emploied studie therein Iulius Cesar the Emperour commendeth this Poete for his singularitie his commendacion giueth ample argument in this singulare sentence whiche preferreth a Monarchie aboue all states of common wealthes or kyngdome ¶ The exposicion HOmere the Poete signified by this one sentence no kyngdome or common wealthe can prospere or florishe to continue where many holde gouernement as kynges For the mindes of many rulers and princes doe moste affecte a priuate wealthe commoditie and glorie and where many doe beare soche swaie and dominion the common wealth can not be good For thei priuatly to theim selues doe beare that regiment and alwaie with the slaughter of many do seke to attain and clime to the whole gouermeÌ„t ¶ The cause MAny occasions dooe rise whereby many princes and gouernours in a common wealth be diuerslie affected so that the gouernmeÌ„t of many can not prosper For bothe in quiete state their counsailes must bee diuerse and vncertaine and where thei so differ the kyngdome standeth in great ieopardy and daunger Isocrates intreatyng of a Monarchie sheweth that the common wealth of Athenes whiche detested and refused that forme and state after the ruine and fall of their citee beyng vnder the thraldome of the LacedemoniaÌ„s bothe in their externall chiualrie and seates bothe by sea and by lande and also in regimente otherwise their citee grewe mightie and state stedfast The Carthagineans also gouerned by one had their gonernment stedfaste and kyngdome totall who in puisaunte actes might compare with the noble Romaines As the obedience to one ruler and chief gouernour sekyng a common wealth is in the hartes of the subiectes feruent and marueilous with loue embraced â—â— the Maiestie of hym is dreade with loue serued and with sincere barte and fidelitie obeied his maners folowed his lawes imitated Many gouernours bearyng regiment as their maners be diuers and fashion of life euen so the people bee like affected to the diuersitie of diuers princes And if we weigh the reuolucion of the heauens and the marueiles of God therein the maker of the same who beyng one God ruleth heauen and yearth and all thynges coÌ„tained in the same The heauen also adorned with many a starre and cleare light haue but one Sunne to gouerne theÌ„ who being of a singulare vertue aboue the rest by his vertue and power giueth vertue to the reste Also in small thynges the Ante and the Bee who for prouidence and wisedome at moche commended haue as it were a common wealth and a king to gouerne theÌ„ so in all thinges as a confusion the state of many kings is abhorred in gouernmeÌ„t After the death of Constantinus the greate Constancius his sonne was made Emperour and Licinius with him partaker in felowship of the Empire But forthwith what blood was shed in Italie with all crueltie vntill Constancius had slaine Licinius partaker of the Empire and Marabodius was slaine also whom Licinius did associate with hym in the gouernment So moche princes and chief gouernours doe hate equalitie or felowship in kingdomes After the same sort in this mightie Monarchie of Rome diuerse haue attempted at one and sondrie tymes to beare the scepter and regiment therein but that mightie Monarchie could not suffer but one gouernor The kyngdome of Thebes was in miserable state the twoo sonnes of Dedipus Eteocles and Polunices striuing bothe to be Monarche and onely kyng The kyngdome of Assiria whiche was the golden kyngdome and the first Monarchie hauyng 36. kynges by succession continued 1239. yeres this kyngdome for all nobilitie and roialnes excelled and all in a Monarchie The kyngdome of the Medes in a Monarchie florished in wealthe and glorie and all felicitie who in dominion had gouernmente 300. lackyng 8. yeres After that the monarchie of the Medes ceased the PersiaÌ„ people rose mightie bothe in people and Princes and continued in that state 236 and 7 monethes Macedonia rose from a base and meane people to beare the whole regiment and power ouer all kingdomes So God disposeth the state and seate of princes ouerthrowyng often tymes mightier kyngdomes at his will the continuaunce of this Monarchie was 157. and eight monethes ten kynges linealie descendyng Asia and Siria was gouerned by one succedyng in a sole gouernement Nicanor gouerned Siria 32. yeres In the other Antigonus raigned Demetrius Poliorchetes one yere Antiochus Soter also the scepter of gouernment left to the succession of an other then Antiochus Soter ruled all Asia and Siria hauyng 16. kinges whiche in a monarchie coÌ„tinued 189. yeres The Egipcians had famous wise and noble princes whose kyngdome and large deminion in all felicitée prospered whiche was in the tyme of Ninus the first king of the AssiriaÌ„s who hauing 10 â–ª princes one by one succedyng Cleopatra their Quéene gouerning stoode in a monarchie 288. This one thyng sheweth that kinde of gouernmente to bee roiall and moste famous not onely for the felicitée and glory therof but also for the permanent and stedfast state thereof Aristotle and Plato setteth forthe thother formes of gouernmeÌ„t But in all those no long coÌ„tinuaunce of felicitee nor of happy state can appere in them as for the contrarie to a Monarchie is tirannis pestiferous and to be detested where one man gouerneth to his priuate gaine pillyng and polyng his subiectes murderyng with all crueltie neither Lawe nor reason leadyng thereto but will bearyng regiment ouer lawe Iustice and equitee whiche princes often tymes see not How the wilfull rashenes or tirannicall minde doeth abase them and make them though in vtter porte the same princes yet in verie déede thei bee thrall and slaue to beastlie affeccion Nothyng dooeth so moche adorne and beautifie the seate and throne of a prince as not onely to beare dominion ouer mightie people and regions then to be lorde ouer hymself The state of a fewe pèeres or nobles to holde the chief and whole gouernment who bothe in vertue learnyng and experience dooe excelle is a goodlie state of common wealth But the profe of that common wealthe and ende sheweth and the maner of Princes who although thei be of life godlie wise graue expert and politike For these vertues or ornamentes ought to be reposed in soche noble personages thei doe marueilously chaunge and alter So honour and preeminente state puffeth theim vp and blindeth theim that euery one in the ende seeketh to climbe ouer all as hed and gouernour Shewe me one kinde of this state and forme of gouernmente whiche either longe prospered or without bloodshed and destruccion of the rest of the nobles and peres haue not caught the whole regimente Seyng that in all common wealthes and kingdomes equalitee or felowshippe will not be suffred in gouernmente for it can not bee that this forme of common wealthe maie bée good as Aristotle and Plato sheweth The ende of this gouernemente fell euer to one with a ruine of the
can not take place to help theÌ„ Soche as do folowe the life of the Greshopper are worthie of their miserie who haue no witte to foresée seasons and tymes but doe suffer tyme vndescretly to passe whiche fadeth as a floure thold Romaines do picture Ianus with two faces a face behind an other before which resemble a wiseman who alwaies ought to knowe thinges paste thynges presente and also to be experte by the experience of many ages and tymes and knowledge of thynges to come ¶ The comparison betwene the twoo thynges WHat can be more descritlie doen then the Ante to be so prouident and politike as that all daunger of life necessitie is excluded the stormie times of Winter ceaseth of might honger battereth not his walles hauyng soche plentie of foode for vnlooked bitter stormes and seasons happeneth in life whiche when thei happen neither wisedoÌ„ nor pollicie is not able to kepe backe Wisedome therefore it is so to stande that these thynges hurte not the miserable ende of the Greshopper sheweth vnto vs whiche maie be an example to all menne of what degree so euer thei bee to flie slothe and idelnesse to be wise and discrite ¶ Of contraries AS diligence prouidence and discrete life is a singulare gift whiche increaseth all vertues a pillar staie and a foundacion of all artes and science of common wealthes and kyngdomes So contrarily sloth and sluggishnesse in all states and causes defaseth destroyeth and pulleth doune all vertue all science and godlines For by it the mightie kyngdome of the LidiaÌ„s was destroied as it semeth no small vice when the Lawes of Dracâ— dooe punishe with death idelnesse ¶ The ende THerefore the diligence of the Ante in this Fable not onelie is moche to be commended but also her example is to bee followed in life Therefore the wiseman doeth admonishe vs to go vnto the Ant and learne prouidence and also by the Greshopper lette vs learne to auoide idelnes lesse the like miserie and calamitie fall vpon vs. ¶ Narratio THis place followyng is placed of Tullie after the exordium or beginnyng of Oracion as the seconde parte whiche parte of Rhetorike is as it were the light of all the Oracion folowing conteining the cause matter persone tyme with all breuitie bothe of wordes and inuencion of matter ¶ A Narracion A Narracion is an exposicion orderlaracion of any thyng dooen in deede or els a settyng forthe forged of any thyng but so declaimed and declared as though it were doen. A narracion is of three sortes either it is a narracion historicall of any thyng contained in any aunciente storie or true Chronicle Or Poeticall whiche is a exposicion fained set for the by inuencion of Poetes or other Or ciuill otherwise called Iudiciall whiche is a matter of controuersie in iudgement to be dooen or not dooen well or euill In euery Narracion ye must obserue sixe notes 1. Firste the persone or doer of the thing whereof you intreate 2. The facte doen. 3. The place wherein it was doen. 4. The tyme in the whiche it was doen. 5. The maner must be shewed how it was doen. 6. The cause wherevpon it was doen. There be in this Narracion iiij other properties beloÌ„ging 1. First it must be plain and euident to the hearer not obscure 2. short and in as fewe wordes as it maie be for soche a matter 3. Probable as not vnlike to be true 4. In wordes fine and elegante ¶ A narracion historicall vpon Semiramis Queene of Babilon how and after what sort the obtained the gouernment thereof AFter the death of Ninus somtime kyng of Babilon his soonne Nuius also by name was left to succede hym in all the Assirian Monarchie Semiramis wife to Ninus the firste feared the tender age of her sonne wherupon she thought that those mightie nacions and kyngdomes would not obaie so young and weake a Prince Wherfore she kept her sonne from the gouernmente and moste of all she feared that thei would not obaie a woman forthwith she fained her self to be the soonne of Ninus and bicause she would not be knowen to bee a woman this Quene inuented a newe kinde of tire the whiche all the Babilonians that were men vsed by her commaundement By this straunge disguised tire and apparell she not knowen to bee a woman ruled as a man for the space of twoo and fourtie yeres she did marueilous actes for she enlarged the mightie kyngdome of Babilon and builded the same citée Many other regions subdued and vallauntlie ouerthrowen she entered India to the whiche neuer Prince came sauing Alexander the greate she paâ—â—ed not onely men in vertue counsaill and valiaunt stomacke but also the famous counsailours of Assiria might not contende with her in Maiestie pollicie and roialnes For at what tyme as thei knewe her a woman thei enuied not her state but marueiled at her wisedome pollicie and moderacion of life at the laste she desiryng the vnnaturall lust and loue of her soonne Ninus was murthered of hym ¶ A narracion historicall vpon kyng Richard the third the cruell tiraunt â–ª RIchard duke of Glocester after the death of Edward the fowerth his brother king of England vsurped the croune moste traiterouâ—â—â—e and wickedlie this kyng Richard was sâ—â—ll of stature deformed and ill shaped his shoulders beared not equalitie a pulyng face yet of countenaunce and looke cruell malicious deceiptfull bityng and chawing his nether lippe of minde vnquiet pregnaunt of witte quicke and liuely a worde and a blowe wilie deceiptfull proude arrogant in life and cogitacion bloodie The fowerth daie of Iulie he entered the tower of London with Anne his wife doughter to Richard Exle of Warwick and there in created Edward his onely soonne a child of ten yeres of age Prince of Wales At the same tyme in the same place he created many noble peres to high prefermente of honour and estate and immediatly with feare and faint harte bothe in himself and his nobles and commons was created king alwaies a vnfortunate and vnluckie creacion the harts of the nobles and commons thereto lackyng or faintyng and no maruaile he was a cruell murtherer a wretched caitiffe a moste tragicall tyraunt and blood succour bothe of his nephewes and brother George Duke of Clarence whom he caused to bee drouned in a Butte of 〈…〉 the staires sodainlie remoued wheron he stepped the death of the lorde Riuers with many other nobles compassed and wrought at the young Princes commyng out of Wales the .xix. daie of Iuly in the yere of our lorde 1483. openly he toke vpon him to be king who sekyng hastely to clime fell according to his desart sodainly and ingloriously whose Embassage for peace Lewes the Frenche king for his miseheuous boodie slaughter so moche abhorred that he would neither see the Embassador nor heare the Embassage for he murthered his .ij. nephues by the handes of one Iames Tirrell
¶ A booke called the Foundacion of Rhetorike because all other partes of Rhetorike are grounded thereupon euery parte sette forthe in an Oracion vpon questions verie profitable to bee knowen and redde Made by Richard Rainolde Maister of Arte of the Vniuersitie of Cambridge 1563. Mens Marcij vj. ¶ Imprinted at London by Ihon Kingston ¶ To the right honorable and my singuler good Lorde my Lorde Robert Dudley Maister of the Quéenes Maiesties horse one of her highes priuie Counâ—â—â—e and knight of the moste honourable order of the Garter Richard Rainolde wisheth longe life with increase of honour ARISTOTLE the famous Philosopher writing a boke to king AlexaÌ„der the great and mightie conquerour began the Epistle of his Booke in these woordes Twoo thynges moued me chieflie O King to betake to thy Maiesties handes this worke of my trauaile and labour thy nobilitie and vertue of the whiche thy nobilitie encouraged me thy greate and singuler vertue indued with all humanitie forced and draue me thereto The same twoo in your good Lordshippe Nobilitie and Vertue as twoo mightie Pillers staied me in this bolde enterprise to make your good Lordshippe beyng a Pere of honour indued with all nobilitie and vertue a patrone and possessoure of this my booke In the whiche although copious and aboundaunte eloquence wanteth to adorne and beautifie the same yet I doubte not for the profite that is in this my trauaile conteined your honour indued with all singuler humanitie will vouchsaufe to accepte my willyng harte my profitable purpose herein Many famous menne and greate learned haue in the Greke tongue and otherwise trauailed to profite all tymes their countrie and common wealthe This also was my ende and purpose to plante a worke profitable to all tymes my countrie and common wealthe And because your Lordshippe studieth all singularitie to vertue and wholie is incensed thereto I haue compiled this woorke and dedicated it to your Lordeshippe as vnto whoÌ„ moste noble and vertuous VVherin are set forthe soche Oracions as are right profitable to bee redde for knowledge also necessarie The duetie of a subiecte the worthie state of nobilitie the preheminent dignitie and Maiestie of a Prince the office of counsailours worthie chiefe veneracion the office of a Iudge or Magestrate are here set foorthe In moste fortunate state is the kyngdome and Common wealthe where the Nobles and Peres not onelie daiely doe studie to vertue for that is the wisedome that all the graue and wise Philophers searched to attaine to For the ende of all artes and sciences and of all noble actes and enterprises is vertue but also to fauour and vphold the studentes of learnyng whiche also is a greate vertue VVho so is adorned with nobilitie and vertue of necessitie nobilitie and vertue will moue and allure theÌ„ to fauour and support vertue in any other yea as Tullie the moste famous Oratour dooeth saie euen to loue those whoÌ„ we neuer sawe but by good fame and brute beutified to vs. For the encrease of vertue God dooeth nobilitate with honour worthie menne to be aboue other in dignitie and state thereupon vertue doeth encrease your Lordshipps honor beyng a louer of vertue and worthie nobilitie Your lordshippes humble seruaunt Richard Rainolde â–ª To the Reader APHTHONIVS a famous man wrote in Greke of soche declamacions to enstructe the studentes thereof with all facilitée to grounde in them a moste plentious and riche vein of eloquence No man is able to inuente a more profitable waie and order to instructe any one in the exquisite and absolute perfeccion of wisedome and eloquence then Aphthonius Quintilianus and Hermogenes Tullie also as a moste excellente Orator in the like sorte trauailed whose Eloquence and vertue all tymes ertolled and the ofspryng of all ages worthilie aduaunceth And because as yet the verie grounde of Rhetorike is not heretofore intreated of as concernyng these exercises though in fewe yeres past a learned woorke of Rhetorike is compiled and made in the Englishe tounguei of one who floweth in all excellencie of arte who in iudgement is profounde in wisedome and eloquence moste famous In these therefore my diligence is emploied to profite many although not with like Eloquence beutified and adorned as the matter requireth I haue chosen out in these Oracions soche questions as are right necessarie to be knowen and redde of all those whose cogitacioÌ„ pondereth vertue and Godlines I doubte not but seyng my trauaile toucheth vertuous preceptes and vttereth to light many famous Histories the order of arte obserued also but that herein the matter itself shall defende my purpose againste the enuious whiche seketh to depraue any good enterprise begon of any one persone The enuious manne though learned readeth to depraue that which he readeth the ignoraunt is no worthie Iudge the learned and godlie pondereth vprightly sincerely that which he iudgeth the order of these Oracions followeth afterward and the names of theÌ„ ¶ The contentes of this Booke AN Oracion made vpon the Fable of the Shepherdes and the Wolues the Wolues requestyng the Bandogges wherein is set forthe the state of euery subiecte the dignitie of a Prince the honourable office of counsailours An Oracion vpon the Fable of the Ante and the Greshopper teachyng prouidence An Oracion Historicall howe Semiramis came to bee Quéene of Babilon An Oracion Historicall vpon kyng Richard the thirde sometyme Duke of Glocester An Oracion Historicall of the commyng of Iulius Ceser into Englande An Oracion Ciuill or Iudiciall vpon Themistocles of the walle buildyng at Athenes An Oracion Poeticall vpon a redde Rose A profitable Oracion shewyng the decaie of kingdomes and nobilitie An Oracion vpon a Sentence preferryng a Monarchie conteinyng all other states of common wealthe The confutacion of the battaile of Troie A confirmacion of the noble facte of Zopyrus An Oracion called a Common place against Theues The praise of Epaminundas Duke of Thebes wherein the grounde of nobilitée is placed The dispraise of Domicius Nero Emperour of Roome A comparison betwene Demosthenes and Tullie A lamentable Oracion of Hecuba Queene of Troie A descripcion vpon Xerxes kyng of Persia An Oracion called Thesis as concerning the goodly state of Mariage An Oracion conâ—â—â—â—â—g a certaine lawe of Solon ¶ The foundacion of Rhetorike NAture hath indued euery man with a certain eloquence and also subtilitee to reason and discusse of any question or proposicion propounded as Aristotle the Philosopher in his Booke of Rhetorike dooeth shewe These giftes of nature singuler doe flowe and abounde in vs accordyng to the greate and ample indumente and plentuousnes of witte and wisedome lodged in vs therefore Nature it self beyng well framed and afterward by arte and order of science instructed and adorned must be singularlie furthered helped and aided in all excellencie to exquisite inuencion and profounde knowledge bothe in Logike and Rhetorike In the one as a Oratour to pleate with all facilitee and copionslie to dilate any matter or sentence in the
.ij. vilaines more associate with him the Lieutenaunt refusyng so horrible a fact This was doen he takyng his waie progresse to Glocester whereof he was before tymes Duke the murther perpetrated he doubed the good squire knight Yet to kepe close this horrible murther he caused a fame and rumour to be spread abrode in all partes of the realme that these twoo childreÌ„ died sodainly thereby thinkyng the hartes of all people to bee quietlie setteled no heire male lefte a liue of kyng Edwardes children His mischief was soche that God shortened his vsurped raigne he was altogether in feare and dread for he being feared and dreaded of other did also feare dread neuer quicte of minde faint harted his bloodie conscience by outward signes condeÌ„pned hym his iyes in euery place whirlying and caste about his hand moche on his Dagger the infernall furies tormented him by night visions and horrible dreames drawed him from his bedde his vnquiet life shewed the state of his conscience his close murther was vttered froÌ„ the hartes of the subiectes thei called hym openlie with horrible titles and names a horrible murtherer and excecrable tiraunt The people sorowed the death of these twoo babes the Queene kyng Edwardes wife beeyng in Sanctuarie was bestraught of witte and sences sounyng and falling doune to the grounde as dedde the Queene after reuiued knéeled doune and called on God to take vengaunce on this murtherer The conscience of the people was so wounded of the tolleracion of the facte that when any blustryng winde or perilous thonder or dreadfull tempest happened with one voice thei cried out and quaked least God would take vengauÌ„ce of them for it is alwaies seen the horrible life of wicked gouernors bringeth to ruin their kyngdom and people also wicked people the like daungers to the kyngdome and Prince well he and his supporters with the Duke of Buckyngham died shamefullie The knotte of mariage promised betwene Henrie Erle of Richemonde and Elizabeth doughter to kyng Edward the fowerth caused diuerse nobles to aide and associate this erle fledde out of this lande with all power to the attainmente of the kyngdome by his wife At Nottyngham newes came to kyng Richard that the Erle of Richmonde with a small coÌ„paignie of nobles and other was arriued in Wales forthewith exploratours and spies were serit who shewed the Erle to be encampled at the toune of Liâ—â—hfield forthwith all preparacion of warre was set forthe to Leicester on euery side the Nobles and commons shranke from kyng Richarde his power more and more weakened By a village called Bosworthe in a greate plaine méete for twoo battailes by Leicester this held was pitched wherin king Richard manfully fightyng hande to hande with the Erle of Richmonde was slame his bodie caried shamefullie to the toune of Leicester naked without honor as he deserned trussed on a horse behinde a Purseuaunte of Armes like a hogge or a Calfe his hedde and his armes hangyng on the one side and his legges on the other side caried through mire and durte to the graie Friers churche to all men a spectacle and oprobrie of tirannie this was the cruell tiramites ende ¶ A narracion historicall of the commyng of Iulius Cesar into Britaine WHen Iulius Cesar had ended his mightie and huge battailes about the stood Rhene he marched into the regioÌ„ of Fraunce at the same time repairing with a freshe multitude his LegioÌ„s but the chief cause of his warie in Fraunce was that of long time he was moued in minde to see this noble Islande of Britain whose fame for nobilitee was knowen and bruted not onelie in Rome but also in the vttermoste laÌ„des Iulius Cesar was wroth with theÌ„ because in his warre sturred in Fraunce the fearce Britaines aided the Fenche men and did mightilie encounter battaill with the Romaines whose prowes and valiaunt fight slaked the proude and loftie stomackes of the Romaines and droue theÌ„ to diuerse hasardes of battaill But Cesar as a noble warrier preferryng nobilitee and worthinesse of fame before money or cowardly quietnes ceased not to enter on y e fearce Britaines and thereto prepared his Shippes the Winter tyme folowyng that assone as oportunitee of the yere serued to passe with all power against them In the meane tyme Cesar inquired of the Marchauntes who with marchaundise had accesse to the Islande as concernyng the quaÌ„titee and bignes of it the fashion and maner of the people their lawes their order and kinde of gouernmente As these thynges were in all poinctes vnknowen to Cesar so also the MarchauÌ„tes knewe no more thaÌ„ the places bordring on the sea side For the Britaines fearing the traiterous and dissembled hartes of aliauÌ„tes politikelie repelled them for no straunger was suffered to enter from his Shippe on the lande but their marchaundice were sold at the sea side All nacions sought to this land the felicitee of it was so greate whereupon the Grekes knowyng and tastyng the commoditée of this Islande called it by a Greke name Olbion whiche signifieth a happie and fortunate countrie though of some called Albion tyme chaunged the firste letter as at this daie London is called for the toune of kyng Lud. Cesar thereupon before he would marche with his armie to the people of Britain he sent Caius Volusenus a noble man of Rome a valiaunte and hardie Capitaine as Embassadour to the Britaines who as he thoughte by his Embassage should knowe the fashion of the Island the maner of the people their gouernemente But as it seemeth the Embassadour was not welcome For he durste not enter froÌ„ his Ship to dooe his maisters Embassage Cesar knewe nothing by him Yet Cesar was not so contented but sent an other Embassadour a man of more power stomack and more hardie Comas Atrebas by name who would enter as an Embassadour to accomplish the will expectacion of Cesar Comas Atrebas was so welcome that the Britains cast him in prison Embassages was not common emong theim nor the curteous vsage of Embassadours knowen Al these thinges made Cesar more wrothe to assaie the vncourtous Bristaines In those daies Cassibelan was kyng of London this Cassibelan was a prince of high wisedom of manly stomacke and valiaunt in fight and for power and valiauntnesse was chosen of the Britaines chief gouernour and kyng Dissencion and cruell warre was emong theÌ„ through the diuersitie of diuers kinges in the lande The TroinouauÌ„tes enuied the state of Cassibelan bicause Immanuencius who was kyng of London before Cassibelan was put to death by the counsail of Cassibelan The sonne of Immanuencius hearing of the commyng of Cesar did flie traiterouslie to Cesar The Troinouauntes fauoured ImmanueÌ„cius part thereupon promised as moste vile traitours to their countrie an enteryng to Cesar seruice and homage who through a self will and priuate fauour of one sought the ruine of their countrie and in
eloquēce as to Demonicus the king to Nicocles Euagoras against Philip the king of the Macedoniās by his wisedome and counsaill the Senate and vniuersal state of Athens was ruled the commons and multitude thereby in euery part florished chieflie what counsaill what wisedome what learnyng might bee required in any man of high fame and excellencie that same was aboundantly in Isocrates as in all his Oratiōs he is to be praised so in this sentence his fame importeth like commendacion ¶ The exposicion IN that he saieth the roote of learnyng is bitter and the fruictes pleasaunt he signifieth no excellent qualitie or gift vertue arte or science can bee attained except paine labour diligence doe plant and sette the same but when that noble gift either learnyng or any excellente qualitee is lodged and reposed in vs then we gather by painfull labours greate profite comforte delectable pleasures wealth glorie riches whiche be the fruictes of it ¶ The cause AND seyng that of our owne nature all men are enclined from their tender yeres and infancie to the extirpacion of vertue folowyng with all earnest studie and gréedie the free passage to vice and specially children whose iudgementes and reason are not of that strengthe to rule their weake mindes and bodies therefore in them chieflie the roote of learning is bitter because not onely many yeres thei runne their race in studie of arte and science With care and paine also with greuous chastisment and correcciō thei are compelled by their teachers and Maisters to apprehende the same the parentes no lesse dreaded in the educaciō of their children in chastisement and correction so that by all meanes the foundacion and roote of all learnyng in what sort so euer it is is at the firste vnpleasaunte sower and vnsauerie To folowe the times and seasons appoincted for the same is moste painfull and in these painfull yeres other greate pleasures as the frailtie of youth and the imbecilitie of nature iudgeth dooeth passe by but in miserable state is that childe and vnfortunate that passeth the flower of his youth and tender yeres instructed with no arte or Science whiche in tyme to come shalbe the onelie state helpe the piller to beare of the sore bront necessitie and calamities of life Herein the noble Romaines laied the sure foundacion of their mightie dominion in the descrite prouidente and politike educacion of children to whom the Grecians gaue that necessarie bulwarke and faundacion to set vp all vertue all arte and science In Grece no man was knowen to liue in that common wealth but that his arte and science gaue manifest probacion and testimonie how and after what sorte he liued The Romaines in like sorte the sworde and aucthoritie of the Magistrate executyng the same did put forthe and draw to the attainment of learnyng art or science all youth hauyng maturitie and ripenesse to it and why because that in a common wealth where the parentes are vndescrete and foolishe as in all common wealthes there are not a fewe but many thei not ponderyng the state of the tyme to come bringing vp their children without all ciuilitie vnframed to vertue ignoraunt of all arte and science the children of their owne nature vnbrideled vntaught wilfull and heddie doe run with free passage to all wickednes thei fall into al kinde of follie oppressed with all kinde of calamitie miserie and vnfortunate chaunces whiche happen in this life Nothyng doeth soner pulle doune a kyngdome or common wealthe then the euill and leude educacion of youth to whom neither substaunce wealth riches nor possessions doe descende from their auncestours and parentes who also of themselues wāt all art science and meanes to maintain them to liue who of themselues are not able to get relief for onely by this meanes life is maintained wealth and riches ar possessed to many greate siegniorics landes and ample possessions left by their parentes and line of auncetours haue by lacke of vertuous educacion been brought to naught thei fell into extreme miserie pouertie and wantyng learnyng or wealth to maintaine their state and delicate life thei haue robbed spoiled murthered to liue at their owne will But then as rotten dedde and putride members frō the common wealth thei are cutte of by the sworde and aucthoritie of the Magistrate What kyngdome was more mightie and strong then the kyngdome of Lidia whiche by no other meanes was brought to rume and destruccion but by idlenes in that thei were kepte from all vertuous exercise from the studie of artes and sciences so longe as thei meditated and liued in the schoole of vertuous life no nacion was hable to ouerthrowe them of themselues thei were prone and readie to practise all excellencie But Cyrus the kyng of Persians by no other meanes was able to bring them weaker He toke from thē al furtherance to artes destroied all occupaciōs of vertue whervpon by commaundemēt and terrour wer driuen to practise the vaine and pestiferous practise of Cardes and Dice Harlottes then schooled them and all vnhoneste pastyme nurtered them Tauernes an quaffyng houses was their accustomed and moste frequented vse of occupacion by this meanes their nobilitie and strengthe was decaied and kyngdome made thrall Ill educacion or idlenes is no small vice or euill when so mightie a prince hauyng so large dominions whō all the Easte serued and obaied Whose regimente and gouernemente was so infinite that as Zenophon saieth tyme would rather want then matter to speake of his mightie and large gouernement how many nacions how diuerse people and valiaunte nacions were in subieccion to hym If this mightie Prince with all his power and populous nacions was not hable to giue the ouerthrowe to the kyngdome of Lidia but by ill educacion not by marciall attēptes sworde or battaill but by giuyng them scope and libertie to dooe as he would No doubt but that Cyrus sawe by the like example of other kyngdomes this onelie pollicie to bee a ruine of that kyngdome Pythagoras the famous and godlie Philosopher saued the kyngdome and people of Crotona thei leauyng all studie of arte vertue and science This people of Crotona was ouercome of the people of Locrus thei left all exercise of vertue neclectyng the feates of chiualrie whervpō Pythagoras hauyng the profitable and godlie lawes of Lycurgus which he brought from Lacedemonia and the lawes of Minos kyng of Creta came to the people of Crotona and by his godlie teachyng and Philosophie reuoked brought backe the people giuen ouer to the neglectyng of all vertue declaryng to them the nobilitie and excellencie thereof he liuely set foorthe the beastlinesse of vice Pithagoras recited to them the fall and ruine of many regions and mightie kingdomes whiche tooke after those vices Idlenes beyng forsaken vertue embrased and good occupacions practised the kyngdome and people grewe mightie Emong the godlie lawes of Lycurgus Lycurgus omitted not to ordaine Lawes for
kingdome and people The multitude to beare dominion and though a publike wealth bée sought for a tyme moche lesse thei continue in any good state for in the ende their rule and gouernement will be without rule order reason modeste and their lawe must bee will The other three states are the refuse of good common wealthes not to bée tollerated in any region The one of them is a tyraunte to bée gouernour onely to his owne glorie with crueltie tormented his subiectes onelie to haue his will and lust ouer all lawe order and reason The nobilitée rulyng to themselues euery one for his owne time The third the base and rude multitude euery one for hymself and at his will This troublous state all Regions and common wealthes haue felte in open sedicions ano tumultes raised by theim it is a plagued and pestiferous kinde of gouernemente The example of a good Monarchie is of greate force to confounde the state of al other common wealthes and formes of Regimente The nobilitée of Persia hauyng no kyng linially descendyng to rule that mightie dominion of Persia Cambises beyng dedde the vsurper murthered thei tooke counsaill in their assemble what state of gouernment was beste thei hauyng the profe of a Monarchie in their longe counsaill thei knewe the felicitie of that state thei knewe as it seemed the perilous state of the other gouernmentes If these noble and peres had been ambicious and that eche of them would haue had felowshippe or participacion in kyngdomes thei would not haue preferred a Monarchie aboue the reste The antiquitie of that tyme sheweth their personages wisedomegrauitie and maiestie was soche that eche one of theim was mete for his vertues to haue a whole kyngdome If Aristocratia would haue contented them then was tyme and occasion offered no kyng remainyng to haue preferred that state But thei as vpright nobles sincere and faithfull hauyng altogether respecte to a publique wealthe to a permanent state and felicitie of kingdome sought no participacion by priuate wealthe to dissolue this Monarchie But thei beyng moste godlie eche were content to proue whose chaunce might be to set vp againe that Monarchie The kyngdome at the laste came to the handes of Darius who was after kyng of the Persians This is a goodly example to shewe the worthines of a Monarchie the Persian kingdome after many yeres declinyng from his power and state not for any faulte of gouernment but God as he seeth tyme raiseth vp kyngdomes and plucketh them daune Afterward Darius the kyng not able to make his parte good with Alexander the Greate offered to hym the greatest parte of his kyngdome euen to the stood of Euphrates and offred his daughter to wife Alexander was content to take the offer of Darius so that he would bee seconde to hym and not equall with hym in kyngdome For Alexander saied that â—â— the worlde can not bee gouerned with twoo Sunnes 〈◊〉 the worlde can suffer twoo mightie kingdomes wherupon it is manifest that no kingdome will suffer equalitie or felowship but that if the will minde of Princes might brust out the state of all the worlde would bee in one mightie gouernours handes For alwaies Princes dooe seke to a sole regimente Alexander the greate coÌ„querour also preferring for worthines a Monarchie at the tyme of his death demaunded whoÌ„ he would haue to succede him in his mightie dominioÌ„s he by one signifiyng a Monarchie saiyng Dignissimus that is to saie the worthiest After the death of Alexander Antipater caught the gouernmente of Macedonia and Grece and Crates was Treasurer Meleagrus and Perdiceas caught other of his dominions then Ptolemeus possessed Egipte Africa and a parte of Arabia Learcus Cassander MenaÌ„der Leonatus Lusimachus Eumenes Seleucus and manie other who were for their worthines in honor and estimacion with Alexander caught into their handes other partes of his dominions euerie one sekyng for his time his owne priuate glorie dignitie and aduauncemente but not a publike wealthe and so in fine ambicion broiled in their loftie stomackes eche to attaine to others honor Whereupon bloodshed destruction of the people and countries the fall of these Princes ensued So moche kingdomes hate equalitie or felowshipe let vs laie before our iyes the kyngdomes nere at hand Fraunce from the tymes of Faramundus vntill this daie haue stoode and did florishe in a Monarchie The state of Spaine from the tyme of the firste Kyng vntill this daie hath florished continually in a Monarchie The great seigniories of Germanie by one succedyng in gouernment haue been permanent in that goodlie state Our noble Isle of Britain from Brutus hath stoode by a Monarchie onely in those daies the state of gouernmeÌ„t chaunged at the commyng of Iulius Cesar Emperour of Rome The lande beyng at diuision and discorde through the diuersitie of diuerse kynges so moche the state of diuerse kynges in one lande is to be expelled or the gouernment of the base multitude to haue vniuersally power of dominion or the state of peres to bee chief in regiment no kyng lefte to commaunde ouer the people and nobles or els there can not be but discorde in thende whiche pulleth doune mosse mightie Regions and dominious so that the beste state the moste stedfaste and fortunate is in all tymes in all ages in all lawes and common wealthes where one king sekyng the aduauncement wealthe glorie of hym and his people ¶ The contrarie THat housholde or familie can not be well gouerned where many and diuerse beareth gouernment necleayng the state prosperous vniuersallie for where obedience is drawen to diuers and many there can not bee good gouernment nor faithfull obedience And so in a kingdome where one chiefly gouerneth and to a common wealth there the hartes of the subiectes be moste knitte to obaie ¶ The similitude EVen as thei whiche serue one maister shall soneste with labour please and with fidelitie accomplishe his will and pleasure For the maners of many meÌ„ be diuerse and variable so in a Monarchie the state of one is sone obaied the minde and lawe of one Prince sone folowed his Maiestie dreaded and loued ¶ The example LET the fower thief Monarchies of the Assirian the Persian Grecian and the Romaine whiche haue continued from the beginnyng mightie moste happie bee an example herein If that state of gouernement had not been chiefe of all other those mightie kyngdomes would not haue preferred that kinde of gouernment ¶ The testimonie of auncient writers THerefore Aristotle Plato and all the chief Philosophers intreatyng of the administracion of a common wealthe doe preferre bâ—â—â—re all states of gouernment a Monarchie bothe for the felicitie of it and stedfaste state ¶ The conclusion HOmere therefore deserueth greate commendacion for this one sentence whiche preferreth a Monarchie before all states The destruccion THis exercise of Rhetotike is called destruccion or subuersion because it is in a oracion a certain reprehension
of any thyng declaimed or dilated in the whiche by order of art the declaimer shall procede to caste doune by force and strengthe of reason the contrarie induced In this exercise of Rhetorike those proposicions are to be subuerted whiche are not manifeste true neither it so repugnaunt from reason as that there can appere no bolde to induce a probable reason to confounde the same But soche proposicions are meete for this parte as are probable in both sides to induce probabilitie of argument to reason therupon It shall behoue you firste for the entryng of this matter to adde a reprehension there against those whiche haue confirmed as a truthe that whiche you will confute In the same place adde the exposion and meanyng of his sentence Thirdly shew the matter to be obscure that is vncertain Incrediblie Impossible Not agreyng to any likelihode of truthe Vncomlie to be talked of Vnprofitable This exercise of Rhetorike doeth contain in it al strength of arte as who should saie all partes of Rhetorike maie copiouslie be handled in this parte called confutacion so ample a matter Tullie doeth note this parte to be ¶ The theme or proposicion of this Oracion It is not like to be true that is said of the battaill of Troie ¶ The reprchension of the aucthor and of all Poetes NOt without a cause the vanities of Poetes are to bee reproued and their forged inuencions to bee reiected in whose writynges so manifestlie are set forthe as a truthe and Chronicled to the pesteritie of ages and times soche forged matters of their Poeticall and vain wittes Who hath not heard of their monsterous lies against God thei inucntyng a genealogie of many Goddes procreated where as there is but one God This vanitie also thei haue set forthe in their monumentes and woorkes How a conspiracie was sometyme emong the Goddes and Goddes to binde the great God Iupiter How impudentlie doe thei set forthe the Goddes to bee louers of women and their adulterous luste and how thei haue transformed theimselues into diuers shapes of beastes and foules to followe after beastly luste The malice and enuie of the Goddes one to another â–ª The feigne also the heaueÌ„ to haue one God the sea an other helle an other whiche are mere vanities and false imaginacioÌ„s of their Poeticall wittes The like forged inuencion haue thei wrote of the mightie and terrible battaill bruted of Troie for a beautifull harlot susteined ten yeres In the whiche not onely men and noble peeres gaue the combate of battaile but the Goddes toke partes against Goddes and men wounded Goddes as their lies exceade all nomber because thei hee infinite so also thei passe all truthe reason and iudgemente These fewe examples of their vanities and lies doe shewe the feigned ground and aucthoritie of the reste Accordyng to the folie and supersticiousnes of those tymes thei inuented and forged folie vppon folie lye vpon lye as in the battaill of Troie thei aggrauate the dolour of the battaill by pitifull and lamentable inuencion As for the Poetes themselues Plato in his booke made vpon the administracion of a common wealth maketh theim in the nomber of those whiche are to bee banished out of all common wealthes ¶ The exposicion HOmere dooeth saie and many other Poetes that the warres of the Grecians against the Troians was for beautifull Helena and continued tenne yeres The Goddes and Goddis toke partes and all the people of Grece aided Menelaus and the kyng Agamemnon to bryng home again Helena neclecting their own countrie their wife and childreÌ„ for one womaÌ„ The Grekes inuentyng a huge and mightie horse made of Firre tree and couered with brasse as huge as a mouÌ„tain out of the whiche the Grecians by treason issuyng brought Troie to ruine ¶ The obscuritie of the matter IT semeth a matter of folie that so many people so mightle nacions should bee bewithed to raise so mightie a armie hassaroyng their liues leauyng their countrie their wiues their children for one woman Be it so that Helena passed all creatures and that Nature with beautie had induedher with all vertue and singularitie yet the Grecians would not be so foolishe that vniuersallie that would seke to caste doune their owne wealthe and moche more the common wealthe of Grece and kyngdome to stande in perill Neither is it to be thought the Grecians sekyng to aduauÌ„ce the beautie of Helena would leaue their owne state But it is like the wittes of Poetes did immagine so forged a Chronicle that the posteritie of ages followyng should rather wounder at their forged inuencion then to beleue any soche warre truly mencioned There was no soche cause seyng that the kyngdome of Grece fell by no title of succession to Helena for them to moue warre for the bringyng backe of that beutifull harlotte Helena Neither in Helena was there vertue or honestie of life to moue and exasperate the Grecians to spende so greate treasures to raise so mightie an armie on euery side What commeÌ„dacion had the Troians to aduaunce Helena and with all roialnesse to entreate her she beyng a harlotte the folie of the Grecians and the Troians is so on euery side so greate that it can not be thought soche a warre truely chronicled If violence and power had taken Helena from her housebande and not her owne will and luste caught with the adulterous loue of Paris beyng a straunger If her moderation of life had been so rare as that the like facte for her chastitie had not been in any age or common wealthe her vertues would haue giuen occasion The Princes and nobles of Grece to stomacke the matter The example of the facte would with all praise and commendacion be mencioned and celebrated to al ages Lucretia for her chastite is perpetuallie to be aduaunced whervpon the Romaines banished Tarquinius their kyng his stocke and name from Rome The rare chastite of Penelope is remainyng as a example herein So many shares laied to caste doune her vertuous loue towarde her housebande Vlisses But Vlisses made hauocke by murder on these gaie and gallante Ruâ—â—ins who in his absence sought to alienate and withdrawe the chaste harte of Penelope consumyng his substance A greater example remaineth in no age of the like chastite As for the battaile of Troie raised for Helena could wise men and the moste famous nobles of Grece So occupie their heddes and in the same bothe to hasarde their liues for a beautifull strumpet or harlot The sage and wise Nestor whom Agamemnon for wisedome preferred before the moste of the péeres of Grece neither it Vltisses wanted at the same tyme hauyng a politike and subtill hedde to withdrawe theim from so leude and foolishe a enterprise Grece wanted not beautifull creatures Nature in other had bestowed amiable faces personage and comelie behauiour For at those daies Grece thei called A chaida calligunaica that is Grece the lande of faire women The dolorous
fell and died violently Cesar likewise caught with ambicion not bearyng the equalitée or superioritie of Pompei was tourned of violentlie froÌ„ Fortunes whéele Many princes of like sorte and kingdomes By ambicion onely had the cause of their ruine The glorie of the Assirian Monarchie grewe moste mightie by the ambicion of Ninus kyng of Babilon the offpryng of Ninus whiche were kynges lineallie descendyng to the firste kyngdome of the Medes bothe inlarged their kyngdomes and also had the decate of theim by ambicion Let the Medes also assoriate them selues to theÌ„ from Arbactus the first kyng vnto Astiages the laste the beginnyng and falle of the Persian Monarchie The mightie state of Grece the seate Imperiall of Rome by ambicioÌ„ first extolled theim selues and also by it their glorie scepter and kyngdome was translated but the falle of Troie came not by ambicion that the Grecians sought But as the Poetes doe saigne the beautie of one women so wounded their hartes that the Grecians did hasarde the perilles of theiâ—â—â—untrie The Troians so moche estemed the beautie oâ—â—â—â—ena as that the state of all their kyngdome perished I alas no glorie nor honour to the Grecians to resiste by armour and to defende the violente takyng awaie of Helena from her housbande nor it was no honour the Grecians to pursue by armour the takyng awaie of Helena beyng a harlotte So that by no meanes it can followe these thynges to bee true of the battaile of Troie ¶ Confirmacion The other part contrary to destruccion or subuersion is called confirmacion Confirmacion hath in it so greate force of argumente to stablishe and vpholde the cause or proposicion as destruccion hath in castyng doune the sentenÌ„ce or proposicion Confirmacion is a certain oracion whiche with a certain reprehension of the persone or facte by order and waie of art casteth doune the contrary propounded As in the other parte called destruccion those proposicions are to bee subuerted whiche are not manyfestlie true with all other notes before specified so in contrariwise this oracion by contrary notes is declaimed by as for example 1. It shall behoue you first for the entring of the oracion to induce a reprehension againste those whiche haue confutid as a truthe that whiche you will confirme 2. In the seconde parte place the exposicion and meanyng of the aucthours sentence 3. Shewe the matter to be manifest 4. Credible 5. Prossible 6. Agreyng to the truthe 7. Shewe the facte comelie 8. Profitable This exercise of Rhetotike doeth contain in it all streÌ„gth of arte as who should saie all partes of Rhetorike maie 〈…〉 â—ee handled in this parte called confirmacion You 〈…〉 matter riseth ioigne twoo notes together as the reason â—â— the argumente cometh in place whiche Apthonius a Greke aucthour herein vseth As manifest and credible possible and agreyng to truthe comelie and profitable but in al these as in all the reste the theme or proposicion by itself is to bee placed the reprehension of the aucthour by itself the exposicion of the theme by itself ¶ The theme or proposicion IT is true that is saied of Zopyrus the noble Persian who veÌ„tered his life did cause the deformitie of his bodie for the sauegarde of his countrie ¶ The praise Iustinus the Historiographer for worthinesse of fame and wisedome deserueth to the posteritie of all tymes immortall fame by whom the famous actes of Princes and other noble men doe remaine Chronicled Giuyng examples of all valiauntnesse and vertue for bothe the actes and worthie feares of Princes would passe as vnknowen in all ages excepte the worthinesse of them were in monumentes of writyng Chronicled For by the fame of their worthines and vertues coÌ„mon wealthes and kyngdomes doe stablishe and make Lawes the hartes of people are incensed and inflamed to the like nobilitie of actes and famous enterprices Histories of auncient tymes bee vnto vs witnesses of all tymes and ages of kyngdomes and common wealthes a liuely example A light to all truthe and knowledge a scholemaister of maners a memorie of life for by it we se the wisedom of all ages the forme of the beste and florishing common wealthes We learne by the vertues of Princes and gouernours to followe like steppe of vertue to flie and auoide vices and all soche thynges as are to the destruccion and decaie of realme and countrie How brutishe wer our 〈◊〉 if 〈◊〉 knewe no more then we se presently in the state of 〈…〉 wealthe and kyngdome The kyngdome◠〈…〉 and common wealthes that 〈…〉 by the longe experience wisedome pollicy counsaile and godlie lawes of Princes of auncient times no smal praise and commendation can be attributed to all suche as doe trauell in the serching out the veritie of auncient Histories for bi the knoledge of them we are as it were liuyng in all ages the fall of all kyngdomes is manifeste to vs the death of Princes the subuersions of kingdomes and common wealthes who knoweth not the first risyng ende of the Assiriane monarchie the glorie of the Persians and the ruynge of the same the mightie Empire of the Grekes risyng fallyng the Romane state after what sorte florishyng and decaiyng so that no state of common wealthe or kyngdome is vnknowen to vs therefore Iustine and all suche as doe leue to the posteritie the state of al things chronicled deserue immortal commendacions ¶ The exposicion IN the time of Darius kyng of the Persians the AssyriaÌ„s who ware subiects to him sence the time of Cirus the firste kynge of the Persians rebelled inuaded and toke the myghtie Citie of Babilon whiche beyng possessed with much difficultie and not withoute greate daungers coulde bee attained Darius the kynge hearyng of the treason of the Assyrians and that the mightie Citie of Babilon was taken was very wroth waiynge with himselfe that there by the ruyne of the Persian Kyngdome mighte happen Zopyrus one of the .vij. noble Peres of Persia seing the daunger of the countrie the state of the Prince and the welfare of the subiectes to decaie in the safegarde of his countrie leuyng all priuate commoditie for the behoufe and felicitie of the Persian kyngdome did venter his owne life commaunded his seruauntes at home to 〈…〉 reÌ„te his bodie with whippes to cut of his nose his 〈…〉 his eares these thinges being vnknowen to Darius 〈…〉 â–ª As sone as Darius sawe Zopyrus so torne and deformed bewailed his state being astonished at so horrible a faict but Zopyrus shewed to the kynge his hole intente and purpose that he mynded to go to Babylon whiche the Assyrians dyd traitorouslie possesse complained as that these things had ben don by the tyrannte and crueltie of Darius be weÌ„t to Babilon and there complained of the crueltie of his Kyng whereby purchasyng the fauor and loue of the Assyrians he shewed them how Darius came to be kyng not by worthines not by vertue not by the common
consent of men but by the neynge of a horse Zopyrus therefore admonished them that they should trust more to their armour then to their walles he willed them to proclame opeÌ„ warre forthwith they encountred with the Persians and for a time victorie fel on the Babilonians side suche was the pollice of Zopyrus The Assyrians reioised of the successe and felicitie of their warres the King of the Babilonians gaue to Zopyrus the chiefe power office to leede a mightie armie of the whiche beynge Lientenaunt he betraied the Babilonians and their Citie ¶ Manifeste NOt onlie Trogus Pompeius the famous Historiographer and Iustine which tooke the Story of him but also the Greke writers doe sette forthe as matter of truthe the valiaunte enterprises of Zopyrus so that the straunge and mightie facte of him can not seme vncredible hauyng testimonie of it in all ages Zopyrus hauing not respect to his owne life to his owne priuate wealthe or glorie did thereby put of the daunger that insued to the Persiane Kyngdome It maie seme a greate matter to a mynde not well affected towarde his countrie to destroie or deforme his owne bodie for the sauegarde of countrie or common welth But if we waie the State of oure bearth oure countrie chalengeth more at oure handes then frindes or parentes so muche price Plato the Philosopher and 〈…〉 vnto our countrie the volumes of all 〈…〉 doe prefare oure naturall countrie before the priuate state of owne manne wealthe glorie honor dignitie and riches of one or fewe the Statutes of all Princes sekyng the glorie of their countrie doe prefare a vniuersal welthe before a priuate and particulare commoditie Pericles the noble Athenian in his oration made to the Athenians sheweth that the glorie and welthe of one man or manie cannot plante suche glorie and renowne to their countrie as that in all partes thereby to be beautified and decorated but wheÌ„ glorie a happie and florishyng state redoundeth to the kyngdome the subiectes the nobelles and hye peres the gouuernour standeth happie and fortunate Who so hopeth in sparing costes and charges monie or ornaments to the behouf and imploiment of his countrie and not by all meanes to his power and strength aydeth and defendeth his naturall countrie from the daunger and inuasion of his enemie what state inioyeth he or what wealth remaineth priuatlie when the trone and scepter of his kyng faileth the enemie wasteth spoileth and destroieth all partes of his state with the reste his life perisheth so that no daunger coste is to bee refused to serue the kingdom and prince by whose scepter iustice lawes and equitie we are gouuerned there is no subiect well affected but that he onlie liueth to proffite his countrie to liue dye therein ¶ Probabell IF only Zopyrus had enterprised this valiaunt act and that no memorie were remainyng in anie age of the noble acts of other men it may seme not truelie chronacled but from time to time in all ages coÌ„mon wealthes famous men for their acts nobilitie haue ben whiche with like courrage and magnanimitie haue saued their countrie by the losse of their owne liues Horatius Cocles is bothe a witnesse and a light to the same by whose aduenture the mightie and stronge Citie Rome was saued 〈…〉 aâ— what time as the Hetruscians entred on the citie and were on the bridge Horatius cocles defendid the ende of the same baryng of the brunte and stroke of the enemie vntill the Romans for the sauegarde of the cytie had broken doun the bridge as sone as Horatius Cocles sawe the Cytie thus deliuered and the repulse of the enemie he lepte with his armours into the flud Tibar it semed he had not regard to his life that beyng burdened with the waighte and grauitie of his armour durst venter his life to so main and depe a water Marcus Attilius in the defence of his Prince his right hand being cut of the which he laide on the ship of the Massilians forthwith he apprehended with the lefte hand and ceased not vntill he hadde soouncke the same ship Cynegerus the Athenian lineth by fame and like nobilitie of actes veÌ„teryng his life for his countrie The mightie cytie of Athenes brought vnder the dominions of the Lacedemonians Thrassbulus Hismenias and Lisias bi their aduenture and noble atchiue reduced Athenes to his falicitie so moche loue soo faithefull hartes they hadde towardes theire countreie Leonides the King of the Lacedemonians defendyng the narow straights of the cytie Thermopolie with sower thousand men against the mightie and huge armie of Xerxes for Xerxes contemned theire smalle number and armie Leonides the kyng hearde that the place and hill of the battell was preueÌ„tid of .xx. thousande enemies he exorted his souldiours parte of them to departe vntill a better time might be locked for and onlie with the Lacedemonians he proued the conflicte and the combate although the campe of Xerxes was mightier more in number yet Leonides the kyng thought it good for the sauegarde of his contrie for saieth he I must rather saue it then to haue respecte to my life although the oracle of Delphos had foreshewed that euen Leonides muste die in the fielde or battell of the enemie and therefore Leonides entred battall comfortid his men for their countrie sake as to die therein therefore he preuented the narrowe straightes of the countrie and the dangerous places where the force of 〈◊〉 â—nemâ—e â—â—ught bruste in he lingered not leste the enemie mighte compasse him in but in the quiet season of the nighte he set vppon his enemie vnloked for and they beynge but sixe hundred men with the kyng Leonides brust into the caÌ„pe of their enemies beyng sixe hundred thousand menne their valiauntnes was suche and the ouerthowe of their enemies so great and Xerxes the Kyng hauyng two woundes retired with shame and loste the honor Agesilaus and Conon valiaunte in actes and excellynge in all nobilitie what great and mightie dangers haue thei atchiued and venterid for their countrie sake howe moche haue thei neglectid their owne wealth riches life and glorie for the aduauncement and honor of their couÌ„trie Lisander also the Lacedemonian was indued with like nobilitie with faithfull and syncéer harte towarde his country Archidamus also lieth not in obliuioÌ„ whose fame death buried not the famous aduenture of Codrus kyng of the Athenians is maruelous and almoste incredible but that the Histores truelie set forth and declare a manifest truthe therof who is more famous then Epaminundas bothe for virtue nobilitie and marciall feates among the Thebans the mightie armie of the Grecians at the longe sege of Troie what valiaunte Capitains hadde thei whiche in the defence of their countrie hasarde their life the Troians also wanted not for proues valiauntnes and al nobilitie their péeres and nobles amonge the Romans what a greate number was
of noble peres whose studie alwaies was to liue and dye in the glorie aide and defence of their countrie for he liueth not by whose cowardlines fainted harte and courage the contrie or kyngdome standeth in perrill he liueth in shame that refuseth daunger coste or charge in the defence or procuryng better state to his countrie The worthie saiyng of Epaminundas declareth who liueth to his countrie who diyng valiauntlie in the felde beyng thrust thorow with the speare of his enemie asked those questions of these that stoede by him at the poincte of deathe is my speare manfullie broken and my enemies chassed awaie the whiche things his cōpanions in warre affirmed then saide he nowe your Capitaine Epaminundas beginneth to liue in that he dieth valiauntlie for his countrie and in the proffite aduauncement of the same a worthie man noble and valiaunte his sentence also was worthie to be knowen and followed of all suche as bee well affected and Godlie mynded to their countrie Marcus Marcellus of like sorte and Titus Manlius Torquatus Scipio Aemilianus Marcus Attilius shewed in what hye price our naturall countrée ought to bee had by their valiaunt atchifes and enterprises I might passe by in silēce Scipio Cato and Publius Scipio Nasica but that thei by like same honour and glorie liue immortall to their countrie the fame also of Vibeus Valerius Flaccu◠and Pedanius Centurio giueth ampell and large matter to all menne endued with nobilitie and valiaunt proues for the defence of their countrie with Quintus Cocctus Marcus Sceua and Sceuola ¶ Possibilitie THere nedeth no donte to rise of possibilitie seinge that examples doe remain of famous men of godlie and well affected persones whiche haue with like magnaunimitie putte in daunger their life to saue their Prince kyngdome and countrie Greate honour was giuen of the Athemans to soche noble and valiaunte men whiche ventered their liues for their common wealthe to maintaine the florishyng state thereof The eloquente and copious oracion of Thusidides the true faithfull and eloquente Historiographer doeth shewe what honour and immortall fame was attributed to all soche as did venter their liues in the florishyng state of their countrie in supportyng mainteinyng and defendyng the same Who although thei loste their liues whiche by death should bee dissolued their fame neuer buried liueth with the soule to immortalitie the losse of their Priuate wealthe glorie riches substaunce or dignitie hath purchased and obtained fame that withereth not and glorie that faileth not ¶ Agreyng and comelie BOthe the true Histories doe leaue in commendacion the facte of Zopyrus and the noble and worthie enterprises of other whiche haue giuen the like assaie and their fame is celebrated and titeled with immortall commendacion and glorie to the posteritie of all ages followyng What harte can bee so stonie or brutishly affected that wil not venter his life goodes landes or possessions if with the daunger of one that is of hymself the whole bodie and state of his countrie is thereby supported and saued What securitie and quietnesse remained what wealth honour or fame to Zopyrus if not onely Zopyrus had perished but the kyng people vniuersally had been destroied Therevpon Zopyrus weighing and cōsideryng the state of his birthe that his countrie chalenged his life rather then the dissolucion of the whole kyngdome the decaie of the Prince the takyng awaie of the scepter the slaughter of infinite people to ensue He was borne to be a profitable member to his countrie a glorie and staie to the same and not sparyng his life or shunnyng the greate deformitie of his bodie to bee a ruine of the same Was it not better that one perished then by the securitie of one a whole lande ouer runned as partes thereby spoiled it was the duetie of Zopirus to take vpon hym that greate and famous enterprise It was also comelie the kyngdome standyng in perill a sage and descrite persone to preuente and putte of soche a daunger at hande The faicte altogether sheweth all vertue and greate singularitie and a rare moderacion of minde to cast of all respectes and excuses forsakyng presentlie honour quietnesse and obiecting himself to perill he sawe if he onelie died or by ieopardie saued his countrie many thereby liued the kyngdome people florished where otherwise he with his Prince and kyngdome might haue perished ¶ Proffitable AL the power of the Babilonians was by his pollicie throwen doune the Citee taken the enemie brought to confusion on the other side the Persians rose mightie soche a mightie enemie put vnder foote The fame of Zopryus and glorie of the facte will neuer be obliterated or put out of memorie if this were not profitable to the kyngdome of Persia if this were not a renoume to the prince and people and immortall glory to Zopryus iudgeye Zopyrus therfore beautified his countree by the deformitie of his bodie Better it wer to haue many soche deformed bodies then the whole state of the realme destroied or brought to naught if we weigh the magnanimitie of that man and his enterprise there is so moche honour in the fact that his fame shall neuer cease ¶ A common place A Common place is a Oracion dilatyng and amplifiyng good or euill whiche is incidente or lodged in any man This Oracion is called A common place because the matter conteined in it doeth agree vniuersally to all menne whiche are partakers of it and giltie of the same A Oracion framed againste a certaine Thefe Ertorcioner Murderer or Traitor is for the matter conteined in it metelie and aptlie compiled against all soche as are giltie of theft murder treason or spotted with any other wickednes This oracion of a common place is like to the laste argument or Epilogus of any oracion whiche the Grekes doe call Deuterologian whiche is as moche to saie as a rehearsall of that whiche is spoken of before Wherefore a common place hath no exhordium or beginnyng yet neuerthelesse for the profite and exercise of the learner you maie place soche a proemium or beginnyng of the oracion as maie be easie to induce the learner This parte of Rhetorike is large to intreate vpon for the aboundaunce of matter This part of Rhetorike is large to intreate vpon for the aboundaunce of matter The common place whiche Aphthonius intreateth of is to be aplied against any man for the declaimor to inuade either against vices or to extoll and amplifie his vertues This oracion of a common place serueth bothe for the accuser and the defender For the accuser to exasperate and moue the Iudges or hearers against the offender or accused For the defendour to replie and with all force strength of matter to mollifie and appease the perturbacions of the Iudges and hearers to pulle doune and deface the contrarie alledged There is greate force in this oracion on bothe the sides Properlie this kinde of Rhetorike is called a
so ample and plentifull to enriche them whereby thei growe to be lordes ouer many thousandes of poundes yet the wealthe gotten by it is so iniurious that thei are a greate plague to all partes of the coÌ„mon wealthe so many daungers and mischiues riseth of theÌ„ Cato the noble and wise 〈◊〉 of Rome being demaunded diuers questions what was firste to bee sought in a familie or housholde the aunsweres not likyng the demaunder this question was ashed O Cato what senfeÌ„ce giue you of Vsurie that is a goodlie matter to bee enriched by Then Cato aunswered in fewe woordes Quid hominem occidere What saie you to be a murderer Soche a thyng faieth he is Vsurie A brief sentence againste Vsurers but wittely pronounced from the mouth of a godlie sage noble and descrite persone whiche sentence let the Vsurer ioigne to his Vsure retourned and repeate at the retourne thereof this sentence of Cato I haue murthered This one sentence will discourage any Vsurer knowyng hymself a murtherer Though moche more maie be spoken against it this shalbe sufficient The Hebrues calleth Vsurie by the name of Shecke that is a bityng gaine of the whiche many haue been so bitten that whole families haue been deuoured beggerie haue been their gaine And as Palingenius noteth Debitor aufugiens portat cum faenore sortem The debtour often tymes saieth he runneth awaie and carieth with hym the debte and gaines of the Vsurie The Grekes calleth Vsurie Tokos that is properlie the trauaile of women of their childe soche is their Vsurie a daungerous gettyng Demosthenes likeneth their state as thus as if terrestriall thynges should be aboue the starres and the heaueÌ„s and celestialle bodies gouerned by the base and lowe terrestriall matters whiche by no meanes can conserue the excellencie of them for of them onely is their matter substauÌ„ce and nature conserued ¶ Exclusion of mercie WHerefore to whom regimente and gouernemente is committed on whose administracion the frame of the coÌ„mon wealth doe staie it self thei ought with al wisedome and moderacion to procede in soche causes whose office in worthinesse of state and dignitie maketh theÌ„ as Goddes on the yearth at whose mouthes for wisedome counsaill and fortunate state infinite people doe depende It is no smal thing in that their sword aucthoritee doeth sette or determine all thinges that tendereth a prosperous state whereupon with all integritee and equitée thei ought to temper the affeccions of their mynde and accordyng to the horrible facte and mischiues of the wicked to exasperate agrauate their terrible iudgemente and to extirpate from the yearth soche as be of no societie in life The 〈…〉 the thief the adulterer for by these all vertue 〈…〉 out all godlie societie extinguished citâ—â—â— râ—alâ—es and câ—untries prostrate plagued for the toleraâ—ion of their 〈…〉 agâ—inst sâ—ch â—renâ—â—hip in iudgemente muste cease and accordyng to the state of the cause equitee to retaine frendship money muste not blinde nor rewardes to force and temper Iudgementes but accordyng to the veritâ—â— of the cause to adde a conclusion Worthelie the pictures of Princes Gouernours and Magistrates in auncient tymes doe shewe this where the antiquitée maketh theim without handes therein it sheweth their office and iudgemente to proceade with equitée rewardes not to blind or suppresse the sinceritie of the cause Magistrates not to bee bounde to giftes not rewardes to rule their sentence Alciatus in his boke called Emblemata in senatuÌ„ sancti principis Effigies manibus trunce ante altaria diâ—â—â—e Hic resident quarum himine capta prior Signa potestatis fumme sanctique senatus Thebanis fuerant ista reperta viris Cur resident Quia mente graues decet esse quieta Iuridicos animo nec variare leui Cur sine sunt manibus Capiant ne xenia nec se Pollicitis flecti muneribus ve smant Cecus est princeps quod solis auribus absque Affectu constans iussa senatus agit Where vertue and integritie sheweth it self in the persone and cause to vpholde and maintain the same Roote out horrible vices from common wealthe that the more surer and stronge foundacion of vertue maie be laied for that onelie cause the scepter of kinges the â—â—â—ice of magistrates was left to the posteritee of allâ—ges ¶ Lawfull and just SEyng that lawes bee godlie and vniuersally thei temper equitée to all states and giue according to iustice euery man his owne he 〈◊〉 vertue that disposâ—â—â—e than other manne of his own and 〈…〉 Iustice And thereupon his beastly life by 〈…〉 forceth and driueth lawe and Magistrate to terrible iudgement For who so against right without order or lawe violateth an other man soche a one lawes of iustice muste punishe violentlie and extirpate from societée beyng a 〈◊〉 of societee ¶ Profitable IF soche wicked persones be restrained and seuerelie punished horrible vices will be rooted out all artes sciences and godlie occunacions maintained vpholded and kept Then there must bee a securitee in all states to practise godlines a mutuall concorde The Magistrate with equitée the subiecte with faithful and humble obedience accomplishyng his state office and callyng Whereupon by good Magistrates and good subiectes the common wealthe and kyngdom is in happie state stablished For in these twoo poinctes as Plato doeth saie there is vertuous rule and like obedience ¶ Easie and possible AL this maie easely be doen when wickednes is cutte of in his firste groweth when the magistrate driueth continually by sworde and authoritee all menne to obedience bothe of lawes and gouernuurs Then in al good common wealthes vices are neuer tolerated to take roote because the beginnyng and increase of vices is sone pulled vp his monsterous kyngdome thereby ouerthrowen ¶ The conclusion SO doyng happie shall the kyng be happie kyngdome and moste fortunate people ¶ The parte of Rhetorike called praise â—His Oracion which is 〈◊〉 praise is a declamacioÌ„ of the vertuous or good qualitees properties belongyng to any thyng whiche dâ—â—th procede by certaine notes of aâ—te All thynges that maie be seeâ—â— with the iye of 〈◊〉 touched or with any other senâ—â— apprâ—hendâ—d â–ª that maie be praised or dispraised 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fâ—â—â—e Beaâ—â—â— Orthardes Stones Trees 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Caâ—â—â—â—â— Tâ—â—â—â—â— â—aâ—dâ—ins 〈◊〉 Artes. Sciâ—ncâ—â— Any vertue maie be praised as wisedome rightuousnes fortitude magnanimitie temperaunce liberalitee with all other These are to be celebrated with praise The persone as Iulius Cesar Octauius Auguâ—â—â—â— Hiereâ—â—le Tullie Cato Demosthenes Thynges as rightuousnes temperaunce Tymes as the Spring tyme of the yere Sommer Haruest Winter Places as Hauens Orthardes Gardeins Toures Castles Temples Iâ—â—andes Beastes wantyng reason as Horse Shepe Oxen 〈…〉 In the praise of vertue this maie be saied THe excellencies of it the antiquitâ—e and originalls beginnyng 〈…〉 any region by it as no 〈…〉 without vertues and to extoll the same in makyng a comparison with other giftes of nature or with other giftes
when for his sake he determined to fight the determinacion of hym sheweth the maner The frende slaine the affection In the makyng of Ethopoeia lette it be plaine and without any large circumstaunce In the makyng of it ye shall diuide it thus to make the Oracion more plaine into three tymes A presente tyme. A tyme paste A tyme to come Eidolopoeia is that part of this Oracion whiche maketh a persone knowne though dedde and not able to speake Eidolopoeia is called of Priscianus a imitacion of talke of any one vpon a dedde manne it is then called Eidolopoeia when a dedde man talketh or communicacion made vpon a dedde manne Eidolopoeia when a dedde manne talketh is set forthe of Euripides vpon the persone of Polidorus dedde whose spirite entereth at the Prologue of the tragedie Hector slain speaketh to Eneas in Eidolopoeia O Eneas thou goddes sonne flie and saue thy self from this ruine and fire the enemies hath taken the walles and loftie Troie is prostrate to the grounde I would haue thought I had died valiantlie inough to my countrée and my father Priamus if with this my right hande Troie had bee defended Polidorus beyng dedde in Eidolopoeia talketh to Eneas whiche Virgil sheweth in his thirde booke of Eneados Iulia the wife of Pompei beyng dedde spake to Pompe preparyng his arme against Cesar Eidolopoeia Reade Lucane in the beginnyng of his thirde booke Tullie vseth Eidolopoeia when he maketh talke vpon Hiero beyng dedde If that kyng Hiero were reduced frō his death who was a aduauncer of the Romaine Empire with what countenaunce either Siracusa or Rome might be shewed to hym whom he maie beholde with his iyes His countree brought to ruin spoiled if that kyng Hiero should but enter Rome euen in the firste entryng he should beholde the spoile of his countree Tullie also vseth the like Eidolopoeia as thus vpon Lucius Brutus dedde If it so wer that Lucius Brutus that noble and famous manne were on liue and before your presence would he not vse this oracion I Brutus somtyme did banishe and cast out for crueltee the state and office of kinges by the horrible fact of Tarquinius againste Lucretia and all that name banished but you haue brought in tyrauntes I Brutus did reduce the Romain Empire to a fredome and libertée but you foolishly can not vphold and maintein the same giuen to you I Brutus with the daunger of my life haue saued my countree of Roome but you without all daunger lose it ¶ Prosopopoeia AS cōcerning Prosopopoeia it is as Pristianus saith when to any one againste nature speache is feigned to bee giuen Tullie vseth for a like example this when he maketh Roome to talke againste Cateline ¶ Prosopopoeia of Roome NO mischief hath been perpetrated this many yeres but by thee Catiline no pestiferous acte enterprised without thee thou a lone for thy horrible murther perpetrated vpon the citee of Rome for the spoile and robberies of their gooddes art vnpunished Thou onelie haste been of that force and power to caste doune all lawes and aucthoritee Although these thinges were not to be borne yet I haue borne them but now thy horrible factes are come to soche an issue that I feare thy mischiues Wherfore leaue of Cateline and deminishe this feare from me that I maie be in securitée Lucane the Poete intreating of mightie and fearce warres againste Pompei and Cesar maketh Roome to vse this Prosopopoeia againste Cesar Quo tenditis vltra quo fertis mea signa viri Si iure venitis si aues hucusque licet Prosopopoeia is properlie when all thinges are faigned bothe the maners the persone as of Roome in this place ¶ what lamentable Oracion Hecuba Quene of Troie might make Troie being destroied WHat kyngdome can alwaies assure his state or glory What strength can alwaies last What power maie alwaies stande The mightie Okes are somtyme caste from roote the Ceadars high by tempestes falle so bitter stormes dooe force their strength Soft waters pearseth Rockes and ruste the massie Iron doeth bryng to naught So nothyng can by strēgth so stande but strength maie ones decaie yea mightie kingdoms in time decaie haue felt Kingdomes weake haue rose to might and mightie kyngdomes fallen no counsaile can preuaile no power no strength or might in lande God disposeth Princes seates their kyngdome there with standes I knewe before the brickell state how kyngdomes ruine caught my iye the chaunge of fortune sawe as Priamus did aduaunce his throne by fauour Fortune gat on other Fortune then did froune whose kingdom did decaie Well now I knowe the brickle state that fortune hath no staie all rashe her giftes Fortune blind doeth kepe no state her stone doth roule as floodes now flowe floodes also ebbe So glory doth remaine sometyme my state on high was sette in Princelie throne my porte and traine ful roiall was a kyng my father also was my housband scepter held Troie and Phrigia serued his becke many kynges his power did dreade his wille their power did serue The fame of Troie and Brute his glorie and renouine what landes knoweth not But now his falle all toungues can speake so greate as glorie was though kyngdomes stronge was sette loftie Troie in duste prostrate doeth lye in blood their glorie people kyng are fallen no Quene more dolefull cause hath felte The sorowes depe doe passe my ioyes as Phebus light with stormes caste doune Hectors death did wounde my hart by Hectors might Troie stiffe did stande my comforte Hector was Priamus ioye of Troie all the life the strength and power his death did wound me for to die but alas my dolefull and cruell fate to greater woe reserueth my life loftie Troie before me felle sworde and fire hath seate and throne doune caste The dedde on heapes doeth lye the tender babes as Lions praies are caught in bloode before my sight Priamus deare murdered was my children also slain who roiall were and princes mates No Queene more ioye hath tasted yet woe my ioyes hath quite defaced My state alwaie in bondage thrall to serue my enemies wille as enemie wille I liue or dye No cruell force will ridde my life onely in graue the yearth shal close my woes the wormes shall gnawe my dolefull hart in graue My hedde shall ponder nought when death hath sence doune caste in life I sought no ioye as death I craue no glorie was so wished as death I seeke with death no sence In prison depe who dolefull lieth whom Fetters sore dooeth greue Their dolefull state moste wisheth death in dongion deepe of care my harte moste pensiue is vnhappie state that wisheth death with ioye long life eche wight doeth craue in life who wanteth smart Who doeth not féele or beare somtime a bitter storme to doleful tune mirth full oft chaunged is the meaner state more quiet rest on high who climes more deper care more dolefull harte doeth presse