other may iustly require in the well tempering wherof all the skill arte and pollicie of governement is wholy contained and he that shall holde the best and most iust temperature herein commeth nearest to the perfection of nature who by how much more equally shee doth temper the foure humours and elements in our naturall bodies by so much we receive a more perfit strength a longer being continuance Sol This is the best forme of instituting of common-weales the which you have now described but in this institution some are founde to ayme at peace some at honour as the butte and scope of all their actions so as their ende and scope being divers it seemeth they may not imbrace one forme of institution Epi You say well for they which shall aime at a common-weale peaceable permanent it behoveth them to seclude strangers not to traine their people and subiectes in militarie discipline according to the example of the Lacedaemonians and to possesse a place or fort as well by nature and the situation thereof as by art rendred invincible according to the example of the Venetians But such as shal ayme at honour and glory as the butte scope of their institution must entertaine straungers they must indevour to render the common-wealth populous they must daily traine and exercise the people in military discipline and they shal wisely deliver the feble and weake from the hands of the oppressour they must entertaine many associates friends by the which pollicies they shall render themselves every where invincible according to the example of the Romanes Sol But what manner of institution is most permanent and to be preferred Epi Neither the one nor the other may be founde so happy and permanent but at the last with the apple in his fulripenes they fall with their owne weight and poyse to the ground the one by discord and mutinies of the soldiours for that their citizens are rendred bold by the continual vse and trayning in military discipline the other by effeminacie ease rest and security hasteneth in like maner vnto mutinies and discords as to his last ruine so as either by a fatall destinie as it were imbraceth there owne confusion but not after one manner for the one like vnto a flowre or the pride of youth in the height of his glory vanisheth away and leaveth the image of true glory as a lively picture to invest a perpetuall memory of a worthy and excellent Institution But the common-weale which in his first Institution aymeth only at peace and permanency with effaeminacy discorde and mutinies bredde by long ease rest and security embraceth with the other his final last destruction but leaveth not the like memory of his Institution Sol It seemeth thē by that which you have said that the institutiō of that cōmon-weale which aymeth at vertue honour and glorie is to be preferred before the other of princes much more to be desired But may not one selfesame common-weale ayme at the one and the other Ep No verily for as the tree which hath but a slender roote may not long support waighty and mighty braunches against the furie and violence of the winde and tempest so common-weales which ayme at peace having but a slender roote and foundation laide for the supporting thereof as before I have remembred may not be long victorious and hold themselves vpright in actions of great importance and if they fortune to be so with the Venetians which have much regarded this manner of institution they shal no sooner winne but eftsoones for want of proper forces to defende they shall loose the same againe so as for free estates and common-weales this manner of institution seemeth not to be the best but for servile common-weales and such as have lived alwaies subiect to others as Pisa sometimes to the Florentines Cremona to the Venetians and Salamina to Athens it may be holden for the safest for by this maner of Institution they shall more easily retaine the subiectes in their obedience and subiection THE THIRD BOOKE OF Solon his follie CAP. 1. A description of this worde Declination with the severall signes and tokens thereof whereof some are tearmed ordinary others extraordinary SOL You have made a perfect anatomye of this worde Reformation and not onely with the cunning Painter you have described the outwarde shews and lineaments but with the wise Phisition you have well knowen and laid open the inward partes therof but now disclose vnto vs the secrets which lie hidden vnder the words subsequent and contained in the first and generall description namely of a declined common-weale Ep These words offer sundry matters worthy of consideration Sol What be they Epi First the description of this word Declination secondly the signes and tokens thirdly the times fourthly the partes and members fiftly the causes and occasions and lastly the meanes to resist the same Sol Make the first step vnto the description thereof which is the first matter herein to be considered Epi A Declination of a body polliticke is nothing els but a fall and departure from his first institution and perfection so as we may rightly tearme it the subiect and matter of this our reformation Sol You have aptly described the same therefore make your progression vnto the second matter and declare vnto vs the signes and tokens which with Ionas as forerunners and messengers giveth the City of Ninivie to vnderstand of their declination and destruction Epi The death of noble and worthy personages doeth threaten a declination of the welfare and happines of estates and common-weales For the first token saith Plutarke that threatned some great mischiefe to the common-wealth of Rome was the death of Iulius one of the Censores for the Romanes saith he doe greatly reverence the office of a Censor and esteeme it as a sacred place Sol. And hath not the cittie of Rome of late yeares beene deprived of grave and worthy Censores by vntimely death not inferiour to Iulius Epi Yes verily and for this cause we are greatly to feare that chaunging our auncient Consuls for new Decemviri with the citie of Rome wee perish and fall in actions of great importaunce and difficulty and therefore with that faithfull and worthy citizen Camillus I pray dailie vppon my knees that this bitter calamitie vnto vs now threatned if the same may not be turned from vs doe light vpon my selfe and such other private citizens of Rome that have deserved the same so as the citie vvith her noble armie and forces may be preserved Sol Passe this over with this comfort that the new Decemviri retaine in them the great vertue and worthines even of the auncient Consuls and proceede vnto signes of declination Epi There may not be greater signes founde of common calamities ensuing then an vniversall securitie which sometimes possesseth the mindes and heartes of the subiectes The which was founde in the Romanes at such time as they sustained the great overthrow
common-weale hath beene from time to time a free estate and not subiect to others as sometimes the Romaines were to such estates all manner of tributes are grievous and therefore not to be exacted but vppon vrgent causes the which ceasing the people ought to be delivered from tributes But the people of Florence on the contrary having alwaies lived in servitude and as tributaries to others admitte vvillinglye all sortes of impositions and tributes from time to time imposed vppon them by their duke and for this cause Salamina long ere this might have beene made profitable vnto Athens for that they have alwaies lived in servitude and subiect to all impositions and tributes and many exactions have beene reared there by force and violence to the maintenaunce of idle and evill disposed persons the which being converted to private vses and not to publike services have little profited the Citie of Athens all which the recordes and statutes of Salamina doe many waies witnesse and especiallie the statutes against Coiney and Liverie and therefore the last matter which is the imployment of tributes to publike vses is not the least vvherein vvee are to have diverse regardes first care is to bee had of the Prince and his family secondarilie of the stipendarily souldiers the vvhich two matters are chiefely respected and regarded in the composition before remembred thirdly of magistrates which for want of their pay and stipend doe more egerly sometimes then the souldiers rob and devour the people fourthlie of such as have well deserved of the common-weale Finallie care is to be had of the poorer subiects least by want and extreame povertie they become movers of sedition Epi The charge being thus defrayed to the ende exact paiment may be made it were convenient that the souldiers vvere payed by the poule for if paiment be made as now vnto the Captaines the souldier receiving not the same in due time dareth not complaine against him but is driven to seek his maintenance by oppressing of the people Thus oftentimes the souldier is founde to hate his captaine which faileth to make paiment and the captaine disliketh the souldier because he faileth in order and government so as by this private malice impediment is given oftentimes vnto publike services The which mischiefe hath reigned long in Salamina Sol Doctor Sutliefe that learned and skilfull writer hath discoursed hereof at large in his militarie workes and therefore we vvill proceede vnto the other occasion of all the disorders in the men of garrison which is the want of militarie discipline for having neither a iudge nor court martiall orderly kept for the due triall and punishment of offendours the souldier for the most part receiveth no punishment for his offence or being punished in courtes civill they may well complaine of their manner of triall by the native borne people of the countrie Epi It is prohibited in all countries well governed to the men of garrison to holde any affinitie consanguinitie contract or bargaines with the native borne people of the countrie fearing least by this entercourse of friendshippe the garrisons may be at the last corrupted but greater occasion of corruption is there given in Salamina vvhere not onely these disorders are admitted by the negligence of Magistrates there placed but that vvhich is more the native borne people are made tryers of the life and fortunes of the men in garrison and may they boldlie prosecute in times of warres such as be enemies to the state whome in times of peace they maie iustlie feare as malicious cryers of their goods life and fortunes whatsoever Therefore most necessarie it is that a court martiall be established and orderly kept as you haue said thoroughout the whole province of Salamina for the reforming of disorders and mischiefes before recited CAP. 9. Occasions of declining are then given when Magistrates placed for reformation of any Countrie or province are not supported and countenaunced during the time of their governement SOL There remaine yet other occasions of the declining of common-weales worthy of remembraunce Epi What maie the same be Sol If Princes Kings and States shall not publikely grace countenaunce and support all governoures and Magistrates by them placed for reformation of any province or nation during the time of their governement the subiects shal take thereby occasion of rebelling For the Gaules vnderstanding that Rome did conspire to disgrace Caesar raised themselves forthwith in armes vnder the leading of Ambiorix and Vercingentorix in such sort as if they had not to hastily proceeded therein they had put all Italie in as great feare and daunger as it was sometimes when the Cimbri came to invade their cittie Epi Wee neede not search forraine examples herein for Salamina by this errour committed was for many yeares vexed with the rebellions of the Burkes and the Orurkes vntil that famous knight Sir B. Bingham by his singuler art and skill in military discipline as an other Caesar suppressed at the last Vercingentorix and the rebelling Gaules Sol What governoures were there that were found so vnskilful in their charge Epi A late deputie of Salamina whose name here I passe over with silence for that I may not say honoris causa nomino But O you governoures Princes Kings and Emperours whatsoever countenaunce all inferiour governoures and magistrates placed for the reformation of any nation or province countenaunce Pericles which beholdeth alwaies the Amazon holding his dart with a hande stretched forth even in his face with whome as with a deadly enemy hee must alwaies be fighting countenaunce Camillus which now is placed to reforme and suppresse the mutinous citizens wherein if he fortune to be inferiour for want of your countenaunce and assistaunce he shall be suppressed condemned and banished or at the least hee must of force surrender his office of Dictator Countenance Pericles for otherwise he shall be as one that hath committed incest he shal be a coward the author of warres yea of the plague and of whatsoever else which maie draw with it the hatred of all the citizens of Athens Countenance Camillus for there shall be a Lucius Apulius which malitiously shall accuse him for stealing part of the spoile of the Tuscans Lastly countenaunce this Magistrate placed for reformation for with David he is placed to fight with a beare after a lion with a Giant after a beare with a King after a Giant and with the Philistians after a King They must fight with infamie after envye with accusations after infamy with condemnation after accusations with iudgement after condemnation with imprisonment after iudgement with banishment after imprisonment for Simul ista mundi conditor posuit Deus odium atque regnum But if you shall not countenance them the Gaules shall rebell against Caesar the citizens shall mutinie but Camillus shall not be of force to suppresse them yea this action of reformation shal fall to the ground and the common-weale it selfe may not long continue CAP. 10. Occasions of
governement hee hath shewed himselfe to bee the person which Archilocus describeth in these his verses He is both Champion stout of Mars his warlike band And of the Muses eke the artes doth vnderstand EPI It seemeth also convenient for the better avoiding of difficulties and dangers that such heads and leaders as shall be found to give impediment vnto this maner of reformation be committed to some safe-gard or prison and there detained all which Dionysius advised Dion sometimes by his letters wishing him thereby not to set them at liberty which hated him and the action which he had then vndertaken of reformation Sol If the Earle of Desmonde late of Salamina committed to safe-gard prison for his sundry rebellions against the Citie of Athens had there beene safely detained the warres of Salamina had neither beene chargeable nor troublesome vnto the Citie of Athens and if Iames Fitz Morrice in like maner being in safetie and custody of officers to aunswere all accusations of high treason had not beene set at large by the Iustices for the time beeing he had not then wasted burned and spoiled a great part of Salamina neither had he put the Citie of Athens to so huge and mighty a charge nor yet combined with the enemy to the great daunger of that estate Therefore it is a chiefe suerty vnto Princes and great furtherance vnto actions of importance to commit to safe-gard and prison such as may give impediment thereunto for the which cause king Fredericke did no sooner intend the warres against the French but he apprehended and put in prison the Prince of BisignaÌ„ and the County of Molotte as friends vnto the French But now sith we have spoken at large of the first part and member of this reformation let vs descend vnto the other which you have tearmed a reformation absolute and vniversall THE SECOND BOOKE OF Solon his follie CAP. 1. A description of a reformation vniversall and of the whole state and bodie of the common-wealth EPI This reformation vniversall of the whole state and body of the common-wealth is nothing els but a thorough and absolute mutation and change of auncient lawes customes and manners of the people and finally of the common-wealth it selfe vnto a better forme of governement Sol It seemeth then that this reformation respecteth three matters principally first the mutation of auncient lawes and customes secondlie the alteration and change of manners in the people and finally a new institution and a better forme of governement then before prescribed CAP. 2. Of the reformation of auncient lawes and customes EPI You have well observed my meaning and purpose and to this effect a subtile writer making mention of this reformation generall and absolute saith that he which shall attempt the same must alter and chaunge all the auncient lawes and customes quia ne leges quidem quae in ipso ortu reipub à bonis viris late sancitaeque sunt sufficientes vtilesque sunt ad eos câ—ves frenandos qui in eadem repub à maiorum virtute degenerarunt pravi facti sunt for saith he where we finde the times and people thoroughly changed embracing now that which is found contrary to their former course and manner of living wee ought also to chaunge the auncient lawes and customes for contraria subiecta non debent eodem modo tractari The Romaines may herein be vnto vs a liuely example for after they had subdued Asia Africa and in a manner had reduced vnder their governemental Greece they fell eftsoones into a corruption of manners contrary to all their former discipline institution and accustomed manner of living their auncient lawes and customes established for creating of Magistrates they mightely abused selling their voices of election openly in the market place for mony in like manner did they abuse al other their auncient lawes and customes namely the lawes and customes which devided the common-weale and power thereof into the handes of the people and Senators so as there could not be a reformation of that estate without a mutation made of those auncient lawes and customes then growne by the iniquitie of those times out of vse Sol But what neede vvee search forraine examples when Salamina doth afforde sundry proofes thereof where we may beholde many auncient customes and privileges granted no doubt at the first for the advancement of publike services but now turned by a generall corruption in the subiect to the ruine of themselves and the lande of Salamina which must of necessitie bee altered and chaunged before any thorough reformation may there be established all which may appeare vnto such as shall reade the Act of Absentes which is lefte vnto vs as a register of the fall and declynation of the state of Salamina wherein it is manifest that the Lords of the several counties of Carthelagh and Wexforde being places priviledged maie keepe and hold all manner pleas within the same by occasion and vnder pretence and collour whereof the kings lawes writtes or other processes be not obeyed neither anie other lawe or iustice there vsed or administred for the quieting and good ordering of the subiect so as in defaulte thereof the kings enemies have them in servage al murders robberies theftes treasons and other offences remaine vnpunished the kings wardes reliefes escheates and all other his profits and revennewes are there withdrawne and the service strength and assistaunce of the saide subiect is greatly minished all which more at large shall appeare to such as shall pervse the saide statute so as we may conclude that without a mutation made of these auncient customes and priviledges now growne out of vse and declyned from their first institution by a generall corruption in the subiect the state of Salamina may never be perfitly and thoroughly reformed For as the state of Rome in manner as afore declined coulde not by the lawes sumptuarij ambitus neither by any other new lawe be sustayned and vnderpropped without a thorough alteration made of all other the auncient lawes and customes thereof so may we not expect in these daies a thorough reformation of Salamina by the lawes of Captainshippe the lawes against Coiney and Liverie the lawes against taking of pledges the lawes against wilfull murder or any other new lawe whatsoever made for the reformation of Salamina without a thorough alteration made of the auncient customes and priviledges thereof all which we there sometimes imployed in that service were daily taught rather by experience then by any learned or deepe discourse that may be made therof In like manner if the custome of Captainshippe the custome of Coiney and Livery and the custome of taking of pledges the custome of Tanistery the custome of protecting and supporting of traitours had not beene abolished by lawes then all newe lawes whatsoeuer would have beene founde vnprofitable for the reformation of Salamina for in such cases it is saide by learned writers that leges novae minus prodesse queant ad
SOLON HIS FOLLIE OR A POLITIQVE DISCOVRSE TOVCHING THE Reformation of common-weales conquered declined or corrupted BY RICHARD BEACON GENT. STVDENT OF GRAYES INNE AND SOMEtimes her Maiesties Attorney of the province of Mounster in Irelande AT OXFORD Printed by IOSEPH BARNES Printer to the Vniversitie Anno Domini 1594. TO HER MOST SACRED MAIESTIE IF all the actes and monumentes of former ages most mighty and renowned Queene and Empresse which might recommend this action of reformation vnto all posterities were committed to oblivion yet the recordes and monumentes of your Maiesties most happy governement may sufficiently revive the same where it is saide that your Highnes hath atchieved vnto that which is most rightly tearmed the greatest magnificence of a Prince which doth not onely consist in high bloud hauty progenie aboundance of private riches and substance wherewith your Maiestie is every way plentifully adorned but it resteth chiefely in populous and wel governed regions in beautiful Cities and Townes al which being impaired in your Realme of Ireland by the iniquitie of former times nowe as well the one as the other by your Maiesties most godly and careful course of governement are recontinued amended and augmented What more Have you not reformed all exactions grievous vnto that people Have you not reformed that horrible and most detestable custome of Coiney and Livery that fretter of the peoples lives and substaunce that Nurse and teate which sometimes gave sucke and nutriment vnto all disobedience rebellions enormities vices and iniquities of that Realme over foule and filthie heere to bee expressed Have you not in place of sorrow famine howling and cursing brought ioy iolitie plentie and every where blessings of so gratious a Queene Have you not reformed that daungerous custome of Captaineshippe which by factions did dismember the state of Irelande for all which if wee should bee founde vnthankefull yet the statutes and recordes of that lande would witnes the same against vs. Great is the honour which is due vnto Robert Fitz Stevens which first opened the waie of Irelande to the Earle of Stranguile and great is the honour due vnto the Earle which opened the same vnto Henry the King great is the honor which is due vnto the King which opened the way vnto Iohn his Sonne greatly is he to bee praised that first so boldlie began and woorthy of greater praise is he that after the beginning so nobly came to execute the thing so well begun but most of all he is to be praised that shall perfect and finish the same which praise by Gods divine providēce is light on your Maiestie for so the subiect of Irelande in the act of Attainder of Shane Oneile doeth liberallie confesse therefore goe forwarde Brutus for thy glory in reforming is farre greater then the glory of Romulus in building and instituting of the citie of Rome All nations with the Romaines shall honour your presence as another Time-sitheus for reforming and restraining the Lyparians from their accustomed robberies and spoiles all nations shall rightly honour you with the Ladies of Rome which sometimes offered their iewels to be solde for the furtherance of publike services for huge be the charges already imployed by your Maiestie for bringing to passe so great things tending to the sound vniversall reformation of this your Realme of Ireland as in the acte of subsidie more at large may appeare What further honour now remaineth due vnto your Maiestie for the accomplishing of so great worthy actions if not that which was sometimes given vnto Ianus for that you have chaunged the life of man which before your time was rude cruell and wilde in Ireland and brought it for the most part to be obedient gentle and civill in such sort as we may truely say with the subiect of Irelande this is the favour which your Maiesty hath found in the sight of God to augment strengthen and honour your imperiall crowne of Englande by the thorough reformation of this your Realme of Ireland All which considering with my selfe I could not suffer so honourable actions to bee buried in oblivion without leaving some speciall remembrance to all posterities but have made this plat counterfet the which I here present vnto your Maiesties sacred handes in baser coulours then princes doe vsually beholde or so weighty matters may require but I hope that your Maiesties accustomed clemency will impute this to Solon his follie and lunacie which now for his boldnes craveth pardon rather then commendation Your sacred Maiesties most humble and loyall subiect RICHARD BEACON The Authour to the Reader GENTLE Reader with the vnskilful archers of our times I did first aime and shoote at the publique good and profit according to the trust reposed in me and now as one that hath lost his arrowe and missed his marke I have at al adventures discharged the second time to the ende that my second labours may drawe home my first losses if my hande be fortunate to pearce the secret partes of thy tender and kinde affections and move in thee a friendly acceptaunce of these my rude labours if not looke no more for my returne to accompany the pleasaunt fieldes and meddowes for henceforth I take vp my habitation amidst the rockes and deserts where my arrowes may not pearce nor the strength of my bowe withstand the bitter windes and the harde and hoary frostes where I shall no more play the foole with Solon in the market-place but the wilde man in the desertes But if thou shalt vouchsafe to recall so vnskilfull an archer againe into the fieldes I may perhaps winne a bet that shall pay for the losse of a rubber Receive then Solon his folly not as a testimony of his skill but rather of the goodwil he beareth vnto thee and his country whereof if thou shalt make acceptaunce the same is thy honour and not his which with thy bounty and goodnes hast now overcome as well the giver as the gift But if thou shalt censure it by his owne proper woorth he hath fore-tolde thee the valewe thereof and before thy face hath now waighed the same in equall ballance with Solon his follie but not with his wisedome The booke vnto the Reader SITH Circe at the instance of Vlysses hath once againe graunted vnto dumbe creatures liberty of speech I may not but complaine for that she hath brought vs from our former rest silence now to speake before that wise Vlysses who havinge not tasted of the sweetenes and pleasure of this our solitary life since which time Circe first chaunged vs Graecians into the habite of mute and dumbe creatures may fortune to advance his wisedome and to holde our former silence and rest as contemptible And againe of the other side we beeing long deprived of the vse and arte of subtill speaking shall much discontent wise Vlysses with our homely discourses But O Circe hath the love of Vlysses and the cuntry of Greece drawn thee vnto
this indignation against vs as with Epaminondas naked and vnarmed I must oppose my selfe against the scornes and reproches of al ages as against a Graecian army And with the fonde lover in Petrarke must thou of force make me a sorrowfull minister thereof And with the silly birdes fast tied and bounde must I represent the face of thy loving thoughts Then what comfort remaineth If I may not say with them though here we remaine fast tyed and bounde subiect to all scornes and reproches and bereaved of our former liberty and delightes yet this one Ioy resteth that the Author of these our Calamities is falne more deepely then our selves therin in such sort as with vs he must tast the bitternesse of disdaine and contempt with the which cōfort I heere present my selfe vnto your most friendly viewe hoping that this my naked and innocent simplicity shall have your leave if not your likinge In reformatam ornatissimi Beaconi Rempub seu simulatam Solonis Insaniam Carmen INsidias fugiens laetum caede tyrannum Brutus nobilium gloria prima patrum Prudens desipuit quantum O fuit vtile Brute Desipere ingenio qui periturus erat Crede mihi gratus furor est amabilis error Vt teipsum serves negligere ingenium Insignem simili fama est vsum arte Solonem Amissam patriae dum Salamina petit Illum quippe furor praecepsque insania mentis Effrenis rabies vagus error agunt Illi barba impexa comae sine lege fluentes Et loca sola placent sine teste nemus Sic ambo insani sunt sed cum dispare laude Hic furit vt scipsum servet hic patriam Robertus Wright Bacc Theol. Viro verè politico civiue patriae benevolentissimo Richardo Beacono Salutem QValis in Euboico Salamis fruit Insula ponto Quâ freta vicinas interlabuntur Athenas Talis ad occiduum pelagi propè marmora Solem Agnovit Regina tuos Hybernia fasces Cincta mari Salamis cincta est Hybernia vtrisque Ardua per medios consurgunt maenia fluctus Quà m bene munitum fati haud ignara futuri Composuit natura locum tà m docta tueri Si foret dubijs si consulat Anglia rebus Non te Hispane ferox populi praedator Eöi Dira per insolitos minitantem praelia motus Non lectos iuvenes non robora gentis Iberae Non volucrem in tumido salientem gurgite pinum Fluctus cum gemitu ventosque labore prementem Hâc primùm attonitus spectaverat Anglus in era Nunc vbi quisque sibi sapere succurrere malit Quà m patriae videatque aequis securus ocelli◠Labentem valido tibicine sustentandam Prona ruit tacito sensim respublica casis At tibi pro meritis tantis pro tam benè factis Proque hoc in patriam officio pietate fideque Contingat Beacone decus post fata perenne Iohannes Budden Magist Artium A BOOKE INTITVLED SOLON his follie and lunacie made for the better reformation of common-weales conquered declined or corrupted by R. B. EPIMENIDES PHAESTIAN Wel met good Sir Pisistratus in this holy place of the tēple of Venus where though the sacrifices bee finished yet notwithstanding your devotion is highly to bee commended Pisistratus You also are happely well saluted right wise and famous Epimenides and this devotion which you have friendly now commended is but a duety first vnto the Gods and next vnto my friendes amongst whom I enumber you not the least Ep I am the least in power I must confesse that is worthy of Pisistratus but not in goodwill but what matter of importaunce hath caused your arrivall so vnexpected vpon this coast and haven Pisistratus We leade heere a strong army by the commaundement of the councell of Athens vnto Salamina for the better repossessing and reforming thereof Ep What contrary to their former decrees and proclamations which were so streight and that vpon paine of death that no Citizen of Athens should be so hardy as once to mooue the question to the counsell of the Citie for the repossessing and reforming of Salamina Pisistratus Yes verily for when the Athenians did once beholde that their long and troublesome warres the which they had now sustained against the Megarians for the repossessing and reforming of Salamina did arise vnto them not from the nature of the people nor from the difficultie of that action but rather that they received all their advertisementes for the advauncement of those affaires from such as gave counsel therein more for their private profit then for the publicke good but chiefely for that sundry governoures there placed were found either negligent or ignorant in the managinge of publicke affaires they willingly revoked their publicke proclamations and made choice of Solon a most wise and expert governour for leading and conducting their armies now heere landed for the repossessing and reforming of Salamina Ep But who perswaded this first vnto the Counsell of Athens Pisistrat Solon that faithfull counsellour of Athens Ep But how durst Solon the wise offende their publicke lawes and proclamations Pisistrat Solon holding it for an open shame the which woulde bee left vnto all posterities if the Citie of Athens should not be able to repossesse and reforme Salamina now commaunding the most partes of Greece fained himselfe to bee out of his wittes and caused it to be given out that Solon was become a foole and soone after on a day cloathed with the habite gesture and countenaunce of a foole or man possessed with lunacy hee ran sodenly out of his house with a garland on his heade vnto the market place where the people streight swarmed like bees about him and raising himselfe vpon the stone where all proclamations were made did so effectually perswade the repossessing of Salamina vnto the people as what with the weight of his reasons and the laud and praise every where spreade by his friendes of his proceeding therein their former proclamations were revoked the wars for the repossessing and reforming of Salamina with greater furie then before were followed they giving vnto Solon as I saide before the leading of the army and the whole managing of that action Ep After this manner did Brutus by a fained frency and lunacie not onely reforme the mighty Citie of Rome but wisely acquited himselfe thereby of the suspition and ielousie of Tarquine by the which manner of proceeding hee delivered as well the Citie of Rome as his own person from perill danger so as this common proverbe did first arise Simulare stultitiam nonnunquam sapientis est But where remaineth Solon my deare and familiar friende that I may salute him and give him the best comfort I maie in this worthy action of reformation Pisistrat Hee is newly landed with his vvhole army and hath nowe for his better recreation withdrawne himselfe into a pleasaunt and solitary garden neare vnto the temple of Venus wherevnto if your leasure serve I wil readilie conduct you Ep I readily
followe you Pisistratus Sir I goe before as the best guide and not the best man and beholde Solon in the most solitary place of the garden Solon Thrise welcome my deare and familiar friende Epimenides beholde this solitarie and pleasaunt place as also the times hath even newly conspired with my thoughtes and desires to impose a great and weighty labour vpon you Ep No labour may bee thought ever so greate as shall exceede the greatnesse of my goodwill I beare vnto Solon But what may the same be Tel it vnto me Solon As you have of late most friendly lent vnto mee your faithfull councell and best advise for the reformation of the Citie of Athens greatly to the advancement of that estate in like manner now I am earnestlie to entreate your most friendly advise for the better reformation of Salamina Ep This labour and travell I must confesse is due vnto Solon if there wanted not wisedome which shoulde give strength for the performaunce thereof but I have chosen at this time for our olde familiarity and friendshippe to give you iust cause rather to reprehende my skill then to accuse any parte of that office and duety which in the highest manner belongeth vnto Solon so as when the faulte appeareth you shall acknowledge the same to bee imposed by yourselfe and not received by mee without your commandement Solon Then friendly Epimenides before we enter into this large discourse for the reformation of Salamina I will declare vnto you a dreame which this last night amazed my thoughtes Ep I pray thee tell it vnto me Solon This night I seemed to beholde faire Diana with a beautiful Dove glistering like golde placed vpon her shoulder slyding and wavering every where in such sorte as it seemed to me to be in great ieopardy of falling but forthwith mooved with compassion I stretched foorth my right hande to better and reforme the place of her standing wherewith I might beholde Diana with a sharpe and sowre countenaunce to threaten the losse of my hand whereat being amazed I did awake out of my drousie sleepe Ep The people of Salamina is the threatening Diana hating all reformation the golden Dove is the pleasaunt countrie of Salamina the wavering of this Dove from place to place is the frailty and mutability wherevnto this countrie of Salamina hath ever beene subiect the compassion which you have taken of this golden Dove is the love you beare vnto Salamina the moving of your body and hande to succour this golden Dove is the ardent desire now newly kindled in you for the reformation thereof the losse of hande threatned by Diana is the difficulties and dangers which shall from time to time oppose themselves against you in this action of reformation Sol. Describe therefore vnto vs first what you intende by this word reformation and then the difficulties and daungers that followe the same and lastly the waies and meanes whereby we may readily eschewe those daungers and difficulties CAP. 1. OF THIS WORD REFORMATION AND A generall description thereof and howe the same is devided into two severall parts and members A REFORMATION of a declined common-weale is nothing els but an happy restitution vnto his first perfection this worde Reformation being thus described may in like sorte be devided into two parts and members the one may bee termed an absolute and a thorough reformation of the whole bodye of the common-weale namely of the ancient lawes customes governementes and manners of the people the other may be termed a reformation of particuler mischiefes and inconveniences onely which like vnto evill and superfluous humors dailie arise to the annoyance and disturbance of this politicke body For like as in our naturall bodies saith the Phisitian so in common weales there daily ariseth that Quod curatione indiget nisi tollatur inde morbos laethales parit This maner of reformation of particuler mischiefes and accidents consisteth of two partes and members the one by the profitable laws which are framed to meete with such mischiefs and inconveniences which doe or may arise to the annoyance of the common-weale such was the law called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which pacified the poorer sort of people called Hectemarij then in armes against the rich and better sorte of Athens the other is the true discipline and execution of lawes so made and established This manner of reformation of particuler mischiefes and inconveniences by good and profitable lawes was mightily endevoured by your selfe when as the Athenians made choice of you as their general reformer of their lawes and common-weale For you did not change the whole state thereof but altered onely that which you thought by reason you might perswade your Citizens vnto or els by force you ought to compell them to accept and framed your lawes to the subiect and matter and not the matter subiect vnto your lawes as sometimes Lycurgus did in his reformation of Sparta Sol You have saide the truth for if I should have attempted to turne vppe side downe the whole government to have changed the whole state thereof I might afterwardes never have beene able with that smal power and forces then granted vnto me to settle and establish the same againe Againe I did not thinke but that Athens then declined might well have beene restored by this kinde of reformation CAP. 2. What common-weale may be restored vnto his first perfection by applying thereunto this manner of reformation EPI No verily for Quae primis institutis omninò corrupta fuerit eanunquam in tales casus incidet propter quos novis legibus institui queat For this cause the first institution of Athens being meerly popular corrupt and vnperfit coulde never after by any lawes made for the reformation thereof be defended from the tyrannie of such as did aspire vnto the principalitie or from the ruine first conceived in the corrupt institution thereof For notwithstanding they established many lawes for the reformation of the insolencie of the noble men as also to restraine the libertie of the people non eam tamen conservare supra centessimum annum potuerunt But such common-weals as have their first institution and foundation good though not altogether perfit and complete at any time declining from the first state and perfection may by this manner of reformation made by profitable laws as occasion shal them require be not only restored to their first perfection but the happie estate thereof may thereby belong continued and augmented such was the common-wealth of Rome whose first institution and foundation was so wel laid by Romulus Numa as that after by new laws made for the reformation thereof as the necessity of that common weale did require the same was rendered long happy and prosperous in so much as it attained at the last an happy temper and forme of governement compounded of three sortes and kindes of gouernement namely the Monarchia Aristocratia and Democratia so that wee maie conclude that those common-weales
tollenda vitia quae regnant Now sith it is evident that a thorough reformation may not bee made without a mutation of auncient laws customes which are found evill in themselves or els by mutation and chaunge of times have now lost their first vigor and force it behoveth that we doe vnderstand what order and rule herein is to be observed for the more ready effecting thereof CAP. 3. Of the reformation of auncient lawes and customes and what things therein chiefly are to be considered EPI In all mutations made of auncient lawes and customes three matters especially fall into deliberation first the meanes secondly the forme and maner lastly the subiect and matter The meanes are in number five the first is authority the goodwill and consents of the people the seconde the thirde perswasions a sufficient power and force is the fourth the fifth and the last is a magistrate of rare and excellent vertues which may suppresse the envie and malice of such as shall oppose themselves against this intended reformation made by the mutation of auncient lawes and customes Sol But what authority is required for the better effecting of a reformation For this as the first matter you have well observed to be requisit herein Epi All authority herein graunted is after two sortes the one absolute the other limited by time and other circumstances This authoritie absolute was given sometime into your handes by the Athenians for after such time as they had well tasted of the lawe and ordinance called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they forthwith did choose you their generall reformer of the lawe and of the whole state of the common-weale without limiting this power then granted vnto you but referred all matters indifferentlye vnto your will as the offices of state common assemblies voices in election iudgments in iustice and the body of the Senate Finally they gave vnto you all power and authority to cease and taxe anie of them to appoint the number and what time the cease should continue and to keepe confirme and disanull at your pleasure anie of the auncient laws and customes then in being But this authority absolute without anie limitation of the power it selfe or of the time and continuance thereof hath sometimes turned to the great preiudice and danger of such as formerly have graunted the same for the Romaines after they had elected their Decemviri for the making of a thorough and absolute reformation of the common-weale of Rome they forthwith gave into their handes the sole and absolute power of Rome so as all other authorities and iurisdictions either of Consull Senate or Tribunes ceasing they wholy and only governed Rome without any provocation or appeale to bee made to any other Thus when no Magistrate remained which might observe the actions of such as were founde ambitious easily did Appius Claudius fall into the thoughtes of the principality of Rome he doeth strengthē himselfe with friendes clyēts and daily increaseth his wealth and nowe of a Citizen is become a fearefull enemy to the state of Rome in such sorte as they may neither endure his pride and insolencie neither may they safely suppresse the same without their common perill and daunger Therefore more wiselie did the Lacedemonians give great authority to their kinges and likewise did the Venetians to their Dukes but yet with certaine limits and bondes not lawfull for them to exceede and farther did appoint certaine watchmen as daily beholders and observers of all their actions and doings Sol But what limitation of time in granting this absolute authority may breede safety vnto him that giveth the same This is the seconde and last matter nowe remembred by you and worthie of consultation Epi The provinciall governement over the Gaules with an absolute power given into the handes of Caesar for the better reformation thereof was so long proroged and continued as at the last with the sword of the Romaines and the money of the Gaules he became terrible as well to the Gaules as to the Romaines returned not a Citizen now of Rome but as a fearefull enemie and conquerour as well of the Citie as of all the other territories and dominions thereof And was not also the provinciall governement of Spaine sometimes given into the handes of Pompey with an absolute authority for the reformation thereof so long proroged and continued as with one stampe of his foote he was able as himselfe reported to fill the Citie of Rome with weapons and armed men And did not Appius Claudius by proroging his authority but for one yeare become fearefull to the Citie of Rome And did not the Romaines by making a Dictator perpetuall loose the libertye of their Citie and doeth authority thus easily corrupt the maners of good subiectes and is the age also wherein we live free from such corruption Nay more then that is there not an enemie on foote that laboureth the corruption of the whole Then what authoritie here may be limited so straight as in this time may not be thought too large what time may be so shorte which may not be deemed too long Therefore let every good and faithfull councellour vnto the state with Cato resist here the proroging of Caesar his governement least too late with Pompey they acknowledge their errour it shall not suffice here to graunt but one yeare more vnto Appius Claudius neither is it sufficient that Caesar is holden in disgrace with the Citie of Rome neither may we here safely beleeve all which shall saie vnto Pompey Caesar is hated of the garrisons and souldiers for when Caesar commeth with his fortune he shall then force as well Pompey as the Citie of Rome to acknowledge their former follies and errours Sol. But nowe vnto what person may this authority be safely graunted is a matter herein not vnworthy of consultation Ep It is safely graunted vnto a man approved to be good and honest with this caution that he be not of such power and force as the state may stand in feare of his greatnes For the best sometimes have fallen by reason of honours and dignities into a generall corruption of manners and therefore we receive it as a proverbe honores mutant mores Sol. At no time then is it safely committed into the handes of personages of great might power and wealth Ep You have saide the trueth for what daunger did arise to the state of Athens by constituting Garralde Fitz Garralde attained Liuetenant of Salamina who having at once might power and soveraigne commaundement in his handes did eftsoones conspire and combine sundry treasons and rebellions Sol The recordes of Salamina doth witnes so much as you have saide for there it is alleadged that he did conspire with the French king and Emperour for the invading and possessing of Salamina he did also in proper person invade the Countie of Kylkennie there burning destroying murthering the kinges subiectes he did invade also with Oneyle and his forces O Coner and other of the
saide Earle his friends alies and servants by his commandement the County of Vriell wherein he was aided and assisted by Sir Iohn brother vnto the saide Earle The like or greater daunger did growe vnto the state of Athens by constituting Thomas Fitz Garralde sonne and heire to the saide Earle Lieutenant of Salamina who succeeding in the place of his father having the like might power forces lent vnto him by his friends alies and servantes and soveraine authoritie given from the king did eftsoones revile that famous Citie of Athens and his lawfull soveraigne and moved all rebellions against them and did therewith also addresse his letters vnto the Bishop of Rome the Emperour for the invading of Salamina and farther did put to death and cruelly murthered all those which were resident within the lande of Salamina being borne Citizens of Athens and amongst others did put to death that reverende father and faithfull counceller Iohn Allin Archbishoppe of Deublin and primate of Salamina More then this he constrained with his power and forces the subiectes of Athens to give vnto him an oath of obedience forthwith besieged the Castle of Deublin where with his whole armie by the sea coast he incamped for the better resisting destroying and murthering the army of Athens as they landed No lesse dangers then these formerly rehearsed appeared at such times when as the Duke of Yorke pretending himselfe Livetenant of the saide lande did with his power and forces occupie and possesse all the territories and dominions thereof Therefore of late daies hath the Counsell of Athens most providently committed this soveraine authority vnto such as may not be able with forces and power to vsurpe the same But if vnto this authoritie thus given to effect a reformation the consentes and good-wils of the people be founde agreeable no doubt the â—amâ— shall mightily further that action CAP. 4. The good-will and consent of the people is a readie meanes to effect a reformation EPI You have saide the truth for where the good-will of the people is first wonne and obtained there the mutation is made without difficultie and daunger All which may lively appeare in the history of Tarquine who having lost as well the good-will of the people as of the Senate by changing the auncient lawes customes of the Citie of Rome was easily expelled that kingdome Sol It is true that you have said for he did drawe vnto himselfe all the authority as well of the Senate as also of the liberty of the people which sometimes they inioied vnder their former kinges and for this cause chiefely he failed of the good-will of the people in this his mutation and alteration of thinges But Brutus on the contrary having wonne the good-wil of the people for the effecting of a reformation and expelling of Tarquine did chaunge the state of the common-weale without anie difficultie daunger or iniurie sustained by anie other then the expelling of Tarquine Likewise when the Medicei Vrbe Florentinorum Anno salutis M. CCCC.XL.IIII pellebantur the chaunge was made without daunger and difficultie for as much as the same was effected by the good-will and consentes of the people Sith therefore the consente of the people doth give so great furtheraunce vnto this action of reformation it seemeth a matter verie necessarie that everie Magistrate shoulde retaine the arte skill and knowledge of perswading and inducing the multitude as you have in the first chapter of this booke well remembred CAP. 5. The force of perswasions and how necessarie the same is to effect a reformation EPIMEN So it is indeede for the good-will and consente of the people doeth promise no small security vnto the Magistrate which intendeth this action of reformation and therefore not without cause Pythagoras was of all sortes of persons greatlie honoured for his singular arte and knoweledge in winning the affections of the multitude and in perswading and disswading the people all which Plutarch witnesseth after this manner Pythagoras which lov'd to dwell In highest dignitie And had a heart to glorie bent And past in pollicie Much like a man which sought By charming to inchaunt Did vse this arte to winne mens mindes Which vnto him did haunt His grave and pleasant tongue In sugred speech did flowe Whereby he drewe most mindes of men To bent of his owne bowe Though Lycurgus vvas the eleventh which descended from the right line of Hercules though a man of great authoritie of great force of long continuance a king yet indevoring a reformation of many disorders which did chiefely arise in that estate by the inequallitie of landes and possessions therein as Plutarch witnesseth he vsed more persuasions then force a good vvitnesse thereof was the losse of his eie You Solon also altered and reformed that in the common-wealth of Athens vvhich you thought by reason you shoulde perswade your citizens vnto or els by force you ought to compell them to accept Epi The Romaines therefore well vnderstanding the force of persuasions in all actions of reformation did institute the holy order of the Faeciales vvho retayning the art of perswading and disswading the people did much further the common-weale of Rome for they went many times in person to those that did the Romaines iniurie and sought to perswade them with good reason to keepe promise with the Romaines and to offer them no wrong they did also perswade the people to deliver Fabius Ambustus vnto the Gaules as one that had violated the lawes of armes and farther proved by manie reasons that a present reformation made of that disorder and iniustice woulde deliuer Rome from many calamities then like to insue by the power of the Gaules By this art and skill of persuading did Camillus appease the great sedition and mutinye raysed sometimes by the people of Rome against the Senators for that they had not their full minde and libertie to inhabite the citie of Vies By this art and skil you Solon have now of late induced the Athenians to make warres with the Megarians for the possessing of Salamina contrarie to their former liking publike lawes and proclamations made in that behalfe and the like honour did you sometimes winne by your oration made in the defence of the temple of Apollo in the citie of Delphos declaring that it was not meete to bee suffred that the Cyrrhaeians should at their pleasure abuse the sanctuarie of the oracle by force of which persuasions the councell of Amphictions was thoroughly mooved so that they sought a present reformation thereof By this your art and skill you also perswaded those which in Athens they sometimes called the abiectes and excommunicates to be iudged whereby you did quench and appease two mighty factions the one supported by the issues of the rebels that rose with Cylon and the other by the ofspring of Megacles Sol I acknowledge this your friendly reporte not as a testimonie of anie art or skill but of the office and duetie which I beare vnto
non debent eodem modo tractari Wherein Charles the fift hath lefte vnto vs an example when as he stoode before Meats in Loranie with his army vvhich vvas then so distressed by extreame sicknesse and famine as they openly railed on him especiallie his Spanish woulde call him the sonne of a mad woman with all the vile wordes they could devise yet he would not heare them but threw crownes amongest them saying to his nobilitie harken these knaves yet if I call the worst by his name he will not refuse to doe anie thing for me though it cost him his life The like wisedome was shewed in the like matter by Caro and other Senatours of Rome at such time as when the poore and needy persons which at that time had reposed all their hope and confidence in Caesar had compassed the Senate house and called aloude for Caesar then accused before the Senatours bidding them to let him out Cato then to acquite the common-weale of the insurrection of the poore and needy persons did not severely correct them but contrariwise perswaded the Senate to make a francke distribution of corne amongst them for one moneth the which amounted to one hundreth and fiftie Myriades made at the common charge of the citizens by the which councell he quenched not onely a present great feare but did in happy time scatter and disperse abroade the best part of Caesars force and power at such time as hee was made Praetor and that for respect of his office he vvas most to be feared The same councell did Pericles sometimes imbrace when as the people of Athens did mutine against him for that he would not suffer them to hazarde the battaile with the Lacedaemonian army then burning and spoiling in all the partes of their countrie for he did not then with bitter speeches and sharpe punishmentes pacifie that mutinie but contrariewise with a large distribution which he caused to be made amongst them out of the common treasure and division of lands that were gotten by conquest he did quench that sedition And it is said that when Luctatius one of the greatest authority at that time in Rome did inveigh against Caesar in that he had seditiously set vppe the honoures and victories of Marius contrarie to their publike lawes and decrees and vrged then a condigne punishment aunswerable to so greate an offence he spake nothing for the punishment of the people which then gathered themselves together for the aide of Caesar and the rather for that they being of the faction of Marius had bene long oppressed and troden vnder foote by the authoritie of Sylla In like manner when we shall beholde men of rare vertues and great desertes towardes the common-weale in times of peace and libertie contemned and despised with Narcetus that rare and excellent captaine least thereby they fal with him into a generall corruption of manners and combine with the king of Lombardy for the invading of Italy wee shall wisely vvith the Venetians in such cases alwaies better the fortune of those which have faithfully served never remoue them from their former dignity without giving to them places of higher and greater commaundement and vvith Themistocles not only speedily revoke the banishment of Aristides and such others of his quality but also to advaunce them to greater honour then before fearing least otherwise he take part with the Barbarian nation to the ruine of the state of Greece But herein one caution is wisely observed that in such cases contending to remove a corruption of manners which may otherwise possesse the mindes of rare and excellent personages by a contempt and disdaine vvhich followeth them chiefely in times of happinesse wealth and securitie wee doe not endaunger thereby the whole state of the common-wealth the which vvee shall then easilie prevent if we shal not imploy them in the greatest places of commaundement least contending to acquit themselves vvith Claudius Nero of all disgraces and iniuries wrought by the deceit of Hasdruball they desperately hazarde and put in adventure the vvhole state thereby Neither are wee in such cases with the Romaines to giue vnto Camillus discontented with his banishment the supreame commandement of the City and army for after slaughter made of all other their captaines by the power of the Gawles they vvere ledde therevnto rather by necessitie then by vvisedome neither doe all men banished and disgraced carry vvith them that honourable minde of Camillus and that ripenesse of iudgement to preferre the honour and publike good of the common-vveale before his private reputation and vvelfare But on the contrary if vve shall labour to cure the corruption of manners that groweth by peace vvealth and securitie vve are in such cases vvith Luctatius to remove the same by sharpe discipline whose councell if the Senatours had then followed many miseries and publike calamities vvhich the ambition of Caesar soone after vvrought against the citie of Rome had beene vvisely foreseene and prevented or otherwise in such cases if wee shall like vnto the wise phisition disperse abroad those pestilent humours according vnto the example of Camillus and with him imploye the citizens of Rome novv puffed vp with the pride and insolency of their nevv obtained victorie and conquest of Vies and with the rich spoiles thereof now in mutinie against the Senatours and nobles novv resorting vvith great tumult about the pulpit for orations for establishing of laws tending rather to the destructiō then to the division of Rome as in the warres against the Phalerians and there besiege the chiefe citie not so much with a purpose to winne the same but rather with him to keepe our countrie men busied least by repayring to Rome they should take occasion to mutine whereby with the wise phisition we shall disperse abroad those humoures which may trouble the quiet state at home Lastly if wee shall wisely take holde of time whilst she is running her swiftest course with her force and violence perhaps vve may be caried more then vvith an ordinary expedition vnto the height of our thoughtes and desires for the times which shall represent vnto vs the shevv and face of publike calamities as famine plague pestilence povertie and warres shall mightily advaunce this action of reformation for so the Senatours of Rome by an appearaunce of forraine warres did often pacifie the mutinies and seditions of the citizens of Rome raised for the law of division of lands gained by conquest and the Romaines after the battell of Cannes gave due obedience vnto Magistrates and did severely prosecute their lawes against the Vestall Nuns and finally whatsoever the Magistrates did commaunde the people would most readily obey The like obedience was sometimes found vnto lawes and Magistrates after the people of Rome had received their overthrow by the power of the Gawles in such sort as the corruption of manners that then reigned in them vvas soone quenched and reformed The times also which did produce sundry publike calamities in Vlster parcell of
the dominions of Salamina did worke there the like effectes as it appeareth in the statute of Attainder of Shane Oneile where it is saide after many publike calamities sustained by the warres they cried first for mercy and then for Iustice in such sort as the reformation of that country did offer it selfe easie vnto the handes of the Magistrates that woulde laie holde thereof as by expresse wordes of that statute more at large may appeare Wisely therefore Plutarch in comparing the actes of Fabius with Pericles saith that Pericles governed the Athenians in their chiefest prosperity and wealth whereby they were corrupted in manners and rendered insolent and mutenous and not easily governed but Fabius then governed Rome when as it was humbled by many adversities esteeming it a matter of no great difficultie to rule a citie all ready brought low by adversitie and which compelled by necessitie is contented to be governed by a wise man Sol But sith this matter is at large discoursed let vs proceede vnto the other meanes which are lefte vnto vs for the better resisting of a generall corruption of manners and what force good profitable lawes may have therein CAP. 20. The necessitie of good and profitable lawes for the better effecting of a reformation of manners EPI The Aegyptians by a long space prevented this generall corruption of manners which either peace wealth security or otherwise the fertility of place might breed in the hartes of the subiectes The like lawes did Romulus Numa and other governoures which succeeded them carefully from time to time establish as neither their long peace and rest which they enioyed in the governement of Numa neither yet the fruitfulnesse of the soile of that empire nor the commodities of the sea neither their daily victories could by the space of a long time and many ages corrupt the manners of the people In like manner the Germanes above all others have best continued the integritie of manners in the subiect chiefely for that they have not onely beene most studious of profitable lawes but also most faithful observers thereof the which thing above all others hath preserved their people and country as well from this corruption of manners as also from the servitude and oppression of others And where it is said that Spaine hath not fallen so deepely as Italy and Fraunce into a generall corruption of manners this proceedeth not from the goodnesse of their nature but from the strict observation of the auncient lawes and customes of that kingdome Sol I have viewed the lawes of Salamina and I finde them no lesse profitable then the lawes either of the Aegyptians Romanes Germanes or others whatsoever for the reformation of manners so as there remaineth nothing but that vvith the Germanes wee be faithfull observers of our lawes for so it may appeare by expresse wordes contained in the statute made against marying and fostering where it is related after this manner Notwithstanding diverse good statutes and actes of parliament made for the reformation of that countrie wherein is contained that every of the kings subiectes offending the same shoulde be a traitor attainted yet by the default and negligence of the heads and rulers of that lande vnder the kings highnesse the saide statutes vvere not duely put in execution so as no reformation hath followed the same In like manner disorders were sometimes committed in the countries of Flamminia and Emillia by the negligence of Magistrates in not executing the lawes before Pope Alexander the fixt had wisely displaced and removed the negligent governoures thereof before which time these regions were full of theft robberies and rebellions the vvhich offences did not arise from the nature of the place or people as some did then suppose but rather from the malice and negligence of their governoures for they beeing poore woulde notwithstanding live richly and sumptuously they made lawes and were the first that offended against the same and by their example invited others therevnto neither did they punish any that offended the lawes vntill they increased to great strengthes and numbers ac tunc demum saith the author of this historie non Iusticiae conservandae causae sed praedae dulcedine permoti paenas ab omnibus simul gravissimas exigebant ex quare hoc sequebatur absurdum vt expilati assiduis illis mulctis homines ad paupertatem redigerentur atque hinc impellerentur ad vexandos alios quibus existimabant se viribus esse superiores quo quidem modo vitia non emendabantur sed ad ea homines instituebantur dependebant que haec omnia ex prava eorum regulorum natura Lastly the many and sundry priviledges are found to give impediment vnto the execution of profitable lawes and to nourish a corruption of manners in the subiect as more at large it doth appeare in the act of Absentes which is lefte vnto vs as a register of the fall and declination of the state of Salamina vvherein it is manifest that the Lordes of the several countries of Catherlagh and Wexfords being places priviledged may keepe and holde al manner pleas vvithin the same vnder colour whereof the kings lawes writtes or other processe bee not obayed neither any other Iustice there administred for the quieting and good order of the subiect so as in the default thereof the kings enimies have them in servage all murders robberies theftes treasons and other offences remaining there vnpunished Sol But what Magistrate may be found sufficient to establish a reformation of manners Epi A severe Magistrate is herein required for that a common-weale mightily corrupted in manners is squared and reformed onely by the rule and line of Iustice which wee call distributive the which for the inequality thereof may not without great motions and sharpe remedies reforme the enormities and mischiefes of the common-weale Lastly where the manners of the people remaine corrupted there the lawes De morum censura and all other lawes are found vnprofitable vnles by a severe and stout Magistrate they be supported and maintained For if Brutus had not severely proceeded as well against his owne sonnes as against all other traitours he coulde not have reformed the corruptions of Tarquine and of other his confederates Sol. He that shal in these waighty actions of reformation proceede as you have saide with lenitie and softnesse shall never with Collatinus bee able to suppresse a corruption of manners in the subiect but he shall by that course rather imbolden and comforte traitours in their intended purposes therefore herein the wisedome of Valerius vvas highly commended vvho though by nature curteous and gentle and thereof surnamed Publicola yet by wisedome now became so severe sharpe for the reformation good of his countrie as he most sharpely and bitterly prosecuted the treasons of Tarquine Epi They which shall live and governe Sparta where the people are in manners corrupted must with Cleomenes sharpely prosecute and punish offendours but where the manners of the people
and ambition of Caesar least with the Romanes to late we repent the same let vs not as men overcome with the greatnes of the tempest desperately seeke our safety in the middest of the rockes and sands but rather let vs fighting for our Prince and country say we will overcome or die CAP. 14. The sundry waies and meanes lefte vnto vs for the suppressing of every distemperature raigning in this polliticke bodie SOL But what meanes are left vnto vs to suppresse this distemperature Epi First we are to give impediment vnto the forme and manner and vvith Valerius deny the embassadoures of Tarquine to speake vnto the people least by flatterie they be deluded with Brutus vve are to condemne and execute even our owne sonnes corrupted by Tarquine and with Valerius we ought to deny the deliverie of Vendicius vnto the traitoures thus we must give impediment vnto the forme wherein this caution is to be observed that the same be done in the beginning For the Romanes having sometimes laide a forme of their ambition for the disturbing and conquering of others the same was at the first litle regarded vntill they had advaunced their ambition so highly as to late their associates and neighboures did acknowledge their errour and when they much desired they founde themselves much vnable to suppresse the same Sol What other meanes remaine to suppresse this distemperature Epi First wee are to proceede by good and profitable lawes to the suppressing thereof for the Romanes being given to vnderstand that forty several nations had combined for their ruine and destruction they did forthwith create a Dictator to manage the affaires of their vvars vnto whome they gave an absolute power all which as well the manner of the creation as his authority and continuaunce was established by lawes fearing least when this distemperature should bee once thoroughly kindled in the bowels of the common-weale they might want either time to effect the same or that this innovation might then give occasion of mutiny Secondly we are to make preparation for the wars and with Themistocles daily to arme and exercise the Athenians to builde and vittaile our gallies for the battaile of Marathon saith he will not give an end vnto these warres but rather it doeth foretell vs of greater troubles Thirdly we are to resist this distemperature by the force and strength of our alies confederates and associates and herein above all others we are highly to esteeme and regarde the confederation of free Citties and estates for they doe not easily or for light causes depart the same in regarde they proceede iudicially by voices as well to establish as to dissolve the same the which caution Tusci olim observabant and therefore it is saide Multum negotij fuit populo Romano cum Tuscis hoc modo inter se confederatis by which observation they became as well by sea as by lande mighty commaunders so as it is saide Quod ante tempora Romanorum Tusci potentissimi fuerint terra marique After this manner doe the Helvetians at this day proceede in their warres and in times past Achaei atque Aetoli In like manner the Romaines the better to overcome all difficulties in their warres did make an association with other free Cities and states by the which manner of proceeding they did every where conquere and commaunde But the Lacedaemonians and the Athenians not making anie confederation or association with other free Cities did not long continue their greatnes Fourthly wee must bee able at all times to produce a collected power and strength of our proper subiectes well trayned and exercised in military discipline for the suppressing of this distemperature for otherwise the Thebanes and the rest of the Citties of Greece shall decline and revolte from the Lacedaemonians and Italy shall revolte from the Venetians Quoniam resp Spartanorum Venetorum populum habuit imbellem therefore saith one In promptu habeas exercitum egregium ad exemplum Romanorum quo motos liceat componere fluctus Fiftly necessarie it is that we doe possesse all the strong fortes and holdes the which although they shall litle availe vs against any general or strong assault made against them by such as commaunde the fielde for that either with the forte or rocke of Arazze they shall give place vnto the furie of the artillerie or with the towne and forte of Avon for want of succours or with the towne Valencey by the treason of Donate Raffaguin yet they beeing placed vpon the confines of the countrie may withstande all sodaine attemptes and give succour vnto the wounded and diseased Sixtly for the better suppressing of these distemperatures we are to take hostages and pledges vvith king Porsenna from such persons as are likely to departe from their obedience to the disturbance of the common peace and tranquillity of the subiectes by the vvhich way hee suppressed the malice of the Romaines then shall we safely with him dissolve our armie and vvithdrawe our strength The people of Salamina hath in all ages beene founde so factious and rebellious even in the times before Athens made their conquest over them as the whole kingdome being then devided into foure severall partes and provinces vvhich they tearmed kingdomes yet all beeing commaunded by the king of Vlster they did from time to time yeelde many of their best and chiefe personages for pledges and hostages of their obedience vnto the king of Vlster if then their native borne kinges alied fostered maried and continued even one in the others bosome did yeelde pledges for their obedience howe may we in this troubled age safely dismisse pledges and set them at liberty may we expect greater fidelity then they bare sometimes to their native kinges or doe these times offer more securitie or doth this nation vse more fidelitie who so looketh into the histories and recordes of their newe and late warres shall finde in them their olde disposition to rebell and that this vniversall obedience which nowe they yeelde is nothing but a sodaine heate or calme vvich is the true messenger of a tempestuous weather The seventh caution observed for the suppressing of this distemperature is speedily to disarme the people and not suffer them at all to be trained or exercised in militarie discipline especially where the people be not free but obedient and tributaries vnto vs for the vse knowledge and exercise of militarie discipline doeth render them bolde turbulent disobedient and rebellious against vs for what boldnesse and disobedience raigneth in the people of Salamina by trayning and exercising them in the feates of warres the same may lively appeare in their recordes and statutes where it is saide that diverse persons have assembled with banners displaied against the lievtenaunt and deputie of the saide lande whereby many times the deputie hath beene put to reproch and the common-weale set in adventure for this cause it is saide that Veneti Spartani opera plebis in bellis non vterentur and more wisely the
by the power of the Gawles for then all sortes of persons in the citie were founde to be possessed with a generall securitie in somuch that they neglected all religion they contemned the holy order of the Faecials and made no account of their propounded religion and lastly they were founde so secure as they neglected all their former discipline of warres yea they iested and made themselves merry with Marcus Cedicius which gaue them vvarning thereof In like manner a generall security did possesse the Philistians when as Ionathan said to the young man that bare his armoure come and let vs go over vnto the garrison of these vncircumcised for it is not hard for the Lord to save with many or with few so as they both shewed themselves to the Philistians but they as men secure scorned Ionathan and said see the Hebrewes come out of the holes wherein they have hid themselues for a long time but Ionathan eftsoones put them to the sworde But for that the histories and reportes of ages past doe afforde infinite proofes and examples hereof let vs proceede readily vnto other signes and tokens of declinations Sol Before a generall declination the people are found possessed vvith a generall feare for before the overthrow given by Samuel vnto the Philistians the people were holden with a mighty feare of their future fortunes and of the event of those warres insomuch as it is saide there was a feare in the hoast and in the fielde and amonge all the people the garrison also and they that vvent out to spoile vvere afraide themselves and the earth trembled for it was striken with feare by the Lord. And after this manner Christe prophecieyng of the destruction of Ierusalem vnto such as asked what signes shal there be when these thinges shall come to passe he saide there shall be trouble vpon earth and amonge nations perplexity mens heartes shall faile them for feare and for looking after those things which shall come on the vvorlde Epi After such time as Camillus was vniustly condemned and banished there vvas not a Romane of any vnderstanding but believed certainely that some great punishment would follow them incontinently and that the wronge and iniurie which they had done him would be quicklie requited with some sharpe and terrible revenge not onlie vnpleasaunt to thinke vppon but farther most notable to be spoken of thorough the world then fell out so sodainely vpon the same such mischiefes towardes the citie of Rome as it was doubted to bee the handy worke of some God that woulde not suffer vertue to be vnrecompensed vvith ingratitude Sol There remaineth yet a greater signe of declination Epi What may the same be Sol When the common-wealthes shall generally depart from all the partes and right rules of governement the same is a manifest signe of declination For before the overthrow of Rome by the power of the Gawles there was found all disorder and confusion they were not governed by one selfesame commaunder as in former times but their governoures being many contrary to the discipline of warres bredde naught else but confusion The like disorder did they admit in all the other partes of their governement as in the historie thereof more at large appeareth the which did breede the ruine and destruction of that citie These bee the ordinary signes of declination Sol You seeme hereby to give vs to vnderstande of signes extraordinary Epi Yea verily Sol What be they Epi Great earthquakes shal be in divers places hunger pestilence and fearefull thinges and great signes shall there be in heaven there shall be signes in the sunne and the moone and in the starres the sea and waters shal roare this is the time wherein Ierusalem shal be troden vnder foote of the Gentiles vntill the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled these be the times wherein they shall fall on the edge of the swoorde and shal be ledde captive to all nations these be the signes whereby as by the budding of the figge tree wee knowe summer to bee neare at hande so by these we may discerne common calamities a farre of as also when they approach neare vnto vs. Sol Before Caesar was murdered in the Senate house there appeared many terrible signes in the heavens in the aire and vppon the earth vvhich did threaten his overthrowe and destruction and many common calamities vnto that citie in like manner before the sacking burning and destroying of Rome by the Gaules one Marcus Cedicius a man of faire condition honest and of good conscience tolde vnto the Tribunes a thing that was well to be considered of for he saide that the night before as he was going on his waie in the new streete he harde one call him alowde and returning backe to see what it was he sawe no living creature but onely hearde a voice bigger then a mans which saide vnto him Marcus Cedicius goe thy way to morrowe morning to the Tribunes of the souldiers and bid them looke quicklie for the Gaules Epi Surely God governeth the worlde and the creatures vppon earth mercifullie and lovingly in sending sometimes Marcus Cedicius vnto the citie of Rome yea sometimes Ionas vnto the citie of Ninivie nay that which is more in making the dumbe creatures as well in heaven as in earth to speake vnto vs and foretell vs of our destruction Sol To the good they be tokens of his mercie and favour and to the wicked they threaten his Iustice and iudgement so as what the highest hath determined in his secret fore-knowledge the same shall stande and may not passe For in vaine shall Caelphurnia crie out in the night Caesar is slaine for hee shall not give credit vnto dreames in vaine shall she perswade him in the day to keepe his house not to go abroad for he shal be deluded with the hopes and flatteries of Brutus in vaine shall the southsaier forewarne him of his destruction for he shal not regarde prophecies in vaine doe his friendes and vvelwillers set downe in writing the daies times and meanes of his destruction and deliver the same into his handes for he shall not once reade or regarde it so the highest hath determined and the same shall stand and may not passe Brutus shall flatter wounde and kill him and he shall fall with the stroke thereof in vaine shall Marcus Cedicius forewarne the Tribunes of the people that the Gaules with their armie are marching towardes Rome for they shall laugh and make themselves merry thereat and not foresee howe they may resist them they shal be as men amazed and bewitched and forget even their ordinarie discipline and fall into all disorder of governement their Citie shall be wasted and destroyed for so the highest hath determined and the same shall stande and may not passe Epi To this purpose Plutarch writing of the death of Caesar saieth that the declinations and destinies are more easily foreseene then avoided CAP. 2. The times wherein common-weales doe vsually fall and