these skyppynge that fyrste and auncientst earthlye parent With whom no mortall may in this forte of Noblesse compare Fashiond holie scriptures Whereby we set it moste euident that Noblenes of house noughte auayleth the vnnoble Thus hitherto haue we cited presidents of the stayned with vice Whom become euell thoughe descended of good theyr parentes vertues nothing holpe but theyr owne vices infinite wayes anoyed Contrary wyse nowe others of better staâ—e wyll I vouche whose auncesters stayned wyth many and sundry crymes yet prooued they most worthy praise and emulacion Abraham The auncientst of the Iewishe stocke was a Chaldee His father an Astronomer of those that studye the Mathematicalls Decmyng these sterres and the whole frame of the world and skye Gods Flynging downe both good and euill to euerye one supposing no other cause then with theyr forren senses they discerne Then this what more villanous What more dishonor to the soule By the contemplacion of many meanes and creatures to growe to the the ignoraunce of thauncientst vncreate and framer of al thinges And both for those and other infinite consideracions whiche mans reasons comprehendeth not moost good Who he when once conceyued he ryghtelye worshypped forthwith forsooke his countrey kinnc and fathers bowers Knowyng yshe abode his errours also of many gods continued Whereby his minde should lesse further in searche of the one onely euerlasting God and father of all thinges as well conceyued in mynde as subiect to sence If he fled the vanitye of his opinion altered into truthe the errour also would departe his minde Whych his desyre to knowe the chiefe being muche more enflamed certayne expounded prophecyes on whom as steppes treadynge he scaled the speedye knoweledge and search of that vnity Neuer ceassyng tyl he had conceyued the clearest vision not of Gods substaÌ„ce for that may not be but as farre forth as may be of his Nature and prouydence And therefore is fyrst reported to haue beleued in God For he fyrst helde an vnmooued and constant opinion there was one supreme cause gouernour bothe of the worlde and worldlye This Science of all vertues the certainst once atâ—aind forthwith he gat the rest So as of that people where he forourned he was renerenced as a prynce not for his robes wherein he passed not a pryuate person But the hawtye reache of his wytt pryncely minde As subiects theyr prynce so honoured they hym A mased at his maiestie and reuerendnesse of Nature as more perfect and precious theÌ„ mans For not the commen phrase of speache but more statelye and loftye talke he vsed nearer approchyng the deuyne maiestye For enflamed wyth Gods spyryte he grewe alwayes better in countenaunce he we stature habite iesture and voyce The spyryte of God descended from aboue possessing his mynde geuynge I is body grace his talke persuasion his hearers vnderstanding And will any deny this exile destitute of all his frendes and familyers couetyng Nobilitye coupled wyth god and trauaylyng to be accepted acquaynted with hym placed emonges the Noblest rankes of Prophetes crediting no mortal created man before the vncreate immortal Father of all esteemd as a kynge of theym that harboured him not conqueryng yet his Empyre as some by armes not wyth warlike force but the gyfte of the almygh tye God the honourer of his godly seruauntes wyth heaped authority to theyr commodity with whom they are conuersaunte to haue bene Noble He is doutelesse to all exyles flyenge the obseruance of monstruous maners detestable customes attributing to stones stockes and lyueles counterfaytes almoste heauenlye honoures so iour neying to the very liuelye and quycke commen wealthe whose presydent and watch is truth the very squyer and paterne of Nobilitye Whych many godly not onely men but women imitated Unlearning the ignorauÌ„ce which eueÌ„ in theyr cradles they sucked of worshypping hand wrought I mages And learning the doctryne of that ones gouernemente by whose Monarchye the whole is paysed Thamar a simple woman borne in that parte of Philistia that bordereth on Syria was bredde in a citye worshipper of many Gods stuffed with Sinagoges I mages and all fortes of Idolls But after amyds she dungeon of darkenes as throughe a narowe chynke the lyght glimse of truthe was reuealed her she fled to it forthwyth though with manifest peryll and hasard Not prysyng the lyfe she mought not well leade Accountyng thonely ryght lyfe the worshyppe and honouryng of one onelye cause Who though after wedded to two brethren bothe wycked to the fyrst a mayde the next by the lawe of enheritaunce for his brother left no issue preseruing yet vnstayned her wemles life both purchased her selfe the praise that wonteth to accompany all good and became thoriginal and pryncesse of Nobilitye to her whole posteritye But she though an alyene was peraduinture free and borne of Noble and no base parentes But the poore handmaydes in the farthest borders of Babylon beyonde Euphrates Agar geuen hy Sara to Abraham were geuen to the wedded spouses and vouchsaued of the Sages beddes fyrst scaled the name and dignitye of wyues And of handmaydes became almoste I should saye peeres in honoure to theyr ladyes yea by theym whiche is almost incredible preferd to this dignity For enuy harboreth not in sage brestes Which where it wanteth all thinges are commen Theyr bastard sonnes were actompted legitimate not onely of the syre for no wonder were it if the father shewe like countenauÌ„ce to his chyldren but euen of theyr right wiues theyr stepdames Who forgettyng their wonted hate to theyr sonnes in lawe vsed lyke care and loue towardes all The Chyldren aunsweryng wyth exchaunged loue reuerenced theyr stepdames as theyr naturall mothers The halfe brethren also seuered onelye by vertue loued not wyth parted or quartered tone But supplyed what wanted in Nature with doubled yea redoubled affection And in sweete harmonys and consent of maners endeuouted to resemdle eyther parent We must not therefore pelde to those who boaste others gyftes as theyr owne Who exceptynge suche as we last mencioned may worthely be deemed enmyes of the Israelites and all other Nacyons Of theym for they licence all of one stocke to neglect the pryuate practise of vertue through confidence of thonour already gotten by theyr auncestours Of the Gentyles for they teache they aspyre to the tipe of vertue altogether in vayne for theyr auÌ„ce stours were vicious Then whych doctrine scarce wot I if anye be more pestilent For if the euell progenie of the good auengyng plage awaite why should honour be foreclosed the good descended of the euel Sith the law praiseth or punisheth all not for their kinsfolkes but their owne desertes Scapes in Prynting Fo. Pa. Li. 7 2 21. for like of wantonnesse read like wantonnesse 10 1 32. for who what wheresoeuer who and wheresoeuer what 21 2 1. for great greater 58 2 3. for aut and. 45 1 13. for happy happy 69 1 12. for dreauth dreamth 88 1 19. for Cyesus Cresus 144 1 23. for wearned wearyed 156 1 6. for as is 180 2 1. for of to 194 2 21. for gaawe gnawe 201 2 18. for that a 204 1 22. for Soles Schooles for chempaling empaling 208 1 3. for Denonicus Demonicus 209 1 21. for Cea Cesar The rest small iudgentente by respecte of the circumstances may reforme ¶ Imprinted AT LONDON IN Fletestrete nere to Saynct Dunstons Church by Thomas Marshe
towardes you Beseechynge ye thys small volume of Nobles or Nobility maye appeare vnder safeconducte and protection of your name Not for I mynde to teache your Noble maiestye any dutyes of Nobylitye but for whyche is no meane plague through all Chrystendome yf my choyce should chaunce on some other hardlye perhappes could he skyll the latyne phrase So should I chose some such Tutor and patrone to defend my cause as knewe it not But on you and your most victorious brother the kynge your father employed no benefyte eyther greater or Nobler then in procuryng ye to be pâ—olished with all sortes of good artes For howe much rarer so muche welcomer tytle it is trulye to terme a prince trende to the Muses and learnynge Farther meant I at thys present to beseech your hyghenes that for you knowe my fyrst heste and gladlye I hope graunte it you would next chiefely furnishe your court as most paynefullye and pollitikely ye do with men famous for commendacion of Iustice godlynes and learning And studious earnest appliers practisers therof CoÌ„tinue to cheryshe and honour true Nobilitye wherewyth your kingedome swarmeth and nowe youre Courte flourysheth Syth it is the keye of your reygne the lyghte of youre realme and the safest garde of youre person But frome Mockecourtyers and counterfayt Nobles yf any such yet lurke as Augustus Cesar whilome disfraÌ„chised theÌ„ who coulde not vse theyr citye eyther reeue you as vnworthy this priuiledge or at least with Dauyd banyshe your courte forswearers blasphemers money marchaunts and bribe takers Whych is more wyshed for it is gentelest and most commodious for them Which also I despayre not shortly to see Both by your graue counsaylours aduyce and other Nobles and your owne president For as the rulers leade so foloweth and formeth it selfe the rable rest Worthye it is that Plutarche noteth of Dionisius To whom lieng at Siracuse when Plato came whyle he gaue hym selfe to study of philosophye al the court was sprent wyth dust And euery corner swarmed wyth clusters drawyng Geometricall fygures But after his breache wyth Plato when he forsooke philosophye and fell to women and banketting the other courtyers alyke wyth chaunged moode altered theyr myndes and thoughtes to lyke of wantonnesse of life lyke hate contempt of dust and learnynge This therefore maye be other cause of my geuinge it to youre grace To propose your maiestie paterne of the auncient dignifye Image of tholde honour and piller of true Nobilitye That in a woman Noble men maye finde what to learne what to folowe what to wonder Whether they weygh your vpryghte Iustyce welcome to the good dreadfull to the enemye or the synguler learnynge wherewyth euen to mens mase you are stoared or your feruent zeale loue and furtherynge of religion or your noble and hawtye courage who in greatest tempestes and stormes both a woman and sole weeld and steare most wysely and stoutelye the sterne of so great a kyngdome Whyche hawtynesse of stomake to tonfyrme keepe I see I nede not exhorte you For maye we doubt but who with so synguler prudence so sweete consent of all degrees so quietely and happely restored the churche myserablye and horriblye deformed with erroures supersticions and infinite heapes of Idolatrye to the state of her primitiue purenes the same if yet any dregges remayne anye limpinge or haltyng eyther in ordes or maners wil with al helpe care councell speede prouyde for it withstande it and reforme it For neyther wyl who began this good worke in you not finishe it to whom onelye belongeth to geue princelye mindes to prynces Nor is youre wysedome ignoraunt what you do is Gods worke not your owne His the house yours the buyldynge Wherein nor the feare of few nor murmuryng of many ought withdrawe you from your forward foundacion For his wil it is his temple should be raysed the walles of Hierusalem repayred Our Cirus our anoynted and Chryste willeth what your mightyest father Henrye began youre godlyest brother furthered that you euen you should finishe and accomplyshe Thoughe Foxes barke and howle though Sanbaliet and the Gentyles rulers with al their might and power withstande it The lord of Hoastes he is who byds you buyld men they are that withstand you As in the person of god speaketh Esaye to this effecte I I am he who comforte the. Who then art thou that fearest a mortall or the sonne of man whoe shall become as haye I haue put my wordes in thy mouthe and with the shadowe of my hande shyelded the. That I may plante the heauens and settle the earth that it may be sayde to Syon to Englande my people art thou Wherefore moste humble thankes we yeelde the god of Sabaoth who so hathe armed and assisted youre valyaunte courage in finishynge so perfectlye and boldelye thys his businesse as nor the dartes of enuy haue pearced you nor the shotte of malyce shaken you nor the wyles of your ennemyes snared you nor the enmye campe of Sathan ouerrunne you We greete wel also our christian Nobilitye who prouoked by your pryncelye presydent and enflamed wyth gentilmanlye courage doubted not to folowe the call and authoritye of theyr guyde and Capitayne Yea so to folowe as they blushed not to set to theyr handes to employ theyr councel and trauayle to repayrynge and buyldynge thys heauenly frame Proceede therefore proceed O most noble Quene wyth this your noble trayne in settyng like rooffe and ende to your beginninges But so haue you a Mayden Queene begonne so beganne youre brother a chylde and kynge as ye seeme to shadowe all your grauÌ„dfathers great grauÌ„dsyres to haue lyghtned your owne name and vaunced an enseygne and glysteryng paterne to all your famelye and posteritye As you haue begonne therefore so proceede Though aloane though a woman So wonteth Christ to daunt the world Not in mennes myght but enfantes sucklynges women Debbora brake the Iron Charrettes of Labinus the Cananite Iudith slewe Holofernes Hester saued the Iewes condemned to dye from the rampyng mouth and yawninge Iawes of death Nor is he sole whom god assisteth Who seeth Gods campe As Iacob agaynst Esau Whose mounte is enuyroned wyth horse and fierye chares As against the king of Siria the prophete Elizeus Howe are ye desolate when god encampeth in the syghte of his seruauntes So as Dauyd sole feared not thousandes of enemyes For the lord was with him Who can when him pleaseth from heauen commaund whole legions He fyghteth not with noumber but wyth hys only breath prostrateth felleth kings Holy warre wyl he wage for you his haÌ„dmaydeÌ„ That onely he may tryumphe who onely is the mightiest champion and noblest conquerour But whereto tease I and prouoke you to this christiaÌ„ battaile of your selfe through the holy spirites inspiracion prone enough Or wheretoe mention I warre where no suspicion of warre no campe no foe appeareth God hauinge on all sides planted peace and graunted all nacions tyme and place of rest All iarres appeased at
valiaunt Captayne And therfore Cato the elder sayeth that ofte by night he rose and neglecting the care of housholde cared for the state of the common wealth thinkinge belike it behoued him to wake while others flept But hereof what doubt we sith Iupiter in the seconde of Homeres Ilyades signifyed the same to Agamemnon wheÌ„ be sent him the God Slepe with this embassy Great shame it is al night a Prince to slepe VVho should his realme countrey care to kepe Men also commenlye in all other thinges in all estates but chiefelye in the worthyest awayte not so much what to prayse as carpe nor what is wel done as what yll For seing them bett in golde and siluer their gorgeous garmentes golden fingers and al about theÌ„ semely wel besene they wene theyr inward minde should aun swere theyr outward glistering that they should surmount the rest in store of wisedome quicknes of inuention weyght of counsell and sincerenes of lyfe That from so fayre and comelye countenaunce shoulde procede wyse talke and spiced with learning But if contrary wise it happen that some one richely cladde talke either filthilye or foolishlye they crie forthwith with Diogenes A leaden blade out of an yuery scabard And as graueli and farre aboue the reache of a Philosopher preacheth Salomon a golden ring in the noset brilles of a Swyne Then commonly they whisper and priuely mutter that in that gorgeous cladde body indweith a bare and naked soule Wherfore the auctority of the personage he beareth the greatnes of the burthen which he weldeth ought to prouoke a noble and lofty sto make to heare and lysten those thinges whereby he maye worthelye and honourablye mayntayne his countenaunce and support his charge Which sith it is so to ende at last this tedyous talke I determine it the dutye of teachers painefully to enstruct and of Nobles lowely to learne But what may we deeme the cause whye neyther the one nor the other aunswere theyr charge For very few se we that willinglye geue theim selues to this trauayle of teachinge but as fewe knowe we that taught will vnderstand or amend For wereit otherwise we shuld haue greater store of true Nobles that is good godlye wyse and learned Truly as sarre as I can reache two stayes chiefelye let that men in these dayes neither write nor speake frely of the state of Nobilitye First for they vnderstand the vndertaking and compassing of so great a charge to be farsd full of hardenes and peryll For hard semeth it to him whose stile is base thinne and leane to wryte ought of the Nobility of the most honourable estate of the flower of the common wealth For it behoueth him who speaketh of the highenes of that degree and of suche men to vse a stately high and loftye style least the barennes and leanenesse of his talke rather dishonour the maiestye of so honourable personages then aduaunce or honour them Further this cause requireth such one as hath long trauayled therin and long bene conuersannt with suche sorte of men who hath groaped theyr mindes and meaninges and nearely viewed theyr maners and vsages Next peryllous and scarcely safe thinke they it chiefelye in these enuious and suspicious dayes euen to whisper ought cyther of theÌ„ or other whom vnlesse ye clawe they will kicke And not sceld bath he yll spedde who writeth agaynst him that may write his death For there is almost none no not of the commen sorte who wonderful lye pryseth not him selfe And for the most parte the more honourable we be the lesse we list be admonished or reproued For willingly wonres euery man to heare his owne prayses or vertues and gladly beholdes the Table of his shape and seemelines but his faultes his spottes his deformity hardly abydes represented to his eyes And for all blame beares with it a stinge nor suffereth nor licenseth others to control him Whence it appeareth that secretely men confesse this matter most profitable and necessary to be treated of but for the frowardenes of the times had rather whist for dread of dauÌ„ger Howebeit that to dreade no cause so they teache profitablye and gentlye The profite pertaines to the taught And every man not altogether foolish abideth yea coueteth to heare the thinges that tend to his profyte and commodity Our Noble man therfore will beare with him who holesomely counsayles him Counsaylors must be heard and abide it so the nede requyre to be euen chidde for his desert Therfore this I wishe and warne them in this entry to my trauayle frendlye to accepte aduisemente that what good men tel them frely not sharpely that they take paciently not disdainefully For better is it dayntye eares be displeased then the whole body whyrled into hell Better to be whipped with the tongue of man than the rodde of God To be smitten with a word thaÌ„ ascurge to be scorcht with the smart of reproofe than euerlastinge fire Such therfore must they banish from them as wonte to tickle their eares and feede their humours Such must they entertayne and embrace as correct and chaste them And loue rather the stripes of a frendely blamer than the kisses of a training flatterer Choling here rather to learn to iudge and condemne them selues than els wher to he are their deadly doome pronounced by him who is altogether vnparciall who neither acknoweledgeth nor respecteth anye personnes With whoÌ„ neither welth ne honour ne maiestye maye preuaile at whose barre kinted shall not pleade Naye where rather these goodes by missuse shall become euelles vnto you and purchase ye the anger of the hyghest iudge heapyng on you the seuerity of iudgement and rigour of punishment Nowe therfore while time is suffer your selues to be reproued And syth it is so profitable for you let youre eares ware deafe at the hearinge of smart speache rebukes and checkes with Socrates Cato Phocion or rather with Christ 〈◊〉 selfe the noblest prince And if Nobilitye gyue ye greater stomake coÌ„â—ider this quietly aduisedly with your selues Yf ye are so muche pinched by theyr wordes they are much more prouoked thereto by your odious dedes RemeÌ„ber it is of it selfe hard to be thral Harder to a rude and vnlearned lord Hardest wretchedst for a free learned maÌ„ to obey an ignoraunt slaue of sinne Vnseemely is it a noughty vicious persoÌ„ should rule Farre more vnseemely he should rule his betters But most vnseemely and vnsitting of all that a proud person impacient of reproofe should go uerne Who after manye vilanous fleshly shameful cruel crimes committed wil neither acknowledge the fault nor once lifteÌ„ his blame but rather cruelly rage against the teller For let me I besech you for examples sake imagine so muche We must therfore hear the sage counsaylour Paule sayeng Yf any brother be possessed with sinne or erroure let him be reproued with the spirite of lenitie Wherin he rightly connsaileth either parte both the reproued the reprouer For
The Nobles or of Nobilitye ** THE ORIGINAL nature dutyes right and Christian Institution thereof three Bookes ⧠FYRSTE ELOQVENTLYE writteÌ„ in Latine by Lawrence Humfrey D. of Diuinity and Presidente of Magdaleine Colledge in Oxforde late englished Whereto for the readers commodititye and matters affinitye is coupled the small treatyse of Philo a Iewe. By the same Author out of the Greeke Latined nowe also Englished 1563. Imprinted at London in Fletestrete nere to S. Dunstons church by Thomas Marshe †* TO THE MOSTE Christian Princesse Elizabeth Queene of Englande Fraunce and Irelande c. The noblest protectour and defendour of the true fayth THAT GOOD happy and fortunate may proue to al christians but chiefelye the people of EnglaÌ„d For stoaringe this our flourishing state with holesomst ordinaunces and moste politike lawes for recouerye of our lorne liberty for tender cherishinge and renewynge the Churche by Gods singuler mercye and prouidence for restoaringe religion from exyle as it were to her auncient sincerity and primitiue purenes for the merye quiete and cleare calme ensuing the tossinges and troublesome stormes of later times for the luckye prosperous and quiete setlynge al thynges as well abroade as at home is none so vnmindeful of him selfe his countreye or all godlines who seeth not we ought fyrst render hartiest and immortal thankes to almightie god And next your godly trauayle singuler endeuour saythfullest seruyce O most Christian Queene oughte be registred in euery booke and spred to all posterytye For what by therto nor force nor power nor all the fetches of mans witte or pollecy coulde compasse that nowe to haue happed not through the manhoode myghte or gouernement of a manlye kynge but vnder the conducte of a woman queene without tumult quietelye and euen by Gods hande suche so famous benefite who nold locke in minde Who not roll in amased thoughte Who not renoume in euerye age Wherein notwithstandynge O Queene we aduaunce not your might not your arme not your wise dome but wonder at your weakenes infirmitye We praise not mannes power but ascribe it to the bouneye mercy of God To whose beeke worde and prouidence all and whole this wondrous facte howesoeuer greate must freelye and wholy be imputed Therefore that Hymne and tryumphante songe whych Moses and the childreÌ„ of Israel song in the desert after the buryal of Pharao in the red sea in the coÌ„gregations of the godly ought alwaye resound singinge with one tune and ioyned hertes The lorde is our strength and praise he is become our saluacion He is our God and we wil prepare him a tabernacle our fathers god and we wyl exalte him The lorde is a man of Warre hys name is Iehouah Thy right hand lorde is glorious in power Thy right haÌ„d lord hath crushd the enemy But syth these his benefites are already sufficieÌ„tly blased by others wrytynges and I otherwhere haue somewhat signified my minde and good wyll I neede not here to expresse my ioy Especially synce nowe my greetynge maye seeme ouerlate Neuertheles so greate and incredible mercye of our God so meruaylous power so straunge and vnhoped happe so sodayne and heauenlye ioye meante I in no wise to ouerstippe wyth silence But thys tyme asketh yea craueth other charge of me Namelye to shewe the argumente of thys my small treatyse and dysclose the chyefest causes of the tytle That your Maiestye seeyng at one glymse the whole summe and vnderstandynge wythall what occasyons moued me to wryte both by your wysedome maye more certaynelye knowe the whole cause and accordynge to youre iudgemente iudge vpryghtly thereof and as best sytteth your gracious fauoure yf it seeme worthye your patronage mayntayne and defende it as a poore and naked Clyent as wel against the close whisperynges as open inuectyues of curyous Carpers Seeynge Nobilitye spredde through all realmes and coastes of chrystendome flouryshe in all estates of honour beare the sway in pryncely courtes and in maner the piller and staye of all commen weales and through it eyther the greatest aydes or chiefest hynderances conueyghed into mens life and maners I thought this choseÌ„ order once seasoned wyth right christian opinions reformed by the vncorrupted squier of antiquity both princes shold more souÌ„dly gouerne their subiects and ecclesiasticall ministers more faythfullye performe theyr charge and the people execut all theyr bounden duties more diligentlye and so the whole commen wealth more stroÌ„glye breath lyue and recouer Syth their couÌ„cels all these seeme to folowe and on theyr authoritye leane and staye And therefore considered the deuine Plato was not cause les chyefelye earnest in his bookes of common wealth That the wardens otherwyse the rulers called to offyce in eche state and be guydes of the rest shoulde frome theyr you the vpwardes be seasoned with holyest preceptes and principles For in theym he iudged the weyghtyest parte of such goodes or euelles as happe in the commen wealth to consyst Nor was I ignoraunt of the matter it selfe there were dyuers opinions yea some bookes wrytten And infinite were it to recken so many surmises as touchynge it are tossed to and fro in the monumentes of auncient Phylosophers For Anacharses sayde the wyse Prynce was happye Socrates who first could rule him selfe Pittacus who so ruled his subiectes as they feared not hym but his Others thynke him meetst to be a prynce who hath liued vnder a prince As Agesilaus sayeth he ruleth well whoe hath sometyme obeyed Cambises in Xenophon thus lessoneth hys sonne Cyrus One onely meane O Sonne in all estates is left to wynne the a noble name Namely to embrace wysedome Others affirmed Vertue a compendious meane to Nobilitye and honour And these truly thought not al amisse but tolde truthe Howbeit not all For part they shewe But what chyefe is and pryncipall touche not Moreouer one thynge is it to be a chrystian other an heathen Noble One thyng taught Stoa Academia Lyceum other the Chayre of Moses the Gospel of Chryst and the Epistels of the Apostels But that my purpose may more playne and clearelye appeare suffer me I beseche you O moste gracious Queene to forespeake somewhat And in this entrye as it were to discourse a whyle howe expedyente thys knowledge is howe profytable necessarye aad meete for these tymes the handlynge of thys argumente Not to warne you aâ—readye myndeful enough but for yf other Nobles see the summe shortly abbridged authorised by your noble doome for the weyghte and authoritye of the paâ—ronesse they neede not contemne it I haue gathered and heaped out of the best wryters so muche as concerneth the true and auncient Image and institucion of Noblesse Nor teach I onely mine owne opinion but prooue it And what erst I supped oute of the swete sprynges of the holy Bibles and others not despised ryvers of good wryters that nowe I apply to the enquirye and searche of the source offpring of Nobilitye to shewe the chanels braunches the nature doctrine and
feates and learne so muche art skill by vse as is requisite in any general at the least in a meane captaine For without a Captaine an army is as said Epammondas as a faier beast and Philip those rather an army of harts vnder the conduct of a Lion then of Lions conducted by a hart For the chiefe parte of warlike successe consisteth in a stout and polytike captaine But the efficient causes and limits of war may be For the flocke For the law which deuise Alphonsus king of ArragoÌ„ gaue in his armes Wherto this also may be added For the prince For in the Princes is comprysed the Realmes safety And thones life dependeth on thothers welfare I meane a godlye kinge as Iosias Ezechiel Dauid or suche like who emploied their seruice to the king of kings and established intheyr Realines sincere religion Otherwise counsl I none to warre eyther to bolden Idolatrie or strengthen wyckednes with worde or deede Rather oughst thou wythstande hym wyth thy Councell not force to hinder hys attempts Wythstande hym I saye with patience not power And feare rather god then man For hys flocke the shepherd For theyr countrey the Codries Decians and Curtians die Iustest is the quarel for lawe and fayth If the whole consent and concorde of all or the moste parte of the good ioyne bee they stirred of zeale God callyng them for hys glory to obtaine what they coueyte then knowe they this last and extreame remedy to bee moste commendable Howe muche more detestable they are who not defende but betraye theyr countrey As Tarpeia Roome Or theyr Prynce As Pyrrhus Phisician whom Fabritâ—us sent backe bounden Or the law and relygion whiche happeth as ofte as relygious cay tifes to esiablishe theyr pryuate gaines and dignities receiue into the bosome of theyr Countrey a straunger and forren Prynce Nor haue regarde of ought so they may with foren violence mayntayne theyr olde rooted superstitious opinyons and retaine the Roman heresies Contrariwyse shall oure Noble man demeane hym selfe And bende all hys myghte and mayne agaynste forren force Not raunsome or mayntayne his fanly with the destruction death of bys countrey Mischieuous is this polâ—eâ—e with the losse and ruyne of the Realine to stablishe theyr pryuate opinyon and accomply she theyr owne luste O horrible treason wantinge worthy cerme Towardes the multitude cke and commen sorte some duties muste bee obsecued that Nobilitie maye as it were flowe into all mens hertes To winne them with curtesy not affray them with cruelty Whereof muche maye and somewhat hath ben sayde Which here it needeth not tediouslye to repeate or other lyke causeles to heape Aristotle mencioneth in his Politikes an horrible othe vsed in certaine states consistinge of the regimente of sewe Nobles in maner thus I will hate the people and to my power persecute them Which is the croppe and more of al sedition Yet to much practised in oure liues But what cause is there why a Noble man shold eyther despise the people or hate them or wrong them What know they not no tiranny maye bee trusty Nor how yll gardeÌ„ of coÌ„tinuance feare is Further no more may Nobilitie misse the people then in mans body the heade the hande For of trueth the commen people are the handes of the Nobles sith them selues bee handlesse They labour and sweate for them with tillinge saylinge running toylinge by Sea by laÌ„d with haÌ„ds with feete serue them So as wtoute theyr seruice they nor eate nor drink nor are clothed no nor liue we rede in the taleteller Esope a done was saued by the helpe of an Ant. A lyon escaped by the benefite of a Mowse We reade agayne that euen Ants haue theyr choler And not altogether quite the Egle angerd the bytle bee For albeit careles and safelye thou despise eche seuerally yet not without perill prouokest thou all vninersallye Right godly therefore and wisely saith Augustine The multitude is not so contemptuous for theyr symple power as dreadfull for theyr huge nomber For many litle wormes may slay And cast ought mids a swarme of fleas shal it not be eaten Wherfore neither sharply nor rigorously nor tirannously must they entreat the people Sith no mans power may match the might of many Rather must they loue them as the greatest and befte parte of the common wealth And bee they subiects they are so muche more to bee loued for they yelde them theyr labours whose profites they enioye As the father to his children the king to his subieccs the good husbandman to his grounde so ought the Nobility be affectioned towards the commens Whom they ought winne and ioyne to them by vertue as a moste effectuall charme But howe loue is purchased and entrie made into the myndes of the multytude Excellentlye learneth Cicero in hys seconde booke of dutyes Whome I leaue the Nobles euen agayne and agayne to pervfe And this is the firste parte concerning theyr countrey commen welth The other is AgremeÌ„t of the Nobles that Nobilitie agree not onelye with the people but euen liue and loue within it selfe For hit suffiseth not the Commens and lordes agree but also it both beseemeth and behoueth the Lordes bee sowdered amongs them selues Sith hence also spryngeth Ciuill iarre and dyscorde For stoute stomakes cannot beare pryuate grudges withoute the commen misery and calamitie which wel wytnesseth the rage and madnes of C. Cesar and the twinninge of Cn. Ponpeye the great from him his father in lawe whyche caused the alteration of the state and newe countenaunce of the Empire For this is no play or pageant nor any counterfait combat or stage Tragedy sweatelesse or bloudlesse nor Homeres fraye twixt froggs and Myse But the frayes and combats of Noble and myghtye men are as the graspinges of Lions or giants warres who ioyne with greate power greater stomakes but greatest peril of eyther part Although nor Lion deuoureth the Lyon nor dogge the dogge nor wolfe the wolfes kynde So as nature it felfe withoute other reason sufficientlye crieth oute on it For it is as if the limmes of one selfe body should iarre Were it not monstrous and vnnatural thinke ye the heads should wyshe it selfe ache The hand should buffet hym selfe the lounge curse hit selfe For easely then ceasseth any theyr Tirannye to other lymmes to seeme cruell when thus they rage agaynste them selues But whereto forceth not ambition mortall mindes Whiche lightlyest breedeth in the highest wittes and hawtyest courages Yet lesse yll and more tollerable were hit if only with hit selfe hit conceaued quickned tranayled But it brasteth and blaseth forth And what mischieue enflamed wyth the lust of raygne it hath erst imagined other that now it compasseth And haleth aye in her gard enuye her vnparted bandmayde the bawde of all her mischieues Enuye agayne comes not vnaccompanied but couples to her an other mate namelye crueltye armed and furnished for the deathes and slaughters of many Hence commeth it that Nobilitye can beare no peere
knowe and I haue heard But sith prefentiye I remember not the certaintie I list not fayne Least happly I mysse the truth and lye Shortly be this the summe that none waxe proud of apparayle But repose him selfe in his myndes giftes That peacocke like they prise not more then right them selues with their painted plumes Sith nor the horse for his Veluet trappers nor the byrd for her golden cage wonteth to conceyue any stately pride But rather the first in swift race the other in swift winge So contemne a Noble man those vtward and more more coueyt these inward ornamentes Be the ende of apparayle to shrowde the bodye to chase colde hauing respecte of healthe strengthe honestyeâ— and comelynes Of a Noble mans bâ—â—se ¶ Hit foloweth nowe we speake of Noble mens buildinges For who weene any parte of happye life consisteth in this worlds bricklenes seeme not to theym selues happye enoughe though finely clad daintely fedde but also they dwell princely Then which happe is nought more miserable Which Salomon the kinglye preacher reckeneth amonge the commenlye accompted goodes in his searche of the soueraigne good I haue compassed ê™ he great driftes Built houseÌ„ planted vines leueld gardens and Paradises and in them set all sortes of fruytfull trees Plentiful pondes haue I made to water shadye groues Wherein he describeth al mennes driftes Yea of our dayes But some what after foloweth I turned to all the workes my handes had finished and the trauaile I tooke and loe al vanitie and trouble of minde and nothing lastinge vnder the sonne A golden sayeng of the wysest preacher Which would Nobles graue and carue on their postes pillers walles house and entryes ouer theyr dores and priuie chambers no poesye should they fynde more passing or pithy For vanitye of all vanityes sayeth the preacher and all trulye vanitye If then there be so greate vanitie and vainenes rest in al thynges what dignitie what Nobilitye may be purchased by buyldynge Yet thys vanitye worke we not say they on vaine consideracion but iust cause Both hospitality growe iustice more indifferentlye be ministred Cityes more flouryshe Citesens be linkd in nearer amitie and the neyghboure poore ofter relyeued Which all by thys theyr solitarye secession are executed seelder colder negligenter and throughe theyr farther distance lesse commodiouslye Why rather imitate they not the aunciente Romayne Nobles who reserued theyr manoures farmes rather to sport and refreshe them selues then to inhabyte as Pompeye Pomponius Atticus Crassus Ciccro and others Whose succour presence ward neither that city wanted nor their patronage councell or aydeâ— the citesens For in those daies rather chose they to decke the publike buildynges then priuate the commen citie then their owne homes As Aristides Pericles at Athenes Curius Fabricius at Roome In whose housen onelye them selues were beautiful and golden Noble was that vaunte of Augustus and worthye a Monarche Left to al Magistrates and Nobles to imitate Brycke huylt tooke I Roome I leaue it Marble Euer more ought he theyr care of publyke safetye and dignitye then priuate honour But the renoume and glorye alleaged for second cause is alike vaine vayneft Whiche yet moued and tickeled many euen in Chrisostoms dayes For do we good to the poore saye they who seeth it Yf any not many yf manye but for a time And time passeth and ther withal the memory of themployed benefite Better therfore to rayse buildinges which men not now onely but many ages after may behold O foole what profiteth thee this memory tormented where thou art and where thou are not commended And this commendacion of the quicke howe reacheth it to the dead Againe time wil end this praise and aged yeres shal blot freat out thy name and house with thy proud praise memory For if the golden Capitoll nowe mustye wayleth yf the noblest frames lye drenched in darckenes if Lucullus most magnificeÌ„t manors are soÌ„ke into obliuion chrough the malice of al frea ting time and nowe lye rased and neglected why vainely flatterest thou thy buyldinges with any eternity or lasting length Where are now those famous temples of Hierusalem and Delphos Where the church of Minerua Where the Image and huge statue of the Ephesians great Diana Where the Pyramydes of Memphis Where the vawtes where the triumphante arches Where so huge platformes Where the owners contriuers and carpenters of so princely palayces Thy house thoughe glisteringe with golde siluer and precious stoanes is but a swalowes neaste of durte and strawes In winter shall it fall and as a spiderweb be pearced with euery blast and perishe So is this cause like vayne Nor ought sounder is the thyrd for they will leaue it their chyldren Whom thus aunswereth Dauyd They hoarde treasure knowynge not for whom For if thou quicke forgot theym ofte after thy death they maye be reft thy sonne For eyther tyrants seeke to entrappe thee or false accusers with forged crime as poysoned darte in one momente with one lye one wyle wyll bereue thee that thou with so great charge so long time hast raysed So shal thy children be as couduyte pipes which receyuing water and seruing others drinke none Or yf others preuent them not them selues as gulfes and qwaues consume right oft great patrimony For ofte a thryftie father succeedeth a prodigal soonne Who selleth all not leauyng so much as tyle or stone As Crassus bordeth on Brutus Or with gluttony dising scatter they infinite substaÌ„ce gathered with great sweates And strayne whole maners and lordships through a deyntye throate Suche one mencioneth Valerius Maximus one Crassus surnamed bankrupte ryche Who though beggerlye and vnable to satisfye his creditours and a needy wretche was still saluted riche So these gluttons as if naked they gathered nuttes as iesteth Cicero pocket all in theyr bellyes Wherefore sith bothe vaine is their hope of securitye and searche of glorie and superfluous theyr heyres care No sufficiente causes are there whye these earthlye frayle temporall harborowes of our body wauing with euerye biast open to al enemies roades ryfe to al perill should be decked with such cost statelines and magnificeÌ„ce These faultes therfore auoyded be this moderance vsed Fyrst hauing of his parentes a house able to shroude him from showers and kepe hospitalitye rashely enlarge it not as many that rase rayse buylde alter frome square to round from rouÌ„d to square but vse it thankefullye For the house honoureth not the owner but the owner the house Nor deeme he him selfe his parents better but worthye a fayrer house Euer beare he thys of Horace in his brest Happye who farre from courtly toyle As Princes did in elder while Eareth with his beastes his natiue soyle But if neede and constraynt requyre newe buyldynge pryncipallye prouidehe the groundeworkes be iustlye layde not with others iniurye or nusaunce Not in others soyle but his owne Not in anye commen but his seuerall That he buylde not of the sacke and spoyle of the poore but
perpetuall infamye and to haue staynde theyr memorye wyth fretting and vnanoydable enuye For what may we thynke of them to whom the Prynce bath credited the seasonynge of yongâ— sutes Yf partiall eyther for hate or affection ouerpassyng men of greats discrecion and approued trâ—fte they entrude to suche charge eyther dreamishe doltes or loselles most vnworthye that credyte or sometime not so worshipful as famous for the yl prayer of all men to bothe Of which sorte are some pernicious moch Catos who fauour the good more from the teeth forwards then with their heartes Who seeme to me to showe as many scarres in their forheads as eyther they preferd such or suppressed worthy men wyth the mockerye of their prince Yet what horrible mischieues haue suche wrought Howe muche misery hathe happened for the default of wiser and more worthye teachers All this his talke referreth to the wordes of Cicero wrytinge to Atticus that Pompeye hanged his name for euer in preferring by hys authoritye one moste vnworthy to the Consulshippe But the sonne of Aulus ê™ he so bebaueth him selfe that his Consulshippe is no consulshyppe but playnely the sclaunder and infamye of Pompeye who preferd him thereto Thus is hit to true both that promocions are bestowed on the vnworthy and that theyr faultes are imputed to theyr promoters For which onely cause we haue also seene in England diuers excellente good and godlye Nobles deadly hated and defamed for placynge vnder theym yll and rauening rulers and officers Whose auarice turned not to their owne harme but to the discredite and death of theyr innocent guyltles patrones Wherfore the true Nobilitye and chiefely princes must be circumspect to whoÌ„ they credite the gouernement eyther of priuate or publike affayres For if oughte happen yll to them the gaine turnes the shame and checke to their placers and preferrers Nor lighteth euer the blame and punishement on those whose is the fault But I ouerpasse our home happes and soares Muche is it to be feared least these Giantes broode earthe byrdes dunghil Nobles proue the traytoures and plagues of their countrey and treade vnder-foote the commen wealth In Homere Achilles ragynge freateth for vneuen honoures were layde on vnable porters Nor plainelier ought prophecieth the neare approching death of cities and realmes then like accompt of good and euell and as Plato sayeth vnmeete shoulders charged with vneuen payse But how great storms and Tragedies these new found Nobles stirre in common Weales historyes wyll easely teache if any man wyll either vnfolde the records of aged memory or search and see the later presidentes But to repeate so farre of the aunciente paterns it greueth me truly chiefly for I meane not to dwel in any one part but hie to other And to reuiue and rub vp greene soares is both odyous and superfluous for they are grauen in the greene memory of all the quirke Certainly somwhat there is that all vniuersally enuie the honours of vpsterts and abhorre them as pernicious to commoÌ„ weales Neither causeles is it that Historiens Poetes and Oratours alwayes playne it in theyr monumentes For not to touche here Caria in times past moste flourishynge ruyned by the multitude of new Rulers Let vs weighe the complayntes of Oratours in the Noblest and auncienst Cities Demosthenes chiefe Oratour of Athenes of all wyse men eloquentest of all eloquent wysest wryteth that when Nicias Aristides an other Demosthenes and other auncyente Gentlemen gouerned the state of Athenes they ruled farre neare And three score and fiue yeares held in manner a Monarchie wyth the consente of all Greece Had in theyr treasure of spare money more then tenne thousande Tallentes The Kinges of Macedon at theyr becke many noble shrines of victorye after happely atcheued Conquests by lande and Sea erected the Common buyldinges moste sumptuously furnyshed and pryuate homes neglected But since the people and newe men preaced in place who attended on priuate mens becâ—es not serued the common wealth the Monarchie of the Grekes swerued to the Lacedemonians the common dignitie waned priuate profyte grewe sodainly of base many became Noble of beggers riche the beggered fains to become their sâ—aues and for refectioÌ„ to take the reuersioÌ„s of their tables Whiche selfe same reporteth Isoâ—â—ates in his oration of peace and other where Of the Roman state the â—oete 〈◊〉 thus writeth as meÌ„cioneth Ciceroâ— Hope happâ— so sooâ—â— ye wrackd your commâ—n wealth New lawiers ruled fond princockes grewe by stealthe Also the Romyshe youth that they onely might geue voyce in elections wonted to tumble the auncients ouer the bridge who once dispatched of honor lyfe and dygnitie forthe with new mâ—â— stirrd factions and discorde As also it happened in Roome vnder the Papacye And namely in Iulius the Seconds tyme. Who from the Ores wherewyth hee wonted to earne his alehouse halfepeny lyfted to the hyghest honor of the chiefe See fildd all Realmes wyth warre tumult and rage Then whome that Churche had neuer stouter Champyon Wherefore like as as grauely warneth Paule a straunge vnknowen person must not be admitted to ministery in the church as commoÌ„ly proud ignorant so in gouerninge the state none more insolent none more intollerable then new and skillesse noblesâ— raysed from the Carte to the Courte from the rascalles to the Nobles or to any rule or excellencie of Nobylytie Whom not vnfeetely with Homere may wee Imagine borne of Oke and Flint both for theyr basest birth and theyr Flintie and Iron harte As wel Eustathius â—he playnest interpreter of Homere blaseth it For this is moste true Nought souwerer then a shrub when once hee springth alofte For so giddieth and ouerbeareth him the prosperous gale of Fortune that in maner past him selfe he forgetteth what hee was what hee is and what hee ought bee Where in deede howe muche higher hee is so muche more lowly humble and gentle should hee shew him selfe These so enchaunted and dronken with the charme and Hippocrace of new honour I wishe to imitate the humble highnes of Agathocles needfull president for all Nobles to folow So shall they both bee myndefull of theyr former state and not shake or trouble Common weales and aspire to the hygher place by vertue not vice by industry not malice or pollecy and hit gotten gouerne iustly modestly and vprightly For he though the Sonne of a potter yet cald to the Crowne of Sicyle not forth with proudly dysdained the rest but surmounted them all in humblenes not shooke but setled eche state not vaunted hee was kinge but playnely professed he was once an earthen potter Of whom thus writeth Ausonâ—us Men say Kyng Agathocles fed in potters plate And charged with Samian claye his table where hee sate Myds whych hys golden Chargers serued in would hee see And myngled all in one hys pryde and pouertie Wherof this cause he gaue I loe who now am kynge Of Sicyle late of potter poore was simple of sprynge Learâ— hence your Roomes to reuerence ye that clyme And
honourd begger know thy former tyme. For on his table besides goblets he caused also earthen pots to be placed which in maner of encouraginge hee wonted to shewe to youngemen And pointing to the earthen said Suche I made Shewinge the golden Suche I make by trauaile diligeÌ„ce courage So had he euer tofore his eyes the basenes of his beginninge science Least at any time pufte vp by prosperytie he mighte forget hys olde beynge and proudly disorder confounde all thinges Suche Agathocles it is expedyente oure newe Nobles bee Which would they it were to be wyshed they were more and theyr greater estymation by all meanes procured For none but vicious wyl not loue reuereÌ„ce them in whom vertue shineth the nobility of honesty glistereth In whiche sorte of praise that heretofore haue ben and presently are many syngular excellente is none so deuoyde of common sence who heareth and seeth not Nor meant I by my longe talke to dysproue there were suche but to shew that others of whome I feare the number are no righte Nobles For Vicious Nobylity whereas tofore wee denied the onely Nobilitie of birth to be hit wee seeke and misse shal we thinke this what sâ— it be new or olde cloggd wyth vyces to bee hit If any bee perhappes who stole vp by shifts and sleights feedes on myschiefe and rauenynge lyues by and in slaughter who is a bane and burthen to him selfe and others hym shall wee deeme a righte Noble man Muche may Stoically bee sayd of a slaue and thrall of vyces a wordly foole or who is in deede free wyse good or euen a man at all But I referre the Reader to Ciceros Paradoxes there grauely discoursing them Where he shal learne that the rychest best borne heades of cities whom grauen golde and Tapistry Images Tables honour notwithstanding if they defraud any gape for others right forge Testaments â—oâ—ite or catche others goods thrall them selues to vices not chiefly reuereÌ„ce vertues are fooles though costly and courtly poore notwithstandynge theyr groaning chestes yf barren minded most filthy slaues and to coÌ„clude beastes But that reasoninge I leaue to the Stykes and Cicero the readynge to good and studious Gentlemen Hetherto haue I seuerally discoursed certaine partes of Nobilitie Both that auncient whiche is borne wyth the man and this new which spryngeth from it selfe Wherin if eyther the firste haue no other grounde then bloud or this laste bee purchased or mayntayned by yll meanes wee haue farre remoued eyther from the true liuely counterfaite of Nobilitie If ther oughte be any estate of Idle Nobility Now ioyntly som what farther wyl we suppose of either And ouerpassing other faultes wherto it wonts to bee thrall consider for wee meane to examine all poyntes as farre as seemeth good such a Noble man if any suche be or if none suche imagine him sith either he might or may be who is neither enflamed with cruelty nor chafed with anger nor boyled with ambicyon nor whelmed or ouerborne wyth couetise nor rakes by hoke and croke nor purchaseth by force fraude or like croked meanes his forged Noblesse nor encreaseth it gotten by disloyall practises iniuryes none but maynetayneth him selfe and his wyth hys owne goodes and enherytaunce with them contenteth him selfe in them reposeth him selfe but yet neither applieth any study nor gouernth any commen charge but liceÌ„ciously roames in ryot coasting the stretes with wauering plumes hangd to a long side blade pouÌ„ced in silkes And so braue vaunts him selfe to the simple sorte garded with a rout of seruauÌ„ts Learns nought but customably courtlike to entertaine gentlemen to cal the king his lord with ii or .iii. French Italian Spanishe or such like termes to greete a stranger and knowe the courtlike titles your lordship your grace your maiesty bestowing them in conuenient times with courtly grace and brauery to be short in feasting dainty feeding ryot Venus stelths Mars combattes huntinge haukinge dise Tables nought doyng at home sleping abroad toyeng yll weares and wastes the good while ouerpasseth whole daies most parte of the nights in vaine fruteles tryfles This noble man coÌ„sider we and shewe what we iudge of thys idle and voluptuous life For the not spoilyng others for the mayntenance of theyr priuate pleasures not to prayse were hard But in flowing with licentious idlenesse applieng no honest labour or exercise w e such one crime guylt they stayne theÌ„ selues as coÌ„pryseth thother is deemd the mother beldame of al mischieues For fyrst they offende in neglecting artes contemning learnyng traitours to al noble knowledges Whence springeth ignorance linkd with contempt hate of al thrift And for the motion of the mind ceasseth not but is euer busyed in somewhat it happth that eyther in base fruitlesse worldly trifles or thefts or extorcioÌ„s or innumerable mischieues their deuices are spent Nor Cupide but they chase idlenes hath loste his bowe nor quenchd lye the flames brands of lust Wherfore though a while it neyther iniury nor wrong any yet wil it spede lye bothe purchace infamye to the good stayne to the chast and blemishe to the iust So as nowe it is not ease but the concourse medlay and synke of all sinne But let be this armye of vices wherewith idlenes wonteth to be garded and accompanied And enquire we onelye of an Idle noble man Truly yf any be that neither knowes nor coueytes learning nor in trauaile of his body or exercise of mind passeth the course of his weary life but spendeth his yeares in pleasure ease rest haunteth plaies feastes bathes bankettings and vseth this vicious trade and custome though spending onely on his owne stocke his fathers gyfte nor seeketh or compasseth but how to rise nobler richer or welthier nor is beautified with any excellent ornament al be he not spotted with monstrous cruelty couetise or mischiefe yet so farre am I from deeming him a ryght noble man as I allowe him not so much as one ynche of Nobility This heare all ye Nobles both newe and auncient and for it is true credite it That this careles sluggyshe and rechelesse Nobility repugneth wyth the lawes both of God and man and oughte by the same be punyshed Yea playnely I professe any suche vocation prescrybed in holy wryte coulde I hytherto neuer fynde For it suffiseth not eche holde what he hath and that enioye not spoylynge others nor he dischargeth his dutye who onely not hurtes but who faythfullye perfourmeth not what God commaundeth is guyltye and accessary to haynous cryme and in daunger of iudgement For all we are charged to labour not licensed to sytte and slepe by our gotten goodes not to content our selues with others laboures but forced to bende our boanes to the croked plough and sweat at worke For as soone as Adam mans fyrst parent fell forthwyth he heardâ— God the moste wyse and iust lawegeuer pronounce thys smart sentence In the sweate of thy