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 a contentious brother. The .xlv. Dilalogue.

SOROW.

I Haue a contentious brother.

Reason.

And what of hym? then hath he not thee an agreeyng brother, for brotherly a∣greement, whiche ought of twayne to make but one, is deuided in twayne, so that you are made not diuers only, but quite con∣traryes: a greeuous mischeefe surely, but an auncient, which both the worlde and the head of the worlde had in the begynnyng: For the infamie of the citie of Rome is auncient, but that of the world is of more antiquitie, to wyt, that it was embrued with the blood of brethren. Therefore that which thou seest betweene al cooples of brethren, yea when there was but one coople only in the world, hast no cause to be amased at it now among so many thousandes.

Sorowe.

I haue a very contentious brother at home.

Reason.

Doest thou marueyle that to be in a greate house, whiche hath been in the narowe roome of one mothers wombe? where as in time past (which was a shadow of a greater misery) we reade of brothers that were not onely among them selues contentious,

but also togeather by the eares? Is it any strange thing then that men, being armed, shoulde do that whiche they that are vn∣borne are wont to doo?

Sorowe.

I fynde no fauour with my brother.

Reason.

Thou oughtest rather to haue learned this long before in the schooles, than to haue found it true in effect at home: thinges that are foreseene, are neyther complained of, nor woondred at.

Sorowe.

I haue an odious and contentious brother.

Reason.

As for the most part there is no loue more tender then the loue of brethren, so when it beginneth, there is no hatred more vehement, no enuie more vnquenchable. Thus equa∣litie inciteth and enflameth their mindes, when as the shame of geuing place, and the desyre of superioritie, is by so much the more feruent, the more that the remembrance of their infancie togea∣ther, or what so euer els may seeme to engender goodwyl, when as they be once digressed from the ryght way, may procure ha∣tred and disliking betweene them: in this respect therefore, the hart burnyng of a rebellious nature, may be very wel reclaimed, namely by curtesie & gentlenesse. For there is no nature almost so rough and vnciuile, whom at length true & continuall humilitie in woordes, and vnfeigned and gentle dealing in al matters, wil not ouercome and molifie. If thou finde this to be voyde and without force, or that peraduenture thou thy selfe canst not enforce thy minde hereunto, whereby he may be honestly and profitably con∣streyned, then before that the matter breake foorth vnto vtter de∣struction, thou must vse the last and extreame remedie, the roote of the mischeefe must be plucked vp, and comunitie remoued, which is the mother of discorde: wherein thou must demeane thy selfe so curteously, that looke howe muche thou yeeldest of thy right, so much thou shalt perceiue to be added vnto thy vertue and fame. The sharpe prickes of impious & proud desire, are by nothing bet∣ter rebated, then by vertuous and curteous liberalitie. That gold is good, whereby the peace of familie, and brotherly loue is pur∣chased. It is a very auncient, and no lesse true saying, That these two pronownes, myne and thyne, are great cause of warres and disagreement, whiche yf they were taken away from out of the life of man, out of doubt men should liue muche more quietly.