I Haue founde a Mine of golde.

This hope of ryches, hath been cause of pouertie vnto many, and of destruc∣tion not vnto fewe, whilst neglectyng all other thynges, and bestowyng al theyr care and trauayle vppon this one thyng. Notwithstandyng theyr toyle hath turned to litle profite, whylest in respect of the greedie desire that they haue to golde, forsaking the sight of heauen and the Sun, they learne to leade foorth theyr lyfe in darkenesse, and are consumed with the thicke and noisome dampe before theyr tyme.

Chaunce hath offered vnto me a gold Myne.

To the entent that beyng turned away from the contemplation of heauenly things, thou mightest gape after earthly thynges: and not only that thou mightest liue more vnfortunately, & shorter time, neare to the ground, but also drowned vnder the ground.

I enter into a golde Myne.

Nero the Emperour, the same terrible and miserable Page  78night, which notwithstanding he had deserued, which was the last night that he lyued, being put in mynde by such as were about hym, to hyde hymselfe in a certayne Caue vnder the grounde, to the entent he might escape the reprochful death, & abusing of the people that sought after hym: answered, That he would not go vnder the ground while he was lyuyng. But thou, being compel∣led by no feare, but only carryed away with couetousnesse, goest a∣lyue vnder the earth, neyther can the comfortable shynyng of hea∣uen keepe thee from thence, neyther the horrible darkenesse of the earth dryue thee away. What marueyle is it, yf men consume themselues with trauayling al the world ouer to seeke ryches, see∣ing also in seeking and digging for them vnder the grounde, they disquiet the infernal soules and Fiendes of Hel? And as the Poet Ouid sayth, Men haue entred into the bowels of the earth: And those riches which God had hyd vp, and couered with the dark∣nesse of hell, they are digged vp notwithstanding, which are the pro∣uocations vnto al mischiefe.

I haue found a Mine of gold.

It is an olde prouerbe, Many times one man starteth an Hare, and another catcheth hym. Thou hast found a bootie which many wyl couet, one only shal possesse, & peraduenture thou shalt not be that one. Vnto desyred thyngs there is much resort, & it is dangerous when one man hath found that which many wyl co∣uet, and none wyl be wyllyng to share with other. And this is the cause, that though Italie, as Plinie sayth, be inferiour to no country for plentie of al sortes of metalles, notwithstanding by aun∣tient prouision & actes of parliament, order was taken that Italie shoulde be spared.

I digge earth that will yeeld golde.

The trauel is certaine, but the euent doubtful: what if thou dyg long & find nothing? what if thou finde much, but not for thy self? what if it be the worse for thee to haue found sum what, & better for thee to haue found nothing? Mans ioy is most times accompanied with sorowe.

I am gone downe into my golde Mine.

This question is commenly mooued a∣mongst men: what deuice will drowne a man in the bottom of hel? and thou being in bel, doest thou seeke what wil aduaunce thee to the top of heauen?

I haue founde a Mine of golde.

Thou hast founde the redie way to the Deuyll.