swarme of perfect ill conditions that you cannot discerne who is the worst The riotor or vnsatiat body here is called a Didopper because the kinde of this birde delights in many changes of puddles and vncleane vvaters The bitternesse of these dialoguers displeasures is especiallie extended against those that by excessiue riote and wantonnesse pull downe the renowne of their ancestours decaying thereby themselues and their children greatly shaming besides to see water-bearers and such as haue done most meane and despised seruices vnto them to become better worth and more able to liue then these vngratious kinde of consumers Eneas was not called a godly and an happy man because he carried away vvith him from the destruction of Troy sixteene dissents of Grandfathers that neuer foiled the reputations of their first ancestors but rather chieflie in that through his laborious and painfull vertues he was able to restore his decaied house to former happinesse being so blest of God that before he died he saw a large propagation of his owne progenie and naturall bloud to flourish againe by his industrious labours To the Gentlewomans comparison of breeding horses I haue thought good to adde Virgils words concerning the excelencie of their first nature A horse saith he from his first foaling that is duly bred lifteth vp himselfe with such steps gate and pace as willeuer after prooue proper vnto him And at the first he is of boldnesse to venture and to passe ouer hard and vnknowne things fierce then also to go against dangers as waters hedges ditches and such like Besides to be so instant and hoate in courage that he feares no sudden or tumultuous noise as armour shot or outcries of men Shewing further by his breath eares and other parts about him such animositie that somtime with his couragious high neighing he seemes to fill the places round about him and to deuide the aire neere vnto him Afterwards with such boldnesse you shall see him insult vpon an enemie in the field vnder his rider that you would imagine through the force of his generositie he had a desire to pull the Launce or Curtelax from out the enemies hand If there be such worthy things peculiar and proper to beasts in their first natures let no man doubt but there is a more deuine and effectuall force by the secret and misticall prouision of nature properly to discend from one worthy man to another Where he saith happie vvere the children of such destroying fathers if they might be borne againe I take it he meanes their happinesse which by new fathers may be adopted to make good their first birth-right whereof they were fraudulently deceiued By that he vvould have their fathers new christened againe it is not meant by vvater of a new fountaine but rather as I take it by the mercie of God to be redeemed from that curse vvhich some children are said to haue giuen them in their cradles Where he saith there wanted vnitie betweene their parents at their conception it is not meant that they were not gotten without concirtation or the lifting vp of both their consents but rather that they were begotten against the grace of God as those are that proceed from forced mariages where wanted agreement of hearts which is called a false and an vnchristian coniunction of bodies Where the father is said to carrie his sonnes cloak-bag is meant such a man as hauing gotten a reputation amongst his neighbours to be holden and reputed honest with the credit thereof is contented to colour and excuse to his power his sonnes lewdnesses It is good for the world in time to see to the fraudulent entents of such which carrie their sonnes cloake bagges and also warely to looke to such princocks as put their fathers in their pockets at their pleasures When such yong maisters begin to gentle it strifes discentions and lawe sutes are made rife and combersome in the world Then haue Gentlemen and the well disposed of all sorts great cause to looke to themselues and to hold these Boarepigs and Beare whelpes at the staues end who for all their slickt coates and smooth tongues vnderstand not what courteous behauiour and gentle deeds meane They that thinke to carrie candels before these young deuils are in great danger to be stifled with their stinking snuffes The moderate Gentlemen that haue to do with these hoydens shal be sure to reape in churlishnesse what they sowe in curtesie By the Panacea or suppling plaister in this place is meant forewarning rules for them who know not how to guide themselues and haue made themselues weake thorough babish pucillanimitie that they might yet with an after-wit strengthen themselues with that which remaines if they haue not already made a bloudy defect and slaughtered themselues with that weapon that was left them by their worthy auncestors to defend themselues To those that haue not set themselues besides the eushion let this teach them not to admit strange maisters and commers into their fathers houses and heritages and that because Kites can be no goodkeepers of Chickens Likewise for those that haue medled too farre already vnlesse there be but one way with them and that they be past remedie to be redeemed let I say this caueat perswade them that it is surer standing vpon flesh legges then vpon woodden stiltes and that it is surer holding with both the hands then with one Let them further beware that their liuings prouided by their friends prooue not Tantalus his orchards by which is signified that there are good things comming towards men if for want of grace they do not preuent it themselues The whole intent of these two carefull fathers speeches within this dialogue hath bene to teach all sorts of men especially Gentlemen to beware of selfe-vvill and selfe loue prescribing remedies withall how to keepe men from aspiring and coueting greater things then their likelyhoods can performe shewing also in especiall how inward vertues are the meanes to aduaunce and set men vp in approoued degrees of worthinesse and not base riches iestures apparell nor hypocriticall policie vvhich of all the rest staines them most vvho in place of iustice with greedinesse practise nothing else By loue-tales and other ordinarie matters within this booke is ment no more but this to shew into how manifold dangerous precipitations by playing rex with thēselues Gentlemen in this age are fallen into As by too gaudie and too gorgeous apparell then vvith voluptous and excesse diet then besides with too outragious and vvanton luxurie vvhereby they vnnaturally destroy first their bodies then vngratiouslie loose their soules and last of all mercileslie and too too vnkindly deface the name and fame of themselues their ancestors and whole posteritie Now to conclude I craue pardon at this time in that I haue not taken the paines to deuide or distribute into seuerall parts this diuerse discourse neither so much as vvith marginall notes lead the authors meaning in some words The principall cause vvhy I haue omitted so to do is because I had no purpose from the beginning to vvrong the speakers meanings Therefore looke vvhat errors I haue added of my selfe I haue thought good to let them take their owne places by themselues hoping such as come gentlie minded to the reading hereof vvill allow me some libertie and pardon for a vvhile till vvith better leisure I may be able more fitly to satisfie them FINIS Imprinted at London by Richard Field 1594.
if they may please to vouchsafe the paines knowing that they will at the least allow me as great a libertie to confesse my owne ignorance as to iustifie other mens knowledges Now for the enuious and ignorant I desire to haue it taken of them as a tale told to deafe men but to the wise and indifferent I hope it may prooue a song sung in a wood that had a profitable eccho For whose sakes also I had thought to haue compassed out this matter with another meate wand but that the multitude of precepts should haue bin thereby obscured a fault and hinderance to haue made open and plaine things lesse knowne THE DISPLAY OF FOLLIE Huddle SEe you neighbour Dunstable what hote spurring there is made after the Buck ouer yonder land were it with you and me as it hath bene since each knew other we could not behold such sport thus farre of but rather so farre as might become vs keep way with the formost Dunstable Sir then was then and now is now they that cannot do as they haue done must content themselues with what they may do pleaseth it you therefore to giue ouer the game in the plaine fielde and to let me tie vp our horses to yonder bough reposing our selues awhile vnder the shade of this goodly greene Oake Hud I readily consent to your indifferent motion Dunst Because it is vnwholsome and not altogether safe to sleepe in this wilde wood let me beseech you to discourse such matters as our experience may delight vs to remember withall voutchsafe I pray you to report the newes of London for thence I vnsterstand your maistership is lately come Hud With a glad will but ere we enter into them let me first tell you what I latest heard which proouing true will equally glad vs both This noble Earle is not come hither to take an honorable recreation only as heretofore he was wont but purposeth withall to keepe a standing house here the whole yeare thorough Dunst But that I feare the contrarie how should I reioyce at these glad tidings Hud My selfe in like manner hold the matter doubtfull knowing the speciall imploiments her Maiestie hath daily to make of his most approoued good seruices being still as he hath bene alwaies so excellent a becomming states peare that his worthinesse cannot but carrie him from vs to matters of farre greater consequence To say truly our vntoward deseruings haue merited no such benefit from him for longer then we are receiuing good turnes at his hands or in hope of his pleasuring vs no longer can we stay our tongs from cursing banning and vngracious deprauing his noteable parts whereof we are most vnworthy to iudge yet alwaies take vpon vs singular skill and knowledge were it therefore but our vngratitude onely then which hell hath not a more vgly vice it alone were sufficient to discourage such hopes of our good as from the rich treasure of his honourable bounty otherwise might likely descend vnto vs. Our malignant hearts are bent towards this Gentleman like as the double deuoted Iewes were against our Sauiour Christ whom they worshipped and reuerenced so farre as miracles and their owne gaine might stir them vp to admire him further they would not haue to do with him vntill the time came they were able to betray lay violent hāds or crucifie him Now this good Earle his Chimneyes smoake to prepare wherewithall to cram and fat vp our swine bellies now we wonder at him and terme him noble Gentleman honourable Lord wise counsailer and the princeliest subiect any realme Christened hath or had in our memorie False harted hirelings cā we say thus while Beefe Brewesse lasteth then with false black breath boiling from out a venemous stomack blast the sweete blossoms of his frutefull vertues which euen now had almost bin made profitable vnto vs had we not put foorth our snakish toungs tipt with the poisonfull hissing of slander and detraction But now I long to heare the faults you haue obserued in my long speech hoping you will deale plainely in manifesting them vnto me Dunst Since it is your pleasure to stay your discourse with a desire to heare my plaine eloquence I rather blame you for speaking too little against that which is so worthy reproofe then otherwise thinke much or that you ouer said in the Earle his praise To say truly such are our grosse manners not caring what we say so we say somwhat and somwhat we must say else could not the world take knowledge of our sufficiencies which serue vs much better to finde wants in other men where they are not then to feele the burthen of our owne extremities lying heauy vpon our shoulders ready to breake our weake backs For my part I meane to turne that cursed speaking you named into hartie praier that it may please God to further this noble man his purpose and desire both to this whole countries benefit and also to the encoraging of other noble and worshipfull Gentlemen who accompanie him in loue and good will to do the like by his example where they dwell A thing so much discontinued and so farre worne out of fashion that vnlesse by some notable man it be reduced and set vp againe the old ancient patterns lost and gone I feare me it will hardly or neuer catch the right shape againe men haue swarued so much to the new cut wearing all on London fashion where they neuer thinke on their poore countries saue on quarter rent daies only Hud Though you spared me on the maine which stood in your way you thought to nick me on the bye not set for you The ouersight I made in comparing the Iewes dealings with God and Christians their behauiour towards man that mistaking you would not see though too apparant to a curious eye but free and tollerable things to be vsed or laide aside according to the occasions and discretions of men those you launched at euen out of your reach presuming for that you shadowed your selfe vnder the couerture of a formall figure finding fault with your selfe to escape vndiscouered marching with your coulours flying therin you vse me as the blinde Spaniard his boy serued his maister who to make a lurching fault himselfe was content not to find his maisters little digression from the law himselfe had made as if a little breache in the one not found fault with should giue the other a libertie to offend at large The outside of your coate neuer gaue me cause to suspect any such lining besides what your ancient patterns and fashions should meane I cannot easily gesse My yeares being some few more then yours me thinks I should remember from as long a time as you The while I haue hued things haue bin gained and bettered by wiser skill and sufficienter knowledges whereby to raise more profitable and conuenient vses out of things as may appeare in matters almost of euery sort Heretofore had men attained vnto any little smattering or small maisterie
in arts or vnderstandings aboue the rest they straight thought it a point of their deepest skill to hold others back from the reache thereof purposely to haue the more ignorant to dote vpon them else could not the maisters of balductum ceremonies haue climed vp by craftie conueiance to sit in thrones aboue Emperours and Kings I suppose by your ancient patterns and fashions you meane apparell and hospitalitie wherein to my small power I will do my good will to take away the error of your mislike beginning first at apparell Amongst sundry sorts of men there haue alwaies bene diuers kinds of attires according to the humors degrees abilities of the wearers the shape fashiō being euer in the or dainers choises to please themselues according to the deuice and conceit of best becomming Therin this present age hath rather surpassed to their commendation fitting nearer by Tailers shapes and garnishings with better proportioning and setting out garments to their bodies then the Rutterking Tailors of the old stampe wherevnto you would haue fashions brought back againe You might as well appoint men to go naked or loosely attired which they haue done as not to allow them that must were clothes to fit their bodies according to their owne minde and fantasie Had you found fault with too costly apparrell where neither the degree nor place requireth it or with too fantasticall or superfluous wearing where halfe the stuffe would suffice to make a farre more seemly garment or had you spoken against their follies who fet enuious patterns to outvie and vndoe one the other by trying maisteries in fashions who should bcare the prodigall bell away which time and cost had bin better spent in the emulation of vertues acts who should haue deserued best in deeds of marshall prowesse beseeming fortitude therein had I agreed with you but through the hast you made to finde out these not so worthie your displeasure such haue also escaped you I rather thinke you wanted words to expresse your good conceit not accustomed to speake in such things then any wayes come short of iudgement to discerne aright in greater difficulties Dunst Surely you fauour me rightly for it was my meaning to shew the dislike I had of such as weare more on their backs in one day then their fathers did in their whole life time Hud Now I dare vndertake by your waightie words you meane such as weare more armour on their backs in one day or are girte with more wounds and stripes then their Fathers were Dunst Nay rather I speake against that excesse where commendable Farmes which were wont to maintain bring vp honest tennants and their children ouer and aboue the rent are dasht vpon one sute of apparrell together with one daies vnmeasurable expences Hud I perceiue you could be content to dwell rent-free vpō the grudge you beare hereat all the daies of your life But now to your patterns of housekeeping I will see to fit you better therein for I know that troubles you most and giueth you least cause of offence Know you how all fathers that leaue their heires lands charge the said liuings First the mother her carrying away a iointer moueables and furniture of the house that must needs be one hinderance why the sonne should not begin where the father left then paying out of brothers and sisters portions is also a hinderance to make him lesse able to keepe house and porte equall with your ancient patterne Now againe besides lands and goods perhaps he wants the offices and entertainmets from his prince which his father was assisted by in that ample manner to do that you so hastely require But put the case all Noblemen and Gentlemen were in better sort able to maintaine housekeeping after this fashion then any ancestour they had I will shew you sufficient reasons and those profitable also to the common wealth to haue such lauish housekeeping forborne When you had these prodigall spendings for custome sake they neither knew why nor wherfore a progenie of voluntarie or rather wilfull beggers were thence outrraised the swarme and rable whereof by continuance haue defamed and slandered the whole nation besides the generall and particular hurts they do in the places where they are yet in that sort maintained Is one Gentleman be able to shew you halfe a thousand thus bred and continued from one descent to another for many hundreds of yeares it is like England hath some greater store of these straw companions It were much for me to say that the first brawle of them came from this occasion because of the likelyhood I will venture to thinke they did and shew you my reasons First their breeding and customarie aboade in one place excercising one selfe kind of life then the commodiousnesse of a wastefull house to fcster them vp in that free and liberall sort without exception to any that would helpe away with beefe and mutton as much at their commaundement that would in this sort come to take it as at theirs whose breeding and growing it was of For it is more likely they tooke their beginning from houses thus wantonly kept then from a farther fetcht deuise of Abbeys and Priories whose benefacting that way extended chieflie to their supposed children and Paramoures inhabiting Milles and out-granges within their belles ringing whither by out-leaps they made their Sabaoth dayes iourneys their cherishing was onely of such to do to haue as the Scot saith an ease for a pleasure Againe such as were fallen by casualties or burthensome occasions of many children into pouertie former times I must confesse had greater respect in time to see to them then we haue who lightly alwaies by charitable contributions restored thē back againe in time to an estate ere they could catch a habit or delight therein a matter better pleasing no doubt to the parties relieued then the other contemptuous custome of wilsull begging Now whether it be likely that vnmeasurale house keepings were the occasions to draw loytering disposed persons from labour to ease and from one entising degree to another till it had fully possest them to erect a habit or facultie of slouthfull beggers the first degreebeing in themselues through this prouision other members of their like sort and qualitie as the rogue and vagrant begger indeed haue proceeded from the number and superfluitie of the first kinde now I say the better consideration hereof to iudge I referre to your selfe Dun. Through your gentle teachings I begin to perceaue an approoued error in ouerdoing as well in things that haue good purposes and intents as also in matters grounded vppon mischiefs carrying an outward shew of holy and religious deeds I confesse Monasteries and Priories were not so likely to haue bin causes hereof as the other dissolute houses where refreshings were without respect or partiality The Moncks and Abbots of my knowledge cut large shiuers of the loafe for which they neuer sweate to make themselues strong in the peoples fauour
shall charge his quadrate trencher with Dunst I thought I should make you merry with my mistakings I now and then catch a word or two from my sonne which for lack of due placing marreth all in the making Hud You shall in earnest if you list to carry it with you heare what I can do in your sonne his Art The Pigs head shall be vpon a Spit couchant the toung pendant the braines dormant in the sauce poinant Now for a supporter or crest because of the quadrufoile in his bare head there shall be a recompence made by purchase of the back ribbes and chine-bone All these thus put together must of necessitie conclude somwhat especially in a morning fasting Dun. Most of these termes my sonne hath by heart and will talke them to a glasse window I haue when many times it is my fortune to ouer-heare him According to your saying also he hath often confest vnto me that his wit and memorie haue serued him best to those purposes in a morning eare he haue eaten any thing But still I am to put you in minde of my former desire wherein I am perswaded you are able to satisfie a much better man then my selfe Hud Rather then to giue cause to hinder our exercise of speaking I will do my best to content your minde herein hoping you will not put my ignorance vpon me as a reproofe neither returne a bolt weakly shot strongly vpon my ownehead It should seeme there were ignorant times wherein men liued in full plentie so aboundant that they needed not at all to search out or care for more then the vse of necessaries alreadie in their owne possessions In progresse of further time while they were thus lulled in their soft delights their ordinarie prouision through their numbers increasing began as it were to abate and growe emptie well towards a want on the sodaine now the way to supply the same was not so ready as the necessitie grew vrgent wherevpon some few or rather one aboue the rest stirred vp by a more ready motion and better resolued spirit put forth himselfe with purpose rather to seeke remedies where they might likely or possibly be found then securely to stay themselues vpon deceaueable meanes These few thus quickning their dull sences by the instigation of that quahtie which is euer least subiect to base neglect to preuent that which was like to ensue they ranged into the world like companions and fellow aduenturers in the behalfe of themselues and the rest whose cogitations for want of stabilitie of courage could neither respect nor take in hand any thing beyond the slow custome of grosse ease These worthies I say thus trusting to their bold and confident courages set vp their rest either to follow acquire that which should become profitable in a communitie to the whole societie and company or neuer to returne backe or once to thinke of the sweetnesse they had tasted by their former varietie and plentie God who euer prospereth the most worthy portion of his grace which setteth forwards it selfe to vertuous and industrious acquirements presented in short time vnto their view helpes before that time vnknowne but yet not without danger nor so succesfull but still they should worke themselues into the possession of them by hardie painefull and manlike endeuoures After they had through this good gift enclination of Fortitude bin brought to the discouerie and knowledge of these likely meanes by exercise and progresse in this vertue they dared withall to aduenture and with a voluntarie courage set vpon difficulties which ere that time for want of proofe-making in themselues they had not mastred Setting at the first fiercenesse against feare and extremitie against extremitie and so by the aiding hand of God easily conquered into their obedience and vse first wilde and forcible creatures then others that were vnder the maisterie and command of them before that time the matter of their spoile These worthies thus returning with profitable reliefe to their droanes at home who notwithstanding their owne deffects were yet able to conceipt and admire the excellencie of the conquerours by their atchiuements most moderately on the suddaine they extolled and lift them vp beyond the credit and beleefe that they could be lesse then Gods in comparison and distinction of doings being brought on at the first by these motions and affections of ioy there was no doubt in continuance they would be setled in opinion to receiue and reuerence them for no lesse then Gods in deed After by this support of courage they had gone thorough and accomplished matters sufficiently behouefull for the common bearing out of necessities they then cast another about presently with themselues how to encrease and make permanent their yong and new begun world strongly resoluing with themselues afresh that now it was no lesse expedient with lawes and manners to fashion them how to liue then before it was needfull to seeke out necessaries to maintaine life After they had entertained and taken into counsell the prudent and considered vertue you may then thinke they gained by degrees into matters which haue bene in differently from one time to another deliuered ouer as may appeare by the benefits we haue receiued from them which were immediatly before vs. Now amongst those that were thus prouoked and prepared through the force and facultie of Fortitude after they had exercised their desires vpon such hard and laborious things as before I shewed to be out of their powers there was also in the company of these few one principall man whom I would haue you to vnderstand in the sight and beholding of the other did that aboue the rest whervnto they were rather ministers of aides and obedient helpers then any way able to equall to whom they did both in their expedition abroad and also euer after in all places for his chiefe worthinesse attribute dutie vnto This princely worthy being more intire and fully possest with the height of vertues whether by the benefit of nature or by the speciall indument of Gods grace with absolute partes he by all their consents had princely powers set vpon his shoulders and by generall voices was chosen and instituted their Duke and leader to go before them in all manner of concernings aswell of warre and conquest as also to be their vpholder conseruer and commander in all matters of ciuill institution and derection Now after all eyes were fastened on him and all hearts bent at his deuotion such as would not forsake their retchlesse slouth but still haue wrapped themselues within the spoile of others labours such at the length by his assignement were appointed places to serue in according as euery one was spirited disposed or more or lesse apt to performe and discharge trust and seruices to be committed vnto them Dunst Surely Sir you haue spoken so darkely that for the thick spleigh of boughes and broad leaues of this tree I cannot discerne your meaning Huddle Thinke you I go
their posteritie assumed and admitted vnto them To make along tale short and the rather because the euening starre hath made the ayre temperate and fit for vs to trauell you must still note the number that alwaies subiected themselues so much to inordinate libertie that no decree could demonstrate vnto them any thing sufficient to respect a more ciuill and perite life but that they would repose themselues vpon pleasures which they desired still to hold as their defence and fafegard to keepe and defend them from the perils of their life Playing the tyrants thus with themselues suffering basenesse to beare all the sway according to beastly fantasie and licentious appetite such neuer came at all forward to better themselues neither by reputations for vertues which they were carelesse to possesse nor for desire they had to purge or segregate themselues from the soft vices they were first infected withall neither yet were at all moued with the felicitie they saw the reformed to liue in nay the commandement and reprehension that was vsed for their amendment and bettering preuailed not in them Now comparing the number of those who neuer admitted excellencies with those that fell away and decreased their worthy parts and qualities without respect or care to put on againe the habit and dignitie of well doing you may well finde the cause why so many vnworthy are at all times found amongst so few blessed and happy men who are endued with excellent dispositions of themselues to do and to distribute good and wise things Dunst I pray you sir suffer me yet to aske you this one question more whether you thinke courage or counsell the more beneficiall vertue to aduance and set forward actions of greatest moment Hud I am content to vnderstand you by your meaning and so answer to that I think your desire is to know which of the twaine should be the first or more principall vertue to become great things If wit should be of more force then courage who should keepe the Woolfe from the dore the folde alone cannot defend the sheep neither one sheepe helpe another If courage were not the preuailing vertue wit would perswade him not at all to go to the warres and suffer there all indurances depriuing vs of such laudable things as we might else at ease and in safetie inioy Wit can teach it is more safe tarrying at home sleeping in a whole skin vpon a soft bed then to lie in a waterie ditch abroad with bleeding wounds Wit can shew you that it is better to stand by a fire of straw making Mault in a drie house then to suffer cold thirst and hunger vnder the wide open welkin Wit taught Vlysses rather to counterfet madnesse and to choake himselfe with his countrie smoake then to change sweete and prosperous pleasure for the sowre aduersities that are suffered in the warres Wit waiting vpon courage that is a consonant thing to compasse and make all vndertakings fortunate Fortitude shall haue much to do to make wit shake of his feare forget his trembling motions and to put on the armour of all proofes called militarie boldnesse but when that is once on with more ease he shall be taught the skilles and knowledges which belong to the tollerating and sufficient doing hard and difficult things After this besides wit must also haue constant perswasion to dare to enterprise and in person himselfe to go against dangers Wit thus girt it is good conferring and counselling with him in the field but if naked wit be principall man there the Drumme and Trumpet must sound and strike vp false alarms to daunce base daunces first on a little forwards at the first he cryeth then by and by retire the rest must be danced backward which is called a base daunce especially in the field Naked wit can bid others be bold to fight and runne away himselfe he can giue counsell and direct to begin well but whē there is most need to go forward defecteth euen in his owne precepts such tyrants can lead men into the field for their owne good vnder the standard of wit To such faire warres I thinke a man might intreat your companie Dunst Alas Sir hard lodging and bad diet would be as good as a murthering piece to kill me out right Yet for one day I could be content to see fashions amongst them with a quarter of a cold Pig and an Aquavita bottle vnder my girdle Hud Nay I can assure you the warres and a colde stomack will neuer agree at these yeares you and I will pray from them that may To martch in Armour and to go vnder the waight thereof would breake our bones being as they are cold drie and marrowlesse Dun. My sonne telleth me it is nothing now a daies to be a souldier for they neuer come to pitcht fields as they were wonte in our olde English warres when the deuision of houses was Hud Is your sonne a Fencer that wayes to I thinke he be an vniuersall man But I pray you what warde hath he to beare of a Musket bullet it must needs be with his legges for his hands I know are not Pistoll proofe Dunst I confesse those gunnes are diuelish things and make many men runne away that other wayes would not turne their heads But when I said a Souldier I meant the Generall or commander in the warres He telleth me many times he could discharge the place himselfe though he neuer saw an enemy in the face Hud Not vnlike but shew me I pray you wherein the commaunders office consisteth according to that you haue heard your sonne report Dunstable Marrie sir in ordering and ordaining the field and in well lodging his campe neare riuers and places defended from contagious noisome winds Hud What shall then be the Lord Marshall his place vnder him if his Generalship be thus imploied Dunst He saith Hanniball supplied both the romes himself and made the offices one he alwaies when he came to ioyne battels and prepare his fights bestowed his footmen vpon hils and places of aduantage and his horsemen in the plaines and euen valleis beneath Hud If yong Hanniball your sonne were chiese in the field his footmen should be Astronomers or wisards to know when they should not fight then from the hilles to giue signes to the horsemen to be gone and flie away together and so your sonne his hoast should consist of a running campe Though I was neuer worthy to beare the name of a companion in the warres yet vnder his conduct I could be content to refuse the offer of a very good place and office Dun. What office is that and why I pray you sir let me know Hud No entertainment could tempt me to be maister of his carriages to carrie recarrie hils and dales windes and waters besides I know the great librarie that hath cost you so many quarters of Corne must also waite vpon his remoues If that fleet vp and downe with him well he may loose an eye
is in a lethargie draw the Curtaines and let in the aire Thom. No rather he is in a frensie shut the windows keep out the light Iam. Sir for the passion of God let nothing trouble you she loueth you too well to play such a part by you who are her chiefe friend and all her maintainer if she were here this would prooue a heauy sight vnto her Good sir hurt not your selfe by misdeeming her whose thoughts I dare sweare are harmelesse towards you It is but a qualme you shall ouercome it well enough Thomas go fetch bay Frisland hither my maister will ride abroad and take the ayre bid the Faulconer bring hither the Barbarie Tassell my maister will see her flie I beseech you sir shew vs some comfort of your well doing Here is your chaine of Pearle pleaseth it you to put that on Here is your hat with the bruche of Diamonds will you haue it Here is your Popenioy take her on your fist prattle birde prattle to maister Here are your Monckies play with them Shall I fetch you your cloake with riche buttons and if you will sit vp in your bed I will reach you the looking-glasse if you saw your selfe there were no cause why you should dispaire But behold in good time sir here is Maister Doctor your Phisition come speake vnto him and he will helpe you Doctor Iames let him alone trouble him not he is entring the gates of death her shadow hath ouer-spred him Thrise before this time I haue bene with him to forwarne him that misrule and disordered diet would shorten his dayes He hath a dead Palsey all ouer his bodie I must needs be gone Iames farewell there is scant one houres life left in him Iames. See Thomas the course of this world spight of Arts maintenance and Phisicks diligence to day an Emperour to morrow dead Hud You must imagine the man already dead whome the Phisitions giue ouer Vpon this it is to be supposed his seruants they voided the chamber and prepare their lots ready to draw cuts how to deceiue most and who to begin first Like good fellowes they must agree within themselues to part stakes euenly least by their falling out the true owners come by their right Dun. Had he made no will in his life time to direct his goods his lands I know can want no heires Hud Thinke you a man thus dissolute could set any thing in order himselfe so farre out of frame Now followeth the difference between the soule the body at the time of their separation Soule Proud voluptuouse caitife woe worth the time I was destined to dwell in thee Foule lumpe of lead haue I bin thy hand-maid attending on thee night and day alwaies quickning to my power thy slow and dull capacitie setting before thee to exercise thy heauy and downward disposition beautifull heauens the rich substance of thy omnipotent maker and why wouldest thou not there behold signes and wonders sufficient causes to haue made thee know and delight in the power and Maiestie of our Almightie workemaister exceeding all Arts and vnderstandings How often would I haue had thee occupied in beholding the sunne that admired glory of the heauens Commended not I also vnto thy brutishnesse the innumerable number of starres rare ornaments of the same In like manner opened not I vnto thee the Moone her reuolutions and changes and by her the whole yeares seasons Dull-eard as thou art did not I besides prompt into thee wit and knowledge how to guide thy selfe vnder them How often did I flatter thee to haue inticed thy grosse sences to adore that wonderfull greatnesse Sturdie block thou wouldest neither bowe nor incline to him Tolde I not thee also in time and at the beginning what thy foolish coueting liberty and contempt of his power would bring vs vnto By thy earthly and carelesse rest thou hast purchased to thy selfe mortall death and to me immortall vnrest and torment Haue I this for my reward to be killed for quickning and comforting thee Did I sue to get thine eyes placed in thy forehead to see before and in time to the behoofe of vs both that we might not repent vs after and too late Hast thou also cast them behind thee and made them looke downeward to delight in the old rotten and corrupt grandame earth I was fashioned according to the circumspect vndefiled mirror of the maiestie of God and after the Image of his goodnesse I was conueighed into thee a heauenly and a beautifull soule but thy wickednesse hath giuen me my deformities made me also foolish I found but a little sparke of fire in thee not sufficient to minister or to conuay needfull things to nature to keepe her warme withall but now I haue increased and kindled that little all is on fire so haue committed that I repent me of Being sufficient from my maker in my selfe at the first extending now that power too farre am become so weake that I am able neither to helpe my selfe nor thee letting my wilfull boldnesse worke my distruction When I entred into thee I laboured with diligence to haue married thee vnto me but thou wouldest not suffer me to commune louingly with thee about matters of euerlasting memoriall and saluation of vs both Thou hast bene a heauy lumpe vnto me keeping downe my cogitations which were alwaies musing vpon the holy Ghost his descending downe into our heart to haue warmed our frozen zeale that was setled there Hadst thou obserued the charge I brought with me which was for all thy makers benefits to loue and feare him Had we entertained that we had bin safe that louing feare would haue kept vs so in our makers fauour that we should haue bene preserued there still vnder the suerty thereof till we had bene brought back againe whence I came to euerlasting life Woe worth such a mansion and habitation as I haue indured with thee the bitter and tedious fellowip I haue had with thee hath bene voide of all ioy and consolation Ah foolish Adam that thou wert no better setled but shrankest away at the first temtation suffering the Serpent to take from the image of God obedience and loue which thou wert commaunded to exercise thy selfe in Thou wert too fond to beleeue one witnesse against thy selfe and that one a weake and an vnsufficient woman against whom by law thou mightest haue excepted Nay then too wicked Eua that thou wouldest so hastily credit one he a serpent thus to be taken with delight delicious shew esteeming apparance neglecting substance When thou wert deceiued hadst thou none to perswade but thy master Adam whō thy selfe shouldst haue feared and obeied and not tempted and beguiled Were there not works of Gods hands enough also besides and those aboue thy capacitie but thou must meddle intangle thy wit with that secret and forbidden vnderstanding euen wittingly therby to perish in perill No Adam it was not thou nor the Serpent that hurt