is vsed in the 11. Epi. of the firste booke where he writeth to Vatinius * He maketh a gappe to his good will by ripping vppe to remembrance a bene fite receiuedâ—… â–ª of which bene fite Valerius Max. lib. 4. Cap. 2. * In Dalmatia * The name Dalmatia is deriued of the â—…itie Daimnium as Strabo â—…ith Lib. 7. * The letter of Vatinius whâ—…r unto this is an ansâ—… was lost as it is cuâ—…dent to pâ—…oue * It appeareth by this thâ—…t Dionisius was in the handes and power of Vatinius * This Seruilius was Ciceroes fellowe in the office of the Augurshippe * In the Auguâ—…ship Philip 2. Dio. lib. 4. * Who beeing surnamed Isauricus of IsauruÌ„ in Pamphilia left the same name to his sonne as a por tion of his inheritance * As a son ne of so vertuous an inclination which is a iew el of exceeding great ioy e. * That famous Philosopher in the peripateticall profession Ep. 21. lib. 10. and lib â—… 3. of Offices * Looke in Flauius Vâ—…getius for the better vnderstanding of Plenus gradus militum * Or whiles we were in the Shippe had not so many matters wheraboutes to be occupied * The writeâ—… and deuiser of Satyres * For this Trebonius was one of them that mur thered Caesar. * From the sorowe of himselfe for it is a kinde of consolatioÌ„ when wee signifie our selues to be touched with mu tual sorowe * From the condition of all men * From the state of the times * From the comparing of â—…ood thinges * From the feare of commune calamitie * FroÌ„ hope of restitution * Because it was vniust * FroÌ„ the opinion of men * Caesar. * Who at such time as he was Tribune of the people brought Cicero home again out of banishment * This is apparant in the Oration made for Sextius * Acording to the tenure of Caesars Lawe concerning valuation lib. 3. comment de bello ciuili * When as Cae sar notwithstanding hated â—…uche as were of the sect of Sylla * Signifying somewhat aboue bare friendshippe * He claimeth courtesie by pleading of modestie * For none might be a Senatour vnlesse his possessions were worth D. C. C. C. thousandes Suetonius in Augusto None might be a Gentleman of armes vnles he were worth CCCC thousandes None might be L. Chamberlaine or high counsellour vnlesse his abilitie were a. C. thousandes not onely whiles the coÌ„mon wealthe was standing but in the times of the Emperours as Plinie reporteth in an Epistle * I Thinke that this P. Sulpicius and P. Vatinius vnto whom certain Epistles in the 6. booke are written had the rule and charge of Illyricum by â—…e commaun dement of Caesar. * Of him is mencioÌ„ made Ep. 9. lib. 15. to the same effect * I finde nothing thereof written saue that it was a riuer in Dalmatia now called Narenta Ptol. lib. 2. cap 17. but it should seeme in this place to be the name of some countrie * This L. Philippus was as I suppose bro ther to Lu. Phi lippus father in Lawe to Au gustus L. F. â—… â–ª N. * It appeareth that Laodicea at that time belonged to the gouernment of Asia and not to Cilicia for Asia was in the administration and rule of Seruilius Ep. 68. lib. 13. * So farr forth to be his mainteiner as your owne honestie and the worthinesse of your owne person will suffer Ep. 22. lib. 1â—… 31. 32. lib. 13. * As I coniceture this was Tâ—… Claudius Nero from whom Augustus lead away Lâ—…uia great with childe * As who should say is great * Meaning aboue named Nero. * And also Pausanias Alabaâ—…densis * And also Pausanias Alabaâ—…densis * Citizens of Nâ—…a â–ª a citie in Lydia * Straaboes cause defended by Nero. * In the whiche Neâ—…oes vertues may be â—…eene * Vpon Nero who will deserue your great courtefie * I thinke him to be the very same whom in the second booke of his familiar Epistes he coÌ„mendeth to Coelius * From suche as vsed preten ces playing the counterfectes * He hath put himselfe into many dangerous â—…duentutes * Whom Plime reporteth to haue liued a hundred yeares and eight * For Pom peius had lost Italie Spaine as hereafter in this present epistle is mencioned * For affinitiâ—… sake because Dolabella ma ried Cicero his daughter * By which circumstances he obteyned that surname ofâ—… Mag nus to be called â–ª PoÌ„pâ—…ie the great * In Spaine * At Dyrrachium * From that which is profitable * From that which is honest The like to this is in Virgil. To Priam thy counâ—…rie Th' ast shewed sufficieÌ„t duetie * Pompeius was assaulted and set vppon at Dyrrhachium a citie in Sicilie now as some suppose called Durazo * He was no loÌ„ger sonne in law to Cicero â–ª for he Tullia were diuor ced Lib. 11. epist. ad ArticuÌ„ * Meaning Bae iae a towne in Campania ful of pleasaunt commodities Epist. 12. lib. 9. where it shold seeme he was or else in Cumano or Tusculano ‖ Because you ouerâ—…hrew the piller and the altar which was erected to Caesar of purpose to make him a God. * For Dolabel la Antonie were fellowe Consuls * Homer in Iliad lib. 1. who being â—… king â—…ad the 〈◊〉 oâ—… thâ—… 〈◊〉 in whoâ—…e 〈◊〉 weâ—…e â—…ny kingâ—…s * Hâ—… 〈◊〉 hiâ—…â—…is 〈◊〉 â—…pi â–ª 17. lib 8. 7. â—… lib â—… * Ad Atticâ—…m Epi. 17. li. 1â—… * M. Antonius Dolabella his fellowe Conâ—…ul whose mother sâ—…ued asterward L. Caeâ—…ar her bro ther when hee was a proscript or outlawe * Appi lib. 4 de bello ciuili * Because it sprang not froÌ„ mee as from the naturâ—…ll stocke and â–ª therfore I am to craue and not to chaleÌ„g * On the vâ—…rie same day that he and his coÌ„panions slewe Caesar Epi. 28. Lib. 10. * The latine copie hath Amare and Diligere the first exceedeth the last Epist. 1. ad M. Bruâ—…um Clodius saith hee Valde me diligit fauoureth me great ly * For the people are better pleased with clemencie gentlenes â–ª theÌ„ with 〈◊〉 and sharpnes Ad Atticum lib. 10. Epi. 4. * That euery man thought you might lawfully take reuengement vpon all those which erected and raised vp a piller or columne to the deifying of Caelâ—…r * As if he said That which re maineth is loked for of you to be per fourmed * The names of two seruaÌ„ts the last of whi che was a carrier of letters * Meaning his carefulnes whereunto he hath relatioÌ„ * De diuina li. 1. de sini lib 5 the same order of speach had pacuuiuâ—… and Africanus the lesser vsed Festus Scneca Lib. 19. Epist. * Rome whiche he preferreth bâ—…fore Athens For euery maÌ„ doth ratâ—…er coÌ„meÌ„d his owne natu ral countrie theÌ„ a foreignâ—… and straunge region * Rome whiche he preferreth bâ—…fore Athens
deede nothing beside bare findeing apparell and bookes Nowe Syr if our Lordes they of the Temporaltie and they also of the Spiritualtie had learned to exhibite vnto learned men due and deserued honour as among the Italians it is not â—…nprouided then no doubt Goclenius our fréende had wanted no manner of wealthe but should haue had in present possession mountaines of Golde and Siluer and aboundanuce of all other necessaries But nowe after their long sléepe and slugging they are awaked and euery noble man is desirous and carefull to haue his children trained and brought vppe in learning albéeit among gallant courtiers there is none that is learned in déed but M. G. Halloinus who is so farre froÌ„ reaping any profite therby that he hath had none other rewarde for his labour but enuie and grudginge stomaches Neuerthelesse ere it belong I hope hee shall gaine by the bargaine and recouer great commoditie and preferment Nowe I haue this considencein you that hereafter when you are better acquainted with Goclenius there shal be occasion on bothe partes as well yours as his sufficiently offered to giue me hartie thankes for this my good motion as chaunced but of late in M. Francisco Craneueldio who is so déepely in your bookes of accountes and with you all in all that after a sorte I doo in manner beare him an inward grudge Fare you well D. E. Roterodamus to the Right Renoumed King Henrie the eight King of England c. THE ARGVMENT In this letter are specified three principall pointes in the firste hee commendeth learning and knowledge but specially that learning and knowledge wherein Christe is glorified in the seconde he praiseth the kinges highnesse for refourming religion in the third is mentioned an aduersarie of his against whome he complaineth and sendeth a booke to the Kinges maiestiâ—… written against the same his aduersarie â–ª Finally he wisheth good successâ—… to the Kinges proceedinges and concludeth with a petition to his grace for the continuance of his wonted fauour MOste high and mightie King sithence a greate parte of the life of man and of the felicitie therupon attending consisteth in learning and knowledge which howe muche in this blinde time of ignoraunce they are sought to bee defaced by a companie of bussardly pezantes so muche the more are they to be supported by the fauour and couÌ„tenances of Kings Princes and Nobles towards whome therby in processe of time singular aduauntage is like to growe And because there are diuerse kindes of exercises belonging to learning of which not so muche as the least is to be neglected so principally and aboue all other those studies are chiefly to be séene vnto and regarded whiche are necessarie for the aduauncement of godlines and auailable for the increase of Christes glorie our souereigne Lord and Monarch full of maiestie in this respect I wishe with all my harte â—…ea in the feruentnes of my zeale I desire it that all other Kinges Nobles and Pâ—…eeres would followe the example of your puisaunce and make your dooinges the patterne to frame all their actions and inuentions accordingly Some there bée that do so and I hope the number of them hereafter will multiplie so that you shal not want disciples you being so worthie a schoolemaister Small is my knowledge I must néedes confesse and litle yea whose so euer is least mine is lesser is my learning neuerthelesse howesoeuer bee the measure of mine vnderstanding so God be my good guide and gracious comforter at al times and in my necessitie as I referre all my dooinges to the glorifying of his name and make his honour and praise the ayme whereat I leuell all that I haue hitherto written or hereafter shall write whiles I am able to put penne to paper Undoubtedly euen til this day al godly minded men allowe and wel like of our dooings and among all other the P. Grace doeth count them worthie acceptation How be it some priuie nippers there be and close whisperers in the worlde who taking their pleasure of custome in olde léeze thicke dreggs can in no wise frame their stomaches to the digestion of this our newe and holsome wine There are not many of these malicious men that are thus fettered in extréeme folly and blockishnesse neuerthelesse thoughe there be of them but a very fewe yet with moste accursed execraâ—…le hartes they haue conspired against learning and religion yea they wishe thoughe it were to their owne harme and detriment that the reformation of things amisse in the churche at the prosperous flourishing wherof they grudge and are aggréeued might come to naught and haue no good successe The suggestions and vehement persuasions of these men as by coniecture I gather haue drawne one Ed. L. to raile against vs with outragious language and they them selues not hauing the audacitie and bouldnes of spirit to come vpon the stage haue gotten this youngman beeing desirous of vaine glorie to play al the partes throughout the whole enterlude I would he had otherwise set him selâ—…e a worke in writing deuising or else I would it had béene his fortune to haue béene borne in another countrie and not within the coastes of England I owe nothing to the man howbeit as it is the duetie of one Christian to another I wishe him well thoughe he wishe mée ill and worse to himselfe I owe to the Englishe nation more then I doe owe to any other Region I present to your highenesse a litle booke wherin I make him answere yeâ—… voide of reprocheful spéeches taunting termes and all vnreuerend vsage of the tounge whiche booke if hee peruse and examine he shall soone sée howe with him selfe hée is at contrarietie and disagréement I woulde not haue him turne to the filthie vomite of his contâ—…melious and shamefull language if he loue his owne honestie and honour and as for argument to replye vppon mine assertions to bring any I knowe hee is vnable and insufficient In the penning and compiling of the same I haue bestowed almost fortie dayes whiche time I woulde I had spent either in the extolling of your incomparable noblenesse and encounterable valiauntnesse or else in the aduauncement of the glorie of my Messias Christ so might I in déede haue béene better occupied I béeséeche Christe Iesus the moste mightie to fauour and further your maiesties godly and religious procéedinges to giue them fortunate and happie successe and that it woulde please him to graunt me the vse and benefite of this life but till I haue giuen some signification and testimonie how muche I am bound to your highnes for your vnspeakable goodnesse whome I beséeche like an humble Suppliant to vouchesafe mée your Graces poore Client with your accustomed fauour Dated at Antwerpe D. E. Roterodamus to King Henrie the eight King of England c. THE ARGVMENT After his duetie done in moste obedient manner by way of greeting he declareth what pleasure he tooke in the gifte
matched with me * Or are farre beyonde mee or aboue me * Or if I were Anaximenes his equal mea ning in welth goods laÌ„ds Or it may be spokeÌ„ eiroâ—…ically for fami liar friends vse ieasting nowe and then in their letters * Plato of whome Diog. Laer. lib. 3. sub tit Plat. * Bookes bearing such titles as are here â–ª named * Whereof they intreaâ—…ed was in secretâ—… to them two alone for not so much as the Authors name is recorded * The father of king Priamus a Troian after whose name Pâ—…iamus is called Laomedontiades Virg. lib. 〈◊〉 3. * This booke was intituled De Natura c. which when he had finished â—…e â—…id the same in Dianaes temple written of sett purpose very darkely that none mig ht vnderstande it but sâ—…ch as were learned * It is reported of this Heraclitus that being diseased with a dropsie not passing a point for Phisick he laâ—…ded al his body ouer with tallow and lying along in the sunne to drie in the greaâ—…ie fat fell a sleepe was torne eaten with dogges Suidas * He taken oc casioÌ„ to frame his beginning after the cours of the wickednesse of the age wherein he liued and 〈◊〉 we many aâ—…buses * Hatred hunteth honour * Namely Alexander who for his valiant nesse was surnamed Magnus * His father * The possessioÌ„ of the king dome â–ª * This epistlâ—… is a manifest witnesse of the earnest desire that flamed in Alexander for the attaineing of knowledge * Of this Aristotle read Diog. Laer. lib. 5. sub tit Arist. Plutarch in Sylla * Precepts phi Iosophicall most worthie of hearing learning and following * And that which they know they cannot keepe in secrete but must needes make it mani fest * Wee must thincke no thing laborious and troublesome for vertues sake * Meaning vp pon leather which is apt to receiue any print and marcke * Of the name of Apollonius there were 9. as I reade 1. a Rhodian 2. an Alexandrian 3. an A phro disean 4. an A labandanâ—… 5. a Nyssean 6. A poll Erophi lus 7. a Naucratitian 8. an Athenien 9. a Tyanaean which of theÌ„ wrote this let ter to Estiâ—…us I can not directly report * Virgilius Maro prince of Latine Poets of whose life Pet. Crinit lib. 3. de Poet Lat. Pet. Ram. in scho sup Bucol Virg. largely * His twelue bookes treating of the actes deedâ—… of Aeneas the noble Troian * Cato Vticen sis of the Stoi cal philosophers professi on * I thinke it was C. I. Caesar the comen tariographer for of that name diuers are recorded in writers * Plato wrote this Epistle to Dionysius the Sicylian tyrant * Bycause fobrietie moderate vsage in all thinges is the way to wâ—…sedome * He was som Philosopher by profession or else some fauourer of Philosophie * Wherein true Philosophie doth con â—…ist or the sum of perfect Philosophie to consist in vertue * Of this Archytas Tâ—…rentinus it is reported that he was an excellâ—…nt Geometriciâ—…n Of that nâ—…me there was an other who was a Mity lenean musiciaÌ„ * â—… will be at home at my limited time oâ—… else peraduentâ—…re before I am lâ—…o ked for * This is the same Apo lonius as bi the methode and the matter 〈◊〉 his Epistle I coniecâ—…ure of whose life Pâ—… lostratus and before him Damis hath written * Or declare your selfe to be a right Pythagorist or elâ—…e a true Apollonist of the first â—…eade Diog. Laer. li. 8. sub tit Pyrof the second reade Philost lib. 8. cap. 12. * Then your sormâ—…r wife * That as our predecessours names remained vnto vs by tradition so our names may be continued to our 〈◊〉 * Hâ—… shal proue a good Geometrician a good Arithmetitian a good Musician a good Physician c. * Euphratas whither it were the same of whom Dion writeth In vita Adâ—…iani I cannot wel say of any so named besides him I râ—…ade nothing recorded * The differâ—…ne betweene a Philosophers and a Princes life in bre uitie of words described * Because in conscience by custome of seruice they are tyed to do seruice * Pouerâ—…ie the troden paâ—…b to veâ—…tu ous â–ª conuersaâ—…ion * Pâ—…inces â—…ues drowned 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 * Of 〈◊〉 he sent also for Pâ—…darus and Simo nides as he did for Pythâ—… goras * Whether this were Lysistratus the Sicyonian an image maker not of metals â—…or in his time it was not vsed but of plastering worke and earthly mixture Plin. lib. 25. cap. 12. I dout much thinking rather it was some other priuate man c. * Nouember December Ianâ—…ary c. winterly monethes * Because it â—…elighted in pre sent pleasure and had no respect of sutuâ—…e 〈◊〉 * A â—…isease reigning in 〈◊〉 agâ—… too too plentiful ly â—…y the example â–ª of the litle â–ª 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * This was Epicure the Atheâ—…en Philosopher who writing three seuerall Epistlâ—…s to three sundrie persons 1. named Herodotus 2. Pythocles 3. Menocreus diuided Philosophie into three partes Canonicall Physicall Ethicall Diog. Laer. lib. 10. sub tit Epi. * Sometime Epicure his scholer these two kept com panie and vsed conâ—…erence very familiarly * The deeâ—…s thereâ—…ore thâ—…t we tâ—…ke vpon vs ought 〈◊〉 rather to be regâ—…rded *2 To Nigrino *3 To Mâ—…onio * To giue 〈◊〉 oâ—… mens conditioâ—…s and â—…ortune by their countenaunces *4 To Nigrino *5 To Philopatâ—…r *6 To Nigâ—…no *7 To Menecraâ—…es * Not suche as beâ—…ring two â—…aces vâ—…der one hoode blowe hor colde breath out of one mouth running with the hare huâ—…ting with the hound *8 To Sabino * An opinion dissenting â—…rom diuerse that I haue heard againsâ—…e Poetrie *9 To Philopater * A Syracusane surgian or physiâ—…ian of whom Acliaâ—…us in lib. de Var. hist. 9. of the same name there was a Comoediographer as 〈◊〉 Suidas * I take him to bee the same Philostratus that wrote the life of Apollonius * Tini philo * As the number answerâ—…d â–ª is not agreeable to the number 〈◊〉 no â—…ore is your 〈◊〉 proâ—… 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Cyrus who in his infancie was nourished of a Bytchâ—… that gaue sucke and afterwardes through thâ—… bounâ—…ie of fortune was aduauncâ—…d to be a king Sâ—…rabo lib 15. Xenoph. lib. 1. 2. 3. 4. c. Herodo Iustine lib. 1 Q Curt li. 4. 10. * Cyrus who in his infancie was nourished of a Bytchâ—… that gaue sucke and afterwardes through thâ—… bountie of â—…ortune was aduauncâ—…d to be a king Sâ—…rabo lib 15. Xenoph. lib. 1. 2. 3. 4. c. Herodo Iustine lib. 1 Q Curt li. 4. 10. * That their seruice should be at your coÌ„maundement and not at their owne pleasure * As make for the commoditie of vs bothe indifferently * Darius the king of Persia a name attribu ted â—…o the prin ces of that region of whoÌ„ we may read almoste in
oftentimes promised to fulfil I meane y registring of our â—…nmultuous times dauÌ„gerous chaunces w circumstaunces not impertinent to that purpose I praye you be contented with this answere that the hote desire of making haste whereof I made mencion in the front of my letter setteth me on a fire bycause we are in loue with nothing in the world so much as that the people of all landes and regions might by the immortall monuments of your learned bookes attaine to the knowledge of vs by the commemoration of our déedes whiles we are yet aliue and that we may taste the swéetenesse and ioy oâ—… that our litle glory and yong springing honour before we be deade Concerning these matters I would wishe you to write vnto me if it be not too painefull and troublesome vnto you what you are determined to doe For if you will take it in hande and mynde no lesse theÌ„ you haue oftentimes sayd then will I gather abbridgements of all such things as in that case be necessarie But if you vse procrastination and driue me off with delayes till another time I will conferre with you face to face and let penne and paper lye a sléepe In the meane while finishe that whiche you haue begunne so shall you loue vs. Fare you well Cicero to Lucceio THâ—… ARGVMENT He signifieth how auailable the comfortable letter of Lucceiuâ—… was â–ª to assuage the sorrowe and anguishe which tormented him for the afflicted state of the common wealth ALthough the consolation of your letter coulde not but be acceptable vnto me for therin is disclosed your great beneuolence and goodwill lincked with the like prudence and wisedome yet there was a further commoditiâ—… then that whiche likewise I obteined Namelie the knowledge oâ—… your magnanimitie and courage in the contempt of thinges transitorie and your armed mynd against variable Fortune whiche commendation I iudge to belong to wisedome principally Not to stay vponany other foundation neyther by external casualties to fal into dubitation eyther to liue in feâ—…icitie or in miserie In the consideratâ—…on whereof I was earnestly conuâ—…rsant for it had taken déepe roote and sure ground in my remembraunce yet not withstanding the violence of tempesâ—…ous stormes did so shake it and the clustering togetâ—…er of 〈◊〉 did so batter and beate it that it was much impaired and in manner 〈◊〉 Nowe I sée and feele their present assâ—…staunce as well in your former lâ—…tters as in this your last Eâ—…istle which I perceiue to haue wrought effectually Wherefore these wordes are often to be repeaâ—…ed and not only to be tolde with a naked signification but also to be vâ—…er ed with a sad declaration that nothing was more welcome to me then your letter of comfort To the ingendering of which passion and inward motion as wel those circumstaunces which with no lesse pleasantnesse of style then with plentie of argumentes you haue gathered are auailable as also the valliantnesse constancte and sobernesse of your person then which nothing can be more behâ—…ment and patheticall Which not to indeuour to follow is a fault in my indgement most foule and a filthy offence Wherefore in this one respect suppose me more valliaunt then your selfe the maister of courage bycause you séeme vnto me to haue some hope and confidence that these thinges will decline from worsse to better For these hurlie burlies with â—…age of weapons and those other liklyhoodes besides that the reasons in that discourse by you collected forbad me vtterly to despaire of the common wealth Wherefore in that you are valliauntly minded there is the lesse wonder for so muche as you liue in expectation and yet to conceiue any sparckle of hope it is a thing whereat we may maruâ—…ll For what is there that is not so shakeÌ„ that it séemeth to run to ruine and vtterly to come to nought Marke and beholde en this side that side â—…nd rounde about the members of the common wealth which none knoweth so well as you ne vnderstandeth with such perfection and belieue me you shall not finde so much as one that is not maimed brused 〈◊〉 and much inféebled which I would prosecute with my pen and amply describe if I had a more certaine viewe of them then you haue or were able to make a commemoration and rehearsall of them without horror and heauinesse although as you admonishe me and giue me comfortable counsell all anguishe is to be reiected Therefore will we dispose our selues to suffer with out sorrowe our domesticall and priuate misfortunes and the preposterous chances of the coÌ„mon wealth with more magnanimitie and constancie of mynde then you your selfe shall be able although you giue me prècepts in this respect to imitate For the consolation wher vpon you stay your selfe is as your letter doth signifie a shadowe of some hope as for vs we meane to be stedfast couragious and established yea in verie desperation when hope is harbourlesse where vnto you not withstanding draw vs by your admonitions and by your preceptes indeuour to persuade vs For you rip vp the most pleasant and delectable remembrance of our conscience and of suche things as we you being the ring leader and principal author attempted and performed For we did no lesse vndoubtedly in the behalfe of our countrie then of dutie was demaundable and might boldly be required howbeit for all that more I may say to you then any mans mynde is vrged to accomplishe You shall pardon me speaking any thing in myne owne aduauncement For with the cogitation and consideration of what thinges you would disburthen vs of heauinesse by the remembrance and thinking vpon the same seriously we féele our selues emptied of much pensiuenesse Wherfore not to neglect your admonitions or to accouÌ„t your precepts conteÌ„ptible I wil withdraw me selfe from al molestations and perplexities so far forth as mine abilitie shal giue me leaue and I will frame my mynde and addresse my studie vnto those thinges where with prosperitie is beautified and aduersitie mitigated and with you shall my continuance be so long as both our age and our health will permit And although we be hindered from comming together to inioy bodily presence and reall companie yet not withstanding the coniunction of our mindes and knitting of both our hearts together shal be of such efficacie and force that we will reape such benefite each of vs by and through the self same studies that we shal persuade our selues to be so familiar as if we were neuer a sunder Fare you well Lucceius to Cicero THE ARGVMENT Hee demaundeth the occasion of Cicero his so long absence from the citie and giueth him counsell to withdrawe his mynde from sorrowe If you are in health it is well I am in health according to my custome and yet somewhat worsse for all that then I haue béene wont I sought about oftentimes to the intent I might see you was moued with no smal admiration that you were not at Rome
the 〈◊〉 â—…hewes of popularitie finally not preposterous and perilous knowledge which is so farre from reforming manners that it peâ—…uertech euery 〈◊〉 properâ—…ie but the moâ—… true vnderstanding â–ª whâ—…ch then is most beautifull when it is most naked For â–ª â—…e that is inflamed with a feruent affection and ardent desire of Philosophie or wisedome declining froÌ„ the pathes of that pleasure which is vsually followed the poyson whereof whiles some young men haue sucked their minds haue degenerated from theiâ—… natural disposition and haue 〈◊〉 â—…fected with effeminate waÌ„tonâ—…esse certaine it is that he doth maintaine not onely true noblenesse but exerciseth hâ—…mselfe in the â—…rue workes of vertuâ—… Moreouer if one whose wiâ—… is pregnant and capable of worthie diâ—…plines or sciences haue with his aptnesse measurable practise coupled prouided that a teacher be not wanting such a one quickly attaineth the perfection of vertue Assuredly most renowmed king were I not ouerburthened with drowping 〈◊〉 â—…ge for I am fourescore yeares old besides that were 〈◊〉 my body so weakened I would addresse mée selfe to come 〈◊〉 you and by my seruice accomplish your desires But because the aboue cited circumstaunces are impediments to this purpose that I cannot personally satisfie your will I send vnto your highnesse certaine of mine acquaintaunce who in consideration of y ornaments of their mind are not mine inferiours and in respect of bodilie abilitie are by many degrées my superiours With these if it shall please you to haue conference whatsoeuer belongeth to perfect felicitie assure you it shal be ministred Fare you well â–ª Pythagoras to Anaximenes THE ARGVMENT Pythagoras now bâ—…ing as the course oâ—… the Epistlâ—… 〈◊〉 me to thinâ—… iâ—…â—…talie wheâ—…e â—…e wrote this letter toAnaximenes 〈◊〉 first toucheth the condition and estate of hiâ—… â–ª whether seriously or sportingly it is vncertaine For I reade not that 〈◊〉 had such 〈◊〉 as might bee coniecturâ—…d 〈◊〉 it seemeth rather spoken of Pythagoras by way of pleasure â–ª preâ—…ily puttiâ—…g him in mind that friends should haue recourse one to another Other thinges are touched in the Epistle â–ª 〈◊〉 are pâ—…aine and 〈◊〉 by perusing GOod matchlesse Gentleman if you were nothing more excellent then Pythagoras by byrth and by honour you woâ—…d nâ—… doubt haue come vnto vs from Myletum But no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 take not the painâ—… hauing â—…ch 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your 〈◊〉 â—…ces left you by your fatheâ—… and 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 which should also be impedimentes vnto mée in the like case if I were in semblaâ—… estatâ—… with Anaxiâ—…nes But touching the purpose if you shall forsake the Cities by anguration persuade your selues that the benefite of the same will vtterly decay and vanish and the Medes in like maner wilbée more fierce against them and violent It is not méete and conuenient to be alwayes gazeing vppe into the cloudes to marke the course of starres and viewe the râ—…olutions of the heauens Nay it is more auaileablâ—… â–ª I wisse other whiles to haue consideration of your countrie 〈◊〉 in the estate of the same to haue your minde occâ—…pied For I am not busied about my fables incessaantly bâ—…t sometimes I impart a portion of my will and power to play the warriour as the Italians doe who are at dissentioâ—… and variaunce one with another Fare you well Arcâ—…ytas to Plato THE ARGVMENT This Epistle should seeme to â—…e Responsorâ—… â—…or it maketh answere in such order as if Plato had sent a letter to Archytas before Aâ—… aâ—… otâ—…er 〈◊〉 wheâ—…of son 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to thâ—… 〈◊〉 beâ—…ng somewhat obscâ—… â–ª menâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ade of certainâ—… woorkes of â—…lato his deâ—…sing â–ª which Archytâ—… had in keeping YOu haue not done amisse in â—…ignifying vnto vs that you haue recouered your health which was shaken with sicknesse â–ª you haue certiâ—…ed vs in like maâ—…er â–ª of Damasco touching the Commentaries wee haue not béene negligent in doing our endeuour Wée came to the Lucans and there wée had communicatioâ—… â–ª with the 〈◊〉 of Oâ—…cellus what treatises 〈◊〉 â–ª are in our hands â–ª concerning Regiment â—…awes Iustice the Generation â—…f all thinges soâ—…e of them wée haâ—…e sent to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnâ—…o 〈◊〉 â–ª Tâ—…ose tâ—…at 〈◊〉 are noâ—… so readily to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wee will 〈◊〉 them to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plato to Archyâ—…as THâ—… Aâ—…VMENT â–ª First he speaketh of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it appeareth â–ª by an vâ—…nowne Authour then of other commentariâ—… that THe CoÌ„mentarâ—…es which you sent vs wée receâ—…ued how welcome they were vnto our hands how glad we were of them â—…t is a thing vnpossâ—…ble with tongue to testiâ—…e coÌ„cerning y Author of them thus much I must aâ—…irme in his â—…oÌ„mendation that among all other writers at him we do mâ—…st wonder For 〈◊〉 â–ª he haâ—… 〈◊〉 â—… most euident dâ—…claration and left a substantiall witnesse that hée was not vnworthie of those his progenitours men most auncient passing vertuous These men are reported to haue béene Myraeans they were also among those Troyans that accoÌ„panied Laomedon men of commendable demeanour and praise worthie as those things that are concerning them and their doinges registred doe verifie Touching the commentaries which remaine with mée whereof you haue also written they are not as yet perfected neither will be I thinke perfourmed to the proofe neuerthelesse I haue sent them vnto you least you should dreame of a denial As for the kéeping of such pamphlets as you cannot readily finde I am not discontented further admonition therefore is not necessarie Fare you well King Darius the sonne of Histaspes to Heraclitus the Ephesian Sapient THE ARGVMENT Taking his beginning from a booke which Heraclitus did write enygmatical and darke to vâ—…derstand and crauing a verball expositioÌ„ of the whole worke he requireth him by the title of his royaltie to be his teacher rebuking by the way the insolencie of the people that â—…garded not such wise men as should be honoured Lastly to the end hee might winne Heraclitus to be his instructour hee promiseth him intertainemeâ—…t very largely and Princely YOu coÌ„piled a certaiâ—…e booke full of obscurities doubtes and darke clauses in many places which booke being expounded it appeareth to conteine in it a certaine specâ—…lation or view of the world vniuersall of al things within the compasse of y same included and of them also that are carried about with celestial motion circularly In the reading of sundrie places of which your worke touching these citâ—…d circumstances many haue béene so insnared intangled as it were in nettes of doubtfull reasons that most of y which they did read bred an ambiguitiâ—… though the whole treatise séâ—…med vn to you orderly penned and plainly enough to the capacitie oâ—… men deuised King Darius therefore the sonne of Histaspis is desirous to be your scholer and would be acquainted with the Grecian knowledge Repaire therefore to our maiestie without delay and appeare before our presence inour
weapons to be armed for the indurance of labors sâ—…eatings and watchings yea for vertues sake to put his life in hassard and to haue death in sâ—… small account as vtterly to despise it and haue it in contempt These things do not ingender terrour in the hearts of such whose praise can not perish whose renoune is ioyned with eternitie and â—…uerlastingnesse but in those they bréede feare and quaking timorousnesse with whose life al things else whatsoeuer vanish and aâ—…e extinguished Socrates to Theopompo THE ARGVMENT He inciteth Theopompus to the imbracing of knowledge sheweth that no place is more meete for to lodge it in then is mans mynde or memorie KNowledge is a thing most perfect most honourable and most beautifull deseruing not to be marked on the backes of brute beastes but to be imprinted and grauen in the mindes of men Wherefore Theopompus commit to the casket of thy memorie the vnderstanding of those things wherein to be instructed thou art so desirous from hencefoorth abhorring the hydes of deade carkasses frame your selfe to be delighted with mens liuely voyces Fare you well Apollonius to Estieo ¶ THE ARGVMENT Hee sheweth that vertue and riches are contrarie preferring wisedome before wealthinesse VErtue among vs is couÌ„ted contrarie to mony for when the one of these diminisheth the other increaseth when the one increaseth the other diminisheth howe then is it possible that they should both haue place in one person except after the opinion of sooles that thinke riches to be vertue Suffer not therefore your friendes and acquaintance to be ignorant of vs what we are neyther let them conceiue of vs this opinion that we had rather â—…hose to be wealthy men then to be wise men For it is a thing most worthy of discoÌ„meÌ„dation yea it is a foule offence if that for riches we should aduenture tedious and daungerous voyages which passe away like smoake and shadowes neglecting in the meane season the noblenesse of vertue which is lincked to eternitie and euerlastingnesse Virgil to Augusto ¶ THE ARGVMENT He writeth to Augustus touching his worke called the Aeneides wherein he saith things are out of order therevpon inferring his râ—…ason AS I haue receiued from your hands many Epistles so some concerning mine Aeneas which if it were worthy of your person I wold most willingly preseÌ„t it to your highnesse But it is such a confused and disordered heape that I thinke my selfe scarse well in my wittes when I tooke vpon me to write such a worke sithence as your Grace knoweth other deuises to the â—…eautifying of such a booke are more to be required Cato to Caesar. THE ARGVMENT This Epistle beeing written by a heathen or Pagane might bee a mirrour to a Christian. For herein Cato sheweth his opinion touching the soule of man saying that it is heauenly he declareth also in what worke our mindes ought to be busied WE must be of this iudgement friend Caesar that our soules concerning the which we haue had often conference descended and came downe from the heauenly habitation being sunke as it were in the muddie element of grosse earthly substaunce a place repugnant to celestiall matter and cleane contrarie to eternitie Furthermore we must beléeue that the immortall and euerlasting Gods haue instilled and powred our mindes into our bodies that we shoulde liue in the world after a seuerall order that we should be occupied in heauenly speculation viewing the course of celestiall creatures that in modestie of life and vprightnesse of maners we might imitate and followe them accordingly Plato to Dionysius his alies ¶ THE ARGVMENT He writeth to Dionysius his kinred and alies to leaue off their lauash cheare and delicates teaching them that they shall â—…euer be wise or sober so long as they be so sensually disposed and that they shall neuer attaine true delight if they learne not to be prudent and continent WHen I came to sée that straunge kinde of life replenished with Italian iunkets and Syracusane deinties carrying a report of a life flourishing in felicitie I was so farre from allowing the same that twice in one day to pamper the paunche séemed vnto me a thing worthy of much misliking And as I say of this so I say of nightly sléepings taken abâ—…siuely and of all things else whatsoeuer to the necessitie of this life incident inordinately vsed For in such superfluitie no man shall attaine to wisedome none shall acquaint them selues with temâ—…er aunce For what nature by suche meanes mâ—… learne moderation Nowe â–ª out of question There can bee no life accompanied with perfect pleaâ—…auntnesse whereon prudence and temperaunce giue not attendaunce â–ª Fare you well Plato to Aristodoro THâ—… ARGVMâ—…NT IT is reported vnto me that you aboue the rest are in familiaritie with Dion and that your chiefest exercise consisteth in vertuoâ—…s behauâ—…ours answerable to the precepts of Philosophie For this is myne opinion iâ—…gement that Constancie faythfulnesse sinceritie and such praise worthy properties are true Philosophie â–ª As for other sciences artes faculties and professions seruiceable to other thinges if any man call them by the name of Ornaments hee shall giâ—… them no vnfit terme as I suppose But Fare you well and in the câ—…mendable conditions where withâ—…l you are presently acquainted make continuance Plato to Archytae Tarentino ¶ THE ARGVâ—…ENT He writeth to Archytas toâ—…ching some 〈◊〉 of the anâ—…ent Troâ—…ans whose name is not knowne 〈◊〉 hiâ—… 〈◊〉 hâ—…s inuention and ordâ—…r sinally â–ª he maketh mention of 〈◊〉 commentaries but treating of what matters between them two it was in secrete the like Epistle if it be not altogether the same is before recited IT is a wonder to thinke with what excéeding ioy I receiued the Commentaries whiche you sent me with the singular witte of whose author I maruellously delighted The in vnadoutedly as by his worke it is apparant deserued right well of those his auncient progenitours They say â–ª that of them there were ten thousand men in number who among all the other Troians that accompanied Laomedon as it is reported were most noble renoumed Touching the commentaries which by writing you do require these are to let you vnderstand that as yet they are not finished neuerthelesse receiue them as they are I meane vnperfect Concerning the custodie of the writings whereof you wot my minde with yours is agréeable wherefâ—…re â—…urther talkâ—… in this matter is néedelesse Agesilaus to Plutarcho ¶ THE ARGVMENT He answeareth to a letter sent vnto him at suche time as he was busie in warlike affaires to put him in minde of his returne In the end of the letter he sheweth with an example of himselfe that Princeâ—… must be ruled by lawe and counsel of highest officers WE haue subdued a great part of Asia we haue vanquished the Barbarians and we haue made many battels or skirmishes in Iconia Notwithstanding because you will not haue mée passe mine appointed day
reason hath not their generation or issue from the enticementes of Venerie I meane to speake more sensibly from carnall pleasures neither of aboundance of pampering belly cheere but of pouertie whiche leadeth vs the plaine pathway to vertue of whose noblenes Vile man is moste vnworthie Againe varietie of desires and delightes in voluptuousnesse together with an immoderate wallowing in sensualitie casteth the mindes of men defiled with effeminacie and bewitched with wantonnesse into the slauishe imprisonment of vices most detestable yea into that bondage it bringeth them by vsing themselues familiarly to such foule enormities as you your selfe incurre and lye tumbling in accustomably Where vpon it foloweth that you as a captiâ—…e or prisoner cast away your target and sworde of resâ—…stance and haue yéelded vppe your selfe whoâ—…y to the power of those tyrants in whose clawes since you are caught it is hap hazard if you escape vndamnified For among all other thinges not so muche as your wordes but are as it were in league with thinges altogether vnprofitable and very superfluous Send not therfore for Pythagoras to come to your kingdome to enter with you into familiaritie to be conuersant with you in your Palace For Physicians as people reporte neuer wishe to be partakers of the diseases of their grieued patientes Socrates to Lysistrato ¶ THE ARGVMENT To a familiar freende indued by nature with goodly qualities and yet sore entangled with idlenes he writeth pleasantly after many exhortations before giuen for the auoyding of slouthfulnes vsing a fable of the grasshopper and the Ant therby thinking to incite him to set in open shewe the giftes which lye hidden in him as fruitelesse FOr so much as notwithstanding our manifolde and maruelous admonitions for your commoditie vsed preuaile so litle that our labour is lost and that with Penelope wee dooe and vndooe no perfection or finall successe in the meane while folowing we wil attempt another way begin our busines a fresh vsing deuised fables or moral tales as instru ments seruiceable for our present purpose So peradueÌ„ture it shal come to passe that the things which of vs are pronouÌ„ced shal of you be sooner heard and better liked The grassehopper in the auncient world when the pleasant flourishing season of the yeare serued skipped leapt and chirpte in her kinde among the gréene herbes summerlie plaÌ„ts coÌ„ceiuing in his song a certain pride was delightsomly disposed The ant on the other side kéeping company with the labouring reapers and being prouident in purueying victuals for her nourishment was occupied in gathering wheat cornes together hoording them vp closely in her conuenient garners farre more prouidently employing her paines then the grasshopper Now when the sunne had entred into the Hybernicall signes haruesâ—… posting from vs and winter hasting to vs a season vnpleasaunt to the earth and when the Sea casting away calmenesse fell to continuall raging the mariners tooke vppe their harboure in hauens the husbandmen sate warming their shanckes by a lustie fire that filled the chimney and the litle pretie Ant couching closely in her countrie cotage inioyed in due season the swéetnesse of her sweating labours susteined in summer The grasshopper therefore resorting vpon a time to the Ant besought her instantly to impart some small portion of reliefe out of her store and prouision but the Ant chyding and driuing away the singing grasshopper from the doore of her homely house among all other motions shewed to reprehend the grasshoppers sluggishnesse fell into an excéeding great laughter calling to memorie the mellodious tunes swéete songes that he sounge in pleasaunt summer there withall quipping the foolish grasshopper by way of exprobation To conclude the swéete harmonie of the grasshopper turned into a long hunger and the sweating labours of the Ant were chaunged into cherishing sustenance This fablâ—… Lysistratus is applyable to thy person whose propertie of idlenesse is suche that thou art in worse case then any one that is haunted with a feuer or quiuering agâ—…e For shame shake off this sluggishnesse and vse thy selfe to some exercise for sithence your body lacketh no strength no might no abilitie is it not a rebuke vnto you to be so vâ—…prouided of knowledge cunning in all things onely by thâ—… meanes of this mischiefous idlenesse and to purchase suche a a slaunder and euill report to thâ—… 〈◊〉 of those goodly ornamentes wherwith by nature you are inriched But Fare you well Epicurus to Hermacho ¶ THâ—… ARGVMENT Beginning with a complaint of his disease whiche he afterwardes stayeth through an inward conceiued gladnesse he putteth Hermachus in minde to keepe very carefully the bookes or workes of Metrodorus AT what time we enioyed the blessed day of our life the same being likewise the last we wrote out this present Epistle at whiche time we were so gréeued with a disease of the bladder and the bowels that worse tormentes none might indure then we suffered Neuerthelesse thoughe my body were so doloroâ—…sly vexed yet with the ioy of minde that I conceiued through the memorie of my dooinges and deuises they were somewhat redressed But according to the inclination of your will towardes me and the loue that you beare to the profession of Philosophie whiche from your young yeares in you hath béene ingendered do your vttermoste indeuour that the volumes of Metrodorus may be safely reserued Lucianus to Sabino THE ARGVMENT This Epistle though it were written as a speciall letter beeing full of preceptes and holsome counsels tending to the reformation of behauiours yet in consideration of the within conâ—…eined circumstances I see no cause with standing but it mâ—…y be general To drawe the particularities thereof being so many and diuerse would exceede the order of an Argument IF you be determined to attempt any newe enterprise anâ—… labour the causes of your purpose are firste to be canuassed and 〈◊〉 considered least your vnorderly proâ—… giue manifest eâ—…ivence of your temeritie and foolishâ—…sse For we are ashamed to speake without licence of lawe or authoritie It is more auaileable and praise-woorthie with a litle losse to growe to agreement with an aduersarie then with great daunger and expence to stande to triall of lawe whose iudgement is hard and doubtfull For the sentence of the iudge is oftentimes vncertaine and cleane contrary to the expectation of the Clients whose cause is in controuersie If you be desirous to knowe the nature and disposition of any man marke his sayinges and viewe his dooinges as for his countenaunce account it of small cre dite â—…hough suche as be experte in the profession of Physiognomie presume by mennes faces to giue coniectures For Dissimulation or hypocrisie dasheth out all sight of iudgement gathered by the viewe of the visage Suche workes as you take in hand if they be famous and worthie make haste to haue them finished leaste you be preuented in your purpose before it be
desirous to attaine vnto and with knowledge willing to comprehend whereof he is not able to giue preceptes and sufficient to teach and instruet So often as I make inquisition search after any abstruse and mystical matter he is my treasure he is my storehouse O what trueth and honestie is in his language what authoritie resteth in his countenaunce and what maiestie what decencie there is in his delayes and in his doubtfull demaundes what subtiltie and quicknesse of wit what is it whereof he is ignorant and yet notwithstanding he laboureth oftentimes in a laberynth of vncertaintie he doubteth in diuersitie and sundrie sortes of causes which he thresheth and sifteth in such sort that the verie originall and beginnings of them are by him rehearsed discerned examined and considered Furthermore howe parciall and sparing in diet how moderate in apparel and cloathing When I enter into his chamber and cast my rolling eyes from corner to corner yea when I beholde his bed and the necessarie furniture there vnto belonging I sée a liuely representation and image of the frugalitie and thriftinesse which was in high estimation among our ancestours These things are beautified with the noblenes of his nature which referreth nothing to ostentation painted popularitie and vaine glorious opinions but trieth al things with the touchstone of conscience and weygheth whatsoeuer commeth in question to be decided in the balance of iustice and equitie The reward of a good déede he fetcheth not from the reporte of the people but sifteth it out of the circumstances wherby the cause is knowne To knit vp all in a summarie no man would be so madde and ouerséene as to account any one of those which by outward gesture habite of the body make a iollie shew a glose of singular wisdome comparable to the man whom I haue mencioned He is no idle talker eyther in hall or gallerie Neyther doth he make other mens leasure and his owne quietnesse delightsome with tedious disputations but sitting in his long gowne or riche robe is occupied in suche matters as are of him to be determined He is a furtheraunce to many in being their aduocate and an helpe in hassard to such as vse his counsell in chastitie in vprightnesse in iustice in constancie he is préeminent and no mans inferiour If a man were in his companie and saw his behauiour he would be astonished such is his patience in suffering the sharpe assaultes of his sicknesse in resisting the violence of sadnesse and sorrowe in wrestling with thirst which requireth moyst recepts in passing through the incredible heate of burning feuers without shrinking Not many dayes agoe he called me and diuers of myne acquaintaunce vnto him whome he loued entirely and desired vs to resorte to physâ—…cians for counsell and of them to learne the extremitie and vttermost daunger of his infirmitie and disease that if it were past remedie he might prepare him voluntarlly to leau this life but if it were in difficultie and yet not in despaire he might resist and struggle with it till suche time as perfect health were to be recouered For the petitions of his louing wife the lamentations and teares of his deare daugh ter and the state of vs his good friends are not to be neglected all which premisses are directed to one limitted marke namely that he would not cancell our hopes if at least wise they were of assuraunce and not built vpon vanitie with voluntarie death That thing doe I estéeme and iudge hard vneasie and worthy of principall commendation For to runne as it were with a certaine force and violence to death is common to many but to vse deliberation concerning the end of life to consider of the causes which depend therevpon aduisedly and as reason prescribeth so to be persuaded eyther to liue or dye is the propertie of a well disposed minde and a certaine token of a man armed with valiauntnesse As for the physicians of whome we asked counsel they put vs in good comfort promising that all things will turne to the bâ—…st and that there is little feare of daunger to death It remaineth that God say Amen to their warrants that he disburthen me of this care conceiued of whiche when I féele my selfe deliuered I will to my Laurenâ—…inum a fresh that is to my bookes to my noting tables and such exercises of learning as are both quiet and fruitfull For continuing where I am I haue no leasure to reade neyther yet any lust to write such is mine inwarde anguishe You vnderstande what it is that I feare and you knowe what I wish besides that what I haue purposed hereafter to attempt you are not ignorant As for your self I would haue you write more largely that letters may haue passage and repassage betwéen vs twaine and that I may be informed how you haue bene exercised how you are presently occupied and whervnto you will apply your time your wit your labour and your leasure My distressed condition shall be indifferently redressed seasoned with measurable consolation if you cease from complaining haue no cause by smart anguish to lament C. Plinius to Pompeio Falconi THE ARGVMENT This Epistle runneth wholy vpon resolutions For as it appeareth a question was demaunded whether a Tribune might pleade at the barre wherevnto answere is made with sundrie reasonâ—… YOu aske my counsell and aduice whether I thinke it requisite that in y office of the tribuneship you shuld plead causes It is a thing not lightly to be regarded that you consider what that office is whether it be a vaine shadow and a naked title destitute of honour or a religious authoritie against which magistracie as no compulsorie meanes should be vsed so ought they y beare the same office not to trie any man by constraint At what time I was a Tribune or protectour of the people I might peraduenture haue offended in thinking my selfe to be that whiche I was not and then did I abstaine from pleading causes and medled not in matterâ—… which in common place of iudgement are â—…o be 〈◊〉 First byâ—…ause I supposâ—…d it a great 〈◊〉 and disorder that he to whome all men ought in rising to reuerence and in giuing place to vse most worshipfully â–ª should stand on his feete like an abiect whiles all other sit in prepared plaâ—…es and that he y might by authoritie commaunde al men to be huiâ—…t and silent should haue his tong limited and tied â—…o the running of an houre glasse anâ—… that he whâ—…in in talke to interrupt and hinder â–ª was counted a thing 〈◊〉 tâ—…lerable should haue contumelies and reproches ringing about his eares whiche if he sought not to recompence by reuengement then was he thought straight way a cowardly beast and if he would not let them passe without 〈◊〉 and payment of some smart then was he thought proud and insolent This was also a horrible heart griefe when as eyther he whose
doubted least it runne in report of slouthfulnesse and ignoraunce or else of timorousnesse and fearefulnesse Fare you well C. Plinius to Saturnino THE ARGVMENT Writing to Saturninus he declareth what a pleasure it is to him to see and heare friendship flourish among men of vertue and honestie In the end of the Epistle he is grieued that Saturninus is busily occupied in matters of suites of lawe that he cannot haue his companie NExt immediatly vnto our friend Priscus because such was your commaundement I haue most willingly and liberally perfourmed the dueties of thankfulnesse For it is vnto mée the pleasauntest thing in the world vniuersall that you being men not of the basest degrée nor yet of the meanest maners and behauiours besides that such whom I loue most sincerely and farre aboue al other cleaue so closely together in frendly conuersation that you thinke your selues mutually bound and tied in knottes of perpetual kindnesse For hée coâ—…fesseth and protesâ—…eth also that by the benefite of your friendshippe hée perceiueth himselfe a communicant and partaker of singular delectations contending and struggling as it were to outrunne and conquere you in the most honest combate of concord and kindnesse wherunto processe of time will giue large and plentifull increase That you are intangled and earnestly occupied in buisie matters I am for this cause somewhat sorrie for that your seruice being yoked to such necessitie cannot satisfie our desires Howbeit if by the helpe of the Iudge the one controuersie may be finished and by your paines the other also accomplished you shall beginne first where you are to enioy rest and quietnesse and afterwards as you finde your selfe sufficed towards vs to addresse your iourney Fare you well C. Plinius to Fusco THâ—… ARGVMENT Hee teacheth Fuscus how to bestowe his time commending that kinde of studie which is applied to translating out of one tonguâ—… inâ—…o another wheruppon by the way he toucheth many circumstances Hee sheweth also by specialtie wherein it is good to bee exercised And though Plinie wrote this Epistle to one particular man laying before him as it were a platforme of studie yet I see no cause to the coÌ„trarie but these precepts of Plinie may serue as well to teach all young studentes an order and methodâ—… in studie to be obserued YOu demaunde of mée a question and what is it but to be instructed how I thinke it were best for you to bestowe time now that you are in solitarinesse and sequestred from companie Mine aunswere to your question is this That in my iudgement you shall finde this exâ—…rcise very profitable if you frame your self to interprete out of the Gréeke tongue into the Latine or iâ—… you tranâ—…late out of the Latine speach into the Gréeke In which point of practise the propertie of the language is to be pondered gaynesse of woords to be followed abundaunce of tropicall and figuratiue floures to be obserued and finally a patheticall and veheâ—…ent order in writing to be continued Moreouer through imitation of the best most approued Authors abilitie to coÌ„prehend the like thinges is obteined and that wherin the reader wanteth vnderstanding is much deceiued the translatour hauing the direction of knowledge and the ende of art is not rauished yea by the exercise of translating wée purchase perseueraunce by the vse of the same our iudgement incliâ—…eth to ripenesse There is also some aduauntagâ—… to bée gotten to write that downe which you read in wordes of a contrarie tongue to the intent that the whole substaunce and argument of that which the booke conteineth may be ingraffed iâ—… your memorie to conferre and examine that which you haue written with that which you haue read and so diligenâ—…ly to consider wherein your Author hath aptly framed his inuention and you not vnorderly dealt in your translation Great gladnesse wil be offered if in some thinges you amend your Authour Great shame and discredite also will insue if in all pointes he shewe more skilfulnesse and bring his matters to more perfection It shal be lawfull also for the translatour tâ—… choose and pick out such thinges as be most manifest and apparant then afterwardes to canuasse and sift them with discretiâ—…n A bould and presumptuous kinde of contention I must acknowledge this to bée yet neuerthelâ—…sse not euill or malicious and why because it is secretly practised These and such like contentioâ—…s I wot wel many haue attempted and thereby wonne commendation whiles they wanted not sufficient abilitie to followe after as it were in a châ—…e and despaiâ—…ed not likewise to outrunne the ringleader and thereby to gett ground By translating this commoditie ariseth to renew that in memorie which sometime you read haue forgotten to retâ—…ine many thinges â—…n minde when time serueth to be vttered to passe ouer many circumstances vppon consideration to interline here for necessitie there for exornation to reiect that which is written by writing it againe This exercise I must confesse is laborious and paineful yea it is replenished with toile and tediousnesse On the other sâ—…de againe in that by the difficultie hardnesse of the work perfection is recoâ—…ered where much was out of square resâ—…itution of strength gotten which was diminished the commoditie is answearable in proportion measure to the wearisomnesse of the labour For end to put too newe â—…immes ioyntes and members to the perfourmed body not displacing them that it had before is another pleasure which redouÌ„deth to the Translatour I know that at this instant your studie standeth principally in playing the Oratour howbeit I labour not by persuasion to win you to the pracâ—…ise of this skirmishing warlike and fâ—…ghting style For as ploughed lands are sâ—…atered sometime with this seede sometime with that because varietie is profitable so our witts in like maner are to bee exercised one while with this meditation another while with that because diuersitie draweth with it much pleasure My counsell moreouer in this case is that you buckle your selfe to translate some what out of histories and that in writing epistles you vse great diligence For it commeth to passe many times and oft that vppon vrgent necessitie wée must as it were leuen our Orations with historical narrations and béesprinckle the same also with Poetical descriptions as for epistles by them this commoditie is gotten not onely a methode in writing and speaking compact in breuitie but the selfe same also full of smoothnesse and puritie Furthermore it is permitted to the translatour to take the benefâ—…te of relaxation and refreshing his musing minde with versifying I do not meane in that wherein ampliâ—…cations and large discourseâ—… are vsed For I am not ignoraunt that to the 〈◊〉 of such an eâ—…terprise much leasure and labour is required but that rather which as it is quicke and wittie so is it short also and not tedious which dispenseth with all maner oâ—… cares and businesse whatsoeuer They are
called playes of dispâ—…t and trifling pastimes neuerthelesse as much renowne otherwhiles is by them atâ—…hieued as by matters more earnest and wâ—…ightie is procured and to discouer a manifest trueth which silence oughte no longer to smouâ—…ther for why should I not vtter verses whiles I exhort you to the stâ—…die aâ—…d meditation of the same True is this Comparison As waxâ—… is praisde if soft it bee and yeeld To euerie shape which workemans fingers frame Minerua chaste and Mars with sword and sheeld Faire Uenus grace that â—…miable Dame â–ª Her prâ—…tie sonne who Cupide hath to name With thousand sortes of thinges that disagree In waxe by Aâ—…te which plainly printed â—…ee And as the flames of hoat and scortching fire Are quenched quite with water of â—…he spring And sloures in field thereby to growth aspire And medowes greene of grasse which plentiâ—… bringâ—… So witt of man by skill a goodly thing â—…n diuers Arts must taught and trained bee What gaine is gott thereby the blind may see And therefore Oratours most excellent and men of great reputation vsed either to giue their mindes to that kinde of exercise or else in the saâ—…e were excéedingly delighted nay rather they did both take pleasure in it thought no skorne to make it their practise For it is a wonder to consider and weighe how y minde labouring in this meditation is much like vnto a bowe some times bent very tight and sometimes againe made slack for the nones that is it is other whiles busily occupied otherwhiles againe it is pleasaâ—…tly disposed For the subiect or argument wherof â—…erses consiste are perâ—…urbations and motions of the minde as loue hate anger mercie mildnesse frowardnesse c. Besides that they conteine all kinde of thinges which béelong to the course of our life and not so much as caâ—…es of lâ—…we pleadable in courtes of assise c. but in them verses are conuersaunt Poetrie hath also in it a peculiar commoditie and it openeth a passage to pleasure in other exercises for that being tyed to the necessitie of obseruing quantitie and proportion of syllables we delight our selues in proaâ—…e applying oure penne to write that more willingly which comparison doth proue vnto vs more easie and lesse laborious You haue peradâ—…enture more wordes spoken in this behalfe then you required Neuerthelesse one thing hath escaped for I haue not made declaration what I thought worthie the reading albeit I expresse what was worthie the writing It shal be your part to â—…xe and ingraffe this in your remembraunce that with diligence you must elect and châ—…se the best approued authorâ—… in their kind of methode and exercise a common saying it is in y mouthes of many Multum legendum esse non multa That much and ofâ—…en reading must be vsed and not one thing vppoâ—… another And what Authors those are that are most to be allowed it is so manifest and euident that iâ—… néedeth uo demonstration and if I should set downe a catalogue or beadroll of their names mine epistle should extend and stretch it selfe an vnreasonable length insomuch that whiles I set downe directions and precepts how you should order and dispose your studies I my selfe séeme to diminishe and consume the time which otherwise on my booke mought be employed Take into your handes againe your noting tables and write somewhat that is alreadie spoken or else the selfe same thing that you haue begonne Plinius to Traiano THE ARGVMENT This epistle is petitorie for it compriseth a shorte supplication made to his Prince Traianus for the graunt and gift of an Augurship or Septemuirship two seuerall offices in the end hee addeth a reason whie his request is to be of the number of the Augurs FOr â—…omuch as right gratious Souereigâ—…e I knowe of a certaintie that it belongeth to the testimoniall and commendation of my behauiour to be adorned and aduaunced by the iudgement of so bountifull a Prince I make my humble supplication to your highnesse that it would please you to amplifie and inlarge my dignitie whereunto I haue aspired through the benefite of your Graces clemencie either with the office of an Augur or of a Septimuir because there is place voide and to be furnished that I may according to the relligious rites and ceremoniall order of priesthoode pray publiquely vnto the Gods immortal whom at this present I worship and adore priuately for the preseruation and happie estate of your highnesse Plinius to Fabato THE ARGVMENT He beginneth with the celebration of bearth dayes then descendeth to talke of a Village in Campâ—…nia a Countrie in Italie Pliâ—… â–ª lib. 3. cap. 5. Flor. lib. 1. Strab. lib. 5 â–ª and others whereof Fabatus to whome hee directeth this letter was Lord and possessioner shewing that somethings were in decay and other some thinges againe in good estate hee 〈◊〉 of his want of acquaintaunce with men of the Countrie whose natures agree well with labour at last making mencion of Rufus touching some secrete matter hee concludeth WE are bound of duetie no lesse to celebrate your bearth day then our owne sithence the ioy and delight of ours dependeth vppon yours by whose diligence and care it is come to passe that when wée are hâ—…ere wée are merrie and when wée are there wée are not sorrie The Uillage called Camilliana Villa which is in Campania and in your possession is meruailous olde rotten and ruinous howbeit such thinges as are of most value and price doe either remaine whole and sounde or else haue but litle harme Wée will therefore giue attendaunce that they may bée repaired in order conuenient I séeme to haue friendes a great number â–ª but of that kind stampe which you séeke and your matter â—…oth craue I haue almost neuer a one For they are all gowned men and Citizens and you knowe this that thâ—… administration and buisinesse belonging to farme places and manours in the Countrie require a painefull and laborious fellowe and such a one as is hard and toughe and able to indure toile and trauel enough to whom as that kinde of exercise is nothing grieuous so the charge and care thereof is not vnséemely neither is their solitarinesse seasoned with sadnesse Concerning Rufus you thinke very honestlye for he is lincked with your sonne as it were in fetters of familiaritie and friendship Howbeit what new thing hée caâ—…ne compasse for himselfe I cannot tell his will is bent to do verie much I beléeue Fare you well Plinius to Quintiliano ¶ THE ARGVMENT The daughter of Quintiliaâ—…us to whom hee writeth thiâ—… epistle being towardes marriage with Nonius Celer a younge Gentleman â–ª Plinie would haue so attyred as to the office and calling of her husband is most correspondent and aunswearable Hee giueth her a summe of monie to â—…mende her Dowrie and thinking his gift but small doubteth not for all that â–ª but it shal be well accepted ALthough you are a man of singular continencie and
make them empoisoned Such kind of hearbs take héede of for in â—…éede of medicine they worke mischiefe in place of health they drawe indaunger except some signe appeare in them aâ—… an ylâ—…auoured blacke colour or else some ranke stinking sâ—…uour So that Art and cunning it selfe by the meanes of Fortuâ—…e is oftentimes deceiued Wherefore suche purgations as procéede by the receipt of Helleborus haue in them somewhat more certaintie the which as it is reported * Melampâ—…s vsed to restore Praetus and Anticyreus to heale Herculâ—…s But in curing Democritus we will come to no such remedie onely wisedome shall be the most effectuall medicine that can be ministred in this his present passion Fare you well Hippocratos to Damageto This Epistle is historicall THE ARGVMENT Democritus by natiuitie an Abderite a philosopher of his time most famous and excellent being wearie of house keeping and ouercharged as it were with tediousnesse of keeping companie with his citizens giuing ouer that carefull life as I may rightly terme it and burthened with businesse got him â—…to a desart placâ—…as an Heremite or wildernesse wanderer not farre distant from the citie â–ª Abdera and there leading his life fell a laughing at what so euer 〈◊〉 sawe done Which straunge thing the citizens his countriemen noting supposing that he was distracted and robbed of his right witâ—…es to speake plaine phrentique and madde sent in embassage to Hippocrates Cous a man in the profession of Physicke and practise of that Art most renouned to come to Abdera and to take vpon him the curing of Democritus Hippocrates being wonne to the satisfaction of their desires both by embassage and also by letters signified sayleth to Abdera and being there arriued and abidâ—…ng with his patient certifieth Damagetus to wlâ—…ose credite â–ª in his absence 〈◊〉 committed the eustodie of his house and the whole charge of all thinges else to him belonging both of the doings and also of the sayings touching him selfe and the aboue named Democritus as appeareth in this present Epistle next and immediately following THe suctesse of al things friend Daâ—…agetus was answerable to our suspicion For why Democritus was not distracted or out of his right wits but was of a more excelleÌ„t mynd then all other men and farre beyond the rest in perfection of indgement by whose meanes we are made better acquainted wiâ—…h wisedome and others also by and through our procurement indued with the more knowledge I haue sent you your shippe backe againe best beloued which as it may rightly haue the name to pertaine to Aesculapius so next vnto the ensigne of Sol I woulde haue you place the cognisaunce or badge of Salus bycause my voyage which I tooke in hands hauing winde and weather at will a swift barcke and prouided to the purpose was prosperously performed For the very same day wherein I made prâ—…mise to set forwarde such was my happie successe I arriued at Abdera and being there landed we had conference with the citizens who were gathered together in a cluster at the gates of the citie gasing and tooking on vs as on a worlds wonder This multitude did not consist onely of men but also of women both olde and young and by the Gods I sweare there were among them children of tender yeares in whose countenaunces a certaine sadnesse of mynde was represented These were in such taking as if Democritus had bene outragious indéede who was nothing so but at the same instant was earnestly addicted to Philosophie and in contemplatiâ—…n with wisedome So soone as they sawe my person they beganne somewhat to recouer staying them selues by reason of my comming vpon the sure anchor of hope â—…ut Philopoemenes besought me with instancie to take my â—…odging at his house with whome to be intertained it was agréed vppon by consent But I sayde to the Abderites that I had nothiâ—…g 〈◊〉 doe saue onely so visite Democritus whiche wordes when they heard mée vtter they gaue me grâ—…at praise and they themselues also were surprised with souden ioy Then they conducted mée through the middes of the market place some following other some going before the rest clustering about mée al giuing great shoutes outcries with one voice Mightie Iupiter thoâ—… greâ—…t Kiâ—…g succour vs assist vs I hearing this noyse exhorted theÌ„ to haue good hearts and not to be discouraged sitheâ—…e there was no cause at y time of mischief to be feared though there were yet nouerthelesse thaâ—… it was in 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 reâ—…edied which wordes when I had spoken â–ª I departed For the house was no greate distance from that placâ—… to say the trueth the Citie it selfe was of no great compasse or 〈◊〉 â–ª 〈◊〉 to the walls and for 〈◊〉 wherof Democritus inhabited For right against the turret of the town there was a mightie mountain or huge hil plentifully planted in 〈◊〉 order 〈◊〉 poplar trées of notable talnesse and passing thicknesse from the foresaid turreâ—… Demoâ—…s might be â—…cried Hee â—…ate vnder a Plane trée with spreading boughes and gréene leaues all alone coursely arayed pale coâ—…red like one almost famished his beard shaâ—…n thus like an Heâ—…mite face he vpon a stone in sleed of a stoole in solitarines the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fréend of companie On his right hand out of the hill 〈◊〉 a pleasant spring which made a geâ—…tle softly â—…unde with y falling of y sweete streams Aboue this hil as it may be coniectured was a place consecrated to the Nymphes a place I say ouershadowed with vine branches growing in y place not by meanes artificiall but by appointment naturall At the same momeÌ„t or prick of time Democritus had vpoÌ„ his knées or in his lap as he sate an excéeding beautiful booke wide open other bookes round about him vpoÌ„ the gréene ground He had also gathered together as it were in a droaue much cattel many of which he did rip cut and mangle sometimes stoâ—…ping forward or leaning downe he â–ª wrote a running haÌ„d otherwhiles againe restraining his pen from paper he sate sâ—…ill as a man full of muses and earnest in contemplation Thus when he had done anon after he arose walked vp and downe his head being fraught with myllians of imaginations he behelde the bowels of the beastes whome he had anatomised tooke a viewe of their entrailes hauing so done layde them euery one in his proper place passing orderly and sat downe againe to his painefull pennes exercise The Abderites that stoode rounde about me as it were in circular manner being sore surprised with pensiuenesse gored with griefe and tormented with stings of sorrow could scarsly reâ—…raine from wéeping at the viewe of such a spectacle Sée sée say they the fashions of Democritus looke on the present state of his life beholde his straunge behauiours would not any man iudge by marking his vsage that he is phrentique and vtterly dispossessed of reason For he is not maister of his owne will ouer his owne déedes
otherwise thâ—… we are in expectation and desire fal out ouerthwartly yea chaunce cleane contrarie to our account and reckoning I tooke vpon me â–ª a iourney into the coastes of this countrie not without great expence of charges not without sore burthens of labour in hope that I shoulde recouer my health which sicknesse had empayred I forsooke a faire and famous citie I gaue ouer my necessarie affaires and weightie businesse I was content to withdrawe me from your companie whereon I am persuaded the chiefest and worthiest portioÌ„ of mine estate dependeth these incomparable commodities are so farre notwithstanding from being recompenced and counterpeised with other aduauntages that many crooked chaunâ—…es haue succéeded which if they were referred to the sense of féeling might not vndeseruedly be called by the name of misfortunes torments and inconueniences But bicause reason ruleth the inward passions of my heart when outwarde smart doth sting me and worke my great griefe I am so much the lesse discomforted This reason instructeth me that nothing is to be counted euill but that only which falleth on vs through our own default this reason techeth me that iudgement in thinges incident to this transitorie life is doubtful and not assured this reason instructeth me that nothing in this world continueth in one state but is subiect to ebbes and flowes of chaunge this reaâ—… resolueth me that euen aduersities miseries calamitieâ—… â—…ough they drawe vs nighe the gulfe of despaire and destruction suffer a soudeine alteration and that from them flowe flatte contrarieties namely prosperities happinesse and choice of coÌ„modities Againe that those things which put on a pretended shewe and visard of felicitie to speake more familiarly which in our opinion are embalmed with blessednesse turne into most bitter extremities of vexation and wretchednesse that is to say banishment pouertie beggerie shame reproch c. In this cogitation and coÌ„sideration wheÌ„ my mynd is occupied I féele my selfe inwardly somwhat refreshed as the measure of my abilitie wil giue me leaue I take vnto me that kind of courage valiantnesse of stomach which in time of Fortunes frowning glooming cloudes of ouerthwart chaunce doth most gloriously shine and glister Touching which vertue as many traditions are lefte registred by the pennes of most excellent philosophers in writing so none of them al are to be compared with C. Iesus the pledge of our redemption the prince patterne of heauenly philosophie the authour and welspring of true and perfect godlynesse who was him selfe a most liuely example and expresse image of the same whom if we be content to acknowledge our maister to his teaching as scholers submit our selues we shall soone learne and vnderstanâ—… what valiauntnesse is indéede and we shall quickly perceiue where lies the plaine and infallible pathway which leadeth to the true and perfect attainement of all right commendable Arts and praise worthy professions And vndoubtedly my good friend Francisco Varga in that you account all other studies but lost in comparison of this whereto you giue all the preferment I can not but for this speciall occasion haue you in singular reuerence countenance and estimation yeâ—… I muste néedes thinke of you more honourably for the cause aboue cited then for the office of your Oratourship by the vertue wherof you deale in all the affaires and businesse of Caesar the most â—…ictorious and noblest emperour that hath liued in wealth of thâ—… Venetians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For in the selâ—…e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ich you â—…t thâ—…s â—…resent â—…ioy and possessâ—… oâ—…her 〈◊〉 â—…ntlemen in yâ—…ur â—…ualt â–ª buâ—… I â—…aue 〈◊〉 hearâ—…â—…o much aâ—… oâ—… one that hath bene yâ—…ur supeâ—…ur â–ª 〈◊〉 after my departing from you yoâ—… will not thinâ—…e noâ—… belâ—…e â—…owe often my â—…art 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your words and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â–ª 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though 〈◊〉 thâ—…ngs here where I do now 〈◊〉 â—…ere 〈◊〉 to myne â—…wn wish wil yea if I were 〈◊〉 â—…at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as by the 〈◊〉 accesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 it could not be made better â–ª If I say I sayled with full sayle 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of felicitie as I am almost drowned in the depth of irrecouerable daunger and distresse yet notwithstanding my life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ith 〈◊〉 of ioyfulnesse and delight bycause I beâ—…ng absent from you a great distance taste the swéeteneâ—…e of yoâ—…r excéeding gentlâ—…nesse finde my selfe inwardly comforted with the memorie of your prudent and hoalsome counsels reape maruellous fruit and aduauntage by the preceptes and admonitions which you haâ—…e vttered vâ—…ry auailable no doubt and necessarie for the leading of my lifâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and séemelinesse in health and safetie I begiâ—…e 〈◊〉 â—…o 〈◊〉 â—… greater â—…iking theÌ„ I haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 anâ—… improue my former 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 my â—…welling and house kéeping in Bâ—…rnacum marâ—…e Your â—…ngular adâ—…ertisements your friendly forewarnings your honestie and your good will call me home againe to kéepe house in the citie As for fâ—…nnie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seruâ—…th 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tâ—…me thâ—…t place is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if I be troubled with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to resort for my pleasuâ—…e In the meane while I will so sée to 〈◊〉 with due obseruatioâ—… oâ—… diâ—…t and abstinent 〈◊〉 as shall make best for my commoditie and peraduenture it will 〈◊〉 fall out in traâ—…t of time bycause All thinges depend vpon Gods prouidence that I may waxe lustie againe and recouâ—… my health in Venice within the walles of mine owne dwelling hauing my friendes round about me with whomâ—… I may reioyce and liâ—…e in such sort as to my contentation is most agréeable that no necessitie of the weather no occasion of season shal constraine me to remoue which if I may obteine you shall finde me if it please yoâ—… to admit and like wâ—…ll of my presumption and hope of your humanitie and gentlenesse as I knowe you doe not thinke it 〈◊〉 a familiar companion in manâ—…r â—…n ordinarie guest and a con tinuall chamberfellow and doubtlesse with this confidence I am wonderfully comforted succoured and supported Fare you well P. Manutius to Hieronymo Faleto Oratour to Hercules Duke of Ferraria ¶ THE ARGVMENT â—…ing muche moued with angrie passions against one belike of whome he was â—…bused and iâ—…iuriously dealt withall he 〈◊〉 to Hieronymo Faleto the Duke of Ferraria his â—…ratour wiâ—… whome he was wâ—…ll acquainted desiring him to be hiâ—… sâ—…ccourer and assistant otherwise he sayth his lucke will be but 〈◊〉 lastly â–ª he maketh mencion of a booke whiche hee wrote conceâ—…ing foure kindes of common wealthes and so concludeth with â—… 〈◊〉 farewell THe wordes which not long agone you vttered haue tâ—…ken roote in my remembraunce and howe muche the more diligently I call the matter into sâ—…crete consideration with so muche the more earnestnesse and spéedinesse I haue 〈◊〉 al 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
bly afflicted * Mening tho citic of Rome * Either liue among vs as you wer wont or at least liue merily alone * Not somuch for the losse of the coÌ„mon wealth as eyther for the slaughter and death of his friendes or els for their absence in forreigne places for some became hard har ted that they might not returne into their countrie which was quite spoiled of libertie The death of his daughter moueth him to write in this complayning order * Because as they hate filthy thinges vndecent so they esteeme seruitude most vilâ—… * After the Pharsalian coÌ„ flict For by and by after returned Cicero into Italie * The comâ—…unicating partakinge of sorrow is a coÌ„ solation For both of them were touched with the common wealthes miseries and Titius also be sides had cause of priuate sor rowe * It is extreme follie not to be ruled by an vniuersal law * Because many as well as hee haue lost their children * Which is most lamenta ble in somuch that a wise maÌ„ can finde no pleasure in hiâ—… life * As thoughe there had beâ—… no common 〈◊〉 weâ—…lth â—…t 〈◊〉 time * For somuch as theyare not vtterly depriued of this light and life but that they haue escaped the miseriesof these daungerous dayes * A reason of the necessiâ—…ic of the time * Out of those bookes wherin precepts are giuen for the attainment of renowne * I iudge of your mind as I iudge of mine owne by mincowne I measure yours * Which peraduenture I had not thogh I did many notable thinges when Cae sar was in roome of râ—…giment * Where D. Brutus â—…as L. president * By the newe Consulâ—… who entred into of fice in the Kâ—… of Ianuarie * It is true but yet not more loue for our countrie in that respect is preferred be fore oure parents and our children ergo much more before oure friendes * Beâ—…se it seemeth that by the fauour of Caesar you obteined that which you haue gotten * Which you are like to win by taking vppon you to de fend the common wealth in daunger * Not onely decreed vpon but coÌ„cluded and finished Liu. lib. 28. * For both the Consuls were gone out to fighte with Anthonie and therfore were absent from the Citie * For Plancus had but giuen a signification of his will to the inteÌ„t that if he had bene aduaunced to honour or receiued any inâ—…igne of worthiueâ—…se it might seemâ—… vnto him an allurement or prouocation to shew profâ—… of his prowes rather then a reward for any not able deede by him perfourmed * For we haue knowne one another of a long continuance Epist. 22 lib. 10. * Anthonie had not theâ—… beene lefte aliue Epist. 12. lib. 10. * Meaning Anthonie to whom it was a benefite to liue * When hee went to BrundisiuÌ„ to bring with him the Macedonian power to the Citie * For he could neuer be quiet by the meanes of Anthonie * Who died â—…eade the 9. Philippie * Being but ninetene yeares of age Vel leius in his 2. lib. Tacit lib. 13. * Of his owne priuate counsel and proper expeÌ„ces Philippic 3. * In his returne from BrundisiuÌ„ epi. 25. lib. 12. Philippic 3. * This letter was made wheÌ„ Piso and Gabinius were Consuls * For that is the mening of these words a Vestae ad TabulaÌ„ ValeriaÌ„ by the iudgement of a lear ned man now liueing â–ª whose authoritie is grounded vppon certaine monumentes to bee seene yet in Italie * Yet did Terentia liue aboue a hundred yeares as Plinic reporteth 7. lib. cap. 48. * This booke was written in the praise of Caesar as the other wherof hee confesseth himselfe to haue felte the smarte was written to his contume lie reproch * Meaning Caelar * In that part of his booke wherein hee doth coÌ„mend Cicero * Bycause he was doubtfull howe Caesar would take his doings wel or yll * Or he writeth to mee with weapon in hande Or hee writethe like a warriour fiercely to his onimie * For such as be in miserie may scarse vse such boldnes * Bicause olde acquaintance presumeth veâ—…y faâ—…e * Bicause of the malapeâ—… arrogancie of Pompeius his complices * When I preferred most wrongfull peace before most rightful warre * As thogh the battel fought at Pharsalia wer his whole port and couÌ„tenance by the wil of fortune * For we can not chose but be greued neuerthelesse we can ouercome our griefe by valliantnesâ—…e * Brutus and Cassius did not communicate their counsel in kil liâ—…g Caesar with Cicero Plutarch * A Tribune of the people who waâ—… after wardes slaine of Octauian * Of tentimes testified but specially against the Paâ—… thians * Bycause your desire is to medle with war in no case wherein you shewe your self a wisemaÌ„ * He noteth the basenesse of the man. * Or that may vse and enioye the ple sures and profites of heaueÌ„ and 〈◊〉 * Plancus But sa whom Caesar restored * It is peradueÌ„ ture the same A. Bal. to whoÌ„ he writeth in the 3. Epi. li. 1. 13. Epi. li. 6. * He comforteth him by the common condition of all men * Touching a mans owne selfe and his natiue contry * â–ª From the person of Caesar * From the person of 〈◊〉 * A good man doth nothing vpon hope but followeth his duetie * In Pompeius his cause * When we â–ª made an 〈◊〉 to Caesar of Gallia â—…or the space of fiue whole yeares * Of Caesarâ—… victorie * Mâ—…ning that in time to come hee was in likelyhood to come to greâ—…t dignitie and promotioÌ„ * Athens Epi. â—…lib 6. * Gouernour of Achaia Epi. 4. lib. 4. Epi. 6. lib. 6. * Foâ—… he gaue vs counsell in no wise to intermedle with ciuil warre Epi. 4. lib. 4. * For in time of peace the Romanes coÌ„monly dyd weare gounes * Namely in no authoritie or estimation * Or to bee owing as due debt â–ª and demaundable bicause hee hath made pro mise â–ª to Torquatus to doe something for â—…im and hiâ—… * P. Lentulus who was earnest with the Senate for Ciceroqs restitution * Bicause Meâ—…llus was his aduersarie before * Meaning such as did ayde Clodiuâ—… for in the 4. booke Ad Atticum and the 3. Epistle this Metellus is called the bro ther of Publius Clodius who was enimie to Ciâ—…ro * The Consul P. Lentulus most willing to see to Cicero his safetie * It is maruel that he would write to such a gouernour whose vsage in the prouince wher he ruled waâ—… saultie blame worthy as Dio Obsequens in Epitome Liuiana report * He signifieth that hee wrote against his will. * For store plentie of mat ter this place is to be confer ted with that whiche is set downe Epi. 8. lib. 5. * For store plentie of mat ter this place is to be confer ted with that whiche is set downe Epi.
〈◊〉 ry historiographer anâ—… of this our Darius and Alexander muche in Q. Curtius * Whiâ—…h discouered thy malice aâ—…d shewed the poysoning sting of thy enuious stomache * Or causes in this presâ—…nt letter mentioned made manifest * The third part of the worlde the other twaine be Europa Aphrica c. * Of prowesâ—…e courâ—…ge puisauâ—… valiant nesse c. * For he had taken them all prisoners wheÌ„ Darius was discomfited * Because hee wrote a letter to Alexander calling himselfe by the name of a king and not ascribing to Alexander the same title royall * 1 To Gibbo c. He was belike some Pomilio or litle dwarfe and that made him to vse this eironical method * To whome you are as much comparable as a mole hill to a mountaine *2 To Gibbo c. *3 To Regulo * The vniuste dealing of Fortune in ad uauncing the vnworthie *4 To Bardaeo * The sickenesse of the goute ingendred of immo derate drinking and incontinent pleasure of the fleshe *5 To Bâ—…silisco *6 To Tornico * Not so much loathsome of it selfe as â–ª loath some for the foule infections which it bâ—…eedeth as thâ—… spanishe pocke c. *6 To Tornico *7 To Romana *8 To Regulo *9 To the Sarabaites *10 To Fontano *11 To Tornico *12 To Tornoni *13 To Regulo *14 To Gibbosulo * Alluding peraduen ture to the name of Regulus before mentioned vpon some oc casion *15 To Valdo *16 To Agio * That is to say vertue *17 To Roâ—…leo * That vseth his riches as they ought to be vsed *18 To Losmeo *19 To Iunio * This was not Pindarus the Ephesian xyrant but Pindains the Thebane Poet whose style in verse was so stately that it exceeded immitation Hoâ—… lib. car 4. Ode 2. *20 To Locero *21 To Quirino *22 To Basilisco * A precept that if it could pearce into the harts of woâ—…ldlings vertue would soone mount aloft that now hangeth downe her head as ashamed of the world * It is not for ignorant and vnskilful persons to vtter their opinions in that where of they can reÌ„ der no reason â–ª * The externall goods of Fortune described in Euphratas wherin according to the custom of that age he excelled * His fatherly countenaunce deserued such dutie of reuerence * Or beginnest * The wisedome of Pom peius in preferring Euphratas the philosopher â–ª to the marriage of his daâ—… ghter * To perform the office and function of a magistrate is the principall part of philosophie * If I see my friends furnished with those things which I my â—…elfe do want * Some friend of his with whom he was well acquainted and was sorrie for his â—…icknesse * Bycause it is more commendable for a iudge to deliberate and cast doubts in cases of controuersie then to be ouer-quicke and ha stie which somtimes per uerteth equitie * Bycause it is more commendable for a iudge to deliberate and cast doubts in cases of controuersie then to be ouer-quicke and ha stie which somtimes per uerteth equitie * Bycause he was so learned and therwithall so wittie in reasoning * Or he is an aduocate to many and a counseller to more c â–ª the wordes may admit a double interpretation * Voluntarie death ought not to be attempted of aâ—…y wise man notwithstanding many a one among the brutishe swarm of peo ple vse it as a remedie against miserie * Merrily say some copies for the Latine word is laetio ribus Both iâ—… terpretations are alowable * A Tribune may not be a pleader of cau ses in commoÌ„ courts of iudgement * In law they are called coÌ„pleynant and defendant * Bicause such offices are neuer separated from much la bour toyle * Shewe your sâ—…lfe â—… wise man in the whole course of your life that will win you woâ—…ship aboundâ—…tly * Matters of weight and great imporâ—…aunce A speach Metaphoricall * Hee câ—…lleth the fruites of Octauius his witt as books and learned workes which he wrote by the name of children * Where the armes ensignes of the Romaine Em pire are spred â–ª â—…o some bookes are to bee â—…xpounded which varrie in the word * Are blowne abroâ—…de and noised in 〈◊〉 plâ—…ces against your minde * As to publish the books and volumes which you haue written in your name that by your paine you may winne fame and renowne * Bookes a 〈◊〉 oâ—… translation from the body to the minde * Least your delayes gett you the 〈◊〉 of a sluggarde or idle lubber or else of a feaâ—…esul cowardly and dastardly loute * For the mutual agreemeÌ„t of friendâ—… is a thing where at wee ought to â—…eioyce as the vaâ—…iaunce of friendes is a thing whereat wee should be greeued * To whose hearing determining the â—…atter called in qâ—…estion was coÌ„mitted * Not that solitarinesâ—…e whiâ—…che nature doth abhorre but by solitaâ—…inesle â—…e mea neth in this place want of friendly compâ—…nie and fâ—…miliar acquaintancâ—… * A readie and exquisite way to attaine knowledge in a forreigne laÌ„guage * 〈◊〉 it is honest and blamelesse â–ª * Whiles thâ—…y 〈◊〉 skil enougâ—…e â–ª and art sufficient to followe their authour and were in hope also to atteine more excelleÌ„cie * A similitudâ—… not to be preâ—… with ouâ—… duâ—… consideration â–ª * Precepts for younge scholers to obsâ—…rue and followe * The commoditie that redoundeth to him that diâ—… ligently readeth epistles * A compâ—…rison betweene waxe whose propertie is to receiue eueâ—…ie impression the wiâ—… of man which is apte for the knowledge of many and sundriâ—… sciences * Poetrâ—…e deaâ—…eth in al kind of matters as well warr like and wâ—…ightie as wanton and pleasaunt * For that con foundeth rather then coÌ„firmeth know 〈◊〉 * Offices in the common-wealth of credite and countenance thoughe he craue promotioÌ„ yet because hee mighte pleade merite he is not to bee thought ambitious * Offices in the commonwealâ—…h of credite and countenance thoughe he craue promotioÌ„ yet because hee mighte pleade merite he is not to bee thought ambitious * A tâ—…ing coÌ„moÌ„ in the age of our Auncestours to kepe banqueting to vâ—…e other 〈◊〉 customes on the dayes of â—…heir natiuitie a thing sauou ring of Epicurisme and not of Christianisme * They were neuer trayned vâ—…pe in counâ—…ie matters therfore their skill is to seeke * In most sincere and faithfull frendship * A younge man whome Pliniâ—… fauoured * A large dow rie giuâ—…n with a young damosell in mariage wherein though Plinie was liberall yet note his modestie * Meaning his friend whome hee accoÌ„pteth as himselfe be cause true friendes are twaine in bodie but in heart one * Caesar to whom he was suppliaunt in the behalfe of Sexâ—…us * An argumeÌ„t from the father to winne credite to the fonne * 〈◊〉 â—…s one as wel as 〈◊〉 â—…her 〈◊〉 exception 〈◊〉 is of â–ª 〈◊〉 but
〈◊〉 nuâ—…ber of 〈◊〉 * For 〈◊〉 â—…bedience 〈◊〉 both largeâ—… commoâ—…datioÌ„ and more amplâ—… rewards then that seruice which by constraint is recouered * Pleading dif â—…ficultie and hardnesse in the matter wherwith they are charged they excuse themselues to Brutus * For as the stoare of the one is to bee 〈◊〉 so 〈◊〉 waÌ„t of the other is to be pondâ—…red * A people inhabiting Asia called by that name of whoÌ„ Herodotus in his first boke maketh mencion * Citizens of 〈◊〉 a citie in Lycia a countrie of Aâ—…ia the lesser lying betwixt Pamphylia Caria c. * Wee Rhodi ans will withstand thee at the swordes point â–ª though wee die not yeeld like bea stes to bondage * And therefore had we â—…a ther encounter with thee then yeeld become â—…iect throughe entising giâ—…ts * An enimie to Brutus * Because per aduenture you knew not of his coÌ„ming * Because you succour mine aduersarie * Because you take part with a coward * He shoulde haue susteined like hassard as the rest of the Rhodians * Whether â—…ny such cause should haue bene offered as therevpon Damasippus should be for ced to take his flight * A true sentence of Hippocrates for in wisemens politique gouernement â—…s more safetie then in other artificiall defences * For Art con firmeth nature and giueth vnto her more strength * The contrarie minde of Hippocrates to al physicians of our time He deni eth his helpe to such as pro fer monie they withdrawe wil and worke except rewards be re ceiued c. * The greedinesse after gaine is a disease in physici ans far worsle then madâ—…es of mynde if it be precisely pondered * As if he had sayde what of fer you me monie I tell you that I sel not my cunning for coine * Wherin ver the doth consist is here to be learned * For till such time as hee made his voyage to Abdera he thought certeinly that Democritus was mad in deede as it was reported * The PronouÌ„e whom hath relation to the Abderites for so the sense inferreth albeit the wor des be somewhat prepostâ—… rously placed * Not as though vertue could be in ex tremitie for euerie extremitie is inclinable to vice but he meaneth suppositiuely if it were so that vertue coulde exceede * This charge giuen by Hippocrates to Di onysius touching his wife â—…auoureth of iealousie * The pronenes of women to lewdnesse set downe in breuitie * For a man taketh after his progenitours either in things teÌ„ding to praise or dispraise * Or of his countrie called an Abderite but hauing to name Democritus * Thinking that monie hath me at commaundement then the which I esteeme nothing of lesse â—…alue * And yet neâ—… sâ—…ch due deliberation must be had and vsed that â—…eme ritie and rashâ—… haste making â–ª be auoyded For as the one is daungerous so the other iâ—… coÌ„modious * Proper qualities ingraffed for that is the meaning of Hippocrates in this place * For hauing seene him and also hard him he reporteth other wise theÌ„ he supposeâ—… of Democritus * How Demo crit us who was thought to be madde was occupied * Or of the chiefest streat where most concourse of people vse to be * The poplar trees grewe high thicke together * Not planted by meÌ„s hands but growing of Nature * For hee was making an Anatomie to the end hee might attaine to the knowledge of the constitution and composition of mans body * The perples ities of the Ab derites who would none otherwise be persuaded but that Democri tus was as mad as the diuel of hell or worse * Democritus entertaineth Hippocrâ—…tes * The name of a brooke neare to the which was his dwelling as if one of vs noting our frendes house sayed thus he dwelleth by Alderman burie conduit or some suche like speach * Into that which is noysom pestilent daungerous hurtful * An enumera tion of suche impediments lets as stop men â—…roÌ„ the vse of contem plation which is here called Felicitie or happinesse * For he suspected that De mocritus had spied some va nitie in him that was rebukeable * The benefits of Democritus his mad nesse if all meÌ„ were madde in that maner it would turne to their owne auaile * A causâ—… that moued Dâ—…mo critus to lâ—…ughter were the vaine studies and practises of men tending wholy to â—…anitie * Itum â—…st in viscera teâ—…ae They digge and delue the groâ—…d Thâ—…t vauntage may bee fâ—…nd saith the Poâ—… * If truly spoken in his time then no doubt much more agreeable to veritio in these our dayes * None content with his estate â–ª whiles they make profit the end of all their actions * Then is it meeâ—…e and coÌ„nenient wee should therin occupie exercise our selues wherunto wee be called appointed * As if hee should hâ—…ue sâ—…d there is not so muâ—…h as one man that doâ—…th so meane or 〈◊〉 * The waâ—…ering and wandâ—…ring asfections oâ—… people as vnstable as the windâ—… or as 〈◊〉 as a weather cocke * And yet they will not bee â—…aught to frame 〈◊〉 to wisedome * Ignoraunce hath the rule of euery mans liâ—…e no meruaile then though they 〈◊〉 * The vâ—…nitie of meÌ„s minds â–ª caried away with incoÌ„stancie and not setting themselues to a ceâ—…taine trade science and estate * Men in their variablenesse and ignorance which is exceeding grosle and palpable compared to children * All creatures are content onely man is insatiable and hathe neuer inough * As if he had said these vain studies and en deuoures of people deserue exceedingly to be laughed at and mocked * The wordes of a Pagan Philosopher but vndoubtedly wel wor thie of christians to be diligently mâ—…rked for the shâ—…me of their sinne and the ameÌ„dment of their liues * Or inuenting some qâ—…el to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * A world of wretcâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Parcially spoken for he himselfe was a physician and therefore this complaint might seeme lesle to be regarded * Meaning heauen from hell * Which the brute and vnreasonable beast doeth partake in like manner * In considera tion of the extreme follies and vanities which I haue rehersed * By whose directioÌ„ whosoeuer is lead and guided he 〈◊〉 not erre he cannot swarâ—…e * The reporte of Hippocrates coÌ„cerning Democritus after conference had together * Hipparcha a woman of hiâ—… acqnaintaunce giuen to the studie of Philosophie * As is he had said man before he was indued with life was nothing so after deathe he is in like manner nothing * The opinion oâ—… Phalaris concerning Pythagoras the Philosopher * Persuasions to moâ—…e him to come vnto him * His people and subiects were so intractable so 〈◊〉 and so rebellious * For the Father is touched with naturall pitie to complaine for the losse of his childe being the fruite of his owne bowels *
inferred vpon the enumeration re hersall of the forecited circumstaunces * In this his persuasorie speach he giueth a testimo nie of the passing loue af fâ—…ction which he did beare to the Vniuersitie of Cambridge * He meaneth the Vniuersitie of Cambâ—…idge the garden plot of Artes and Sciences c. * Syr Iohn Cheeke his deserued commendation * Wherein he shewed himselâ—…e a true a right noble Genâ—…leman * He meaneth king Edwaâ—…de the sixt of most famous memorie * Thâ—…t which hee sayth here to syr Iohn 〈◊〉 may likewise bee said to other Gentlemen a great number * Or it is not for that you are worne out of my remembrance nor yet because in the perfourmance of my duetie I waxe loose and dissolâ—…te * By an earnest obtestation he declarâ—…th the reueâ—… opinion whiche he con ceiued of theÌ„ to whome he wrote this Epistle * M. Mabell Vachan a vertuous gentlewoman * Cambridge and Oxenford the twoe lampes of England for learning know ledge c. * To you for the readinesse of your wittes quick capacities to him for his painefulnesse diligence in tea ching c. * Wherein appeaâ—…eth the wisedome and true loue of Parents to their children * The beginning of his letter whiche was his salutation or greeting * Promise of duetifulnesse touching his owne person * Note the or der of his drawing to a conclusion of this his letter * Or wil graunt of his gratious good nesse c. * Whiche is an inâ—…allible proofe and 〈◊〉 argâ—… ment that you are a vertuously dispo sed Gentleman * King Edward the sixte with what goodly gysts of minâ—…e he was indued * Or Copies * He kniâ—…teth vp his letter with an earnest praier wherin he giueth witnesse of his well wishing heart * From the acknowledgement and confessing of benefites receiued he falleth ordeâ—…ly to his petition whiche is a very good 〈◊〉 way towards the atteinment of his purpose â–ª for in shewing his own thaÌ„kfulnesse hee winneth further fâ—…uour well liking * Or he may perceiue and I also vnderstande * By the enumeration oâ—… these 〈◊〉 circumstances he mo ueth and com mendeth * Whiche is so farre in you to be â—…ound that your for wardnesse is wonderfull and to be con tinued should want no in couragement * Gentlemen with whom he was well acquainted and familiar * Three specialties wheâ—…upon this whole Epistle runneth * Venus giues beautie Plutâ—…s giâ—…es 〈◊〉 Iupiter giues honour * Or that you haâ—…e a singular and speciall regard c. * Some book which he had written and bestowed vpon the Gentle man to whoÌ„ he wrote as a gifte of his good will a token of kindenesse * Men that goe a wooi to one wo man betwiâ—… whome commonly there is emulation and hatred * A King of Lydia Sonn to Halias this man in the vaine conceite of his riches whiche were in deede vnmeasurable called himself the floure of felicitie oâ—… the pearle of prosperous estate * This clause is to be referred to that whiche goeth 〈◊〉 where 〈◊〉 speakâ—…th 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fa 〈◊〉 and not to thâ—…t which followeth though the o ueâ—…â—…wartnes of the wordes seeme to offer suche senâ—… where he talketh of pleaâ—…ure and delight * In the be ginning of his epistle he named three ne cessâ—…rie things belonging to mans life whereunto he ioyneâ—…h other two learning â—…reendeship c. * Or whiche beeing refâ—…rred or which perteining or beloâ—…ging c. * A signification of his wa rynesâ—…e and circumâ—…pection * It should seeme â–ª that whâ—…n he iâ—…dited this Epis tle his continuaâ—…ce was in â–ª thâ—… Princes Courte * Wordeâ—… of considence wherin whiles â—…e maketh de claration of his owne affec tion he consir meth to himself his freends kindenesse * His artificiall conclusion conteining a recapitulation of the forecited circumstances in bre uitie * This is his vsual and accustomed order of ending * This his Pro eme or beginning was drawen from occasions offe red as from the tâ—…me then present c. * The frowardnesse of Fortune and not their own fault the cause of 〈◊〉 distresse * He meaneth Lâ—…dgate * An honest â—…xcuse for the â—…uoyding of suspicion * â—…â—…eÌ„thesis including an 〈◊〉 of such casualtiâ—…s as make men whensoeuâ—…r they chaunce to hâ—…ue a shrewd fal and greatly to 〈◊〉 * A defence grounded vppon witnâ—…sle not to be neg lected * Occupiers in dâ—…unger of much losâ—…e many mischances * The summe of the debt the number of the prisonners * The summe of the debt the number of the prisonners * 〈◊〉 â—…ending wholy to perâ—…sions wher in hee playeth the paâ—…t oâ—…â—… suppliant * The ende of hiâ—… supplication maâ—…e in the behalfe of the prisoneâ—… of 〈◊〉 * The ende of hiâ—… supplication maâ—…e in the behalfe of the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 * He concludeth with prai er for the prosperous estate of king Philip the date of this supplication mâ—…y be soone learned by iust accompt of the yeares beginning at the yeare 1554 Imprinted at London for Ralphe Newberie Anno Domini 1576.
the aduersarie of wisedome and aduisement with backbyting and slaunder the professed enimies of honestie wher with whiles they acquaint themselues wishing well to none they indaâ—…age themselues they wounde themselues with their owne weapons but to suche malicious people wée wishe a better minde and a more tractable nature Be you my deputie in mine absence and commend mée to euery one of my fréendes by name particularly Dated at Louane in the Calendes of September Fare you well D. E. Roterodamus to S. T. Moore highe Treasurer to the Kings Maiestie THE ARGVMENT Hee commendeth to S. T. Moore Lorde Treasurer of England a sreende of his named Conradus Goclenius a man by his reporte of singular learning and praisewoorthie pâ—…operties who hauing but a bare maintenaunce in consideration of his worthinesse whiche deserued farre better Erasmus is moued in minde to write for his preferment hauing suche a speciall regarde of modestie tâ—…roughout the whole course of his letter whiche is in deed peâ—…itorie that he seemeth not to craue at all when he craueth moste earnestly I Can not but highly commend Right noble Honourable this your well disposed minde in that you séeke to inriche your selfe with nothing so much as with fréends faithfull and syncere on whom the most part of your pleasure hearts delight you are persuaded and that not amisse doeth depend Some there bee that are maruelous circumspecte least they should be deceiued with counterfet pearles precious stones and metals of value you contrarie wise making none account of the admission of suche transitorie richesse thinke your selfe to be as you are in deede who calleth it in doubt wealthie enoughe yea to swimme in aboundaunce of all necessaries if among all other your possessions you haue one faithful freend and vnâ—…eigned Neither is there any man to be found whose minde conceiueth more pleasure in casting a paire of dyce in playing at tables in riding and running a hunting in the swéet and comforâ—…able soâ—…nde of musicall instrumentes then you reape pleasure in hauing frée talke and liberall communication with one that is learned and indued with vnderstanding And although you haue plentie and store of this kinde of substaunce yet notwithstanding because I knowe thus muche that the couetous mans heart is alwayes greedie and euermore vnsatisfied and for that also I consider that you and I haue had oftentimes passing fortunate success I thought it not amisse to commende vnto you and as it were to deliuer into your possession one speciall man whom you might loue with all your hart and to haue him in singular estimation the man whoÌ„ I meane is named Conradus Goclenius a Westphalian which kinde of countrie people as there be of the common sort very many that be ignorant and vnciuil so there are to be found among theÌ„ as we haue had experience many that be of a noble nature fraught with all manner of learning and in knowledge moste excellent There is no kinde of people more painefull able and willing I meane to susteine labours none in manners and behauiours more trustie deseruing credit none for simplicitie plainesse vprightnes in dealing more to be coÌ„mended or at least wise they principally praise worthie You are not ignoraunt that in Louane there is erected founded a College wherin three seueral toungs or languages are professed in that College it was his happie lucke to reade in the open schooles in Latine that thereby he purchased to him self passing praise and commendation and procured to his hearers excéeding great profite by his learned lectures yea the whole Uniuersitie hathe reaped singular aduantage by his readinges Besides that he is a man of suche a minde and gentle spirit so honest and vpright in conuersation and not destitute of any thing that is requireable in humanitie that the same concurring and as it were running hand in hande with his wonderfull knowledge that he maketh suche to loue learning excéedingly and to haue it in reuerence as before coulde by no meanes digest it by reason of their continuall loathing Heâ—… hathe moreouer a pleasaunt inuention and a subtile whereof he hath giuen substantiall significations yea in those exercises that are vsually prosequuted in the coÌ„mon schooles He hathe in him also very many and the selfe same approuable merrie conceites sauouring altogether of Athenien delightsomnesse and for pleasaunt hystories pretie fables and suche like gyftes in times conuenient not vnnecessarie hee may contende and striue euen with you for the maisteries In versifying he hath a peculiar maiestie and grace his deuises are not darkened with mystie cloudes of doubtes the conueiaunce of his matter is manifest and perceiuable to conclude the soyle of his inuention memorie and iudgement is so ordinarily ploughed with practise and experience that in all his dooinges hee is plentifull and delectable There is no Argument no matter I meane so barren so to be misliked so vndisputable but if he haue it in handling it shal be bothe pleasaunt and profitable In writing proese he is so like or rather so vnlike him selfe that a man reading and marking his methode and style therein would thinke that in versifying he is but a smatterer and not that scarcely As for fréendely behauiour he is of the right moulde none to receiue so woorthie a stampe more appliable and surely if you doe enter acquaintaunce and familiaritie with him thus muche I dare able that you néede not to feare the violating and breaking of the same through any kinde of casualtie thoughe we see it doeth chaunce moste commonly that suche as are of a faithlesse nature beeing hollowe hearted and in subiection to the fâ—…rce of their vnbrideled and esâ—… raunging affections for euery light occasion runne into an apostacie or reuolting from fréendshippe cracking in sundâ—…r the conditions of that couenaunt whiche with the seale and subscription of faithfulnesse was neuer confirmed and yéelding themselues in obedience to their owne vaine mindes and deceiuable desires But in the behalfe of him thus muche I am to auouche that hee is constant that he is not ambitious that he is not gréedy of vaineglorie that hee is no reuenger of suffered iniuries and that there is no pleasure but he knoweth howe to vse the benefite thereof with measure so farre is hee from surfetting in excesse His forbearing an inward hate and enuious minde against any man he is so farre from vnderstanding béeing acquainted with the mischéefes of suche a monster that neuer so much as once dreampt of the shadowe of the same suche is the goodnesse of his nature in all pointes moste woorthie commendation As for kéeping companie with him somewhat I can say that he is gentle louing easie to be dealt withal farre from frowardnesse and suche lyke rebukeable conditions so that his fréendshippe can not but bée alloweable Furthermore he careth not for gaine he setteth light by lucre and aduauntage though his estate and calling bée but indifferent and haueing in