being abashed they soone withdrew themselues froÌ„ his presence Of the shame which Aulilia did vnto her sonne Thierrie whereby she was a cause of his victorie THierry being Generall for the Emperour Zenon in Italy and hauing bene defeated by Odoâ—cer king of the Herules fled towards Rauenna On the way being met by his mother Aulilia and she perswading him to returne againe to the field and to renue the battell and seeing him to make a difficultie so to do She said vnto him my sonne beleeue me and assure thyself thou hast neither castle nor fortres where thou canst be safe except I take vp my clothes and suffer thee to returne againe into my belly from whence thou hadst thy first being Thierry being both ashamed and enflamed at this speech of his mother reassembled his armie returned to the place of battell and finding his enemies in disorder by reason of their first victorie he charged in vpon them and defeated them Fevv vvords vvell spoken and vvell taken cause great matters be put in execution Of the good counsell which a Gentleman gaue vnto the same Thierry Lieutenant to Zenon the Emperour vnder the couerture of a Fable by meanes whereof Thiâ—â—â—y made himselfe king of Italy THierry was accused vnto the Emperour Zenon by some enuious persons that he affected the Empire whereupon the Emperour sent for him home to Constantinople there held him prisoner till such time as being put to his triall he purged him selfe Within a while after he was againe accused for the same matter being commaunded by the Emperour to make his repaire vnto him who was purposed to put him to death he sent a messenger to the Emperours Court vnto one Tolomee his great friend and familiar to vnderstand his opinion if he held it good for him to come to the Court or not Tolomee in regard of his oath made vnto the Emperour durst not reueale the secret of the Emperours purpose vnto the messenger of Thierry but appointing him to attend the Emperor at dinner time he streightly charged him to marke well what he should heare him there say to the intent he might rehearse the same vnto his maister that sent him The next day the Emperour sitting at his table and keeping open state Tolomee who was one of his nearest fauorities deuising with him of many things as they were at meate let fall this fable of set purpose The Lion quoth he being chosen king by the other beasts they all came to do him reuerence the Hart which is a goodly beast approching to salute him with the rest and bending himselfe before him the Lion tooke him by the hornes purposing to deuoure him but the Hart drew away his head with that strength and force as he escaped and saued himselfe The Reinard seeing the Lion to frown to grow in a great rage because the Hart had escaped him did promise the Lion to cause the Hart to come backe againe And vpon the matter he did so flatter the Hart with so many sweet and sugred words that he drew him backe againe to the Lion to whom he doing reuerence as before the Lion seized vpon his horns and the other beasts falling also vpon him so as he was soone deuoured The Reinard pulling out his heart did secretly eate it Each of the beasts sought very earnestly for his heart to make a present of it to the king but the same not being to be found the blame was laid vpon the Renard with great threats and stripes Alas quoth the Reinard I am wrongfully punished for the Hart had no hart at all for if he had had any he would neuer haue returned to be slain and deuoured This tale being marked and vnderstood by the messenger he returned to Thieâ—â—y to whom he recited what he had heard whereby he was aduertized not to returne any more to the Emperour and within a while after he made himselfe king of Italy A sentence of king Attila and his titles ATtila king of the Gothes was wont to say That the griefe which he had conceiued in loosing of riches was greater then al the pleasure that he euer took in possessing of them Amongst many other titles which he esteemed excellent he chiefly bore this to be called The feare of the world and the scourge of God The words of Clotarius king of Fraunce at the time of his death CLotarius the first of that name king of Fraunce at the time of his death fell into these speeches saying often Vuach Auach How great is this King of heauen that thus killeth and causeth to dye the most great and mightie Kings and Princes of the world To men that are too much in loue with the world the tast of death is very bitter The sentence of Pope Zacharie concerning the electing of the King of Fraunce PEpin Maister of the Pallace of the king of Fraunce sent his Ambassadours to Pope Zacharie to haue his aduice whom he held to be most worthie to be King either him who for the profite and common good of the Realme did expose himselfe to all turmoile and trauell or him that liuing in idlenesse and slouth had no care or regard of the Common-wealth neither to augment it nor to defend it The Pope returned him in writing this answer That he was the fittest person to raigne and to be entitled King which tooke vpon him the charge and managing of the publique affaires both for the defence of the Realme and for the maintaining of iustice The French being informed of this answer deposed their king Childericke and thrusting him into a Monasterie elected Pepin king of Fraunce in his stead The pleasant message of Philip king of France to VVilliam duke of Normandy and king of England with his answer PHilip the first of that name kâ—ng of Fraunce being resolued to make warre against VVilliam the baâ—stard Duke of Normandie that conquered England who had lien long sicke of a great swelling in his belly sent him word That he neuer before heard of any woman in Normandie that lay so long in childbed as he had done and that if he might vnderstaÌ„d the time of his vprisâ—ng he would prouide him of lights against his Churching The Duke returned him this answer That he would not faile to let him vnderstand of his vprising and that he meant to come in person into Fraunce where himselfe would cause a solemne Masse to be song at his Churching and that for lights he would prouide a thousand Torches without waxe whose sâ—aues shold be of wood and a thousand launces tipt with steel to giue fire to those torcheâ— By the Torches without waxe and of wood he meant houses tovvnes villages vvhich he vvould set on fire and by the launces he meant men at armes Of the letters of promise which the same William Duke of Normandie sent vnto the Earle of Flanders THe same VVilliam Duke of Normandie hauing a determinatioÌ„ to make a conquest of England as being his right in
held for sage and wise persons who could modestly endure any reasonable iest or mocquerie And that those who were prompt in pretie iests and meriments were to be reputed men of a good spirit The ansvver vvhich Barba the vvidovv of Sigismond made to those that persvvaded her to continue a vvidovv AFter that the Emperour Sigismond was deceased the Ladie Barba his widow was perswaded by one to liue still a widowe in imitation of the example of the Turtle which after the death of the male doth keepe continuall chastitie Whereunto she made this answer If so be thou wilt counsel me to follow the conditions of the birdes of the aire which are destitute of reason why doest not thou as well tell me of the Doue and the Sparrow A sentence of the Emperour Rodulph the first ROdulph Emperor who first translated the Empire of Almaine into the house of Austria as he was deuising with his familiar friends vpon that matter how the same had bene effected It is no maruell said he if they be accompted fooles that know not how to raigne for there is not any man liuing that iudgeth himselfe to be a foole A Sentence of the Emperour Albert. THe Emperour Albert was wont to say That the delight of hunting was an exercise fit for a man but dauncing and leaping did appertaine to women And howbeit he could temper himselfe to abstaine from all other pleasures yet he could not restraine himselfe from the exercise of hunting The Fable of the Emperour Fredâ—ricke the third propounded to the Embassadour of kâ—ng Levvis the eleuenth CHarles duke of Burgundy hauing planted his siege before the city of Nuce which was succoured by the Emperour Fredericke the third and the Almaines King Levvis the eleuenth of France who sought nothing more then the ruine of the said Duke of Burgundie sent his Embassadour to the Emperour Fredericke to practise and perswade with him to seize and confiscate into his owne hands all those lands and Seignories which the Duke of Burgundie held of the Empire and that he for his part wold do the like for the countries of Flanders Artois Burgundie and others dependants of the Crowne of Fraunce The Emperour vpon this motion made the Ambassadour this answer Neare vnto a certaine citie in Almain did once haunt a most cruell and daÌ„gerous Beare which did many mischiefes and displeasures to the inhabitants adioyning Now it happened that three merrie companions as they were drinking in a Tauerne hauing litle mony to pay their shot they agreed with their host to make sale of the Beares skinne and to pay him out of the money and for the performance thereof they prepared themselues presently to go and take him The bargaine being made and the dinner ended they put theÌ„selues in quest of the beast and approching to the Caue where he was lodged the Beare issued out vpon them so fiercely that being surprised with a sudden feare one of them fled away backe towards the towne another saued himselfe by climing of a tree and the third being ouertaken by the Beare fell downe vnder him as dead And the Beare without doing him any other hurt did often put his mouth to the eares of the poore fellow who all the while held his wind and abstained from breathing for the nature of the Beare is not to touch or to offend any dead bodie Now the Beare being gone the man got vp and went his way also after which he that was aloft in the tree came downe and hauing ouertaken his companion demanded of hm what it was that the Beare told him in his eare marrie quoth the fellow he bad me that I should neuer after vse to sell a Beares skin till the beast were dead By this fable the Emperor payed the Embassadour with an answer as if he should haue said Let vs first be sure to take the Duke and then afterwards let vs make partition of his dominioÌ„s Graue sentences and answers of the Emperour Fredericke THe Emperour Fredericke being demaunded whom he accompted his greatest friends He answered Those men which feare me lesse then God Being likewise asked what he thought was the best thing which could happen to a man he answered A happie and good departure out of this mortall life If the end of a mans life be not good and in the feare of God all the rest is little worth He said That those Princes which are giuen to be cruell and too rigorous haue great cause to feare death For with the same iudgement they haue adiudged others in their life themselues are like to be adiudged after their death The same Fredericke hauing subdued the Guntians a people in Hungarie he said We haue now done a great deed it remaines yet that we do another deede more great that is That we vanquish our selues by refraining from auarice and from the desire of reuenge This Emperour Fredericke did bring vp in his Court euen from an infant Ladislaus the sonne of the king of Hungâ—rie and of Boheme and there were mâ—ny which perswaded and counselled him to â—â—ke away the child and to put him to deaâ—h because in processe of time his life might cause him great hurt and hinderance and by his death he might succeede him in his Realmes and riches To whom the Emperour made this answer I perceiue then that you had rather haue me a rich King then a iust Prince and a pitifull But for my part I had rather haue an honourable report and good renowme then all the riches and treasures of the world A sentence of Martian MArtian Emperour of Constantinople would neuer enterprize any warres except it were vpon great necessitie saying That whatsoeuer Prince would liue in peace and quietnesse he ought not in any case to entertaine warres The title of Otho the third OTho the third of that name Emperour of Almaine was of so great a spirite as he was commonly called The wonder of the world The praise of Septimius Seuerus SEptimius Seuerus Emperour of Rome was a Prince so well beloued and ruled so well and commendably that the Senate said of him That it had bene good either that he had neuer bene borne or that he might neuer dye A sentence of Alexander Seuerus ALexander Seuerus the Romaine Emperour whensoeuer he appointed any one to be punished opeÌ„ly he caused the common Cryer with a loud voice to pronounce this sentence Do not that to another which thou wouldest not haue done to thee And the same sentence did he cause to be engrauen in his Pallace in the publique Edifices A sentence of Gordian GOrdian the younger Emperour of Rome had a saying somtimes That the Emperour of all other men is most miserable because commonly the truth is concealed from him The answer of Maximilian to one that would be made a Gentleman THe Emperor Maximilian being at Bologna a citizen of that Citie exceeding rich and wealthie but of base parentage presented himself before the Emperour saying May it please
greatest victorie which I euer obtained was against the diuel at such time as I was baptized in the church of Poissi And therefore the greatest honour which I would haue done me is that men should cal me Levvis of Poissi Of the same Levvis A Certaine priuate friend of his did blame him for that in writing his priuate and familiar letters he did not entitle himselfe king of Fraunce but Loys of Poissi To whom he said I am like the king which meÌ„ chuse with the Beane at Twelfetide who commonly doth obserue the feast of his royaltie in the euening His meaning vvas that the Crovvne vvhich he expected vvas the kingdom of heauen and by the euening he meant the end of this mortall life The desire that Saint Levvis had to cut off all blasphemies out of his kingdome KIng Levvis hauing caused one who had blasphemed the name of God to be marked in the lippes with a hote burning iron and hearing that some of his subiects did murmure at it he said openly in the hearing of a great multitude I wold to God that I my selfe were so marked with a hote iron on my lippes on the condition that there were no oathes nor blasphemies vsed within my realme Whensoeuer he began to speake or to do any thing and especially when he was set in Councell the first thing he vsed to do was to blesse himselâ—e with the signe of the Crosse in calling vpon the name of God For his saying was that his mother had so taught him euen from his infancie Of the instructions vvhich the king Saint Levvis of Fraunce gaue vnto his sonne Philip. MY sonne the first lesson which I giue thee is To loue God with all thy hart with all thy streÌ„gth and with all thy soule Offend not God in any case Suffer any torments rather then sin Take patiently whatsoeuer aduersitie God shall send thee and thanke God for it acknowledging that thou hast deserued it Confesse thy selfe often to some good man a Minister of the church Be diligeÌ„t to heare the deuine Seruice song in the Church of God Obserue carefully the good customes of thy kingdome but take away such as are euill Raise not any Taxes or Tallages vpon thy subiects but vpon great necessitie Entertaine those into thy seruice who feare God loue iustice and hate couetousnesse Desire not that thy Iudges should giue iudgement for thee in any cause against thy subiects farther then reason and truth will iustifie Preserue the cities and townes of thy kingdome in their franchises and liberties wherein thy predecessours before thee haue maintained them Giue the Benefices and Offices of thy kingdom to good men and such as are capable of them Moue not warre against any Christian and if any offence be committed thou oughtest to pardon it being required In places of iustice and iudgment see thou prouide such as are good men and godly Make diligent enquirie of thy houshold seruants whether they be addicted to couetousnesse or to prodigalitie Be thou such a one in thy life and conuersation as men may take good example by thee For as the head is such commonly are the members Take good heede that the expences of thy house be moderate and in measure And the blessing of God be alwaies with thee A notable saying of Philip the faire king of Fraunce PHilip le bel king of Fraunce hauing a certaine quarrell against Pope Boniface the eight wherof hath bene before spoken and being vrged by some to take reuenge of the Bishop of Palmers who was the principall procurer and perswader of the contentioÌ„ between theÌ„ he made theÌ„ this answere That it was a greater glorie for any Prince of courage and magnanimitie to pardon those of whom he might easily take reuenge then to execute reuenge vpon them Of king Philip de Valois vvho confirmed the lavv Salique by the Scriptures CHarles le bel king of Faunce being deceased without heire male Edvvard the third king of England intitled himselfe King and inheritour of Fraunce in the right of his mother Isabel sister to the said king Charles Philip de Valois being the next heire male opposed himself against the title of king Edvvard and obtained the kingdome by colour of the law Salique which excludeth women from the Crowne of France and as the common saying of the French is suffereth it not to fall to the distaffe And amongst many authorities cited for the iustification of that law he alleadged for one these words of the holy Scripture Consider the Lilies of the field hovv they do grovv and do neither labour nor spinne Of the Latin verses vvhich king Edvvard and king Philip de Valois sent each to other AFter that king Edvvard of England had quartered the Armes of Fraunce with those of England had ioyned the three flowers Deluce in a field Azure with the three Lions Or in a field of Gules the report goeth that he sent to king Philip dâ— Valois these foure verses which howsoeuer they might be thought of in that age at this day are held but barbarous vz. Rex sum regnorum bina ratione duoruÌ„ AngloruÌ„ râ—gno sum rex ego iure paterno Matriâ— iure quidem FrancoruÌ„ nuncupor idem Hinc est armorum variatio facta meoruÌ„ TO these verses of king Edward king Philip replyed in other sixe as good stuffe as the former Praedo regnorum qui diceris essâ—duorum FrancoruÌ„ regno priuaberis atque paterno Matris vbique nullumius proles non habet vllum Iure mariti carens alia mulier est prior illa Succendunt mares huic regno non mulieres Hinc est armorum variatio stultatuoruÌ„ The ansvver of king Edvvard the third to those that required him to send aide to his sonne the black Prince at the battell of Cressie THe same Edvvard king of England in the field foughten betweene the armie of England and the French power vnder Philip de Valois at the battell of Cressie in Ponthieu where the French had a notable ouerthrow being told by an English knight that his sonne the Prince of VVales who had the conduct of the maine battell of the English and the Noblemen which were there with him were very fiercely assailed by the French and did desire his Maiestie to come to their succour with the Reareward whereof the king himselfe had the leading The king demaunded of the knight saying Is my sonne dead or hurt or striken down No Sir said the knight but he is hardly bestead Returne then quoth the king to them that sent you hither and tell them That my pleasure is they send no more to me for any aide as long as my sonne is liuing but let him alone this day win his spurres For if God so will my meaning is that the honour of this day shall be his This message did so encourage the English that they caryed away the victorie By vvinning of his spurres he meant he should get him the honour of a hardie Knight because one
that countrieâ— who did him great reuerence and he rendred them the like Huguenin de Tolligney a French gentleman which did then accompany him caused him to stay and said vnto him My lord who are these two dames to whom you haue done this great reuerence I know not said the Marshall Huguenin replye'd Why sir they be common women The Marshall answered wel I know not what they be neither skils it for I had leifer do reuerence to tenne common women then to faile of saluting any one that is honest A French Prouerbe IN the historie of Bertrand du Guesclin it is recorded that in the raigne of Charles the fifth when the said Bouciqualt was Marshall of Fraunce there liued then also a famous renowned knight called Iohn de Saintré of which two persons the French in their commendation made these verses Of much more worth in an assault Is Saintré then is Bouciqualt But much better in a treatie Is Boâ—â—iqualt then is Saintré An Act of the Earle of Sauoy PEter Earle of Sauoy being to go before the Emperour Otho the fourth to do him homage for his landes which he held of the Empire went apparelled with a certaine robe the one halfe whereof was of steele in fashion of an armour gilded in such sort that on the right side he was most richly apparelled and on his left side he was armed in this manner attired did he demaund the inuestiture of his lands of the Emperour who hauing graunted it vnto him and the Earle being retired and repairing to the Chauncellour to haue his dispatch shewed him the auncient Euidence and letters Patents graunted to his Predecessours wherby he held his landes The Chauncellour then demaunded of him if he had the like for the territories of Chablais Oste and Vaux well knowing that he lately had gotten those lands by conquest Whereupon the Earle setting his haÌ„d on his sword drawing it naked out of the scabbard shewed it vnto the Chancellour and said that he had no other Euidence for those lands but his sword and by that he held them After which the Emperour demaunded of him why he ware such a garment with the one halfe of cloth of gold and the other halfe of steele The Earle answered that he ware the cloth of gold on his right side to do honour to his Maiestie and for my attire on the left side it signifieth quoth he that if any man deale sinisterly and ill with me or offer me any iniurie I am readie to defend me and to fight for my right enent to the death How the duke of Millain serued an Astrologer A Certaine Astrologer which tooke vpon him to foreshew things to come and the good and ill fortune of men regarding the countenance of Iohn Galeace duke of Millain said vnto him Sir dispose of your affaires betimes for you cannot liue long How knowest thou that sard the duke Marry sir quoth he hauing obserued the starres that are the gouernors of your life I find that they do threaten you death in your flourishing age Well quoth the Duke and for thy selfe how long shalt thou liue Sir said the Astrologer my Planet promiseth me long life To the end therefore said the Duke that thou shalt neuer more haue affiance in thy Planet thou shalt dye presently contrarie to thy opinioÌ„ and all the Planets of heauen shall not saue thy life And he had no sooner spoken it but he perfourmed it for he commaunded him instantly to be hanged which was accordingly executed The message sent from Narses to Sophia the Empresse of Constantinople NArses the Eunuch a most excellent Chieftaine who was Lieutenant Generall for the Emperours Iustinian and Iustin of their warres in Italy was sent for by the Empresse Sophia the wife of Iustin a most stout and proud Ladie and commaunded to returne from Italy Naples where he was Gouernour and to come to Constantinople to the Court letting him to vnderstand that she meant to employ him in another manner of seruice then the warres and fitter for his estate namely to spin and weaue wool with her women and maidens To the which message Narses returned this answer that he would weaue such a webbe as neither she nor her husband whom she ruled as she listed should be able euer to vntwine And he did no lesse theÌ„ he promised for he secretly sent for Alboin king of the Lombards out of Hungarie being his very great friend and set him in possession of Italy so as both he and his successours enioyed it for a long time after A vvoman of insolent and proud cariage and haughtie in speech is the cause of notable mischiefes The magnanimity of BertraÌ„d du Guesclin THis Bertrand du Guesclin was no lesse famous renowned for his magnanimitie courage then was Narses the Graecian For before that he was Constable of Fraunce he held the part of Henry king of Spaine against king Peter the brother of the said Henry And in a battell foughten at Nadres between the two brothers Henry was put to flight and Bertrand was takeÌ„ prisoner by the black prince of VVales who followed the party of king Peter who led him prisoner to Burdeaux hauing held him there a time he was willing to deliuer him and to acquit pay his debts on coÌ„dition that the said Bertrand should neuer beare armes against him the said Prince against the king of EnglaÌ„d his father nor against king Peter of Castill nor their allies But Bertrand refusing to yeeld to those conditions was notwithstanding put to his raunsome such as himselfe would nominate and set downe Bertrand howbeit that he was alleadged himself to be but a poore knight yet hoping on his good fortunes offered the Prince an 100000. double Florins of gold The Prince supposing that he mocked him quitted him for the quarter part but Bertrand standing on his honour would not yeeld to pay lesse then sixtie thousand saying That he would be well able to pay it The Prince accepting his offer Bertrand spake out aloud before all the Lords and Nobles there present now may Henry of Castill well vaunt himselfe and boldly say That he shall dy king of Spaine for I doubt not but to set the Crowne on his head and he shall yeeld me the one moitie of my raunsome and king Charles of France shall furnish me with the other moitie Such was the haughtie courage of this valiant Chieftaine who afterwards accomplished and acquitted himselfe of that his promise The same Pertrand being afterwards Constable of Fraunce vnder Charles the fifth left a custome in Fraunce which he brought vp in his time That whatsoeuer Gentleman had committed any forfeit against the reputation and honour of his estate if he did afterwards happen to be in company at any banquet the meate which was set before him should be cut in peeces A hardy speech vttered by Hire a French Captaine to king Charles the seuenth THe Hire a French Captaine being sent from the armie
theÌ„ to commence sute or to bring processe against the seruitours of God his Church whereof may arise and grow any offence and scandall A saying of Pope Vrban the fifth KIng Charles the fifth being desirous to ridde his countrey and kingdome of Fraunce of those men at armes both English and French which after the treatie of peace accorded betweene those two nations did ouerrunne and spoile the countrey of Fraunce the lord Bertrand du Guesclin obtained leaue of the king to leade them into the realme of Granada against the Saracens And by reason of the pilferies and robberies which these men at armes had committed the Pope Vrban the fifth had excommunicated them Bertrand du Guesclin hauing assembled them together and being chosen Generall of these forces to passe with them into Spaine marched away with them by the way of Auignon where the Pope Vrban the fifth was then resident who sent a Cardinall vnto them to know what was their demaund to the which Cardinall Bertrand answered Sir I pray tell his Holinesse that these men of warre do demaund pardon absolution both from the gilt and the punishment of their sinnes which they haue committed and for the which they haue incurred the sentence of excommunication and besides they do require two thousand Florins of gold to maintaine them and to defray their charges in their voyage vndertaken for the aduancement of the Christian faith The Cardinall making report vnto the Pope of his message his answer was this This is very straunge and a maruellous matter that this people should demaund absolution and money and our custome is to giue absolution and to take money The opinion of the Earle of Arminacke THe Nobles and Barons of Guien being assembled in counsell to giue an answer vnto the demaunds of the Prince of VVales who was purposed to make warre in Spaine because the most part of them thought it vnlawfull and an enterprise of small reason and were desirous to be resolued amongst themselues of the truth of the matter The Earle of Arminacke spake vnto them on this manner It is not fit nor a thing appertinent to the subiect who standeth vpon the reputation of his faith and loyaltie to dispute of the rights and interests which his Prince may haue in vndertaking warre against another Prince but he ought to yeeld him his best seruice and endeuours whensoeuer he shall be required thereunto for he ought to be perswaded that his Prince in so doing doth nothing but vpon good counsell aduice neither ought he any further to be inquisitiue therinto Euery vvarre vndertaken vpon an vniust quarrell is to the dishonour rather of the Prince then of the subiect The saying of the Earle of Foix. GAston the second of that name Earle of Foix hauing taken to wife Elinor the daughter of CoÌ„minge who was much elder then himselfe certaine Nobles of that countrey being in communication with her of that mariage told her That she had taken and chosen an husband who was much younger then she to whoÌ„ she answered If I had knowne that the Earle of Foix should haue bene my husband I would not haue bene borne so soone but haue stayed for him In euery good mariage it is requisit that the parties be equal and alike in conditions age and vvealth The last words of the king of Nauarre at his death FRauncis Phoebus Earle of Foix and king of Nauarre lying vpon his death bed in the very agonie and last panges of death vsed these wordes for his last speech Regnum meum non est de hoc mundo I dâ—ò relinquo mundum non conturbemini quia vado ad patrem My kingdome is not of this world therefore I leaue the world be not you troubled for I go to the father The answer of Iouian Pontanus IOuian Pontanus an excellent Philosopher and a notable Poet being demaunded why he did eate but of one kind of meate at his meale and of that also very little and in great sobrietie he answered Because I wold not haue any need of the Phisition All Phisitions are of accordin this that diuersitie of meates do hinder the digestion and ingender sicknesses and diseases A pleasant conceipt of the brother of Sanctius brother to the king of Spaine A Solemne Councel being assembled at Rome to consult vpon the taking of armes against the Saracens who had the possession of the holy land it was of a long time there debated who should be chosen as the most worthie and sufficient to haue the conduct and commaund of the armie After many opinions it was concluded that Sanctius brother to the king of Spaine in regard of his good parts his hardinesse courage and vertues should be the chiefe and Generall of this honourable enterprise because it was well known that he was a man deuoide of couetousnesse and ambition and of excellent expedition in deedes of armes whervpon he being after this election come to Rome and repairing to the Conclaue where the Pope Cardinals and Princes of Christendome were assembled together he was immediately in the presence of them all by the decree and ordinance of the Pope amongst other articles proclaimed and declared King of Egypt vpon the which Proclamation all the people showted with a publicke crie and acclamation exceedingly reioyced He not skilled in the Latine tongue and not knowing wherat the Consistorie did make that triumphing demaunded the cause of his interpreter who hauing told him that the Pope had graunted and proclaimed him king of Egypt he said vnto his interpreter Stand vp and make here presently a Proclamation before all this people here assembled that seeing the Pope hath made me king of Egypt he therefore shall be Caliph of Babylon This was a sudden and royall liberality to recompence him with a vaine title of Pontificalitie from vvhom he had receiued the name and stile of a king vvithout a kingdome The opinion of the king of Sicilie RObert king of Sicilie being on a time in communication with that famous Italian Poet Frauncis Petrarch told him That he was more in loue with his bookes then his own Crown and that he held more deare the learning and knowledge which he had gotté in the studying of good letters then all the honours and riches of his realme This opinion vvas cleane contrarie to that of the French king Levvis the eleuenth The mind of the Emperour Fredericke vvhich he shevved towards his vvife THe Emperour Fredericke did neuer vse to drinke wine but at his meals and euen then he vsed to mingle and temper it with a great quantitie of water His wife the Empresse Leonor did likewise neuer vse to drinke any wine whilest she liued in her fathers house and being come to the imperiall dignitie the Phisitions of Almaine aduised her to vse wine if she meant to haue any children because the climate of that countrey was very cold wherof Fredericke being aduertised commaunded one of his neare and familiar friends to
audience they 〈◊〉 to know the cause vnderstood 〈◊〉 it was the custome to send on Ambassade to the Emperour men that were aged and of good yeares and not young beardlesse men such as they were Whereupon they humbly besought the Emperour that he would giue them leaue to speake a word vnto him nothing concerning their Ambassade which being granted them they said vnto the Emperour Sacred Maiestie If the Seignorie of Venice had thought that knowledge and prudence had onely had his abiding in beards they would haue sent vnto your Highnesse two Goates for Ambassadours The truth is that the speeches of an Ambassadour are of much more respect authoritie vvhen they are accompanied with aged yeares prudence and experience and these young Ambassadours did shâ—vv by their speech that the conceipt and opinion of the Emperour vvas true vvhich he had ronceiued of them A pleasaâ—â— speech of Dant the Italian Poet. THe Poet Dant demaunded of a citizen of Florence what houre it was who answered him very rudely that it was the houre in which horses go to be watered Dant suddenly replyed What doest thou here then that goest not with them Of a cause decided by a French Gentleman Two French Gentlemen discoursing of single fight and combat whether it be lawfull or not the one of them said That there was no agreement between learning and the sword the other answered We which liue in the Latine Church as Christians are bound to obserue those lawes which it ordaineth and to protect defend them with the sword which ought not to be drawne but for that cause onely The lavv of man permitteth single combate but the lavv of God prohibiteth it A sentence of the Chauncelor of Fraunce SPeech being had in the presence of Anthony de Prat Chauncelor of Fraunce touching the warre of king Frauncis for the recouerie of Millain and some affirming that it were good that Millaine were vtterly destroied and ruinated in regard of the dammage that it had brought vnto the French he answered It is very necessarie that Millaine should stand in state as it is because it serueth as a purgation to the realme of France to take away and remoue the ill humours of idle and ill disposed persons which otherwise might corrupt and destroy it This was the sentence vvhich Scipio Africanus vsed in his speech to the Romanes concerning the preseruation of Carthage from being ruinated The patience of Seigneur Sforce A Knight of Nola came to tell Seigneur Sforce how a Gentleman one Tartaglia had spoken very badly of him at a certain banquet where he had reproched him with all kind of villanie and he affirmed his report with many great oathes to the intent he might the better be beleeued The Lord Sforce said vnto him My friend thou needest not paine thy self so much to make me beleeue that which thou tellest me because that Tartaglia doth vse neuer to speak of any but euill and it is very likely that he would not make spare of his ill speech with all kind of violence licentiousnesse and libertie euen to his vttermost especially being in place fit and conuenient for such a purpose By this answer he gaue the talebearer to vnderstand that Tartaglia was not much to be regarded both in respect he vvas reputed a common backebiter and in regard of his drunkennesse whereunto he noted him to be subiect An Apotheg of the same Sforce THe said Sforce being in doubt of the ambushes forces of Paule Vrsin forsooke the citie of Rome where he was abiding and went to encampe himselfe in the forrest of Aglio The Cardinall of Saint Angâ—ll the Popes Legate went vnto him to perswade him to returne to Rome with promise and assurance of saâ—etie during his being there and amongst other speeches vsed vnto him he said Seigneur Sforce will you be afraid of a Beare being vnder the protection and assurance of a strong Colonne or pillar to defend you for then was the Pope of the house of the Colonnois which in Italian signifieth a pillar but Sforce made him this answer My lord Cardinall you might thinke me a very foole if I would rely or trust vpon the succours and defence of a deafe and dead peece of Marble and not be afraid of a great monstrous beast who being armed with terrible teeth and nailes doth walke notwithstanding as men vse to do By this allusion he shewed that the succours of the Pope were slow and long in comming and he discouered the high courage and great forces of Paul Vâ—sin his enemie The Epitaph of Charles duke of BurguÌ„dy vvho vvas slaine before Nancie in Lorain in the yeare 1477. Te piguit pacis vita taeduitq quietis Hîc iaces Charole iamque quiesce tibi Vnpleasing to thee in thy life vvas peace and quietnes But Charles here novv doest thou lye now therefore take thy rest Philip of Commines in his hostorie testifieth that this Charles duke of Burgundie was of so turbulent a spirit delighting in warres as he had neuer one houre of rest in all his life The properties of three Nations taxed A Great Lord was wont to say that three sorts of men were to be taken heede of namely A red Italian a white French man and a blacke Germaine A notable sentence of the Queene of England KAtherine of Spaine the wife of Henry the eight king of England said That she loued better a temperate and meane fortune then that which was either too easie and prosperous or too sharpe and aduerse Neuerthelesse that if she should be put to her choise which of the two last she would accept she had rather haue the aduerse then the prosperous because said she commonly they which are vnfortunate are not altogether destitute of some consolation and comfort but they which liue in prosperitie for the most part do want the true vse of vnderstanding reason and iudgement Of the President Moruillier PHilip de Moruillier President of the Parliament of Paris in the time of king Charles the 7. for some enuie and malice conceiued against him by the Councellours of the Court was greatly disliked of them insomuch as he retired himselfe to the kings Court who assoone as occasion was offered preferred him to the dignitie of chief President Within a while after being come into the Parliament there to take possession of his new place and dignitie and being set in the chiefe and principall seat he began very aptly his Oration in this manner with a place of the Scripture Lapidem queÌ„ reprobauerunt aedificantes hîc factus est in caput anguli The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone in the corner Monsieur de S. Romain at that time Procurer generall for the king answered him with another text of the Psalmist as fit as the former saying A Domino factum est istud est mirabile in oculis nostris This is the Lords doing and it is maruellous in our eyes A merrie conceipt of king
Diogâ—nes the Philosopher was wont to commend those young men that did promise to marie and take a wife but did neuer take any at all Of Fortune CHAP. 40. 1 APelles a painter of Athens being demaunded why he painted Fortune standing vpon her feete answered because she cannot sit 2 Denis the younger being demaunded how it could be that his father of a priuate man had attained to a tyrannicall gouernement and that he the sonne of a tyrant was expelled and chased from his rule and scepter he answered Truely my father left me his tyrannie but not his fortune 3 Philip the father of Alexanderâ— hauing in one day many good fortunes befallen him said O fortune for these so great and notable good fortunes graunt me that I may haue but one vnfortunate day 4 In all aduersities and misfortunes the most vnhappie condition of the vnfortunate is to remember that once he was happie 5 The Poet Ion said that fortune and wisedome being two diuerse and farre different things did make notwithstanding and bring foorth most like and semblable effects because both the one the other did exalt adorne and lift men vp to the highest degree of glorie 6 The goods of fortune are such as a man hath neede of reason for the vse of things and of patience in the necessitie of them 7 He which is ashamed of his fortune is worthie of all misfortune 8 As euery man can vse his happie and better fortunes so is he most excellent when he can vse well his aduerse fortunes 9 Fortune is more fauourable to the vniust then to the iust as therein shewing her puissance temeritie 10 He which is held too much embraced and fauoured of fortune becommeth to be little better then a foole 11 It seldome happeneth but that fortune doth offend the greatest and most excellent vertues 12 No man ought to refuse that fortune which all others do endure 13 Fortune is a sodaine occurrence of things vnthought of and vnexpected 14 Fortune is a proud Goddesse drunken and audacious 15 All things are gouerned by the will of Fortune 16 Pompey the great said alas Fortune seeing thou doest rend and breake in sunder all things I thinke that I haue not any thing which I can esteeme as my owne 17 The same Pompey said likewise I neuer had any prosperous or happie fortune that made me proud neither did euer any aduersitie make me fearefull 18 Fortune giueth too much to many but to none that which is sufficieÌ„t Of Realmes Princes and Magistrates CHAP. 41. 1 THere is none whatsoeuer aduanced or that can attaine to be a Prince without the will and permission of God 2 Principalitie and soueraigntie of coÌ„mand is giuen by fatal disposition 3 Kings are ordained and created by Iupiter 4 It is not necessarie that any should vnderstand things better then a Prince whose knowledge and learning shold be a help to al his subiects 5 A good Prince ought to carrie himselfe towards his subiects as a father amongst his children and as God doth towards the world 6 The Poet Pindarus said that a king was as it were a custome and example to all others 7 A King or Prince ought to shew himselfe terrible and seuere rather by threates and menaces then by punishments and executions 8 The vertue of a Prince is to be valiant iust seuere graue magnanimous a benefactor to many bountifull and liberall 9 A good prince is knowne by the good qualities and giftes of his mind and not by gold or rich and sumptuous apparell 10 The soueraigne and chiefe wisedome of a king is to know how to gouerne himselfe 11 The friends of a Prince ought to feele his power and puissance rather by his benefites then by iniuries and oppressions 12 The people must needes coÌ„plaine when wicked persons come to be their Princes 13 The king Anaxilaus being demaunded what thing was to be said most happie in any Realme answered Not to be ouercome by any benefites 14 Alexander complaining himselfe for that his father had left so many sonnes by diuerse women who might pretend title to his realme and kingdome king Philip his father said vnto him Labour to become an honest good man and then by thy owne deserts good behauiour and not by mine thou shalt be sure to enioy and inherit my kingdome 15 Alcamenes a Spartan being demaunded how a realme might long continue in happie estate answered When the king that raigneth ouer it shall not care for his owne priuate gaine and profite 16 In each commonwealth this aboue all things ought to be regarded and established that offices be not set to sale for gaine or rewards 17 The publike wealth is the life of a citie and where the lawes haue no force it cannot be named a weale publike 18 The Philosopher Antisthenes was demaunded why he said that hangmen had more humanitie then tyrants Because quoth he only guiltie persons and offenders are put to death by the hangman but tyrants do kill and murther the harmelesse and innocent 19 A man is then fit to rule and gouerne when he hath first learned how to gouerne 20 The Philosopher Bion said That it was needfull for a good and iust magistrate to depart and leaue his charge in the commonwealth rather with increase of honour then of wealth 21 Those Princes that punish them who do outrage and iniurie to others are the cause that others will abstaine from profering the like iniuries 22 In a certaine great and open place within Thebes were set vp the images of Iudges without hands and the chiefe Iudges with their eyes blindfolded whereby they shewed that iustice ought to be without any corruption of bribes or rewards 23 When thou shalt be placed in any publike charge or office admit not about thee leud or dishonest men for thy ministers because the euils which they commit will be imputed and attributed vnto thee 24 He which is in an office or place of commaund and maketh lawes for other men ought not to gouerne onely by might and strong-hand but by his dignitie vnderstanding and other vertues he ought to make himselfe knowne aboue other men 25 Like as the sunne which is the life of the world doth not attend nor expect that the morning should intreat it to arise in the East so the prince should not looke by praises and flatteries to do good deedes but he ought of himselfe to enlarge his hand and mind to bountifull and liberall and actions Of Captaines of warre and of their commauudements in time of battell CHAP. 42. 1 EPaminondas a Captaine of the Thebanes had neuer any mutiny amongst his souldiers 2 Agesilaus king of the Lacedemonians being demaunded what thing was needfull and necessarie to a good captaine answered Audacitie against his enemies beneuolence to his souldiers in such things as are coÌ„uenient and counsell for the managing of his affaires 3 Pelopidas a captaine of the Thebanes being to go to his armie his wife prayed him