Ptōchomuseion [sic]. = The poore mans librarie Rapsodiæ G.A. Bishop of Exceter vpon the first epistle of saint Peter, red publiquely in the cathedrall church of saint Paule, within the citye of London. 1560. Here are adioyned at the end of euery special treatie, certaine fruitful annotacions which may properly be called miscellanea, bicause they do entreate of diuerse and sundry matters, marked with the nombre and figures of Augrime. 2.

Golden hiles. 7.

THere is a prouerb in greeke: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Aureos montes polliceri: To promise golden hilles. Vvhich prouerbe is spoken of them that do promise vnmeasurable things, and do make men to hope very much for them. It is deduced and taken of the arrogancie of the Persians, which for their mines of gold, did boast of golden hilles.

Plautus saith: Neque ille sibi mereat Persarum montes, qui esse au∣rei perhibentur: Neither let him thinke to deserue the hilles of the Per∣sians, which are said to be golden hilles.

The like prouerbe is mentioned of Porphirion, who thinketh the same prouerbe to be taken out of one of Aesops fables. The prouerbe is reci∣ted by Horace: Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus:* 1.1 The hilles do swell and trauell, but out cōmeth the folish mouse. It may be spoken against gloriouse men, against boasters and braggers, which with greate promises & by maiestie of countenāce & autoritie of gay apparel, moue men to expect much at their hands, and when it commeth to the purpose, they bring and shew forth nothing but toyes and trifles.

The originall of the prouerbe is this: Vvhen, at a certain time, rude and foolish men did see the grounde swell and moue in a hill, they ranne on heapes on euerye side to beholde so horrible a sighte, looking that the earth should bring forth some straunge and great wonder, that is, that the hill should bring furth other Titans that should renue warres with the Gods. At the length, after they had looked a long time what would come forth, a Mouse crept out of the ground, at the which sight they all did greatly laughe.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In arte po