A letter sent by F.A. touchyng the proceedings in a priuate quarell and vnkindnesse betweene Arthur Hall and Melchisedech Mallerie Gentlemen to his very friende L.B. being in Italie VVith an admonition to the Father of F.A. to him being a Burgesse of the Parliament for his better behauiour therein To the right worshipful Sir Henrie Kneuet Knight the Printer wishes worship health and long life AFter by an extraordinarye meanes good Knight this letter with the appurtenances in written hand came to be mette withall by mee I was of diuers mindes one way not to bestowe the cost on such a trifle an other way not to consent to the smothering of wel disposed as I take it persons thirdly not to thrust out what I found presupposed with partiall minde to harme innoceÌ„ts as I coÌ„ceiue it hauing preferred wil be it so before reason I yeelde to you my labour and the setting my letters togither praying with all that my good wil may be accepted by you who I caÌ„ wel gather a partie in this tragedie couÌ„tes himselfe much beholding to and tho I might direct perhap my trauel to men as it seemeth of verie good availe and friendes to maister Hal in this case yet good Sir Henrie you shal haue it refuse it not take in good part and glorie that your wel doings deserues hath thaÌ„ks not for benefit groweÌ„ of your good motions but for the rote of vertue ioyned with gentleman lie minde whiche not in this only but in manie other actions layes open to the worlde and therfore needles for me to repeate I leaue as I beganne wishing you all prosperity I Know you haue ere this expected my ordinarie letters whiche are to you into Italie from me out of England the remembrers and I hope preseruers of our olde acquaintance I measure you by my selfe for I am most glad to reade his friendly lines whose presence if I might I woulde more willinglie imbrace You may not misdeeme for that I wrote not to you this laste moneth so it is that since my last being with you in Italie and els where at whiche tyme I desired to make my selfe acquaynted with the state of forrayne countries I haue sought aswell to learne what the horse meanes as the carte that is in my returne I supposed I knâ—we all bycause I had seene more than my neighbours but finding myne owne weakenesse being questioned withall of mere Englande wherein for wante of experience I coulde not answere I found I had begon at the wrong ende I ranne to gaze vpon Fraunce and knew not Kent I vewed Spayne and neuer was in Deuonshyre exactly as I thought I iudged of Italie neuer traueyled Wales I came home by large Germanie wherin I supposed I had a pretie sight and yet not able to wade with you how the poore kingdome of Man is sited And as I was ignorant of the seate of this lande so was I further to seeke in the auncient rytes and vsuall gouernment thereof Which considered finding my self a meÌ„ber of that body I sought to mende my wante and to beginne to take a better course rather late than neuer wherefore I haue since my arriuall here endeuoured my selfe to vnderstand mine owne countrie and my Father your well wisher as you know aduised me at my home coÌ„ming to be coÌ„tent rather to learne than teache to be more willing to heare than speake and that quoth he you shall well finde that yong men stande better for the most parte in their owne conceytes than there is cause I am a membre of the graue great and considerate Councell of the Parliament the whiche my rowme I will labour you shall haue this next Sessions if God so please wherein what you shall finde declare at your home comming For wrastelers quoth he thinke themselues strong men till they meete with theyr betters good wits specially standing in their owne lightes for affection sake can abide no disputacion Take the best and leaue the worst and you shall reape in fewe lines the trauels of my olde yeares Reade me this shorte aduice whiche here I giue you and with that retched me a small Booke of his owne hand writing the copie whereof I sende you herewith All this some will thinke needelesse as things not according to our vsuall aduises I so confesse but bycause I meane to leaue the occurrents dayly looked for as newes and to write to you of a case happened of late here whiche tho it be of no great importance beyng the action of meane and pryuate persons yet twoo causes moues mée thereto whiche are these The first for that men willingly heare matters of those with whome familiaritie and acquayntance hath bene Nexte bycause I haue hearde it often spoken that it is euill to belye the Deuill and that I see and heare suche vntrueths spredde abroade and also I muste needes say of some who know their woordes are wrongfully wrested to the great preiudice of the credite of Master Arthur Hall whose companie at Padoa the yeere 1568 you once were gladde of and thought it a contented meeting whiche happened in that towne betweene you two I in companie at Antenors tombe where firste you had sight one of an other is the seconde occasion that I write of this matter at this presente vnto you First assure your selfe that what I deliuer vnto you is most directly tolde without leanyng eyther to the one side or to the other for I haue taken great obseruation in my collections tho some perhappe will thinke the matter deserues no suche trauayle To describe the man vnto you I thinke I neede not your knowledge of him in Italie can sufficiently iudge what he was then you may remembre God hath done his parte on him as wee say in English his capacitie hys sensible tongue at will to vtter his mynde no wante of audacitie of sufficient courage well disposed to liberalitie louyng and sure to his friende secrete where he is trusted and I haue founde hym to haue greate care of his worde not wholly vnlearned with a smacke of the knowledge of diuerse tongues the inclination of the good partes whiche do budde in hym I may not omitte and so lykewise not forget the taches of his mother Eue which I find in him whiche are these Ouerweenyng of himselfe whiche brings many infirmities to the persone whiche is infected with that canker furious when he is contraried â–ª without pacience to take tyme to iudge or doubte the daunger of the sequele as your selfe is witnesse of his dealings at Rome at Florence in the way betweene that and Bollonia and at Bollonia it selfe the yeere aboue named so implacable if he conceyue an iniurie as Sylla will rather be pleased with Marius than he with his equals in a maner for offences growne of tryfles But herein I haue tolde hym my opinion whiche is that sithe he will leane so muche to his owne inclination that God will sende a shrewde Cowe shorte hornes whiche
some difference shoulde be had and lighter hande layed on hym than the seruaunt whose faulte was not venyable M. Comptroller with no lesse grauitie than good conscience and as muche experience as yeares coulde giue aduised no further procéeding the more to perswade he brought foorth the dealings of considerate Princes who hauing what is conuenient to be obtayned be not to scrupulous of needelesse consequences he had no sooner done but with the reste of the Councell Master Hatton and others of the house hee departed to White hall to the Lordes aboute a Commitee At whiche tyme M. Hatton wisshed M. Hall to procure the cause to be stayed till theyr returnes Sir Henry Kneuet was very full whose good minde might not broke as he tooke it suche harde measure he dealt not as a changelyng one day in one sorte and the nexte in an other but as you haue hearde denied punishment of the Seruaunt and much lesse of the Maister in the beginnyng of his speeche The Speaker woulde needes put a question whether Hall shoulde auoyde the house or no away hee muste lette hym hereafter take heede of speakyng agaynst London minstrelles Master Harrington and M. Leyton dyd hym no good staying the vtteryng of what he meante to speake as you hearde for after he neuer had conuenient occasion for the purpose M. Winter had not bene at Anticyra hys choller and melancholie was not purged the fayling of his voyce was shewe sufficient of the affection of hys minde many woordes to aggrauate the matter some ordinary as in suche cases but some otherwise auouchyng that Hall as the day before in the afternone was at Arundels at dyce and therfore the house abused in that it was there reported hee was sicke whiche as hee had of heare say as him selfe confessed so did he roue at randone Further comming to bryng in question how Mallerie was hurte by Halles man he wisshed the Maister alwayes not to commaunde that acte to be done by his seruaunt whiche him selfe durste not doe Durus sermo and specially of his mouth who as he is knowen to be of sufficient courage so ought not to coÌ„dâ—mne a Gentleman of pusillanimity who he neuer trâ—ed for his wordes can no lesse importe M. Fraunces Alforde whome M. Winter had touched in parte of his tale for saying M. Hall was sicke the day before desired the answearing of him in whose speech M Snagge did somewhat intermeddle but as M. Alforde lackes no sufficiency in his arguments he deales with so hath he audacitie answeareable to deliuer his opinion maugre interruption He charged M. Winter that his spéech did declare his affected minde him selfe also for the zeale to equity and fauour to his friende M. Hâ—ll did offende in the same kinde by his owne open confessioÌ„ he disswaded the punishment he aduised al men to suppose that one Gentleman durst do asmuch as an other that of all others M. Hal was not to be touched for any collation laying downe his large offers and direct vsages his man as little in séeking to discharge his suerties a parte deseruyng prayse rather than misdéeming that the officers should themselues haue looked not to touche any belongyng to that assembly that the administrator should worthely lose his execution for volenti non fit iniuria if any wrong was done he was the cause of it M Norton and many others were of contrary minde perswading the punishment of the Scholemaister who is named heretofore M. Sentpoole M. Digges M. Dannet M. Iohn Talbot others followed M. Alforde especially for cléeryng M. Hall and the Scholemaster and also left not that parte of M. Winters tale vnansweared wherein he made mention of the hurting of Mallerie M. Beale tooke of his coÌ„science Hal was guilty of the fault before they came to the question it grew very late and darke being past seuen of the clocke many would haue departed the dore was kepte by commandement of the Speaker Sir Owen Hopton M. Bricket and M. Dalton moued eyther an ende to be made of al those causes sith the money should be payde or els to deferre the whole till the house was full they would not be hearde wherefore they all standing with more disorder than I must touch so graue a Councell with the Speaker presents two questions the first whether Smalley should to the Tower thether must he the secoÌ„d whether Kertleton the Scholemaister must drinke of the same cup or no the iudgement was doubtfull the diuisioÌ„ of the house was desired but whether latenesse lacke or wil was the cause I know not with many disconteÌ„ted minds it is ruled ouer that the yea was the greater I am sure the Clarke coulde not see to enter iudgemeÌ„t diuers of M. Hals friends came to him he beyng without at the dore finding themselues greatly grieued with the euents and at theyr wits endes what direction to appoynt wherewith I shall not forget him he repeted two verses vsed by Aeneas in great extremitie the one Troy al in flame and past hope of recouery and the other in extreeme hunger and misery happened in his search of Italie Vna salus victis nullam sperare salutem that is quoth he for me For you Durate vosmet rebus seruate secundis He yeelded them great thankes whose fauors so liberally vsed toward him did answeare more contentement thaÌ„ the aduerse hap misliking he was aduised to make vertue of necessitie to yeelde when as there was no other remedy he first lamented to be euill spoken of in that auditory hauing by his large offers shewed sufficieÌ„tly the small regarde he had to a hundred pound to be iniured by the deceased Mallerie and that in so hie a degree his man wounding hym to be so deepely condemned considering the euidence the debt grew of nothing disbursed to be payde to an administrator whereby no penny to Malleries creditors should be answeared that being discharged of the execution by the house and consenting to pay a hundred pound for the quieting of al causes his two men should be coÌ„mitted to the Tower that he and others requesting but time to haue the company full coulde not obtayne so reasonable a sute that the dore was kepte that the house might not be deuided beyng desired and that as he sayde it might be termed opâ—s tenebrâ—rum being in the afternone waÌ„ting time to enter the decree These spâ—eches passed from him with great heate saying he would dryue out one extremitie with an other he seemed to be touched at the quicke protesting he was not able to beare the opprobrie his contâ—aries woulde in corners spreade abroade he séemed to make light of ten times the value of the money tho it were not his ease to pay it so great accompt of the recited premisses as it was told him by them that wished him well that a Princes hart with a poore mans habilitie was an ill medley that coÌ„tinuall kicking wil make the backe ake many enemies bréede disquietnes takyng leaue one of
known that vsed such lewde practises why quoth Master Drake you are suspected to be one of the number wyth hye words he denied it desiring wher how of whoÌ„ he had bin so touched In generalitie maister Drake told him the opinion of many his own iudgemeÌ„t withal Hinc illae â—â—â—brima maister Halles speeches to him here before recited yet that he had small cause to deeme euil of him forasmuch as he had deliuered theÌ„ in so good sort as he did Two days after being y tenth of March Mallerie came to Hal in Poules and within my hearing charged him very hotely that he had reported him too be a Cousiner of folkes at Mawe Hals answeare was thys Maister George Freuel a geÌ„tlemaÌ„ of my lord of Susser his being by M. Mallerye I neuer sayde so beleue mee for I desire not to haue to do in your causes in any respect I went to Toyes shoppe a Stationer at the signe of the Helmet supposing this matâ—er had bin ended where I sawe togyther Hal Mallerye Freuel and as it were with theÌ„ Maister Robert Audeley a gentlemaÌ„ and fellow to maister Freuel perceiuing theÌ„ to cluster togither like Iohn Grayes birde vt dicitur who always loued company I inclined to vnderstande some more of thâ— matter Mallery vouched that Drake woulde veryfie that Hal had saide as much as hee had charged him with in Poules â–ª wherewith M Hal tolde him that he was assured so much of Master Drakes honestly as he would neuer do it also that he desired Mallery to choose some body else out to shew himselfe on rather than on him for that he desired quietnesse of al meÌ„ wold haue no question with him as froÌ„ whom he could purchase no reputatioÌ„ The same after noone it was my chaÌ„ce to be at Iohn Crokes where there is a bowling alley of the half bowle whether doth repaire many Merchants sundry geÌ„tlemen in a Chamber aboue diuers were at play ther was standing by M. Hal Maister Drake Maister Richarde Rich. M. Mallery and foure or fiue Londoners Mallery called Hal aside tolde that now Maister Drake was there who would to his face affirme what he had giuen out to him of his worde in Poules they two wente to him he tolde Mallerye he had done him and M. Hal wroÌ„g for he neuer reported Hals spéeches in such sort nether could iustly do but that M. Hal did not only giue iudgement of him in euil part but rather semed to excuse or at the least leaue in suspence the euil conceiued opinioÌ„ of him M Hal was patient tho M. Mallery wer hoate and wente his wayes not seeming to heare harde wordes which Mallerie sent after him So teÌ„perate an end was much maruelled at of manye and M. Hal being demaunded what he ment by so much suffraunce answered he was forced to be quiet for as I vnderstode after he was then bound to the peace in no smal summes for troubles in his owne shire wherwith I haue nothing to doe it touches not thys matter Tyl the last of Iune 1574. following nothing happened that I can learne worth the registering betwéene the parties but euil wordes in corners one of another small to the reputioÌ„ of him whoÌ„ they were reported of lesse to him who was the reporter The same day at one Wormes who kept a table beside Fléete bridge in the late house of Courtely curteous Gilbert Walker at dinner time being there present my lord Cromewel M Thomas Farmer Master Finchame Master Boother M. Sidnam Maister Thomas Fisher and others M. Mallerie verye warmely beganne to play with M Hall if such rough pastime may be couÌ„ted play reporting him to be a knaue a foole and a boy and Maister Farmer like himselfe hearing these wordes sayde hee meruayled that Hall should be such a man hardly beleeuing the same bycause hée knewe him aswel as any other present Mallerie followed againe and prayed him to deliuer too Hal hys wordes for quoth he a knaue he is in denying his wordes he vttered of mee to Drake a foole for that the last Parliamente he vsed in the house such spéeches as he craued pardon with protestation abandoning theÌ„ and confessing his folly a boy for that he durst not goe into the fielde with mee Maister Finchame much misliking such extraordinary table talke and that of one absent tho Maister Farmer were appointed to do Malleries message yet did hee determine to giue M. Hall knowledge of the same and comming into Paules â–ª met wyth hym walking there to whom he declared the fore recited spéeches of Mallerie wherewith Hal fetching as it were a great gronâ— sayd Maister Fynchman I am greatly beholding vnto you for this your curtesie and wherin I am able you shal finde me ready to pleasure you But what an vnhappy man am I too haue any question with such a one as he is whose companyâ— I haue alwaies as I might auoyded what iniury is thys to bâ— thus spoken of in open place where I am not to answered but be you wyth indifferent eares iudge what vnkinde dealing this is As for the first part wherein he charges mee to be a knaue for reporting him vntruly to maister Drake and then denying the same I haue witnesse enough how Drake himselfe did in al pointes discharge me to his face of all sinister dealings therein For that I am a foole for matters paste in Parliament I meane no disputations you haue hearde enough thereof But howe fondlye so euer I did behaue my selfe there I suppose it not a fit coÌ„munication for an ordinary table A boy forsooth I am for so it pleaseth M. Mallerie to terme me for not accepting his offer to deale in quarel wyth hym Assuredly on my fidelity hee neuer himself or by other moued any such thing to me if he had I would haue kepte my selfe from the same I trust you take it not for feare but if any gentlemanne of accompte wil accepte the quarell I will so deale as belongs to mee or else confesse M. Mallerye hath wel reported so ending with thankes to Maister FinchmaÌ„ they departed M. Halles stomacke beganne to boyle as some cause he had and more if al had béene true and presently he wente to Maister Farmers lodging whiche was harde by Worms desirous to enquire more exactly of the matter tho Maister Finchams honestie and credite is suche as no doubt were to be made of his report in a farre greater cause Not finding Master Farmer he went into Wormes desirous either to méete with him or M. Mallerye the one for small good will the other for friendship In the dyning roome he founde maister Edwarde Gryuell and maister Butcher and saluting them he demaunded for Farmer thoughe hys errand were as muche to Mallerye they made aunswere he had bin there but now was gone wherewith maister Hall spying thorowe the glasse window my Lord Souche talking with another and supposing it hadde bene M. Mallerie in some hast went into the
some stiffe on the behalfe of Mallerie that he forced not of the money that he would caste away fiue times asmuch rather than his enimies so terming the Malleries shoulde enioy any thing A charitable man to make a Bishop of that himself was cause he had put the matter to comprimise that he reposed his confidence chiefly in him Sir Henry Kneuet as well he might to whome he was most assuredly beholding praying him in what he might to withstand and restrayne the liberal giuers away of his Coyne In the morning in the Treasury chaÌ„ber by M. Treasurer M Comptroler M Mildmay M. Hatton M. Hopton M. Kneuet M. Winter M Wilson M. Louelace M. Papham M. Colby M. Croke and I thinke Sir Nicolas Arnold Hal and the Malleries were called in where M. Treasurer declared to them that it was agreed Hall shoulde pay a hundred pound to the Administrator of the deceased Mallerie betwene that and the beginning of the next Terme He and the Malleries to release all matters touching the sutes betweene them Hal intemperately sware he would neuer performe the same alledging that some of the CoÌ„mittees were not indifferent neither agreed on by him and being demaunded who they were he tooke such exceptions to he named Sir William Winter M. Wilson M. Popham M. Colby and M. Croke he willed to yeelde his reason which was bicause they were agaynst the matter when the house was deuided he sayde they woulde not in theyr dealings but coÌ„firme their owne opinions M. Winter found him selfe most grieued saying Hal was not to rule his conscience tho he were a better man than he was comparisons be hateful but if betternesse may go by worthinesse in all respects and Hal be his owne iudge he will giue no place to M. Winter tho he be a Knight M. Wilson to whom M. Hal hath alwayes singularly bene beholding and E conuerso the other to him as far as his smal habilitie and good will could stretche was much miscontented that he shoulde be named among the reste to whome Hal sayde that he would committe a matter of far greater importaunce to his handes But for asmuch as in priuate talke betwene them he was so much agaynst the discharging of the prysoner he woulde not haue admitted him a iudge in the cause Well the matter was grieuouslye taken and thereof complaynte some sayde they woulde make to the house by the aduise of Sir Henry Kneuet and M. Hatton muche agaynst Hals will the money shall be payde WheÌ„ the Malleries saw that Hal was entreated they sued also to be at libertie and that they should leaue all things as they found them the Malleries pleased as I think tho they made face otherwise Hal almost mad for anger diuers of the Committees disquieted some to the Parliament others to theyr owne busines departed The vj. of March M. Wilson with vnloked for speeches of M. Hal and his friends coÌ„sidering the frieÌ„dship had bin betwene theÌ„ inueyed in the house hardly agaynst him how he had very warely charged the CoÌ„mitters and that there appeared great fraude cunning in his maÌ„ whose wordâ—s did importe that his Maister was the procurer and Counceller thereof M. Winter M. Snagge with others shotte their shaftes into the same hole M. Treasurer as indiffereÌ„t bare him self M. Mildmay M. Hatton M. Colby and M. Alforde and others directly impugned Wilson Snagges allegacions it was ordered that Hal Mallerie with his Councell Smalley the next day in the afternone should come to the house as it was appointed the parties appeared Hal being within and the others attending without after a bill or two redde M Snagge called on the matter Hal desired that the house might be â—ull and that as diuers inuectiues speeches greatly to his reproch had passed in the same he might cleare him self before as great an assembly or els be condempned of all crauing further that the Committées of the cause might be there who were best acquaynted with it As the request was reasonable so to my thinking it was not refellde for they turned to other billes shortly after came in M CoÌ„ptroller M. Mildmay M. Sadler M. Hatton â–ª M. Snagge must needes on with his chace the abuse of the place was horrible consultation must he had resolution determined and iudgement giuen The speaker stoode vp saying it was very conuenient to know whether Hall and the Malleries would stande to the awarde or no Andrew and Fraunces were called to the barre Andrew besought the house he might be at libertie yet rather then that coÌ„pany should conceyue amisse of him he and his brother condescended Hal being also demaunded of his determination required first to be satisfied in two poinâ—es the first whether it was ordered that he should chuse three or foure for the Awarde the house as many It was answered no tho I know he was and I thinke is of an other opinion the second why without his knowledge after the first Committees named there were more put to them that the speaker and some other denied I suppose of ignorance For true it was neuerthelesse he agreed to performe the Awarde if they would so wishe it tho earnestly he desired the contrary it was set downe the Malleries and Huyt shoulde release and discharge all bondes controuersies and questions dependyng vpon the first quarrell and this great action That Hall should enter bonde in two hundred markes in Recognizance for the payment of a huÌ„dred pound the first of the Terme following M. Sergeant Louelace and M. Recordeâ— were the men shoulde sée this done accordingly M. Meredith of the Temple a man whome I neuer hearde speake before foorthwith called out for the abusing of the house his earnestnesse was great his thrust to punishe abuse much whiche if hee regarded onely without affection sure he deserued commendations tho small thankes of M. Hall or his man for bothe as hee affirmed had couenously fraudulently and cunningly dealt with that Councel and therfore he requested sharpe penaunce for such misdemeanour M. Hal stoode vp to haue answeared hym but sitting betweene Sir Iames Harrington and M. Leyton they pluâ—te hym downe aduising hym to let others firste speake who were in hande to cast licour in M. Merediths fire M. Gente of the Inner temple was at hande to put dry water to encrease the â—ame and M. Frauncis Alforde was ready at one instant with cleare running water to suppresse the inconuenience was lyke to grow The question grewe who was vp firste Gente alledged he was he and woulde not lose his aduauntage clayming the prerogatiue in the same case De lana caprina was the contention he had it Do you remember the inuectiue orations that passed betwéene Tullie and Cateline thankes be to God the matter was not so great Gente is Cicero Halles man muste be an example woe be to hym for so it is sayde his Maister muste not passe frée by his motion yet so good he was to hym that
hetherto he hath done to hym Also spending more tyme in sportes and following the same than is any way commendable and the lesse bycause I warrant you Non friget ludus for it is â—ine lucro the summes be great are dealte for Thus muche for the firste persone of this Tragedie Now as touching the other whiche was Master Melchisedech Mallerie I neede spende no great time aboute him and that for two causes one for that you knew him in FlauÌ„ders of late time as I could put you in remembraunce by good tokens if I woulde The other for asmuch as God hath taken him and therefore as De absentibus nil nisi bonum so De mortuis nil nisi optimum he was as you know of a good spryte ready tongue in audacitie forwarde what else he was disposed to this needelesse for the causes before recited as I haue partly sayd before Some wise meÌ„ wil meruayle if this come to their handes that I spende my time to wryte to you so long a treatise of so small a matter as of the vnkindnesse or quarel of two so meane Gentlemen therefore thinke I haue litle to do or lesse witte â–ª I haue meruayled oft what the wryters meant to put to our readings the Rounde table knights Beuis of Hampton the Knight of the Swanne the foure sonnes of Amon Amadis Orlando furioso Espandion il Caualleire del sole Valentine and Orson the Greekes Olgarden the Dane a thousand more such tryfling Fables yet do I see many men of iudgement read them some for the tongue and some for the matter reape benefite of both likewise I may not so wholly condemne this my trauell wherein onely truth is reported Durus est sermo some will thinke assuredly no falsifying of any matter of substance neither is my conscience in minimis but as casually men may fault but that a man may profite himselfe in one of the two partes that is for the matter whiche if he well consider he shall finde more than perhap is looked for in so simple a Title there is not so euill a floure but the Bee may gather hony of it Who so desires to be delighted with Eloquence let him spend his time in other store houses for here he shal but loose his labour If you will keepe to your selfe this Letter or rather missiâ—e Pamphlet I shal be assured to auoyde the diuerse verdites of manyfolde iudgements and I am well pleased that you deeme therof as best shal like you See the fruyte of play In the yere 1573. there was one Robert Phillipson who in Lothbery in London kepte a table of xij pence a meale for Gentlemen where the xvj of December the 〈◊〉 ere M. Hall M. Mallorie M Edward Cordall M. 〈◊〉 house my self and diuerse honest Marchants of the towne supped supper ended the dice was throwen on the borde who must pleasure the good man of the house by paying the â—oxe and displease the whole companie by occasions dayly guinitye to so good an exercise the sporte lasted not the throwing oute of euerye bodyes hande aboute the bourde and yet al the companye dyd not playe but M. Mallerie gaue the lye wyth harde wordes in heate to one of the players who either for quietnesse sake or for other cause made smal replye wherevppon M. Mallerie followed as he began I canne yéelde you no reason neither yet if I could wold I for I am reporter now of the truth in al partes and not a declarer of my opinion as a iudge M. Hal séemed to take the matter in hand a thankelesse office for speaking before hee was féed and sayde I maruaile M. Mallerie that where there is suche company which séeme honest you will to the preiudice of their smal reputations vse such vnséemly wordes Mallery made chalenge that he would say so who so euer durst be his contrary Whervpon Hal tickled sware as he wil not sticke to lende you an othe or twoo that for hys gallant challenge it were a good déede being no greater a man for he was but little as you know to throw him oute at the window Here Etna smoked daggers were a drawing one rose from his place the other walked vp and downe they woulde haue gone together but as god would they went not the goodman lamented the case for the slaunder that a quarel should be in his house the rest of the company wished quietnesse and for my parte I found the parties themselues reasonably wel disposed to friendshippe The matter was ended for this fitte with commemoration how well one loued an other as many times of euil beginnings comes worsse ends so now againe on the other side honest and friendly dealings wel ment settes the Towe on fire for in Februarye following Master Rich. Drake a gentleman well bearing himselfe alwayes thou attending vpon my L. of Leicester but now the Quéenes maiestyes seruaunte in ordinarye aduised M. Hall as his friende to take héede to himselfe in playe forasmuch as he had some waies vnderstoode of indirect dealings touching the same and specially for the giuing signes of hys game at Mawe a play at cardes growne out of the country from the meanest into credite at the courte with the greatest Hal toke his friendship in good parte as he had good cause craued withal to shewe whom he mistrusted who as one not making tales on his fingers endes named Melchisedech Mallery as a maÌ„ to be doubted off In troth quoth Hal yesternight he trode on my foote I being at Maw at Mistresse AruÌ„dels the old honorable ordinary table as I may terme it of EnglaÌ„d but what he ment therby I know not I thinke no euil The eight of March after there was at supper at one Iohn Crokes who kept an ordinary table in White crosse streate of twelue pence a meale Maister William Daunsey Maister Drake before named Maister Nicholas Gorge Maister Frauncis Woodhouse M. Hal M. Mallerye aâ—d one or two Marchauntes some of them had bin at oâ—â— sporte some at an other as I hearde theÌ„selues repoâ—t and some shewed openly what cuÌ„ning might be vsed at plâ—â— in the talking wherof I met them coÌ„ming out of the â—ore about ten of the clocke at night Hal being passed not aboue twenty yardes before the rest in the streate homewardes to his lodging discoursing one with an other of the premisses Master Drake detesting such vngentlemanly shifts began to condemne such practises and withal recited what reports went of some noâ— naming any who kept company with the vsual best gentlemen in the town condemning their degenerate kind professing theÌ„selues of the breede in yéelding to so base so abiect shamelesse an occupation as to take the worst parte of al parts of the play in haÌ„d which was to giue by secrete signes notice of his cardes and playe whose good meaning would haue truste a horsekeper with a greater matter At these wordes or such like M. Mallery replyed and sayd that it were good he were
Gentlemen who stood by aduisâ—dly marked the whole fraye M. Roger Townsende and M. Frauncis Woodhouse afore named theyr free hold which in the common Law of England is in such 〈◊〉 much respected is large and yet not so large as their 〈…〉 theyr vpright dealings whiche among al men is in othes to be most accompted of they auouched that assoone as Iohn Nicholas M. Hals maÌ„ had passed M. Mallerie that he drew his rapier dagger bad his man draw his sworde before Nicholas had his weapoÌ„ out that they dealt certaine blowes togither bâ—fore Smaley came in that with such daunger to Nicholas as they theÌ„selues loked he should haue bene mischieued Further of Malleries hard vsage of Hal as is recited before the Councell argued the matter to the Iurie who went togither and M. Hal the rest to dinner to the horse head in Cheapeside where there dyned M. Townesend M. Woodhouse M. Frauncis Leake M. Drake Iohn Crouke and I my selfe at the sitting downe to dinner M. How the goldsmith came in who had hearde the matter past in Guilde hall saying he was 〈◊〉 the Iurie would giue great damages wherewith M. Hal demaunded with what conscience they could do it if they considered theyr euidence the maner of the acte and the condition of the persons betwéene whome the action depended euery man spake his iudgement not being of M. Howe 's opinioÌ„ In fine they grew to particular 〈◊〉 what would be awarded to M Mallerie and M. Hal gaue Howe a Portegue he to returne two for it if they condemned Smaley in lesse than lx pounde if aboue he to haue it This tyme M. Mallerie rested in Guylde hall for two causes one to sée the sequele of his matter the 〈◊〉 he durâ—â— not come forth vnderstanding that M. Hal had layed to arrest him agayne for the action of the case of more wordes duryng whiche time Thier the foreman of the Iurie came forth enquyring for M. Mallerie who was not found for he had hid himself for feare of arrest he 〈…〉 Richard Mallerie his brother walking with 〈◊〉 in the hall which one Guy toke exceptions too bycause the verdite was not giuen vp Thier goes in againe to his fellowes and presently they gaue vp theyr verdite which was Smaley must pay a hundred poundes for damages and â—ij peace for coâ—tes Guie brings this newes to M. Hal at the horse head and with him M. Edwards the goodman of the house whereat who rages now 〈…〉 the matter in dugion but M. Hal who exclames 〈…〉 and well spoken of â—â—iends the Londoâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 now repents of the defences to his abilitie he hath made for them in all places where any thing was spoken to theyr rebuke who now condemned himselfe for standing so much in his owne conceyte to beléeue well of theyr good willes to him and his who now finds that the paying of xxv in the hundred in vsurie and more than is reason gayne in a yarde of silke or stuffe did make hym haue so many Caps and fayre countenances but he and yet must I needes confesse that in al his choller and heate he acknowledged himselfe asmuch bounde to some Merchantes within the walles of London as any Gentleman euer was allowing many to be worshipfull graue and wise Cytizens Well what will you haue more the kyll is a fire the nexte day M. Hal gettes him to his foote-cloth trottes to Grayes Inne there he desired M. Kitchin to shew M. Sergeant Louelace who was at the reading in the hall that he was desirous to speake with him about the businesse in hand who vnderstanding betweene whome it was refused to be of Counsell therein for that M. Mallerie had made him priuie thereto before and desired that he would be assistant to him then to the Temple goes M. Hal confers with M. Anderson what now is best to do beyng not so carefull to saue the money his man shoulde pay as desirous to Crosse M. Mallerie and to make him recken therein without his host M. Anderson did meruayle at the excessiue damages that the Iurie â—ounde and aduised that 〈…〉 whiche no way liked M. Hall alledging that it was impossible to touche them with periurie who shoulde be tried by theyr neighbourly peeres and that he coulde not finde any president in the lyke whereby any hope was to be had agreed it was 〈…〉 〈…〉 M. Anderson 〈◊〉 to Guildhall there sitting Sir Iames Hawes then Mayor Sir Lionell Duâ—ket Sir Rowland Hayward the 〈◊〉 be alledged diuersâ— poyntes wherein erroâ—r was coâ—mitted also the 〈…〉 with Richard Mallerie wehrevpon iudgement was stayed The nexte day after the Mayor diuerse of the Aldermen and the Recorder sitting M. Daniell and M. Kitchin moued the Court for stay of iudgement and so was it graunted till the firste day of the Terme following with crauing heede to be taken for amendment of the Recorde whiche by M. Recorder and M. Seabright the towne Clerke was willingly and perfectly graunted The firste of Marche M. Mallerie wâ—nt to the Court and vsed very harde reportes to my Lord Chamberlayne then the Earle of Sussex and now also of M. Hall whose sounde and honorable iudgement is not caryed away sodenly to déeme euill of any Gentleman with the affectioned minde of an aduersarie The nexte day after M. Mallerie went but to the hyest opening his griefe to hyr Maiestie howe lewdely he was 〈◊〉 how violently layed to how vnable to reuenge the iniurie offerd him how empouerished in purse and damnified in person moste humbly desiring hyr highnesse of Iustice and not to graunt hyr pardon to M. Hals men who stoodâ— indited as you haue hearde hyr Maiesties 〈◊〉 was that he should haue Iustice and that she neuer was hasty in pardoning neyther néede he feare the same This tale must he needes deliuer also to my Lord Threasorer my Lord Burley to the whiche giuing good eare as his maner is to all suyters be they neuer so meane no vsuall thing to men in his place he tolde M. Mallerie he was sory if all were true he tolde him and I surely thinke he woulde so haue bene for how tenderly he hath alwayes loued M. Hal in his youth being brought vp in his house at Schole how carefully he hath fauored hym beyng 〈◊〉 seruaunt and what bountie he hath vsed towarde hym since he preferred him to hyr Maiesties seruice all the worlde knowes The ix of May M. Mallerie arrested M. Hal in Westminster with a byll of Middlesexe for hurting hym at Wormes The xviij of May 1575. at the Sessions at Newgate was M. Mallerie and his man indited vpon the Statute for drawing weapon in the Churchyarde The tenth of Iune M. Sergiant Harper and M. Sergiant Manhood Iustices of the common pleas came downe into Guyldhall in London where the recordes were redde and found by Smalleys counsell to be amended The xiij of the same moneth M Hall went to M. Seabright the towne Clerke and founde him selfe
another in the Palace he plucking his hatte about his eares mumbling the olde wiues Pater noster departed M. Hal had scarcely entred his owne lodging in litle Woodstreate but the Sergeants man was there to summon him Smalley and Kertleton tomorrow to be at the house to whom answere was made they were not Domi Hal gaue commaundement to his folkes to denie his being at home if any came to enquire for him the next day in the afternone the same case was againe argued wherin M. Comptroller Sir Henry Kneuet M. Hatton others fauorably moued for M. Hall and his people â–ª it was sette downe Smalley the Scholemaster must to the Tower but shortly to be deliuered that the SergeaÌ„t should leaue worde at Hals house for the bringyng in of the parties if he neglected the same to proceede with further consultation accordingly SoÌ„monance were giuen the day folowing no man appearing from Hal they tooke in very euill parte among whome M. Louelace thought he was much abused declaring how long he wayted for him to acknowledge the recognizaunce and to see the order of the house performed betweene the Malleries and him 500 markes fine by his consent is litle inough to be set on his head for this contempt A great cantell to be cut out of so small a lose as Halles is that he should by Parliament be disabled for euer to be of that Councell â–ª a harde Censure but motions be no lawes if they had bene nether would the losses haue bene irrecouerable nor the wounde past helpe of surgery Agreed it was that once againe warning should be left for these hiders of themselues and if they woulde not be seene the house should proceede to iudgement The day after M. Hall was perswaded by many of his very good frendes to procurâ— Smalleys appearance which in no case he would be brought to till he was charged that he gaue his worde for his forth-coÌ„ming at al times when he should be demauÌ„ded also that his imprisoÌ„ment should be no loÌ„ger thaÌ„ during the ParliameÌ„t he stoode too wilful in his own determination yet answering those two poynts that he vndertooke for Smalleys appearance So the vij of this moneth at which time iudgemeÌ„t was giuen against him vpon the Sergeants notice he brought him to the house there attended the rising thereof And for his short imprysonment he doubted as the sequele declared he had good cause affirming he would neuer haue condescended to the Awarde of 100 pound but for the shutting vp of al questioÌ„s In the morning M. Recorder brought a bil into the house wherein it should haue bene enacted that Hal should pay the 100. pound to be turned out for a wrangler for euer beâ—ng member of that assemble But multa cadunt inter poculum supremaque labra for at that very instant worde was brought Smaley was at the dore Yea quoth M. Recorder I thought of some suche matter for I gaue knowledge to Mistres Hall of this geare this morning I doubted not but she would sende hir maÌ„ I marâ—ell how he could hit so right but as women be vaineglorious so can they not abide such an infamy to fall to theyr husbandes he doubted not but that M. Hal was as some wiser men than he are content many times to be aduised by theyr wiues Smalley brought from his Master a letter to the house which being deliuered to the Speaker he brake vp red to him self after openly well taken saying he had thought the direction had bene to him I cannot thinke the Speaker so vnaduised but somewhat he meant thereby whiche I know not the Copy therof followeth worde for worde To the Parliament house the seuenth of February 1575. RIght honorable and worshipful my duty mâ—st humbly remembred toward you al I â—am right sory being a member of you who â—aue bent my poore good will towarde the â—ruice of my country among you in all â—outh and plainenesse that vpon opinion â—ceued of me otherwise than I haue giueÌ„â—ause in knowledge of my selfe haue proceeded against me as a â—tranger and not with that fauour as a member of such a body might in good eqâ—itie haue loked for which hath forced me sore to my great discoÌ„tentation to withdraw my self till a time of better fauour assâ—ring your honors and worships al that if my cause hâ—â— hiâ— heard and iudged in a fâ—l courte in the presence of the chiefe of the committees who were absent I should haue abidden your vttermost sentence euen to the losse of al that I had Had I vnderstande that euery sâ—nal error of mine is made an heynâ—us offence as the exceptioÌ„ against certain of the coÌ„mittees for waÌ„t of their good wils towards me is accompted a derogation to the aucthoritie of the house and mâ—ch impayring to their worships and credâ—tâ— an expositioÌ„ truly very harde and in trouth coÌ„trary to my meaning And wheras by the entreaty for the deliuery of my man I am growen in suspition among you and by some in apparant speeches made pertaker of his frauâ— iâ— procuring his owne execution what so euer is conceiued of me I assure you al it is without cause as both my offer may wâ—l declare before I moued the house for his priuiledge which was a hundred pound wherof are witnesses master Iustice Harper and MaÌ„hoode is wel is knowne to Master Sergeant Louelace as also my willingnesse since to submit my selfe to your orders for the parties satisfactioÌ„ of absenting my selfe I pray you consider no otherwise than as of one who is much greeued of your offence conceiued of him and as one that can not endure the continuâ—l herd speeches brought to mine eares much sounding to my discredite as also to see the imprisonmeÌ„t of my seruauntes for whose liberties I would haue bin contented too haue paide so deare I might iustly haue loked for some consideration in respect of the great iniurie offred too my name and credit whereof the quarel first grew as on the other side for a blow giueÌ„ without my knowledge god is my iudge sore against my will. But in al I submit my selfe to your honors wisdomes as one who is most desirous of your good opinions and fauours and wish you good successe in al honorable proceedings VVritten this seuenth of Februarie 1575. Your honours and worshippes to commaund Arthur Hall. THe messenger was called in was committed to the Tower there to lie a moneth then to be deliuered if his Master did in the meane time enter boÌ„d for the paymeÌ„t of the 100 pouÌ„d if not there to remaine til the money were payd if the day expired when it should be answered or the bonde not acknowledged before also M. Hal must pay the Sergeant M. Bowyer 40. shillings for his paines aboute these affayres Here some of M. Hals frends touching this imprisonmeÌ„t reckened without theyr hostes which he forgot not to lay to theyr charges swearing by no beggers that if he had
knoweÌ„ so much he would haue biddeÌ„ the extremitie of al. I do not recite the particuler arguments in these two daies the ix x. of this moneth bicause they are but to the purpose you haue heard in the other disputes Hal not wanting fauorâ—rs tho he had many oppugnants the xv of the moneth Hall sent one of his men to the Tower to speake with Smalley which was denied him wherevpon the day after he willed him to repayre to the Speaker to shew the dealing of the Leuetenaunt M. Bell answered the prysoner had wrong to be close kept sith the iudgemeÌ„t was not according The xix of the same moneth Hal sent Iames Chambers his seruaunt to the Leuetenaunt to declare he maruayled his man should be so straightly imprisoned his answeare was his vsage to be very good His Master could not speake with him but if he would write after the coÌ„tents were séene the letter should be deliuered The xxvj he went himself to the Tower Sir Owen Hopton not being there the prisoner could not be spoken with The xxviij M. Hal seekes out M. Recorder who aduised to pay the money presently or to put in sureties for the same for I tel you the Shreues of LondoÌ„ who now seeme to haue interest in the matter bicause Malleries administrator had no stake to sticke to if Hal had denied paymeÌ„t But they would not I deeme take a Gentlemans single bonde neither would M. Recorder but vse them to theyr best liking The next morning comes M. Mofley to Hal he perswades the like but more than couenaunt wil not be performed Wherfore in the morning Squyre Hal goes to Doctor Clerke in Pater noster Rowe where he knowledges a recognizaunce of 200. markes to the administrator for the payment of one hundred poundes the first of the Terme following the same day for the good seruice the Scholemaster Kertleton had done he was discharged his seruice wherat Cecill Hall his masters sonne was no whit discoÌ„teÌ„ted M. Hal also in the afternone rides towards his Country home at Grantham leaues the recognizaunce in his seruaunts Iames Chambers handes to be deliuered to Huyts vse to receyue the Releases accordingly loking for the deliuery of Smalley at the day preffred vntill the viij of Aprill he was posted ouer froÌ„ one to another to M. Recorder to M. Mosley c. And bicause Andrew Mallerie the agent of all these causes will not be founde tho Hall haue performed the decree yet for his pleasure his man is like to lie longer than his time by the heeles other of the Malleries were spoken withall who directly answered that if the case were theirs they would make no releases Hals insufficiency considered without a good suerty to performe the money Speeches not so much to the discredite of him as to the whole Parliament whose coÌ„sideration did inhable him for the same ChaÌ„bers repayred streight to M. CoÌ„ptroller declaring to him the vsage of this matter The ix day of April the Recorder came to M. Comptroler who willed him to frame a letter in the names of himself M. Treasurer sir Walter Mildmay M. Walsingham to be directed to the sayd Recorder wherevnto they would set theyr haÌ„ds the contents whereof to be That whereas M. Hal had performed the order set downe by the house knowledged his recognizance the time expired of his mans punishment he should make certificate to the LieuetenaÌ„t for his deliuery M. Comptroller also he coÌ„maunded that the recognizance should be takeÌ„ to M. Recorder he to keepe it till Huyt the Malleries had passed the releases to whom answer was made that by his former appoyntment it was left with M. Richard Litler his néere neighbour Hals Attorney ChaÌ„bers atteÌ„ding on the Recorder he will haue the recognizance inrolled els nothing shal be done which should theÌ„ haue bene in force against Hal he to seke for his releases backe which he forsaw giuing his man coÌ„maundement in no case to parte with his bonde with one hand but to receyue the discharges with the other which to do there was time inough for that the Recognizance was knowledged the xxix of March and the moneth came out for Smalleys imprisonmeÌ„t after the shortest reckening the vij of Aprill dayes sufficient to ende a greater cause Chambers sent with spéede for his Masters pleasure touching the deliuery of the recognizance to the Recorder which he gaue him warrant to do and offering the same it would not be receiued til the releases from the Malleries were performed nether yet wil any certificate for thenlargement of the prisoner be had so must M. Hal be vnkindely haÌ„dled pay well his man against iustice lie fast beside being laught at by his enemies in theyr sléeues the iudgement of that high Court of Parliament contempned Chambers retornes to M. Comptroller the Recorders answer praying the deliuery of Smalley that the recognizance might be in the custody of the Leuetenant till Huyt the Malleries had ended what was to be done on theyr behalfes M. Comptroller allowed of his mocion willed him to repayre to M. Treasurer for his opinioÌ„ therein he appointed that the Recorder should come to him who hauing knowledge accordingly answered he had letters from my L. Treasurer as he had in déede therefore could determine no time further that vnlesse the Malleries wold come in discharge the Sheryues or els that Hal did put in sufficieÌ„t suerties for the payment of the money the prysoner shoulde not ve enlarged for any maÌ„s pleasure A sore speech but stet pro ratione voluntas I thinke must be alledged as the best reason for such procéedings When thus much was brought to M. Hal I heard hym say that at M. Recorders hands he alwayes loked if not for fauour at the least for equitie and that he had well deserued the same M. Recorder can tell whether he sayeth truely or no yet thus much for mine owne parte with good testimâ—ny I can proue that Hal hath not spared his great good spéeches like a friendly Gentleman in the coÌ„mendations of M. Recorder against the inuectiue I thinke slaunders of diuers lauishe tongues The xxiij of Aprill M. Treasurer sent the Recognizance to sir Walter Mildmay desiring him to deale with the Recorder therein who the nexte day hauing worde went to him Andrew Mallerie and Huyt his maÌ„ were sent for by a pursiuant and with them the Secondary and Squyre came M. Recorder was or would be sicke the matter debated a whyle M. Mildmay commaunded Chambers in tolde him the day of payment was at hand that the Recognizaunce being in the Malleries handes would with difficultie vpon the payment of money be cancelled that also charge would grow thereof and therefore perswaded Donari contanti which he excusing M. Mildmay demaunded some to gyue theyr wordes to the Malleries for the more assuraunce whiche he coulde not do without his Maisters directions vrging still performaunce according to the order in
Parliament M Mallerie coulde not be contented with a Recognizaunce of M. Halles as it was decreed but muste haue his minde satisfied with the infringement of the resolution of that place and what soeuer coÌ„mes of the rest his quietnesse must be prouided for for forsooth he doubted further trouble nothing done Chambers was willed to proue a day or twoo for prouision of the money whiche if he could he would not haue done without commission thereto he therfore might haue played Coleprophetes parte if he had pleased one of the xxiiij orders and told his message before he went aboute it The recognizaunce M. Mildmay kéepes and Chambers goes aboute to see if he can finde an hundred pounds in the streates or meete with some one wil giue him so much M. Mallerie hath Smalley faste the bonde no doubte if the worst fall will at length be payde tho it tarry long spite of all M. Halles debts for yet he is a free holder The viij of May God be thanked the money is reddy somewhat before appoyntmeÌ„t with harde shift inough for beggers without daunger of lawe cannot haue money when they woulde before sir â—ater Mildmay it is by Huyt the Malleries receiued the releases performed a warraÌ„t for the prisoner to goe play him selfe signed by M. Mildmay the whiche nowe the Recorder firmes with William Fleetâ—wood the ix of the same paying xij pound to the Leuetenaunt M. Hals cosen without dayes giuen and other charges bâ—sides of xliij shillings and ten pence he was turned forth â—nd bycause he haâ—h song in so worthy a Gayle his Mastâ—r thought him not meete to chaunte in so mâ—ane a Cadge as the beste house he is like to haue so that now he may beyng Sommer learne a new note in the gréene fields Here haue you the end of this great cause thuâ— far to the excessiue charge of M Hal one way other trouble of Frendes and minde and slaunderous reporte among such as know not the truth and therfore to the more preiudice of his simple reputation My excuse I made to you at the beginning and I nothing doubt of your good accepting of my well meanyng if by accident or otherwise than I desire or hope this priuate certificate hap to the handes of any who be offended for not beyng soothed beare malicâ— for being contraried thinke vnkindnesse bicause they are not coÌ„mended as other quarrel bicause I wrote the truth or for affection sake can daunce nothing but theyr owne galliarde I must thus answeare that I haue wronged them for naming any person in this manner particularly and not put too my name your selfe knowes my stile simple God wote and therefore neede I the lesse to auoyde further question if my letters should be intercepted to set to my hande Contra verbosos nolo contendere verbis I loue no disputatioÌ„ but where I may learne Quoniam senex esse volo citò si possem eâ—o olde I must be or die yong And therefore will I yeelde ouer to the yonger to play with the worlde who carelesse hope with vncertaine likyng for great things while I with regarde to my whyte heares comming on with coÌ„tentement am glad to enioye mine owne small porcion for my paynes I craue no thankes of any straunger neyther yet of M. Hall him selfe whose good partes I muste of force confesse I do vnfaynedly loue for the rest I am sory and remayne with his enimies in one predicament for the conceyuing of his wantes but differ in desire with them towardes him bycause I pray the amendment which I doubt not of and they gape for his ouerthrow whiche were pitty if my request would come to passe I wishe truth to be reported in all causes whiche if it had bene I had saued this labour for at my beyng at Killingworth in the beginning of Aprill laste where what greate company were assembled what liberall cheere spent what familiar welcome vsed and Honorable consideration of all sortes had I referre to them that know what is incorporate to that house since it came into the handes of hym that now hath it There I say I sawe M. Hall by his owne brother in lawe M. Henry Skipwith by M. George Holte M. Iames Cressey and others who loue the man well so loden with euil fame and opinion that went of him for the premisses herein recited and that vntruly as of myne owne knowledge I am assured that I pitying the case determyned at the last with you who tenders him not to suffer so vniustly his credite tho small to be so wildly tyred on with my old and accustomed well thinking and praying for you I leaue you From London the xix of May. 1576. Your Frende no chaungeling F. A. 〈…〉 haue obtayned for you my place in the common house of Parliament for the increase of your knowledge you growing to the worlde and I from it I thought to bestowe a few lynes vpoÌ„ you tho I had long since yelded my pen to be quiet my ability to write being decayd which neuer was great and my memory alway bad now in a maner grown to litargie wherin to lay before you as wel as I could such aduises as to folowe I haue founde profitable But considering mine owne wants I withdrew my selfe froÌ„ my determinatioÌ„ Yet minding with whoÌ„ I shold deale whom I should counsel to whom I shoulde sette abroade the shewe of my experience in good houre I hope I proceeded herein for straungers will take thankfully what is don by others of a good meaning for their behouf and muche more children that whiche is done in the same kinde by their parents I suppose it not needelesse lightly to runne ouer as I can call to minde by what Lawes this Realme of England hath beene gouerned where altered where cleane abrogated and others confirmed which laste of al is your Parliament whereto I meane to come Wee alow the report of Brutes arriuing inhabiting this I le the yeare of the worlde after the most writers 2855. before the incarnation of Christ. 1108. He builte London calling it Troynouant wherein he stablished with the name the Troyan Lawes what they were I finde no recorde but that King Alured about the time of Christes birth 872 did gather the same Lawes together and translated them into english But for the religioÌ„ it seemed he followed the Paganisme then vsed through the whole worlde as a greate number of yeares after it did continue Til the 441 yere before the comming of Christ this lande was ruled nowe with law and now without lawe bycause of the ciull dissention therein at which time Mulmutius Dunwallo or Dunwallo Mulmutius chose you the sonne of Cloten Duke of Cornewayle by strong hande bringyng the new righte called Lawe Moluntine which graunted great priuileges to Temples to plowes to fayres and markettes and too the way leading to them prohibiting men to bee troubled for any cause in the same the wars among themselues had so
finde that Egbert who was an vnder Kyng in West Saxons was expelled by Brithricus the King there and fled into Fraunce but Brithricus being poysoned by his wife Ethelburga Egberte retourned and obtayned the whole principality the yere 793 others say 802 and withal brought the most parte of England vnder his obeysance tamed the Welchmen and toke from them Chester by meanes of which his good fortunes he called a counsel of hys Lordes at Wynchester and by their aduises and agreements was crowned kyng and chiefe Lord of the land whervpon he sent forth commaundemente thorowe out his country straightlye charging the people thenceforth to bee called Angles and no more Britains and the kingdome Anglia and not Britaine In the yeare 800. some accompte thirteene lesse the Danes being also Paynims firste entred this region according to the most The Danes inuaded the seconde tyme the yere 838 Athelwolph raygning who of himselfe first graunted the tyth of corne Hey and Cattel to the cleargy And after toke such fast footing as they continually infested this Iland with cruell wars vsurpation and conquest til the death of Hardicanutus or Hardiknought the last king of that breed 1034 some accompt two sewer Alured alias Alphred before spoken began to gouerne the West Saxons who beyng a most iuste Prince very wel learned and carefull for the makyng and execution of good lawes collected and caused to be brought into the Saxon or English tong al such as by the kings his forgoers were stablished selecting out of them such as were thought most fit for the gouernement confirming them and secluding the rest reciting many of the commaundements and precepts giuen by God to Moyses and the message that the apostles and elders sent to Antiochia Siria and Cilicia by Saint Paul Barnabas Iudas and Silas touching the diuerting of themselues as we haue it in the Acts of the Apostles and also by the assembly and conference of the Bishoppes and other noble and wise counsellours diuers money penalties and others were appointed and the same not onely declared in their sermons but also put in writing He proceedes in the beginning of such as are allowed by him In haec verba These decrees and ordinaunces I Alured King haue gathered together and caused to be written a greate parte whereof our auncestours haue carefully kepte with manye other that I haue thoughte worthye in this our age to be helde and maintained with the like obseruation other some which I haue thought not to be so needful I haue with the conference of considerate couÌ„sellors in parte abrogated and partly established And bycause it maye seeme a pointe of too much rashnesse of a mans owne heade to adde any thing more also that it is vncertaine what credite our posteritie will giue thereto which we make greate reconing of what euer I haue founde worth the regarde in the Actes of my kynnesman and countryman Inas of Offa the King of Mertia or of Ethelbert the first christened of the Angles I haue brought together omitting the rest And in the consultation of them I Alured King of West Saxons haue vsed the couÌ„sell of the grauest of our people to al the whiche I haue commanded that the same be executed and kept Moreouer in this kings time Gutteron alias Gowthram alias Gythrun alias Gurmund of some named king of Danes by some king of Denmarke ariued in this land and sometime hauing the better in armes and sometyme put to the worse was at the last christened and named by Alured Athelstane the yere 878 to whom he gaue the kingdome of East England with the gouernemente of Saint Edmundes kingdome and also some write NorthumberlaÌ„d with whome making league and agreing in the confynes of their countries beginnes in this manner The truce aliaunce which Alured and Guthrun kings haue agreed by the aduise of the wise of the English nation and of all the inhabitauntes of East England to the which they not onely for themselues but also for their children to come are sworne Edward the first before the conquest called Edward the elder his eldest son beginning to raigne next after him the yeare 900. made and confirmed also certain lawes the first chapter wherof is intituled Of controuersie and iudgement and goes thus 1 king Edwarde do againe and againe commaunde all those who beare office in the common wealth that they beare themselues asmuch as in them lies iust â—udges to all men as it is written in the Iudiciall booke without feare boldely and freely to declare the common lawe and do appoint denounced daies wherein they will deale in euerye question and controuersie This Edwarde also confirmed the league with the fornamed Guthrun the Dane in this maner adding also to the former decrees by equal coÌ„sents these bee the councels institutes and ordinaunces whiche firste Alured and Guthrun then Edwarde and Guthrun kings at those dayes were agreed on when both the Danes and English accepted the treaty of peace Athelstane King Edwardes eldest sonne by whose prowesse and valure it is affirmed thys lande was reduced into one Monarchie againe and layde so sore too the Danes that since their first landing they were neuer so harde driuen did also constitute certaine lawes and ordinances beginning them wyth these wordes Athelstane King by the councel of the graue father Vlfhelme Archbishop and other my Bishops do wil and commaunde to al officers and such as haue charge of Iustice. 1 Athelstane king giue notice to all put in authority in our dominioÌ„s that with the aduise of Vlfhelme Archbishop and other Bishops and seruaunts of god haue ordered and set fourth In the ende of all he closeth with these woordes These be the ordinances decrees determined of in the honorable counsell of Grantamlean where was present VVolstane the Archbishop and with him great companie of the best and wisest sorte called togeather by Athelstane The asseÌ„bly parted the king had enquired how the peace was kept among his people fynding it and iustice smally to hys mind delt inioyned more laws to his first and thus shewes the cause â— Athelstane king will all men to know that hauing demanded why our peace is not manteyned according to my commaundement the decree at Grantamlean I am certefied from the experienced of my dominions that the same is happened by my ouermuche sufferance and remissnesse in punnishing But now at Christmas last at Exeter being attended on with grauewise men whom I found moste readye to venture their facultie themselues wiues and children to most greate hazarde that these peace breakers might vtterly without retourning be expelled the lande The yeare 946. Edmund his brother beganne to rule after him in whose time the Danes held Lincolne Nottingham Darby Stafford and Leicester who also erecting and confirming lawes shewes this by whom they were consented on Edmund King helde the solempne Feaste of Easter at London where were mette a greate companie of the Cleargie and laity
whose experience and wisedome of themselues is great and much by councel do you thinke to auoyde Iohns rewarde If you Iohn it with the nobility do you deeme them children will not nobility followe in deede the noblenesse of bloud to abhorre and detest suche shamelesse shifting Iackeryes yes assuredly to your vtter infamy and ouerthrowe But take the other course and truth may be blamed but it will neuer be shamed It may be loked bigge on but it wyl not be out of countenaunce it may bee shut out of the dore but it wyll bee sente for in againe and set at the table with the best when Curteous Maister Iohn shal be glad to take the leauing of the Pages and hereof assuredly perswade your selfe vnlesse your minde be so far possessed with mischiefe too thinke the Falcons can feed of carrion or Dolphyns delight in puddels which as by nature they do abhorre so do Princes nobility by long succession norished and bredde in honour reiecte and contempne all suche seruile disceyte and treasonable shifting Now are we come to consider howe to answere the office your trusters put you in not for any perticular profit but for the whole common good Hoc opus hic labor est But if those good parts be in you which they perswade are as is recited the burden is soone discharged to all your commendations welch quietnesse ▪ First they accompt of you as one religious c. and after as you haue heard As touching that part I presume not to deale bicause the Cobler may not passe the shoo but with feare I will reuerently with all good meaning embrace the sounde and perfecte opinion of the Learned which for the two parts the one duty to god and the other to a mans neighbour lies open to all menne by Deuines the latchets of whose shooes I counte not my selfe woorthy to vnloose Marcus Tullius Cicero let me remember you of and of his treatise de Amicitia which being a boy as Scollers do I did vnwillingly acquaint my selfe with He maks not as I take it aboue foure payre of friendes whose names being so common to repeate again were but spending of inke and paper He cōmends whē men would so far as I may terme it beleue in other for friendship sake as they drew cuts who should go to the hacke first and not so onely but the one would face down a lye to be tormented to saue the other Tulli sayde true for he saide it Historically I am sory the Paganisme may cast in our noses foure rare examples and we not able to afourde them one such coupple If you had such a one your selfe as Eurialus was to Nisus Damon to Pythias Orestes to Pylades and Theseus to Perithous were one to another you coulde not but make of such a Iewel And if you would beguile him who should haue the losse your selfe only in respecte of all extremity among the best by whō I meane the vertuous not the Turks Bassaes for why ingratitude shold rather deserue quartering thā clipping of coine This frendship for such affiance trust betwene party party is rare is commendable is not to be found and yet dependeth vpon particular action betwene two it is determyned betwene them that is at the death or absence of either of both and then so far as wel wishing may extend But sée what the commons of Englande put in your handes when you are chosen a spokesman for them They end not with their liues that make you a Parliament mā but with the perticulars and al in al that I named before Wyl you haue more than all giuen you of him that demes well of you you cannot Do they store vp in you by trust conceiued what depends vpon thē as it is recited it semeth so iudge your selfe Wil you go to Law of nature to the Law of God to the Law of Princes too the Law of Confederats wil not al condemne you if you iugle I haue found it so Although in very deede some men accept iuggling for an English word in good part yet I neuer vnderstoode it in Chaucer or olde English neyther in the conscience of the professors of Charity or well dealing part the wordes at your pleasure enter too Ethnickes or too Christianes Here is the warre here is the daunger here is both your credits that is the electors theirs and yours vpon a mum chaunce pardon me if I offend in words I haue playde at the dice If you discharge your truste wel they are in your debt they wel may vaunte of the perfection of your executiō not more that you haue done a thing cōmendable in general thā that they haue chosen in perticular so sufficiēt a member in so great a cause here is a good Harmonie the wel true singing of which sōg makes al mē merry at midnight at al times in al things alwayes not now only present but to come yea those who neuer smelt of the matter if you go a trewāting if you play Legerdemayn if you wil be bridled if you gape for ambitiō if you play y Mongrel if fayre words abuse you if carelesnes make you hold no hand of your doings if fury make you dronk if affectiō blinde you hereof wil procéede not only to your trusters theirs now borne vnborne I vse the word stil bycause I knowe not how so rightly too hit the minde of your choosers who commit trust in you Ploratus and Stridor dentium but the same to you and yours in like predicament although some present outward shew may make you thinke the cōtrary And therfore what I haue gathered of others for Praeter auditum nihil habeo I wil follow which and God graunt you may receive as much benefit thereof as I desire if you want from me the faulte is not mine you haue the best I can vpon the maner of wryting of letters I perswade wyth my selfe you cannot possibly play the spider wyth these my barren flowers tho it were in May or Iune If you make any hony of them I wil be the gladder to go to my graue in consummatione aetatis mei for that to you and to my country two parts of my greatest care I shal be assured some benefit will redowne by the reliques of my collections whiche I neuer tended for my owne prefermente ▪ so muche as for the aduauncemente of the common wealth as is to be gathered by my beggery which perhaps I might better haue withstoode if I could haue giuen my selfe Adulari and Sycophantari Your countryes welfare must alwayes be your onely and greatest care The florishing whereof is the Princes strength and toylity the nobilities quietnesse and greatnesse For as a King cannot King it without people nor Lordes Lord it without Tenauntes no more can nations liue in commōwelths without the higher aucthority The musicke of which thrée ioyned and agreing in one doth make the olde onelegged man hop for ioy and the
horse collers be robde of their trinckets if he ring for the prince he layes on loade if for the nobility he shakes both legges at once he commends liberality he prayses mercy he extolles iust execution of lawes he matches religion where it should be he soundes out zelous care on poore subiects he preserues deligent watches for the enemy he forgettes not to tell what a vertue frugality is in the highest All these and many more good taches as may be the King and Lordes are at ful furnished with He hath bin forsoth perhap at Cambridge and learned the fragments of a little Sophistrie wherwith he with his glosing tong and white studied wordes may moue many wel meaning Gentlemen who for wante of deepe iudgemente may say yea to their own preiudice and the grauest heads without diligent heed may be brought to yeelde to consent to matters they would be ashamed of vpon ripe consideration whiche inconuenience if it happen what mischiefe shal fal to your whole state who so blinde doth not see When thys fine shaking tripper hath done what he can I haue tolde you the thankes he shal haue of the prince and nobility when you shal so deare pay for your learning wil you not with open throate hunte the foole with Basons sure yes vnlesse your simplicities bee suche that for the sure keeping of your priuate houses you esteeme a girning pattering ape before the sad true mouthed mastife To turne the Cat in the panne and to be a hirelyng or a penny boy â—or any particuler person to haue clientes in matters of Parliament is token of too muche vilitie â— for couetyse is the only occasion of too muche forgetting your selfe What should I write of this most filthie vnnatural and seruile vice whiche shall for a fewe angels make you pleade as parcially in parliament as in any other Court not regarding your countrey but the Iinks in your pocket Such spokesmen I warrant you haue the matter at their â—ingers ends the writer out of the Copyes of Billes is set a worke and many times too for drawing the cause they come into the house and sitte with paper bookes often read them wel consider of them and why for couÌ„tries benefit you may beleue them if you wyll but marke the circumstances and their pence are aswel hearde chocke in the Sachel as the white paper séene in hande Why the bil is ether priuate touching some one else some very few or else some one corporation of Citie town or MarchaÌ„ts else the fraternity of some occupation or suche like for in déede we dryehanded men can not well tende the penning and copying out of Lawes without a little moystnyng But if they had any sparke of vertue in them they would not preferre Chauke before Chéese they would not like better of Carryn than of newe kilde victual neither blind-féele them selues and as much as they may others with so foule a sauering vayle The minde of many noble Panims haue abhorred such errours and yet we Christs professors to ofte runne headlong without backloking Crates when he went to study Philosophie cast his worldely welth into the Sea blessing them wyth a mischiefe and that hee would rather drowne them than they should choake hym Byas in the hauocke of hys country when euery one was busy to saue somewhat made no fardels of his substaunce but Roge fashion in that respect walkes awaye with hys ordinary weede and being asked of some why hee had so smal care of that which euery one so stirred for replied that he had all his wyth him meaning Learning and vertue Themistocles after the ouerthrowe of Marathon seeing a â—ead Corpes with Chaynes Iewels willed one to spoile it saying you are not Themistocles hym selfe disdayning that vngentlemaÌ„ly hunger Pittacus being offred asmuch of his owne conquest as he would measured his ferme by launcing of the speare and more toke not a small fielde to make a parke of vnlesse he threw further than I can Cocles 〈◊〉 an Erledome for his seruice to the common welth he thought himselfe contente when great matters were pressed vpon him with so much lande as he himselfe being lame coulde plowe in a day a recompence that my Baylie of husbandry for two yeres seruice wil frowne at Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus was holding the plowe when he was elected Dictator performed greate matters retourned to his Clownish husbandrie againe and twentie yeares after was eft called to the roome which he discharged better than any feed speaker in parliameÌ„t can do that I know so that money did not the dede Menenius Agrippa a wel deseruer of the Romaine Empire for wante of his owne purse was buried by contribution of the people Martius Curiolanus refused great matters and accepted a tryfle Curius Dentatus hoysing Pyrrhus out of Italie allotted to euery Pol fourtie Iugeri of land euery Iugeri being taken for our Acre and reserued as much and no more to himselfe affirming that there shoulde be no man whom so much wold not satisfie to him from the Samnytes he being a rosting rapes was presented a great Masse of gold but despising that goodly shew he told them he liked very wel to eate such dainties as he had in haÌ„d in an Erthen dish and to rule those who had gold Of al the large and welthy spoyles by him recouered of the enimy he reserued but one gay wodden chaine it was no doubt some matter of great price for the workmanship The fewe bagges of P. Scipio Aemilius M. Aemilius Scaurus father a Patritian of Rome getting his liuing by playing the Collyer the nedynesse of Epaminondas who was driuen to borrowe thirtie shillings when he entred Morea in armes refusing Iasons Crowns and the mighty king of Persians thousands Photion was no mony maÌ„ whoÌ„ when Antipater would with greate summes haue hyred to haue vniustly delte answered he could not both bee a friende and a flatterer Many hundreds might be named that were sounde stakes to their countries and for al their pouertie would not cry Quid vultis mihi dare neither yet receiued when it was forced O wold to god that in places of iudgemeÌ„t and iuâ—tice and in the harts of al executioners makers of Law Epaminondas his opinion were grauen not to be bought froÌ„ his country with any price not to be lâ—d to do a thing vnlawful for any gaine and what right and vertue did require for vertues sake freely to do it Cato Vticensis was of the same minde Come not into the sacred Senate for so may I wel terme it with that ragged robe of couetous and Bribery eschew it worse than the infection of pestilence leaue it to brokers to exchaungers lay it in the merchants warehouse bequeath it to the vsuring Iewes for if it catch holde in you farewel religion farewel morality farewell Iustice farewel discharge of duty farewel truth farewel care of good fame yea farewel your owne contentemente how gay so euer the matter seemes If
not cast at hym but at his graye robe for quoth he if the party knewe me he would haue staide his hande If such charitable forbearing be commendable where men are so hardely delte with how muche then is to be condemned that yre and choller which as I haue sayd kindled of nothing growes of that moste pestilent plage of enuy and malice Follow the sound doing of him who is wary what speeches he vses glories in sufferaunce and not that fether headed fellow who braues in his furious chollerike words loues himselfe the worsse when he bears any thing Plutarch gaue good councel to Trayan the Emperour willing pacience in all occurents mildenesse in actions and to forbeare the hasty witlesse Braynes If by your speeches in the Parliament you seke vaine glorye by far fetched eloquence and nedelesse phrases delating the matter to shewe the ripenesse of your iudgemente more than directly to go to the cause and make it vnderstood you may wel shewe some great florish of great substance which in the end wil be found but froath and al the sturre but â—il mens eares ful of dynne who wil finde that the stuffe smelles of the Candel and deeme you had bin better occupyed to haue spente a Torche in traueling to learne the nature of the lawe you woulde speake of than a candels ende in study to play the Charlatane to put your selfe to sale The olde graue wyse and wel experienced Parliament man if he discourse of any cause if he shewe hys opynion if hee laye before you what his long yeares hath taughte hym he playes not as the Hob of Hornechurche who hauing neuer sene London before nor London seene hym in hys Christmas sute sente to Bartholmewe faire entering at White Chappel buyes nothyng but gaping seede persuaded that as he is delighted to gaze so others omitte not too loke on hym wherby it is night ere hee commeth to Aldegate and so as wise as Waltons Calfe is fayne to retorne home more foole than he came for spending of horsemeate And why forsooth bycause he hath bin so long in the suburbes as he lost his market in the Citye This man I sée makes not a millers thumbe of his OratioÌ„ whose heade is bigger than al the body vnproportionable neither yet without hed and all tayle neither Like fashion al belly but as muche of euery one as is needeful Englishe man like hee vses good woordes the matter well declares his sounde meaning hys countenaunce shewes the inwarde manne the welding of hys body tels me he hath bin trayned in other places than Horne Churche He is aswell contented to heare as to speake He confers patiently wyth modesty he yeeldes to reason loues himselfe not the worsse if hys Arguments be confuted nor enuies him whose reason is better allowed of but embraces the manne greatly for him selfe If his aduise carry the house he prowdes not but reioyces hys country takes good and the house reputation he doth not wyth fleering taunting words nor importunate yelling snatch at hys contraries nor desire their wantes to be seene but fellowe counsellor like layes some reasons before them famyliarly confers with them and friendlye manye times beares with the Collerick and vnseemly speeches which men too wel deeming of themselues too ofteÌ„ vtter without cause If he play Alexanders part by being a man as errare labi decipi hominis est if hee kyll Clito wrongfully if he treade amisse he shameleslye beares it not off wyth head and shoulders he repentes virginlike his errour doth not Pickepursse fashion face out a lye til iust mends be made he bewailes his mishap as Alexander did most noblie in that hys action he conceiues no priuiledge by being in Parliament to iniury any man with opprobrious tauntes a lamentable fault in such men he playes not the parte whiche once an auncient gentleman and graue counceller tolde me he had séene some doe which was so intemperatly rudely rashly and malitiously to vse some in that place as he assured hymselfe he thought they durst not doe in an Ale house for feare of a knock with a pot There are some who alwayes loue to heare themselues talke and thinke their smokye forced eloquenâ—e swéete perfume and pleasante melody to mens eares They whip it they lay 〈◊〉 load tho sometime and for the most parte they want learning their Accentes are héeded the Paâ—â—â—heses perfourmed Allegories not forgotten olde stories brought in Sackfuls of auncient sentences and after the Spanish Fryers manner they more harme the pulpit with knocking thereon than benefit the audience more disquiet themselues by broyling in theyr wollen wéedes than moue the hearers with matter of substaÌ„ce and finally haue so great care of gay wordes picked spéeches and phrases ordering of their voyces and as I may say trauersing their grounde as they so muche forget their matter that as they neuer know what they haue sayde so parts their churche Auditours aswell taughte as my Lord Maiors horse when his good Lord is at the Sermon at the Crosse Stratocles and Democlides were Oratours at Athens yet so may I not well terme them but rather Italian triacle sellers â–ª who neuer were but prating to the people not to profit the common wealth but to fill their owne purses by theyr Lampe studied ware rather to delight than to do good in so muche as they vsed betwene themselues in mockery to aske whether they shoulde goe to their golde haruest These men who carry their harts in their tongues and not their tongues in their hartes these womens children Oratours these goselings talkers shold be delte withal as a very friende of yours and mine Maister Nicholas Beamonde whose honest gentlemanlye myrth yet remaynes dealt with a man of good countenance of Leistershiere in his owne house The tale is somewhat homely but no homelier than wel done and so wel as tho it were much homelier it were the homelyest parte of all too leaue it forgotten A company of good fellow gentlemen being at bourde with this housekéeper with whome Maister Beamonde made one the goodman of the house had all the talke when the cuppes were wel gone about the bourde others woulde haue also had some wordes but it would not be When mine hoaste had wearied al the company and him selfe very well contented wyth the harmonie of his owne â—iddle which stil he was doing with Maister Beamond who as you know is not amisse made for the purpose let goe a rouncing poupe which base was hearde aboue the Countertenor or past meane of the wearysom melodie not only of the assistants but of the Musitian who demaunding what the matter was master Nicholas answered he craued leaue for a word that way for otherwise he could get none Whether it were well done or no I can not tell but I am sure it did and hath moued good laughter perhaps done no harme to some greate talkers that heare the same I would to god these talkatiue folke wold