doore And that thereof to make no lingring stay But see him put to death without delay And executed with all speed and end As at their perils they would it defend This being thus commanded with great charge By th'Emperour himselfe in words at large There certaine trusty men appointed were For the same purpose that with heedfull care Went out forthwith and did him apprehend And seaz'd of all the goods God did him send Whereat Cato amazed stood a pause And did require of them to know the cause If they could tell it him They answered soone 'T was by the Emperours command and doome For that he 'd slaine his sonne without desart And caused him to eate his owne childs heart Then Cato said my Lords and masters you All which men say is not of certaine true Therefore I counsell you that you would put Me into prison strong and there me shut Untill next day and say that for this night It is too late and of no equall right To put me unto death and that I may To morrow be cald forth without delay Before the people all there to be heard The matters layd against me and declar'd So forward goe in justice and proceed Upon my life as you doe finde the deed And forasmuch as all men did him love They did consent wherein he did them move And leaving him in prison for a space Returned to the Emperour his grace Declaring to his Majesty and state Him put to death that night it was too late Saying to him that it much better were The accomplishment of justice to forbeare Untill the morne who notwithstanding his Great anger rage fury and heavinesse That he had for the death of his deere sonne Did as the Lords advis'd him to be done Now whiles that they great company along Were leading Cato unto prison strong He cald his trusty servant as he went To him by whom the Emperours sonne was sent Unto a noble Lord of that Countrey A friend of his meane while his wife to try Concerning matters which he would discusse Commanding him saying in secret thus Goe with all speed unto my faithfull friend Where thou didst leave th' Emperors son God send Him life whom the Emperour thinketh dead And make thou haste least I die in his stead And will him that to morrow before noone He faile not to come to me so soone And bring with him the Emperours sonne amaine Unto his place who thinks I have him slaine For which I now in prison am you see Expecting death shortly to summon me And without doubt in time he doth not come I shall as thou perceivest receive my doome Now it thou lov'st me doe thy diligence Not sparing horse nor gripple for expence Upon which words his servant made no stay But taking leave with speed rode fast away So that about mid-night he came right well Unto the place where the said Lord did dwell Who was to Cato a familiar friend A Lord whose worthy fame all did commend Therefore he had him sent the Emperours sonne So secretly as possible might be done In his tuition him to have in store While he this thing would prove as ye heard before When Cato's servant to the place came late He hastily then knocked at the gate Whereas the Lord his habitation had And called out aloud with voyce most glad Having at last approacht that Palace good And they within having now understood From whence he came they opened speedily The gates brought him where the Lord did lie And th' Emperours son whom Cato did conduct Given him in charge to teach and to instruct Then did the Lord demand who did him send And how his master did his chiefest friend And what the occasion was for to relate That he came in such speedy haste so late When he had done his masters due respect And no whit of his service did neglect Then he declar'd unto the Lord at last How that his Master was in prison fast And that command was given that hee should die To morrow morne through rumor of a lie And false report which on him is begun To th'Emperour that he hath slaine his sonne And caus'd him eate the heart of his owne child Thus they his fancy led and him beguild When Catoes servant giving them to understand How men had shew'd the Emperour out of hand That Cato had his sonne inhumane slaine And therefore did imprisonment sustaine That on the morrow t was determined For that offence to be a man but dead The Lord and th' Emperours son at this did muse And wondred much to heare this heavie news Of their good friend incontinent they rose With all the speed they could you may suppose And cal'd together all their servants ny Araying all themselves most speedily Especially th' Emperours sonne most kinde Who was in sorrow great and griefe of mind For his said master whom he loved well It was not needful as the stories tell To hasten him for to dispatch that he Might with his kind and loving master be At the time and place appointed sure His master should the stroke of death endure If fortune did not better him betide So they with posting speed did thither ride Here will we reft to speake of th' Emperours son Who taken hath his journey new begun towards his master deare whom he did love Intirely next unto God above And come againe to Cato where he lie Inhoved looking each houre for to die If that his faithfull servant voyd of crime Came not with the Emperours son in time And for so much he was belov'd of all The people throughout Rome both great and small As a wise man of understanding great Most just in all his waies and carriage neate No briber to purloyne free from that fact Extortioner not cruell to exact There was a friend of his much love profest A mighty governour at his request Kept backe and stayd as much as in him ly All the executioners of the City Who did consent for to absent themselves Most willingly for they alasse poore elves Were griev'd to doe that which should ill befall Cato who was beloved of them all Yet as Commandement was given indeed From th'Emperour himselfe they did proceed And Cato carried unto the place Of execution an easie pace With a great mighty troope and company That followed him expecting he should die And many people mourned that was there And more have mourned would but that for feare That he had done this evill wicked deed Wherewith he was accus'd as some believ'd For there was many wondring at it said Amongst themselves that they were halfe afraid It was too true but there were other-some Admired he should thus be overcome With Satans tempting and alluring baite Who for the soules of men doe lie in wait Being so vertuous a man and wise Could not for truth believe nor once surmise That he had done this wicked sinfull crime As for to kill th' Emperours sonne in 's prime And caus'd
acts of divers men Remember then thy youthful times and what thy selfe didst then Suspicionis labes The blemish of suspition 17. Ne cures si quis tacito sermone loquatur Conscius ipse sibi de se putat omnia dici Take no regard what standers by in private whispering chat A guilty conscience still mistrusts their selfe is aimed at In prosperis de adversis cogitandum In prosperity we must thinke that adversity may come 18. Cum fueris felix quae sunt adversa caveto Non eodem cursu respondent ultima primis In time of wealth remember wo mutations are not strange All humane things are ordred so to have their enterchange Mors alterius non speranda The death of another is not to be hoped for 19. Cum dubia fragilis sit nobis vita tributa In morte alterius spemâ—u tibi ponere noli Since fraile and doubtfull is our life unknowne our dying day To live in hope of others death great folly doth bewray Animus in dono astimandus We must esteeme the mind of the giver not the gift 20. Exiguum munus cum dat tibi pauper amieus Accipito placide plene laudare memento If from thy poore well wishing friend some slender gift be sent In thankfull wise accept his love and praise his good intent Paupertatis tolerantia The enduring or suffering of povertie 21. Infantem nudum cum te natura crearit Paupertatis onus patienter ferre memento Since naked from the wombe thou cam'st as nature form'd thee there The burthen of externall wants with patience see thou beare Mors non formidanda Death is not to be feared 22. Ne time as illam quae vitae est ultima finis Qui mortem metuit quod vivit perdit id ipsum Dread not thy death in time to come nor feare the fatall knife VVho dreads his end therein exiles the comfort of his life Amicorum ingratitudo fugienda The ingratitude of friends is to be fled 23. Si tibi pro meritis nemo respondet amicus Incusare Deum noli sed te ipse coerce If friends to whom thou hast beene kinde thy kindnesse nought regard Accuse not Fate but blame thy selfe be wiser afterward Frugalitas Frugality or thriftinesse 24. Ne tibi quid desit quaesitis utere parce Vique quod est serves semper tibi deesse putato The better to supply thy wants spare what thy hand hath got And that thou maiest thy mony save suppose thou hast it not Promissio iterata molesta A promise iterated or oft made is grievous 25. Quod praestare potes ne bis promiser is ulli Ne sis ventosus dum vis urbanus haberi What in thy power rests to performe twice promise not for shame Lest while thou wouldst be civill thought thy lightnesse all men blame Ars arte deludenda Cunning is to be deceivd or met with by cunning 26. Qui simulat verbis nec corde est fidus amicus Tu quoque fac simile sic ars deluditur arte Who speakes thee faire and loves thee not like measure let him finde So art by art is met withall and falshood in her kinde Blandiloquentia suspecta Faire speaking is suspicious 27. Noli homines blandos nimiùm sermone probare Fistula dulce canit volucrem dum decipit aucepâ— Approve not fawning flatterers whose words are full of wiles Most sweetly sounds the Fowlers Call whil'st he the bird be guiles Liberi artibus instruendi Children are to be trained up in trades 28. Si tibi sint nati nec opes tunc artibus illos Instrue quo possint inopem defendere vitam If wedden thou have children store and little wealth to give Then traine them up in honest arts that each may learâ—e to live Res quomodo aestimandae How things are to be valued or reckoned 29. Quod vile est carum quod carum vile putato Sic tibi nec parcus nec avarus habeberis ulli Things that be cheape imagine deare things deare as cheape esteeme So neither niggard to thy selfe nor greedy shalt thou seeme Culpata non facienda Things blame worthy are not to be done 30. Quae culpare soles ea tu ne feceris ipse Turpe est doctori cum culpa redarguit ipsum What fault thou findst with other men let not be sound in thee Foule shame in him that vice reproves himselfe not to be free Concedenda petenda Things meet to be granted are to be requested 31. Quod justuÌ„ est petito vel quod videatur honestuÌ„ Nam stultum petere est quod posset jure negari What is thy dew thou maist require or what seemes honest crave But folly were it to desire a thing thou ought'st not have Nota ignot is non commutanda Knowne things are not to be changed for unknowne things 32. Ignotum tibi nolito praeponere notis Cognita ju licio constant incognitacasu Things knowne before things never try'd preferre if thou be wise Sith those by judgement are discern'd but these be mere surmise Dies quisque supremus putandus Every day is to be accounted our 〈◊〉 33. Cum dubia incertis versetur vita pâ—riâ—lis Prolucro tibi pone diene quicunque laboras Since life in daily danger lies and issues doubtfull are Each day thou liv'st account thou gaine that captive art to care Obsecundandum amicis We must obey or please our friends 34. Vincere cum possis interdum cede sodali Obsequio quoniam dulces vincuntur amici Sometimes when thou mayst victor be give place as vanquished By yeelding up in curtesie kind friends are conquered Amicitiae mutua officia The duties of friendship ought to be mutuall 35. Ne dubites cum magna petas impendere parva His etenim rebus conjungit gratia charos Great things requiring grudge you not small charges to bestow For by this meanes twixt friend and friend doth favour greatly grow Amicitia rixas odit Frindship hateth brawlings 36. Litem inferre cave cum quo tibi gratia juncta est Ira odium generat concordia nutrit amorem With whom thou art in league of love to quarrell thinke profane Brawle hatred breeds and friendship breakes but peace doth love maintaine Castigatio sine ira Correction ought to be without anger 37. Servorum ob culpam cumte dolor urget in iram Ipse tibi moderare tuis ut parere possis When rechlesse servants move thy minde to wrath and irefull rage Doe nought in choller till the time thy fury shall asswage Patientia vincere To overcome by patience â—8 Quem super are potes interdum vince ferendo Maxima enim morum semper sapientia virtus â—hen thou by force may'st conquer seeke by sufferance to convince â—f mortall vertues wise men hold sweet patience soveraigne prince Quaesita sunt conservanda Things gotten are to be kept â—9 Conserva potuis quae sunt jam parta labore Cum labor in damno est crescit mortaliâ— egestas â—eepe rather goods by labour got
voluptas VVith moderation see you drinke if thou wouldst live in health For ill diseases pleasure brings oft times to man by stealth Ne damnes quod probavâ—ris Thou mayst not condemne that which thou hast approved or commended 25. Laudaris quodcunque palam quodcunque probaris Hoc vide ne rursus levitatis crimine damnes That which thou op'nly hast allow'd and prais'd with might and maine Upon small cause through levity condemne thou not againe Circumspectus in utraque fortuna Be thou circumspect in either fortune or both estates Looke well about thee or be thou very considerate both in prosperity and adversity 26. Tranquillis rebus quae sunt adversa caveto Rursus in adversis melâ—us sperare memento In calmest times remember stormes and hard adversity So in adverse and cruell times hope for prosperity Studio crescit sapientia VVisedome doth increase by study 27. Discerene cesses cura sapientia creseit Rara datur longo prudentia temporis usu Cease not to learne for wisedome so by study greater rise Sage wisedome rare comes by long use of studies exercise Parcè laudandum VVe must praise sparingly 28. Parcè laudato nam quem tu saepe probaris Vna dies qualis fuerit monstrabit amicus Be sparing in thy praise for why whom thou dost oft commend One time or other will declare whether he be thy friend Discere ne pudeat Be not ashamed to learne 29. Ne pudeat quae nescieris te velle docerâ— Scire aliquid laus est pudor est nil discere velle Be not ashamed to be taught that which thou knowest not Its praise to know but not to learne an Index of a sot Rebus utendum ad sobrietatem We must use things soberly 30. Cum Venere Baccho lis est juncta voluptas Quod lautum est animo complectere sed fuge lites With wine and women there is strife and pleasure joyn'd in one Which though they pleaseth well thy mind yet let them both alone Tristibus tacitis non fidendum We must not trust sad and still men 31. Demissos animo actacitos vitare memento Quà flumen placidum est forsan latet altius vnda The heavy sad and silent man see that thou ever shun The water flouds most deepest arâ— where Rivers smoothest run Sors sorti conferenda Lot is to be compared to lot or wee are to compare our estate with the estate of others 32. Cum tibi displiceat rerum fortuna tuarum Alteriuâ— specta quo sis discrimine pejor When as thy fortunes thee displease looke upon others so That with a difference thou mayst waigh thine owne by others woe Vltra vires nihil aggrediendum Nothing is to be undertaken or attempted beyond our strength 33 Quod potes id tenta nam littus carpere remis Tuâ—ius est multo quà m velum tendere in altum Doe that thou canst for by sea side we safer use the Ores Then in the deepe to hoyse up saile Farre from the shallow shores Cum justo inique non contendendum We must not contend unequally with a just man 34. Contra hominem justum prave contenderi noli Semper enim Deus injustas ulciscitur ir as With wrong against the upright man In no wise doe contend For God doth poure revenge on them the just that so offend Fortuna utraque aeque ferenda Either fortune or both estates is to be borne equally or alike 35. Ereptis opibus noli gaudere querendo Sed gaude potius tibi si contingat habere Lament not for those goods thou 'st loft nor be not over sad But in those goods thou hast if ought with inward joy be glad Ab amico quid ferâ—ndum VVhat is to be borne from a friend 36. Est jactura gravis quae sunt amittere damnis Sunt quaedam quae ferre decet patienter amicum The losse of goods or of estate to lose most grievous are Some things there be becommeth friends of friends mildly to beare viz. As speeches or hurts done at unawares or the like Tempori non confidendum VVe must not trust to the time 37. Tempora longa tibi noli promittere vitae Quocunque ingrederis sequitur mors corporis umbra Promise thou not unto thy selfe long time of life or daies Where ere thou go'st death follows thee as shadow doth alwaies Deus quibus placandus VVith what things God is to be pacified 38. Thure deum placa vitulum sine crescat aratro Ne credas placare deum dum caede litatur God pacifie with Frankincense let Calfe grow for the plow No man can God appease while he beasts sacrifice allow A potentioribus laesus dissimula Dissemble or hide thy griefe when thou art hurt of mightier men 39. Cede lecum laesus fortuna cede potenti Câ—dere qui potuit prodesse aliquando valebit Thou being hurt of mightier men yeeld thou and hide thy mood He that could hurt he able is sometime to doe thee good Castiga teipsum Correct or reprove thy selfe 40. Cum quid peccaris castiga te ipse subiude Vulnera dum sanas dolor est medicina doloris When thou in any thing offendst correct thy selfe be sure For whilst thou wounds dost heale griefe is of griefe to thee a cure Amicus mutatus non vituperandus A friend being changed is not to be dispraised 41. Damnaris nunquam post longum tempus amicum Mutavit mores sed pignora prima memento Who long hath beene thy friend condemne thou not as thee behoove He changed hath his manners but remember his first love Beneficiorum collatio attendenda The bestowing of benefits is to be attended 42. Gratior officiis quo sis mage charior esto Ne nomen sube as quod ducitur officiperda By how much more thou deare to any art in duties be more kind Left thou doe undergoe the name of an unthankfull minde Suspicionem tolle Take away suspition or be not suspicious 43. Suspectus caveas ne sis miser omnibus horis Nam timidis suspectis aptissima mors est Beware lest given to jealousie thou live not void of strife To fearefull and suspicious men death better is than life Humanitas erga servos Humanity compassion or courtesie is to be exercised towards servants 44. Cum fueris servos proprios mercatus in usus Et famulos dicas homines tamen esse memento When thou shalt bondslave servants buy for thine owne need and then Dost call them so yet neverthelesse remember they are men Occasionem rei commodae ne praetermittas Thou maist not omit or let passe the occasion of a commodious matter or a speciall commodity offered 45. Quam primum rapienda tibi est occasio prima Ne rursus quaeras quae jam neglexeris ante The first occasion earnestly lay hold of evermore Lest thou againe dost seeke which thou neglected hast before Non laetandum de repentino obitu We must not rejoyce at the untimely or sudden death or departure of
shade and comfort in the day and solace in the night To good ends both of them were made and so they both are still But oftentimes they are abus'd unto most dangerous ill And then we finde it so fall out that these two weaker things Doe overcome the strong and wise yea Emperours and Kings W. G. A loving exhortation to all young married women that they discover not that in the day which their husbands acquaint them withall in the night YOu whose resplendent beauty sets on fire Your Husbands love and whose modest attire Suits their estates making the world admire Your comely personage and sectes desire Let not your tongues be as a piercing dart Or two-edg'd sword to cut in twaine their heart With words of horrour to their gentle eare Which no mild Husband can endure to heare Or fondly tattle to your friends abroad The secrets of your best beloved Lord. This is a thing befits not your estate Let Beldames scould and idle Gossips prate More modest carriage should be in your yeares What age so ere you are as well appeares For marry with a Virgin old or young She scarcely can offend but with her tongue Then strive to tame that little member stout Though set on fire of hell or plucke it out To live at peace else it will be a wonder When in the house wives maketh such a thunder Or privatly doth whisper to their friends Their Husbands secret counsels to vile ends Babling what commeth next unto their tongues With heavy sighes as if they 'd spit their longues This full out is as ill as all the rest For both are bad I know not which is best But some will scould at home and prate abroad That 's worst of all and most to be abhord Such wives there be I 'd wish man no worse evill Then to be plagu'd with such a shrewish devill Abandon therefore all you that are wives Such double wrongs and quickly mend your lives T is not your beauties will your husbands please If you be guilty of such crimes as these Nor yet your smiles and flattering lookes availe When you are given so much to scold and raile Without any just cause at girds and fits As if you were distract out of your wits Disgracing quite your hansome comely parts Having faire faces but false wicked hearts Then in a word be as your Emblem shewes Loving unto your husbands and not shrews For to have wives it is the worst of evils To looke like Saints and yet be worse than devils So leave I you each woman in her place Desiring God assist you with his grace W. G. Three Lessons that old Cato as he did lie in his bed gave unto his sonne Cato to be observed and kept above all other Precepts and Commandements formerly left him in writing CAto being wise and of an understanding wit Roms government he had in judgment seat did sit And came to such high honor so great estate That none in all the City were so fortunate Great offices he had who did them well supply Performing worthy deeds deserving memory This Cato had a son who was of his owne name As Authors manifold do witnes still the same When he was very old long time had been sick Nature being spent not finding helpe by phisicke Perceiving i◠himselfe the day of death drew neere He called to him his sonne whom he loved deare And in most decent wise to him he did declare His mind and full intent as after you shall heare Saying my deare and loving sonne its long that I Have lived here my time draws neer that I must die And leave this wretched world which is ful of misery Deaths stroke uncertain is yet may one it descry Wherfore I gladly would thee teach while I have breath how to behave thy self my son after my death That thou unto the Common-wealth maist ever be A member sound good from wicked vices free And so alwaies to live without reproach or shame To the joy of friends increase of thy good name Remember many precepts I have left behind Writ heretofore of me for to instruct thy mind Which to thy profit may redownd if thou hast wit Those documents to follow as becomes thee fit Yet notwithstanding all those rules lessons good I formerly have given thee to be understood There be three more which I wil charge thee to observ And keep'bove all the rest not frō thē to swarve The first Precept THe first precept that I of thee require And charge thee keep is never to aspire To any Office of high dignity For to advance thy selfe and pedigree By the Emperour who is free to give So long as thou sufficient hast to live Or any other Prince thy state to raise To a more higher pitch of greater praise For he that is content lives most at rest The meane estate is ever counted best Most sure it is and most comfort doth bring And he that hath it hath asmuch as King Or Emperour may have no man therefore Ought to demand or aske of God no more Wherefore great folly t is I say for such As have enough and yet repine and grutch At that they have yea very dangerous That of preferment art so covetous And through desire of honour too greedy To put themselves so much in jeopardy To lose both their estates there lives and lands Their goods and all they have within their hands For he that doth presume above his state Instead of love incurres but deadly hate As daly we may see where greatnesse is Their envie doth not want nor malice misse Gainst those that seeke to be promoted high Through false reports are faint in prison lie And lose all that they have such is their fall That have enough yet would have more than all Honour is that the mind doth covet most And no dishonour like that honour lost And truly my beloved sonne be wise Great Princes are of divers qualities And sometimes overcome through false report And flattery of rich and greater sort Gainst those subjects who are most faithfull true I then advise thee keepe my precepts few The second Precept I charge thee not prolong whilst thou hast breath The life of him that hath deserved death Especially whose evill wicked fame Hath beene a common scandall to his name For all those evils which he after doth Or moveth others for to doe insooth Thou guilty art as is himselfe therein And art partaker with him of the sinne And as the old and common proverbe have He that a thiefe doth from the gallows save He for himselfe a hangman doth provide Or keepeth one in store as oft betide To doe him an ill turne in time to come Of this beware my deare and loving sonne The third Precept THe last precept I le give thee in my life For so observe is first to prove thy wife To know if she can secret keepe those things Which touch thy honest name discredit brings
mourne And inwardly within my selfe to grone She thereupon salutes me with a kisse Demands to know my griefe and heavinesse Then out of policie in secret wise With as much outward shew I could devise Of hearty sorrow and as one dismai'd As she me thought I trembling to her said How that I had in furious anger slaine Th' emperors sonne for which I doe sustaine A thousand feares in my afflicted soule And none that heares it will my griefe condole For I have slaine him in my raging lust And divellish ire whom I had in trust To teach in learning vices to expell Who vexing me this mischiefe thus befell Yea furthermore I caus'd his heart be drest With costly spices as in most request And in the finest manner did it send Unto his parents as I did intend At a rich banquet for a present neate And they thereat their owne sons heart had eate My wife this hearing was exceeding sad And much lamented as if that she had Bin the sole actor of this bloody deede Such showring teares from womens eyes proceed But I her willed as she would my life And as she was my faithfull and true wife That she in secret would it keepe and ne're To any creature living it declare Saying this wicked deed I did bemone Grieving my soule but remedy was none How she in secret kept it you have seene or rather how unconstant she hath beene As the whole world can witnesse at this day That it almost my life had cost I say As well it did appeare you all did see Of which I make no wonder for there be Some women will no secret keepe untold That which is shew'd them but will it unfold For naturally they 're given to prate and talke So that at randome oft their tongues doe walke Yet there be many sober women eke That will not onely secrets needfull keepe But also good and wholsome counsell give Unto their husbands all the daies they live As in good stories read may wee And partly by experience see Then Cato turn'd himselfe in humble wise Unto the Emperour with fixed eyes Saying oh noble and renowned prince My deare soveraigne Lord you see from hence And all your Nobles how it chanc'd to me Which thing of me cannot forgotten be And that by reason I did not obey My fathers admonitions to this day Nor gave no credit to those words that he Upon his death bed dying left to me For my direction therefore it had bin My dutie to perform'd his will therein For I did ill his precepts to forgit Who was indued with wisdome and such wit When he these words had said in the presence Of the Empeorour with due obedience Before the Lords and commons of the Citie Which made them note his inward griefe with pity Then also he unto the Emprour said My soveraigne Lord by whom I have bin swaid To beare great office I doe here resigne And yeeld into your hands that which is mine Discharging here my selfe thereof as free Againe as er'e you gave it unto mee For from henceforth if God me so doth blisse I never will on mee take any office For which the Emperour and many more Were truely sorry and did much deplore This thing for none in the whole city were So worthy for to rule and office beare Yet neverthelesse unto his dying day He a great counsellor was tooke away The Emperour great kindnesse him did show And worthy gifts upon him did bestow And love him better after than before As his expressions shew'd a great deale more And so remain'd in favour all his daies Unto Romes joy and his eternall praise FINIS A Postscript THis foresaid example giveth a good lesson to all honest discreete and wise women that they may keepe secret all things touching or appertaining to the estate of their husbands that they shew it to no creature living for oftentimes it chanceth that in opening of small matters commeth much harme and most times when they thinke least thereon A close mouth as the saying is makes a wise head and a foolish woman is easily knowne by her much babling In being close and secret and especially in such things as men would have kept close and in secret can come nothing but good and quietnesse for a word is like an arrow in a bow when the arrow is shot and gone from the bow it maketh a noyse and cannot returne againe before it taketh his lighting place So likewise a word when it is spoken and gone out of the mouth it cannot come againe before it be disperst unto the auditors and standers by aud of them is heard and understood either in the good or evill part therefore it is good to have in memory and marke well the saying of the wiseman Salomon first thinke a thing twise or thrice before thou speake it and take good heed and regard to what end and effect it may turne and come unto before thou openest thy mouth for where much babling is there must needes be offence she that refraineth and bridleth her tongue is wise an innocent tongue is a noble treasure and as one wisely saith silence in a woman is a speciall vertue It is a wonder to see a dumbe Grashopper because the whole kinde of them is garrulous yet more wonderfull it is to see constancie and silence in women because their Sex is mutable and loquacious the toung is an unruly member especially in a womans mouth but where grace is it is easily bridled the tongue is called the gate of life and death and that in this respect for by it the lives of our selves and others are daily hazarded as you may see in the story immediatly going before Wherefore I would once againe advise all wise and discreet women or that would so bee thought and accounted when their tongues at any time shall be most active and nimble for discourse to thinke upon Catos wife that they reveale not in any wise any secret whereby any mischiefe may come thereof for by a word speaking and that to her neare friend and to one of her owne Sex which one would have thought would have kept her counsell into what great perill had shee like to have brought her husband and her selfe Labour then to amend your own imperfections in this one thing otherwise the danger and shame in the end will light upon your selves as the verse herefollowing doth shew Women whose tongues before their wit doth run Oft speaks too soone rues when they have done But this is not written onely to be marked of women but also of all persons of what estate and degree soever they bee that have any matter of secret or counsell committed unto them that they may hereby learne and beware how they shew or declare any thing that they shall heare see done or said in any counsell for many times by uttering of a small thing great inconvenience doth come and much hinderance to things pretended A Cooling card for
MARCVS AVSONIVS HIS FOVRE BOOKES Of Morall Precepts Intituled CATO Concerning the precepts of common life Translated out of Latin Hexamiters into English meter by Walter Gosnold Gentleman servant unto the right worshipfull Sr. Thomas Bowes of Much-bromley hall in Essex Remember those things that thou hast learned and seeke with diligence to learne those things which thou knowest not and be willing to teach other those things that thou hast learned and thou shalt increase thy learning Learning will live and vertue still shall shine When folly dyes and ignorance doth pine LONDON Printed by EDVVARD GRIFFIN 16â—â— To the Worshipfull yong Gentleman of vertuous education Mr. THOMAS BOVVES Sonne and heire to the Right Worshipfull Sr. THOMAS BOVVES Knight WALTER GOSNOLD wisheth increase of learning knowledge vertue and honour with happy daies Worshipfull Sir LEast I should be thought to be idle or to waste the golden time of my daies the rarest of all jewels in the service of that Right worshipfull Knight your good father with whom I now live without some monuments or impressions of my industry as also thinking with my selfe what I might present some way to expresse my love unto you in remembrance of those not to be requited favours I have received not onely from your selfe but from that Right worshipfull and religious Knight your father and that vertuous Lady your mother which have wholy obliged mee to their house I have thought good for the first to undertake the translation of Marcus Ausonius his foure bookes of morall precepts intituted Cato and for the latter I am inforced for want of better way to shew my good meaning to dedicate to you this rude and slender booke translated out of Latin hexamiters into English meter Wherein if I have any way ministred you occasion to mislike me for dedication of the same unto you one whose love towards me I must and will endeavour to requite though never able to cansell the obligation of your many and infinite curtesies I trust you will bee so far from taxing of me that you will rather hold me excused therein For if a man be bound by all meanes that he may as sure he is to gratifie his well deserving friends then may not I quiet my selfe and be at silence till I have devised the requitall of some part of your friendships by some slender gift such as my fortune and present chance will permit me to exhibit unto you And none can I finde sweet sir that in my minde will be more pleasing to your gentle nature for the encouraging of you to the laborious and industrious obtaining of the Latin tongue where into you are even now entering or more fitter for your worships tractible disposition being of very yong and tender yeeres and in whom the very sparkes of a philomathy is already seene then this new translated Poet which will so fill you with sweet counsell wholesome instructions and abundance of knowledge unto which we must all in some small measure attaine before we can step to any other grace or vertue leading to perfection as also teach you how to behave and carry your selfe in the whole course of your life aswell towards your inferious as superiours that your company will not onely be admired of all them that know you but likewise desired of all those that shall at any time be so happy as to be acquainted with you For the Booke it selfe is so exquisit that notwithstanding the Authour thereof was a heathen and had not the true knowledge of Christ Iesus by faith Whereby we must all bee saved living in a time and place where the outward meanes of salvation lay hid in obscurity and darknesse as it did a long time after being many yeeres before the comming of Christ yet I pray God what ere his faith and beliefe was that his uprightnesse and strictnesse of life towards God and man doe not condemne us who are or would be thought Christians living under the resplendent light and Sunne-shine of the Gospell And although hee was a heathen as I said before yet shall my charity bee such towards him being dead in whom was such an actuall habit of a good life whiles he lived as all the histories that I have read of him besides his owne workes by his many good admonitions to others left behind him doe witnesse the same I cannot thinke neither will it sinke into my heart to believe that hee died altogether in unbeliefe and knowledge of the true God For at the very period and end of his daies being praised of the Romans for his courage at his death laughed they demanding the cause why he laughed hee answered ye marvaile at that I laugh and I laugh at that you marvell for the perils and travels considered wherein wee live and the safety wherein wee die it is no more needfull to have vertue and strength to live then courage to die And if wee looke but a little backe into his life wee shall not have much cause to marvell at his comfortable and patient bearing of the stroke of death for he was a man of such milde and temperate spirit that he could never bee seene to be wroth or out of patience with any man but alwaies counselled that were angry that if they desired to live long cheerefully and die comfortably to bannish rage as an enemy to them both a worthy saying of a heathen and to be had in estemation and remembrance of every good Christian But should any bee so unwise to thinke his precepts are the lesse worthy of immitation for being a Heathen I would aver the contrary against any seditious turbulent spirit whatsoever the best of us all being bound to receive the doctrines of many which doe write tending to our good though wee be not tied to follow the lives which they leade if bad Gold is nere the worse for being presented unto us out of a beggers hand in a lether bagge or a sermon ere the worse which we heare preached because he that preacheth it is of an ill life It is our wisdomes to looke what the gold is and not what the bagge is that it came in or what the man was that brought it We are not to inquire so much what the life and conversation of the Minister is as what his doctrine and admonitions are that hee teacheth not what this Cato was but what his precepts are which in a word are so wise honest and good for every Christian man and woman to reade and practice that you shall not finde any Author from whom a civill life may gather better instructions Many there are of my knowledge which will not have their children brought up in learning because forsooth the Authors which they should learne are heathenish as this our Cato Turrence Mantuin Ovid Virgil Homer and the like desiring rather they should live like idiots and die like fooles then to attaine knowledge as they thinke by such unlawfull meanes Others because of the tendernesse
then spend till things be scant 〈◊〉 losse to worke and toyle a fresh is still to live in want Consulendum tibi imprimis Thou must consult or looke to thy selfe before all other â—0 Dapsilis interdum notis charis amicis Cum fueris foelix semper tibi proximus esto 〈◊〉 wealth abound be liberall each friendship to reward â—et so as alwaies of thy selfe thou have a due regard FINIS The second Booke of Morall Precepts The Preface TElluris si forte velis cognoscere cultum Virgilium legitâ— quod sâ— mage nosse labor as Herbarum vires Macer tibi carmine dicet Si Romana cupis vel Punica noscere bella Lucaâ—um quaeras qui Martis praelia dicet Si quid amare libet 〈◊〉 discere amare legendo Nasonem petito sin antem vera tibi hee est Vt sapiens vivas andi quo discere possis Per quae semotum vitiâ— traducitur avum Ergo ades quae su sspientia disâ—e legendo OF Tillage if perhaps thou wouldst the skill exactly know Read learned Virgil whose discourse each thing at large doth shew But-if of herbs and plants the force thou rather wish to finde Lo Macer writes a booke in verse to satisfie thy minde If Romane warres and bloody broyles of Carthage plâ—â—â—â— thee more â—earch Lucan who of Mars his stirs and stratagems hath store â—r if by reading thou desire the lawes of Love to learne 〈◊〉 Nasoes wanton legend lo this art thou maist discerne â—ut if thy chiefest care intend a wise mans state to see â—hen listen how to leade a life from filthy vices free Approach I say and to my lore attend whil'st I relate What wisdome is and how by her thou may'st be fortunate The second Booke of CATO his PRECEPTS De omnibus bene merendum We must deserve well of all men 1. SIpotes ignotis etiam prodesse memento Vtilius regno meritis acquirere amicos Even unto strangers if thou may'st doe good in time of need For friends by love and bounty wonne a kingdomes worth exceed Areana non scrutanda Secret things are not to be searched 2. Mitte arcana Dei coelumque inquirere quid fit Cum sis mortalis quae sunt mortalia cura What heaven and Gods high secrets are waste not thy wits to learne Since thou art mortall minde the things that mortall men concerne Mortis timor gaudia pellit The feare of death doth drive away joyes 3. Linque metum lethi nam stultuÌ„ est tempore in omâ— Dum mortem metuis amitâ—is gaudia vitae Fond feare of death abandon quite as follies foule effect Which who so dreads all joy of life doth utterly reject Iracundia cavenda Angrinesse is to be eschewed 4. Iratus de re incerta contendere noli Impedit ira animum ne possit cerâ—ere verum In disputation suffer not incensed wrath to rise Which wit and judgement so beguiles that truth obscured lies Expendum ubi opus est We must bestow quickly where or when need is 5. Fac sumptum propere cumres desiderat ipsa Dandum etenim est aliquid cum tempus postalaâ—aâ—tuâ— Spare for no cost when time shall serve and cause require the same A penny better spent than spar'd adds to an honest name Fortuna modica tutior A moderate fortune or meane estate is most safe Quod nimium est fugito parvo gaudere memento Tuta mage est puppis modico quae flumine fertur â—andon superfluities with little rest content â—fe is the barke on calmer streame to wished haven bent Occulta vita vitia reticenda Secret faults are to be kept in or concealed 7. Quod pudeat socios prudens celare memento Ne plures culpent id quod tibi displicet uni Remember well as wise men would to hide thy proper shame And that which doth thee most displease lest many doe thee blame Occulta tandem revetantur Hidden things are revealed at length â— Nolo putes pravos homines pecâ—ata lucrari Temporibus peccata latent tempore parent Thinke not that man offending oft and hath his faults concealed â—â—t that his secret sinnes in time shall come to be revealed Imbecilitas virtute compensatur Weakenesse or feeblensse of strength is recompensed by vertue 9. Corporis exigui vires câ—ntâ—mnere noli Consilio pollet cui vim natura negavit A man of limbe and stature small disdaine not in thy pride For natures wants by wisdomes wealth is commonly supply'd Cedendum potentiori ad tempus Wee must give place for a time to a moâ— mighty man 10. Quem scieris non esse parem tibi tempore cedâ— Victorem à victo superari saepe videmus Contending with superiour powers take heed in time to yeeld For oft the party vanquished hath after wonne the field Rixandum cum familiaribus non esse We must not brawle or fall out with oâ— friends 11. Adversus natum noli contendere verbis Lis minimis verbis interdum maxima crescit Against thy friend with force of words strive not in any wise Sometimes of words which are but wind great controversies rise Fortuna non quaerenda sorte Fortune is not to be sought by lot or wâ— are not to seeke by lot what our fortuâ— must be 12. Quid Deus intendit noli perquirere sorte Quid statuat de te siâ—e te deliberat ipse â—hat God intends endeavour not by lot to know or shunne â—hat he determines touching thee without thee shall be done Luxus odium generat Riot superfluity or excesse doth beget hatred â—3 Invidiam nimio cultu vitare memento Quae si non laedit tamen hanc sufferre molestuâ— est â—schew by over nice attire foule envies hatefull sting Which though it hurt not to endure is yet an irksome thing Animus non deponendus ob iniquum Our minde or heart is not to be cast downe for unjust judgement or because wee are wrongfully condemned 14. Esto animo forti cum sis damnatus iniquè Nemo diu gaudet qui judice vincit iniquo By wrongfull judgement overthrowne thy selfe discourage not By doome unjust who overcomes not long enjoyes his lot Reconciliaris lis non refricanda Strife is not to be renued to a friend reconciled or injuries past are not to be remembred 15. Litis praeteritae noli maledicta referre Post inimicitias iram meminisse malorum est Once rconciled rippe not up the wrong of former daies Old gauls to rub and wrath revive a wicked minde bewrayes Teipsum neque laudat neque culpa Neither praise thou thy selfe nor dispraiâ— thy selfe 16. Nec te collaudas nec te culpaveris ipse Hac faciunt stulti gloria vexat inanis To praise or discommend thy selfe are things alike unfit For so doth fooles whom glory vaine bereaves of common wit Parsimonica Sparing or thriftinesse 17. Vtere quaesitis modice dum sumptus abundat Labitur exiguo quod partem est tempore longo In midst of plenty keepe a meane spend not thy wealth
be If thou desire to have no more but for necessity Res ratione agenda Matters are to be done by reason or thingâ— are to be managed or performed by wisdome 3. Cum sis incautus nec rem ratione gnbernes Noli fortunam quae non est dicere caecam If ought misfall in thy affaires by thy unwary minde Blame in no wise that which is not in calling fortune blinde Amor pecuniae ad usum The love of money ought to bee onely foâ— our use 4. Dilige denarium sed parcè dilige formam Quam nemo sanctus nec honestus optat habere Love money thou but sparingly love not the forme or sight The shew whereof no honest man doth greedily delight In valetudine ne opibus parcas Thou mayst not spare thy riches in sicknesse 5. Cum fueris locuples corpus curare memento Aeger dives habet nummos sed non habet ipsum For healths recovery if rich see thou spare not thy pelfe The rich man sicke hath money store yet wanteth he himselfe Castigatio paterna ferenda Fatherly correction is to be borne 6. Verbâ—ra cum tuleris discens aliquando magistri Fer patris imperium cum verbis exit in iram Since thou hast borne thy masters stripes when thou a scholler wart Thy Fathers counsell beare when he breakes out in speeches tart Certa utilia agenda Things sure and profitable are to be done 7. Res age quae prosunt rursus vitare memento In quibus error inest nec spes est certa laboris Those things that profitable are see that thou do commence And errours shun wherein there is no hope of recompence Libenter donandum We must give willingly 8. Quod donare potes gratis concede roganti Nam rectè fecisse bonis in parte lucrâ—rum est Give freely unto him that askes that which thou canst well give For to do well unto good men is gainefull whiles you live Suspicio statim expedienda Suspition or that which we suspect is to be sought out and prevented presently or a mischiefe is to be searched out straight way 9. Quod tibi suspectum est confestim discute quid siâ— Namque solent primo quae sunt neglecta nocere Inquire with speed what thou suspects and quickly sift it out For things neglected at the first much harme doth bring no doubt Venus abstinentia cohibenda Lust is to be kept under by abstinence 10. Cum te detineat veneris damnosa voluptas Indulgere gulae noli quae ventris amica est If thou to venery beest given which pleasure damne thee must Then pamper not too much thy selfe which is a friend to lust Homo malus fera pessima An evill man is the worst wilde beast 11. Cum tibi proponas animalia cuncta timere Vnum hominem tibi praecipio plus esse timendum VVhen thou dost thinke of hurtfull beasts and those most dreadfull are One wicked man unto thee is in mischiefe greater farre Sapientia fortitudini praeferenda Wisedome is to be preferred before valour manhood or fortitude 12. Cum tibi praevâ—lidae fuerint in corpore vires Fac sapias sic tu poteris vir fortis haberi When thou great strength of body hast let wisdome go with thee So shalt thou then of every one a strong man counted be Amicus cordis medicus A friend is the Physitian of the heart or a friend is a sure physitian 13. Auxilium a notis petito si forte laboras Nec quisquaÌ„ melior medicus quam fidus amicus VVhen thou art sicke seeke helpe from those thou knowst thy good intend No better physicke can be had then is a faithfull friend Sacrificium spiritus contribulatus A contrite spirit or a heart troubled and sorrowfull for sin is a sacrifice 14. Cum sis ipse nocens moritur cur victima pro te Stultitâ—a est morte alterius sperare salutem Sith thou offendst why is a beast flaine for thy offering It s vaine to hope for health by death of beasts or any thing Amicus ex moribus deligendus A friend is to be chosen by his manners and behaviour 15. Cum tibi vel socium vel fidum quaeris amicum Non tibi fortuna est hominis sed vita petenda If a companion thou wouldst have and a true faithfull friend Regard not what mans fortune is but what his life pretend Avariâ—ia vitanda Covetousnesse is to be shunned or avoyded 16. Vtere quafitis opibus fuge nomen avari Quid tibi divitiae prosunt si pauper abundaâ— Despise the name of avarice use goods which thou hast got For what doth wealth thee benefit if that you use it not Voluptas inimica famâ— Pleasure is an enemy to fame or to good name 17. Sâ— famam servare cupis dum vivis honestam Fac fugias animo quae sunt mala gaudia vitae If thou desirest during life to keepe an honest name See in thy minde those pleasures shun which are of evill fame Senem etiam delirum ne irriseris Thou shalt not mocke an old man although he dote 18. Cum sapias animo noli irridere senectam Nam quicunque senex seâ—sâ—â— puerilis in illo est When thou art wise deride thou not old age as a vaine thing For age in time the strongest man doth unto childhood bring Opes fluxae ars perpetua Riches are vanishing Art is perpetuall 19. Disce aliquid nam cum subito fortuna recedit Ars remanet vitamque hominis non dâ—serit unquaÌ„ Some trade or science learn least that thy fortune doe decay For Art remaines as long as life within mans body stay Mores ex verbis cogniti Manners are knowne by words or speeches 20. Omnia perspicito tacitus quae quisque loquatur Sermo hominum mores celat indicat idem Thou being still marke well the speech of all which most reveale Mens manners when they doe discourse or closely them conceale Ars usu juvanda Art is to be helped by use 21. Exerce studium quamvis perceperis artem Vt cura ingenium sic manus adjuvat usum Thy study exercise although in learning thou exceed For that doth helpe supply the wit as use the hands at need Vitae contemptus The contempt of life 22. Multum ne cures venturi tempora lethi Non timet is mortâ—â— qui scit contemnere vitam Care not too much for time to come of death that fatall knife He feareth not deaths stroake who makes no reckoning of life Discendum docendum VVe must learne and we must teach 23. Disee sed à doctis indoctos ipse doceto Propaganda etenim rerum doctrina bonarum Learne thou but of the wise the simple teach that which thou 'st learn'd and red For why the knowledge of good things abroad are to be spred Bibendi ratio The moderation or measure of drinking 24. Hoc tibi quod prosit si tu vis vivere sanus Morbi causa mali est homini quandoque
wicked men 46. Morte repentina noli gandere malorum Foelices obeunt quorum sine crimine vita est Rejoyce not at the sudden death of lewd and wicked men They 're counted happy in their death whose life faultlesse hath beene Pauper simulatum vitet amicum A poore man let him shun a dissembled friend or let a poore man beware of a counterfeit friend 47. Cum conjux tibi sit nec res fama laboret Vitandum ducas inimicum nomen amici When thou 'st a wife of substance small whose fame her selfe convince Beware of those that haunt thy house under friendships pretence Junge studium Joyne study to study or study still 48. Cum tibi contingat studio cognoscere multa Fac discat multa vites nescire docer When it doth chance with learning much by study thou art fraught See thou eschew blinde ignorance unwilling to be taught Brevitas memoriae amica Brevity or shortnesse is a friend or a helpe to memory 49. Miraris verbis nudis me scribere versus Hos brevitas sensus fecit conjungere binos That I meanly to verses write dost wonder thus I doe The shortnesse of the sense hath made me joyne them two and two The living speeches of CATO a Dying man C Heere up my panting feeble heart feare not to die A ll must die once some twice such is mans destiny T i me finish that which God allots welcome sweet death O Lord to thee I yeeld my soule who gave me breath A Post-script to the Reader NOw I this worke performed have and sent it to the Presse I know that some will call me foole and sure I am no lesse For printing that which long agoe by others was set out Which is untruth as I can prove if any thereof doubt For though it hath translated beene as I doe not deny Grammatically into prose yet not in poetry As I haved one therefore I say who blames my enterprise If they can finde no other fault I say they are not wise Farewell To I. B. that Grammatically translated CATO HAd I but seen thy worke before I finish'd up had mine I would have mended every line by that bright lamp of thine Who taken hath such paines therein to give each word his due That no translator I have knowne hath done the like but you And hadst thou set those lines on feet that thou hast done in prose Thy friends alone would not thee praise but even thy very foes But thou didst it for schollers good that they may profit finde Not for thy owne glory and praise which shewes a noble mind Wherefore for this thy love thou bearst to infants yet unborne Thy name thy fame and memory shall never be outworne Walter Gosnold Three Lessons thaâ— old CATO as he did lie oâ— his death-bed gave unto his young sonnâ— CATO to be observed and kept translated first out of Dutch into English prose by oâ— Laurence Singleton and now metamorphosed into English metre with the rest of his most worthy Precepts by W. G. O happy is that man which seeth others fall And can avoid the snare that they were caught withaâ— THy wife being wise make her the closet Of thy breast else not for she 'le disclose it For never yet was man so well aware But first or last was caught in womans snare Then triall make before thou dost her trust In any thing thou fearst she 'le be unjust As here old Cato's sonne did wisely try Whether his wife could keepe his secrecy To the Reader GEntle Reader having already presented thee with many good Lessons and morall Instruction of Cato which daily and hourely he taught unto his young sonne I likewise have thought fit to present unto thy view three precepts more which he left unto him upon his death-bed to be observed and kept above all other Precepts and Commaudements formerly left him in writing which rust had almost consumed and time buried in oblivion had I not by chancc lighted upon them in an old Antiquaries library and put upon their backes new liveries their old ones being quite out of fashion and therefore altogether out of request with those which otherwise might be their sociates and fellow-companions being almost an hundred thirty yeers since they were last printed and translated out of Dutch into our mother tongue Wherefore having taken such paines in the metamorphosing of them to the same habite or stile of the rest of his most worthy Precepts I trust they will not be unwelcome unto thee being no lesse worthy of acceptation than the former for as my Authour wished good in translating them into English prose so likewise doe I in metamorphosing them into English metre following my copy in the phrase of our speech without adding or diminishing either in substance or circumstance as neere as possibly I could If any then be so curious as to distaste these my poore indeavours for the plainnesse of the verse or the dislike of the Authour being a heathen I le make no other apologie for my selfe and him but this For the first it is the height of my ambition to adorne every action with the most plainest proper object especially where I have a patterne laid before me for my imitation as for the latter it is no shame for us to learne wit of Heathens neither is it materiall in whose schoole wee take out a good lesson Howsoever therefore my unpolished worke shall be accepted at thy hands yet shall I not have cause to repent me of my labonr for the benefit that may come thereby and so I conclude Yours assured though there be no assurance amongst men WALTER GOSNOLD A caveat to all young married men to beware how they lay open themselves or trust too farre at first to their wives secresie in any waighty matter tending either to the losse of their lives goods or good name before they be well grounded in their wives honesty and fidelity IF thou 'st a wife in any case shew not thy selfe so kinde As to relate each waighty cause unto her of thy minde Untill that thou hast tryall made of her that is but young And dost perceive whether that she be mistris of her tongue Or else too late you will repent that hastily you told In secrecy such things to her which bluntly shee 'l unfold Before her Gossips when she meets with other pratling wives Bringing their husbands many times in perill of their lives As here you may right well behold in this ensuing story The falshood of young Cato's wife that should have been his glory W. G. How a wife is sympathis'd to a vine being both very usefull and yet very hurtfull HOw Wives compared are to vines I shall not need recite For Poets many in this straine endeavoured have to write And set it forth with best of skill I then shall doe amisse To tautologies yet briefly in few words thus it is The fruitfull Vine and vertuous Wife are both for Mans delight For
Before to her thou breake thy secrecy Whereon the losse of lands and life doth lie For there be multitudes I doe suppose That nothing can keepe secret but disclose All things that they have knowledge of or finde To be reported to their fickle mind And few the number be that trusty are Secrets to keepe and never them declare After that Cato had thus given his sonne These three Commandements and with them done Willing they should observed be and kept He shortly after with his fathers slept And yeelded this his mortall brittle life To deaths remorslesse stroke that fatall knife In few yeeres after Cato his decease Had of these earthly cares a full release His sonne in learning being excellent Belov'd of poore and those of high descent Amongst the noble and ignoble sort Of Rome for 's vertuous life and good report The Emperour thereof being inform'd By trusty friends how well he was adorn'd With courteous modest kinde behaviour He unto him had such a liking favour That presently his sonne was his intent For to commit unto his government That to the end in all good science he And literature might instructed be And for the accomplishment of this amaine He sends for Cato and him entertaine Into the Court and put into his hand Divers affaires of weight and great command Shewing him daily friendships more or lesse And pleasures great abounding in excesse And at the last preferr'd him with great grace Vnto that worthy office and high place Of the sole rule and Cities government Of famous Rome wherewith he was content When Cato on him had his office tooke And fortune smiling on him seem'd to looke According to the custome it did betide He through the City in great pomp did ride Where he did meet a mighty company Leading a thiefe which was condemn'd to die Towards the place of execution For to be hang'd with expedition Being a lusty proper handsome man Wherefore Cato had pity on him an Divers that were there moving him thereto Saying he by his office might let goe At his first entring any prisoner Which would to all redowne his praises farre Cato with pity being then indu'd Willing to satisfie the multitude Without advisement did the prisoner save Thinking thereby the glory streight to have Of his promotion knowne and the great love He had to prisoners poore which did him move Regarding not or calling unto minde The good advise his father left behinde In short time after his preferment he Performing his office in amitie Vnto the Cities wealth comfort of all The Inhabitors thereof great and small As he lay in his bed taking no rest For the continuall cares that did molest His troubled thoughts about the great affaires Of his said office straightwaies he repaires And recollects those Precepts at the last His wise father had given him long since past So that a long time after night by night He called them to minde as his delight â—onsidering with himselfe how that he â—ad broken two and rest but one of three â—hich was to prove if that his wife could keepe â—cret those things that should to light but peepe â—â—downe to his dishonour with fortune cost â—is life and goods in danger to be lost â—â—to determin'd then within his mind â—o prove his wife as's father had assign'd â—nd thereupon a servant of his owne â—hat trusty was and to himselfe well knowne â—e did command the Emperours sonne to take Whom he had to instruct all speed to make â—nd secretly him to convey iwis â—nto a trusty faithfull friend of his â—nd a great nobleman there to remaine â—ntill that he did send for him againe â—hich was performed as he did direct â—or one there vvas did any thing suspect â—â—en shortly after on a certaine night â—erceiving that his vvife vvas in good plight â—d broad avvake began to sigh and mourne â—d privily vvithin himselfe to grone â—hich thing his vvife perceiving did require â— him to know the cause who did admire â—o see his heavinesse Quoth she my deere â—n griefe let sorrow cease be of good cheere â—d all things take my husband in good part 〈◊〉 as a wife I love thee vvith my heart â—en turned he himselfe unto his vvife Sighing so sore as if shee hal'd for life Saying sweet loving wife and tender heart I have a secret matter to impart To thee if that I wist thou couldst be mute Though some to thee should make continuall suâ— To know thereof which stands upon my life Honour and goods therefore my loving wife Shouldst thou reveale what I doe thee injoyne Be secret in you undoe mee and mine Then answered his wife seemiug to cry Saying deare husband I had rather dye Then open any secret you declare Therefore such speeches husband pray forbearâ— Alas what woman think you mee to be That cannot keepe your secrets close quoth shâ— Have you not seene my honesty throâ—ghout And good carriage wherefore then do you donâ— Of me wh o knows your welfare in such measurâ— That I esteem't above all worldly treasure Well my beloved spouse and bedfellow Said Cato then seeing you thus doe vow And that I heare you doe so friendly speake My hidden secrets to you I will breake Laying my heart wide open unto thee Whom I doe trust 'bove all assuredlie For I doe love thee my deare wife so well That nothing can I keepe from thee but tell What ere it be I either know or doe And much the more because thou dost mee wooâ— Some two daies past as I did homeward come â—here met with mee th' emperours onely sonne â—nd used me most vildely in his words â—nd naughty deeds as youth such vice affords â—hich stirred me to such an angry rage â—hat I could not forbeare my fury swage â—ing with waighty affaires troubled â—nd overcome with drinke I strucke him dead â— heat of blood not leaving mee to vex â—hich doth me grieve and much my soule perplex â—urther my furious mood to satisfie â—nd deadly hate that in my breast did lye â—ript his body and tooke out his heart â—nd caus'd it to be drest with best of art â—ost finely spiced as a man would wish â—nd sent it to his parents as a dish â—f dainty curious meat who were not nice â—o eate thereof as much as them suffice â—ot knowing it to be that which it was â—hus I my anger did revenge alas â—hat shall I doe for now I know right well â—hat this most wicked deed which hath befell â—e to commit is a most shamefull act â—nd I am very sorry for the fact â—t too late it is and above mans poweâ— â—or to recall againe the day and houre â—hats past wherefore seeing that it is done â— secret keepe't reveale it unto none â—r I ne're shew'd it any in my life â—or never will but to thy selfe deare wife â— whom depends my only stay and trust That you will keepe my secrets firme and just And knowing you right-well alwaies to be A sober modest
him for to eate his owne sonnes heart Not fearing God nor who should take his part Nor yet regarding losse of goods and lands Th'Emperours frownes the terror of his hands And thus was there great talke both farre nie Amongst the Commons all of the City Some did believe it true and some could not Yet nerethelesse he led was to the plot Of execution where men justice should fulfill On him according to th' Emperours will And when he came to the said place of death The gallowes ready him to hang beneath He made his prayers and orations With good and godly exhortations And all was finished there nothing lackt But a hangman to performe the act They called fast for one but none would heare For all themselves absented that was there And hid themselves for the friend of Cato's sake What calling ere there was none would answere make Whiles thus this businesse was plotted wel In the meane time a wonder great befell For he whom Cato from the gallowes sav'd And pardon for his life did get uncrav'd By the authority of his office Came out and did present himselfe iwis Before the faces of them great and small And said on high with open mouth to all The people that was there my Lords the fact That this man here hath done is a vile act And not to be excus'd nor borne withall God in his justice for it vengeance call And therefore for the love which I doe beare Unto my Country and the honest care I have to punish with a heavie hand Such evill doers as this wicked man I am my selfe here ready without blame Hang-man to be since none will doe the same When as the multitude of people heard Him thus to speak their judgemens no whit spard To censure him for offering so free His needlesse service as a courtesie And looking well how he himselfe behav'd They said is this not he whom Cato sav'd From hanging which to him was justly due And divers that did know him said 't was true It is the same villaine and very slave VVhom Cato freed and his life did save Then began the people speake a great crue VVith one voyce openly it is most true A very ideot and unwise is he That saves a thiefe and letteth him goe free For the proverbe is no lésse true than old As by our forefathers hath oft beene told The thiefe that sav'd is will most ready be To hang him who him sav'd as we all see Cato this wretched villaine seeing said Thou wicked fellow art not thou afraid That God will powre his vengeance vpon thee For being so ungratefull unto me As to forget the time is past but thus In worldly affaires it goes with us As they were reasoning thus of the cause Behold the people made a suddaine pause For they had seene a huge great company Of mounted horsmen that were comming ny And many other following with speed After them on many a gallant Steed Making a mighty noise and calling fast Vnto the people all with signes in hast Saying put not to death that worthy man My good and loving master out of han But all the while they wist not what was said Yet hoped they his death should be delayd Or that some pardon comming was to free Him from deaths stroke of cruell destiny Of which in heart they were exceeding glad And causd them stay with Cato till they had Intelligence as they came riding on They well perceiv'd it was th'Emperous sonne Who came in haste as fast as he could ride VVith spurs clapt close unto his horses side Calling and crying still I pray forbeare To put to death my loving master deare Let none lay hands on him life to deprive In any case for I am here alive At which all the whole multitude did muse Rejoycing much to heare this joyfull nuse The Prince approching spies his Tutor deare bound and prepar'd for execution neere Then leaps from off his horse and with quick pace Goes to his master whom he doth imbrace VVith such affection and such hearty will That mixt with kisses brinish teares distill And bands unbinding said who could devise Gainst you good master deare friend these lies And false reports wherby your troubles wrough And greatest danger to your selfe is brought Oh could the Emperour my father deere Lightly believe those slanderous tales he heare Gainst you even most entirely belov'd Whose faithfulnesse to him hath been approv'd Th'amazd spectators while they heare and see This gentle carriage more amazed be That their great Emperors son in teares shold vent The joy and great good will in heart he ment Unto his Tutor this they judge to be A sure presage of future clemency For which their praises unto Heaven aspire And at these accidents they much admire Nay more this noble Prince the Emprours sonne Makes Cato ride while he on foot doth run And running holds the raines as if that he Some laquy and not Caesars sonne should be Thus Cato late condemn'd now rides in state Through Romes faire streets unto the Palace gate I need not tell the joy and great delight The people tooke at this so pleasing sight For young and old the lame and halt and blind Did trudge along there 's none would stay behind The newes before unto the Court doth passe To the Emperours presence and the Emperesse Who now forgetting state in haste doe run To see grave Cato and their deerest sonne But sudden joy hereat doth overpoise Their naturall forces and their sences â—ies They speechlesse stand and are amazed quite And strucke with wonder at so strange a sight The Emperour reviving now might see His sonnes observance and the peoples glee At Cato's fortune how he was misled By 's passion rashly to command his head For which he now repenting and asham'd Confest his rashnesse and his foll blam'd And such salutes to him he doth addresse As might his love and favour best expresse Then came the Emperours sonne and mildly said Oh! father deere how could you be so swaid Rashly without advisement to command Against all law or justice in our Land My faithfull master to be put to death Ceasing his goods that he could none bequeath Before you did rightwell perceive and prove The matter clearely as did you behove By witnesses sufficient that those crimes Unto him laid were true least after-times Your furious hastinesse did justly blame As well they might with a perpetuall shame And cheefely for because you know right well The like now living not on earth doth dwell Had you him put to death in angry spleene Marke I you pray what pitty it had beene And what great losse of him we should have had Whose very presence makes our hearts full glad Both you and yours with all Romes City strong Would have him mist and that justly ere long Nay what relentlesse heart would not have cryd That such a man unjustly should have dyed Being innocent as we see at large And faultlesse of
the act layd to his charge Truely I thinke I nere in all my daies Should have forgotten it but that alwaies I borne it should have done within my mind Unto my griefe as love no lesse doth bind And shortning of my life for that I know Through his great paines that to me he did show I neither vertue have not yet learning But from him flow'd as from a fountaine spring The Emperour him answer made my sonne Most deare of us it was most leudly done And we thereby great slaunder should have had And hinderance which would have made us sad B'ingill reported of for so great speed In such a hastie unadvised deed And we with all the force and wealth we have Could not the matter hide our credit save Yet notwithstanding the great love that we Had towards you and ardent jelousie So blinded had our eyes thinking thy face We nere againe should see for to imbrace Thy handsome comely person in our sight Whom we did looke to be our whole delight In time to come that we had quite forgot All right and reason justice and what not As Caesar and his sonne thus reasoning were Cato began to speake that all might heare Saying I will you shew how that all this Hath come to passe give eare now thus it is First unto you it is well knowne that I A discreet father had till destiny By cruell death me of him did deprive Who spareth none what ere they be alive He well beloved was of all degrees Great rule did beare amongst the noble Peeres Within this City and much sway did beare Reproving vice the wicked did him feare Divers good lectures to me he did preach Besides the knowledge of the tongues me teach And amongst all and last of all he gave Three precepts unto me for to observe And specially them keepe his will obey Feeling for to approach his dying day Lying sore sicke in bed he cald me neere To him as a most loving father deere Taking great care of me his onely sonne How I should live when that his glasse were run In this uncertaine world no time yet past Me taught as long as life and breath would last And wisdome as I lookt in favour be Contentedly to live most prosperously For to give eare unto those words that he Dying should speake in secret unto me And circumspectly marke and to select Those sentences in writing me had left And unto them to have a due respect And guid my doings as they did direct But above all chiefely he wished me To keepe in memory three precepts he VVould leave and alwaies have them in my sight For to direct me in my pathes aright Observing them as workmen doe their square Thereby to rule my life as is my care But being young I following my minde VVith seeking honour overcome inclind Wholy forgot my fathers precepts all Untill I had great troubles me befall About urgent affaires of me sought VVhich to my heart a thousand terrors brought For then I cald to memory that I Had broken two of them most wretchedly I thereupon determined to prove The third which I have done as me behove To my great trouble griefe and jeopardy To have both lost my goods and life thereby The first of the commands or precepts he Lying upon his death bed left to me VVas that I having a living competent As he left me should therewith be content And merry be giving God thankes therefore VVith that I had never desiring more And having enough nere to put my selfe In danger of others for this worldly pelfe Especially in any office high Under my soveraigne Lord and Princes eie For feare lest I ambition of wealth Should be ore covetous and get by stealth Many bad enemies and evill foes Which would disdaine my honour and all those Bring on me false reports and speeches bad I might in danger be lose all I had For oftentimes man taketh no regard Unto the truth which should have rich reward But over hasty are in giving eare To false reports without all heed or care As here this day experience doth afford You to behold it in our soveraigne Lord Which like had falne on me so sore and rife That I should not have born't but with losse of life If I my fathers precepts had obey'd And by his counsell had beene rul'd and swaid I had not to this danger come and shame For to be led with scandall to my name Unto the gallowes or execution place A traytor like unto my great disgrace The second was that I should nere prolong The life of him who hath committed wrong Nor such offenders free condemn'd to dye Whose hands are stain'd with blood or thievery For what evill he after did commit I should be accessary unto it Also he nere would doe me any good But all the harme wherein he 's not withstood And that command I also broken have Whom my deare father dying to me gave Which I did feare some evill would me bring in that I did forget so great a thing Which proved true for the same man whom I Did from the gallowes save condemn'd to die This day for fault of a hangman at neede Came of himselfe to hang me with all speede And that was the reward from him that I Should have had given me for my clemencie And pitie towards him that I did shew In time of need when friends there are but few Thus had be beene my death and overthrow Had fortune me not favour'd as you know The third and last he left me in his life It was that I should prove whether my wife Would secret keepe small matters as befit Before greater to her I did commit And namely such as life and lands my owne Should stand in danger to be lost if knowne For where there many are that faithfull be And discreet matrons full of modestie That will not onely secret keepe all things But also good and wholsome counsell brings In matters of great weight so likewise there Are some can nothing secret keepe they heare I chanc'd by fortune lying in my bed troubled with many businesses in my head So that I could not take my wonted rest For the continuall cares that did molest My tired senses touching my office At last I saw that I had done amisse And how that now it came into my minde Those precepts three my father me assignde For to observe I two of them have broke As you well know to my dishonour spoke For I have charg'd my selfe the more 's the pity With the great office of this famous city And also have set free at liberty One from the gallowes that deserv'd to die I then determined now in my life To doe the third which was to prove my wife If she could keep my secrets firme and just In what I did commit unto her trust And so upon a night with loving charmes When I perceiv'd her waking in my armes I tooke her and began to sigh and
a scolding Wife WHen wife speaks most do thou least speech afford For silence cuts a shrew worse than a sword A froward wife for very spight will cry When thy neglect doth scorne her tyranny With love and not with fury let her know Her errors for by that amendments grow A gentle hand a Colt doth sooner tame Than chains or fetters which do make him lame QVI MIHI Turned into English meter for the benefit of young Schollers WHen dolts have lucke on honors step to stay Let Schollers burn their books and go to play You Children young that goe to schoole to you I send my verse In English so you shall not need to construe or to pearce The child procures his parents ruth that is not chastiz'd in his youth The Epistle dedicatory REader to whom shall I direct my pen But unto striplings young the sonnes of men To you I send my verses in this booke For you to meditate thereon and looke Where you therein matter of worth shall finde To please your will and satisfie your mind To you alone and none but you I write Others may read but yours it is of right Acc pt you then my labours and endeavour And I shall be oblig'd to you for ever For these my lines are of too meane a strain To elevate my thoughts or entertaine Higher preferment then with it agrees My booke 's too barren for tall Cedar trees Children may busie here themselves at fits It s not for deeper and more solid wits Step then into this Arbour and there walke Where you may meditate discourse and talke At idle times when leasure you shall find To ease the lymbes and recreate the mind Learning no burthen is to any one The sweetest study is when we alone Keepe close unto our books with silent voice Reading such things as doe our hearts rejoyce Then study you that live in grammar schooles And knowledge get and be no longer fooles It is not wealth will make you wise or rich A dunce is poore though he bave nere so mich This is the counsell J to you will give And ever shall so long as I doe live Were I as able as I could desire With moveing arguments for to inspire The inward zeale to learning youth should beare I would therein spend all my pains and care To spur you forward but alas my skill Is nothing comparable to my will Yet in a word thus much observe from me He that this wants cannot true noble be Learning doth helpe to purchase all mens fame So truely learnd doe more renowne their Name Some men there be learning doe not desire But like the swine delights more in the mire The blockish idiots learning cannot prise But hate even those that are by nature wise And sottish fooles at learning will repine So long as puddle shall delight the swine Oh then sweet children marke with heedfull care What 's for your good and doe no labour spare To get this precious jem of so great worth That makes you noble though but meane by birth I le say no more bnt onely this farewell He is most wise in learning doth excell Your faithfull and wel-wishing friend WALTER GOSNOLD Qui Mihi in English Verse The Schoolemaster precepts doth oft rehearse that thou mayst well learne Which to his schollers Lilly writ in verse thy manners they concerne THou child that to be taught desires and scholler art to me Come hither and marke well in mind these things I say to thee Betimes in morning leave thy bed and pleasant sleepe off shake Goe to the Church and unto God thy humble prayer make But first let hands and face be washt combe thou thy head also And see thy cloathes be neate and cleane before to Church thou goe Avoyding sloth when schoole shall call be present out of hand Let no excuse of long delay procure the lingring stand Then me thy master when thou seest with speech salute anon And all thy schoolefellowes likewise in their degree each one And where I doe thy seat appoint there see thou take thy place And from thy seate till I thee bid depart thou in no case And as each childe doth study most and learning best doth get He shall in place above the rest more worthily be set Pen-knife Quills Paper Inke and Bookes as tooles most fit for thee Let them for use and studies thine provided alwaies bee If any thing I shall indite take heed thou write it right That in thy writing blot or fault may not be found in sight No latines unto papers loose nor verses doe commit Which faire to write within your bookes for schollers is more fit Oft-times repeat things thou had read and weigh them well in minde If thou doubt one or other aske till that the truth thou finde He that doth doubt and often aske doth learning soone conceive Who doth not doubt no good he gets nor knowledge e'r will have Good childe I pray you study hard no paines to learne refuse Lest that thy guilty conscience thy slothfulnesse accuse And see that you attentive be for what will it availe To teach thee ought if that the same to print in minde you faile Nothing so hard can be to learne but labour will it win Then take you paines apply thy booke and studie well therein For as from earth there doe not grow good corne flowers nor seeds Nor ought that 's good without tilling but fruitlesse noysome weeds So if a childe in studies good doe not practise his wit His time shall utterly mis-pend and lose the hope of it A law and order in thy speech ought for to be attended â—est by thy over-babling wee be too too much offended Be low in voyce so long as thou thy studies dost apply But all the while thou sayst to me pronounce thy words on high And whatsoever thou dost learne when thou sayst it to me Perfect by heart without thy booke pronounced let them be No word let any prompter tell to him that is to say Which thing doth cause unto a boy no meane or small decay If any thing I doe command see that thou doe endeavour Both praise and credit for to have for thy quick witty answer No commendation shalt thou have for speech too fast or slow To use the vertuous golden meane a comely grace doth show When thou speakst use thy Latine tongue this still remember well Shun rude and barbarous words and then in eloquence excell Besides see thou thy fellowes teach when they thee doe require And all such as unperfect be bring on to my desire Who so doth teach th'unlearned sort though most unlearned he Yet in short time then all the rest more leaned may hee be But foolish Grammer smatterers doe follow in no case Which are to the famous latine tongue exceeding great disgrace Whereof in speach there is not one so rude or foolish now But him the barbarous multitude For author will allow If thou desire thy Grammer lawes most rightly for to know And who in speech to understand best eloquence to show See thou the famous writings learne of old and ancient men The which best authours be and thou shalt know them rightly then Terence Tully and Virgil too now one now other reade And mind and marke well what they teach and thereto give good heed Which Authors he that hath not learn'd in utter darknesse lives And nothing fees but foolish dreames that simple knowledge gives Some boyes there be whom it delights all vertue set apart Lewd toyes and vices very vaine to practise as an Art There be some boyes that pleasure take with hands and feet t' assay How that they may their fellowes hurt or trouble any way And some there are that boast themselves to be most nobly borne And others birth do dis-allow with speeches full of scorne I would thou of such patrons bad should take most wary heed Lest in the end thou doe receive rewards worthy thy deed Doe nothing give nor nothing sell nor nothing buy nor change To gaine by others losse accompt these things to thee most strange And most of all no mony use inticements unto sinne That to others leave vertue seeke and nothing else to winne Let noyses brablings scoffings lies and every foolish jarre Stealing fighting gaping laughing be alwaies from you farre Nothing unhonest speake at all to cause or stirre up strife For in the tongue wee see is both the gate of death and life Accompt it most great wickednesse ill speeches for to give Or by Gods mighty name to sweare by whom we onely live And last of all keepe well thy things and bookes and be not rude And beare them with thee still and thus my Precepts I conclude Exhorting thee take heed if thou desire to live at ease That thou doe all offences shun and no man doe displease FINIS A Postscript to the READER FRiendly READER I had here thought to have unloaded my memory presented thee at this time with some Anagrams Epigrams Emblemes Epitaphs and carolls as also with many Characters and Essaies of my owne but not knowing how well this worke would passe and considering with my selfe I have beene but a metamorphoser of other mens labours and therefore can no waies challenge any higher title at the best then the name of a translator although indeed my paines therein have beene no whit lesse then if it had been wholly mine as old shoos aske more paines many times to mend then new ones doe to make I have thought fit to forbeare my intended purpose untill some fitter opportunity doth invite mee thereto in the meane while if thou findest any fault with what is already done and say it is but cobled over the reason is ready at hand for a translator though in a more fine phrase is but a cobler therefore whatsoever a cobler doth be it never so well is but cobled But howsoever when I am my craftsmaster I will promise thee to mend all imperfections so it be not ultra crepidam till then thou canst not expect any rare workmanship from mee Farewell FINIS