Nevves from Malta written by a gentleman of that iland, to a friend of his in Fraunce. Shewing the desperate assault and surprising of two castles of the Turkes, by the Italians forces, vpon the eight day of September last past. Translated according to the Italian copie.

¶ Pierce findeth it strange that men should pay so ••eer for things which in their hands are so vile and little woorth, as concerning their return. Chap. 3. (Book 3)

NEighbour Simon (quoth Pierce) I can put vp that mock at your hands, for I knowe ye meane me no euil but good therby, but veri∣ly me thinketh it standeth hardly with their existimation that will be holden and termed woorshipfull yea honorable, to take so extrem¦ly for things, wherof no better returne is to be made, yet must wée pay them with great attendaunce, with cap in hand and all reuerence. Great reason quoth our Hoste, for they are woorshipfull, and right woorthy of all those duties. Then haue I béen in an errour a long time (quoth Pierce) for I haue alwaies hetherto thought that woorship and honor had stood in geuing: & not in taking, in helping, reléeuing and doo∣ing good: and not in their contraries, and this séemeth vnto mée both reasonable and also common experience, for we ho∣nor God at whose hands we receiue all goodnes, and therfore properly vnto him is all honor and woorship due, and vnto men but so far foorth as they approchen vnto God in qualitie of vertue, iustice, mercy and other goodnes, wherfore in all reason he ought to be moste honorable and woorshipfull that dooth the moste good, and vnto the greatest number, for sure∣ly in my discretion, the woorship and the gaine ought to bée deuided, and he that gayneth, or is reléeued, and is holpen: ought to honor and woorship him by whom he gayneth, is hol¦pen and reléeued, for otherwise why dooth the Seruant woor∣ship his Maister and not e conuerso. Neighbour Pierce quoth our Hoste, our honorable & reuerend forefathers with great wisdome and discretion, assessed these Fées and charges, and that for the great zeale and looue which they bare vnto God∣lines and vertue, and to the persons quallified therwith.

With P that ierce clapped his hand vpon the boord. I make God a vow (quoth hée) whatsoeuer he was that first praised a shéet of paper with twelue lines written therin at eight pence, nay at xij. pence, for I am sure I haue CC. that cost me after that rate, he was neither fréend to godlynes ne vertue, to God, neither to good man or woman. Neighbour Pierce quoth our Hoste, this is but the errour of your Iudgement,

and that shall appéere vnto you so euidently, that your self shall confesse that these fées and charges which you ••hink so great and so exccessiue had so great reason in their beginning as that greater had neuer any ciuil ordinance or cōs••itution. Whether yée will regarde the honor and glory of G••d or the preseruation of the common Welth which chéefly de••endeth therupon. That séemeth wunderfull strange vnto m•• (quoth Pierce) that in such extreme taking and so small rendring there should lye hidden so great mistery of good meaning and therfore gladly would I heare your reasons therupon. Very well Neighbour Pierce (quoth hée) then I will take in hand to prooue it vnto you, which I trust I shall doo sufficiently if I can prooue these are no proper nor priuate gain or proffit, but a publique and a common treasure to the ease and reléef of the whole common welth and of the best and godli••st & Mem¦bers of the same, yea verily (quoth Pierce) very well (quoth our Hoste.)