obserued towards God and men Of Force CHAP. 37. 1 THey are not called nor truely accounted valiant and couragious persons who do and offer iniury but they which do repell and keepe iniurie and violence from them And in truth he onely is of a valiant and constant courage who is not troubled with aduersitie 2 He ought to be esteemed the most stout and valiant who driueth away from him couetous persons as his enemies 3 He is said and held to be a valiant man who endureth and feareth the things that ought to be feared endured vpon all occasions both whence how and when it is needful and he likewise that is confident in himselfe and in his owne courage 4 Fortitude or valiantnesse is the science and knowledg◠of things which are to be held and not to be feared aswel in daunger of warres as of all other things 5 If force and valure do hazard it selfe into perils and daungers not constrained by necessitie or vpon any occasion not honest it is no longer to be reputed for valure but rashnesse and temeritie 6 Scipio the African seeing a soldier of his to shew his buckler with bragges and ostentation said vnto him My friend true it is thou hast a faire buckler but it is a more seemely and decent thing for a Romane to haue his hopes depending rather vpō his right then his left hand 7 Caius Popilius being sent by the Senate of Rome as Embassadour to Antiochus king of Syria to shew vnto him that their pleasure was he should desist frō molesting the children and orphanes of the late deceased Ptolome king of Egypt was by the said Antiochus saluted and entertained with great courtesie which notwithstanding he would scarce vouchsafe to requite with thankes but deliuering him his letters and being answered vpon the reading of them by the king that he would consult with his Counsell vpon the contents thereof Popilius hauing a white rod in his hand made therewith a round circle about the king where he stoode and said vnto him Sir I would wish you euen here as you stand to aduise your selfe and to giue me your present answer The Nobles there present with the king maruelled at that his exceeding greatnesse of courage and Antiochus himselfe immediatly answered that he would do all that the Romanes required whereupon Popilius instantly saluted him with great reuerence embraced him as the friend of the Romanes 8 Agesilaus the Lacedemonian being demaunded which of the two was the better vertue either fortitude or iustice answered That valure without iustice was of no fruit nor profit 9 Pausanias a captaine of the Lacedemonians hearing Pedaretus say Oh what a multitude of enemies do come against vs answered so many the more shal we haue the killing of 10 Agesilaus being demaunded by one why the citie of Sparta was not enuironed with wals he shewed vnto him the citizens armed said Behold these be the wals of the Lacedemonians 11 Argeleonida the mother of Brasidas a renowned captaine of the Lacedemonians being giuen to vnderstand by the Ambassadours of Greece that her sonne was slaine in battell demaunded of them if he died valiantly the Ambassadours answered that there was neuer man that died with more honour and renowne To whom she replyed O my maisters for all this do you not know that though my sonne Brasidas was a mā of great woorth yet hath our citie of Sparta a great number better and more worthie then he 12 Philip king of Macedonie being come with great furie into the territories of the Lacedemonians one said vnto him Oh what a world of miseries will the Lacedemonians be enforced to endure if they do not reconcile themselues to the good grace and fauour of king Philip Wherunto Daminda answered Thou speakest like a woman what misery can we suffer if we be not afraid of death 13 When the Ambassadours of Pirrhus being come before the Lacedemonians did menace them that if they did not frame themselues to the good liking contentation of their king they should find that his forces were greater then theirs Dercilida answered Certainely if your king be a God yet we feare him not because we neuer did him any iniurie but if he be a man assuredly he is no better then we are Of Iustice and iudgement CHAP. 38. 1 IF thou wilt iudge vprightly thou oughtest to haue a regard nor respect to nothing but to iustice onely 2 In India he which is most learned is made the minister of their sacrifices And hee demaundeth no other thing of the gods but iustice 3 As the touchstone by the touch approueth the gold not the gold the stone so the iust and vpright man which sitteth in iudgement is not corrupted with gold 4 He is not only iust which doth no iniurie nor wrong but he also who hauing power to do wrong doth shunne and auoid the occasions thereof to the intent he may not do any Againe he is not iust which receiueth small gifts but he is iust who hauing power to take great bribes doth abstaine from doing it Besides he is not iust that obserueth al things but he is iust who with an vncorrupt and free nature will rather be then seeme and appeare to be iust 5 Those men are chiefly and in the first ranke to be praised who preferre not any matter of profit before honestie and iustice 6 Science and knowledge separated from iustice and other vertues ought not to be tearmed wisedome but craft and cunning 7 God in no place nor in any manner is to be held vniust but most perfectly and absolutely iust there is nothing that more or better resembleth him then that man who amongst vs is most iust 8 The man that is iust though he be a straunger is not onely to be preferred before a free borne citizen but before those also that are of a mans owne kindred 9 There is nothing wherof can come profit or commodity by force if iustice be absent but if all were iust we should haue no need offorce 10 They onely are to be held receiued as friends vnto God to whom iustice is welcome as a friend 11 There were certaine which said vnto Antigonus king of Macedonie that all things were honest and iust vnto a king to whome he answered It is true indeede but that is to such kings as are barbarous but vnto vs those things onely are honest which are indeed honest and those onely iust which are indeed iust 12 The Poet Simonides contending against Themistocles and affirming that in a certaine controuersie he had not iudged according to right he answered him that he could not be a good Poet if he should compose his verses out of that forme and number which appertained vnto thē euen so I quoth he should not be a good citizen if I should iudge beyond the lawes 13 It is the office of a good sage Iudge to take counsel of the law of religion of faith and of equitie
that when he came into the field he would haue a speciall care to his owne safetie to whom he answered that as touching that matter she should do well to counsel others so to do but for his part he held it the part of a captaine commaunder to haue a speciall regard to the safetie of his citizens 4 The campe of the Numantines in Spaine hauing of a long time vsed to be victorious against all the captaines that came against them with the Romane forces seeing afterwards that Scipio came as General against them by whom they were defeated and slaughtered the Senatours of Numantia did exclaime against their people and souldiers reproching them for that they had so shamefully betaken themselues to flight vnto whom a certaine Numantine souldier said in this manner My Lords I would you shold vnderstand that in the campe of the Romanes there are still the same beastes that were there before but they haue not the same shepheard 5 Cecilius Metâ—llus a Roman hauing pitched his campe against the Almaines in a very drie place where his people were much pained with thirst and want of water the riuer running close by the rampart of his enemies in a diâ—contented humour pointing with his finger to the valley beneath his campe which was full of water he shewed the same vnto his souldiers and said vnto them There my maisters you may haue water enough and drinke your fils if you list paine your selues to take it 6 Lauinius a Romane hauing taken the citie of Corinth did not carry away any riches or treasure to his owne house and albeit all Italy were enriched with the pillage of that city yet was he in such pouertie and necessitie as the Senate of Rome did marrie his daughter at the common charge of the citie 7 Quintus Fabius Minutius being aduised by his sonne to seize vpon a certaine place as a thing which he might do with the losse of a very few men he said vnto him Wilt thou be one of those few 8 Scipio the African being accused by one that he was alwaies fighting and in the field answered It is true for my mother bred me from the cradle to be a captaine and a soldier 9 Marcus Iiuius being exhorted by some to pursue without ceassing the campe of Hasdarubal which he had defeated and put to flight answered Let them alone let some of theÌ„ liue that they may carrie to our enemies the newes of our victorie 10 Chabius a captaine of Athens said that those captaines knew well how to commaund who could discerne and know the plots and purposes of their enemies 11 Lamacus a Lacedemonian reprehending a certaine captaine for a fault which he had committed and he telling him that he would not commit the like ouersight againe Lamacus answered that in warre it was not fit for any to erre twice because in the first special regard ought to be had that no fault be committed 12 Antigonus king of Macedony being demaunded in what manner he ought to asâ—aile his enemies he answered Either by pollicie and cunning or by force either openly or secretly 13 The king Pirrhus said vnto one to whom he had giuen a commission to leauie souldiers do thou make choise of them which be great and I will make them stout and valiant 14 Tiberius Scaurus a Captaine of the Romanes being certified how his sonne was put to flight by the Tarentines commaunded him that during his life he should neuer presume to come into his presence in somuch as the young man being surprised with shame and ignominie died for very griefe Of diuerse and prompt Answers CHAP. 43. 1 PHilip the father of Alexander hauing the ankle of his foote broken and his Phisition daily demaunding monie of him he said vnto him Go too take as much monie as thou wilt for thou hast the key in thy owne keeping 2 The same king Philip being once laid to sleepe about noone-time the Greekes that came to speak with him did murmure in being made to attend him to whom Parmenio said Maruell not if Philip be now a sleepe for he many times waketh when you sleepe 3 Alexander the Great being to make a sore iourney against Darius a certaine souldier came vnto him in a great heate and told him that he had heard diuers of his souldiers say that they wold not allow any of their part of the pray or bootie vnto the king who smiling thereat answered presently Thou tellest me good newes and that which I take for a signe of good fortune for now I see that my souldiers haue resolued rather to vanquish their enemies then to flye away 4 The Athenians hauing receiued an answer from the Oracle warning them that there was one man in Athens who was contrary and opposite to the wils and opinions of all the rest and wishing them to search out by some meanes or other who it shold be Phocion suddenly said I only am the man who do not take pleasure in any thing which the common people either doth or saith 5 Cicero being demaunded by Metellus who was his father answered Whosoeuer should aske thee this question it would be hard for thee to answer it by reason of thy mother This he said because he knew that the mother of Metellus was held a woman scarce honest 6 Agâ—sides king of the Lacedemonions hearing a certaine Oratour extolling a very small matter euen to the heauens said This man is no good shoomaker for he would put a great shooe on a little foote 7 Cleomenâ—s the Lacedemonian hearing a certaine Logitian discoursing of force and prowesse fell out into a loud laughter to whome the Sâ—phister said O Cleomenes doest thou which art a king laugh because I discourse offorce Cleomenes answered My friend so would I do if I did heare a swallow speake of force and strength but if an Eagle did speake thereof I should thinke well thereof 8 Andâ—oclidas of Sparta being blamed by an Athenian which said vnto him you Lacedemonians are ignorant of letters answered Then are we of all others the onâ—ly men who haue not learned any euill of you 9 Archidamus the sonne of Agâ—silaus hauing receiued a very arrogant letter from king Philip returned him in writing this answer Before that we come to get the victory of thee I would wish thee if thou wilt to measure thy owne shadow for I do not thinke that thou wilt find it now to be greater then it hath bin heretofore 10 Eudamidas the sonne of Archidamus seeing Xenocrates now growne old disputing with one of his familiars demanded of him who that man was whereunto answer being made that he was one of the most wise and sagest men that knew how to search out vertue he replyed And when trow you will he vse vertue that now at these yeares is but seeking and searching for it 11 Pausanias after he was sent into exile giuing great commendations of the Lacedemonians a stranger said vnto him Why art not
Remember man thou art but dust and ashes and into dust and ashes shalt returne he said Remember man thou art a Gibelline and die thou shalt with the Gibellines This sheweth with how great power the passion of hatred doth transport men when it causeth euen those which should be most holy and deuout to forget their dutie and their reuerence to God and his religion Of the same Boniface and the French king Philip le Bel. THe same Boniface being at some difference with the French king Philip the fair touching the supreme power and authoritie in matters both Ecclesiasticall and Temporall in certain letters which he sent vnto the King had these words We will that thou shouldest know that the whole Soueraigntie both of spirituall and temporall matters in thy Realme of Fraunce is of right and dutie belonging to vs and whosoeuer shall say the contrary we repute them as fooles The King returned him in writing this answer Philip by the grace of God King of Fraunce to Boniface calling himselfe Pope we will thee to take notice that we acknowledge in our temporall affaires no superiour but God alone and whosoeuer shall affirme the contrarie we hold him for a foole and a sot Another conceipt of Pope Boniface touching one that resembled him in countenance POpe Boniface being told by one of his Court that there was a pilgrime of the country of Bauyer come to Rome of purpose to visite the Religious places of the citie who did altogether resemble him both in person and in countenance Boniface hauing caused him to be sent for to his presence demaunded of him if his mother had euer bene at Rome The pilgrime perceiuing himselfe touched with suppose of bastardie answered Holy Father my mother was neuer in this countrie but my father hath bin here many times In this answer the pilgrim soberly returned that quippe vpon the Pope which he thought to haue put vpon him Of Pope Gregorie and one that praised him to his face POpe Gregorie hearing one to coÌ„mend him beyond all measure and more then himselfe desired said vnto him God graunt my friend that I proue such a one as thou reportest me and that thou be so honest a man as the opinion which thou hast of me may be free from blame and exception Of Cardinal Cossa who made himselfe Pope by force AFter the decease of Pope Alexander the Cardinals being assembled in the towne of Bolonia the great and shut vp within the Conclaue to chuse a new Pope the Cardinall Baltazar Cossa Bishop of that Citie being there with great forces told the Cardinals freely and plainely that if they did not chuse such a one to be Pope as should be to his liking they should repent it The Cardinals â—â—tonished at his menaces and seeing his armed forces attending round about the Conclaue named diuerse vnto him but none of them would content him whereupon they being the more terrified willed him to nominate some one and promised that if so be he were a person capable of the place they would receiue and admit him With that Cossa called for the Popes Pall that he might set it on him whom he should chuse which being brought and giuen vnto him he set it on his owne shoulders saying I am Pope The Cardinals howbeit this act was against all law and custome yet durst not gainesay him but consenting to his election they named him Iohn the three and twentieth A saying of Pope Alexander the fifth POpe Alexander the fifth of that name was very liberall bountiful to the poore and to such as were learned And he was wont to say in his common talke that when he was but a Bishop he was rich and being made a Cardinall he became poore but after that he came to be Pope he was a starke begger Of Pope Calixtus which would haue but one Benefice CAlixtus the third Pope of that name the yeare before he was exalted to the Popedome being only Bishop of Valentia and Cardinall would neuer accept of any other Benefice nor Ecclesiasticall preferment saying that he was well content to haue one onely virgine to his spouse and maried wife Notable sentences of Pope Pius the second POpe Pius the second was wont to say That in a towne of libertie euery man may speake liberally and freely Being told on a time that a certaine person had spoken very badly of him he answered the partie reporting it If thou hadst bene in Campo de Fier thou shouldest haue heard many others who would haue spoken farre worse of me In esteeming more of good books then of riches he was wont to say That the most sumptuous richest iewels and precious stones which he had were inclosed within his books His saying was That by counsell a man might prouide remedie for any misfortunes or mishaps like as in diseases there needed nothing but medâ—cine yet so as it be taken in time and place conuenient He said That the lawes had the force and vertue to bridle the common inferior sort of people but they had little or no command ouer the richer and greater persons and that the great affairs of Princes were not vsually determined or decided by the lawes but by force of armes Ignorant and vnlearned persons said he are easily led and moued with eloquent and artificial speeches but wise men are nothing moued therewithall He was wont to say that Phisitions ought not to demaund money of their patients but their health Of sutes in law he had a saying That the suters or clients are the birds the courts or places of pleas are the fields the ludges are the nets and the Aduocates are the birders He said that men ought to be bestowed vpon dignities and not dignities vpon men An ignorant Bishop he compared to an asse Ignorant Phâ—sitions quoth he kill the bodie and ignorant Priests destroy the soules of their patients He that is too hastie and easie in pardoning the follies of his child nourisheth to himselfe an enemie A couetous man is not pleasing to men liuing nor doth any good till himselfe be dead A luxurious and riotous life doth at all times spoile a man but in old age it vtterly killeth him Lying is a most base and seruile kind of vice A sentence of Pope Innocent POpe Innocent the eighth was woÌ„t to say that it was not fit to make warre to get glorie or for conquest but onely to purchase peace and quietnesse The titles which Pope Iulius gaue vnto his seruants POpe Iulius the second of that name had his houshold seruants of sundry nations And when he took his repast in priuate he would for his sport and recreation call those Spaniards that attended him the birds of the aire because he reputed them vaineglorious and great boasters and desirous of the vpper hand The Venetians and Genowaies he named the fishes of the sea because they frequeÌ„ted the seas and many times the fishes fed vpon their dead bodies The Almaines he named the
held for sage and wise persons who could modestly endure any reasonable iest or mocquerie And that those who were prompt in pretie iests and meriments were to be reputed men of a good spirit The ansvver vvhich Barba the vvidovv of Sigismond made to those that persvvaded her to continue a vvidovv AFter that the Emperour Sigismond was deceased the Ladie Barba his widow was perswaded by one to liue still a widowe in imitation of the example of the Turtle which after the death of the male doth keepe continuall chastitie Whereunto she made this answer If so be thou wilt counsel me to follow the conditions of the birdes of the aire which are destitute of reason why doest not thou as well tell me of the Doue and the Sparrow A sentence of the Emperour Rodulph the first ROdulph Emperor who first translated the Empire of Almaine into the house of Austria as he was deuising with his familiar friends vpon that matter how the same had bene effected It is no maruell said he if they be accompted fooles that know not how to raigne for there is not any man liuing that iudgeth himselfe to be a foole A Sentence of the Emperour Albert. THe Emperour Albert was wont to say That the delight of hunting was an exercise fit for a man but dauncing and leaping did appertaine to women And howbeit he could temper himselfe to abstaine from all other pleasures yet he could not restraine himselfe from the exercise of hunting The Fable of the Emperour Fredâ—ricke the third propounded to the Embassadour of kâ—ng Levvis the eleuenth CHarles duke of Burgundy hauing planted his siege before the city of Nuce which was succoured by the Emperour Fredericke the third and the Almaines King Levvis the eleuenth of France who sought nothing more then the ruine of the said Duke of Burgundie sent his Embassadour to the Emperour Fredericke to practise and perswade with him to seize and confiscate into his owne hands all those lands and Seignories which the Duke of Burgundie held of the Empire and that he for his part wold do the like for the countries of Flanders Artois Burgundie and others dependants of the Crowne of Fraunce The Emperour vpon this motion made the Ambassadour this answer Neare vnto a certaine citie in Almain did once haunt a most cruell and daÌ„gerous Beare which did many mischiefes and displeasures to the inhabitants adioyning Now it happened that three merrie companions as they were drinking in a Tauerne hauing litle mony to pay their shot they agreed with their host to make sale of the Beares skinne and to pay him out of the money and for the performance thereof they prepared themselues presently to go and take him The bargaine being made and the dinner ended they put theÌ„selues in quest of the beast and approching to the Caue where he was lodged the Beare issued out vpon them so fiercely that being surprised with a sudden feare one of them fled away backe towards the towne another saued himselfe by climing of a tree and the third being ouertaken by the Beare fell downe vnder him as dead And the Beare without doing him any other hurt did often put his mouth to the eares of the poore fellow who all the while held his wind and abstained from breathing for the nature of the Beare is not to touch or to offend any dead bodie Now the Beare being gone the man got vp and went his way also after which he that was aloft in the tree came downe and hauing ouertaken his companion demanded of hm what it was that the Beare told him in his eare marrie quoth the fellow he bad me that I should neuer after vse to sell a Beares skin till the beast were dead By this fable the Emperor payed the Embassadour with an answer as if he should haue said Let vs first be sure to take the Duke and then afterwards let vs make partition of his dominioÌ„s Graue sentences and answers of the Emperour Fredericke THe Emperour Fredericke being demaunded whom he accompted his greatest friends He answered Those men which feare me lesse then God Being likewise asked what he thought was the best thing which could happen to a man he answered A happie and good departure out of this mortall life If the end of a mans life be not good and in the feare of God all the rest is little worth He said That those Princes which are giuen to be cruell and too rigorous haue great cause to feare death For with the same iudgement they haue adiudged others in their life themselues are like to be adiudged after their death The same Fredericke hauing subdued the Guntians a people in Hungarie he said We haue now done a great deed it remaines yet that we do another deede more great that is That we vanquish our selues by refraining from auarice and from the desire of reuenge This Emperour Fredericke did bring vp in his Court euen from an infant Ladislaus the sonne of the king of Hungâ—rie and of Boheme and there were mâ—ny which perswaded and counselled him to â—â—ke away the child and to put him to deaâ—h because in processe of time his life might cause him great hurt and hinderance and by his death he might succeede him in his Realmes and riches To whom the Emperour made this answer I perceiue then that you had rather haue me a rich King then a iust Prince and a pitifull But for my part I had rather haue an honourable report and good renowme then all the riches and treasures of the world A sentence of Martian MArtian Emperour of Constantinople would neuer enterprize any warres except it were vpon great necessitie saying That whatsoeuer Prince would liue in peace and quietnesse he ought not in any case to entertaine warres The title of Otho the third OTho the third of that name Emperour of Almaine was of so great a spirite as he was commonly called The wonder of the world The praise of Septimius Seuerus SEptimius Seuerus Emperour of Rome was a Prince so well beloued and ruled so well and commendably that the Senate said of him That it had bene good either that he had neuer bene borne or that he might neuer dye A sentence of Alexander Seuerus ALexander Seuerus the Romaine Emperour whensoeuer he appointed any one to be punished opeÌ„ly he caused the common Cryer with a loud voice to pronounce this sentence Do not that to another which thou wouldest not haue done to thee And the same sentence did he cause to be engrauen in his Pallace in the publique Edifices A sentence of Gordian GOrdian the younger Emperour of Rome had a saying somtimes That the Emperour of all other men is most miserable because commonly the truth is concealed from him The answer of Maximilian to one that would be made a Gentleman THe Emperor Maximilian being at Bologna a citizen of that Citie exceeding rich and wealthie but of base parentage presented himself before the Emperour saying May it please
greatest victorie which I euer obtained was against the diuel at such time as I was baptized in the church of Poissi And therefore the greatest honour which I would haue done me is that men should cal me Levvis of Poissi Of the same Levvis A Certaine priuate friend of his did blame him for that in writing his priuate and familiar letters he did not entitle himselfe king of Fraunce but Loys of Poissi To whom he said I am like the king which meÌ„ chuse with the Beane at Twelfetide who commonly doth obserue the feast of his royaltie in the euening His meaning vvas that the Crovvne vvhich he expected vvas the kingdom of heauen and by the euening he meant the end of this mortall life The desire that Saint Levvis had to cut off all blasphemies out of his kingdome KIng Levvis hauing caused one who had blasphemed the name of God to be marked in the lippes with a hote burning iron and hearing that some of his subiects did murmure at it he said openly in the hearing of a great multitude I wold to God that I my selfe were so marked with a hote iron on my lippes on the condition that there were no oathes nor blasphemies vsed within my realme Whensoeuer he began to speake or to do any thing and especially when he was set in Councell the first thing he vsed to do was to blesse himselâ—e with the signe of the Crosse in calling vpon the name of God For his saying was that his mother had so taught him euen from his infancie Of the instructions vvhich the king Saint Levvis of Fraunce gaue vnto his sonne Philip. MY sonne the first lesson which I giue thee is To loue God with all thy hart with all thy streÌ„gth and with all thy soule Offend not God in any case Suffer any torments rather then sin Take patiently whatsoeuer aduersitie God shall send thee and thanke God for it acknowledging that thou hast deserued it Confesse thy selfe often to some good man a Minister of the church Be diligeÌ„t to heare the deuine Seruice song in the Church of God Obserue carefully the good customes of thy kingdome but take away such as are euill Raise not any Taxes or Tallages vpon thy subiects but vpon great necessitie Entertaine those into thy seruice who feare God loue iustice and hate couetousnesse Desire not that thy Iudges should giue iudgement for thee in any cause against thy subiects farther then reason and truth will iustifie Preserue the cities and townes of thy kingdome in their franchises and liberties wherein thy predecessours before thee haue maintained them Giue the Benefices and Offices of thy kingdom to good men and such as are capable of them Moue not warre against any Christian and if any offence be committed thou oughtest to pardon it being required In places of iustice and iudgment see thou prouide such as are good men and godly Make diligent enquirie of thy houshold seruants whether they be addicted to couetousnesse or to prodigalitie Be thou such a one in thy life and conuersation as men may take good example by thee For as the head is such commonly are the members Take good heede that the expences of thy house be moderate and in measure And the blessing of God be alwaies with thee A notable saying of Philip the faire king of Fraunce PHilip le bel king of Fraunce hauing a certaine quarrell against Pope Boniface the eight wherof hath bene before spoken and being vrged by some to take reuenge of the Bishop of Palmers who was the principall procurer and perswader of the contentioÌ„ between theÌ„ he made theÌ„ this answere That it was a greater glorie for any Prince of courage and magnanimitie to pardon those of whom he might easily take reuenge then to execute reuenge vpon them Of king Philip de Valois vvho confirmed the lavv Salique by the Scriptures CHarles le bel king of Faunce being deceased without heire male Edvvard the third king of England intitled himselfe King and inheritour of Fraunce in the right of his mother Isabel sister to the said king Charles Philip de Valois being the next heire male opposed himself against the title of king Edvvard and obtained the kingdome by colour of the law Salique which excludeth women from the Crowne of France and as the common saying of the French is suffereth it not to fall to the distaffe And amongst many authorities cited for the iustification of that law he alleadged for one these words of the holy Scripture Consider the Lilies of the field hovv they do grovv and do neither labour nor spinne Of the Latin verses vvhich king Edvvard and king Philip de Valois sent each to other AFter that king Edvvard of England had quartered the Armes of Fraunce with those of England had ioyned the three flowers Deluce in a field Azure with the three Lions Or in a field of Gules the report goeth that he sent to king Philip dâ— Valois these foure verses which howsoeuer they might be thought of in that age at this day are held but barbarous vz. Rex sum regnorum bina ratione duoruÌ„ AngloruÌ„ râ—gno sum rex ego iure paterno Matriâ— iure quidem FrancoruÌ„ nuncupor idem Hinc est armorum variatio facta meoruÌ„ TO these verses of king Edward king Philip replyed in other sixe as good stuffe as the former Praedo regnorum qui diceris essâ—duorum FrancoruÌ„ regno priuaberis atque paterno Matris vbique nullumius proles non habet vllum Iure mariti carens alia mulier est prior illa Succendunt mares huic regno non mulieres Hinc est armorum variatio stultatuoruÌ„ The ansvver of king Edvvard the third to those that required him to send aide to his sonne the black Prince at the battell of Cressie THe same Edvvard king of England in the field foughten betweene the armie of England and the French power vnder Philip de Valois at the battell of Cressie in Ponthieu where the French had a notable ouerthrow being told by an English knight that his sonne the Prince of VVales who had the conduct of the maine battell of the English and the Noblemen which were there with him were very fiercely assailed by the French and did desire his Maiestie to come to their succour with the Reareward whereof the king himselfe had the leading The king demaunded of the knight saying Is my sonne dead or hurt or striken down No Sir said the knight but he is hardly bestead Returne then quoth the king to them that sent you hither and tell them That my pleasure is they send no more to me for any aide as long as my sonne is liuing but let him alone this day win his spurres For if God so will my meaning is that the honour of this day shall be his This message did so encourage the English that they caryed away the victorie By vvinning of his spurres he meant he should get him the honour of a hardie Knight because one
that countrieâ— who did him great reuerence and he rendred them the like Huguenin de Tolligney a French gentleman which did then accompany him caused him to stay and said vnto him My lord who are these two dames to whom you haue done this great reuerence I know not said the Marshall Huguenin replye'd Why sir they be common women The Marshall answered wel I know not what they be neither skils it for I had leifer do reuerence to tenne common women then to faile of saluting any one that is honest A French Prouerbe IN the historie of Bertrand du Guesclin it is recorded that in the raigne of Charles the fifth when the said Bouciqualt was Marshall of Fraunce there liued then also a famous renowned knight called Iohn de Saintré of which two persons the French in their commendation made these verses Of much more worth in an assault Is Saintré then is Bouciqualt But much better in a treatie Is Boâ—â—iqualt then is Saintré An Act of the Earle of Sauoy PEter Earle of Sauoy being to go before the Emperour Otho the fourth to do him homage for his landes which he held of the Empire went apparelled with a certaine robe the one halfe whereof was of steele in fashion of an armour gilded in such sort that on the right side he was most richly apparelled and on his left side he was armed in this manner attired did he demaund the inuestiture of his lands of the Emperour who hauing graunted it vnto him and the Earle being retired and repairing to the Chauncellour to haue his dispatch shewed him the auncient Euidence and letters Patents graunted to his Predecessours wherby he held his landes The Chauncellour then demaunded of him if he had the like for the territories of Chablais Oste and Vaux well knowing that he lately had gotten those lands by conquest Whereupon the Earle setting his haÌ„d on his sword drawing it naked out of the scabbard shewed it vnto the Chancellour and said that he had no other Euidence for those lands but his sword and by that he held them After which the Emperour demaunded of him why he ware such a garment with the one halfe of cloth of gold and the other halfe of steele The Earle answered that he ware the cloth of gold on his right side to do honour to his Maiestie and for my attire on the left side it signifieth quoth he that if any man deale sinisterly and ill with me or offer me any iniurie I am readie to defend me and to fight for my right enent to the death How the duke of Millain serued an Astrologer A Certaine Astrologer which tooke vpon him to foreshew things to come and the good and ill fortune of men regarding the countenance of Iohn Galeace duke of Millain said vnto him Sir dispose of your affaires betimes for you cannot liue long How knowest thou that sard the duke Marry sir quoth he hauing obserued the starres that are the gouernors of your life I find that they do threaten you death in your flourishing age Well quoth the Duke and for thy selfe how long shalt thou liue Sir said the Astrologer my Planet promiseth me long life To the end therefore said the Duke that thou shalt neuer more haue affiance in thy Planet thou shalt dye presently contrarie to thy opinioÌ„ and all the Planets of heauen shall not saue thy life And he had no sooner spoken it but he perfourmed it for he commaunded him instantly to be hanged which was accordingly executed The message sent from Narses to Sophia the Empresse of Constantinople NArses the Eunuch a most excellent Chieftaine who was Lieutenant Generall for the Emperours Iustinian and Iustin of their warres in Italy was sent for by the Empresse Sophia the wife of Iustin a most stout and proud Ladie and commaunded to returne from Italy Naples where he was Gouernour and to come to Constantinople to the Court letting him to vnderstand that she meant to employ him in another manner of seruice then the warres and fitter for his estate namely to spin and weaue wool with her women and maidens To the which message Narses returned this answer that he would weaue such a webbe as neither she nor her husband whom she ruled as she listed should be able euer to vntwine And he did no lesse theÌ„ he promised for he secretly sent for Alboin king of the Lombards out of Hungarie being his very great friend and set him in possession of Italy so as both he and his successours enioyed it for a long time after A vvoman of insolent and proud cariage and haughtie in speech is the cause of notable mischiefes The magnanimity of BertraÌ„d du Guesclin THis Bertrand du Guesclin was no lesse famous renowned for his magnanimitie courage then was Narses the Graecian For before that he was Constable of Fraunce he held the part of Henry king of Spaine against king Peter the brother of the said Henry And in a battell foughten at Nadres between the two brothers Henry was put to flight and Bertrand was takeÌ„ prisoner by the black prince of VVales who followed the party of king Peter who led him prisoner to Burdeaux hauing held him there a time he was willing to deliuer him and to acquit pay his debts on coÌ„dition that the said Bertrand should neuer beare armes against him the said Prince against the king of EnglaÌ„d his father nor against king Peter of Castill nor their allies But Bertrand refusing to yeeld to those conditions was notwithstanding put to his raunsome such as himselfe would nominate and set downe Bertrand howbeit that he was alleadged himself to be but a poore knight yet hoping on his good fortunes offered the Prince an 100000. double Florins of gold The Prince supposing that he mocked him quitted him for the quarter part but Bertrand standing on his honour would not yeeld to pay lesse then sixtie thousand saying That he would be well able to pay it The Prince accepting his offer Bertrand spake out aloud before all the Lords and Nobles there present now may Henry of Castill well vaunt himselfe and boldly say That he shall dy king of Spaine for I doubt not but to set the Crowne on his head and he shall yeeld me the one moitie of my raunsome and king Charles of France shall furnish me with the other moitie Such was the haughtie courage of this valiant Chieftaine who afterwards accomplished and acquitted himselfe of that his promise The same Pertrand being afterwards Constable of Fraunce vnder Charles the fifth left a custome in Fraunce which he brought vp in his time That whatsoeuer Gentleman had committed any forfeit against the reputation and honour of his estate if he did afterwards happen to be in company at any banquet the meate which was set before him should be cut in peeces A hardy speech vttered by Hire a French Captaine to king Charles the seuenth THe Hire a French Captaine being sent from the armie
Truly that argueth that my faith is much and more greater then my eloquence Of Hope CHAP. 4. 1 HOpe and feare are the two tormentors of things to come 2 Oftentimes do happen sooner things vnexpected then those which are hoped for 3 Hope is the last solace and coÌ„fort of men that are in miserie and aduersitie 4 When fortune doth abandon vs and deceiue vs in our first hopes the things that are to come do seem and appeare vnto vs to be better then the present 5 Hope is the thing that doth nourish and feede false loues 6 Like as by hope we are all saued euen so by hope are we to become truly and perfectly happie 7 We ought to hope for all things and to despaire of nothing 8 The hopes of those which are discreet and wise are not vaine but those of vnwise and imprudent men are light void and difficult 9 Euill hopes may be compared to ill captaines who leade their followers in errours yet with pleasures 10 A woman without a man good hopes without paines and industry can ingender nothing that good is 11 Neither ought a ship to trust to one anker nor the life of man ought to rely vpon one simple hope 12 It is good alwaies to be of good courage for peraduenture to morrow will be better and more fortunate then the time past or present 13 Hope is the dreame of those that vse watching 14 Hope is a thing most common with all men who when they haue no other thing remaining they do wholly and altogether relye vpon hope 15 Where the hope of a louer is exceeding great there is the mind most desirous of luxuriousnesse Of adulation and flattery CHAP. 5. 1 THe world is growne to that corruption that he that cannot flatter is either accompted enuious or reputed proud and arrogant 2 We haue a custome to please our selues so much that we desire to be praised euen in that the contrary whereof we do most commonly put in practise 3 I had rather offend in telling the truth then to please by flattering of any man 4 Phocion an Athenian Captaine being required by Antipater to do a thing that was vniust made him this answer Thou canst not vse me both as thy friend and thy flatterer 5 Cato the elder suing for the office of Censorship in Rome and seeing that many did curry fauour and flatter with the people to obtaine it with an high loftie voice said vnto them that the people of Rome had as much neede of a seuere speedie and sharpe Phisition as they had of a strong purgation 6 The same Cato said That those which were studious of things ridiculous afterwards in matters of grauitie and waightie importance would grow so to demeane themselues as they would be mocked and derided of all men 7 Where deceiptfull flatterie adulation is there can neuer be any true friendship nor amitie 8 They which haue gotten and make it a custome to flatter continually are of no faith nor honestie 9 Adulation is deadly pestiferous and deceiptfull 10 If necessitie should enforce a man to take his choise he were better fall amongst crowes then among flatterers 11 Crates the Philosopher seeing a rich and wealthie young man accompanied with many flatterers said vnto him O my youth I am very sorie to see thee so solitarie 12 Shunne as a thing most abhominable both the beneuolence of flatterers and the misfortunes of thy friends 13 Remoue farre away from thee the audacious and bold speeches of flattering persons 14 The wolues do resemble dogs so do flatterers seeme friends but notwithstanding they desire things different 15 Like as Actcon was torne in peeces by the dogges which himself had nourished so are many destroied by flatterers that haue familiaritie with them 16 The hunters take Hares by hunting them with dogges and many others do take foolish men with their false praises 17 The flatterers are contemners of the poore and liue by soothing vp and pleasing the minds of the rich they laugh at men secretly amongst themselues though they haue no occasion they are free by fortune and yet they make themselues villaines and slaues by their owne election Of Ambition CHAP. 6. 1 AMbition and fauour do then most signorize when they hide conceale themselues vnder a kind of seueritie 2 Ambition is easily maintained by old age 3 It is most certaine that he which is couetous of glorie and desireth to be praised of the wicked must of necessitie himselfe be wicked 4 It is not fit for men to becom couetous of glorie in troubling theÌ„selues and bearing enuie one towards another 5 Ambition teacheth men to become disloyall 6 After ambition hath once gotten possession of the honours which it desireth she beginneth to waxe old 7 Ambition is the bestiall nurse of aâ—arice 8 The glorie that is ambitious doth many times worke the ruine euen of brethren 9 The man that desireth superioritie power doth hardly obserue iustice and he which is couetous and greedie of glorie doth most easily fall into vniust actions Of Enuie CHAP. 7. 1 NO man doth lightly enuy him who vseth his fortune modestly and gently the enuiâ—us do not beare enuie so much to the persons of those whom they enuie as they do to the good things which are in them 2 Wicked men do not so much â—eioyce at their owne proper good fortunes as they do at dammage discommodities of other men 3 â—nuie is punished not onely with her owne proper euils but also by the good and welfare of straungers 4 The common vse of the enuious is to desire that there come no good vnto any 5 Enuie is engendred of the superfluitie of goods 6 A great blot and staine of this age wherein we liue is that vertue is neuer without enuie 7 Bion the Philosopher seeing an enuious man carry his head countenance hanging downe towards the ground said Either some great mischiefe is befalne to this man or som great good to another 8 No felicitie is so modest as it can avoid the biting tooth of malignitie 9 It is a very troublesome and vneasie matter to eschue and avoide the eye of the enuious 10 This ought euer to be had by vs in remembrance that after glorie euer ensueth enuie 11 Assuredly this vice of enuie is very common in any great free citie and enuie doth alwaies accompany glorie 12 Euen as rust eateth out the iron so doth enuie consume the enuious 13 That enuie which is secret hidden is more to be feared then that which is open and manifest 14 Enuie will neuer yeeld to giue renowne vnto them which are liuing 15 When the affaires of another are most ioyous then is enuie most sad and sorrowfull 16 Enuie is the mistresse of iniustice and it inciteth both the thought and the hand to ill and wicked actions 17 Whosoeuer beareth enuie to any good man and doing well he may well say That he is enuious both to the