Shield within a Bordure Componeè Or and Gules before the Armes of Ferrara in recognisance of the league and fidelitie wherein hee promised to stand bound to serue the King at his own charges And for the like respect Lewis the eleuenth in May 1465. allowed Pietro de Medici to beare three Flower-de-luces in his shield which I haue seene borne in cheife vpon one of his sixe Lozenges Of Difference by the Labell A second difference is by the Labell borne chieefely as the difference of the elder Brother As Edward the blacke Prince and all our Princes of Wales eldest sonnes to the King beare their Fathers Soueraigne Coate with a Labell of three points Siluer Iohn of Gauns had his Labell Ermin Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke on his Labell Siluer nine Torteauxes Edmond Plantagenes sonne and heire of Richard Duke of Yorke Earle of Ruâ—land who being a Child scarce twelue yeares of age was stricken to the heart with a Dagger by the Lord Clifford at the battaile of Wakefield had vpon his Labell of fiue points Argent two Lionceaux Gules with nine Torteauxes The Coate of Vlsâ—er and Mortimâ—r being â—mpaled with his owne as may be seene in the windowes of Fâ—deringhay Castle the mansion house of the Duke of Yorke where by his father Richard Duke of Yorke and Cicely Nevill his mother hee lyeth buried whose bodies remoued out of Fâ—deringhay Church-yard for the Chancell in the Quire wherein they first were laid in that fury of knocking Churches and sacred Monuments in the head was also felled to the ground lapped in Lead were buried in the Church by the commandement of Queene Elizabeth and a meane Monument of Plaister wrought with the Trowell erected ouer them very homely and farre vnfitting so Noble Princes I remember Master Creuse a Gentleman and my wâ—rthy friend who dwelt in the Colledge at the same time told me that their Coffins being opened their bodies appeared very plainly to be discerned and withall that the Dutchesse Cicely had about her necke hanging in a Silke riband a pardon from Rome which penned in a very fine Romane hand was as faire and fresh to be read as it had beene written but yesterday Of Difference by the Bend. A third difference is by the Bend Baston c. as the house of Burâ—â—â— beareth Frâ—â—â—â— with a Bâ—tune Gules though the proper and true Coate of 〈◊〉 is Of a Lyon Gules within an Orle of Escallops Azure Lewis Earle of Eureux in Normandy brother to Philip le Bâ—ll bare Seme de France with a Batune Componeè Argent and Gules Iohn Earle of Lâ—â—â—aster and Brother to Richard the first afterward King bare for his difference a Batune Azure If the mother be of the ligne Royall many times her Coate is preferred into the first quarter as Hâ—nry Earle of Dâ—â—â—nshire and Marquâ—sse of Exeter â—â—re his mother Kâ—tharines Coate who was daughter to King Edward the fourth And the like Humphrey Stafford who was the first Duke of Buckingham by Anne Platagâ—nâ—â— his mother â— the Coate of Thomas of Woodstocke whose daughter she was This Coate I remember standeth in the great Chancell window in the Church of Kimbaltâ—n In France it hath beene and it yet a custome among the Nobilitie to 〈◊〉 their owne proper Coates and take others as perhaps their Wiâ—es or the Armes of that Srigâ—â—â—â— whereof they are Lords or whence they haue their Titles as Mons. Hugues brother to King Philip marrying the daughter and heire of Herbere Earle of Verâ—â—â—dâ—â—â—s forsooke his proper Coate and bare his Wiues which was Checky Or and Azure onely three Flower-de-luces added in chiefe to shew he was of the blood And Robert Counâ— de Dreux albeit he was brother to King Lewis 〈◊〉 bare Checky Azure and Or with a Bordure Gules Robert Duke of Burgogne brother to Henry the first tooke for his bearing the ancient Armes of the Dukes of Burgogne which was bendy Or and Azure within a Bordure Gules giuen by Charlemaigne to Sanson Duke of Burgogne And whereas we in England allow the base sonne his Fathers Coate with the difference of a bend Batune sinister or bordure engrailed or the like it was in France a long time forbidden I thinke vnder the Capets to the Princes of the blood as 〈◊〉 Earle of Mâ—mfort base sonne to King Robert was forced to leaue his Fathers Coate and beare Gules a Lion à la queue fourcheè Or passeè per à lentour Argent for Le maison de France â—â—â—â—tant les bastardes no leur endurè son armeirè c. saith Tillet The last and least obseruation is of Crests the Helmet the Mantle and doubling thereof which according to the manner of diuers Countries are diuersly borne In Germany they beare their Beauers open with Barres which we allow in England to none vnder the degree of a Baron in some places they haue no Crests at all If you would farther proceed in Nobilitie or Heraldry I would wiâ—h you to reade these bookes of 〈◊〉 obâ—â—itie in generâ—â—â— Simon Simonius de Nâ—â—ilitâ—â—e 〈…〉 at Leipsig 1572. Chassanâ—â—â—â— his Catalogus Gloria munâ—â— Hippolitus à Collibus his Axumata Nobilitatis Conclusiones de Nobilitate Doctorain published by one of Meckleburg who concealeth his name printed 1621. dedicated to the Archbishop of Breme Petrus Eritzius Counâ—â—â—â—er to the Elector of Brandenburge published Conclusiones de Nobilitate in quarto Lionellus De pracedentia â—omiâ—um Of the Spanish Nobilitie these Authors haue written Ioannes ab Arce Offalora in folio Priuilegios y Franquezas y libertades des bijos dâ—algos De Senniorio de Vizcaia c. in fol. Ludovicus de Mollâ—â—a De primogâ—niorâ—m Hispanicorum iure c. in fol. Iosephus de Sesse in Decis Aragon Decis 8. 9. 10. c. Gonzales de Câ—rte his Nobliza del Andaluzia in fol. Of Italy Sicily Naples c. Scipie Mazzella nelle Neapoli Illustrata in quarto Paulus Merula in Cosmograph lib. 3. pt 3. in Italian Of France The Workes of Tillet Ferâ—â— Charles L'Oisâ—â—â— Choppin Theatre d'Honneur Of Germany or the Empire Fran. Contzen his Politiques in fol. The Collections of Goldastus with some others The practise of Blazonrie Willeged the first Abbot dyed the same yeare that Off a did of very griefe it was thought for the death of his king and kinsman whom he dearely loued Anno 8â—8 After him succeeded these in order Eadricke Vulsigus Wulâ—â—â—us Eadfrithus Wulsinus Who built Saint Peters Church Saint Michaels and Saint Stephens and made a faire market place in the towne Alfricke Aldredus Who digged vp and searched the ruines of Verlam-cesire which in his time were dens of theeues and whores saued all the tile and stone for the repaire of the Church and in digging vpon the North side in the vale found oaken plankes pitched Shelles peeces of oares and a rusty Anchor or two Eadmer after his death being a religious and a good man imitating his predecessour saued all the ancient coines vrnes
nobly atchieued It transferreth it selfe vnto Posteritie and as for the most part wee see the children of Noble Personages to beare the lincaments and resemblance of their Parents so in like manner for the most part they possesse their vertues and Noble dispositions which euen in their tenderest yeares will but forth and discouer it selfe Hauing discoursed of Nobilitie in Generall the diuision and vse thereof giue me leaue in a word to inâ—eigh against the pittifull abuse thereof which like a plague I think hath infected the whole world Euery vndeseruing and base Peasant ayming at Nobilitie which miserable ambition hath so furnished both Towne Country with Coates of a new list that were Democritus liuing hee might haue laughing matter for his life In Naples such is the pride of euery base groome that though he be distalla he must be termed Signore and scarce will â—e open a note from a poore Calzâ—laiâ— to whom he hath beene a twelue month indebted for his Bootes if Dâ—n be not in the superscription In Venice likewise euery Mechanique is a Magnifice though his magnificenza walketh the Market but with a Chequin In France euery Peasant and common Lacquay is saluted by name of Mounsieur or Sire the King himselfe hauing no other Title The word Sire immediatly proceeding from Cyrus the Persian word for a Lord or great Prince as H. Stephanus well noteth or as it pleaseth some from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 authoritie or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Lord or Gouernor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Goe but from Paris to Anjoâ— and see if you find not all from the Count to the Esculiers allyed either to the King some Prince of the blood Noble Peere or other In the Low Countries mine old Host at Arnhem in Gildrerland changed his Coate and Crest thrice in a fortnight because it did not please his young Wife For there ye must vnderstand they are all Gentlemen by a Grant they say from Charles the fift in consideration of a great summe of money they lent him in time of his warres Come into what house soeuer though miju heer weert be but a Gardiner Ropemaker or Aquaâ—ita seller you shal be sure to haue his Armes with the Beauer full faced allowed to none but Kings and Princes in his Glasse-window with some ingenious Motto or other of his owne deuice I remember one Tâ—link there gaue for his Coate a wilde Goose in the water with this witty one Volans natans Another three Hogs falling vpon a Dog who was lugging one of their fellowes with this Endracht mackt macht Another three great drinking Bowles Orbiquiers with this truly Dutch and more tollerable then the rest vnderneath Quem non fâ—â—â—re disertum with infinite others of like Nature yet the ancient Nobilitie whereof there are many Honorable families as Hohenlo Egment Horne Bredeâ—ode Waggenâ—â—r Betsolaër with sundry others keepe themselues entire and maintaining their ancient houses and reputation free from scandall of dishonour as well as wee laugh at these their boorish deuices Some againe by altering letters or syllables or adding to their names will insinuate themselues into Noble houses and not sticke many times to beare their Coates But the most common and worst of all is in all places the ordinary purchasing of Armes and Honors for Money very preiudiciall to true Nobilitie and politique gouernment for who will hazzard his person and estate to infinite dangers for Honour when others at home may haue it siâ—e sudore sanguinâ— onely by bleeding in the vena câ—nâ— called marsupium The pure Oyle cannot mingle with the water no more this extracted quintessence and Spirit of Vertue with the dregges and subsistence of vnworthinesse Euripides when his Father told him he was knighted made him this reply Good Father you haue that which euery man may haue for his Money And certainely Vertue dum petis ar duâ— will not stoope to take vp her reward in the streete The French man is so bold as to terme such intruders Gentil-villaines but I dare not vse that word lest some that challenge the first part of it should returne me the latter Lastly to conclude most pittifull is the pride of many who when they are nobly borne not onely staine their stocke with vice and all base behauiour relying and vaunting of their long pedigrees and exploits of their Fathers themselues liuing in sloath and idlenesse disparage and disgrace those who by their vertuous endeuours are rising To these and such I oppose Marius and that stout reply of his in Salust They contemne meâ— as an vpstart I scornâ— their sloath and basenesse Againe What they idlely heave and reade at home my selfe hath either acted or seene if they scorne me let them scorne their Ancestors who came by their Nobilitie as I haue done If they 〈◊〉 mine Honor let them also enuy my labours mine innocence my perils c. Now see how equally they deale that which they arrogate to themselues from the vertue of others that they deny me from mine owne because I haue no Images and my Nobilitie is new c. Shortly after I cannot to prooue my descent bring forth the Images of my Ancestors their Triumphs their Consulships but if neede be I can shew Launces my Ensigne Caparisons and other such warlike implements beside a number of scarres vpon my breast these are my Images my Nobilitie not left me by descent and inheritance c. And as resolute of late yeares was the answer of Verdugo a Spaniard Commander in Friseland to certaine of the Spanish Nobilitie who murmured at a great feast the sonne of a Hang-man should take place aboue them for so he was and his name importeth Gentlemen quoth he question not my birth or who my Father was I am the sonne of mine owne desert and Fortune if any man dares as much as I haue done let him come and take the Tables â—nd with all my heart CHAP. 2. Of the dignitie and necessity of Learning in Princes and Nobilitie SInce Learning then is an essentiall part of Nobilitie as vnto which we are beholden for whatsoeuer dependeth on the culture of the mind it followeth that who is nobly borne and a Scholler withall deserueth double Honour being both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for hereby as an Ensigne of the fairest colours hee is a farre discerned and winneth to himselfe both loue and admiration heigthing with skill his Image to the life making it pretious and lasting to posteritie It was the reply of that learned King of Arragon to a Courtier of his who affirmed that Learning was not requisite in Princes and Nobilitie Questa è voce d'un but non d'un Huomâ— For if a Prince be the Image of God gouerning and adorning all things and the end of all gouernment the obseruation of Lawes that thereby might appeare the goodnesse of God in protecting the good and punishing the bad that the people might bee fashioned in
their liues and manners and come neere in the light of knowledge vnto him who must protect and defend them by establishing Religion ordaining Lawes by so much as the Sunne from his Orbe of Empire ought he to out-runne the rest in a vertuous race and out-shine them in knowledge by how much he is mounted neerer to heauen and so in view of all that his least eclipse is taken to a minute What tell me can be more glorious or worthy the Scepter then to know God aright the Mysteries of our saluation in Iesus Christ to conuerse with God in soule and oftner then the meere naturall man to aduance him in his Creatures to bee able with Salomon to dispute from the loftiest Cedar on Libanus to the lowest Hysop vpon the wall to bee the Coâ—duit Pipe and instrument whereby as in a goodly Garden the sweete streames of heauens blessings are conueied in pietie peace and plentie to the nourishing of thousands and the flourishing of the most ingenious Arts and Sciences Wherefore saith the Kingly Prophet Erudimini Reges c. as if he should say How can you Kings Iudges of the earth vnderstand the grounds of your Religion the foundation and beginnings of your Lawes the ends of your duties and callings much lesse determine of such controuersies as daily arise within your Realmes and circuits define in matters of Faith publique Iustice your priuate and Oeconomicke affaires if from your cradles yee haue beene nursed as Solomons foole with ignorance brutish Ignorance mother of all miserie that infecteth your best actions with folly ranketh you next to the beast maketh your talke and discourse loathsome and heauy to the hearer as a burthen vpon the way your selues to be abused by your vassals as blinde men by their Boyes and to bee led vp and downe at the will and pleasure of them whose eyes and eares you borrow Hence the royall Salomon aboue all riches of God desired wisedome and vnderstanding that hee might gouerne and go before so mighty a people And the ancient Romanes when their voyces were demaunded at the Election of their Emperor cryed with one consent Quis melior quamâ— literatus Hence the Persians would elect none for their King except he were a great Philosopher and great Alexander acknowledged his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from his Master Aristotle Rome saw her best daies vnder her most learned Kings and Emperours as Numâ— Augustus Titus Antoninus Constantino Theodosius and some others Plutarch giueth the reason Learning saith hee reformeth the life and maâ—â—ers and affoordeth the wholesomest aduice for the gouernment of a Common-wealth I am not ignorant but that as all goodnesse else shee hath met with her mortall enemies the Champions of Ignorance as Licinius gaue for his Mot or Poesie Postes Reipublica literae and Lewis the eleuenth King of France would euer charge his sonne to learne no more Latine then this Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare but these are the fancies of a few and those of ignorant and corrupted iudgements Since learning then ioyned with the feare of God is so faithfull a guide that without it Princes vndergoe but lamely as Chrysostome saith their greatest affaires they are blinde in discretion ignorant in knowledge rude and barbarous in manners and liuing the necessitie of it in Princes and Nobilitie may easily be gathered who howsoeuer they slatter themselues with the fauourable Sun-shine of their great Estates and Fortunes are indeede of no other account and reckoning with men of wisedome and vnderstanding then Glowormes that onely shine in the darke of Ignorance and are admired of Ideots and the vulgar for the out-side Statues or huge Colossos full of Lead and rubbish within or the Aegyptian Asse that thought himselfe worshipfull for bearing golden Isis vpon his backe Sigismund King of the Romanes and sonne to Charles the fourth Emperour greatly complained at the Councell of Constance of his Princes and Nobilitie whereof there was no one that could answer an Embassadour who made a speech in Latine whereat Lodouicke the Elector Palatine tooke such a deepe disdaine in himselfe that with teares ashamed he much lamented his want of learning and presently hereupon returning home beganne albeit hee was very old to learne his Latine tongue Eberhard also the first Duke of Wirtenberge at an assembly of many Princes in Italy who discoursed excellently in Latine while he stood still and could say nothing in a rage strook his Tutor or Gouernor there present for not applying him to his Booke when he was young I gladly alledge these examples as by a publike Councell to condemne Opinion of Heresie beleeuing to teach and teaching to beleeue the vnnecessitie of Learning in Nobilitie an error as preiudiciall to our Land as sometime was that rotten Chest to Aethiopia whose corrupted ayre vented after many hundreds of yeares brought a plague not onely vpon that Country but ouer the whole world I ceasse to vrge further the necessitie and dignitie of Learning hauing as Octauiâ—s said to Decius a Captaine of Anthonies to the vnderstanding spoken sufficient but to the ignorant too much had I said lesse CHAP. 3. Of the time of Learning Dutie of Masters and what the fittest Method to be obserued AS the Spring is the onely fitting seede time for graine setting and planting in Garden and Orchard So youth the Aprill of mans life is the most naturall and conuenient season to scatter the Seeds of knowledge vpon the ground of the mind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Plato It behooueth in youth out of hand to desire and bend our minds to Learning neither as good Husbands while time serueth let slip one houre for saith he elsewhere Our ground is hard and our horses be wild withall if we meane to reape a plentifull haruest take we the counsell of Adrastus in Euripides To looke that the seed be good For in the foundation of youth well ordered and taught consists saith Plato againe the flourishing of the Common-wealth This tender Age is like water spilt vpon a table which with a finger wee may draw and direct which way we list or like the young Hop which if wanting a pole taketh hold of the next hedge so that now is the time as Waxe to worke it plyant to any forme How many excellent wits haue we in this Land that smell of the Caske by neglecting their young time when they should haue learned Horace his Quo semel once fit for the best Wine since too bad for the best Vineger who growne to yeares of discretion and solid vnderstanding deepely bewaile their misspent or misguided youth with too late wishing as I haue heard many that they had lost a ioynt halte their estates so that they had beene held to their Bookes when they were young The most and without cause lay the fault vpon bad Masters to say truth it is a generall plague and complaint of the whole
it vp c. Neither hath humane knowledge beene the onely subiect of this Diuine Art but euen the highest Mysteries of Diuinitie What are the Psalmes of Dauid which S. Hillariâ— so aptly compareth to a bunch of keies in regard of the seuerall doores whereby they giue the soule entrance either to Prayer Reioycing Repentance Thanksgiuing c. but a Diuine Poeme going sometime in one measure sometime in another What liuely descriptions are there of the Maiestie of God the estate and securitie of Gods children the miserable condition of the wicked What liuely similitudes comparisons as the righteous man to a baiâ— tree the Soule to a thirstie Hart vâ—itie to oyntment and the dew of Hermon What excellent Allegories as the vine planted in Aegypt what Epiphonema's prosopopoca's and whatsoeuer else may be required to the texture of so rich and glorious a peece And the song of Salomon which is onely left vs of a thousand is it not a continued Allegorie of the Mysticall loue betwixt Christ and his Church Moreouer the Apostles themselues haue not disdained to alledge the authoritie of the heathen Poets Aratus Meâ—ander and Epimenides as also the fathers of the Church Nazianzen S. Augustine Bernard Prâ—demius with many others beside the allowance they haue giuen of Poetrie they teach vs the true vse and end thereof which is to compose the Songs of Sion and addresse the fruite of our inuention to his glorie who is the author of so goodly a gift which we abuse to our loues light fancies and basest affections And if Mechanicall Arts hold their estimation by their effects in base subiects how much more deserueth this to be esteemed that holdeth so soueraigne a power ouer the minde can turne brutishnesse into Ciuilitie make the lewd honest which is Scaligers opinion of Virgils Poeme turne hatred to loue cowardise into valour and in briese like a Queene command ouer all affections Moreouer the Muse Mirth Graces and perfect Health haue euer an affinitie each with either I remember Plutarch telleth vs of Telesilla a noble and braue Ladie who being dangerously sicke and imagined past recouerie was by the Oracle aduised to apply her minde to the Muse and Poetrie which shee diligently obseruing recouered in a short space and withall grew so sprightly couragious that hauing well fortified Argos with diuers companies of women onely her selfe with her coÌ„panions sallying out entertained Cleomenes K. of the LacedamoniaÌ„s with such a Camisade that he was faine to shew his back leauing a good part of his people behinde to fill ditches and then by plaine force of Armes draue out Demaratus another king who lay very strong in garrison within Alexander by the reading of Homer was especially mooued to goe thorough with his conquests Leonidas also that braue King of the Spartanes being asked how Tiâ—taus who wrote of warre in verse was esteemed among Poets replied excellentlyâ— For my souldiers quoth he mooued onely with his verses runne with a resolute courage to the battaile fearing no perill at all What other thing gaue an edge to the valour of our ancient Britons but their Bardâ—s remembred by Athenaus Lucan and sundry other recording in verse the braue exploits of their nation and singing the same vnto their Harpea at their publike â—easts and meetings amongst whom Taliessiâ— a learned Bard and Master to Merlin sung the life and actes of King Arthur Hence hath Poetry neuer wanted her Patrones and euen the greatest Monarches and Princes as well Christian as Heathen haue exercised their Inuention hereinâ— as that great Glorie of Christendome Charlemaine who among many other things wrote his Nephew Roulands Epitaphe after he was slaine in a battell against the Sarracens among the Pyrenaan hills Alphonsiu King of Naples whose onely delight was the reading of Virgil Robert King of Sicilie and that thrice renowned and learned French King who finding Petrarchs Toombe without any inscription or Epitaphe wrote one himselfe which yet remaineth saying Shame it was that he who sung his Mistresse praise seauen yeares before her death and twelue yeares should want an Epitaphe Among the Heathen are eternized for their skill in Poesie Augustus Caesar Octanius Adrian Germanicus Euery child knoweth how deare the workes of Homer were vnto Alexander Euripides to Aâ—yntas King of Macedon Virgil to Augustus Theocrâ—us to Ptolomey and â—â—vâ—nicâ— King and Queene of Aegypâ— the stately Pindar to Hiere King of Sicilie Ennius to Scipie Ausonius to Gratian who made him Pro-consull in our owne Countrey Chaucer to Richard the second Gower to Henrie the fourth with others I might alledge The Lady Anne of Bretaignâ— who was twice French Queene passing through the Presence in the Court of France espying Chartier the Kings Secretarie and a famous Poet leaning vpon his elbow at a Tables end fast asleepe shee stooping downe and openly kissing him said We must honour with our kisse the mouth from whence so many sweete verses and golden Poems haue proceeded But some may aske me How it falleth out that Poets now adaies are of no such esteeme as they haue beene in former times I answere because vertue in our declining and worser daies generally findeth no regard Or rather more truly with Aretinâ— being demaunded why Princes were not so liberall to Poesie and other good Arts as in former times Because their conscience telleth them how vnworthy they are of the praises giuen them by Poets as for other Arts they make no account of that they know not But since we are heere hauing before ouer-runne the Champaigne and large field of Historie let vs a while rest our selues in the garden of the Muses and admire the bountie of heauen in the seuerall beauties of so many diuine and fertile wits We must beginne with the King of Latinâ— Poets whom Nature hath reared beyond imitation and who aboue all other onely deserueth the name of a Poet I meane Virgil In him you shall at once finde not else-where that Prudence Efficacie Varietie and Sweetnesse which Scaliger requireth in a Poet and maketh his prime vertues Vnder Prudence is comprehended out of generall learning and iudgement that discreete apt suting and disposing as well of Actions as Words in their due place time and manner which in Virgil is not obserued by one among twentie of our ordinary Grammarians Who to vse the words of the Prince of learning hereupon onely in shallow and small Boates glide ouer the face of the Virgilian Sea How diuinely according to the Platonickes doth he discourse of the Soule how properly of the Nature number of winds seasons of the yeare qualities of Beasts Nature of Hearbs What in-sight into ancient Chronologie and Historie In briefe what not worthy the knowledge of a diuine wit To make his Aentas a man of extraordinary aspect and comlinesse of personage he makes Venus both his mother and Ladie of his Horoscope And forasmuch as griefe and perpetuall care are inseparable companions
infinite Sea of the praise and vse of so excellent an Art but I onely shew it you with the finger because I desire not that any Noble or Gentleman should saue his priuate recreation at leasurable houres prooue a Master in the same or neglect his more weightie imployments though I auouch it a skill worthy the knowledge and exercise of the greatest Prince King Henrie the eight could not onely sing his part sure but of himselfe compose a Seruice of foure fiue and sixe parts as Erasmus in a certaine Epistle testifieth of his owne knowledge The Duke of Venosa an Italian Prince in like manner of late yeares hath giuen excellent proofe of his knowledge and loue to Musicke hauing himselfe composed many rare songs which I haue seene But aboue others who carryeth away the Palme for excellency not onely in Musicke but in whatsoeuer is to be wished in a braue Prince is the yet liuing Maurice Landgraue of Hessen of whose owne composition I haue seene eight or ten seuerall sets of Morets and solemne Musicke set purposely for his owne Chappell where for the greater honour of some Festiuall and many times for his recreation onely he is his own Organist Besides he readily speaketh â—en or twelue seueral languages he is so vniuersall a Scholler that comming as he doth often to his Vniuersitie of Marpurge what questions soeuer he meeteth with set vp as the manner is in the Germane and our Vniuersities hee will Extempore dispute an houre or two euen in Bootes and Spurres vpon them with their best Professors I passe ouer his rare skill in Chirurgeriâ— he being generally accounted the best Bone-setter in the Country Who haue seene his estate his hospitalitie his rich furnished Armorie his braue Stable of great Horses his â—â—tesie to all strangers being men of Qualitie and good parts let them speake the rest But since the naturall inclination of some men driueth them as it were perforce to the top of Excellencie examples of this kind are very rare yea great personages many times are more violently carried then might well stand with their Honours and necessitie of their affaires yet were it to these honest and commendable exercises sauouring of vertue it were well but many neglecting their duties and places will addict themselues wholly to trifles and the most ridiculous and childish practises As Eropus King of Macedonia tooke pleasure only in making of Candles Domitian his recreation was to catch kill flyes and could not be spoken with many times in so serious employment Pâ—olomans Philadelphus was an excellent Smith and a Basket maker Alphonso Atestino Duke of Ferraâ—ra delighted himselfe onely in turning and playing the Ioyner Rodolph the late Emperour in setting of Stones and making Watches Which and the like much eclipse State and Maiestie bringing familiaritie and by consequence contempt with the meanest I desire no more in you then to sing your part sure and at the first sight withall to play the same vpon your Violl or the exercise of the Lute priuately to your selfe To deliuer you my opinion whom among other Authors you should imitate and allow for the best there being so many equally good is somewhat difficult yet as in the rest herein you shall haue my opinion For Moâ—â—â—s and Musicke of pietie and deuotion as well for the honour of our Nation as the merit of the man I preferre aboue all other our Phoenix M. William Byrd whom in that kind I know not whether any may equall I am sure none excell euen by the iudgement of France and Italy who are very sparing in the commendation of strangers in regard of that conceipt they hold of themselues His Cantiones 〈◊〉 as also his Gradualia are meere Angelicall and Diuine and being of himselfe naturally disposed to Grauitie and Pietie his veine is not so much for light Madrigals of Canzonets yet his Virginella and some others in his first set cannot be mended by the best Italian of them all For composition I preferre next Ludouico de Victoria a most iudicious and a sweete Composer after him Orlando di Lasso a very rare and excellent Author who liued some forty yeares since in the Court of the Duke of Baueir He hath published as well in Latine as French many sets his veine is graue and sweete among his Latine Songs his seuen poenitentiall Psalmes are the best and that French Set of his wherein is Susanna vn jour Vpon which Dittie many others haue since exercised their inuention For delicious Aire and sweete Inuention in Madrigals Luca Marâ—â—zio excelleth all other whosoeuer hauing published more Sets then any Authour else whosoeuer and to say truth hath not an ill Song though sometime an ouer-sight which might be the Printers fault of two eights or fifts escape him as betweene the Tenor and Base in the last close of I must depart all haplesse ending according to the nature of the Dittie most artificially with a Minim rest His first second and third parts of Thyrsis Veggo dolca 〈◊〉 ben chi fa hoggi mio Sole Cantava or sweete singing Amaryllie are Songs the Muses themselues might not haue beene ashamed to haue had composed Of stature and complexion hee was a little and blacke man he was Organist in the Popes Chappell at Rome a good while afterward hee went into Poland being in displeasure with the Pope for ouermuch familiaritie with a kinswoman of his whom the Queene of Poland sent for by Luca Marenzio afterward she being one of the rarest women in Europe for her voyce and the Lute but returning he found the affection of the Pope so estranged from him that hereupon hee tooke a conceipt and died Alphouse Ferabosco the father while he liued for iudgment and depth of skill as also his sonne yet liuing was inferior vnto none what he did was most elaborate and profound and pleasing enough in Aire though Master Thomas Morley censureth him otherwise That of his I saw my Ladie weeping and the Nightingale vpon which Dittie Master Bird and he in a friendly aemulation exercised their inuention cannot be bettered for sweetnesse of Aire or depth of iudgement I bring you now mine owne Master Horatio Vecchi of Modena beside goodnesse of Aire most pleasing of all other for his conceipt and varietie wherewith all his workes are singularly beautified as well his Madrigals of fiue and sixe as those his Canzonets printed at Norimberge wherein for tryall sing his Viuo in fuoco amoroso Lucretia mia where vpon Iâ— catenatâ— more with excellent iudgement hee driueth a Crotchet thorough many Minims causing it to resemble a chaine with the Linkes Againe in Sâ—is potessi raccor'i mâ—i Sospiri the breaking of the word Sospiri with Crotchet Crotchet rest into sighes and that fa mi vn Canzonâ— c. To make one sleepe at noone with sundry other of like conceipt and pleasant inuention Then that great Master and Master not long
a qualitie resulting of an lementarie composition it beeing created before all mixed bodies yea with Aristotle I rather affirme blacke properly to be no colour at all as partaking of the pure Elements nothing at all for he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Elements mingled together as earth water aire not yet reduced to their proper substance as wee may see in charcoales all bodies consuming but not consumed whereupon it is called Niger of the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth dead as a colour proper to dead things The colours to say truth immediately proceeding from the Elements are yellow and white yellow beeing an effect of the fire and all heate as we may see in gold begotten by the heate of the Sunne by the mixture of the clearest and most pure quicke-siluer and the finest red brimstone in fruite and corne ripened by the heate of the same in choller vrine lie boyled the bellies of hot venemous Serpents and the like The white is proper to the water and earth as we way see in all watery bodies congealed as Ice Snowe Christall glasse pretious stones beaten into to powder also the most rootes the pulpe of apples peares and the like of watry substance of earth in the ashes of wood and stones burned all which turne white being by the fire purged from water and aire Concerning the aire it selfe it hath no colour at all Now after your two Mettals yealow and white Gold or Siluer which in Armory we cal Or Argent you haue foure principall colours viz. Sable or blacke Azure or Blew Gules or Red Verd or Greene. There are others as Purpure sanguine Tennâ— which are in more vse with the French and other Nations then with vs in England From simple colours and diuision by bare lines they came to giue their charges quicke and liuing things such as sorted best with their fancies and humours neyther without reason The Alani a warlike people and extreame louers of their liberty gaue in their Ensigne a Cat a beast which of all other cannot brooke boâ—â—â—ge The Gothes to expresse their crueltie with their ranging resolution gaue a Beare the Romanes gaue the Eagle which euery Legion seuerally bare The reason whereof Iosephus giueth Quòd vniuersarum anium regnum habeat sit valentistima So did the Thebans and Persians as Forcatulus reports beside Xenophon saith he remembreth he saw in the armie of Cyrus a golden Eagle displayed borne vpon a long speare as his ensigne Yet generally Plinie saith the charges of their ensignes were of Siluer because that mettall was most sutable to the day light and was to be discerned farther so Portius Latro telleth Catiline of his siluer Eagle borne before him as the ensigne of his rebellion and furie Besides the Eagle the Romanes vsed to beare in their banners the Wolfe in memorie of Remus and Romulus fed by the milke of a shee-wolfe as Livie sheweth When they vndertooke any expedition wherein great secrecy was to be vsed then they aduanced the Minotaure in their standards to shew that the counsaile of Commanders ought to be no lesse kept secret then the Labyrinth which was the abode of the Minotaure Withall they bare the Horse as the most Martiall beast and seruiceable in the warre being full of furie and desirous of victorie and in the Ides of December a Horse was sacrificed to him who had broken the right wing of his enemies battaile Lastly they bare a Hogge in their ensignes because the warre being finished they vsed to make a truce by sacrificing a young Swine which whosoeuer violated or went backe from ought forth with as a Hogge to be stoned to death hereupon they had a forme of Battaglia which they tearmed the Hogges face But all these the Eagle onely excepted were by Caius Marius turned out of vse but I shall haue elsewhere occasion to write more at large of these and the like Imperiall badges The kings of Portugall bare in a field Argent fiue escotcheons Azure each charged with as many Plates on a bordure Gules tenne Castles or in remembrance of fiue kings whom each seuerally leading a mightie army Alphonsus the first king of Portugall ouerthrew neere to the City of Scallabis in Portugal now called Trugillâ— there appearing at the same time saith Osorius Christ crucified in the heauen whose fiue wounds those fiue plates represent Those Castles are his holds in Barbary which he wonne from the Moores The Dukes of Bavaria haue anciently borne their Armes Palie Bendy arg and Azure for that it resembled the party coloured Cassocks of the ancient Bâ—ij who were those Gaules that attempted the Surprise of the Capitol whom Virgil describing as by night saith Virgatis lucens Sagulis which hee vnderstandeth by the white as most easily to bee discerned in the night time The towne of Dort or Dordrecht in Holland from a ciuill broile that long since occasioned much slaughter staining the streetes being onely two aboue a mile in length the riuer running in betweene with blood bare in a field gules a pale argent The City of Collen in regard it can shew the monuments of the three kings who offered to our Sauiour beareth Argent on a chiefe gules three crownes Or. The City of Andwarpe in Brabant for that sometime a Tyrant Prince was Lord of that place and punished offenders in cruell manner by cutting off their hands whose pourtraiture cut in stone to the life stands erected ouer one of the Ports toward the Sceld with a sword in one hand and a mans hand smitten off in the other beares foure hands Couptè in Salteir an Eagle double necked displaied in chiefe to signifie that it is an imperiall Citie and hence had it the name of Antwerpe as much to say as Handâ—werpen which in Dutch signifieth to cast or throw away the hand The Stoute and warlike Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich who supprest by his courage and valour that dangerous rebellion and about Nerthwalsham ouerthrew Litster the Captaine hath as it is to bee seene vpon his monument in the body of the Quiâ—e of Christ-Church in Norwich ouer his proper coate of Spencer vpon an helmet his Episcopall Miter and vpon that Michaell the Arch-Angell with a drawne sword Marie Coates are conferred by the Prince or State vpon merit and desert for some honourable act performed to the Common-wealth or honour of the Prince as that deuice vpon Sir Francis Drake which was Q. Elizabeths owne now vsurped and borne the colour of the field changed sioÌ„ Sable into Azure by Oliuer à Noert of Vtrecht who also of late yeares sailed about the earth And at my last being in the Low Countries was Captaine of a foot Company of Dutch in Huysden The said Coate fairely cut in stone standeth ouer a Porch at the entry of his house there The Mound or Ball with the Crosse was by Charles the fifth added by way of
in processe of time assumed to themselues the Surname of Cavendish as being Lords of the Towne and Mannor of Cavendish in Suffolke out of which familie disbranched that famous Trauailer Mr. Thomas Cavendish who was the third that trauailed about the world whose voyage you shall finde set downe at large in the English Discouerers written by Mr. 〈◊〉 It is borne by the name of Hobart and was the proper Coate of Sir Iames Hobart Knight Atturney Generall vnto King Henry the seauenth a right good man withall of great learning and wisedome hee builded the Church of Loddâ—n and Saint Olaues commonly called Saint Toolies bridge in the County of Norfolke This worthy Knight lyeth buryed vnder a faire monument in the middle I le on the Northside in Christs Church in Norwich But it is now borne with the Coate of Vister by the gift of King Iames vnto him as a Barronet by the Honourable and Nobly minded Sir Henry Hobart Knight and Baronet Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas of Blickling in the County of Norfolke whose vprightnesse in Iustice and loue to his country hath like his owne Starre communicatiue of it selfe dispersed the fairer beames into all places Râ—x dilect◠〈◊〉 sâ—o Roberto de Woodhouse Archidiacone de Richmâ—nd Thesaâ—rario sâ—o salutem Negotiaâ—os statum regni contingentia c. vobis mandamus â—irmiter iâ—iungentes quod omnibus alijs praterâ—issis c. Beside I haue sâ—ene the will of King Henry the fourth and Heâ—rie the fifth where one was a gentleman of Henry the fourth's chamber and by his will made one of his executors as also he was to Henry the fifth who wrote his letter to the Pâ—ior and Chapter of the Church of the Trinitie in Norwich to giue him leaue to build himselfe a Chappell in their Church So that from time to time they haue held an Honourable place and at this day are worthy stayes and pillars of Iustice in their Countries Nor must I heere let fall the worth of two sons of this Gentleman Sir Thomas Woodhouse Knight who marryed Blanch Sister to the right Honourable Henry now Viscount Rochfâ—rt and Master Roger Woodhouse his brother Gentlemen not onely learned but accomplished in what euer may lend Lustre to worth and true gentilitie This was also the Coate of Sir Thomas Louell Knight of the Garter made by King Henrie the seuenth of whose hoâ—se hee was Treasurer and President of the Counsell This Sir Thomas Louell was a fift sonne of Sir Ralphe Louell of Barton Bendish in the Countie of Norfolke This his Coate with the Garter about it standeth ouer Lincolnes Inne Gate He founded the Nunnery of Halliwell where was also his house on a wall of which not maâ—y yeares since was to be read this inscription All ye Nuns of Halliwell Pray ye both day and night For the Soule of Sir Thomas Louell Whom Harry the 〈◊〉 made Knight It appeareth also that Sir William Louell Lord Morley was Knight of the Garter for in Morley Church the seate of his Baronnie is yet remaining in a Glasse window which I haue seene this Coate with the Garter about it This Coate Armour is verie ancient as is proued by sundry bookes of Armes Church windowes and seuerall deeds wherof I haue seene two bearing date Anno 18. Richard the 2. with seales of this very Coate fixed thereunto with this inscription about the same viz Sigillum Robertide Ashfield as also another deed bearing date Anno 3. Henrie the fixt made from Robert the sonne of Iohn Ashfeild of Stow-Langton Esquire to Simon Finchanâ— and Iohn Whitlocke with a faire Seale of red Waxe whereupon was a Griffâ—â— Sâ—iant with his wings displayed ouer whose body is this Armes with this inscription about the whoâ—e Seale viz S. Robertide Ashfeild Armig. The aboue named Robert Ashfeild builded the Church of Stow Langton in the Quire whereof which I haue seene hee lyeth butied vnder a faire Marble he was seruant vnto the blacke Prince whom he followed in his warres in France This Coate is thus borne by Sir lohn Ashfeild Knight sole heire of that Family now Gentleman of the bedde Chamber to Prince Charles This ancient name and family of Crow was anciently of Suffolke for about the time of K. Edward the 4. Thomas Crow of Suffolke the elder purchased Bradsted in Kent whose sonne Thomas Crow the yoâ—ger married Ioane the onely daughter and heire of Nicholas Boare son of Iohn sonne of Richard Boare that married Lora the daughter of Simon Stocket of Bradsted in Kent The aforesaid Ioane brought to Thomas her husband his house called Stockets with a Chancell built by the aboue named Simon Stockets as appeareth by a French deede tempore Edw. 2. As also a house and certaine land called Boars by whom shee had issue Iohn Crow the elder father of Henry Crow father of William Crow of Bradsted Esq. who married Anne the second daughter and coheire of Iohn Sackuill of Chiddingleigh in Sussex Esq. The said Mannor of Chiddingleigh hath beene in the possession of the Sackuills aboue three hundred yeeres and at this day is part of the inheritance of the Right Honorable Richard Sackuill Earle of Dorset and Baron of Buckâ—urst which William Crow and Annâ— his wife hath issue Sackuill Crow their sonne and heire now liuing with others This Coate of Talbot belongeth vnto the Right worshipfull Master Thomas Talbot Doctour of the Ciuill Law of Miliers Hall in Wimâ—ndham in the Countie of Norfolke a very learned and honest Gentleman If you would proceede further in blazonry and the true knowledge of the desâ—â—â—ts of our English Nobility I refer you to that exact iust and elaborate worke of my singular and learned friend Master Augustine Vincent Rouge-croix very shortly to be publishedâ— which let it be vnto you of all that haue written in that kinde instar omnium So I referre you henceforward to your priuate reading and obseruation CHAP. 14. Of Exercise of the Body I Now from your priuate studie and contemplation bring you abroad into the open fields for exercise of your Body by some honest recreation since Aristotle requireth the same in the Education of Nobilitie and all youth Since the mind from the Ability of the Body gathereth her strength and vigor Anciently by the Ciuill Law these kinds of Exercises were onely allowed of that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are the exercise of Armes by single combate as running at Tilt-barrians c. coiting throwing the hammer sledge and such like Running iumping leaping and lastly wrestling for the first it is the most Noble those Epithites of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 haue beene the attributes of Kings and Princes whose delight in auncient times was to ride and mannage great horses Hereby you are ennabled for command and the seruice of your Country And what saith Tullis can bee more glorious then to bee able to preserue and
succour our country when she hath neede of our helpe It is the onely commendation that Saluste giues to Iugurth who did not saith he giuâ— himselfe ouer to be corrupted by Sloath and Riot as many of our Gallants now adayes doe but as it is the custome of that Nation exercised himselfe by riding throwing the dart and running with his equals and though he excelled all other in the height of glorie notwithstanding he was held deare and beloued of all men c. And Casar vsed the exercise of â—iding so much and hereby became so actiue and skilfull that laying his hands behinde him he would put his horse to his full carreer make him on the suddaine take hedge or ditch stop him put him into a ring and the like And Marius after he had beene seauen time â— Consul and fourescore yeares of age exercised himselfe daily in the field of Mars with the Romane youth instructing them to handle their weapon to ride c. The like also did Pompey euen to his last expedition And Virgil speaking I take it of the Spartan youth saith Venatâ— invigilant pueri Sylvaâ—que fatigans Flectâ—râ— ludis equos spicula tendere cornu c. And at this day it is the onely exercise of the Italian Nobility especially in Naples as also of the French and great pitty of no more practised among our English Gentry Running at the tilt is a generous and a Martiall exercise but hazardous and full of danger for many hereby euen in sport haue lost their liues that I may omit Henry the French King with many other Princes and noble personages of whom Historie is full Tilting and Torneaments were inuented by Manuel Comnenus Emperour of Constantinople as saith Nicetas who wrote about the yeare 1214. before his time wee reade not any where that this exercise was vsed vnder the Romane Empire The same Nicetas reporteth of a solemne Iustes or Torneaments which the saide Manuel Comnenus shewed vnto the Latines at Antioch what time they went to make warre in the holy land for the Latines making a braue shew in their rich Armour well horsed with their Lances and presenting themselues before the Emperor the Emperour to shew them that the Graecians were nothing inferiour vnto them in brauery or courage appointed a day when they and the Latines for the glory of either Empire should so many to so many and with lances without points encounter eyther brauely mouÌ„ted and made one of the number with his Graecians who saith Nicetas so brauely carryed himselfe that he vnhorsed two Latine Commanders casting them from the saddle to the ground In our launces now adayes of what wood soeuer they are made of there is nothing so much danger as hath beene in times past neyther in our moderno practise of warre haue they almost any vse at all The Prince of Orange hath abandoned them hauing not a Launce in his whole Armie but hath Carbines in their roome Spinola hath some troopes of them yet not many as I obserued Those of Shertogen-bosch vnder Grobbendonckse are esteemed the best horse Spinola hath For throwing and wrestling I hold them exercises not so well beseeming Nobilitie but rather Souldiers in a Campe or a Princes guard neither haue I read or heard of any Prince or Generall commended for wrestling saue Epaminondas Achmat the last Grand Signeur and Emperor of Turkie who tooke great delight in throwing the Hammer and was so strong that he ouerthrew his stoutest Iauizaries there being reared in Constantinople for one extraordinary cast which none could come neere two great pillars of marble Running and Agility of Body haue beene esteemed most commendable in the greatest Princes and Commanders that euer liued and the old Romanes next after trial made of their strength and view of their limmes and person chose their souldiers by running for it was an old custome among them to assault the enemy by running all close together in grosse to the charge And Casar tells vs that strokes are surer laid on and the souldier made more nimble and ready in running and by motion Homer gaue Achilles which perhaps some of our great feathered gallants would disdaine yet haply better deserue the epithite of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or swiftfooted And Alexander we reade excelled all his Court in running Sertorius a braue commander vnder Caesar could nimbly runne vp the most steepe Mountaines leape broken and vnpasseable Rockes and like inuious places insomuch as Metellus beeing sent with a powerfull Armie against him he knew neither where to finde him nor how to come by him by reason of his nimble footemanship Thereupon he sent his Colleague Pompey who beeing by Sextorius ouerthrowne at the first encounter escaped very narrowly for beeing vnhorsed and hauing receiued a great wound while the souldiers were busied in striuing some for his horse others for the most rich furniture his caparison bridle saddle stirrops being in a manner all of gold and shining with pretious stones of inestimable valew watching his opportunity by swiftnes of foot escaped from them all and returned safe to his quarter Leaping is an exercise very commendable and healthfull for the body especially if you vse it in the morning as we reade Alexander and Epimanondas did Vpon a full stomacke or to bedward it is very dangerous and in no wise to be exercised The skill and art of swimming is also very requisite in euery Noble and Gentleman especially if he looketh for emploiment in the warres for hereby besides the preseruing of his owne life vpon infinite occasions he may many waies annoy his enemie Horatius Cocles onely by the benefit of swimming saued his country for when himselfe alone had long defended and made good the bridge ouer Tyber against the Hetruscans the Romanes brake it downe behind him wherewith in his armour he casthimselfe into the Riuer notwithstanding a shower of darts arrowes were sent after him swam with safety into the city which rewarded him with a statue erected in the market place and as much land as he could encompasse with a plough in a day And as desperate was the attempt of a number of Romane Gentlemen in the first Carthaginian warre who leaping in a night from the hatches of their ships into the Sea by maine force thrust and drew the Carthaginian shippes into the hauen and deliuered them to Luctatius their Generall And as resolute was that attempt no whit inferiour to the former of Gerrard and Haruey two Gentlemen of our owne Nation who in eightie eight in the fight at Sea swam in the night time and pierced with Awgers or such like Instruments the sides of the Spanish Gallions and returned backe safe to the fleete Scauola a man of inestimable courage and who came with Caesar in his expedition for Brittaine after hee had made good a whole day together a mightie Rocke or passage against the Brittaines in the night time loden
Amurath on the contrarie when he made warre in Caramania turned out of seruice 700. of his fathers Faulconers and caused as many of olde huntsmen to follow Armes and his Campe in stead of the kennell CAP. 15. Of Reputation and Carriage in generall THere is no one thing that setteth a fairer stampe vpon Nobilitie then euenesse of Carriage and care of our Reputation without which our most gracefull gifts are dead and dull as the Diamond without his foile for hereupon as one the frontispice of a magnificent Pallace are fixed the eies of all passengers and hereby the heigth of our Iudgements euen our selues is taken according to that of the wiseman By gate laughter and apparrell a man is knowne what he is Wherefore I call it the crowne of good parts and loadstone of regard The principall meanes to preserue it is Temperance and that Moderation of the minde wherewith as a bridle wee curbe and breake our ranke and vnruly Passions keeping as the Caspian Sea our selues euer at one heigth without ebbe or refluxe And albeit true it is that Galen saith we are commonly beholden for the disposition of our minds to the Temperature of our bodies yet much lyeth in our power to keepe that fount from empoisoning by taking heede to our selues and as good Cardinall Poole once said to correct the malignitie of our Starres with a second birth For certainly vnder grace it is the roote of our Reputation and honest Fame without the which as one saith we are dead long before we are buryed â— For Moderation of the minde and affections which is the Ground of all Honestie I must giue you that prime receipt the kingly Prophet doth to a yong man teaching him wherewith to cleanse his way that is by keeping saith he oh Lord thy Statutes meaning the feare of God in generall without which hee euer first striking at the head our Iudgements are depraued and left to our selues we are not able to giue any thing his true esteeme and value Therefore first to be truly Honest is to bee truly Religious for if the feare of men be a great motiue to keepe our selues within compasse much more will the Feare of God recall vs from our lusts and intemperance Hereby the minde getteth the dominion and vpperhand wisely gouerning that goodly kingdome Nature hath allotted her And if it was sometime said of Fabiuâ— Citiùs SoleÌ„ è sua sphara diuelli quam Fabium ab honestate potuisse how heedfully ought a Christian who carrieth the lanterne in his hand looke to his feete when an Heathen could goe so directly in the darke onely by the glimpse of Nature and without stumbling Moreouer since the Ciuill end of our life is vâ— in Honore cum dignitate vâ—vamus you shall withall finde good Learning and the Artes to conferre a great helpe and furtherance hereunto being a polisher of inbred rudenesse and our informitie and a curer of many diseases our minds are subiect vnto for we learne not to begge to ourselues admiration from other or boastingly to lay to view so rich and pretious furniture of our minds but that we may be vsefull to others but first to our selues least as some pretious receipt while we keepe that in a boxe which can cure another our selues lie lame and diseased The first vse then hereof I meane your learning as an Antidote against the Common plague of our times let it confirme and perswade you that as your vnderstanding is by it ennobled with the richest dowrie in the world so hereby learne to know your owne worth and value and in choice of your companions to entertaine those who are Religious and Learned for as I said heretofore Conuerse of old was the mother of skill and all vertuous endeauours so say I now of all vice and baseâ—es if regard be not had Therefore hold friendship and acquaintance with few and those I could wish your betters at the least of your owne ranke but endeare your selfe to none gaudâ—bis minùs minies dolebis The best Natures I know delight in popularitie and are pliable to company-keeping but many times buy their acquaintance at ouer deare a rate by being drawne either into base Actions and Places of which they are ashamed for euer after or to needlesse expence by laying out or lending to importunate base and shamelesse companions gaining losse of their monies time sorrow and griefe of friends disrepute of the better sort and lastly contempt of the vilest among the Common vulgar Antiâ—chus Epiphanes King of Asia for his popularity and delight in company was sir-named the Mad and likewise for the same Appius Claudius was depriued of his Office and fearing beside shame the hatred of the Senate counterfeiting blindnesse for euer after kept himselfe at home We reade also of a certaine King of the Gothes who making his Souldiers his drinking companions was for his free and kind heart at the last drowned by them in a Tub of Ale Nor mistake me that I swerue so much on this side that I would deny a Prince or Gentleman the benefit of discourse and conuerse with the meanest for Maiestie and greatnesse cannot alwaies stand so bent but that it must haue the remission and relaxation sometime to descend from the Court to the Cottage which cannot choose but giue it the better tast and rellish Adrian the Emperour would most curteously conferre with the meanest detesting those his high minded Courtiers who vnder a colour of preseruing his Estate and Honour enuied him this sweetnesse of humilitie and priuacie Vespasian in like manner was woont not onely to salute the chiefe Senators of Rome but euen priuate men inuiting them many times to dine and suppe with him himselfe againe going vnto their houses Philopoemen was so curteous and went so plaine his Hostesse in Megâ—ra tooke him for a sâ—ruing-man And certainly this Affabilitie and Curtesie in Greatnesse draweth our eyes like flowers in the Spring to behold and with admiration to loue it wheresoeuer we finde it There is no better signe saith one in the world of a good and vertuous disposition then when a Prince or Gentleman maketh choice of learned and vertuous men for his companions for presently he is imagined to bee such an one as those to whom he ioyneth himselfe yea saith Aristotle it is a kinde of vertuous exercise to bee conuersant with good and vnderstanding men Whom then you shall entertaine into the closet of your brest first sound their Religion then looke into their Liues and Carriage how they haue beene reckoned of others Lastly to their Qualitie how or wherein they may be vsefull vnto you whether by aduice and Counsell direction helpe in your studies or seruiceablenesse in your exercise and recreations There is nothing more miserable them to want the Counsell of a friend and an admonishâ—r in time of neede Which hath beene and is daily the bane of many of our yong Gentlemen
seasoning your talke at the table among graue and serious discourses with conceipts of wit and pleasant inuention as ingenious Epigrammes Emblemes Anagrammes merry tales wittie questions and answers Mistakings as a melancholy Gentleman sitting one day at a table where I was started vp vpon the suddaine and meaning to say I must goe buy a dagger by transposition of the letters said Sir I must goe dye a begger A plaine country man being called at an Assize to bee a witnesse about a piece of land that was in controuersie the Iudge calling said vnto him Sirrha how call you that water that runnes on the South-side of this close My Lord quoth the fellow our water comes without calling A poore souldier with his musket and rest in Breda came one day in and set him downe at the nether end of the Prince of Orange his table as he was at dinner whitâ—â—r none might bee priuiledged vnder the degree of a Gentleman at the least to come the Gentleman-vsher of the Prince demanded of him if hee were a Gentleman yes quoth the Souldier my father was a Goldsmith of Andwarpe but what can you doe in your fathers trade quoth he I can set stones in mortar for he was a bricklaier and helped Masons in their workes For Epigrammes Pasquine will afford you the best and quickest I know You shall haue them all bound in two volumes I remember hee tells vs once vpon a Sunday morning Pasquine had a sowle shirt put on and being asked the cause Pasquine made answer because my Laundresse is become a Countesse You shall haue a taste of some of my Anagramâ— such as they are Vpon the Prince CAROLVS ô Clarus Charles Prince of Wales All Fraunce cries ô helpe vs. Of the Queene of Bohemia and Princesse Palatine of the Rhene my gracious Ladie ELISABETHA STEVARTA Has Artes beata velit Being requested by a Noble and Religious Ladie who was sister to the old Lord De la Ware to try what her name would afford it gaue me this IANE WEST Entua Iesû And vpon the name of a braue and beautifull Ladie wife to Sr. Robert Mordaunt sonne and heire to Sr. Le Straunge Mordaunt Knight and Barronet in the Country of Norfolke Amie Mordaunt Tumore Dianam Tumore Dianam Minerua domat Me induat amor Nuda ó te miram Vi tandem amor Vpon the name of a faire Gentlewoman this in Italian ANNA DVDLAEIA Eâ—la nuda Diana Vpon a sweete and modest young Gentlewoman Mistris MARIA MEVTAS Tuame amaris To comfort my selfe liuing in a Towne where I found not a Scholler to conuerse withall nor the kindest respect as I thought I gaue this my Poesie the same backward and forward SVBI DVRA ARVDIBVS Of M. Doctor Hall Deane of Worcester this added to the body of a Glorie wherein was written Iehouah in Hebrew resembling the Deitie IOSEPH HALL All his Hope Of a vertuous and faire Gentlewoman at the request of my friend who barâ— her good will FRANCIS BARNEY Barres in Fancy And this Theodâ—sia Dixon A DEO DIXIT HONOS or O Dea dixit Honos Of my good friend M. Doct. Dowland in regard hee had slipt many opportunities in aduancing his fortunes and a rare Lutâ—nist as any of our Nation beside one of our greatest Masters of Musicke for composing I gaue him an Embleme with this IOANNES DOVLANDVS Annos Iudendo hausi There were at one time in Rome very wittie and vnhappy libels cast forth vpon the whole CoÌ„sistory of Cardinals in the nature of Emblemes I remember Cardinal Farnesi had for his part a storke deuouring a frogge with this Mordeo non mordeâ—tes Bellarmine a Tiger fast chained to a post in a scroule proceeding from the beasts mouth in Italian Da mi mia libertà vederete chi io Sono that is giue me my Libertie you shall see what I am meaning perhaps he would be no longer c. And those were very knauish that were throwne vp and downe the Court of France the Escotcheon or Armes of the partie on the one side of a pastboard and some ingenious deuice on the other as one had the Armes of the house of di Medici of Florence on the one side on the other an inkhorne with the mouth turned downward with this tart Pasquil Elle faut d'encre and so of the whole Court Emblemes and Impresa's if ingeniously conceipted are of daintie deuice and much esteeme The Inuention of the Italian herein is very singular neither doe our English wits come much behind them but rather equall them euery way The best that I haue seene haue beene the deuises of Tiâ—tings whereof many are reserued in the priuate Gallery at White Hall of Sr. Phillip Sidnâ—ie's the Earle of Cumberland Sr. Henry Leigh the late Earle of Essex with many others most of which I once collected with intent to publish them but the charge disswaded me But aboue all in your talke and discourse haue a care euer to speake the truth remembring there is nothing that can more preiudice your esteeme then to be lauishtongued in speaking that which is false and disgracefully of others in their absence The Persians and Indians had a law that whosoeuer had beene thrice conuicted of speaking vntruth should vpon paine of death neuer speake word all his life after Cato would suffer no man to bee praised or dispraised but vsed alwaies such discourse as was profitable to the hearers for as one saith Dictâ—ria minuum Maiestatem Iestes and scoffes doe lessen Maiâ—stie and greatnesse and should be farre from great personages and men of wisedome CHAP. 16. Of Trauaile I Will conclude with Trauaile which many disallow in Gentlemen yea and some great trauellers themselues but mee thinkes they are as one who hath filled his owne belly and denieth the dish to his fellow In my opinion nothing rectifieth and confirmeth more the iudgment of a Gentleman in forteine affaires teacheth him knowledge of himselfe and setleth his affection more sure to his owne Country then Trauaile doth for if it be the common Law of Nature that the learned should haue rule ouer and instruct the ignorant the experienced the vnexperienced what concerneth more Nobility taking place aboue other then to be learned and wise and where may wisedome be had but from many men and in many places Hereupon we find the most eminent and wise men of the world to haue beene the greatest Trauailers to omit the Patriarches and Apostles themselues in holy writ as Plato Pythagoras Aristotle Theophrastus Osyris King of Aegypt who trauelled a great part of the world and caused to be engrauen vpon his Sepulcher Heere vnder I lie King Osyris eldest sonne of Saturne who haue left no part of the world vnsearched whitherto I haue not come teaching againe whatsoeuer I haue found for the vse and commoditie of mankinde And Xenophon to intimate vnto vs the benefit and excellent vse of Trauaile saith that Cambyses by his