard a whole page of Virgil. And that's the shift whereby the subtill saue themselues, But to vndertake to follow him by shrugs and crinches, and with an axpresse selected iudgement to goe about to marke which way a good author surmounteth himselfe; pondning his words, his phrases, his inuen∣tions, and his severall vertues one after another: Away; goe by; It is not for you. Videndum est non modo, quid quisque loquatur, sed etiam quid quis{que} sentiat, at que etiam qua de causa quis{que} sentiat. Man must take heed not onely what he speakes, but what he thinkes, and also why he thinkes. I day∣ly heate fooles vtter vnfoolish words. Speake they any good thing; let vs vnderstand whence they know it, how farre they vnderstand and whereby they hold it. We helpe them to employ this fine word, and this goodly reason, which they possesse not, and have but in keeping; they haue happily produced the same by chance and at randan, our selues bring it in credit and esteeme with them. You lend them your hand; what to doe? to konne you no thankes, and thereby become more simple, and more foolish. Doe not second them; let

them goe-on: they will handle this matter as men affraide to bewray themselues, they dare neither change her seate or light, nor enter into it. Shake it neuer so little, it escapeth them; quit the same how strong and goodly soeuer it bee. They are hand-some weapons, but ill hafted. How often haue I seene the experience of it? Now if you come to expound and con∣firme them, they take hold of you, and presently steale the aduantage of your interpretation from you. It was that which I was about to say: It was iust my conceite: if I have not so exprest it, it is but for want of speech. Handy-dandy, what is this? Malice it selfe must be employed to correct this fierce rudenesse. Hegesias his position, that a man must neither hate nor accuse, but instruct, hath some reason else where. But heere, it is iniustice to affist, and inhumanity to raise him vp againe, that hath nothing to doe with it, and is thereby of lesser worth. I love to have them entangle and bemire themselues more then they are and if it bee possible, to wade so deepe into the gulfe of error, that in the end they may recall and aduise themselues. Sottishnesse and distraction of the sences, is no disease curable by a tricke of aduertisment. And wee may fitly say of this reparation, as Cyrus answered one, who vrged him to exhort his army in the nicke when the battell should beginne; That men are not made warlike and couragious in the field, by an excellent oration; no more then one becommeth a ready cunning musition, by hearing a good song. They are prentisages that must bee learnt a forehand, by long and constant in∣stitution. This care wee owe to ours, and this assiduitie of correction and instruction: but to preach to him that first passeth by, or sway the ignorance or fondnesse of him wee meete next, is a custome I cannot well away with. I seldome vse it, even in such discourses as are made to mee; and I rather quit all, then come to these far-fetcht and magistrale instructions. My humour is no more proper to speake, then to write, namely for beginners. But in things commonly spoken, or amongst others, how fals and absurd soever I iudge them, I neuer crosse or gibe them, neither by word nor signe. Further, nothing doth more spight mee in sottish∣nesse then that it pleaseth it selfe more, then any reason may iustly be satisfied. It is ill lucke, that wisedome forbids you to please and trust your selfe, and sends you alwayes away discon∣tented and fearefull: whereas wilfulnes and rashnesse, fill their guests with gratulation and as∣surance. It is for the simplest and least able, to looke at other men ouer their shoulders, ever re∣turning from the combatful of glory and gladnes. And most often also, this outrecuidance of speech and cheerefulnesse of countenance, giueth them the victory ouer the by-standers, who are commonly weake, and incapable to iudge aright and discerne true aduantage. Ob∣stinacie and earnestnesse in opinion, is the surest tryall of folly and selfe conceite. Is there any thing so assured, so resolute, so disdainefull, so contemplatiue, so serious and so grave, as the Asse; May wee not commixe with the title of conference and communication, the sharpe and in∣terrupted discourses, which mirth and familiaritie introduceth amongst friends, pleasantly dallying and wittily iesting one with another? An exercise, to which my naturall blithenesse makes me very apt. And if it be not so wire-drawne and serious, as this other exercise I now speake of, yet is it no lesse sharpe or ingenious, no lesse profitable, as it seemed to Lycurgus. For my regard I bring more liberty then wit vnto it, and have there in more lucke then inuen∣tion: but I am perfect in sufferance; for I endure the revenge, not onely sharpe but also in∣discreete, without any alteration. And to any assault giuen me, if I have not presently or stout∣ly wherewith to worke mine own amends, I ammuse not my self to follow that ward or point, with a tedious and selfe-wil'd contestation, enclining to pertinacie: I let it passe, and hanging downe mine eares, remit my selfe to a better houre to right my selfe. He is not a marchant that ever gaineth. Most men change both voice and countenance, where might faileth them: And by an importunate rage, instead of avenging themselues, they accuse their weakenesse and therewith bewray their impacience. In this ••ollitie we now and then harpe vpon some secret strings of our imperfections; which setled or considerate we cannot tonch without offence: and wee profitably enter-aduertize our selues of our defects. There are other handy-sportes in discreete, fond and sharpe, iust after the French manner; which I hate mortally: I have a ten∣der and sensible skinne: I have in my dayes seene two Princes of our royall blood brought to their graues for it. It is an ill seeming thing for men, in iest to hitte, or in sport to strike on ano∣ther. In other matters, when I shall iudge of any body. I demaund of him, how farre or how much he is contented with himselfe how: how farre his speath or his worke pleaseth him. I will auoyde these goodly excuses, I did it but in iest:

Ablatum medijs opus est incudibus istud. This worke away was brought,* 1.139 Halfe hammered, halfe wrought.

I was not an houre there; I haue not seene him since. Now I say, let vs then leaue these partes, giue me one that may represent you whole and entire, by which it may please you to be mea∣sured by another. And then; what finde you fairest in your owne worke? is it that or this part? the grace or the matter, the inuention, the iudgement, or the learning? For I ordina∣rily perceiue, that a man misseth as much in iudging of his owne worke, as of anothers. Not onely by the affection, he therein imployeth; but because he hath not sufficiencie to know, nor skill to distinguish it. The worke of it's owne power and fortune, may second the worke-man, and transport him beyond his inuention and knowledge. As for me, I iudge not the worth of anothers worke more obscurely then of mine owne: and place my Essayes sometimes lowe, sometimes high, very vnconstantly and doubtfully. There are dyuers bookes profi∣table by reason of their subjects of which the author reapeth no commendations at all: And good bookes, as also good workes, which make the workeman ashamed. I shall write the manner of our bankets, aud the fashion of our garments; and I shall write it with an ill grace: I shall publish the Edicts of my time, and the letters of Princes that publikely passe from hand to hand: I shall make an abridgement of a good booke (and every abridgement of a good booke, is a foole abridged) which booke shall come to be lost; and such like things. Posterity shall reape singular profit by such compositions: but I, what honour, except by my good fortune? Many famous bookes are of this condition.

When I read Philip de Commines, (now dyuers yeares since) a right excellent author, I no∣ted this speach in him, as a saying not vulgar: That a man should carefully take heed▪ how he do his master so great or much seruice, that he thereby be hindred from finding his due recompence for it. I should haue commended the inuention, but not him. After that I found it in Tacitus: Be∣neficia* 1.140 eo vsque lata sunt, dum videntur exolui posse, vbi multum antevenere progratia odium red∣ditur. Benefites are so long wel-come, as wee thinke they may be requited, but when they much ex∣ceede all power of recompence, hate is return'd for thankes and good will. And Seneca very stoutely. Nam qui putat esse turpe non reddere, non vult esse cui reddat. For he that thinkes it a shame not to* 1.141 requite, could wish, he were not whom he should requite. Q. Cicero with a looser byas: Qui se non putat satisfacere, amicus esse nullo modo potest. He that thinkes he doth not satisfie, can by no meanes be a friend. The subiect according as it is, may make a man be iudged learned, wise and me∣morious: but to iudge in him the parts most his owne and best worthy, together with the force and beautie of his minde; t'is very requisite we know first what is his owne, and what not: and in what is not his owne, what we are beholding to him for, in consideration of his choise, disposition, ornament, and language he hath thereunto furnished. What if he have borrowed the matter and empaired the forme? as many times it commeth to passe. Wee others that have little practise with bookes, are troubled with this; that when wee meet with any rare or quaint inuention in a new Poet, or forcible argument in a Preacher, we dare not yet commend them, vntill we have taken instruction of some wise man, whether that part be their owne or another bodies. And vntill then I ever stand vpon mine owne guard. I come lately from reading ouer, (and that without any intermission) the story of Tacitus (a matter not vsuall with me; it is now twenty yeares, I never spent one whole houre together vpon a booke) and I have now done it, at the instant request of a gentleman, whom France holdeth in high esteeme; as well for his owne worth and valour, as for a constant forme of sufficien∣cie and goodnes, apparantly seene in divers brethren of his. I know no author, that in a pub∣like register entermixeth so many considerations of manners, and particular inclinations. And I deeme cleane contrary, to what hee thinketh: who being especially to follow the lives of the Emperours of his time, so divers and extreme in all manner of forme, so many notable and great actions, which, namely their crueltie produced in their subiects: he had a more powerfull and attractiue matter, to discourse and relate, then if hee had beene to speake or treat of battles and vniversall agitations. So that I often finde him barren, sleight∣lie running-over those glorious deaths, as if he feared to attediate and molest vs with their multitude and continuance. This forme of historie is much more profitable: Publike inno∣uations, depend more on the conduct of fortune: priuate on ours. It is rather a iudgement, then

a deduction of an history: therein are more precepts, then narrations: It is not a booke to reade, but a volume to study and to learne: It is so fraught with sentences, that right or wrong they are hudled vp: It is a seminary of mortall, and a magazine of pollitique discourses, for the prouision and ornament of those, that possesse some place in the managing of the world. He ever pleadeth with solide and forcible reasons; after a sharpe and witty fashion: follow∣ing affected and laboured stile of his age: They so much loved to raise and puffe themselues vp, that where they found neither sharpenesse nor subtility in things, they would borrow it of wordes. He draweth somewhat neare to Senecas writing. I deeme Tacitus more sinnowy, Seneca more sharpe. His seruice is more proper to a crazed troubled state, as is ours at this present: you would often say, hee pourtrayeth and toucheth vs to the quicke. Such as doubt of his faith, doe many festly accuse themselues to hate him for somewhat else. His opinions be sound, and encl••••ing to the better side of the Romane affaires. I am neuerthelesse some∣thing greeued, that he hath more bitterly iudged of Pompey, then honest mens opinions, who lived and conuersed with him, doe well allow-off: to have esteemed him altogether equall to Marius and Silla, saving that he was more close and secret. His intention and canuasing for the gouernment of affaires, hath not beene exempted from ambition, nor cleared from revenge: and his owne friends haue feared, that had he gotten the victory, it would have transported him beyond the limites of reason; but not vnto an vnbridled and raging mea∣sure. There is nothing in his life that hath threatned vs with so many fest a cruelty, and ex∣presse tyranny. Yet must not the suspition be counterpoised to the euidence: So doe not I beleeue him.

That his narrations are naturall and right, might happily be argued by this: That they doe not alwayes exactly apply themselues to the conclusions of his iudgments; which hee pursueth according to the course hee hath taken, often beyond the matter hee sheweth vs; which hee hath dained to stoope vnto with one only glance. He needeth no excuse to have approoved the religion of his times, according to the lawes which commaunded him, and beene ignorant of the true and perfect worship of God. That's his ill fortune, not his defect. I have principally considered his iudgement, whereof I am not every where throughly re∣solued. As namely these wordes contayned in the letter, which Tiberius being sicke and a∣ged, sent to the Senate. What shall I write to you my masters, or how shall I write to you, or what shall I not write to you in these times? May the Gods and Goddesses loose mee worse, then I dayly feele my selfe to perish, if I can tell. I cannot perceiue why hee should so certainely apply them vnto a stinging remorse, tormentiug the conscience of Tiberius: At least when my selfe was in the same plight, I saw it not. That hath likewise seemed somwhat demisse and base vnto me, that having said, how hee had exercised a certayne honourable magistracy in Rome, he goeth about to excuse himselfe, that it is not for ostentation, he spake it: This on tricke, namely in a minde of his quality, seemeth but base and cource vnto me: For, not to dare speake roundly of himselfe, accuseth some want of courage: A constant, resolute and high judgement, and which iudgeth soundly and surely, euery hand while vseth his owne examples, as well as of any strange thing; and witnesseth as freely of himselfe as of a third person: A man must ouergoe these populare reasons of ciuility, in fauour of trueth and liberty. I dare not onely speake of my selfe: but speake alone of my selfe. I stragle when I write of any other mat∣ter, and digresse from my subiect. I doe not so discreetly love my selfe, and am so tide and commixt to my selfe, as that I can not distinguish and consider my selfe a part: as a neigh∣bour; as a tree. it is an equall error, eyther not to see how farre a mans worth stretcheth, or to say more of it then one seeth good cause. We owe more love to God, then to our selues, and know him lesse, and yet we talke our fill of him. If his writings relate any thing of his conditions: he was a notable man, vpright and couragious; not with a superstitious vertue, but Philoso∣phicall and generous: He may be found over-hardy in his testimonies: As where hee hold∣eth, that a souldier carrying a burden of wood, his hands were so stifly benummed with cold, that they stucke to his woode, and remayned so fast vnto it, that as dead flesh they were divi∣ded from his armes. In such cases I am wont to yeeld vnto the authoritie of so great testimo∣nies. Where he also saith, that Ʋespasian by the fauour of the God Serapis, healed in the ••i∣tie of Alexandria a blinde woman, with the rubbing and anointing her eies with fasting sper∣tle: and some other miracles, which I remember not well now: hee doth it by the example and devoire of all good historians. They keepe a register of important euents: among pub∣like

accidents, are also populare reports and vulgar opinions. It is their part to relate com∣mon conceits, but not to sway them. This part belongeth to Diuines and Philosophers, di∣rectors of consciences. Therefore that companion of his, and as great a man as hee, saide most wisely: Equidem plura transcrib•• quam credo: Nam nec affirmare sustineo, de quibus dubi∣to, nec subducere quae accepi: I write out more then I beleeue: for neither can I bide to affirme what I doubt of, nor to withdrawe what I have heard: And that other: Haec neque affirmare neque re∣fellere operae precium est: fama rerum standum est. It is not worth the talke, or to avouch, or to re∣fute these things; wee must stand to report. And writing in an age, wherein the beliefe of prodi∣gies began to decline, he saith, he would notwithstanding not ommit to insert in his Annals, and giue footing to a thing receiued and allowed of so many honest men, and with so great reuerence by antiquity. It is very well said: That they yeelde vs the history, more according as they receaue, then according as they esteeme it. I who am king of the matter I treat of, and am not to giue accompt of it to any creature liuing, doe neuerthelesse not altogether beleeue my selfe for it: I often hazard vpon certaine outslips of my minde, for which I distruct my selfe; and certaine verball wilie-beguilies, whereat I shake mine eares: but I let them runne at hab or nab; I see some honour them selues with such like things: T'is not for me alone to iudge of them. I present my selfe standing and lying, before and behinde, on the right and left side, and in all by naturall motions. Spirits alike in force, are not euer alike in application and taste. Loe here what my memory doth in grose, and yet very vncertainely present vnto me of it. In breefe, all iudgements are weake, demisse and imperfect.

The ninth Chapter.

Of Ʋanitie.

THere is peraduenture no vanity more manyfest, then so vainely to write of it. What Di∣vinity hath so divinely expressed thereof vnto vs, ought of all men of vnderstanding to be diligently and continually meditated vpon. Who seeth not, that I have entred so large a field, and vndertaken so high a pitch, wherein so long as there is either Inke or Paper in the world, I may vncessantly wander and fly without encombrance? I can keepe no register of my life by my actions: fortune placeth them too Iowe: I hould them of my fantasies. Yet haue I seen a gentleman, who neuer communicated his life, but by the operations of his belly; you might haue seene in his house, set out for a show, a row of basins for seauen or eight dayes: It was all his study; it was all his talke: All other discourses were vnsavory to him. These are somewhat more ciuile, the excrements of an ould spirite, sometimes hard, sometimes lax∣atiue; but euer indigested. And when shall I come vnto an end of representing a continuall agitation or vncessant alteration of my thoughts, what subiect soeuer they happen vpon; since Diomedes filled six thousand bookes only with the subiect of Grammar? What is idle babling like to produce, since the faltring and liberty of the tongue hath stuft the world with so horrible a multitude of volumes? So many words onely for words. Oh Pythagoras, why didst thou not coniure this tempest? One Galba of former ages, being accused for liuing i∣dlie; answered, that all men ought to giue an account of their actions, but not of their abiding. He was deceived; for iustice hath also knowledge and animaduersion ouer such as gather stub∣ble (as the common saying is) or looke about for gape▪ seed. But there should be some correcti∣on appointed by the lawes, against foolish and vnprofitable writers, as there is against vagabonds and loiterers: so should both my selfe and a hundred others of our people be banished. It is no mockerie: Scribling seemeth to be a Symthome or passion of an irregular and licentious age. When writ we ever so much as we haue done since our intestine troubles? or when filled the Romans so many volumes, as in the times of their ruine? Besides that, the r••fining of wits in a common wealth, doth seldome make them the wiser: this idle working proceedeth of this that all men doe ouer▪ slowly giue them selues to the office of their function, and are easily withdrawe from it. The corruption of the times we live in, is wrought by the particular contribution of euery

one of vs: some conferre treason vnto it, some iniustice, other some irreligion, tyranny, auarice and cruelty; according as they are more or lesse powerfull: the weaker sort, whereof I am one imparte foolishnesse, vanity and idlenesse vnto it. It seemeth to bee the season of vaine things; when the domageable presse vs. In a time, where to doe euill is common: to do nothing profitable, is in a manner commendable. One thing comforts me, that I shall be of the last, that shall be attached: whilst they shall prouide for the worser sort and the most hurtfull, I shall haue leasure to amend my selfe: For, mee thinkes it would bee against reason busily to in∣sist and pursue petty inconueniences, when great ones infect vs. And the Phisition Philoti∣mus, to one that offred him his finger to dresse, by whose face, looke and breath he apparant∣ly perceaued, that he had an impostume in his loonges; My friend (quoth he) It is now no fit time to busie your selfe about your nayles. Yet concerning this purpose, I saw not many yeares since a friend of mine, whose name and memory (for diuerse respects,) I hould in singular account, who in the midst of our troublous mischiefes: when, no more then at this time, nei∣ther lawe, nor iustice, nor magistrate was executed or did his office, published certaine silly reformations, concerning the excesse of apparell gluttony and diet, and abuses committed a∣mong petty-fogging lawiers. They be ammusings wherewith a people in a desperate taking is fed, that so men may say they are not cleane forgotten. Euen so doe these others, who mainely apply them selues to forbid certaine manners of speach, dances and vaine sports, vn∣to a people wholy giuen ouer to all licenciousnesse and execrable vices. It is then no conuenient time for a man to wash and netifi•• himselfe when he is assailed, by a violent feuer. It onely belongs to Spartans, to tricke, to combe and wash themselues at what time they are ready to cast them∣selues into some extreame hazard of life. As for me, I am subiect to this ill custome, that if but a pump sit not handsomly vppon my foote, I shall also neglect my shirt and my cloake: for I disdaine to correct my selfe by halses: when I am in bad estate, I flesh my selfe on euil and abandon my selfe through dispaire, and run to downefall, and (as the saying is) cast the hast after the hatchet. I grow obstinate in empairing; and esteeme my selfe no more worthy of my care, eyther all well or all euill. It is a fauour to me, that the desolation of our state doth sutably meet with the desolation of my age: I rather endure that my euills should there∣by be surcharged, then if my goods had thereby beene troubled. The wordes I vtter agaynst misfortune, are wordes of spite. My courage insteede of yeelding, doth grow more obsti∣nate; and contrary to others. I finde my selfe more giuen to deuotion, in prosperous then aduerse fortune: according to Xenophons rule, if not according to his reason. And I rather looke on heauen with a chearefull eye, to thanke it, then to begge any thing. I am more carefull to increase my health when it smiles vpon me, then to recouer it when I haue lost it. Prosperities are to me as discipline and instruction, as aduersities and crosses are to others. As if good fortune were incompatible with a good conscience, men neuer become honest but by aduerse and crosse chances. Good fortune is to me a singular motiue vnto modera∣tion, and forcible spurre vnto modesty. Prayers winne me, menaces reiect me, sauoures re∣lent me, feare imperuerseth me. Amongst humane conditions, this one is verie common, that we are rather pleased with strange things then with our owne: we loue changes, affect al∣terations, and like innouations.

Ipsa dies ideo nos grato perluit haus••u, Quod permutatis hora recurrit equis. Times therefore vs refresh with welcome ayre, Because their houres on chang'd horse doe repayre.

And my share is therein. Such as follow the other extremitie, onely to bee well pleased with and in themselues; and selfe-conceitedly to ouer▪ esteeme what they possesse aboue others; and acknowledge no forme fayrer, then that they see; if they bee not more aduised then we, they are indeed more happy. I enuie not their wisedome, but grudge their good fortune: This greedy humour of new and vnquenchable desire of vnknowne things, dooth much increase and nourish in me a desire to trauell: but diuers other circumstances conferre vnto it. I am well pleased to neglect and shake▪ of the gouernment of mine owne household. It is some pleasure to command, were it but a mole-hill, and a delight to be obaied. But it is a pleasure over-vniforme and languishing. Besides that it is ever necessarily intermixed with troublous

cares, and hart-wearing thoughts. Sometimes the indigence and oppression of your owne people; sometimes the contentions and quarels of your neighbours, and othertimes their in∣sulting and vsurpation ouer you, doth vexe, doth trouble and afflict you,

Aut verberatae grandine vine••,* 1.142 Fundusque mendax, arbore nunc aquas Culpante, nunc torrentia agros Sydera, nunc hyemes iniquas. Or Vineyards beate and wet with haile and raine, Or grounds defrauding hope, while trees complaine; Sometime of waters, sometime of those starres, That scorch the fields, sometime of winters warres.

And that God will hardly once in halfe a yeare send you a season, that shal throughly please your Bayly, and content your Receauer: and that if it be good for your vines, it be not hurt∣full for your meddowes.

Aut nimijs torret feruoribus aetherius Sol, Aut subiti perimunt imbres, gelidaeque pruinae,* 1.143 Flabràque ventorum violento turbine vexent. Or with excessiue heate heau'ns Sunne doth toast, Or sodaine stormes do kill, and chilling frost, Or violent whirle-winde blasts doe vexe the coast.

As that new and well-shapen shoe of that man of former ages, which hurts and wrings your foote: and that a stranger knowes not what it costes you, and what you contribute to maintaine the show of that order, which is seene in your housholde: and which peraduen∣ture you purchase at too high a rate. It was very late before I betooke my selfe to husban∣drie. Those whom nature caused to be borne before mee, haue long time ridde mee of that carefull burthen: I had already taken another habite, more sutable to my complexion. Ne∣uerthelesse by that I haue obserued therein, I finde it to be rather a troublesome, then a hard occupation. Whosoeuer is capable of any other thing, may easily discharge that. If I would seeke to grow rich; that way would seeme ouer-long and tedious to mee: I would then haue serued our kings; a trade more beneficiall then all others; since I pretend but to get the reputation, that as I haue gotten nothing, so haue I not wasted any thing; sutable to the rest of my life; as vnfit to affect any good, as improper to worke any euill of consequence: and that I onely seeke to weare out my life, I may (God bee thanked) doe it without any great attention: if the worst come to passe, before pouerty assaile you, seeke by preuention to cut of your charges, and by husbanding your expences keepe afore hand with it; that is it I trust vnto, and hope to reforme my selfe before it come neare or enforce mee to it. As for other matters, I haue forestalled many degrees and established sundry wayes in my minde, to liue and rubbe out with lesse then I haue. I say to liue with contentment. Non aestima∣tione* 1.144 census, verum victu atque cultu, terminatur pecuniae modus. The measure of money is ly∣mited not by the estimate of wealth or place, but by the manner of liuing and other furniture. My very neede doth not so precisely possesse my whole estate, but that without touching to the quick or empairing the maine, fortune shall finde something to play vpon, or take hold of. My very presence as ignorant and grim as it is, affordeth much helpe to my houshould af∣faires: I apply my selfe thereunto but somewhat dispightfully: considering the manner of my house, which is, that seuerally to burne my candle at one end, the other is thereby nothing spared. Trauels do not much hurt mee, were it not for the charges▪ which are excee∣ding great and beyond my ability: hauing euer beene accustomed to iourney not onely with necessary, but also decent equipage: and that's the reason I make but short iorneis and trauel not to often: wherein I imploy but the scumme and what I can well spare, temporising and differing, according as it commeth more or lesse. I will not haue the pleasure of my wandring to corrupt the delight of my retiring. Contrary-wise my intent is, that they nourish and fauor one another. Fortune hath steaded me in this; that since my chiefest profession in this life, was to

liue delicately and quietly, and rather negligently then seriously, it hath depriued me of need to hoard vp riches, to prouide for the multitude of my heires. For one, if that be not suffici∣ent for him, where with I haue liued so plentiously, at his owne perill be it. His indiscretion shall not deserue, that I wish him more. And euery man (according to the example of Phoci∣on) prouid••th sufficiently for his children, that prouid••th they be not vnlike to him. I should by no meanes be of Crates his mind, or commend his proceeding. He left his mony with a banquier vpon this condition: That if his children were fooles he should deliuer it them: but proo∣uing wise and able to shift for themselues, hee should distribute the same amongst the greatest fooles. As if fooles being least capable to make shift without it, were more capable to vse ri∣ches. So it is, that the hurt▪ proceeding from my absence, doeth not (in mine opinion) deserue, so long as I shall haue meanes to beare it, I should refuse to accept the occasions that offer themselues, to distract mee from this toylesome assistance. There is euer some peece out of square. Sometimes the businesse of one house, and other times the affaires of another, doe hurry you. You pry too neare into all things: herein, as well as els where, your perspicuity doth harme you. I steale from such occasions as may mooue me to anger; and remooue from the knowledge of things, that thriue not: yet can I not so vse the matter, but still I stumble (being at home) vpon some inconuenience, which displeaseth me. And sleight knaveries, that are most hidden from mee are those I am best acquainted with Some there are, which to avoyd a further mischiefe, a man must helpe to concea•••• himselfe: vaine prickings (vaine sometimes) but yet ever prickings. The least and sleightest hindrances, are the sharpest. And as the smallest letters hurt our eyes most, so the least affaires grieue vs most: A multitude of slender euils offendeth more, then the violence of one alone, how great soeuer. Euen as or∣dinary thornes being small and sharpe pricke vs more sharpely and sans threatning, if on a sudden we hit vpon them. I am no Philosopher: Euils oppresse me according as they waigh; and waigh according to their forme, as well as according to the matter; and often more. I haue more insight in them, then the vulgar sort; and so haue I more pacience. To conclude, if they hurt me not, they lie heauie vpon me. Life is a tender thing, and easie to be distempered. Since I began to grow towards peeuish age, andby consequence toward frowardnes, nemo enim resisti••* 1.145 sibi eum ceperit impelli; For no man stayes himselfe when he is set on going. What euer fond cause hath brought me to it; I prouoke the humour that way: which afterward by his owne motion is sos••red and exasperated, atracting and heaping vp one matter vpon another, to feede it selfe withal.

Stillici••i•• casus lapidem cauat: By often falling on, Euen water breakes a stone.

These ordinary distilling drops consume and v••cerate me. Ordinary inconueniences are ne∣ver light. They are continuall and irreparable, if they continually and inseperatly aryse from the members of husbandry. When I consider my affaires a farre off, and in grosse, I finde, be it because I have no exact memory of them, that hitherto they have thrived beyond my reasons and expectation. Me thinks I draw more from them, then there is in them: then good successe betraieth me. But am I waded into the businesse? See I all these parcels march?

Tum vero in curas animum deducimus omnes.* 1.146 Then we our minde divide, To cares on every side.

A thousand things therein giue me cause to desire and feare. Wholy to forsake them is very easie vnto me: without toyling and vexation altogether to apply my selfe vnto them; is most hard. It is a pitty full thing, to be in a place, where whatsouer you see, doeth set you a worke and concerne you. And me thinkes, I enioy more blithely and taste more choisely the plea∣sures of a stranger house, then of mine owne: and both my minde and taste runne more freely and purely on them. Diogenes answered according to my humor when being demanded what kinde of Wine he liked best: Another mans, said he. My father delighted to build at Mon∣taigne▪ where he was borne: and in all this policy of domestik affairs, I loue to make vse of his examples and rules; vnto which I will as much as possibly I can tie my successors. Could I

doe better for him, I would performe it. I glory his will is at this day practised by mee, and doth yet worke in me. God forbid I should ever suffer any image of life to perish vnder my hands, that I may yeeld vnto so good and so kinde a father. If I have vndertaken to finish any old peece of wall, or repaire any building either imperfect or decaied: it hath certainly beene, because I had rather a respect to his intention, then a regard to my contentment. And I blame my negligence or lithernesse, that I have not continued to perfect the foundations he had laid, or beginnings he had left in his house: by so much the more, because I am in great likelihood to be the last possessor of it, namely of my race, and set the last hand vnto it. For, concerning my particular application, neither the pleasure of building, which is said to be so bewitching, nor hunting, nor hauking, nor gardens, nor such other delights of a retired life, can much embusie or greatly ammuse me. It is a thing for which I hate my selfe, as of all other opinions, that are incommodious to me. I care not so much to have them vigorous and learned, as I labour to have them easie and commodious vnto life. They are indeed suf∣ficiently true and sound, if they be profitable and pleasing. Those, who hearing mee relate mine owne insufficiencie in matters pertaining to husbandry or thrift, are still whispering in mine eares, that it is but a kinde of disdaine, and that I neglect to know the implements or tooles belonging to husbandry or tillage, their seasons and orders; how my wines are made, how they graft; and vnderstand or know the names and formes of hearbes, of simples, of fruits, and what belongs to the dressing of meats wherewith I live and whereon I feede; the names and prizes of such stuffes I cloath my selfe withall, only because I doe more seriously take to heart some higher knowledge; bring me in a manner to deaths doore. That is meere sottishnesse; and rather brutishnesse then glory: I would rather be a cunning horseman, then a good Logician.

Quin tu aliquid saltem potius quorum indiget vsus,* 1.147 Ʋiminibus mollique paras detexere iunco? Why rather with soft wings make you not speed, To worke-vp something, whereof there is need?

Wee hinder our thoughts from the generall and maine point, and from the causes and vni∣versall conducts; which are very well directed without vs, and omit our owne businesse; and Michael, who concernes vs neerer then man. Now I most commonly stay at home, but I would please my selfe better there, then any where else.

Sit meaesedes vtinam senectae, Sit modus lasso maris, & viarum,* 1.148 —Militiaeque. Some repaire and rest to mine old age I crave, Iournying, sailing, with a weary warring, O let an end have.

I wot not whether I shall come to an end of it. I would that in lieu of some other part of his succession, my father had resigned me that passionate love and deare affection, which in his aged yeeres he bare vnto his houshold husbandrie. He was very fortunate, in conforming his desires vnto his fortune, and knew how to be pleased with what he had. Politike Philosophie may how it list accuse the basenesse and blame the sterilitie of my occupation, if as hee did, I may but once finde the taste of it. I am of this opinion, that the honorablest vacation, is to serve the Common-wealth, and be profitable to many. Fructus enim ingeni•• & virtutis, omnis{que} praestantiae,* 1.149 tum maximus accipitur, quum in proximum quem{que} confertur. For then is most fruit reaped, both of our wit and vertue, and all other excellencie, when it is bestowed vpon our neighbours. As for me, I depart from it: partly for conscience sake; (for whence I discerne the wait, concerning such vacations, I also discover the slender meanes I have to supply them withall: And Plato a master workman in all politike government, omitted not to abstaine from them) partly for lithernesse. I am well pleased to enioy the world, without troubling or pressing my selfe with it; to live a life, onely excusable: and which may neither bee burthensome to mee, nor to any other. Never did man goe more plainly and carelesly to worke in

the care and government of a third man, then I would, had I a ground to worke vpon. One of my wishes at this instant, should be to finde a sonne in law, that could handsomely allure and discreetly beguile my old yeeres, and lull them asleepe; into whose hands I might depose, and in all sov••••raigntie resigne the conduct and managing of my goods; that he might dispose of them as I doe, and gaine vpon them what I gaine: alwaies provided he would but carry a truly-thankfull and friendly minde. But what? wee live in a world, where the loyaltie of our owne children is not knowen. Whosoever hath the charge of my purse when I travell, hath it freely and without controll: as well might hee deceive me in keeping of reckonings. And if he be not a Divell, I bind him to deale well and honestly, by my carelesse confidence. Multi fallere docuerunt, dum timent falli, & alies ius peccands suspicando fecerunt. Many have taught others to deceive, while themselves feare to be deceived, and have given them iust cause to offend, by suspecting them vniustly. The most ordinary assurance I take of my people, is a kinde of disacknowledge or neglect: I never presume vices, but after I have seene them: and trust more yoong men, such as I imagine to be least debaushed and corrupted by ill examples. I had rather heare at two moneths end, that I have spent foure hundred crownes, then every night when I should goe to my quiet bed, have mine eares tired and my minde vexed with three, five, or seven. Yet in this kinde of stealing, have I had as little stolne from mee as any other: True it is, I lend a helping hand to ignorance. I wittingly entertaine a kinde of trou∣bled and vncertaine knowledge of my money: vntill it come to a certaine measure I am con∣tent to doubt of it. It is not amisse if you allow your boy or servant some small scope for his disloyalty and indiscretion. If in grosse we have sufficiently left to bring our matters to passe, this excesse of fortunes-liberalitie, let vs somewhat more suffer it to stand to her mercie: It is the gleaners fee. After all, I esteeme not so much my peoples fidelitie, as I disesteeme their iniurie. Oh base and absurd study, for a man to study his money, and please himselfe with handling and counting the same: for that's the way whereby covetousnesse maketh her ap∣proches. Since eighteene yeeres, that I have had the full disposing of my goods in mine owne hands, I could never yet be brought to over-looke, neither titles nor bookes, no not so much as the principall affaires, that should necessarily passe thorow my knowledge and care.

It is no Philosophicall contempt, to neglect worldly and transitorie things: my taste is not so exquisitly nice; for I value them according to their worth at least: but truly it is an in∣excusable slothfulnesse and childish negligence. What would I not rather doe, then reade a contract? And more willingly, as a slave to my businesse, with carke to over-looke, and care to survay a company of old-dustie bookes, and plod vpon mustie writings? and which is worse, other mens, as so many doe daily for money? I have nothing so deare as care and paine: and I only endevour to become carelesse and retchlesse. I had, in mine opinion, beene fitter (if it might be) to live by others fortune, without bounden dutie or bondage. And yet I wot not (the matter being thorowly sifted) whether according to my humour and fortune, what I must endure with my affaires, and pocket vp at my servants and familiars hands, hath not more abiection, importunitie and sharpnesse, then the following of another man should have, better borne then my selfe, and who should guide me somewhat at mine ease. Servitus obedientia est fra••ti animi & abi••cti, arbitrio carentis suo: Service is an obedience of an abiect bro∣ken* 1.150 heart, that cannot dispose of it selfe. Crates did worse, who voluntarily cast himselfe into the liberties of povertie, only to ridde himselfe of the inconveniences, indignities and cares of his house. Which I would not doe: I hate povertie as much as griefe; yet could I finde in my heart to change this manner of life, with another lesse glorious and not so troublesome. Be∣ing absent, I discharge my selfe of all such carefull thoughts, and should lesse feele the ruinous downe-fall of a Towne, then being present, the fall of a Tile. Alone my minde is easily freed, but in companie, it endureth as much as a Plough-mans. My horse vncurb'd, his reines mis∣placed, or a stirrup or a strap hitting against my legge, will keepe me in a checke a whole day long. I rouze my courage sufficiently against inconvenience; mine eies I cannot.

Sensus ô superi sensus!

At home I am ever answerable for whatsoever is amisse. Few masters (I speake of meane con∣dition, as mine is; whereof if any be, they are the more happie) can so fully relie vpon a se∣cond, but still a good part of the burden shall lie vpon them. That doth peradventure take something from my fashion, in entertaining of guests or new commers; and happily I have

beene able to stay some, more by my kitchin, then by my behaviour or grace: as doe the peevish and fantasticall; and I greatly diminish the pleasure I should take in my house, by the visitations and meetings of my friends. No countenance is so foolish, or so ill beseeming a gentleman in his owne house, as to see him vexed or troubled about his houshold or dome∣s••icke affaires; to see him whisper one of his servants in the eare, and threaten another with his lookes. It should insensibly glide-on, and represent an ordinary course. And I vt∣terly dislike, that a man should entertaine h•••• guests with either excusing, or boasting of the entertainment he affoordeth them. I love order and cleanlinesse,

—& cantharus & lanx,* 1.151 Ostendun•• mihime. My dish, my drinking kanne, Shew me what kinde of man.

well nigh as much as plentie: In mine owne house I exactly looke vnto necessitie, little vnto state, and lesse vnto ornament. If your neighbours servant be fighting with his companion, if a dish be overthrowen, you but laugh at it: you sleepe quietly whilest Sir such a one is busie casting vp of accounts, and over-seeing his stocke with his steward, and all about your pro∣vision for to morrow. I speake according to mine opinion: omitting not in generall to thinke, how pleasing an ammusement it is to certaine natures, to see a quiet and prosperous houshold, directed by a formall and guided by a regular order. But not intending to fasten mine owne errours and inconveniences to the matter: Nor to gaine-say Plato, who deemeth that the happiest occupation any man can follow, is, to apply himselfe to his owne private businesse, without injustice. When I iourney, I have nothing to care for but my selfe, and how my money is laid out: which is disposed with one onely precept. Over-many parts are required in hoarding and gathering of goods: I have no skill in it. In spending, I have some knowledge, and how to give my expences day; which indeed is it's principall vse. But I at∣tend it over-ambitiously, which makes it both vnequall and deformed: and besides that im∣moderate in one and other visage. If it appeare and make a good shew, if it serve the turne, I indiscreetly goe after it; and as indiscreetly restraine my selfe, if it shine or smile not vp∣on mee. Whatsoever it bee, either Art or nature, that imprints this condition of life in∣to vs, by relation to others, it doth vs much more hurt then good. In going about to frame apparances according to the common opinion, wee defraud our selves of our owne∣profits. Wee care not so much, what our state, or how our being is, in vs and in effect, as wee doe how and what it is, in the publike knowledge of others. Even the goods of the minde, and wisedome it selfe, seeme fruitlesse vnto vs, if onely enioied by vs: ex∣cept it bee set foorth to the open view and approbation of strangers. There are some, whose gold runnes by streames in places vnder ground, and that imperceptible: others extend the same in plates and leaves: So that to some, pence are worth crownes, to others the contrary: the world iudging the employment and value, according to the outward shew. All over-nice care and curious heed about riches, hath a touch or a taste of avarice. Even their dispending and over regular and artificiall liberalities are not worth a warie heede-taking, and countervaile not a painefull diligence. Who so will make his expence even and just, makes it strict and forced. Either close-kee∣ping or employing of money, are in themselves things indifferent; and admit no colour of good or evill, but according to the application of our will. The other cause that drawes mee to these iourneies or vagaries, is the dissent or disparitie in the present manners of our state: I could easily comfort my selfe with this corrupti∣on, in regard of the publike interest;

—peioraque s••cula f••rri,* 1.152 Temporibus, quorum sceleri non invenit ipsa Nomen, & à nullo posuit natura met allo. Times worse then times of Iron, for whose bad frame And wickednesse ev'n nature findes no name, Nor hath from any metall set the same.

But not for mine owne: I am in particular over-pressed by it. Forround about where I dwell, we are, by the over-long licentiousnesse of our intestine civill warres, almost growen old, in so licentious and riotous a forme of state,

Quippe vbi fas versum atque nefas;* 1.153 As where of good and bad, There is no difference had.

That in good truth, it were a wonder, if it should continue and maintaine it selfe.

Armati terram exercent, semperque recentes* 1.154 Convectare invat praedas, & vivere rapto. They armed plow the land, and ioy to drive, And draw new booties, and on rapine live.

To conclude, I see by our example, that the societie of men doth hold and is sewed together, at what rate soever it be: where ever they be placed, in mooving and closing, they are ranged and stowed together; as vneven and rugged bodies, that orderlesse are hudled in some close place, of themselves finde the way to be vnited and ioined together one with another: and many times better, then Art could have disposed them. King Philip assembled a rabble of the most leaud, reprobate and incorrigible men he could finde out, all which he placed in a Citie, which of purpose he had caused to be built for them, of whom it bare the name. I imagine, that even of their vices, they erected a politike contexture amongst themselves, and a com∣modious and iust societie. I see not one action, or three, or a hundred, but even divers man∣ners, admitted and commonly vsed: so extravagant (namely in disloyaltie) and so barbarous in inhumanitie, which in my conceit, are the worst and most execrable kinde of vices, that I have not the heart so much as to conceive them without horrour: All which I in a manner admire as much as I detest. The exercise of these egregious villanies, beareth a brand of vi∣gour and hardinesse of minde, as much as of error and irregular confusion. Necessitie compo∣seth, and assembleth men together. This casuall combining is afterward framed into lawes. For, there have beene some as barbarously-savage, as humane opinion could possible produce, which notwithstanding have kept their bodies in as good health and state, in long life, as those of Plato or Aristotle could doe. And to say true, all these descriptions of policie, fained by Art and supposition, are found ridiculous and foolish, to bee put in practise. These great and long-continuing altercations, about the best forme of societie, and most commodious rules to vnite vs together, are altercations onely proper for the exercise of our wit: As in arts, divers subiects are found, that have no essence but in agitation and disputing, without which they have no life at all. Such an Idea of policie, or picture of government, were to be establi∣shed in a new world; but we take a world already made and formed to certaine customes: wee engender not the same as Pyrrha, nor beget it as Cadmus. By what meanes soever we have the privilege to re-erect and range the same anew, wee can very hardly wrest it from the accusto∣med habit and fold it hath taken, except we breake all. Solon being demanded, whether hee had established the best lawes he could for the Athenians: answered, yea of those they would have received: with such a shift doth Varre excuse himselfe; saying, that if hee were newly to beginne to write of religion, he would plainly tell what his beleefe were of it: But being alrea∣die received, he will speake more of it according to custome, then to nature. Not to speake by opinion, but consonant to truth, the most excellent and best policie, for any nation to ob∣serve, is that vnder which it hath maintained it selfe. It's forme and essentiall commoditie doth much depend of custome. We are easily displeased with the present condition: yet doe I hold that to wish the government of few, in a popular estate: or in a Monarchie, another kinde of policie, it is a manifest vice and meere follie.

Ayme l' est at tel que tu le uois estre,* 1.155 S'il est royall, ayme laroyautè, S'il est de peu, ou bien communantè, Ayme l' aussi, car Dieu t'y a faict naistre.

Love thou the state, as thou seest it to be, If it be Regall, love the royall race, If of a few, or Common-weale, embrace It as it is; borne there God pointed thee.

So was the good Lord of Pibrac wont to speake of it, whom we have lately lost: a man of so quaint and rare wit, of so sound iudgement, and of so milde and affable behaviour. The vn∣timely losse of whom, with that of the Lord of Foix, both fatally hapning to vs at one time, are surely losses of great consequence vnto our crowne. I wot not well, whether France, a∣mongst all the men it hath left, is able to affoord vs two such other Gentlemen, as may ei∣ther in sinceritie and worth, or in sufficiencie and iudgement, for the counsell of our Kings, match these two Gascoynes. They were two mindes diversly faire; and verily, if we respect the corrupted age wherein we live, both rare and gloriously-shining, every one in her forme. But alas, what destinie had placed them on the Theater of this age, so dissonant and different in proportion from our deplorable corruption, and so farre from agreeing with our tumul∣tuous stormes? Nothing doth so neerely touch and so much overlay an estate, as innovati∣on: Only change doth give forme to iniustice, and scope to tyrannie. If some one peece be out of square, it may be vnderpropt: one may oppose himselfe against that, which the alteration, incident, and corruption, naturall to all things, doth not too much elonge and draw vs from our beginnings and grounded principles: But to vndertake to re-erect and found againe so huge a masse, and change or remoove the foundations of so vast a frame, belongeth only to them, who in stead of purging, deface; and in lieu of cleansing, scrape out: that will amend particular faults by an vniversall confusion, and cure diseases by death: Non tam commutan∣darum quàm overtendarum rerum cupidi. Not so desiroús to have things altered, as overthrowen. The world is fondly vnapt to cure it selfe: So impatient with that which vexeth or grieveth it, that it only aimeth to ridde it selfe of it, never regarding at what rate. Wee see by a thou∣sand examples, that it doth ordinarily cure it selfe at it's owne charges: To be freed from a present evill, is no perfect cure, except there be a generall amendment of condition. The end of a skilfull Chirurgion, is not to mortifie the bad flesh, it is but the beginning and addressing of his cure: he aimeth further, that is, to make the naturall to grow againe, and reduce the par∣tie to his due being and qualitie. Whoever proposeth onely to remoove what gnaweth him, shall be to seeke: for good doth not necessarily succeed evill: another, yea a worse evill may suc∣ceed it. As it hapned vnto Cesars murderers, who brought the common-wealth to so distres∣full a plunge, that they repented themselves they ever medled with the same. The like hath since fortuned to divers, yea in our daies. The French that live in my times, know very well what to speake of such matters. All violent changes and great alterations, disorder, distemper and shake a state very much. He that should rightly respect a sound recovery or absolute cure, and before al other things thorowly consult about it, might happily grow slaoke in the businesse, and beware how he set his hand vnto it. Pacuvius Calavius corrected the vice of this manner of proceeding by a notable example. His fellow Citizens had mutined against their magi∣strates; He being a man of eminent authoritie in the City of Capua, found one day the means to shut vp the Senate in the Guildhall or Palace, then calling the people together in the mar∣ket place, told them; That the day was now come, wherein with full and vnresisted libertie, they might take vengeance of the tyrants, that had so long and so many waies oppressed them, all which he had now at his mercy, alone and vnarmed. His opinion was, that orderly by lots, they should be drawen out one after another: which done, they might particularly dispose of every one: and whatsoever should be decreed of them, should immediately be ex∣ecuted vpon the place; provided they should therewithall presently advise and resolve to nominate and establish some honest and vndetected man, to supply the roome of the con∣demned, lest their Citie should remaine void of due officers. To which they granted, and heard no sooner the name of a Senatour read, but a loud exclamation of a generall discontent was raised against him: which Pacuvius perceiving, hee requested silence, and thus bespake them. My countrey-men, I see very well, that man must be cut off, hee is a pernicious and wicked member; but let vs have another sound-good man in his place; and whom would you name for that purpose? This vnexpected speech bred a distracted silence; each one finding himselfe to seeke and much confounded in the choise. Yet one,

who was the boldest-impudent amongst them, nominated one whom he thought fittest; who was no sooner heard, but a generall consent of voices, louder then the first, followed, all refusing him: as one taxed with a hundred imperfections, lawfull causes and iust obiecti∣ons, vtterly to reject him. These contradicting humours growing more violent and hot, every one following his private grudge or affection, there ensued a farre greater confusion and hurly-burly in drawing of the second and third Senatour, and in naming and choosing their successours; about which they could never agree. As much disorder and more consu∣sion about the election, as mutuall consent and agreement about the demission and displa∣cing. About which tumultuous trouble, when they had long and to no end laboured and wearied themselves, they began, some heere, some there, to scatter and steale away from the assemblie: every one with this resolution in his minde, that the oldest and best knowen evill, is ever more tolerable, then a fresh and vnexperienced mischiefe. By seeing our selves piteously tos∣sed in continuall agitation: for what have we not done?

Eheu cicatricum & sceleris pudet,* 1.156 Fratrum{que}: quid nos dur a refugimus Aetas? quid intactum nefasti Liquimus? vnde manus iuventus Metu Deorum continuit? quibus Pepercit aris? Alas for shame of wickednesse, and scarres Of brother-country-men in civill warres. We of this hardned world, what doe we shunne? What have we execrable left vndone? To set their hand whereto hath youth not dared For feare of Gods? what altars hath it spared?

I am not very sudden in resolving or concluding.

—ipsa si velit salus,* 1.157 Servare prorsus non potest hanc familiam: This familie if safetie would Keepe safe, I doe not thinke it could.

Yet are wee not peradventure come vnto our last period. The preservation of states, is a thing in all likelihood exceeding our vnderstanding. A civill policie (as Plato saith) is a mighty and puissant matter, and of very hard and difficult dissolution; it often endureth a∣gainst mortall and intestine diseases: yea against the iniury of vniust lawes, against tyrannie, against the ignorance and debordement of Magistrates, and against the licentiousnesse and sedition of the people. In all our fortunes, we compare our selves to that which is above vs, and looke toward those that are better. Let vs measure our selves by that which is beneath vs, there is no creature so miserably wretched, but findes a thousand examples to comfort him∣selfe withall. It is our fault, that we more vnwillingly behold what is above vs, then willingly what is beneath vs, And Solon said, that should a man heape vp in one masse all evils toge∣ther, there is none, that would not rather chuse to carry backe with him such evils as he alrea∣die hath, then come to a lawfull division with other men of that chaos of evils, and take his allotted share of them. Our Common-wealth is much crazed, and out of tune. Yet have di∣vers others beene more dangerously sicke, and have not died. The Gods play at hand-ball with vs, and tosse vs vp and downe on all hands. Enimverò Dij nos homines quasi pilas habent.* 1.158 The Gods perdie doe reckon and racket vs men as their tennis-balles. The destinies have fatally ordained the state of Rome, for an exemplar patterne of what they can doe in this kinde. It containeth in it selfe all formes and fortunes that concerne a state: whatsoever order, trouble, good or bad fortune may in any sort effect in it. What man may iustly despaire of his condi∣tion, seeing the agitations, troubles, alterations, turmoiles and motions, wherewith it was tos∣sed to and fro, and which it endured? If the extension of rule, and far-spreading domination, be the perfect health of a state, of which opinion I am not in any wise (and Isocrates doth

greatly please me, who instructeth Nicocles, not to enuie those Princes, who haue large do∣minations, but such as can well maintaine and orderly preserue those that haue beene here∣ditarily escheated vnto them) that of Rome was neuer so sound, as when it was most sicke and distempered. The worste of it's forme, was to it the most fortunate. A man can hard∣ly distinguish or know the image of any policy vnder the first Emperors: it was the most horrible and turbulent confusion that could be conceaued, which notwithstanding it endu∣red and therein continued; preseruing, not a Monarchie bounded in hir limites, but so many nations, so different, so distant, so euill affected, so confusedly commanded, and so vn∣iustly conquered.

—nec gentibus vllis* 1.159 Commodat in populum terrae pelagi{que} potentem, Inuidiam fortuna suam. Fortune doth to no other nation lend Enuie, against that people force to bend, Which both by land and sea their force extend.

All that shaketh doth not fall: The contexture of so vast a frame houlds by more then one naile. It houlds by it's antiquity: as olde buildings, which age hath robbed of foundation, without loame or morter, and neuerthelesse live and subsist by their owne waight,

—nec iam validis radicibus haerens* 1.160 Pondere tuta suo est. Though now to no strong roote it sticke so fast, Yet is it safe by selfe-waight, and will last.

Moreouer he goes not cunningly to worke, that onely suruayes the flankes and dykes: to iudge well of the strength of a place; he must heedily marke how, and view which way it may be approached, and in what state the assailant stand. Few vessels sinke with their owne waight, and without some extraordinary violence. Cast wee our eyes about vs, and in a generall suruay consider all the world; all is tottring; all is out of frame. Take a perfect view of all great states both in Christendome and where ever els we haue knowledge-of, and in all places you shall finde a most evident threatning of change and ruine:

Et sua sunt illis incommoda, parque per omnes Tempestas. Their discommodities they knowe: One storme alike ore-all doth grow.

Astrologers may sport themselves, with warning vs, as they doe of imminent alterations and succeeding revolutions: their divinations are present and palpable, wee need not prie into the heavens to finde them out. Wee are not only to draw comfort from this vniversall ag∣gregation of evils and threats; but also some hope for the continuance of our state: forso∣much as naturally nothing falleth, where all things fall: a generall disease is a particular health: Conformitie is a qualitie enemie to dissolution. As for me, I nothing despaire of it, and me thinks I already perceive some starting holes to save vs by:

Deus haec fortasse benigna* 1.161 Reducet in sedem vice. It may be, God with gracious entercourse Will re-establish these things in their course.

Who knowes, whether God hath determined it shall happen of them, as of bodies that are purged, and by long grieuous sickenesses brought to a better and sounder state; which tho∣rowly purged diseases do afterward yeeld them a more entire and purely-perfect health, then that they tooke from them? That which grieveth me most, is, that coumpting the symp∣tomes or affects of our evill, I see as many meerely proceeding of nature, and such as the hea∣vens send vs, and which may properly be termed theirs, as of those that our owne surfet, or excesse, or misse-diet, or humane indiscretion confer vpon vs. The very Planets seeme order∣ly to declare vnto vs, that we haue continued long enough, yea and beyond our ordinary li∣mits. This also grieves me, that the neerest evill threatning vs, is not a distemper or altera∣tion in the whole and solide masse, but a dissipation and divulsion of it: the extreamest of our feares. And even in these fantasticall humors or dotings of mine, I feare the treason of my memory, least vnwarily it haue made me to register somethings twise. I hate to correct

and agnize my selfe, and can never endure but grudgingly to review and repolish what once hath escaped my pen. I heere set downe nothing that is new or lately found out. They are vulgar imaginations; and which peradventure having beene conceived a hundred times, I feare to have already enrolled them. Repetition is ever tedious, were it in Homer: But irke∣some in things, that have but one superficiall and transitorie shew. I am nothing pleased with inculcation or wresting-in of matters, be it in profitable things, as in Seneca. And the maner of his Stoike schoole displeaseth me, which is, about every matter, to repeat at large, and from the beginning to the end, such principles and presuppositions, as serve in generall: and every hand-while to re-allege anew the common arguments, and vniversall reasons. My me∣morie doth daily grow worse and worse, and is of late much empaired:

Pocula lethaeos vt si duc••ntia somnos,* 1.162 —Arente fauce traxerim. As though with drie lips I had drunke that vp, Which drawes oblivions sleepe in drowsie cup.

I shall henceforward be faine (for hitherto thankes be to God, no capitall fault hath hapned) whereas others seeke time and occasion, to premeditate what they have to say, that I avoid to prepare my selfe, for feare I should tie my selfe to some strict bond, on which I must de∣pend. To be bound and tied doth somewhat distract me: namely when I am wholly to relie and depend on so weake an instrument, as is my memorie. I never read this story, but I feele a certaine proper and naturall offence. Lyncestez being accused of a conspiracie against Alexander, the very same day, that according to custome, he was led forth in presence of all the armie, to be heard in his owne defence, had in his minde a premeditated oration, which he had studiously learn't by rote, whereof, stammering and faltring, hauing vttered some words: And wrestling with his memory, and striving to run-it ouer againe, he was sodain∣ly charged by the soldiers that were about him and slaine with pikes; as they who held him to be conuicted. His amazement and silence, serued them as a confession. For they suppo∣sed that hauing had so long leasure in prison to prepare himselfe, it was not (as they thought his memory failed him, but his guilty conscience bridled so his tongue and depriued him of his wonted faculties. It was truly wel spoken. The very place, the company and expectation a∣stonieth a man, when he most aimeth at an ambition of well-speaking. What can a man doe, when a meere oration shall bring his life into consequence? As for mee, if I bee tide vnto a prescript kinde of spenking, what bindes mee to it, doth also loose me from it, when I haue committed and wholly assigned my selfe vnto my memory; I so strongly depend on the same, that I ouerwhelme it: she faints vnder her owne burthen. So much as I refer my selfe vnto her, so much am I diuided from my selfe: vntill I make tryall of my countenance. And I have sometimes beene in paine, in concealing the bondage wherevnto I was enga∣ged: whereas my dessigne, in speaking, to represent a maine carelesnesse of accent and countenance, suddaine and vnpremeditated, or ca••ull motions as rising of present occasi∣ons; rather loving to say nothing of any worth, then make shew I came provided to speake well: a thing above all vnseemely, to men of my profession, and of over strict an obligation, to one that cannot hold much: Preparation gives more to hope, then it brings with it. A man doth often strip himselfe into his doblet, to leape shorter, then he did in his gowne. Nihil est his, qui placere volunt, tam adversarium, quam expectati••. There is none so great an enemy, to them that would please, as expectation. It is written of Curio the Orator, that when he proposed the distribution of the parts of his oration, into three or foure; or the number of his arguments and reasons, it was his ordinary custome, either to forget some one, or adde one or two more vnto it. I have ever shunned to fall into such an inconvenience: as one hating these selfe∣promises and prescriptions: Not onely for the distrust of my memory; but also because this forme drawes over neare vnto an artiste. Simplicior a militares decent. Plaine wordes and man∣ners become Martialists. Sufficeth, I have now made a vow vnto my selfe, no more to vnder∣take the charge, to speake in any place of respect: For, to speake in reading what one hath written: besides that it is most foolish and absurde, it is a matter of great disadvantage to such as by nature were interressed or might do any thing in the action. And wholy to rely or cast my selfe to the mercy of my present inuention, much lesse: I have it by nature so dull and troubled, that it cannot in any wise supply me in sudaine, and stead me in important necessi∣ties. May it please the gentle reader, to suffer this one part of Essay to runne on, and this third

straine or addition of the rest of my pictures peeces. I adde, but I correct not: First, because he who hath hypothekised or engaged his labour to the world, I finde apparance, that he hath no longer right in the same: let him, if hee be able, speake better els where, and not corrupt the worke he hath already madesale-off; Of such people, a man should buy nothing, but after they are dead: let them throughly thinke on it, before they produce the same. Who hastens them? My booke is alwaies one: except that according as the Prin∣ter goes about to renew it, that the buyers depart not altogether empty-handed, I give my selfe law to adde thereto (as it is but vncoherent chocky, or ill joined in-laid-worke) some supernumeral embleme. They are but over-waights, which disgrace not the first forme, but give some particular price vnto every one of the succeeding, by an ambitious pety subtili∣ty. Whence notwith standing, it may easily happen, that some transposition of chronology is thereto commixt: my reportes taking place according to their opportunity, and not e∣ver according to their age. Secondly, forsomuch as in regard of my selfe, I feare to loose by the exchange: My vnderstanding doth not alwayes goe forward, it sometimes goes al∣so backeward: I in a manner distrust mine owne fantasies as much, though second or third as I doe when they are the first; or present, as past. We many times correct our selves as foolish∣ly, as we taxe others vnadvisedly. I am growne aged by a number of yeares since my first publications, which were in a thousand five hundred and foure score. But I doubt whe∣ther I be encreased one inch in wisedome. My selfe now, and my selfe anon, are indeede two; but when better; in good sooth I cannot tell. It were a goodly thing to be old, if wee did onely march towards amendment. It is the motion of a drunkard, stumbling, reeling, giddie∣brain'd, formeles; or of reedes, which the ayre dooth causually waue to and fro, what way it bloweth. Antiochus in his youth, had stoutly and vehemently written in fauor of the Acade∣my; but being olde hee changed copy, and writ as violently against it: which of the two I should follow, should I not ever follow Antiochus? Hauing once established a doubt, to at∣tempt to confirme the certainty of humane opinions, were it not an establishing of a doubt, and not of the certainty? and promise, that had he had another age given him with assurance to liue, hee should euer haue beene in termes of new agitations; not so much better, as other and different? Publike fauor hath given me some more bouldnes, then I hoped for: but the thing I feare most, is to breed a glutting saciety. I would rather spur, then bee weary. As a wiseman of my time hath done. Commendation is ever pleasing, from whom, from whence, or wherefore so ever it come: yet ought a man to be informed of the cause, if he will iustly please and applaud himselfe therewith. Imperfections themselues haue their meanes to be recommended. Vulgar and common estimation, is little happy if it come to encounter: And I am deceiued, if in my dayes, the worst compositions and absurdest bookes have not gained the credit of popular breath. Verily I am much beholding to diuers honest men, and I thanke them, that vouchsafe to take my endeuours in good parte. There is no place where the deffects of the fashion doe so much appeare, as in a matter, that in it selfe hath nothing to recommend it. Good reader blame not me, for those that passe here, either by the fantazie or vnwarinesse of others: for every hand, each workman, brings his owne vnto them. I neither medle with orthography (and would onely have them follow the ancient) nor with curious pointing: I have small experience in either. Where they altogether breake the sence, I little trouble my selfe therewith; for at least they discharge me. But where they will wrest-in and substitute a false sence (as often they doe) and wyre-draw me to their con∣ceits, then they spoile me. Neverthelesse, when the sentence is not strong or sinnowie accor∣ding to my meaning, an honest man may reject it to be mine. Hee that shall know how little laborious I am and how framed after mine owne fashion, will easily beleeve, I would rather endite anew, as many more other Essayes, then subject my selfe to trace these over againe, for this childish correction. I was saying erewhile, that being plunged in the deepest mine of this new kinde of mettall, I am not onely deprived of great familiarity with men of dif∣ferent custome from mine; and other opinions, by which they holde together by a knot, commanding all other knots: but am not also without some hazard, amongst those, with whom all things are equally lawfull: most of which cannot now adayes empaire their market towarde our justice: whence the extreame degree of licenciousnesse proceedeth. Casting ouer all the particular circumstances that concerne mee, I finde no one man of ours, to whome the inhibition of our lawes costeth any thing, eyther in gaine ceasing, or

in losse appearing (as Lawyers say) more then vnto my selfe. And some there bee, that in chollericke heate and humourous fury will cracke and vaunt much, that will performe a great deale lesse then my selfe, if once wee come to an equall ballance. As a house at all times freely open, much frequented, of great haunt and officious in entertaining all sortes of people (for I could never bee induced, to make an implement of warre thereof: which I perceive much more willingly to bee sought-out and flocked vnto, where it is furthest from my neighbours) my house hath merited much popular affecti∣on: And it were a hard matter to gourmandize my selfe vpon mine owne dung-hill: And I repute it a wonderfull and exemplar strangenesse, that having vndergone so many stormie-wrackes, so divers changes and tumultuous-neighbour agitations, it doth yet to this day continue free, and (as I may say) an vndefiled virgine from shedding of blood, spoile or sacking. For, to say true, it was possible for a man of my disposition to escape from a constant and continuall forme, whatsoever it was. But the contrary invasions, ho∣stile incursions, alternations and vicissitudes of fortune, round about me, have hetherto more exasperated, then mollified the humor of the country: and recharge mee with dangers and invincible difficulties. I have escaped. But it greeveth me that it is rather by fortune: yea and by my discretion then by justice: And it vexeth me, to bee without the protection of the lawes and vnder any other safegard, then theirs. As things now stand, I live more then halfe by the favour of others; which is a severe obligation. I would not bee endebted for my safety, neither to the goodnesse, nor to the goodwill of other great men, which applaude themselves with my liberty and legalitie; nor to the facilitie of my predecessours or mine owne manners: for, what if I were other then I am? If my demeanour, the libertie of my conversation, or happily alliance, binde my neighbours: It is a cruelty, that they should acquit themselves of it, in suffring mee to live, and that they may say; wee give him a free and and vndisturbed continuation of divine seruice, in the chaple of his house, whilst all other Churches round about him are by vs prophaned and deserted; and wee freely al∣low and pardon him the fruition of his goods and vse of his life, as hee maintaineth our wi∣ues, and in time of neede keepeth our cattle. It is long since, that in my house, wee have a share in Lycurgus the Athenians praise, who was the generall storier, depositary and guar∣dian of his fellow-cittizens goods and purses. I am now of opinion, that a man must live by lawe and authoritie, and not by recompence or grace. How many gallant men have rather made choise to loose their life, then be endebted for the same? I shunne to sub∣mit my selfe to any manner of obligation. But aboue all, to which bindes mee by dutye of bondes of honour. I finde nothing so deare, as what is given mee: and that because my will remaines engaged by a title of ingratitude: And I more willinglye receaue such of∣fices, as are to bee sould. A thing easie to bee beleeved; for these I give nothing but money; but for those, I give my selfe. The bonde that houldes mee by the lawe of honestie, seemeth to mee much more vrgent and forcible, then that of ciuill compul∣sion. I am more gentlye tide by a Notarie, then by my selfe. Is it not reason, that my conscience bee much more engaged to that, wherein shee hath simplie and onely beene trusted? Els, my faith oweth nothing; for shee had nothing lent hir. Let one helpe himselfe with the confidence or assurance hee hath taken from mee. I would much rather breake the prison of a wall or of the lawes, then the bonde of my worde. I am nicely scrupulous in keeping of my promises, nay almost supersticious; and in all subiects I commonly passe them vncertaine and conditionall. To such as are of no waigh∣ty consequence, I adde force with the jealousie of my rule: shee rackes and chargeth mee with hir owne interest. Yea, in such enterprises as are altogether mine owne and free, if I speake the word, or name the point, mee thinkes I prescribe the same vnto mee: and that to give it to anothers knowledge, it is to preordaine it vnto himselfe. Me seemes I absolutely promise, when I speake. Thus I make but small bragge of my propositions. The condem∣nation I make of my selfe, is more mooving, forcible and severe, then that of the judges, who onely take me by the countenance of common obligation: the constraint of my con∣science is more rigorous and more strictly severe: I faintly follow those duties, to which I should bee haled, if I did not goe to them. Hoc ipsum it a iustum est quod rectè fit, si volun∣tarium. This is so iust, as it is well done, if it be voluntarie. If the action have no glimps of li∣bertie,* 1.163 it hath neither grace nor honour.

Quod me ius cogit, vix voluntate impetrent.* 1.164 What law enforceth me to doe, By will they can scarse winne me to.

Where necessitie drawes mee, I loue to relent my will. Quia quicquid imperio cogitur, exi∣genti magis, quam praestanti acceptum refertur. For whatsoeuer is enforced by command, is more imputed to him that exacteth then in him that performeth. I know some, that follow this aire, even vnto injustice: They will rather giue, then restore; sooner lend, then pay; and more sparingly doe good to him, to whom they are bound to doe it. I bend not that way, but am mainely against it. I love so much to disoblige and discharge my selfe, that I have somtimes esteemed as profit, the ingratitudes, the offences, and indignities I had receiued of those, to whom either by nature or accidents, I was by way of friendship somewhat behoulding: ta¦king the occasion of their fault for a quittance and discharge of my debt. Although I con∣tinue to pay them the apparent offices with common reason; I notwith standing finde some sparing in doing that by justice, which I did by affection, and somwhat to ease my selfe with the attention and diligence of my inward will. Est prudentis sustinere vt cursum, sic impe∣tum* 1.165 benevolentiae. It is a wisemans part to keepe a hand as on the course, so on the career of his good∣will: Which where ever I apply my selfe, is in me too vrgent and over-pressing: at least for a man that by no meanes would be enthronged. Which husbandrie stands mee in stead of some comfort, about the imperfections of those that touch me. Indeed I am much dis∣pleased, they should thereby be of lesse worth: but so it is, that I also save something of my engagement and application towards them. I allow of him, that loves his childe so much the lesse, by how much more he is either deformedly crooked, or scald-headed: And not onely when he is knavish or shrewd, but also being vnluckie or ill borne (for God himselfe hath in that abated of his worth and naturall estimation) alwaies provided, that in such a cold and sleight affection, hee beare himselfe with moderation and exact iustice. In mee, proximitie of blood doth nothing diminish, but rather aggravate defects. After all, accor∣ding to the skill I have in the knowledge of benefits and thankfulnesse, which is a know∣ledge very subtill and of great vse, I see no man more free and lesse indebted, then hither∣to I am my selfe. What ever I owe, the same I owe simply to common and naturall obligati∣ons. There is no man more absolutely quit and cleare else whence.

—nec sunt mihi nota potentum Munera. With gifts I am not much acquainted, Of mighty men, and much lesse tainted.

Princes give mee sufficiently, if they take nothing from me, and doe me much good, if they doe me no hurt: it is all I require of them. Oh how much am I beholding to God, forsomuch as it hath pleased him, that whatsoever I enioy, I have immediately received the same from his grace: that he hath particularly reserved all my debt vnto himselfe. I most instantly beseech his sacred mercy, that I may never owe any man so much as one essentiall God-a-mercie. Oh thrise fortunate libertie, that hath brought me so farre. May it end successefully. I en∣devour to have no manner of need of any man. In me omnis spes est mihi. All my hope for all my helpe is my selfe. It is a thing that every man may effect in himselfe: but they more easily, whom God hath protected and sheltred from naturall and vrgent necessities. Indeed it is both lamentable and dangerous, to depend of others. Our selves, which is the safest and most lawfull refuge, are not very sure vnder our selves. I have nothing that is mine owne, but my selfe: yet is the possession thereof partly defective and borrowed. I manure my selfe, both in courage (which is the stronger) and also in fortune, that if all things else should for∣sake me, I might finde something, wherewith to please and satisfie my selfe. Eleus Hippias did not onely store himselfe with learning, that in time of need hee might ioifully with∣draw himselfe amongst the Muses, and be sequestred from all other company: nor onely with the knowledge of Philosophie, to teach his minde to be contented with her, and when his chance should so dispose of him, manfully to passe over such incommodities, as exterior∣lie might come vnto him. But moreover he was so curious in learning to dresse his meat, to notte his haire, to make his clothes, breeches and shoes, that as much as could possibly be, he might wholly relie & trust to himselfe, & be freed from all sorraine helpe. A man doth more freely and more blithely enioy borrowed goods: when it is not a bounden iovissance and

constrained through neede: and that a man hath in his will the power, and in his fortune the meanes to live without them. I know my selfe well. But it is very hard for mee to ima∣gine any liberalitie of another body so pure towards me, or suppose any hospitalitie so free. so hartie and genuine, as would not seeme affected, tyrranicall, disgraced and attended on by reproach, if so were that necessitie had forced and tied me vnto it. As to give is an ambici∣ous qualitie, and of prerogative, so is taking a qualitie of submission. Witnes the injurious and pick∣thanke refusall, that Baiazeth made of the presents which Themir had sent him. And those which in the behalfe of Soliman the Emperor were sent to the Emperour of Calicut, did so vex him at the hart, that hee did not onely vtterly reject and scornfully refuse them; saying, that neither himselfe nor his predecessors before him, were accustomed to take any thing, and that their office was rather to give; but besides he caused the Ambassadors, to that end sent vnto him, to be cast into a deepe dungeon. When Thetis (saith Aristotle) flattereth Iupi∣ter: when the Lacedemonians flatter the Athenians, they doe not thereby intend to put them in minde of the good they have done them, which is ever hatefull, but of the be∣nefits they have received of them. Those I see familiarly to employ and make vse of all men, to begge and borrow of all men, and engage themselves to all men, would doubtlesse never doe it, knew they as I doe, or tasted they as I have done, the sweete con∣tent of a pure and vndepending libertie: and if therewithall (as a wiseman ought) they did duly ponder what it is for a man to engage himselfe into such an obligation, or libertie de∣priving bond. It may happily be paide sometimes, But it can never be vtterly dissolved. It is a cruell bondage, to him that loveth, throughly and by all meanes to have the free scope of his libertie. Such as are best and most acquainted with mee, know, whether ever they saw any man living, lesse soliciting, lesse craving, lesse inportuning or lesse begging, then I am, or that lesse employeth or chargeth others, which if I be, and that beyond all moderne example, it is no great wonder, sithence so many parts of my humours or manners contri∣bute thereunto. As a naturall kinde of stubbornesse; an impatience to be denied; a con∣traction of my desires and desseignes; and an insufficiencie or vntowardlinesse in all man∣ner of affaires; but aboue all, my most fauoured qualities, lethall sloathfulnesse, and a ge∣nuine liberty. By all which meanes, I have framed an habite, mortally to hate, to be behoul∣ding to any creature els, or to depend of other, then vnto and of my selfe. True it is, that before I employ the beneficence or liberalitie of an other, in any light or waighty occa∣sion, small or vrgent neede soever: I doe to the vtmost power employ all that ever I am able, to auoide and forbeare it. My friends doe strangelie importune and molest me, when they solicite and vrge mee to entreate a third man. And I deeme it a matter of no lesse charge and imputation, to disingage him that is endebted vnto mee, by making vse of him, then to engage my selfe vnto him that oweth mee nothing. Both which conditions being removed, let them not looke for any combersome, negotious and carefull matter at my hands (for I have denounced open warre vnto all manner of carke and care) I am commodi∣ously easie and ready in times of any bodies necessitie. And I have also more avoyded to receave, then sought to giue: which (as Aristotle saith) is also more facile. My fortune hath afforded me small meanes to benefit others and that little she hath bestowed on me, the same hath shee also meanely and indifferently placed. Had shee made mee to bee so borne that I might have kept some ranke amongst men, I would then have beene ambicious in procuring to bee beloved, but never to bee feared or admired. Shall I expresse it more inso∣lentlie? I would have had as much regarde vnto pleasing, as vnto profiting. Cyrus doth most wiselye, and by the mouth of an excellent Captaine and also a better Philosopher, esteeme his bountie and prise his good deedes, farre beyonde his valour and aboue his warlike conquests. And Scipio the elder, wheresoever hee seeketh to prevaile and set forth himselfe, rateth his debonairitie and valueth his humanitie above his courage and beyond his victories: and hath ever this glorious saying in his mouth: That hee hath left his ene∣mies as much cause to love him, as his friends. I will therefore say, that if a man must thus owe any thing, it ought to bee vnder a more lawfull title, then that whereof I speake, to which the law of this miserable warre dooth engage me; and not of so great a debt, as that of my totall preservation and whole estate: which dooth vnreparablie over-whelme mee. I have a thousand times gone to bedde in mine house, imagining I should the very same night, either have beene betrayed or slaine in my bedde:

compounding and conditioning with fortune, that it might be without apprehension of fearefull astonishment and languishment; And after my praiers, have cried out,

Impius haec tam culta novalia miles habebit? Shall these our grounds so deckt and drest,* 1.166 By godlesse souldiers be possest?

What remedie? It is the place where my selfe and most of my ancestors were borne: there∣in have they placed their affection and their name. Wee harden our selves vnto whatsoever we accustome our selves. And to a wretched condition, as ours is, custome hath beene a most favourable present, given vs by nature, which enureth and lulleth our sense asleepe, to the suffring of divers evils. Civill warres have this one thing worse then other warres, to cause every one of vs to make a watch-tower of his owne house.

Quàm miserum, porta vitam muro{que} tueri,* 1.167 Vixque suae tutum viribus esse domus! How hard with gate and wall our life to gard, And scarce be safe in our owne houses bard

It is an irkesome extremitie, for one to be troubled and pressed even in his owne houshold and domesticall rest. The place wherein I dwell, is ever both the first and last to the batte∣rie of our troubles: and where peace is never absolutely discerned,

Tum quoque cùm pax est, trepidant formidine belli.* 1.168 Ev'n when in peace they are, They quake for feare of warre. —quoties pacem fortuna lacessit,* 1.169 Hac iter est bellis, melius fortuna dedisses Orbe sub Eoo sedem, gelida{que} sub Arcto, Errantes{que} domos. As oft as fortune troubleth peace, their race Warres makes this way: fortune with better grace, In th'Easterne world thou shouldst have giv'n them place, Or wandring tents for warre, vnder the cold North-starre.

I sometimes draw the meanes to strengthen my selfe against these considerations, from care∣lesnesse and idlenesse: which also in some sort bring vs vnto resolution. It often befulleth me, with some pleasure, to imagine what mortall dangers are, and to expect them. I do even hood-winkt, with my head in my bosome and with stupiditie, plunge my selfe into death, without considering or knowing it, as into a deepe, hollow and bottomlesse abysse, which at one leape doth swallow me vp, and at an instant doth cast me into an eternall slumber, full of insipiditie and indolencie. And in these short, sudden or violent deaths, the consequence I fore-see of them, affoords me more comfort, then the effect of feare. They say, that even an life is not the best, because it is long, so death is the best, because it is short. I estrange not my selfe so much by being dead, as I enter into confidence with dying. I enwrap and shrowd my selfe in that storme, which shall blinde and furioosly wrap me, with a ready and insensible charge. Vea if it hapned (as some gardners say) that those Roses and Violets are ever the sweeter and more odoriferous, that grow neere vnto Garlike and Onions, forsomuch as they sucke and draw all the ill savours of the ground vnto them: so that these depraved natures would draw and sucke all the venome of mine aire, and infection of my climate; and by their neerenesse vnto me, make me so much the better and purer; that I might not lose all. That is not; but of this, something may be, forsomuch as goodnesse is the fairer and more attracting when it is rare, and that contrarietie stifneth, and diversitie encloseth well-doing in it selfe, and by the jealousie of opposition and glory, it doth inflame it. Theeves and stealers (godamercie their kindnesse) have in particular nothing to say to mee: no more have I to them. I should then have to do with over-many sorts of men. Alike consciences lurke vnder diver•• kinds of garments: Alike crueltie, disloialtie and stealing. And so much the worse, by how much it is more base, more safe and more secret vnder the colour of lawes. I hate lesse an open-professed iniu∣rie, then a deceiving traitrous wrong; an hostile and war-like, then a peacefull and lawfull. Our feaver hath seased vpon a body, which it hath not much empaired. The fire was in it, but now the flame hath taken hold of it. The report is greater; the hurt but little. I ordinarily answer such as demand reasons for my voiages: That I know what I shunne,

but w••t not what I seeke. If one tell mee, there may bee as little sound health amongst stran∣gers, and that their manners are neither better nor purer, then ours: I answer first that it is very hard:

Tam multa scelerum facies.* 1.170 The formes so manifold Of wickednesse we hold.

Secondly, that it is ever a gaine, to change a bad estate for an vncertaine. And that others e∣vils, should not touch vs so neare as ours. I will not forget this, that I can never mutinie so much against France, but I must needs looke on Paris with a favourable eye: It hath my hart from my infancy: whereof it hath befalne me as of excellent things: the more other faire and stately citties I have seene since, the more hir beauty hath power and doth still vsurpingly gaine vpon my affection. I love that Cittie for hir owne sake, and more in hir onely subsi∣sting and owne being, then when it is full-fraught and embellished with forraine pompe and borrowed garish ornaments: I love hir so tenderly, that even hir spots, hir blemishes and hir warts are deare vnto me. I am no perfect French-men, but by this great-matchlesse Cittie, great in people, great in regard of the felicitie of hir situation; but above all, great and incom∣parable in varietie and diversitie of commodities: The glory of France, and one of the no∣blest and chiefe ornaments of the world. God of his mercy free hir, and chase away all our divisions from hir: Being entirely vnited to hir selfe, I finde hir defended from all other vi∣olence. I forewarne hir, that of all factions, that shall bee the worst, which shall breed dis∣cord and sedition in hir. And for hir sake, I onely feare hir selfe. And surely, I am in as great feare for hir, as for any other part of our state. So long as she shall continue, so long shall I never want a home or retreat, to retire and shrowd my selfe at all times: a thing able to make me for get the regret of all other retreates. Not because Socrates hath said it, but because such is in truth my humour, and peradventure not without some excuse, to esteeme all men as my country-men; and as I kindly embrace a Polonian as a Frenchman; postposing this naturall bond, to vniversall and common. I am not greatly strucken with the pleasantnesse of naturall aire. Acquaintances altogether new and wholly mine, doe in my conceit coun∣tervaile the woorth of all other vulgar and casuall acquaintances of our neighbours. Friend∣ships meerely acquired by our selves, doe ordinarily exceed those, to which wee are joyned, either by communication of Climate, or affinity of blood. Nature hath plac't vs in the world free and vnbound, wee emprison our selves into certaine streights: As the kings of Perfia▪ who bound themselves never to drinke other water, then of the river Choaspez; foolishly renouncing all lawfull righ of vse in all other waters: and for their regard dried vp all the rest of the world. What Socrates did in his latter dayes, to deeme a sentence of banishment worse, then a doome of death against himselfe, being of the minde I am now, I shall never be neither so base minded, nor so strictly habituated in my country, that I would follow him. The celestiall lives, have divers images, which I embrace more by estimation, then by affe∣ction. And some to extraordinary, and so highly elevated, which because I am not able to conceive, I cannot embrace by estimation. This humor was very tenderly appehended by him, who deemed all the world to be his Citty. True it is, he disdained peregrinations, and had not much set his foote beyond the territory of Athens. What, if he bewailed the mony his friend offred to lay out, to disingage his life, and refused to come out of prison, by the in∣tercession of others, because he would not disobey the lawes, in a time wherin they were o∣therwise so corrupted? These examples are of the first kind for me Of the second there are o∣thers, which I could find in the very same man. Many of these rare examples exceed the pow¦er of my action; but some exceed also the force of my judgement. Besides these reasons, I deem travell to be a profitable exercise. The minde hath therein a continuall exercitation, to marke things vnknowne, and note new obiects. And as I have often said, I know no better schoole, to fashion a mans life, then vncessantly to propose vnto him the diversity of so many other mens lives, customes, hu∣mors and fantazies; and make him taste or apprehend one so perpetuall variety of our natures shapes or formes. Therein the body is neither absolutely idle nor wholly troubled: and, that moderate agita∣tion doth put him into breath. My selfe, as crazed with the chollicke as I am, can sit eight, yea sometimes ten houres on horse-backe, without wearinesse or tyring.

Ʋires vltra sortemque senectae.* 1.171 Beyond strength ordinary, Which old yeeres vse to cary.

No weather is to me so contrary, as the scorching heat of the parching Sunne. For, these Ʋmbrels or riding canapies, which since the ancient Romans, the Italians vse, doe more weary the armes, then ease the head. I would faine-faine know what industry it was in the Persians, so anciently, and even in the infancie of luxuriousnesse (as Xenoph••n reporteth) to fanne themselves, and at their pleasures to make cold shades. I love rainy and durty wea∣ther, as duckes doe. The change either of aire or climate doth nothing distemper mee. All heavens are alike to me, I am never vexed or beaten, but with internall alterations, such as I produce my selfe, which surprise and possesse me least in times of way-fairing. It is a hard matter to make mee resolve of any iourney: but if I be once on the way, I hold out as long and as farre, as another. I strive as much in small, as I labour in great enterprises: and to prepare my selfe for a short journey or to visit a friend, as to vndertake a farre-set voiage. I have learn't to frame my journies after the Spanish fashion, all at once and out-right; great and reasonable. And in extreme heats, I travell by night, from Sunne-set to Sunne-rising. The other fashion, confusedly and in haste to bait by the way and dine, especially in Winter, when the daies are so short, is both troublesome for man, and incommodious for horse. My Iades are the better, and hold out longer. No horse did ever faile me, that held out the first daies iourney with me. I water them in all waters; and onely take care of their last watering, that before I come to mine Inne they have way enough to beat their water. My slothful∣nesse to rise in the morning, alloweth such as follow mee sufficient leasure to dine, before wee take horse. As for me, I never feed over-late: I commonly get an appetite in eating, and no otherwise: Iam never hungry but at the table. Some complaine, that being maried, and well strucken in yeeres, I have enured my selfe, and beene pleased to continue this exer∣cise. They doe me wrong: The best time for a man to leave his house, is when hee hath so ordered and settled the same, that it may continue without him: and when he hath so dis∣posed his affaires, that they may answer the ancient course and wonted forme. It is much more indiscretion, and an argument of want of judgement, to goe from home, and leave no trustie guard in his house, and which for lacke of care may be slow or forgetfull in provi∣ding for such necessities, as in your absence it may stand in need of. The most profitable know∣ledge, and honourablest occupation for a matron or mother of a familie, is the occupation and know∣ledge of huswiferie. I see divers covetous, but few huswives. It is the mistresse-qualitie that all men should seeke after, and above all other endevour to finde: as the only dowry, that ser∣veth, either to ruine and overthrow, or to save and enrich our houses. Let no man speake to me of it; according as experience hath taught me, I require in a maried woman the Oeco∣nomicall vertue above all others. Wherein I would have her absolutely skilfull, since by my absence I commit the whole charge, and bequeath the full government of my houshold to her.

I see (and that to my griefe) in divers houses the master or goodman come home at noone all weary, durty and dusty, with drudging and toiling about his businesse, when the mistresse or good-wife is either scarce vp, or if shee bee, shee is yet in her closet, dressing, decking, smugging or trimming of her selfe. It is a thing onely fitting Queenes or Princes; whereof some doubt might be made. It is ridiculous that the idlenesse, and vniust that the lithernesse of our wives should be fostered with our sweat, and maintained by our travell: No man (as neere as I can) shall fortune to have a more free and more abso∣lute vse, or a more quiet and more liquid fruition of his goods, then I have. If the hus∣band bring matter; nature her selfe would have women to bring forme. Concerning duties of wedlocke-friendship, which some happily imagine to be interessed or preiudiced by the husbands absence, I beleeve it not. Contrariwise, it is a kinde of intelligence, that easily growes cold by an over-continuall assistance, and decaieth by assiduitie; for, to stand still at racke and manger breedeth a satietie. Every strange woman seemeth to vs an honest woman: And all feele by experience, that a continuall seeing one another, cannot possi∣bly represent the pleasure, men take by parting and meeting againe. These interruptions fill mee with a new kinde of affection, toward mine owne people, and yeeld me the vse

of my house more pleasing: vicissitude doth now and then en-earnest my minde toward one, and then toward another. I am not ignorant how true amitie hath armes long enough, to embrace, to claspe and hold from one corner of the world Ʋnto another: namely in this, where is a continuall communication of offices, that cause the obligation, and revive the remembrance thereof. The Stoickes say, that there is so great an affinitie and mutu∣all relation, betweene wise men, that he who dineth in France, feedeth his companion in Aegypt; and if one of them doe but hold vp his finger, where ever it bee, all the wise men dispersed vpon the habitable land, feele a kinde of aid thereby. IoƲissance and possession, appertaine chiefly Ʋnto imagination. It embraceth more earnestly and vncessantly what she goeth to fetch, then what wee touch. Summon and count all your daily ammusements; and you shall finde, you are then furthest and most absent from your friend, when hee is present with you. His assistance releaseth your attention, and giveth your thoughts liber∣tie, at all times and vpon every occasion, to absent themselves. If I be at Rome, or any where else, I hold, I survay and governe my house and the commodities, which I have left about and in it. I even see my walles, my trees, my grasse and my rents, to stand, to grow, to decay and to diminish, within an inch or two of that I should doe when I am at home.

Ante oculos errat domus, errat forma locorum. My house is still before mine eies, There still the forme of places lies.

If we but onely enioy what we touch, farewell our crownes when they are in our coafers, and adiew to our children, when they are abroad or a hunting; we would have them neerer. In the garden is it farre off? within halfe a daies iourney? What, within ten leagues, is it farre or neere? If it be neere: what is eleven, twelve, or thirteene? and so step by step. Verily that woman who can prescribe vnto her husband, how many steps end that which is neere, and which step in number begins the distance she counts farre, I am of opinion, that she stay him betweene both.

—excludat iurgïa finis.* 1.172 Let the conclusion, Exclude confusion. Ʋtor permisso, caudaeque pilos vt equinae Paulatim vello: & demo vnum, demo etiam vnum Dum cadat elusus ratione ruentis acervi. Ivse the grant, and plucke by one and one* 1.173 The horse-taile haires, till when the bush is gone, I leave the Iade a curtall taile or none.

And let them boldly call for Philophie to helpe them. To whom some might reproach, since she neither discerneth the one nor other end of the joynt, betweene the ouermuch and the little; the long and the short; the light and the heauie, the neare and the farre; since she neither knowes the beginning nor ending thereof, that she doth very vncertainly judge of the middle. Rerum natur a nullam nobis dedit cognitionem finium: Nature hath affoor∣ded vs no knowledge of hir endes. Are they not yet wives and friendes of the deceased, that are not at the end of this, but in the other world? wee embrace both those that haue beene, and those which are not yet, not onely the absent. We did not condition, when wee were maried, continually to keepe our selues close hugging one another, as some, I wot not what little creatures doe, we see daily; or as those bewitched people of Karenti, in a kinde of dogged manner. And a woman should not haue hir eyes so greedily or so dotingly fixed on hir husbands fore-part, that if neede shall require, she may not view his hinder-partes. But might not the saying of that cunning Painter, who could so excellently set foorth their humours and pourtray their conditions, fitly bee placed heere, liuely to represent the cause of their complaints?

Ʋxor, si cesses, aut te amare cogitat,* 1.174 Aut tete amari, aut potare, aut animo obsequi, Et tibi bene esse soli, cum sibi sit malè. If you be slow, your wife thinkes that in loue you are, Or are belov'd, or drinke, or all for pleasure care, And that you onely fare-well, when she ill doth fare.

Or might it be, that opposition and contradiction doe naturally entertaine, and of them∣selves nourish them: and that they are sufficiently accomodated, provided they disturbe and incommode you? In truly-perfect friendship, wherein I presume to have some skill and well-grounded experience; I give my selfe more vnto my friend, than I draw him vn∣to me. I doe not onely rather love to doe him good, then he should doe any to me; but al∣so, that he should rather doe good vnto himselfe, then vnto me; For then doth he me most good, when he doth it to himselfe. And if absence be either pleasing or beneficiall vnto him, it is to me much more pleasing, then his presence: and that may not properly be termed ab∣sence, where meanes and waies may be found to enter-advertise one another. I have heeretofore made good vse, and reaped commoditie by our absence and distance. Wee better repleni∣shed the benefit, and extended further the possession of life, by being divided and farre-a∣sunder: He lived, he reioiced, and he saw for mee, and I for him, as fully, as if he had beene present: Being together, one partie was idle: We confounded one another. The separati∣on of the place, made the conjunction of our mindes and willes, the richer. This insatiate and greedie desire of corporall presence, doth somewhat accuse the weakenesse in the iovissance of soules. Concerning age, which some allege against me, it is cleane contrary. It is for youth, to subject and bondage it selfe to common opinions, and by force to constraine it selfe for o∣thers. It may fit the turne of both; the people and it selfe: Wee have but overmuch to doe with our selves alone. According as naturall commodities faile vs, let vs sustaine our selves by artificiall meanes. It is injustice, to excuse youth in following her pleasures, and forbid age to devise and seeke them. When I was yong, I concealed my wanton and covered my youth∣full passions, with wit; and now being aged, I endevour to passe the sadde and incident to yeeres, with sport and debauches. Yet doe Platoes lawes forbid men to travell abroad, be∣fore they are forty or fifty yeeres of age, that so their travell may sort more profitable, and proove more instructive. I should more willingly consent to this other second article of the said lawes, which forbiddeth men to wander abroad, after they are once threescore. Of which age, few that travell farre-journies returne home againe. What care I for that? I vn∣dertake it not, either to returne or to perfect the same. I onely vndertake it to be in motion: So long as the motion pleaseth me, and I walke that I may walke. Those runne not, that runne after a Benefice or after a Hare: But they runne, that runne at barriers and to exercise their running. My de••scigne is every where divisible, it is not grounded on great hopes: each day makes an end of it. Even so is my lifes voiage directed. Yet have I seene divers farre-coun∣tries, where I would have beene glad to have beene staied. Why not? If Chrysippus, Dioge∣nes, Cleanthes, Antipater and Zeno, with so many other wise men of that roughly-severe, and severely-strict Sect, forsooke their Countries (without iust cause to bee offended with them) onely to enioy another aire? Truly the greatest griefe of my peregrinations, is, that I can∣not have a firme resolution, to establish my abiding where I would. And that I must ever resolve with my selfe to returne, for to accommodate my selfe vnto common humours. If I should feare to die in any other place, then where I was borne; if I thought I should die lesse at my ease, farre from mine owne people: I would hardly goe out of France, nay I should scarcely goe out of mine owne parish, without feeling some dismay. I feele death ever pinch∣ing me by the throat, or pulling me by the backe: But I am of another mould; to me it is ever one, and at all times the same. Neverthelesse if I were to chuse, I thinke it should rather be on horsebacke, than in a bed; from my home, and farre from my friends. There is more harts∣sorrow, than comfort, in taking ones last farewell of his friends. I doe easily forget or neg∣lect these duties or complements of our common or civill courtesie. For, of Offices apper∣taining to vnaffected amitie, the same is the most displeasing and offensive: And I should as willingly forget to give a body that great adiew, or eternall farewell. If a body reape any commoditie by this assistance, hee also findes infinite inconveniences in it. I have seene di∣vers die most piteously, compassed and beset round with their friends and servants: Such multitudes, and thronging of people doth stifle them. It is against reason, and a testimony of smal affection, and little care they have of you should die at rest. One offendeth your eies, another molesteth your eares, the third v exeth your mouth: You have neither sense nor limme, or parte of your body, but is tormented and grieved. Your hart is ready to burst for pittie to heare your friends moanes and complaints; and to rive asunder with spite to heare peradventure some of their wailings and moans, that are but fained and counterfet. If a man

have ever had a milde or tender nature, being weake and ready to die, he must then necessa∣rily have it more tender and relenting. It is most requisite, that in so vrgent a necessitie, one have a gentle hand and fitly applied to his sences, to scratch him where he itcheth; or else he ought not be clawed at all. If wee must needs have the helpe of a Midwife, to bring vs into this world, there is reason we should also have the aiding-hand of a wise man, to deliver vs out of the same. Such a one, and there with all a true friend, should a man before-hand purchase very deare, only for the service of such an occasion. I am not yet come to that disdainfull vigor, which so fortifieth it selfe, that at such times nothing aideth, nor nothing troubleth: I flie a lower pitch. I seeke to squat my selfe, and steale from that passage: not by feare, but by Art. My intent is not in such an action, to make either triall or shew of my constancie. Where∣fore? Because, then shall the right and interest I have in reputation cease. I am content with a death vnited in it selfe, quiet and solitarie, wholly mine, convenient to my retired and pri∣vate life. Cleane contrary to the Roman superstition, where hee was judged vnhappie, that died without speaking, and had not his neerest friends to close his eies. I have much adoe to comfort my selfe, without being troubled to comfort others: cares and vexations ••now in my minde, without needing circumstances to bring me new; and sufficient matter to entertaine my selfe, without borrowing any. This share belongs not to the part of societie: It is the act of one man alone. Let vs live, laugh and be merry amongst our friends, but die and yeeld vp the ghost amongst strangers, and such as wee know not. Hee who hath money in his purse, shall ever finde some ready to turne his head, make his bedde, rubbe his feet, attend him, and that will trouble and importune him no longer than hee list: and will ever shew him an indifferent and well-composed countenance, and without grumbling or grudging give a man leave to doe what he please, and complaine as he list. I daily endevour by discourse to shake off this childish humour and inhumane conceit, which causeth, that by our griefes and paines we ever desire to moove our friends to compassion and sorrow for vs, and with a kinde of sympathie to condole our miseries and passions. We endeare our inconveniences beyond measure, to extract teares from them: And the constancie we so much commend in all others, vndauntedly to endure all evill fortunes; we accuse and vpbraid to our neerest al∣lies, when they molest vs: we are not contented they should have a sensible feeling of our calamities, if they doe not also afflict themselves for them. A man should as much as he can set foorth and extend his joy; but to the vtmost of his power, suppresse and abridge his sor∣row. He that will causelesly be moaned, and sans reason, deserveth not to be pitied when he shall have cause and reason for it. To be ever complaining and alwaies moaning, is the way ne∣ver to be moaned and seldome to be pitied: and so often to seeme over-passionately-pitifull, is the meane to make no man feelingly-ruthfull towards others. He that makes himselfe dead being alive, is subiect to be accounted alive when he is dying. I have seene some take pepper in the nose, for∣somuch as they were told that they had a cheerefull countenance; that they looked well; that they had a temperate pulse: to force laughter, because some betraied their recoverie: and hate their health, because it was not regreetable. And which is more, they were no women. I for the most, represent my infirmities such as they are: And shunne such words as are of evill presage, and avoid composed exclamations. If not glee and mirth, at least an orderly∣setled countenance of the by-standers and assistants, is sufficiently-convenient to a wise and discreet sicke-man, who though he see himselfe in a contrary state, he will not picke a quar∣rell with health. He is pleased to behold the same, sound and strong in others; and at least for company-sake to enjoy his part of it. Though he feele and finde himselfe to faint and sinke downe, he doth not altogether reject the conceits and imaginations of life, nor doth he avoid common entertainments. I will studie sicknesse when I am in health: when it comes, it will really enough make her impression, without the helpe of my imagination. We deliberately prepare our selves before hand for any voiage we vndertake, and therein are resolved: the houre is set when we will take horse, and we give it to our company, in whose favour we extend it. I finde this vnexpected profit by the publication of my maners, that in some sort it serveth me for a rule. I am sometimes surprized with this consideration, not to betray the historie of my life. This publike declaration, bindes me to keepe my selfe within my course, and not to contradict the image of my conditions: commonly lesse disfigured and gaine-said, then the malignitie and infirmitie of moderne judgements doth beare. The vniformitie and sin∣glenesse of my manners, produceth a visage of easie interpretation; but because the fashion

of them is somewhat new and strange, and out of vse, it giveth detraction to faire play. Yet is it true, that to him, who will goe about loyally to iniure me, me thinkes I doe sufficiently affoord him matter, whereby he may detract and snarle at my avowed and knowen imper∣fections, and wherewith hee may be satisfied, without vaine contending and idle skirmish∣ing. If my selfe by preoccupating his discovery and accusation, hee thinkes I barre him of his snarling, it is good reason hee take his right, towards amplification and extension: Of∣fence hath her rights beyond justice: And that the vices, whereof I shew him the rootes in mee, he should amplifie them to trees. Let him not onely employ there unto those that pos∣sesse mee, but those which but threaten mee. Injurious vices, both in qualitie and in number. Let him beate mee that way. I should willingly embrace the example of Dion the Philoso∣pher. Antigonus going about to scoffe and quip at him touching his birth and off-spring, he interrupted him and tooke the word out of his mouth: I am (said hee) the sonne of a bond∣slave, a butcher, branded for a rogue, and of a whoore, whom my father by reason of his base fortune, tooke to wife: Both were punished for some misdeede. Being a childe, an O∣rator bought me as a slave, liking me for my beautie and comelinesse; and dying, left mee all his goods; which having transported into this citie of Athens, I have applied my selfe vnto Philosophie. Let not Historians busie themselves in seeking newes of mee. I will at large blaz on my selfe, and plainely tell them the whole discourse. A generous and free-minded confession doth disable a reproch and disarme an iniurie. So it is, that when all Cards be told, me seemes, that I am as oft commended as dispraised beyond reason. As also me thinks, that even from my infancie, both in ranke and degree of honour, I have had place given mee, ra∣ther above and more, than lesse and beneath that which appertained to mee. I should better like to be in a countrie, where these orders might either be reformed or contemned. Amon∣gest men, after that striving or altercation for the prerogative or vpper hand in going or sit∣ting, exceedeth three replies, it becommeth incivill. I neither feare to yeeld and give place, nor to follow and proceed vnjustly, so I may avoid such irkesome and importunate con∣testations. And never did man desire precedencie or place before me, but I quitted the same without grudging. Besides the profit I reape by writing of my selfe, I have hoped for this other, that if ever it might happen my humours should please or sympathize with some ho∣nest man, he would before my death seeke to be acquainted with me, or to overtake mee. I have given him much ground: For, whatsoever a long acquaintance or continuall familia∣rity might have gained him in many wearisome yeares, the same hath hee in three dayes fully seene in this Register; and that more safely and more exactly. A pleasant fantazie is this of mine; many things I would bee loath to tell a particular man, I vtter to the whole world. And concerning my most secret thoughts and inward knowledge, I send my dearest friends to a Stationers shop.

Excutienda damus praecordia.* 1.175 Our very entrailes wee Lay foorth for you to see.

If by so good markes and tokens, I had ever knowen or heard of any one man, that in this humour had beene answerable to mee, I would assuredly have wandred very farre to finde him out: For, the exceeding joy of a sortable and in one consent agreeing company, can∣not (in mine opinion) be sufficiently endeared or purchased at too high a rate. Oh God! who can expresse the value or conceive the true worth of a friend? How true is that ancient golden saying, that the vse of a friend is more necessary and pleasing, then of the elements, water and fire. But to returne to my former discourse: There is then no great inconvenience in dying farre from home and abroad. Wee esteeme it a part of duty and decencie to withdraw our selves for naturall actions, lesse hideous and lesse disgracefull then this. But also those that come vnto that, in languishing manner to draw a long space of life, should not happily wish with their miserie to trouble a whole family. Therefore did the Indians of a certaine countrie deeme it just and lawfull, to kill him that should fall into such necessitie. And in another of their Provinces, they though it meete to forsake him, and as well as hee could leave him a∣lone to seeke to save himselfe. To whom at last, proove they not themselves tedious and intolerable? Common offices proceed not so farre. Perforce you teach crueltie vnto your best friends; obdurating by long vse, both wife and children, not to feele, nor to conceive, nor to moane your evils any longer. The groanes and out-cries of my chollike, cause no

more ruth and wailing in any body. And should we conceive pleasure by their conversation (which seldome hapneth, by reason of the disparitie of conditions, which easily produceth either contempt or envy towards what man soever) is it not too-too much, therwith to abuse a whole age? The more I should see them with a good heart to straine themselves for me, the more should I bewaile their paine. The law of curtesie alloweth vs to leane vpon others, but not so vnmanerly to lie vpon them and vnderpropt our selves in their ruine. As hee who caused little in∣fants to be slaine, that with their innocent blood he might be cured of a malady he had. Or another who was continually stored with yoong teudrels or lasses, to keepe his old-frozen limbs warme a nights, and entermix the sweetenesse of their breath with his old-stinking and offensive vapours. Decrepitude is a solitary qualitie. I am sociable even vnto excesse, yet doe I thinke it reasonable, at last to substract my opportunity from the sight of the world, and hatch it in my selfe. Let me shrowd and shrugge my selfe into my shell, as a tortoise: and learne to see men, without taking hold of them. I should outrage them in so steepe a passage. It is now high time to turne from the company. But heere will somesay, that in thesefarre journies you may peradventure fall into some miserable dog-hole or poore cottage, where you shall want all needfull things. To whom I answer, that for things most necessary insuch cases, I ever carry most of them with me: And that, where-ever wee are, wee cannot possibly a∣void fortune, if she once take vpon her to persecute vs. When I am sicke, I want nothing that is extraordinarie: what nature cannot worke in me, I will not have a Bolus, or a glister to effect. At the very beginning of my agues or sickenesses that cast me downe, whilst I am yet whole in my senses and neere vnto health, I reconcile my selfe to God by the last duties of a Christi∣an; whereby I finde my selfe free and discharged; and thinke I have so much more reason and authoritie over my sickenesse, I finde lesse want of Notaries and counsell, then of Physiti∣ons. What I have not disposed of my affaires or settled of my state when I was in perfect health, let none expect I should doe it beeing sicke. Whatever I will doe for the service of death, is alwayes ready done. I dare not delay it one onely day. And if nothing be done, it is as much to say, that either some doubt hath delaide the choise: For, sometimes it is a good choise, not to chuse at all: Or that absolutely I never intended to doe any thing. I write my booke to few men, and to few yeares. Had it beene a matter of lasting continuance, it should have beene compiled in a better and more polished language: According to the continuall variation, that hitherto hath followed our French tongue. Who may hope, that it's present forme shall be in vse fifty yeares hence? It dayly changeth and slips our hands: and since I could speake the same, it is much altred and well nigh halfe varied. We say it is now come to a full perfection. There is no age but saith as much of hirs. It lies not in my power, so long as it glideth and differeth and altereth as it doth, to keepe it at a stay. It is for excellent and profitable compositions to fasten it vnto them, whose credit shall either diminish or encrease, according to the fortune of our state. For all that, I feare not to insert therein divers private articles, whose vse is consumed amongst men living now adayes: and which concerne the particular knowledge of some, that shall further see into it, then with a common vnderstan∣ding. When all is done, I would not (as I often see the memory of the deceased tossed too and fro) that men should descant and argue: Thus and thus be iudged; thus he lived; thus he ment: had he spoken when his life left him, he would have given I wot what: There is no man knew him better then my selfe. Now, as much as modestie and decorum doth permit me; I heere give a taste of my inclinations and an essay of my affection: which I doe more freely and more willingly by word of mouth, to any that shall desire to be throughly informed of them. But so it is, that if any man shall looke into these memorialls, he shall finde, that either I have said all, or des∣seigned all. What I cannot expresse, the same I point at with my finger.

Verum animo satis haec vestigia parva sagaci* 1.176 Sunt, per quae possis cognoscere cateratnte. But this small footing to a quicke-sent minde May serve, whereby safely the rest to finde.

I leave nothing to bee desired or divined of mee. If one must entertaine himselfe with them, I would have it to be truely and justly. I would willingly come from the other world, to give him the lie, that should frame me other then I had beene: were it he meant to ho∣nour mee. I see that of the living, men never speake according to truth; and they are ever made to

he, what they are not. And if with might and maine, I had not vpheld a friend of mine whom I have lately lost, he had surely been mangled and torne in a thousand contrrary shapes. But to make an end of my weake humours: I confesse, that in travelling I seldome alight in any place or come to any Inne, but first of all I cast in my minde whether I may conveniently lie there, if I should chance to fall sicke; or dying, die at my ease and take my death quietly. I will, as neere as I can be lodged in some convenient part of the house, and in particular from all noise or stinking favours; in no close, filthy or smoaky chamber. I seeke to flatter death by these frivolous circumstances: Or as I may rather say, to discharge my selfe from all other trouble or encombrance; that so I may wholly apply and attend her, who without that shall happily lie very heavy vpon me. I will have her take a full share of my lives eases and commodities; it is a great part of it and of much consequence, and I hope it shall not belie what is past. Death hath some formes more easie then others, and assumeth divers qualities; according to all mens fantazies. Among the naturall ones, that proceeding of weakenesse and heavy dulnesse, to me seemeth gentle and pleasant. Among the violent I imagine a pre∣cipice more hardly, then a ruine that overwhelmes me: and a cutting blow with a sword, then a shot of an harquebuse: and I would rather have chosen to drinke the potion of Socrates, then wound my selfe as Cato did. And though it bee all one yet doth my imagination per∣ceive a difference, as much as is betweene death and life, to cast my selfe into a burning fur∣nace, or in the channell of a shallow river. So foolishly doth our feare respect more the meane, then the effect. It is but one instant; but of such moment, that to passe the same according to my desire, I would willingly renounce many of my lives-dayes. Since all mens fantazies, finde either excesse or diminution in her sharpensse; since every man hath some choise betweene the formes of dying, let vs trie a little further, whether we can finde out some one, free from all sorrow and griefe. Might not one also make it seeme voluptuous, as did those who died with Anthonic and Cleopatra? I omit to speake of the sharpe and exemplar efforts, that philo∣sophy and religion produce. But amongst men of no great fame, some have beene found (as one Petronius, and one Tigillinus at Rome) engaged to make themselves away, who by the ten∣dernesse of their preparations have in a manner lulled the same asleepe. They have made it passe and glide away, even in the midst of the security of their accustomed pastimes and wan∣ton recreations: Amongst harlots and good felowes; no speech of comfort, no mention of will or testament, no ambitious affectation of constancie, no discourse of their future condi∣tion, no compunction of sinnes committed, no apprehension of their soules-health, ever troubling them; amid sports, playes, banketting, surfetting, chambring, jesting, musicke and singing of amorous verses: and all such popular and common entertainments. Might not wee imitate this manner of resolution in more honest affaires and more commendable at∣tempts? And since there are deaths good vnto wise men and good vnto fooles, let vs find some one that may be good vnto such as are betweene both. My imagination presents me some easie and milde countenance thereof, and (since we must all die) to bee desired. The tyrants of Rome have thought, they gave that criminall offender his life, to whom they gave the free choise of death. But Theophrastus a Philosopher so delicate, so modest and so wise, was he not forced by reason, to dare to vtter this verse, latinized by Cicero:

Ʋitam regit fortuna non sapientia.* 1.177 Fortune our life doth rule, Not wisedome of the schoole.

Fortune giveth the facilitie of my lives-condition some aide; having placed it in such a time, wherein it is neither needefull nor combersome vnto my people. It is a condition I would have accepted in all the seasons of my age: but in this occasion to trusse vp bag and baggage, and take vp my bed and walke: I am particularly pleased, that when I shall die, I shall neither breede pleasure nor cause sorrow in them. Shee hath caused (which is the re∣compence of an artist) that such as by my death may pretend any materiall benefit, receive thereby elsewhere, jointly a materiall losse and hinderance. Death lies sometimes heavie vpon vs, in that it is burthensome to others: and interesseth vs with their interest, almost as much as with ours: and somtimes more; yea altogether. In this inconveniency of lodging that I seeke, I neither entermix pompe nor amplitude; For, I rather hate it. But a certaine sim∣ple and homely proprietie, which is commonly found in places where lesse Arte is, and that

nature honoureth with some grace peculiar vnto her selfe. Non ampliter sed munditer convi∣vium. Plus salis quàm sumptus. Not a great, but a neate feast. More conceite then cost.* 1.178

And then, it is for those, who by their vrgent affaires are compelled to travell in the midst of deepe Winter, and amongest the Grisons, to be surprized by such extreamities in their journies. But I, who for the most part never travell, but for pleasure, will neither bee so ill advised, nor so simply guided. If the way be fowle on my right hand, I take the left: If I find my selfe ill at ease or vnfit to ride, I stay at home. Which doing, and observing this course, in very truth I see no place, and come no where, that is not as pleasant, as convenient and as commodious as mine owne house. True it is, that I ever finde superfluitie superfluous: and observe a kinde of troublesomenesse in delicatenesse and plenty. Have I omitted or left any thing behind me that was worth the seeing? I returne backe; It is ever my way, I am never out of it. I trace no certaine line, neither right nor crooked. Comming to any strange place, finde I not what was tould mee? As it often fortuneth, that others judgements agree not with mine, and have most times found them false, I grieve not at my labour: I have learned that what was reported to bee there, is not. I have my bodies complexion as free, and my taste as common, as any man in the world. The diversity of fashions betweene one and o∣ther nations, concerneth mee nothing, but by the varieties-pleasure. Each custome hath his reason. Bee the trenchers or dishes of wood, of pewter or of earth: bee my meate boyled, rosted or baked; butter or oyle, and that of Olives or of Wall-nuts; hot or colde; I make no difference; all is one to me: And as one, that is growing old, I accuse the generous facultie; and had neede that delicatnesse and choise, should stay the indiscretion of my appetite, and sometime ease and solace my stomacke. When I have beene out of France, and that to do me curtesie, some have asked me, whether I would be served after the French maner, I have je∣sted at them, and have ever thrust-in amongest the thickest tables and fullest of strangers. I am ashamed to see our men besotted with this foolish humor, to fret and chafe, when they see any fashions contrary to theirs. They thinke themselves out of their element, when they are out of their Village. Where ever they come they keepe their owne country fashions, and hate, yea and abhorre all strange maners: Meete they a countriman of theirs in Hungary, they feast that good fortune: And what doe they? Marry close and joyne together, to blame, to condemne and to scorne so many barbarous fashions as they see. And why not Barbarous, since not French? Nay happily they are the better sort of men, that have noted and so much exclaimed against them. Most take going out but for comming home. They travell close and covered, with a silent and incommunicable wit, defending themselves from the conta∣gion of some vnknowne ayre. What I speake of such, puts mee in minde in the like matter, of that I have heretofore perceived in some of your yoong Courtiers. They onely converse with men of their coate; and with disdaine or pitty looke vpon vs, as if we were men of ano∣ther World. Take away their new fangled, mysterious and affected courtly complements, and they are out of their byase. As farre to seeke and short of vs, as we of them. That say∣ing is true; That An honest man is a man compounded. Cleane contrary, I travell fully glutted with out fashions: Not to seeke Gaskoines in Sicilie; I have left over many at home. I ra∣ther seeke for Graecians and Persians: Those I accost, them I consider, and with such I en∣devor to be acquainted: to that I prepare and therein I employ my selfe. And which is more, me seemeth, I have not met with many maners, that are not worth ours. Indeede I have not wandred farre, scarsly have I lost the sight of our Chimnies. Moreover, most of the casuall companies you meete withall by the way, have more incommodity than pleasure: a matter I doe not greatly take hold of, and lesse now that age dooth particularize and in some sort sequester me from common formes. You suffer for other, or others endure for you. The one inconvenience is yrkesome, the other troublesome: but yet the last is (in my conceipt) more rude. It is a rare, chaunce and seld-seene fortune, but of exceeding solace and inestimable woorth, to have an honest man, of singular experience, of a sound iudgement, of a resolute vnderstan∣ding and constant resolution, and of manners comformable to yours, to accompany or follow you with a goodwill. I have found great want of such a one in all my voyages. Which company a man must seeke with discretion and with great heed obtaine, before he wander from home. With me no pleasure is fully delightsome without communication; and no delight absolute, ex∣cept imparted. I do not so much as apprehend one rare conceipt, or conceive one excellent good thought in my minde, but me thinks I am much grieved and grievousty perplexed, to

have produced the same alone, and that I have no simpathyzing companion to impart it vn∣to. Si cum hac exceptione detur sapientia, vt illam inclusam tencam, nec enunciem, reijciam. If wis∣dome should be offered with this exception, that I should keepe it concealed, and not vtter it, I would refuse it. The other strain'd it one note higher. Si contigerit ea vita sapienti, vt omnium re∣rum* 1.179 affluentibus copijs, quamvis omnia, quae cognitione digna sunt, summo otio secum ipse consideret & contempletur, tamen si solitudo tanta sit, vt hominem videre nonpossit, excedat è vita. If a wise∣man might leade such a life, as in abundance of all things hee may in full quiet contemplate and consi∣der all things worthy of knowledge, yet if he must be so solitary as he may see no man, he should rather leave such a life. Architas his opinion is sutable to mine, which was, that it would bee a thing vnpleasing to the very heavens and distastefull to man, to survay and walke within those im∣mense and divine and coelestiall bodies, without the assistance of a friend or companion: Yet is it better to be alone, than in tedious and foolish company. Aristippus loved to live as an alien or stranger every where.

Me si faeta meis paterentur ducere vitam* 1.180 Auspicijs, If fates would me permit To live as I thinke fit,

I should chuse to weare out my life with my bum in the saddle, ever riding.

—visere gestiens,* 1.181 Quaparte debacchentur ignes, Qua nebulae pluvijque rores. Delighting much to goe and see Where firy heats rage furiously, Where clouds and rainy dews most be.

Have you not more easie pastimes? What is it you want? Is not your house well seated, and in a good and wholesome ayre? Sufficiently furnished, and more then sufficiently capa∣ble? His Royall Majesty hath in great state beene in the same, and more than once taken his repast there. Doth not your family in rule and government leave many more inferior to hir, than above hir eminency? Is there any locall thought or care, that as extraordinary doth vl∣cerate, or as indigestible doth molest you?

Quae te nunc coquat & vexet sub pectore fixa.* 1.182 Which now boyles in thy brest. And let's thee take no rest.

Where doe you imagine you may bee without empeachment or disturbance? Nunquam simpliciter fortuna indulget. Fortune never favours fully without exception. You see then, there is none but you that trouble and busie your selfe: and every where you shall follow your self, and in all places you shall complaine. For, Heere below there is no satisfaction or content, ex∣cept for brutall or divine mindes. Hee who in so just an occasion hath no content, where doth he imagine to finde it? Vnto how many thousands of men, doth such a condition as yours, bound and stay the limites of their wishes? Reforme but your selfe; by that you may doe all: Whereas towardes fortune you have no right or interest, but patience. Nulla placida quies est,* 1.183 nisi quam ratio composuit. There is no pleasing settled rest, but such as reason hath made-vp. I see the reason of this advertisement, yea I perceive it wel. But one should sooner have done and more pertinently, in one bare word to say vnto me: Be wise. This resolution is beyond wisdome. It is her Worke and hir production. So doth the Physition, that is ever crying to a languishing, heart-broken sicke-man, that he be merry and pull vp a good hart; he should lesse foolishly perswade him if he did but bid him, To be healthy; as for me, I am but a man of the common stamp. It is a certaine, sound and of easie-vnderstanding precept: Be content with your own; that is to say with reason: the execution wherof notwithstanding is no more in the wiser sort, than in my self: It is a popular word, but it hath a terrible far-reaching extension. What com∣prehends it not? All things fall within the compasse of diseretion and modification. Well wot, that being taken according to the bare letter, the pleasure of travell brings a testimony of vnqui∣etnesse and irresolution. Which to say truth, are our mistrisse and predominant qualities. Yea, I confesse it: I see nothing, bee it but a dreame or by wishing, whereon I may take hold. Onely varietie and the possession of diversitie doth satisfie mee: if at least any thing satisfie mee. In travell this doth nourish mee, that without interest I may stay my selfe; and

that I have meanes commodiously to divert my selfe from it. I love a private life, because it is by mine owne choice, that I love it, not by a diffidence or disagreeing from a publike life; which peradventure is as much according to my complexion. I thereby serve my Prince more joifully and genuinely, because it is by the free election of my judgement and by my reason, without any particular obligation. And that I am not cast or forced thereunto, be∣cause I am vnfit to be received of any other, or am not beloved: so of the rest. I hate those morsels that necessitie doth carve mee. Every commoditie, of which alone I were to depend▪ should ever hold me by the throat:

Alter remus aq••as, alter mihi radat are••as. Let me cut waters with one oare,* 1.184 With th'other shave the sandie shoare.

One string alone can never sufficiently hold me. You will say, there is vanitie in this am∣musement. But where not? And these goodly precepts are vanitie, and Meere vanitie is all worldly wisedome. Dominus novit cogitationes sapientum▪ quoniam vanae sunt. The Lords knowes* 1.185 the thoughts of the wise, that they are vaine. Such exquisite subtilities, are only fit for sermons. They are discourses, that will send vs into the other World on horsebacke. Life is a materiall and corporall motion; an action imperfect and disordered, by it's owne essence: I employ or apply my selfe to serve it according to it selfe.

Quisqu•• suos pat••mur manes:* 1.186 All of vs for our merit, Have some attending spirit.

Sic est faciendum, vt contra naturam vniversam nihil contendamus, ea tamen conservata, pro∣priam* 1.187 sequamur. W•• must so worke, as we endevour nothing against nature in generall, yet so ob∣serve it, as we follow o••r owne in speciall. To what purpose are these heaven-looking and nice points of Philosophie, on which no humane being can establish and ground it selfe? And to what end serve these rules, that exceed our vse and excell our strength? I often see, that there are certaine Ideaes or formes of life proposed vnto vs, which neither the proposer nor the Auditors have any hope at all to follow; and which is worse, no desire to attaine. Of the same paper, whereon a Iudge writ but even now the cond••mnation against an adulterer, hee will teare a scantlin, thereon to write some love-lines to his fellow-iudges wife. The same w••ma•• from whom you came lately, and with whom you have committed that vnlawfull-pleasing sport, will soone after, even in your presence, ratle and scold more bitterly against the same fauli in h••r neighbour, than ever Portia or Lucrece could. And some condemne men to di•• for crimes, that themselves esteeme no faults. I have in my youth seene a notable man with one hand to present the peo∣ple most excellent and well-written verses, both for invention and extreme licentiousnesse; and with the other hand, at the same instant, the most sharpe-railing reformation, accor∣ding to Divinitie, that happily the World hath seene these many-many yeeres. Thus goes the world, and so goe men. We let the lawes and precepts follow their way, but we keepe ano∣ther course: Not onely by disorder of manners, but often by opinion and contrary iudge∣ment. Heare but a discourse of Philosophie read; the invention, the eloquence and the pertinencie, doth presently tickle your spirit and moove you. There is nothing tickleth or pricketh your conscience: it is not to her that men speak••▪ Is it not true? Ariston said, that Neither Bath nor Lecture are of any worth, except the one wash cleane, and the other cleanse all filth away. One may busie himselfe about the barke, when once the pith is gotten out: As when wee have drunke off the Wine, wee consider the graving and workmanship of the cuppe. In all the parts of ancient Philosophie, this one thing may be noted, that one same worke-man publisheth some rules of temperance, and therewithall some compositions of love and licentiousnesse. And Xenophon in Cliniaes bosome, writ against the Aristipp••an ver∣tue. It is not a miraculous conversion, that so doth wave and hull them to and fro. But it is, that Solon doth sometimes represent himselfe in his owne colours, and somtimes in forme of a Law-giver: now he speaketh for the multitude, and now for himselfe. And takes the free and naturall rules to himselfe; warranting himselfe with a constant and perfect soundnesse.

Curentur dubij medicis maioribus ••gri. Let patients in great doubt,* 1.188 Seeke great Physitians out.

Antisthenes alloweth a wise man to love and doe what hee list, without respect of lawes,

especially in things he deemeth needefull and sit: Forasmuch as he hath a better vnderstan∣ding than they, and more knowledge of vertue. His Disciple Diogenes said; To perturbations we should oppose, reason; to fortune, confidence: and to lawes, nature: To dainty and tender stomacks, constrained and artificiall or dinances. Good stomackes are simplie served with the prescripti∣ons of their naturall appeti••••. So doe our Phisitions, who whilst they tie their pacients to a strik't diet of a panada or a sirope, feede themselves vpon a melone, dainty fruits, much good meat, and drinke all maner of good Wine. I wot not what Bookes are, nor what they meane by wisedome and philosophy (quoth the Curtizan Lais) but sure I am, those kinds of people knocke as often at my gates, as any other men. Because our licenciousnesse transports vs commonly beyond what is lawfull and allowed, our lives-precepts and lawes have often been wrested or restrained beyond vniversall reason.

Nemo satis credit tantum delinquere, quantum* 1.189 Permittas. No man thinks it enough so farre t'offend As you give lawfull leave (and thereto end)

It were to bee wished, there were a greater proportion betwene commandement and o∣bedience: And vniust seemeth that ayme or goale whereto one cannot possibly attaine. No man is so exquisitely honest or vpright in living, but brings all his actions and thoughts within compasse and danger of the lawes; and that ten times in his life might not lawfully be hanged. Yea happily such a man, as it were pittie and dangerously-hurtfull to loose, and most vnjust to punish him.

—Olle quid ad te, De cute quid faciat ille vel illa sua; Foole, what hast thou to doe, what he or shee* 1.190 With their owne skinnes or themselves doing bee?

And some might never offend the lawes, that notwithstanding should not deserve the commendations of vertuovs men: and whom philosophie might meritoriously and justly cause to be whipped. So troubled, dimme-sighted and partiall is this relation. Wee are farre enough from being honest according to God: For, wee ••annot bee such according to our selves. Hu∣mane wisedome could never reach the duties, or attaine the devoires it had prescribed vnto it selfe. And had it at any time attained them, then would it doubtlesse prescribe some others be∣yond them, to which it might ever aspire and pretend. So great an enemy is our condition vnto consistence. Man dooth necessarily ordaine vnto himselfe to bee in fault. Hee is not very craftie, to measure his dutie by the reason of another beeing, than his owne. To whom prescribes he that, which he expects no man will performe? Is he vnjust in not dooing that, which hee cannot possibly atchieve? The lawes which conde••••e vs, not to hee able; con∣demne vs for that we cannot performe. If the worst happen, this deformed libertie, for one to present himselfe in two places, and the actions after one fashion, the discourses after an o∣ther; is lawfull in them, which report things: But it cannot bee in them, that acknowledge themselves as I doe. I must walke with my penne, as I goe with my feete. The common high way must have conference with other wayes. Catoes vertue was vigorous, beyond the reason of the age he lived in: and for a man that entermedled with governing other men, de∣stinated for the common service; it might bee said to have beene a justice, if not vnjust, at least vaine and out of season. Mine owne manners, which scarse disagree one inch from those now currant, make me notwithstanding in some sort, strange, vncouth and vnsociable to my age. I wot not, whether it be without reason, I am so distasted and out of liking with the world, wherein I live and frequent: but well I know, I should have small reason to com∣plaine, the world were distasted and out of liking with mee, since I am so with it. The vertue assigned to the worlds affaires, it is a vertue with sundry byases, turnings, bendings and el∣bowes, to apply and joyne it selfe to humane imbecilitie: mixed and artificiall: neither right, pure or costant, nor meerely innocent. Our Annales even to this day, blamesome one of our Kings, to have over-simply suffred himselfe to be led or mis-led by the conscientious per∣swasions of his Confessor. Matters of state have more bold precepts.

—exeat aula,* 1.191 Qui vult esse pius. He that will godly bee, From Court let him be free.

I have heretofore assayd to employ my opinions and rules of life, as new, as rude, as im∣p••lished or as vnpolluted, as they were naturally borne with me, or as I have attained them by my institution; and wherewith, if not so commodiously, at least safely in particular, I serve mine owne turne, vnto the service of publike affaires and benefit of my Common∣wealth: A scholasticall and novice vertue; but I have found them very vnapt and dange∣rous for that purpose. He that goeth in a ••resse or throng of people, must sometimes step aside, hold in his elbowes, crosse the way, advance himselfe, start backe, and forsake the right way, according as it falls out: Live he not so much as he would himselfe, but as others will: not according to that he proposeth to himselfe, but to that which is proposed to him: according to times, to men and to affaires; and as the skilfull Mariner, saile with the winde. Plato saith, that who escapes vntainted and cleane-handed from the managing of the world; es∣capeth by some wonder. He sayes also, that when he instituteth his Philosopher as chiefe over a Common-wealth; he means not a corrupted or law-broken commonwealth, as that of Athens; and much lesse, as ours, with which wisedome herselfe would be brought to a non-plus, or put to her shifts. And a good hearb, transplanted into a soile very diverse from her nature, doth much sooner conforme it selfe to the soile, then it reformeth the same to it selfe. I fee∣lingly perceive that if I were wholy to envre my selfe to such occupations, I should require much change and great repairing. Which could I effect in me (and why not with time and diligence?) I would not. Of that litle which in this vacation I have made triall-of, I have much distasted my selfe: I sometimes finde certaine temptations arise in my minde, towards ambition; but I start aside, bandie and opinionate my selfe to the contrarie:

At tu Catulle obstinatus obdura.* 1.192 Be thou at any rate, O••durate, obstinate.

I am not greatly called, and I invite my selfe as litle vnto it. Libertie and idlenesse, my chiefe qualities, are qualities diameterly contrary to that mysterie. We know not how to di••••in∣guish mens faculties. They have certaine divisions and limites vneasie and over nice to be chosen. To conclude by the sufficiency of a private life, any sufficiencie for publike vse, it is ill con∣cluded: Some one directs himselfe well, that cannot so well direct others; and composeth Essayes, that could not worke effects. Some man can dispose and order a siege, that could but ill commaund and marshall a battell: and discourseth well in private, that to a multitude or a Prince would make but a bad Oration. Yea peradventure, t'is rather a testimonie to him that can do one, that he cannot doe the other, but otherwise. I finde that high spirits are not much lesse apt for base things, then base spirits are for high matters. Could it be ima∣gined, that Socrates would have given the Athenians cause to laugh at his owne charges, be∣cause hee could never justly compt the suffrages of his tribe, and make report thereof vnto the counsell? Truely the reuerence I beare and respect I owe vnto that mans perfections, deserveth that his fortune bring to the excuse of my principal imperfections, one so notable example. Our sufficiencie is retailed into small parcells. Mine hath no latitude, and is in number very miserable. Saturninus answered those, who had conferred all authoritie vpon him, saying. Oh you my fellow-souldiers, you have lost a good Captaine, by creating him a bad Ge∣nerall of an Armie. Who in time of infection vanteth himselfe, for the worlds-service, to em∣ploy a genuine or sincere vertue, either knowes it not, (opinions being corrupted with ma∣ners; in good sooth, heare but them paint it forth, marke how most of them magnifie them∣selves for their demeanours, and how they forme their rules: in liew of pourtraying vertue, they onely set forth meere injustice and vice: and thus false and adulterate they present the same to the institution of Princes) or if he know it, hee wrongfully boasteth himselfe; and whatever he saith, he doth many things whereof his owne conscience accuseth him. I should easily believe Seneca, of the experience he made of it in such an occasion, vpon condition he would freely speake his minde of it vnto mee. The honourablest badge of goodnesse in such a ne∣cessitie, is ingenuously for a man to acknowledge both his owne and others faults; to stay and with his might, hinder the inclination towards evill: and avie to follow this course, to hope and wish better. In these dismembrings or havocks of France, and divisions wherinto we are miserably falne, I perceive every man travell and busie himselfe to defend his owne cause, and the better sort, with much dissembling and falsehood. Hee that should plainely and roundly write of it, should write rashly and viciously. Take the best and justest part; what is it else but the

member of a crased, worme-ea••en and corrupted body? But of such a body the member least sicke, is called sound: and good reason why, because our qualities have no title but in compa∣rison. Civill innocency is measured according to places and seasons. I would be glad to see such a commendation of Agesilaus in Xenophon, who beeing entreated of a neigbour Prince, with whom he had sometimes made warre, to suffer him to passe through his countrie, was therewith well pleased; granting him free passage through Peloponnese, and having him at hi•• mercy, did not only not emprison nor empoison him, but according to the tenour of his pro∣mise, without shew or offence or vnkindnesse, entertained him with all curtesie and humani∣tie. To such humours, it were a matter of no moment: At other times and elsewhere, the li∣bertie and magnanimitie of such an action shall be highly esteemed. Our gullish Gaberdines would have mockt at it. So little affinity is there betweene the Spartan and the French in∣nocencie. We have notwithstanding some honest men amongst vs; but it is after our fashi∣on. He whose maners are in regularity established above the age he liveth-in; let him either wrest or muffle his rules: or (which I would rather perswade him) let him withdraw himselfe apart, and not medle with vs. What shall he gaine thereby?

Egregium sanctúmque virum sicerno, bimembri* 1.193 Hoc monstrum puero, & miranti iam sub aratro Piscibus inventis & foetae compare mulae. See I a man of holinesse and vertues rare. To births bimembred, vnder wonderfull plow-share, Fish found, or moiles with fole, this moster I compare.

One may bewaile the better times, but not a voide the present: one may desire other magistrates but notwithstanding he must obey those he hath: And happily it is more commendable to obey the wicked, than the good. So long as the image of the received, allowed and ancient lawes of this Monarchie shall be extant and shine in any corner thereof; there will I be; there will I abide. And if by any disaster they shall chaunce to have contradiction or empeachment amongst themselves, and produce two factions, of doubtfull or hard choise: my election shall bee to avoide, And if I can escape this storme. In the meane while, either nature or the hazard of warre, shal•• lend mee that helping hand. I should freely have declared my selfe betweene Caesar and Pompey. But betweene those three theeves which came after, where ei∣ther one must have hid himselfe, or followed the winde: which I deeme lawfull, when rea∣son swayeth no longer.

Quo diversus abis?* 1.194 Whither have you recourse, So farre out of your course?

This mingle-mangle is somewhat beside my text. I stragle out of the path; yet is it ra∣ther by licence, then by vnadvisednesse: My fantasies follow one another: but sometimes a farre-off, and looke one at another; but with an oblique looke. I have heretofore cast mine eyes vpon some of Platoes Dialogues; bemolted with a fantasticall variety: the first part treated of love, all the latter of Rhetoricke. They feare not those variances; and have a won∣derfull grace in suffering themselves to bee transported by the winde; or to seeme so. The titles of my chapters, embrace not alwayes the matter: they often but glance at it by some marke: as these others, Andria, Eunuchus; or these, Sylla, Cicero, Torquatus. I love a Poe∣••icall kinde of march, by friskes, skips and jumps. It is an arte (saith Plato) light, nimble, fleeting and light-brain'd. There are some treatises in Plutarke, where he forgets his theame, where the drift of his argument is not found but by incidencie and chaunce, all stuffed with strange matter. Marke but the vagaries in his Daemon of Socrates. Oh God▪ what grace hath the variation, and what beautie these startings and nimble escapes; and then most, when they seeme to emply carelesenesse and casualtie: It is the vnheedie and negligent rea∣der, that looseth my subject, and not my life. Some word or other shall ever be found in a corner, that hath relation to it, though closely couched. I am indiscreetly and tumultuously at a fault; my stile and wit are still gadding alike. A little folly is tolerable in him, that will not be more sottish; say our maisters precepts, and more their examples. A thousand Poets labour and languish after the prose-manner, but the best ancient prose, which I indifferently scatter heere and there forver••e, shineth every where, with a poeticall vigour and boldnesse, and representeth some aire or touch of it's fury: Verily shee ought to have the maistry and

preheminence given her in matters of speech. A Poet (saith Plato) seated on the Muses footestoole, doth in a furie powre-out whatsoever commeth in his mouth, as the pipe or cocke of a fountaine, without considering or ruminating the same: and many things escape him, diuerse in colour, contrary in substance, and broken in course. Ancient Divinitie is al∣together Poesie (say the learned) and the first Philosophie. It is the originall language of the Gods. I vnderstand that the matter distinguisheth it selfe It sufficiently declareth where it changeth, where it concludeth, where it beginneth, and where it rejoyneth; without enter∣lacings of words, joyning ligaments & binding seames wrested-in for the service of weake and vnattentive eares: and without glossing or expounding my selfe. What is he, that would not rather not be read at all, then read in drowsie and cursorie manner: Nihil est tam vtile, quod in transit•• profit. There is nothing so profitable, that being lightly past over, will doe good. If to take bookes in hand were to learne them: and if to see, were to view them▪ and ••f to runne them over, were to seize vpon them, I should be to blame, to make my selfe altogether so ig∣norant as I say▪ Since I cannot stay the readers attention by the weight: Manco male, if I hap∣pen to stay him by my intricate confusion: yea but he will afterward repent, that ever he am∣mused himselfe about it. You say true, but hee shall have ammused himselfe vpon it. And there be humors, to whom vnderstanding causeth disdaine, who because they shall not know what I meane will esteeme mee the better, and will conclude the mysterie and depth of my sense by the obscuritie: Which, to speake in good earnest, I hate as death, and would shunne it▪ if I could avoid my selfe. Aristotle vaunteth in some place to affect the same. A vicious affectation. Forsomuch as the often breaking of my Chapters, I so much vsed in the begin∣ning of my booke, seemed to interrupt attention, before it be conceived: Disdaining for so little a while to collect and there seat it selfe: I have betaken my selfe to frame them longer; as requiring proposition and assigned leasure. In such an occupation, he to whom you will not grant one houre, you will allow him nothing. And you do nought for him, for whom you doe, but in doing some other thing. Sithence peradventure I am particularly tied and precisely vowed, to speake by halves, to speake confusedly, to speake discrepantly. I there∣fore hate this trouble-feast reason: And these extravagant projects, which so much molest mans life, and these so subtle opinions, if they have any truth; I deeme it over-deare, and find it too incommodious. On the other side, I labour to set forth vanitie and make sottishnesse to prevaile, if it bring me any pleasure. And without so nicely controlling them, I follow mine owne naturall inclinations. I have elsewhere seene some houses ruined, statues over∣throwen, both of heauen and of earth: But men be alwaies one. All that is true: and yet I can not so often survay the vast ••oombe of that Citie so great, so populous and so puissant, but I as often admire and reverence the same. The care and remembrance of evils is recommended vnto vs. Now have I from my infancie beene bred and brought vp with these: I have had knowledge of the affaires of Rome, long time before I had notice of those of my house. I knew the Capitoll, and it's platforme, before I knew Lovure, the pallace of our Kings in Paris; and the River Tiber, before Seyne. I have more remembred and thought vpon the fortunes and conditions of L••cullus, Metellus and Scipio, then of any of our countrey-men▪ They are deceased, and so is my father, as fully as they: and is as distant from me and life in eighteene yeeres as they were in sixteene hundred: Whose memorie, amitie and societie, I notwithstanding omit not to continue, to embrace and converse withall, with a perfect and most lively vnion. Yea of mine owne inclination, I am more officious toward the de∣ceased. They can no longer help themselves; but (as me seemeth) they require so much the more my ayde: There is Gratitude, and there appeareth she in her perfect lustre. A benefit is lesse richly assigned, where r••trogradation and reflexion is. Arcesilaus going to visit C••e∣sibius that was sicke, and finding him in very poore plight, faire and softly thrust some mony vnder his boulster, which he gave him: And concealing it from him, left and gave him also a qnittance for ever being beholding to him. Such as have at any time deserved friendship, or love or thanks at my hands, never lost in the same, by being no longer with me. I have bet∣ter paid and more carefully rewarded them, beeing absent and when they least thought of it. I speake more kindely and affectionately of my friends, when there is least meanes, that ever it shall come to their eares, I have heretofore vndergone a hundred quarrels for the de∣fence of P••mpey and Brutus his cause. This acquaintance continueth to this day betweene vs. Even of present things wee have no other holde, but by our fantazie. Perceiving my¦selfe

vnfit and vnprofitable for this age, I cast my selfe to that other; And am so besotted with it that the state of the said ancient, free, just and florishing Rome, (for I neither love the birth, nor like the old-age of the same) doth interest, concerne and passionate me. And therefore can I not so often looke into the situation of their streets and houses, and those wondrous∣strange ruines, that may be said to reach down to the Antipodes, but so often must I ammuse my selfe on them. Is it Nature or by the errour of fantasie, that the seeing of places, wee know to have beene frequented or inhabited by men, whose memory is esteemed or mencio∣ned in stories, doth in some sort moove and stirre vs vp as much or more, than the hearing* 1.195 of their noble deeds, or reading of their compositions? Tanta vis admonitionis inest in locis: Et id quidem in hac vrbe infinitum; quacunque enim ingredimur, in aliquam historiam vestigium poni∣mus. So great a power of admonition is in the very place, And that in this Citty is most infinite; for which way soever we walke, we set our foote vpon some History. I am much delighted with the consideration of their countenance, port and abilliments. I ruminate those glorious names betweene my teeth, and make mine eares to ring with the sound of them. Ego illos veneror, & tantis nominibus semper assurgo. I do reverence them, and at their names I do rise and make curte∣fie: Of things but in some sort great, strange and admirable, I admire their common parts. I could wish to see them walke and suppe together, and heare their discourses. It were Ingra∣titude to despise, and impiety to neglect the reliques or images of so many excellent, honest good men, and therewithall so valiant, which I have seene live and die: And who by their examples, had we the wit or grace to follow them, affoord vs so many notable instructions. And Rome as it stands now, deserveth to be loved: Confederated so long since, and sharing titles with our Crowne of France: Being the only common and vniversall Citie: The Sove∣raigne Magistrate therein commanding, is likewise knowen abroad in divers other places. It is the chiefe Metropolitan Citie of all Christian Nations: Both French and Spaniards, and all men else are there at home. To be a Prince of that state, a man needs but be of Christen∣dome, where ever it be seated. There's no place here on earth, that the Heavens have embra∣ced with such influence of favors and grace, and with such constancie: Even hir ruine is glo∣rious with renowne, and swolne with glorie.

Laudandis preciosior ruinis. Ev'n made more honourable. By ruines memorable.

Low-levelled as she lieth, and even in the tombe of hir glory, she yet reserveth the lively image and regardfull markes of Empire. Ʋt palam sit vno in loco gaudentis opus esse natur••. So as it is cleere, in one place is set-forth the worke of Nature in her iollity. Some one would blame himselfe, yea and mutinie, to feele himselfe tickled with so vaine a pleasure. Our humors are not over vaine, that be pleasant. Whatsoever they be, that constantly content a man capa∣ble of common vnderstanding, I could not finde in my heart to moane or pitty him. I am much beholding to fortune, in asmuch as vntill this day, she hath committed nothing outra∣giously against me, or imposed any thing vpon mee, that is beyond my strength, or that I could not well beare. It is not haply her custome, to suffer such as are not importunate or o∣ver busie with hir, to live in peace.

Quanto quisque sibi plura negaverit, A Dijs plura feret, nil cupientium, Nudus castra peto, multa petentibus,* 1.196 Desunt multa. The more that men shall to themselves denie, The more the Gods will give them: threed-bare I Follow the campe of them that nought desire, They still want much, that still doe much require.

If she continue so, I shall depart very well content and satisfied.

—nihil supra Deos lacesso.—* 1.197 More than will serve, to have Of Gods I doe not crave.

But beware the shocke: Thousandes miscarry in the haven, and are cast away being neerest

home. I am easily comforted with what shall happen heere when I am gone. Things present trouble me sufficiently, and set me thorowly a worke.

Fortunae caetera mando.* 1.198 The rest I doe commit To Fortune (as is fit.)

Besides, I am not tied with that strong bond, which some say, bindes men to future times, by the children bearing their names, and succeeding them in honors. And being so much to be desired, it may be I shall wish for them so much the lesse. I am by my selfe but overmuch ••••ed vnto the world, and fastned vnto life: I am pleased to be in Fortunes hold by the cir∣cumstances properly necessary to my state, without enlarging her jurisdiction vpon me by other waies: And I never thought, that to be without children, were a defect, able to make mans life lesse compleat and lesse contented. A barren state or sterill vacation, have also their peculiar commodities. Children are in the number of things, that need not greatly bee de∣sired; especially in these corrupted daies, wherein it would bee so hard a matter to make them good. Bona iam nec na••ci licet, ita corrupta sunt semina. We cannot now have good things so much as grow, the seeds are so corrupt. Yet have they just cause to moane them, that having once gotten, lose ••hem vntimely. He who left me my house in charge, considering my humor, which was to stay at home so little, fore-saw I should be the overthrow of it. He was deceived: I am now as I came vnto it, if not somewhat better. And that, without any Office or Church-living; which are no small helpes. As for other matters, if Fortune have offred mee no violent or extraordinary offence, so hath she not shewed me any great favour or extraordinary grace. Whatsoever I have belonging to it, that may properly be termed her gifts, was there before I came vnto it; yea and a hundred yeeres before. I particularly enioy no essentiall good, or possesse no sol••d benefit, that I owe vnto her liberalitie: Indeed shee hath bestowed some wind-pufft favours vpon me, which may rather be termed titular and honorable in shew, then in substance, or materiall: And which, in good truth, she hath not granted, but offered me. God he knowes, to me, who am altogether materiall; not satisfied but with realitie, which must also be massie and substantiall: And who, if I durst confesse it, would not thinke ava∣rice much lesse exc••sable then ambition: nor griefe lesse evitable, then shame: not health lesse desirable, then learning: or riches, lesse to be wished, then nobilitie. Amongst her vaine favours, I have none doth so much please my fond selfe-pleasing conceit, as an authenticke Bull, charter or patent of denizonship or borgeouship of Rome, which at my last being there, was granted me by the whole Senate of that Citie: garish and trimly adorned with goodly Seales, and written in faire golden Letters: bestowed vpon me with all gracious and free liberalitie. And forsomuch as they are commonly conferred in divers stiles, more or lesse favourable: and that before I had ever seene any, I would have beene glad to have had but a paterne or formular of one; I will for the satisfaction of any, if he fortune to be posses∣sed with such a curiositie as mine, here set down the true copy or transcript of it: and thus it is.

Quod Horatius Maximus, Martius Cecius, Alexander Mutus, almae vrbis conser∣vatores de Illustrissimo viro Michaele Montano, Equite sancti Michaëlis, & à Cubi∣culo Regis Christianissimi, Romana civitate donando, ad Senatum retulerunt, S. P. Q. R. de care ita fieri censuit.

CƲm veteri more & instituto cupidè illi semper studios••{que} suscepti sint, qui virtute ac nobilitate praestantes, magno Reipublicae nostrae vsui atque ornamento fuissent, vel esse aliquando possent: Nos maiorum nostrorum exempl•• atque auctoritate permoti, praeclara•• hanc Consuetudinem no∣bis imitandam ac servandam fore censemus. Quam••brem cùm Illustrissimus Mich••el Montanus ••ques sancti Michaelis, & à cubiculo Regis Christianissimi; Romani nominis studiosissimus, & fa∣miliae laude at{que} splendore & proprijs virtutum merit is dignissimus ••it, qui summ•• Senatus Populi{que} Romani iudicio ac studio in Romanam Civitatem adsciscatur, placere Senatui P. Q. R. Illustrissi∣mum Michaelem Montanum rebus omnibus ornatissim••m, at{que} ••uic inc••••to Pop••l•• charissimum, ip∣sum posteros{que} in Rom. civitatem adscribi, ornari{que} omnibus & praemijs & hon••ribus, quibus illi fru∣untur, qui Cives Patritij{que} Romans nati aut iure optimo facti sunt. In quo censere Senatum P. Q. R.

se non tam illi Ius Civitatis largiri quàm debitum tribuere, neque magis beneficium dare quàm ab ip∣s•• accipere, qui hoc Civitatis munere accipiendo, singulari Civitatem ipsam ornamento atque hon••r•• affecerit. Quam quidem S. C. auctoritatem ijdem Conservatores per Senatus P. Q. R. scribas in acta referri atque in Capitolij curia servari▪ privilegium{que} huiusmodi fieri, solito{que} vrbis sigillo com∣muniri curarunt.

Anno ab vrbe condita CX•• CCC XXXI. post Christum natum M. D. LXXXI. III. Idus Martij.

• Horatius Fuscus sacri S. P. Q. R. scriba.
• Vincent. Martholus sacri S. P. Q. R. scriba.

AT the motion of Horatius Maximus, Martius Cecius, Alexander Mutus, who are Con∣servators of this beautifull Cittie▪ concerning the endenizing and making Cittizen of Rome the noble Gentleman Michaell de Montaigne, Knight of the Order of Saint Michaell, and one of the Chamber of the most Christian King, the Senate & people of Rome thought good thereof thus to enact. Whereas by the antient custome and good order, they have ever and with good will beene entertained, who excelling in vertue and nobilitie have been, or at any time might be of any great vse or ornament vnto our common-weale: Wee, moo∣ved by example and authoritie of our Auncesters, decree, That this notable custome, by vs should be ensued and observed. Wherefore, sithence the right Noble Michael de Montaigne, Knight of Saint Michaels Order, and one of the chamber of the most Christian King, both is most affectionate vnto the Roman name, and by the commendations and splend••r of his pedegree, as also by the merites of his proper vertues, most worthy to be adopted and inser∣ted into the Romane Cittie with a speciall judgement and good will of the Senate and peo∣ple of Rome: It pleaseth the Senate and people of Rome that the right noble Michael de Mon∣taigne, adorned in all complements, and well-beloved of this famous Communaltie, both himselfe and his successours should be ascribed and ••nfranchized into this Romane Cittie, and be graced with all rewards and honours, which they enjoy, who either have been borne, or elected, either Citizens or Noble men of Rome. Wherein the Senate and people doe decree, That they doe not so much vouchsafe him the right of their Cittie, as give him that is due vnto him; nor doe they rather give him a benefite, than receive it of him, who by ac∣cepting this gift of the Cittie, doth countenance the Citty with a singular ornament and ho∣nour. Which Act and authoritie of the Senates Decree, the saide Conservators caused by the Clearks of the Senate and people to be registred and la••de-vp in the Capitoll Court, and this Priveledge to be made and signed with the Citties vsuall Seale.

In the yeare since the building of the Cittie CX•• CCC XXXI▪ after the birth of Christ a thousand five hundred eighty and one: the Ides of March.

Horatius Fuscus, and Vincent Martholus Clarks of the sacred Senate and people of Rome.

Being neither Burgeois nor Denizon of any Cittie, I am well pleased to bee so, of the no∣blest and greatest that ever was heretofore, or ever shall be hereafter. If others did so atten∣tively consider and survay themselves as I doe, they should as I doe, finde themselves full of inanitie, fondnesse or vanity. I can not be rid of it, except I rid and quit my selfe. Wee are all possessed and overwhelmed therewith, as well one as the other. But such as have a feeling of it, have somewhat the better bargaine: And yet I am not sure of it. This com∣mon opinion and vulgar custome, to looke and marke elsewhere then on our selves, hath wel provided for our affaires. It is an object full-fraught with discontent, wherein we see nothing but miserie and vanitie. To th'end we should not wholly be discomforted. Nature hath very fitly cast the action of our sight outward: Wee goe forward according to the streame, but to turne our course backe to our selves, is a painefull motion: the sea likewise is troubled, ra∣ging and disquieted, when t'is turned and driven into it selfe. Observe (saith every one) the motions and brans••es of the heavens: take a survay of all: the quarrell of this man, the pulse of that man, and anothers last testament: to conclude, behold and marke ever, high or low, right or oblique, before or behinde you. It was a paradoxall commandement, which the God of Delphos laid heeretofore vpon vs; Saying: Ʋiew your selves within; know your selves; and keepe you to your selves: Your minde and your will, which elsewhere is consumed, bring

it vnto itselfe againe: you scatter, you stragle, you stray, and you distract your selves: call your selves home againe; rowze and vphold your selves: you are betrayed, you are spoiled and dissipated; your selves are stolne and taken from your selves. Seest thou not how all this vniverse holdeth all his sights compelled inward, and his eyes open to contemplate it selfe? Both inward and outward it is ever vanitie for thee; but so much lesse vanitie, by how much lesse it is extended. Except thy selfe, Oh man, (said that God) every thing doth first seeke and study it selfe, and according to it's neede hath limites to her travells, and bounds to her desires. There's not one so shallow, so empty, and so meedy as thou art who embracest the whole world: Thou art the Scrutator without knowledge, the magistrate without juridisdicti∣on: and when all is done, the vice of the play.

The tenth Chapter.

How one ought to governe his will.

IN regard of the common sort of men, few things touch mee, or (to speake properly) sway me: For it is reason they touch, so they possesse-vs not. I have great neede, both by study and discourse, to encrease this priviledge of insensibilitie, which is naturally crept farre into me. I am not wedded vnto many things, and by consequence, not passionate of them. I have my sight cleare, but tied to few objects: My senses delicate and gentle; but my apprehension and application hard and dull: I engage my selfe with difficulty. As much as I can, I employ my selfe wholly to my selfe. And in this very subject, I would willingly bridle and vp∣hold mine affection, lest it be too farre plunged therein; Seeing it is a Subject I possesse at the mercy of others, and over which fortune hath more interest then my selfe. So as even in my health, which I so much esteeme, it were requisite not to desire, nor so carefully to seeke it, as thereby I might light vpon intolerable diseases. We must moderate our selves, betwixt the hate of paine, and the love of pleasure. Plato sets downe a meane course of life betweene both. But to affections that distract me from my selfe, and divert me elsewhere; surely, to such I oppose my selfe with all my force. Mine opinion is, that one should lend himselfe to others, and not give himselfe but to himselfe. Were my will easie to engage or apply it selfe, I could not con∣tinue: I am over tender both by nature and custome,

••ugax rerum, secur áque in otia natus. Avoiding active businesse,* 2.1 And borne to secure idlenesse.

Contested and obstinate debates, which in the end would give mine adversarie advantage, the issue which would make my earnest pursuite ashamed, would perchaunce torment mee cruelly. If I vexed as other men, my soule should never have strength to beare th'alaroms and emotions, that follow such as embrace much. She would presently be displaced by this intestine agitation. If at any time I have beene vrged to the managing of strange affaires, I have promised to vndertake them with my hand, but not with my lunges, and liver; to charge, and not to incorporate them into mee; to have a care, but nothing at all to bee over passionate of them: I looke to them, but I hatch them not. I worke enough to dispose and direct the domesticall troubles within mine owne entrailes and veines, without harbouring, or importune my selfe with any forraine employments: And am sufficiently interessed with my proper, naturall and essentiall affaires, without seeking others businesses. Such as know how much they owe to themselves; and how many offices of their owne they are bound to performe, shall finde that nature hath given them this commission fully ample and nothing idle. Thou hast businesse enough within thy selfe, therefore stray not abroad: Men give them∣selves to hire. Their faculties are not their own, but theirs to whom they subject themselves; their inmates, and not themselves, are within them. This common humour doth not please me. We should thriftily husband our mindes liberty, and never engage it but vpon just oc∣casions; which if wee judge impartially, are very few in number. Looke on such as suffer themselves to be transported and swayed, they doe it every where. In little as well as in great

matters; to that which concerneth, as easie as to that which toucheth them not. They thrust themselves indifferently into all actions, and are without life, if without tumultuary agitati∣on. In negotijs sunt, negotij causa. They are busie that they may not be idle, or else in action for acti∣ons sake. They seeke worke but to be working. It is not so much because they will goe, as for that they cannot ••••and still. Much like to a rowling stone, which never stayes vntill it come to a lying place. To some men, employment is a marke of sufficiency and a badge of digni∣ty. Their spirits seeke rest in action, as infants repose in the cradle, They my be said, to be as serviceable to their friends, as importunate to themselves. No man distributes his mony to others, but every one his life and time. We are not so prodigall of any thing, as of those whereof to be covetous would be both commendable and profitable for vs. I follow a cleane contrary course, I am of another complexion: I stay at home and looke to my selfe. What I wish for, I commonly desire the same but mildely; and desire but little: so likewise I seldome employ and quietly embusie my selfe, What ever they intend and act, they doe it with all their will and vehemency. There are so many dangerous steps, that for the more security, wee must somewhat slightly and superficially slide through the world, and not force it. Pleasure it selfe is painefull in it's beight.

—incedis per ignes,* 2.2 Subpositos cineri doloso. You passe through fire (though vnfraid) Vnder deceitfull ashes laid.

The towne counsell of Bourdeaux chose me Maior of their Citty, being farre from France; but further from any such thought. I excused my selfe and would have avoided it. But they told mee I was to blame; the more, because the kings commandement was also employed therein. It is a charge, should seeme so much the more goodly, because it hath neither fee nor reward, other then the honour in the execution. It lasteth two yeares, but may conti∣nue longer by a second election, which seldome hapneth. To me it was, and never had beene but twice before: Some yeares p••st the Lord of Lansac; and lately to the Lord of Biron, Mar∣shall of France. In whose place I succeeded; and left mine to the Lord of Matigon, likewise Marshall of France. Glorious by so noble an assistance.

Vterque bonus pacis bellique minister. Both, both in peace and warre, Right serviceable are.

Fortune would have a share in my promotion by this particular circumstance, which shee of her owne added thereunto; not altogether vaine. For Alexander disdained the Corin∣thian Ambassadors, who offred him the freedome and Burgeoise of their Cittie, but when they told him that Bacchus and Hercules were likewise in their registers, hee kindely thanked them and accepted their offer. At my first arrivall, I faithfully disciphered and conscienti∣ously displaied my selfe, such as I am indeede: without memorie, without diligence, without experience and without sufficiencie; so likewise without hatred, without ambition, without covetousnesse and without violence: that so they might bee duely instructed what service they might, or hope, or expect at my hands. And forsomuch as the knowledge they had of my deceased father, and the honour they bare vnto his memory, had mooved them to chuse me to that dignitie, I told them plainely, I should be very sorie, that any man should worke such an opinion in my will, as their affaires and Cittie had done in my fathers, while he held the said government, wherevnto they had called mee. I remembred to have seene him be∣ing an infant, and he an old man, his minde cruelly turmoiled with this publike toile; for∣getting the sweete aire of his owne house, wherevnto the weakenesse of his age had long be∣fore tied him; neglecting the care of his health and family, in a maner despising his life, which as one engaged for them, he much endangered, riding long and painefull journeies for them. Such a one was he: which humor proceeded from the bountie and goodnesse of his nature. Never was minde more charitable or more popular. This course, which I commend in o∣thers, I love not to follow: Neither am I without excuse. He had heard, that a man must for∣get himselfe for his neighbour: that in respect of the generall, the particular was not to bee regarded. Most of the worldes-rules and precepts hold this traine, to drive vs out of our selves into the wide world, to the vse of publike society. They presumed to worke a goodly effect, in di∣stracting and withdrawing vs from our selves: supposing wee were by a naturall instinct,

too-too much tied vnto it: and to this end have not spared to say any thing. For to the wise it is no novelty, to preach things as they serve, and not as they are. Truth hath her lets, dis∣commodities and incompatibilities with vs. Wee must not often deceive others, lest we be∣guile our selves. And ••eele our eyes, and dull our vnderstanding, thereby to repaire and a∣mend them. Imperiti enimiudicant, & qui frequenter in hoc ipsum fallendi sunt, ne errent. For vnskillfull meniudge, who must often even therefore bee deceived, lest they erre and bee deceived. When they prescribe vs, to love three, foure yea fifty degrees of things before our selves, they present vs with the Arte of shooters who to come neerer the marke take their aime far above the same. To make a crooked sticke straight, we bend it the contrary way. I suppose that in the times of Pallas, as we see in all other religions, they had some apparent mysteries, of which they made shew to all the people; and others more high and secret, to bee imparted onely to such as were professed. It is likely, that the true point of friendship, which everie man oweth to himselfe, is to be found in these. Not a false amitie, which makes vs embrace glorie, knowledge, riches and such like, with a principall and immoderate affection, as mem∣bers of our being; nor an effeminate and indiscrecte friendship; Wherein hapneth as to the Ivie, which corrupts and ruines the Wals it claspeth: But a sound and regular amity, equal∣ly profitable and pleasant. Who so vnderstandeth all her duties and exerciseth them, hee is rightly endenized in the Muses cabinet: Hee hath attained the tipe of humane Wisedome and the perfection of our happinesse. This man knowing exactly what hee oweth to him∣selfe, findeth, that he ought to employ the vse of other men and of the world vnto himselfe; which to performe, he must contribute the duties and offices that concerne him vnto pub∣like society. He that lives not somewhat to others, liveth little to himselfe. Qui sibi amicus est, scito hunc amicum omnibus esse; He that is friend to himselfe, know, he is friend to all. The principall* 2.3 charge we have, is every man his particular conduct. And for this onely wee live heere. As he that should forget to live well and religiously, and by instructing and directing others, should thinke himselfe acquitted of his duty; would be deemed a foole: Even so, who for∣saketh to live healthy and merrily himselfe, therwith to serve another, in mine opinion taketh a bad and vnnaturall course. I will not, that in any charge one shall take in hand, hee refuse or thinke much of his attention, of his labour of his steps, of his speech, of his sweat, and if need be of his blood,

—nonipse pro charis amicis, Aut patria timidus perire.* 2.4 Not fearing life to end For Country or deare friend.

But it is onely borrowed and accidentally; The mind remaining ever quiet and in health: not without action, but without vexation or passion. Simply to moove or be dooing, cost's it so little, that even sleeping it is mooving and dooing. But it must have it's motion with discretion. For the body receiveth the charges imposed him, justly as they are: But the spirit extendeth them, and often to his hinderance makes them heavy; giving them what measure it pleaseth. Like things are effected by divers effortes and different contentions of will. The one may goe without the other. For, how many men doe dayly hazard them∣selves in warre which they regard not, and presse into the danger of battells, the losse wherof shall no whit breake their next sleep? Wheras some man in his own house, free from this danger, which he durst not so much as have look't towards it, is for the Wars issue more passionate, and therewith hath his minde more perplexed, than the soldier, that therein em∣ployeth both his blood and life. I know how to deale in publike charges, without departing from my selfe the breadth of my naile; and give my selfe to an other, without taking mee from my selfe: This sharpenesse and violence of desires hindreth more, then steade the conduct of what we vndertake, filling vs with impacience to the events, either contrary or slow: and with bitternesse and jealousie toward those with whom wee negotiate. Wee never governe that thing well, wherewith we are possessed and directed.

—Malè cuncta ministrat Impetus.— Fury and haste doe lay all waste; Misplacing all, disgracing all,

He who therein employeth but his judgement and direction, proceeds more cheerefully:

he faines, he yeelds, hee deferres at his pleasure according to the occasions of necessity: hee failes of his attempt, without torment or affliction: ready and prepared for a new enterprise. He marcheth alwayes with the reines in his hand. Hee that is besotted with this violent and tyrannicall intention, doth necessarily declare much indiscretion and injustice. The vio∣lence of his desire transports him. They are rash motions, and if fortune helpe not much, of little fruit. Philosophie wills vs to banish choller in the punishment of offences; not to the end revenge should be more moderate, but contrary, more weighty and surely set on: wher∣vnto this violence seemeth to bee a let. Choller doth not onely trouble, but wearieth the executioners armes. This passionate heat dulleth and consumes their force. As in too much speede, festinatio tarda est; Hastinesse is slow. Haste makes waste, and hinders and stayes it selfe: Ipsa se velocitas implicat; Swiftnesse entangles it selfe. As for example, according as by ordinarie custome I perceive, covetousnesse hath no greater let, then it selfe. The more vi∣olent and extended it is, the lesse effectuall and fruitfull. Commonly it gathers wealth more speedily being masked with a shew of liberality. A very honest Gentleman and my good friend, was likely to have endangered the health of his body, by an over passionate attention and earnest affection to the affaires of a Prince, who was his Maister. Which Maister hath thus described himselfe vnto me: That as another, hee discerneth and hath a feeling of the burthen of accidents: but such as have no remedie, hee presently resolveth to suffer with patience: For the rest, after hee hath appointed necessary provisions, which by the vivacitie and nimblenesse of his wit hee speedily effects, hee then attends the event with quietnesse. Verily, I have seene in him at one instant a great carelesnesse and liberty, both in his acti∣ons and countenance: Even in important and difficult affaires. I finde him more magnani∣mous and capable, in bad then in good fortune. His losses are to him more glorious, than his victories; and his mourning than his triumphs. Consider how in meere vaine and frivo∣lous actions, as at chesse, tennis and such like sports, this earnest and violent engaging with an ambicious desire to winne, doth presently cast both minde and limmes into disorder and indiscretion. Wherein a man doth both dazle his sight and distemper his whole body. Hee who demeaneth himselfe with most moderation both in winning and loosing, is ever nec∣rest vnto himselfe, and hath his wits best about him. The lesse hee is mooved or passionate in play, the more safely doth he governe the same, and to his greater advantage. We hindet the mindes seazure and holdfast, by giving her so many things to seize vpon. Some wee should onely present vnto her, others fasten vpon hir, and others incorporate into hir. Shee may see and feele all things, but must onely feede on hir selfe: And bee instructed in that which properly concerneth hir, and which meerely belongeth to her essence and substance. The lawes of nature teach vs what is iust and fit for vs. After the wise-men have told vs, that according to nature no man is indigent or wanteth, and that each-one is poore but in his owne opinion, they also distinguish subtilly, the desires proceeding from Nature, from such as grow from the disorders of our fantasie. Those whose end may be discerned are meerely hers; and such as flie before vs and whose end we cannot attaine, are properly ours. Want of goods may easily be cured, but the poverty of the minde, is incurable.

Nam si, quod satis est homini, id satis esse potesset, Hoc sat erat; nunc, quum hoc non est, qui credimus porro Divitias vllas animum mi explere potesse? If it might be enough, that is enough for man, This were enough, since it is not, how thinke we can Now any riches fill My minde and greedy will?

Socrates seeing great store of riches, jewells and pretious stuffe carried in pompe through his Citty: Oh how many things (quoth he) doe not I desire! Metrodorus lived daily with the weight of twelve ounces of foode: Epicurus with lesse: Metrocles in winter lay with sheepe, and in summer in the Cloisters of Churches. Sufficit ad id natura, quod poscit. Nature is suf∣ficient* 2.5 for that which it requires. Cleanthes lived by his handes, and boasted, that if Cleanthes would, he could nourish another Cleanthes. If that which Nature doth exactly and origi∣nally require at our handes, for the preservation of our being, is over little (as in truth what it is, and how good cheape our life may be maintained, cannot better bee knowne or expres∣sed than by this consideration. That it is so little, and for the smalnesse thereof, it is out of

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Fortunes reach, and she can take no hold of it) let vs dispense something els vnto ourselves, and call the custome and condition of every▪ one of vs by the name of Nature. Let vs taxe and stint and feede our selves according to that measure; let vs extend both our appurte∣nances and reckonings therevnto. For so farre, me seemes, we have some excuse: Custome is a second Nature, and no lesse powerfull▪ What is wanting to custome, I hold it a defect: And I had well nigh as leefe one should deprive mee of my life, as refraine or much abridge me of the state wherein I have lived so long. I am no more vpon termes of any great altera∣tion nor to thrust my selfe into a new and vn-vsuall course, no not toward augmentation: it is no longer time to become other or bee transformed. And as I should complaine if any great adventure should now befall me, and grieve it came not in time that I might have en∣joyed the same.

Quo mihi fortuna, si non concedit ur vti?* 2.6 Whereto should I have much, If I to vse it grutch?

I should likewise bee grieved at any inward purchase: I were better in a manner, never, than so late, to become an honest man: and well practised to live, when one hath no lon∣ger life. I who am ready to depart this World, could easily be induced, to resigne the share of wisedome I have learn't, concerning the Worlds commerce, to any other man new-come into the world. It is even as good as Mustard after dinner. What neede have I of that good, which I cannot enioy? Whereto serveth knowledge, if one have no head? It is an injury and dis∣grace of Fortune, to offer vs those presents, which, forsomuch as they faile vs when we should most neede them, fill vs with a just spite. Guide me no more: I can go no longer. Of so many dismembrings that Sufficiency hath, patience sufficeth vs. Give the capacity of an excel∣lent treble to a Singer, that hath his lungs rotten; & of eloquence to an Hermit confined into the Deserts of Arabia. There needes no Arte to further a fall. The end findes it selfe in the finish∣ing of every worke. My world is at an end, my forme is expired. I am wholly of the time past. And am bound to authorize the same, and thereto conforme my issue. I will say this by way of example; that the eclipsing or abridging of tenne dayes, which the Pope hath lately cau∣sed, hath taken me so low, that I can hardly recover my selfe. I follow the yeares, wherein we were wont to compt otherwise. So long and antient a custome doth challenge and recall me to it againe. I am thereby enforced to be somewhat an hereticke: Incapable of innova∣tion, though corrective. My imagination ma••gre my teeth runnes still tenne dayes before, or tenne behinde; and whispers in mine ••ares: This rule toucheth those, which are to come▪ If health it selfe so sweetely-pleasing, comes to me but by fittes, it is rather to give me cause of griefe then possession of it selfe. I have no where left mee to retire it. Time forsakes mee without which nothing is enjoyed. How small accompt should I make of these great ele∣ctive dignities I see in the world, and which are onely given to men, ready to leave the world! wherein they regard not so much how duely they shall discharge them, as how lit∣tle they shall exercise them: from the beginning they looke to the end. To conclude, I am ready to finish this man, not to make another. By long custome, this forme is changed into sub∣stance, and Fortune into Nature. I say therefore, that amongst vs feeble creatures, each one is excusable to compt that his owne, which is comprehended vnder measure. And yet all be∣yond these limites, is nothing but confusion.

It is the largest extension we can grant our rights. The more wee amplifie our neede and possession, the more we engage our selves to the crosses of fortune and adversities. The ca∣riere of our desires must be circumscribed, and tied to strict bounds of neerest and contigu∣ous commodities. Moreover, their course should be managed, not in a straight line, having another end, but round, whose two points hold together, and end in our selves with a short compasse. The actions governed without this reflection, I meane a neere and essentiall re∣flection, as these of the covetous, of the ambitious and so many others, that runne directly point-blancke, the course of which carrieth them away before them, are erronious and cra∣zed actions. Most of our vacations are like playes. Mundus vniversus exercet histrioni∣am. All the world doth practise stage-playing. Wee must play our parts duly, but as the part of a borrowed personage. Of a visard and apparance, wee should not make a reall essence, nor proper of that which is another. Wee cannot distinguish the skinne from the shirt. It is sufficient to disguise the face, without deforming the breast. I see some transforme and

transubstantiate themselves, into as many new formes and strange beings, as they vndertake charges: and who emprelate themselves even to the heart and entrailes; and entraine their offices even sitting on their close stoole. I cannot teach them to distinguish the salutations and cappings of such as regard them, from those that respect either their office, their traine or their mule. Tantum se fortunae permitunt, etiam vt naturam dediscant. They give themselves so much over to Fortune, as they forget Nature. They swell in mind and puffe vp their naturall discourse, according to the dignity of their office. The Maior of Bourdeaux, and Michaell Lord of Montaigne, have ever beene two, by an evident separation. To bee an advocate or a Treasurer, one should not be ignorant of the craft incident to such callings. An honest man is not comptable for the vice and folly of his trade, and therfore ought not to refuse the exercise of it. It is the custome of his country; and there is profite in it. Wee must live by the worlde, and such as we finde it, so make vse of it. But the judgement of an Emperour should be above his Empire; and to see and consider the same as a strange accident. Hee should know how to enjoy himselfe apart; and communicate himselfe as Iames and Peter; at least to himselfe. I cannot so absolutely or so deeply engage my selfe. When my will gives me to any party, it is not with so violent a bond, that my vnderstanding is thereby infected. In the present intestine trouble of our State, my interest hath not made mee forget neither the commendable qualities of our adversaries, nor the reproachfull of those I have followed. They partially extoll what ever is on their side: I doe not so much as excuse the greater number of my friends-actions. A good Oratour looseth not his grace by pleading against me. The inticratenesse of our debate remooved, I have maintained my selfe in equanimity and pure indifferency. Neque extra necessitates belli, praecipuum odium gero, Nor beare I capi∣tall hatred, when I am out of the necessitie of warre. Wherein I glory, for that commonly I see men erre in the contrary. Such as extend the choller and hatred, beyond their affaires (as most men doe) shew that it proceedes elsewhence, and from some private cause: Even as one being cured of an vlcer, and his fever remaineth still, declareth it had another more hid∣den begining. It is the reason they beare none vnto the cause, in generall: and forsomuch as it concerneth the interest of all, and of the state: But they are vexed at it, onely for this; that it toucheth them in private. And therefore are they distempered with a particular passion, both beyond justice and publicke reason. Non tam omnia vniversi, quàm ea, qua ad quemque pertinent, singuli carpebant. All did not so much finde fault withall, as every one with those that ap∣pertained to every one. I will have the advantage to be for vs, which though it be not, I en∣rage not. I stand firmely to the ••ounder parts. But I affect not to be noted a private enemy to others, and beyond generall reason, I greatly accuse this vicious forme of obstinate con∣testing: He is of the League, because he admireth the grace of the Duke of Guise: or he is a Hugonote, forsomuch as the King of Navarres activity amazeth him: He findes fault in the Kings behaviours, therefore he is sedicious in his heart. I would not give the magistrate my voice, that he had reason to condemne a booke, because an hereticke was therein named and extolled to be one of the best Poets of this age. Dare wee not say that a theefe hath a good leg? if he have so indeede; If she be a strumpet, must she needes have a stinking breath? In wiser ages, revoked they the prowd title of Capitolinus, they had formely given to Marcus Manlius, as the preserver of religion and publicke liberty? Suppressed they the memory of his liberality, his deeds of armes and military rewards granted to his vertues, because to the prejudice of his countries lawes, he afterward affected a Royalty? If they once conceive a hatred against an Orator or an advocate, the next day he becommeth barbarous and vne∣loquent. I have elsewhere discoursed of zeale, which hath driven good men into like er∣rours. For my selfe, I can say: that he doth wickedly, and this vertuously. Likewise, in prognostickes or sinister events of affaires, they will have every man blinde or dull in his owne cause: and that our perswasion and judgement, serve not the truth but the project of our desires. I should rather erre in the other extreamity; So much I feare my desire might corrupt me. Considering, I somewhat tenderly distrust my selfe in things I most desire. I have in my dayes seene wonders, in the indiscreete and prodigious facility of people, suf∣fering their hopes and beliefes, to bee led and governed, as it hath pleased and best fitted their leaders: above a hundred discontents, one in the neck of another: and beyond their fan∣tasies and dreames. I wonder no more at those, whom the apish toyes of Apollonius and Mahomet have seduced and blinded. Their sence and vnderstanding is wholly smothered

in their passion. Their discretion hath no other choise but what pleaseth them and furthe∣reth their cause. Which I had especially observed in the beginning of our distempered fa∣ctions and factious troubles. This other which is growne since, by imitation surmounteth the same. Whereby I observe, that it is an inseparable quality of popular errours. The first beeing gone, opinions entershocke one another, following the winde, as waves doe. They are no members of the body, if they may renounce it; if they folow not the common course. But truely they wrong the just partes, when they seeke to helpe them with fraude or de∣ceipts. I have alwayes contradicted the same. This meane is but for sicke braines: The healthy have surer and honester wayes to maintaine their resolutions and excuse all contrary accidents. The Heavens never saw so weighty a discord and so harmefull a hatred, as that betweene Caesar and Pompey; nor ever shall heereafter: Mee seemeth notwithstanding, I see in those noble and Heroicall mindes, an exemplar and great moderation of the one toward the other. It was a jelousie of honour and emulation of command, which transported them, not to a furious and indiscreete hatred; without malice or detraction. In their sharpest ex∣ploites, I discover some reliques of respect and cinders of well-meaning affection. And I imagine, that had it beene possible, either of them desired rather to effect his purpose with∣out overthrowing his competitour, than by working his vtter ruine. Note how contrarie the proceeding was betweene Sylla and Marius. We must not runne headlong after our af∣fections and private interests. As in my youth, I ever opposed my selfe to the motions of love, which I felt to vsurpe vpon me; and laboured to diminish it's delights, lest in the end it might vanquish and captivate me to his mercy: So do I now in all other occasions, which my will apprehendeth with an over great appetite. I bend to the contrary of my dispositi∣on, as I see the same plunged and drunke with it's owne Wine. I shunne so farre foorth to nourish hir pleasure, as I may not revoke it without a bloody losse. Those mindes which through stupidity see things but by halves, enjoy this happinesse, that such as be hurtfull, of∣fend them least: It is a spirituall leprosie, that hath some shew of health; and such a health, as Philosophy doth not altogether contemne. But yet it may not lawfully bee termed wise∣dome; as we often doe. And after this manner did in former times some body mocke Dio∣genes, who in the dead of Winter, went all naked, embracing an image of snow, to try his patience; Who meeting him in this order, said thus vnto him; Art thou now very colde; No∣thing at all, answered Diogenes. What thinkest thou to doe then, that is either hardor exemplar by standing in the colde? replied the other: To measure constancy, we must necessarily know sufferance, But such minds as must behold crosse events, and fortunes injuries in their height and sharp∣nesse, which must weigh and taste them according to their naturall bitternesse and charge; let them employ their skill and keep themselves from embracing the causes, and divert their approaches. What did King Cotys? He payed liberally for that goodly and rich Vessell, which one had presented vnto him, but forsomuch as it was exceeding brittle, hee presently brake it himselfe, that so betimes he might remoove so easie an occasion of choller against his servants. I have in like sort shunned confusion in my affaires, and sought not to have my goods contiguous to my neighbours, and to such as I am to be linked in strict friendshippe: Whence commonly ensue causes of alienation and vnkindnesse. I have heeretofore loved the hazardous play of Cardes and Dice; I have long since left it, onely for this that notwith∣standing any faire semblance I made in my losses, I was inwardly disquieted. Let a man of ho∣nour, who is to take a lie or endure an outragious wrong, and cannot admit a bad excuse for paiment or satisfaction, avoid the progresse of contentious altercations. I shunne melan∣cholike complexions and froward men, as infected. And in matters, I cannot talke-of with∣out interest and emotion, I meddle not with them, except duty constraine mee therevnto. Melius non incipient, quam desinent. They shall better not beginne, than leave off. The surest way, is then to prepare our selves before occasion. I know that some wisemen have taken another course; and have not feared to engage and vehemently to insinuate themselves into diverse objects. Those assure themselves of their owne strength, vnder which they shrowd themselves against all manner of contrary events, making mischiefs to wrestle one against another, by vigor and vertue of patience:

Velut rupes vastum quae prodit in aequor,* 2.7 Obvia ventorum furijs, expostáque ponto, Ʋim cunctam atque minas perfert caelique marisque,

——ipsa immota manens. Much like a rocke, which but's into the Maine, Meeting with windes-rage, to the Sea laid plaine, It doth the force of skies and Seas sustaine, Endure their threats, yet do th vnmoov'd remaine.

Let vs not imitate these examples, we shall not attaine them. They opinionate themselves resolutely to behod, and without perturbation to bee spectatours of their Countries ruine, which whilome possessed and commaunded their full will. As for our vulgar minds, therin is too much effort and roughnesse. Cato quit thereby the noblest life that ever was. Wee seely-ones must seeke to escape the storme further off: We ought to provide for apprehen∣sion and not for patience, and avoid the blowes wee cannot withstand. Zeno seeing Chre∣monides a yoong man whom he loved, approach to sit neere him; rose vp sodainely. Clean∣thes asking him the reason? I vnderstand (said hee) that Physitions above all things pre∣scribe rest, and forbid emotion in all tumors. Socrates saith not; yeeld not to the allure∣ments of beauty; maintaine it, enforce your selves to the contrary: Shunne her (saith hee) runne out of her sight and companie; as from a violent poison, that infecteth and stingeth farre-off. And his good Disciple, faining or reciting, but in mine opinion, rather reciting then faining, the matchlesse perfections of that great Cyrus, describeth him distrusting his forces to withstand the blandishments or allurings of the divine beautie of that famous Panthea his Captive, committing the visitation and guarde of her to an other, that had lesse liberty then himselfe. And likewise the Holy-Ghost saith ne nos inducas in ten∣tationem,* 2.8 and lead vs not into temptation. We pray not that our reason be not encountred and vanquished by concupiscence: but that it be not so much as assayed therewith: That we bee not reduced to an estate, where we should but suffer the approaches, sollicitations and temp∣tations of sinne: and we entreat our Lord, to keepe our conscience quiet, fully and perfectly free from all commerce of evill. Such as say they have reason for their revenging passion, or any other minde-troubling perturbation: say often truth, as things are, but not as they were. They speake to vs, when the causes of their error are by themselves fostred and advanced. But retire further backeward, recall their causes to their beginning: there you surprise and put them to a non plus. Would they have their fault be lesse, because it is more ancient; and that of an vnjust beginning, the progresse be just? He that (as I doe) shall wish his countries well∣fare, without fretting or pining himselfe, shall be grieved, but not swoune, to see it threatning, either his owne downefall, or a continuance no lesse ruinous. Oh seely-weake barke, whom both waves, windes and Pilote, hull and tosse to so contrary desseignes!

—in tam diversa, magister, Ʋentus & vnda trahunt.— Maister the wave and winde So diverse wayes doe binde.

Who gapes not after the favour of Princes, as after a thing without which hee cannot live; nor is much disquieted at the coldnesse of their entertainment or frowning countenance nor regardeth the inconstancy of their will. Who hatcheth not his children or huggeth not honours, with a slavish propension; nor leaves to live commodiously having once lost them. Who doth good, namely for his owne satisfaction, nor is much vexed to see men cen∣sure of his actions against his merite. A quarter of an ownce of patience provideth for such inconveniences. I finde ease in this receit: redeeming my selfe in the beginning, as good cheape as I can: By which meanes I perceive my selfe to have escaped much trouble and manifold difficulties. With very little force, I stay these first motions of my perturbations: And I abandon the subject which beginnes to molest me, and before it transport mee. Hee that stops not the loose, shall hardly stay the course. He that cannot shut the dore against them, shall never expell them being entred. He that cannot attaine an end in the beginning, shall not come to an end of the conclusion. Nor shall hee endure the fall, that could not endure the starts of it. Etenim* 2.9 ipsae se impellunt, vbi semel à ratione discessum est; ipsá{que} sibi imbecillit as indulget, in altumque pro∣vehitur imprudens: nec reperit locum consistendi. For they drive themselves headlong, when once they are parted and past reason; and weakenesse soothes it selfe, and vnawares is carried into the deepe, nor can it finde a place to tarry in. I feele betimes, the low windes, which are forerunners

of the storme, buzze in mine eares and sound and trie mee within:

—c•••• flamina prima Cùm deprensa fr••munt sylvis, & c••ca volutant* 2.10 Murmura, venturos nautis prodentia ventos. As first blasts in the woods perceiv'd to goe Whistle, and darkely speake in murmurs low, Foretelling Marriners what windes will grow.

How often have I done my selfe an apparant injustice, to avoide the danger I should fall into, by receiving the same, happily worse, from the judges, after a world of troubles, and of foule, and vile practises, more enemies to my naturall disposition, then fire or torment? Convenit a litibus quantum licet, & nescso an paulo plus etiam quam licet, abhorrentem esse; Est* 2.11 enim non mo•••• liberale, paululum non nunquam de suo iure decedere, sed interdum etiam fructuo∣sum. As much as wee may, and it may be more then we may, we should abhorre brabling and law∣ing; for it is not onely an ingenious part, but sometimes profitable also at sometimes to yeeld a little of our right. If we were wise indeede, wee should rejoyce and glory, as I heard once a yong∣gentleman, borne of a very great house, very wittily and vnfainedly, rejoyce with all men that his mother had lost her sute; as if it had beene a cough, an ague, or any other yrksome burthen. The fauours, which fortune might have given mee, as aliances and acquaintances with such as have Soveraigne authority in those things; I have, in my conscience done much instantly to evoide imploying them to others prejudice, and not over-value my rights above their worth. To conclude, I have so much prevailed by my endevours (in a good houre I may speake it) that I am yet a virgin for any sutes in law, which have notwithstanding not omitted gently to offer mee their service, and vnder pretence of lawfull titles insinuate them∣selves into my allowance, would I but have given eare vnto them. And as a pure maiden from quarrels; I have without important offence, either passive or active, lingred out a long life, and never heard worse than mine owne name▪ A rare grace of heaven. Our grea∣test agitations, have strange springs and ridiculous causes. What ruine did our last Duke of Burgundie runne into, for the quarrell of a cart-load of sheepes-skinnes? And was not the graving of a seale, the chiefe cause of the most horrible breach and topsie-turvy, that e∣ver this worlds-frame endured? For, Pompey and Casar are but the new buddings and conti∣nuation of two others. And I have seene in my time, the wisest heads of this realme assem∣bled with great ceremonie and publike charge, about treaties and agreements, the true deci∣ding wherof depended in the meane while absolutely and soveraignely of the will and con∣sultations held in some Ladies pate or cabinet; and of the inclination of some sillie woman. Poets have most judiciously look't into this, who but for an apple have set all Greece and A∣sia on fire and sword. See why that man doth hazzard both his honor and life on the fortune of his rapier and dagger; let him tell you whence the cause of that contention ariseth; he can not without blushing; so vaine and so frivolous is the occasion. To embarke him, there needes but little advisement, but being once-in, all parts doe worke; Then are greater pro∣visions required, more difficult and important. How farre more easie is it not to enter, than to get forth? We must proceed contrary to the brier, which produceth a long and straight stalke at the first springing; but after, as tired and out of breath, it makes many and thicke knots, as if they were pawses, shewing to have no more that vigor and constancie. Wee should rather begin gently and leasurely; and keepe our strength and breath for the perfe∣ction of the worke. We direct affaires in the beginning, and holde them at our mercie, but being once vndertaken, they guide and transport vs, and we must follow them. Yet may it not be sayd, that this counsell hath freed me from all difficulties, and that I have not beene often troubled to controle and bridle my passions: which are not alwayes governed accor∣ding to the measure of occasions: whose entrances are often sharpe and violent. So is it, that thence may be reaped good fruit and profit. Except for those, who in well doing are not sa∣tisfied with any benefit, if their reputation be in question. For in truth, such an effect is not compted of but by every one to himselfe. You are thereby better satisfied, but not more e∣steemed, having reformed your selfe, before you come into action or the matter was in sight: yet not in this onely, but in all other duties of life, their course which aime at honour, is di∣verse from that, which they propound vnto themselves, that follow order and reason. I finde some, that inconsiderately and furiously thrust themselves into the listes and growe

slacke in the course. As Plutarke saith, that Such as by the vice of bashfulnesse are soft and tra∣ctable to graunt whatsoever is demaunded, are afterward as prone and facile to recant and breake their word: In like manner, he that enters lightly into a quarrel, is subject to leave it as light∣ly. The same difficultie which keeps me from embracing the same, should encite me, being once mooved and therein engaged, to continue resolute. It is an ill custome. Being once embarked, one must either goe-on or sinke. Attempt coldly (sayed Byas) but pursue hotly. For want of judgement, our harts faile vs; Which is also lesse tolerable. Most agreements of our moderne quarrels, are shamefull and false: Wee onely seeke to save apparances, and therewhilst betray and disa-vow our true intentions. We salve the deede: We know how wee spake it, and in what sence the by-standers know it: yea and our friends to whom wee would have our advantages knowne. It is to the prejudice of our libertie and interest of our resolutions-honour, that we dis-avow our thoughts and seeke for starting holes in falshood, to make our agreements. Wee belie ourselves, to salve a lie we have given to another. We must not looke whether your action or word may admitte another interpretation, but it is your owne true and sincere construction, that you must now maintaine; whatsoever it cost you. It is to your vertue and to your conscience that men speake; parts that ought not to be disguised. Leave we these base courses, wrangling shifts and verball meanes, to petty-fog∣ging Lawyers. The excuses and reparations, or satisfactions, which dayly I see made; pro∣mised and given to purge indiscretion, seeme to mee more foule than indiscretion it selfe. Better were it for one to offend his adversarie againe, than in giving him such satisfaction, to wrong himselfe so much. You have braved him mooved by choller, and now you seeke to pacifie and flatter him in your cold and better sence: Thus you abase your selfe more, than you were before exalted. I find no speech so vicious in a Gentleman, as I deeme any recan∣tation he shall make, dishonorable; especially if it be wrested from him by authoritie: For∣somuch as obstinacie is in him more excusable, than cowardize. Passions are to mee as ea∣sie to be avoyded, as they are difficult to be moderated. Excinduntur facilius animo, quàm temperantur. They are more easilie rooted out of the minde, than brought to good temper. Hee that can not attaine to this noble Stoicall impassibilitie, let him shrowde himselfe in the bo∣some of this my popular stupiditie. What they did by vertue, I inure my selfe to doe by Na∣ture. The middle region harboureth stormes; the two extreames containe Philosophers and rurall men, they concurre in tranquillity and good hap.

Foelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas,* 2.12 Atque metus omnes & inexorabile fatum Subiecit pedibus, strepitúmque Acherontis avari. Fortunatus & ille, Deos qui novit agrestes, Panáque, Silvanúmque senem, Nymphásque sorores. Happy is he that could of things the causes finde, And subject to his feete all fearefulnesse of minde, Inexorable fate, and noise of greedy Hell. And happy he, with Countrie Gods acquainted well, Pan and old Silvan knowes, And al the sister shrowes.

The beginnings of all things are weake and tender. We must therefore be cleare-sighted in beginnings: For, as in their budding wee discerne not the danger, so in their full growth wee perceive not the remedy. I should have encountred a thousand crosses, daily more hard to be disgested in the course of ambition, than it hath bin vneasie for me to stay the naturall incli∣nation, that led me vnto them.

—iure perhorrui,* 2.13 Latè conspicuum tollere verticem.— I have beene much afraid for causes right. To raise my foretop far abroad to sight.

All publike actions are subiect to vncertaine and divers interpretations: For, too many heads judge of them. Some say of this my Citty employment (whereof I am content to speake a word; not that it deserves it, but to make a shew of my manners in such things) I have de∣meaned my selfe like one that is to slowly mooved and with a languishing affection: And they are not altogether void of reason. I strive to keepe my minde and thoughts quiet. Cum

semper Natura, tum etiam aetate iam quietus. Both ever quiet by Nature, and now because of yeeres. And if at any time they are debauched to some rude and piercing impression, it is in truth without my consent. From which naturall slacknesse, one must not therefore inferre any proofe of disabilitie: For, Want of care and lacke of iudgement are two thinges: And lesse vnkindnesse and ingratitude toward those Citizens, who to gratifie me, employed the vt∣most of all the meanes they could possibly; both before they knew me and since. And who did much more for me, in appoynting me my charge the second time, then in choosing me the first. I love them with all my heart, and wish them all the good that may be. And tru∣ly if occasion had beene offered, I would havespared nothing to have done them service. I have stirred and laboured for them, as I doe for my selfe. They are a good people, warlike and generous; yet capable of obedience and discipline, and fit for good employment, if they be well guided. They say likewise, that I passed over this charge of mine without any deede of note or great shew. It is true. Moreover, they accuse my cessation, when as all the world was convicted of too much dooing: I have a most nimble motion, where my will doth car∣rie me. But this point is an enemie vnto perseverance. Whosoever will make vse of mee, according to my selfe, let him employ me in affaires, that require vigor and liberty: that have a short, a straight, and therewithall a hazardous course: I may peradventure somewhat pre∣vaile therein. Whereas if it be tedious, craftie, laborious, artificiall and intricate, they shall doe better to addresse themselves to some other man. All charges of importance are not difficult. I was prepared to labour somewhat more earnestly, if there had beene great neede. For it lyes in my power, to doe something more than I make shew-of, and than I love to doe. To my knowledge, I have not omitted any motion that duty required earnestly at my hands. I have easily forgotten those, which ambition blendeth with dutie and cloketh with her title. It is they, which most commonly fill the eyes and eares, and satisfie men. Not the thing it selfe, but the apparance payeth them. If they heare no noise, they imagine we sleepe. My humours are contrary to turbulent humours. I could pacifie an inconvenience or trou∣ble without troubling my selfe, and chastise a disorder without alteration.

Have I neede of choller and inflammation; I borrow it, and therewith maske my selfe: My maners are mustie, rather wallowish then sharpe. I accuse not a Magistrate that slee∣peth, so they that are vnder it sleepe also. So sleepe the lawes. For my part, I commend a gliding, an obscure and reposed life: Neque submissam & abiectam, neque se efferentem. Nei∣ther too abiect and submisse, nor vaunting it selfe too much. But my fortune will have it so; I am* 2.14 descended of a family that hath lived without noise and tumult: and of long continuance particularly ambicious of integritie. Our men are so framed to agitation and ostentations that goodnesse, moderation, equitie, constancie, and such quiet and meane qualities, are no more hard-of. Rough bodies are felt, smooth ones are handled imperceptibly. Sicke∣nesse is felt, health little or not at all: nor things that annoint vs, in regard of such as sting vs, It is an action for ones reputation and private commoditie, and not for the common good, to refer that to be done in the market place, which a man may do in the counsel-chamber: & at noone day, what might have beene effected the night before: and to be jealous to doe that himselfe, which his fellow can performe as well. So did some Surgeons of Greece shew the operations of their skill, vpon scaffolds, in view of all passengers, thereby to get more practise and custome. They suppose, that good orders cannot be vnderstood, but by the sound of a trumpet. Ambition is no vice for pettie companions, and for such endevours as ours. One saide to Alexander: your father will leave you a great commaund, easie and peacefull: the boy was envious of his fathers victories, and of the justice of his goverment. He would not have enjoyed the worlds▪ Empire securely and quietly. Alcibiades in Plato, lo∣veth rather to die yong, faire, rich, noble, learned, and all that in excellence, then to stay in the state of such a condition. This infirmitie is happily excusable, in so strong and full a minde. When these pettie wretched soules, are therewith enveagled; and thinke to publish their fame, because they have judged a cause rightly, or continued the order in guarding of a Citties gates; by how much more they hoped to raise their head, so much more doe they shew their simplicitie. This pettie well-doing, hath neither body nor life. It vani∣sheth in the first moneth; and walkes but from one corner of a street to another. Entertaine therewith your sonne and your servant, and spare not. As that ancient fellow, who ha∣ving no other auditor of his praises & appla••ding of his sufficiency, boasted with his cham∣ber-maide,

exclaiming: Oh Perette, what a gallant and sufficient man thou hast to thy mai∣ster! If the worst happen, entertaine your selves in y••ur selves: As a Counsellour of my ac∣quaintance, having degorged a rable of paragraphes, with an extreame contention and like foolishnesse; going out of the counsell-chamber, to a pissing place neere vnto it; was heard very conscientiously to vtter these words to himselfe: Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed no∣mini* 2.15 tuo da gloriam. Not vnto vs, O Lord, not vnto vs, but vnto thy name give the glory. He that cannot otherwise, let him pay himselfe out of his owne purse. Fame doth not so basely pro∣stitute it selfe, nor so cheape. Rare and exemplar actions, to which it duly belongeth, could not brooke the company of this innumerable multitude of vulgar petty actions. Well may a piece of marble raise your titles as high as you list, because you have repaired a piece of an olde Wall, or cleansed a common ditch; but men of iudgement will never doe it. Report followeth not all goodnesse, except difficulty and rarity be joyned therevnto. Yea simple estimati∣on, according to the Stoikes, is not due to every action proceeding from vertue. Neither would they have him commended, who through temperance abstaineth from an old blear∣ey'd woman. Such as have knowen the admirable qualities of Scipio the Affrican, renounce the glory which Panaetius ascribeth vnto him, to have abstained from gifts, as a glory, not his alone, but peculiar to that age. We have pleasures sortable to our fortune; let vs not vsurpe those of greatnesse. Our owne are more naturall. They are the more solide and firme, by how much the meaner. Since it is not for conscience, at least for ambition let vs refuse am∣bition. Let vs disdaine this infaciate thirst of honour and renowne, base and beggerly, which makes vs so suppliantly to crave it of all sortes of people: Quae est ista laus quae possit è* 2.16 macello peti? What praise is this, which may bee fetcht out of the Shambles? By abject meanes, and at what vile rate soever. To be thus honoured, is meerely a dishonour. Learne we to bee no more greedie of glorie, then we are capable of it. To be proud of every profitable and inno∣cent action, is it fit for men to whom it is extraordinary and rare. They will value it, for the price it cost them. According as a good effect is more resounding; I abate of it's goodnes: the jelousie I conceive, it is produced more because it is so resounding, than because it is good. What is set-out to shew, is halfe solde. Those actions have more grace, which carelessely and vnder silence, passe from the handes of a Workeman, and which some honest man after∣ward chuseth and redeemeth from darkenesse, to thrust them into the worlds-light; Onely for their worth. Mihi quidem laudabiliora videntur omnia, quae sine venditatione, & sine populo* 2.17 teste fiunt: All things in sooth seeme to me more commendable that are performed with no ostentati∣on; and without the people to witnesse. Said the most glorious man of the World. I had no care but to preserve and continue, which are deafe and insensible effects. Innovation is of great lustre: But interdicted in times, when we are most vrged, and have to defend our selves but from novelties; Abstinence from doing, is eften as generous, as doing: but it is not so appa∣rant. My small worth is in a manner all of this kinde. To be short, the occasions in this my charge have seconded my complexion; for which I conne them harty thanks. Is there any man that desireth to be sicke, to see his Physition set a worke? And Should not that Physition be well whipped, who to put his arte in practize, would wish the plague to infect vs? I was never pos∣sessed with this impious and vulgar passion, to wish that the troubled and distempred state of this Citty, might raise and honour my governement. I have most willingly lent them my hand to further, and shoulders to aide their ease and tranquillity. He that will not thanke me for the good order and for the sweet and vndisturbed rest, which hath accompanied my charge; cannot at least deprive me of that part, which by the title of my good fortune belongeth vnto me. This is my humour, that I love as much to be happy as wise: And at∣tribute my successes as much to the meere grace of God, as to the meane furtherance of my operation. I had sufficiently published to the World my insufficiency: in managing of such publicke affaires: Nay, there is something in me, worse than insufficiency: Which is, that I am not much displeased therewith: and that I endevour not greatly to cure it, conside∣ring the course of life I have determined to my selfe. Nor have I satisfied my selfe in this em∣ployment. But have almost attained what I had promised vnto my selfe: Yet have I much exceeded, what I had promised those, with whom I was to negotiate: For I willingly pro∣mise somewhat lesse, then I can performe, or hope to accomplish. Of this I am assured, I have never left offence or hatred amongst them: To have left either regret or desire of me. This know I certainely, I have not much affected it.

—Méne huic considere monstre, Méne salis placidi vultum, fluctúsque quietos* 2.18 Ignorare?— Should I this monster trust? Should I not know The calme Seas counterfait dissembling shew, How quietly sometimes the flouds will go?

The eleventh Chapter.

Of the Lame or Cripple.

TWO or three yeares are now past, since the yeere hath beene shortned tenne dayes in France. Oh how many changes are like to ensue this reformation▪ It was a right re∣mooving of Heaven and Earth together, yet nothing remooveth fromit's owne place: My Neighbours finde the season of their seede and Harvest time, the opportunity of their af∣faires, their lucky and vnlucky dayes, to answer just those seasons to which they had from all ages assigned them. Neither was the errour heeretofore perceived, nor is the reformation now discerned in our vse. So much vncertainty is there in all things: So grosse, so obscure and so dull is our vnderstanding. Some are of opinion, this reformation might have bin re∣dressed after a lesse incommodious maner; substracting according to the example of Augu∣stus, for some yeares, the bissextile or leape day: Which in some sort, is but a day of hinde∣rance and trouble: Vntill they might more exactly have satisfied the debt: Which by this late reformation is not done: For wee are yet some dayes in arrerages: And if by such a meane, we might provide for times to come, appoynting that after the revolution of such or such a number of yeares, that extraordinary day might for ever be eclipsed: so that our misreckoning should not henceforward exceede foure and twenty houres. Wee have no o∣ther computation of time, but yeares: The World hath vsed them so many ages: And yet is it a measure, we have not vntill this day perfectly established. And such, as wee dayly doubt, what forme other Nations have diversly given the same; and which was the true vse of it. And what if some say, that the Heavens in growing oldecompresse themselves to∣wards vs, and cast into an vncertainty of houres and dayes? And as Plutarke saith of mo∣neths; that even in his dayes, Astrologie could not yet limite the motion of the Moone? Are not we then well holp-vp, to keepe a register of things past? I was even now plodding (as often I doe) vpon this, what free and gadding instrument humane reason is. I ordina∣rily see, that men, in matters proposed them, doe more willingly ammuze and busie them∣selves in seeking out the reasons, than in searching out the trueth of them. They omit pre∣suppositions, but curiously examine consequences. They leave things, and runne to causes. Oh conceited discourses! The knowledge of causes doth onely concerne him, who hath the conduct of things: Not vs, that have but the sufferance of them. And who according to our neede, without entering into their beginning and essence, have perfectly the full and absolute vse of them. Nor is wine more pleasant vnto him that knowes the first faculties of it. Contrariwise; both the body and the minde, interrupt and alter the right, which they have of the Worldes vse and of themselves, commixing therewith the opinion of learning. The effects concerne vs, but the meanes, nothing at all. To determine and distribute, be∣longeth to superiority and regency; as accepting, to subjection and apprentiseshippe. Let vs re-assume our custome. They commonly beginne thus: How is such a thing done? Whereas they should say: Is such a thing done? Our discourse is capable to frame an hundred other Worldes, and finde the beginnings and contexture of them. It needeth neither matter nor ground. Let it but runne on: It will as well build vpon emptinesse, as vpon fulnesse and with inanity as with matter.

Dare pondus idonea fume,* 2.19 That things which vanish straight In smoke, should yet beare weight.

I finde, that wee should say most times: There is no such thing. And I would often employ this answer; but I dare not: for they cry; It is a defeature produced by ignorance and weake∣nesse of spirite. And I must commonly juggle for company sake, to treate of idle subjects and frivolous discourses. which I believe nothing at all. Since truely, it is a rude and quarel∣ous humour, flatly to deny a proposition. And few misse (especially in things hard to be per∣swaded) to affirme, that they have seene it: Or to alleadge such witnesses, as their authoritie shall stay our contradiction. According to which vse, we know the foundations and meanes of a thousand things that never were. And the world is in a thousand questions descanted and bandied too & fro; the pro and contra of which is meerly false. Ita finitima sunt falsaveris,* 2.20 vt in praecipitem locum non debeat se sapiens committere. Falsehood is so neere Neighbour to trueth, that a wiseman should not put himselfe vpon a slipperie downefal. Truth and falsehood have both a∣like countenances, their port, their taste and their proceedings semblable: Wee beholde them with one same eyes. I obserue that we are not onely slowe in defending ourselves from deceipt, but that wee seeke and sue to embrace it. Wee love to meddle and entangle ourselves with vanity, as conformable vnto our being. I have seene the birth of divers miracles in my dayes. Although they be smoothered in their first grouth, wee omit not to foresee the course they would have taken, had they lived their full age. The matter is to finde the end of the clue; that found, one may winde-off what he list: And there is a further distance from nothing to the least thing in the World, than betweene that and the greatest. Now the first that are embrued with the beginning of strangenesse, comming to publish their history, finde by the opposi∣tions made against them, where the difficulty of perswasion lodgeth; and goe about with some false patch, to botch vppe those places. Besides that, Insita h••minibus libidine alendi de industria rumores: Men having a natural desire to nourish reports. We naturally make it a mat∣ter of conscience, to restore what hath beene lent vs, without some vsury and accession of our encrease. A particular errour, doeth first breede a publike errour: And when his turne com∣meth, A publike errour begetteth a particular errour. So goeth all this vast frame, from hand to hand, confounding and composing it selfe; in such sort that the furthest-abiding testimo∣nie, is better instructed of it, then the nearest: and the last informed, better perswaded then the first. It is naturall progresse: For, whosoever beleeveth any thing, thinkes it a deede of charity, to perswad it vnto another: Which, that hee may the better effect, hee feareth not to adde something of his owne invention thereunto, so farre as hee seeth necessary in his discourse, to supply the resistance and defect, hee imagine••h to bee in anothers concepti∣on. My selfe, who make an especiall matter of conscience to lie, and care not greatly to ad credit or authority to what I say, perceive nevertheles, by the discourses I have in hand, that being ernested, either by the resistance of another, or by the earnestnes of my narration; I swell and amplifie my subject by my voyce, motions, vigor and force of wordes: as also by extension and amplification, not without some prejudice to the naked truth. But yet I doe it vpon condition, that to the first that brings mee home againe, and enquireth for the bare and simple truth at my hands: I sodainely give over my hold, and without exaggeration emphasis or amplification, I yeeld both my selfe and it vnto him. A lively, earnest and rea∣dy speech as mine, is easie transported vnto hyperboles. There is nothing whereunto men are ordinarily more prone, then to give way to their opinions. Where ever vsuall meanes faile vs, wee adde commandement, force, fire and sword. It is not without some ill fortune to come to that passe, that the multitude of believers, in a throng where fooles doe in num∣ber so farre exceede the wise, should bee the best touch-stone of truth. Quasi verò quidquam* 2.21 sit tam valdè, quàm nilsapere vulgare. Sanitatis patrocinium est, insanientium turba. As though any thing were so common as to have no wit. The multitude of them that are mad, is a defence for them that are in their wits. It is a hard matter for a man to resolve his judgement against com∣mon opinions. The first perswasion taken from the very subject, seizeth on the simple: whence vnder th'authority of the number and antiquity of testimonies, it extends it selfe on the wiser sort. As for me, in a matter, which I could not believe being reported by one: I should never credite the same, though affirmed by a hundred. And I judge not opinions, by yeares. It is not long since one of our Princes, in whom the gowt had spoiled a gentle disposition and blithe composition; suffered himselfe so farre to bee perswaded or mis-led, by the report made vnto him of the wondrous deedes of a Priest, who by way of charmes, spells and gestures cured all diseases; that hee vndertooke a long-tedious jonrny to finde him

out: and by the vertue of his apprehension did so perswade, and for certaine houres so ••ull his legs asleepe, that for a while hee brought them to doe him that service, which for a long time they had forgotten. Had fortune heaped five or six like accidents one in the necke of another, they had doubtlesse beene able to bring this miracle into nature. Whereas afterward there was so much simplicity and so little skill found in the architect of these workes, that he was deemed vnworthy of any punishment: As likewise should bee done with most such∣like things, were they throughly knowen in their nature. Miramur ex intervallo fallentia: Wee wonder at those things that deceive vs by distance. Our sight doth in such sort, often re∣present vs a farre-off with strange images, which vanish in approaching neerer. Nnnquam ad liquidum fama perducitur. Fame is never brought to be cleare. It is a wonder, to see how from many vaine beginnings and frivolous causes, so famous impressions doe ordinarily arise and ensue. Even that hindereth the information of them: For, whilst a man endevoureth to finde out causes, forcible and weighty ends, and worthy so great a name, hee looseth the true and essentiall. They are so little, that they escape our sight. And verily a right wise, heedy and subtile inquisitor is required in such questings; imparciall and not preoccupated. All these miracles and strange events, are vntill this day hidden from me: I have seene no such monster, or more expresse wonder in this world, then my selfe. With time and custome a man doth acquaint and enure him selfe to all strangenesse: But the more I frequent and know my selfe, the more my deformity astonieth me: and the lesse I vnderstand my selfe. The chiefest priviledge to produce and advance such accidents, is reserved vnto fortune. Travelling ye∣sterday thorough a village, within two leagues of my house, I found the place yet warme of a miracle that was but newly failed and discovered, wherewith all the country thereabout had for many months beene ammused and abused; and diverse bordering Provinces began to listen vnto it, and severall troupes of all qualities ceased not thicke and threefold to flocke thither. A yong man of that towne, vndertooke one night in his owne house (never drea∣ming of any knavery) to counterfeit the voice of a spirit or ghost, but onely for sport, to make himselfe merry for that present, which succeeding better then he had imagined; to make the jest extend further, and himselfe the merrier, he made a country-maiden acquain∣ted with his devise; who because she was both seely and harmelesse, consented to beesecret and to second him: In the end they got another, and were now three, all of one age and like sufficiency: and from private spirit-talking, they beganne with hideous voices to cry and roare aloud, and in, and about churches hiding themselves vnder the chiefe Altar, speaking but by night, forbidding any light to bee set vp: From speeches tending the worldes sub∣version, and threatning of the day of judgement (which are the subjects, by whose authori∣ty and abusive reverence, imposture and illusion, is more easily lurked) they proceeded to certaine visions and strange gestures, so foolish and ridiculous, that ther is scarse any thing more grosse and absurd vsed among Children, in their childish sports. Suppose I pray you, that fortune would have seconded this harmelesse devise or jugling tricke; Who knoweth how farre it would have extended, and to what it would have growen? The poore seely three Divels are now in prison, and may happily e're long pay deere for their common sot∣tishnesse; and I wot not whether some cheverell judge or other, will bee avenged of them for his. It is manifestly seene in this, which now is discovered; as also in divers other things of like quality, exceeding our knowledge; I am of opinion that we vphold our judgement, as well to reject, as to receive. Many abuses are engendered in the World; or to speake more boldly, all the abuses of the World are engendered vpon this, that we are taught to feare to make profession, of our ignorance; and are bound to accept and allow, all that wee cannot refute. Wee speake of all things by precepts and resolution. The Stile of Rome did beare, that even the same, that a witnes deposed, because he had seene it with his owne eyes; and that which a Iudge ordained of his most assured knowledge, was conceived in this form of speech, It seemeth so vnto me. I am drawen to hate likely things, when men goe about to set them downe as infallible. I love these wordes or phrases, which mollifie and moderate the teme∣rity of our propositions: It may be: Peradventure: In some sort: Some: It is saide: I thinke, and such like: And had I beene to instruct children, I would so often have put this manner of answering in their mouth; enquiring, and not resolving: What meanes it? I vnderstand it not: It may well bee: Is it true? that they should rather have kept the forme of learners, vntill three score yeeres of age, than present themselves Doctors at ten; as many doe. Who∣soever

will be cured of ignorance, must confesse the same. Iris is the daughter of Thaumantis. Ad∣miration is the ground of all Philosophie: Inquisition the progresse: Ignorance the end. Yea but there is some kinde of ignorance strong and generous, that for honor and courage is nothing beholding to knowledge: An ignorance, which to conceive rightly, there is required no lesse learning, than to conceive true learning.

Being yong, I saw a law-case, which Corras a Counsellor of Tholouse caused to bee printed of a strange accident of two men, who presented themselves one for another. I remember (and I remember nothing else so well) that me thought, he proved his imposture, whom he condemned as guilty, so wondrous strange and so far-exceeding both our knowledge and his owne, who was judge, that I found much boldnes in the sentence which had condemned him to be hanged. Let vs receive some forme of sentence that may say: The Court vnder∣stands nothing of it; more freely and ingenuously, than did the Areopagites; who finding themselves vrged and entangled in a case they could not well cleare or determine, appoin∣ted the parties to come againe and appeare before them a hundred yeares after. The wit∣ches about my countrie, are in hazard of their life, vpon the opinion of every new authour, that may come to give their dreames a body. To apply such examples as the holy word of God offreth vs of such things (assured and irrefragable examples) and joine them to our moderne events; since wee neither see the causes nor meanes of them, some other better wit then ours is thereunto required. Peradventure it appertaineth to that onely most-mightie testimony, to tell vs: This here, and that there; and not this other are of them. God must be beleeved; and good reason he should be so. Yet is there not one amongst vs, that will be ama∣zed at his owne narration (and he ought necessarily to be astonished at it, if he be not out of his wits) whether he employ it about others matters; or against himselfe. I am plaine and homely, and take hold on the maine point, and on that which is most likely; avoiding anci∣ent reproches. Maior em fidem homines adhibent ijs quae non intelligunt. Cupidine humani inge∣nij libentius obscura creduntur. Men give more credite to things they vndestand not: Things ob∣scure are more willingly beleeved through a strange desire of mans wit. I see that men will be an∣gry: and am forbid to doubt of it vpon paine of execrable injuries. A new manner of per∣swading. Mercie for Gods sake. My beliefe is not carried away with blowes. Let them ty∣rannize over such as accuse their opinion of falsehood; I onely accuse mine of difficulty and boldnesse. And equally to them I condemne the opposite affirmation: if not so imperious∣ly. He that with bravery and by commaundement will establish his discourse, declareth his reason to bee weake: For a verball and scholasticall altercation, that they have as much apparance as their contradictors. Ʋideantur sanè, non affirmentur modò. Indeede let them seeme, so they bee not avouched. But in effectuall consequence they draw from it, these have great ods. To kill men; there is required a bright shining and cleare light. And our life is over- reall and essentiall, to warrant these supernaturall and fantasticall accidents. As for drugges and poisons, they are out of my element: they are homicides, and of the worst kinde. In which neverthelesse, it is said, that one must not alwayes relie vppon the meere confession of those people: For, they have sometimes beene seene to accuse themselves, to have made away men which were both sound and living. In these other extravagant accusations, I should ea∣sily say that it sufficeth what commendations soever he hath, a man be believed in such things as are humane: but of such as are beyond his conception and of a supernaturall effect, hee ought then onely be believed, when a supernaturall approbation hath authorized him. That priviledge it hath pleased God to give some of our testimonies, ought not to bee vilified, or slightly communicated. Mine eares are full of a thousand such tales. Three saw him such a day in the East; three saw him the next day in the West, at such an houre, in such a place; and thus and thus attired; v••••ily in such a case I could not beleeve my selfe. How much more naturall and more likely doe I finde it, that two men should lie, then one in twelve houres, passe with the windes, from East to West? How much more naturall, that our vnderstan∣ding may by the volubility of our loose capring minde be transported from his place? then that one of vs should by a strange spirit, in flesh and bone, be carried vpon a broome through the tunnell of a chimny? Let vs, who are perpetually tossed too and fro with domesticall and our owne illusions, not seeke for forraine and vnknowen illusions. I deeme it a matter pardonable, not to beleeve a wonder, so farreforth at least as one may divert and exclude the verification by no miraculous way. And I follow Saint Augustines opinion, that a man were

better bend towards doubt, than encline towards certainetie, in matters of difficult triall and daunge∣rous beliefe. Some yeares are now past, that I travelled through the country of a soveraigne Prince: who in favour of mee, and to abate my incredulity, did mee the grace, in his owne presence, and in a particular place, to make mee see tenne or twelve prisoners of that kinde; and amongst others an olde beldam witch; a true and perfect forceresse, both by her vglines and deformity; and such a one as long before was most famous in that profession. I sawe both proofes, witnesses, voluntary confessions, and some other insensible markes about this miserable olde woman; I enquired and talked with her a long time, with the greatest heed and attention I could; yet am I not casily carried away by preoccupation. In the end, and in my conscience, I should rather have appointed them Helleborum, than Hemlocke. Captis∣que res magis mentibus, quàm consceleratis similis visa. The matter seemed liker to mindes capti∣vate then guiltie. Law hath her owne corrections for such diseases. Touching the opposi∣tions and arguments, that honest men have made vnto mee, both there, and often else-where, I have found none that tie mee; and that admit not alwayes a more likely solution, than their conclusions. True it is, that proofes and reasons grounded vpon the fact and experience. I vntie not: for indeede they have no end; but often cut them, as Alexander did his knotte. When all is done, it is an over-valuing of ones conjectures, by them to cause a man to be bur∣ned alive. It is reported by diverse examples (and Praestantius saith of his father) that being in a slumber much more deeply, then in a full-sound sleepe, he dreamed and verily thought himselfe to be a Mare, and serued certaine souldiers for a sumpter-horse, and was indeede what he imagined to bee. If sorcerers dreame thus materially: If dreames may sometimes be thus incorporated into effects: I cannot possibly believe, that our will should therefore be bound to the lawes and justice: which I say, as one who am neither a Iudge, nor a Coun∣sellor vnto Kings, and furthest from any such worthinesse: but rather a man of the common stamp, and both by my deedes and sayings, borne and vowed to the obedience of publique reason. Hee that should register my humours, to the prejudice of the simplest lawe, or opi∣nion, or custome of this village, should greatly wrong himselfe, and injury me as much. For in what I say, I gape for no other certainty, but that such was then my thought. A tumul∣tuous and wavering thought. It is by way of discourse that I speake of all; and of nothing by way of advise. Nec me pudet, vt istos, faterinescire, quod nesciam. Nor am I ashamed, as they are, to confesse I know not that which I doe not knowe.

I would not bee so hardy to speake, if of duty I ought to bee believed: and so I answered a great man, who blamed the sharpenesse and contention of my exhortations. When I see you bent and prepared on one side; with all the endevour I can, I will propose the con∣trary vnto you; to resolve and enlighten your judgement, not to subdue or binde the same: God hath your hearts in his handes, and hee will furnish you with choise. I am so ma∣lapert, as to desire, that my opinions alone, should give sway to a matter of such impor∣tance. My fortune hath not raised them to so powerfull and deepe conclusious. Truely, I have not onely a great number of complexions, but an infinite many of opinions, from which, had I a sonne of mine owne, I would disswade him, and willingly make him to di∣staste them. What? If the truest are not ever the most commodious for man; he being of so strange a••d vntamed a composition: Whether it be to the purpose, or from the purpose, it is no great matter. It is a common Proverbe in Italie, that He knowes not the perfect pleasure of Venus, that hath not laine with a limping Woman. Either fortune, or some particular acci∣dent have long since brought this by-saying in the peoples mouth: and it is as well spoken of men as of women: For the Queene of the Amazons answered the Scithian, that wooed her to loves-embracements. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, The croked man doeth it best. In that feminine common-wealth of theirs, to avoyde the domination of men, they were wont in their in∣fancy to maime them, both their armes and legges and other limmes, that might anyway adventage their strength over them, and made onely that vse of them, that we in our World make of our Women. I would have saide, that the loose or disjoynted motion of alimping or crooke-backt Woman, might addesome new kinde of pleasure vnto that businesse or sweet sinne, and some vn-assaid sensuall sweetnesse, to such as make triall of it: but I have lately learnt, that even ancient Philosophy hath decided the matter: Who saith, that the legs and thighs of the crooked-backt or halting-lame, by reason of their imperfection, not recei∣ving the nourishment, due vnto them, it followeth that the Genitall partes, that are above

them, are more full, better nourished and more vigorous. Or else, that such a defect hindring other exercise, such as are therewith possessed, do lesse waste their strength and consume their vertue, and so much the stronger and fuller, they come to Ʋenus sportes. Which is also the reason why the Graecians described their Women-Weavers, to bee more hotte and ear∣nestly-luxurious, than other Women: Because of their sitting-trade, without any violent exercise of the body. What cannot we dispute of according to that rate? I might likewise say of these, that the same stirring, which their labour, so sitting doth give them, doth rouze and sollicite them, as the jogging and shaking of their Coache, doth our Ladies. Doe not these examples fit that whereof I spake in the beginning? That our reasons doe often an∣ticipate the effect, and have the extension of their jurisdiction so infinite, that they judge and exercise themselves in manity, and to a not being? Besides the flexibility of our in∣vention, to frame reasons vnto all manner of dreames; our imaginations is likewise found ea∣sie to receive impressions from falsehood, by very frivolous apparances. For, by the onely authority of the antient and publicke vse of this word or phrase, I have heretofore perswaded my selfe, to have received more pleasure of a Woman, in that she was not straight, and have accompted hir crookednesse in the number of hir graces. Torquato Tasso, in the comparison he makes betweene Italy and France, reporteth to have noted, that we commonly have more slender and spiny legges, than the Italian Gentlemen; and imputeth the cause vnto our con∣tinuall riding and sitting on horse-backe. Which is the very same, from which Suctonius draweth another cleane contrary conclusion: For, he saith, that Germanicus had by the fre∣quent vse of this exercise, brought his to be very big. There is nothing so supple and wandering, as our vnderstanding. It is like to Theramenez shooe, fit for all feet. It is double and diverse, and so are matters diverse and double. Give me a Dragma of Silver, said a Cinike Philoso∣pher vnto Antigonus: It is not the present of a King, answered he; Give then a talent: It is no gift for a Cinike, quoth he:

Seu plures calor ille vias, & caeca relaxat* 2.22 Spiramenta, novas veniat qua succus in herbas: Seu durat magis, & venas astringit hiantes, Ne tenues pluviae, rapidive potentia solis Acrior, aut Boreae penetrabile frigus adurat. Whether the heate layes open holes vnseene, Whereby the sappe may passe to hearbs fresh-greene: Or rather hardens and bindes gaping vaines, Lest sharpe power of hot sunne, or thinning raines, Of piercing North-cold blaste, Should scorch, consume and waste,

Ogni medagalia ha il suo river s••io; Each outside hath his inside, saith the Italian. Lo why C••••to∣machus was wont to say, that Carneades had surmounted the labours of Hercules; because he had exacted consent from men; that is to say opinion and temerity to judge. This fantasie of Carneades, so vigorous (as I imagine) proceeded antiently, from the impudency of those, who make profession to know; and from their excessive selfe-overweening. Aesope was set to sale, together with two other slaves; a Chapman enquired of the first, what he could doe: he to endeare himselfe, answered, mountaines and wonders, and what not? For he knew and could doe all things. The second answered even so for himselfe, and more too: But when he came to Aesope, and demaunded of him what he could doe: Nothing (said he) for these two have forestaled all, and know and can doe all things, and have left nothing for mee. So hath it happened in the schoole of philosophy. The rashnes of those who ascribed the capa∣city of all things to mans wit, through spight and emulation produced this opinion in o∣thers, that humane wit was not capable of any thing. Some holde the same extremity in ignorance, that others hold in knowledge. To the end none may deny, that man is not im∣moderate in all and every where: and hath no other sentence or arrest, than that of necessity, and impuissance to proceede further.

The twelfth Chapter.

Of Phisiognomy.

ALmost all the opinions we have, are taken by authority, and vpon credit: There is no hurt. We cannot chuse worse, then by our selves, inso weake an age. This image of Socrates his discourse, which his friends have left vs, we only approve it, by the reverence of publicke approbation. It is not of our owne knowledge: they are not according to our vse. Might such a man be borne now adayes, there are but few would now esteeme him. Wee discerne not graces inlie or aright; We onely perceive them by a false light set out and pufft vp with arte: Such as passe vnder their naturall purity and simplicity, doe easily escape so weake and dimme a sight as ours is. They have a secret, vnperceived and delicate beauty: he had neede of a cleere, farre-seeing and true-discerning sight, that should rightly discover this secret light. Is not in genuity (according to vs) cosin-germaine vnto sottishnesse, and a quality of reproach? Socrates maketh his soule to moove, with a naturall and common mo∣tion. Thus saith a plaine Country-man, and thus a seely Woman: Hee never hath other people in his mouth, than Coach-makers, Ioyners, Coblers and Masons. They are indu∣ctions and similitudes, drawen from the most vulgar and knowen actions of men: every one vnderstands him. Vnder so base a forme, wee should never have chosen the noble worthi∣nesse and brightnesse of his admirable conceptions: Wee that esteeme all those but meane and vile, that learning doth not raise: and who have no perceiving of riches, except set out in shew and pompe. Our World is framed but vnto ostentation. Men are puffed vp with winde, and moved or handled by bounds, as Baloones. This man proposeth no vaine fan∣tasies vnto himselfe. His end was, to store vs with things and furnish vs with precepts, which really more substantially and jointly serve our life:

—servare modum, finémque tenere,* 2.23 Naturámque sequi. To keepe a meane, to hold the end, And natures conduct to attend.

So was he ever all one alike: And raised himselfe to the highest pitch of vigor, not by fits, but by complexion. Or to say better; he raised nothing, but rather brought downe and re∣duced all difficulties, or sharpenesse to their originall and naturall state, and therevnto sub∣dued vigor. For, in Cato, it is manifestly seene, to be an out-right proceeding, far-above & beyond the common: By the brave exploites of his life, and in his death, hee is ever per∣ceived to be mounted vpon his great horses. Whereas this man keepes on the ground, and with a gentle and ordinary pace, treateth of the most profitable discourses, and addresseth himselfe both vnto death and to the most thorny and crabbed crosses, that may happen vn∣to the course of humane life. It hath indeede fortuned, that the worthiest man to be known, and for a patterne to be presented to the world, he is the man of whom we have most certaine knowledge. He hath beene declared and enlightned by the most cleare-seeing men, that ever were; the testimonies wee have of him, are in faithfulnesse and sufficiency most ad∣mirable. It is a great matter, that ever he was able to give such order vnto the pure imagina∣tions of a childe, that without altring or wresting them, he hath thence produced the fairest effects of our minde. He neither represents it rich nor high-raised; but found and pure: and ever with a blithe and vndefiled health. By these vulgar springs and naturall wards: by these ordinary and common fantasies, sans mooving or without vrging himselfe, hee erected not onely the most regular, but the highest and most vigorous opinions, actions and customes, that ever were. Hee it is, that brought humane wisedome from heaven againe, where for a long time it had beene lost, to restore it vnto man: where her most just and labo∣rious worke is. See or heare him pleade before his judges; marke with what reasons hee rouzeth his courage to the hazards of warre, what arguments fortifie his patience against detraction, calumniation, tyranny, death, and against his wives peevish head: therein is no∣thing

borrowed from arte, or from learning. The simplest may there know their meanes and might: it is impossible to goe further backe or lower. He hath done humane nature a great kindenesse, to shew what and how much she can doe of her selfe. Wee are every one richer then we imagine, but we are taught to borrow, and instructed to shift; and rather to make vse of others goods and meanes, then of our owne. There is nothing whereon man can stay or fix himselfe in time of his neede. Of voluptuousnesse, of riches, of pleasure, of power, hee ever embraceth more, then hee can graspe or hold. His greedinesse is incapable of moderation. The very same I finde to bee in the curiosity of learning and knowledge: he cuts out more worke then hee can well make an end of: and much more then he neede. Ex∣tending* 2.24 the profit of learning, as farre as his matter. Ʋt omnium rerum, sic literarum quoque intemperantia laboramus. Wee are sicke of a surfet, as of all things, so of learning also. And Taci∣tus hath reason to commend Agricolaes mother, to have brideled in her sonne an over-bur¦ning and earnest desire of learning. It is a good, being neerely looked vnto, that containeth as other humane goods, much peculiar vanitie and naturall weakenesse: and is very charge∣able. The acquisition and purchase whereof is much more hazardous, then of all other vi∣andes and beverage. For, whatsoever else wee have bought, we carry home insome vessell or other, where wee have law to examine it's worth: how much, and at what time wee are to take-it. But Sciences, wee cannot sodainely put them into any other vessell, then our minde: we swallow them in buying them and goe from the marketh either already infected or amen∣ded. There are some, which insteade of nourishing, doe but hinder and surcharge vs; and other some, which vnder colour of curing, empoison vs. I have taken pleasure in some place, to see men, who for devotions sake have made a vow of ignorance, as of chastity, po∣verty and penitence. It is also a kind of guelding of our inordinate appetites, to muzzle this greedinesse, which provoketh vs to the study of bookes, and deprive the minde of that vo∣luptuous delight, which by the opinion of learning doth so tickle vs. And it is richly to ac∣complish the vow of poverty, to joine that of the minde vnto it. Wee neede not much learning for to live at ease. And Socrates teacheth vs, that wee have both it, and the way to finde and make vse of it, within vs. All our sufficiency, that beyond the naturall, is wellnigh vaine and superfluous. It is much, if it charge and trouble vs no more, then it steads vs. Paucis* 2.25 opus est literis ad mentem bonam. Wee have neede of little learning to have a good minde They are febricitant excesses of our spirit: a turbulent and vnquiet instrument. Rowze vp your selfe, and you shall finde forcible arguments against death to bee in your selfe; most true and very proper to serve and steade you in time of necessity. T'is they which induce a peasant swaine, yea and whole nations to die as constantly as any Philosopher. Should I have died lesse merrily before I read the Thusculanes? I thinke not. And when I finde my selfe in my best wits, I perceive, that I have somewhat enriched my tongue; my courage but little. It is even as nature framed the same at first. And against any conflict, it shields itselfe, but with a natural and common march. Bookes have not so much served me for instruction, as exercitation. What if learning, assaying to arme vs with new wardes and fences, against naturall inconveniences, hath more imprinted their greatnesse and weight in our fantasie, then her reasons, quidities and subtilities, therewith to cover vs? They are subtilities indeed; by which she often awaketh vs very vainely. Obserue how many sleight and idle arguments the wisest and closest authours frame and scatter about one good sound: which if you consi∣der neerely, are but vaine and incorporall. They are but verball wyles, which beguile vs. But forsomuch as it may bee profitable: I will not otherwise blanch them. Many of that condition are scattered here and there, in diuerse places of this volume; either borrowed or imitated. Yet should a man somewhat heed, he call not that force, which is but quaintnes; or terme that which is but quipping sharpe, solide; or name that good, which is but faire: quae magis gustata quàm potata delectant, which more delight vs being but tasted, then swild and* 2.26 swallowed downe. All that which pleaseth, feedeth not; vbi non ingenij sed animi negotium agi∣tur. Where it is no matter of wit, but of courage. To see the strugling endevours which Seneca giveth himselfe, to prepare himselfe against death; to see him sweate with panting; to see him bathe so long vpon this pearch, thereby to strengthen and assure himselfe: I should have made question of his reputation, had he not most vndantedly maintained the same in his death. His so violent and frequent agitation, sheweth that himselfe was fervent and im∣petuous. Magnus animus remissius loquitur, & securius: Non est alius ingenio, alius animo co∣lor.* 2.27

A great courage speakes softly but securely. Wit hath not one colour, and courage another. He must be convicted at his owne charges. And sheweth in some sort, that hee was pres∣sed by his adversary. Plutarkes maner by how much more disdainefull and farre-extending it is (in my opinion) so much more manlike and perswasive is it: I should easily beleeve, that his soule had her motions more assured and more regular. The one more sharpe, pricketh and sodainely starts vs: toucheth the spirit more. The other more solide, doth constantly enforme, establish and comfort vs: toucheth more the vnderstanding. That ravisheth our judgement; this doth gaine it. I have likewise seene other compositions and more reveren∣ced, which in purtraying the combate, they endure against the provocations of the flesh, re∣present them so violent, so powerfull and so invincible, that our selves, who are cast in the common mould of other men, have as much to admire the vnknowen strangenesse and vn∣felt vigor of their temptation, as their constant resistance. To what purpose doe we so arme and steele ourselves with these labouring-efforts of learning? Let vs diligently survay the surface of the earth, and there consider so many seely-poore people as wee see toyling, swel∣tring and drooping about their businesse, which never heard of Aristotle, not of Plato, nor ever knew what examples or precepts are. From those doth nature dayly draw and affoord vs effects of constancy and patterns of patience, more pure and forcible, then are those, we so curiously study-for in schooles. How many do I ordinarily see, that misacknowledge poverty; how many that wish for death, or that passe it without any alaram or affliction? A fellow that dungeth my gardine, hath happily this morning buried his father or his childe. The very names whereby they call diseases, doe somewhat mylden and diminish the sharpe∣nes of them. With them a Phthysique or consumption of the lungs, is but an ordinary cough: A dysenterie or bloody flix, but a distemper of the stomacke: A pleurisie but a cold or murre: and as they gently name them, so they easily endure them. Grievous are they indeed, when they hinder their ordinary labour or breake their vsuall rest: They will not take their beds but when they thinke they shall dy. Simplex illa & aperta virtus in obscuram & solert••m scien∣tiam versa est. That plaine and cleare vertue is turned into obscure and cunning knowledge. I was writing this about a time that a boistrous storme of our tumultuous broiles and bloody trou∣bles, did for many months space, with all it's might and horrour, hang full over my head. On the one side, I had the enemies at my gates; on the other, the Picoreurs or free-booters, farre worse foes. Non armis sed vitijs certatur. We contend not with armour, but with vices. And at one time felt and endured all manner of harme-bringing military injuries:

Hostis adest dextra laev••que à parte timendus,* 2.28 Vicinóque malo terret vtrúmque latus. A fearefull foe on left hand and on right, Doth with his neighbour harmes both sides afright.

Oh monstrous Warre: Others worke without; this inwardly and against himselfe: And with her owne venome gnaweth and consumes her selfe. It is of so ruinous and maligne a Nature; that together with all things els, she ruineth her selfe: and with spitefull rage, doth rent, deface and massacre it selfe. Wee doe more often see it, by and through hir selfe, to waste, to desolate and dissolve hir selfe, then by or through want of any necessary thing, or by enemies force. All manner of discipline doth shunne and flie it. She commeth to cure sedition, and hir selfe is throughly therewith infected: She goeth about to chastize disobe∣dience, and sheweth the example of it: and being employed for the defence of Lawes, en∣treth into actuall rebellion against her owne ordinances. Aye me, where are we? Our Phy∣sicke bringeth infection.

Nostre mal s'empoyson••e Du secours qu'on luy donne. Our evill is empoysond more By plaister they would lay to th'sore. —exuperat magis aegrescit{que} medendo.* 2.29 It rises higher, quicker, And growes by curing sicker, Omnia fanda nefanda mal•• permista furore,* 2.30 Iustificam nobis mentem avertere Deorum.

Lawfull vnlawfull deedes with fury blended, Have turn'nd from vs the Gods just minde offended.

In these popular diseases, one may in the beginning distinguish thescund from the sicke: but if they chance to continue any time, as ours hath done and doth still, all the body, yea head and heeles feele themselves the worse: no part is▪ exempted from corruption. For, there is no aire a man drawes so greedily, or sucks so gluttonnously; and that more spreds it selfe, or penetrates more deepely, then doth licentiousnesse. Our Armies have no other bond to tie them, or other ciment to fasten them, then what commeth from strangers: It is now a hard matter to frame a body of a compleate, constant, well-ordred and coherent Army of Frenchmen: Oh what shame is it? We have no other discipline, then what borrowed or auxiliar Souldi∣ers shew vs. As for vs, wee are led••on by our owne discretion and not by the commaunders▪ each man followeth his owne humour: and hath more to doe within, then without. It is the commaundement should follow, court and yeeld vnto: hee onely ought to obey: all the rest is free and loose. I am pleased to see, what remisnesse and pusilanimitie is in ambiti∣on, and by what steps of abjection and servitude, it must arrive vnto it's end. But I am dis∣pleased to see some debonaire and well-meaning mindes, yea such as are capable of iustice, dayly corrupted, about the managing and commanding of this many-headed confusion. Long suffrance begets custome; cust••me, consent and imitation. We had too-too many infected and ill-borne mindes, without corrupting the good, the sound and the generous. So that, if we continue any time, it will prove a difficult matter to finde out a man vnto whose skill and sufficiencie, the health or recovery of this state may bee committed in trust, if fortune shall happily be pleased to restore it vs againe.

Hunc saltem everso inven••m succurrere scclo, Ne prohibete. Forbid not yet this youth at least, To aide this age more then opprest.

What is become of that antient precept; That Souldiers ought more to feare their Generall than their enemie? And of that wonderfull examplelesse example: That the Romane ar∣my having vpon occasion enclosed within her trenches, and round-beset an apple-orchard; so obedient was shee to her Captaines, that the next morning, it rose and marched away without entring the same or touching one apple, although they were full-ripe and very de∣licious: So that when the owner came, he found the full number of his apples? I should bee glad, that our Youths, in steade of the time they employ about lesse profitable peregrinati∣ons, and lesse honourable apprentishippes, would bestow one moyty, in seeing and ob∣serving the warres that happen on the sea, vnder some good Captaine or excellent Com∣maunder of Malta; the other moyty in learning and surveying the discipline of the Turk∣ish armies. For it hath many differences and advantages over ours. This ensueth, that heere our Souldiers become more licentious in expeditions, there they proove more circumspect and fearefully wary. For, small offences and petty larcenies, which in times of peace, are in the common people punished with whipping or bastonadoes, in times of warre are capitall crimes. For an egge taken by a Turke without paying, hee is by their law to have the full number of fifty stripes with a cudgell. For every other thing, how sleight soever not ne∣cessary for mans feeding, even for very trifles, they are either thrust through with a sharpe stake, which they call Empaling, or presently beheaded. I have beene amazed, reading the story of Selim, the cruellest Conqueror that ever was, to see, at what time hee subdued the Country of Aegypt, the beauteous-goodly gardines round about the Citty of Damasco, all open and in a conquered Country; his maine armie lying encamped round about, those gar∣dines were left vntouched and vnspoyled by the handes of his Souldiers, onely because they were commaunded to spoyle nothing, and ••ad not the watch-word of pillage. But is there any malady in a Common-weale, that deserveth to bee combated by so mortall drugge? No saide Favonius, not so much as the vsurpation of the tyrannicall possession of a Common∣wealth. Plato likewise is not willing one should offer violence to the quiet repose of his-Countrys no not to reforme or cure the same; and alloweth not that reformation, which di∣sturbeth or hazardeth the whole estate; and which is purchased with the blood and ruine of the Cittizens. Establishing the office of an honest man, in these causes, to leaue all there: But onely to pray God, to lend his extraordinary assisting hand vnto it. And seemeth to be of∣fended

with Dyon his great friend, to have therein proceeded somewhat otherwise. I was a Platonist on that side before ever I knew there had beene a Plato in the world. And if such a man ought absolutely be banished our commerce, and refused our societie: (hee who for the sincerity of his conscience, deserved by meane of divine favour, athwart the publique darkenesse, and through the generall ignorance of the world wherein hee lived, so farre to enter and so deepely to penetrate into chaistian light) I doe not thinke, that it befitteth vs, to be instructed by a Pagan. Oh what impiety is it, to expect from God no succour simply his, and without our co-operation. I often doubt, whether amongst so many men, that med∣dle with such a matter, any hath beene found of so weake an vnderstanding, that hath ear∣nestly beene perswaded, he proceeded toward reformation, by the vtmost of deformations; that hee drew toward his salvation, by the most expresse causes, that wee have of vndoubted damnation: that ouerthrowing policy, disgracing magistrates, abusing lawes, vnder whose tuition God hath placed him; filling brotherly mindes and loving hearts, with malice, hatred and murther; calling the Divels and furies to his helpe; he may bring assistance to the most sacred mildnesse and justice of divine Law. Ambition, avarice, cruelty and revenge have not sufficient proppes and natural impetuousity; let vs allure and stirre them vppe by the glori∣ous title of justice and devotion. There can no worse estate of things bee imagined, than where wickednesse commeth to bee lawfull: And with the Magistrates leave, to take the cloake of ver∣tue: Nihil in speciem fallacius, quàm prava religio, vbi deorum numen praetenditur sceleribus. There is nothing more deceiptfull to shew, than corrupt religion, when the power of Heaven is made a pre∣tence and cloake for wickednesse. The extreame kinde of injustice (according to Plato) is, that that which is vnjust, should be held for just. The common people suffered therein greatly then; not only present losses.

—vndi{que} totis Ʋs{que} adeo turbatur agris.— Such revell and tumultuous rout In all the country round about.

But also succeeding dommages. The living were faine to suffer, so did such as then were scarse borne. They were robbed and pilled, and by consequence so was I, even of hope: spoiling and depriving them of al they had to provide their living for many yeares to come.

Quae nequeunt secum ferre aut abducere, perdunt, Et cremat insontes turba scelesta casas: Muris nulla fides, squallent popularibus agri. They wretch-lesse spoyle and spill what draw or drive they may not, Guilty rogues to set fire on guilt-lesse houses stay not. In wals no trust, the field By spoile growes waste and wilde.

Besides these mischiefes, I endured some others. I incurred the inconveniences that mo∣deration bringeth in such diseases. I was shaven on all handes: To the Chibelin I was a Guelf, to Guelf a Ghibelin. Some one of my Poets expresseth as much, but I wot not where it is. The situation of my house, and the acquaintance of such as dwelt round about me, presented me with one visage; my life and actions with another. No formall accusati∣ons were made of it; for there was nothing to take hold of. I never opposed my selfe against the lawes; and who had called me in question, should have lost by the bargaine. They were mute suspicions, that ranne vnder hand, which never want apparance in so confused a hur∣ly-burly, no more than lacke of envious or foolish wittes. I commonly affoord ayde vnto injurious presumption, that fortune scattereth against me; by a fashion I never had, to avoid justifying, excusing or interpreting my selfe; deeming it to be a putting of my conscience to compromise, to pleade for hir, Perspicuitas enim, argumentatione elevatur: For the cleering of a cause, is lessened by the arguing. And as if every man saw into mee as cleare as I doe my selfe, in lieu of withdrawing, I advance my selfe to the accusation and rather endeare it; by an erronious and scoffing confession: except I flatly hold my peace, as of a thing vnworthy any answer. But such as take it for an over-proud confidence, doe not much lesse disesteeme and hate me for it, than such as take it for weakenesse of an indefensible cause. Namely the great, with whom want of submission, is the extreame fault. Rude to all justice, that is knowen or felt: not demisse, humble or suppliant. I have often stumbled against that pil∣ler.

So it is, that by the harmes which befell mee, an ambicious man would have hanged himselfe; and so would a covetons churle. I have no care at all to acquire or get.

Sit mihi quod nunc est, etiam minus, vt mihi vivam Quod superest aevi, si quid superesse volent dij.* 2.31 Let me have, that I have, or lesse, so I may live Vnto my selfe the rest, if any rest God give.

But losses that come vnto me by others injury, be in larceny or violence, pinch mee, in a manner as one sicke and tortured with avarice. An offence causeth vndoubtedly more griefe and sharpenesse, than a losse. A thousand severall kindes of mischiefes fell vpon mee one in the necke of another; I should more stoutly have endured them, had they come all at once. I bethought my selfe, amongst my friendes, to whom I might commit a needy, a defective and vnfortunate olde age: But after I had surveyed them all, and cast mine eyes every where, I found my selfe bare and far to seeke. For one to sowse himselfe downe headlong, and from so great a height, hee should heedily forecast that it may be in the armes of a solide, stedfast, vigorous and fortunate affection. They are rare, if there be any. In the end I perceived the best and safest way, was to trust both my selfe and my necessity, vnto my selfe. And if it should happen to be but meanly and faintly in Fortunes grace, I might more effectually re∣commend my selfe vnto mine owne favour, more closely fasten and more neerely looke vn∣to my selfe. In all things men relie vpon strange props, to spare their owne: onely certaine and onely powerfull, know they but how to arme themselves with them. Every man run∣neth out and vnto what is to come, because no man is yet come into himselfe. And I resol∣ved, that they were profitable inconveniences: forsomuch as when reason will not serve, we must first warne vntoward Scholars with the rod; as with fire and violence of wedges, we bring a crooked peece of wood to be straight. It is long since I call, to keepe my selfe vn∣to my selfe, and live sequestred from alience and strange things notwithstanding I daily start out and cast mine eyes aside. Inclination, a great mans favourable word, a kind looke doth tempt me. God he knowes whether there bee penury of them now-adayes, and what sense they beare. I likewise, without frowning, listen to the subornings, framed to drawe mee to some towne of merchandise or city of trafficke; and so coldly defend my selfe, that it seemes I should rather endure to be overcome, than not. Now to a spirit so indocile, blowes are required: and this vessell, that of it selfe is so ready to warpe, to vnhoope, to escape and fall in peeces, must be closed, hooped and strongly knockt with an adze. Secondly, that this ac∣cident served me as an exercitation to prepare my selfe for worse, if worse might happen: if I, who both by the benefite of fortune and condition of my maners, hoped to be of the last, should by this tempest be one of the first surprised. Instructing my selfe betimes, to force my life and frame it for a new state. True-perfect liberty, is, for one to be able to doe and worke all things vpon himselfe. Potentissimus est qui se habet in potestate. Hee is of most power, that* 2.32 keepes himselfe in his owne power. In ordinary and peacefull times, a man prepares himselfe for common and moderate accidents: but in this confusion, wherein wee have beene these thirty yeeres, every French man, be it in generall or in particular, doth hourely see himselfe vpon the point of his fortunes over-throw and downefall. By so much more ought each one have his courage stored and his minde fraughted, with more strong and vigorous pro∣visions: Let vs thanke Fortune, that hath not made vs live in an effeminate, idle and lan∣guishing age: Some, whom other meanes could never bring vnto it, shall make themselves famous by their misfortunes. As I reade not much in Histories, these confusions of other states, without regret, that I could not better them present; So doth my curiosity make me somwhat please my selfe, with mine eies to see this notable spectacle of our publike death; her symptomes and formes. And since I could not hinder the same, I am content to bee ap∣pointed as an assistant vnto it, and thereby instruct my selfe. Yet seeke we evidently to know in shadowes, and vnderstand by fabulous representations vpon Theaters, to shew of the tragicke revolutions of humane fortune. It is not with out compassion of that wee heare, but wee please our selves to rowze vp our displeasure, by the rarenesse of these pitifull events. Nothing tickles, that pincheth not. And good Historians avoid calme narrations, as a dead wa∣ter or mort-mere; to retreeve seditions & finde out warres, whereto they know we call them. I doubt whether I may lawfully avow, at how base a rate of my lifes rest and tranquillity, I have past it more than halfe in the ruine of my Country. In accidents that touch mee not in

my freehold, I purchase patience very cheape; and to complaine to my selfe, I respect not so much what is taken from mee, as what is left me both within and without. There is comfort, in sometimes eschewing one, and sometimes another of the evills, that one in the necke of another surprise vs, and elsewhere strike vs round about. As matters of publike interrests, according as my affection is more vniversally scattred, she is thereby more enfeebled. Since it is halfe true: Tantum ex publicis malis sentimus, quantum ad privatas res pertinet. Wee feele so much of common harmes as appertaine to our private estate. And that the health whence wee fell was such, that her selfe solaceth the regret we should have for her. It was health, mary but in comparison of the contagion, which hath followed the same. Wee are not falne very high. The corruption and the brigandage, which now is in office and dignity, seemes to me the least tolerable. Wee are lesse injuriously robbed in the midst of a wood, then a place of security•• It was an vniversall coherency of members spoiled avie one another; and most of them, with old-rankled vlcers, which neither admitted nor demaunded recovery. Truely this shaking-fit did therefore more animate then deterre me, onely by the aide of my consci∣ence, which not onely quietly, but fiercely carrîed it selfe; and I found no cause to complaine, of my self. Likewise, as God never sends men either evils or goods absolutely pure; my health held out well for that time, yea against her ordinary: And as without it I can do nothing, so with it, there are few things I cannot doe. She gave me meanes to summon and rouze vp all my provisions, and to beare my hand before my hurt, which happily would have gone further: And proved in my patience, that yet I had some hold against fortune; and that to thrust me out of my saddle, ther•• was required a stronger counterbuffe. This I speake not, to provoke her to give me a more vigorous charge. I am her servant, and yeeld my selfe vn∣to her: For Gods sake let her be pleased. Demaund you whether I feele her assaults? I doe indeede. As those whom sorrow possesseth and overwhelmeth, doe notwithstanding at one time or other suffer themselves by intermissions to be touched by some pleasure, and now and then smile. I have sufficient power over my selfe, to make mine ordinary state quiet and free from all tedious and irkesome imaginations; but yet I sometimes suffer my selfe by starts to be surprised with the pinchings of these vnpleasant conceits, which whilst I arme my selfe to expell or wrestle against them, assaile and beate mee. Loe here another huddle or tide of mischiefe; that on the necke of the former came rushing vpon mee. Both within and round about my house, I was overtaken, in respect of all other, with a most contagious pestilence. For, as soundest bodies are subject to grievous diseases, because they onely can force them: so the aire about me being very healthy, wher in no mans momory, infection (although very neere) could ever take footing: comming now to be poisoned brought forth strange effects.

Mista senum & iuvenum densantur funer a nullum* 2.33 Saeva caput Proserpina fugit. Of old and yoong thicke funerals are shared; By cruell Proserpine no head is spared.

I was faine to endure this strange condition, that the sight of my house was irkesome vnto me. Whatever was therein, lay all at randon, no man looked thereunto; and was free for any that had a minde vnto it. I who have so long beene a good housekeeper, and vsed to hos∣pitality, was much troubled and put to my shifts, how to finde out some retreate for my fa∣mily. A dismaied and scattered family, making both her selfe and her friends afraide, and breeding horrour where it sought to retire for shelter; being now to shift and change her dwelling, so soone as any of the company beganne to feele his finger ake, all the rest were dismaied. Every sickenesse is then taken for the plague: none hath leasure to consider them. And the mischiefe is, that according to rules of arte, what danger soeuer approcheth, a man must continue forty dayes in anxiety or feare of that euill; in which time your owne i∣magination doth perplex you as shee list and infect your health. All which had much lesse toucht mee, had I not beene forced to beare other mens burthens and partake all their grieuances, and for six months space, in miserable maner, to be a woefull guide to so great∣confused a Caravane. For I euer carry my preseruatives about me, which are resolution and sufferance. Apprehension doth not greatly presse me; which is particularly feared in this sickenesse. And if being alone, I should have taken it, it had beene a stronger and further flight: It is a death in mine opinion, not of the worst: It is commonly short and speeding voide of lingring giddinesse, without paine, comforted by the publike condition; without

ceremonie without mourning, and without thronging. But for the people about vs, the hun∣dreth part of soules cannot be saved.

—videas desertáque regna Pastorum, & longe saltus latéque vacantes. Kingdomes of Shepheardes desolate forlorne, Parkes farre and neere lie waste, a state all torne.

In that place, my best revenue is manuall: what a hundred men laboured for me, lay fal∣low for a long time. What examples of resolution saw we not then in all this peoples sim∣plicitie? Each one generally renounced all care of life. The grapes (which are the countries chiefe commoditie) hung still and rotted vpon the vines vntouch't: all indifferently prepa∣ring themselves, and expecting death, either that night or the next morrow: with counte∣nance and voice so little daunted, that they seemed to have compromitted to this necessitie, and that it was an vniuersall and inevitable condemnation. It is ever such. But what slender hold hath the resolution of dying? The difference and distance of some few houres: the onely consideration of the company yeelds the apprehension diverse vnto vs. Behold these because they die in one same month, children, yoong, old; they are no more astonied, they are no longer wept▪for. I saw some that feared to stay behinde, as if they had beene in some horride solitude: And commonly I knew no other care amongst them, but for graves: it much grieved them, to see the dead carcasses scattered over the fields, at the mercie of wilde beasts; which presently began to flocke thither. Oh how humane fantasies differ and are easily disio••ned! The Neorites, a nation whilome subdued by Alexander the Great, cast out their dead mens bodies into the thickest of their woods, there to be devoured: the grave onely esteemed happy among them. Some in good health digged already their graves, othersome yet living did goe into them. And a day-labourer of mine, as he was dying, with his owne hands and feete pulled earth vpon him, and so covered himselfe. Was not this a lying downe in the shade to sleepe at ease? An enterprise in some sort as highly noble, as that of some Romane Souldiers, who after the battell of Canna, were found with their heads in certaine holes or pits, which themselves had made, and filled vp with their hands, where∣in they were smothered. To conclude, a whole nation was presently by vse brought to a march, that in vndantednesse yeelds not to any consulted and fore-meditated resolution. The greatest number of learnings instructions, to encourage vs have more shew then force, and more ornament then fruit. Wee have forsaken nature, and yet wee will teach her her lesson: Shee, that lead vs so happily, and directed vs so safely: And in the meane while, the traces of her instructions and that little, which by the benefit of ignorance, remaineth of her image, imprinted in the life of this rusticall troupe of vnpolished men; learning is compelled to goe daily a borrowing, thereby to make her disciples a patterne of constancie, of innocencie and of tranquillitie. It is a goodly matter to see how these men full of so great knowledge, must imitate this foolish simplicitie; yea in the first and chiefe actions of vertue. And that our wisedome should learne of beasts, the most profitable documents, belonging to the chiefest and most necessari: parts of our life. How we should live and die, husband our goods, love and bring vp our children, and entertaine justice. A singular testimonie of mans infirmitie: and that this reason we so manage at our pleasure, ever finding some diver∣sitie and noveltie, leaveth vnto vs no maner of apparent tracke of nature. Wherwith men have done, as perfumers doe with oile, they have adulterated her, with so many argumenta∣tions, and sofisticated her with so diverse farre-fetcht discourses, that she is become variable and peculiar to every man, and hath lost her proper, constant and vniuersall visage: whereof we must seeke for a testimonie of beasts, not subject to favor or corruption, nor to diversitie of opinions. For it is most true, that themselves march not alwayes exactly in natures path, but if they chance to stray, it is so little, that you may ever perceive the tracke. Even as horses led by hand doe sometimes bound and start out of the way, but no further then their hal∣ters length, and neverthelesse follow ever his steps that leadeth them: And as a Hawke takes his flight but vnder the limites of hir cranes or twyne. Exilia, tormenta, bella, morbos, naufragia meditare, vt nullo sis malo tyro. Banishments, torments, warres; sicknesses, shipwracks, all these fore-cast and premeditate, that thou maiest seeme no novice no freshwater Souldier to any mis∣adventure. What availeth this curiositie vnto vs, to preoccupate all humane natures inconve∣niences, and with so much labour and toyling against them, to prepare our selves, which per∣adventure

shall nothing concerne vs? (Parem passis tristitiam facit, patiposse. It makes men as sad that they may suffer some mischiefe, as if they had suffred it. Not onely the blow, but the winde and cracke strikes vs) Or as the most febricitant, for surely it is a kinde of fever, now to cause your selfe to be whipped, because fortune may one day chance to make you endure it: and at Mid-Sommer to put-on your furr'd Gowne, because you shall neede it at Christ∣mas? Cast your selves into the experience of all the mischiefes, that may befall you, namely of the extreamest: there try your selfe (say they) there assure your selfe. Contrarywise, the easiest and most naturall, were even to discharge his thought of them. They will not come soone enough, their true being doth not last vs long enough, our spirit must extend and lengthen them, and before hand incorporate them into himselfe, and therewith entertaine himselfe, as if they lay not sufficiently heavy on our senses. They will weigh heavy enough, when they shall be there, (saith one of the maisters, not of a tender, but of the hardest Sect) meane while favour thy selfe: Beleeve what thou lovest best: What availes it thee to collect and prevent thy ill fortune: and for feare of the future, lose the present; and now to be mi∣serable, because in time thou maiest bee so? They are his owne wordes. Learning doth vs willingly one good office, exactly to instruct vs in the demensions of evils.

Curis acuens mortalia corda. Mens cogitations whetting, With sharpe cares inly fretting.

It were pitty, any part of their greatnesse should escape our feeling and vnderstanding. It is certaine, that preparation vnto death, hath caused more torment vnto most, than the very sufferance. It was whilome truely said, of and by a most judicious Authour: Minus afficit sensus fatigati••, quàm cogitatio. Wearinesse lesse troubleth our senses, then pensi••enesse doth. The apprehension of present death, doth sometimes of it selfe a••nimate vs, with a ready resolu∣tion, no longer to avoide a thing altogether inevitable. Many Gladiators have in former ages beene seene, having at first fought very cowardly, most couragiously to embrace death; offering their throate to the enemies sword, yea and bidde them make haste. The sight di∣stant from future death hath neede of a slowe constancy, and by consequence hard to bee found. If you know not how to die, take no care for it; Nature her selfe will fully and suffi∣ciently teach you in the nicke, she will exactly discharge that worke for you; trouble not your selfe with it.

Incert am frustra mortales funeris horam* 2.34 Quaeritis, & qua sit mors aditur a via: Pana minor certam subitò perferre••••inam, Quod time as, gravius sustinuisse di••. Of death th'vncertaine houre you men in vaine Enquire, and what way leath shall you distraine: A certaine sodaine ruine is lesse paine, More grievous long what you feare to sustaine.

We trouble death with the care of life, and life with the care of death. The one annoyeth, the other assrights vs. It is not against death, we prepare our selves; it is a thing too momen∣tary. A quarter of an houre of passion without consequence and without annoyance, de∣serves not particular precepts. To say truth, we prepare our selves against the preparations of death. Philosophy teacheth vs, ever to have death before our eyes, to fore-see and consider it before it come: Then giveth vs rules and precautions so to provide, that such foresight and thought hurt vs not. So doe Physitians, who cast vs into diseases, that they may employ their drugges and skill about them. If we have not knowen how to live, it is injustice to teach vs how to die, and deforme the end from all the rest. Have wee knowen how to live con∣stantly and quietly, wee shall know how to die resolutely and rep••sedly. They may bragge as much as they please. Tota Philosophorum vita commentatio mortis est. The whole life of a Philopher is the meditation of his death. But me thinkes, it is indeede the end, yet not the scope of life. It is her last, it is her extremity; yet not her object. Hir selfe must be vnto hirselfe, hir aime, hir drift and her designe. Hir direct studie is, to order, to direct and to suffer hir selfe. In the number of many other offices, which the generall and principall Chapter, to know how to live containeth, is this speciall Article, To know how to die. And of the easiest, did not our owne feare weigh it downe. To judge them by their profit and by the naked

truth, the lessons of simplicity, yeeld not much to those, which Doctrine preacheth to the contrary vnto vs. Men are different in feeling, and diverse in force: they must be directed to their good, according to themselves and by divers waies:

Quò me cumque rapit tempestas, deferor hospes.* 2.35 Where I am whirld by winde and wether, I guest-like straight am carried thether.

I never saw meane paisant of my neighbours, enter into cogitation or care, with what as∣surance or countenance, hee should passe this last houre. Nature teacheth him never to muze on death, but when he dieth. And then hath hee a better grace in it, than Aristotle; whom death perplexed doubly, both by her selfe and by so long a premeditation. There∣fore was it Caesars opinion, that The least premeditated death, was the happiest and the eas••est. Plus dolet, quàm necesse est, qui ante dolet, quàm necesse est. He grieves more than he need, That grieves before he neede. The sharpenesse of this imagination, proceedes from our curiosity. Thus we ever hinder our selves; desiring to fore-runne and sway naturall prescriptions: It is but for Doctors being in health, to fare the worse by it, and to frowne and startle at the i∣mage of death. The vulgar sort, have neither neede of remedy nor comfort, but when the shocke or stroke commeth. And justly considers no more of it, than hee seeleth. And is it not as we say, that the vulgares stupidity and want of appr••hension, affoorde them this pa∣tience in private evils, and this deepe carelesnes of sinister future accidents? That their mind being more grosse, dull and blockish, is lesse penetrable and agitable? In Gods name, if it be so, let vs hence forth keepe a schoole of brutality. It is the vtmost fruit that Sciences promise vnto vs, to which she so gently bringeth her disciples. We shall not want good teachers, in∣terpreters of naturall simplicity. Socrates shall be one. For, as neare as I remember, he spea∣keth in this sence vnto the Iudges, that determine of his life: I feare me my maisters (saith hee) that if I intreate you not to make me die, I shall confirme the evidence of my accusers; which is, That I professe to have more vnderstanding than others; as having some knowledge more secret and hidde of things both above and beneath vs. I know I have neither frequented nor knowen death, nor have I seene any body, that hath either felt or tried her qualities, to instruct me in them. Those who feare her, presuppose to know: As for me, I neither know who or what shee is, nor what they doe in the other worlde. Death may peradventure be a thing indifferent, happily a thing desirable. Yet is it to bee beleeved, that if it be a transmigration from one place to another, there is some amende∣ment in going to live with so many worthy famous persons, that are deceased; and be exempted from having any more to doe with wicked and corrupted Iudges. If it be a consummation of ones being, it is also an amendement and entrance into a long and quiet night. Wee finde nothing so sweete in life, as a quiet rest and gentle sleepe, and without dreames. The things I know to be wicked, as to wrong or offend ones neighbour; and to disobey his superiour, be he God or man, I carefully sh••nne them: Such as I know not whether they bee good or bad, I cannot feare them. If I goe to my death, and leave you alive; the Gods onely see, whether you or I shall prosper best. And therefore, for my re∣garde, you shall dispose of it, as it shall best please you. But according to my fashion, which is to coun∣sell good and profitable things, this I say, that for your owne conscience you shall doe best to free and discharge mee: except you see further into mine owne cause than my selfe. And iudging according to my former actions, both publike and private, according to my intentions, and to the profit, that so many of our Cittizens, both yoong and olde, draw daily from my conversation, and the fruit, all you reape by me you cannot more iustly or duely discharge your selves toward my desertes, than by ap∣pointing (my poverty considered) that I may live, and at the common charge bee kept, in the Bry∣tan••o: which for much lesse reasons, I have often seene you freely graunt to others. Impute it not to obstinacy or disdaine in mee, nor tak•• it in ill part, that I, according to custome proceede not by way of in••r••atie, and moove you to commiseration. I have both friends and kinsfolkes, being not (as Homer saith) begotten of a blocke or stone, no more than other men: capable to present themselves humbly suing with teares and mourning: and I have three desolate wailing children to moove you to pittie. But I should make your Cittie ashamed, of the age I am in, and in that reputation of wisedome, as now I stand in prevention to yeeld vnto so base and abiect countenances. What would the worlde say of other Athenians? I have ever admonished such as have heard me speake, never to purchase or redeeme their life, by any dishonest or vnlawfull act. And in my countries warres, both at Am∣phipolis, at Potidea, at Delia, and others, in which I have beene, I have shewen by effects, how farre I was from warranting my safety by my shame. Moreover, I should interest your duty, and

preiudice your calling, and perswade you to feule vnlan full things; for, not my prayers, but the pure and ••olide reasons of iustice should perswade you. You have sw••rne to the Gods, so to maintaine your selves. Not to beleeve there were any, might seeme I would suspect, recriminate or retorte the fault vpon you. And my selfe should witnesse against my selfe, not to beleeve in them as I ought: di∣structing their conduct, and not meerely remitting my affaires into their handes. I wholly trust and rel••e on them; and certainely holde, that in this, they will dispose as it shall bee nocetest for you, and fittest for me. Honest men, that neither live, nor are dead, have no cause at all to feare the Gods. Is not this a childish pleading, of an inimaginable courage; and in what necessity employ∣ed? Verily it was reason, hee should preferre it before that, which the great Orator Lysia•• had set downe in writing for him; excellency fashioned in a judiciary Stile; but vnworthie of so noble a criminall. Should a man have heard an humbly-suing voice out of Socrates his mouth? Would that prowde vertue have failed in the best of her shew? And would his rich and powerfull nature, have committed her defence vnto arte, and in her highest Essay, re∣nounced vnto trueth and sinceritie, the ornaments of his speech, to adorne and decke him∣selfe with the embellishment of the figures and fictions of a fore-lern'nt Oration; Hee did most wisely, and according to himselfe, not to corrupt the tenure of an incorruptible life, & so sacred an image of humane forme, to prolong his decrepitude for one yeere; and wrong the immortall memory of so glorious an end. He ought his life, not to himselfe, but to the worlds example. Had it not beene a publike losse, if he had finished the same in some idle, base and obscure manner? Truely, so carelesse and effeminate a consideration of his death, deserved, posteritie should so much more consider the same for him: which it did. And nothing is so just in justice, as that, which fortune ordained for his commendation. For the Athenians did afterward so detest and abhorre those, which had furthered and caused his death, that of all they were l••athed and shunned as cursed and excommunicated men: what soever they had but touched was held to bee polluted: No man would so much as wash with them in bathes or hot-houses: no man affoord them a salutation, much lesse accost or have to doe with them: so that being in the end no longer able to endure this publike hatred and generall contempt, they all hanged themselves. If any man thinkes, that amongst so many examples, I might have chosen for the service of my purpose, in Socrates his sayings, I have chosen or handled this but ill: and deemeth this disccurse, to be raised above common opinions: I have done it wittingly: for I judge otherwise. And hold it to bee a discourse, in ranke and sincerity, much shorter and lower, then vulgar opinions. It representeth in an vn-artificiall boldnesse, and infantine securitie, the pure impression and first ignorance of nature. Because it is credible, that wee naturally feare paine, but not death, by reason of her. It is a part of our being, no lesse essentiall than life. To what end would Nature have else engendred the hate and horror of it, seeing it holdes thererein and with it a ranke of most great profit, to foster the succession, and nourish the vicissitude of her works? And that in this vniversall Common-weale, it steadeth and serveth more for birth and augmentation, then for losse, decay or ruine.

Sic rerum summa novatur.* 2.36 So doth the summe of all, By courses rise and fall. Mille animas vna necat a dedit. We thousand soules shall pay, For one soule made away▪

The decay of one life, is the passage to a thousand other lives. Nature hath imprinted in beasts, the care of themselves and of their preservation. They proceede even to the feare of their empairing; to shocke or hurt themselves: and that wee should not shackle or beate them, accidents subject to their sence and experience: But that we should kill them, they cannot feare it, nor have they the faculty to imagine or conclude their death. Yet is it repor∣ted, that they are not seene onely to embrace and endure the same joyfully (most Horses neigh in dying, and Swannes sing when it seiseth them.) But moreover, they seeke it when they neede it; as by divers examples may be prooved in the Elephants. Besides, the manner of arguing, which Socrates vseth here, is it not equally admirable, both in simplicitie and in vehemency? Verily It is much ••asier, to speake as Aristotle, and live as Caesar, than speake and live as Socrates. Therein consists the extreame degree of difficultie and perfe∣ction;

arte cannot attaine vnto it. Our faculties are not now so addressed. We neither assay, nor know them; we invest our selves with others, and suffer our owne to be idle. As by some might be saide of me: that here I have but gathered a nos••gay of strange floures, and have put nothing of mine vnto it, but the thred to binde them. Certes, I have given vnto pub∣like opinion, that these borrowed ornaments accompany me; but I meane not they should cover or hide me: it is contrary to mine intention, who would make shew of nothing that is not mine owne, yea and mine owne by nature: And had I believed my selfe, at all adven∣ture I had spoken alone. I dayly charge my selfe the more beyond my proposition and first forme, vpon the fantasie of time, and through idlenesse. If it mis-seeme me, as I thinke it doth, it is no great matter; it may be profitable for some other. Some aleadge Plato, and some mention Homer, that never saw them, or as they say in English, many a man speakes of Ro∣bin hood, that never shot in his how: And I have taken diverse passages from others then in their spring. Without paine or sufficiency; having a thousand volumes of bookes about me, where now I write, if I please, I may presently borrow from a number of such botcherly∣patchcotes (men that I plod not much vpon) wherewith to enamell this treaty of Phisiogno∣mie. I neede but the liminary epistle of a Germane to store me with allegations: and we goe questing that way for a fading greedy glory, to cousin and delude the foolish world, These rapsodies of common places, wherewith so many stuffe their study, serve not greatly but for vulgar subjects, and serve but to shew and not to direct vs: A ridiculous-fond fruite of lear∣ning, that Socrates doth so pleasantly enveigh and exagitate against Euthydemus. I have seene bookes made of things neither studied nor ever vnderstood: the authour comming to di∣verse of his learned and wise friends the search of this and that matter, that so he might com∣pile them into a booke, contenting himselfe for his owne part, to have cast the plot and projected the desseigne of it, and by his industry to have bound vp the fagot of vnknowne provisions: at least is the inke and paper his owne. This may bee saide to bee a buying or borrowing, and not a making or compiling of a booke. It is to teach men, not that one can make a booke, but to put them out of doubt, that hee cannot make it. A president of the law, in a place where I was, vanted himselfe, to have hudled vp together two hundred and od strange places in a presidentiall law-case of his: In publishing of which, hee defaced the glory, which others gave him for it. A weake, childish and absurde boasting in my opini∣on, for such a subject and for such a man. I doe cleane contrary; and amongst so many bor∣rowings, am indeed glad to filch some one; disguising and altering the same to some new service. On hazard, to let men say, that it is for lacke of vnderstanding it's naturally vse, I give it some particular addressing of mine owne hand, to the end it may be so much lesse meerely strange. Whereas these put their larcenies to publike view and garish shew. So have they more credite in the lawes, then I. We other naturalists suppose, that there is a great and in comparable preference, betweene the honour of invention and that of allegation. Would I have spoken according to learning. I had spoken sooner: I had writen at such times as I was neerer to my studies, when I had more wit and more memory; and should more have trusted the vigor of that age, then the imperfection of this, had I beene willing to professe writing of bookes. And what if this gratious favour, which fortune hath not long since offered mee by the intermission of this worke, could have befalne me in such a season, in liew of this, where it is equally desireable to possesse, and ready to loose?

Two of mine acquaintance (both notable men in this faculty) have, in my conceit, lost much because they refused to publish themselves at forty yeares of age, to stay vntill they were three score. Maturity hath her defects, aswell as greenenesse, and worse. And as in commodious or vnfit is old age vnto this kinde of worke, as to any other. Whosoever put's his decrepitude vnder the presse, committeth folly, if thereby he hopes to wring out humors, that shall not taste of dotage, of ••oppery, or of drousinesse. Our spirit becommeth costive and thickens in growing old. Of ignorance I speake sumptuously and plentiously, and of learning meagerly and pitiously: This acce••••orily and accidentally; That expressely and principally. And purposely I treate of nothing, but of nothing; nor of any one science but of vnscience. I have chosen the time, where the life I have to set forth, is all before mee, the rest holdes more of death. And of my death onely should I finde it babling, as others doe, I would willingly, in dislodging, give the World advise. Socrates hath been a perfect patterne in all great qualities. I am vexed, that ever he met with so vnhansome and crabbed

a body, as they say he had, and so dissonant from the beauty of his minde. Himselfe so amo∣rous and so besotted on beauty. Nature did him wrong. There is nothing more truly sem∣blable, as the conformity or relation betweene the body and the minde. Ipsi animi, magni refert, quali in copore locati sint: multa enim è corpore existunt, quae acuant mentem: multa, quae obtundant. It is of great import in what body the minde is bestowed: for many things arise of the bo∣dy to sharpen the minde, and many things to dull and rebate it. This man speakes of an vnnatu∣rall ill-favourdnesse, and membrall deformity: but we call ill-favourdnesse a kinde of vn∣seemelinesse at the first sight, which chiefely lodgeth in the face; and by the colour worketh a dislike in vs; A freckle, a blemmish, a rude countenaunce, a sower looke, proceeding of∣ten of some inexplicable cause, may be in well ordered, comely and compleate limmes. The foulenesse of face, which invested a beauteous minde in my deare friend La Boitie, was of this predicament. This superficiall ill-favourdnesse, which is notwithstanding to the most imperious, is of lesse prejudice vnto the state of the minde: and hath small certainty in mens opinion. The other, by a more proper name called a more substantiall deformity, beareth commonly a deeper inward stroke. Not every shooe of smooth-shining leather, but every well∣shapen and hansome-made shoe, sheweth the inward and right shape of the foot. As Socrates said of his, that it justly accused so much in his mind had he not corrected the same by institution. But in so saying, I suppose, that according to his wonted vse, he did but jest: and so excellent a mind, did never frame it selfe. I cannot often enough repeate, how much I esteeme beauty, so powerfull and advantagious a quality is she. He named it, a short tyranny: And Plato the priviledge of Nature. We have none that exceeds it in credit. She possesseth the chiefe ranke in the commerce of society of men: She presents itselfe forward: she seduceth and preoc∣cupates our judgement, with great authority and wonderfull impression. Phryne had lost her plea, though in the hands of an excellent lawyer, if with opening her garments, by the sodaine flashing of hir beauty, she had not corrupted her judges. And I finde, that Cyrus▪ Alexannder and Caesar those three Masters of the World, have not forgotten or neglect∣ed the same in atchieving their great affaires. So hath not the first Scipio. One same word in Greeke importeth faire and good. And even the Holy-Ghost calleth often those good, which he meaneth faire. I should willingly maintaine the ranke of the goods, as imployed the song, which Plato saith to have beene triviall, taken from some auncient Poet; Health beeuty and riches. Aristotle saith, that the right of commaunding, doth of duty belong to such as are faire; and if haply any be found, whose beauty approached to that of the Gods images, that veneration is equally due vnto them. To one that asked him, why the fairest were both longer time and oftner frequented? This question (quoth he) ought not to bee moo∣ved but by a blinde man. Most, and the greatest Philosophers, paide for their schooling and attained vnto Wisedome, by the intermission of their beauty, and favour their comlines. Not onely in men that serue me, but in beastes also, I consider the same within two inches of goodnesse. Yet me thinkes, that the same feature and manner of the face and those linea∣ments, by which some argue certaine inward complexions, and our future fortunes, is a thing that doth not directly nor simply lodge vnder the Chapter of beauty and ill favourdnesse; no more than all good favours, or cleerenesse of aire, doe not alwayes promise health; nor all fogges and stinkes, infection, in times of the plague. Such as accuse Ladies to contradict the beauty, by their manners, guesse not alwayes at the truth. For, In an ill favourd and ill com∣posed face, may sometimes harbour some aire of probitie, and trust. As on the contrary, I have sometimes read betweene two faire eyes, the threats of a maligne and dangerous ill-boding nature. There are some fauourable Physiognomies; For in a throng of victorious enemies, you shall presently ammiddest a multitude of vnknowen faces, make choise of one man more than of others, to yeeld yourselfe vnto and trust yòur life; and not properly by the considera∣tion of beauty. A mans loòke or aire of his face, is but a weake warrant; notwithstanding it is of some consideration. And were I to whippe them, I would more rudely scourge such as maliciously bely & betray the promises, which Nature had charactred in their front. And more severely would I punish malicious craft in a debonaire apparance and in a mild promi∣sing countenance. It seemeth there bee some lucky and well boding faces, and other some vnlucky and ill presaging: And I thinke, there is some Arte to distinguish gently-milde fa∣ces, from nyaes and simple; the severe from the rude; the malicious from the froward; the dis∣dainefull from the melancholike and other neighbouring qualities. There are some

beauties, not onely fierce-looking, but also sharpe-working, some others pleasing-sweete, and yet wallowishly tastlesse. To prognosticate future successes of them, be matters I leave vndecided. I have (as elsewhere I noted) taken for my regard this ancient precept, very rawly and simply: That We cannot erre in following Nature: and that the soveraigne document is, for a man to conforme himselfe to her. I have not (as Socrates) by the power and vertue of reason, corrected my naturall complexions, nor by Arte hindered mine inclination. Look how I came into the World, so I goe-on: I strive with nothing. My two Mistris partes, live of their owne kindenesse in peace and good agreement; but my nurses milke, hath (thanks be to God) beene indifferently wholesome and temperate. Shall I say thus much by the way? That I see a certaine image of bookis•• or scholasticall preud'hommie, only which is in a ma∣ner in vse amongst vs, held and reputed in greater esteeme than it deserveth, and which is but a servant vnto precepts, brought vnder by hope, and constrained by feare? I love it such as lawes and religions make not, but over-make and authorize; that they may bee perceived to have wherewith to vphold her selfe without other aide: sprung vp in vs of her owne pro∣per roots, by and from the seed of vniversall reason, imprinted in every man that is not vnna∣turall. The same reason, that reformeth Socrates from his vicious habite, yeelds him obedi∣ent both to Gods and men, that rule and commaund his Citty: couragious in his death; not because his soule is immortall, but because hee is mortall. A ruinous instruction to all com∣mon-weales and much more harmefull, than ingenious and subtile, is that which perswadeth men, that onely religious beliefe, and without manners, sufficeth to content and satisfie di∣vine justice. Custome makes vs see an enormous distinction betweene devotion and con∣science. I have a favourable apparence, both in forme and in interpretation.

Quid dixi habere me? Imò habui Chreme: Heu tantùm attriti corporis ossavides.* 2.37 I have; what did I say; I had what's now away. Alas, you onely now behold, Bones of a body worne and old.

And which makes a contrary shew to that of Socrates. It hath often betided me, that by the simple credite of my presence and aspect, some that had no knowledge of me, have great∣ly trusted vnto it, were it about their owne affaires or mine. And even in forraine countries, I have thereby reaped singular and rare favours. These two experiments, are hapily wor∣thy to be particularly related. A quidam gallant, determined vpon a time to surprise both my house and my selfe. His plot was, to come riding alone to my gate, and instantly to vrge en∣trance. I knew him by name▪ and had some reason to trust him, being my neighbour and somewhat alide vnto me. I presently caused my gates to be opened, as I do to all men. He comes-in all afrighted, his horse out of breath; both much harassed. He entertaines me with this fable; that within halfe a league of my house he was sodainely set-vpon by an enemie of his, whome I knew well and had heard of their quarrell: that his foe had wondrously put him to his spurres; that being surprised vnarmed, and having fewer in his company then the other, he was glad to runne away, and for safety had made haste to come to my house, as to his sanctuary: That he was much perplexed for his men, all which he supposed to be either taken or slaine. I endevoured friendly to comfort and sincerely to warrant and refresh him. Within a while came gallopping foure or five of his Souldiers, amazed, as if they had beene out of their wits, hasting, to be let-in: Shortly after came others, and others▪ all proper men, well mounted, better armed, to the number of thirty or there abouts, all seeming distracted for feare, as if the enemie that pursued them had beene at their heeles. This mysterie be∣ganne to summon my suspicion. I was not ignorant of the age wherin I lived, nor how much my house might bee envied: and had sundry examples of others of my acquaintance, that had beene spoiled, beset and surprised thus and thus. So it is, that perceiving with my selfe, there was nothing to be gotten, though I had begunne to vse them kindly, if I continu∣ed not, and being vnable to rid my selfe of them and cleare my house without danger and spoiling all; as I ever doe, I tooke the plainest and naturall well meaning way, and com∣maunded they should be let in and bid welcome. And to say truth, I am by nature little sus∣picious or mistrustfull, I am easily drawen to admit excuses and encline to mild interpretati∣ons. I take men according to common order, and suppose every one to meane as I doe, and

believe these perverse and tretcherous inclinations, except I be compelled by some autenti∣call testimonie, no more then monsters or miracles. Besides, I am a man that willingly com∣mit my selfe vnto fortune, and carelesly cast my selfe into her armes: Whereof hitherto I have more just cause to commend myselfe, then to complaine. And have found her more circumspect and friendly▪ carefull of my affaires, then I am my selfe. There are certaine actions in my life, the conduct of which may justly be termed difficult, or if any be so dispo∣sed, prudent. And of those, suppose the third part of them to be mine owne; truely the other two are richly hirs. We are to blame, and in my conceit we erre, that we doe not suf∣ficiently and so much as we ought, trust the heavens with ourselves. And pretend more in our owne conduct, then of right appertaines vnto vs. Therefore doe our desseignes so of∣ten miscarry, and our intents so seldome sort to wished effect. The heauens are angry, and I may say envious of the extension and large priviledge we ascribe vnto the right of humane wisedome, to the prejudice of theirs: and abridge them so much the more vnto vs, by how much more we endeuour to amplifie them. But to come to my former discourse. These gallants kept still on horsebacke in my court, and would not alight: their Captaine with me in my hall, who would never have his horse set-vp, still saying that he would not stay, but must necessarily withdraw himselfe, so soone as he had newes of his followers. He saw himselfe master of his enterprise, and nothing was wanting but the execution. Hee hath since reported very often, (for he was no whit scrupulous or afraid to tell this story) that my vndaunted lookes, my vndismaide countenance, and my liberty of speech, made him reject all manner of treasonable intents or trecherous desseignes. What shall I say more? He bids me farewell, calleth for his horse, gets vp, and offreth to be gone, his people having continu∣ally their eies fixed vpon him, to observe his lookes and see what signe he should make vnto them: much amazed to see him be gone, and wondring to see him omit and forsake such an advantage. An other time, trusting to a certaine truce or cessation of armes, that lately had beene published through our campes in France, as one suspecting no harme, I vndertooke a journey from home, through a dangerous and very ticklish country; I had not rid far, but I was discovered, and behold three or foure troupes of horsemen, all severall wayes, made af∣ter me, with purpose to entrap me: One of which overtooke mee the third day; where I was round beset and charged by fifteene or twenty Gentlemen, who had all vizardes and cases, followed aloofe-off by a band of Argoletiers. I was charged, I yeelded, I was taken and immediately drawne into the bosome of a thicke Wood, that was not far-off; there puld from my Horse, stripped with all speed, my truncks and cloke▪ bags rifled, my box taken; my Horses, my equipage and such things as I had, dispersed and shared amongst them. We continued a good while amongst those thorny bushes, contesting and striving about my ransome, which they racked so high, that it appeared well I was not much knowen of them. They had long contestation among themselves for my life. and to say truth: there were ma∣ny circumstances, threatned me of the danger I was in.

Tunc animis opus. Aenea, tunc pectore firme.* 2.38 Of courage then indeed, Then of stout brest is need.

I ever stood vpon the title and priviledge of the truce and proclamation made in the Kings name, but that availed not: I was content to quit them whatever they had taken from me, which was not to be despised, without promising other ransome. After wee had debated the matter to and fro, the space of two or three houres, and that no excuses could serve, they set me vpon a lame jade, which they knew could never escape them, and commit∣ted the particular keeping of my person to fifteene or twenty harque-busiers, and dispersed my people to others of their crew, commaunding we should all divers wayes bee carried pri∣soners; and my selfe being gone two or threescore paces from them,

Iam pr••ce Pollucis, iam Castor is implorata.* 2.39 Pollux and Castors aide, When I had humbly praide.

behold a sodain & vnexpected alteration took them. I saw their Captaine comming towards me, with a cheerfull countenance & much milder speeches then before: carefully trudging vp and downe through all the troups, to find out my goods againe, which as he found all scattred he forced every man to restore them vnto me; and even my boxe came to my handes againe.

To conclude, the most precious jewell they presented me, was my liberty; as for my other things, I cared not greatly at that time. What the true cause of so vnlockt for a change and so sodaine an alteration was, without any apparent impulsion, and of so wonderfull repentance, at such a time, in such an opportunity and such an enterprise, fore-meditated, consulted and effected without controlement, and which through custome and the impiety of times was now become lawfull, (for at the first brunt I plainely confessed, and genuinly told them what side I was of, where my way lay, and whither I was riding) I verily know not yet, nor can I give any reason for it. The chiefest amongst them vnmasked himselfe, told mee his name and repeated diverse times vnto me, that I should acknowledge my deliverance to my countenance, to my boldnesse and constancy of speech, and be beholding to them for it, in∣somuch as they made me vnworthy of such a misfortune; and demanded assurance of me for the like curtesie. It may be, that the inscrutable goodnesse of God would vse this vaine in∣strument for my preservation: For, the next morrow it also shielded mee from worse mis∣chiefe or amboscadoes, whereof themselves gently forewarned me, The last is yet living, able to report the whole succese himselfe; the other was slaine not long since. If my coun∣tenance had not answered for me, if the ingenuity of mine inward intent might not plainely have beene disciphered in mine eyes and voice, surely I could never have continued so long, without quarrells or offences: with this indiscreete liberty, to speake freely (be it right or wrong) what ever commeth to my minde, and rashly to judge of things. This fashion may in some sort, (and that with reason) seeme vncivill and ill accomodated in our customary manners: but outragious or malicious, I could never meete with any, would so judge it, or that was ever distasted at my liberty if he received the same from my mouth. Words repor∣ted againe have, as another sound, so another sense. And to say true, I hate no body; And am so remisse to offend, or slow to wrong any, that for the service of reason itselfe, I cannot doe it. And if occasions have at any time vrged me in criminall condemnations to doe as others, I have rather beene content to be amearced then to appeare. Ʋt magis peccari nolim, quàm satis animi, ad vindicanda peccata habeam. So as I had rather men should not offend, then that I should have courage enough to punish their offences. Some report, that Aristotle beeing vp∣braided by some of his friends, that hee had beene over mercifull toward a wicked man: I have indeede (quoth he) beene mercifull toward the man, but not toward his wickednesse. Ordi∣nary judgements are exasperated vnto punishment by the horror of the crime. And that enmildens me. The horror of the first murther, makes me feare a second. And the vgli∣nesse of one cruelty, induceth me to detest all maner of imitation of it. To me, that am but a plaine fellow and see no higher then a steeple, may that concerne, which was reported of Charillus King of Sparta: He cannot be good, since he is not bad to the wicked. Or thus; for Plu∣tarke presents it two wayes, as he doth a thousand other things diversly and contrary; Hee must needes be good, since he is so to the wicked. Even as in lawfull actions, it grieves me to take any paines about them, when it is with such as are therewith displeased. So, to say truth, in vnlawfull, I make no great conscience, to employ my selfe or take paines about them, being with such as consent vnto them.

The thirteenth Chapter.

Of Experience.

THere is no desire more naturall, then that of knowledge. We attempt all meanes that may bring vs vnto it. When reason failes vs, we employ experience.

Per varios vsus artem experientia fecit, Exemplo monstr ante viam.* 2.40 By diverse proofes experience arte hath bred, Whilst one by one the way examples led.

Which is a meane by much more, weake and vile. But trueth is of so great consequence, that wee ought not disdaine any induction, that may bring vs vnto it. Reason hath so many

shapes, that wee knowe not which to take holde of. Experience hath as many. The consequence wee seeke to draw from the conference of events, is vnsure, because they are ever dissembla∣ble. No quality is so vniversall in this surface of things, as variety and diversity. The Greekes, the Latines, and wee vse for the most expresse examples of similitude, that of egs. Some have neverthelesse beene found, especially one in Delphos, that knew markes of dif∣ference betweene egges, and neuer tooke one for another. And having diverse Hennes, could rightly judge which had laid the egge. dissimilitude doth of it selfe insinuate into our workes, no arte can come neere vnto similitude. Neither Perozet nor any other carde-ma∣ker can so industriously smoothe or whiten the backeside of his cardes, but some cunning gamster will distinguish them, onely by seeing some other player handle or shuffle them. Resemblance doth not so much make one, as difference maketh another. Nature hath bound herselfe to make nothing that may not be dissemblable- Yet doth not the opinion of that man greatly please mee, that supposed by the multitude of lawes, to curbe the authori∣ty of judges, in entting out their morsells. He perceived not, that there is as much liberty and extension in the interpretation of lawes, as in their fashion. And those but mocke them∣selves, who thinke to diminish our debates and stay them, by calling vs to the expresse word of sacred Bible. Because our spirit findes not the field lesse spacious, to controule and checke the sense of others, then to represent his own: and as if there were as litle courage and sharpenesse to gloseas to invent. Wee see how farre hee was deceived. For wee have in France more lawes then all the world besides; yea more then were needefull to governe all the worlds imagined by Epicurus: Vt olim flagitijs, sic nunc legibus labor amus. As in times past we were sicke of offences, so now are we of lawes. As wee have given our judges so large a scope to moote, to opinionate, to suppose and decide, that there was never so powerfull and so li∣centious a liberty. What have our lawmakers gained with chusing a hundred thousand kindes of particular cases, and adde as many lawes vnto them? That number hath no pro∣portion, with the infinite diversity of humane accidents. The multiplying of our inventi∣ons shall never come to the variation of examples. Adde a hundred times as many vnto them, yet shall it not followe, that of events to come, there be any one found, that in all this infinite number of selected and enregistred events, shall meete with one, to which hee may so exactly joyne and match it, but some circumstance and diversity will remaine, that may require a diverse consideration of judgement. There is but little relation betweene our acti∣ons, that are in perpetuall mutation, and the fixed and vnmooveable lawes. The most to be desired, are the rarest, the simplest and most generall. And yet I believe, it were better to have none at all, then so infinite a number as wee have. Nature gives them ever more happy, then those wee give our selves. Witnesse the image of the golden age that Poets faine; and the state wherein wee see diverse nations to live, which have no other. Some there are, who to decide any controversie, that may rise amongest them, will chuse for judge the first man that by chance shall travell alongest their mountaines: Others, that vpon a market day will name some one amongst themselves, who in the place without more wrangling shall deter∣mine all their questions. What danger would ensue, if the wisest should so decide ours, ac∣cording to occurrences and at first sight; without being tied to examples and consequences? Let every foote have his owne shooe. Ferdinando King of Spaine sending certaine Collonies into the Indies, provided wisely, that no lawyers or students of the lawes should bee carried thither, for feare lest controversies, sutes or processes should people that new-found world. As a Science that of her owne nature engendreth altercation and division, judging with Pla∣to that Lawyers and Phisitions are an ill provision for any countrie. Wherefore is it, that our common language so easie to bee vnderstood in all other matters, becommeth so obscure so harsh and so hard to bee vnderstood in law-cases, bills, contracts, indentures citations, wills and testaments? And that hee who so plainely expresseth himselfe, what ever hee spake or write of any other subject, inlaw matters findes no manner or way to declare himselfe or his meaning, that admits not some doubt or contradiction: Vnlesse it be, that the Princes of this arte applying themselves with a particular attention, to invent and chuse strange, choise and solemne words, and frame artificiall cunning clauses, have so plodded and poized every sillable; canvased and sifted so exquisitely every seame and quidity, that they are now so en∣tangled and so confounded in the infinity of figures and so severall-small partitions, that they can no more come within the compasse of any order, or prescription or certaine vn∣derstanding.

Confusum est quidquid vsque in pulverem sectum est. Whatsoever is slicedinto ve∣ry powder is confused.

Whosoever hath seene children, labouring to reduce a masse of quicke-silver to a cer∣taine number, the more they presse and worke the same, and strive to force it to their will, so much more they provoke the liberty of that generous mettall, which scorneth their arte, and scatteringly disperseth it selfe beyond all imagination. Even so of lawyers, who in sub∣dividing their suttleties or quiddities, teach men to multiply doubts: and by extending and di∣versifying difficulties; they lengthen and amplifie, they scatter and disperse them. In sowing and retailing of questions, they make the World to fructifie and abound in vncertainty, in quarrels, in sutes and in controversies. As the ground the more it is crumbled, broken and deepely remooved or grubbed vp, becommeth so much more fertile. Difficultatem facit doctrina. Learning breedes difficultie. Wee found many doubts in Ʋlpian, wee finde more in Bartolus and Baldus. The trace of this innumerable diversity of opinious should never have beene vsed to adorne posteritie, and have it put in her head, but rather have beene vtterly razed out. I know not what to say to it; but this is seene by experience, that so many inter∣pretations, dissipate and confound all trueth. Aristotle hath written to bee vnderstoode: Which if he could not, much lesse shall another not so learned as he was; and a third, than he who treateth his owne imagination. We open the matter, and spill it in distempering it. Of one subject we make a thousand: And in multiplying and subdividing we fall againe into the infinity of Epicurus his Atomes. It was never seene, that two men judged alike of one samething. And it is impossible to see two opinions exactly semblable: not onely in divers men, but in any one same man, at severall houres. I commonly find something to doubt-of, where the commentary happily never deigned to touch, as deeming it so plaine. I stumble somtimes as much in an even smooth path; as some horses that I know, who oftner trip in a faire plaine way, than in a rough and stony. Who would not say, that glosses increase doubts and ignorance, since no booke is to bee seene, whether divine or profane, commonly read of all men, whose interpretation dimmes or tarnisheth not the difficulty? The hundred com∣mentary sends him to his succeeder, more thorny and more crabbed, than the first found him. When agreed wee amongest our selves, to say, this booke is perfect, there's now no∣thing to bee said against it? This is best seene in our French-pedling Law. Authoritie of Law is given to infinite Doctours, to infinite arrests, and to as many interpretations. Finde we for all that any ende of neede of interpretors? Is there any advauncement or progresse towards tranquility seene therein? Have wee now lesse neede of Advocates and Iudges, then when this huge masse of Law was yet in hir first infancy? Cleane contrary, we obscure and bury vnderstanding. We discover it no more but at the mercy of so many Courts, Barres, or Plea-benches. Men mis-acknowledge the naturall infirmity of their minde. She doth but quest and firret, and vncessantly goeth turning, winding, building and entangling her selfe in hir owne worke; as doe our silke-wormes, and therein stiffleth hir selfe. Mus in pice. A Mouse in pitch, Hee supposeth to note a farre-off I wot not what apparence of cleerenesse and immaginary truth; but whilest he runneth vnto it, so many lets and difficulties crosse his way, so many empeachments and new questings start vp, that they stray loose and besot him. Not much otherwise than it fortuned to Aesops Dogges, who farre-off discovering some shew of a dead body to flote vpon the Sea, and being vnable to approach the same, vnder∣tooke to drinke vp all the Water, that so they might drie-vp the passage; and were all stife∣led. To which answereth that, which one Crates said of Heraclitus his compositions, that they needed a Reader, who should be a cunning swimmer, lest the depth and weight of his learning should drowne and swallow him vp. It is nothing but a particular weakenesse, that makes vs contend with that which others or wee our selves have found in this pursuite of knowledge. A more sufficient man will not bee pleased therewith. There is place for a fol∣lower, yea and for ourselves, and More wayes to the Wood than one. There is no ende in our inquisitions. Our end is in the other World. It is a signe his wits grow short, when hee is pleased; or a signe of wearinesse. No generous spirit stayes and relies vpon himselfe. Hee ever pretendeth and goeth beyond his strength. He hath some vagaries beyond his effects. If he advaunce not himselfe, presse, settle, shocke, turne, winde and front himselfe, hee is but halfe alive; His pursuites are termelesse and formelesse. His nourishment is admiration, que∣sting and ambiguitie: Which Apollo declared sufficiently, alwayes speaking ambiguously,

obscurely and obliquely vntovs; not feeding, but busying and ammusing vs. It is an irregu∣lar vncertaine motion, perpetuall, patternelesse and without end. His inventions enflame, follow and enter produce one another.

Ainsi voit-on en vn ruisseau coulant, San fin l'vne eau, apres l'outre roulant, Et tout de rang, d'vn et ernel conduict, L'vne suit l'autre, & l'vne l'autre fuit. Par cette-cy, celle-là est poussée, Et cette-cy, par l'autre est devancée: Tousiours l'eau va dans l'eau, & tousiours est ••e Mesme ruisseau, & tousiours eau diverse. As in a running river we behold How one wave after th'other still is rold, And all along as it doth endlesse rise, Th'one th'other followes, th'one from th'other flyes. By this Wave, that is driv'n, and this againe, By th'other is set forward all amaine. Water in Water still, one river still, Yet diverse Waters still that river fill.

There's more a doe to enterprete interpretations, than to interprete things: and more bookes vpon bookes, then vpon any other subject. We doe but enter-glose our selves. All swarmeth with commentaries: Of Authours their is great penury. Is not the chiefest and most famous knowledge of our ages, to know how to vnderstand the wise? Is it not the common and last scope of our study? Our opinions are grafted one vpon an other. The first serveth as a stocke to the second; the second to the third. Thus we ascend from steppe to steppe. Whence it followeth, that the highest-mounted hath often more honour, than merite. For, hee is got-vp but one inch above the shoulders of the last save one. How of∣ten and peradventure foolishly, hove I enlarged my Booke to speake of himselfe? Foolish∣ly if it were but for this reason: That I should have remembred, that what I speake of o∣thers, they doe the like of me. That those so frequent glances on their workes, witnesse their hart shivereth with their love they beare them; and that the disdainfull churlishnesse where∣with they beate them, are but mignardizes and affectations of a motherly favour. Follow∣ing Aristotle, in whom, both esteeming and dis-esteeming himselfe, arise often of an equall aire of arrogancy. For mine excuse; That in this I ought to have more liberty than o∣thers, forsomuch as of purpose, I write both of my selfe and of my writings, as of my other actions: that my theame doth turne into it selfe: I wot not whether every man will take it. I have seene in Germanie, that Luther hath left as many divisions and altercations, concerning the doubt of his opinions, yea and more, than himselfe mooveth about the Holy Scriptures. Our contestation is verball. I demaund what Nature voluptuousnesse, circle and substitu∣tion is? The question is of words, and with words it is answered. A stone is a body: but he that should insist and vrge; And what is a body? A substance: And what a substance? And so goe-on: Should at last bring the respondent to his Calepine or wittes end. One worde is changed for another word, and often more vnknowen. I know better what Homo is, then I know what Animall is, either mortall or reasonable. To answere one doubt, they give mee three: It is Hidraes head. Socrates demaunded of Memnon what vertue was; There is an∣swered Memnon, the vertue of a Man, of a Woman, of a Magistrate, of a private Man, of a Childe, of an olde Man: What vertue meane you? Yea marry, this is very well, quoth Socrates; we were in search of one vertue, and thou bringest me a whole swarme. Wee pro∣pose one question, and wee have a whole huddle of them made vnto vs againe. As no e∣vent or forme doth wholly resemble another, so doth it not altogether differ one from ano∣ther. Oh ingenious mixture of Nature. If our faces were not like, wee could not discerne a man from a beast: If they were not vnlike, we could not distinguish one man from another man. Al things hold by some similitude: Every example limpeth. And the relation, which is drawen from experience, is ever defective and imperfect. Comparisons are neverthelesse joyned toge∣ther by some end. So serve the Lawes, and so are they sorted and fitted to all our sutes or af∣faires; by some wire-drawen, forced and collaterall interpretation. Since the morall Lawes

which respect the particular duty of every man in himselfe, are so hard to be taught and ob∣served, as we see they are: It is no wonder, if those which governe so many particulars, are more hard. Consider the forme of this Law, by which we are ruled: It is a lively testimo∣ny of humane imbecility; so much contradiction and so many errours are therin contained. That which we thinke favour or rigour in Law (wherein is so much of either, that I wot not wel whether we shal so often find indifferency in them, are crazed-infected parts and vnjust members of the very body and essence of Law. Certaine poore Country-men came even now to tell me in a great haste, that but now in a forrest of mine, they have left a man woun∣ded to death, with a hundred hurts about him, yet breathing, and who for Gods sake hath begged a little water and some helpe to raise himselfe at their handes. But that they durst not come neere him and ran all away, for feare some officers belonging to the Law should meete and catch them; and as they doe with such as they find neere vnto a murthered body, so they should bee compelled to give an account of this mischance, to their vtter vndooing; having neither friends nor mony to defend their innocency. What should I have said vnto them? It is most certaine, that this Office of humanity had brought them to much trouble. How many innocent and guilt-lesse men have wee seene punished? I say without the Iud∣ges fault; and how many more that were never discovered? This hath hapned in my time. Certaine men are condemned to death for a murther committed; the sentence, if not pro∣nounced, at least concluded and determined. This done, The Iudges are advertised by the Officers of a sub-alternall Court, not far-off, that they have certaine prisoners in hold, that have directly confessed the foresaid murther, and thereof bring most evident markes and to∣kens. The question and consultation is now in the former Court, whether for all this, they might interrupt, or should deferre the execution of the sentence pronounced against the first. They consider the novelty of the example and consequence thereof, and how to re∣concile the judgement. They conclude, that the condemnation hath passed according vn∣to Law, and therefore the Iudges are not subject to repentance. To be short, these misera∣ble Wretches are consecrated to the prescriptions of the Law. Philip, or some other, provi∣ded for such an inconvenience, in this manner. He had by an irrevocable sentence condem∣ned one to pay another a round summe of money for a fine. A while after, the truth being discovered, it was found, he had wrongfully condemned him. On one side was the right of the cause, on the other the right of judiciary formes. He is in some sort to satisfie both par∣ties, suffering the sentence to stand in full power: and with his owne purse recompenced the interest of the condemned. But hee was to deale with a reparable accident, my poore slaves were hanged irreparably. How many condemnations have I seene more criminall, than the crime it selfe? All this put me in minde of those auncient opinions; That Hee who will doe right in grosse, must needes doe wrong by retaile; and iniustly in small things, that will come to doe iustice in great matters; That humane iustice is framed according to the modell of phy∣sicke, according to which, whatsoever is profitable is also just and honest: And of that the Stoickes hold, that Nature her selfe in most of her workes, proceedeth against iustice: And of that which the Cyreniaques hold, that there is nothing just of it selfe: That customes and lawes frame justice. And the Theodorians, who in a wise man allow as just, all manner of theft, sacriledge and paillardise, so he thinke it profitable for him. There is no remedy: I am in that case, as Alcibiades was, and if I can otherwise chuse, will never put my selfe vnto a man that shall determine of my head; or consent that my honour or life, shall depend on the industry or care of mine atturney, more then mine innocency. I could willingly ad∣venture my selfe, and stand to that Law, that should as well recompence me for a good deed, as punish me for a mis-deede: and where I might have a just cause to hope, as reason to feare. Indemnitie is no sufficient coyne for him, who doeth better than not to trespasse. Our Law presents vs but one of hir hands, and that is her left hand. Whosoever goes to Law, doth in the end but loose by it. In China, the policy, arts and government of which kingdome, having neither knowledge or commerce with ours; exceed our examples in divers partes of excel∣lency; and whose Histories teach me, how much more ample and diverse the World is, than either we or our forefathers could ever enter into. The Officers appointed by the Prince to visite the state of his Provinces, as they punish such as abuse their charge, so with great libe∣rality they reward such as have vprightly and honestly behaved themselves in them, or have done any thing more then ordinary, and besides the necessity of their duty: There, all pre∣sent

themselves, not onely to warrant themselves, but also to get something: Not simply to be paid, but liberally to be rewarded. No judge hath yet, God be thanked, spoken to me as a judge, in any cause whatsoever either mine or another mans; criminall or civill. No prison did ever receive me, no not so much as for recreation to walke in. The very imagination of one, maketh the sight of their outside seeme irkesome and loathsome to mee. I am so besotted vnto liberty, that should any man forbidde me the accesse vnto any one corner of the Indiaes I should in some sort live much discontented. And so long as I shall finde land or open ayre elsewhere, I shall never lurke in any place, where I must hide my selfe. Oh God, how hardly could I endure the miserable condition of so many men, confined and immured in some corners of this kingdome, barred from entring the chiefest Citties, from accesse into Courts, from conuersing with men, and interdicted the vse of common wayes, onely because they have offended our lawes. If those vnder which I live, should but threaten my fingers end, I would presently goe finde out some others, wheresoever it were. All my small wisedome, in these civill and tumultuous warres, wherein we now live, doth wholly employ it selfe, that they may not interrupt my liberty, to goe and come where ever I list. Lawes are now main∣tained in credit, not because they are essentially just, but because they are lawes. It is the mysticall foundation of their authority; they have none other; which availes them much: They are often made by fooles. More often by men, who in hatred of equality, have want of equity; But ever by men, who are vaine and irresolute Authours. There is nothing so grossely and largely offending, nor so ordinarily wronging as the Lawes. Whosoever o∣beyeth them because they are just, obeyes them not justly the way as he ought. Our French Lawes doe in some sort, by their irregularity and deformity, lend an helping hand vnto the disorder and corruption, that is seene in their dispensation and execution. Their behest is so confused, and their commaund so inconstant, that it in some sort excuseth, both the diso∣bedience and the vice of the interpretation, of the administration and of the observation. Whatsoever then the fruit is wee may have of Experience, the same which we draw from forraine examples, will hardly stead our institution much; if we reape so small profit from that wee have of our selves, which is most familiar vnto vs: and truely sufficient to instruct vs of what wee want. I study my selfe more than any other subject. It is my supernaturall Metaphisike, it is my naturall Philosophy.

Qua Deus hanc mundi temperet arte domum,* 2.41 Qua venit exoriens, qua deficit, vnde coact is Cornibus in plenum menstrua luna redit: Ʋnde salo superant venti, quid flamine capt••t Eurus, & in nubes vnde perennis aequa. Sit ventura dies mundi quae subruat arces, This Worlds great house by what arte God doth guide. From whence the monethly Moone doth rising ride, How wane, how with clos'd hornes returne to pride. How windes on seas beare sway, what th'Easterne winde Would have▪ how still in clowdes we water finde; If this worlds Towers to rase a day be signde. Quaerite quos agitat mundi labor: All this doe you enquire Whom this worldes travailes tyre.

In this vniversality I suffer my selfe ignorantly and negligently to be managed by the ge∣nerall law of the world. I shall sufficiently know it when I shall feele it. My learning can∣not make her change her course: shee will not diversifie herselfe for me; it were folly to hope it: And greater folly for a man to trouble himselfe about it; since it is necessarily semblable publicke and common. The governours capacity and goodnesse, should throughly dis∣charge vs of the governments care. Philosophical inquisitions and contemplations serve but as a nourishment vnto our curiosity. With great reason doe Philosophers addresse vs vnto natures rules: But they have nought to doe with so sublime a knowledge: They falsifie them, and present her to vs with a painted face, too-high in colour and overmuch sophisti∣cated; whence arise so many different pourtraits of so vniforme a subject. As shee hath gi∣ven vs feete to goe withall, so hath she endowed vs with wisedome to direct our life. A wise∣dome

not so ingenious, sturdie and pompous, as that of their invention, but yet easie, quiet and salutarie. And that in him who hath the hap to know how to employ it orderly and sincerely, effecteth very well what the other saieth: that is to say naturally. For a man to commit himselfe most simply vnto nature, is to doe it most wisely. Oh how soft, how gentle, and how sound a pillow is ignorance and incuriositie to rest a well composed head vpon. I had rather vnderstand my selfe well in my selfe, then in Cicero. Out of the experience I have of my selfe, I finde sufficient ground to make my selfe wise, were I but a good proficient scholler. Who∣soever shall commit to memorie the excesse or inconvenience of his rage or anger past, and how farre that fit transported him, may see the deformity of that passion, better then in A∣ristotle, and conceive a more just hatred against it. Whosoever calleth to minde, the dan∣gers he hath escaped, those which have threatned him, and the light occasions that have re∣mooved him from one to another state, doth thereby the better prepare himselfe to future alterations, and knowledge of his condition. Caesars life hath no more examples for vs, then our owne; Both imperiall and popular; it is ever a life that all humane accidents regard. Let vs but giue eare vnto it, we recorde all that to vs, that wee principally stand in neede of. He that shall call to minde how often and how severall times hee hath beene deceived, and mis∣accompted his owne judgement: is hee not a simple gull, if hee doe not for ever afterward distrust the same? When by others reason, I finde my selfe convicted of a false opinion, I learne not so much, what new thing he hath told me; and this particular ignorance; which were but a small purchase; as in generall I learne mine owne imbecilitie and weakenesse, and the treason of my vnderstanding: whence I draw the reformation of all the masse. The like I doe in all my other errours: by which rule I apprehend and feele great profite for, and vnto my life. I regarde not the species or individuum, as a stone whereon I have stumbled. I learne every where to feare my going, and endevour to order the same. To learne that a∣nother hath either spoken a foolish jest, or committed a sottish act, is a thing of nothing. A man must learne, that he is but a foole: A much more ample and important instruction. The false steps my memory hath so often put vpon mee, at what time she stood most vpon her selfe, have not idly beene lost: she may sweare and warrant mee long enough; I shake mine eares at her: the first opposition made in witnesse of her, makes me suspect. And I durst not trust her in a matter of consequence; nor warrant her touching others affaires. And were it not, that what I doe for want of memorie, others more often doe the same for lacke of faith, I would ever in a matter of fact rather take the truth from anothers mouth, then from mine owne. Would every man prie into the effects and circumstances of the passions that sway him, as I have done of that whereunto I was allotted; hee should see them comming; and would somewhat hinder their course and abate their impetuositie: They doe not al∣wayes surprise and take hold of vs at the first brunt, there are certaine forethreatnings and de∣grees as forerunners.

Fluctus vti p••imò coepit cùm albescereponto, Paulatim sese tollit mare, & altius vndas Erigit, inde imo consurgit ad aethera fundo. As when at sea, floods first in whitenesse rise, Sea surgeth softly, and then higher plies In waves, then from the ground mounts vp to skies.

Iudgement holds in me a presidentiall seate, at least hee carefully endevours to hold it: He suffers my appetites to keep their course: both hatred and love, yea and that I beare vnto my selfe; without feeling alteration or corruption. If he can not reforme other parts accor∣ding to himselfe, at least he will not be deformed by them: he keepes his court apart. That warning-lesson given to all men, to knowe themselves, must necessarily be of important ef∣fect, since that God of wisedome, knowledge and light, caused the same to be fixed on the frontispice of his temple: as containing whatsoever he was to counsell vs. Plato saieth also, that wisedome is nothing but the execution of that ordinance: And Socrates doth distinct∣ly verifie the same in Zenophon. Difficulties and obscuritie are not perceived in every science, but by such as have entrance into them: For, some degree of intelligence is required, to be a∣ble to marke that one is ignorant: and wee must knocke at a gate, to knowe whether it bee shutte. Whence ensueth this Platonicall subtiltie, that neither those which knowe have no fur∣ther to enquire, forsomuch as they knowe already: nor they that knowe not, because to enquire, it is

necessary they know what they enquire after. Euen so in this, for a man to know himselfe: that every man is seene so resolute and satisfied, and thinks himselfe sufficiently instructed or skil∣full, doth plainely signifie that no man vnderstands any thing, as Socrates teacheth Euthy∣demus. My selfe, who professe nothing else, finde therein so bottomlesse a depth, andinfi∣nit a varietie, that my apprentisage hath no other fruit, than to make me perceive how much more there remaineth for me to learne. To mine owne weaknesse so often acknowledged, I owe this inclination which I beare vnto modestie; to the obedience of beliefes prescribed vnto mee; to a constant coldenesse and moderation of opinions; and hatred of this impor∣tunate and quarellous arrogancie, wholy beleeving and trusting it selfe, a capitall ennemie to discipline and veritie. Doe but heare them sway and talke. The first fopperies they pro∣pose, are in the stile, that Religions and Lawes are composed in. Nihil est turpius quàm cog∣nitioni* 2.42 & praeceptioni, assertionem app••••••ationem•• praecurrere. Nothing is more absurd, than that avowching and allowance should runne before knowledge and precept. Aristarchus saide, that in ancient times, there were scarce seven wise men found in the world: and in his time, hardly se∣ven ignorant. Have not we more reason to say it in our dayes, than he had? Affirmation & selfe-conceit, are manifest signes of foolishnesse. Some one, who a hundred times a day hath had the canvase and beene made a starke coxcombe, shall notwithstanding be seene to stand vp∣on his Ergoes, and as presumptuously-resolute as before. You would say, he hath since some new minde and vigor of vnderstanding infused into him. And that it betides him, as to that ancient childe of the Earth, who by his falling to the ground and touching his Mother, still gathered new strength and fresh courage.

—cui cùm tetigere parentem,* 2.43 I am defect a vigent renovato robore membra. Whose failing limmes with strength renew'd regrow, When they once touch his mother Earth below.

Doth not this indocile, blocke-headed asse, thinke to reassume a new spirite, by vnder∣taking a new disputation? It is by my experience I accuse humane ignorance, which (in mine opinion) is the surest part of the Worldes schoole. Those that will not conclude it in themselves, by so vaine an example as mine, or theirs, let them acknowledge it by So∣crates, the Maister of Maisters. For the Philosopher Antisthenes, was wont to say to his Disciples: Come on my Maisters, let you and me goe to heare Socrates. There shall I bee a fellow Disciple with you. And vpholding this Doctrine, of the Stoickes Sect, that only ver∣tue sufficed to make a life absolutely-happy; and having no neede of any thing, but of Socrates his force and resolution, he added moreover: This long attention, I employ in considering my selfe enableth me also to judge indifferently of others: And there are few things whereof I speake more happily and excusably. It often fortuneth me to see and distinguish more ex∣actly the conditions of my friends, than themselves do. I have astonied some by the perti∣nencie of mine owne discription, and have warned him of himselfe. Because I have from mine infancy enured my selfe to view mine owne life in others lives; I have thereby acquired a studious complexion therein. And when I thinke on it, I suffer few things to escape about me, that may in any sort fit the same; whether countenances, humour or discourses. I stu∣diouslie consider all I am to eschew and all I ought to follow. So by my friends productions I discover their inward inclinations. Not to marshall or range this infinite varietie of so di∣verse and so distracted actions to certaine Genders or Chapters, and distinctly to distribute my parcels and divisions into formes and knowne regions.

Sed neque quàm mult•• species, & nomina qu•• sint.* 2.44 Est numerus. But nor how many kindes, nor what their names: There is a number of them (and their frames.)

The wiser sort speake and declare their fansies more specially and distinctly: But I, who have no further insight then I get from common vse, without rule or method, generally present mine owne, but gropingly. As in this: I pronounce my sentence by articles, loose and disioynted: it is a thing cannot be spoken at once and at full. Relation and conformity are not easily found in such base and common mindes as ours. Wisedome is a solide and com∣pleate frame; every severall piece whereof keepeth his due place and beareth his marke. So∣la sapientia in se tota conversa est. Onely wisedome is wholy turned into it selfe. I leave it to Ar∣tists,

and I wot not whether in a matter so confused, so severall and so casuall, they shall come to an end, to range into sides, this infinite diversity of visages; and settle our inconstancy and place it in order. I doe not onely finde it difficult to combine our actions one vnto an∣other; but take every one aparte, it is hard, by any principall quality to desseigne the same properly: so double, so ambiguous and party-coloured are they to diverse lusters. Which in Pers••us the Macedonian King was noted for a rare matter, that his spirit fastning it selfe to no kinde of condition; wont wandring through every kinde of life: and representing so new-fangled and gadding maners, that hee was neither knowen of himselfe nor of others, what kinde of man hee was: mee thinkes may well-nigh agree and sute with all the world. And above all, I have seene some other of his coate or humour, to whom (as I suppose) this conclusion might also more properly be applide. No state of mediocrity being ever trans∣ported from one extreame to another, by indivinable occasions: no maner of course with∣out crosses, and strange contrarieties: no faculty simple: so that the likeliest a man may one day conclude of him, shall be, that he affected and laboured to make himselfe knowen by being not to be knowen. A man had neede of long-tough eares, to heare himselfe freely iudged. And because there be few that can endure to heare it without tingling: those which adven∣ture to vndertake it with vs, shew vs a singular effect of true friendship. For, that is a truely-per∣fect love, which, to profit and doe good, feareth not to hurt or offend. I deeme it absurd, to censure him, in whom bad qualities exceede good conditions. Plato requireth three parts in him that will examine anothers minde: Learning, goodwill, and boldnesse. I was once demanded, what I would have thought my selfe fit-for, had any beene disposed to make vse of me, when my yeares would have fitted service:

Dum melior vires sanguis dabat, aemula necdum* 2.45 Temporibus geminis canebat sparsa senectus. While better blood gave strength, nor envious old yeares Ore-laid with wrinckled temples grew to hoary haires.

I answered, for nothing. And I willingly excuse my selfe that I can doe nothing which may enthrall mee to others. But had my fortune made me a servant, I would have told my mai∣ster all truths; and, had he so wild it, controled his maners: Not in grosse, by scholastical les∣sons, which I cannot doe: besides, I see no true reformation to ensue in such as know them: but faire and softly and with every opportunity observing them; and simply and naturally judging them distinctly by the eye. Making him directly to perceive, how and in what de∣gree hee is in the common opinion; opposing my selfe against his flatterers and sycophants. There is none of vs, but would be worse then Kings, if as they are, hee were continually cor∣rupted with that rascally kinde of people. But what? if Alexander that mighty King and great Philosopher, could not beware of them? I should have had sufficient fidelity, judge∣ment and liberty for that. It would be a namelesse office, otherwise it should lose both ef∣fect and grace; And is a part, which cannot indifferently belong to all. For, truth it selfe, hath not the priviledge to bee employed at all times, and in every kinde▪ Bee her vse never so noble, it hath his circumscriptions and limites. It often commeth to passe, the world standing as it doth, that truth is whispered into Princes eares, not onely without fruit, but hurtfully and therewithall vnjustly. And no man shall make me beleeve, but that an hallowed admoniti∣on may be viciously applied, and abusively employed: and that the interest of the substance should not sometimes yeeld to the interest of the forme. For such a purpose and mystery I would have an vnrepining man and one contented with his owne fortune▪

Quod sit, esse velit, nihilque malit:* 2.46 Willing to be as him you see, Or rather nothing else to bee:

and borne of meane degree: Forsomuch as on the one side, hee should not have cause to feare, lively and neerely to touch his maisters heart, therby not to lose the course of his pre∣ferment: And on the other side, being of a low condition, hee should have more easie com∣munication with all sorts of people. Which I would have in one man alone; for, to empart the priviledge of such liberty and familiarity vnto many, would beget an hurtful irreverence. Yea, and of that man, I would above all things require trusty and assured silence. A King is not to bee credited, when for his glory, hee boasteth of his constancy, in attending his enemies en∣counter: if for his good amendment and profit, hee cannot endure the liberty of his friends words,

which have no other working power, then to pinch his learning: the rest of their effect remaining in his owne hands. Now, there is not any condition of men, that hath more neede of true, sin∣cerly-free and open-hearted advertisements, then Princes. They vndergoe a publike life, and must applaude the opinion of so many spectators, that if they be once enured, to have that concealed from them, which diverteth them from their course, they at vnawares and in∣sensibly finde themselves deepely engaged in the hatred and detestation of their subjects; many times for occasions, which had they beene forewarned, and in time gently reformed, they might no doubt have eschewed, to no interest or prejudice of their private delights. Fa∣vorites doe commonly respect themselves more then their masters. And surely it toucheth their free-hold, forsomuch as i••good truth, the greatest part of true friendship••-offices, are to∣wards their soveragne in a crabbed and dangerous Essay. So that, there is not onely requi∣red much affection and liberty, but also an vndanted courage. To conclude, all this gal••e∣mafrie which I huddle-vp here, is but a register of my lives-Essayes: which in regard of the internall health are sufficiently exemplare to take the instruction against the haire. But concerning bodily health, no man is able to bring more profitable experience, then my selfe; who present the same pure, sincere and in no sorte corrupted or altred, either by arte or selfe∣will'd opinion. Experience in her owne precinct, may justly be compared to Phisicke, vnto which, reason giveth place. Tiberius was wont to say, that whatsoever had lived twenty yeares, should be able to answere himselfe of all such things as were either wholesome or hurtfull for him; and know howe to live and order his body without Phisicke. Which hee peradventure had lear∣ned of Socrates; who industriously advising his disciples (as a study of chiefe consequence) to study their health, told them moreover, that it was very hard, if a man of vnderstanding, heedefully observing his exercises, his eating and drinking, should not better then any Phi∣sition discerne and distinguish such things as were either good or bad or indifferent for him. Yet doth Physicke make open profession alwayes to have experience for the touch-stone of her operation. And Plato had reason to say, that to be a good Physition, it were requisite, that he who should vndertake that profession, had past through all such diseases as hee will adventure to cure, and knowen or felt all the accidents and cricumstances hee is to iudge of. It is reason, them∣selves should first have the pox, if they will know how to cure them in others. I should surely trust such a one better then any else. Others but guide vs, as one who sitting in his chaire paints seas, rockes, shelves and havens vpon a boarde, and makes the modell of a tale ship, to saile in all safety: But put him to it in earnest, he knowes not what to doe, nor where to beginne. They make even such a description of our infimities as doth a towne-crier, who crieth a lost horse, or dog, and describeth his haire, his stature, his eares, with other markes and tokens, but bring either vnto him, he knowes him not. Oh God, that physicke would one day affoord mesome good and preceptible helpe, how earnestly would I exclaime.

Tandem efficaci do manus scient••••, I yeeld, I yeeld at length, To knowledge of chiefe strength.

The Artes that promise to keepe our body and minde in good health, promise much vn∣to vs; but therewith there is none performeth lesse what they promise. And in our dayes, such as make profession of these Artes amongst vs, doe lesse then all others shew their ef∣fects. The most may be said of them, is, that they sell medicinable drugs; but that they are Physitians, no man can truly say it., I have lived long enough, to yeeld an accoont of the v∣sage that hath brough mee to this day. If any bee disposed to taste of it, as his taster I have given him an assay. Loe here some articles, digested as memory shall store me with them. I have no fashion but hath varied according to accidents: I onely register those I have most beene acquainted with; and hetherto possesse me most. My forme of life is ever a∣like, both in sickenesse and in health: one same bed, the same houres, the same meate, the same drinke doth serve me. I adde nothing to them but the moderation of more or lesse, ac∣cording to my strength or appetite. My health is to keepe my accustomed state free from care and trouble. I see that sickenesse doth on the one side in some sort divert me from it, and if I beleeve Physitians, they on the other side will turne mee from it: So that both by fortune and by arte I am cleane out of my right bias. I beleeve nothing more certainely then this; that I cannot be offended by the vse of things, which I have so long accustomed. It is in the hands of cuctome to give our life what forme it pleaseth: in that it can do all in all. It is the

drinke of Circes, diversifieth our nature as she thinkes good. How many nations neere bor∣dering vpon vs imagine the feare of the sereine or night-calme to be but a jest, which s••o ap∣parantly doth blast and hurt vs? and whereof our Mariners our watermen, and our coun∣triemen make but a laughing-stocke? You make a Germane sicke, if you lay him vpon a matteras, as you distemper an Italian vpon a fetherbed, and a Frenchman to lay him in a bed without curtaines, or lodge him in a chamber without a fire. A Spaniard can not well brooke to feede after our fashion, no•• wee endure to drinke as the Swizzers. A Germane pleased me well at Augusta to raile against the commodity of our chimnies, vsing the same reasons or arguments, that wee ordinarily imploy in condemning their stoves. For, to say truth, the same close-smothered heate, and the smell of that oft-heated matter, whereof they are composed, fumeth in the heads of such as are not accustomed vnto them; no•• so with me. But on the other side, that heate being equaly dispersed, constant and vniversall, without flame or blazing, without smoake, and without that winde which the tonnells of our chim∣nies bring vs, may many wayes be compared vnto ours. Why doe we not imitate the Ro∣manes architecture?

It is reported that in auncient times they made no fire in their houses, but without and at the foote of them: Whence by tonnells, which were convaide through their thickest walls, and contrived neere and about all such places as they would have warmed; so that the heare was convaied into every part of the house. Which I have seene manifestly described in some place of Seneca, though I can not well remember where. This Germane, hearing mee com∣mend the beauties and commodities of his Citty (which truely deserveth great commen∣dation) beganne to pitty mee, because I was shortly to goe from it. And the first incon∣venience hee vrged mee withall, was the heavinesse in the head, which Chimnies in o∣ther places would cause mee. Hee had heard some other body complaine of it, and there∣fore all eadged the same against mee, beeing wont by custome to perceive it in such as came to him. All heate comming from fire doth weaken and dull mee: Yet saide Evenus, that fire was the best sauce of life. I rather allow and embrace any other manner or way to escape cold. Wee feare our Wines when they are lowe; whereas in Portugall, the fume of it is counted delicious, and is the drinke of Princes. To conclude, each severall Nati∣on hath divers customes, fashions and vsages; which, to some others, are not onely vn∣knowne and strange, but savage, barbarous and wondrous. What shall wee doe vnto that people, that admit no witnesse, except printed; that will not believe men, if not printed in Bookes, nor credite truth, vnlesse it bee of competent age? Wee dignifie our ••opperies, when wee put them to the presse. It is another manner of weight for him, to say, I have seene it, then if you say, I have heard it reported. But I, who mis-believe no more the mouth, than the hand of men; and know that men write as indiscreetly, as they speake vnadvisedly; and esteeme of this present age, as of another past; alleadge as willingly a friend of mine as Aulus Gellius or Macrobius, and what my selfe have seene, as that they have written. And as they accoumpt vertue to bee nothing greater by being longer, so deeme I truth to be nothing wi∣ser ••y being more aged. I often say it is meere folly that makes vs runne after strange and scholasticall examples. The fertilitie of them is now equall vnto that of Homer and Platoes times. But is it not, that we rather seek the honour of allegations, than the truth of discour∣ses? As if it were more to borrow our proofes from out the shope of Ʋascosan or Plantin, than from that we dayly see in our village. Or verely that wee have not the witte to blanch, sift out or make that to prevaile, which passeth before vs, and forcibly judge of it, to drawe the same into example. For, if wee say, that authority failes vs, to adde credite vnto our te∣stimony, wee speake from the purpose. Forsomuch as in my conceit, could we but find out their true light Natures greatest myracles and the most wonderfull examples, namely vpon the subject of humane actions, may bee drawen and formed from most ordinary, most common and most knowen things. Now concerning my subject, omitting the examples I know by bookes; And that which Aristotle speaketh of Andron of Argos, that hee would travell all over the scorching sands of Lybia, without drinking: A Gentleman, who hath worthily acquitted himselfe of many honourable charges, reported where I was, that in the parching heate of Summer, hes had travelled from Madrill to Lisb••ne, without ever drin∣king. His age respected, he is in very good and healthy plight, and hath nothing extraordi∣nary in the course or custome of his life, saving (as himselfe hath told me,) that hee can very

well continue two or three moneths, yea a whole yeere, without any manner of beverage. He sometimes finds himselfe thirsty, but let's it passe; and holds, that it is an appetite, which will easily and of it selfe languish away: and if he drinke at any time, it is more for a caprice or humor, than for any need or pleasure. Loe here one of another key. It is not long since, that I found one of the wisest men of France, (among those of so meane fortune) studying hard in the corner of a great Hall, which for that purpose was hung about with tapistrie, and round about him a disordered rable of his servaunts, groomes and lackeys; pratling, playing and hoyting: who tolde me (as Seneca in a manner saith of himselfe) that he learn'd and profited much by that hurly-burly or tintimare: as if beaten with that confused noyse, he did so much the better recall and close himselfe into himselfe, for serious contemplation; and that the said tempestuous rumours did strike and repercusse his thoughts inward. Whilst he was a schol∣ler in Padua, his study was ever placed so neere the jangling of bells, the ratling of coaches and rumbling tumults of the market place, that for the service of his study, he was fame, not onely to frame and enure himself to contemne, but to make good vse of that turbulentnoise. Socrates answered Alcibiades, who wondered how hee could endure the continuall tittle∣tattle and vncessant scoulding of his Wife: even as those who are accustomed to heare the ordinary creaking of the squeaking wheeles of welles. My selfe am cleane contrary, for I have a tender braine, and easie to take snuffe in the nose, or to be transported. If my minde be busie alone, the least stirring, yea the buzzing of a ••••ie doth trouble and distemper the same. Seneca in his youth, having ernestly vndertaken to follow the example of Sext••us, to feede on nothing that were taken dead: could with pleasure (as himselfe averreth) live so a whole yeere. And left it, onely because he would not bee suspected to borrow this rule from some new religions, that instituted the same. He therewithall followed some precepts of Attalus, not to lie vpon any kinde of carpets or bedding that would yeeld vnder one; and vntill he grew very aged, hee never vsed but such as were very hard and vn-yeelding to the body. What the custome of his dayes makes him accoumpt rudenesse, ours makes vs e∣steeme wantonnesse. Behold the difference betweene my varlets life and mine: The In∣dians have nothing further from my forme and strength. Well I wot, that I have hereto∣fore taken boyes from begging and that went roaguing vp and downe, to serue mee; hoping to doe some good vpon them, who have within a little while after left mee, my fare and my livery; onely that they might without controule or checke follow their former idle loytring life. One of which I found not long since gathering of muskles in a common sincke, for his dinner; whom (doe what I could) I was never able, neither with entreaty to reclaime, no•• by threatning to withdrawe, from the sweetnesse hee found in want, and delight he felt in roaguing lazinesse. Even vagabonding roagues, as well as rich men, have their magnificen∣ces and voluptuousnesse, and (as some say) their dignities, preheminences and politike or∣ders. They are effects of custome and vse: and what is bred in the bone, will never out of the flesh. Both which have power to enure and fashion vs, not onely to what forme they please (therefore, say the wise, ought we to be addressed to the best, and it will immediately seeme ea∣sie vnto vs) but also to change and variation: Which is the noblest and most profitable of their apprentisages. The best of my corporall complexions, is, that I am flexible and little opiniative. I have certaine inclinations, more proper and ordinary, and more pleasing than others. But with small adoe and without compulsion, I can easily leave them and embrace the contrary. A yong man should trouble his rules, to stirre-vp his vigor; and take heede he suffer not the same to grow faint, sluggish or teasty: For, there is no course of life so weake and sottish, as that which is mannaged by Order, Methode and Discipline.

Ad primum lapidem vectari cum placet, hora* 2.47 Sumi••ur ex libro, si prurit frictus ocell•• Anguibus, inspecta genesi collyria qu••rit. List he to ride in coach but to Mile-end, By th'Almanacke he doth the houre attend: If his eye-corner itch, the remedy, He ••et's from calculation of nativity.

If he beleeve mee, he shall often give himselfe vnto all manner of excesse: otherwise the least disorder will vtterly overthrow him; and so make him vnfit and vn velcome in all con∣versations.

The most contrary quality in an honest man, is nice-delicateuesse, and to bee tied to one certaine particular fashion. It is parcular, if it be not supple and pliable. It is a kinde of reproch, through impuissance not to doe or not to dare, what one seeth his other companions doe or dare. Let such men keepe their kitchin. It is vndecent in all other men, but vitious and intollerable in one professing Armes: who (as Philopoemen said) should fashion himselfe to all manner of inequality and diversity of life. Although I have (as much as might bee) beene enured to li∣berty and fashioned to indifferency, yet in growing aged, I have through carelesnesse relied more vpon certaine forms (my age is now exempted from institution, and hath not anie thing else to looke vnto, but to maintaine it selfe) which custome hath already, without thinking on it, in certaine things so well imprinted her character in me, that I deeme it a kinde of excesse to leaue them. And without long practise, I can neither sleepe by day; nor eate betweene meales; nor breake my fast; nor goe to bed without some entermission; as of three houres after supper) nor get children, but before I fall asleepe, and that never standing; nor beare mine owne sweate; nor quench my thirst, either with cleere water or wine alone; nor con∣tinue long bare-headed; nor have mine haire cut after dinner. And I could as hardly spare my gloves as my shirt: or forbeare washing of my handes, both in the morning and rising from the table; or lie in a bed without a testerne and curtaines about it, as of most necessary things: I could dine without a table-cloth, but hardly without a cleane napkin, as Germans commonly doe. I foule and fully them more than either they or the Italians: and I seldome vse either spoone or forke. I am sory wee follow not a custome, which according to the ex∣ample of Kings I have seene begunne by some; that vpon every course or change of dish, as we have shift of cleane trenchers, so we might have change of cleane napkins. We reade that that laborious souldier Marius, growing olde, grew more nicely delicate in his drinking, and would taste no drincke, except in a peculiar cuppe of his. As for me, I observe a kinde of like methode in glasses, and of one certaine forme, and drinke not willingly in a common∣glasse: no more than of one ordinary hand: I mislike all manner of mettall in regard of a bright transparent matter: let mine eyes also have teste of what I drinke according to their capacity. I am beholding to custome for many 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nicenesses and singularities. Nature hath also on the other side bestowed this vpon mee, that I can not wel brooke two ful meales in one day, without surcharging my stomacke; nor the meere abstinence of one, without fil∣ling my selfe with winde, drying my mouth and dulling my appetite: And I doe finde great of∣fence by a long sereine or night-calme. For some yeeres since, in the out-roades or night∣services that happen in times of warres, which many times continue all night, five or sixe houres after my stomacke beginnes to qualme, my head feeleth a violent aking, so that I can hardly hold-out till morning without vomiting. When others goe to breakefast▪ I goe to sleepe: and within a while after I shall be as fresh and jolly as before. I ever thought that the serein never fell, but in the shutting in of night, but having in these latter yeeres long time frequented very familiarly the conversation of a Gentleman, possessed with this opi∣nion, that it is more sharpe and dangerous about the declination of the Sunne, an houre or two before it set, which he carefully escheweth, and despiseth that which falles at night: he hath gone about to perswade and imprint into mee, not onely his discourse but also his con∣ceit. What if the very doubt and inquisition, woundeth our imagination and changeth vs? Such as altogether yeelde to these bendings, draw the whole ruine vpon themselves. And I bewaile diverse Gentlemen, who being yoong and in perfect health, have by the ignorant foolishnes of their Physitians brought themselves into consumptions and other lingering diseases; and as it were in Physickes fetters. Were it not much better to be troubled with a a rheume, than for ever through discustome, in an action of so great vse and consequence, loose the commerce and conversation of common life? Oh yrkesome learning! Oh Sci∣ence full of molestation; that wasteth vs the sweetest houres of the day. Let vs extend our possession vnto the vtmost meanes. A man shall at last, in opinionating himselfe, harden and enure himselfe for it, and so correct his complexion: as did Caesars the falling sicknesse, with contemning and corrupting the same. A man should apply himselfe to the best rules, but not subject himselfe vnto them: except to such (if any there bee) that duty and thraldome vnto them, be profitable. Both Kings and Philosophers obey nature, and goe to the stoole, and so doe Ladies: Publike lives are due vnto ceremony: mine which is obscure and pri∣vate, enjoyeth all naturall dispensations. To be a Souldier and a Gascoyne, are qualities som∣what

subject to indiscretion. And I am both. Therefore will I say thus much of this acti∣on; that it is requisite we should remit the same vnto certaine prescribed night-houres; and by custome (as I have done) force and subject our selves vnto it: But not (as I have done) growing in yeeres, strictly tie him selfe to the care of a particular convenient place, and of a commodious Aiax or easie close-stoole for that purpose: and make it troublesome with long sitting and nice observation. Neverthelesse in homeliest matters and fowlest offices, is it not in some sorte excusable, to require more care and cleanelinesse? Natur•• homo mundum & ele∣gans* 2.48 animal est. By nature man is a cleanely and neate creature.

Of all naturall actions, there is none wherein I am more loath to be troubled or interrup∣ted, when I am at it. I have seene divers great men and souldiers, much troubled and vexed with their bellies vntune and disorder, when at vntimely houres it calleth vpon them: whilst mine and my selfe never misse to call one vpon another at our appointment: which is, as soone as I get out of my bed, except some vrgent busines or violent sickenesse trouble mee. Therefore (as I saide) I judge no place where sicke men may better seate themselves in secu∣rity, then quietly and wisht to holde themselves in that course of life, wherein the have beene brought vp and habituated. Any change or variation soever, astonieth and distempereth. Will any beleeue, that Chestnuttes can hurt a Perigordin or a Luquo••s, or that milk▪ or whit∣meates are hurtful vnto a mountaine dwelling people? whom if one seeke to divert from their naturall diet, he shall not onely prescribe them a new, but a contrary forme of life: A change which a healthy man can hardly endure. Appoynt a Bretton of three score yeeres of age to drinke water; put a Sea-man or Mariner into a Stove; forbid a lackey of Baske to walke: you bring them out of their element, you depriue them of all motion, and in the end, of aire, of light and life.

—an vivere tanti est?* 2.49 Doe we reckon it so deare, Onely living to be here? Cogimur à suet is animum suspendere rebus. Atque vt vivamus, vivere desinimus: From things erst vs'd we must suspend our minde, We leave to live that we may live by kinde. Hos superesse reor quibus & spirabilis a••r, Et lux quaregimur, redditur ipsa gravis. Doe I thinke they liue longer, whom doth grieve Both aire they breathe, and light whereby they live.

If they doe no other good, at least they doe this, that betimes they prepare their patients vnto death, by little vndermining and cutting-off the vse of life. Both in health and in sicke∣nesse, I haue willingly seconded and giuen my selfe over to those appetites that pressed mee. I allow great authority to my desires and propensions. I loue not to cure one evill by another mischiefe. I hate those remedies, that importune more then sickenesse. To be subject to the cholike, and to be tied to abstaine from the pleasure I have in eating of oysters, are two mis∣chiefes for one. The disease pincheth vs on the one side, the rule on the other. Since we are ever in danger to misdoe, let vs rather hazard our selves to follow pleasure. Most men doe contrary and thinke nothing profitable, that is not painefull: Facility is by them suspected. Mine appetite hath in diuerse things very happily accommodated and ranged it selfe to the health of my stomake. Being yong, acrimony and tartnesse in sawces did greatly delight me, but my stomake being since glutted therewith, my taste hath likewise seconded the same. Wine hurts the sicke; it is the first thing that with an invincible distaste, brings my mouth out of taste. Whatsoeuer I receiue vnwillingly or distastefully hurts me, whereas nothing doth it whereon I feede with hunger and rellish. I never receiued harme by any action that was very pleasing vnto me. And yet I have made al medicinall conclusions, largely to yeeld to my pleasures. And when I was yong.

Quem circumcursans huc atque huc saepe Cupido Fulgebat crocina splendidus in tunica,* 2.50 About whom Cupid running here and there, Shinde in the saffron coate which he did weare.

I have as licentiously & inconsiderately as any other, furthred al such desires as possessed me;

Et militavi non sine gloria. A Souldier of loves hoast,* 2.51 I was not without boast.

More notwithstanding in continuation and holding out, then by snatches or by stealth.

Sex me vix memini sustinuesse vices, I scarse remember past Six courses I could last.

It is surely a wonder accompanied with vnhappinesse, to confesse how yoong and weake I was brought vnder it's subjection. Nay, shall I not blush to tell it? It was long before the age of choise or yeares of discretion: I was so yoong, as I remember nothing before. And fitly may my fortune bee compared to that of Quartilla, who remembred not her may∣den-head.

Inde tragus celeres{que} pili, mirandá{que} matri Barba me••. Thence goatishnesse, haires over-soone, a beard To make my mother wonder, and afear'd.

Physitians commonly enfold and joine their rules vnto profit, according to the violence of sharpe desires or earnest longings, that incidently follow the sicke, No longing desire can be imagined so strange and vicious, but nature will apply herselfe vnto it. And then how ea∣sie is it to content ones fantasie? In mine opinion, this part importeth all in all; at least more and beyond all other. The most grievous and ordinary evills are those, which fancy char∣geth vs withall. That Spanish saying doth every way please me: Deffienda me Dios de my. God defend me from my selfe. Being sicke, I am sory I have not some desire may give mee the con∣tentment to satiate and cloy the same: Scarsly would a medicine divert me from it, So doe I when I am in health: I hardly see any thing left to be hoped or wished-for. It is pittie a man should be so weakned and enlanguished, that hee hath nothing left him but wishing. The arte of Physicke is not so resolute, that whatsoever wee doe, wee shall bee void of all au∣thority to doe it. Shee changeth and shee varieth according to climates; according to the Moones; according to Fernelius; and according to Scala. If your Physitian thinke it not good that you sleepe, that you drinke wine, or eate such and such meates: Care not you for that; I will finde you another that shall not be of his opinion. The diversity of physicall ar∣guments and medicinall opinions, embraceth all manner of formes. I saw a miserable sicke man, for the infinite desire he had to recover, ready to burst, yea and to die with thirst; whom not long since another Physitian mocked, vtterly condemning the others counsell, as hurt∣full for him. Had not hee bestowed his labour well? A man of that coate is lately dead of the stone, who during the time of his sickenesse vsed extreame abstinence to withstand his evill; his fellowes affirme that contrary, his long fasting had withered and dried him vp, and so concocted the gravell in his kidnies. I have found, that in my hurts and other sickenesses, earnest talking distempers and hurts me as much as any disorder I commit. My voice costs me deare, and wearieth me; for I have it lowd, shrill and forced: So that, when I have had occasion to entertaine the eares of great men, about weighty affaires, I have often troubled them with care how to moderate my voice, This story deserveth to bee remembred and to divert me. A certaine man, in one of the Greeke schooles spake very lowde, as I doe; the maister of the ceremonies sent him word, hee should speake lower: let him (quoth he) send mee the tune or key in which he would have me speake. The other replied, that hee should take his tune from his eares to whom he spake. It was well sayd, so hee vnderstood himselfe: Speake according as you have to doe with your auditory. For if one say, let it suffice that he heareth you; or, governe your selfe by him: I do not thinke he had reason to say so. The tune or motion of the voyce, hath some expression or signification of my meaning: It is in me to direct the same, that so I may the better represent my selfe. There is a voyce to instruct one to flatter, and another to chide. I will not onely have my voyce come to him, but peradven∣ture to wound and pierce him. When I brawle and rate my lackey, with a sharpe and pier∣cing tune; were it fit he should come to me and say, Master speake softly, I vnderstand and heare you very well? Est quaedam vox ad auditum accomod••ta non magnitudine sed proprieta∣t••. There is a kinde of voyce well applied to the hearing, not by the greatnesse of it, but by the pro∣pri••tie. The word is halfe his that speakeh, and halfe his that harkoneth vnto it. The hea∣••er

ought to prepare himselfe to the motion or bound it taketh. As betweene those that play at tennis, he who keepes the hazard, doth prepare, stand, stirre and march, according as he perceives him who stands at the house, to looke, stand, remoove and strike the ball, and ac∣cording to the stroake. Experience hath also taught mee this, that wee lose our selves with impatience. Evills have their life, their limites; their diseases and their health, The constituti∣on of diseases is framed by the patterne of the constitution of living creatures. They have their fortune limited even at their birth, and their dayes allotted them. Hee that shall impe∣riously goe about, or by compulsion (contrary to their courses) to abridge them, doth leng∣then and multiply them; and instead of appealing, doth harsell and wring them. I am of Crantors opinion, that a man must neither obstinately nor frantikely oppose himselfe against evills; nor through demissenesse of courage faintingly yeeld vnto them, but according to their condition and ours, naturally incline to them. A man must give sickenesses their pas∣sage: And I finde that they stay least with mee, because I allow them their swinge, and let them doe what they list. And contrary to common-received rules, I have without ayde or arte r••dde my selfe of some, that are deemed the most obstinately lingring, and vnremoova∣bly-obstinate. Let nature worke: Let hir have hir will: Shee knoweth what snee hath to doe, and vnderstands hir selfe better then wee doe. But such a one died of it, will you say; So shall you doubtlesse; if not of that, yet of some other disease. And how many have wee seene die, when they have had a whole Colledge of Physitians round about their bed, and looking in their excrements? Example is a bright looking-glasse, vniversall and for all shapes to looke-into. If it be a lushious or taste-pleasing potion, take it hardly; it is ever so much pre∣sent ease. So it be delicious and sweetely tasting, I will never stand much vpon the name or colour of it. Pleasure is one of the chiefest kindes of profite. I have suffered rheumes, gowty defluxions, relaxions, pantings of the heart, megreimes and other such-like accidents, to grow old in me, and die their naturall death; all which have left me, when I halfe enured and framed my selfe to foster them. They are better conjured by curtesie, then by bragging or threats, We must gently obey and endure the lawes of our condition: We are subject to grow aged, to become weake and to fall sicke, in spight of all physicke. It is the first lesson the Mexicans give their children; When they come out of their mothers wombes, they thus salute them: My childe, thou art come into the world to suffer; Therefore suffer and hold thy peace. It is in∣justice for one to grieve, that any thing hath befallen to any one, which may happen to all men. Indignare si quid in te iniquè propriè constitutum est. Then take it ill, if any thing bee decreed vniustly against thee alone. Looke on an aged man, who sueth vnto God to maintaine him in perfect, full an vigrous health, that is to say, he will be pleased to make him yong againe:

Stulte quid haec frustra votis puerilibus opt as?* 2.52 Foole why dost thou in vaine desire, With childish prayers thus t'aspire?

Is it not folly? his condition will not beare it. The gowt, the stone, the gravell and indigesti∣on are symptomes or effects of long continued yeares; as heates, raines and windes, are in∣cident to long voyages. Plato cannot beleeve, that Aescu••apius troubled himselfe with good rules and diet to provide for the preservarion of life, in a weake, wasted and corrupted body: being vnprofitable for his country, inconvenient for his vocation. & vnfit to get sound and sturdy Children: and deeme not that care inconvenient vnto divine justice and heavenly Wisedome, which is to direct all things vnto profite. My good sir, the matter is at an end: You cannot be recovered; for the most, you can be but tampered withall, and somewhat vn∣der-propt, and for some houres have your misery prolonged.

Non secus instantem cupiens fulcire ruinam* 2.53 Diversis contrà nititur obicibus, Donec certa dies omni compage solutâ Ipsum cum rebus subruat auxilium. So he that would an instant ruine stay, With divers props strives it to vnderlay, Till all the frame dissolvd a certaine day, The props with th'edifice doth oversway.

A man must learne to endure that patiently, which he cannot avoyde conveniently. Our life is composed, as is the harmony of the World, of contrary things; so of divers tunes, some plea∣sant,

some harsh, some sharpe, some flat, some low and some high: What would that Mu••••ti∣tion say, that should love but some one of them? He ought to know how to vse them seve∣rally and how to entermingle them. So should we both of goods and evils, which are con∣substantiall to our life. Our being cannot subsist without this commixture. whereto one side is no lesse necessarie than the other. To goe about to kicke against naturall necessity, were to represent the folly of C••esiphon, who vndertooke to strike or wince with his ••ule. I consult but little about the alterations which I feele: For these kinde of men are advantagious, when they hold you at their mercy. They glut your eares with their Prognostications, and sur∣prising mee heretofore, when by my sickenesse I was brought very lowe and weake, they have injuriously handled me with their Doctrines, positions, prescriptions, magistrall fop∣peries and prosopopeyall gravity; sometimes threatning me with great paine and smart, and othertimes menacing me with neere and vnavoydable death: All which did indeede move, stirre and touch me neere, but could not dismay, or remoove mee from my place or resoluti∣on: If my judgement be thereby neither changed nor troubled, it was at least hindred: It is ever in agitation and combating. Now I entreate my imagination as gently as I can, and were it in my power I would cleane discharge it of all paine and contestation. A man must further, help, flatter and (if he can) cozen and deceive it. My spirit is fit for that office. There is no want of apparances every where. Did he perswade, as he preacheth, he should successe∣fully ayde me. Shall I give you an example? He tels me, it is for my good, that I am trou∣bled with the gravell: That the compositions of my age, must naturally suffer some leake or flaw: It is time they beginne to relent and gaine-say themselves: It is a common necessity: And it had beene no new wonder for mee. That way I pay the reward due vnto age, and I could have no better reckoning of it. That such company ought to comfort me, being fal∣len into the most ordinary accident incident to men of my dayes. I every where see some afflicted with the same kinde of evill; whosesociety is honourable vnto mee, forsomuch as it commonly possesseth the better sort of men: and whose essence hath a certaine nobility and dignity connexed vnto it: That of men tormented therewith, fewe are better cheape quit of it: and yet, it costs them the paine of a troublesome dyet, tedious regiment, and daily loath some taking of medicinall drugges and phisicall potions: Whereas I meerly owe it to my good fortune. For, some ordinary broths made of Eringos or Sea-Holme, and Burst∣wort, which twice or thrice I have swallowed downe, at the request of some Ladies, who more kindely then my disease is vnkind, offred me the moity of theirs, have equally seemed vnto mee as easie to take, as vnprofitable in operation. They must pay a thousand vowes vn∣to Aesculapius, and as many crownes to their Physition, for an easie profluvion or aboun∣dant running of gravell, which I often receive by the benefite of Nature. Let mee bee in any company, the decency of my countenance is thereby nothing troubled; and I can hold my water full tenne houres, and if neede bee, as long as any man that is in perfect health: The feare of this evill (saith hee) did heeretofore affright thee, when yet it was vnknowen to thee. The cries and despaire of those, who through their impatience exasperate the same; bred a horror of it in thee. It is an evill that comes and falles into those limmes, by, and with which thou hast most offended: Thou art a man of conscience:

Quae venit indignè paena, dolenda venit.* 2.54 The paine that comes without desart, Comes to vs with more griefe and smart.

Consider but how milde the punishment is, in respect of others, and how favourable. Con∣sider his slowenesse in comming: hee onely incommodeth that state and encombreth that season of thy life, which (all things considered) is now become barren and lost, having as it were by way of composition given place vnto the sensuall licenciousnesse and want on plea∣sures of thy youth. The feare and pitty, men have of this evil, may serve thee as a cause of glory. A quality, whereof, if thy judgement be purified and thy discourse perfectly sound, thy friends doe notwithstanding discover some sparkes in thy complexion. It is some plea∣••ure for a man to heare others say of him: Loe there a patterne of true fortitude; loe there a mir∣rour of matchlesse patience. Thou art seene to sweate with labour, to grow pale and wanne, to wax red, to quake and tremble, to cast and vomite blood, to endure strange contractions, to brooke convulsions, to trill downe brackish and great teares, to make thicke, muddie blacke, bloody and fearefull vrine, or to have it stopt by some sharpe or rugged stone, which

pricketh and cruelly wringeth the necke of the yarde: entertaining in the meane while the by-standers with an ordinary and vndanted countenance, by pawses jesting and by enter∣missions dallying with thy servants: keeping a parte in a continued discourse; with wordes now and then excusing thy griefe, and abating thy painefull sufferance. Dost thou remem∣ber those men of former ages, who to keep their vertue in breath and exercise, did with such greedinesse seeke after evills? Suppose Nature driveth and brings thee vnto that glorious Schoole, into which thou hadst never come of thine owne accord and freewill. If thou tel me, it is a dangerous and mortall evill,: what others are not so? For, it is a kinde of physicall cousenage, to except any, and so they goe directly vnto death: what matter is it, whether they goe by accident vnto it; and easily slide on either hand, toward the way that leadeth vs therevnto? But thou diest not because thou art sicke; thou diest because thou art living. Death is able to kill thee without the helpe of any sickenesse. Sickenesses have to some pro∣longed their death; who have lived the longer, inasmuch as they imagined they were still dying. Seeing it is of woundes, as of diseases, that some are medicinall and wholesome. The chollike is often no lesse long-lived than you. Many are seene, in whom it hath continued even from their infancy vnto their extreamest age, who had they not forsaken hir company; she was like to have assisted them further. You oftner kill her, than she doth you. And if she did present thee with the image of neer-imminent death, were it not a kinde office for a man of that age, to reduce it vnto the cogitations of his end? And which is woorse, thou hast no longer cause to be cured: Thus and howsoever, common necessity calles for thee against the first day. Consider but how artificially and how mildely she brings thee in distaste with life, and out of liking with the world; not forcing thee with a tyrannicall subjection, as infi∣nite other diseases doe, wherwith thou seest olde men possessed. which continually holde them fettered and ensnared, and without release of weakenesse nor intemission of paines but by advertisements and instructions, reprised by intervalles: entermixing certaine paw∣ses of rest, as if it were: to give thee meane, at thy ease, to meditate and repeate her lesson. To give thee leasure and ability to judge soundly, and like a man of a corage to take a resolu∣tion, shee presents thee with the state of thy condition perfect, both in good and evill, and in one same day, sometimes a most pleasing, sometimes a most intolerable life. If thou em∣brace not death, at least thou shakest her by the hand once a moneth. Whereby thou hast more cause to hope, that she will one day surprise thee without threatning. And that being so of∣ten brought into the haven; supposing to be still in thy accustomed state, one morning at vnawares, both thy selfe and thy confidence shall be transported over. A man hath no reason to complaine against those diseases, which so equally divide time with health. I am be∣holding to Fortune, that shee so often assailes mee with one same kinde of weapon: shee by long vse doth fashion and enure mee vnto it, harden and habituate mee therevnto: I now know within a little which way and how I shall bee quit. For want of naturall memory I frame some of paper. And when some new symptome or accident commeth to my evill, I set it downe in writing: whence it proceedeth, that having now (in a manner) passed over and through all sortes of examples, if any astonishment threaten mee; running and turning over these my loose memorialles (as Sybillaes leaves) Imisse no more to finde to comfort me with some favourable prognostication in my former past experience. Custome doth also serve mee, to hope the better heereafter. For, the conduct of this distribution, having so long beene constituted, it is to be supposed that Nature will not change this course, and no other worse accident shall follow, then that I feele. Moreover, the condition of this disease is not ill seeming to my ready and sodaine complexion. When it but faintly assailes mee, it makes mee afraid, because it is like to continue long: But naturally it hath certaine vigo∣rous and violent excesses. It doth violently shake me for one or two dayes. My reines have continued a whole age without alteration, an other is now well-nigh come, that they have changed state. Evilles as well as goods have their periodes: this accident is happily come to his last. Age weakeneth the heate of my stomacke: his digestion being thereby lesse per∣fect, heesendeth this crude matter to my reines. Why may not, at a certaine revolution, the heat of my reines be likewise infeobled: so that they may no longer petrifie my fleagme; and Nature addresse her selfe to finde some other course of purgation? Yeares have evident∣ly made me drie vp certaine rheumes: And why not these excrements, that minister matter to the stone or gravell? But is there any thing so pleasant, in respect of this sodaine change,

when by an extreame paine, I come by the voyding of my stone, to recover, as from a light∣ning, the faire Sunne-shine of health; so free and full, as it happeneth in our sodaine and most violent cholliks? Is there any thing in this paine suffered, that may be counterpoised to the sweete pleasure of so ready an amendment? By how much more health seemeth fairer vnto me after sickenes, so neere and so contiguous, that I may know them in presence one of another, in their richest ornaments; wherein they attyre themselves avy, as it were con∣front and counterchecke one another: Even as the Stoickessay, that Ʋices were profitablie brought in; to give esteeme and make head vnto vertue; So may we with better reason and bold conjecture, affirme, that Nature hath lent vs griefe and paine, for the honour of pleasure and service of indolency. When Socrates (after he had his yrons or fetters taken from him) felt the pleasure or tickling of that itching, which their weight and rubbing had caused in his legges; he rejoyced, to consider the neere affinity that was betweene paine and pleasure: how they combined together by a necessary bond; so that at turnes they enter-engender and succeede one an other: And cry out to good Aesope, that hee should from that consi∣deration have taken a proper body vnto a quaint fable. The worst I see in other deseases, is, that they are not so grievous in their effect, as in their issue. A man is whole yeare to reco∣ver himselfe; ever full of weakenesse, alwayes full of feare.

There is so much hazard and so many degrees before one can be brought to safety, that heee is never at an end. Before you can leave off your cover-chiefe and then your night∣cappe; before you can the ayre againe, or have leave to drinke Wine, or lye with your Wife, or eate melons, it is much, if you fall not into some relapse or new misery. The gravell hath this priviledge, that it is cleane carried away. Whereas other maladies, leave ever some impression and alteration, which leaveth the body susceptible or vndertaking of some new infirmity; and they lend one an other their hands. Such are to be excused, as are contented with the possession they have over vs, without extending the same, and without introducing their sequell: But courteous, kind and gracious are those, whose passage brings vs some profitable consequence. Since I have had the stone-chollike, I finde my selfe dis∣charged of other accidents: more (as me thinks) then I was before, and neuer had ague since. I argue, that the extreame and frequent vomites I endure, purge me; and on the o∣ther side, the distastes and strange abstinences I tolerate, disgest my offending humours: and Nature voydeth in these stones and gravell, whatsoeuer is superfluous and hurtefull in her. Let no man tell me, that it is a medicine too deere sold. For, what availe so many loathsome pills, stincking potions, cauterizings, incisions, sweatings, setons, dyets and so divers fashi∣ons of curing, which, because we are not able to vndergoe their violence and brooke their importunity, doe often bring vs vnto our graves? And therefore, when I am surprised, I take it as physicke: and when I am free, I take it as a constant and full deliverance. Lo here an other particular favour of my disease, which is, that he in a manner, keepes his play a-part, and let's mee keepe mine owne; or else I want but courage to doe it: In his greatest emotion, I have held out tenne houres on Horse-backe with him. Doe but endure, you neede no o∣ther rule or regiment: Play, dally, dyne, runne, be gamesome, doe this, and if you can, doe the other thing, your disorder and debauching will rather availe than hurt it. Say thus much to one that hath the pox, or to one that hath the gowt, or to one that is belly-broken or cod∣burst. Other infirmites have more vniversall bonds, torment farre-otherwise our actions, pervert al our order, and engage all the state of mans life vnto their consideration: Whereas this doth only twitch and pinch the skinne, it neither medleth with your vnderstanding, nor with your will, tongue, feete nor hands, but leaves them all in your disposition; it rather rou∣zeth and awaketh you, then deterre and drouzie you. The mind is wounded by the burning of a feaver suppressed by an Epilepsie, confounded by a migrane, and in conclusion, astoni∣ed and dismayed by all the diseases that touch or wound the whole masse of his body, and it's noblest partes: This never medleth with it. If therefore it go ill with it, his be the blame: she bewrayeth, she forsaketh and she displaceth herselfe. None but fools will be perswaded, that this hard, gretty and massie body, which is concocted and petrified in our kidneis, may be dissolved by drinks. And therefore after it is stirred, there is no way, but to give it pas∣sage▪ For if you doe not, he will take it himselfe. This other peculiar commodity I obserue, that it is an infirmity, wherein we haue but little to divine. We are dispensed from the trou∣ble, whereinto other maladies cast vs, by the vncertainty of their causes, conditions and pro∣gresses.

A trouble infinitly painfull. We have no neede of doctorall consultations, or colle∣giall interpretations. Our senses tell vs where it is, and what it is. By, and with such arguments, forcible or weake (as Cicero doth the infirmity of his old-age) I endevour to lull asleepe, and study to ammuse my imagination, and supple or annoynt her sores. If they growe worse to morrow; to morrow we shall provide for new remedies or escapes. That this is true: loe af∣terward againe, happly the lightèst motion wrings pure blood out of my reines. And what of that? I omitte not to stirre as before, and with a youthfull and insolent heate ride after my hound. And find that I haue great reason of so important an accident, which costs me but a deafe heavinesse and dombe alteration in that parte. It is some great stone that wasteth and consumeth the substance of my kidneis and my life, which I avoyde by little and little: not without some natural pleasure, as an excrement now superfluous and troublesome. And feele I something to shake? Except not that I ammuse my selfe to feele my pulse or looke into my vrine, thereby to finde or take some tedious prevention. I shall come time enough to feele the smart, without lengthening the same with the paine of feare. Who feareth to suffer, suffereth already, because he feareth.

Seeing the doubt and ignorance of those, who will and do meddle with expounding the drifts and shifts of nature, with her internall progresse; and so many false prognostications of their arte should make vs vnderstand her meanes infinitly vnknowen. There is great vncertainty, variety and obscurity, in that shee promiseth and menaceth vs. Except old∣age, which is an vndoubted signe, of deaths approching: of all other accidents, I see few signes of future things, whereon we may ground our divination. I onely judge my selfe by true-feeling sense and not by discourse: To what end? since I will adde nothing therunto except attention and patience. Will you know what I gaine by it? Behold those who doe otherwise, and who depend on so many diverse perswasions and counselles; how oft ima∣gination presseth them without the body. I have diverse times being in safety and free from all dangerous accidents, taken pleasure to communicate them vnto Phisitions, as but then comming vpon me. I endured the arrest or doome of their horrible conclusions, and remai∣ned so much the more bounden vnto God for his grace, and better instructed of the vanity of this arte. Nothing ought so much be recommended vnto youth, as activitie and vigilancie. Our life is nothing but motion, I am hardly shaken, and am slow in all things, bee it to rise, to goe to bed, or to my meales. Seaven of the clocke in the morning is to me an early houre: And where I may commaund, I neither dine before eleven, norsup till after six. I have heretofore imputed the cause of agues or maladies, whereinto I have falne, to the lumpish heavinesse or drowzy dulnesse, which my long sleeping had caused me. And ever repented mee to fall a∣sleepe againe in the morning. Plato condemnes more the excesse of sleeping, then the sur∣fet of drinking. I love to lie hard and alone, yea and without a woman by me: after the king∣ly manner: some what well and warme covered. I never have my bed warmed; but since I came to be an old man, if neede require, I have clothes given me to warme my feete my sto∣macke. Great Scipio was taxed to bee a sluggard or heavy sleeper (in my conceit) for no o∣other cause, but that men were offended, hee onely should bee the man, in whom no faulte might justly bee found. If there be any curiosity in my behaviour or manner of life, it is ra∣ther about my going to bed, then any thing else; but if neede bee, I generally yeeld and ac∣commodate my selfe vnto necessity, as well and as quietly, and any other whosoever. Slee∣ping hath possessed a great parte of my life: and as old as I am, I can sleepe eight or nine houres together. I doe with profit withdraw my selfe from this sluggish propension, and e∣vidently finde my selfe better by it. Indeede I somewhat feele the stroke of alteration, but in three dayes it is past. And I see few that live with lesse (when neede is) and that more con∣stantly exercise themselves, nor whom toyling and labour offend lesse. My body is capable of a firme agitation, so it be not vehement and sodaine. I avoide violent exercises, and which induce mee to sweate: my limbs will sooner be wearied, then heated. I can stand a whole day long, and am seldome weary with walking. Since my first age, I ever loved rather to ride then walke vpon paved streetes. Going a foote, I shall durty my selfe vp to the waste: and little men, going alongst our streetes, are subject (for want of presentiall apparence) to be justled or elbowed. I love to take my rest, bee it sitting or lying-along, with my legs as high or higher then my seate. No profession or occupation is more pleasing then the milita∣ry; A profession or exercise, both noble in execution (for, the strongest, most generous and prow∣dest

of all vertues, is true valour) and noble in it's cause. No vtilitie, is either more just or vniversall then the protection of the repose, or defence of the greatnesse of ones country, The company and dayly conversation of so many noble, young and active men, cannot but be well-pleasing to you: the dayly and ordinary sight of so diverse tragicall spectacles: the libertie and vncontroled freedome of that artelesse and vnaffected conversation, masculine and ceremonilesse maner of life: the hourely variety of a thousand ever changing and diffe∣ring actions: the couragious and minde stirring harmonie of warlike musike, which at once entertaineth with delight and enflameth with longing, both your eares and your minde: the iminent and matchlesse honour of that exercise: yea the very sharpenesse and difficulty of it, which Plato esteemeth so little, that in his imaginary commonwealth, he imparteth the same both to women and to children. As a voluntary Souldier, or adventurous knight you enter the lists, the bands or particular hazards, according as your selfe judge of their successes or importance: and you see when your life may therein be excusably employed,

pulchrúmque morisuccurrit in armis.* 2.55 And nobly it doth come in minde, To die in armes may honor finde.

Basely to feare common dangers, that concerneso numberlesse a multitude, and not to dare, whatso many sortes of men dare, yea whole nations together, is onely incident to base, craven and milke-sop-hearts. Company and good fellowship doth harten and encourage children. If some chance to exceede and outgoe you in knowledge, in experience, in grace, in strength, in fortune, you have third and collateral causes to blame and take hold-of; but to yeeld to them in constancie of minde, and resolution of courage, you have none but yourselfe to find fault with. Death is much more abiect, languishing, grisly and painefull in a downe-bed, then in a field-combate; and agues, catarres or apoplexies, as painefull and mortall, as an harquebusado. He that should be made vndantedly to beare the accidents of common life, should not neede to bumbast his courage, to become a man at armes. Ʋivere, mi Lucilli, milis are est. Friend mine,* 2.56 to live is to goe onwarre-fare. I can not remember that ever I was scabbed: yet is itching one of natures sweetest gratifications, and as readie at hand. But repentance doth over-im∣portunately attend on it. I exercise the same in mine eares (and by fits) which within doe of∣ten itch. I was borne with all my senses sound, almost in perfection. My stomake is com∣modiously good; and so is my head: both which, together with my winde, maintaine them selves athwart my agues. I have outlived that age, to which some nations have not without some reason prescribed for a just end vnto life, that they allowed not a man to exceede the same. I have notwithstanding some remyses or intermissions yet: though vnconstant and short, so sound and neate, that there is little difference betweene them and the health and in∣dolencie of my youth. I speake not of youthly vigor and chearefull blithnesse; there is no∣reason they should follow mee beyond their limites:

Non haec amplius est liminis, aut aquae* 2.57 Coelestis, patiens latus. These sides cannot still sustaine, Lying without dores, showring raine.

My visage and eyes doe presently discover me. Thence beginne all my changes, and some∣what sharper then they are in effect. I often moove my friends to pitty, ere I feele the cause of it. My looking glasse doth not amaze me: for even in my youth it hath diverse times be∣falne me, so to put-on a duskie looke, a wanne colour, a troubled behaviour and of ill pre∣sage, without any great accident; so that Phisitions perceiving no inward cause to answer this outward alteration, ascribed the same to the secret minde or some concealed passion, which inwardly gnawed and consumed mee. They were deceived, were my body directly by mee, as is my minde, we should march a little more at our ease. I had it then, not onely exempted from all trouble, but also full of satisfaction and blithenesse, as it is most commonly, partly by it's owne complexion, and partly by it's owne desseigne:

Nec vitiant art us aegrae contagia mentis.* 2.58 Nor doth sicke mindes infection, Pollute strong joynts complexion.

I am of opinion, that this her temperature hath often raised my body from his fallings: he is often suppressed, whereas she, if not lasciviously wanton, at least in quiet and reposed

estate. I had a quartan ague which held me foure or five moneths, and had altogether dis∣visaged and altered my countenance, yet my minde held ever out, not onely peaceably but pleasantly. So I feele no paine ot smarte; weaknesse and languishing doe not greatly per∣plex me. I see divers corporall defailances, the only naming of which breede a kind of hor∣ror, and which I would feare lesse then a thousand passions and agitations of the mind, which I see in vse. I resolve to runne no more: it sufficeth me to goe-on faire and softly; nor doe I complaine of their naturall decadence or empairing that possesseth me,

Quis tumidum guttur miratur in Alpibus?* 2.59 Who wonders a swolne throate to see, In those about the Alpes that be?

No more, then I grieve that my continuance is not as long and sound, as that of an oske. I have no cause to finde fault with my imagination. I have in my life had very few thoughts or cares, that have so much as interrupted the course of my sleepe, except of desire, to awa∣ken without dismay or afflicting me. I seldome dreame, and when I doe, it is of extravagant things and chymeras; commonly produced of pleasant conceits, rather ridiculous then sor∣rowfull. And thinke it true, that dreames are the true interpretors of our inclinations: but great skill is required to sort and vnderstand them.

Res quae in vit a vsurpant homines, cogitant, curant, vident, Quae{que} agunt vigilantes, agitánt que ea sicut insomno accidunt Minus mirandum est. It is no wonder if the things, which we Care-for, vse, thinke, doe oft, or waking see. Vnto vs sleeping represented be.

Plato saith moreover, that is the office of wisedome to draw divining instructions from them, against future times. Wherein I see nothing but the wonderfull experience, that So∣crates, Xenophon and Aristotle relate of them: men of vnreproovable authority. Histories reporte, that the inhabitants of the Atlantique Iles never dreame: who feede on nothing that hath beene slaine. Which I adde, because it is peradventure the occasion the dreame not. Pythagoras ordained therefore a certaine methode of feeding, that dreames might bee sorted of some purpose. Mine are tender, and cause no agitation of body or expression of voice in mee. I have in my dayes seene many strangely stirred with them. Theon the Philo∣sopher walked in dreaming; and Pericles his boy went vpon the tiles and top of houses. I stand not much on nice choice of meates at the table: and commonly beginne with the first and neerest dish: and leape not willingly from one taste to another. Multitude of dishes, and varietie of services displease mee as much as any other throng. I am easily pleased with few messes and hate the opinion of Favorinus, that at a banquet you must have that dish whereon you feede hungerly taken from you, and ever have a new one set in the place: And that it is a niggardly supper, if all the guests be not glutted with pinions and rumps of divers kindes of fowle: and that onely the daintie bird heccafico or snapfig deserveth to bee eaten whole at one morsell. I feede much vpon salte cates and love to have my bread somewhat fresh: And mine own Baker makes none other for my bord; against the fashion of my coun∣trie. In my youth, my overseers had much adoe to reforme the refusall I made of such meats as youth doth commonly love best, as sweete-meates, confets and marchpanes. My Tutor was wont to finde great fault with my lothing of such dainties, as a kinde of squeamish delica∣cie. And to say truth, it is nothing but a difficultie of taste, where it once is applied. Whoso∣ever remooveth from a childe a certaine particular or obstinate affection to browne bread, to bakon, or to garlike, taketh friandize from him. There are some, that make it a labour, and thinke it a patience to regret a good piece of powdred beefe, or a good gammon of ba∣kon, amongst partridges. Are not they wise men in the meane time? It is the chiefe daintie of all dainties: It is the taste of nice effeminate fortune, that will bee distasted with ordinarie and vsuall things. Per quae luxuria divitiarum taedio ludit. Whereby the lavistinesse of plentie; playes with tedious pleasure. To forbeare to make good cheare, because another doth it; for one to have care of his feeding, is the essence of that vice.

Si modica caenare times olus omne patella.* 2.60 If in a sorry dish to sup You brooke not all th'hearbe pottage vp.

Indeede there is this difference, that it is better for one to tye his desires vnto things easi∣est to be gotten, yet is it a vice to tie himselfe to any stricktnesse. I was heeretofore wont to name a kinsman of mine over delicate, because, whilest hee lived in our Gallies, hee had vn∣learn't and left to lie vpon a bedde, and to strippe himselfe to goe to bedde. Had I any male∣children, I should willingly wish them my fortune. That good Father, it pleased God to al∣lot me (who hath nothing of mee but thankefulnesse for his goodnesse, which indeed, is as great as great may be) even from my cradle sent mee to be brough-vp in a poore village of his, where he kept me so long as I suckt, and somewhat longer: breeding mee after the mea∣nest and simplest-common fashion: Magna pars libertatis est benè moratus venter. A man∣nerly* 2.61 belly is a great part of a mans libertie. Never take vnto your selfe, and much lesse never give your wives the charge of your childrens breeding or education. Let fortune frame them vnder the popular and naturall Lawes: Let custome enure them to frugality, and breed them to hardnesse: That they may rather descend from sharpenesse, than ascend vnto it: His conceipt aymed also at another end; To acquaint and re-aly me, with that people and con∣dition of men that have most neede of vs: And thought I was rather bound to respect those which extend their armes vnto me, than such as turne their backe toward me. And that was the reason he chose no other gossips to hold me at the so••, than men of abject and base for∣tune, that so I might the more be bound and tied vnto them. His purpose hath not altoge∣her succeded ill. I willingly give and accost my selfe vnto the meaner sort; whether it bee because there is more glorie gotten by them, or through some naturall compassion, which in me is infinitely powerfull. The faction which I condemne in our ciuill warres, I shall more sharpely condemne when it prospers and flourisheth. I shall in some sort be reconciled vn∣to it, when I see it miserably-depressed and over whelmed. Oh how willingly doe I remem∣ber that worthy humour of Chelonis, daughter and wife to Kings of Sparta. Whilest Cle∣ombrotus hir husband, in the tumultuous disorders of his Citty, had the vpper hand of Leo∣nidas her father, shee played the part of a good daughter: alliyng her selfe with her father, in his exile and in his misery, mainely opposing hir selfe against the Conquerour: Did for∣tune turne? So chaunged she hir minde, couragionsly taking hir husbands part: Whom she never forsooke, whether-soever his ruine or distresse carryed him. Having (in my seeming) no other choise, than to follow that side, where shee might doe most good, where shee was most wanted, and where she might shew her selfe most truely pittifull. I doe more naturally encline toward the example of Flamineus, who more and rather yeelded to such as had neede of him, than to those who might doe him good: than I bend vnto that of Pyrrhus, who was ever wont, demissely to stoope and yeeld to the mighty, and insolently to grow proud over the weake. Long sitting at meales doth much weary and distemper mee: for, be it for want of better countenance and entertainment, or that I vsed my selfe vnto it when I was a child, I seede as long as I sitte at the table. And therefore, being in mine owne house, though my board be but short, and that wee vse not to sit long, I doe not commonly sit downe with the first, but a pretty while after others: According to the forme of Augustus: yet I imitate him not in his rising before others. Contrary, I love to sit a great while after, and to heare some discourse or table-talke. Alwayes provided I beare not a part my selfe, for, if my belly bee full, I shall soone bee weary, and hurt my selfe with talking: and I finde the exercise of lowde-speaking and contesting before meate very pleasant and wholesome. The aunci∣ent Graecians and Romanes had better reason than wee, allotting vnto feeding, which is a principall action of mans life (if any other extraordinary businesse did not let or divert them from it) divers houres, and the best part of the night: eating and drinking more leisurely than we doe, who passe and runne over all our actions in post-haste: and extending this naturall pleasure vnto more leisure and vse: entermixing therwith divers profitable and mind-plea∣sing offices of civill conversation. Such as have care of me, may easily steale from me what soever they imagine may be hurtfull for me: inasmuch as about my feeding, I never desire or find fault with that I see not: That Proverb is verified in me; What eye seeth not, the heart rueth not. But if a dish or any thing else be once set before me, they loose their labour, that go∣about to tell me of abstinence: so that, when I am disposed to fast I must be sequestred from eaters, and have no more set before me, than may serue for a stinted and regular collation: for if I but ••itte downe at a sett table, I forget my resolution. If I chance to bidde my cooke change the dressing of some kinde of meate or dish, all my men know, I inferre my appetite

is wallowish and my stomacke out of ordeer, and I shall hardly touch it. I love all manner of flesh or sowle but greene rosted and rawe sodden, namely, such as may beare it without dan∣ger; and love to have them throughly mortified; and in divers of them the very alterati∣on of their smell. Onely hardnesse or toughnesse of meate doth generally molest me (of all other qualities. I am as carelesse, and can as well brooke them, as any man that ever I knew) so that (contrary to received opinion) even amongst fishes, I shall finde some, both too new and over-hard and firme, It is not the fault or want of teeth, which I ever had as perfectly-sound and compleate as any other man: and which but now, being so olde, beginne to threaten mee. I have from my infancie learnd to rubbe them with my napkin, both in the morning when I rise, and sitting downe and rising from the table. God doth them a grace, from whom by little and little he doth substract their life. It is the onely benefite of old age. Their last death shall be so much the lesse full, languishing and painefull: it shall then kill but one halfe or quarter of a man. Even now I lost one of my teeth, which of it selfe fell out, without strugling or paine: it was the naturall terme of it's continuance. That part of my being, with diuerse others, are already dead and mortified in mee, others of the most active, halfe dead, and which, during the vigor of my age held the first ranke. Thus I sinke and scape from my selfe. What foolishnes will it be in my vnderstanding, to feele the start of that fall, already so advaunced, as if it were perfectly whole? I hope it not; verely I receive a speciall comfort in thinking on my death, and that it shall be of the most just and natural: and cannot now require or hope other favor of destinie, concerning that, then vn∣lawfull. Men perswade themselves, that as heretofore they have had a higher stature, so their lives were longer; But they are deceived: for Solon, of those ancient times, though he were of an exceeding high stature, his life continued but 70. yeeres. Shal I, that have so much & so vni∣versally adored, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a meane is best, of former times; and have ever taken a meane measure for the most perfect, therefore pretend a most prodigious and vnmeasurable life? whatsoever commeth contrary to Natures course, may be combersome, but what comes ac∣cording to her, should ever please. Omnia quae secundum naturam fiunt, sunt habenda in bonis. All things are to be accompted good, that are donne according to nature. And therefore (saith Plato) is that death violent, which is caused either by woundes or sicknesses; but that of all others the easiest and in some sort delitious, which surprizeth vs by meanes of age. Ʋitam adoles∣centibus vis aufert, senibus maturitas. A forcible violence takes their life from the yoong, but a ripe maturitie from the old. Death entermedleth, and every where confounds it selfe with our life: declination doth preoccupate her houre, and insinuate it selfe in the very course of our advauncement: I have pictures of mine owne, that were drawne when I was five and twenty, and others being thirty yeeres of age, which I often compare with such as were made by mee, as I am now at this instant. How many times doe I say, I am no more my selfe; how much is my present image further from those, then from that of my decease? It is an o∣ver-great abuse vnto nature to dragge and hurry her so farre, that shee must bee forced to give vs over; and abandon our conduct, our eyes, our teeth, our legges and the rest, to the mercy of a forraine help and begged assistance: and to put our selves into the hands of arte, wearie to followe vs. I am not overmuch or greedily desirous of sallets or of fruites, except melons. My father hated all manner of sawces; I love them all. Overmuch eating doeth hurt and distemper me: but for the qualitie I have yet no certaine knowledge that any meate offends me: I never observe either a full or wained Moone, nor make a difference betweene the Spring time or Autumne. There are certaine inconstant and vnknowne motions in vs. For (by way of example) I have heeretofore found redish-rootes to be very good for mee, then very hurtfull, and now againe very well agreeing with my stomacke. In diverse other things, I feele my appetite to change, and my stomacke to diversifie from time to time. I have altred my course of drinking, sometimes from white to claret wine, and then from claret to white againe.

I am very friand and gluttonous of fish; and keepe my shroving dayes vpon fish dayes; and my seasts vpon fasting-dayes. I believe as some others doe, that fish is of lighter disge∣stion than flesh. As I make it a conscience to eate flesh vpon a fish day, so doth my taste to eate fish and flesh together. The diversity betweene them, seemes to mee over-distant. Even from my youth I was wont now and then to steale some repast, either that I might sharpen my stomake against the next day; for, (as Epicurus was wont to fast, and made but sparing

meales, thereby to accustome his voluptuousnesse, to neglect plenty: I, contrarie to him to enure my sensualitie to speede the better, and more merrily to make vse of plentie) or else I fasted, the better to maintaine my vigor for the service or performaunce of some bodily or mentall action: for both are strangely dulled and ideled •••• me, through over-much fulnesse and repleatenesse. (And above all, I hate that foolish combination, of so sound and buck∣some a Goddesse, with that indigested and belching God all puffed with the ••ume of his li∣quor) or to recover my crazed stomake, or because I wanted some good companie. And I say as Epicuria said, that A man should not so much respect▪ what he eateth, as with whom hee ea∣teth. And commend Chilon; that he would not promise to come to Periander's feast, be∣fore he knew certainely who were the other bidden g••••sts. No viends are so sweetely plea∣sing, nor no sauce so tastefull, as that which is drawne from conversable and mutuall societie. I thinke it wholesome to eate more leisurely, and lesse in quantity, and to feede oftner: But I will have appetite and hunger to be endeared: I should finde no pleasure, after a phisicall maner, to swallow three or foure forced and spare meales a day. Who can assure me, if I have a good taste or stomake in the morning, that I shall have it againe at supper? Let vs old men; let vs, I say, take the first convenient time that commeth: Let vs leave hopes and prognostikes vnto Almanacke-makers. The extreame fruite of my health, is pleasure: Let vs hold fast on the present, and to vs knowne. I eschew constancie in these Lawes of fasting. Who so will have a forme to serue him, let him avoyd continuance of it: but wee harden our selves vnto it, and therevnto wholy apply our forces: sixe moneths after, you shall finde your sto∣make so enured vnto it, that you shall have gotten nothing but this, to have lost the liberty to vse it otherwise without domage. I vse to goe with my legges and thighs no more cove∣red in Sommer than in Winter; for I never weare but one paire of single like-stockins. For the easing of my rheume and helpe of my chollike, I have of late vsed to keepe my head and belly warme. My infirmities did in few dayes habituate themselves thereunto, and disdai∣ned my ordinary provisions. From a single night-cappe, I came to a double coverchef, and from a bonnet, to a lined and quilted hat. The bum basting of my doublet, serves me now for no more vse then a stomacher: it is a thing of nothing, vnlesse I adde a hare or a vultures skin to it; and some warme wrapping about my head. Follow this gradation and you shall goe a faire pace, I will do no such thing. If I durst I could find in my hare to revoke the beginning I have given vnto it. Fall you into any new inconvenience? This reformation will no longer availe you. You are so accustomed vnto it, that you are driven to seeke some new one. So are they overthrowne, that suffer themselves with forced formalities or strict rules, to be in∣tangled, and do supersticiously constraine themselves vnto them: they have neede of more, and of more after that: they never come to an end. It is much more commodious both for our businesse and for our pleasure (as did our forefathers) to loose our dinner, and deferre making of good cheere, vnto the houre of withdrawing and of rest, without interrupting the day: So was I wont to doe heretofore. I have for my health found out since by expe∣rience, that on the contrary, it is better to dine, and that one shall digest better being awake. Whether I be in health or in sickenesse, I am not much subject to be thirsty: indeede my mouth is somewhat dry, but without thirst. And commonly I vse not to drinke, but when with eating I am forced to desire it, and that is when I have eaten well. For a man of an or∣dinary stature I drinke indifferent much. In Sommer, and at an hungry meale, I not onely exceede the limites of Augustus, who drunke but precisely three times: but, not to offend the rule of Democritus, who forbade vs to stay at foure, as an vnlucky number; if need be, I come to five: Three demisextiers, or there abouts. I like little glasses best; and I love to empty my glasse: which some others dislike, as a thing vnseemely. Sometimes, and that very often, I temper my wine one halfe, and many times three partes with water. And when I am in mine owne house, from an antient custome, which my fathers phisitian ordained both for him, and himselfe, looke what quantity of Wine is thought will serve mee a meale, the same is commonly tempered two or three houres before it be served in, and so kept in the seller. It is reported, that Cranaus King of the Athenians, was the first, that invented the mingling of Wine with Water. Whether it were profitable or no, I will not now dispute or stand vpon. I thinke it more decent and more wholesome, that children should drinke no Wine, vntill they be past the age of sixteene or eighteene yeares. The most vsuall and common forme of life, is the best: Each particularity, doth in mine opinion impugne it. And I should as much de∣test a Germane, that should put Water in his Wine, as a French-man, that should drinke it

pure. Publike custome giveth Law vnto such things. I feare a foggy and thicke ayre, and ••hunne smoke more than death; (the first thing I began to repaire when I came to be maister of mine owne house, was the chimnies and privies, which, in most of our buildings, is a ge∣nerall and intolerable fault) and mischiefs and difficulties attending on Warre, there is none I hate more, than in hot-sweltring wether, to ride vp and downe all the day-long in smokie dust, as many times our Souldiers are faine to doe. I have a free and easie respirati∣on, and doe most commonly passeover my murres and colds without offence to my lungs, or without coughing. The soultry heate of sommer is more offensive to me, than the sharp∣nesse of Winter: for, Besides the incommodity of heate, which is lesse to bee remedied, than the inconvenience of cold; and besides the force of the Sunnes beames, which strike in∣to the head, mine eyes are much offended with any kinde of glittring or sparkling light; so that I cannot well sit at dinner over against a cleare-burning fire. To allay or dim the white∣nesse of paper, when I was most given to reading, I was wont to lay a piece of greene glasse vpon my booke, and was thereby much eased. Hitherto I never vsed spectakles, nor know not what they meane; and can yet see as farre as ever I could, and as any other man; true it is, that when night comes, I begin to perceive a dimnes and weakenesse in reading; the continual exercise whereof, and specially by night, was ever somewhat troublesome vnto mine eyes. Loe-heere a steppe-backe, and that very sensible. I shall recoyle no more, from a second to a third, and from a third to a fourth, so gently, that before I feele the declination and age of my sight, I must bee starke blinde. So artificiall doe the Fates vntwist our lives-threede. Yet am I in doubt, that my hearing is about to become thicke: and you shall see, that I shal have lost it halfe, when yet I shall finde fault with their voyces that speake vnto mee. The minde must be strained to a high pitch, to make it perceiue howe it declineth. My going is yet very nimble, quicke and stout; and I wot not which of the twoo I can more hardly staie at one instant, eyther my minde or my body. I must like that preacher wel, that can tie mine attention to a whole sermon. In places of ceremonies, where every man doth so nicely stand vpon countenance, where I have seene Ladies hold their eyes so steady, I could never so hold out, but some part of mine would ever be gadding: although I be sitting there, I am not well setled. As Chrysippus the Phylosophers chamber-maide, saide of hir Master, that he was never drunke but in his legges; for whersoever he sate, he was ever accustomed to bee wagging with them: and this she saide at what time store of Wine had made his compani∣ons cuppe-shotten, and yet he felt no alteration but continued sober in minde. It might like∣wise have beene saide of mee, that even from mine infancie, I had either folly or quicke-sil∣ver in my feete, so much stirring and naturall inconstancy have I in them, where ever I place them. It is vnmannerlinesse, and prejudiciall vnto health, yea and to pleasure also, to feede grosely and greedily, as I doe. I shall sometimes through haste bite my tongue and fingers ends. Diogenes meeting with a childe, that did eate so, gave his tutor a whirret on the eare. There were men in Rome, that as others teach youth to go with a good grace, so they taught men to chew, with decency, I doe sometimes loose the leisure to speake, which is so pleasing an entertainment at the table, provided they be discourses short, witty and pleasant. There is a kinde of jelosie and envy betweene our pleasures, and they often shocke and hinder one an other. Alcibiades, a man very exquisitely-skilfull in making good cheere, inhibited all manner of musicke at tables, because it should not hinder the delight of discourses, for the reason which Plato affords him: that it is a custome of populare or base men to call for minstrels or singers at feasts, and an argument, they want witty or good discourses, and plea∣sing entertainement, wherewith men of conceipt and vnderstanding knowe how to enter∣feast and entertaine themselves. Ʋarro requireth this at a bancket: an assemblie of persons, faire, goodly and handsome of presence, affable and delightfull in conversation, which must not be dumbe nor dull, sullaine nor slovenly: cleanlinesse and neatnesse in meates: and faire wether. A good minde-pleasing table-entertainement, is not a little voluptuous feast, nor a meanly artificiall banquet. Neither great or sterne commaunders in Warres, nor famous or strict Philosophers have disdained the vse or knowledge of it. My imagination hath bequea∣thed three of them to the keeping of my memorie, onely which▪ fortune did at several times, yeeld exceedingly delightsome vnto me. My present state doth now exclude me from them. For, every one, according to the good temper of body or mind, wherein he findes himselfe, addeth either principall grace or taste vnto them. My selfe, who but grovell on the ground, hate that kinde of inhumane wisedome, which would make vs disdainefull and enemies of

the bodies reformation. I deeme it an equall injustice, either to take naturall sensualities a∣gainst the hart, or to take them too neere the hart. Xerxes was a ninny-hammer, who en∣wrapped and given to all humane voluptuousnesse, proposed rewards for those, that should devise such as he had never heard-of. And he is not much behinde him in sottishnesse, that goes about to abridge those, which nature hath divised for him. One should neither follow nor avoyde them: but receiue them. I receive them somewhat more amply and graciously, and rather am contented to follow naturall inclination. We neede not exaggerate their ina∣nity: it will sufficiently be felt, and doth sufficiently produce it selfe. Godamercy our weake, crazed and joy-diminishing spirit, which makes vs distaste both them and himselfe. Hee treateth both himself and whatsoever he receiveth sometimes forward and othertimes backe∣ward, according as himself is either insaciate, vagabond, newfangled or variable.

Sincerum est nisi vas, quod cún{que} infundis, accescit.* 2.62 In no sweet vessell all you poure, In such a vessell soone will sowre.

My selfe, who brag so curiously to embrace and particularly to allow the commodities of life; whensoever I looke precisely into it. I finde nothing therein but winde. But what? we are nothing but winde. And the very winde also, more wisely then we, loveth to bluster and to bee in agitation: And is pleased with his owne offices: without desiring stability or solidity; qualities that be not his owne. The meere pleasures of imagination, as well as dis pleasure (say some) are the greatest: as the ballance of Critolaüs did expresse. It is no won∣der, shee composeth them at hir pleasure, and cuts them out of the whole cloth. I see dayly some notable presidents of it, and peradventure to be desired. But I, that am of a commixt condition, homely and plaine, cannot so throughly bite on that onely and so simple object: but shall grosely and carelesly give my selfe over to the present delights, of the generall and humane law. Intellectualy sensible, and sensiby-intellectuall. The Cyrenaique Philosophers are of opihion, that as griefes, so corporal pleasures are more powerfull; and as double, so, more just. There are some (as Aristotle saith) who with a savage kinde of stupidity, will seeme distastefull or squemish of them. Some others I knowe, that doe it out of ambition. Why renounce they not also breathing? why live they not of their owne, and refuse light, be∣cause it commeth of gratuitie; and costs them neither invention nor vigor? That Mars, or Pallas, or Mercurie, should nourish them to see, insteade of Ceres, Ʋenus, or Bacchus. Will they not seeke for the quadrature of the circle, even vpon their wives? I hate that we should be commanded to have our minds in the clowds, whilst our bodies are sitting at the table: yet would I not have the minde to be fastned thereunto, nor wallow vpon it, nor lie along theron, but to applie it selfe and sit at it. Aristippus defended but the body, as if wee had no soule: Zeno embraced but the soule, as if wee had no body. Both viciously, Pythagoras (say they) hath followed a Philosophie, all in contemplation: Socrates altogether in maners and in action: Plato hath found a mediocritie betweene both. But they say so by way of discourse. For, the true temperature is found in Socrates; & Plato is more Socraticall then Pythagorica••, and it becomes him best. When I dance, I dance; and when I sleepe, I sleepe. And when I am solitarie walking in a faire orchard, if my thoughts have a while entertained themselves with strange occurrences, I doe another while bring them to walke with mee in the orchard, and to be partakers of the pleasure of that solitarinesse and of my selfe. Nature hath like a kinde mother observed this, that such actions as shee for our necessityes hath enjoyned vnto vs, should also be voluptuous vnto vs. And doth not onely by reason but also by appetite en∣vite vs vnto them: it were injustice to corrupt her rules. When I behold Caesar and Alexan∣der in the thickest of their wondrous great labours, so absolutely to enjoy humane and cor∣porall pleasures, I say not, that they release thereby their minde, but rather strengthen the same; submitting by vigor of courage their violent occupation, and laborious thoughts to the customary vse of ordinary life. Wise had they beene, had they beleeved, that that was their ordinary vocation, and this their extraordinary. What egregious fooles are we •• Hee hath past his life in idlenesse, say we; alasse I have done nothing this day. What? have you not lived? It is not onely the fundamentall, but the noblest of your occupation. Had I beene placed or thought fit for the managing of great affaires, I would have shewed what I could have performed. Have you knowen how to meditate and manage your life? you have accomplished the greatest worke of all. For a man to shew and exploite himselfe, nature hath no neede of fortune, shee equally shewes herselfe vpon all grounds, in all sutes, before and behinde, as it

were without curtines, welt or guarde. Have you knowen how to compose your manners? you have done more than hee who hath composed bookes. Have you knowen how to take rest? you have done more then he, who hath taken Empires and Citties. The glorious maister piece of man, is, to live to the purpose. All other things, as to raigne, to governe, to hoard vp treasure, to thrive and to build, are for the most part but appendixes and supportes thereunto. It is to mee a great pleasure, to see a Generall of an armie at the foote of a breach, which he ere long in∣tendeth, to charge or enter; all whole, vndistracted and carelesly to prepare himselfe, whilst he sits at dinner with his friends about him, to talke of any matter. And I am delighted to see Brutus, having both heaven and earth conspired against him and the liberty of Rome, by stealth to take some houres of the night from his other cares and walking of the round, in al security to reade, to note and to abbreviate Polibius. It is for base and petty mindes, dulled and overwhelmed with the weight of affaires, to be ignorant how to leave them, and not to know how to free themselves from them; nor how to leave and take them againe.

O fortes peior áque passi,* 2.63 Mecum s••pe viri, nunc vino pellite curas, Cras ingens iterabimus aequor. Valiant compeeres, who oft have worse endured With me, let now with wine your cares be cured: To morrow wee againe Wil launch into the maine.

Whether it be in jest or earnest, that the Sorbo••icall or theologicall wine, and their feasts or gaudy dayes are now come to bee proverbially jested-at: I thinke there is some reason, that by how much more profitably and seriously they have bestowed the morning in the exercise of their schooles, so much more commodiously and pleasantly should they dine at noone. A cleare conscience to have well employed & industriously spent the other houres, is a perfect seasoning and savory condiment of tables. So have wise men lived. And that in∣imitable contention vnto vertue, which so amazeth vs, in both Catoes, their so strictly-severe humour, even vnto importunity, hath thus mildely submitted my selfe, and taken pleasure in the lawes of humane condition, and in Ʋenus and Bacchus. According to their Sects-pre∣cepts, which require a perfectly wise man, to bee fully-expert and skilfull in the true vse of sensualities, as in all other duties or devoires belonging to life. Cui cor sapiat, ei & sapiat pala∣tus.* 2.64 Let his palate be savory, whose heart is savory. Easie-yeelding and facility doth in my conceit, greatly honour, and is best befitting a magnanimous and noble minde. Epaminondas thought it no scorne, to thrust himselfe amongst the boyes of his citie, and dance with them, yea and to sing and play, and with attention busie himselfe, were it in things that might de∣rogate from the honor and reputation of his glorious victories, and from the perfect refor∣mation of manners, that was in him. And amongst so infinite admirable actions of Scipio the grandfather, a man worthy to be esteemed of heavenly race, nothing addeth so much grace vnto him, as to see him carelesly to dally and childishly to trifle, in gathering and chusing of cockle-shells, and play at cost castle alongst the sea-shoare with his friend L••lius. And if it were fowle whether, ammusing and solacing himselfe, to represent in writing and commedies the most popular and base actions of men. And having his head continually busied with that wonderfull enterprise against Hanniball and Affricke, yet hee still visited the schooles in Cicilie, and frequented the lectures of Philosophie, arming his enemies teeth at Rome with envy and spight. Nor any thing more remarkeable in Socrates, then, when being old and crazed, hee would spare so much time as to be instructed in the arte of dancing and playing vpon instruments; and thought the time well bestowed. Who notwithstanding hath beene seene to continue a whole day and night in an extasie or trance, yea ever standing on his feete, in presence of all the Greeke armie, as it were surprised and ravished by some deede and minde-distracting thought. Hee hath beene noted to be the first, amongst so infinite valiant men in the army, headlong to rush out, to helpe and bring-of Alcibiades, engaged and en∣thronged by his enemies: to cover him with his body, and by maine force of armes and cou∣rage, bring him off from the rout: And in the Deliane battell, to save and disingage Xeno∣phon, who was beaten from his horse. And in the midst of all the Athenian people, woun∣ded, as it were with so vnworthy a spectacle, headlong present himselfe to the first man, to re∣cover Theramenes, from out the hands of the officers and satelites, of the thirty tyrants of A••hens, who were leading him to his death; and never desisted from his bold attempt, vntill

hee met with Theramenes himselfe, though hee were followed and assisted with two more. He hath beene seene (provoked therevnto by a matchlesse beauty, wherewith he was richly endowed by nature) at any time of neede to maintaine severe continency. Hee hath conti∣nually beene noted to march to the warres on foote; to breake the ice with his bare feete; to weare one same garment in summer and winter, to exceede all his companions in patience of any labour or travell; to eate no more, or otherwise at any banquet, then at his ordinary: He hath beene seene seaven and twenty yeares together with one same vndismaide countenance, patiently to beare and endure hunger, poverty, the indocilitie and stubbernesse of his chil∣dren, the frowardnes and scratchings of his wife; and in the end malicious detraction, tyran∣ny, emprisonment, shakles and poison. But was that man envited to drinke to him by duty of civility? he was also the man of the army, to whom the advantage thereof remained. And yet he refused not, nor disdained to play for nuts with children, nor to run with them vpon a hob by-horse, wherein he had a very good grace: For, all actions (saith Philosophy) doe equally beseeme well, and honour a wise man. We have good ground and reason, and should never bee weary to present the image of this incomparable man, vnto all patterns and forme of perfe∣ctions. There are very few examples of life, absolutely full and pure. And our instruction, is greatly wronged, in that it hath certaine weake, defective and vnperfect formes proposed vnto it, scarcely good for any good vse, which divert and draw vs backe; and may rather be termed Corrupters then Correctors. Man is easily deceived. One may more easily goe by the sides, where extremitie serveth as a bound, as a stay and as a guide, then by the mid-way, which is open and wide; and more according vnto arte, then according vnto nature: but therewithall lesse nobly and with lesse commendation. The greatnesse of the minde is not so much, to drawe vp and hale forward, as to knowe how to range, direct and circumscribe it selfe. It holdeth for great whatever is sufficient. And sheweth her height, in loving meane things better then eminent. There is nothing so goodly, so faire and so lawfull as to play the man well and duely: Nor Science so hard and difficult, as to knowe how to live this life well. And of all the in∣firmities we have, the most savage, is to despise our being. Whoso will sequester or distract his minde, le•• him hardily doe it, if hee can, at what time his body is not well at ease, thereby to discharge it from that contagion: And elsewhere contrary; that shee may assist and fa∣vour him, and not refuse to be partaker of his naturall pleasures, and conjugally be pleased with them: adding therevnto, if shee bee the wiser, moderation, least through indiscretion, they might be confounded with displeasure. Intemperance is the plague of sensuality; and tem∣perance is not her scourge, but rather her seasoning. Eudoxus, who thereon established his chiefe fecility, and his companions, that raised the same to so high a pitch, by meanes of temperance, which in them was very singular and exemplar, savoured the same in her most gracious sweetenes. I enjoyne my minde, with a looke equally regular, to behold both sor∣row and voluptuousnesse: Eodem ènim vitio est effusio animi in laeri••••a, quo in dolor•• contractio.* 2.65 As faultie is the enlarging of the minde in mirth, as the contracting it in griefe; and equally con∣stant: But the one merrily, and the other severely: And according to that shee may bring vnto it, to bee as carefull to extinguish the one, as diligent to quench the other. To have a perfect insight into good, drawes with it an absolute insight into evill. And sorrow hath in her ten∣der beginning something that is vnavoydable: and voluptuousnesse in her excessive ende, something that is evitable. Plato coupleth them together, and would have it to bee the e∣quall office of fortitude, to combate against sorrowes, and fight against the immoderate and charming blan••ishments of sensuality. They are two fountaines, at which whoso draweth, whence, when and as much as hee needeth, bee it a cittie, be it a man, be it a beast, hee is ve∣ry happy. The first must be taken for physicke and necessitie, and more sparingly: The se∣cond for thirst, but not vnto drunkennesse. Paine, voluptuousnesse, love and hate, are the first passions a childe feeleth: if reason approach, and they apply themselves vnto it; ••hat is vertue. I have a Dictionary severally and wholly to my selfe: I passe the time when it is foule and in∣commodious; when it is faire and good, I will not passe it: I runne it over againe, and take holde of it. A man should runne the badde, and settle himselfe in the good. This vulgar phrase of passe time, and, to passe the time, represents the custome of those wise men, who thinke to have no better account of their life, then to passe it over and escape it: to passe it over and bawke it, and so much as in them lieth, to ignore and avoyde it, as a thing of an yrke∣some, tedious, and to bee disdained quality. But I know it to bee otherwise; and finde it to be both priseable and commodious, yea in her last declination; where I holde it. And

Nature hath put the same into our handes, furnished with such and so favourable circum∣stances, that if it presse and molest vs, or if vnprofitably it escape vs, we must blame our selves. S••••lti vita ingrata est, trepida est, tota in suturum fertur. A ••ooles life is all pleasant, all fea••••f••••l▪ all fond of the future. I therefore prepare and compose my selfe, to forgoe and lose it without* 2.66 grudging; but as a thing that is loseable and transitory by it's owne condition: not as trou∣blesome and importunate▪ Nor beseemes it a man not to be grieved when he dieth, except they be such as please themselves to live still. There is a kinde of husbandry in knowing ••••ow to enjoy it: I enjoy it double to others. For, the measure in ••ovissance dependeth more or lesse 〈…〉〈…〉 the application we lend it. Especially at this instant, that I perceive mine to be ••••ort in time, I will extend it in weight: I still stay the readinesse of her flight, by the promptitude of my hole∣fast by it: and by the vigor of custome recompence the haste of her fleeting. According a•• the possession of life is more short, I must endevour to make it ••ore profound and full. O∣ther men feele the swe••tnesse of a contentment and prosperity. I feele it as well as they; but it is not in passing and gliding: yet should it be studied, tasted and ruminated, thereby to yeeld him condigne thankes, that it pleased to graunt the same vnto vs. They enjoy other pleasures, as that of sleepe, without knowing them. To the end that sleepe should not dully and vnfeelingly escape me, and that I might better taste and bee acquainted with it, I have heeretofore found it good, to bee troubled and interrupted in the same. I have a kinde of contentment to consult with my selfe: which consultation I doe superficially runne over, but considerately sound t••e same, and apply my reason to entertaine and receive it, which •••• now become froward, peevish and distasted. Doe I finde my sel••e in some quiet moode? is there any sensuality that tickles me? I doe not suffer the same to bu••••e it sel••e or dally about senses, bet associate my minde vnto it: Not to engage or plunge it selfe therein, but therein to take delight: not to lose, but therein to finde it selfe. And for her part I employ her, to view her selfe in that prosperous estate, to ponder and esteeme the good fortune she hath, and to amplifie the same. She measureth how much she is beholding vnto God, for that the is at rest with her conscience, and free from other intestine passions, & hath her in body hernatural di∣sposition: orderly & competently enjoying certaine flattering and effeminate functions, with which it pleaseth him of his grace to recompence the griefes, wherewith his justice at his pleasure smiteth vs. Oh how availful is it vnto her, to be so seated, that whatever she casteth her eyes, the heavens are calme round about her; and no desire no feare or doubt troubleth the ayre before her: there is no difficulty, either past, or present, or to come, over which her i∣magination passeth not without offence. This consideration takes a great lustre from the comparison of different conditions. Thus doe I in a thousand shapes propose vnto my selfe, those whom either fortune, or their owne errour doth transport and torment. And these nearer, who so slackely and incuriously receive their good fortune. They are men which in∣deed passe their time: they overpasse the present and that which they possesse, thereby to serve their hopes with shadowes and vaine images, which fancy sets before them,

Morte oblit â quales fama est volit are figur as* 2.67 Aut quae sopitos deludunt somnia sensus. Such walking shapes we say, when men are dead, Dreames, whereby sleeping senses are misse-led.

Which hasten and prolong their flight, according as they are followed. The fruit and scope of their pursuit, is to pursue: As Alexander said, that The end of his travell, was to travell.

Nilactum credens cùm quid superesset agendum.* 2.68 Who thought that nought was done, When ought remain'd vndone.

As for mee then, I love my selfe and cherish it, such as it hath pleased God to graunt it vs. I desire not hee should speake of the necessity of eating and drinking. And I woulde* 2.69 thinke to offend no lesse excusably, in desiring it should have it double. Sapiens divi••ia∣rum naturalium quaesitor acerrimus. A wise man is a most eager and earnest searcher of those things which are natural. Nor that we should sustaine our selves by only putting a litle of that drugge into our mouth, wherewith Epimenides was wont to alay hunger, and yet main∣tained himselfe. Nor that wee should insensibly produce children at our fingers endes or at our heeles, but rather (speaking with reverence) that wee might with pleasure and vo∣luptuousnesse produce them both at our heeles and fingers endes. Nor that the body

should bee voyde of desire, and without tick-ling delight. They are vngratefull and impi∣ous complaints. I cheerefully and thankefully, and with a good heart, accept what nature hath created for me; and am therewith well pleased, and am prowde of it. Great wrong is offred vnto that great and all-puissant Giver, to refuse his gift, which is so absolutely good; and disanull or disfigure the same, since hee made perfectly good. Omnia quae secundum na∣turam* 2.70 sunt; estimatione dignasunt. All things that are according to nature, are wothy to bee e∣steemed. Of Philosophies opinions, I more willingly embrace those, which are the most solide: and that is to say, such as are most humane and most ours: My discourses are sutable to my manners; lowe and humble. She then brings forth a childe well pleasing mee, when she betakes herselfe to her Quiddities and Ergoes, to perswade vs, that it is a barbarous ali∣ance, to marry what is divine with that which is terrestriall; wedde reasonable with vnrea∣sonable; combine severe with indulgent, and couple honest with vnhonest: that voluptu∣ousnesse is a brutall quality, vnworthy the taste of a wiseman. The onely pleasure he drawes from the enjoying of a faire yong bride, is the delight of his conscience, by performing an action according vnto order; As to put on his bootes for a profitable riding. Oh that his fol∣lowers had no more right, or sinuewes, o•• pithe, or juice, at the dis-maydening of their wives, than they have in his Lesson. It is not that, which Socrates, both his and our Master, saith; Hee valueth rightly as he ought corporall voluptuousnesse: but he preferreth that of the minde, as having more force, more constancy, facility, variety and dignity. This according to him, goeth nothing alone, he not so fantasticall; but onely first. For him, tempe••ance is a moderatrix, and not an adversary of sensualities. Nature is a gentle guide: Yet not more* 2.71 gentle, then prudent and just. Intrandum est in rerum nauram, & penitus quid ea postulet, pervidendum. Wee must enter into the nature of things, and throughly see what shee inwardly requi∣ers. I quest after her track; we have confounded her with artificiall traces. And that Aca∣demicall and Peripateticall summum bonum or soveraigne felicity, which is, to live according to her rules: by this reason becommeth diff••cult to be limited, and hard to bee expounded. And that of the Stoickes, couzin germane to the other, which is, to yeeld vnto nature. Is it not an errour, to esteeme some actions lesse woorthy, forsomuch as they are necessary? ••et shall they never remooue out of my head, that it is not a most conuenient marriage, to wedde Pleasure vnto Necessity. With which (saith an ancient Writer) the Gods doe ever complot and consent.

To what end doe wee by a divorce dismember a frame contexted with so mutuall, cohe∣rent and brotherly correspondency? Contrariwise, let vs repaire and renue the same by en∣terchangeable offices: that the spirit may awake and quicken the dul heavinesse of the body, and the body stay the lightnesse of the spirit, and settle and fixe the same. Qui v••lut sum∣mum* 2.72 bonum, laudet animae naturam, & tanquam malum, naturam carnis accusat, profectò & ani∣mam carnaliter appetit, & carnē incarnaliter fugit, quoniam id vanitate sentit humana, non verita∣te divina. He that prai••eth the nature of the soule, as his principall good, & accuseth nature of the flesh as evill, assuredly he both carnal••y affecteth the soule and carnally escheweth the fl••sh, since hee is of this mind not by divine verity, but humane vanitie. There is no part or parcell vnwoorthy of our care in that present, which God hath bestowed vpon vs: We are accoumptable even for the least haire of it. And it is no commission for fashion sake for any man, to direct man according to hir condition: it is expresse, naturall and principall: And the Creator hath se∣riously and severely given the same vnto vs. Onely authority is of force with men of com∣mon reach and vnderstanding; and is of more weight in a strange language. But here let vs charge againe. Stul••i••iae proprium quis non dixerit, ignavè & contumaciter facere quaefacienda sunt: & aliò c••rpus impellere, alio animum, distrahique inter diversissimos motus? Who will not call it a property of folly to doe sloathfully and frowardly, what is to be done, and one way to drive the body and another way the minde, and himselfe to bee distracted into most divers motions? Which, the better to see, le••such a man one day tell you the ammusements and imaginations, which he puts into his owne head, and for which he diverteth his thoughts from a good repast, and bewaileth the houre, he employeth in feeding himselfe: you shall finde there is nothing so wallowish in all the messes of your table, as is that goodly entertainment of his minde (It were often better for vs to bee sound ••sleepe, than awake vnto that wee doe) and you shall finde, that his discourses and intentions are not worth your meanest dish. Suppose they were the en∣trancings of Archimedes himselfe: and what of that? I here touch not, nor doe I blend with that rabble or raskality of men, as wee are, nor with that vanity of desires and cogitations,

which divert vs, onely those venerable mindes, which through a feruency of devotion and earnestnesse of religion, elevated to a constant and consciencious meditation of heavenly∣divine things, and which by the violence of a lively and vertue of a vehement hope, preoc∣cupating the vse of eternall soule-saving nourishment; the finall end, only stay and last scope of Christian desires; the onely constant delight and incorruptible pleasure; disdaine to re∣ly on our necessitous, fleeting and ambiguous commodities: and easily resigne, the care and vse of sensuall and temporall feeding vnto the body. It is a priviledged study. Super-cele∣stiall opinions, and vnder-terrestriall manners, are things, that amongst vs, I have ever seen to bee of singular accord. Aesope that famous man, saw his Master pisse as he was walking: What (saide he) must wee not &c. when wee are running? Let vs husband time as well as wee can. Yet shall wee employ much of it, both idely and ill. As if our minde had not other houres e∣nough to doe hir businesse, without disassociating hirselfe from the body in that little space which shee needeth for hir necessity. They will bee exempted from them and escape man. It is meere folly: insteade of transforming themselves into Angells, they transchange them∣selves into beasts: in lieu of advauncing, they abase themselves. Such transcending humor•• affright me as much, as steepy, high and inaccessible places. And I finde nothing so hard to be disgested in Socrates his life, as his extasies and communication with Daemones. Nothing so humane in Plato, as that which they say, hee is called divine. And of our sciences those which are raised and extolled for the highest, seeme to me, the most basest and terrestriall. I finde nothing so humble and mortall in Alexanders life, as his concepts about his immortali∣zation. Philotas by his answere quipped at him very pleasantly and wittily. Hee had by a letter congratulated with him, and rejoyced that the Oracle of Iupiter Hammon had placed him amongst the Gods; to whom he answered, that in respect and consideration of him, he was very glad; but yet there was some cause those men should bee pittyed, that were to live with a man and obay him, who outwent others, and would not bee contented with the state and condition of a mortal man.

—Dijs te minorem quòd geris, imperas.* 2.73 Since thou lesse then the Gods Bear'st thee, thou rul'st with ods.

The quaint inscription, wherewith the Athenians honored the comming of Pompey into their Citty, agreeth well, and is conformable to my meaning.

D'autant es tu Dieu, comme* 2.74 Tuter••cognois homme. So farre a God thou mai'st accompted be As thou a man doost re-acknowledge thee.

It is an absolute perfection, and as it were divine for a man to know how to enioy his being loyally. We seeke for other conditions because we vnderstand and not the vse of ours: and goe out of our selves, forsomuch as we know not what abiding thereis. Wee may long enough get vpon stilis, for be wee vpon them, yet must wee goe with our owne legges. And sit we vpon the highest throne of the World, yet fit we vpon our owne taile. The best and most commendable lives, and best pleasing me are (in my conceit) those which with order are fitted, and with decorum are ranged to the common mould and humane model: but without woonder or extravagancy. Now hath old age neede to be handled more tenderly. Let vs recommend it vnto that God, who is the pro∣tector of health, and fountaine all wisedome: but blithe and sociall:

Frui paratis & valido mihi* 2.75 Latoe dones, & precor i••tegra Cum mente, nec turpem senectam, Degere, nec Cythara carentem. Apollo graunt, enjoy health I may That I have got, and with sound minde, I pray: Nor that I may with shame spend my old yeares, Nor wanting musike to delight mine eares.

The end of the third and last Booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ter. Heant. act. 4. see. 1.
• * 1.2

  Luer. l. 2. 1.
• * 1.3

  Cic. off. l. 1.
• * 1.4

  Cic. off. l. 3.
• * 1.5

  Cic. off. l. 3.
• * 1.6

  Cic. off. l. 3.
• * 1.7

  Ouid. Punt. l. 1. ••l. 8. 37.
• * 1.8

  Cic. off. l. 3.
• * 1.9

  Luan. l. 7. 320. Caes.
• * 1.10

  Prop. l. 3. el. 8. 7
• * 1.11

  Cic. Nat. Deor. L. 3.
• * 1.12

  Hor. car. l. 4. od. 10 7.
• * 1.13

  Lucan. l. 4. 237.
• * 1.14

  Iiu. bel. Mac. l. 9.
• * 1.15

  S••••. ep. 56.
• * 1.16

  idor. ••ar. l. 3 od 19. 2.
• * 1.17

  Ital. Preu.
• * 1.18

  Iuuen. Sat. 6. 189.
• * 1.19

  Ci••. parad.
• * 1.20

  Ovid. Trist. l. 1. el. 1. 83.
• * 1.21

  Sen. cons. ad Pol. c. 26. p.
• * 1.22

  Iuuen. Sat. 6. 273.
• * 1.23

  Ouid. M••t. lib. 10. 666.
• * 1.24

  Virg. Aen. l. 4. 382.
• * 1.25

  387.
• * 1.26

  Cic. Tusc. l. 2.
• * 1.27

  Ibid.
• * 1.28

  Pers. Sat. 6. 73. Lucr. l. 4. 1056.
• * 1.29

  Lucr. l. 4. ••061.
• * 1.30

  Lucr. l. 5. 812.
• * 1.31

  Lucan. l. 2. 42.
• * 1.32

  Pro p. l. 3. el. 4. 7.
• * 1.33

  Ouid. Trist. li. 4. ••. 1. 4.
• * 1.34

  Petron. Arb. Sa••.
• * 1.35

  Mart. l. 10. epig. 23. 7.
• * 1.36

  Sen, cp 99.
• * 1.37

  Ennius.
• * 1.38

  Cic. de Se∣nectute.
• * 1.39

  Ho. l. 4. ••d. 12. 27.
• * 1.40

  Cic. de. Sene.
• * 1.41

  Ouid. Pont. ••••. el. 6. 18.
• * 1.42

  Ouid. Trist. l. 3. el. 11. 22.
• * 1.43

  Cor. Gal. el. 1. 125.
• * 1.44

  Hor. epod. 13. 7.
• * 1.45

  Mart. l. 7. epig 57. 9.
• * 1.46

  S••n. ep. 53. 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.47

  Lucr. l. 1. 22.
• * 1.48

  Virg. Ae••. l. 4. 23.
• * 1.49

  Iuuen. Sat. 6. 197.
• * 1.50

  Virg. Ae••. l. 8. 387.
• * 1.51

  Ibi▪ 404.
• * 1.52

  Virg Geor. l. 3. 137.
• * 1.53

  Cat••l. co••. Ber. 79.
• * 1.54

  Eras▪ chil. 1. cent. 169. 70.
• * 1.55

  Cor. Gal. el. ••. 61.
• * 1.56

  〈…〉〈…〉. 〈…〉〈…〉. 9. 32
• * 1.57

  Ouid. Meta. l. 3. 323. Tiros.
• * 1.58

  Iu••en. Sat. 6. 127.
• * 1.59

  Mart l. 12. epig. 99. 10.
• * 1.60

  Id r. ca▪ ••. 3. ••d •• 21.
• * 1.61

  Virg. Geor. l 3. 267.
• * 1.62

  Catul. ••leg 4. 125.
• * 1.63

  Hor. Epod. 8. 15.
• * 1.64

  Cie. Tusc. l. 4. En.
• * 1.65

  Virg. Georg. l. 3. 244.
• * 1.66

  H••r. car. l. 2. ••••. 12. 21.
• * 1.67

  Hier••n.
• * 1.68

  O••id. Art. A∣mand••. 3. 93.
• * 1.69

  C••tu••. lyr. epig. 15. 17.
• * 1.70

  O••id. Met. l. 4. 187.
• * 1.71

  ••••rg. Aen. l. 2. 395.
• * 1.72

  Ibid. 382.
• * 1.73

  Ibid. 441.
• * 1.74

  Catul. eleg. 4. 141.
• * 1.75

  Catul. eleg. 4. 138.
• * 1.76

  Prop. l. 2. el. 8. 3▪
• * 1.77

  Virg. Aen. l. 5. 6
• * 1.78

  Ca••••l. ••le. 3. 21.
• * 1.79

  M••••t. l. 7. epig. 6••. 6.
• * 1.80

  Ibid. l. 6. epig. 7. 6.
• * 1.81

  Inveu. Sat. 6. 247.
• * 1.82

  Lu••r. l. 3. 1070
• * 1.83

  Catul. her. Ar∣••on. 170.
• * 1.84

  Ovid. Trist. l. ••. el. 1. 34.
• * 1.85

  Ter. Eunuc. act. 4. sc••. 6. Lucan. l. 2. 4••••.
• * 1.86

  Virg. A••••. l. 12. 499.
• * 1.87

  Lucret. l. 1. 33.
• * 1.88

  Hor. ser. l. 1▪ sat. 2. 24.
• * 1.89

  Ter. Phor.
• * 1.90

  Virg Geor. l. 2. 51 ••▪
• * 1.91

  Corn. Gal. ••l. 1. 188.
• * 1.92

  Quid. Am. l. 1. el. 5. 24.
• * 1.93

  Catul. Arg. v. 147.
• * 1.94

  Mart. l. 5. epig. 94 10.
• * 1.95

  Ibid. l. 11. epi 14. 5. 12.
• * 1.96

  Ibid. epig. 61. 8.
• * 1.97

  Catul. eleg. 4. 147:
• * 1.98

  Tibul. l. 4. el. 5. 11.
• * 1.99

  Quid. am l. 3. ••l. 4. 13.
• * 1.100

  Marti l. 7. epig. 57. 3.
• * 1.101

  Catul. eleg. 3. 27.
• * 1.102

  Virg. Geor. l 3. 127.
• * 1.103

  Her. card. 2. ••d. 4. 22.
• * 1.104

  Virg' Ae••••. 12. 67.
• * 1.105

  ••uid. A••••. 1. el. 7. 21.
• * 1.106

  Lus. P••iap. penu••. 1. ••••. 8. 4.
• * 1.107

  Catul. el. 4. 145.
• * 1.108

  H••r. car. l ••. od. 5 13.
• * 1.109

  Y••••. ••••••••••. ••ct. 1. sc. 1
• * 1.110

  S••••. epi 95.
• * 1.111

  ••••••••••. Sat 3. 26.
• * 1.112

  Hor. Epod. 12. 19.
• * 1.113

  Hor. car. l. 4. ••d. 13. 26.
• * 1.114

  Mar. l. 10. epig. 90. 9.
• * 1.115

  Quid. P••nt. l▪ 1. el. 5. 49.
• * 1.116

  Hor. car. l. 2. ••d. 5. 12.
• * 1.117

  Ibid. l. 4. od. 13. 9.
• * 1.118

  Virg. Geor. l. 3. 98. ••
• * 1.119

  Catul. eleg 1▪ 19
• * 1.120

  Lucret. l. 6. 700.
• * 1.121

  Plat de Athen. Eras. chil. 3. cent. 1. ad. 32.
• * 1.122

  Cic. off. l. ••.
• * 1.123

  Cic. Off. l. 1.
• * 1.124

  Iauen. Sat. 3. 153.
• * 1.125

  H••r. car. l. 4. ed. 9. 25.
• * 1.126

  Lucret. l. 5. 326.
• * 1.127

  Cit. Nat. De••. l. 1.
• * 1.128

  Lucret. l. 2. 1159.
• * 1.129

  Ibid. 5. 330.
• * 1.130

  Hor Ser. l. 1. Sect. 4. 109.
• * 1.131

  Eras. chil. 3. cent. 4. ad. 2.
• * 1.132

  Ter. And. act. 4. sc. 2.
• * 1.133

  ••••ven. S••t. 8. 73.
• * 1.134

  Claud. ••••trop. 1. 303.
• * 1.135

  Sirg. Aen. l. 3. 395.
• * 1.136

  Hor. l. 1. od. 9 9
• * 1.137

  Virg. Geor. l••. •• 20.
• * 1.138

  Pla••c. Pscu. a••••. 5 sc. 4.
• * 1.139

  Ovid. Trist. l. 1. l. 1. ••leg. 6. 29.
• * 1.140

  Corn. Tacit. Annal. l. 4.
• * 1.141

  S••n. epist. 81. f. Cicero.
• * 1.142

  H••r. ••ar. l. 3. ••d. 1. 29.
• * 1.143

  Lucret. l. 5▪ 215.
• * 1.144

  Cic. Parad.
• * 1.145

  S••••. ••p. 1. 13▪ f.
• * 1.146

  Virg. Aen. l. 5. 720.
• * 1.147

  Virg. buc. ecl. 2. 71.
• * 1.148

  Hor. car. l. 2. od. 6. 6.
• * 1.149

  Cicer. Amic.
• * 1.150

  C••c. Parad. 5.
• * 1.151

  H••••. l. 1. epist. 5. 23.
• * 1.152

  Iuven. sat. 13. 28.
• * 1.153

  Virg. Georg. l. 1. 505.
• * 1.154

  Virg. Aen. l. 9. 612.
• * 1.155

  P••••rac.
• * 1.156

  Hor. car. l. 1. od. 95. 33.
• * 1.157

  Ter. Adel. act. 4. sc. 7.
• * 1.158

  Plaut. capt. Prel.
• * 1.159

  Lucret. l. 1. 82.
• * 1.160

  Ibid 138.
• * 1.161

  Hor epod. 13. 10.
• * 1.162

  Hor. Epod. 14: 3
• * 1.163

  Cic. off. l. 1.
• * 1.164

  Ter. Ad. act. 3. sc. 4.
• * 1.165

  Cic. de. A••••••.
• * 1.166

  Virg. eclo. 1. 11.
• * 1.167

  O••id. Trist. l. 4. el. 1. 69.
• * 1.168

  Lucan. l. 1. 256
• * 1.169

  Ibid. 252.
• * 1.170

  Virg. Georg. l. 1. 506.
• * 1.171

  Virg. Aen. l. 6. 114.
• * 1.172

  Hor. l. 2. epist. 1. 38.
• * 1.173

  Ibid. 45.
• * 1.174

  Ter. Adelph. act. 1. s••. 1.
• * 1.175

  Pers. sat. 5. 22.
• * 1.176

  Lutt. lib. 1. 4. 19.
• * 1.177

  Cic. Tusc. qu. l. 5. Theoph. Calisth.
• * 1.178

  Plantin.
• * 1.179

  Cic. Offic. lib 1.
• * 1.180

  Virg. A••••. lib. 4. 339.
• * 1.181

  Her car. lib. 3. ••d. 3. 54.
• * 1.182

  E••••i. Cic. Se∣nect. p.
• * 1.183

  Sen. ep. 56. ••••.
• * 1.184

  Propert. li 3. ••l. 2. 23.
• * 1.185

  Psal. 93. 11.
• * 1.186

  ••••r. ••••n. l. 6. ••43.
• * 1.187

  Cic. Offic. lib. 1.
• * 1.188

  ••ur. sat. 13. 124.
• * 1.189

  Inv. sat. 14. 233
• * 1.190

  Mart. li. 7. epig. 9. 1.
• * 1.191

  L••ca••. bell. cir. lib. 8. 493.
• * 1.192

  Catul. ly••. p••••▪ 8. 19.
• * 1.193

  I••••e. sat. 13. 64▪
• * 1.194

  Virg. A••n. lib. 5 166.
• * 1.195

  Ci••. s. de fin.
• * 1.196

  Hor c••••▪ lib. 3. ••d▪ 16▪ 2••. 42.
• * 1.197

  Hor. c••••. l. 2. ••d. 18. 11.
• * 1.198

  Ovid. Metam ••. 2. 140.
• * 2.1

  Ovid. trist. li. 3. ••••. ••. 9.
• * 2.2

  Hor. car. l. 2. od. 1. 7.
• * 2.3

  Sin. epist. 6. f.
• * 2.4

  Hor. car. l. 4. od. 9. 51.
• * 2.5

  Sen. epist. 90.
• * 2.6

  H••rl. 1. epist. 5. 12.
• * 2.7

  Virg. Aen. l. 10. 693.
• * 2.8

  Matth. 6. 13.
• * 2.9

  Cic. Tasc. q••. l. 4.
• * 2.10

  Virg. Aen. l. 10. 97.
• * 2.11

  C••••. off. lib.
• * 2.12

  Virg. Georg. l. 2 490.
• * 2.13

  Hor. car. l. 3. 16. 18.
• * 2.14

  Cic. off. lib. 1.
• * 2.15

  Psal. 115. 1.
• * 2.16

  Cic. d•• fin. l. 2.
• * 2.17

  Cic. Tusc. qu. l. 2.
• * 2.18

  Virg A••n. lib. 5 849.
• * 2.19

  Pers. sat. 5. 20.
• * 2.20

  Cic. Acad qu. lib 4.
• * 2.21

  Cic. de divin. l. 2
• * 2.22

  Virg. Georg. li. 1 89.
• * 2.23

  Lucan. b••l. ci••. lib. 2. 380.
• * 2.24

  Sen epist. 106. f
• * 2.25

  Sen ibid.
• * 2.26

  Cic. Tusc. qu••. 5
• * 2.27

  Sen. epist. 115. ••l.. 1.
• * 2.28

  Ovid. P••nt. l. 1. ••l. 4. 55.
• * 2.29

  Virg. Aen. l. 12. 46.
• * 2.30

  Catul. Arg•••• v. 405.
• * 2.31

  Hor lib. 1 epist. 18. 107.
• * 2.32

  Sen. epist. 9.
• * 2.33

  H••r. car. l. 1. ••d. 28. 19.
• * 2.34

  Catul. ••••••g. 1. 29. 16.
• * 2.35

  Hor l. 1. epist. 1. 15.
• * 2.36

  Luer. l. 2 73.
• * 2.37

  Ter H••a••▪ act. •• sc••. 1.
• * 2.38

  Virg. A••••. l. 6.
• * 2.39

  〈…〉〈…〉▪ 4. 65.
• * 2.40

  Manil. lib. 1. a••••. 61.
• * 2.41

  Propert•••• 3. ••••. 4. 26.
• * 2.42

  Ci•• Acad. qu••. ••••b. 1. f.
• * 2.43

  A••t••••••.
• * 2.44

  Virg. Georg lib. 1. 103.
• * 2.45

  Virg. A••••. lib. 5 415.
• * 2.46

  Mart. lib. 10. epigr. 47. 12
• * 2.47

  Iuven. Sat. 6. 477.
• * 2.48

  Sen epist. 92.
• * 2.49

  Cor. Gal. el. 1. 155.
• * 2.50

  C••t••l. el. 4. 131.
• * 2.51

  Hor. c••r. l. 3. ••d. 26. 2.
• * 2.52

  Orid. Trist. l. 3. el. 8. 11.
• * 2.53

  Corn. Gal. el. 173.
• * 2.54

  Orid. e••ist. 5. 8.
• * 2.55

  Virg. Aen. lib 3 317.
• * 2.56

  Se••. epist. 96. f.
• * 2.57

  Hor. car. lib. 3. ••d. 10. 15.
• * 2.58

  Ov••d. Triss. l. 3. ••••. 8. 25.
• * 2.59

  I••••••n. sat. 13. 152.
• * 2.60

  H••rd. 1. ep••. 5. 2
• * 2.61

  Sen epist. 123.
• * 2.62

  Hor l. 1. epist. 2 54.
• * 2.63

  Hor. •••••• l 1. ••••. 7. 30.
• * 2.64

  Cic fin. l. b. 2.
• * 2.65

  Cic. Tusc. qu. l. ••
• * 2.66

  S••••▪ ep••st▪ 15▪
• * 2.67

  Virg. ••••p. l. 10. 641.
• * 2.68

  ••ucan. l. ••. 656.
• * 2.69

  Se••. epist. 119.
• * 2.70

  Cie. sin▪ ••on. l.
• * 2.71

  Ibid. l. 5.
• * 2.72

  Aug. verb▪ apo∣stol. ser. 13. c. 6
• * 2.73

  H••r. car. l. 3 ••d. 6.
• * 2.74

  ••lut. ••it. Po•• p
• * 2.75

  H••••. car. l. 1. ••d. 31. 17.