Phisicke against fortune, aswell prosperous, as aduerse conteyned in two bookes. Whereby men are instructed, with lyke indifferencie to remedie theyr affections, aswell in tyme of the bryght shynyng sunne of prosperitie, as also of the foule lowryng stormes of aduersitie. Expedient for all men, but most necessary for such as be subiect to any notable insult of eyther extremitie. Written in Latine by Frauncis Petrarch, a most famous poet, and oratour. And now first Englished by Thomas Twyne.

Of glad tidings. The. Cxiii. Dialogue.

HOPE.

I Haue heard glad tydyngs.

Reason.

Beleeue not fame, she is a lyar.

Hope.

Many tel me glad newes.

Reason.

It is better sometyme to beleeue one, then many.

Hope.

That cannot be altogeather false, which so many messengers doo re∣port.

Reason.

The maner of common report is wel knowne, which is to mingle lies with trueth. A great many of lyes are sea∣soned with a few true tales: for no body wyl beleeue hym that which al lyes.

Hope.

The first aucthour of the rumor is a cre∣d••••le person.

Reason.

But there is no man contented to report

only as much as he hath hearde or seene. it is nothyng worth vn∣lesse that euery one adde some thyng of his owne to that which he hath heard or seene, which when many haue done, a man shal per∣ceiue how one lye hath been heaped vpon another, so that this mischiefe going from hande to hande, hath encreased in mens handes as it was going, and which the most excellent poet sayeth, It floorisheth by moouyng, and getteth strength by going.

Hope.

Hytherto the report is very ioyful.

Reason.

What yf it flat∣ter thee, that it may strike thee? Many times after ioyful rumors, folow woful massacres: this for the more part is the manner of fortune, to promyse hope, that she may wound the deeper, and she annoynteth her cruel weapon with the sweetnesse of some glad ti∣dynges, wherewith she purposeth to cut the throate of hym that reioyceth. Which thyng, forasmuche as the learned and wyse do vnderstande, they are nothyng mooued with flatteryng reportes, but remayne vnmooueable, recountyng with them selues either that it is contrary, or that this rumour that semeth so acceptable, may be chaunged into the contrary.

Hope.

I am delighted in a ioyful rumour.

Reason.

Stay a whyle tyl thou knowe whe∣ther it be certayne, and if it so fall out, yet is it a shame for a man∣ly courage to be moued with euery smal rumour, though they be true, but most shameful with those that are false. Many haue ben ashamed that they haue reioyced, and the remembrance of theyr false ioy, hath augmented theyr true griefe.