Palladis tamia Wits treasury being the second part of Wits common wealth. By Francis Meres Maister of Artes of both vniuersities.

Dignitie.

THose that are called Agrippae, because they are preposterously borne, that is, with their feet forwards, are supposed to enter into life verie vnluckely and omi∣nouslie, and to the great hurte of man∣kinde, as Marcus Agrippa, Nero, and Richarde the thirde: so they that intrude themselues into Empyre or ecclesiasticall promotion by violence, iniustice and si∣monie become verie pestilent both to themselues, and to those they are sette ouer.

Among the Thessalians it was a capitall crime to kil a Storke, for none other cause, but because shee killed serpentes; and in England Kites are spared by an act of par∣liament, because they purge cities of gar∣bage and entrals of beasts: so honour and dignity is to be bestowed vpon some, not that they are worthy of it, but because

their diligence is necessary for vs.

Falling stars are suddainly extinguished: so those that fortune hath suddainly aduā∣ced, are in a trice cast down. Plut.

Meteors soone breede, soone vanish: so in honors and dignities, those that are soon vp, are soone down.

As that which falleth from an high loft, maketh a great noise, and is heard of all: so he that falleth from an high estate, his ru∣ine is euery where heard of. Chrisost. hom. 40. operis imperf.

As hee that presumeth to vsurpe honour not giuen him of God, is worthy of blame: so he that putteth it from him being giuen vnto him is guilty of disobedience. Idem. hom. 1. in 1. Timoth.

As they that climbe vp a rotten ladder, are in danger of falling: so all honor, power and glory, which is contrary to humilitie, doth endanger the possessor. Climacus de discretione gradu 26.

As wise men do not estimate the valour of horses by their trappings: so neither do they value great personages by their ho∣nors and dignities, but by their vertues. I∣sidorus de humilitate tomo primo.