bee much violent for the time yet they continue but a little time and now the title of brethren is gone in respect of the body politicke for wee bee much neerer than before Hengist hath married with Scota euen as Henry your Maiesties royall father the sonne of L. Matthew Stuarte and of Ladie Margaret who married with your mother Mary daughter to king Iames the fourth and to the Dutchesse of Longueuille after the death of her first husband king Frauncis the second grandchild by the first ventre vnto that good prince of renowned memorie king Henry the seuenth as your Highnesses father was by the second ventre so that it may most fitly be said concerning that blessed coniunction of those two faire and peaceable planets Nuper ex atrocissimis bellorum ciuilium vulneribus paulispèr respirantem amplexi sunt libertatem huius insulae Iacobus quartus Margareta Scotorum coniugio sociati c. Out of the late most bitter wounds of ciuile warres Iames the fourth and Margaret being knit in wedlocke together haue embraced the liberties of this Island euen when it began to faint and draw a weake breath This happie marriage of those two beneuolent planets portendeth the weale of Christendome for in it by a double vnion twice vnited in bloud once by the sacred vnion of the two royall families of Yorke and Lancaster and after by that second vnion in marriage of a daughter and a sonne that a mother and this a father both of them out of the bodies of king Henry and Queene Elizabeth is this match made betwixt Hengyst and Scota more firme than euer at the first when Brutus raigned ouer them before their separation in the persons of Locryn and Albanact Iam non sunt duo sed caro vna Which sacred circumscription was figured and stamped in a peece of coyne of your late royall parents vpon their vnion figuratiuely presaging this vnion also Since therefore these nations thus coupled in one bodie be both of them knit vp in your Maiesties royall person and posteritie there is not any doubt but that they will liue loue and accord in sincere vnitie together perfecting and accomplishing that generall peace of conscience which was begun and yet continued from the first of your Maiesties late dearest sister her beginning in reigne euen to this instant of your gracious gouernment your Highnesse representing the person of this auncient Brittaine comprehending the new spouse Scotland within your princely bodie though your royall residence be kept with vs as in the bride-groomes chamber hath that vbiquitie by God graunted you touching the ciuile supremacie which his omnipotencie retaineth ouer all creatures For though your Grace being head doe not really touch certaine parts of your Commonwealths bodie yet that power and vertue which is contained in your heart liuer and lungs doth gouerne and moderate in those places by direction of that head which commaundeth and predominateth all the members insomuch as they neede not say that the bridegroome is taken from them and that they shall fast because they conuerse with him in power feasting with vs vnder his goodnesse for wee bee children of the bride-chamber all alike And it is not to bee doubted but that this new bride will declare her true loue and loyall demeanure towards her husband whatsoeuer sedicious or malecontented spirits mistrust or misconster for shee is from the first bud of her youth acquainted with her husband hauing a perfect and infallible notice by long tryall and hath sincerely plighted her faith What is he then worthie that would in the roote of all bitternesse seuer the barke from the tree by nefarious breach of this blessed vnion that I may speake vulgarly sowing the seede of dissention of intestine garboyle and burlyment amongst auncient brethren by making the peaceable members of one bodie to rebell against themselues and against the will of God Let them that haue scarcely sucked so much as of the vile dregs of nature iudge hereof For if two weake ones vnited make a competent strength then certainely two nations so combined and of such force beeing seuerall such as haue borne battaile and confounded the puissantest princes of Christendome may very well grow most mightie by their vnited force whereas if they should not now confirme themselues in vnfained amitie which God hath commaunded it must necessarily follow that it had beene a million fold better for them that they neuer had knit in that nuptiall band together for then will they both of them loose their owne forces in mutuall resistance opening their glories to the spoyle of base and despised enemies We now stand one in more need of another than euer we did before if wee consider it and onely because we haue incorporated our hearts lawes and obediences together vnder one God and one King which hath not beene of so many hundred yeeres past Nam vtrumque per se indigens alterum alterius auxilio indiget For both of them being single and standing in some neede of succour may stand one the other in steede with their owne succours This if wee ponder with franke and honourable accord and shall ioyfully rouse vp and vnite our noble spirits together with all heroycall obedience and true magnanimitie vnder our dread Soueraigne for him against his enemies as we haue alreadie done our kingdomes for if we will endeuour and accommodate our selues but to this our blessing of vnitie which euery vaine foole vnlesse the false tempter bewitch him will apprehend with all comfort profered from so sweete good and gracious hands of the Lord of our hoastes then Neque orbis terrarum neque cunctae gentes conglobatae mouere aut contundere queant hoc imperium Neither the whole world nor all the nations and people of this earth assembled in hostile troupes shall haue power to shiuer or batter down this our Empire Hereof let vs prudently consider being a matter of such high consequence for no mans imagination apprehension precaution or prouidence can bee so strong in this case as is requisite Nam de futuro nemo omnium satis callidus prudensque est Let vs therefore prudently consider and it shall appeare how both these kingdomes which were so long seuered heretofore haue beene from the first remembrance which is remayning of this Island since it was first inhabited by Brutus who shared it amongst his sonnes and after him long and many times made one bodie and how standeth then the present state of them in comparison Euen as one auncient tree lopped off from the bole wherein by processe of time diuers old Danish Saxon and French graffes haue beene planted which take their vertue from the roote of that ancient Brittaine stocke including England Scotland and Wales by times continuance reincorporate and flourishing out againe in one fruitfull tree So that in the persons of your Grace and of your sweete spouse in whome the fruits of all these nations now prosper these seuerall plants graciously sprout
if they set their hearts vpon righteousnesse and call vpon the name of the most highest For vnto this precious gift of temperance their nature is most neare because their braines are lesse prouoked by the distemperature of their inferior irascible and concupiscentiall parts The complection therfore most eligible is sanguine aubourne haire of a meane stature vertuously instructed healthfull and long liued And these vnlesse some other defect or violence against nature peruert the same are for the most part endowed with much wisedome and wit of which excellent kind we read in the bookes of the Kings that king Dauid was as faire and ruddie with a comely countenance body well shaped of a meane stature Howbeit we find that he many times through those concupiscenciall motions was excited to sinne yet had God so blessed him that he did not loose that habite of vertue which was put vpon him with that blessing when choise was first made of him to be the seruant of God and vicegerent to rule his chosen people In election of counsellors according to Pliny it was obserued that no man vnder thirtie yeeres of age should be permitted to consult in principall causes of the Commonwealth nor men very aged as after the terme of sixtie yeeres according to Vâ—…rro Which Seneca likewise confirmeth limiting the seruice of soldiers to fiftie yeeres and of Senators to sixtie Per legem annariam For according to that Law the Romanes well knew when they might in respect of their yeeres sue to be Tribunes Quaestors Dictators Consuls or in other offices as it was limited appearing by this of the Poet Ovid. Finit aque certis Legibus est atas vnde petatur honos That age by which men may sue for honors or promotions is confined within certaine Lawes For if in respect of their experience by many yeeres old men be regarded it must be respected that by course of nature they be timerous suspicious incredulous couetous and so much more froward and fearefull as they bee more wasted in yeeres impatient of labour and paine obliuious by which defect diuers occasions are neglected talkatiue obstinate in opinion their vnderstanding dull their heate which is the spurre of action wasted Yong men are likewise void of experience much subiect to vicious affections and pleasures of nature to passions and perturbations of minde so distracted with heat of youth heedlesse temeritie and surcuidrie that they cannot obserue any temper in grauitie neither will the people cleaue vnto their counsells And as that excellent Morallist Seneca writte Iuuenile vitium est regere non posse impetum It is a vice naturally graffed in youth not sufficiently to bridle appetite Men therefore of middle age are to be chosen whose humours are plausible and temperate whose inward affections are delayed with some experience and discretion which can dispose remember and execute matters with a proportionable strength courage and grauitie whose memorie will richly serue them for things past whose vnderstanding to iudge of things present according to truth and whose imagination participating of them both can presage or prouide things to come such men are importuned with thronging multitudes for counsell and are to be chosen as I set downe before by the prince himselfe vpon good experience had of their sufficiencies Yong men admitted to that place are fitly called abortiue counsellors and certaine of theÌ„ like summer fruits of the first season soone ripe fit for the administration of weightie matters but naturally decay quickly some long before they be come to be sound in iudgment but hauing attained perfection in knowledge are the men indeed fitt for aucthoritie most excellent aboue others their wisdome continuing long with them yeelding a faire and commendable light euen to the last spiracle of their naturall life so long as the least droppe of oyle is remaining in their earthly lampes As that most reuerende Father in Christ Iohn Whytgift late Archbishop of Canterbury and the right sage and euer-worthy Lord Treasurer William Cecill declared long after the terme of sixtie yeeres euen to the last period of their breath Such yong towardly plants as are like by the gifts of nature and pleasantnesse of their wit to proue fit in time for such seruice must first be diligenly taught in Schooles and Vniuersities after good knowledge in arts commended with honest and faithfull Tutors attending them into forreine countries there to note and learne good fashions of people with their Languages and such things as I spoke of before in peregrination and then towardes the three or foure and twentieth yere of their age when firmer strength may beare it exercised and practised some-deale in the warres which is a great glory to noble yong spirits and groundeth them in the loue of vertue when armes are exercised with a perfect heroicall resolution and to good purposes as Cicero writeth Prima est adolescenti commendatio ad gloriam si qua ex bellicis rebus compaâ—…ari potest The best honour of a yong man proceedeth from his perfection in armes And according to Plato Liberum hominem maxinè decet armoruÌ„ disciplina equitatio c. Martiall discipline and horseman-ship most honoureth a Gentleman By these meanes hauing well broken the inordinate heate of youth with some manly moderation and experience they may be chosen if the Prince thinke it fit into counsell imployed in publike affares of policie till sixtie yeeres be past and then let them take leaue of their Prince returning to their quiet for the better purifying and rectifying of their consciences seeking after their soules health studying how to die a blessed death and hauing their honors and reuenues enlarged by the Princes great bene ficence towards them The Soueraigne which is the fountaine of these counsels needeth not any rules concerning his apport or carriage in administration of graue and weightie businesses of his kingdomes and state for so much as it should bee presupposed that all the wise consultations and actions of his immediate ministers issue from him as being the fountaine or Loadstarre of their direction in whom all glorie which is attained by the mature deliberations and seruices of them that attend his counsels remaineth And therefore I craue pardon herein if vnhapily some shall imagine me so foolishly presumptuous as to prescribe rules of policie for any princes not hauing sufficient in my selfe to serue those priuate purposes that are required in a single man of meane condition for well I know QuaÌ„ difficile atque asperuÌ„ sit consiliuÌ„ regi aut imperatori dare postremo cuiquam mort alium cuius opes in excelso sunt quippe cum illiâ—… consultoruÌ„ copia sunt I know that it is difficult and harsh to minister counsell vnto a King or Emperor or to any mortall man whose riches are huge and honorable because such persons are plentifully furnished with choise of counsellors Onely this in briefe the respects importing his princely care
intollerable subsidies for if such publicke businesses in a Commonwealth oppresse the prince which according to the best iudgements being great and multiplied doe through prudent consultation foresight and caution ioyfully propagate all Soueraigne empire then must it necessarily follow that a generall aid be ministred by the commons for their generall good least otherwise the publicke treasure be through want of such tributarie supplies drawne to the bottome whereas it ought continually to bee multiplied and cherished Etenim qui rempublicam gubernabunt consulere debebunt vt earum rerum copia sit quae sunt necessariae Which if they do carefully respect sildome or neuer shall any vehement cause happen to them of exaction And therefore that good and charitable Emperour Traiane vtterly disallowing and detesting all compulsion and priuie pinches in those cases Fiscum lienem vocauit quod eo scilicet crescente artus reliqui cōtabescunt Howbeit that sentence in some cases to me seemeth more verely physicall according to the letter than morally philosophicall answering to the sence And therefore partafrugaliter tuendo many such inconueniences are preuented Magis etenim dedecus est parta amittere quāomninò nō paruisse This treasure therfore ought to be cherished the cherishing wherof is principally found in cutting off all idle and superfluous expences for therein it doth as well encrease by sauing as receiuing It likewise augmenteth by the bold and industrious valour of them which make great and honourable aduentures as well by land seruice as nauall for their countries glorie returning after a long laborious and chargeable voyage loaden with treasure and commodities So did the noble Romane Aemilius bring from the Macedonians which spoyle was so rich and great that it eased the people of Rome many yeares after from tributes of which hostile booties he was knowne not to bring any thing to his priuate houses or hampers sauing onely the renoume of his triumphs and victories which how well he demerited is witnessed in noble historie Such excellent and precious countreymen should be furnished at the common charge with ships men armes and prouision that they might exercise themselues in those seruices which should increase and magnifie the Commonwealth I may not forgett Sir Francis Drake so much remembred and acknowledged through the whole world which he cōpassed for his noble skill and industrious fortitude who did both much benefit magnifie the state of this land being not borne of any very noble parentage Howbeit that his working good spirit and better fortunes alwaies incited him to some honourable interprise which in the late raigne of blessed Queene Elizabeth brought much coine and bullion of gold and siluer vnto the princes treasures somewhat out of hostile spoyles from the Spaniards taken by that euer renowmed Earle of Cumberland in his nauall voyages To whom at this day we shall find few comparable for their painfull aduētures equiualuable with the trauels either of Crist. Colombo or Hernando Cortez if you will superadde therunto that excellēt fortune and natiue valour which alwayes accompanied and winged their heroicall enterprises I might speake here of Sir Thomas Candish of Sir Humfrey Gilbert but hauing mentioned Sir Francis Drake in him is comprised so much as they could deserue Diuers other gallant gentlemen borne here in England amongst vs which being yet young and aliue haue percase some fortunes in store to make them as glorious in such seruices as any that euer trauailed My meaning is not here that by the direptions piracies depredations of cities or nations confederated and vnited which is meerely dishonest and vnprofitable to farce and gorge vp the common Treasuries for so much as it withstandeth all reason and humane policie with true colour emblazoning the violation and breach of peace and amitie which vndoubtedly bringeth a most lamentable confusion with it vnto those princes and Commonweales in their estâtes that are both agents and patients in these cases but onely with the spoyles of maleuolent mischieuous and professed enemies by whose oppression their whole state is weakened and in whose weakenesse our forces are confirmed such as cannot be more malicious or mortall aduersaries for any violence which wee can offer vnto them Treasures gotten from such ambitious and maleuolent people are laudable and magnifie the state of our kingdomes Such verely were the spoiles which Lucius Mummius Collegue in Censorship to Paulus Aemylius aforesaid brought from the state of a most opulent and braue citie by which atchieuements Cicero noteth in his Offices that Mummius was not a penny the wealthier in his owne priuate purse than before Adde hereunto not vnlike in magnificence though their fortunes were vnequall the condition of that sometimes right noble and vnfortunate Lord of good memorie Robert Earle of Essex after his expedition to Cales By which example in himselfe hee made knowne to the couetous captaines of his time and vnto those which had heard of his victories that true glorie was meerely the subiect and substance of his seruice which hee shared with his countrey treasure the meede of his militarie men which hee magnificently distributed amongst them And certainely there is not any thing which more to life representeth the noble conditions and natures of gallant souldiers in highest militarie reputation than either their great victories and spoyles or their calamities and disfortunes for the bearing of themselues equall and the same in both extremities without insolence or abiection clearely manifesteth to the world their vertues Neither can any thing be more precious and amiable in the sight of people than a magnificent and bountifull magistrate Hunc enim maximé populus admiratur qui pecunia non mouetur quod in quo viro perspectum sit hunc dignum spectatu arbitramur c. Such princes therefore vndoubtedly win a generall good opinion and admiration in seeming to despise those treasures and pleasures which some weake princes and all vulgar persons hold precious howbeit with such a negligent semblance as neither prodigalitie may preiudice their estates nor their negligence by not seeking out honourable means to maintaine that excellent good fame may diuert all lawfull and commendable helpes for the support thereof This Office amongst diuerse otherwayes to weaken it is laid open to those massie charges which the prince vndergoeth in his warres and from the fountaine thereof all inferiour Treasurers of armies garrisons nauies and prouinces with such like are continually serued It is therefore most reasonable considering so many riuers are supplied therewith that diligent circumspection bee required to preserue the Spring alwayes full by beneuolent and due retribution of waters through those siluer pipes which may without stop cheerefully conuey them to that fountaine from the calme riuers of the Commonwealth redispensing them with a carefull kind of beneficence to the common good and tranquilitie This fountaine must be kept alwayes if not full yet not neere drie least by defect of the slenderest vaine branching from it
it was miserable and ruinous in short tiâ—…e Not much vnlike was that of king Philip Valoys called Le Beau who published an Edict That euerie third yeare inquisition should bee made into the manners state and behauiour of the secret Counsellors administrng in the French state In this forme of triall therefore great iudgement and good heed must bee had to those accusations so preferred which sometimes like pilles haue their bitternesse fairely gilt and shaddowed as hath beene manifoldly seene by good experience heretofore In which case the Prince imitateth S. Thomas not crediting further than his eyes and hands haue seene and felt For honours and Offices are either bestowed vpon men for desert for fauour or in respect of their power He which in this choice hath inspexion onely to the first sheweth wisedome and vertue but they that simply standvpon power and fauour differ little from the touch of tyrannie A fit Counsellor therefore a little after his election should haue adoption by the prince into that societie before his noble and immediate ministers of Iustice where to him must bee shewed that for his wisedome and honest parts and in regard of the peoples good opinion attesting his sufficiencie choice was made of him which good fame if he would cherish the glorie should in speciall redound vnto himselfe whereas otherwise the neglect thereof would disgrace and deiect him proposing rewards and punishments suting with his demeanour by which course the people will be well satisfied the Counsellor tied to care how this honour may be with answerable dutie retained and to knit vp the couenant his oath being as Cicero tearmeth it a religious affirmation must bee ministred vnto him in presence which will summon his conscience to warie circumspection and faithfulnesse in that Office arming him with honest constancie when partiall respect of blood or friendship shall chalenge him vpon vniust tearmes by which means he may take honourable exceptions against them And hence is it that Salust sayth How Counsellors should in their difficult consultations set apart all hatred friendship wrath and mercie Haud etenim facile vera prouidet animus vbi illa officiunt neque quisquam omnium libidini simùl vsui paruit For hardly can the mind foresee the truth where those offend neither did euer any man become subiect at once to his lust and commoditie And to make it the surer an oath is most auaileable with honest and ingenuous consciences and natures which Cicero likewise addeth to the charge of a magistrate Neque contra rempub neque contra iusiurandum ac fidem amici sui causa vir bonus faciet nec si Iudex quidem erit de ipso amico A good man will not enter into any action either against the Commonwealth or contrarie to his oath for any respect of friendship no though he were the Iudge in his friends cause For euery noble magistrat which respecteth honour will onely doe those things Quae salua fide facere possit Nullum etenim vinculum ad astringendam fidemiure inrando maiores arctius esse voluerunt For our Elders were of opinion that there could not bee deuised any firmer bond to retaine a mans faith than his solemne oath If Princes therefore will hold this course in planting Counsellors many very noble persons by birth will with vertuous studies furnish and enable themselues for those Offices and suppose they beeing licenciously nuzzled in delicate effeminacie corrupt their natures with pestilent sluggishnesse yet will other ingenuous spirits not so pampered and assotted with sensualities in their education naturally contend to become absolute and with some experience and practise prooue planets of happinesse to the Commonwealth where they minister In my iudgement that was a very strange and politicke prouision of former times in Fraunce which did so worke in the phantasticall spirits of those Noblemen For Vincentius Lupanus noteth That they did abhorre as a qualitie base barbarous and disgracefull that their gentlemen of the most liberall birth and nature should bee learned in the liberall Sciences and in Philosophie prouiding onely that their education should tend to good skill in horsemanship in hunting and in the practise of armes In which opinion it seemeth to mee that they were formerly confirmed and animated by the kings of that realme vpon very prudent respects howbeit I could neuer read it written in any booke neither haue I receiued it from the mouth of any mans opinion what cause might induce them to that kind of stupiditie But vnder pardon I deeme that they being of a fierie stirring and haughtie stomacke as the noble natures of that Nation hath beene many times by many wise obseruers noted and being rooted or implanted rather to the ciuile factions of diuerse Dukes and pettie princes through blood and alliance oppositely combined against some kings and others of those prouinces it hath beene a kind of foolish caball tending to the preseruation of that State and taught vnto them for the priuation of their rationall and intellectuall knowledge which otherwise through their sedicious complots and deuices such as haue alwayes beene plentifull amongst them they might haue coyned out of the noble mint of hystories and other politike discourses and therewithall endangered the publicke state For certaine it is that by the goodnesse of God and the naturall benefit of that climate vnder which they liue those noble men of Fraunce are docile ingenuous apprehensiue variable rash and for the most part fitter for alteration than confirmation of great affaires Howbeit in the flourishing age of king Frauncis the first some threescore and ten yeares past at what time God graciously visited the most parts of Christendome with his spirit of all true knowledge and literature when the most comfortable beames of his blessed sonne our Sauiour Christ his Gospell after a long and infernall eclipse of ignorance beautifully brast out and was dispersed amongst the poore leane and hunger-starued sheepe of his pasture as well with vs in these Realmes as with them and in Germanie euen then did the French Nobilitie take it as their highest honour and a true type of perfect glorie to bee learned in all vertuous contemplation and studies that therein also which so much surreacheth momentanie fortunes they might like as many starres surmount and be discerned from the vulgar shâ—…ddowes So that vnto men enriched with those noble qualities the prince vertuously studying to glorifie the state of that flourishing kingdome diuolued the great and noblest Maiesties Offices and Magistracies of his state whereof the number is infinite vnto such as were learned and vertuous Sola namque virtus vera Nobilitas est For very Nobilitie is composed of vertue onely And certaine is it found in all kingdomes That if the Prince delight in hunting Poetrie Musicke Armes Astrologie c. not onely those neerest him in court but the vulgar will fashion themselues according to their abilities vnto such studies and pleasures And if hee take comfort
foure Counsels besides the Senate and gentlemen of that state The first called Consilio de Saui which prudently deliberate and deale in all the land causes the second in like sort called Consilio de Saui appertaining the Admiraltie Consilio de deci Consilio de setti Vpon which last seuen the whole burthen of that Commonwealth and of the Seignories thereof is amply reposed Like vnto which sometimes we reade how the state of Sparta was or if a Democracie like the present state of Swizzerland or if the gouernment thereof be referred to the King and to his Nobles as now in Denmarke and in other ages at Rome when the kings raigned vntill the Tarquines or to the King and to his Commons as in Persia or to the Nobles and people together as at Rome after their Kings were cried downe at Athens once and at this day in Florence Siene with other free states of Italie or to the King with his nobles and people respectiuely as is common in Germany Poleland Arragon When he hath entred into such knowledge then is it fit that he consider by the diseases and by the causes procuring them which forme is good and which bad for if this life which I tearme to bee the forme of gouernment bee sicke or diseased it is required that the Counsellor should play the part of a wise Physition by purgations diets vomites bloud-lettings or other remedies to medicine and rectifie the state of that bodie where such policie laboureth After such notes let him measure by what seuerall formes these or any such principalities were conserued and lost by what lawes and magistrates they were and must bee succoured in troublesome times If hee bee wanting herein how shall hee giue aduice vnto the Prince or State in any troublesome or difficult seasons towards the cure of any desperate diseases or wounds happening vnto the Common-wealth Or without this knowledge how shall hee direct him in his behauiour towards friends confederates enemies or others for their benefite or annoyance Hee should in like case haue perfect knowledge in the plots heads and grounds of all sedicions and troubles with the wayes to suppresse them whether the Prince his force bee knit vp in bagges or locked vp in the peoples hearts what and how many wayes may bee found with honest colour to breake peace against him that neuer gaue occasion thereof whether it bee more meere that Princes encounter their enemies without their owne territories or expect them in campe at home All which is taught by the iudicious reading of Hystories In this my Counsellor I would require much readinesse and quicknesse of wit for moderate sharpenesse and dexteritie compose the heads bodies and fect of all good actions That light therefore which beautifieth euerie noble and excellent wit must be diuine singular and vnusuall Howbeit a politicall wit if I may so tearme it Quasinatum ad congregationem societatem As instituted to congregate and advnâ—… people as Freigius defineth the same most excellently magnifieth a Counsellor for thereby doth hee referre all things vnto the common societie to the coniunction vnion or collection of people and companies reforming and wisely preuenting all ciuile and dangerous distractions and diuisions amongst the multitude This is that wit which euery gentleman that purposeth to trauaile into forraine countries ought to be possessed of and without it Caelum non animum mutat He changeth his nation and not his condition Because it teacheth him the formes constitutions augmentations diminutions mutations lawes religions rites and iudgements of those nations where he soiourneth It is the true guide and sweet companion of iourneyes and peregrination according to the saying of Socrates in Xenophon Generosumest omnifauore dignum ingenium cui sunt cordi disciplinae politicae That wit is generous and deserueth all fauour which taketh delight in politicall discipline The apparant tokens properties of such a wit are when in answering they seeme prompt sound short in apprehension quicke iudicious attentiue in teaching methodicall and luculent in ieasting pleasant and circumspect in serious matters diligent warie likewise in the whole course of his owne nature so carefull as he may make effectuall tokens appeare of his great loue respect of vertue Moreouer a noble wit neuer walketh in wayes vulgarly frequented neuer speaketh after the vulgar fashion neuer is mercinarie neuer abruptly breaketh off a period but doth all things with exceeding decencie No man which is verely worthied in regard of his wit that taketh any delight in base and common matters sayth Seneca Et magna quae sunt ingenia aegrè serunt iniuriam Mightie wits cannot easily brooke iniuries according to Salust Other garbes and attributes are likewise obserued in these wits as in the entertainement which proceedeth from such ingenuous persons being performed with a liberall and most cheerefull courtesie and sweetly seasoned with a gracious and plausible discourse Such a wit turneth and looketh into good and euill embracing and extolling the one rebuking and eschewing the other by good discretion not fearing malice or offence All actions flourishing out of it are cheerefull and perfected with a commendable spirit working alwayes in meditation contemplation comprehension and as it were a palpitation of all things exercised in much reading conference and societie with people of all conditions and humors busied in knowledge of matters past present and to come studying to be generally wel skilled in all laudable arts neuer slouthfull neuer wearie triumphing in many labours vexations and troubles Quippè secundaeres sapientum animos fatigunt Such a wit should seeme was in Scipio Africanus whose businesse seemed most great when his action was least Nec vnquam minus solus fuit quam cum solus esset Prudentissimus etenim quisque maximè negotiosus est Neither was he euer lesse at leisure than when he was alone in priuat For euery man which is most prudent is least at leisure And hence is this in Salust Non enim votis nec supplicijs multebribus auxilia deorum comparantur sed vigilando agendo benè consulendo prosperè omnia cedunt For God doth not send his succours to men onely because they doe with a broken spirit obserue strict vowes and make prayers but hee doth admit a generall good successe to them that are vigilant industrious and verely prudent Such wits sweetly flourish in youth and plentifully fructifie resembling as Plato compareth it a fruitfull meddow They bee the grounds of all knowledge being studiously tilled and manured with liberall arts and morall philosophie for as great burthens which cannot be lifted by the strength of many men vnited will bee with one engine easily mooued and turned so wit will sometimes effect which other helpes cannot I doe not meane in this place of subtile and fierie wits which are more fit for innouation than administration of matters prone vnto rebellious and sedicious factions which Salust luculently describeth in the person
thy God reioyce in thee c. This is that blessing which hath beene so long prediuined and promised so that our auncestors in many fore-passed ages haue heartely longed to see the same but could not Let vs therefore which haue gotten this iewell highly rate and esteeme it and as we wish for the continuance of that peace which dependeth thereupon so let vs embrace and defend the same least the prouerbe bee verefied amongst vs with our calamitie That Enuie succeedeth our first glorie that we make not foes of our fellowes and fellowes of our foes Accord we therefore with ioyfull endeauours in vnanimitie because peace and friendship cannot possibly reigne together in people of diuerse and variable minds Let vs esteeme our selues all alike in libertiâ—… without ambicious crowding or thronging in for prioritie ascribing all earthly power and preheminence to the Soueraign of our nation and liuing togeher as men commorant in one familie Qui eodem igne fumo vtuntur c. Let vs like those auncient noble Romanes dilate and propagate our honours by sociable amitie rather than to repine at any iust and profitable equalitie to the pernicious confusion and ruine of our estates in generall Thus shall wee stirie vp our discontâ—…nted spirits if in vs any such wildâ—…e of ambition reigne to maintaine to protect and to glorifie those liberties which we possesse and by these meanes shall no forraine enemies dare to complain or repine against any thing in vs but of our greatnesse and amplitude By these meanes shall good fashions bee followed ciuill and martiall exercises embraced and practised concord and firme amitie shall be confirmed and encreased inuiolably both amongst our selues our old friends and new confederates This if we shall presently ponder and put in practise with the true vigour of our vertues then shall we not haue cause to curse our owne imaginations and foresights like foolish pilotes which when a tempest is apparant and alreadie begun lamentably threaten and as it were aftertell of the calamitie setting men to worke when all humane hopes are past or like to the imprudent gouernours of cities which when the first sedicious sparkes are kindled and breake forth to the ruine of their states which otherwise might haue beene antiuerted by their precaution spend the remnant of their time of succour in wayling and weeping But if my zeale carie mee too farre to make a question of that which many peraduenture wise do think needlesse and impertinent I craue pardon assuring my selfe that the diuell beeing confusion himselfe will bee very busie to make a disorder amongst the people of God that he might supplant the root of our true Christian glory Since therfore the blessed time of our vnion is accomplished and perfected we shall not need to doubt but that this our bride and bridegroome shal flourish like a garden inclosed and abound in precious vertue like a spring and fountain of happinesse which is sealed vp Neither is it to bee doubted or imagined which some friuolous opinions haue cast out that it cannot long and easily brooke your Maiesties absence as if according to the vulgar prouerb the chiefe person of maiestie being out of sight should be banished out of her loyall mind also for as I said they might know how the diuine spirit doth not call kings by the name of gods in vaine for so much as this royall vbiquitie disperseth their soueraigne power lawes and authoritie through all the parts of this world For we know that Fraunce which is much larger had not many ages past diuers great and free principalities contained within her bounders which by match and vnion as this of ours is and through the disobedience of some ambicious princes are now firme and annexed as parts and members of that crowne such as were Normandie little Brittaine Aquitaine Orleance and others and likewise in the kingdome of Spaine where at one time Aragon Castile Granada Corduba Gallicia Andelosia being all of theÌ„ little kingdomes were seuerally gouerned and Portugall also lately knit vnto king Philips Crowne All which principalities and prouinces are gouerned in peace by Presidents and Counsels established in them There seemeth then no reason to the contrary why Scotland should not containe it selfe and continue loyall shadowed vnder the royall curtaine of your gracious authoritie by that sapience which in your diuine policie is and shall be dispersed amongst them For they cannot be such impious barbarous and vnthankfull creatures as to forget their faith and allegeance vnto him that from his cradle was and is so dearely affied in them and which hath since the first spiracle of his reason expressed such mildnes and gouerned amongst them with such moderation benignitie Moreouer the nobles and gentlemen of that nation are in this age by the maruellous beneficence of God and Nature morethan euer ingenuous liberall honourable and for the most part vertuously affected desirous to learne knowledge good fashion which oftentimes I did obserue in the conditions of theÌ„ for the most part insomuch as it is a wonder that a region which was sometimes held and reported to bee rude and barbarous could affoord so many ciuile and gallant spirits which last good and honorable inclination is generally seene in the most of them being a speciall braunch of temperance drawne from modestie noted by the Philosophers and touched in the Morals of my first booke Shall any man then amongst the people of your Maiesties Nations bee so stubborne as to withstand this diuine ordinance or so proud amongst the seditious that dare appeale from this so charitable and peaceable decree For besides that royall Maiestie shall discountenance him the very Cannon of those ciuile lawes which are approued established throughout all Christendome vniuersally shall vtterly condemne them by that prerogatiue which is granted to your Highnesse in these words Rex Angliae est monarcha in suo regno à cuius sententia non appellatur quia praefectus multorum pralatorum est sui regni Much more priuiledge then is included in your Highnesse in whom is iustly planted the soueraigne right and inheritance of both these kingdomes now made one Nation Since therefore this head including your regall grace being prudently busied in continuall contemplation premeditation conference of things past present and to come which are noted to be the very faculties of prudence doth with a zealous and pastorall care tender vnto the heart being the iewell-house of vnderstanding and sapience the weale of this politicall body which it by mature deliberation disgesteth for the chiefe good thereof euen as the liuer with bloud the vocall organes and arme of iustice by pronounciation and distribution of the lawes and euery part in his particular function is ayding towards the preseruation hereof in health and tranquilitie so should this head with all these mentall faculties and that body with all his members conioyntly labour aboue all things to preserue the soule pure and blemishlesse
Cicero was in his owne house vnder the colour of salutation and instantly to stabbe him before he could suspect them Cethegus being appointed captaine of that guard which should haue attended without the doores of his house I could giue more late familiar examples as he which readeth and conferreth these may very well be brought to remember euen in the same nature and of the like fashion but I say with Cicero Externa libentiùs hac in re quam domestica recordor In these cases I more willingly record forraine then domesticall examples For the conference of causes and heads of the like plots and conspiracies with their euents and issues will rub vpon their remembrance After this the curioust marshalling ordering and disposing of their euill disposed and disordered complices as places streetes and quarters appointed to be spoyled or guarded by this captaine that rebel for their pillage and to be mantled and defaced with so many terrible traitours in armes some to surprise such strong peeres and noble persons some to guarde places possessed and taken others to spoile and make waste of all good things round about them Their nefarious captaines impiously darting those vertues and graces giuen vnto them by God and headed with the venomous forkes of ambition and malice vpon the naked breastes of their natiue contries whose minds incessantly troubled breath fourth in pestilent sighes in horrible execrations in blasphemous oathes and in vaineglorious menaces a sudden death against all good men For their hearts being enraged and as it were drunken with strange and violent wrath and feritie eate and hauocke vp the peace of their contrimen with incredible immanitie they thirst extremely for ciuill blood greedily gaping for a generall spoyle menacing sword and fire without any mercy to the bodies and families of their owne fathers and contrimen The principall conspirator and archtraitor being like Sathan totally composed of craft and confusion and so by nature able to conciliate aucupate the friendships good willes of men and being guilesully gotten to deale with them as trecherously seemeth very munificent and prodigal of gifts and treasure howbeit most rauenous in auarice of other mens possessions present in counsell and hatefull in all temeritie These are they which open the prisons letting loose the wolues beares and foxes of the Commonwealth out of their chaines which furiously reioyce and exult as on the deuils feast day to ransacke honest mens houses and to keepe a bloody triumph in the defaced streetes Before them their captaine as vpon a tragicall stage made of murther and of dead bodies a man resolute and steeled in thoughts and actions of spight and smoaking slaughter of his owne contrimen calleth and commandeth some of his Canniballes to feede vpon the flesh and to drinke the blood of such noble persons and of others in the place of high magistracie some he commandeth vnto the spoyle and sacke of houses many to set fire and to lay waste such ports bastilles and noble fortresses fenced against them matrons and wiues being torne from their husbands embracements become wofull subiects of their insatiate lustes widowes left naked of all wealth and comfort both of them lamentably subiected to their bloody weapons young maidens and daughters wrung from their parents bosomes rauished polluted and violated with villanous abhomination their most precious iewels openly carried in their sight away from them which lie bound and pitteously wounded without hope of any recouerie round about houses burning and carcases some mortally wounded diuerse breathlesse and all wallowing in blood others lying in the high-wayes and ditches mantled ouer and staunched full with humane bodies finally no noyse but of murthers woundes teares clashing of weapons breaking vp of doores grones and outcries with the mortall lamentations of fathers men old wiues women and children Behold here the bloody scene of sedition which euen nature abhorreth to behold and reason shuddereth to consider can any thing be more flagitious vpon earth then to bestow that life which our owne contrey breathed into our bodies by the sufferance of God vnto the ruine and calamitie thereof vtterly repugnant to the will of God or can any thing bee thought of more abhominable then to deuise the torture seruitude of them whom the same lawes and fashions of life haue included within the same limits liberties and houses with vs Certaine it is therefore which Cicero noteth out of Dicaearchus the Peripatetike Homines hominum impetu plures deleri id est bellis seditionibus c. quam reliqua calamitate More men by the violence of men which is by warre seditions and rebellious treasons are wasted then with any other calamitie And hence is that prouerbe Homo homini lupus homo homini Deus A man is a wolfe amongst men and a god vnto men For in a noble and good action against forreine oppressors of our friends or of our liberties it is a dutifull piety that contrimen combine in armes howbeit to rise vp in rage one against another is more then brutish therfore Cicero concludeth thus homines hominibus plurimuÌ„ prosunt obsunt Men are very beneficiall and offensiue vnto men If into any such impious horrible practises or coniurations either by faction feare or affectioÌ„ any noble counsellor should be drawen let him assure himselfe that the second punishment besides that fearefull danger of the first is most intollerable I had almost said inexpiable Euery right noble and vertuous counsellor therefore will labour as Cicero writeth to deliberate in such cases whether they should wittingly become honest in auoyding that which they know to be reasonable or whether they should wilfully become wicked in the toppe of traytorie For they be deemed impious and abhominable which make a question thereof In ipsa namque dubitatione facinus inest etiamsi ad id non peruenerins For in the combate or doubt within a man whether he should commit treason or not there is a foule sinne although the plot thereof take not effect And herein is the very thought of conceiued treason though it be not put in practise made hainous and damnable A right noble and truely wise counsellor therefore Non modo facere sed ne cogitare quidem quicquid audebit quod non audeat praedicare Not onely dare not put in execution but also dare not harbour a thought of such things as staÌ„d not with his safetie to speak openly For if he were possessed with that ring which Plato mentioneth by which Gyges going invisible became king of Lydia hauing power to do what he list yet wold his wisdom honestie restraine him from all violence And therefore Cicâ—…ro vseth this sentence Honesta bonis viris non occultapetuntur Good men delight in open honestie not in hidden practises But I deeme how no truely-truely-noble nature can be so farre debauched or corrupted vnlesse by flatterers and malicious minyons to whom for the most part great spirits are most addicted But
or priute seales to delay any cause in iudiciall dependance proceeding by course of law yet shall the iudges proceede with mature expedition according to iustice notwistanding any precept from them directed For what can be said more to the disgracing and disrobing of any king then that which Freigius in the latter end of his politicall questions citeth out of a certaine oration of Scattaius against tyrannie Tu iusticiam imperabis interim tamen iniuriam alijs facies tu officium commendabis ab officij religione deflectes As if he should say Why wouldest thou be king to command men to deale iustly giuing in proper person example of wrong done to others How canst thou commend men for doing of their dueties and offices when thou thy selfe transgressest thy functions and dueties Thus if princes or iudges should preuaricat but a little thē their laws which ought to be the iudges of euery iust prince will restraine and reforme them And if those lawes be dissonant to the spirit of charitie trueth and equitie thē the diuine power sapience of God which are the very iudges of all laws princes iudges on earth wil correct punish them with their ministers Let therefore no partiall respect of power neither priuate affection nor vnexcusable ignorance of those laws which any iudge stewardeth blemish his iudgments For if he be partiall let him consider with himselfe that it proceedeth from affection or corruption which both are incorporate that it cannot be hidden from many men amongst infinite which behold and heare him from so conspicuous a place where all mens eyes are fixed vpon his maiestie and therefore according to Salust aequos bonosque fauere debet vt eius benefacta reipub procedant he must fauour men which are iust and good that he may declare himselfe beneficent towards the Commonwealth And if he be led by affection let him consider how fallacious a passion it is oftentimes opposite to reason euen in the men of honestest natures and constitutions shewing a kind of charitie for the most part where it falsefieth the vertue pulling downe of a mountaine to raise a molehill and to satisfie his affected commonly to deiect and make ruinous such aduersaries which percase euen in a worse case descrue much more affection Lastly but specially let him haue a speciall care to be skilfull in those lawes which he deliuereth and administreth for otherwise his honor is onerous and insupportable For if he shall with all graue and profound prudence consider how chargeable and iust accompt will be required at his hands that hauing much committed to his trust his accompts will arise to great summes not of monies and pounds but of men and people the noblest worke of diuine nature the creature in whom so soone as he was created the creator himselfe exceedingly reioyced and tooke so great pleasure that when through his owne preuarication he was taken captiue to sinne hell and death he ransomed him in the tender and vnspeakeable loue of his holy spirit in the most precious blood of his deare sonne Christ Iesus the righteous sacrifice of his vnrighteousnesse If therefore he counterpoise in equall scales of diuine reason the sacred allegeance in which he liueth spiritually bound vnto God the faithfull obedience wherein he standeth bodily subiected to his prince the zealous duetie which doth by nature inuite him to studie the weale of his countrey pondering these with his naked conscience hee will not only refuse those honors and dignities to sit in iudgement vpon Gods beloued people vnworthily or vnskilfully but rather will choose a death accompanied with the languishing sting of infinite tortures Albeit as Salust thinketh Plerosque non ijsdem artibus imperiū petere postquā adepti sunt gerere primo industrios supplices modicos esse dehinc per ignauiam superbiam at atem agere That many princes differ in their acquisition and gouernement of a kingdome because vpon the first they shew themselues industrious suppliant and temperate afterward in sloth idlenesse and pride passe their liues Euery king iudge and ruler of the people therefore ought to ponder with himselfe how great a part of the Commonweales hope dependeth vpon him which he should with his vertues and innocencie protect whereas all other meanes are forcelesse Yea verely the iudge representeth in himselfe the person of that Commonwealth where he ministreth wherefore he should sustaine the state and honor thereof by conseruation and administration of iustice bearing in carefull remembrance the trust of those things which are reposed in him A iudge is as it were an eye fixed in the kings scepter a priest of diuine iustice and equitie a moderator of the lawes the life of righteousnesse whose voyce is the pronouncer and preseruer of life and death a publike interpreter of the lawes vnto whom as to a common sanctuarie all persons oppressed with dammages iniuries repaire and refuge themselues to be relieued in equity And euen as iust iudgement is fitly defined to be the ballance of equitie the voyce of lawes and consummation of all strife and variance so is the iudge properly called th'interpreter of those lawes the steward of equitie and oracle of the Commonwealth They therefore that are fit and worthy to sit vpon the throne of equitie ought sincerely to be good men seuere incorrupt obdurate against flatterers impatient of smooth tales and secret detraction vnmercifull to them that are remedilesse inexorable in waightie causes of iudgement and such as will not transgresse the precincts of iustice in any case for according to the discretion of Aulus Gellius they must distribute to the king and begger equall measure without inclination or passion towards any mans estate or person as it was most diuinely shadowed in that misticall order of the Areopagites being a counsell in Athens consisting of sixtie citizens which successiuely through all offices and degrees of honor at length attained place vpon the seate of iustice to deale in affaires of state and in tempestuous times to prouide that the Cōmonwealth should endure no preiudice These in the darkest season of the night would decide causes in iudgement at such time as they might heare and not see the parties appealed Hence it is that Cicero saith Vir bonus ponit personā amici cum induit iudicis A good man layeth apart the person of a friend when he taketh upon him the place of a iudge And therefore iudges as saith that most reuerend Emperour Iustinianus must sacrifice pure and vncorrupt hands to God to the kind and to the law least that curse fall vpon them which our Sauiour Christ denounced against the Pharises Woe be to you interpreters of the L◅we for you haue taken away the key of knowledge you did not enter in your selues and them that would haue entred you forbad Amongst other politicke Lawes in Deutronomie deliuered from Gods mouth to the sacred prince his seruant Moses it was commanded
the fault and therefore is the Prouerbe Cupido irapessimi sunt consultores Lust and wrath are the worst counsellors and specially wrath is to be vehemently suppressed in a Iudge least he staine his hands in innocent blood which is a thing so odious in the sight of God and man as nothing can be more abhominable Hence was that saying of the noble morall Tragoedian Iudex futurus sanguine humano abstine If thou wilt be a Iudge abstaine from humane blood Lenitie then appeareth in a Iudge when by pardoning of wicked persons he suffereth a mischiefe to fall vpon good men and therefore this lentitude is so great a sinne as immanitie neither should any Iudge in the case of his countrey giue any sentence vpon father countrey-men or brethren contratie to iustice least a dangerous example and scandall be taken Lyes calumnies fraud hypocrisie dissimulation and arrogancie stand at defiance with veritie what enemies these be vnto the soule of man and vnto publike gouernement I referre to mens priuate consciences For calumnie praiseth vice rebuketh vertue hypocrisie doth foolishly maliciously and fraudulently dispraise those in their absence whom in presence she commendeth and in like case the rest There is one most pemicious disease ingendred of these humors which being very rise in some princes courts I may not forget The condition is in killing imprisoning and vndoing certaine persons and some of good desert which in the politicke Courtier of Duro di pascolo seemeth commonly to be bent against noble Gentlemen of greatest respect honest innocent and vnconuicted these being brought vnto the pits brinck are many times charged and surcharged with treasonable or nefarious accusations wherein they perish as Petro de Vineis Aluaro de Luna Giacobo Corde Christophoro Colombo Philip de Comynes with other very wise and honourable Counsellors euen of our fathers times and of our memories which did in such cases miscary neither is it safe or behoofefull that I particularize This is a kinde of iniustice and close malice necessarily to be sisted being wholy composed of diabolicall wilynesse Wherefore they cannot be very noble that foster in their rancorous hearts such maliciousnesse and if there rest in any heroycall spirits the least spiracle which should seeme to taste of that contagious humour it is emulation onely for we finde in Cicero that Nobiles sivirtute valent magis aemuli quam inuidi bonorum sunt Noblemen which are possessed of vertue doe rather emulate then maligne good men And albeit this vice of emulation resteth amongst Nobles Paladynes which is most glorious being applied to vertuous and honourable purposes as in contending to become most iust valiant temperate learned actiue or excellent in any such manly qualities then the rest yet to maligne others for their perfections and better properties should seeme most vnnaturall base and brutish and therefore elegantly Cicero citing the same out of Crisippus resembleth them to such as runne together in one race for a wager in these wordes Qui stadium currit eniti contendere debet quà m maximè possit vt vincat supplant are cum quocum certat aut cubito deppellere nullo modo debet Sic in vita sibi quemque petere quod pertineat ad vsum non iniqum est deripere ius non est Hee that runneth a race ought to worke and contend with all possible meanes to winne the wager hee may not in any case supplant him with whom he contendeth or strike him backe with his elbow Semblaby that is not vnfit which a man necessarily craueth for the sustinance or support of his life but forceably to take away from men that which is theirs is meere iniquitie There is a Lesson which Cicero vehemently mooueth and vrgeth and in this case fit to be considered vpon by learned and graue Iudges not to summon or appeale any man in causes criminall if he finde in his heart the parties innocencie so slandered or indited because it cannot bee done without great charge and torture of conscience For what can be found more rigorous and vnmanly then to peruert that eloquence which God with nature hath giuen for the comfort and conseruation of men vnto the shame and ruine of honest persons Which charitable equabilitie hath bin obserued in some worthy Law-fathers of this land and amongst others manie times in one principall minister of his Maiesties pleadings of whom vnnamed I may speake a truth without adulation that it hath seemed doubtfull to wise-men whether he were in Proborum defensitationibus quam in sceleratorum accusationibuâ—… magis acer more vehement in his Apologies for good and honest men in their good causes or earnest in his inuectiues or informations against nefarious and wicked persons For such ought to be the care of iust Iudges as Cicero writeth Vt iuris iudiciorum aequitate suum quisque teneat That through the equitie of iustice and iudgement euery man may retaine his right I speake this as a necessarie caueat or monition against calumnies and enuy which hath bene the deuouring caterpiller of so many vertuous and gallant princes and Commonwealthes men that haue thereby perished because that restlesse hagge malice commonly doth more mischiefe then fortune and therfore if men which are set vpon the stage of honour and reputation can finde out a soueraigne preseruatiue against her venime then doe they shew great wisedome possessing this world in quiet For sure it is that Viuos interdum fortuna saepe inuidia fatigat Fortune some times toyleth liuing creatures but enuy vexeth them often Gratitude being another branch of iustice is vngraciously wounded with vnthankefulnesse nothing vanisheth sooner then the remembrance of benefites receiued for if you multiply them they shall be retributed and retribled to you with infinite malefices considering that he which neither hath heart nor facultie to requite commonly forgetteth or vnderualueth your munificence disdayning in himselfe the very remembrance of that necessitie which being either with your mercie mitigated or delayed in case of iustice or by your charitie supplied in compassion of his pouerty should haue enioyned him to thankefull requitall for such a benefit which people commonly so soone forget as taste This haue I found by good experience both in particular and by some priuate respects of my selfe and others most neere vnto me not doubting but that it is a vulgar proofe wherein this worlds aged malignitie through diuelish continuance hath increased it from a wily serpent to a subtile malicious and murthering old dragon like that which is spoken of in the Reuelation of the blessed Euangelist Iohn being now set free from fetters towards the last times and amongst wise men so detestable and odious that by their often repetion it became a prouerbe generally deliuered if you call me vnthankefull call me what you will for nothing can be more disgracefull or infamous And as it is vsed to men of that vnthankfull nature an vnthankefull dogge for as it is
Cato of Vtica did in Africke instruct his souldiers how to beare themselues amongst a swarme of mortall stings how to suffer heat hunger thirst sickenesse for this vertue fenceth and prepareth his mind against all wounds inflicted in fight and Quintus Fabius likewise whom I mentioned in my second booke That Generall therefore which is verely valiant will in the effusion and smoking current of his owne blood that from him washeth away all spots of shame and deformities fight most eagerly considering that his most grace and highest commendation in conflict is to stand stedfast foote to foote without giuing any ground or turning his face away from the aduersarie vnlesse good aduantages and opportunities require the same He likewise that can with most ingenious fortitude discouer auoyd and turne the fallacies engines and mischiefes of his enemies vpon their owne heads and he semblably who being wounded rewounded and surrewounded vpon the face will not shrinke nor yeeld himselfe but holding a secret combat betwixt dolor and glory fighteth in blood sweate and dust vnto the last spiracle of his life not doubling his body nor faintly staggering vnder the weight of his enemies arme neither touching the ground during the combat with hands or knees It is likewise honorably noted in the combattant that shall wound his foes vpon their heads foreheads or other nobler members which obseruations Vegetius specially requireth in the fanteries if therefore this be considered Vtifortem animū gerant quantoque sibi in praelio minus pepercissent tanto tutiores fore that they beare a valiant spirit and that they shall better and more safely defend their bodies and honours by how much more earnest and lesse sparing they be of themselues then will this noble vertue of patience and true fortitude victoriously flourish in the hearts of all good souldiers This vertue doth as Cicero defineth consist in suffering continuall and voluntarie toyle and hardnesse vpon honest profitable termes which is a firme and constant toleration of humane affaires when with a mind and spirit vnbroken we beare all calamities which may happen this long sufferance of griefe and trauaile must be grounded vpon some honest cause for if vnder the reuerend and demure roabes thereof hatred wealth or honour being riotous and ruffionlike companious be concealed then is it not any branch of fortitude but the extreamitie thereof importing a sauage and reasonlesse hardinesse Patience consisteth in suffering iniuries and in cheerefull bearing all the crosses of fortune herein is the Prouerbe compleat that Patience is victorie for in repressing his owne affection a man both subdueth himselfe and his aduersarie whereas in contrary being subiected and made a vassall vnto the scourge of his owne appetites he wilfully submitteth himselfe to that brutish yoake being prouoked by wrath and desire onely let vs neglect wrong and it is easily vanquished leauing vengeance to the benefit of time and to the powerfull iudgement of the great iudge and avenger For according to blessed Paul In hauing patience we doe the will of God by which we receiue the promise of saluation And Salomon that oracle of wisedome confirming it in a parable or wise concealed sentence saith That he which is slow to wrath is better then the mightie man and he that ruleth the mind exceedeth a conqueror of cities Moreouer God himselfe when he discended in a cloud to Moses proclaimed his mercie manifested in patience when he cryed before his face The Lord the Lord is strong mercifull and gratious slow to anger and full of goodnesse and trueth reseruing mercie for thousands forgiuing sinne and iniquitie And thence is it that holy Paul calleth him the God of patience and consolation which ensueth it admonishing the Thessalonians in another place to be patient towards all sorts of men Patience therefore being a principall member of fortitude giueth vs a conquest and possession of our owne soules in peace and comfort pouertie exile losse of parents friends children sorow reproch contempt seruitude grieuous sicknesse blindnesse with all the miserable defects and mischiefes of nature and fortune if a man ponder that his life is by course of mortalitie full of vexation and heauinesse are nothing and therefore iust honor inuiteth him to combate or wrestle willingly with all calamities that he may purchase a glorious and renounced victorie ouer them rather then like a foolish coward wilfully to trust himselfe without courageous resistance into the iawes of ineuitable troubles as by some dastardly mancipation of himselfe that though he be broken by it yet it may be said that he was not subdued but as it were voluntarily sacrificed vnto it for no man is said to feele griefe but he that complaineth of it Them that in desperate causes as in respect of pouertie disgrace captiuitie or in amorous passion should kill or cast away themselues for such persons Aristotle termeth effeminate I cannot hold to be verely valiant whereas it is the part of true valor to beare in equall ballance of minde m◅hiefe and prosperitie a sure token of cowardize and idlenesse also to distrust faint or filthily to be deiected in troubles Impacience which is the softnesse of a minde echewing labour and the tolleration of dolor opposeth it such as are afraid to take paines and to be grieued thinking sorrowes vnsufferable which patience teacheth vs to tollerate are in this opposition and such likewise as cannot beare honours and prosperitie with moderation but become insolent without measure are in as much fault or more Perseuerance likewise is another branch of fortitude being a constant perpetuall and considerate apprehension of reason conuersing in the former perfections repressing their contraries and yoaking them to discretion for without constancie equabilitie which is the geometricall proportion from the centre to the iust circumference of fortitude no man can be called truely valiant Lenitie with a giddy disposition of humane affaires withstandeth it this either through effeminacie doth vnaduisedly yeeld it selfe prisoner to troubles and cannot indure the burthen of them or with pertinacitie when reason ought to change it doth arrogantly and contumaciously persist in a friuolous opinion and so much for the morall knowledge of Chieftaines fit for euery worthy souldior to learne and exercise Casar extolleth this noble gift of perseuerance in a souldior whereas in contrary the coward and he which forsaketh his colours is punished with death Also mutuall loue and charitie should be dispersed amongst them so that as they partake in paines and passion they should likewise perseuere declaring themselues companions in consolation according to the saying of blessed Paul Militarie charitie dependeth vpon two speciall points vpon the ayding and seconding of our fellow-souldiers in extremities and vpon constant perseuerance in maintenance thereof when truth and equitie stande with their quarrels There be certaine of the liberall Sciences likewise most needfull towardes the knowledge of all martiall Gouernours namely the studies of Arithmetick and
marshes and riuers for marching incamping wading fortifying imbattelling and such like by such practise of hunting shall be with sport and in short time attained also the benefit happening to their bodies in confirming of their strength and health which vse it For by this countries Topographie a perfit knowledge and discretion of the nature condition and soyle of other countries is attained with facilitie for all regions haue some resemblance one of another In such sort Salust writing somewhat concerning the exercise which Iugurth did vse commendeth him after a fashion for his exercise of hunting in these words Non se luxui nequè inertiae corrumpenduÌ„dedit sed vti mos gentis illius est equitare iaculari cursu cum aequalibus certare cum omnes gloria antecelleret omnibus tamen charus esse Ad hoc pleraque tempora in venando agere leonem atque aliâ—… feras primus aut imprimis ferire plurimum facere minimum ipse de se loqui He did not giue himselfe ouer to be corrupted with lust or sluggishnesse but as the fashion is of that countrie to ride to shoote to runne in race with his equals and albeit he did exceed all of them in glorie yet euery one of them did loue him Moreouer he bestowed much time in hunting he would be the first man or the surest man which gored wounded or paunched the Lion and other wild beasts his fashion was to do very much to make small brags of it In which generous exercise recreation of hunting your highnesse soone after your first milke in the tendernesse of your gracious spring industriously to great good end delighted hauing proposed it as a recreation destined to most noble and heroicall purposes when time and occasion should summon your mightinesse to make specious demonstration thereof And that care and wisedome is exceeding great which answereth to the choosing of a Generall aswell for his reason experience and valour as for his bodilie strength and agilitie for that cause the people of Rome hauing decreed by the consent of the Senate to moue warre against any Nation made choise of their Generals and Dictators out of the prudentest Consuls vnto whom they graunted a large Commission to deale in all causes concerning the seruice in their trust according to their sound discretions And verely whereas both the life and honor of peace and warre resteth in his person the wise iudgement of a Prince as I thinke cannot bee so certainly in substitution and deputation of any vicegerent or seruaunt whatsoeuer as in the prudent election of a Generall For certainely those noble parts and perfections which are needfully required in him stand in more force and valour of all inferiour souldiers vnder him as Philip great Alexanders father said That a battell of Lyons which were gouerned by a Stagge could not be so good as an hoast of stagges vnder the conduct of a Lyon for of Cowards hauing able bodies a gallant Generall may with some conuenient paines and good discipline make victorious warriours as Epaminondas and Pelopidas did of the Thebanes by whom they were enfranchised from the Spartans and albeit in regard of their long slauerie some deemed them vnfit for militarie seruice yet did these Captaines so labour in disciplyning of them as they did proue soone after able and vanquishers ouer them that so tyrannized ouer them before In honour of which nation and vpon their good successe it was written how not onely the Lacedemonians but euen all other sorts of people would become gallant fellowes and victorious through good martiall instruction practise which ought to proceed at all times both in peace and warre For men which are skilfull in the practise and exercise of Armes will not stand in awe of their enemies because no man feareth to doe that wherein he knoweth himselfe skilfully practized It is also common in nature that in laudable qualities especially where multitudes may be witnesses of their excellent readinesse and resolution men loftily will performe the parts of their cunning with great hope whereas the rude and vnexercised souldior is like a sheepe exposed to slaughter Hence is it that Vegetius sayeth that vse in warre auaileth more then sâ—…ength and armour The speciall companions of martiall discipline and veâ—…tue which administer honor and reputation to Captaines and souldiers are labour in businesse fortitude in perils temperance in desires industâ—…ie in doing celeriâ—…ie in dispatching counsell in prouiding The greatest benefit in a Generall towards the performance hereof is in time of peace as fitting and preparing himselfe for warre when there is no danger and in 〈◊〉 times also to seeme and beare himselfe vnto such souldiors if wants and negligence require it like an enemie when he disciplineth and with his enemies in contrary to dissemble himself a friend Menander that he which is not experienced in militarie discipline hauing command of armies doth bring â—…oorth thousands of men for a sacrifice to their enemies if therefore the souldiors bee negligent idle or vnexperienced in their seruice and vse of weapons or in keeping of their rankes marches or formes discipline is required with compâ—…tent seueritie aâ—…well towards inferior Captaines in their priuate transgrâ—…ssions by â—…assiering them of their charge which is to some noble spirits much more great disgrace then the paine of death driuing them to the priuate souldiors march on foote vntill such time as they by their seruice and industrie which they should very well know before they be chosen to gouerne haue practised how to remerite in a common soldiers place the reputation of a captaine recouering and reforming that losse and omission and if they be slack in discipline towards their souldiors which serue vnder their colours and ensignes when duetie bindeth that they should instruct yet if it so happe that some of those Captaines or others of greatest place in the field haue in monitions and perswasions been milde and gentle before and that such lenitie cannot prevaile then is it not expedient that he growe seuere vpon the sodaine least his purpose of extremitie be discouered and the stubborne heartes of his fieldmen become mutinous but by little and little with wary gradation and vpon sure occasion conceale his purpose vntill time bring to perfection his defence before offence bee done which is by conciliation of the more part out of the best and those of the more conformable sort so neere as may be found or taken with courteous encouragement and wily familiaritie winning some with benefits others with the right gylt of beneuolence lenitie pretending towards the benefited his great respect vnto their dueties and diligence declared which course being well entred openeth safely the secure path of seueritie coÌ„cerning others but let him beware in any case that he doe not neglect this as in sodaine changing his mildnesse into seueritie for it will indanger his confusion when he wanteth ayde and countenance of some their better fellowes in his
after the state of his prince and countrey which if the captaines doe neglect ought to be with due seueritie punished in them We read that Moyses who was a carefull warrior against the Egyptians did send out sâ—…outs centrenels and escurriers and that Iosua that diuine and triumphant captaine purposing the destruction of Ierico sent espials which were lodged in Rhahabs house When Saul had pitched in Hachilah before Ieshimon Dauid sent espials out of the wildernesse which brought tidings of his approach There is a kind of souldiers which are chiefe men of the nobler sort vsed amongst the Frenchmen which in that Realme are by common and ancient custome in time of speciall seruice to maintaine themselues and seruants in those warres three moneths the Frenchmen call them Banne and Retrobanne Which as Procopius saith Romani bannum signum dixerunt bandoferum ducis belli signum ferentem the Romanes did call this word bannum that which we call ensigne and Bandoferus him which beareth the captaines ensigne from thence should seeme that anciently the name of ensignes were called banners wherein certaine emblemes and armorie of the noble leaders and captaines were knowen and distinguished from others also when any publike edict was diuulged or proclaimed it was called Bannire in bannum soluere which signifieth as much as to set it to the view and knowledge of the whole hoast Likewise the creation of knights according to their deserts after the warres being many and of diuers orders I will not insist vpon because they be so well known The creation of knights bannerets which is vnder the princes standard being displayed is the most honorable knighthood in the field for they be called equiâ—…es redubitati twise knighted for their martiall prowesse such as in honor of warre and for their noble atchieuments by militarie worthinesse attaine knighthoods of collers such as the Cheualliers sans â—…proch deuised by Lewis the eleuenth at Ambois 1469. of the first Institution being thirtie sixe Nobles of the Realme and since more according to the Kings pleasure and such Noble men his friendes of other nations as for their valour in seruing him in his warres are invested to that honor at this day Likewise the order of Saint George instituted by King Edward the third the ceremonies whereof being so well knowne and celebrated at Windsor I let passe with that Order of the golden Fleece which Philip Duke of Burgundie instituted at Dijoun in France which King Philip of Spaine and the Emperor Randolph by right of the Emperor Charles the fift whose mother was heire of that Dutchie at this day retaine as their order of honorable Knighthood and all these noble Orders with diuers of like fashion first deuised as a reward and mâ—…d of their militarie vertues and in that respect the Romanes did bestow vpon their worthiest captaines and militarie commanders horse and furniture with rich caparisons bracelets chaines girdles and crownes of pure gold lanâ—…es with other warlike habilimenâ—… and armorie such as Cicinius Dentatus receiued of theÌ„ for his fortitude shewed in their waâ—…es which were golden spurres and a sword with the kings personall embrace as our 〈◊〉 of honour are created at this day The most famous and best renowned souldiers that in our times haue bene noted were Ambrose Dudley the old Earle of Warwike Thomas Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex the three brethren of that honourable race of Ricot the two noble and vnfortunate Earles of Essex both deceased the father and sonne the Lord Willoughbie late Gouernour of Barwicke Sir Roger Williams Sir Philip Sydney who singeth in heauen crowned both with martiall and ciuill girlands Sir Thomas Morgan but there haue bene so manie and yet are of gallant heroicall spirits aliue amongst vs that it were infinite to reckon and would rather bring one into suspition of that fault for which I detest to conuerse in the houses of great princes then any wayâ—…s answere to the worthinesse of them whom I commemorate And heere least I might vnhappilie seeme too curious or tedious will I knit vp my labours satisfying my selfe with a little taste of some principles in euery counsell forasmuch as if I should write all that ought in these discourses to be set downe it would be both infinite in regard of the matter and needelesse if your Grace respect the learneder writings of others not crauing more then beneuolence for my voluntarie liberalitie which is the best treasure that a double pouertie proceeding from my single fortunes in ward and exterior affordeth From the profane multitude full of error and confusion whose opinions distand from veritie so farre as England according to 〈◊〉 tables is diuided from the Indies I will appeale by protestation that they which leane vpon vaine hope and idle counsels which threaten and disdaine sea-stormes slouthfully wallowing in their warme beddes at land and which in tempestuous times are immeasurably blasted with ignominious feare and pusillanimitie may not bee taken for equall iudges of my studies How meane my matter is how naked my sentences how little my trauels how bare my knowledge I must acknowledge that I know neither is it written in arrogancie and it is well spoken that nothing can be spoken which hath not beene first spoken and I will pray that my studies being published may not be forespoken with iâ—…enomed tongues swolne too great for their mouthes but to them that are iust and truely noble I will simply submit them such as they bee with all modesty heartily loathing as I still professe without and within all ostentation and hypocrisie All Glorie be to the blessed seede of all in all immortall perfection of incomprehensible goodnesse euerlastingly raigning in that vnconceiueable power of saluation by miraculous faith inanimate in the true charitable roote of the ineffable Trinitie mistically reueiled in omnipotent vnitie FINIS Imprinted at London by Adam Islip 1606. Barth Cassan. in 〈◊〉 terâ—… partis catal gâ—…or mundi Bart. Cassan. 78. consid 12. partis catal glor mundi Il. Prencipe cap. 18 commâ—… se debbe osseruar la fede Office of Treasurers Lib. 52. Cap. 16. de Mag. Romanorum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Barth Cass cons. 13. 7. partis cat gloriae mundi Geo. Bened. in Repet cap. Rayn in verb. Bonus de curtili Lib. 4. 7. Cap. 16. de Mag. vet Pop. Ro. Vinâ—…ent Lupan Annal. lib. 3. Arist. in Polit. Cap. 1. de re Peâ—… Plin. lib. 18. cap. 3. Plin. lib. 1. Lib. 2. Oss. Cic. 2. Oâ—… Cic. 2. Off. In vita Iuliani Salust bell Iugurth lib. George Clifford Cic. Off. 1. Barth Cassan. 32 Consid. 6. partis Catol glor muÌ„di Oratio Philippi in Senat. ex Salust Edw. 2. Cor. Tac. lib. 13. Annalium Ioh. Tilius lib â—…m de rebugall Nicolo Maâ—… il preu cap. 16. De liberalita miseria c. Ad Caes de Rep. ordinanda Lib. 3. ad Heren Lib. 2. de innent Plato lib. 20. Charmides siue de temp