vnlawfull assembles But they be in y â— present sight vnder the iyes of euery man So that of necessitie they must other applie their accustomed labours or els recreate theÌ„selfes with houest laudable pastymes This fassion being vsed amoÌ„g the people they must of necessitie haue store pleÌ„tie of all thinges And seing they be al therof parteners equally therfore cane no man there be poore or nedye In the councel of Amanrot whether as I sayde euery citie sendeth .iij. meÌ„ a pece yearly assone as it is perfectly knoweÌ„ of what thyuges there is in euery place plentie and agayne what thynges be sâ—aâ—t in anye place incontinent the lacke of the one is performed and fylled vp with the aboundaunce of the other And this they doo frelye without any benifite takyng nothing agayn of theÌ„ to whoÌ„ the thinges is geueÌ„ but those cyties that haue geuen of their store to anye other cytie that lacketh reguyrynge nothynge agayne of thesame cytie do take suche thinges as they lacke of an other cytie to whome they gaue nothynge So the hole Ilande is as it were one famelie or housholde But when they haue made sufficiente prouision of stoore for them selfes whiche they thynke not doone vntyll they haue prouyded for two yeared followynge bicause of the vncortentie of the nexte yeares proffe then of those thynges wherof they haue abundaunce they carry furthâ— into other contrâ—is greate plenty as grayne honnye wulle flaxe woode madder purple-die felles waxe tallowe lether and liuyng beastes And the seuenth part of all thies thynges they gyue franckely and frelye to the poore of that coÌ„trey The resydewe they fell at a reasonable and meane price By this trade of traffique or marchaÌ„dise they bring into their own coÌ„trey not only great pleÌ„tie of golde and siluer but also all suche thynges as they lacke at home whych is almoste nothynge but Iron And by reason they haue longe vsed thys trade nowe they haue more abundaunce of thies thynges then any man wyll beleue Nowe therfore they care not whether they sell for reddye moneye or els vpon truste to be paide at a daye and to haue the most part in debtes But in so doyâ—g they neuer followe the credence of pryuat men but the assurâ—aunce or warrauntrse of the hole citye by instrumentes and writinges made in that behalfe accordinglye When the daye of paymente is come and expyred the cytye gathereth vp the debte of the priuate dettours and putteth it into the common boxe and so long hath the vse and proffytte of it vntyll the vtopians their creditours demaunde it The mooste parte of it they neuer aske For that thynge whyche is to them no proffyte to take it from other to whom it is proffytable they thinke it no righte nor coÌ„science But yf the case so stande that they must lende parte of that money to an other people then they requyâ—â— they re debte or when they haue warre For the whyche purpose onelye they keap at home al y â— treasure whiâ—h they haue to be holpen and so coured by yt other in extreame ieopardyes or in suddeyne daungers But especyallye and chieflye to hiere therwyth and that for vnreasonable greate wayges straunge foldyours For they hadde rather put strâ—ungers in ieopardye then theyrâ— owne contreye men knowinge that for monâ—ye enoughe theire enemyes themselfes manye tymes maye be bowghte and solde or els throughe treason be sette togethers by the eares emonge themselfes For thys cause they kype an inestymable treasure But yet not as a treasure but so they haue yt vse yt as in good faythe I am ashamede to shewe fearynge that my wâ—ordes shal not be beleued And thys I haue more cause to feare for that I knowe howe â—yffâ—cultlye and hardelye I meselfe wolde haue beleued an othere man tellynge the same yf I hadde not presentlye seene yt wyth myâ—e owne iyes For yt muste nedes be that howe farre a thing is dissonaunt and disagre inge from the guyse and trade of the hearers so farre shall yt be owte of theyr beleffe Howe be yt a wyse and in dyfferente estymer of thynges wyll not greatly marueil perchauÌ„ce seing al they re other lawes and customes doo so muche dyfferre from owres yf the vse also of golde and syluer amonge them be applyed rather to theyr owne fassyons then to owers I meane in that they occupye not moneye themselfes but kepe yt for that chaunce whyche as yt maye happen so yt maye be that yt shall neuer come to passe In the meane tyme golde and sylueâ— whereof moneye ys made they doo soo vse as none of them dothe more estyme yt then the verye nature of the thynge deseruethe And then who dothe not playnlye see howe farre yt ys vnder Iron as wythoute the whyche men canne no better lyue them wythowte fyere and water Whereas to golde and syluer nature hathe geuen no vse that ws may not wel lacke yf that the folly of men hadde not sette it in hygher estymâ—cyon for the rareâ—â—s sake But of the contrary parte nature as a moste tender and louynge mother hath placed the beste and moste 〈◊〉 cessarye thynges open a brode as the ayere the water and the earth it selfe And hath remoued and hydde farthest from vs vayne and vnprofytable thynges Therfore yf thies metalles amoÌ„g them shoulde be fast locked vp in some tower it myghte be suspected that the pryuâ—â— and the cowâ—cell as the people is euer foolyshelye ymagininge iâ—tended by some subtyltye to deceaue the commons and to take some proffette of 〈◊〉 to themselfes Furthermore if they should make therof plat such other fâ—nely cunningly wrought stuffe yf at anye tyme they shoulde haue occasyon to breake it and melte it agayne and therwyth to paye their souldiours wâ—ges they see and perceiue very well that men wolde be lothe to parte from those thynges that they oâ—s begome to haue pleasure and delytein To remedye all thys they haue fownde owt a meanes which as it is agreable to al their other lawes and customes so it is from ours where golde is so muche set by and so delygently kepte very farre discrepant and repugnaunt and therfore vncredâ—ble but only to them that be wise For where as they eate and drincke in earthen and glasse vesselles which in dede be curiously and properlie made and yet be of very small value of gold and siluer they make commonlye chamber pottes and other like vesselles that serue for moste vile vses not only in their common halles but in euery mans priuate house Furthermore of thesame mettalles they make greate cheynes with fetters and giues wherin they tye their bondmen Finally who so euer for any offence be infamed by their eares hange ringes of golde vpon their fingers they were ringes of golde and about their neckes chaynes of gold and in conclusioÌ„ their heades be tiede about with golde Thus by all meanes that may be they procure to haue gold and siluer emong them in reproche and infamy And
persuadour must take vpon him the daunger whyche vpon this bolde and rashe enterpryse shall ensue I as I suppose am herin clerely acquytte and discharged of all blame Yet honorable Syr for the better auoyding of enuyous and malycyous tonges I knowynge you to be a man not onlye profoundely learned and well affected towardes all suche as eyther canne or wyll take paynes in y â— well bestowing of that poore talente whyche GOD hath endued them wyth but also for youre godlye dysposytyon and vertuous qualytyes not vnworthelye nowe placed in aucthorytye and called to honoure am the bolder humblye to offer and dedycate vnto youre good maystâ—rshyppe thys my symple woorke Partly that vnder the sauffe conducte of your protection it may the better be defended froÌ„ the obloqâ—ie of theÌ„ which can say well by nothing that pleaseth not their fond aâ—d corrupt iudgementes though it be els both frutefull and godly partlye that by the meanes of this homely preâ—eâ—t I may the better renewe and reuiue which of late as you know I haue already begonne to do y â— old acquayntaunce that was betwene you and me in the time of our childhode being then â—colefellowes togethers â–ª Notdoubting that you for your natiâ—e goodnes and gentelnes will accept in good parte this poore gift as an argument or token that mine old good wil and hartye affection towardes you is not by reason of long tract of time and separrtion of our bodies any thinge at all quayled and diminished but rather â— I assuer yoâ— much augmented and increased This verely is y â— chieffe cause y â— hath incouraged me to be so bolde with youre maistershippe Els truelye this my poore present is of such simple and meane sort that it is neyther able to recompense the least portion of your great gentelnes to me of my part vnâ—eserued both in the time of our olde acquayntance and also now lately again bountifully shewed neither yet fitte mete for the very basenes of it to be offered to one so worthy as you be But al mighty god who therfore euer be thaÌ„ked hath auauÌ„ced you to such fortune dignity that yoâ— be of hability to accept thankefully aswell a mans good-will as his gift The same god graunte you and all yours long and ioyfully â–ª to contynue in all godlynes and prosperytye ¶ Thomas More to Peter Giles seÌ„deth gretynge I Am almoste ashamed right welbeloued Peter Giles to seÌ„de vnto you this boke of y â— vtopian commen wealth welnigh after a yeares space which I am suer you loked forwithin a moneth a half And no marueil For you knewe welenough that I was already disbourdened of all y â— labour study beloÌ„ging to the inuention in this work and that I had no nede at all to trouble my braynes about the dispositioÌ„ or coÌ„ueyaunce of the matter therfore had her in nothing els to do but only to rehearse those thinges which you aâ—d I togethers hard maister Raphaell tel and declare Wherefore there was no cause whie I shold study to setforth y â— matter with eloqueÌ„ce for asmuch as his talke cold not be fine eloquent being firste not studied for but sodein and vnpremeditate and then as you know of a mâ—Ì„ better sene in the greke language then in the latine tong And my writing the nigher it shold approche to his homely playne and simple speche somuch the â—igher shold it go to the trueth whiche is the only marke wherunto I do and ought to direct all my trauail and study herin I graunt and confesse frende Peter meself discharged of somuch labour hauing all thies thinges redy done to my hand that almoost there was nothing lefte for me to do Elles other the inuention or the disposition of this matter might haue requyred of a witte nother base nother at all vnlearned bothe some time leasure and also some studye But yf yt were requysyte and necessary that the matter shoulde also haue bene wryten eloquentelye and not alone truelye of a suerty that thynge coulde I haue perfourmed by no tyme nor studye But nowe seynge all thyes cares stayes and lettes were taken awaye wherin elles somuche laboure and studye shoulde haue bene employed and that there remayned no other thynge for me to doo but onelye to wryte playnlye the matter as I hard it spoken that in dede was a thynge lyghte and easye to be done Howe beit to the dyspatchynge of thys so lytell bâ—synes my other cares and troubles did leaue almooste lesse then no leasure Whyles I doo daylye bestowe my tyme abowte lawe matters some to pleade some to heare some as an arbytratour wyth myne awarde to determyne â–ª some as an vmpier or a iudge with my sentence finallye to discusse Whiles I go one way to see and visite my frend an other way about mine owne priuat affaires Whiles I spend almost al the day abrode emonges other and the residue at home among mine own I leaue to meselfe I meane to my boke no time For when I am come home I muste commen with my wife chatte with my chyldren and talke wyth my seruauntes All the whyche thynges I rekeâ— and accompte emonge busynes forasmuche as they muste of necessytye be done and done muste they nedes be oneles a man wyll be a straunger in hys owne howse And in any wyse a man muste so fassyon and order hys condytyons and so appoynte and dyspose hym selfe that he be merye iocunde and pleasaunte amonge them whome eyther nature hath prouyded or chaunce hathe made or he hymselfe hathe chosen to be the fellowes and companyons of hys lyfe so â–ª that wyth to muche gentle be hauyoure and famylyaryte he doo not marre them and by tomuche sufferaunce of hys seruauntes make them hys maysters Emonge thyes thinges nowe rehearsed stealethe awaye the daye the moneth the yeare Wheâ— doo I wryte then And all thys whyle haue I spoken no woorde of slepe nother yet of meate whyche emonge a greate number doth waste no lesse tyme then dothe slepe wherin almooste halfe the lyfe tyme of maâ— crepethe awaye I therefore doo wynne and gette onelye that tyme whyche I steale from slepe and meate Whyche tyme bycause yt ys verye littell and yet somwhat it is therfore haue I ones at the last thoughe it be longe first finished Vtopia and haue sent it to you frende Peter to reade and peruse to the intent that if anye thynge haue escaped me you might putte me in remembraunce of it For though in this behalf I do not greatly mistruste meself whiche woulde God I were somewhat in witte and learnyng as I am not all of the worâ—â—e and dullest memory yet haue I not so great trust and confidence in it that I thinke nothing could fall out of my mynde For Iohn Clement my boye who as you knowe was there present with vs whome I suffer to be awaye from no talke wherin may be anye profit or goodnes for out of this yong bladed
is of yt selfe verye fertyle and frutefull for thys â—ause â—other they goo to other cowâ—ireys nor other comme to them And accordynge to the olde custome of the lande they desyre not to enlarge the bowndes of they re domynyons and those that they haue by reasoâ— of the hyghe hylles be easelye defended and the trybute whyche they paye to the myghtye Kynge settethe them quyete and free from warfare Thus they re lyffe ys commodyous rather then gallawnte and maye better be callede happâ—e or luckyâ— then notable or famous For they be not knowne asmuche as by name I suppose sauynge onlye to theyr nexte neyghbours and borderours They that in thys lande be attayâ—tede and conuycte of felonye make restitutyon of that they stoole to the ryghte owner and not as they doo in other landes to the Kynge whome they thynke to haue no more ryghte to the thefe stolen thynge than the thieffe him selfe hath But if the thynge be loste or made awaye then the value of yt is paide of the goodes of such offeÌ„dours whyche elles remayneth all hole to theire wyffes and chyldrene And they them â—elfes be condempned to be common laborers and onles the thefte be verye heynous they be nother locked in pryson nor fettered in gyues but be vntyed and goo at large laborynge in the coÌ„mon workes They that refuse labour or goo sâ—owly sâ—acly to thâ—re woorke be not only tied in cheynes but also pricked forward with stripes They that be diligent about their woorkâ— liue without checke or rebuke Euery nyghte they be called in by name and be locked in theyr chambers Besyde their dayly labour their lyffe is nothyng harde or incommodyous Their fare is indyfferent good borne at the chardges of the weale publyque bycause they be commen seruauntes to the commen wealth But their charges in all places of the land is not borne a lyke For in some partes that is bestowed vpon them is gathered of almes And though that waye be vncerteyn yet the people be so full of mercye and pytie that none is fownde more profytable or plentyfull In some places certeyâ— landis be appoynted here vnto of the reuenewes wherof they befownde And in some places euery maÌ„ geuyth a certeyne trybute for the same vse and purpose Agayne in some partes of the lande thies seruyng men for so be thies damned pâ—rsons called do no common worke but as euery priuate man nedeth laborours so he cometh into the markette place and there hiereth some of them for meate and drynke and a certeyne limityd wayges by the daye sumwhaat cheper then he shoulde hire a free man It is also lawfull for them to chastyce the slowth of thies seruynge men wyth stryppes By thys meanes they neuer lacke woorke and besydes their meate and dryncke euery one of them bryngeth dayly sum thynge into the common treasoury All and euery one of them be apparrayled in one colour Their heddys be not polled or shauen but rownded a lytle aboue the eeâ—es And the typpe of the one eare is cut of Euery one of them may take meat and drincke of their frindes also a cote of their owne collour but to receyue monye is deathe as well to the geuer as to the receyuour And no lesse ieopardie it is for a free man to receyue moneye of a seruynge man for any manner of cause and lykewyse for seruynge men to touche weapons The seruyng meÌ„ of euery seuerall shyere be dystyncte and knowen from other by their seuerall and dystyncte badges whyche to caste away is death as it is also to be seene owte of the precyâ—cte of their owne sheire or to talke wyth a seruynge man of another shyere Anâ— it is no lesse daunger to them for to in teâ—de to runne awaye then to do yt in dede Yea and to concele suche an enterpryes in a seruynge man yt is deathe in a free man seruytude Of the contrarye parte to hym that openeth vâ—â—ereth suche cownselles be decreyde large giftes â–ª to a free man a great somme of moneye to a seruynge man freedome and to them bothe forgeuynes and pardone of that they were of councell in that pretence So that yt can neuer be so good for them to goo forwarde in they re euyll purpose as by repentaunce to turne backe Thys is the lâ—we aâ—d ordre in thys behalfe as I haue shewed yow Wherin what humanytye is vsede howe farre yt is frome crueltye and howe commodyous yt is yow doo playnlye perceue For asmuche as the ende of their wrath and punyshemente intendeth nothyng elles but the distrucâ—yon of vyces and sauynge of men wyth so vsynge and orderynge them that theye can not chuse but be good and what harme so euer theye dyd before in the â—eresydewe of they re lyffe to make amendys for the same Moreouer â—t is so lytle feared that they shoulde torne agayne to they re vycyous condyâ—yons that wayefarynge men wyll for they re sauegarde chuse them to they re guydes before annye other in euerye shepre chaungynge and takynge newe For yf they wolde commytte robberye theye haue nothynge abowte them meate for that purpose They maye towchâ— no weapons moneye fownde abowte them shoulde betraye the robberye They shoulde be no soner taken wyth the maner but furthwyth they shoulde be punysshed Nother theye can haue annye hoope at all to skape awaye by flyenge For howe shoulde a man that in no parte of hys apparrell is lyke other men flye preuelyâ— and vnknowen oneles he wolde runne awaye naked Howe be yt so also flyinge he shoulde be dyscryued by hys rounding and his â—are maâ—ke But yt is a thynge to be dowted that they will lay their heddes togither and conspire agaynst the weale publyque No no I warraunte you For the seruyng men of one shere alone could neuer hoope to brynge to passe suche an enterpryse wythowte sollycytynge entysynge and allurynge the seruynge men of many other shyeres to take their partes Whych thynge is to them so impossyble that they may not asmuche as speake or talke togethers or salute one an other No it is not to be thought that they wold make their owne countrey men and companyons of their cownsell in such a matter whych they knowe well shoulde be ieopardye to the concelour therof and greate commodytye and goodnes to the openner of the same where as on the other parte ther is none of them al hoopeles or in dyspayre to recouer agayne hys freedome by humble obedience by pacyent suffrynge and by geauyng good tokens and lyklyhode of hymself that he wyll euer after that liue lyke a trewe and an honeste man For euery yeare dyuers be restoryd agayne to their freedome throughe the commendatyon of their patieÌ„ce WhaÌ„ I had thus spoken saynge moreouer that I coulde see no cause whie this ordre might not be had in England with much more proffyte then the Iustyce which y â— lawier so highly praised Naye quod the lawier this could neuer be so stablished in
therfore thies â—â—etalles which other nations do as greuously and sorroufully forgo as in a maner froÌ„ their owne liues if they should all togethers at ones be taken from the vtopians no man there wold thinke that he had lost the worth of one farthing They gather also peerles by the sea side Diamondes and CarbuÌ„cles vpoÌ„ certein rockes and yet they seke not for them but by chaunce finding them they cutt and polish theÌ„ And therwith they decke their yonge infanntes Which like as in the first yeares of their childhod they make much and be fond and proud of such ornameâ—tes so when they be a litle more growen in yeares and discretion perceiuing that none but children do were such toies and trifeles they lay them awaye euen of they re owne shame fastenes wythowte annye biddyng of there parentes euen as oure chyldren when they waxe bygge doo caste awaye nuttes brouches and puppettes Therfore thyes lawes and customes whych be so farre dyfferente from all othere natyons howe diuers fanseys also and myndes they doo cause dydde I neuer so playnlye perceaue as in the Ambassadoures of the Anemolians Thyes Ambassadoures came to Amaurote whyles I was there And bycause they came to entreat of greate weighty matters those .iij. citizeins a pece out of euery city were commen thether before theÌ„ But al the Ambassadours of y â— next contreis which had bene there beâ—ore and knewe the fassions maners of the Vtopians amonge whome they perceaued no honoure geuen to sumptuous aud costelye apparrell silkes to be contemned golde also to be enfamed and reprochefull were wont to come thether in very homely and simple a 〈◊〉 parrell But the Anemolianes bicause they dwell farre thence and had verye litle acquaintaunce with theÌ„ hearinge that they were al apparelled a like and that verye rudelye and homelye thynkynge them not to haue the thynges whyche they dydde not weare beynge therefore more proud then wise determined in the gorgiousnes of their apparel to represent very goddes and wyth the bright shynynge and glisteringe of their gaye clothinge to dasell the eyes of the silie poore vtopains So ther came in .iij. Ambassadours w t C. seruauntes all apparelled in chaungeable colours the moost of them in silkes the Ambassadours themselfes for at home in their owne couÌ„trey they were noble meÌ„ in cloth of gold wÌ„â— great cheiues of gold â–ª wÌ„â— gold haÌ„ging at their eares with gold ringes vpoÌ„ their fingers in brouches aglettes of gold vpon their cappes which glistered ful of peerles pretious stones to be short trâ—med aduorned with al those thinges which emoÌ„g the vtopians were other the punnishement of bond men or the reproche of in famed persones or elles trifels for yonge children to playe with all Therfore it wolde haue done a man good at his harte to haue sene howe proudelye they displeyed theire pecockes fethers howe muche they made of their paynted sheathes and howe loftely they sett forth aud aduaunced them selfes when they compared their gallaunte apparrell with the poore rayment of the vtopiaÌ„s For al the people were swarmed furth into the stretes And on the other side it was no lesse pleasure to consider howe muche they were deceaued and how farre they missed of their purpose being contrary wayes taken then they thought they shoulde haue bene for to the iyes of all the vtopians excepte very fewe whiche had bene in other contreys for some resonable cause al that gorgeousnes of apparrel semed shamefull and reprochefull In so much that they most reuerently saluted the vylest â–ª and most abiect of them for lordes passing ouer the Ambassadours themselfes without any honour iudging them be their wearing of golden cheynes to be bondeme â—Yea you shuld haue sene children also that had caste away their peerles and pretious stones wheÌ„ they sawe the like sticking vpon the Ambassadours cappes digge and pushe their mothers vnder the sides sayinge thus to them Loke mother how great a lubbor doth yet were peerles and pretious stoones as â—hough he were a litel child still But the mother yea and that also in good earnest peace sone saith she I thynk he be some of the Ambassadouâ—s fooles Some fownde fawte at theire golden cheynes as to no vse nor purpose beynge to small and weake that a bondeman myghte easelye breake them and agayne so wyde and large that when it pleased him he myght cast them of and runne awaye at lybertye whether he wolde But when the Ambassadoures hadde bene there a daye or .ij. and sawe so greate abundaunce of gold so lyghtelye estymed yea in no lesse reproche then yt was wyth them in honour and besydes that more golde in the cheynes and gyues of one fugytyue bondeman then all the costelye ornamentes of them .iij. was worth they beganne to abate they re currage and for verye shame layde awaye all that gorgyouse arraye wherof theye were so prowde And specyallye when they hadde talkede famylyerlye wyth the Vtopyans and hadde learnede all they re fassyons and opynyoâ—s For they marueyle that annye men be soo folyshe as to haue delyte and pleasure in the glysterynge of a lytyll tryfelynge stone whyche maye beholde annye of the starres or elles the soone yt selfe Or that annye man ys so madde as to couâ—te him selfe the nobler for the smaller or fyner threde of wolle whyche selfe samewoll be it nowe iâ— neuere so fyne a sponne threde dyde ones a â—hepe weare aâ—d yet was she all that time no other thing then a shepe They marueyle alâ—o that golde whyche of the owne nature is a thynge so vnprofytable is nowe emonge all people in soo hyghe estymatyon that man hym selfe by whoÌ„ yea and for the vse of whome yt ys so muche sett by ys in muche lesse estymatyon then the golde yt selfe In so muche that a lumpyshe blockehedded churle â–ª and whyche hathe no more wytte then an asse yea and as full of noughtenes and folyshenes shall haue neuertheles many wyse and good men in subiectyon and bondage onlye for thys bycause he hathe a greate heape of golde Whyche yf yt should be taken from hyme by annye fortune â–ª or by some subtyll wyle of the lawe â–ª which no lesse then fortune doth raise vp the lowe and plucke downe the high and be geueÌ„ to the most vile slaue and abiect dreuell of all his housholde then shortely after he shall goo into the seruice of his seruaunt as an augmentation or an ouerplus besyd his money But they much more marueill at and detest the madeues of them whyche to those riche men in whose debte and daunger they be not do giue almoste diuine honowres â—or â—on other consideration but bicause they be riche and yet knowing them to be suche nigeshepenuy fathers that they be sure as loÌ„g as they liue not the worthe of one farthinge of that heape of gold shall come to them Thies and such like opinions haue they conceaued partely by education beinge brought vp in that commoÌ„
with an other he or she whether it be is sharpely punyshed And both the offenders be forbydden euer after in all their life to marrye oneles the faulte be forgeuen by the princes pardone But bothe the good maÌ„ and the good wyfe of the house where that offence was done as beyng slacke and neglygent in lokyng to there chardge be in daunger of great reproche and infamye That offence is so sharpelye punyshed bicause they perceaue that onles they he diligentlye kept from the lybertie of this vice fewe wyll ioyne together in the loue of marriage wherin all the lyfe must be led with one also all the griefes displeasures that come therewith must paciently be taken borne Furthermore in cheusyng wyfes and husbandes they obserue earnestly and â—â—raytelye a custome whiche semed to vs very fonde and folysh For a sad â—n honest matrone sheweth the womâ—â— be she maide or widdowe 〈◊〉 to the wower And lykewyse a sage and discrete man exhibyteth the wowere naked to the woman At this custome we laughed aâ—d disalowed 〈◊〉 foolyshe But they on the other part doo greatlye woâ—der at the follye of all other nations whyche in byinge a câ—lte â–ª where as a lytle money is in hassarde be so charye and circumspeâ—te that though he â—e almoste all bare yet they wyll not bye hym oneles â–ª the saddel and all the harneys be taken of leaste vâ—der those couerynges be hydde som galleâ—â— soore And yet in chewsynge a wyfe whyche shal be other pleasure or dyspleasure to them all theire lyfe after they be so recheles that all the resydewe of the woomans bodye beinge coâ—ered wyth cloothes they esteme here scaselye be one handebredeth for they can se no more but her face and so do ioyne her to them not without great ieoperdie of euell agreiâ—g together if any thyâ—ge in her body afterwarde do offende aâ—d myslyke them For all men be not so wyse as to haue respecte to the vertuous condicions of the partie And the endowmeÌ„tes of the bodye cause the vertues of the myndâ— more to be estemed and regarded â—ea euen in the mariages of wâ—se men We rely so fowle deformitâ—e may be hydde vnder thoes coueringes that it maye quite alienate take awaye the â—â—ans mynde from his wyfe wheÌ„ it shal not be lawfull for their bodies to be sepâ—rate agayne If suche deformitie happen by any chaunce after the mariage is coÌ„sumate and finyshed well there is no remedie but patience Euery maÌ„ must take his fortune well a worthe But it were well done that a lawe were made wherebye all suche deceytes myghte be eschewed aduoyded before hand And thys were they constre yâ—ed more earnestlye to looke vpon because they onlye of the the nations in that parte of the worlde bee contente euerye man wyth one wyfe a piece And matrymoney is there neuer broken but by death excepte adulterye breake the bonde or els the intollerable waiward maners of eyther partie For if either of them fynde themselfe for any suâ—he cause greued they maye by the licence of the councell chaunge and take an other But the other partie lyueth euer after in infamye and out of wedlocke But for the husbande to put away his wyfe for no faulte but for that some myshappe is falleâ— to her bodye thys by no meaâ—es they wyll suffre For they iudge it a greate poynte of crueltie that any â–ª body in their moste nede of helpe and comforte shoulde be cast of and forsaken and that olde age whych both bryâ—geth syâ—knes with it and is a syckenes it selfe should vnkyndlye vnfaythfullye be delte withall But nowe and then it chaunseth where as the man and the woman cannot well agree betwene themselfes bothe of theÌ„ fyndyâ—ge other with whome they hope to lyue more quyetlye and meryly that they by the full consent of them both be diuorsed a sonder and newe maâ—ied to other But that not without the aucthoritie of the councell Which agreeth to no dyuorses before they and their wyfes haue diligently tried and examyned the matter Yea and theÌ„ also they be loth to coÌ„sent to it bicause they knowe thys to be the nexte waye to breke loue betwene man and wyfe to be in easye hope of a newe mariage Breakers of wedlocke be punyshed with moste greuoâ—s bondage And if both the offenders were maried theâ— the partyes whiche in that behalfe haue suffered wronge be diuorsed from the auoutrers if they wyll and be maried together or els to whoÌ„ they luste But if eyther of them both do styll contynewe in loue towarde so vnkynde a bedfellowe the vse of wedlocke is not to them forbydden if the partie be disposed to followe in toylinge and drudgerye the person which for that offence is condempned to bondage And very ofte it chaunceth that the repeâ—tauÌ„ce of the one and the earnest diligence of the other dothe so moue the prince with pytie and compassion that he restoreth the boâ—de persoâ—e from seruitude to libertie and fredom again But if the same partie be taken â—ftsones in y â— faulte there is no otherway but death To other trespaces there is no presâ—ript punyshment appoynted by anye lawe But accordinge to the heyâ—ouseâ—es of the offence or contrarye so the punyshemente is moderated by the discretion of the councell The husbandes chastice theire wyfes and the parentes theire chyldren oneles they haue done anye so horryble an offence that the open punyshemente thereof maketh muche for the aduauncemente of honeste maâ—ers But moste commenlye the moste heynous faultes be punyshed with the in commoditie of bondage For that they suppose to be to the offenders no lesse griefe and to the common wealth more profitable then if they should hastely put theÌ„ to death and make them out of the waye For there cummeth more profite of theire laboure then of theire deathe and by theire example they feare other the lenger from lyke offences But if they beinge thus vsed doo rebell and kicke agayâ—e then forsothe they be stayne as desperace and wilde beastes whom â—o ther pryson nor chayâ—e could restraine and kepe vnder But they whiche take theire bondage patientlye be not left all hopeles For after they haue bene broken and tamed with longe myseries yf then they shewe suche repenâ—aunce wherebye it maye be perceaued that they be soryer for theire offence then for theire punyshemente sumtymes by the Pryâ—ces prerogatyue and sumtymes by the voyce and coâ—sent of the people theire bondage other is mitigated or els cleane remytted and forgeueÌ„ He that moueth to aduoâ—trye is in no lesse daunger and ieoperdie then yf he hadde committed aduontrye in dede For in all offences they counte the intente and pretensed purpose as euell as y â— acte or dede it selfe For they thynke that no lette owghte to excuse hym that dyd hys beste too haue no lette They sette greate store by fooles And as it is greate reproche to do to annye of them hurte or iniury so they prohibite not to take
it myght seme a verye reprochefull thynge yf in the â—eagues of them whyche by a pecuâ—iare name â—e called faythfull faythe shoulde haue no place But in that newefoâ—nde parte of the worlde whiche is scaselye so farre from vs beyonde the lyâ—e equinoctiall as owre lyfe and manners be dissideâ—te from theirs no truste nor confydence is in leagues But the mo and holyer cerymonies the league is knytâ—e vp with the soâ—er it is broken by some cauillation founde in the woordes whyche manye tymes of purpose be so craftelye put in and placed that the bandes can neuer be so sure nor so stronge but they wyll fynde some hole open to crepe owte at and to breake bothe league and trewthe The whiche crafty dealynge yea the whiche fraude and deceyte yf they shoulde knowe it to bee practysed amonge pryuate men in theire bargaynes and contractes they woulde incontinent crye owte at it with a sower conntenaâ—nce as an offence most detestable and worthie to be punnyshed with a shamefull death yea euen verye they that auaunce themselfes authours of like councel geueÌ„ to princes Wherfore it maye well be thought other that all iustice is but a basse and a lowe vertue and whiche avaleth it self farre vnder the hyghe dignitie of kynges Or at the least wyse that there be two iustices the one mete for the inferioure sorte of the people goinge a fote and crâ—pynge by â—owe on the grounde and bounde downe on euery side with many bandes because it shall not run at rouers The other a pryncely vertue whiche lyke as it is of muche hygher maiestie then the othâ—r poore iustice so also it is of muche more lybertie as to the whiche nothinge is vnlawful that it lusteth after Thies maners of princes as I sayde whiche be there so euyll kepers of leagues cause the Vtopians as I suppose to make no leagues at all whiche perchaunce woulde chaunge theire mynde iâ— they lyued here Howebeit they thynke that thoâ—ghe leagues be neuer so faythfullye obserued and kept yet the custome of makinge leagues was verye euel be gonne For this causeth meÌ„ as though â—ations which be separate a sondre by the space of a lytle hyl or a ryuer were coÌ„pled together by â—o societe or bonde of nature to thynke them selfes borne aduersaryes and enemyes one to an other and that it is lawfull for the one to seke the death and destruction of the other it leagues were not yea and that after the leagues be accorded fâ—yndeshyppe dothe not growe and encrease But the lycence of robbynge and stealynge doth styll remayne as farâ—urthe as for lacke of forsight and aduisement in writinge the woordes of the league anny sentence or clause to the contrary is not therin suffycyentlye comprehended But they be of a contrary opinioÌ„ That is that no man ought to be counted an enemy whyche hath done no iâ—iury And that the felowshyppe of nature is a stronge league and that men be better and more surely knitte togethers by loue beneâ—oleâ—ce theÌ„ by couenauÌ„tes of leagues by hartie affectioÌ„ of minde then by woordes Of warfare â–ª WArre or battel aâ— a thinge very â—rastâ—lye and yet to no kynde of beastes in so muche vse as it is to man they do detest and abhorre And contrarye to the custome almost of all other natyons they cowâ—te nothinge somuch against glorie as glory gotten in warre And therefore though they do daily practise and exercise themselfes in the discypline of warre and that not only the men but also the women vpon certeyne appoynted dayes leste they shoulde â—e to seke in the feat of armes yf nead should requyre yet they neuer to goo to battayle but other in the defence of their owne cowntreye or to dryâ—e owâ—e of theyr frendes lande the enemyes that be comen in or by their powre to deliuer froÌ„ the yocke and bondage of tyranâ—ye soâ—â—e people that be oppressed wyth tyraÌ„ny Whyche thynge they doo of meere pytye and compassion Howebeit they sende healpe to they re fryndes not euer in theire defence But sumtimes also to requyte and reuenge iniuries before to them done But thys they do noâ—â—â—les their counsell and aduise in the matter be asked whyles yt ys yet newe and freshe For yf they fynde the cause probable and yf the contrarye parte wyll not restore agayne suche thynges as be of them iustelye demaunded then they be the chyeffe auctores and makers of the warre Whyche they do not onlye as ofte as â—y iâ—rodes and inâ—asions of soldiours prayes and booties be dreuen away but then also much more mortally wheÌ„ their frindes marchauÌ„tes in any land other vnder y â— pretence of vniust lawes orels by the wresting wronge vnderstonding of good lawes do sustaine an vniust accusation vnder the colour of iustice Nother the battel which the vtopians fowghte for the Nephelogetes against the Alaopolitanes a lytle before oure time was made for annye other cause but that the Nephelogete marchaunte men as the vtopians thought suffred wrong of the Alaopolitaâ—es â–ª vnder the pretence of righte But whether it were righte or wrong it was with so cruell and mortal warre reuenged the countrâ—is rouÌ„d about ioyâ—ing their healpe and powre to the puysaunce and malice of bothe parties that most flâ—rishing and wealthie peoples beyng some of theÌ„ shrewedely shaken and some of them sharpely beaten the mischeues were not finisshed nor ended vntill the Alaopolitanes at the last were yelded vp as bondmen into the iurisdiction of the Nephelogetes For the vtopians foughte not this warre for themselfes And yet the Nephelogetes before the warre when the Alaopolitanes flourished in wealth were nothyng to be coÌ„pared with theÌ„ So egerly the Vtopians prosequâ—te the iniuries done to ther frindes yea in money matters and not their owne likewise For if they by coâ—eyne or gyle be wiped beside their gooddes so that no violeÌ„ce be done to their bodies they wreake their anger by absteining from occupieng with that nation vntill they haue made satisfaction Not for bicause they set lesse stoore by their owne cytyzeyns then by theire frindes but that they take the losse of their fryndes money more heuely then the losse of theyr owne Bicause that their frindes marchaunte men forasmuche as that they leise is their owne priuate gooâ—des susteyne great damage by the losse But their owne citizeyns leise nothing but of the commeÌ„ gooddes aâ—d of y â— which was at home plentifâ—ll and almost superfluous elles hadde it not bene sent furth Therfore no maÌ„ feeleth the losse And for this cause they thynke it to cruell an acte to reuenge that losse wyth the death of many the incommoditie of the whiche losse no man feeleth nother in his liâ—fe nother in his liuinge But if it chaunce that any of their men in any other countreye be mayâ—ed or â—ylled whether it be done by a commeÌ„ or a priuate councell knowing and trying out the treuth of the matter by their ambassadours oâ—les the offeÌ„ders be rendered vnto them in
the fortune of the hole battayll and spyte of there tethes wrestynge owt of theire handes the sure vâ—dowted victory being a litle before conquered haue for theire parte coÌ„quired the coÌ„querers It is hard to say whether they be craftier in laynge an ambusshe or wittier in â—duoydynge thesame Yowe woulde thynke they iâ—tende to fâ—ye â–ª whem they â—eane nothing lesse And coÌ„trary wise when they go about that purpose â–ª yow wold beleue it were y â— least part of their thoughte For it they perceaue themselfes other ouermatched in numbre or closed in to narrowe a place then they remoue their campe other in the â—yght season with silence or by some pollicie they deceaue theire enemies or in the daye time they retiere backe so softely that it is no lesse ieoperdie to medle with them when they gyue backe then when they preese on They fence and fortifie theire campe sewerlye with a deape and a brode trenche The earth therof is cast inward Nor they do not set drudgeis and slaues a worke about it It is doone by the haâ—des of the souldiours them selfes All the hole armye worketh vpon it except them that watche in harneis before the trenche for sodeyne auentures Therefore by the labour of so manye a large trenche closinge in a great coÌ„passe of grounde is made in lesse tyme theÌ„ any maÌ„ wold beleue Theire armoure or harâ—eiâ— whiche they weare is sure and stronge to receaue strokes and handsome for all moâ—inges and gestures of the bodye in somuche that it is not vnweldy to swymme in For in the discipline of theire warefare amonge other feates thei lerne to swimme in harneis Their weapons be arrowes afarre of which they shote both strongely and suerly not onelye fotemen but also horsemen At hande strokes they vse not swordes but pollaâ—es whiche be mortall aswel in sharpenes as in weyghte bothe for foynes and downe strokes Engines for warre they deuyse and inuente woÌ„ders wittely Whiche when they be made they kepe very secret leaste if they should be knowen before neade requyre they should be but laughed at and serue to no purpose But in makynge them herevnto they haue chiefe respecte that they be both easy to be caried and handsome to be moued and turned about Truce taken with theire enemies for a shorte time they do so fermelye and faythfully keape that they wyll not breake it no not though they be theire vnto prouoked They do not waste nor destroy there enemies laâ—de with forraginges nor they burne not vp theire corne Yea they saue it as muche as maye be from beinge onerrune and troden downe other with men or horses thynkynge that it groweth for theire owne vse and proffyt They hurt no man that is vnarmed onles he be an espiall All cities that be yelded vnto them they defende And suche as they wynne by force of assaute they no ther dispoyle nor sacke but them that withstode and dyswaded the yeldynge vp of thesame they put to death the other souldiours they punnyshe with bondage All the weake multitude they leaue vntouched If they knowe that aâ—ye cytezeins counselled to yelde and rendre vp the citie to them they gyue parte of the condempned mens goodes The resydewe they distribute and gyue frely amonge them whose helpe they had in thesame warre For none of them selfes taketh anye portion of the praye But when the battayll is fynyshed and ended they put theire frendes to neuer a penny coste of al the chardges that they were at but laye it vpon theire neckes that be conquered Them they burdeâ—ne with the hole chardge of theire expeÌ„ceis which they demaunde of them partelye in money to be kept for lyke vse of battayll and partelye in sandes of greate reuenues to be payde vnto them yearlye for euer Suche reuenues they haue nowe in maâ—ye countreis Whiche by litle and lytle rysyng of dyuers and sondry causes be encreased aboue .vij. huÌ„dreth thousand ducates by the yere Thither they sende furth some of their citezeiâ—s as Lieueteâ—auntes to lyue theire sumptuously lyke men of honoure and renowne And yet this notwithstanding muche money is saued which coÌ„meth to the coÌ„men treasory onles it so chauÌ„ce that thei had rather truste y â— couÌ„trey w t the money Which many times thei do so loÌ„g vntil they haue neade to occupie it And it seldome happeneth y â— thei demauÌ„d al â–ª Of thies laÌ„des thei assigne part vnto theÌ„ which at their request exhortacion put themsâ—lfes in such ieoperdies as I spake of before If anye prynce stirre vp warre agaynst them intendyng to inuade theire lande they mete hym incoâ—tinent owt of theire owne borders with great powre and strengthe For they neuer lyghtly make warre in their owne countreis Nor they be neuer brought into so extreme necessitie as to take helpe out of forreyne landes into thire owne Ilande Of the religyons in Vtopia THere be dyuers kyndes of religioÌ„ not only in sondry partes of the Ilande but also in dyuers places of euerye citie Some worshyp for God the sunne some the mone some some other of the planetes There be that gyue worshyp to a man that was oâ—es of excellente vertue or of famous glory not only as God but also as the chiefest hyghest God But the moste and the wysest parte reiectynge all thies beleue that there is a certayne Godlie powre vnknowen euerlastyng incomprehensible inexplicable farre aboue the capacitie and retche of manswitte dispersed through out all the worlde not in bygâ—es but in vertue aâ—d powre Hym they call the father of all To hym allone they attrybute the begynnynges the encreasynges the procedynges the chaunges and the endes of all thynges Nother they gyue deuine honours to any other then to him Yea all the other also though they be in diuers opinions yet in this pointe they agree all togethers with the wisest sort in beleuynge that there is one chiefe and pryncipall God the maker and ruler of the hole worlde whome they all commonly in theire countrey language call Mythra But in this they disagre that amonge some he is counted one and amonge some an other For euery one of them whatsoeuer that is whiche he taketh for the chiefe God thynketh it to be the very same nature to whose onlye deuyne myght and maiestie the som and soueraintie of al thinges by the consent of all people is attributed and geuen Howe be it they al begynne by litle and litle to forsake fall from thys varietie of superstitioÌ„s and to agree togethers in that religion whiche semethe by reason to passe and excell the resydewe And it is not to be dowted but all the other would longe agoo haue bene abolyshed but that whatsoeuer vnprosperous thynge happened to any of them as he was mynded to chaunge his religion the fearefulnes of people dyd take it not as a thynge cummynge by chaunce but as sente frome God owt of heauen As thoughe the God whose honoure he was forsakynge woulde reuenge that wicked purpose
against him But after they harde vs speake of the name of Christe of his doctryne lawes myracles and of the no lesse wonderful constancie of so manye martyrs whose bloude wyllynglye shedde brought â— great numbre of nations throughe out all partes of the worlde into theire secte yowe wyll not beleue with howe gladde myndes they agreed vnto the same whether it were by the secrete inspiration of God or els for that they thought it next vnto that opinioÌ„ which amonge them is counted the chiefest Howe be it I thynke this was no smal healpe and furtheraunce in the matter that they harde vs saye that Christ instytuted amonge hys all thynges commen and that thesame communitie dothe yet remayne amongest the rightest Christian companies Verely howe soeuer it came to passe manye of them consented togethers in oure religion and were wasshed in the hollye water of baptisme But because amonge vs foure for no moo of vs was left alyue two of oure compaâ—ye beynge deade there was no prieste whiche I am ryghte sorye for they beinge entered and instructed in all other poyntes of oure relygion lacke oâ—elye those Sacramentes whyche here none but priestes do minister Howe be it they vnderstande and perceyue them and be verye desierous of thesame Yea they reason and dispute the matter earnestly amonge themfelfes whether without the sâ—ndyng of a christian bysshoppe one chosen out of theire owne people may receaue the ordre of priesthode And truly they were mynded to chuse one But at my departure from them they hadde chosen none They also whiche do not agree to Christes religion feare no man frome it nor speake agaynste anye man that hath receyued it Sauing that one of oure companye in my presence was sharpely punyshed He as sone as he was baptised began against our willes with more earnest affection then wisdome to reason of Christes religioÌ„ â–ª and began to waxe so hotte in his matter that he dyd not only preferre oure relygion before all other but also dyd vtterlye despise an coÌ„dempne al other callynge them prophane and the followers of them wicked and deuelishe and the chyldren of euerlasting dampnation When he had thus longe reasoned the matter they layde holde on hym accâ—sed hym and condempned hym into exyle not as a despyser of religion but as a sedicious persone and a rayser vp of dissention amonge the people For this is one of the auncientest lawes amonge them that no man shal be blamed for reasonynge in the mayntenaunce of his owne religion For kyng Vtopus euen at the first begynning hearing that the inhabitauÌ„tes of the lande were before his commyng thether at conâ—ynuall dissention and stryfe amonge themselfes for their religions perceyuing also that this coÌ„mondissention whyles euerye seuerall secte tooke seuerall parties in fyghting for theire countrey was the only occasion of hys conquest ouer them all assoue as he had gotteÌ„ the victory First of all he made a decrie that it shoulde be lawfull for euery man to fauoure and followe what religion he would and that he myght do the beste he cold to bryng other to his opinion so that he dyd it peaceably gentelye quyetly and soberlye without hastye and contentious rebuking inuehyng against other If he coulde not by fayre gentle speche iâ—duce them vnto his opinioÌ„ yet he should vse no kinde of violence and refrayne from displeasaunt seditious woordes To him that would vehemently and feruentlye in this cause striue contende was decreid bannish meÌ„t or bondage This lawe did kynge Vtopus make not only for the maintenauÌ„ce of peace which he sawe through continuall contention mortal hatred vtterly extinguished but also because he thought this decrye shuld make for the furtheraunce of religion Wherof he durst define and determine nothing vnaduisedly as dowting whether god desâ—eryng manifolde and diuers sortes of honoure would inspire sondrie men with sondrie kyndes of religion And this suerly he thought a very vnmete and folishe thing and a pointe of arrogant presumption to compell all other by violence and threatenynges to agre to thesame that thou beleuest to bee â—rewe â—urthermore though there be one religion whiche alone is trewe all other vayne superstitious yet did he well forsee so that the matter were handeled with reason and sober modestie that the trewthe of the owne powre woulde at the laste issue owte and come to lyght But if contention and debate in that behalfe shoulde continuallye be vsed as the woorste men be moste obstynate and stubburne and in theire euell opynion moste constante he perceaued that then the beste and holyest religion woulde be troden vnder foote and destroyed by moste vayne superstitions euen as good corne is by thornes and weydes ouergrowen and choked Therfore al this matter he lefte vndiscussed gaue to euery man free libertie and choyse to beleue what he woulde Sauinge that he earnestly and straytelye chardged them that no man shoulde conceaue so vile and base an opinion of the dignitie of mans nature as to thinke that the sowles do dye and perishe with the bodye or that the worlde ruÌ„neth at al auentures gouerned by no diuine proâ—idence And therfore thei beleue that after this lyfe vices be extreamelye punyshed vertues bountyfully rewarded Hym that is of a contrary opinion they couÌ„te not in the numbre of meÌ„ as one that hath aualed the hyghe nature of his sowle to the vielnes of brute beastes bodies muche lesse in the numbre of their citiziens whoe 's lawes ordenauÌ„ces if it were not for feare he wold nothing at al esteme For yow may be suer that he wil study other with crafte preuely to mock orels violently to breake the commen lawes of his countrey in whom remayneth no further feare theÌ„ of the lawes nor no further hope then of the bodye Wherefore he that is thus mynded is depryued of all honours excluded from all offices and reiecte from all common administrations in the weale publyque And thus he is of all sorte despysed as of an vnprofitable and of a base vile nature Howe be it they put hym to no punyshemente because they be perswaded y â— it is in no mans powre to beleue what he lyst No nor they constrayne hym not with threatninges to dissemble his minde and shewe countenaunce contrâ—ry to his thoughte For deceite and falshed and all maner of lyes as next vnto fraâ—de they do meruelouslye deteste and abhorre But they suffre him not to dispute in his opinion and that oâ—lyeemong the commen people For elleâ— a parte emong the the pryestes and meÌ„ of grauity they doo not only suffre but also exhorte him to dispute and argue hoopinge that at the laste that madnes will giue place to reason There be also other and of them no small numbre whych be not forbidden to speake their mindes as grounding their opinion vpon some reason being in their gliâ—ine nother euell nor vitious Their heresye is much contrary to the other For they beleue that the soules of