thou mayest better disarme their fiercenesse they must be base and low entreaties which must asswage the fury of their first assault For this torrent if it bee opposed by noe resistance will languish in a moment and become quiet This warinesse and timorous wisedome is onely to be vsed in Townes or publike fields where a concourse of people to side with them thâ—â— did first abuse thee is eytherâ— gathered already or presently to be expected But in priuâ—â—â— places and where thy 〈◊〉 would not prooue too 〈◊〉 vnequall then bee sure to expresse at least in shew a boâ—d spirit not brooking iniuries by which meanes thou wilt terrifie them which doe not insult out of true valour but are as ready to receiue as to offer wrong The Magistrates and Iudges are fauourable to the complaints of strangers and forward to punish the people which doe them wrong vnlesse it bee a multitude that doe offend whom it is easie to blame but hard and for the most part too much cruelty to punish And soe wondrously hospitable are the seaâ—es of Iustice in that Nation that if a stranger offend hee shall finde them fauourable or if it happen that a stranger and an Englishmen be both guilty of one fact which deserueth eyther the whip or the gallowes the stranger many times is no further punished but onely commanded to depart the Kingdome The gentlemen are naturally enclined to a kinde entertainment of all strangers and are worthily ambitious in such curtesies Soe that no man vnlesse of a froward and baâ—barous disposition and altogether vnworthy of Noble company can repent himselfe of trauelling into Englaâ—d Among those Noblemen whose carriage is graue and their speech and gesture fitâ—ed to their dignity you mâ—st comply with an answerable grauity and aemulation as it were of mâ—iesty least they perchance should vnderâ—alue you from their owne grauity and your speech which must not bee to them in a soothing manner like the Italian and French humility you will otherwise carry a lower estimation among those men who accustome not themselues vnto affected humanity and lying complement To the Northern parts of England Scotland adioyneth gouerned by a scepter of incredible antiquity compared with other Kingdomes for the crowne of Scotland aboue twenty ages hath endured in the possession of one Family An hundred and twenty Kings haue successiuely reigned from Fergâ—â—â—â— the First to Iames that now 〈◊〉 who to soe anciancient a pedigree adding the Royalty of England is the first that combined the Kingdomes and reigneth entirely ouer all Brittaine The Scots are of dispositions fitted for society of behauiour and gestures of the body excelling other Nations and like vnto the French in all things but the riches of their country For the country Northward 〈◊〉 in many places not fit for 〈◊〉 and full of barren mountaines neyther are those mountaines clothed with woods vnlesse some which are raysed into a sharper climate and giue a woody and barbarous name to the inhabitants Yet Nature hath bestowed vpon it those hardy people abundance of vâ—â—tuall in fowle and 〈…〉 besides their flocks and heards of cattell It is sight vsuall to see three hundred red Deere or more in one heard But the inhabitants can rowze farre greater heards when the Noblemen are pleased to hunt there Neither doe they want comodities in their country fit to exchange for forreyne merchandises which are transported thither of necessary vse But the scarcity of money by no art or industry can be redrâ—ssed foe that they which in their owne country doe liue in plenty and with great attendance are not able in â—orreine parts to maintaine their port But noe people are more mindefull of their pedigrees then they that they had rather sometimes disgrace their Family by their pouerty then conceale the vnseasonable expressing of their titles or not mention their kindred For it is necessary in a country more populous then fruitfull that some of Noble blood should bee borne to extreme pouerty Soe that the Scots dispersed into many countries to get their liuing and none are more faithfull and industrious then they being still eager in publishing their Nobility are often laughed at by the hearers then beleeued or pitted But the people couragious also against themselues are diuided by many and fierce enmities and cruell to each other beyond an lawes of humanity or hatred For being diuided by Families and Names they hold those as Princes of their factions which possesse the most ancient inheritance of the Family To those men they are wonderously obseruant with a loue as great â—â—most as to their country it selfe to them when they are wronged they 〈◊〉 for succour vsing the patronage and strength of their owne Family By this meanes it has heppened that small quarrells betwixt men of obscuâ—e condition haue beene the causes of great and horrible commotions For they that haue quarrelled complayning on both sides to the Princes of their Kindred haue turned their 〈◊〉 wrongs into the inâ—â—â—es of whole families Nor are these differences decided with little blood for sometimes gathered into troopes and almost into iust armuâ—â— they fight it out and these 〈◊〉 continue to their heires after them They thinke iâ— glorious to reuâ—â—ge â—urder with thunder and firewith fire Nor doe they alwayes deale by 〈◊〉 force but by sâ—â—res and treacheries Nothing can bee 〈◊〉 or ignoble to them 〈…〉 cure their eyes onely by the miseries of their enemies And this mischiefe has often beene the ouerthrow of Noblemen who haue eyther beene slaine in fight or else vndone in their estates by keeping such multitudes of seruants and tenants about them for soe it was necessary for feare of suddaine assaules from their enemies whilest their Lands 〈◊〉 lyenâ—ntilled and wast And some heue thought 〈…〉 of wood in the country has beene caused by these enmities whilest these cruell people on both sides haue burnt vp their enemies woods and 〈◊〉 their priuate iniuries with the deuastation of their country But these things 〈◊〉 were more to 〈…〉 when they were 〈◊〉 where riâ—â— now since wee see it other wise wee may cherish hereafter better hopes For although heretofore it lay not in the power of the Kings to remedy soe great a mischiefe when the Nobles by the faithfulnesse number of their clients were more fierce and strong yet the now reigning King Iames of Brittaine has at last bestowed this benefit vpon this country 〈…〉 haue encouraged others to the same audacity especially least they should seeme to haue borne a fearefull and degenerate anger Hee therefore thought it best at once and for euer to compound these deadly 〈◊〉 The King therefore tooke a diligent account of those whose Familyes were engaged in such quarrells and partly in his owne person partly by the me 〈…〉 any more named among them a great and admirable worke of a most wise and industrious King yet not performed without much time and wonderfull felicity Two yeares after hee had thus appealed Scotland hee
Syria and the neighbouring regions or was vnder the Persians whose Empire from Eâ—phrâ—tes extended to India The Persian was to the Turke an open enemy and in continuall and cruell warre with them about the bounds of their Empire They both made league with the Aegyptian Souldan but Selymus the Turke thinking that the Souldan did more religiously obserue his league with the Persians made that an occasion of warre against him Neuer in so short a warre was there gained a greater victory for spoiles for men and Countreyes and which is more a constant possession of them For by two set battels and one tumultuary fight all the dominions wealth and armes of the Souldan were by fortune translated to Selymus From hence hee grew more terrible to Persia and began with ascornefull pride to ouerlooke the wealth of Europe But returning from Syria in triumph hee ended his life by a sharpe disease in the same place where once hee fought a battell against his father Baiazethe as if his fathers Manes had claimed a reuenge But presently Solyman more furious then his father inuaded Pannonia and taking Buda which is the head of Hungary hee presumed to besiege the Austrian Vienna But the pleasures of Constantinople did by degrees mollify the mindes of those Princes and auert them from our ruines But wee in the meane time weakened with warres among our selues and emulation of nations blush not to expect from the Turks hands warre or peace daring to offer nothing against them but contented if not prouoked wee send Embassadours to those tyrants of Constantinople to sue for leagues and purchase peace whom they either through pride or hate to our religion esteeme not worthy of their audience or scarce their sight and thinke it too-much below the dignity of their Empire to send for a commerce of mutuall friendship their owne Embassadours into Christendome But as the felicâ—ty of so many victories hath raised almost beyond humane greatnesse the maiesty of the Turkish Emperour so which is wonderfull it hath made the people wretched by whose hands and strength the Empire was raised For when the Ottoman Princes were yet low and contained within their campe almost their whole nation then surely what prey or dignity they would diuide must bee diuided among those souldiers nor had they any beside those Scythians to ioyne in friendship with But their wealth increasing and they free in choice whom of their owne or conquer'd nations to preferre to gouernements in the commonwealth their greatest honours are neuer bestowed vpon the ancient race of Turkes the posterity of those souldiers from whom the Ottoman family receiued together with the Empire a power to bee now safely vnthankfull to them Wee cannot tell whether through disdaine or custome which among barbarous people is in stead of religion or through secret policy for security of their Empire it come to passe that great gouernements dignities and places of iudicature are conferred on none but those which are borne of Christian parents From Dalmatia especially and Illyricum Boyes and Girles are taken from the bosome of their parents to bee cloistered vp in Constantinople There they change into a mad superstition the religion of their fathers which they cannot remember and beeing circumcised are trained vp in the religion of Mahomet And this company so taken by rapine are to the Turkish Emperour as a seminary of Captaines and Princes to whome the guard of his person and the strength of his Empire is committed From hence are taken his Eunuchs for neerest seruices and therefore there not contemptible From hence are his wiues and concubines and alwaies the mother of that heire that must succeede in so â—reat an Empire Out of that band hee chooses husbands for his Aunts and sisters to beget Cousins and Nephews to him And so farre is it growne aduantageous not to bee borne of the Turkish race that those chiefe places in the Empire which those that are borne of Christian parents doe hold neuer deuolue vnto their children And for no other reason then that they were borne to the Lawes and Rites of Turkie This doth that Nation suffer so much deiected euen in their owne iudgement The Turkeâ— are of a â—usticke and base nature not worthy of liberty which they care not to acquire The Law of Mahomet forbids them to polish their rude minds with any humanity of learning that so being ignorant they may be drawne with more case to the madnesse of that Law which hee hath prescribed Their chiefest care is about their houshold stuffe their flockes and heards of cattell Their buildings are scarce for vse much lesse for ornament eyther yet mindfull of their Scythian originall and that wandering kind of life or else because they are but tenants at will and at the Princes pleasure must remooue not onely their dwellings but their countreyes By an inbred affection they doe wonderfully adore their Emperour they call him the shadow and image of God The cruellest in that Nation and the greatest haters of Christians are not those that are deriued by a long pedigree from the old Turkish race but those that lately haue reuolted from vs the other they say are of a milder nature but farre from our dispositions There is no where more subtilty in poysoning and it is scarce credible with how much art they doe extract and temper the strength of venomous things nor doe they destroy any man that way but in a wonderfull subtile manner euery man in that country alike viciously studying how to giue or auoyd death by poyson Who would beleeue it they require not a tast nor touch a little aire corrupting the vitall parts will bring death and that a quicke one A Bashaw lately had bought the gouernment of Aleppo of some that were gracious in the Court It is a City not two daies iourney from the Cilieian sea enriched by the frequency of merchants and traffique from the East from whence merchandise is brought partly by the riuer Euphrates and partly by land-carriages From whence the Gouernours get great wealth and rob the Prouince as licenciously as they buy the place dearely When this man therefore was sent to his gouernment another with greater bribes had corrupted the same courtiers and was appointed to succâ—ede the other who had scarce as yet tasted the sweetenesse of his gouernment The Gouernour speedily heâ—â—ing of this newes from his fâ—â—â—ds was as is likely sadly strucken with it hauing as yet scarce got any thing to recompence his cost in buying the place Hee therefore calls a counsell of his friends and among them complaines of the losse of his estate and the perfidiousnesse of the mercenary Court He seemed in doubt whether hee should obey the letters which called him backe to Constantinople or resist his successor by armed force and so with a new summe of money eyther to obtaine pardon for his boldnesse of the Constantinopolâ—tan courtiers or else not to suruiue his honour and estate Whilst in these cogitations
will fill them all with the sense and contemplation of their owne miseries euen soe in children when that happens which they feare the worst all their ability of fearing and grieuing is spent vpon it A man which by chance had escaped the hands of theeues who threatned to hange him being asked with what minde he expected death with the same quoth hee that when I was a boy I expected whipping Moreouer the bitternesse of perpetuall feare in childrens mindes consumeth that moisture which nature intendeth to make abundant for the spreading of their limmes and growth of their bodies For the stomacke we see doth then want his naturall vigour when the heate and spirits are called from thence to aide the diâ—â—ressed braine nor is the blood strongly diffused vpon promise of ioy being too much consumed with the interruptions of sadnesse Therefore such dispositions in the bondage of seuere custody the abilities of their mindes either frighted or wasted will stand at soe vnhappie a stay that those who were wise aboue their Childhood do afterwards want the ordinary wisedome required at Mans estate To Colts and young Cattell we freely allow an vncurbed wantonnesse least their first strength which is then growing should bee hindered by a fearefull apprehension of future bondage and are wee soe blinded in minde that what wee behold in other creatures we eyther neglect or will not vnderstand in our owne children Neither yet is this age of Infancy to bee let loose to an in finite liberty let them with moderation bee kept in awe taught to reuerence their parents highly and bee euer ignorant how much liberty is permitted to them For if the nature of a child be too malapert and full of fiercenesse these pracepts of lenity belong not to him that swelling which the vice of nature has engendred in him and which often the parents too much gentlenesse hath ripened and brought to a perfect vlcer may bee easily lanced and taken away whilest yet it is greene and of easie growth After this manner their delighted childhood shal be freely left both to their own and their parents pleasure after they haue fulfilled the folly of their harmlesse concupiscence age it selfe will by little and little change their desires and the rootes of vertue will spring vp in them which they will loue not soe much by heat of nature as iudgment Then they will bring to their first youth and twilight of wisdome a minde free altogether quiet which by the vertue of their education is ille â—sily embrace the beauty of that light But as euery meane is directly opposed to two extreame vices more contrary to each other then to the middle vertue â—oe those that would call the raw mindes of children to too hasty a ripenesse of studies may well bee accusâ—â—s ignorant of the strength which naâ—ure hath bestowed vpon that age For besides that some children haue rath ripe wits as Papyrius Childhood was iudged worthy of the Romane Senate There is also a naturall dowry and wealth bestowed vpon those yeares a strength of capacious and easy memory which is euer greatest in the time of their childhood and with an obstinate felicity able to retaine what euer it hath then learned but as age encreaseth the memory by little and little decayeth like to a Dew of soueraigne Medicine to the body of man which in the hot countries falls vpon the leaues of Holâ—ey vnlesse it be gathered at the breake of day it will afterwards vanish at the sun 〈◊〉 Therefore with many and often discourses with much reading of profitable Hiâ—â—otry let their mindes bee filled that children vnwittingly may receiue such good things as will afterwards grow vp in them whither they will or noe The variety also of Languages which is gotten by vs with much expence of time will be easily taught our growing children by often discoursing and conuersing with them so that these things of little labour and noe iudgement will easily be attained vnto by that age which is neither strong for labour nor ripe for iudgement But if wee shall suffer this easie and most memory to grow emptily dry those very things must be afterwards learned with long and wearisome labour which in our infancy had bin better and with lesse wearisomnes stored vp for what is more miserable then to bee enforced to spend that time of mans estate which nature hath or damed a time of wisedome though too to short for soe many Artes and Sciences in such things as our empty childhood if well nurtured had stored vp safely in the closets of our memories But in the childhood there are often presages of future vertues or vices nature beginning to build a foundation fit for their following abilities Cyrus that first founded the Persian Monarchy was then beleeued to bee a shepheards child when there appeared in him that great spirit which afterward put a yoake vpon the neckes of the whole Eaâ—t when he was a Boy hee played among Boyes of his owne age and being chosen King by the chance of play hee truly exercised the regall power ouer his play fellowes those that were stubborne with a high and confident if not too proud a Maiesty hee seuerely punished The fathers of those children whom Cyrus had beaten complained of it to King Astyages the King commanded Cyrus to bee brought to him who was nothing daunted nor expressed any childish or low feare at sight of the Throne and royall Diadem hee sayd hee was chosen King among the Boyes and had done nothing but the office of a King Astyages suspecting from this some greater matters then the present fortunes of the Boy perswaded enquired more narrowly of his birth and parentage and at last found him to be his owne grandchilde his daughters sonne That Cato who was afterwards called Vticensis from the City of Vtica where he killed himselfe was in his infancy more then a child When he Laâ—me Emballadours were come to Rome as suitors for the endenization of their country they went to the house of Liuius Drâ—â—us Catoes vncle who brought him vp There the Embassadoâ—rs asking the child in iest if he would entreat his vncle for them hee answered not a word but looked vpon them with a fierce countenance The Embassadours wondering at the stubbornesse of soe young a boy began to fiatter and afterward to threaten him but could not extort a word from him at last lifting him out of the window in a high chamber they made him beleeue they would throw him downe but hee scorning to feare at all knit his browrs and looked more fiercely on them then he did before apâ—esage or beginning as it were of that awfall seuerity which his whole life did afterward expresse But they are often 〈◊〉 who by the behaâ—â— of children will iudge too 〈◊〉 of their future disposition For it must be some great 〈…〉 which must be brought as an 〈◊〉 argument to iudge of the inclination of the future and flexible yeares There is
priuate men after the manner of their country were fenced with ditches whose bankes were adorned with rowes of trees especially the high waies one each side were planted with poplars that the whole valleys to him that surueyed them from the top of the hill appeared like conâ—inued gardens and walkes of pleasure But the greatest delight is that soe faire a verdancy is almost distinguished into diuerse colours the places which are faâ—thest distant shadowed 〈…〉 of the skie doe 〈…〉 of trees more thick-leaued are of darker colour the grasse on the ground presenting a thinner but brighter greene but the most beautifull obiect is London it selfe esteemed among the fairest of the Citties of Europe a City of innumerable houses yet scarcely able to containe her people For at the other side of the Riuer Thames it is farre extended and adioyneth it selfe to the neighbouring townes soe that the buildings are continued for foure miles together In all this space not onely priuate houses but faire Churches of perspicuous â—eight doe euery where display their beauty and the middle of the City like the swelling oâ— boâ—â—e of a buckleâ— is raised by the structure of their gâ—â—atest Temple Whilest I was carryed 〈◊〉 with this suddaine delight 〈◊〉 began to recall my mindâ— and thus to consider with my selfe what should it bee that thus vnawares had rauished mee why should this prospeâ—t see wonderfully pleaseâ— whaÌ„ ladden force or 〈◊〉 had thus wrought vpon my 〈…〉 as it the Câ—ty of London the course of the riuer the mountaines or the prospect of the fields and woods None of all these but soe faire a variety and the industry as it were of Nature displaying her riches I began then to thinke with my selfe that there was nothing in the world soe exactly beautifull but at last would glut and weary the beholder vnlesse after that manner as this place was it were beautified with contrarieties and charge of endowments to refresh continualy the wearied beholder with vnexpected nouelties And because the world was to bee framed in perfection of beauâ—y Nature was not forgetfull of soe great an art Some countries shee hath lifted to the tops of mountaines others shee hath thrust downe into the valleys Some she hath scorched with immoderate heat others shee condemneth to extremity of winter the residue shee ordained though not equally temperate All lands are not fruitfull nor all barren nor doe eiâ—her continue soe at all times Some countries that heretofore 〈…〉 are now deformed and couered ouer with barren 〈◊〉 others that of old were miserably barren are now growne into that abundant fertility as to afford meanes not onely for life but for ryot and excesse Soe that in the beauty of the whole world the parts are often tâ—â—â—sformed into manifold 〈◊〉 and different appearances Nor haue the staâ—res though they alwayes keepe their constant motions the same infâ—uences vpon inferiour bodyes nor breede in the aire the same effeâ—ts and therefore though all yeares doe in equall spaces finish their circuits yet does noe yeare altogether imitate that that went before nor is the exaâ—t rule of the following yeare But man created after the image of the deity and for whose sake especially all other ornaments of the world were framed is the greatest instance of this beauty of variety For men haue not onely in their bodies a difference of habits and proportions but their mindes are fitted for soe many things that noe picture can with more colours or lineaments delight the eye of the beholder then are drawne by the fates in the mindes of men What orders or rankes of vertues and vices what excellencies of Artes what subtleties of wit has not Nature stored vp in this Magazen of wisedome but there is noe diuersity which is more worthy of wonder then this that men borne to liberty for how could they else gouerne themselues and by their owne endeauours deserue praise or â—â—mons punishment should also some their owâ—e dispositions the fate of the times wherein they liue forcing them as it were into certaine affections and rules of liuing For euery age of the world has a certaine Genius which ouerruleth the mindes of men and turneth them to some desires Some ages breath nothing but martiall discipline within few yeares all aâ—e againe composed to peace and quietnesse Sometimes common-wealths and sometimes Monarchies are affected by the people Some Nations that seemed as it were to bee borne to barbarisme in processe of time are brought to perfect ciuility and in some few ages are peruerted againe to their old barbarisme Soe the world in generall did oft flourish with great abilities and after a while industrie slackening hath beene couered as it were with a cloud and lost When the affaires of Greece did flourish what ciuility what wit or subtilty was wanting to that Nation Soe great was the skill of their handy-craftes men that their carued statues of men and beasts did seeme almost to liue soe fluent their oratory soe sweete their poetry that euen the ambition of Rome proposed them to her sons onely to imitate not to excel But fortune remoouing after ward to other Nations noe people more then the Graecians did sorrowfully sigh at the mention of their ancestors from whose ability they were then fallen But if wee obserue the turnings of the Romane Empire and the passages of times nearer vnto vs wee shall more certainely discouer the changeable Geniuses of the ages Vnder Augustus Rome in peace had adorned her greatnesse with all the dresses of true humanity and among other things her language was then in the height of purity By small things wee may guesse at the greater From whence proceeded soe many Poets of happy raptures and numerous straines in those times but from some certaine Spirit which then inspired them which had neuer before beene propitious to Italian Poets and afterwards againe forsooke them Those few yeares from Nero to Traian had many Poets and many that laboured in the study of Rhetorike in whom the declining of the Roman language did plainely apeare instead of the natiue beauty and maiesty of it which was then lost they vsed obscure and swelling heights with forced sentences instead of naturall At the same time in the reigne of Nero that peace was broken which had long setled the Romane Empire and all the world was filled with combustion nothing but warre was in the mindes of all men in France in Germany and the vttermost parts of the Easterne world From whence proceeded it but from a certaine force which I may almost call â—â—â—aying the hearts of men to 〈◊〉 endes that are ordained 〈◊〉 them in the age that followed the elegance of language wâ—s wonderfully lost and because the souldiers had all power the manners of the people were turned backe to their old ferity Yet humanity stroue against those mischiefes vntill forreyne Nations inuaded the Empire and what of all things was most miserable noe memory almost was left of the lost sciences
those that were borne in these times seemed to bee borne though not to a fierce yet a blind barbarisme and most of their ancestors whose writings contained morality or hiâ—â—â—y whiâ—e their bookes by the â—â—â—gence of posterity were lost 〈◊〉 a second a worse death The other Arts were taught in more â—ude and vnpolish'd waâ—es or eâ—e were altogether loâ—t Not long after man were againe growne to the loue of learning but such was the vnhappynesse of the times that bâ—edd them that they might seeke learning but not attaine it it wee câ—ll that learning which is the knowledge of antiquity and iudgement not onely in the schoole-subtilties but in the highest and nobest things and lastâ—y such a kind of instruction and â—â—erature as our ancestors did honour in men of their time There was notwithstanding a kinde of learning then vsed agreeable to the dispositions of those times as with 〈◊〉 disputation and eager 〈◊〉 â—nstead of explaying Philosophy and Diuinity to perplexe them more in the Law to extend the sentences of wise men the decrees of Emperours and ordinances of Popes into mad and immethodicall volumes to the eternall vexation of the student but most of them had gotten this way of writing that what argument soeuer they made choyce of they deliuered to their readers as their owne the words and sentences of former authors concerning that subiect Soe the errour of one was oftentimes as a slippery place for others to fall and many from the right opinion of one man did boâ—row wisedome And what titles soeuer they gaue their bookes they thought it not 〈◊〉 digâ—esse into neuer soe generall discourses What histories written in those times did not begin at the creation of the world what part of humane affaires as oft as it was written by those â—ude wits was not drawne into a strange confusion and that you may perceiue that those men were not wanting to Nature but Nature herselfe was straightned and sick they were very industrious and wanted not the signes of sincere wisedome in handling those parts of science which onely were allowed by fortune vnto that age Which was in the Philosophers a subtile way of disputing in the Lawyâ— a skill rather to 〈…〉 of the law â—â—en 〈…〉 of the times 〈…〉 formes and th◠〈…〉 Last of all in this age that darke mist is vanished away from the mindes of men which are now composed to all kinde of light and subtlety Nor is this change onely to bee obserued in the schooles of learning the affaires of Kingdomes and commonwealths are more cunningly administred waâ—â—s offensiue and defensiue are made with more skill and dâ—â—â—rity and soe great a curiosity in many trades that whatsoeuer is rude and vnpolished now we vse with scorne to censure it as made or likely to bee made in the dull times of our ancestors Nor can this change proceede from any thing but the Genius as it were of this age Whose excellency when after an appointed time it shall expire will giue vp the world as it may be feared vnto another and ruder Genius and after the expiration of certaine yeares returne againe Soe that wee may distinguish the difference of the ages not more perfectly by the motions of the staâ—rs then by the deâ—â—exion of mankinde into diuers dispositions and abilities But there is another force that rauisheth away the mindes of men and maketh them addicted to certaine affections Namely that spirit which being appropriate to euery region infuseth into men as soone as they are borne the habit and affections of their owne country For as the same meates according to the various manners of dressing may bee changed in tast but the inward quality of nourishing or hurting can by noe qualification be altogether lost soe in euery Nation among all the tides of succeeding ages whâ—ch alter the manners and mâ—dâ—s of men one certaine 〈…〉 neuer to bee shaken oft which the fates haue 〈◊〉 to euery man accordiâ—g to the condition of the place wherein hee was borne 〈◊〉 hence come those ancienâ— vâ—â—s which still endure as proper to the câ—imate which in histoâ—ies haue commeâ—ded â—rbranded whole Nations as heere the people are naturally light vnconstant and wauering in their resolutions there the grosser and grauer mindes are naturally swelled with a melancholy pride vnder the shew of hidden wisedome Some Nations endâ—re not thirst Some people with extemporary wits are able to encounter any suddaine alteration or vnexpected businesse Some Nations are implacable in desire of reuenge Some as it were by right of inheritance enioy a perpetuity of the highest vertues Some people are naturally plaine-dealing others subtil and many valiant And sâ—eing that nothing is more beneficiall then from the Genius of diuerse Nations to be 〈◊〉 enformed as to know how to behaue our selues in different countries and what from euery place to expect or feare it will â—e worth our labour to define here the especiall manners of some Nations that from the common disposition of many men we may finde out the priuate in particular persons Nor will there be found soe superstitious a louer of the place of his birth but will bee contented to heare some vices named in the character of his owne country For if Nature did neuer forme any mortall man of such accomplished abilities but that something in him as the last hand of the workeman was still wanting what pride were it in any man to exempt whole prouinces from this publike fate and disdaine to bee borne in such a place as is subiect to errours that is among mankinde farre hence bee all willfull partiality to our owne and enuious detraction from other countries Let vs sincerely acknowledge our owne vices and bee truely delighted with the contemplation of vertue in others Therefore before that with a serious and sequestred contemplation wee begin to consider the dispositions of people let vs suruey the world as from a tower and looke who now are the inhabitants and masters of it Asia and Affrica swallowed vp by the power of Barbarianâ— and the great calamity of Greece and Thrace haue thrust and confined ciuill humanity to these vtermost parts of Europe that we soe often oppressed by the fierce Barbarians and guelded as it were of our richest countries might learne truely to account our owne strengâ—h or feare the stâ—engâ—h of others But we insensible of these euils aâ—d oppressed with a deadly and pestilent slumber haue neither feared the hand or heauen nor combined the strengâ—h of those proâ—iâ—ces which are yet left vs against the 〈◊〉 thâ—eaâ—nings of those baâ—barous Nations But on the contrary haue most impiously wasted by faâ—tious and qâ—â—rreâ—s our owne strength and by 〈◊〉 divided that which thoâ—gh combined into one â—ody â—ad beene searce of sâ—â—ciâ—â— strength But at the last the 〈◊〉 of these combustions eythe◠〈…〉 differed in disposâ—tions and language soe could they not bee guided by the same Arts These were the French Brittainâ—â— Italians and Spaniards and all that
mighty people comprehended vnder the name of Germany The reliques also of Pannonia and as much of Illyrium and Dalmatia as is now left vs those Sarmatians and Scythians which are now called Polonians and Moscoâ—ites the Cimbrians also and what euer is contained within the dominions of Denmarke and Swâ—thland nor are we soe farre oh misery remooued from the Turkes but that wee haue occasion to acquaint our selues with their dispositions and manner of liuing In the manners of these people we may consider the riches of Nature with a delicious and profitable meditation which in a mixture resembling the members of a body hath inuolued the habits and affections of soe many different minds But to examine all other climats with the same diligence were more for the curiosity of pleasure then the profitable vse of commerce or conuersation For who but Merchants goe into Affrick and there vpon the shore or by chance by riuer somewhat farther into the country doe traâ—â—ique suddenly or make bargaines of noe great trast or friendship The Persians not onely by impiety or superstition but a great distance of sea and land are diuided from vs Iâ—dia in like manner is visited by none but Merchants and Sailers except the Lucanians who frequent those places and there settle their plantations the people of China doe abhorie all fellowship with forreyne Nations Nor doe any of our people desire at all to commerce with that sordid and or the most part miserable Nation of the Tartars America as faire as it is ciuilâ—zed at all is possessed by the Spaniard onely soe that none othâ—r besides thâ—mseâ—ues may with safeâ—y commeâ—ce or 〈◊〉 there It is therefore expedient or indeed lawfull for â—one but the Spaniard to know the dispoâ—â—tions of those people But those parts of America 〈◊〉 naked barbaâ—isme abhoâ—ed by mankinde is 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 people 〈◊〉 noe lâ—wes nor industrie 〈…〉 haue beene diligently obserued by some oâ— our men who in hope or gaine haue gone thither The Natures of those rude people are incapable of our ciuility They account all 〈◊〉 angers that aâ—riue on their coasts as enemyes ensnaâ—ers of their liberty neither aâ—e those ignorant and sauage mindâ— destitute of subtlity to impâ—ous aâ—ts cruelty treachery insâ—cad of prudence and true fortitude they often excercise What profit will it bee to examine farther the manners of these people who by a barbarous wildenes haue seemed as it were to forsake Nature especially seeing they containe themselues within their owne shores and admit noe forrâ—iners vnlesse vpon compulsion or some slight occasion of sâ—ddaine traâ—lique But to leaue those Nations which are eyther vnknowne to vs or by too great a distance of sea and land too farre diuided from our acquaintance to examine the inhabitants and Genius of our owne world the habit of each country the condition of the soyle the temper of the aire or distemper in eyther kinde will not be improper to our present discourse The Third Chapter FRANCE GAllia according to the ancient bounds the greatest almost of all the Prouinces in Europe a terrour heretofore to the Romane Empire and renowned by victories against Greece and Asia is now distinguished into diuerse Kingdomes and different manners Whatsoeuer is bounded within the Rhene the Ocean the Alpes and Pyreâ—an mountaines was once comprised vnder the name of Gallia It extended moreouer fâ—om the farther side of the Alpes to the riuer Rubicon and lay heauy vpon the Romane territories For the Gaules a valiant Nation inuading Italy sacking and fiting the City of Rome were soe great a terror to the Romane Senate that a decree was made that as often as the Gaules were vp in armes not the Priests nor old men should bee exempted from the duties of warâ—e It was afterward subdued by the power of Rome but then when in it selfe it was diuided by domesticke factions nor did thâ—y 〈◊〉 wholly vnâ—ted eyther know perfectly their owâ—e stâ—ength or make tryall of 〈◊〉 against Italy In processe of 〈◊〉 people out of the 〈…〉 called Franks 〈…〉 inuaded Gallia and â—â—â—ned to redâ—ce it to a second â—ondage But when they were conquerours they mixed â—hemselues with the conquered Nation and seemed not soemuch to haue subdued the Gaules as the Romans which possessâ—d Gallia The country then being 〈◊〉 among maâ—y Princes that part onely retained the old name which was possessed by â—he French a Nation of great vertuâ— aâ— renowned in deedes and well deseruing that 〈◊〉 to their praise should make vse of the vanity of the common fable to stile them the reliques of the Cry of Troy This Reaâ—me of France the fairest and richest of all Prouinces in the Westerne world seemeth wâ—thin it selfe at happy a mâ—lation betwixt the Genius and dispositions of the inhabitants and the riches and temper of the Land it selfe The country aboundeth euery where with corne and wine fertile in oyle and all fruits which brooke not a raw ayre Especially that part which is more Westerly or lyeth necrer to the Alpes or Ligurian seas There is noe land in the whole world for the extent of it that enâ—icheth the inhabitants with more blessings It aboâ—ndeth soe much wiâ—h all kinde of wealth that it vses to traâ—lique with forâ—eyne Nations for nothing almost but pleasure onely For nothing but royt in this wealthy people did set an high price vpon the silkes of Italy and the cunning work manships of the German Nation But their traffique with Brittaine doth bring them Merchandise if not altogether necessary yet certainely of great profit which affordeth them both for vse and ornament great abundance of Lead Tinne and Saffron But France beside her corne wherewith she relieueth the barrennesse of Spaine and wiâ—es which shee sendeth into the neighbouring and colder countries is rich also in hempe and fiaxe whereby she supplyeth the want of sailes cordage and such tackling necessary for shipping in many Nations By which merchandise great plenty of gold is daily brought into that country though the ground afford noe mines of it and those Nations which with paineful diligence digge it out of the bowells of the earth and with care transport it from the farthest regions doe seeme but seruants to labour for the felicity of France In soe large a country composed of soe mâ—â—y and soe great prouinces noe one part is barren or negleâ—ted oâ— Nature but all enriched by hâ—r great fauour For these vast parts of Aquitaine which may seeme vnfruitfulâ— are neither void 〈◊〉 inhabitants noâ— vâ—pleasant vnto them that couÌ„try is sâ—ored withâ—ood enriched with 〈◊〉 of high price and abounding with pâ—enty of daintie fowâ—e that whatsoeuer it wants in fruiâ—fullnesse of soyle which is there sandy as mâ—â—h it â—s indebted to the temper of 〈◊〉 France is begâ—ted at one side by the Ocean at the other by the Mâ—diterranean Sea which fâ—oweth froâ—â—he coasts of Spaine and Affrick as 〈◊〉 as Aegypt A situation soe comâ—â—â—dions for sea-trâ—lihque that â— may send out 〈◊〉
into any sea oâ— note and arriue at any 〈◊〉 if the Frenchmen could delight as well in sailing as in horsemanship and en â—ertaine lasting pâ—oiects as well as suddaine ones The people in generall are louers of their Prince and very obedient their King does truely raigne and they ccount it a crime to question the greatnesse of his preâ—ogatiue They are able in feates of warre especiaâ—ly the horsemen free from perfidiousnesse especially in publike counsells of an vncurbed strength within themselues but when they inuade a forreyne Nation their heate and fury is quickly forgotten by that meanes they possesse not long any forreyne conquest and are onely powerful to their own destruction They haue conquered heretofore by often victories Lombardy Naples Sicily and many other prouinces in the world but within a while they haue too securely conâ—emned their enemies not wholly subdued or out of an inconsiderate and open disposition too much trusted to their coâ—nterfeit obedience or else they have vsed their victory with too great a licence and more wantonly insulted them the nature of those Nations was able to suffer or last of all to forget they warrs and thinke of th◠〈◊〉 country whose absence theâ— are not long able to 〈◊〉 By these vices the 〈◊〉 come a prâ—y to those Nations ouer whom they haue triumphed and their waâ—s which haue begun prosperously haue oft ended in dishonour and losse Noe men in the world haue a Nature more fitted for manly behauiour A bold countenance gesture and motion becomming the whole body And this comely garbe is an ornament to the vertue of braue men but to weake soules it serues but as a vizor or naturall coâ—erture to hide or qualify their abiect mâ—ndes soe elegant and graceful is their carriage that what fashion of attire soeuer among aâ—l their 〈◊〉 variety of fashiâ—â—â— they are pleased to take or 〈…〉 of body in their 〈…〉 you will still thinke 〈…〉 could become theÌ„ 〈◊〉 But their neighbouring Nations deceâ—â—ed with a ridiculous errour and hoping to attaine the behauiour of the French by a 〈…〉 of their apparrell and garbes of â—rindging not knowing that in gestures of grace euery thing by the same Genius is maâ—e pleasing in some men but in oâ—hers whom Nâ—ture haâ—h not enriched with those changeable habit sa studious imitation of sâ—chdâ—lectable garbes is not onely vnpleasing but most ridiculous For vertues and vices and what euer motions are bred in the innermost loâ—gings oâ— the soule may easily be counterfeited for these affections are 〈◊〉 closely hidden and farre from the sight that noe man can discouer whither they be true or not Soe we may easily dissemble humility hatred loue or piety But those things which are not onely done by the gouernement of the minde but by custome and the outward hability and fitnesse of the body thou canst neuer counterfeit when Nature doth sâ—â—iue against it As a comely posture and carriage of the body a facility in reasting a grace in speaking are things noâ— begotten in the inneâ— but the outward man But these things being most eminent in the French behauiour can neuer be attained nor imitated by thee vnlesse thy Genius of his owne record haue disposed thee for that way But the world can neuer bee 〈◊〉 thankefull to the 〈◊〉 of France which seemeth to open a temple of hâ—manity or sanctuary for 〈…〉 of all forreynes to flâ—â— vnto They consider not the country but the worth of a mâ—â— and make not a stranger oâ— new-dweller among them aâ—cording to the errour of other Nations to suffer for the plaâ— of birth which chance alloâ—e him soe with a simple and frâ— loue of vertue they admire 〈◊〉 men what country mâ—◠〈◊〉 without any câ—â—y aâ—â— are glâ—d to see then 〈…〉 reward of the humaâ—â—ty the◠〈…〉 â—to the French State Nor neede â—hose strangers to put of the 〈◊〉 of their owne country â—nd imitate the garbe of France â—e their carriage bee free from â—ride or barbaâ—isme For the veâ—y profession of a forreine fashiâ—â— will moone the desires of â—hat curious Nation who with â—ore simplicity admire forâ—eine then their owne customes â—somuch as that some vices of â—fe and blemishes of body haue â—eene there in esteeme if â—rought from another country For wee haue seene the eloquence of a forreiner euen for â—he often errours of his tongue 〈◊〉 beene more pleasing and 〈◊〉 a great opinion of wisedome because they were not vnderstood The common people are truely respectiue of the gentry not out of feare or institution onely and againe their greatest nobility are by the same Genius honour'd by inferiour Gentlemen but pride or disdaine they cannot brooke if thou wouldst seeme to domineere they are ashamed to serue A curteous behauiour which by artificiall countenances and gentle glances is expressed vnto them or by familiarity of discourse with them will gaine to the Princes more oâ—â—icious seruants then the greatnesse of 〈◊〉 power and dignity can doe All wealth and life it selfe iâ— of lesse esteeme among them then honour especially the Spirits of their great Princes doe often fâ—ye out both to their owne damage and their countries affliction because the very experience and 〈◊〉 of poueâ—ty it sâ—â—fe can perswade none of them to vndertake Merchandise or any profitable course of trade They are pleased with a preposterous ambition to a mulate the greatnesse of their ancestors and conceiue it a disparagement to noble blood to liue in a calling like the common people Soe the vaine name of Nobility and foolish ostentatation of magnificent idlenesse doth arme them with patience against the burthen of their cares which doe neuer leaue them before their death This loftynesse of minde although it please themselues and seeme to bee farre from all basenesse is often corrupted by almost necessary wickednesse and raises in their poore fortunes a turbulent industry eyther by secret villanies or publike commotions to stâ—â—â—e to repell the contempt of pouerty Merchandise is baselier esteemed of there then befits a thing of soe great vtility and which first did spread humanity through all the world Selon the famous Athenian Lawmaker and most of the Gracians which were famed to our eares transported their commodities by such traâ—fique into forreine countries and acquainted their countrymen likewise with the riches of other lands Nor doth Italy disdaine that custome where the Noblest families by industrie in merchandise doe heape vp wealth Brittnry likewise accounteth not her blood of Gentry any way debased by such a calling But in France not onely the ancient Gentry doe altogether disdaine this way of thriuing but the merchants themselues as if ashamed of their calling when they are growne rich doe bring vp their sonnes in some other discipline enioyning them as it were to looke higher then their fathers did But the high mindes of the French Nation are in nothing more perfectly discerned then the eager pursuite of Magistracies where the shamefull sale of them doth exclude the needy how
sword-play whither more accepted â—or the show or profit of it â—s the furtherance of skâ—â—l in â—ighting For who can deny that skillfull art of striking with the â—word or auoyding the blowes which were aimed at him â—s a thing appertaining to the military arâ— this the Graecians the Romanes and euery Nation hardâ— in armes haue sought afteâ— with great intention But now they fâ—ght not as eâ—clâ—sed and 〈◊〉 in the preâ—â—e of an army as warâ—s are madâ— but as it were in the freedomâ— of an open theater they trauâ—â—se their groâ—nd â—hey shift their bodies with all agâ—lity and by safe proffers of the hand and gâ—ances of the eye they deceiue 〈◊〉 her 〈◊〉 doe rather as euery man may see enable â—heir mâ—â—deâ—ous cruelty vpo◠〈◊〉 hatreds then instruâ—t themselues in a pious 〈…〉 of thâ—â—r country and â—ow their rage â—uen betweene friends and kindred â—ulâ—â—leth the height of madnesse and all impiety Kinsmen and most familiar acquaintance vpon noe heinous iniuries but vaine exceptions at idle wordes or almost for nothing are engaged in quarrels and embrued in each others blood and which you may iustly censuâ— the highest degree of madnesse they fight not onely â—pon their owne iniuries but wickedly enterpose themselues into the quarrels of others and engaged in hatâ—eds which belong not vnto them they sacâ—iâ—â—ce themselues and the dearest of their friends For they freely goe when by these men which are to fight and aâ—e loth to die alone they are 〈◊〉 to thâ—s mortail play as it â—ere to a suppâ—â— recreation and there doe 〈◊〉 doubt to 〈…〉 should be neere and deare to man out of a most foolish desire of fame that they may bee sayd with a great contempt of life to haue gon into the field that is to â—aue vndertaken a most horrid cruelty out of a barbarous ignorance of true valour But these euils and whatsoeuer else haue crept into the dispositions of the French may be well excused for the vertues of those men whom the maturity of age or weight of iudgement doth soe temper as that they are not carryed away with their country-vices There is in them a wonderfull cuâ—tesie not feigned nor trecherous to ensnare them whom they court with friendship they are free from decâ—it and secret hatreâ—s they are free to entertaine all who desire their acquaintance aâ—d society and respectiue of all men according to their degrees and rankes It is enough for a forreiner which is admitted into their company to preserue their friendship if he keepe himselfe from open villay and too absurd foâ—y soe that in other places thou had'st neede haue a care of other men disposâ—â—ons least they â—urt thee but among true and accomplished Freâ—chmen to keepe thy selfe from giuing offence Nor is theiâ— any thing more happy in humane society then the maâ—ly sweetâ—esse oâ— such compleat company The Fourth Chapter BRITTAINE THe greatnesse of Brittaine though it bee an Island of large extent and exposed to many and different seas may be rather esteemed by the seuerall and vnlike manners of her inhabitants then by the names and harbours of soe many shores As if in the Ocean Britâ—aâ—â—e alone were another world all kinde of dispositions are to bee found in her inhabitants There is not a fayrer Island 〈◊〉 the whole world Sicily Crete and Cyprus though they haue all carryed the state and names of Kingdomes if they were all ioyned into one 〈◊〉 were not able eyther in circuit or wealth to equall Brittaine Being in former times a valiant Nation they gaue occasion of many fabulous stories which by forreyne wits and languages were commonly written and read as if nothing could be fained soe strange but might be atchieued by the people of Brittaine it was once diuided into nine Kingdomes But afterward by continuall warrs and frequent leagues those Monarchies and their bounds were often changed vntill at the last the whole Island became subiect to three Princes The colonyes of Saxony whom we call English are gathered together vnder the felicity of one sâ—epter the reliques of the old Brittaines which constantly cleare to the Cambrian Mountaines and are cal'ed 〈◊〉 Thirdly the Scots inhabiting the North part of the Island to whom a remnaut of the Picts who were almost â—ooted out haue ioyned themsâ—lues But Wales in a shoâ—t time vnable in warre to resist the strength of all England was ioyned to that scepter The Scots though despairing euer to bee able to conquer England yet disdaining to yeeld vnto it as an argument of lasting aemulation contended with the English not more stiffely by warre then by a different and auerse Nature from them vntill the fates condemning at last this peâ—nicious â—mulation conioyned them both vnder one King by whose spirit as it were the whole Island is now vnited in one body England abounding in rich pastures and ground fruitfull in procreation of diuerse and different trees doth euery where delight the eyes of the beholders with a most beautifull verdancy the easie and free encrease of fruite doth nourish the sloth of the common people The fertile and fat grounds doe euery where yeild such abundance of pasture for horses and bullocks as sufficeth the perpetuall greedinesse of those beasts in other places where the ground is dryer and clothed with short grasse it feedeth innumerable flockes of sheepe excusing the barrennesse of the soile with an incredible profit which is made of wooll not the sharpnes of winter vnlesse perchance it prooue harder then vsuall doth driue their cattell which are euer accustomed to the open ayre into stalls or houses They are vsually contented with open sleepes in the cold fields and such pasture as the moderate warmth of the winter doth nourish For the winters are not there so sharpe as the climate and neerenesse of the North would make vs imagine when in France where it is neerely opposite to the coast of Brittaine the winters are extreme and much more rigid in the ayre of Holland In so great an indulgence and fauour of the ayre the grounds of Brittaine doe with great ease receiue and foster the seedes of all fruite They haue tall Baytrees and Rosemary which is precious in many countries by reason of the care in planting and preseâ—uing of it is there common and growing oftentimes in hedges as a fence for gardens The country is able to foster vines and bring grapes to full ripenesse For the pleasant fruitfull mountaines oâ— Kent and Hampsâ—ire with other places situated to the South or East had heretofore vinâ—yards which afterwards they omitted to cherish by reason of the commodity of 〈◊〉 there and the cheapnesse of wine transported from Aquitance Wolues also are rooted out of that part of the country and doe not vexe the flocks of Sheepe which freely graâ—e and often times without the guard of a dogge For the diligence of their forefathers when the rage of wolues was exceeding fierce and deceiued or wearied the care of the shepheards rooted out by great
industry the whole race of them soe that the hardinesse of their cattell which are able to endure the open ayre in all seasons and the destruction of wolues doe bring vnto the people an inestimable wealth The inhabitants at ease and almost forgetting labour doe grow rich in victuals hides and fleeces as benefits which the ground of her owne bounty doth bestow vpon them They scarce take any paines at all in nourishing of saffron whereof they haue store and exceeding good the herbe it selfe not in reward of care and industry but of her owne accord opening and offering her treasure to them And that nothing might be wanting to soe prosperous a fortune they haue felt noe inuasion of forreyne souldiers for many ages home-bred commotions in this age are very seldome neither doe warrs euer long continue in England as in other Lands In the compasse of eight dayes many times are great insurrections begun and ended They warre with men not with houses and goods and commotions but fresh and newly risen are suddainly decided in set battells By reason of wealth so easily accrewing the carelesse and rich common people are not a little puffed vp Soe that neyther according to the vse of other Nations doe they humbly reuerence the dignity of their Nobles nor are they industrious or skillfull in handy-crafts by reason of their ease and plenty For those that are bound to any trade doe for the most part finish their apprentiship in seauen yeares after which time they are free of the company and then as if themselues were exempted from-labour they take other apprentices to be vnder them who after a short learning are employed as iourneymen They themselues not onely on solemne and festiuall daies but euery holy-day who would beleeue it doe freely take their ation and pleasure if it be faire weather in the fields adioyning or if it be rainy are merry in tauernes Which causeth a dull and vnskillfull trading trusted to the knowledge of their apprentices and the buyers are more peremptorily raised to greater prices that the worke of the apprentices and the idlenesse of the Masters may be soe maintained But yet notwithstanding some kindes of workmanship wrought both with industry and most exact skill and highly prized through the whole world doe sufficiently declare that in that country there is noe fault in the climate to dull their wits but too much abundance to make them idle For as for the stirring vp of wits and cherishing of Arts too cruell and rigorous a gouernment is not at all good too much depressing the mindes of the people and dulling them with despaire soe too plentifull and wanton a fortune which intendeth labour but onely as it were in recreation and sport can neuer raise the industry and ability of the common people to an exact diligence and skill in Arts. There are noe tributes payed any where in that great Kingdome nor stations of Publicans in Cities or the passages of bridges except only in those places where shipping is set forth into forreyne countries For they are strictly tyed to make acknowledgement vnto those who are fanners of the Kings customs of all Merchandise whatsoeuer is brought into the Kingdome or carried out But the pride of the common people is not more bitter and distastfull towards strangers then towards their owne gentry who account themselues equall almost to the best and ancientest of them By which pride of the clownes the gentlemen doe suffer in some sort for the richnesse of their country and are brought almost into an hatred of that pretious cause of their indignation They are all in generall greaâ— honorers of the Nobility which is confined within the small number of those whom they call Lords Those are Dukes Marquesses Earles and Barons all the sonnes of Dukes and Marquesses and the eldest sonnes of Earles in equall honour with these the piety of their ancestors hath placed Bishops To these Noblemen it is not thought a disparagement for any tostoope to the lowest seruice and the Nobles vnderstand well enough that the people seated as it were on the ground doe behold with admiration their height nor are those dignities bought by the common people for money but descend to their heires by right of inheritance or new Noblemen by the grant of the King are aduanced into those degrees and that you may not thinke it a vaine title many Lawes and priuiledges doe encrease the respect of those high names For if it happen that a Lord be in debt and not able to pay the creditours can haue no law to attach his body though the bodies of other debtors euen before iudgement are imprisoned in England But this is a greater and more glorious priuiledge that Noblemen being accused of the greatest crimes as namely treason to their country are notwithstanding free from the racke the maâ—â—ers of the law would not haue it imagined that truth if noâ— otherwise could bee forced from them by racking or torment The English for the most part graue of retired spirits and fit for counsell they admire themselues and the manneâ—â— wits and dispositions of their owne Nation When they silute or write letters they scorne to descend to complements of feined seruice which the flattery of these ages haue brought vp vnlesse it be these which are infected with forreyne behauiour The people are studious of sea-businesse nor is there any stronger defence of that great Island then the diligence of soe many saylers They are as good souldiers by land as by sea especially when they are accustomed to another ayre and haue tasted of forreyne diet which whilest it is nouelty to them they affect with too much greedinesse For those inconueniences of gurmundizing haue beene often the consumption of aâ—mies brought from Brittaine And when that Nauy which was sent by Queene Elizabeth arriued on the shores of Portugall and had wasted the country and defeated their enemies the immoderate heate and the sweetenesse of apples and berries which that climate afforded destroyed almost the whole army They contemne all dangers and death it selfe with more courage then iudgment and hence it comes that they are the best souldiers when they are gouerned by wise captaines but when they goe on of their owne accord possessed with the blindnesse of that desperate valour they haue reason after sad defeates to accuse themselues more then their ill fortune In the late warrs of the Low-countries some souldiers of the Spanish party were taken by the Hollanders and were to be hanged in requitall of the enemies cruelty who had vsed their prisoners in the like manner But the Hollanders did not intend to execute them all Of foure and twenty for soe many were taken prisoners eight onely were appointed to bee hanged and the rest to escape with life There were lots therefore throwne into a helmet and the prisoners were commanded to draw their fortunes whosoeuer should draw a blanke was to escape death but whosoeuer should draw a blacke lot was
was called to the succession of the crowne of England a great happynesse for the strengthening of this amity among the Scots who now with a fitting 〈…〉 inconsiderate bounty and loue the fame more then the possession of riches or else deceiued by the quality of their owne country when they haue attained to such a summe of money as would make them rich for euer in Scotland they grow too secure of future pouerty and doe not vnderstand 〈◊〉 in euery Land the expences and prices of things are answerable to the plenty of gold and siluer soe that a great quantity of money can hardly bee 〈◊〉 in any place but such as is vsed to great expences What studies soeuer they encline to they prosper in them with wonderfull successe None are mâ—re 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 duties 〈◊〉 none more vallant in fight then they nor 〈◊〉 the Muses euer appeare more beautifull then when they inspire the breâ—sts of Scots They are capable also of city-businesse and can fit their industry to any kinde eyther of life or fortune But those that trauell or 〈…〉 and rely vpon no other meanes then going to the houses of their countrymen which are growne rich in other Lands and demand as it were the tribute of their country are most intollerable in their proud beggerâ— Ireland by the ancient Latines called Ierna and now Hybernia is an Island not far from Brittaine and subiect to the crowne of England a great and 〈◊〉 Island commodious for shipping by reason of many hauens nor is it to bee censured by the barbarisme and sordid liuing of many of the habitants for the fruitfullinsse of it inuiteth many 〈…〉 of England and Scotland to 〈…〉 mortall to any venomous creatures Newets and Toades if they bee brought thither will not liue The wood transported from thence noe age nor neglect will make worme-eaten noâ—â—hung with spiders 〈◊〉 although the Irish haue their spiders but harmelesse and free from venome The beames rafters and boordings of Westminster hall where the Courts of Iustice sit are made of that wood and there a wonderfull thingâ— the walls round about are filled with spiders but none of those sordid nets are spread vpon 〈◊〉 wood The Irish which liue not in Townes or ciuill places are wonderfull hardy in enduring any ayre or diet by reason of long and accustomed pouerty They can satisfie their hunger with any victuals gotten on the sudaine as venison or beefe halfe-raw They temper their meate with milke They build brittle and weake houses about the height of a man where themselues and their cattell liue together But this in those people is a thing to be wondred at the four of 〈◊〉 and ease doth soften the courages of other Nations but maketh the Irâ—â— valfant in warre For by reason of their sloth though their fields are fertile yet tilling and sowing are things almost vnknowne to them They are content with that grafte which the ground yeeldeth of her owne accord for pasture for their cattell They exercise noe 〈◊〉 dycrafts for feare of disparaging that Nobility which they soe highly boast of Soe in a sordid and filthy idlenesse they lead their liues and had rather cure by patience then industry the discommodities which are daily companions of their barbarous liuing and soe farre are they from knowing delight as they feele not want and misery In one single garment they endure both wet and cold by often hunting they grow wonderfull swift in running equalling almost the wildbeasts when they are weary or benighted the ground serues them for a lodging and couered with snow or wet with showres yet they are sooner raised by satiety of sleeping 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 of the weather excellent rudimeats of warre and valour if they did not proceede from such filthy sloth This beastlynesse in time of peace also nâ—yther the fellowship of the English nor the â—mulation of the Spanish fashions can make them to shake off but they loue this life soe full of sordid discommodities as free from cares assured by a wicked shadow of liberty which in different kindes has fouly deceiued diuerse 〈◊〉 They are obstinate in their 〈◊〉 viees haters of labour and foe of all profit but very industrious in theeuing and 〈◊〉 or any 〈◊〉 which is like to hunting And these are the slothfull miseries of the common people The Noblemen are many of them very faithfull of braue mindes nuâ—tured in 〈◊〉 vertues that befit their dignities Those alsoe that liue in Citties or the pleasantest parts of the Kingdome are adorned with great humanity and declare by this that those wilde Irish are barbarous by their owne willfullnesse and not borne to that vice by the fare of the Island The Fift Chapter GERMANY THe Riuer Rhene arising from the foote of the Alpeâ— and flowing along the borders of the Low-countries doth there fall into the Ocean It was once the bound of Germany but now by the changes of 〈◊〉 and Empires the limits of Germany being encreased it may bee sayd to run through it Germany is a spacious country reaching from the Alpeâ— and France as farre as Sarmaâ—â— and Pannonia diuided into many principalities and comâ—â—â—â—ealths It was once full of â—oods and wild inhabitants but now beautified euery where with faire Townes the woods which were once great and orespread the country are now reduced to vse and Ornament It nourisheth vines in that part where it bordereth vpon Italy and where it declineth towards Pannonia as likewise vpon those hils which ouershadow the Rhene and some few places besides where the ground by fauour of some hils and warmth of the riuers is fitted for that purpose The cold grounds in their mountaines 〈◊〉 with firre trees and other woods Ister the Prince of riuers in Europe doth cut almost through the midst of Germany and rises in a sea-like channell to the yearely ruine of bridges there whose bankes are beautiful with famous cities but toâ— few for the greatnesse of foâ— noble a riuer Rhene Albâ— and many riuers famous in old times doe flow through all the breadth of Germany The country is full of good â—â—nes on the side where the Alpes bound it and all along the course of Ister in those places 〈◊〉 where Rhene runnes and Mâ—nis with the Mazâ— encreâ—â— of soe great a riuer but the side of the country which lyâ— toward the Ocean and the â—â—ner Land remooued from the famous and publike rodes foâ— nasty Innes and sordid 〈◊〉 of liuing in generall 〈◊〉 much of that Geâ—â—â—us which Ancient Writers haue ascribed to it Yet there are cities not vnworthy of some the market-places and streets especially craftly handsome the houses of lofty and euen structure the frailer parts of the building couered with printings The inner parts of their houses are not with like skill fitted for vse their beds are placed in the remote and for the most part obscure places of the house They doe not vse lightly any chimneyes at all They had rather vse certaine little
stones to expell the cold which are made in the chamber-walls and fire put into them according as the quality of the weather requireth But this heat is many times troublesome to strangers for it maketh their head heauy with vnusuall vapours and when they goe one from thence their bodies being chilly and the pores opened are not able to endure the ayre Besides when the fire begins to be remitted these kinde of hot-houses haue ill sauours especially those which belong to their dining roomes where the confused vapours of soe many sorts of meate doe fill the ayre and soe much wine is drunke and spilled And not onely in those hot-houses but in other chambers and parlours also are many of the Germanes too slouenly and carelesse insomuch that strangers when they come thither can hardly brooke the ayre of those roomes That Nation is infected with a wonderfull loue of drinking which now is a confessed vice and therefore the more freely vsed Nor is this barbarous drunkennesse vsed as a pleasure onely but growne into a part of their behauiour and discipline the fauours of some of their Princes are purchased onely by this base price when the Princes doe seeke some coÌ„panions in their vices or purpose to entertaine Embassadours and strangers with the fâ—eest hospitality For the Germanes thinke there can bee noe entertainment soe pleasing to a stranger as a long drunken banquet and thinke themselues neuer truely welcome to another mans house vnlesse he that iâ—â—ited them bee wondrous forward in making both them himselfe drunke That is the chiefest vrbanity there and in nature of a league vpon the first acquaintance It hapened on a time that some Dutch regiments of souldiers were entertained in France and commanded by Colonels of their owne Natâ—on a Nobleman of France inuited one of these Germane Colonels of supper knowing how deare a league of friendship might bee made with a Germane in drinke hee prouoked him therefore to mirth with store of wine and many formes and deuices of drinking there were At last the Germane eyther to make tryall how freely welcome he was to the French Lord or else greeued that the drinking 〈◊〉 went soe slowly forward 〈◊〉 seeking a glorious victory hee challenges the Frenchman 〈◊〉 pledge him and begins 〈◊〉 a cup of great measure the Frenchman nothing affrighted to all our wonder rises vp noble guest quoth hee that thou mayst know thou wert inuited to a friend I will not onely pledge what thou hast drunke but in a louing quarrell challenge thee to pledge me us much more With these words hee pledges the Germane Colonell at one draught and filling the same cup againe for his guests sake though his belly swelled be dranke it off to him The Colonell wonderfully taken with soe great an expression of loue rises vp though hee could hardly stand noble siâ— quoth hee doe not thinke this loue is bestowed vpon an vnthankfull man you know I haue noe small regiment of souldiers vnder my command Their entertainment for two whole moneths shall cost you nothing since I know your treasurie those hard times is much exhâ—â—sted After these two moneths if it please you and that you be well able they shall take entertainment againe At soe great a requitall of one carouse we were all amazed for the present but much more when the Colonell performed his promise Among these people plaine and open behauiour is most pleasing and such as first gaue to Daâ—â—huâ— the name of freedome They hate all kinde of hidden subtlety eyther because that they themselues loosened by drinke cannot firmely keepe a secret in or because their mindes in such bodies know themselues to be dull and are euer suspitious of the subtleties of other men as bent against them and aiming to ouerreaâ—h them The Magistrates of their commonwealths chosen from among their fellow-citizens bring to the Tribunall noe mindes adorned with high parts but cleaue fast to the institutions of their fathers with an eâ—â—caclous diligence The people are very obedient to those that gouerne them and will often giue credit to their Magistrates euen in poynts of religion And you shall hardly see any priuate man what soeuer g a nâ—say any rites of religion which the Prince or common wealth haue approoued of 〈◊〉 mischmiefes which haue troubled England and France for a long time the I had almost sayd felicity of this miserable carelessnesse hath quite auoyded Yet I must except Austria which lyeth almost out of the Germaneâ—lirnate â—lirnate hath not yet lost her ancient Nature though she haue changed her name for Austria in old time was accounted a part of Paâ—â—â—â—a And Bohemia also not in this age alone diuided in it selfe by most vnhappy conteâ—tioâ—s about religion but Bohemia though it hee 〈◊〉 in the bosome of Germany is diuided from the body of it in language in manners and different Lawes Learning in many places of Germany doth flourish but she men are more desirous to teach them to learne They write more then they tende and value their reputation by the number and greatnesse of the volumes which they publish in print Their wits as they are darke and dull soe are they strong to endure endlesse â—oyle soe that others may bee able to vnderstand better but they to vnderstand more Many of their Noblemen who contented with their owne wealth and manners haue onely steeue and doe onely admire their natiue Germany though in their owne iudgements they seeme endued with graue wisedome yet waâ—t much of the humanity of our age Their words are much of the old stampe and their learning wanteth the dresse and colours of later wisedome They are desirous of trauell and great counterfeiters or retainers of forreyne behauiour vntill they returne home into their owne country It is not vsuall for strangers to dwell long or rise to preferment in that country and the name of a forreyner is almost accounted a word of disgrace among them Germany oppressed with these manners is notwithstanding recompenced againe by other excellent endowments and manly vertues Treachery is a thinge vnknowne among them yea euen in hired souldiers of that Nation Noe deceitfull cunning or hatred burketh vnder the titles of friendship and the simplicity of that modest people is altogether vnskilfull in great villanies They are little giuen to lust and that in great secret their youths boast not of it like some other Nations as a pride and sport for the men of Germany are as farre from that almost as the accustomed modesty of women But wisedome as if findes not often there subtle and sharpe heads to entertaine it by whose cunning it may bee drawne neere to deceit soe it many times findeth true and nature iudgements to rest vpon who can easily bee prouident in their owne affaires and contemne the errours of other men There are among them lofty mindes in whom the felicity of a liuely and raised spirit doth well temper their naturall grauity especially if they haue long
seasoned that ability of wit with soâ—eyne arts and manners The Nations though valiant beware can very well 〈◊〉 peace They are not suddainly mooued to 〈◊〉 but being once raised they 〈◊〉 like men and are not easily â—ppeased The people are excellent at working in 〈◊〉 or iron and drawing it into curious sculptures For the Inuenâ—tion of Printing and Gunpowder the world is indebted to the Germane wits a benefit altogether doubtfull whither 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 or behooâ—e of mankind Their mindes are full of 〈◊〉 nor â—â—ying nor carâ—ing at the vertues deedeâ— or 〈◊〉 of other men especially thâ—se thâ—â— are absent but extolling them with sincere and many times immoderate pruises But nothing is more magnificent in that Nation then that the Christian Empire and Eagle is seated there as if Germany had vanquished Rome and the lost of the Prounces that bowed to the Romane yoake it now the onely country where the name and reliques of the Romane fortune doe rest themselues The Sacred Maiesty of soe great a name is eclipsed by noe a mulation of other Princes and Kings though farre greater in power then he yet willingly giue place to the Imperiall Maiesty That highest dignity was heretofore supported by a power answerable which by little and little as were in a fatall old age did lessen and consume away For by domesticke warrs and the immoderate power of Princes of the Empire and besides the dignity being electiue not haereditary the vigour of the Empire falling to ground hath onely retained a venerable name more by the piety of others then her own strength Among other causes of the decay of this power this you shall finde to bee the greatest the Princes being of great wealth and encreased by the bounty of former Emperours haue at last changed those Prouinces which were first deputed vnto them into absolute Principalities to haue some priuiledge about the Emperour who oweth his estate not to right of inheritance but their suffrages they haue made their own dignities inheritances to their posterity By this meanes the mindes of those Nations and People which are naturally enclined to honour their Princes and heretofore onely in loyalty to the Emperour came by degrees to honour those Princes as his deputies and afterwards as their owne absolute Lords which was a nearer way either to profit or danger See the power of those Princes begun and strengthned did exhaust the strength of the whole Empire and first of all as much as remayned in France then Italy it selfe the fountaine of the Empire afterwards the strongest parts of Germany taken as it were out of their owne body did fall away and were diuided by the variety and number of Princes into other loyalties But in France and Brittaine which are most true Kingdomes it was ordered farre otherwise and those Princes whose power was too great and worthy of suspition by the prouidence of God and industry of the Kings were suppâ—essed and rooted out For what roome were left for the Maiesty and State of Kings if Normandy Brittaine Aquitaine Burgundy Auuergne Pâ—cteirs Prouence and Champaine were possessed by Dukes or Earles as once in the gouernment of petty Kings who safe in their owne strength would obey the King vpon curtesie and onely not contemne him as inferiour to themselues But what miseries in the Kingdome of Brittaine haue beene caused by the great and too formidable power of Dukes and Count Palatines endued with regall priuiledges and mighty in faction and attendance what bloody rebellions haue they oft raised against their Kings there is noe more certaine safety of the Kingdome at this day then that the power of those great men and their Families are vtterly suppressed and the nerues of the Kingdome guided by one onely The Emperours therefore should then haue preuented this renting of the Empire when first the Princes began to grow too great But now the disease too farre growne and all affaires too long setled so that the Empire especially consisteth of those Princes to extort the power out of their hands were not onely an vnseasonable but a vaine enterprise soe many vpholders of those dignities would ioyne in confedency against him for their common security especially seeing at this day their Principalities doe as lawfully belong to them as the Empire doth to him their titles accrewing both from the consent of them that first gaue that power into their hands and also by time and long possession whereby all titles of Soueraignty which for the most part are weake or wrongfull at the first are made lawfull But the last and mortall disease of the expiring Empire was this that many or most of the cities imitating these Princes gathered themselues into Commonwealths making themselues Lawes and ordaining Magistrates and to make it knowne that they had renounced their first loyalty in this sliding from the Empire they challenged the name of Free States entering into leagues among themselues to maintaine each other against the Soueraignty of the Emperour Soe that country which in one State vnder one Gouernour had beene able to contest with all Europe puissant in men and strong cities and worthy to receiue the translated dignity of the Romane Empire can now finde noe Prouince nor scarce any city that shee can deliuer to her Emperour in free power and Soueraignty For the Commonwealths and Principalities will suffer noe Imperiall garrisons within them nor can that Prince that beares soe great and glorious a title finde any place among soe many cities where hee may hâ—â—e his subiects leaue to dwell By this sweet and pâ—blike errour they haue diserâ—ed the Maiesty of their owne country The seauen Electors by the custome of the country are to choose no man Câ—sâ—â— but a great man possessed of a Kingdome or other great wealth and Territoryes of his owne already Vertue and Nobility alone can neuer carry those voices For where should the seate of the Emperour bee vnlesse be had one already without the Empire where should that Court bee kept which were answerable to the title of soe great Maiesty they would hardly suffer him to dwell any where among them whom they loue to honour in his absence But if the fate of that valiant Nation would permit that the whole Prouince might be absolutely subiect to their Elected Casâ—â— then they might easily finde among themselâ—â— some that were fit for that great and puissant honour and bee forced to seeke after nothing in their Elections but vertue onely The Emperour then hath some power but limited and straightned ouer all the country In ciuill contentions they doe often appeale to him But capitall crimes the Princes and Free States doe iudge in there owne territories The Emperour has power to call diots to proclaime warrs and determine controuersies betweene the Princes themselues When warrs doe threaten Germany hee commands men and money from the Prouinces if that may bee termed by command which cannot bee obtained without their free consent The Free Princes
vp the desire of the palate which is euer afterwards eyther ouerflowed or thirstie To this may bee added the qualitie of that drinke not quenching the thirst after the manner of wine and water but in a thicke liquor leauing first that vpon the iawes which by the next draught would bee washed away But by this strange delight in drinking their wits which you would wonder at are not drowned and made slothfull but industrious in all the artes of merchandise beyond the diligence of other Nations Their strong and accustomed bodies are able to buckle with that vice and with a wondrous felicity dissipate againe those clouds of drinke which in banqueting arise in them soe that their drunkennesse late at night makes them not slothfull in their businesse the next morning None excell their industry in low arts Idlenesse with more then Athenian seuerity is punished among them their boyes if neede bee at the publike charge are trained vp in action and their maides to the spindle euery age is exercised and sweat in a fitting calling and labour familiar to them from their child-hood banishes euen by custome alone the loue of vnknowne sloth By this frugall discipline their cities are wonderfully enriched with trading and few of them sleepe in the lethargy of beggery The wits of the people are neyther capable nor patient of fraud They doe easily value others with that trust which they are worthy of but theâ— simplicity once deceiued with an irreconcileable hatred aâ—vides the perfidiousnesse of those that cozen them Among these people there haue beene in all ages some excellent mindes that haue kept vp the dignitie of learningâ— or else admitted to the Priuy Councells of Princes States haue with worthy dexterity managed the affaires committed to them As in those regions where commonly and as it were by the priuiledge of their birth sharpe and elegant wits arise few are eyther carefull or able to exceede the tenor of their owne mediocrity so Nations of a lower fate as it were and more furnished with the ancient goodnesse then the vaine ornaments of subtelty are sometimes excellent in wit and grow nearer to heauen then they were borne to the earth The chiefe men of Holland haue commonly framed theire mindes and manners according to the Genius of that Common wealth which themselues haue made eyther by a facility of Nature borne to that forme of Gouernment which now they haue or else by a subtle and popular garbe ready also to vndergoe all offices of mutuall seruitude vnlesse when they are commanded to beare â—ule But those Noblemen which are vnder the Spaniard are more filled with Court ambition and with their Belgicâ—â— positions hanâ—mixed the manners of that people that reigne ouer them Whence it come to passe that they haue as it were a double Nature and a disposition various and almost diuided betweene two most different inclinations But among all their desires the desire of honours is the greatest They do ambitiously seeke and carefully maintaine those titles and names which the craft of flatterers has inuented to distinguish dignities Nor can you any way winne their affections more then by saluting them cunningly with honour They are curteous to those that fâ—atter them and prodigall in giuing respect where they expect greater Soe with true and sincere loue they recompence a subtle flattery vnlesse that they being mooued to loue for vaine reasons are often changed by the same rashnesse and perchance by a vaine suspition of contempt are lost as farre as to extreme hatred The common-people in those Prouinces on both sides doe more esteeme a shew of liberty and vaine tokens of parity then liberty it selfe From hence proceeded those arts which soe easily catch them as not to disdaine their clownish iests to entertaine discourse with them by the way and to mixe thy selfe with them though much their superiour in a kinde of humility which shall neyther bee disparaging nor long-lasting William Prince of Orange a most politike man by this art more then by any warrelike force afflicted the Spaniard The Boores of Holland inhabited many Townes by the Ocean-side the greatest strength noe doubt of Belgia reuolting from the Spaniard and able to weary the wealth of both the Iudies for the Townes guarded both by Nature and situation might by no very chargeable fortifications bee brought to an impregnable strength Therefore at the beginning of their reuolt William by a new way of popularity had wonne all the affections of the people who thought in how much more happy a condition they should liue vnder such a Captaine as owed his power and authority to them then vnder the King himselfe For comming slouenly from sea or the plow they had free accesse to him whose Maiesty and attendance was not great or troublesome Hee himselfe in a deepe subtlety was glad to haue himselfe saluted by those that met him or came to him by noe high or enuied names but sometimes plaine William And very well knowing by what waies especially the affections of his Nation were to bee gained hee did not proudly looke vpon the lowest condition of any that saluted him Remarkable was that saying of his to content those that reprooued his too-much humanity That man is well bought who costs but a saluation The Sixt Chapter ITALY ITaly which was once confined by the small channell of the riuer Rubicon is now bounded more suitable farre to the intention of Nature by the enclosure of those lofty Alpes A Land owing much to her owne commodities but more endebted to the fauour of fame Renowned heretofore by the Gracian Colonies in her Easterne part afterward by the spirit of her inhabitants and the greatnesse of her spreading Empire whose state no age could euer paralell And lastly since the nerues of the Romane greatnesse are quite cut she remaines euen at this day an example of life and breeding to many Nations our people supposing that to be the onely pâ—ace for the polishing of youth and the nursery of all humanity The very Names of her cities and other places soe celebrated in true and fabulous stories driuing the ignorant euen into amazement such as giue more true credit to others then to their owne knowledge By this strange fauour of men are the faults of Italy concealed and her good things set off with greater lustre Nor is their any doubt but that at some places it exceeds the felicity of other regions there where the râ—uer Benacus with his Mascalinest came sporteth along the side of the mountaines and where Auerâ—ns Puteoli and Cuma wanton it As rich and beautifull being a country almost leuell and well watered is that which the Lombards tooke from possession of the French But if we compare the fortune of all Italy with her neighbours as Germany France and that more Northern Brittaine then perchance we may iustly bee ashamed that Italy by our preuarication feeding soe much the glory of it should eclipse the felicity of our owne country The
Land is rugged in generall by the frequency of mountaines or parâ—â—ed with too great and barren heat The soile is dry in many places and where it is arable their come before it be ripe is corrupted by frequent smuts or destroyed by violent haile Of pasture-grounds there is noe greatstore and in those the wooll of their sheepe is naught and their flesh worse And scarce at any time has the fruitfullnesse of Italy beene able to fustice plenteously her owne inhabitants for three yeares together nor muchlesse would it suffice them did not the frugality of the men and the condition of the clime requiring noe plentifull diet accustome them to sparing and sober feasts Trees of diuers sorts which vnder the moderatenesse of our clime doe thâ—iue happily are there enfâ—ebled by too much heate bringing forth weake and vnprofitable fruit Oranges Pomegranates and Figges of diuers races doe there abound to temper with their coolenesse the excesse of heate in the country which fruits though not at all necessary for humane vse yet carried about the world are growne precious more by ouâ— delicacy then their owne value For Oliues though there they are counted one of the three great blessings of mankind with Corne and Wine they haue reason to prize out of the condition of that country in which by the fault of pasture their dry cattel doe afford the milkers but little and 〈◊〉 â—â—ders Their flesh meates â—egenerate from the sweetnâ—sse of ours almost into another kinde of taste except only some few which doe better indute the violence of the sunne So that now those palates of parasites so frequently filling the Greeke and Roman Comedies with commendation of fishes may seeme to haue beene especially suted to that country Their Cities are for the most part faire and situated in pleasant places Their houses built of no slight matter especially those which they call Palaces are commonly more beautifull for the greatnesse of their structure then conuenient for the vse of the dwellers in them They glitter with marble of diuers kinds and sometimes with gold their roofes extended with magnificent worke Old eaten statues are placed vpon faire precious supporters which for their gorgeous places are sometimes indebted onely to the lying report of those that fell them But where their walls doe afford space for windowes there their houses doe lose somewhat from the lustre of the other building For commonly eyther coorse linnen or oyled paper doe couer those places which are ordained for letting in of light Which thing as it is vnsightly to the beholders so it imprisons the eyes of the dwellers within the bounds of their Parlour or gallery doores farre from the comelinesse of the French or Brittish manner where their windowes are made of glasse affording them a free prospect of that which is without the beames of light dancing as it were cheerfully vpon them Their temples also for that is part of their fame doe not fully answere the expectation of strangers In images and fâ—gures is the greatest lustre and nothing more beautifull then their altars Purple silke are accounted but meane ornameÌ„ts in respect of the gold and gems of price The panements of different marbles are adorned with various workmanship where in suteable colours the figures of flowrs of birds beasts are represented Their pillars of marble are so wonderfull large as may almost bring that â—â—one into alow esteeme But sorich a beauty in their building is not brought to the height of comlinesse their roofs being not enough raised and the free sunne scarcely is admitted into those dark places Their windows are shadowed with much iron and thicke pictures wrought vpon them if any temple do chance to receiue light eyther by the rarity of buildings neere or conuenient situation of the doores then eyther with spreading vailes or interposed walls they banish that benefit which the sunne would gâ—ue beleeuing it should seeme that deuotion is raised by the sadnes of night and by the pleasure of light vanishes againe But whatsoeuer strangers doe â—eem of their publike buildings they cannot but wonder at and abhorre the sordid meannesse of their priuate lodgings For at their lâ—nes being entertained with scarcie and slatâ—ish prouisions their stomakes are diuided betweene two contraries 〈…〉 and hunger besâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of then chambers and ledgings annoyed by gnats and stâ—nging slies of many kinds they haue grating Hoasts and high prices let vpon bad eâ—eâ—tainement But fortune has found out for that country other blandishments to allure the minds of those which trauaile thither For eyther publike errour or a sate befriending Italy inuiteth young trauailers to that place from all parts of Europe where enioying mutuall content inso great a frequency that which they owe to their owne society they impute to the pleasure of that country For if you loue men of your 〈◊〉 Nation there you 〈…〉 of forremers you haue faire choyce among multitudes of so many nations especially the commerce of mindes so farre oftentimes oblieging strangers that to be fellow trauailers is a greater enducement to entire friendship then to bee fellow citizens So from all Prouinces they come as it were into one body and seeme to constitute one common and extemporary home Besides those young men that trauaile into Italy are for the most part wealthy who there visiting change of Cries and staying at the chiefe trying besides all kinds of delight ml fe and conuersing let loose their minds which are now in the midway betweene past child-hood and growing wisedome to a remisnesse void of curiosity especially when being farre remooued from their owne countries the face of domesticke busines doth not at all trouble them and that tender age doth free 〈◊〉 from any we ghty cares 〈◊〉 they haue there all the delightes of youth the aâ—e of 〈◊〉 man-ship musicke spectacles Comedians boâ—â— for that purpose but scarce fit ler Tragedy When afterwards they returne into their owne countries and are employed as is fit in serious affâ—â—es what wonder is it if those pleasant times of recreation doe cause a sweere remembrance and striking the minde with thought of those delights which are now past and neuer to returne it make them with loue to remember that place where heretofore they enâ—oy ed so sweete a felicitie But great 〈◊〉 and a soile rich so of en to the raine of it selfe hath quite banished from the Nations of Italy those first manners which wee reade the ancients had Yet are their mindes capable of all affaires Nor with a rude heare or naturall instinct but artificially as it were and with skill they follow eyther vertue or vice They make large promises of humanity confirmed not onely by a compleat garbe of their persons but words of most exact ciuility and when they please most powerfull in perswasion They can also entertaine long friendship and where they truely loue esteeme no dangers in respect of that sacred league But if they once hate whether by their owne
inclination or some conceined iniury they are so much the more full of danger in that hiding their disquiet thoughts they deepely lay vp the memory of their offence or emulation Sometimes being offended they will descend to courtesie that so by the priuiledge of friendship they may more subtilly and safely worke their reuenge This hatred of theirs will outlast an age and which is the most mischieuous their minds are neuer so easie wounded as obstinate in bearing the lasting scarre Their mindes beaten to a sadde and serious wisedome will scarce endure any iests and customing themselues to say or doe nothing rashly or without consideration they weigh all men by their owne natures and examine with too superâ—â—â—ous a subtilty the mindes of others by euery word and looke so that their owne pâ—ssions doe perpetually punish them with cares and it a ousies Besides the very opinion it selfe of too greaâ— a wisedome is most vnwelcome euery where that euen then when they doe descend into a free and vnsuspicious familiarity they are thought but spies and censurers of other mens actions Their impoysonings and damned lusts I will therefore omit because they are vices not proper alone to Italy seeing it were iniustice to impute that especially to one Nation which is so rife ouer all the Easterne and Southerne countryes Seeing besides that those villanies are wrought in secret and may not onely bee denyed by those that are guilty but deuised by others ill-affected to them But there is a great and publike opinion of their cruelty such cruelty as robbers in that Country doe vse to passengers and priuate enemies one against another nature hauing so dispenced the affections of men that in those Countries where there is generally the greatest shew of humanity there the â—age of their theâ—ues is most cruell and the reuenge of enemies most barbarous For Italy beeing most forward and profuse in obsequiousnesse and courtesie reaches on the contrary the extremity of cruelty in the dispositions of her theeues and those that are at enmity The French which embrace friendship not altogether with so much humility of words and gestures do renut somewhat also in their entity of the Italian crucity nor can they bee so easily induced by impious murders to violate the lawes of nature at the least they account death the height of their reuenge and make it not the goale or marke of pleasure to which by degrees of fortune they would bring their enemies Last of all the English which want somewhat of the pompous shew of the French humanity doe want much more of their barbarous cruelty For English theeues are content with the booty only it is there a strange and vnvsuall thing for theeues to kill but with long piked staues they knocke the passengers downe which causes in them onely a short amazement that neyther are they able to defend their goods nor the theeues enforced to their slaughter which often causes a bloudy bickering on both sides But Italy though wholy enâ—â—troned by the seas and the Alpes and ioyned together by the community of one language is notwithstanding diuided into many kinds of fashions and manners according to the diuersity of the spirits that inhabit it For hauing beene often conquered and that piecemeale and by diuers kinds of people her inhabitants are not of one nature Those stranger natures shee mixing with her owne is by that meanes her selfe seasoned with the fates of a forreine Genius Bsides the seuerall formes and sorts of gouernment into which euery part of Italy after so many changes hath composed it selfe doe make much for the forming of seuerall dispositions in men Rome it selfe by the furious inuasion of many people was long since throwne downe from her wondrous height of wealth and greatnesse as if the whole world had sought from her a restitution of their spokes Nor euer did Change shew so prodigious a testimony of her power ouer the mendes of men as when by sloth and baâ—enesse shee mined that great Empire which so much valour and worth had raysed The City it selfe at this time vnder the Popes iurisdiction with a great part of Latium Vmbria and some neighbouring people doth yet retaine mindes fit for so great an Empire and the Maiesty of her Prince is more preserued through all the world by writing reuerence and religious awe then by the aimes and valour of the old Romans But all that farthest home of Italy stertâ—h'd our into the 〈◊〉 sea from Picenum and 〈…〉 both sides 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 is vnder Kings These 〈◊〉 of the kingdome is called Naples No part of Italy is filled with Nobility of more haughty and proud dispositions They are 〈◊〉 of Armes and Horsemanship louers of honour and studious of all magnificence In that other 〈…〉 which first 〈…〉 Adriâ—ticke haue the Venetiaâ—s built then City 〈…〉 depriued of the land-townes in that waste of Italy which Attila made they were faâ—ne to hide themselues in their fens and marishes In that City though the power and gouernment of the Commonwealth doe belong to all the Nobility 〈…〉 gouernment as must needes be among so many patent neighbours and wealthy Citizens of their owne whose riches and greatnesse might tend to ambition if it were not curbed So their mindes by that discipline are corrected and not onely not trained vp in the brauery and state of Courts but want also those delights and ornaments which all the Nobility of other Countreyes doe vse and enioy as Armes horsemanship and the like besides other elegancies and courtships which the customes of the age doe teach them 〈…〉 also vpon diuers sâ—â—orâ—s of Italy had settled themselues in the forme of Commonwealths whom the strength of fortune hath since depriued of the lustre of that gouernment which they from forraine seas had brought with them and forced them to come vnder the protection of Kings and Princes In those people there are mixt soules and doubtfully heâ— uering betweene the desires of glorious liberty of which they yet retaine a shadow or representation and the necessary yet heauy yoake of those Princes vnder whose protection they were forced to put themselues But the Lombards both in their mindes and bodies have mixed as it were the Image and Genius of France and Italy their countenances and garbes being composed to the fashions of the French brauery but yet retaining the Italian qualities and filled on both sides with the vertues and vices of both Nations The other regions of Italy are vnder the command of their owne princes they are little States and therfore to be gouerned with the greater skill as small barkes in the midd'st of a wide Ocean And seeing that in such small Prouinces the maiesty of a Prince cannot bee richly supported but by great tribute and exactions long and wholesome custome hath taught those people not onely to bee industrious in getting of wealth but also not to denie it to the vse of their Soueraigne Princes But there is nothing so hard
〈…〉 name of the Indies together with his great brags his wary and industrious fraud can vphold a fame of wealth in his Exchequeâ— But that pâ—mp of 〈◊〉 language in the Spanish Nation is therfore lesse dâ—atastfull because it 〈◊〉 not at all affected or put on by theÌ„ but to swell of it selfe euen from the instrict of nature Of which euery motion though declining into vices I know not by what Genus doth seeme becomming But that you may not thinke them vnworthy of such a fasâ—ion 〈◊〉 as may seeme fit for the pâ—â—sonating of a Tragedy they are great haâ—â—â—s at least in publicke of all sordid basenesse they are great louers for the attiâ—e of theâ—◠〈◊〉 of neatenesâ—e and the National 〈◊〉 in their apparell Theâ— weapons as the chiefe ornament of a man though they want meate they wiâ—l both keepe and weare They â—aue 〈…〉 folly except oneâ—y thou bâ—agging eyther in 〈◊〉 or other conâ—ersation of life Their 〈◊〉 are subtill and fit for all things nor are they so ignorant of what is in themselues as desirous to deceiue others with a gâ—â—sse of pompous words The beginnings of their disâ—ourses and friendships they do adorne with a colour of the most gentle humanity and you in those beginnings may accost them in the same mild behauiour but when they afterwards come to their supercilious pride you must encounter them with the like Maiesty But if thy slender fortune doth enforce thee to bee a parasite there then with a bashfull silence and applause thou must feede their mindes swelling about their owne or their Nations greatnesse And then also but that thou already coozen'st him thinke not that thou hast him fast enough but remember that as hee feedeth thee with mighty promises beyond all credit so thou art tyed to promise him greater seruices then euer thou canst be able to performe supporting thy lyes with proportionable boldnesse * ⎠* The Eighth Chapter HVNGARY POLONIA MOSCOVIA and the other Northern Nations PANNONIA when the affaires and strength of the Roman Empire were in declining was seized by the Longobards and Hunnes who bestowing their name vpon the Prouince called it Hungary The bounds of this Kingdome according to the strength and puissance of their Monarchs haue beene often changed as fortune hath eyther contracted them or extended them vpon the neighbouring countries It is watered with the riuers Saâ—â—s and Tibiscus Ister augmented from many fountaines doth runne thorow it and at Taurunam in his wide channell doth receiue the Saâ—â—s The country from Polonia and Germany extendeth it selfe vnto the Dacians and Masia but at that side which lyeth toward Illyricum and Dalmatia the Alpes doe bound it A soyle happy in all increases It restores Corne in great abundance How rich it is in pasture fields their Cattel which are sold about the worâ—d doe sufficiently declare to other Nations A hundred-thousand head of Cattell or there-abouts are yeerely sent from thence into Germany and so to the countries bordering vpon Germany Some parts of Italy also are fed from thence with the like prouision Their wine is most rich and generous not much vnlike to that which growes in Spaine The Climate also is healthfull enough saue onely that about Autumne a diâ—temper of the vnconstant ayre hourely changing doth breede diseases but most cruelly vpon strangers Their nights are chilly with extreme cold which hot dayes succeede at noone both parching their grounds and sweltring with heate the bodies of men Whom in the euening the cold astringent ayre againe surprizes vnawares The earth in the bowels of it hath many metalls both of different natures and estimations and gold it selfe is roled vp on the sandy shores of many of their riuers and the same riuers most fruitfull in breeding of fish which are cheape there by reason of the plenty The nature of the people is therefore more hardly to bee learned because in this age they are o'rwhelmed with afflictions and scarce left to their owne dispositions for they are oppressed on one side by the Barbarians which haue made themselues masters of a great part of it on the other side auxiliary Souldiers leuied amongst all the natioÌ„s of Europe haue by their multitude and long aboade in that Countrey and long aboade in that countrey infused in some measure their manners and dispositions into the people I can suppose it should spring from no other cause then continuance of warre and calamity among them that the Country-Boores haue quite lost their innocent simplicity and are turned so extremely eruell For without any difference they lye in waite both for their owne souldiers and the enemies And if any doe happen by night to stray from their quarters the Boores are ready to surprize the prey and rob with most vnthankfull villâ—ny those souldiers who 〈◊〉 all dangers doe endeauour thâ— in preseruation and reuerla them but naked and in all extremity Their Noble-men as is fit are of a brauer and better disposition their mindes and visages framed to magnificence and their whole garbes composed to a pleasing Maiesty They vse Gownes and such robes as the Easterne people but especially purple or skie-coloured And this attire doth wonderfully become the men a short sword commonly adorning their gowned side They are excellent at subtill and great counsels and of a courage equall to it especially if the proiect lye in suddaine short and stolne enterprizes Their chiefe Nobles are of great wealth and retaining though in a Monarchy very great marâ—es of true liberty They are attended according to their riches with store of Clients and those exceeding faythfull in their seruice to them And no greater care at all possesses them then not to forsake any of thâ—se prerogatiues which they from many ages haue maintained inuiolable For that reason is their vaâ—our more constant in fighting against the Turkes who vnder one Law of seruitâ—de doe oppresse all families of how great blood or emineâ—ce soeuer Without this the inclination of their mindes might well bee feared that they would choose Kings from other places then from Germany For the Germanâ— and Hungarians a thing ordinary in 〈◊〉 a neighbourhood are at great emulation betwixt themselues Their raiâ—ing at each other in their common discourses at home are very cruell and with great curiosity they are both busie in discouering or inuenting vices in each other The Hungarians are louers of Horses and haue excellent good ones they are curious in their armes and attire euen to delight and pompâ— They had rather fight on horse-backe then on foote They are most greedy of honours and haue a great ambition to bee feared by others By imitation of the Italian arts and dispositions they are thought to haue learned the 〈◊〉 vices and to perpeâ—rate their wicked reueâ—ges with the same arts and the like maliciousnesse You would suppose them most easie men to embrace friendship but whether it be true or false none can be better Iudges then they themselues which enter into those
friendships sâ—riously considering whether they haue deserued so to be beloued or whether that Nation so skilfull in taking of aduantages doe pretend friendship the better to perpetuate some inâ—ended mischiefe There is a Magistrate among them of great note whom they call the Palatine he of himselfe hath not power to decree any thing but may resist the King when hee determines to enact any publicke matter which is altogether voyd if the Palatine gaue his voyce against it To him the most of them giue great honour as to the supporter of their liberty and our opposed against the Regall power no otherwise then of oâ—d the Roman Tribanes were ordained as curbers of the Consuls iurisdiction From hence might you see â—hat the great and swelling spirits of that Nation would 〈◊〉 brooke a hard and vnlimited power ouer them vnlesse they be forced as it appeares in those Hungarian Prouinces which the Turke now possesses to an awe of their soueraigne Lords by so sterne a discipline as doth for euer reaue them of any hope of liberty The Illyrians and Dalmaâ—ians whom we call the Istrians and Slaurians are seated vpon the shores of the Adriaticke 〈◊〉 Towards the Land they border vpon Pannonia That Region is vnpleasant on the backe of the great Mountaines vpon whose ridges cold Winter coth perpetually tyrannize But that part of the Country which is seated in the valleys is of a milder temper and well stored with Villages and Castles They are Nations that liue vnder the command of others and hauing beene long accustomed to diuers Lords doe for the most part follow their manners and dispositions Part of it is subiect to the dominion of the Austrian Princes much of it that lyes by the sea-shore the Venecians are masters of and the rest is vnder the Empire of the Turkes from heâ—ce it comes that their habits and manners are partly Germans partly Italian and partly barbarous according to the seuerall Genius's of their soueraigne Lords The Region is almost not visited by any saue onely that in their hauens at some times they doe harbour ships which are sailing from Venice into the East and returne from thence againe into the Adriaticke The other places doe not at all inuite strangers Those souldiers which are leuyed from thence are renowned for valour and great audacity especially in the Turkâ—◠〈◊〉 and few but they are ascribed at Constantinople into his guard of Ianizaries At the North-side of Hungary is Poland which stretcheth from thence to the great Ocean and bordereth vpon Russia A country which though wonderfull spacious yet no where almost hath any mountaines in it and from plainenessâ— of it is â—o named for plainâ—esse in the Scythian tongue is called Pole Their fields lye out in great Champion-plaines which in the Winter are coueâ—ed with deepe Snow but when the Snow is gone are very fruitfull in Corne not onely for the vse of the inhabitants but their graine transported by sea to many countries lying along the Baltike seas doth supply the dearths and baâ—â—en season of other Nations Their Winters are raging and strongly congeale both their grounds and riuers because the violence of Northern winds wanting the repeâ—cussion of any Mountaines hath as at sea a free passage in the open ayre besides their neerenesse to the Northerne Pole where the force of the Sunne is very feeble especially in Winter-tune But Nature for their assistance hath afforded them great and spacious Woods which doe not onely furnish them with â—yring to expell the cold but within their couerts â—oe nourish beasts whose skins for cloathing afford them furres of greatest price and esteemation This double assistance haue the Polanders against the tyranny of their winter But their woods do yeeld them another benefit in which theâ—e are at many places a wonderfull number of swarms of Bees They are wilde Bees hiued or kept by the care of no man vpon plaâ—e Okes or trunkes of other trees they haâ—g by clusters there do they build their houses of waxe and fill them within with most deliciouâ— hony From this alone is the countrey exceedingly and with great ease enriched Their waxe is merchandise to other countreys and of the honey they themselues doo make a kinde of drinke which they esteeme very delicious Some prouinces of Poland are too full of riuers and â—â—rishes in so much as that in Sommer-time they are scarce accessible but in winter when the waters are frozen they haue Sâ—eds in which they passe with speed vpon the ice With those therefore they traueâ—l the country that is their 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 with forreine merchants who come to buy theâ—r waxe their furres and whatsoeuer else is of price and 〈◊〉 in so cold a country They want stones for the most part to build them houses their walls are of timber and their houses 〈◊〉 couered with thatch except only their chiefe Cities and palaces of Noblemen which are adorned as curiously as that countrey can possibly afford But the Poles vnder a rough clime liue hard liues noâ— are the dispositions of the people composed to the elegancy of our age and from thence also are they of more cruell natures Their Innes to receiue stangers are farre different from the manner of our Countreys they are brought into a roome altogether vnfurnished and commonly where the wall is digged thorow to affoord light and stand open to the violence of winde and winter There are no beds for the guâ—â—ts to lye vpon nor tables for them to eat on but the walls are full of tackes where the guests in order may hang those burdens which they haue brought with them and the ground is strowed with straw which is entended for bedâ— in those Innes Therefore whosoeuer doe trauell thorow that countrey do accordingly prouide themselues as if they remooued their dwellings with them their meat and other prouision together with their beds they carry in Waines with them that beeing entertained in those naked Innes they may with their owne prouision defend themselues against cold and hunger They are a Nation borne to crâ—elty and 〈◊〉 which they call liberty insomuch as they can scarce yet bee brought to abrogate a â—aw of vnspeakable barbarisme which for many ages hath continued among them By that Law it wae appointed that whosoeuer had killed a man should bee absolued from all feare of iustice 〈…〉 did throw vpon the carcasse of the dead man a certaine summe of money which in that Law is mentioned Nor would they so basely haue prized the blood of man if out of the cruell fiercenes of their barbarous Genius they had not iudged the murder of man a slight offence They doe abhorre the very name not onely of slauery but of obedience to a iust and lawfull Scepter Their King by force of armes is compelâ—â—d to obserue their Country-lawes The Nobility haue bestowed vpon themselues most mischieuous prerogatiâ—es by which they may safely abuse and hurt each other because the King hath not power enough
to punish their offences in that kind They are wedded strangely to their owne fancies nor doe they take to themselues a greater licentiousnesse in manners and vnciuill conuersation then in opinions of religion and 〈◊〉 mattâ—rs of which 〈…〉 man without any feaâ—◠〈◊〉 both thinke and 〈…〉 selfe listeth Which 〈…〉 and are ashamed to learne 〈◊〉 best wisedome from another mans direction from hence it is that their mindes at this day are diuâ—ded into so many 〈…〉 haue among 〈…〉 fortunes They are apâ—er to bee outragious then deceitfull to any man and themselues easyer to bee ruined by fâ—aud then 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Poland Russia lyes 〈…〉 the Prince of the 〈…〉 doth reigne The 〈…〉 is named from the city 〈…〉 which by reason of 〈…〉 of inhabitants 〈…〉 of their Emperour is 〈…〉 of Russia also It extendâ— in a long and spâ—cious tract from the Ocean to the Caspian sea and borders vpon 〈◊〉 sides both with the 〈…〉 vpon other 〈…〉 till the Spring bee farre spent and then succeeds a cruell Summer which striuing as it were to redeem those delayes which the long Winter had there made doth ripen their fruites with a most 〈◊〉 heate but not so kindely 〈◊〉 trees in our Countries 〈◊〉 almost beyond beliefe 〈◊〉 should ripen there 〈◊〉 among vs require not 〈…〉 very hot but a continued Sâ—â—mer There are many woods in the countrey and in them beasts of most precious Furres They haue store also of 〈◊〉 and honey which 〈◊〉 the chiefest merchandises of that country 〈…〉 inhabitants but yet not answerable to the largenesse of the Land which they 〈◊〉 They are a Nation borne for seruitude fierce vpon any shew of liberty but quiet if strictly kept vnder and refuse not the 〈◊〉 They doe freely confesse 〈…〉 slaues to their Prince 〈…〉 both their estates and 〈…〉 at his disposing the 〈…〉 are not in a more sordid 〈…〉 subiection to the Scepâ—â— their Ottoman Emprours 〈◊〉 esteeme also of all other 〈◊〉 according to their owne Geniâ—s Strangers also that either by chance or on purpose doe come into Moscoâ—â— are condemned to the same 〈◊〉 and forced to bee slaues to that Prince 〈◊〉 they goe away and Bee 〈◊〉 againe they are punished as fugitiues The great men although themselues bee slaues are very proud toward the common people and they very fearefull of the great mens frowaes The people are reported to bee so ignorant of learning that few among them 〈◊〉 the ordinary prayers of 〈◊〉 Church vnto God by heaâ—◠〈◊〉 are fitter for warre then 〈◊〉 for the most part are in 〈…〉 ther to repell the inuasions 〈◊〉 Tartars on one side or on the other eyther to inuade or keep off the Polonians in this age they haue beene much busied in ciuill warres among themselues Their battaâ—lts consist all of horsemen they vse no foot for this reason because they place the moment of all their designes in celerity with great speede they both assault fly When once they begin to feare they are brought to vtter desperation so that when they flye from a battell if the enemy ouertake them they are farre froÌ„ making of the least resistance and doe so absolutely yeild themselues into the CoÌ„querours hand that they doe not so much as beg 〈◊〉 liues They are remisse in 〈…〉 of theft though seuereâ—◠〈◊〉 execute robbers 〈◊〉 awary Nation and very 〈◊〉 in deceiuing others nor 〈◊〉 ignorant that Merchants 〈◊〉 in that kind suspect them whom that they may get to haue the better opinion of them in their commerce oftentimes they 〈◊〉 themselues to bee other countrymen They are exceedingly giuen to drinking and besides their country drinkes they haue Wines brought them from forreyne parts Their Wiues liue in great bondage detained strictly at home worthy also of greater afflictions They are according to report of such incredibly seruile dispositions that they measure the kindnes of their husbanâ—â— by the number of the 〈◊〉 they giue them and 〈◊〉 thinke themselues so well 〈◊〉 when they fall vpon men of fierce dispositions A meane fellow of Germany trauelled into Moscoâ—ia and if in such a triâ—ling tale you desire his name he was called 〈◊〉 He continued there and liking the country married a wife in it Whom whilst he loued dearly and by all kindenesses sought to gaine mutuall affection from her she with a sad deiected countenance did often sigh and expresse other tokens of a sorrowfull minde At last when hee demanded the cause of her sadnesse professing that hee had beene wanting in no office of loue to her Why quoth the woman doe you so cunuingly counterfeit affection doe you thinke I know not how little you regard me and withall she began to make great lamentation He amazed at this began to embrace her and still asked her wherein hee had offended and if perchance hee had done ill hee would hereafter amend the fault To this his wife answered Where are theÌ„ those stripes by which thou testifiest thy loue For husbands among vs by beating their wiues doe expresse their loue and care of them When Iordan heard this amazement a while suppressed his laughter but afterward when they doth vanished hee thought it his best course to vse his wife as shee had prescribed and not long after hee tooke occasion to beate the woman shee appeased with stripes began then earnestly to loue and obserue he husband But hee could keepe no measure but grew more cruell then his wretched wife desired and at last with an vnhappy stroke they say broke he thighs and her necke also Germany where it is washed by the Balticke sea borders vpon the Cimbrian Chersonesus and through a small distance of sea surueys the other Ilands which make vp the same kingdome of the Cimbrians It is called at this day Denmarke from thence is but a short cut to Swethland to which on the North side Norway adioyneth And these are the regions out of which so great Nations famed both for their multitude and victories rushed like a whirlewinde ouer all Europe From thence came the Cimbrians Tentones Goths and Vandals by whom Italy Libya Spaine and a part of France were sore afflicted But of later times those Colonies that came from thence were called Normans that is Noâ—â—hrea men By these Britaine was long possessed and much of France wasted with fire and sword but there atlast after many dangers peace was compounded and they seated in Neustria which they afterwards called Normandy so that nothing in Europe escaped their fury and being terrible to all they were commonly accounted to bee inuincible How it should come to passe that so great a multitude and a spring as it were of Nations should at this day grow drie it is vncertaine But fore it is that now in those countries townes are very rate and they are so farre from fending Colonyes abroade that when they haue warre they are enforced to vse forraine souldiers I could beleeue that those barbarous Nations frugall in old times in their barraine soile
and ignorant of vices encreased in Children and because the vnfruitfulnesse of the soile denyed nourishment to so numerous a people they did often send out their young men to seeke out new plantations which then men of all ages did desire But now by that mad vice of tipling and surfets they haue ouer whelmed their genitall strength and can beget inhabitants for no more then their owne countries They exceede the Germans in drunkennesse When they awake in the morning they fil their stomacks with a wonderfull hot kinde of drinke which by the fire is extracted from Wine it selfe When they are thus refreshed the fumes of that hot liquor ascending into their heads doe cause sleepe their rest is but short and then they returne againe to drinking Then they drinke Wine or Ale as many a like it That time that remaines till noone they bestow in businesse At last they meete at dinner which by continued discourses they make no bones many times to prolong till supper time from thence they are carried to bed neyther apt to doe nor receiue wrong They breake no promises when their hands are giuen There are among them many footesteps of the German language but more of their German manners and behauiour Norway is but thinly stored with inhabitants their liues they spend for the most part in hunting no country affordeth Timber more fit for masts orplankes for ships It is a rude Nation and with most men infamous for witchcraft They by report can fell winds which those that faile from thence doe buy equalling by a true prâ—digy the fable of Vlyâ—â—es and Aeâ—lus They haue cruell winters and very dangerous to those that are not aware of them A beâ—â—mming aire with little or no feeling doth seize the body that before you perish you can scarce know that you are perishing From this plague by a memorable example was He deliuered whom God had ordained to bee Monarch of all Brittaine Iames as then but King of Scotland Fredericke the second King of Denmarâ—â— had espoused vnto him his daughter Anne but she sailing to Scotland was often cast backe vpon the coast of Norway by the force of chance and euill spirits that raised vp windes at the command of a witch who afterward suffered for her offence The King being young and a Louer impatient of delay resolued to â—aâ—le vnto his Wife and in midst of Winter entered that sea so infamous for 〈◊〉 after hee had long struggled with weather and tempests he arriued in Norway And not long after the shippe that carried him as if it had beene set vpon the land hard frozen vp with yee remained immuneable The thing was told to King Iames who had presently a desire of seeing this vnusuall sight For about none of his Britaine shores doth the sea freeze There was the weather being faire a hauen not farre from the Kings lodgings he went therefore along the windes neyther blowing nor the aire as it seemed very violently cold and beholding a while the frozen sea hee returned into his chamber suspecting nothing of the danger of the Winter But when hee drew neere to the fire one of those that stood about him looking by chance vpon the Kings right hand perceiued that finger that was next the thumbe to bee blue pale and bloodlesse and knowing the condition of that aire cryed out to the King not to come neere the fire the ayre sâ— quoth hee has hurt you and beâ—â—mmed your finger being in this case the fire with an vnseasonable heat will quite vndo it The plague of this cold must bee expelled by another cold The King wondering at this denyed at first that he was hurt at all for hee felt no paine but hee shortly perceiued that hee was well aduised For the finger grew stiffe and dead losing all sence and heate of blood When hee desired remedy they told him there was at hand a certaine cure which with a short though cruell paine should restore his health and that hee must indure it vnlesse hee would rather lose his finger which was stricken with thâ—â— pestilent Winter then there was suddainely brought him a vessell full of snow not melted by the fire but thawing softly by the heate of the Chamber Into that the King aduâ—sed by the inhabitants thrust his finger when on a suddaine a cruell pâ—ine creeping thorow the ioynts of his lately benammed finger had almost put him out of 〈◊〉 His paine was that which first taught him how sence was restored to the finger By this 〈◊〉 the King was made whole and being admonished of such an vnlook'd for mischiefe hee could afterwards more easily auoyd it or cure it For not long after his right care as hee rid was taken with the same malady * ⎠* The ninth Chapter TVRKES and IEWES THe Turkes a barbarous people borne to the destruction of Cities Arts and Learning haue prospered more by our vices then their owne vertue This publike calamity of the world by barbarous violence multitudes of men and obedience to seuere discipline hath growne great Their beginning was from Scythia which wee call Tartaria From thence they were called as stipendary aides in the dissentions of Persia or of their owne accord forsooke their barren country inuited by the neighbouring regions fertility and with a wonderfull religious obedience followed the fortune of him whom they made their captaine To him they gaue both themselues and their estates eyther neuer acquainted with liberty or now voluntarily throwing it away from them Nor are other Nations more constantly obedient to their good and lawfull Princes then they to that horrid tyranny to which they haue condemned theÌ„selues vnlesse that now it is thought the extremity of that reuerence is by degrees abated vnder Princes vnworthy of it or that the affections of people being too violent are neuer corstant They first seized that part of Asia which heretofore was saide to abound with all delights and from thence vnder Aâ—â—urath sayling into Europe with the aide and shipping of the Ligurians that famous Greece the ancient seat of the Muses became their prey But they by the harshnesse of their dispositions striuing against humanity continued still in the ferity of their ancestours that you may know a ciuill Climate may herbour 〈◊〉 people Whilest they stuck in Bithynia or afterwards in the shores of Thrace on either side the two eâ—ulous Empires of Greece and 〈◊〉 which vnlesse they could vnquish would vanquish them stirred vp their barbarous courages being then in the heat of their first victories where to our shame they ruined those mighty enemies and chose Constantinople taken by Mahomet the chiefe seat of their Monarchy beeing delighted with the situation of the City in the borders of Asia and Europe as also the conuenience of a most stately hauen and the fame of that Empire which so many ages had there flourished That which remained in the East was either possessed by the Souldan who to his kingdome of Aegypt had ioâ—ned
call â—anizariâ—s discontinued from the exercise of true warre in idlenesse and city-delights are growne to a mutinous but 〈◊〉 boldnesse Hence the proud souldiers beginne to lose their discipline as not fit to endure 〈◊〉 labour or felicity There were the 〈◊〉 that made the Romans there to 〈…〉 But those of them which gouerne Aegypt especially the 〈◊〉 at Great-Caâ—re do with great praise exercise the glory of their old warfare for remooâ—ed farre from Court they are exercised to daily labours incurbing those troopes of robbers which from the mountaine-tops vse to make rodes into the valleyes But these souldiers valiant onely against a troope of flying theeues and yeelding enemies if they should fall vpon the strengâ—h of our armies would perhaps vse the 〈◊〉 of their horses in which they excell not so much for battell as for their owne safety by flight That vse of the bow the specâ—all strength of the Turke which was once so formidable to the world is now neglected I suppose because this art cannot bee attained without much 〈◊〉 and labour of the body and at this day the souldiers spoyled with â—ase and discipline ceasing will not buy valour at so deare a rate Their bowes are short and cannot be bent but by those that are skilfull but they discharge their arrowes with much more violence then our 〈◊〉 do their leaden bullets We saw indeed and could scarce credit our owne eyes a piece of 〈◊〉 three inches thicke pierced by a little arrow And no lesse wonder was it that a shalt wanting an iron head shot from a bow thorow the body of an indifferent tree appeared at both sides This art was taught to a man of great account among vs when hee was at Constantinople by an old souldier of Sclymans who confessed that skill by the slothfulnesse of his fellowes was quite lost and that there were scarâ—e three in that vast Empire which were carefull to preserâ—e in themselues that fortitude of their ancestours hee sayd the rest had weake bowes and onely dangerous to light-armed men If wee would make vse of the benefit of God and their vices what were more easy then at this time to 〈◊〉 those wealthy Prouinces out of their barbarous hands their oâ—dâ—ury which they accounted valour being now forgotten This do those poore Christians who groane vnder the yoake of their barbarous tyranny expect froÌ„ vs being a great multitude but destitute of armes and leaders this â—ur temples and rites of religion which they wickedly haue abolished and lastly humanity extinguished and countries once richly tilled now rude and desart nor euer vnlesse by our aide able to regaine their old lustre But if any be discouraged to thinke of so many attempts and so much wealth heretofore vainely wasted whilst our ancestours striued to redeeme Syria Palestine and Agypt out of the hands of Saracens and as often with great forces taking expeditions against the Turkes let him consider that they were more vanquished by emulation among themselues then by those enemies To let passe the Grecian Princes who were alwaies ill affected to our Western soldiers how often haue wee by vnprofitable hatred wasted our owne strength against our selues It were not fit to shame this age with late examples nor curiously to rehearse old calamities The mortall dissensions of the French and English in those warres shall bee argument enough of griefe and caution Richard the first King of England surnamed Cor de-lion led an Army into Syria and hauing reuenged the wrongs which Cyprus had done him hee had driuen the Souldan to extreme feares who was aduising to deliuer vp Ierusalem and so make peace with the Christians when loe Philip King of France surnamed Augustus returning himselfe from Syria ill affected to King Richard marched with his army into Normandy Normandy was then vnder the crowne of England and assaulting his townes some he tooke by force others by feare and faction So King Richards intent on the publike quarrell of Christendome was called home into Europe to preserue his owne estate and the Saracens at that time were by meanes of the French deliuered from the Christian army who were afterwards beholding to the English for the like benefit For scarce an age after when Philip of Valois King of France with all the strength of his Kingdome was bent vpon this Pious warre there came to ioyne with him the Kings of Nauarre Arragon and Bohemia and many besides whom eyther the strength of their kingdomes or the holynesse of the warre had inuited Their Fleete lay at anchor which carried forty thousand armed men and victuall for three yeeres their army to march by land was 300000. men But this so great preparation and hope of the Christian world was quite hindered by Edward the third King of England who at that time began to lay claime to the crowne of France as the inheritance of Isabel his mother So haue we turned our strength against our owne bowels and vanquished by ourselues haue giuen triumphs to Turkes and Saracens These are most sad chances but great is the comfort that wee haue yet strength enough to destroy that barbarous Monarchy Nor need all the Christian Princes so 〈◊〉 in this there are many of them that are alone sufficient to gaine this victory Wee neede no innumerable Army nor a Fâ—eet to oreâ—pread the wide Ocean A man of singular iudgement and prowesse and by long experience well acquainted with the Turkish affaires was not affraid to promise to his King that if hee would giue him a Fleete and an Army of thirty thousand with pay for two yeeres and victuall for a yeere hee would reduce vnder his dominion Peloponnesus 〈◊〉 the greater part of Achaia which vnlesse he performed he desired that that Army which was committed to him should take punishment of him for deceiuing the King and by 〈◊〉 most cruell death reuenge the rashnesse of his vaine promise The same hope of victory there and scarce with so much charge not long since was giuen to a great King by a 〈◊〉 expert Captaine a man â—oth for dignity and blood worthy of the charge of so great an expedition But death 〈◊〉 his great designe and 〈◊〉 was whether by poyson or no. Both these Captaines grounded their hopes vpon the strength and warlike discipline of our souldiers the number of Christians there and their prayers imploring our armes to their reliefe and lastly the slothfulnesse of the Turkes who hold by no other title the fame of â—ortitude then 〈◊〉 memory of their ancestours not yet wholy expired But it was the aduice of those Captaines that this firebrand must be throwne into the enemies bosome and not stand to defend our owne bounds in which the greatest reward of victory is to remooue the enemy from our Countrey who will afterwards returne more fierce vpon vs But if subdued our owne bondage and our Countreyes is present and therefore they would not haue vs stay in Hungary but marching speedily to encampe our selues in
of subtill art hiding sometimes a base and abject minde sometimes a free and bold diâ—position Sometimes to follow pleasure to sport or jest well is as usefull to them as the greatest labour Nay even to exercise a kinde of state over their Princes and almost reigne but not too long and wantonly doth more kindle the Princes affections to them who desire as well to be beloved as to love For Lords that are advanced to that slippery height of favour if they know their Prince to be of a soft nature not brooking enough a continuall use of the same pleasures must sparingly bestow their pleasing lookes or jests or whatsoever in them is delightfull to him dispensing them in so prudent a manner that affection stirred up often and by intermissions may neither breed a loathing nor by neglect and oblivion be blotted out But if the Prince be easie and apt to change often his affections and Favorites but wheresoever he apply him elfe his love as it is short so is it blind and vehement The Favorites remeÌ„bring that they are now in a high tide but shall shortly returne to their owne Sea doe make most greedy use of their felicity For they are not afraid by importune suites to weary this affection of the Prince which unlesse it bee timely taken and made use of like wines which last not it decayes and perishes of it selfe But â—arre different wayes are to be taken with those Princes who lose not themselves in a torrent of affection but to that sweetnesse of nature which makes them love doe joyne reason also For this affection being true indeed and perpetuall if they deserve it as it can never do all things so has alwayes power to doe something Nor must you rob altogether that tree but gather with choyse the fruit of it which will grow againe for you There fore the Favourites of such Princes doe wholly â—apply themselves to them and never forgetting their Majesty doe alwayes in their love give due observance modestly use their freedome of speaking or advising and ofter consider that they are Princes than that themselves are Favorites Those Favorites as it is their first care to hold up themselves in that height of grace so alwayes make it their second endeavour to raise Estates to get Offices and governments that if they doe remove from that height of favour yet they may still retaine some happy monument of their former power and a stay to their after-life But those who forgetting themselves and too much trusting to their fortune in prodigall ryot doe consume all the wealth and revenew of that rich favour are worthy of a poore old age and then in vaine to repent themselves of their unseasonable and ill acting so high a part Those Favorites also must use one caution which if they neglect it doth sometimes ruine them not to preferre themselves before their Prince in any thing in which he eyther desires to excell or thinks hedoth If he love the fame of policy eloquence valour of the art of warre or hunting let him yeeld that knowes himselfe to excell at it for feare the Prince should be fired with an emulation that may not onely extinguish the favour but draw on a cruell and heavy displeasure For many times the Princes mind with an ambition not small but more than the thing deserves is desirous of fame in such matters and takes it heavily to lose the prize There is no certainer way for those Lords to gaine their Princes affections than to seeme admirers of them but it must be done with art and so as may gaine beleife for all do not lie open to the same flatterâ—es Every Prince who eyther is coÌ„scious of vertue in himselfe or swelled with vaine credulity either may be or loves to bee deceiued by those arts so many men striving to please and praise theÌ„ do quite overcome their modesty and make them beleive great matters of themselves Another great art of gaining their favor is to seem to love them some Venus as it were insinuating an officious grace and requiâ—ing from theÌ„ a requitall of affection That man iâ— yet alive and enjoyes the height of his fortune who by such a happy accident encreased the love and favour which his master began to beare him The King by chance with a fal from his horse bruising his side fell into a Fever this Lord with a sad astonished countenance watched all night without sleepe by his masters side Whether it were art or piety he so far wrought upon the K. affectioÌ„ that none was afterward in greater grace with him Nor can we say that the disposing of so great a felicity which fome few onely can enjoy having so many rivals in compassing that happy favour is onely in the hands of Fortune For as Fortune alone doth bring some men into Kings favours so many of them for want of art and wisdome doe fall againe from that height so that it may be sayd to be in Fortunes power sometimes to raise men to it but of prudence to keepe them in it But it is therefore a more fearefull thing to fall from that happinesse because having beene once admitted into the Sacrament of so high a friendship they can hardly fall from it but they fall into hatred or at least a kinde of loathing for love doth not so often use to dye of it selfe aâ— to be killed by a contrary affection But those Noblemen by whose hands Princes doe manage the greatest affaires of their Kingdomes to whom they trust their secret counsels and the ordering of forreine and domesticke affaires doe commonly temper the strength of their dignity after another way as namely so to draw all the deepest and greatest cares of the realme into their owne hands and so to appropriate them to themselves that they stand not in so much need of their Country as their Country does of their Service And this they attaine by a perpetuall diligence in those affaires and removing as farre they can not onely others but even the King himselfe from the knowledge of them For they may safely manage all things when the Prince is plunged either in ignorance of his owne businesse or credulitie toward them But these men being ignorant of their owne fame doe as seldome almost heare the truth as Kings themselves For although they be infamous for extortion or pride or any other wickednesse and so generally spoken of by the common voice yet themselves many times know nothing of it untill being overwhelmed with the weight of them they begin at the same time to feele the hatred and punishment too Their countenances for the most part are composed of gravity accesse to them is not easie therefore discourses are short shewing much busines and a kinde of Majesty Among these there are some few whose lookes are neyther confused with businesse nor swelled with pride These are worthy of high praise indeed nor are the other to be condemned who fashion their manners