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 the Tytles of businesse, and affayres. The .xlvii. Dialogue.

IOY.

I AM the Kynges Procurer.

Reason.

Then art thou the peoples enimie.

Ioy.

I am the Procurer of the Exche∣quer.

Reason.

Then art thou the common wealthes enimie.

Ioy.

I folow the Kyngs busynesse.

Reason.

It is pain∣ful for a man to folowe his owne busynesse: What is it then, thynkest thou, for hym to folow another mans, specially theyrs that are of myght, whom to please, is perpetual seruitude, to dis∣please, danger, heauy lookes, and punyshment redy for a small of∣fence?

Ioy.

I folow the kyngs busynesse.

Reason.

Thou

hast an accompt to yeelde to an hard iudge, which thou shalt scarce be able to make euen with the spoyle of al thy goodes, with hate of thy selfe, and greeuous offence.

Ioy.

I solicite the kynges busines.

Reason.

Take heede least, while thy solliciting is dif∣ficult, thyne accompt be yet harder, and so inextricable, that as we haue seene it chaunce in many, it entrap thy patrimonie, fame, and lyfe.

Ioy.

I am the kynges Procurer.

Reason.

Thou must needes displease many, and last of all thine owne Lord and Mai∣ster, and whiche is most dangerous, GOD hym selfe, and for the kynges small commoditie, the great discommodities of the Realme, and exceedyng damages of the people, must be dissem∣bled, or procured.

Ioy.

I am made the Kynges Procurer.

Reason.

So soone as euer this odious office began to touche the thresholde of thyne house, euen that day thou beganst to leaue to lyue for thy selfe, from thencefoorth thy libertie, thy qui∣etnesse and pleasure are departed. In steede of these, are seruitude. payne, businesse, feare, sorowe, trouble, and bytyng cares, come in place: nowe art thou not a lyue, although thou breath: for the lyfe of such as are busie, is death, who beyng al of them in misery, yet are they in most miserable case whiche are busied in other mens matters, specially in the affayres of Kynges, Tyrantes, and great personages.

Ioy.

I am a Iudge.

Reason.

Iudge so, as though thou shouldest foorthwith be iudged by ano∣ther. There is one iudge of all men, and one incorrupt iudge∣ment seate: Before this, shal all ye mortall men appeare, what neede ye then to haue the skyn of the false iudge nayled vppon the iudgement seate, or to haue any barbarous admonition to doo iustice? Euery Iudge sytteth in that seate, where if false iudgement shalbe geuen, neyther money, nor fauour, nor false wytnesses, nor sinister entreatynges, nor vayne threates, nor eloquent Patrones, shall auayle hym.

Ioy.

I am one of the Consuls of my countrey.

Reason.

A very difficult glory. It is a rare matter so to geue counsayle, that thou may∣est at once both profite and please, that there may be trueth in woorde, fayth in counsel, scilence in that whiche is committed, sweetnesse in speache: fortune shall gouerne the euent, and the euent shall purchase credite to the counsayle.

Ioy.

I am

gouernour of a Citie.

Reason.

Thou leadest an vnbridled beast, and as Horace tearmeth it, that hath many heades, with a small twyne, and gouernest a great shyppe alone, that is tossed with hugie waues. A litle house is hardly guyded, how diffi∣cult therefore it is to gouerne a whole Citie, see thou: Hadst thou so great neede of trouble, or so litle at home, that thou hast vndertaken the publique? Yea moreouer, it is not only an of∣fice of difficultie, but also a vyle function, insomuche as the Saty∣rycal Poet tearmeth the gouernour of a Citie, a Stewarde, or Baylyffe, notyng therby the state of these tymes. If then he were a Baylife or Husbandman, what is he now other then a Woodryfe, or Woodman? At that tyme Rome began to be a vyllage, and nowe it is a Wood.

Ioy.

I am a President of a Prouince.

Reason.

Beyng condempned vnto an hono∣rable exile, thou hast exchaunged priuate quietnesse, for forraigne carefulnesse: looke for no rest or pleasure. The state of Presi∣dentes is bytter and troublesome, they are forbydden playes and feastes vppon holy dayes, theyr doores are shut agaynst gyftes, and open to contentions, theyr houses are voyde of pa∣stymes, and ful of complayntes and chydynges, what so euer is a mysse, whatsoeuer out of order, or out of square, throughout the whole Prouince, there it must be handled and amended, an harde case: for how difficult a matter it is to amend many, in this appeareth, that very fewe doo amende them selues.