the present oportunitie surprised the king vnawares staying his Maiesties horse by the bridle cried out with a loud voice The king is taken The king full of courage and magnanimitie drew his courtelax and gaue the poor souldiour such a blow that he fel dead vpon the ground and then said Now you may see bold and aduenterous knight that at chesse the king was neuer taken alone Of the said King and the Chauncellor of Bourgony THe said king Lewys hauing heard that the Duke of Bourgony his Chauncellor being a very rich and wealthy man had founded and erected in his countrey a verie sumptuous and a costly hospitall aswell in building as in moouables said that it was more then reason that the Chauncellour of Bourgonie who had in his life time made many poore men should at the end of his daies build an Hospitall for to lodge and to releeue them The subtill answere of Edward King of England vnto Iohn King of France DVring the truce which was betweene Edward King of England and Iohn King of France the Englishmen by composition and a great summe of money took the castle and the towne of Guines wherevpon King Iohn complained saying that the King of England had broken the truce of peace so solemnly confirmed by oth and had done contrarie to the contract thereof The King of England gaue him this answere I haue not quoth he broken the least point of the contract for in it is neuer an article contained whereby it is forbidden to trafficke together to exercise the truce of marchandise one with another Touching a benefice A Certaine Ecclesiasticall man hauing but one benefice railed and inneighed most sharply alwaies against those that were Non residents It came to passe by tract of time that hee happened to ioine one benefice to another and as he was for it reproued by some of his friendes who oftentimes had heard him speake and preach against it and had knowne him alwaies to be of a contrarie opinion gaue them this answere I craue pardon for it sirs for it was but for want of sight for hee that hath but one eie seeth not so cleare as he that hath two My benefice which I had first was but one eie wherwith I did see but now hauing two eies I perceiue things more apparent then before The words of Pope Iulius as touching the exercise of warres THis Pope was a man that loued wars which purposely hee nourished betweene kings and Princes and as vpon a time some of his friendes did say vnto him Holy Father many noblemen find it verie strange to see you to maintaine warres and ciuill broiles seeing the estate where God hath called you vnto should bee a place of peace and quietnesse saying that you do carry the keyes to that end for to shut out all discord and dissention and to let in all brotherly vnitie whereas now they accuse you to doe the contrary Herevpon he answered and said Those that haue spoken hereof vnto you know not what they say Haue yee not alwaies heard that S. Peter and S. Paule were companions and in very deed they had but one church my predecessors haue alwaies vsed S. Peters keies but I will aid mee with the sword of Saint Paule One amongst them replied herevpon and said you know holy Father that our Lord said vnto S. Peter Put vp thy sword into his sheath It is true quoth the Pope but it was after the blow was giuen By these words he declared that he was Martiall altogether Of King Alphonsus and his iester ALphonsus King of Naples had in his court a certaine iester who was wont to write in a booke all such follies which in his iudgement seemed worthy to be noted which such as were courtiers did oftentimes commit It happened that the King himselfe had occasion to send a Blackamoore whom he had had long about him into the East countries with ten thousand Duckets for to buy horses The ieaster according to his ordinarie vse did enregister this act likewise among his other writings as if he had accounted it but a meere point of follie Not long after the King called for his booke because it was long since his Maiesty had read in it and as hee was perusing euerie thing found at last the hystorie of himselfe of his Blackamoore of the thousand duckets in it The king being herewith offended asked of his iester to what end he had put this in his booke or what occasion had mooued him so to doe Because answered he your Maiestie hath not done wisely in my simple iudgement to trust your mony with a stranger whome perhaps you are like to see no more But if hee returneth quoth the king and bringeth with him the horses what wilt thou say then to it Wilt thou then further accuse me of folly When hee shall be returned answered the iester herevpon I will blot your name out of my booke and will put in his insteed of it for then he shall prooue a greater foole then your maiestie Of the Archbishop of Colen and a laborer A Certain labourer as he saw vpon a time the Archbishop of Colen riding all in armes and accompanied with a great troupe of souldiors did heartely laugh at it Herevpon being demaunded why hee did laugh answered simply that hee did laugh maruelling that S. Peter Christs vicar being himselfe verie poore had left his successors thus rich and wealthy and were rather accompanied with Souldiours and Courtiers then churchmen The Archbishop willing to instruct him better in this point told him that he was a Duke by birth and an Archbishop by calling and that hee at that present as Duke went thus in armes and guarded with souldiours but when hee had occasion to be in the church that then hee vsed himselfe as a Bishop My lord quoth the labourer I would to God then you would tell me that if the Dukes grace should happen to fall to the deuils share what should then become of my lord the Archbishop The sentence of the Duke of Britane IOhn the eight Duke of Britane willing to marry his son Francis vnto Isabell daughter to the king of Scotland the yong Prince inquired what she was for a lady answere was made him that she was a very fair Damosell well fauoured comely of bodie and well disposed for to beare children but that shee wanted vtterance Shee is such a one as I desire quoth the yong Duke for I account a woman wise inough when she can make a difference betweene her husbands shert and his doublet and knoweth his bed from another mans The answere which Empresse Barbara late wife to Sigismundus Emperor gaue to those that gaue her counsell to remaine a widdow AFter the Emperor Sigismundus decease madame Barbara his late wife was counselled by some of her familiers to continue in that blessed estate and to remaine a widdow immitating the example of the Turtledoue which after the death of her mate coupleth no
it and by foresight to resist forraine inuasion Quest. Who are onely to be called resolute souldiours Answ Those that are determined either to die or els to obtaine the victory Quest What is a cheefe fault in warre Answ Feare of death Quest. How did antiquitie represent vnto vs the issue of good things Answ They made an image holding in the right hand a cup and in the left hand an eare of corne with a sprig of Poppy signifying therby that he easily is brought asleepe that is contented with the fruits of the earth Quest What seruice is most in request and being performed is least considered and most hated Answ Treason Quest What time is most desired and obtained is most accused Answ Age. Quest. What men are cheeflie deceiued Answ Those that looke for two contrarie thinges at one time namelie for pleasure and the reward of vertue Quest. What is that in the morning goeth vpon foure legges at noone vpon two and in the euening vpon three legges Answ Man for in his infancie hee creepeth vpon hands and feet in his youth hee goeth straight without any helpe or stay and in his age vseth besides his legges the aid of a staffe to support his body Quest. What thing is in the day time as round as a hoope and at night long as a Answ A girdle about a man or womans body Quest How many waies is violence cheefly committed Answ Two waies either by deceit or by force the one is the practise of the Foxe and the other of the Lyon and both of them are most farre from humanitie Quest. Why is vertue had in so small account Answ Because shee is plaine and cannot dissemble Quest Why dooth vertue reiect all glosings Answ Because truth needes no shaddowes Quest What men are most ingratefull to themselues and least hurtfull to other men Answ Those that are couetous and enuious for as these pine away at other mens welfare and prosperitie so the other endanger their soules to leaue rich perhaps vnthankfull heires behind them Quest. Why is heauen said to haue a low gate Answ Because those that shall enter into it must first stoope low and learne humilitie Quest Why did Antiquitie in their churches place a crosse vpon the entrance of the quire Answ Because the body of the church did represent the church militant vpon earth and the quire the church triumphant in heauen to teach vs hereby that no man would come from the one into the other vnlesse hee did suffer first crosses and persecutions Quest. What is a friend Answ Another selfesame Quest What is commonly the end of a dissolute life Answ A desperate death Quest. What is a cheefe signe of a Princes clemencie and a token of his great courage and magnanimitie Answ To despise the whisperings of vnthankfull men and patiently to suffer the rage of enuy Quest Which are the cheefest ornaments of women Answ Shamefastnesse Quest. How might a foole resemble a wise man Answ In hiding of his folly by silence Quest. What three things doe men most couet Answ Riches Pleasure and Honor. Riches bee the nurses of sinne and iniquity Pleasures the guides to calamitie And Honor the pompe of worldly vanities Quest. Why are pleasures so much to bee abandoned Answ Because their first entring is counterfeit and deceitfull and their departure is griefe and repentance Quest What thing in this world is alwaies without rest Answ A guilty conscience Quest What is it that men most doe hunt after and oftentimes prooueth most deceitfull Answ Womens fauor Quest. What is it that women most feare yet of it do most desire the occasion Answ To be with child they most desire and fear most the hour of their deliuery Quest What doe children most hate and yet is most profitable vnto them Answ Correction Quest. What is lesser then a Mouse and hath more windowes then a house Answ A Thymble Quest. What vice is most likest to the apples of Tantalus Answ Hypocrisie For as the Apples of Tantalus seemed in sight most beautiful and yet prooued but shadowes so this vice although it beareth a glorious shew of perfectiō yet is nothing els but a meer and a deceitfull illusion Quest Why is it amongst men now adaies so much practised Answ Because it is the highest degree of dissembling and therefore is accounted a sure step to promotion Quest. What men transforme themselues into angels of light and are nothing but Diuels incarnate Answ Hypocrites Quest What men promise thēselues many vaine things Answ Courtiers and such as liue in continuall hope Quest What thing in the latter minute of his age waxeth yong againe Answ The Moone Quest Who is the mother of all mankind Answ The earth euen by the Oracle of Apollo for this Oracle being demanded by certaine Princes that were in controuersie for the kindome of Aegypt who should succeed the late King deceased answered that he should not only be installed King of the kingdome of Aegypt that first should kisse his mother but should likewise become monarch of all Asia This answer being reported by the Priest vnto the Princes that were then attending without vpō the Oracle Darius hauing heard it stept suddainly from his horse and kist the ground saying that the earth was the mother of al mankind The princes that could not deny it made and created him King who afterward conquered all Asia and became quiet monarch of many kingdomes Quest What is it that taketh least pleasure in company Answ Pride for it hateth his betters enuieth his equals and despiseth his inferiors Quest What is it that being aliue is altogether dumbe and being dead yeeldeth a most sweet harmonie Answ A Lute or any kind of instrument made of wood Quest Which is the best remedy for things that are not to be recouered Answ Obliuion or forgetfulnesse Quest. What is chiefly to be commended in a warrior Answ To be in fight terrible and in conquest mild Quest. What surfeit is most dangerous and least auoided Answ The surfeit of sinne Quest. Who kill their mother ere they be borne in the reuenge of their father that begot them Answ Vipers for as the male and femall ingender by the mouth so the damme being kindled with lust in the art of Venery bites of the males head and the yong ones ere they be borne gnaw their mothers belly open to come forth and so doe kill her Quest What is it that soonest waxeth old Answ A benefite for nothing is sooner forgotten then a good turne and nothing longer remembred then an iniury Quest What are Vsurers Answ The Horseleeches and Caterpillers of the Commonwealth Quest. What is the least and yet the profitablest thing in a Garden Answ A Bee Quest. What wind bloweth no way to profite and is noysome to all the neighbours Answ The foisting of a dogge the smell whereof is noysome to all the companie that are neere it Quest Vpon what men are almes deedes worst bestowed Answ Vpon blind men
for they would be glad to see him hanged that releeues them I would not that any man should interprete them in earnest which is only written in a merriment and that for this they should withdraw their charity from such poore men Quest Why do most men delight more in flesh then in fish why it is more wholsomer vnto the body Answ Because it strengthneth more and is of sounder nourishment or els because it agrees better with the substance of our bodies Quest What is the Law Answ A net Quest. What are the Lawyers Answ Burdars Quest What are the Clients Answ Birds Quest What is the Court where the Law is pleaded Answ The place where the nets are spred to take the simple and silly birds Quest. Whereby doth a womans loue resemble the shadow of our bodies Answ Euen as our shadow if we runne towards it doth fleet away from vs and if wee runne from it doth follow vs so the loue of a woman if wee fondly pursue it will disdaine vs but if we set light by it or seeme to run from it will most earnestly desire vs. Quest What is a chief stratageme in war Answ Expedition and not to ouerslip occasion Quest Why did the Ancients find fault with Zeuxis liberalitie Answ Because he gaue bestowed gifts to receiue double againe Quest. What is the cause of greatest deuotion the greatest replenisher of hel Answ Ignorance which maketh men to worship stones and dishonour God Quest. What is the greatest friend to men at libertie and the most enemy to such as are condemned Answ Hope which encourageth men at libertie to attempt great matters maketh such as are condemned vnprepared for death Quest What seasoneth and sweetneth the bitternesse of warre Answ Hope of victorie Quest. Why is fauour bought with mony most vncertaine Answ Because by discontinuance of giuing it breeds inward grudging and by the ceasing of liberalitie it bursteth out into open hatred Quest. Wherein is an enuious man like vnto yron Answ Euen as yron is consumed with his owne rust so an enuious man pines away by his owne folly Quest What is least to bee respected in an Oration Answ Glosing words for as in coyne the brauery of the stampe is little or nothing regarded but onely the weight and the substance euen so it is no matter how eloquent the Oration be but how graue and profitable Quest What is an Hystory Answ A testimony of time a light of veritie the maintainance of memory the schoole-mistresse of life and the messenger of antiquity Quest What is the hardest thing to bee learned Answ To learne to know himselfe Quest. How might one eschew enuy Answ By liuing abiect and miserable Quest What is Idlenesse Answ The Father of Lechery and the highway to pouertie Quest What are riches Answ Diogenes called them the vomite of fortune Quest What doth cast from it a greater heat then fire Answ Beautie which setteth not only on fire those that touch it but also those that a farre off doe behold it Quest What is death Answ The end of trauels and the beginning of life Quest. What is the duty of a wise man Answ To mistrust the ignorant and to know how to skirmish with aduersitie Quest Who is sometimes a mother and sometimes a stepdame Answ Fortune Quest. What are the most precious ornaments of a Citie Answ The vertues of the Cittizens Quest What maketh men constant against all humane affections Answ A good disposition of the mind Quest Why are lawes said to be like vnto spiders webs Answ Because they catch small flies but waspes and bees flie through them Quest. What is the reason that for to see the better we are wont to shut one eie Answ Because the other might bee aided with the sence of the eie which is shut and closed Quest What is the cause of Hydropsie Answ The great cold of the liuer Quest Why do those that haue the yellow yandars find hony to be bitter in tast Answ By reason of the great colour wherwith their tongue and the palait of their mouth is infected Quest Why do muske millions cucumbers prouoke vrine Answ By reason of their great humiditie Quest What is the cause that old men and women dote Answ By reason of the great coldnesse which is in them Quest Wherout doth it proceed that men become pale when they are seased with feare Answ Because the blood retires to the vitall parts of the body Quest. Why hath a Scorpion his poyson in the taile Answ Because the poyson is his excrement Quest Why did Hypocrates permit those to drinke wine that had a burning ague Answ It was for to helpe digestion and to strengthen the parties Quest Why are the extremities of the body more subiect to cold then the other parts thereof Answ Because they are not so solide or so well knit together and are farther remoued from the heart Quest Why do Pullets their throtes being cut suruiue after it longer then men Answ Chickens and Pullets haue smaller sinnewes and veines and therefore life cannot so soone leaue them Quest. Why are men more taller then women Answ By reason of their naturall heat Quest Why doe women make water stooping and men to the contrary Answ Because their bladder stands higher then mens doth Quest Why haue men more teeth thē women Answ Because they abound more in blood and heat Quest What is the reason that when maidens brests begin to grow they begin to change their voice Answ Because then the Organs of the voice are wider and lesser closed Quest Why are twinnes not so strong as others be Answ Because the seed which shold haue serued to one is parted into two Quest Why doe eager things prouoke appetite Answ Because they drie vp the humours and consequently close the stomacke faster vp which doth cause appetite Quest. Why doe Lettuce prouoke sleepe Answ Because they engender grosse humors Quest Why is Iuie alwaies greene Answ Because the heat of it is tempered with humiditie and viscositie Quest Why haue Birds no teeth Answ Because the substance which teeth doe grow of doth turne into their bils Quest When is vice past al hope of remedy Answ When it is growne into a custome Quest Why doe matters well executed please but few men Answ Because most men are rather guided by affection then by reason Quest What is idlenesse Answ A nurse of lasciuiousnesse and the wel-spring of all vices Quest What thing metamorphoseth a man into a beast Answ Lust Quest Which is the highest degree of vncharitie Answ To make of him a laughing stocke besides who by our means hath been afflicted Quest Which is the chiefest felicitie Answ To be released of a wicked woman Quest What men are least to be trusted Answ Those that haue beene disloiall to their owne country Quest What thing spends most prodigally that which couetousnesse hath most wickedly scraped together Answ Ambition Quest What is a chiefe comfort to the
conquered or to those that are ouercome Answ Hope of reuenge Quest What is the life of Courtiers Answ A continuall hope Quest By what honest meanes may poore men encrease their stocke Answ By sparing Quest Why did the Lacedemonians sacrifice a Cock when they had obtained victory against their enemies by maine force and an Oxe when they had ouerthrowne them by subtletie surprise orintelligence Answ Because they preferred Prudence and wit before force or bodily strength and therefore a certaine captain of Grecia was wont to say If a lions skin cannot preuaile adde vnto it the skin of a foxe meaning thereby if force cannot vse policy Quest Which are the fruits of pleasure Answ Griefe and repentance Quest Which is the first step to aduersitie Answ The highest degree of prosperitie Quest Why doth men neese sooner being in the sunne then being neere the fire Answ Because the heat of the sun doth only dissolue the humor and consumes it not but the fire doth both dissolue and consume it Quest Why doe the eies of Cats wolfes shine in the night and not by day Answ Because the greater light doth darken the lesser Quest Why is the white of an Egge of so hard a digestion Answ By reason of the great coldnes of it Quest. Why doth Burrage laid in wine reioice those that doe eat it Answ Because it doth encrease blood and strengthneth the heart Quest Why did Nature make rather the braine cold then whote Answ To temper and moderate the heat of the heart to the end it might serue it in stead of a cooler Quest What passion is that which tormenteth a man most and hath least power to ouercome Answ A womans inconstancy which greeueth a man and cannot be ouercome by women themselues Quest How ought wee to vse prosperitie Answ Not to trust vnto it for we ought to vse the gifts of fortune for our necessitie and not to relie vpon them Quest What is pleasure Answ A bait to take men as hookes and nets doe fishes Quest. What poyson ought Princes to auoid chiefly Answ The poyson of flattery Que. What is the reason that the bottome of a Kettell being full of boiling water hanging ouer the fire is cold notwithstanding Answ By reason of the hote vapors which continually doe mount vpwards wherewith the higher parts being warmed the bottome remains coole for the continuance of the water that is vpon it Quest Why do those that oftentimes weep pisse seldome Answ Because the humiditie taking his passage by the eies dooth ease so much the more the other parts and members of the body Quest Why did Nature ordaine neesing Answ To purge the superfluities of the braine like as the lunges are purged with coffing Quest. What maketh pleasures most sauerous Answ A rare and seldome vse of them Quest What is it that consumes his mother that bare him eates his nurse that feedes him and then dies leauing all them blind that saw him Answ The flambe of a Candle Quest. What men if cause do moue them doe soonest forsweare themselues Answ Those that are woont lightly to sweare without a cause Quest Which is the only phisick in misery Answ Patience Quest Whereby doth a man please a woman best and yet displease himself most Answ In giuing her her will Quest. What is best to bee done for a rich man falling sicke Answ Not to make his Phisition his heire Quest What is Loue Answ An idle bodies pastime or businesse Quest How might one auoid loue Answ By eschewing idlenesse Quest. How ought we to vse loue Answ As a foole to sport or a minstrell to make vs merry Quest. Who are the best creatures vpon earth Answ Women next vnto men and Bees Quest Who is rich Answ He that is contented Quest How might one learn to be content Answ To vnlearne to couet Quest What men doe least feare death Answ Those that feele least comfort in this world Quest What ought we chiefly to learne in prosperitie Answ How wee might best indure aduersitie Quest. Wherein is the life of man like vnto yron Answ Euen as yron if it be vsed doth wear away and if it be not vsed doth consume with rust so our life if it be neuer so well exercised dooth decrease by time if not yet doth it wast away with idlenesse Quest. What is the immoderate vse of too much liberty Answ An occasion oftentimes of bondage and slauery Quest. What men are most vnthankfull Answ Those that can tell how to receiue a benefit and not how to requite it or els those that deny the receit of it but chiefly those that haue forgotten it Qu. What shadow is most deceitfull Ans Hypocrisie Qu. Which is the chiefest reuenue for one that hath no lands Ans Sparing Qu. When is clemency most hurtfull Ans When rebels are most obstinate Qu. What thing is most dangerous least auoided and most desired Ans The pleasures of this world Qu. What soile beares both the best and the worst fruit Ans The wombe of a woman Qu. What ought a seruant chiefly to practise to obtaine his maisters fauor Ans Diligence continuance and secresie Qu. Where is silence most to be practised Ans In matters of secresie and amongst pots and Cannes Qu. How or what are the gifts of fortune Ans Such as are the mindes of those that possesse them a help comfort to them that can vse them and a ruine and ouerthrow to them that know not how to vse them Qu. What men are most vnfortunate in aduersity Ans Those that neuer learned to be crost in prosperity Qu. What feedes a doubtfull life or him that is by law condemned to die Ans Hope of pardon Qu. Why were it better to bee among Rauens then to liue among flatterers Ans Because Rauens pray not vpon men but when they are dead but flatterers deuour them euen when they are aliue Qu. What bitings are most sorest and most greeuous Ans The bitings of necessity Qu. What men ought chiefly to bee without faults Ans Those that are alwaies most ready to espie faults in others Qu. What is it to lend money vpon vsury Ans To kill a man Qu. Why did Solon establish no law against Paricides Ans Because hee thought that such an enormity could not bee committed by a child and therefore because hee should not seeme rather to remember men of such a wickednesse then to forbid it would in no wise appoint any punishment for it Qu. What maintaines a Commonwealth Ans Reward and punishment Qu. How should parents take the death of their children Ans As Anaxagoras and a lady of Lacena did for newes being brought to the one of his sonnes departure out of this life answered the messengers That he knew long since that hee had begotten a mortal man And this lady whose constancie deserueth no lesse praise commendation hauing heard that her son was slaine in the battaile said to those that first brought her the tidings hereof
in times past or els it is the custome of all ages to complaine Qu. What is anger Ans A short madnesse or els the beginning of foolishnesse Qu. What is vertue Ans A sweet harmony of nature to the found and time wherof al good men giue an eare vnto Qu. What difference is there between wisdome and a ready wit Ans The wise man giueth good counsell and the witty man presently conceiues and iudges of it Qu. What priuiledge haue braue and couragious knights aboue other men Ans Not to be subiect nor to be daunted by fortune Qu. What shadoweth nay darkeneth the great vertues in Philip and Alexander the Great his sonne Ans Drunkennesse Qu. What is Wine immoderately taken Ans The blood of the earth turned to poyson Qu. What is Wine moderately taken Ans A whetstone to memory Qu. Why did the Aegyptians ordaine that commoniesters and plaiers should beare no witnesse in any cause Ans Because such kind of people are commonly giuen to wickednesse and for a trifle ready to do a mischiefe Qu. What is nobilitie without vertue Ans A bladder puft vp with pride and violence Qu. Which are the vertues that doe conduct vs to heauen Ans Faith hope charity pietie religion and godlinesse Qu. Which is the poyson of friendship Ans Flattery Qu. What kind of ignorance is most dangerous Ans Not to know God and then not to know himselfe Qu. Wherefore is vertue so amiable Ans Because shee is alwaies conformable to reason Qu. What warre is lawfull Ans That which is conducted to obtaine peace Qu. Wherefore is the first counsel of a woman which she giueth without thinking on it far better then that which she hath studied vpon Ans Euen as all vnreasonable creatures are by instinct of nature driuen to their actions so a woman although she be ill yet the intelligence which nature hath giuen her which will not bee deceiued nor abuse any body compels her by the first motion to good But if she gets leasure to vse her owne nature all that shee shall doe will be naught Qu. Wherefore are women commonly more couetous then men Ans Because they know they should bee no body without riches Qu. Wherefore are those that haue great heads more giuen to sleepe then those that haue little heads Ans The greater the thing is the more vapors it doth containe and humiditie doth cause sleepe Qu. Why are lentiles and cabages so ill for the eie sight Ans By reason of the melancholike blood which they engender Qu. What is the cause that many die with too much ioy Ans Because the vitall spirits abandon the heart Qu. Wherefore ought we not to fast long Ans By reason that by too much fasting a masse of ill humours is ingendred and prouoke vomit Qu. What is the cause that we haue better stomackes to our meate when the wind is at the North then at other times Ans By reason of his coldnes which knits together and holds within vs the natural heat of our bodies Qu. What is the reason that Vineger is very wholesome to those that are cholericke is of contrary operation to those that are melancholicke Ans Because it asswageth choler by his coldnesse and dries vp melancholie Qu. What is the reason that in tract of time Wine becommeth more whote Ans Because the aquosity thereof euaporeth and vanisheth away Qu. What is the cause that some wines sower so lightly Ans Because that in the time of Vintage the grape was full of superfluous humors Qu. Why dooth the wild Bore vse to pisse before he runnes away Ans To vnlade him of the burden of his water for to runne the swifter Qu. When is it nothing discommendable to exceed the meane Ans When it is vsed to exercise and driue drowsinesse out of sluggards Qu. What husbāds do not loue their wiues Ans Those that loue their bodies their goods and not their mindes and good conditions Qu. What is chiefly to bee regarded in a witnesse Ans His honesty as in a Lawier eloquence and good vtterance Qu. Why can yoong men hardly keepe a meane Ans By reason of the natural heat abounding in them Qu. How might a foole seeme and bee accounted wise Ans If he goes braue in attire and speakes little Qu. What is the reason that some haue hard and some haue soft heare Ans The greatnesse and smalnesse of the Pores is cause of it for soft hear cōmeth by reason of the smalnesse of them and hard heare for the contrarie And therefore women haue commonly softer hear thē men because their naturall cold doth restrain and close the Pores Qu. What is the reason that Garlicke and Onyons doe bud although they are not in the earth Ans Because of their great abundance of moistnesse and heat Qu. Why is a dead body heauier then that which hath life within Ans A body aliue is full of ayre and fire which doe hold it vpright for their nature is alwaies to mount vpwards and a dead body is nothing but a lumpe of earth whose nature is heauie and alwaies tending downewards Qu. What dooth preuent an occasion of murmuring Ans Equalitie Qu. Why doe vices shaddow themselues vnder the colour of vertues Ans Because if they should come in their own shape but few would giue them entertainement Qu. Why ought Parents to bee very curious in seeking of good tutors and masters for to instruct their children Ans Because as their Parents are the fathers of their bodies so the maisters are the fathers of their soules and as childrē doe imitate the nature of those that haue begotten them so out of their maisters maners as out of a nurses brest they sucke their vertues and vices their good and ill conditions Qu. What is it that in louing too much turneth to mortall hatred Ans Ielousie Qu. Who murdereth the liuing the same of the dead Ans A Slanderer Qu. Wherin is our enemy commonly better vnto vs then our friend Ans Because our enemy speares not to tel vs our faults which friends seeke for the most part to hide from vs. Qu. What is as seldome found as the Phenix of Arabia Ans A trusty friend Qu. What is it that Kings cannot conquer Ans Mens affections Qu. In what place is flattery a Iewell Ans Where dissembling swaies the scepter Qu. What ought wee in this life most to remember and least to feare Ans The houre of death Qu. What is mans life Ans A thing more brickell then glasse more lighter then the smoke and swifter then the wind Qu. What garment is the best Ans That which couers malice Qu. What are dice Ans Fortunes whelpes which consume a mans wealth and empaire his patience Qu. What are womens vowes Ans Words written in the wind Qu. What are their promisses Ans Carracters figured in the ayre and figures grauen in the snow Qu. What is a beautifull strumpet Ans An Adamant that drawes a Panther
that with her painted skin doth allure men and he that surfets with it drinketh deadly poyson and so doth perish Qu. What are womens lookes Ans Kalends that can determine no certaintie Qu. Of what nature and condition is a woman Ans Of the nature of quicksiluer for as this mettal wheresoeuer it meeteth with gold it mingleth with it so womē they chiefly respect in a man his wealth and alwaies will they prise gold for beautie or for any other internall or externall felicitie Qu. Which are the two only means to win womens fauour Ans Sweet words and high praises Qu. What men are in one of the highest degrees of miserie An. Those that are wise by their own woes and those can make a right anatomy of misery by their owne distresse Qu. What is a bad woman Ans A painted continent of flattery of deceit of inconstancy and the very guide that leads men vnto the pernicious labyrinth of endlesse misery Qu. What are womens curtesies Ans Sharpe showers Qu. Who slew the fourth part of the world Ans Cain slaying his brother Abel Qu. What flower is in sight most beautifull in smell most sauerous and in operation most deadly Ans The pleasures of this world Qu. What is man Ans The image of Christ Qu. What is a woman Ans The similitude of man and a cabinet of much good and euill Qu. What is a yong man Ans A burning candle soone perceiued and quickly quenched Qu. What is more swifter then the wind Ans A mans thought Qu. What is mote swifter then the thought of a man Ans Time for it tarrieth for nothing Qu. What is seldome seene and neuer preuented Ans Destinie Qu. Which is the chiefest touchstone to try a mans friend and his owne patience Ans Aduersitie Qu. What vices did darken Marcus Antonius his great liberalitie and patience in aduersitie Ans Dicing drunkennesse gluttony and too much familiarity with his domestike seruants Qu. What are the effects of Poetry Ans Spurres and enticements to vertue Qu. Why did the Romans forbid the drinking of Wine to women Ans Because it doth prouoke them to lust and doth altogether extinguish reason in them Qu. What ought a seruant chiefly to practise for to gaine his maisters fauour Ans Diligence continuance and secresie Qu. Who killeth a man friendly Ans A flatterer Qu. What soile beares both the best and the worst fruit Ans The wombe of a woman Qu. Why are Angels painted with wings Ans To signifie their quicknesse Qu. What might men doe to be beleeued Ans Wet their tongues on their hearts Qu. What difference is there betweene loue and friendship Ans As much as there is betweene beauty and vertue substance and shadowes for when aduersities flow then loue dooth ebbe but friendship standeth alwaies fast in euery storme and tempest Qu. What pleasure is chiefly bought with repentance Ans The loue of a strumpet Qu. What are the discommodities attending vpon trauellers Ans To bee forced to fit their humour to euery place and person to beare many mens braues or feele the force of their weapon to bee oft in danger of theeues many times of wild beastes and euer of flatterers Qu. Why did the Caldies whē they would set forth the picture of a Gentleman describe him with his hands alwaies open Ans To signifie that liberality was the only imprease of a Gentleman and that to giue was alwaies heroicall and therfore Titus Emperour of Rome was woont to say Giue if thou wilt bee worthy the worlds Monarchy Qu. What things are most welcome most sweet and best liked of Ans Inexpected chaunces losses recouered and things seldome seene Qu. Wherevnto may flatterers bee compared Ans To trencher flies that attend more vpon a man for hope of gain then for any perfite loue To doues that flock chiefly where the house is fairest To emptie vessels that haue lowd sounds and haue nothing within but wind To painted sheaths that haue rustie blades To glorious flowers that haue no smell because they pretend much friendship and containe nothing but superficiall flattery Qu. What is Loue Ans A passion full of Martyrdome Misery Griefe and Discontent hauing pleasures but tempered with paines a short delight mixed with a long repentance Qu. What is beauty Ans A fading flower to day fit for the eie and to morrow withered and to bee cast into the graue Qu. Why did the ancients in old time past mislike of those that wished and desired to be most happy and fortunate Ans Because that too much fortune breedeth forgetfulnesse a contempt of God and of all godlinesse Qu. For what cause were women being met at Rome in the streetes by any of their kindred kissed by them Ans For to know if they had drunken wine for it was forbidden vnto them to drink any as it appeareth by one Egnatius that slew his wife because she had drunk a cup of wine Qu. What was the reason that king Agesilaus would neuer suffer his picture to be drawne or shadowed Ans Because his onely intent was to leaue after him his deedes to serue in steed of his picture and so rather to represent the perfections of the mind then the external lineaments of the body Qu. What are open praises Ans Secret flatteries Qu. Which are the three chiefest vertues of a souldior Ans Prudence Fortitude and Liberalitie Qu. What is Wisdome Ans A diuine influence infused into the minds of men which keepeth them from committing that wherevnto they are forced by sensuall appetite Qu. Why is vertue placed by equal proportion betweene two vices Ans Because that the mean which is kept betweene two extreames is that laudible action which by no other name can bee tearmed but by the title of Vertue Qu. What maketh men in earth famous in their graues glorious and in the heauens immortall Ans Vertue Qu. What is prodigalitie Ans A fire of the mind which is so impatient in heat as it ceaseth not while any matter cōbustible is present to burne necessary things to dust and cinders Qu. Who is only to be accounted a valiant man Ans He that without any furious or rash resolution feareth not to hazard himself in the greatest perils whatsoeuer for the welfare of his countrey Qu. What is the greatest preiudice that may happen vnto a Commonwealth Ans To be gouerned by an vnwise prince ⧠Diuers pretty Riddles with darke sentences Question IVdge of me by perfect skill My youth restord by casting bill Solution An Eagle Question When I am old I cast my skinne Whereby I doe come yong againe Solution A Snaile Question What Iudge on the earth did giue The greatest sentence when hee did liue Solution Pilate when hee pronounced sentence of condemnation against Christ Iesus Question White I am and blacke withall I haue eies and yet am blind Gaine and losse not without brall I doe procure as you shall find Solution Dice Question I wound the heart and please