require The Stere the Stede most times vvee see mutch like vnto his sire THerefore whereas the force of nature is such that the inclination thereof so mutche preuayeleth that it is seene in brutishe thinges and creatures mere voyde of reason and vnderstandinge maye not wee thincke it hath imprinted in man some thinge of greater excellencye who is made by God his prouision reasonable and lorde of al other Creatures I pray you is it not for great good cause that many are carâ—ful haue an especial regard froÌ„ what Tree they plucke their plante of what kynde they choose their whelpe or their horse And shall wee thincke it a thinge little to bee considered of what Parentage a man taketh his ofspringe In good sooth if wée woulde obstinately deny it the thinge it selfe would eftsones appeare and conuince vs of errour For it is most cleare and euideÌ„t that euery Region and Country doth keepe the same accustomed maner facion A note whereof may hereby bee gathered that nature hath so fastened her foote in euerye Nation that it is not possible to withdrawe them from the whereunto they ar◠〈◊〉 and that the maÌ„ners of men are conueighed euen to posterity For example wée sée the Frenchmen with what fury and rage they runne vppon their enemies againe how quickely they are qualified founde most curteous to their countreymen This therefore is â—he nature property of that nation hasty to be reuenged easy to be entreated The Germanes haue bene euermore accompted a moste cruell and a fearce people who nothing dismayed die desperatly The Spaniards at this present as heretofore are noted aboue other NatioÌ„s to excel for their diligence industrie in martiall affairs whoe euermore wyth a iollye stomacke and good courage wageth battayle The Italians are preferred before all other in finenes of wit purenes of eloqueÌ„ce So that there is no couÌ„try which is not through the inclination and instinct of nature more apt to excell in vertue or more prone to al impiety with is through generatioÌ„ in al places coÌ„tinued A more euident clere profe wherof may be gathered out of some one stocke familye For this almost euerye where is seene and experienced that those whiche are descended of a noble lyne doe embrace those vertues which chieflye brought to theyr auncestores greate renowne and glory So that as manye as are of that linage are moste commendable for their valiant stomache other are notable for their liberalitye some other atchiue to great glory for their knowledge wysedome and pollicie WherevpoÌ„ it foloweth that vertue is not obteined so much by studye and industrye as gotten by nature and by the good bloud of Noble pareÌ„tage And that we cal true Nobility for as mutche as it is nothinge els then the glorious sparcke of vertue ingraffed in some Noble and renomned familye IT hath bene sufficientlye declared that th◠〈…〉 true Nobilitye coâ—â—â—ceth not in the opinion of manne but commeth by naturall descence Which is to be vnderstoode in this maner euen as good groundes fruitefull fyeldes are hadde in gerat estimation not for that they are fyeldes but that they bring through their fertilitye great gayne commoditye to the owner of the soyle euen so we preferre that kinred especially which yeldeth abouÌ„dante fruite of vertue and godlines But who so now listeth to behold the perfect nature of true Nobility may looke theron with litle laboure For gentility is a most glorious and liuely image of auncent progenie most commonlye garnished wyth excellente vertues and for asmuch as euerye one which excelleth in all vertue add honestye cannot attayne the title of honoure and Nobilitye this large definition is to bee restrayned by limitation for neyther may they which the rather to attayn knowledge and wysedom haue abandoned all company and liue in continuall studye be thought most worthye honourable although they be fornished wyth rare and singular vertues and for profouÌ„d knowledge in deepeste matters be had in admiration for that they do not earnestly employ the benefit of their artes and sciences to the auaile and commoditye of the common-wealth Neither yet any Noble family hath bene able at any tyme to winne vnto it self the tytle of honour soueranty for that many of that Noble line excellinge in qualities of witte to a voyde a Courtiers life haue addicted them selues to the dimensions of Geometry or the rules of Phisicke or the recordes and sweete Harmony of Musicke If this be true what kinde of vertue is that through the cleare shininge whereof the Noblenes of any Kinred the Dignity and Honour of any family may be knowen Forsoth euen that kinde of vertue which extendeth it selfe to the common profit of al men which a voydinge idlenes is altogether occupied about the maintenaunce and preseruation of a Commonwealth as for example puissance and valiantnes in warlike affaires in time of peace the execution of Iustice and Equity add to these the study of Oratorie the knowledge of the Ciuil lawes and whatsoeuer is of force apperteineth to the gouernmeÌ„t of a CoÌ„monwealth Nobility therefore is an highe and honourable degrée of auÌ„cient progeny froÌ„ whence hath issued owt such vertues as the Estate of the hole country hath bene by them established and the safegard of all men kept and maynteined Of this honourable order there are two kindes The one is generall apperteininge to a whole Citty the other speciall and concerneth any priuate family In this maner wee accounte Athens to bee honourable for that in that famous commonwealth were bredde manye wise sages and valiaunt captaynes which throughe their couÌ„sell and wisedome did rule and preserue the weale publique by whose puissance the enemy was repelled by whose vnconquerable prowes vertue their dominions were enlarged by whom the country was with iÌ„numerable benefites endowed In this manner Sparta is honourably reported of by this onely meanes wanne Carthage so great renoâ—me and for this cause Roome the noblest Citty that euer was merueilouslie tryumphed The selfe same rule is obserued in euery priuate familye For that house excedeth other in honour and nobility from whence hath issued and descended a greater company of renoumed personages Wherby it foloweth that the force of vertue is found as excedinge in the one as in the other onely this is the difference the one is priuate the other is publique To exemplefie thys second poincte we haue reade of the Noble house of the Fabians of the Claudians of the Scipioes and Cornelians all which haue beene honoured in all posterity for their prowes and magnanimity So oughte we notwithstandinge weigh both these partes before seuered that he is in no wise to be deemed noble and honouble and honourable which wanteth eyther of them the perfet is It may not be therefore that in a blinde and obscure Citty there should be a family of any fame for were it not a thinge incredible that such a commonwealth should be obscure as
labores Accipe sint loculis scrinia sacra tuis Ioannes Butterwike ET meritò Blandaee tuos tua dona libellos Qui reserant verae nobilitatis iter Vouisti egregio Comiti cui tempus in omne Debetur verae Nobilitatis honos Materia ille tui est operis Comes inclytus ille Cui semper cordi Pegasis vnda fuit Et sibi sic animos deuincit amabilis omnes Temporis vt nostri iure vocetur honos Perpetuos igitur superare laboris honores Possis tua post fata superstes eris Non video quid plus tua dent tibi secula viues Eternùm foelix pectoris arte tui Richardus VVarnefordus NOn dubito Osorij de Nobilitate libellos Tam bene materno qui facis ore loqui Quin Blandaee suo te afflauit numine totum Nobilitas studijs nobilitata tuis Ioannis VVakemani Distichon NE metuas Blandaee tuos ne blenna labores Obscuret non est blittea vena tibi Aliud â—atta solet fatuas Blateronum rodere chartas Blandaei blandum non morietur opus Thomas Newtonus MAgna est Nobilibus laus esse parentibâ—s ortum Estudijs maius stemma decusque fluit Maxima sed Pietas vera insignia laudis Vendicat haud vna concelebranda chely Qui tribus his claret titulis ter maximus ille Ter meritò foelix ter venerandus erit Percitus Aonio facundus Osorius â—estro Haec panxit calami dexteritate sui Diuite quem vena Glaucopis Athena beauit Quique ardet Clarij totus amore chori Quem iuga Parnassi lambentia vertice stellas Quem capit alati fons pede factus equi Grandisono cuius splendent monumenta cothurno Praecipuumque tenent à Cicerone locum Cuius voce loqui cupiunt si voce latina Quicquam efferre velint ipsae Heliconiades Quo tellus tanto Lusitanica iactat alumno Qui Tartessiaco condecoratur agro Romulidis Gallis Germanis notus Anglis Pannonijs Dacis atque Caledonijs Verborum phaleris Phrasibusque vberrimus omnes Aequiparat veteres exuperatque nouos Nec sapit obscurum genus aut ignobile stemma Sermo suus suamens docta Thaliasua Ille ille est nostri Phaenix Tullius â—ui Alpha disertorum dicier ille potest Numine Blandaeus Phoebaeo concitus huius Scripta Latina docet verba Britanna loqui Perspicuè nitidè succinctè Apolline dignè Cunctaque plectro agili blandisonante tuba Cuius melliflua celebratur Osorius arte Namque etiam hunc fouit Diua Minerua sinu Viuite vterque igitur foelices pergite plures Omine tam fausto scribere vterque libros Thomas Newton VVilliam Foster AS no mannes els but Caesars pen could Caesars deedes indite Who was himselfe right wel enur'de both well to doe write So no man but of noble price Nobilities actes may blase The vulgar sort of creeping wormes cannot come nie her grace How hapneth then that Blandie durst so great attempt to trie Where many are of greater birth that could not soare so hie The cause is this as I suppose loke what he wants in bloud His curteous manners learned skill and vertues maketh good When these gaie gifts of Blandies breste this Goddesse once did see Shee cher'de him on and frendly sayd thou art a trumpe for mee Let Nobles doe as thou prescribes their bloud shall neuer fall Do thou thy selfe and be assur'de thy bloud shall rise withall THE EPISTLE DEdicatorie of Hieronimus Osorius written to the most noble and vertuous Prince Lewis sonne to Emanuell king of Portugale AFter I had obtayned throughe your good meanes fauourable helpe Lewes moste renowmed PriÌ„ce to haue recourse againe vnto my accustomed exercises of studie I employed my selfe more dilligeÌ„tlye then I did before in the searche of knowledge and wysedome For in my first entrie being moued onelye wyth the instincte of nature I moderately folowed my studies wherby reaping at the length some fruite I might imparte parte thereof to the profite commoditie of my natiue country But now whereas I haue alreadie proued sufficientlye your bountefull harte and clemencie and therefore am alwayes mindfull of your honour and worthines it lyeth mee vppon to bend therunto all the force vehemeÌ„t intentioÌ„ of my minde that I may in some case seeme worthy to be reckoned of esteemed for knowledge learning Neither do I seeke herein the praise of mine own wit but that I may if not reÌ„der due thanks yet declare my greate good will and dutifull hart ready alwayes and glad to accoÌ„plish your good desire VVherfore I wil in no wyse 〈…〉 to set forth in this kinde of wryting the full meaninge of my good disposition and will bring to passe that my obseruaunce towards you shal be knowen in all places And I am fully perswaded that whatsoeuer I do in shewynge my singular loue towards you wherewith I am maruelyously inflamed it is notwithstanding in it self but smally to be accompted of But it behoueth them not to bee squemish in geuinge a small simple gift who may not throughe vvante of abilitie bestowe of greater valewe and estimation and they which in matters of greater importaunce caÌ„not stand their soueraignes in steede should not therfore by not geuing a trifle slacke their dutye towards such whom they aboue all other honour and reuerence especially whereas in euery kinde of duty and curtesie not so much the valewe of the rewarde as the bountifulnes of a true meaning minde is generally allowed of and accepted VVhereas therefore the rather to discharge my dutie towards you most noble renowmed Prince I haue taken in hand for exercise of my stile after the maner and fashion of Aristotle to dispute of many questions I thought principally to entreate of true Nobilitie And because that so high stately an argument seemed vnto mee most meete for a worthy noble personage and for that these my discourses and treatises of Nobilitie were more curiously compyled and wyth more laboured studie I determined to present theÌ„ vnto your maiestie And so muche the more readily was I induced so to do by how much the more emineÌ„tly appeared in you the glistering gleames of true and auÌ„cient 〈…〉 deserue due prayse and coÌ„mendation then there is nothing amonge men more honourable then the title name of a king of them especially which according to the will and pleasure of God vseth theyr auctoritye and iurisdiction such as were truly the predecessours from whom issueth the fountayne of your Genealogie If renowme be obteyned by vertue who is more valiaunt then you who more bountefull who more endued wyth wysedome and pollicie I omitte to speake of the great loue and amity betwixt your brother and you a king endued wyth much honour Nobilitie a iust Prince and louer of his country againe of your great curtesie towards all men lastly which is principall of the rest of your feruent and most earnest desire to set forth and aduaunce
Christian relligion But I will here stay my selfe For I thincke it not at this present meete the goodly giftes and indumeÌ„ts of your minde to set forth and describe wyth due prayse and commeÌ„dation Now therefore I am to beseech you most valiaunt and renowmed Prince that you will vouchsafe to take these my trauayles curteously and most gratiously bestow some leysure time in readiÌ„g my doings such as they are accordinge to your accustomed gentlenes and clemencie VVhich if I may vnderstaÌ„d to be fauourably receyued I shall enforce my self tâ— wade farther neyther shall I wyth any maner toyle bee wearied so that I maye be assuredly perswaded these my endeuours vnto your highnes not to be vnpleasaunt THE FIRST BOOKE of Hieronimus Osorius contayning a treatise of Nobilitie ordayned by man maintayned and established by ciuill Pollicie WHereas sondrie seditious coÌ„trouersies arise betweene them whoe haue receiued the like discipline are bounde to obserue one Lawe no one broile is founde more pestilent and hurtfull to any weale publique then that which is betwixt the Nobility and Comminaltie For this fyre brand hath so wasted many flourishing and noble Citties that the estate of the common wealth hath ben thereby miserably mangled then the which nothing can be imagined more hurtfull and poysonous to the coÌ„mon societie of man For if we call to memory what is reported in Histories of antiquitie wee shall finde no one Cittie so happely founded begonne which hath not ben shaken and rente in sonder through ciuill dissention risen betwene men of auncient Nobility the meanest sorte of the rascal and peuish people In so mutch that sometimes but very fewe had the gouernment of the whole agayne some other time the multitude hauinge violentlye excluded those fewe furiously abused the Empyre and place of maiesty Which alterations and vtter confusion of al Estates could not be without bloudye and cruell slaughter of many neither yet without the pestilent and ruthfull ouerthrowe of Noble Peeres For what is hee if he were more folish hardy then the rest which durst not attempte bouâ—olye the breach of lawes whiche durste not wickedly violate the ordinaunces of the forefathers whose conscieÌ„ce would be any thing moued if he saw the sodayn change and alteratioÌ„ of all estates if he might be perswaded therby to be aduaunced to higher estate I let to shew in this place what mischiefe and miserye this kynde of sedition betwixt the nobility and the people hath wrought wheras it is apparante that manye worthy cityes hath beene through sedicioÌ„ ciuil discord vtterly wasted confouÌ„ded For whyle the subiectes haue enterprysed to displace the rulers Magistrats as though their gouermeÌ„t were rigorous and proude on the other syde whyle their Lordes and Princes soughte with all extremitie to suppresse the outragious furye of the people there is no facte so horrible cruel and odious which hath not of both parties bene practised and hauinge coÌ„ceiued great rancker and malice against each other haue bene at such defiance that to bee reuenged they haue to the enemie be traied their common safety and peculiar liberty And for this it is the more to be merueyled at that they liue vnder one lawe and are diuersly affected so that there seemeth to bee no occasion of theire eygre strife and contentious dealinge For in thys one poincte which merueylously encreaseth mutuall loue and amity both of them accorde together that is in defendinge their country and they altogether want that which causeth great discorde and enmity in the common wealth For all displeasure and deadly debate proceadinge from enuy and malice is commonly founde amonge such as professe the same arte and are entangled with the desire of the selfe same thinges But there is no cause why men of high Estate should stomach such as are more base of viler coÌ„dicion whereas their endeuours be contrarye and they re myndes not ledde with the like affection For Noble men are inflamed with the desire of renomne and glorie but the multitude desyre not so mutch to exceed other in worship as in wealth in pompe as in power and ability Therefore whereas they stande not for the like promotioÌ„ there is no cause why they shoulde contentiouslye striue against each other especially seeinge that neither of them may attayne his purpose and desyre without eache others aide furtherance For neither may the subiects liue in safty excepte they be defended by Rulers Princes neyther may men of Honoure and highe degree maintayne their countenance withoute the people whiche liue vnder their winge iurisdiction So that the multitude is allwaies preserued through the defence and power of Nobility Likewise the Estate of Noblemen is of the People both through their trauell amplyfied and also throughe prayse and admiration exceedingely magnified Whereas therefore these both Estates should by the lawe of nature and man principally embrace the league of amitie and coÌ„corde yet notwithstandinge as it appeareth by the testymonies of aunciente wryters there hath beene no debate more spitefull and deadly neither that hath more soughte the vtter ruine and subuersion of many commoÌ„wealthes then that whiche ariseth oftentimes betwixt the Nobilitye and comminalty Wherefore so oft as I consider with my selfe so great and common misery I am somwhat perswaded that all these seditions for the moste part do proceede from the intollerable pride of suche as haue the prerogatiue of gouernment For albeit the heade of the multitude is fraighte with fury and their imaginations tendeth to owtrage madnes yet notwithstandinge whatsoeuer mischieue they imagine or take in haâ—be is to bee imputed to Rulers and Magistrates For wheras the coÌ„mon and baser sorte of men are folowers of the maÌ„ners conuersation of their Rulers and Princes no doubte the people woulde not be entangled with such lewde liberty licentious lust and wilfull desires except they sawe Noble Personages immoderately delyghted therewith. Herehence it commeth to passe that the wicked lyfe of subiects which Noble men might by the example onlye of good liuinge represse is through their loose life mutch more encreased And when the peoples mindes are poysoned with al kind of mischife riot excesse no lawes no authority no feare of punishemeÌ„t may stay their furious heady enterprices neyther any reason may perswade them but that one time or other they will desperately breake out to the vtter vndoinge of their Natiue Countrye All kinde of mischiefe therefore as from a fountaine first springeth froÌ„ the Peeres Noblemen in whose power it rested to staye such vnbridled desires both by seuerity of lawes and ordinaunces and by the good example of their innocent life I cannot but meruayle in the meane whyle what moueth many men to make so great accompte of their gentilitye that they thincke theym selues worthye of suche honoure and estimation For either Nobility by nature hath no renowne or preheminence annexed thereunto or els the greater parte of those who commonlye are tearmed Noble
it were ouershadowed with darkenes wherin there dwelleth sutch a one as may be tearmed a lighte of most deuine and resplendent vertue for so it should bee accoumted not barbarous but famous neither yf there were in that commonwealth a meÌ„ber neuer so exceadinge fraight with especiall vertues yet could he come foorth to light and chalenge due deserued dignity and commendation shakinge of the cloudy mistines wherewith the whole countrie was ouerwhelmed Therefore the chyefest benefite that nature can bestowe on vs is to be borne and broughte vp in a country in fame and glory the next good gifte of nature is to bringe owr descent from some noble linage and worthy parentage Themistocles his aunswere to Tymodeus Aphydneus most fitely agreeth to this matter To whom it was disdainfully obiected that he was not through his owne vertues so mutch honoured of the Lacedemonians but onely for that he was borne an Athenian Thowe hast sayde ê™ Themistocles for neyther I my selfe if I had bene borne in thy countrey Aphydnum coulde euer attayne so greate renoume and glory neither thou if Athens had bene thy countrey couldest thereby atchiue to the title of honour and dignity Which may in this manner be applyed For he which is obscurely borne and of low degrée may not throughe the worthines of any place be made noble neither any of gentle bloude shall haue yelded vnto hym estymation dewe to hys byrthe and estate in a barbarous and obscure Citty Noble men therefore haue their due honoures in their owne manour houses and country But perfecte and true nobility is not chaungeable through the alteration of place but wheresoeuer it hath his beinge and is déepely rooted and printed in mens myndes it is of all men honoured and magnified a like For what is hee amongest the Romaines at what time the estate of that renoumed Citty florished in all prowes and Nobilitye that hadde in admiration or made any accompt of the Princes of Sicilie or Bythinia On the other side the Barbarians did magnify the Romains as Gods. Therefore nobility may also be deuided in this maner The one most absolute and florishinge in al natioÌ„s the other tyed to the place from whence it first proceded This nobility therefore sheweth her selfe no farther forth then the boundes of his natiue countrey will streach rather vaynely of the people commended then deseruedlye honoured But that nobility beautified with the glory of Princely parentage euery where and amonge al men shal haue deserued reuerence This caused Helena to thincke that she beinge amonge strauÌ„ge people might vse her accustomed liberty in speakinge who in this manner vaunteth her selfe Who will as captiue coumpte or seruile her assigne who by desceÌ„t doth come from Gods and sacred lyne IT is a thinge most surely ingraffed in true nobility not to faynte for any trouble not to dispaire in any perill not to languish in any wo and greuous misery Yea if fortune froune if daunger death ensue a noble mynde will not be forgetfull So that nothinge may a like shewe a gentle and valiant harte then not to be vanquished which is seene in sorowe tryed in trouble proued in persecution Which thinge Virgill wittely noteth vnto vs where Queene Dido commendeth exceedingly thus Aeneas Forsoth I thincke ne am beguilde froÌ„ Gods descends his lyne There is no labour lost in examininge the cause why he deemed Eneas to be allyed vnto the Gods in byrth and coÌ„sanguinity See what reason he yeeldeth A bastard borne of base degree by dastardnes is knowen Nothinge might haue bene sayd more truely or with better profe For euen as patience in persecution proueth a noble nature as valiantnes in aduersity argue than vncoÌ„querable minde So truely timerousnes in terroure and daunger euidently sheeweth a man to bee base and of vile condition Nowe finisheth he the commendations and prayeses of Eneas A griefe it is to tell how he was tost by cruell fates what warres to him befell IT seemeth a thing farre passinge the reache of reason the suche a one who abode stoutlye so greate a brunt who valiaÌ„tly ouerstoode so many dangerous skirmiches to be no gentleman borne whereas he declared before that basenes of byrth linage was knowen by feare cowardlines Whereas then to return again from wheÌ„ce we haue digressed Nobility is diuersly sorted that is the one more generall absolute and principall whiche not onely receiveth his light from a countrey florishing in all vertue but taketh his ofspringe of a familye famous muche spoken of for equitye iustice and magnanimitie the force whereof may be nowhere abased deminished grounded and fixed surelye on some vnspeakable vertue The other not of such excellencie onely professed in sâ—me one particuler prouince and country where is decayed the studye of noble qualityes My meaninge therfore is to descrybe the nature of the most principal and chiefe nobilitye And to the entent that I may leaue no one parte theroâ—â—â—â—â—â—â—hed I wil speake of the original and beginninge thereof grounding my argument on some other principle VVHat time nature tooke in hande to make man to frame in him a spirit much like to the diuine nature it apeareth with what prouidente foresight iudgement she finished so hard and great an enterprice not for this cause and consideration onely that mankynd was endued with the selfe same gifts and qualities of the minde and so knit and vnited together throughe the likenes of their nature that amongest al other liuing creatures none was so fitte to keepe and maintaine society but in this also that in disposinge their affections diuersly it was broughte to passe that those whych were by nature ordeyned to liue in loue and amity should be therunto forced by necessity for wheras innumerable sorts of artes hath bene deuised to maintayne the common societye of man and no one may excell in al it was not without the prouidence and deuine decree of nature appoynted that some should seeke out the hydden secretes of scyences other some shoulde bestow themselues busely in their faculty whereby euery one labouring in his calling earnestly myght by the trauaile of other atchiue to that which by his owne industrie he should neuer attaine It may not be because Hippias most arrogantly gloried of him selfe that hee throughe the sharpenes of his witte and quycknes of his capacitye coulde vnderstaÌ„d all thinges that therefore euerye other man shoulde stand in like manner in his owne conâ—eit who besides that he attributed to hymself the skil of al such sciences whiche contayne all learninge and wysedome was not ashamed allso to saye that in euerye vyle and seruile occupation he had an especiall gifte that he through â—â—â—ninge dyd make the ring that he woare the 〈◊〉 that courted him and the sockes that serued his necessitie I say it were hard for anye man were his witte neuer so quicke and pregnante to take vppon him so many intricat laboures In so much that I thinke that Hippias could not acquite himself
in the entermingling so many contrary sciences who besydes that he vnreuerently ioyned liberall artes and seruile occupations together omitted the knowledge skil of som things wherby the estate of a common wealth is kept and mainteined To passe ouer many which myght be spoken of I find not where he maketh mention of chiualrie which is the onlye defence and safegard of a common wealth But it could not be that Hippias nowe cutting out his cloake ▪ thē grauing his ring and sowing his sockes could haue any leasure to learne the feats of warre poynts of a good souldiar It is a thinge therefore most nedefull that some shoulde beare rule sit in the place of maiesty by whose wisedome and pollicye the multitude should be gouerned other some should geue them selues to warlike practises or to be cōning in some science through the perfectiō wherof they mighte in distresse and daunger be a staye to theyr countrye other till the ground other worke at annile all to the commoditie of their natiue countrie Whereas then it is very requisite that men should differ in degree ▪ dignitie in labour industrie Nature hath prouidētly wrought the varietie of witts of dispositions qualities Herehence the sharpe witte deepe iudgement the high and loftie minde proceedeth wherewith some are especially through Natures benefite endued Who through their good constellacion may both wisely forsee daunger and couragiously repell imminente mischiefe Socrates in the Booke entituled Phaedro calleth this excellency of Nature the gould of the Gods whereby he is indured to thincke that they whose mindes are thus beautifyed are vnto them allyed and fitte of all other to be placed on the earth in the Throne of Maiestie Dame Nature therefore the mother of all things hath placed them principally in highest roome of dignitie Other some she hath not framed in such perfite wise either for witte prowesse and valiauntnes yet hath shee imparted vnto them greate strength and much courage in so much they will not easly fainte but manfully obseruinge lawes and ordinaunces and aide their country in time of daunger Other she hath made more simple of vnderstandinge more coulde of courage and therefore iustly hath appointed them to toyle in seruile Artes of which sort are they whom we terme men of occupation For so it is brought to passe by the wōderfull prouidence of God that whereas ech man helpeth an other and laboureth in the Vocation wherunto he is called the estate of man kinde is thereby happely preserued And the diuersitie of man his inclination and disposition was knowen euen from that time when men as Barbarians wandered in woods and desolate places voyde of reason and all good ciuilitie For at that time some one beside the rest excelling in witte knowledge and industrie withdrew them through great perswasiōs from rudenes to ciuill gouernment from barbarousnes to all maner of gentlenes The which thing the best learned haue declared vnto vs vnder fictions and Poets tales As when Orpheus is fained to haue drawen vnto him the woods and wilde beastes by his sweete sounde and pleasaunt Harmonie Amphion in like maner is sayd to driue at his pleasure whither him listed stones and sensles things through the swetnes of his songe Whereby it is geuen vs to vnderstand that those men which for want of vnderstanding were as blunte as blocks were wonne by wysedome and brought by the pollicie of other to much ciuility By such a deede Theseus wanne great fame immortall memory Who first assembled into one place the people of Athens miserablye deuided geeuinge them profitable lawes and good ordinaunces I will in meane time let to speake of those who were longe before Theseus whiche erected and builded many Citties Then was it to bee seene howe much the gentlemanlike and Princely mynde was preferred before the base and abiecte courage In those vertue was so much loued and merueyled at that they which had receyued so greate benefite by such which excelled in vertue and honestye yelded themselues with all submission to be ruled by their wysdome in so much that when they were deade they gaue vnto them deuine honoures and embraced wyth entyre loue theyr children and ofspring Principally they were moued therevnto for that their benefites were freshe in memorye which were so great and many that of deutye they thought to render thanckes to theyr posteritye When afterwardes they founde and had experiensed that there was in the issue the true and liuely image of the parente not to be seene so much in the feature and makinge of the bodye as in the qualitye and disposition of the mynde then they were styrred vp excedingly not onely for the loue that they bare to theyr auncestours as for the especiall regarde that they had to the Noble dispositions of their progeny to honour that stocke and family to whom they did offer the swaye and gouernment of the common wealth most wilinglye If then any man will demaunde at what tyme Gentilitye first began hee is to learne that then it firste entred when men oute of order were reduced to good order by the perswasion and pollicie of such as were endued with the excellency of good Nature and noble bloud Which degree of honour was geuen for two causes First for the iust desertes of parents then for the great expectation and hope which they had in their ofspringe and progenie For it was imprinted in the minds of men in time paste that the father which did excell in vertue coulde not but leaue a sonne endued with the like giftes and the behauour maners and disposition to declare the worthines of noble birth and parentage which is most wisely noted by Euripides In tender yeares a Princely grace Is token sure of noble race The opinion wherof so much preuayled wyth our forefathers that who so descended from a worthy stocke him they hoped to see in processe of time adourned with noble vertues If so then the worthines and vertue of any one man was had in such admiration that he might challēge vnto himself as his owne right the superioritie the same man litle regarding these vaine and transitorie pleasures deriued the first originall cause of his birthe and Generation from the Deuine Nature of the Gods. The cause why the common people was induced and brought to this opinion proceeded not so muche from ignoraunce and superstition as from the great shew of vertue which appeared in their life and conuersation For it seemed vnto them a thinge very likely and probable that those sprang of a Deuine Nature which were endued with the excellencie of vertue and honestie Herehence arose those worthy wighes which Homer setteth out in his Ilias amonge whom no one was founde which fotte not his petegree from the Emperiall throne of Maiestie As for example Hector the noble Troian who whyle hee liued was the verye strength and staye of his countrye of whom Neptune warneth the Greecians Aie me I feare the enmies force
that ende that I did beleeue those thinges to be true as they were set downe by him but that such in deede I supposed to bee the maners of men such to be the Lawes and ordinaūces of Countryes such to be the nature and force of thinges and al other matters to be of the like sorte and condicion as they were by him in wrytinge declared Wherefore to come to my former treatise of Nobilitie in that hee doth by wryting expresse Achilles to be the sonne of Thetis Memnon of Aurora and Sarpedon of Iupiter his meaninge no doubte agreeth with the minde and opinion of all wyse men of that time that they who for wysedome and vertue did farre excell the rest might be iudged not without the especiall prouidence of the Gods to haue bene bore and therefore to haue bene of their linage and consanguinity And this was the chiefe cause that Theseus was thought to haue beene the sonne of Neptune and Romulus borne of the God Mars Alexander also the greate did longe time since delight to bee called the sonne of Iupiter which opinion also grue of Scipio Affrican For the self same rumour which was raysed before of Alexander was vainely bruted of Scipio which was that a Serpent in shape monstruous was oftentimes seene in his mothers chamber Which beinge once of many men euidently noted sodainly vanished and was seene no more Herehence arose this opinion that many did thincke that Scipio his mother was great and conceaued by the Serpente a child But you wil say O notable shameles lie I pray you is there any man so voide of wit reason and vnderstandinge or so farre from the fayth of Christ whiche wil be perswaded that these thinges are true But yet this lie is grounded on a true and good opinyon which is to thincke that the nobilitye of bloude issueth from the excellency of good nature and that the worthines of vertue proceadeth from some noble and Princely parentage Hereby it is euident and most playne and manyfest howe greatly men of auncient memory dyd esteeme gentle and noble families Verely not without good cause For if any thinge were that for the worthines thereof deserued perpetuall and euerlastinge memory it issued from those noble personages for the most part As it is a thing most cleare and euident to him that listeth to reade the reportes and commentaries of antiquity Who knoweth not that the stocke of Hercules so farre excelled other in prowes and vertue that it did easely subdue the force and power of the Pelopidanes and wonderfully strengthened the state of Athens readye to bee ouerronne and destroyed vtterly So greately was any noble familye esteemed that who so were descended by them did thinke they were protected by the power of some heauenly garrison What auaileth it to shew you of the stocke noble line of Perseus Or what should it skill to recite the worthy Actes and famous enterprises of suche as haue beene of the race of Aeacus If any one woulde call to minde howe many and how great affayres howe straunge and howe daungerous enterprices haue bene done wrought by the Athenians should vnderstand for the most parte that nothinge hath ben amōge thē either attēpted or accōplished but by such whose progenitors were in their life honourable whose progenye after their death were honoured of the people To omit to speake of Kinges and Princes whom euerye man knowes to haue béene of singular vertues whose fame was sounded farre and wyde truely Clisthenes who first wrought the ruin and vtter subuersion of tyrannous gouernment Myltiades Cimon Themistocles Pericles and many moe whome to recite were ouer tedious whoe tooke vppon them moste weighty affayres and harde enterprices as well against the Grecians as Barbarians all those for the most parte came of some noble line and princely parentage The like is to be founde amongest the Thebanes the men of Sparta and a numbre of other nations and countries besides But let vs leaue these foraigne and straunge examples and search the Histories of our owne tyme If you geue your selfe to the readinge of holye scripture you shall haue therein conteyned what great oddes there is betwixt man and man and finde many testimonies there specified in confirmation and cōmendation of true nobility And that I leaue other vnspoken of it is apparent that the stocke of Iuda did farre excel the Hebrue Nation in vertue honour and dignity Who frō the time they were happely deliuered from the thraldome and slauerye they susteyned amongest the Egiptians haue bene well approued for their greate vertue and godlines Amongest whom I will onely note vnto youe certaine What time the Egiptian Kinge did greuously torment the Hebrues neither woulde vppon any condition release them as God had geuen them commaundement but rather encreased their misery dayely more more At the length accordinge to his desert suffered iust punishment at what time God him selfe appeared vnto him For their lādes were wasted their fruicts cōsumed through a great and terrible plague then by the verye appoyntmente of God mutch bloude shed great cruelty committed all tyrānie practised In conclusion the kinge being as it did appeare well reclaimed by so many greuous bitter scourges permitted the Hebrues to departe to offer sacrifice The Hebrues then departinge therehence and pitchinge their tentes neere the read sea perceaued some mischife imagined against them otherwise then they looked for For as sone as they passed the boundes of Egipt it repented the kinge much that he had set them at libertye For he beinge puffed vp with great pride did perseuere in his former wickednes in so mutch he purposed to pursue them with great force notwithstandinge knowinge them to be protected by the hande of Almightie god For whereas he was vtterly ouerwhelmed with the outrage of his fury coulde not perceaue what plagues were appoincted readye to confounde hym and his people he prepareth therfore a great troupe of horsemē multitudes of footemē are mustered and all delay beinge set a side hee bendeth his mayne force agaynst the Hebrues At that instante Moyses besought God with earnest prayer and petition for the peace and the happy deliuerance of his people and with that rodde which represented the omnipotent power of Almighty God which he alwayes carried about with him stryketh the Sea and immediatly he made a wide and open way for them through the middest thereof For the Sea beinge subiect and obedient to the will and power of God was vnto them in both sides as a stronge wall and mighty fortresse whereby they did securely passe witho◠feare of imminente daunger Notwythstandynge so greate was the feare of those Hebrues as it is reported in certaine histories of the Iewes for holy scripture maketh thereof at al no mention they report therefore that such was their horrour dread the albeit they were assisted by the power of God yet with great adoe were they brought to cōmit them selues to the daungerous passage of
cleare lighte and purchased true fame to his posteritie Now therfore it remayneth that we know by what meanes this so noble aduaūsing of his stocke and kindred maye happen to him who is the first rayser of his family to the highe princely place of honour Nobilitie No doubt that I may aunswere briefly by the same meanes whereby it is mainteyned and preserued But it is sayd before that Nobilitie is a kinred excelling in moste rare and principall vertues And those according to the opinion of Aristotle the moste learned Philosopher I accompt principall vertues which are occupied about the preseruatiō of cōmon societie through which also the safetie and securitie of men is best kept and maintayned But he which through priuate education is verye well trayned and well instructed with preceptes of moralitie may of good right be termed a good and vertuous man but yet by other qualities he shall neuer procure great prayse and worthynes except he applie them to the profite cōmoditie of the weale publique For if we were borne onely for our owne sakes and our owne cōmodities it were sufficient that we sought the aduauncement of our owne selues and the preferment of those which are conteined within our owne family But wheras we are moued by the instinct of Nature to helpe and profite other he seemeth beste to haue discharged the dutie to him assigned whose labour studye and diligence hath bin imployed in matters of great waight and importaunce to the benefite and wealthe of his natiue country Not for that truly that the vertue of any priuate man should bee despysed and set at noughte for by his good aduise and counsell if not all yet some parte of the common wealth as his owne house family is well ruled and ordered But wheras the vertue and wisedome of this priuate and peculiar man is conteyned wythin the bound and walles of his owne house and extendeth it selfe no further it seemeth good reason that the like honour and dignitie should not be due to him that is to some other whose vertues are founde more vniuersall and generall and whose minde is more occupied with the carefull cause of his common wealth For all men would not generally accord to honour reuerence a few except they did all manifestly perceiue thēselues in cases of great extremity by theyr greate paynes and trauaile to be assisted Therefore by knowledge of ciuill affayres and experience there was made a certaine entrie to this kinde of gentilitie THe chiefest and most principall part therefore of ciuil gouernement is iustice which hath in it selfe the greatest and most apparaunt shew of vertue The admiration whereof did in the beginning so greatly excite stirre vp the minds of men that they surrendered theyr goods and possessions into the hands of some especiall peeres whom aboue all other they did honour and reuerence For thus when we treate of vertue we vse to dispute The tyme hath bin when men like barbarians haue lyued in woods open fields and desolate places without politique rule ciuill gouernment neyther embracinge religion nor by mutual loue and dutie shewing theyr humanity Nothing was done in those dayes by due order of reason and discipline but most matters were executed violently whereas frantique and furious headines had the vpper hand Whē then robberies were rife murthers infinite those who in force and sturdines passed other would afflict and trouble iniuriously the weaker sorte and theyr whole lyfe compassed wyth innumerable mischiefes all they which had receyued the greater more greeuous iniuryes besought the assistaunce of some one man in witte and pollicy exceeding other whom they perceyued to be vnto the rest as it were a lanterne of Iustice a myrroure of myldnes curtesie This Patrone and supporter of right when he had taken on him the charge of those seely soules miserably suppliantly yelding themselues declared vnto them the earnest desire he had to take away pillages robberies to represse violent murders valiantly to reueng wrongfull oppressions and to sincke vnder like lawes both the mighty men simplet sort it came to passe that as many as tenderd their peculiar liberty and soughte their owne security and quietnes supposed him to be the defence and bulwarke of their safety prosperous estate whose fame moste flourished for iustice and equity From this fountayne therfore and head spring of iustice issued out the power and auctority of Kinges and the prerogatiue of princely gouernment herehence proceeded the high degree of Nobility herehence soueraingtie and the cause of all renowne glory was deriued so that there is no one stocke more aunciente or more excellente then the petegree of Kinges which through their owne vertue and valiauntnes abandoned al barbarous crueltie reducing the people to good order and ciuilitie Whose moste deuine nature Hesiodus hauing in great admiration in his Booke intituled the Genealogie of the Gods fetcheth the liue and descent of Princes from Iupiter himselfe Which opinion iudgemente of his hath ben also receyued of many in so much that they did most certainly surmise that hee coulde not but descende from the Gods which moste of all other excelled in vertue For it is reported that AEacus Minos and Rhadamanthus were iudged to be the sonnes of Iupiter they were so much of all men for their iustice magnifyed who as the Poets do fayne are sayde to appointe lawes to the infernal spirites So much did antiquity yea euen amonge the deuils and hellishe hounds beleue that seueritie of Lawes and force of iustice was expedient and necessary to restraine the vnbridled desires of a disordered multitude Pittacus of Mytilene was through his perfect skill and experience in iustice aduaunced to the highe estate of a ruler Which thinge also befell to Numa Pōpilius being at Rome for by vpright dealing and supportinge of iustice hee was thoughte and proclaymed by the whole consent of the Romaines worthely to succeede Romulus in the state of royal maiesty What needeth mee here to speake of Lycurgus Draco and Solon that I omit in meane while to make any mention of Mercurie Phoroneus and diuers other who haue beene longe time before which haue wrought the safegarde and preseruation of their Citizens by prescribinge lawes and ordinaunces and haue thereby bene aduaunced to great honour haue purchased to their posterity perpetual fame and memory Therefore to perswade our selues that no one vertue deserueth the like preheminence eyther is a like to be honoured it is hereby to be séene that each kinde of vertue beinge voyde of Iustice hath lost his honour and estimation whereas Iustyce alone secluded from other vertues reteineth still his especiall grace and dignity For profe whereof I mighte alledge a number of examples but because I meane to vse breuity I wil stande onely vppō two Aratus of Sicyon although him selfe held no Empyre yet through commendation of Iustice gotte such renoume that by the iudgement of al men
the people To conclude therfore what is in thee wherein wee maye perceyue any shewe and resemblance of aunciente nobilitye Sir saith hee whatsoeuer your make of me I am a gētlemā borne Diddest thou neuer vnderstande thou ignorant and peuishe person that anye stocke or linage is set foorth beutified by vertue vertue not beutified and set forth by linage and that all nobilitye proceedeth from the excellencie of vertue and honestye but what thinge is more vayne then the bare and naked name of nobilitye yf you take away the ornamente of vertue and the fruite that is reaped of true glorie but though vertue be seperated frō worthines of birth notwithstandinge there is nothing in the whole life of mā mor excellēt nothing better to maynteyne common societye nothing more cōsonāt and agreeable to nature whiche is alwayes of it selfe moste amiable beutiful and wheresoeuer it is placed remayneth cōstante nor at any tyme can lose his worthines and dignity But I pray you let vs vnderstande how this gentleman by name onely would bestirre himself yf his country were in great daunger of the enemye or afflicted cruelly with ciuill dissention In this cause valiantnes and pollecie preuaylethe not the vayne ostentation of cognisance and armes I am sure you must of force yeelde and geue place to gentlemanshippe latelye made whiche you so muche disdayn if wyth long experience in common affaires and singuler vertues you se it defēded and vnderpropped Nay sayth he I wil maintaine the same countenaūce honoure and estimation wherein my auncestors liued with great fame commendation and let these vpstartes kepe their owne houses and aplye themselues to those occuptions which their parentes professed theyr fathers before them folowed Assuredly you haue spoken full wyselye pleasaūtly Your meanīg is that we should in a tēpestuous perillous time when the estate of the cōmon wealth is daūgerously assaulted follow the follie of certayne gētlemē delighting alwayes in Fethers feastīgs neglect the aduise and counsell of righte worthy and valiaunte men But I coulde wishe you were perswaded of this opinion that you do a greate and wonderfull reproch to your auncestours from whom hath descended to you this so great a shew of honour and Nobilitie For truly he that was first rayser of your royaltie and the chiefest cause that you are in this estate and countenaunce was an vpstarte and newe made gentleman Therefore whereas you in this maner taunt and reuile them which are most like to your predecessours and do disdainfully rippe vppe those reproches agaynste them which maye bee turned backe vppon your owne frendes you do not onely bring that to passe the throughe your shamefull behauiour you staine and deminishe the prayse of your auncestours but also vngratefully and most vnkindly you demeane your selfe whilste that with scorneful speaches you debase and extenuate the worthy renowne of them of whom you first receyued this outward shew of honour and dignitie But I will omitte to speake any more of those lustie and loftie gentlemen who hauing nothing in them worthy of prayse and honour stādeth so much vppon their worship and gentilitie to whom fitly maye bee applyed that sayinge of Dionisiodorus of Trezene in Greece who oftentimes was wonte to vtter this sentence of great efficacie Who braggeth so much of theyr line and petegree as a foolishe and vntowarde progenie Notwithstāding I would haue the greatest reuerēce dutie that may be giuen to true Nobilitie which is throughe the excellencie of vertue aduaunced to highe degree which also in vertue reposeth the chiefest staye onely felicitie Againe I could wish that those who so coldly followe the steppes of their auncestours and playe the partes of gentlemen foolishly should be plucte downe the stage as they are most worthy to be hissed and skoffed at of all the company AFter that I haue reproued their brainsicke dealinge who vtter bitter contumelious taunts against such as are of late through their wysedome vertue preferred to the estate of gentlemen they themselues notwithstanding being defiled wyth all kinde of wickednes now it remayneth to be cald in question whether of them are to be preferred or more commended of all men They who haue through their vertue honestie purchased to themselues greate renowne prayse and commendation being stirred therunto by no example of their auncestours or they who do earnestly folow embrace those vertues which chiefly shined were highly cōmended in their forefathers For it is a doubtful and perplexed question and probable truly on either side in so much that either of them maye be defended by argument For the new made gentleman may defend his cause arguing in this maner I haue applyed my minde to the loue of vertue I haue bin inflamed wyth the desire of renowne not stirred therunto through the example of my forefathers or prouoked by the fame glory of any auncestour Againe I haue atchiued to the place of dignitie not by the helpe and furtherance of any other but by mine owne industry I haue aduaunced to honour my name bloud which was before obscure and litle reckoned of and I haue giuen an example and lighte to my posteritie But you sir who are descended of an honourable line and came of a righte gentlemans house haue had great furtheraūce to the attaynīg of renowne glory First examples at home pricked the forwarde so did that countenaunce and estate that thy auncestours had then thy education and trayninge vp gentlemanlike last of all the expectation of men which ioyned together forced the as it were by necessity to embrace vertue Neither is the commēdation so great which you haue gotten through the imitation and folowing the actes of your auncestours as the reproch and rebuke woulde haue bin if you had not manfully endeuoured to be like vnto them in glorye renowne which were of your owne house and kinred Therefore you haue done nothinge with praise and commendation whereas you were therunto brought and forced by necessity On the other side I had by no meanes stayned my bloud if I had remayned base and obscure especially whereas I wanted all those helpes and ordinary meanes wherewith you were greatly furthered to the attayning whatsoeuer you toke in hande Whereas therefore I beinge vrged with no necessitie but allured wyth sincere loue of vertue disposed my minde to do thinges of great importance soundinge to my greate credite and honour and that I perfourmed with no small praise and cōmendation beinge hindered and as it were intrapped with many lettes and impediments and I passed through the pikes of enuie which is a common ennemye to them that raise themselues to honour throughe my honest and vertuous vsage I see no cause at all why I should giue place to aunciente Nobility And this is the language of a lately spronge gentleman But what on the other side sayth the gentleman borne Wilt thou then contrary to all lawe and equitie
dispossesse mee of praise and commendation which in so many ages of men hath bin coÌ„firmed Doest thou well perceiue and consider that the inheritaunce of that worthy renowme which my auncestours obteined doth no lesse belong apperteine to me then the maÌ„ners the lordships the farmes â–ª the residue of their teÌ„porall goods which to mee as the true heire hath falleÌ„ by lawe what should theÌ„ hiÌ„der me why I should not accoÌ„pt the fruit and benefite of this dignitie and worthines amonge mine owne proper goods that I should with all earnest enâ—euour keepe possession therof That if the case so stande now thou seest how many sondry times this inheritance of prayse hath bin increased afore it came to mee For as often as it hath happened that any one of my stocke and progenie broughte to happie ende any worthye exploite so often know thou well that this porcion of prayse and inheritaunce of honour was increased and amplifyed Therefore I may challenge vnto my self as mine owne right all the valiauÌ„t actes of my predecessours for as much as tracing their footesteppes I earnestly bent by selfe to be like vnto any of my auncestours in those thinges which tended to fame glorie Thou art therefore to be commended onely for thine owne vertue I am not onely through mine owne industry to be honoured but also to be preferred for the puissaunce and magnanimitie wherein my forefathers excelled But concerninge domesticall glorie in that you say gentlemen are necessarilye stirred forced to the attayning of vertue nay truly wee see very many contented with the honour attayned by their parents and there to rest seeking no further because they accompt it sufficiente to enioye prayse and commendation gotten by other mens trauaile Whose purpose and intent althoughe I mislike yet this I set downe as a cleare grounde that noble men are stirred vp by no meanes so much to worthye attemptes as by hautines of minde and loftines of courage These arguments many more may be brought to confirme either opinion so that it is a matter very difficulte to iudge whether should be preferred before other if their vertues in equality match ech other For if we coÌ„pare honesties examine wayghe their vertues in fitte and equal balances his vertue seemeth to deserue greater admiracion which first by his owne meanes grew to some estate and countenaunce creepinge out of a bie corner and obscure familie But if there bee somewhat to be geuen attributed to men departed and their memorie who haue well deserued of the common wealth as reason requireth and lawes commaunde bee after their death to be kepte with all heedeful care and diligence they who folowing the examples of their auncestours are woÌ„derfully bent to excell other in prowes and manlines are before the other and not without good cause preferred For not onely their owne industrious trauaile but their predecessors good demerits are to bee pondered This is therefore a doubtfull controuersie which I leaue to bee decided of other To mee it is sufficient to haue declared which may perhappes seeme wythout my discourse most manifest and euidente that the noblenes of birthe and the worthy estimation of any stooke and familye issueth from the cleare fountayne and welspringe of Vertue THE FIRST BOOKE of Hieronimus Osorius intreating of true Nobilitie to them onely incidente that professe the fayth and true Religion of Christe I VVas righte sure Lewis most mighty victorious Prince wheÌ„ I had fully appointed to publishe and put in wryting these my inuentions that it mighte be that this my trauaile woulde highly offende the learned For some men wil iudge mee ouer bold and presumptuous that I do descriue or handle a matter of so greate valewe and importaunce as the like men of excellent learning iudgemeÌ„te hath hitherunto scarcely taken in hand or enterprised and it wil be no lesse offence and griefe vnto other that I shall not in any pointe neither for the maiestie of matter neither for the excellencie of philed phrase and gorgeousnes of stile be able to decke and beautifye an argument in his Nature both highe and stately To conclude some finde in me the lacke of experience other require a finer head other coulde wishe more ripenes of vnderstanding Whom I will briefly shape an aunswere before I enter into the discussing of any question Truly for my owne parte althoughe I was neuer so farre in loue with my selfe or so pricked with the desire of prayse that I haue challenged anye coÌ„mendation for that I haue by witte compassed or throughe the excellency of any learninge atchieued yet I thought it the part and propertie of a noble natured yong maÌ„ earnestly bent to the study of moste worthy knowledges not to rest contented with thinges of meane accompt but desirously to pursue hunt after the highest matters and those which are entangled with greateste difficultie For no man oughte to thinke it impossible to be the beste learned and to attaine the second place to them onely it is graunted which with a iolly stomacke and loftie mind purpose to be peerelesse For this lessoÌ„ we learne by an old Prouerbe The shorte shooter neuer hitteth the marcke For if men mighte enterprice no kinde of studye but that which they deemed might with smal labour be obteyned I thincke no man at any time should haue bin but meanely learned much lesse endued with the perfectioÌ„ of knowledge For neither do I thinck Plato himself when first he set his haÌ„d to paper to haue thought his labour should haue had such happie successe as afterwarde hee gotte through great practise daily exercise Neither Demosthenes in his firste entrie had anye such confidence in his wit and learning that he thought hee should afterwards excell Pericles Neither Cicero when he first applied his minde to the studie of Rhetoricke was of this opinion that he thoughte he should be a father of eloquence a lighte of learning and such a one which for the grace and wonderfull gift of Oratorie might triumph as one that had won the victorie But when they were stirred vp by the instincte of an excellente nature and noble minde that they should attempt studies more great then were at that time agreeable to their reach and capacitie they gotte by this meane to be exquisitely learned and attayned thereby the highest and principall pointe of knowledge And what may bee sayde of those to whom is graunted but a meane measure of learning Could they I pray you haue reteined that place except they had hardily presumed to folow and trace the steps of them which in learning were of deepest iudgement Otherwyse truly it would not haue bin so wel with vs that we could attaine so easely knowledge of vs desiered or so happely discharge things of vs atteÌ„pted Wherfore it standeth greatly vpon all such which are as it were through loue enamoured with the excelleÌ„cy of any one science not onelye to endeuour earnestlye
writinges which may profit vs at all no dought nothinge For they bereue vs of the vse of reason Whereas they do vtterly abandon and as it were plucke vp by the rootes all kindes of affections geuen vs by nature wherewith sometimes we are quickned to the exercise of vertue Howe cleare and apparant that is I leaue at this time to speake For there is no man so very a dolt but séeth how contrary it is to mans nature and they that would driue into our mindes that astonishment which the Stoikes call tranquility doe not determine mans felicity but do vtterly extinguish and bury in vs all kinde of humanity That therefore that is so manifest let vs omitâ— And let vs consider howe profitable to the preseruation of the ciuill society of man that opinion is Put the case that a rumour spread of the enemy comminge doth wonderfully terrefie the Citizens The whole Cittie beinge astonied with feare taketh great care howe they may put from them the euell which maye ensue In this case the gouernours and cheife rulers will looke vnto the common safetye the moste couragious and lustiest men they will appointe ready in armes garrisons they will set in order all the reste for the power and abylitye that euerye man hath wil diligentlye bestirre themselues to dryue from theire bouÌ„des the force of the enemye which as a mischiefe and that no small mischiefe they make accoumpte of But this great wyse man in that generall feare and horrour of all his country will not be by any meanes he which more will esteeme of this terryble tumulte then his owne pryuate studie and contemplation For why shoulde hee for a sorte of silye simplemens sakes withdrawe himselfe froÌ„ the study of wisedome he wil not do it in any wyse Nay whiche is more hee will not so much as chaunge his countenaunce in that greate hurlie burlye of the whole citty All this tyme he deludeth their doinges accompting theÌ„ very simple and ignorante whiche dreade that as a greate daunger and mischiefe which hee supposeth not to be accompted among the nombre of euil things At the length when he dooth see the siege layd agaynste the whole citye and the city to be set vppon wyth mayn force and that the chief rulers resist with might and main he cannot refrain from laughing to see the citizens with whom he dwelleth tremble and quake for feare sometymes to ruÌ„ne all on a heape sometimes to runne giddily hither and thither and to trye and assay euery way how to remoue and put away the force of the enemy Nay a wyse man woulde thynke in ihis pityfull plyght and common misery he should take armes and presently encounter with the stoutest of his enemies not for that he lightly thinketh it a great and perilous mischiefe as through reason and iudgemente hee is leade and induced to beleue the same But let vs know I pray you to what end and purpose this Stoyck should take weapon For wyse men are neuer noted to be rash in their doings and hasty and what they take in hand procedeth of great iudgement and consideration Therefore for what cause chiefly should he take weapoÌ„ in that kind of enterpryse Tel me I praye you should he for the assisting his neighboures and poore countryemen But for that cause he estemeth them onely miserable for that they are ignorant and caried away with vanity and errour of opinion Agayne that by the glimse and oâ—twâ—rde shewe whereof he seeth them striken into suche a dampe of feare an euil thinge he can in no wyse accounte And albeit he confesseth it bee a sharpe showre yet not to be so muche regarded that for the peeuishe opynion of a sorte of fooles it should be so exceedingly feared Therfore lasely and slothfully not manfully and couragiouslye doth he thinke that in that perilous conflict and bickeringe he shoulde behaue hymselfe Then I pray you what great fruite bringeth this wonderfull wisdome or where shall he shewe that so singular stoutnes of an inuincible mynde I do think at the last this will be the end of this tragicall matter wheÌ„ he shall see the City beaten doune to the ground when hee shal see all the treasure goodes and substance of the Citezens driuen caried away before his face he must shew himselfe suche a one as whom no sorrowe will daunte or dismaye no pouerty pinch no calamity crucifye but rather he vaunteth himselfe to be in bondage a kinge in extreame wante of all thinges a man stored wyth welthe in grife happye in misery florishinge and in good estate And that he mought proue the same and withdrawe his fryndes from folly in which onely hee reposeth the chife misery that maye happeÌ„ to maÌ„ hee framth certain horned crabbed sophistical arguments wherby he woulde geue vs a certâ—yne salue for the moste fonde opinion of his therby meaninge to proue death banishment pouerty lack of ofpringe contumelious reproche bondage not to bee accompted euill All these thinges to confesse the trueth are lustely and lostely spoken but the common socetye of men reapeth at al no fruit or commoditye thereby For if a maÌ„ be furnished wyth no other kind of skill and wysedome theÌ„ this it is not possible he should by wysedome preuent the imminent daungers of warre or wyth a valiant force or courage resist them that be present But paraduenture you will say This opinion auayleth much in thinges apperteyninge to ciuill affayres In what causes I pray you In publique matters Howe can hee vprightlye execute the office of a iudge or magistrate which maketh no difference of thinges doon in house of parlament or in place of iudgemeÌ„t which iudgeth him worthy of as much punishmente whiche hath but lightlye offended as him which hath most wickedly and abominablye destroyed his father What shal I stande in shewinge you that in priuate causes whiche happeneth betweene man and man it profiteth nothinge at all For how is it possible that hee wil haue compassion of the impotente pitee the afflicted succor the poore whiche holdeth hym that is mercifull a manne base minded and seruile Agayne may we thinke him apte to rebuke offenders and wicked persons sharply eyther to rewarde bountefullye men liuinge vertuouslye whiche is vtterly moued wyth no sence of loue or hatred And that I may knitt vp all in one woorde what shall hee profit the common sotiety of man which forgetteth himselfe to bee a man and in a maner diuorceth himselfe from humaine nature For the affections of the mynde are to be cutt of by reason not rashly to be plucked vppe by the rootes For the one is good and a profitable way and by wisedomes moderation maye bee obteyned the other maye in no wyse be compassed and if it might yet it were not so muche to be desired For all maner of vertue of what kind soeuer it be is at it were key colde and feeble which doth not spring out of a mynd stirred with most earnest prouocations of industrye and
diligence For whereas all kynd of dutye is framed and fashioned by the mynde he can do nothinge lustely valiantlye forcebly whose mynd is not kindled and wonderfully inflamed with ardeÌ„t desire And wheras they take it for a thing already grauÌ„ted vnto theÌ„ that euery affection is contrary to reason that no wise maÌ„ wil graunte whereas they see reason it selfe prescribeth lawes to al affections of the mind and sheweth them how farre forth it is lawful for them to ranige And therfore according to reasoÌ„ we somtimes waxe angry cholerick we hate we loue we pitie we feare many things that may ensue we greeuouslye take present mischauÌ„ces we are stir redde vppe wythe greate desire wee are moued marueylouslye wythe ioye and pleasure Which affections when they excede measure they are to be restrayned with the bridle os reason and vnderstanding not to be extinguished and put oute vtterly Therefore the motions of the mynd doe not impugne reâ—son whereas they for the most parte by her rule and gouermente are leade and ordered Certes lyke as in the sea such quiet and calme weather is not to be desired where with the floud may not be with the lest puffe of winde troubled but rather such open aire wherby the shippe at the stearne may sulke the seas wyth a mery gale and prosperous wynd euen so there is to bee desired in the mynd a litle puffe and as it were a blowing billow to hoise vp the sayls of the mynd whereby the course therof may be made swift and certayn And euen as askilfull and couragious horseman doth not alwaye delight in a softe gentle pace but sometymes geueth his horse the spurre to the end his stede should moue more lyuely So by reason sometymes the perturbations of the mynde are stirred and pricked forward that we mought more chearfully dispatche our busines Therefor what can we make of this felicitye which a man by no meanes may obtayne if it could bee gotteÌ„ it nothing furthreth the good estate condition of men And wheras they argue the onely vertue accoÌ„plisheth a blessed and happy life they seem not to vnderstande what the nature of that word is for vertue caÌ„not so muche as by imagination bee conceiued to bee anye things els but a thing perfecte in his kynd absolute But what force of with be it gotten by neuer so much study and diligence is of that power and nature that is able to con◠〈…〉 that infinite gredines and desire that is by nature ingraft in our mindes of thinges both many and wonderfull Againe by what vertue I beseech you that I may leaue other thinges vntouched is a man ab e to diminish or stake the feruent zeale of tracinge out the truth wherewith they are most tormented which woulde fayne be accouÌ„pted perfect wise men Either hath there bene anye man a liue which hath attained the skill of all artes which hath vnderstoode the reason of all naturall causes which hath had the knowledge by wysedome to rule and gouerne a common wealth All thinges are hidden so in the excéedinge deepnes and bosome of nature that there hath bene at any time no questiâ—n so plaine and easie wherof profound learned clarkes hath not geuen diuers and intricate iudgementes For howe harde is it to open effectually the argument wee nowe entreate of and presently haue in hande and I assure you we are not able sufficiently to discourse of the nature of the body soule which playnly proueth what slender perfection in knowledge learninge we are able to attaine vnto Therefore howe may this wise Stoike haue through vertue his contentation when he infinitly desireth the science of those thinges whereof he is ignorant neither only doth couet the knowledge of those thinges which he seeth with his eye but also would vnderstande manye other thinges whereon hys minde runneth whereas he himselfe is not able throughly and perfectly to knowe the nature of the leaste thinge that is But then we suppose that the estate of the minde is perfect when the minde it selfe is so fully fraighte with vertues that there is nothinge els which it may desire No man I thinke by this time doubteth but that the chiefe and soueraigne good caÌ„not consist in single and bare vertue which the Stoikes so highly extol when neither in vertue are coÌ„teyned al thinges which to the estate maintenaÌ„ce of a man are required nor our mind with vertue alone can rest coÌ„teÌ„ted especially desiring those things that by no meanes that man can worke are to be attained For all humaine thinges whether they be externall or els worthy induements of the body and minde are streyghted into a litle and narrowe compasse but our minde hath bred and naturally ingraffed therein this affection and disposition euer vnmesurably and insatiably to desire some one thing of great excelleÌ„cy worthines And easier maye you with a litle drop of water quench the fiery flames of Aetna then slake the vnquencheable thyrst of desire that naturally possesseth the mindes of men In consideration whereof wicked naughty persons are not to be rebuked because they haue infynite desires but beecause they desire thinges vnlawfull and abhominable For it is geuen vnto vs by nature to haue vnsatiable desires but to haue wicked desires that procéedeth from a disordered custome and leude conuersation For truely neither he which doth endeuour with al study to atchiue to honour and worship kéepeth order and measure in the desire of honest thinges But let vs feyne imagine some one to haue attained that felicity which Zeno hath reposed in onely vertue Let him be exquisitely learned in all sciences Let him be merueylously spoken of for his excéedinge and great vertues Let him haue if it please you all those good thinges which are within and without the body for as much as bothe the Academikes and Peripatetikes are of this opinion that these thinges are to be rekoned of and had in estimation as the instrumentes and handemaidens of vertue As strength puissaunce goodlines of personage souÌ„dnes of senses perfection of health and many other of like nature then ryches and substance gentility honour children florishinge and indued with al noble qualities frindes not wauering but tyed with an assured knot of perpetual frendship Last of all yf you thinke good that the Epicure maye not so mutch as bende his browe against vs let the abundance be graunted vnto him of all pleasure with that which the bodie the minde might be delighted againe let him haue cause neither of feare or lamentation if it may be possibly attained through mans counsell and prouidence This man saie you may be thought of all other most happy as who aboundeth in all thinges which appertaine to glory prosperity and pleasure But if you woulde demaunde of this good felowe whether there were anye thinge els which he could finde in his hart to possesse no doubte he would cry out if he meane not to glose and
vse fayned speach that he liuinge in this plenteous store and aboundaunce of worldly glory fealt himselfe neuerthelesse content but moued with farder desire Zeno immoderately with open mouth exclaimeth vpon this man reuilinge him as a pezant and mad man chiefly for that he cannot maister and qualifie that motion of the minde throughe the power whereof he is moued to desire infinitely then for that in the aboūdance of worldly wealth he professeth himselfe still oppressed with penury Whom for all that if you indifferently iudge you ought to pardon For put case his minde with those good thinges should rest contēted which can come to passe by no reasō For if you should powre into the mind all those good qualities that mought be procured by mans trauaile and industrie you coulde not by any meanes satisfy the vnsatiable capacity thereof But admit it satisfied yet notwithstandinge shall it be inflamed continually with the desire of immortalitye But this saieth he no wise man will desire Which hath appoincted vnto him selfe such boundes and limites that he ordereth his life by the rule of nature and not of desire As thoughe it were beesides nature to lyue euer Or as though there were any thinge more agreable to nature To proue this wherefore are we pensiue and carefull of those thinges that happen to vs after our deathes Wherefore doe we desire ofspringe and the succession of children Why do wee thinke it a worthye thinge to be commended to oure posteritye Whye are most pregnant and florishinge wittes moued with the desire of perpetuall fame and glory Assuredly this affection proceedes of no other cause then of the desire of immortality For whereas man beinge a creature endued with reason and vnderstandinge plainly and euidently seeth that that is not to be thought to appertaine to perfecte blessednes which is variable subiect to alteration knowinge also for a certainty that those thinges whiche may be lost or taken from vs are mutch disagreinge with the nature of felicity he dreadeth death and is stirred vp wyth an egree motion of the mynde and moued wyth a wonderful instincte of nature to couet the fruition of immortality And beinge yet vncertaine to attaine the same is duringe this life tossed and turmoyled hither and thyther and imployeth therto his whole study and diligence that by all meanes he possibly may he moughte preserue himselfe from vtter destruction and finall decaie Some man therefore holdeth himselfe most happy if he leaue behinde him after his death a perfecte portrayture of his owne name and one that shall be as it were himselfe in in another person Some man striueth excéedingelye by sententious sayinges and worthy monumentes of an excellent wit by noble and valiaunt Actes to purchase to himselfe continuall fame and memory Some other in erectinge great and sumptuous buildinges séeketh thereby to commende himselfe vnto posterity Which geueth a sufficient note that euen by natures instincte and fore warninge all men tremble and quake at the memory of death and then doe by all meanes sheewe their desire of perpetuity of life Therefore whereas the nature of man is such that it cannot haue on earth any longe contynuance for all kindes of estates are equally subiecte to death and the way to the graue as Horace saieth muste once be trode for this cause all men generally do apply therunto their whole diligence after death at least wise to leaue some representation or counterfaite shewe of life Howe can it therfore be gainsaide but that a creature desirous of euerlastingenes must needes bee stroken with great feare and terrour of death And seinge that no man in this life can attaine his ioye and hartes rest for how can the mind haue his contentation hauing not obteined that for the which it so mutch longeth it doth euidētly appeare that we are created to some other greater and more excellent purposes And therefore is it that oure myndes are not satisfyed wythe those good thinges that happen in this lyfe beecause all thinges here are of no estimation and streyghted into a narrow compasse in comparison of those whiche we through a secrete working and inclination of nature are prone to desire But to the knowledge of those good thinges which onely are accomted the chiefest and by all meanes possiblye to bee desired two wayes there are that may conducte vs First of all the very desire of the mynd it selfe wil open vnto vs plainly what it is then our byrth and the consideration of owr generation will more playnly shew vs what it is that we desire For we must not suppose anye other ende to bee proposed to eache thinge wee desire then that whereunto nature it selfe beynge not corrupted or depraued is bente and inclined neyther from any other fountaine ought the end of blessed life to be deryued thē frō that frō which we first borowed the beginning of lyfe FIrst therfore it is requisite to vnderstand what that appetite of desire is which is so depely imprīted in the mind of mā We se al mē for the most part do avoid as much as in thē lyeth the things that are displeasant and paynful and to desire inordinatlye that whiche maye stirre vp delectation and pleasure to make greate pryce of riches ability to be inflamed with the loue of learning the which if many through their dull and barrayn wits do not attayn yet they can do no lesse then loue and honour the learned man in so much that him whom they see furnished wyth moste excellente artes and sciences they thinke moste lyke and semblable to immortal Goddes Agayne dayly experiēce doth shewe vs that all mē are enamoured with the bewty and worthines of vertue and honesty in so much that wicked and euil disposed persons are moued and allured with the perfection thereof and beeyng taken in a trippe wexe ashamed at their offence desiring rather to be accompted honest and vertuous then leude and vngratious To conclude al mē are of that nature that they are not contented hauinge attayned one kynde of those thynges whyche are tearmed good but they would be fullye fraight with al together and cleane exempted from all feare and griefe of the mynd Agayn they immoderatly desyre to haue al those good thinges reache to the higheste degree of perfection and to haue theym continue and remayne for euer But what is this els then to desire to bee lyke vnto God in estate and conditiō For the omnipotent and diuine nature of God is suche that it aboundeth in all felicity and beyng replenyshed wyth his vnspeakable wysedome and vertue seperated from the contagion of all corruption reigneth in a most glorious kingdom blessed endles They therfore that woulde inioye the thinges that in perfectnes and principality exceede all other and woulde with an ardent desire couet an eternity and perpetuity therein wisheth hym selfe as it were to be of the numbre and companye of Heauenly sainctes What should I heere speake of the earnest zeale of religion by
vesture to cloth himself whom the sharpenes of no kinde of weather could greeue offend neither had he about him any staine vnseemely thinge for the couering and hiding wherof he might be carefull And hee had a law giuen him that he should exercise that free will that was geueÌ„ vnto him in the practise of vertue that at length hee myghte by hys owne demerits deserue to bee of the numbre and company of heauenly sainctes And the lawe was that he shoulde not presume to touch the fruite of a certayne excedynge goodlye tree whyche conteined the knowledge of Good and Euill God gaue him this commaundement not that he disdayned that maÌ„ whom he had manifoldly blessed should haue the vnderstandinge thereof but that by that meanes hee woulde the better forsee and prouide those thinges which apperteined to his good estate and preseruation For he knewe ryghte well that if man were sette at libertye hee wooulde strayght way worke his owne confusion So therfore God did moderate his libertye that hee agayne myght restreine the same by a very necessarye and expedient lawe Neither did hee so muche forbidde him to eate of that fruite as that he shoulde not slippe in to that which by that fruite was meante and signifyed For whither this was signifyed that he should not meddle with those causes or search by his own industry to attayn the knowledge of those thinges whiche his capacitye coulde not reache and comprise Or that he should not in the choyse of good and refusall of yll vse rather his owne iudgement then the will and pleasure of the almighty by whose wisedome he shoulde yeelde hymselfe to be gouerned or this that hee shoulde not inclyne him selfe to the loue of those good things whiche are mixt and intermedled wyth a nuÌ„ber of euills For in the scriptures to knowe is earnestly to desire and followe Therefore I saye whither he gaue that commaundemente to man that hee embracinge that soueraygne good that is not entermedled with any euill shoulde vtterly refuse other good thinges whiche appeare faire and pleasant and yet are corrupt and poysoned what more wholsom precept and commaundement might haue ben ordeined more profitable for maÌ„ For our wits are vtterly confounded and cloyed with the search of those causes the excedinge deepenes wherof oure wittes maye not be able to compasse and in any affayres to folowe our owne brayne and not to be leade by the wysedome of God it is a moste vndoubted token of oure fall and vtter confusion but to be lead awaye from that good thinge which is most principal and chiefest of all other beyng deceiued with the swetnes of any vayne and transitory pleasure is to be holden generally as a thinge daungerous and deadlye This was the estate of our first parente which should haue bene most happy blessed if hee had not bene acquaynted with that huge and cruell monsterous beast that hath brought to all nations pestilent infections and vtter decaye For when that Prince of darcknes vnderstoode that aucthor of all sinne and wickednes â—nd chiefe captain of those angels who as we haue declared puffed vp with pryde would through their own power be lyke vnto the immortall and euerlastinge God and therefore fell into the lamentable and pitifull pytte of perdition I saye therfore when the deuill saw man made of earth ascende vnto that place of glory from whence he fel he through enuie waxed whote and imagined all kynd of craftes and suttelties to destroye and vtterlye ouerthrowe the state of mankynd Takinge on him therefore the shape of a serpente assaulteth through guiles and fayned sleights the woman whoÌ„ he thought to subdue with lesse laboure for that shee was fraile and the weaker vessell He therfore enticeth her with swete and sugred woordes allureth her to the eating of the fruite forbidden Bearyng her in hande that as sone as shee shoulde take a tast of that most pleasant apple shee shoulde eftsones be inspyred wyth that heauenlye knowledge of good and euill The woman therfore beeynge marueylouslye allured with the fairenes of the tree and also inflamed aboue measure with the desire of that heauenly science and wysedome was easely induced to drinke that cuppe of deadly poyson offered vnto her by that most pestilent Serpent Thus the woman neglectinge the commaundemente of the moste hyghe God and gratious geuer of all goodnes by whose fauour and mercie shee receyued lyfe and was indued wyth many giftes folowed the counsell of her most deadlye enemy inuitinge also her husbande vnto that wofull and bloudye banquet This was the original and beginning of the misery of maÌ„ this was the roote of all euills Herehence proceeded death immortality which afterwardes increased more more and with most cruell tyranny oppressed all the world For as soone as man had yeelded himselfe by sufferance to bee corrupted with the filthy contagioÌ„ of that foule fault that euill immediatly ranne to the vaynes and searched euen the verye bowels of the bodye and at one time did slea murder both bodye and soule Whiche the siely and wretched soule of man incontinently felte when it perceiued it selfe seperated and haled from God from wheÌ„ce it toke his beginninge and by whose diuine power it mayntened lyfe when it vnderstode that the bodye was not to feele harme or iniurye by sharpenes of ayre and at lengeth shoulde be bereaued of life after it had passed through diuers distresses most bitter and greuous lamentations and sorowes and of deathe and mortalitye these weere certayne and euident signes and tokens troublesome motions in the bodye whyche declared the myndes inconstancie affections subiecte to no rule of reason and vnderstandinge and vile chaungeable and waueringe desires For this was moste iustlye decreed that hee whiche had broken the commaundemente of his lorde and most impudently and wickedlye stode agaynst his will and pleasure in like maner should haue those whiche before were obedience rebellious and contrarily disposed assaying most desperatelye to inuade and ouerthrowe the fortresse of reason And whereas two things especially belonged to maÌ„ that is to excercise him self in action and contemplation and therfore was indued with a reasonable soule that in what soeuer he toke in haÌ„d he shoulde wysely gouerne euery affecte of the mynde and imploy all the power of his soule in the searchinge oute of heauenlye wysedome he in both these partes was deeply wounded For the mynde when the cleare lighte thereof was extinct wherwith it before glistred gloriously laye now ouercast with darknes and obscurity and the whole order of lyfe beynge as it were with darcke nyghte ouerwhelmed was welnigh put beside his rule soueraigntye so that although in that darckenes some glimse of lighte appeared yet coulde it not thereby be guided to the ende desired For the reasonable soule was miserably afflicted and wounded deepely and diuerslye tossed mith troublesome stormes of the mynd whiche it coulde by no meanes resist Then shameful filthines shewed it selfe before
that when immoderate delicacy and riotte when vnsatiable desire of riches had ones by inuasion entered into the manners of the Romaynes wheÌ„ no accoumpte at al was made of the aucthority of the Lawes and Senate when the myndes of the raskall multitude by the sediciouse and bransicke orations of certayne desperate persons were tickled with hoope of rauine spoyle with violence and force to bereue the wealthyer sort of theire goodes and substance when crueltye armed with impunitye with slaughter effusion of the bloude of the Cityzens with goare bloud staunched the Citty when they that in feattes of Armes moste preuayled didde bende their thoughtes not to seke the liberty of their couÌ„try but their owne priuate aduauncemente when with all theese weapons the body of the commoÌ„ wealth was wounnded do you think that it could by any means be brought to pas that the coÌ„moÌ„weale could loÌ„ge coÌ„tinue Adde thereunto if it like you Saleable Elections Iudgementes raunsomed mattes of Prouinces extraordinarye and infinite aucthorityes the chardge of the commonwealth committed to certayn men caried forth headlonge with a hastye desire of rule and principality you may vnderstand that it could no otherwyse be but that the wealthe of the City vtterly decayed it must nedes come to ruin What should I in this place declare the bloudy broyls in the times of Scilla and Marius whiche infinitelye plagued and vexed the Citye and with al manner of cruelty dismembred the same and at lenghth by the infection of the dissentioÌ„ euen to posterytie continued layd open a gap to the gouerment of Tyrautes Doest thou then doubte but that the Citye beyng gashed and mangled with so many woundes should at the last be couered with moulde the Cityzens with salte and bitter teares waylinge and lamentinge at the funeralles thereof And therefore if it be demaunded of wyse men what time Roome fell to vtter decay they wil aunsweere I suppose that euen froÌ„ that time wherin the old order of discipine and gouernment was abolished that common wealth began to be of no reputation For they linger no longer aboute the consideration of the euent of any thinge which most certaynly gather the thinges that folow after by the causes that goe before If you aske them that lacke wisedome and experience they wil straight way elleadge that tyrannicall gouernment of Cesar. For there is no man so besydes himself that will thinke after the vtter abolishment of lawes the losse of liberty and the ouertourninge of the whole state of pollicy that any one sparke of the olde common wealth remaineth But I pray thee what toye tooke thee in the head that thou diddest impute the ouerthrowe of that Empire to the manners of Christians whereas not only the cause of that calamity but the euent it selfe was many yeares before the birth of Christe oure Kynge And if any man aske the question after tirannye had the vpper hande what wasted the wealth of Roome taken from the whole Citty and bestowed vpon one man first I will repeate those thinges that I before rehearsed that all those worthye qualities whereby the people of Roome obtained their auncient renoume and large Empire a great while began to decline at last fell hedlonge downe to the grounde For then immediatly in steede of frugality outragious riotte in steede of enduringe hardines in warre an excedinge tendernes and nicenes both of the whole body and minde in steede of dreade and awe of the lawes impudent boldnes vnsatiable luste immoderate desire vehemently assaulted the myndes of the Romaines and stirred vppe men that bare goodwill to their country to vprores and ciuill broyles Further this I affirme that the barbarous demeanour of their Emperours and their ouerthwarte nature ioygned with immoderate ryot and vnbridled lust did as it were cut them of from al their prosperity Neyther is there cause why I shoulde here recite so greuous plagues as wherewith the coÌ„monwealth was afflicted seinge that it is euidently knowen that many for their cruelty and horrible factes haue bene slâ—ine bothe of their Cittizens and of souldiars and ofteÌ„tymes of them that enuied them their place and high aucthority But when the custome of killinge of Rulers grewe to be familiar and there was not onely counterwaites and treachery deuised against wicked tyrantes but against discreet and moderate gouernours and that the name of rule and Empire wanted due reuerence at length the matter grewe to that passe that nothinge was so vily reputed of as the Emperour of Rome In the ende when the aucthority of the Senate and people of Rome was extinguished and the knowleadge of Souldiarfare together with auarice excessiuely increased it fell oute the souldiars for a booty in ready money to be paide did assign afore hand to whome they listed the Imperiall Crowne Therefore whereas they had respect neither to vertue neither to nobility but as it were makinge a bargaine of bying sale vnto him that promised most sold the Empire euery vile caitife leude varlet had free accesse to the swaye and gouernmente of the whole common wealth Therefore whereas the people of Rome were gouerned by sutch heades it coulde not be but all those thinges shoulde fal to vtter confusion whereby that common wealth was wont to be renoumed Especially seinge that oftentimes least there shoulde want at any time an occasion of ciuill dissention there was appoyncted in diuerse places many Emperours if they were to be called Emperours and not rather straunge and prodigious monsters Therefore the wealth of the Romaines partly by ciuill discord and horrible dissentions wasted partely dronke vppe and consumed by the meanes of great and terrible warres which throughout the whole worlde was waged againste the Romaine Empire was subiecte to common thraldome misery of all thinges incident and appertaininge to man And here I pray thee what cause hast thou to accuse the name of any thinge that is called Christian For if the doctrine of Christe had wrought in the manners of the Romaines contempte of lawes ryot wantoÌ„nes immoderate desire of rule most egre and vehement dissension of Cittizens amonge themselues if to conclude it had induced them to violente dealinge fury rage then moughtest thou haue iustly and truely sayd that that had bredde in the state of Rome all these mischieues For they be those horrible vices that haue plagued and destroyed not onely Rome but all other Imperiall Citties But if nothinge be more repugnant to Christian maners and conuersation then the vyces afore rehersed wyth whome nothinge agreeth but that whych is iuste and vpryghte tendinge to quietnes and temperaunce which most reuerently accoumpte of modesty and innocency and aboue all mischiues hate ciuill discord which abhorre all troublesome and desperat enterprices yet wilt thou be so sottish impudent that thou wilt seeke with this sclaunder to deface the dignity and worthines of Christianity Can there any maner of discipline more confirme and establishe cyuill pollicie theÌ„ that which teacheth Iustice equity
of a sauage beast But this notable authour that instructeth Princes how to vndoe their countrye which teacheth them to establishe the wealth and estate of theire kingdomes not so much by equity and curtesie as by guilfull pollice and crueltye let him truelye call by what name hee will that furious dealinge farre passing the vsage of the barbarians themselues in villany and tyranny so that no man in his right wittes will assent to so fonde and wicked an opynion But wee will neuer be so woode and frentick that we wil say that that meknes of mynd which the holy scripture calleth humility whereof he was an example vnto vs that was also a paterne of notable prowes is any impediment to fortitude it selfe For whereas all vertues are as it were with glue fastned together then truly especially meeknes of mynde and valiaunt courage For eache of them proceeding out of a noble mynd are almost of like honour and estimatiō for it is no greater signe of a valiaunt courage to be able to withstande the force of his enemyes then to refrayne his angry mode to subdue al troublesome affections and by no grudge of offence to bee remoued from humanity and constancie of mynde Therfore there hath not beene any man lightlye famous for valiantnes but he hath purchased prayse by mildnes and curtesie How greate was the glory of Themistocles who sittinge in counsell with the Grecians was of the other Captayne 's contrary to order of ciuilitye bitterly taūted but he thoughte good not to restrayne theire lauishe speaches with yelding taūt for taūt but wisely to appease them with patience and sufferance What shoulde I speake here of Pericles what shoulde I reherse Iulius Cesar and many other who did no more earnestlye seeke to get them a name by martiall prowesse then to win commendation by curtesie and pacience On the other side as eache mā is of a more shrinking and dastardly courage so is he moore disposed to anger and crueltye All those barbarians whiche can by no meanes be trayned vp in the preceptes of fortitude haue bene counted so cruel that our vsuall speach hath ascrybed the name of barbarousnes to cruellty it selfe What shoulde I shew you here of the nature and qualityes of women then whom as nothing is more feble and weake so nothinge more swyftlye caried to reuengement of iniurye For if mildnes and curtesi-do not at al dimme the lighte and exceedinge brightnes of vertu but issuing oute of the lyke haughtines generositie of mind is a great ornamēt to fortitude is ther any mā so voyde of reason that Christian mildnes he will terme cowardise repugnāt and opposite to the rules of fortitude what peruerse dealinge what an vngodly moode a mischiefe and sorowe come to it is this that wee make light accompt of those thinges that are true and perfect in our men the bare shadowe whereof in other men wee haue in admiration they haue alwayes bene counted of a noble and valiaunt courage who beeyng girded and nipped with taūtes prouoked with iniury are not kīdled with wrath But our men of Christ haue learned this lesson that they shoulde requite with curtesie reprochfull wordes and iniury with good turnes Then some man may saye vnto me wheras christians are so gentle and merciful they wil neuer dryue backe from their boūds the force of their enemyes neyther wil resiste villanye with duety of sworde but they wil with a good turn requit al outragious dealing Who so alledgeth this litle considereth distinctions of dutyes neyther considereth that distinct and diuers thinges are mete cōueniēt for destinet diuers persōs places tymes causes For Christiās thēselues who in priuate grudges iniuries embrace mildnes patiēce they in cōmō dystresses daūgers are most egre of al are most earneste and vehemente maynteiners of the common safetye and liberty Especially whereas the state of religion is impugned For they thinke in this case all sufferance an intollerable offence and patience to be a horrible faulte Of this minde was Moyses the beloued of God whom the holye scriptures do testifie and declare of all men to haue bene the myldest who notwythstandinge with singular valiaunce vanquished the host of his enemies and appeased the wrath of the maiestye of God offended with the sharp punishmente of many Dauid also was of like nature whom about other the scriptures do highely commend for his exceedinge gentlenes He neuerthelesse vāquished and put to flight a great and puissaunt host of enemies and put to the sworde huge multytudes of Alienes and straungers Euen so manye Christian Princes beinge most dysposed to all kinde of humanitye haue matched the glory of Martiall prowesse with the praise of lowlines and courtesie What Hath not Christe himselfe sufficiently taught vs by his owne example howe farre foorth wee should vse lenity and againe when wee ought to take vppon vs the person of seuerity when with whips he seuerely and sharpely punished them that cōmittinge sacriledge polluted the holy Ceremonies Therefore there is no cause why any man should contemne Christian meekenes wheras it is so ioygned with true fortitude that nothinge can be more firmely and surely tyed therevnto For they both issue and flowe from one headspringe and fountaine and the one wonderfully beautyfieth and adourneth the other NOwe let vs come vnto the last argument of this notable writer wholy consistinge in religion and in those olde Ceremonyes wyth all wickednes polluted and defiled For he thinketh that bloudy sacrifice and slaughter of beastes to haue sutch force and efficacy that was able vppon a sodaine of timerouse persons to make fearce and hardy And vs that neither vse any such bloudy sacrifice nor imbrue our aulters with the bloude of fowre footed beastes nor looke vpon the bowells and intralles of beastes he supposeth by this inconuenience happening by the meanes of our religion to be depriued of many necessarye meanes and furtheraunces to the attayninge of vertue Here truely I knowe not what might be added eyther to the rage of his impietye or to the blindnes and folly of his minde for to compare horrible supersticion with the most holy religion of the euerlastinge God it is an offence paste all satisfaction and abhominably wicked but to thinke him that can beholde with a countenaunce voyde of quakinge and tremblinge feare in the butcherly manglinge of beastes like to proue a valiaunt man it is a plaine argument of extreme madnes For if wee shall followe his counsell why do wée not muster all the butchers wée can get Why do wée not also presse foorth to battaile hangemen for they of force must be more cruell then other which quarter and cut vp the bodies of men That they forsooth with that Noble courage that they haue gotten by thrustinge in their armes elbowe déepe in the bloude of beastes and by sharpe punishment of condempned persons might desperately venture amonge the thyckest of their enemies and keepe vs safe
cōfirmed his mind with praiers powred out to God with an earnest and Zealous affection Which his godlines and deuotion a singuler good effecte followed For as sone as the banners beinge displaied he came hand to hande to bicker with his enemies sodainely there arose most vehement and mightye whirlewindes which ouerthrewe his enemies host and rebounded with great force their dartes slonge at Theodosius his host vpon their owne heades This noble victorye Claudian recordeth for in this maner hee writeth vnto Theodosius O too too deare to mighty God to whom from caues belowe In armour clad colde winter stormes Don Aeole out doth throwe Whom souldiarlike the welkin serues to whom at trōpets soūd The Windes obeye as thoughe conspird their enmies to cōfound Agayne what may be spoken of Carolus Martellus is it to be thought he coulde beinge at the firste a man of small power and ability haue raised himselfe to so greate honour and glory without the aide assistance of Christe himselfe present Especially sith he hath done those valiaunt actes that by mans power could by no meanes possible be atchiued It may seeme peraduēture vnto many in credible that is written three hundred seuenty thowsande Arabians were in one skirmishe slaine through the onely valiaunt dealinge and happy gouernmēt of the said Marcellus and in that time whē that nation was most stronge and puissaunt and had subdued and spoyled all Spaine Affrica But vnto me truly nothinge seemes lesse to be wondered at For there is nothinge so hard to ouercome or so well fortified and defended which a most noble minde inflamed with the loue of God may not vtterly ouerthrowe and beat downe to the grounde Charles the greate bourninge with the like zeale made moste sharpe and vehement warres againste the enemies of them that professed the name of Christe and for the wealthe of Chrystyans neuer refused anye daunger what soeuer Therefore his greate vertues by the which as by certaine staires he climebed vp to heauen are cōmended to immortall memory by all manner of worthye Monumentes Longe after him many other Princes Italians and French beinge inflamed with the like feruent zeale of religion Godfreye beinge their captaine generall a man mutch renoumed aswell for his singular stoutnes of courage as for his rare exceedinge sanctimony banishinge the Turkes and Saracens recouered Syria Cylicia all that parte of Asia and in the ende with mayne force and with a stronge army wonne Hierusalem for deliuerance whereof they relinquished all those thinges which in mans life are deare and pleasunt and tooke vppon them vnmeasurable toyle and laboure In whom I knowe not whether I shoulde more admire their princely puissaunce or their vnspeakeable vertue and godlines For their valiantnes was so great that they subdued the Barbarians driuinge them out of the borders of Syria whych were so stronge and many in number that they had in theyr mindes purposed to extinguishe and raze out of the memory of man the very name of a Christian Their exceedinge great vertue and godlines dyd appeare in this that beinge neither vrged by necessity nor prouoked by iniury they made warre vpon all the enemies of them that were called by the name of Christians to the intent they might reuerence and render due honour vnto such monumentes as Christe had left behinde him and to the footesteppes of Christe imprinted there in the grounde for the more liuely remembrance of the benefit of Christe bestowed vppon vs and also to take awaye and blot oute vtterly that olde infamy and reproche wherewith Christian people were somewhat stayned before as concerninge the moste holy place of his sepulchre which had bene spitefully abused by the Barbarians VVHat shoulde I intreate of the worthye and noble actes of the Spaniardes with most stoute and couragious stomaches and rare and singular godlines done and accomplished Which were of such sorte that no wyse man can otherwise surmise but that they coulde not possibly be contriued without the present healpe and assistaunce of Christe for whose loue the whole nation of the Spaniardes did cherefully aduenture and hazarde their liues For when as the powre and strength of all Arabie and Afrike together makinge a rode and rushinge into Europe had subdued the Spaniardes by sworde and murdered most cruelly an infinite numbre of men a very fewe persons in numbre of them that were left a liue after that great ruin and wracke gatheringe themselues together did so valiauntly withstand and kepe backe the force of their enemies that they deliuered a great parte of Spaine and set them againe at libertye Their successours also not longe after followed the ensample of those their auncestours in such sorte that beinge but a fewe in numbre at that time when as Africa did vse very ofte to sende in greate strength of men to succoure and ayde the Saracens then dwellinge in Spaine they did not onely withstande the forcible inuasion of so huge a multitude and valiauntlye abide their violent force but also at length they droue all the Barbarians cleane out of Spaine The which noble and valiaunt acte your graces graundfather Ferdinande the Kinge Lewis most noble Prince was wonderfully commended and praysed of all men as a man of stomach vnconquerable and excellent man for all qualities euerye waye singularly to be honoured But if a man shoulde aske the question howe it came to passe that the selfe same people which had brought vnder their subiection Spaine then florishinge and in good estate was afterward by the remainder of Spaine expulsed and put to flight he shall finde no other cause thereof but an earnest zeale to set forth the religion of Christe which afore truely was almost extinguished but after that generall scourge and calamity wherewith those our countries were afflicted was wonderfully stirred vppe and renued They therefore set on and vrged forwarde with that wonderfull feruent loue of vertue and godlines when they aduentured to do all maner of worthy actes in defence of Christes holy name those thinges they accomplished deseruing euerlastinge memorye It would be an endlesse laboure for mee to rehearse in howe manye places they haue put to flight and vanquished a meruaylous number of their enemies with a small bande of men howe often by most euident signes they haue perceiued that healpes and supplyes came downe from Heauen vnto theym whych was playnely to bee seene in Alphonsus the first kinge of Portugale and the chyefest of youre name and kinred For that man indued wyth ryghte excellente vertues and sutch pyetye as exceedeth common creditte hauinge consumed his whole age in moste holye warres taken in hand for the honoure and dignity of true religion and seeyng on a certayne day himselfe with a very smal bande of men ready to encounter with a huge and mighty host he he held in the element the image of Christ being rounde about it enlightened wyth a shyning brightnes wyth which sight hee was so encouraged animated that he ouerthrew and