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 wit. The .vii. Dialogue.

IOY.

MY wit is also quick.

Reason.

I pray God it be vnto ver∣tue: Otherwyse look how much the quicker, so much the nearer to destruction.

Ioy.

I haue a redy wit.

Reason.

If it be also appliable vnto good artes, it is a precious furniture of the minde: If otherwyse, it is burdensome, perilous, and trou∣blesome.

Ioy.

My wit is very sharpe.

Reason.

It is not the sharpenesse, but the vprightnesse and staiednes of the wit, that deserue the true and perpetual commendation. The sharpnesse of some wittes is rebated with smal force, and wil faile at the first en∣counter, and the most strongest thinges if they be stretched foorth to the vttermost, become feeble, and so likewise weakenes ouer∣commeth all strength.

Ioy.

I haue a most sharpe wit.

Reason.

There is nothing more odious vnto wisdom then to much sharp∣nes: Nothing more greeuous vnto a Philopher then a sophist: & for that cause, in old time the auncient fathers feigned that Pal∣las could not abyde spyders, whose curious worke, and fine webs are brittle, & serue to no purpose. Therfore let the edge of the wyt be lyke the edge of a weapon, that it may not only pearse, but also stay from going further.

Ioy.

My wyt is prompt, and redy to euery thyng.

Reason.

This was sometyme attributed vnto Marcus Cato Censorius, that he was as redy and apt to lear∣nyng, as to the warres, to matters concernyng the fielde, as the citie, and also to the exercise of husbandrie: whiche thyng in part the Gretians doo ascribe to theyr countreyman Epa••inun∣das, and the Persians to theyr Cyrus. Take herde whereunto this thy redie wit be enclined, that it be not craftie, and that it be not only not quicke and pliant, but rather lyght and inconstant. For it is one thyng to be able to stay, and another to be able to go whyther soeuer a man lust.

Ioy.

My wyt is excellent.

Reason.

It skilleth much in what kynd a man do excel: For the significa∣tion of that woorde is vncertayne: and true it is, that a mans wit is of force, if he do throughly bende it. And therefore geue me ra∣ther a good wit, then an excellent: for the one cannot be conuer∣ted to euill, the other is flexible vnto many thinges. For Salust writeth, that Lucius Catiline was a man of notable courage, but of a corrupt naughtie wit and disposition.

Ioy.

My wit is great.

Reason.

I requyre a good and a modest wit, the greatnes only is suspected: For a great wit hath many tymes ben the be∣ginnyng of great euylles. And seldome were there any great er∣rours, but they sprang from great wittes.