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 doubtful state. The .lxxvi. Dialogue.

SOROW.

I Am in a doubteful state.

Reason.

What is it I pray thee that thou doubtest of? Is it, whether mortall men must dye, or whether transitorie thinges are to be contemned, or that we must not depende altogether vpon prosperitie? or whether de∣stinie cannot be auoyded, and therefore must be tollerated, neither fortune bowed, but may be broken? To all these the answeares are certayne.

Sorowe.

Beyng in a doubtfull state, I knowe not what wyll become of me.

Reason.

In deede perhaps thou mayest doubt where, when, and how thou shalt dye, but that thou must dye: that he can not dye an euyll death, whiche hath ledde a good lyfe, or to soone, which alwayes hath played the honest man, thou canst not doubt. Agayne, that he can dye out of his owne countrey, who maketh the whole worlde his countrey, or but in exile, whiche desireth to be in his natiue countrey, except thou be vnwyse, thou canst neuer doubt. Whence therefore come these doubtynges? Perchaunce of fortune: but thinkest thou she wylbe faythful to thee, whiche with none keepeth fayth? Is it not more lykely that she wyll keepe her olde woont, lyke the troublesome sea, now deceitful with a fayned calmenesse, nowe with surging waues terrible, by and by dreadefull with shypwracke? And yet hadst thou any experience at al, no place should there remayne for doubting. For albeit the euentes be doubtful: yet vertue, which wyl make thee certayne in the greatest vncertaynetie, is alwayes certayne, vnto whom when thou hast geuen thy selfe, nothyng shalbe doubtful, but al thynges foreseene.

Sorow.

I haue a doubtful state.

Reason.

But the same is not doubtful to God, and therefore content thy selfe, and commit thee wholly vnto him, saying, In thy handes I am, do with me as it pleaseth thee: whiche thing spoken godly, laye feare aside, cast of doubting, be no more careful. He knoweth what to doo with thee, which know∣eth al thynges. With a litle, but sure with a trustie barke thou cuttest the mightie sea. He is a faythful, and most careful gouer∣nour of thy saluation. What skylleth it if the passenger know not

the way, so it be knowen to the maister of the shyp?