Of Epistles Iocatorie. Chap. 10:
Hus haue wee deliuered vnto you of euerie of these sutes their seuerall examples, wherein you must note, that if you write to your better a letter Remuneratorie, you maie not promise vnto him your gratefulnes with the verie word of requitall, but rather by the proffer of seruice or other affectionate meaning in you, to the answering of such curtesies as haue beene receiued. And next hereunto will we passe vnto the title Iocatorie. The letters of this sute are such as of some pleasant conceipted vain, do procéed from one familiar friend or acquaintance to another, rather of some sporting deuise then of anie important matter. The vse is common among pleasant heades, and rather suted forth according to their present vaines, then vpon anie prescribed order. Such whereof is at the end of our Epistles Commendatorie, & one other vnder the title Consolatorie mentioned in the former of these bookes, and likewise a third vnder the title Deprecatorie, written in this last part of letters, & a like whereunto was once written by my selfe, and three or foure other of a merie acquaintance, to a parson beeing our familiar, and one of good nature and disposition in the country, wherein each one wrote a line of a seueral hand, and as occasion fel out, inserted his sporting deuises, with many odde quips & meriments, wherwith the good Parson thought himselfe greatlie wronged, till he knew from whence it came. But in so much as to an inuention onlie naturallie to be expected, no method can be well prescribed, I leaue the Epistles of this sort to the discretion of the writer, as his fantasie serueth to be pursued. And goe to the next, which are called Gratulatorie. For as the one is a pleasant, merie and sporting vaine, so is this a kind of reioicing, but in a more modest and curteous maner, ouer the good healths, fortune, or other good partes or preferments, of our friendes, kindred, or acquaintance, whose examples to their proper purposes are nowe next to be deliuered.
An Epistle Gratulatorie from one friend to another.
SIr, I was verie sorie to vnderstand by the common report of our neighbours of your great sicknes, as of such a one whom our countrie should misse, and I promise you as much as anie poore welwiller of yours, I grieued thereat, but being certainlie againe assured of your good recouerie, I praise God in my thought for the same, and do reioice it hath pleased his goodnes to bring you to your former strength. Whereof hauing no better nor more apparant token at this present, then my heartie well wishing, I thought it parcell of an honest purpose to signifie the same vnto you by writing, especiallie hauing therunto so good and fitte oportunitie, as this bearer, whome entirelie I knowe to loue and regard you. And euen so with my heartie commendations to your selfe, and my good Coosen your wife, I heartilie bid you farwell, From B. this of, &c.
A Letter Gratulatorie from a wife to her husband.
GOod husbande, I am glad that you haue at the last remembred your selfe by this bearer, to write vnto me, who haue thought it verie long to heare from you. I doe greatlie reioice of the good and prosperous successe of your iourney, and chieflie that you haue endured your trauel so well, being in so good plight and strength of bodie, as I vnderstand you are by your Letter. We are much beholding vnto our good friends in the Countrie, that haue giuen you so great and good entertainment. And I heartilie pray you to commend mee vnto them. Your businesse heere at London goeth well, thankes bee to God, and wee haue no want of any thing but your presence, which if you would once hasten hitherward, it were a comfort vnto vs all to see you, hauing beene as me seemeth verie long absent. But maister C. and his friendes where you are, vseth you so kindlie, that I thinke you cannot well tell howe to winde your selfe out from your good companie. Yet good husbande remember that at the last you must come home, and the sooner the better. I referre all to your good discretion, and so commend mee most heartilie vnto you. From L. this of, &c.
A Letter Gratulatorie from one to his kinsman seruing in London.
GOod Coosen, I am glad to heare of your good preferment in London, and that, as I heare by your father and mother, you are so wel placed there, and with so good a Maister. It is no little comfort vnto mee to vnderstande, that you doe so resolutelie, and with so good a minde dispose your selfe to your businesse, which I gladlie wish you would continue. You must nowe remember that your friends with great charge, care and industrie haue brought you vp, and that their intent and meaning therein was, that in expectation thereof, they should haue ioy and comfort of you in your elder yeares. For which, as you haue now bequeathed your selfe to this place of seruice, so must you for any feare of hard vsage, bitternesse of speech, or other mislike of tauntes or rebukes, make account to endure and continue. It may be, being yet vnacquainted with the customs and vsages of London, you doe now at the beginning thinke well of that, which hereafter maie turne to a discontentment: but good Coosen, so be it you haue no want of things needfull and necessarie, frame your selfe to forbeare all other crosse matters whatsoeuer, and giue you wholie on Gods name, to the benefite of your seruice. You shall want therein no helpe, furtherance, or incouragement on mine and your friends behalfe, who reioycing in that alreadie to see you so well behaued, doe daylie praie to God to prosper and blesse you. And thus with my heartie commendations I bid you fare well. B. this of, &c.
Your Vnkle carefull of your
well doing, T. B.
Of Epistles Obiurgatorie. Chap. 11.
THese three examples may bee sufficient to serue to anie matter of this title: seeing in eyther of them is required but an alteration of the cause whereupon wee frame our Letter to reioyce vpon: the forme of conueyance is all one. For which we will hence procéed to the next in course being Obiurgatorie, or a rebuking of the ill vsages, demeanors or parts of any one. It sauoreth somewhat of the Monitorie and Reprehensorie kindes before going, but in a different maner: for that the efficacy of those Epistles do beare force in matters publike or notorious, and these in vsages priuate and of lesse importance. The order whereof by the examples following maie be the better perceiued.
A Letter Obiurgatorie from a maister to his seruant.
AMong some other causes that latelie haue beene aduertized vnto me from my good and louing friends, it is made knowne vnto me, that you in my absence, as well towards your Mistresse, whom in my place I haue appointed ouer you, as among others your fellowe seruants, doe take much vpon you. You runne and goe at your pleasure, wade into vnseemelie courses, and giue your selfe vnto some other matters, neither fitting the trust on you reposed, nor answering vnto my seruice. The newes hereof, you must thinke pleaseth me not verie well, neither can I with patience digest, that a companion of your being, to whom by my sole fauour I haue giuen place of direction in my house, should be so imperious ouer my wife and her due command in mine absence. Your wide wandring & common haunts at your liking, cannot by all coniecture be vnto mine estate profitable. Wherefore in signification that I am nothing well pleased with these so lauish demeanors, if by the next report I hear not that they are better amended, you are shortlie thereupon likelie inough to find how ill contenting they be vnto my humours: with which priuate rebuke, if priuatelie so it may bee considered, being at this present resolued to conclude, I attend the redresse of these euils: and so giue my selfe to my further trauels. From B. this of, &c.
Your maister to requite you as you shall deserue.
Of Epistles Mandatorie. Chap. 12.
He force of these Epistles, mingled, as I said before, with the other Titles in the last Chapter declared, may for further matter or other occasions therin required, draw yᵉ plenty of their examples from those reprehensorie and Comminatorie, kindes alreadie specified, this, for any other like direction being thereunto for this place sufficient. And now the last of these familiar titles ensueth, which is called Mandatorie. These Letters haue their titles of such directions, matters in charge, or other instructions, as by writing from one person to another are deliuered, and are the most ordinarie in vsage of all other letters that are amongste vs frequented. The conueyance whereof in these following Examples shall be tendered.
A Letter mandatorie from a maister to his seruant or factor,
being beyond the seas.
MY heartie desire of your good sucesse and wel-fare intended, which I hope God will blesse, I maruell that I haue receyued no Letters from you since the fourth of March last, I hope you doe neuerthelesse continue your good care and trust in mine affaires, whereof I nothing doubt. I wrote by maister N. in the good ship called the P. of London vnto you, which will shortly by Gods grace arriue at B. and is bound for L. vnto my coosen T. R. for all your necessities to giue you ayd as well in counsell as money: howbeit I hope you haue no great want of either, considering those trusty friends I haue remaining where you are, and your owne allowed diligence which formerlie I haue proued. I do now send you by a bill of lading in the good ship called the S. of D. those commodities you last wrote vnto mee of, viz. one packe of verie fine broad cloathes, & twentie Tuns of Lead: the broad cloathes stand me with all charges in sixteene pounde a cloath. I hope you will haue regarde to the selling of these commodities to my best aduauntage, wherein I pray you do your best endeuour as the market serueth. And for the money arising thereof, I would haue you to employ on these commodities there, which are here most vendible, wherof I principally wrote vnto you in my last letters, which I doubt not by this time you haue receiued. Otherwise I would haue you to confer with my coosen T. R. there abouts. And thus desiring Almighty God to blesse and prosper you, whom I desire you in all your actions and dealings to remember, I bid you heartily farewell. L. this last of Maie.
Your maister willing in all things to requite
your seruices, &c.
Another Letter mandatory from a maister
to his seruaunt.
ALbeit I haue manie occasions to write vnto you by this bearer, which time will not suffer me to doe: Neuerthelesse such as are most needfull I will hereby remember you of. At my departure from N. I gaue order for certaine wares to bee sent vnto you from thence by the carier of C. and thereof did then write vnto you at large in a Letter, and sent inclosed in that letter a bill of the parcels. Now hauing sithence considered with my selfe of the matter, my desire is that you do not transporte them as I was determined, but let them rest vntill my home comming, for that there is a shippe shortly going for B. of M. Alderman H. with whome I am determined to ioine in the whole freight, and meane by Gods grace therein to passe both those and some other commodities. About thursday next, there is one T. B. appointed by my coosen L. P. to come vnto you for fiftie pound, if he do come let him haue the money, and take his note for the receipt, and this shall be your warrant. I would haue you to looke to the waters side if the wind continue Southward, for it is now serueth wel, and I doubt not but to heare from Lisbon, for gladly would I vnderstand of our shipping, and of such letters as shall be sent I wish you to take notice, and if I returne not before, vse circumspection I pray you to prouide for their returne accordingly. The haste of this bearer wil not suffer me to write more, only looke to my businesse, haue care of the trust in you reposed, and commend me to your mistrisse, tel her I will hasten homewards, as fast as I can. And so to God I commit you. R. this of, &c.
Your louing maister, &c.
A Letter mandatory from a man to his wife.
GOod wife, considering my hasty departure from you and my children, my hope is that you wil haue that louing and respectiue care towards them and your familie, that appertaineth. I haue left many things raw by reason of the suddennes of my iourney, which standeth vpon your good regard to be ordered, as namely the charge of my seruantes, and disposition of some other affaires and businesse. You shall nowe shewe your selfe a carefull and discreete wife, if in mine absence, you will a little take vpon you to be in my place. Regard and consider with your selfe, that seruants are negligent and carelesse, and if the maister forget his owne profit, they are as readie as others to share with his gaines. Your painfull attendance to ouerlooke them, shal straine their labours to my vsing, your desire to see into them, shall worke their vsage to my well seruing. You must now a little while forget neighbourhood, and walking for company, considering the old prouerbe: That when the Cat is away the mouse wil go play: If master and dame haue both continued absence, seruants fall a wasting, and do what they list. You know good wife, I haue now taken a great charge of late vpon me, which with some carefull looking to, may turne to good, let it not be grieuous vnto you, nor thinke it hard, that I thus make you partaker of my charge, as I do of my profit. For we are yoke fellowes you know, and the charge is equall betwixt vs to be borne and supported. If as louing mates and companions wee drawe forth togethers, we doubtlesse shall by Gods blessed goodnes see the fruits of our labours. Our children shall participate with vs of our trauels, and God shal prosper our endeuours. And howbeit good wife, I haue alwaies found you such, as of whose care to my well doing I neede haue no doubt, yet if by the importance of my charge I bee driuen thus much to write vnto you, thinke that in great trust of your modesty, respect of your loue, & zeale to both our goods I haue done the same. And though no mistrust remaine of any one about me: yet doe I put you in minde what youth by too much sufferance and neglegct of libertie may be inclined to. This is al I would, and so much I hope as you gladly will yeelde vnto. Commend mee manie times to your selfe and likewise to all our friendes. From R. this third of Maie, &c.
Your assured louing husband, &c.
A Letter Mandatory from one friend
to another.
MY harty commendations remembred vnto you, good maister R. These are to certifie you that I haue presumed so much on your friendship, as to put ouer certaine causes of mine in your name, for so much as for many respects I find my selfe too far insufficient to deale with the parties, I must therefore desire you to receiue some instructions which I haue herwith sent you by this bearer, and therein to vse such needfull furtherance as in like cases of friendship you may commaund at my handes. I pray you also that you will take so much more further paines for me, as at conuenient leisure to walke towards S. and there to confer with my brother P. and vpon sight and hearing of such matter as by him shall bee shewed and set forth vnto you, to deale accordingly. Thus with my earnest desire to see you here at L. where you shall most hartily finde your selfe welcome, I take leaue this of, &c.
Your very louing friend, &c.
THus haue I led along, as you sée, this promised Methode by varietie of directions and examples, fitting to euery purpose I hope to the pleasing and content of all the indifferent readers: and here as a limit sufficient to that determined labour, doe I laie downe my rest. If anie faultes happen, as no doubt there will (for what from fault maie bee frée) let the learned I beseech them winke at it, the curteous ouerpasse it, and the considerate and well practised in such like trauels fauour me in it, seeing my endeuour therein was done for the best. And so doe I conclude my Methode.
FINIS.
A
DECLARATION
of al such Tropes, Figures or Schemes,
as for excellencie and ornament in wri-
ting, are speciallie vsed in this
Methode.
Collected and explaned togithers,
according to their applications,
vsages, and properties.
By Angell Day:
Imprinted at London by P. S. for
Cuthbert Burbie. 1599.
To the courteous Reader.
S in the two bookes before going (gentle Reader) my mind and purpose was to set foorth vnto the learner, how much the phrase of our daylie speech by well ordering and deliuerie is graced with Figures and other ornaments of Art, and to such end and purpose, haue I in the margent of euerie Epistle, directlie against the places where they are vsed, quoted them to be seen. I haue now for better supplement of the learners knowledge, determined in this place to make a collection of them all, remembring with my selfe, that vnto such as are vnexperienced in their particular applications, they shall be but of verie slender moment in their quotations, without also they may be instructed by example, how, where, and in what tearmes, wordes or cariage, they are vsed, and wherein, and by what conueyance their efficacies are explaned. For which cause, these briefe instructions following, conteining, as in the title before going, a demonstration of their true & seueral qualities, properties and natures, are to such ende deliuered: wherein my purpose is to omit nothing, which in my poore opinion may seeme vnto this deuised Methode anie wayes furthering. And howbeit my selfe in the writing of these collections, doe well consider the want I haue of other perfections, whereby to ornifie the matter hereof, with examples correspondent, yet shall it by such meanes appeare vnto all fauourers of science, what will and desire I haue to deserue with the best, confessing (as by due proofe I haue found) no speech to be accounted valuable or of weight, that is not graced with these parts. Thus hauing at large expostulated my true meaning herein, I commit the rest to your curteous censures, and my selfe to your good opinions.
Yours, A. D.
OF FIGVRES, TROPES,
and Schemes.
Figure is a certaine meane whereby from a simple and ordinarie kinde of speaking, we growe into a more cunning and excellent deliuerie.
A Figure is diuided into Trope and Scheme.
A Trope is as much to say, as a variation of a worde or sentence from the proper & apt signification, vnto another neere vnto the same, sometimes for pleasure, and otherwhile for ornament sake, and there are tropes of words, and tropes of sentences.
A Scheme is a certaine new kinde of forme of writing & speaking, and for the excellencie thereof is called the ornament, light and colours of Rhetoricall spéech.
Betweene a Trope and a Scheme the difference is, that the Trope changeth the signification, as in these wordes Generation of Vipers, meaning thereby homicides of their owne issue or antecessors, as the Viper deuoureth her owne broode. The Scheme hath no change of signification, but retaineth the expresse meaning, as, Can so great anger be in heauenlie mindes? written of Iuno in the Aeneidos of Virgill, whereas anger is indéede onelie a humaine passion, yet without alteration is there allotted vnto the heauenlie Gods. And of some there is helde in them small difference, in so much as often times they runne into one anothers meaning.
The Tropes of wordes, are
MEtaphora, which is, when a worde from the proper or right signification is tanasferred to another neere vnto the meaning, as to saie: We see well, when wee meane wee vnderstande well, or to call them eaters or deuourers of men and houses, who vndo the poore, or extort from them their goods or liuings: or to saie, a homelie or rude speaker doth braie, which to do belongeth to an Asse, or to attribute vnto thinges the properties they haue not, as if we should say, the ground wanting wet, doth thirst for raine, or fruits in their growth do labour, or corne by the statelie length and weightie eare it carrieth, to bee proude, or by Emphasis, that by desire, men are enflamed, by anger kindled, fallen by errour: And lastlie, in prayse of mans ofspring, as to saie, the beautie of his stocke, or to call the place of renowne, the well or seate of glorie, also to say, the showers of speech, flouds of eloquence, onelie for ornament in writing, without anie other proper affinitie, attribution or likelihoode.
Synecdoche, when by one particular we vnderstand a number, as to saie, the braue English was conquerour, as much to saie, as Englishmen were victours, or when by a part wee vnderstande the whole, as to say, a blade for a sworde, a Hall for a house, or when by one thing we vnderstand another, as to say, the highest fall for the deepest fall, the toppe for the bottome, Neptunes reigne for the Sea: or when we put the matter whereof a thing is made, for the thing it selfe: as to saie, the loftie Pine did scowre the Seas, for the ship made of the Pine trée, or thus: With slashing Iron furious on his foes, hee rusht amaine, &c. for with slashing sworde: Likewise hee put spurres to his horse, for hee ranne his horse. They haue liued, that is, they are dead, they flourish, for they are rich, braue or happie.
Metonymia, or transnominatiō, the putting of one name for an other, as the inuenter for the thing inuented, so do we call corne by the name of Ceres, we put Bacchus for wine, Venus for lust, Vulcane for fire, Neptune for the sea, Mars for warre: likewise the continent for that which is contained, as if we should say, acceptable to the heauens, meaning to him that dwelleth in the heauens, a happie soyle, meaning happie people in the soile, hee drunke vp the whole cup before him, for the wine in the cup before him. In like maner when the cause efficient is vnderstood by the effect, as when we say, Pale death, sorrowfull dread, headlong rage, carelesse wine, vnshamefast night: wherein is shewed, that dread causeth sorowe, death palenes, wine carelesnes, and so of the rest. Further, when by her that holdes the Scepter, wee signifie the Queenes Maiestie, and likewise by mentioning the Sword, Magistracy.
Antonomasia, where to the person of anie one, wee giue an other name, then his owne proper, as in stead of Christ, to saie the Holie one of God, or The worlds Sauiour. Or of the Queenes Maiestie, to saie The Virgin Queene, The Royall Maide, with other like appropriations fitting so great an excellencie.
Onomatopœia, where to a thing not hauing a proper terme, wee faine or deuise a name, as to saie, the murmure of the waters, the roring of the cannon, clashing of armour, & such like: where neither murmur, roring nor clashing is by nature to these belonging.
Catachresis where wee accommodate a name to a thing that is not proper, as to saie, lend me your hand, or your aid, which tearme of lending is more proper to money, or things that are borrowed, and to say, mens powers are short, or their counsels long, when in neither of both there is anie such measure.
Metalepsis, or Transumptiō, when by a certaine number of degrees we go beyond that wee intend in troth, and haue meaning to speake of, as to saie: Accursed soile that bred my cause of woe, when we might as well crie out on the parties selfe that hath don the wo, & not to go so far off as to the soile that bred him, or as Penelope bewaling her husbandes ouerlong absence from her, exclaimed in her Epistle to Vlysses, on Paris that had raped Helena, wishing that he and all his fleet had perished, ere the rape had bin committed, intending that by that rape, the Grecians were drawn to the warres, and so the siege for tenne yeares space continued, and ten yeeres after that, her husband forced by many landes and seas to haue wandered. Of the originall cause whereof her iust complaint was deriued.
Tropes of sentences, are
ALlegoria, a kinde of inuerting or change of sence, as when we shew one thing in wordes & signifie another in meaning, a Trope most vsuall amongst vs euen in our common speaking, as when we saie, Bow the With while it is greene, meaning to correct children whilest they bee yong: or, There is no fire without smoake: meaning that there is no ill conceipt without occasion: or, I smell a Rat, that is, I know your meaning, for other applications you haue the same diuerslie quoted in our Epistles to bee seene in their margents.
Ænigma, a darke sentence, or as we ordinarilie say, a riddle, rather vsed in high and déepe mysteries, otherwise conueied sometime in pleasant fancies, then accustomed in other writings.
Parœmia, called amongst vs an Adage or common saying, as thus: Who so toucheth pitch shall bee defiled therewith: It earlie pricketh that wil be a thorn: many hands make light worke, &c.
Ironia, a scoffe or flout, as when wee saie, Alas good man, or to one that hath set debate or contention, you haue spun a faire thred: or to him that hath made a long speach to no purpose, you haue brought forth a mighty mole-hil, or to a lewd person, you are an honest man.
Sarcasmus, a bitter bob as wee saie, or enuious derision, as of one arraigned for fellonie, to twit him, that hee had like to haue knockt his head against the gallowes, or of one suffering for treason to saie, that it made him hop headlesse.
Asteismus, a smooth, as we call it, as when one tels a thing repugnant to the present matter or companie, to saie, I had as lieue he told me it snew, when neither the time of the yeare, or present weather admitteth it snowe. Or when one misseth of a number, to bid him take a sticke and tell it, or telling a lie, to bid him take the haire from his lips.
Antiphrasis, when a word scornefullie deliuered, is vnderstoode by his contrarie, as of a dwarfe, to saie in iest, what a gyant haue we here, or of him that telleth a matter ordinarie for strange, to saie, what a wonder telleth he, or to say, the man hath a sharpe wit, when we intend he hath a verie blunt capacitie, or of a blacke Moore woman, to saie, Will ye see a faire pigion.
Charientismus, as when we scoffe a man in his threatning mood to say, O good words, I pray you, or kill vs not at the first dash, or, Bite not my nose off I pray you, and such like.
Hyperbole, when for the manifestation of a thing vehement or exceeding, the wordes of our speach doe goe beyonde credite, as to saie, It woulde haue made a stonie hearte to weepe: hee wearied the heauens with his clamour: Shee was fairer then beautie herselfe, more cruell then Nero or Phaleris: Worse then the Deuill: Whiter then snowe: sighing without ceasing, and infinite such like.
Of Schemes there are two sorts,
that is,
Grammaticall, and Rhetoricall.
Grammaticall are also deuided into two parts.
that is,
Orthographicall, pertaining chieflie to Poesie:
and
Syntaxicall, which are to be applied to our vses.
Schemes Syntaxicall, are,
Clipsis, that is a defect of sence in a word or necessarie reason, aunswerable to the due construction, as when hauing spoken sufficientlie of a matter, we close vp the sentence with these wordes, But this for that let be, and now to the rest, where after let be, this worde (sufficient) seemeth to be wanting. Likewise, what might be more in the matter? for what might be more don or spoken in the matter. Also to saie, you are not to aunswere or compare with him, for you are not meete, sufficient, or able to answere or compare with him. Or otherwise to say, A man of so rare vertue, so deeplie to be ouerseene, for, is it true that a man of so rare vertue shoulde so deeply be ouerseene.
Aposiopesis, when by passing to another matter, we stop our spéech on a sudden, as it were in an interrupted or discontented mood, as to say, Are these the practises you take in hand? be these your deuises? hath your worthy courage endeuored so mighty effectes? But I will first tame your courses, and for the residue, I wil hold you in so bridled a meane, that my selfe will warrant you henceforth from any such like further proceedings. Or thus, Vngratefull creature, hast thou dealt wel with me in thus conspiring my ill that haue euer sought thy good? Wel, I wil saie no more, but for thee & thy complices I wil take order well inough to stay you. Or otherwise by way of a fearful rehearsall thus: What euill was there whereunto we were not subiect? But whie dwell I in circumstances? wee were the men allotted to that purpose.
Zeugma, when one or more clauses are concluded vnder one verbe, as to saie, His loosenesse ouercame all shame: his boldnesse, feare: his madnesse, reason: where all these clauses are concluded vnder this one verbe, Ouercame. Or thus: What auaileth it to shrine so much this vaine beauty, which either by long sicknesse, extremity of old age, infinite sorrowes and cares, or a thousand mishaps besides, is euery day in daunger or subiect to bee vtterlie crased: In which all the clauses before going are concluded in this one verbe is in danger, &c.
Syllepsis, when one verbe supplieth two clauses, one person two roomes, or one word serueth to manie sences, as thus: He runs for pleasure, I for feare: where this verbe run, serueth to both purposes: also thus: But scorning so to be reproued, and with a manly resolution by one stroke giuen, he acquited his shame, his credit, and his person, where this one worde acquite serueth to all clauses aforegoing and following.
Prolepsis, where some thing generallie first spoken, is afterwards drawne into partes, as thus: Let vs take vpon vs one selfe charge, I to direct abroad, you to order at home. Or otherwise: Men diuerslie do erre, some by an ignoraunt simplicitie, others by a most peruerse follie.
Pleonasmus, where with words seeming superfluous, we do increase our reasons, as thus: With these eares I heard him speake it: Or with mine eies I behelde him sorrowing, where we well knowe that without eares or eies, we cannot wel heare or see, yet carieth this kind of spéech, a vehemency in enforcing the matter so plainelie, or throughlie to be hard or séene.
Macrologia, where a clause is finallie added to the matter going before, in seeming more then néeded, as, Men of so high and excelling vertue, let them euer liue, and neuer die, here neuer die, seemeth superfluous, and yet notable wel adorneth the sentence.
Anastrophe, a preposterous inuersion of wordes, besides their common course, as when we say: for faults, no man liueth without, when order requireth we should saie: No man liueth without faults: Long when he had confusedly thus liued, for when he had long time thus confusedlie liued.
Hysteron proteron, where that which ought to be in the first place, is put in the second, as thus: After hee had giuen saile to the winde, and taken the Seas, for after he had taken the seas, and giuen saile to the wind. Also, That which of all others is most sacred and permanent, honoured, and euer shining vertue, chuse vnto your selues: for chuse vnto your selues honored and euer shining vertue, which of all others is most sacred and permanent: or, as commonly we say in our English spéech, Pull off my bootes and spurs.
Tmesis of Diacope, a diuision of a word compound into two parts, as, What might be soeuer vnto a man pleasing, that had he, for whatsoeuer might be, &c. Hither should he haue come to, when he finished his argument: for hitherto should he haue come, &c.
Parenthesis, an intercluding of a sentence in any reason commonlie set betweene two halfe circles, as thus: I am content (not in respect you deserue so much at my hands) onelie for pitie sake to hearken ynto you, the knowledge hereof is ordinarie, and therefore I néede speake the lesse of it.
Hypallage, when by change of propertie in application a thing is deliuered, as to saie, Darkesome wandring by the solitary night, for wandring solitarilie by the darkesome night, or the wicked wound thus giuen, for hauing thus wickedlie wounded him. The vse hereof in Poesie is most rife.
Hendiadis, when one thing of it selfe intire, is diuersly layde open, as to saie, On iron and bit he champt, for on the iron bitte hee champt: And part and pray we got, for part of the pray: Also by surge and sea we past, for by surging sea we past. This also is rather Poeticall then other wise in vse.
Asyndeton, when two or thrée clauses or more disioyned do follow one another, as to saie his house, his land, his purse, himselfe, his life, were all at his commaund. Or thus, he scapte, he ran, he rusht, and fled away. Or otherwise, thy fame, thy wealth, thy friends, thy kin, and all hast thou lost togithers.
Polysyndeton, when in like sort by many coniunctions sundrie words one following the other are vnited together, as thus, Both sworde and fire and dearth, three dreadfull scourges of the war were alwayes attendant vpon him. Or thus, with faith and troth and plighted heart, and loue he made him hers, &c.
Hirmos, where a continuance of speech is vsed, vntill the ende of the clause, as God in the beginning made heauen, earth, sea, firmament, sunne, moone, starres, and all things in them contained: where you see all these words, heauen, earth, &c. haue all one continuance vntill the last end of the sentence.
Epitheton, when for ornament sake we adde vnto a worde, or for mislike do attribute somewhat vnto the same, as when for ornament we say, Sweet beautie, precious loue, friendlie fortune: Or contrariwise in mislike, vnbrideled lust, filthie gaine, wicked guile, deceitfull fauour, fond fancie, &c.
class="antiqua"Periphrasis, when by circumlocution anie thing is expressed, as when we say, The Prince of Peripateticks, for Aristotle, the subuerter of Carthage and Numantia, for Scipio. A man studious of wisedome, for a Philosopher: A man diuerslie enriched, for one that is wealthie, &c.
Liptote, when by the lesse that is spoken, the more maie bee vnderstood, as thus: What auaileth it that thou dost not despise me, which is by the contrarie, that thou louest mee, the deliuerie thereof is singular by the negatiue, for that giueth grace to the Figure, as it discontenteth me not to heare of you, but it griueth me to heare ill of you. We are not so ignorant of things, but we can perceiue somewhat. That is in the one, it pleaseth mee well to heare of you, and in the other, we haue skill to discerne of things, and thereby can perceiue somewhat.
Paradiastole, when with a milde interpretation or spéech we colour others or our owne faults, as when we call a subtill person, wise: a bold fellow, couragious: a prodigall man liberall: a man furious or rash, valiant: a parasite, a companion: him that is proud, magnanimous, and such like.
Meosis, a maner of disabling, as when we saie, Alas sir, it is not in my power to doe it: or otherwise, little God wot could man doe in such a case.
Schemes Rhetoricall, are
ANaphora, or Repetitiō, where by rehearsall of one worde wee make sundrie beginnings, as to saie, Learning bringeth to knowledge, learning maketh wise, learning enableth to vertue, learning is the ornament of the minde, finallie, learning is the onelie substantiall proppe and guide of mans life, without which nothing in a manner can bee pleasant, nothing sauourie, nothing of value, &c. Or thus, hauing committed so great euils, couldest thou yet dare to come in open shewe of the worlde, couldest thou dare to shewe thy selfe in the face of men, couldest thou dare to bee seene of anie one, that hast thus generallie deserued to bee hated of all: Or otherwise thus, When death commeth to chalenge his due, what then shall auaile beautie, what youth, what riches, what strength? where then shall become thy landes, where thy reuenue, where thy possessions? who shall argue thy cause, who stande for thee, who plead for thee?
Epanalepsis, when with one selfe word, we doe both begin and finish a sentence, the vse hereof is méerelie appropriate to Poesie, Much asked he of Priams state, of Hector verie much.
Epizeuxis, or a redoubling of a word, by vehemencie to expresse a thing, as thus: Thou thou art he on whom I liue to be reuenged. He, he it was that wrought all my care. Thus, thus behooueth men of vertue and courage to doe.
Anadiplosis, when the last word of a comma or member of a sentence, is the beginner of another that followeth, as heauens witnes my fall, my fall more grieuous then may be well supported by common sorrow: or thus, Fie, too much vngratefull, vngratefull to mee of all others, that so much at thy hands haue deserued.
Antistrophe, where manie members are drawne to ende with one and the same worde, as, we haue our felicitie of vertue, our renowne of vertue, our hope and expectation of vertue. Or thus: men from their errours are reclaimed by loue, reclaimed by hope, reclaimed by feare.
Symploche, where sundrie members haue one selfe beginning and ending, as thus, If we shall debate of the times present, what is I pray you the cause of all these euils? money: what hath beene the decay of our estimate? money: what the ruine of our soules? money: what the torment of our conscience? money: what the meane of all ambitious aspirings, treacheries, and villanies? money: In fine, this cursed and wretched title of gaine is it that bewitcheth all ages and seasons, and that onelie by a seruile regarde and account giuen vnto money: Or otherwise thus in contempt. What sillie soule wast thou when I beganne first to like thee? nothing. What when I tooke thee? nothing. What before I cherished and regarded thee? nothing. And now that by me thou hast beene made somthing, thou esteemest me as nothing.
Ploche, when by an Emphasin, a worde is either in praise or disgrace, reiterated or repeated, as thus: Though Scipio were neuer so much terrified with the Carthaginians in Spaine, with the Numidians in Affricke, with aduersaries abroade, and with priuie enemies at home, yet ceased he not to be Scipio still, that is, sui similis, like vnto himselfe still.
Polyptoton or Traductiō, when one worde is often repeated by varietie of cases, as thus: Who hath in his life nothing so much pleasing as the verie life it selfe which he enioyth, it is impossible that his life with vertue should anie wayes be adorned: or by translating of one worde into diuers formes, as thus: What manhoode call you this, so vnmanlie to deale in those actions, that speciallie appertaineth to a man? Here is this word manhood translated into vnmanlie man.
Membrum, or Parison, when one or moe members doe followe in equall sentences, as thus: See now by one fault how manie mischiefs thou hast heaped to thy selfe, thou hast consumed thy patrimonie, grieued thy parents, estranged thy friends, defamed thy stocke, vndone thy kindred, and heaped mischiefe a thousand folde to thy selfe more then can be auoided: or thus with copulation: neither hast thou herein dealt discreetlie for thy selfe, nor respected thy frends, nor regarded thy being, nor studied of the euill, nor cared for the good that might happen, but leauing al at randon, thou hast done what in thee lieth to worke all our vndoing.
Omoioteliton, or similiter cadens, when words and sentences in one sort do finish togithers, as thus: Weeping, wailing, and her handes, wringing, she moued all men to pitie her. Or thus: Thou liuest maliciouslie, speakest hatefully, and vsest thy selfe cruelly. Or thus: Wee find it much better of wise men to be rebuked, then by filthie flatterie to be fondly deceyued.
Prosonomasia, pleasant kind of collusion in words, in significations diuers, only by changing, detracting, or adding a letter or sillable in a word, as to say, No doubt he is a foole wise man, for a full wise man, for a Doctor, a Doter, or otherwise, thou art no bewraier, but a betraier of mens counsels. Of one religious thou art become prodigious.
Antanaclasis, when we produce a word in a contrary signification to that it commonlie portendeth: as to saie, For my kindnesse you haue vsed me kindly, meaning indeede you haue vsed mee verie badly. And I can bee contented to pray with you though you pray not vppon me. Where this worde kindly is applied to the worser part, which of it selfe carieth as wee see a far other meaning: and likewise pray in one sence being to entreate, is in another sense intended here to spoile. And as another said to a rude fellow, you are too course to keepe course in our companie, here is course for rudenes, and course in another sense for good order.
Erotema or Interrogatiō, when by interrogation we sift out anie thing somtimes by demand, as to saie, But you sir, now frō whence I pray you, deriue you your fancie? by asseueration, as to saie: Haue you not in this action behaued your selfe excellent well? By commiseration, as to saie: Alas what grounde may holde mee, what lande or shore may possesse mee, circumuented as I am with so many euils? By vrging, as thus,What hadst thou to intermeddle in so bad a company? How long shall wee bee thus abused with so fained treachery? Art thou not ashamed seeing thy purposes thus reuealed? Perceiuest thou not thy driftes to bee all discouered? By indignation, as to saie, Shall I yet couer thy villanies being at thy handes thus hatefully misused? or thus, Wicked and peruerse kinde of people, howe long will you thus hatefully deale with your fauorers? By admiration, as to saie, Good Lord, who woulde haue thought so much loosenesse in so chaste a countenance! But what is it that this blind and sottish loue draweth not a man headlong into? And lastly, by doubting, as thus: What shall I say, or what further speeches may I vse to withdraw you from these euils? Or otherwise: Whither shall I turne me to speake vnto you, or what wordes may I vse whereby to withdraw you from these vanities?
Anthypophora or Subiectiō, when to a question asked by vs, we answere of our selues in our own reasonings, the maner whereof is accomplished three kinde of waies, as first when wee obiect vnto our selues that which to others might be obiected, and answere it againe. Secondlie, when we do (as it were) vrge those we speake vnto to answere vs, and so answering, do confute their sayinges. Thirdlie, when in a deliberatiue sort we propound diuers things, and refute them all one after another. Example of the first maie bee this. Is this a maner of discipline? Doe men in such sort deliuer their instructions? Had they for this cause the authoritie of tutors to them giuen, that in vanities and misliked pleasures, they who are committed vnto their charge, shoulde consume their youth vnder them? Beleeue me I am of a farre other opinion, neither do I thinke, that the reasonable time of young men, being now fittest of all others for anie vertuous impression, shoulde thus cautelouslie be deluded of that, whereunto both their parents and birth do commend them. Of the second, this: Nowe after al these proofes of the happie comming and acknowledgement of our true and onelie Messias: Let me speake vnto you againe, yee Iewes, enemies, and maligners of our sole and onelie God and Sauiour Christ Iesus, with what reasons strengthned doe you persist in your madnes? Stande ye vpon the Oracles of Prophets? Wee haue made plaine vnto you that they are wholie for vs. Looke ye after Moyses? It was only of our Christ, and none other that he that written. Waite ye on Types and Figures? They all in one do agree to bee in him fulfilled. Preferre you vnto vs miracles? Who could desire more then by him was shewed. Bring you against vs a number of consents? Alas you onely bring the smallest number, and lurking as it were in a corner, are the gainsayers of trueth itselfe, sith the whole world round about you doth witnes for vs. Doth the hope of any euent yet a little detaine you? Beholde your temple long since subuerted: your sacrifices quenched, your Citie rased, your people runnagate and dispersed, nor anie hope at all left vnto you to be relieued but by the clemencie of the Christians. Of the thirde, this. Tell mee I praie, what or wherein is it, that a worldlie man hath such meane to glorie in? wherein shoulde hee bee proude, or for what cause should he thus puffe vp himselfe in vanitie? Is it for his riches? they neuer make a man either happy or blessed, so farre off are they many times from anie such euent, as often wee do see that they are the verie cause of their owners destructions, they sundrie waies are meanes to inconueniences, and in our owne sight forsake their maisters in their life times, but seldome followe them for ought wee see to their graues. Is it for children? The keeping of them is then of riches far more vncertaine. Is it in respect of a wife, familie and other such like commodities? they are vexations, cares and griefes, nothing in them stable, nor such as may induce a man to any hoped tranquility, &c. There is also of this sort another example, by an immediate answere to euerie question, as thus: Wherfore then is the law? for transgressors, wherefore reward? for wel-doers. Or thus: Where is now their pride? vanished. Where are their boasts? deluded. Came they to aide vs? no, rather to suppresse vs. Came they to comfort vs? no, but to kill vs.
Antenagoge, when hauing spoken as it were in the dispraise or mislike of a thing, we goe about to helpe the same againe with a new colour to the matter: As to saie, It is a thing difficult to attain learning, but yet verie commodious. It is tedious to trauell for sundry knowledges, but vnto our liues it is a thing most necessary.
Ecphonesis or Exclamatiō, which hath signification of griefe or indignation of a thing, as of griefe thus, O cruell and lamentable times wherein wee liue, subiect as wee are to so manifolde miseries! Of indignation thus. O incredible boldnesse, or rather impudencie of a shamelesse creature: not fit to bee suffered. Neither is this manner speaking, alwaies framed by the Interiection O, but rather otherwise, as thus: Vnhappie man, made vnhappie by so great a misfortune, what vnkinde destiny droue him to so imminent a perill? Howe miserable and vncertaine is the state and condition of man, subiect to so many and so huge calamities? Or otherwise, What kind of people are you to rage in so vile a madnesse? Was euer seene a multitude so fierce, a company so carelesse, an assemblie so desperate? What inconsiderate dealing do you vse? I shame to see you, & grieue to behold you, &c.
Insultatiō, when iniuriously, or by a contumelious reproch we insult vpon a mans doings, as thus: Trudge on with thy mischiefs, proceed in these thy insatiable cruelties, and he that hath power ouer al, wil one day I hope correct thee. Or otherwise, Pursue I pray you your glorious enterprise, you haue, no doubt, very waightily begun, & we cannot but expect thereof a notable issue.
Aporia or Dubitatiō, when wee make staie or doubt howe to tearme a thing, or which waie to wade in a matter, as thus: What shoulde I say, was it anger or an inueterate malice that led him to this mischiefe? Shall I cal him cunning as cautelous, that procured it, and so well could shift himselfe of it? Or otherwise thus: May hee bee said to be beloued, or rather fortunate or blessed, to haue escaped such daungers? is it to bee tearmed clemencie or rather piety to vse one so miserable with great curtesie. Or thus: I am not well perswaded what course to take in these causes, shall I begin where others haue left? or of my selfe shall I renewe againe vnto you what you haue so often heard? &c.
Paradoxon, affined vnto that before, but with a kinde of maruelling or woondering thereunto added, as thus: Could it possibly bee thought that learning and place of good education might euer haue produced such monstrous effectes? Or otherwise: I haue great maruell that men so generous, should so quickly be diuerted from their honest purposes. Or thus: I woulde neuer haue beleeued that such graue and considerate counsels shoulde so easily haue beene subuerted.
Epitropis, when by proposing a cause, wee reason what should bee done therein, as thus: In times so troublesome and seasons so tempestious, giue now your aduise what is fit to bee done. If the case were your owne, what would you doe, what would you say therein, tell me I pray you, you that conuerse in these and such like actions, I herein appeale vnto your wisdomes, your owne consciences, shewe me but your mindes herein. And this figure is vsed in reasoning, when as to conclude a matter, and seeming loath to trouble the auditorie anie further in the same, we pretend to reserue a great part thereof, which we would refer to their iudgements.
Parresia, or libertie to speake, when by winning of curtesie to our spéech we séek to auoid any offence thereof, as thus. Pardon if I be tedious, the circumstance of the cause requireth it. If my speech seeme vehement, the matter occasioning the same is vrgent. If what I write seeme offensiue vnto you, you haue to mislike the ill disposition of such as inforce it, and not with me to be agreeued.
Apostrophe, or Auersio, when wee turne our speeches from one person or thing to another, as if one hauing spoken much of the vanitie of the worlde shoulde thereupon turne and saie vnto the worlde, O world, how sweete and pleasant are the shewes of those things which thou producest: but in taste, how full of too much bitternes? Or in speaking of the certaintie of death, and the little respect thereof had, to turne a mans speach to death it selfe and saie, O death, how bitter is thy remembrance to a man hauing peace and plenty in his riches, &c.
Prosopopœia when to things without life wee frame an action, spéech or person, fitting a man, as if we should saie of vertue, as of a liuing person, that her wayes were sweet, and replenished with all maner of delight, that she putteth her selfe foorth to the woorthiest to be receyued, and to the most honoured to be embraced. Or faine the ghosts from out their graues to prescribe good examples, or to rebuke the vices of men. Or our countrey to accuse vs of our negligent regard vnto it in these or suchlike speeches: Vnkind people and Citizens whom I haue ingendred in my bowels, nourished with my paps, fostered with my delights, why doe you thus vngratefullie not onelie abstaine to tender mee, but giue mee an open proy to my foes to suppresse mee: yea, which is most loathsome of all others, become proper murtherers and paracides of your owne parentage and familie, cruell destroyers of your owne patrimonie, and wretched renders and tearers of your mothers bowels, without all regard or pitie.
Synonymia, when we bring foorth many wordes together of one signification, or sounding all to one purpose, as to say, thou hast spoiled thy Countrey, destroied thy Citie, and turned the Commonweale topsie-turuie: all which do sort but to one purpose, for the expressing the hatefulnesse of the iniurie: or otherwise to say, What head hadst thou to deuise such a thing, where was thy wit when thou wentst about it, what became of thy minde in purposing the same, whither was thy discretion caried in the prosequution? Here is head, wit, minde and discretion, all sorting to one thing. Also, what desirest thou, what soughtest thou, what couldest thou wish or expect in the action. Here is desired, sought, wish and expect, being all to one meaning.
Auxesis or Incrementum, where by degrees we not onlie rise to the summe of euerie thing, but also sometimes go beyond, as to say, Hee first set vpon him with reproachfull wordes, after assayled him with his weapons, then wounded him, and lastlie did moste miserablie murther him. Here by degrees is passed to the last exigent. Now to the second. It is euill to reproch, wicked to slaunder, villanous vnwarilie to strike, detestable to murther. What shall I say to betray a man to all these. Here is nowvltra summum, beyond all that was spoken to the vttermost. The excellencie of this Figure is so much the more, by howe much euerie degrée is still inforced one aboue another, and goeth beyonde in comparison, as to say: golde, riches, honour, estate, treasure, kingdomes, life, and all he helde of no moment. Another kinde of recitall pertaineth also to this figure short in repetition, but for vehemencie wonderfull, as to say: Thou hast conspired the death of thy Prince, and in her the subuersion of a whole kingdome, what should I say thou hast conspired the death of thy Prince. As who would enforce that no one thing then that could be greater: Finallie, for inforcement of a thing, to say in reprehension of follies. If thou hadst done or spoken this in a priuate audience, among men of the ruder and meaner sort, among such as are lesse capable of skill then a great many others, thy fault could not haue beene hid: but to doe it before thy betters, in the presence of such as are adiudged both honorable and wise, in the hearing of those of great account of such as haue power to checke, and authoritie to compell thee, it was too peeuish.
Sinathrismus, a heaping of words diuersly signifying togithers, as to say, Hee was a man wholie malicious, exceedinglie proude, vtterlie arrogant, altogither subtill, by nature cruell, and in speeches contentious. Or otherwise thus: What should I tell thee further of his partes, how wise, how sober, how honest, howe courteous, howe friendly, how choicelie he liued.
Brachiologa, when in single wordes without anie coupling togethers, we procéed in a broken kind of deliuerie, and yet hasten forward as in the other: As to saie, loue, hate, Ielousie, frensie, furie, drew him from pitty.
Antithesis, or Contentiō, when we amplifie by contraries, as to say, Being in my power to vse as I listed, I cared for thee, and did not destroy thee. Thou wast charie vnto me whē no man regarded thee, and when my selfe also might haue despised thee. Or otherwise: If you doe that is good, you haue the rewarde of praise, if you prosecute badnesse, your merite is euill. Or thus: To thy enimyes and those that maligne thee, thou art placable: to thy friendes, inexorable. In coole matters thou art hotte: in the hottest causes, colde: Art thou called? Thou art gone. Thy absence required? we cannot be rid of thee.
Epanodis, carrieng a reference to the matter preceding, much like to the figureProlepsis, but that yᵉ figure Prolepsis, hath relation onelie to the matter, this to the matter and tearmes therein vsed, the difference whereof you maie see in some of mine epistles as the same is quoted in the margent where the figure is vsed.
Comparatiō, which taketh his increase of smaller matters, which if they may séeme great in all opinions, then that which we séeke to amplifie must of necessitie séeme greater, sometimes also by diminution of things great, to make the residue the greater, example of the first may bee that saying of Cicero of Catiline, in these wordes, Did the famous Scipio for a little ill gouernment of the common weale, cause Tiberius Gracchus priuatelie to bee made awaie: and shall wee preferre Catiline that goeth about to fill the whole worlde with his slaughters? Here is Catiline compared to Gracchus, the state of a common wealth to the whole worlde, a small sliding to an insufferable wasting, and a priuate man to the whole Senate. Or otherwise thus: Tell mee I praie thee, if one had giuen thee but a small summe of money to comfort thy neede withall, were it not humanitie to thanke him: If hee had giuen thee possessions to liue vppon, were it not honestie to requite him: If of a slaue hee made thee rich, shouldest thou not bee bounden vnto him? Howe much more then to him that hath not alonelie done all these, but farre more then these vnto thee, oughtest thou in the verie bondes of nature and courtesie to bee both thankefull and louing? Example of the seconde sort for diminution might bee this: What is it that you propose vnto mee these small matters of vnkindnesse, as that the man is ingratefull, that hee hath no good remembraunce of courtesies, that there is in him not so much as an acknowledgement, which is a thing farre from requitall, these I must confesse are iniuries to some, but vnto mee they are trifles, matters of no moment, things not to bee reckoned of: what say you to him that betrayeth his friend, seeketh his death that hath sought his life, worketh by all possible meanes his ouerthrow, his destruction and vndoing? And in this exaggeration of vices, so also might there bee the like of Vertues, as if one should exhort a man to Pietie, after hee had set foorth all the commodities thereof, as the tranquilitie of minde, peace of conscience, libertie of spirit, the communion with Saints, from a bonslaue of the diuell to become the childe of God, the comfort of the holie Ghost which the Prophet denieth may be by man conceyued: he might lastlie adde, what thinges then these in all the worlde could be greater, what more singular, what more happie, and yet if they be conferred vnto that blessed heritage of immortalitie, if to the life and ioyes to come, if to that heauenlie Ierusalem, which certainlie remaineth for all such as are endued with such a spirit: they are toies and things of no excellencie or moment.
Metonoia, when by a sudden restraint of spéech, wee giue grace or mislike to a person, or thing, as to saie, worthilie atchieued? nay rather honourablie attained, a man notable, we maie rather saie, singular: Ah cruell man, and no man neither, but a beast: Oh rare clemencie, or rather most admirable patience. Hee is no thiefe, but a rauener: no murtherer, but a tyrant.
Aphorismus, a Scheme, like vnto the other, but differing by a maner of reprehension, as to saie, What lawes bee these, if at least wise they may be termed lawes, which beare in them so vile customs, and not rather firebrands of the citie, and the plague of the whole common weale. Or otherwise: your counsellers, if such may be called counsellers, as draw vnto mischiefe, are vtterlie vnmeete to such kinde of assemblies.
Diminutiō, when we goe about to extenuate things difficult, to make them lesse in seeming, as to one that would shun learning, for the tediousnesse thereof in studie: We might shew, that besides the great necessitie thereof in the life of man, wee shall in attaining thereof, take no other nor more laboursome course, then others before vs haue done: that the way thereunto is verie plaine and easie, the labour (if anie be) sweet and pleasant. And whereas in all our ordinarie exercises of vanitie, there redoundeth for the most part in the ende but meere trauaile, and vnprofitable charge: in this the commoditie is as great as the delight, the gaine as ordinarie as the practise, wherein the studie is but the least part of a mans life, but the pleasure and commodity infinite. And like as in this, so in all other things, conducing to good and laudable exercises, the labour is still diminished, by proposing the worthines, pleasure, honour, profit, and so of euils commonlie, by mitigation of the fault.
Climax, or Gradatiō, when each member in a sentence ariseth from the other afore going, beginning with that which endeth the former, as to say, His industrie bred him vertue: his vertue, praise: his praise, renowne: his renowne, glorie: and his glorie enuie. Or thus: What hope haue we of good, if what men list, they may; and what they may they do, and what they doe they dare, and what they dare they prosecute, and what they prosecute, they are neuer ashamed of.
Antimetauole or Commutatiō, when a sentence by charge is inuerted to the contrarie, as thus, We must eat to liue, and not liue to eat: Not man for the Sabboth, but the Sabboth for man was ordained. They are happy whose wisdome is answerable to their fortune, and whose fortune answereth their wit.
Sinæciosis, when one contrary is attributed to another, or when two diuerse things are in one put together, as thus. The prodigal and couetous doe offende alike, for neither doe liue as they ought. Pleasure it selfe is sometimes a labour, and labour also is often a pleasure. To a couetous man is wanting as well that he hath, as that hee hath not.
Etiologia, a figure like vnto the other beforegoing, and much resembling to Orismus, which defineth a matter by sorting the same into a distinguishment: but this nowe telleth the cause or reason of that which is before auerred, and is as a confirmation thereunto giuen for the concluding of the same, you maie sée the examples as the figure is quoted in my Epistles.
Paralepsis, or Occupatiō, when in seeming to ouerpasse, omit, or let slip a thing, we then chiefly speake thereof, as thus: I will not here rehearse vnto you how slippery and transitorie this life is, howe much laden with cares, exposed to daungers, and attended with miseries, for we knowe it and feele it: But I will come to speake of the perdurable ioies of the other, &c. Or thus, for my part I haue no pleasure to laie open other mens errors, it is inough vnto me, that by themselues they are made apparant, and that the whole worlde may see them. I omit to report vnto you these and such like ordinary matters, which in comparison of that I will shew you are but trifles. I tell you not, or I talke not now of times past. It is not the matter wherein I am now occupied. His theft, his rapine, his spoile, and all his whole disorderlie course of life in those daies perpetrated, I nowe omit, and onely doe come to the times present. His counselling (I had almost said concealing) of good when time was, if it bee well noted, was it that procured our mischiefes, &c.
Procatalepsis orPræoccupatiō, when we doe anticipate vnto our selues that we know wil be obiected, as thus, what do you obiect vnto me the times passed, those seasons & ours are vtterly vnlike. But peraduenture you will say that these things are for children fit to bee considered, nay rather meetest of old men to be followed. You will happely say vnto me herein, that I am too light of credit: but I can tel you the proofe is extant, and fit to be beleeued.
Metastasis or Transitiō, when in briefe wordes we passe from one thing to another, as thus, You haue hearde by this what you ought to consider, heare now I pray you what you are bounde to remember. These things you will say are pleasant, but the rest yet vntold are far more delightfull. This already shewed vnto you seemeth to be tolerable, that which followes is no waies to be suffered. I haue now told you what was done in priuate, I will next shewe you what was handled in publike: these things he did at home, that which followeth was abroade in the fielde: whilst hee was a young man, hee did this I told you, but the vertues of his age were far more different. You haue vnderstood of maners, I will now speake vnto you of learning: I will not trouble you with many things further, only this one thing will I rehearse vnto you. But of these enough, we will now go to the rest. I haue somthing beene caried away with these motions, but we wil now go to the substance. But why stay we so long in trifles? I wil go to the head of the matter: what he promised I haue deliuered, what he performed you shall vnderstande: I haue thus shewed you how much he was charged vnto me, you shal now heare againe how gently he requited me.
Paramologia, where we graunt one or moe thinges meete to be marked or alleadged, and forthwith doe infer thereupon sufficient whereby to ouerthrow it, as thus: I deny not but I haue heretofore vsed you in causes secret, in matters weighty and of counsell, that I haue found you friendly, faithfull and ready: but what is all that to the purpose, when in a thing so important, and matter neerly concerning me, as whereon dependeth the safegard of my whole house and familie, I haue founde you in both negligent and vntrustie. Or otherwise thus: Be it, or suppose you haue omitted nothing in your owne person, of a friende to be performed, that you were no partaker with him of those euill counsels: that you abstained to accompany him in the execution of his mischiefes, yet are you not therfore cleared. For it is not sufficient for a man not to doe euill of himselfe, but that by to too much lenity he become not occasion of an others mischiefe.
Dichologia, when by a colour of mitigation wee defende our cause, as to saie: I fell, I confesse, but as a young man, I went astray, but as one willing to be reclaimed: I forsooke my friend indeede, but constrained by the lawes, I was a companion in their badnesse, but forced by threatning.
Orismus, definitiō, or finitiō, wherein we brieflie laie forth the true properties of euerie thing, by impugning the contrarie, as thus: Men cannot be said in vertue to exceed, for in vertue there is euer an excellency, but neuer an excesse, sith the excesse is onely appropriate vnto vices. This cannot be said to be care but couetousnesse, for care hath onely respect to necessary vses, but in couetousnes, there is neuer any reasonable suffizance.
Hypotyposis, when any thing is described in particular, or made knowne to the viewe, as thus: Shall I tell you what maner a one you haue preferred vnto mee, for his stature, a Dwarfe: for his person, a trunke: for his qualities a dog: for his countenance, a foxe: in behauiour a swine: in condition, an Ape: in sense, an Asse, and in vsage, a beast.
Merismus or Distributiō, when that as maie bee generallie spoken we distribute for amplification into parts: as if in generalitie we said: He hath consumed all his substance in riot: By distribution wee might amplifie thus: Whatsoeuer patrimony hee had from his father, what priuate inrichment by his deceased mother, what large assistance by friends, whereat the worlde neuer barked, what dowry soeuer by his wife, which no doubt was very great, all this hath he consumed by a most dissolute and wanton liuing: mony, plate, lands, wealth, possessions and all, are gone to the deuil, his cattel consumed, his houshold stuffe solde, his apparell spent, and the poore miser at this instant hath not left him a farthing.
Dialisis, a separation of one thing from another, both being absolued by a seuerall reason, in the nature of a Dilemma, as thus: When I haue preached vnto you all I may, if you bee well giuen it auaileth, if graceles, forth you wil not be moued. Or thus. What should I further set forth vnto you my good will, if you remember it, I haue said inough, if not, my words wil not prouoke you.
Dialogismus or Sermocinatiō, an imaginatiue speach, agréeing to the quality of the person it is framed of. Whether he be valiant cruell, young, old, or of what other condition, as if we shoulde saie of the times present. Were the ancient Apostles and olde Fathers of religion nowe liuing, which with great innocencie of life, and true pietie, shined in their seasons, and should but beholde the most corrupt and abhominable estate of our times, subiect as they bee to all kinde of euils, would they not thinke, you straight proclaime against vs the vniust name of Christians, and challenge vs for the great want we haue of the true profession thereof? Would they not rather cry out of vs that deluding ourselues onely with a vaine title or name of Christians, we do not so much as seeke in the meane time to followe any part thereof?
Epiphonema, or conclusion to a matter before shewed, as thus: Of so woonderfull force was his wisdome, which was able to compasse that in short time, which a number haue diuerslie sought for, and could neuer hetherto obtaine. Or thus: Such is the force of Nature which seldome wee doe see is euer chaunged by anie colours. Much haue they forsaken that haue cast all from themselues. It is commonlie the conclusion or making vp of a discourse or sentence by some pithie manner of speaking. As if a man shoulde inueigh against drunkennesse, hee might thus conclude, Hee nowe that thinketh it parcell of humanity, by thrusting on of many cuppes to driue his friend into drunkennesse, let him also thinke it kindnes, by a venemous confection giuen, to driue him into madnesse.
Expeditiō, or enumeratiō, when many reasons of auerment being numbred togethers, we make a confutation of them, each one in particular, as thus: The goods in question beeing alleadged to bee mine, it is requisite you prooue, either that you had them by chance, that you haue long held or enioied them, that you bought them with your money, or otherwise that by some gift you came to them, or lastly, in succession that you haue obtained them. That you had them by chance it cannot be, for they were not lost from my keeping. Long haue you not held them, for they were alwaies till this in mine owne possession. It is plaine you neuer bought them, for you paide mee no mony for them. By gift you could not haue them, for the right was in me to giue them. The succession must be void, for my selfe am yet liuing. It remaineth then if you keep them, that liuing you doe cast me out of mine own possession. This chiefly appertaineth to the Iudiciall Epistles in the state Coniecturall.
Cōmoratiō, when matters diuerslie enlarged, are yet staid vpon, and lastlie brought into one short conclusion, wherby the reasons are made more weightie, and of the greater efficacie, as thus. What will you make of this man, whom ye seeke in this maner to set free, you see he is a man prodigall of his owne fame, & a lier in waite for others credits, one full of guile, intemperate, railing, proude and ambitious, to his parents most wicked, ingratefull to his friends, hated of his owne kinsemen, stubborne to his superiours, insolent with his equals, to his inferiours cruell, and finallie to all persons whatsoeuer a creature most intolerable.
Sententia, A recitall of some graue matter by waie of a notable saying or sentence, either by common custome admitted, or by some authour deliuered, examples whereof are plentifullie to bee seene in my Epistles.
Exuscitatiō, A prouocation or stirring vp of others to the praise or mislike of a thing, as thus: What one is hee of so slender or contemptible a spirit amongst vs, or who of all our Nation woulde bee counted so enuious, as vpon so great and large a desert had by a man so woorthie, woulde not willinglie render vnto him all honour and due commendation? Likewise of the contrarie for dispraise. Doth it not abhorre you to heare and vnderstand of a rabble of so great and vnaccustomed lewdnesse, a man euerie way so vile, to goe thus freelie vnpunished? Surelie I doe thinke no honest minde but would be of this opinion, that of all creatures liuing hee were most worthie to be extirped.
Omiosis, The figure of resemblance or similitude, whereby wee resemble one thing to another, as thus: Like as they greatlie do offend, who going to a publike well, whence all a whole citie hath their water, do infect the same with a most deadly poison: Euen so do they most wickedly merit of the common weale, who deprauing the mind of a Prince, doe lade and frequent the same with most mischieuous counsels. Or thus: Is it seene that men at the blast or byting of a Viper, do shrinke, and forthwith do run for a medicine? How much more ought they thē, for the auoiding of a most horrible shame, yᵉ infamous sting wherof is far worse then all other poisons, to run to a remedie?
Icon, An image or artificiall description of that we meane to deliuer, as if in setting forth our most gratious Soueraigne, we shoulde saie, That Goddesse like adorned with high aspectes, or statelie grace and maiestie diuine. In Chariot deckt with Princelie ornaments shee issued foorth, &c. Or thus, laying out the dreadfulnes of warre, Fierce and vntamed warre with eyes sparkling as the flaming fire, whose face caried in it selfe a terrour to the lookers on, and his coūtenance was as it were a present death. His gesture was as the furious assault of a Lion, and his mouth as a deuouring pitte to swallow the bloud of multitudes. Armed hee was with fire, with famine, and with sword, crying reuengement on the world, and persecuting all nations with a ceaslesse dread.
Paradigma, a maner of exhorting or withdrawing by example, as to saie, the Elephants engender not, but in places most remote, and any that by chance do see them in that time they kill. How much more then behooueth that betweene those of reason, a shamefastnes be included in executing that action. Or thus. The nature of the Dolphin is not to suffer the yong ones of her kinde to straggle vndefenced, such care haue they of their frie: How much more beseeming is it, that our procreation which are men, should not be suffred to runne at random without either guide or controlment.
Pareonasis, or Digressio, a spéech beside the matter in present spoken on, as to saie, But heere let mee remember vnto you something of the deserts and eternized memorie of your worthie and most vertuous Parents. Or thus: giue me leaue a little to digresse from this purpose, to the ende that by laying out of something yet vnspoken of, I may the better wade into the rest.
FINIS.
Of the partes, place and Office
of a Secretorie.
Onsidering howe many woorthie and excellent men, not onely in our present age, but in manie yeares before vs haue liued, none of all which (though questionlesse furnished with verie great abilitie) haue to my certaine knowledge, euer written ought in our English tongue, touching this title: It maie seeme questionable, how I the most disfurnished of manie others, and subiect thereby to the insight and correction of all others, durst take vppon mee to discourse thereupon, weighing with my selfe the subiect I take in hand, to be of speciall qualitie, and to none so much fitting as to those that bee greatest learned, best aduised, discreetest gouerned, and worthiest ruled, to treate vpon. Nor doe my selfe by such presumption of mine, déem the same to be of lesse moment then it is. Howbeit, as one tied by a former promise, in that my first edition of this present Methode of Epistles, haue nowe taken vpon me (as you see) to write thereupon.
Truth is, that as I am none of those that maie vaunt my selfe of any furniture sufficient to so speciall an end & purpose, yet haue I not bin in some time of the yeares I haue spent, altogither excluded from any fauour or tast therof at all. Neither haue I whollie spent the seasons I haue caried, so vainely, but that at one time or other I haue (not without some considerate aduerting) eyed the demeanours, issues, and dispositions of sundrie humors, by insight whereinto, and some proofe made of that which my selfe haue practised in place of seruice, I am bold in this onelie discourse, to aduenture the performance of that I haue promised.
In the discouerie whereof, my minde is not, nor shall be to prescribe vnto any one, but to deliuer what in mine owne opinion, I haue coniectured to be meetest in such a person. Wel regarding the number of those who enabled by farre better skill, or guided by experience, and their owne proper vertue, can both search and wade further therein, then my poore abilitie may anie waies looke into. For which my purpose is, and shall be in this present discourse, onlie to set forth vnto such, whose vnripened yeers, or want of decernment, haue not yet made them apt vnto so speciall a beeing, and qualitie: what in my plaine conceit, vnto the place and office of such a one, meete and fit to be a Secretorie, maie be thought most consonant and worthie.
To the accomplishment whereof, as the best and méetest induction to such a matter, it shall not bee to slender purpose, to speake first of the name thereof, and to sift out by what meane the partie seruing in such a place, had the originall title to be called a Secretorie. You shall then vnderstande, that as me séemeth, by speciall reason and iudgement, this name Secretorie, importing therein as it doth action of great consequence, doth beare in it matter of more circumstance, then by euerie one is considered, and by howe much the more honourable the place of attendance is, where such a one doth serue, by so much the more beseemeth the partie called vnto such seruice, be a man choice and of worthie estimate, habilitie and iudgement. So then am I not of opinion of the multitude, who holde that the praiseable endeuour or abilitie of well writing or ordering the pen, is the matter that maketh the Secretorie, (albeit the vse heereof is not the least part of manie other things incident to the same office) but that carying with it selfe a purpose of much weightier effect, the person therunto named was as a deriuatiue from that which containeth the chiefest title of credite, and place of greatest assurance that may be reposed, in respect of the affinitie they both haue of trust and fidelitie, each with the other, by great conceyte and discretion, tearmed to bee a Secretorie.
And albeit there happily maie be opinions some waies contrarying vnto this my present deliuerie, touching the originall of this title: yet standing directly assured that they all being laid togithers, must of necessitie conclude on the verie Secrecie, trust and regarde, speciallie imposed on him who beareth the same title: I will boldlie for this cause define, that in respect of such Secrecie, trust and assuraunce required at the handes of him who serueth in such place, the name was first giuen to be called a Secretorie, and that by the etymologie of the verie word it selfe, sounding in true coniecture, quasicustos, or conseruator secreti sibi commissi, a keeper or conseruer of the secret vnto him committed.
By this reason, we do call the most secrete place in the house, appropriate vnto our owne priuate studies, and wherein wee repose and deliberate by deepe consideration of all our waightiest affaires, a Closet, in true intendment and meaning, a place where our dealings of importance are shut vp, a roome proper and peculiar to our selues. And whereas into each other place of the house, it is ordinarie for euery néere attendant about vs to haue accesse: in this place we doe solitarie and alone shut vp our selues, of this we keepe the key our selues, and the vse thereof alone doe onelie appropriate vnto our selues.
And if we should run but into the nature of things secret, and consider by the name, what to such a matter is required, we shall find that of it owne selfe it chalengeth so much, wherby with three things most speciallie it is saide to be fortified, viz. with couertnes, that it be closelie kept from the eyes, eares or vnderstanding of others: Safetie, that securelie it be retained, and laid vp, both with choice respect and tendering: Assurance, that by no mistake, negligence, or defect of the partie hauing charge of such a secrete, it may turne to a preiudice.
Thus then by the concurrence of these, it appeareth that vnto euerie secrete there is required a Closet, and the proper vse of that Closet, is onelie for the couertnesse, saftie and assurance of the secrete: all which considered, let vs nowe see, if you will, what analogie or proportion they haue with our Secretorie.
It hath beene alreadie before alledged, that by the verie etimologie of the worde it selfe, both Name and Office in one, doe conclude vppon secrecie: If so, then in respect of the couertnes, safetie and assurance in him reposed, and not otherwise, the partie seruing in such place may be called a Secretorie. The Closet in euerie house, as it is a reposement of secrets, so is it onelie (as I saide before) at the owners, and no others commaundement: The Secretorie, as hee is a keeper and conseruer of secrets, so is hee by his Lorde or Maister, and by none other to bee directed. To a Closet, there belongeth properlie, a doore, a locke, and a key: to a Secretorie, there appertaineth incidentlie, Honestie, Care, and Fidelitie.
And forasmuch as by the concurrence of these twaine, both Name and Office doe seeme in vsage and account to be of so great waightinesse, and that our Secretorie, as wel in title, as place standeth by such declaration, ioyntlie tied vnto so district an obseruance: let vs now a little further enter into the function and place he beareth in such kinde of seruice, and consider that being in one condition a seruant, he is at the pleasure and appointment of another to be commanded: and being in a second respect as a Friend, he is charilie to haue in estimate, the state, honor, reputation and being of him whom he serueth.
Touching the first of these, in that he is (I meane) a Seruant, it is to be intended, that thereunto belongeth a Superiour, by whose absolute direction, his actions of seruice, are to bee ordered and commaunded. And notwithstanding the reputation, credite, and estate of beeing, to him giuen and allowed by his Lorde or Maister, hee is yet to consider, that the weight and summe thereof acrueth from his onelie fauor, countenance, and good opinion, and that by howe much the more, hee liberallie and of an honourable minde affoordeth vnto him the respectes thereof: by so much the more seriouslie ought hee by all possible endeuours of seruice and industrie, as farre forth as in him is, to studie to conserue and vpholde the same.
And herein seemeth it not fruitlesse to oppose vnto such a ones remembrance, some part of the considerations pertinent and annexed to the state of a seruant, and what dependancie in common reckoning resteth betwéene him, who beareth in his sway the authoritie and rule of a Maister, and the other, who in account that he is to be commanded, carieth a maner of subiection to that partie, who for the time of such seruice, is at his hands to bee reuerenced and obeyed.
In regard of which, wee are to see, that by the title and prerogatiue which euerie maister hath generallie ouer his seruant, there is a certaine linke of dutie, wherewith each one that serueth is strained to his obeysance. There is also by that very name of seruant a kind of fidelitie and trust required, more speciall then that betwéene the sonne and the father, and that of so great efficacy, as whereon (peraduenture) may rest not alonely this disposition of the goods, estate, & principall affairs, but also oftentimes yᵉ life, hazard or vndoing of the person of his said maister.
A Son cannot be saide to owe fidelitie to his parents, for which cause there is also no breach of trust on him to be imposed. If he deale contrarie to the condition of a son, the bond by which he is strained proceedeth of nature, and so are his actions accordinglie held for vnkind, or vnnaturall. But the seruant not linked by nature, is tied in trust, and by contrarying of such trust, or not performing thereof, is held treacherous or vnfaithfull. Besides, so great a predomination hath this name of fidelitie in the harts of a number, that many haue refused to commit themselues in times of hazard to their Children, but rather haue relied themselues wholie on the assurance of their seruants.
And howbeit, most certaine it is, that Nature woonderfullie swaieth manie times in her proper features, yet in this case hath she commonly lesse efficacie then in any others. For as a currant of water loseth his power in being turned backwarde, from his straightened course, but hath forcible passage in the waie that it holdeth: so is Nature in this action of parentes and children, which running forwards from issue to issue, hath mighty operation, but when it should be returned backwarde, hath seldome anie power at all.
Contrariwise, whether it be the honestie of the name that leadeth it, or the common reputation that each faithfull vsage carieth in the eares of good men, or a feruencie of affection, linked properlie to the place where anie trust is reposed, I will not now dispute vpon, but questionlesse, of so charie regarde hath fidelitie alwaies beene accounted, as immediatlie vpon the name of a seruant taken, it seemeth not alone to be vnto the selfe title appropriate, but it is in a manner by the proper allowance thereunto giuen, seuerelie exacted.
Now, albeit this kind of exaction and charge, seemeth in the deliuerie thereof to bee indéed verie great, yet when hee that serueth hath performed all that in such case is to be required: he cannot for this or that alledge, that hee hath effected anie more then whereunto by the verie loyalty of a seruant he was enioyned, nor can hee rightlie or properlie affirme, that by an extraordinarie respect more then he ought, he hath accomplished the same. For that in things whereunto a man is bounde, there can be no gratuitie opposed: but where a man aboue that hee is charged hath further endeuoured, or more worthilie attained, therein of troth, and not otherwise, shineth the greatest praise and glorie vnto him that maie be.
For this cause then doe I saie of our Secretorie, that as hee is in one degree in place of a seruant, so is he in another degrée in place of a friend. A seruant meanlie trained in some Mechanicall Science, sheweth fidelitie to his Maister, in an vpright dealing and disposition of his wares or goodes. Another in like sort hauing the receyte of his Maisters reuenewes, becommeth a faithfull dispenser in his accountes and reckonings. Some on the other side haue asmuch or the like fidelitie in keeping of counsels. Others againe by a termed zeale vnto their masters, haue in recognizing their fidelitie died willinglie for their fauours.
Of all these sortes of Fidelitie, the last as I am sure it hath lesse seeming of credence or supposition of troth in common beléeuing then anie of the others, so is it (you will grant mee,) the most assured and most moouing pittie, prayse and commendation, in all reckoning aboue anie of the others. And that such are and haue beene, I could recite vnto you sundrie remembrances, and one but of late yeares, that in verie sufficient knowledge fell out to be effected, and thus was the circumstance, as my vnderstanding could beare it.
When sir Iohn of Desmond in Ireland, some number of years passed, of a rebellious and cruell minde to the state there being, and principallie to her Maiesty, had solemnly conspired, and most tyrannously sworne the death and destruction of all English men in his Countrey, there happened one Henrie Dauill an English Gentleman to lie, at that verie bloudie pretended season, in the house of the saide Knight, and for two causes of him was thought entirelie to bee fauoured, the one in respect that hee was his Christian Gossip, as they there terme it (a linke strong inough to haue purchased fauour in that Countrey, had it not beene with a most bloudie tyrant) the other, in that hee was a Gentleman both courteous, bountifull and valiant.
This Maister Dauill had at that time onelie an Irish boy attendant vpon him, the time conspired for this murder was at midnight, when all men careleslie were sleeping. About the watch whereof, sir Iohn and his companie entring the Chamber of maister Dauill, wakened him from sléepe, opened the conspiracie, and willed him to prepare him to his lot, assuring him that were it not he had without exception vowed in his heart, and sworn the death of all English men, he could desirouslie, aswell for that he was his Christian Gossip, as for other loue he ought him, haue suffered his life, but all being appointed to die, he must go with the rest.
The boy hauing receiued into his eares the sound of his masters death, and therewith sundrie menacing strokes seeing readie to bee proffered, stirred (no question) by a most zealous Fidelitie, clasped on his masters breast, and with such slender resistance as hee coulde, did beare off the blowes, receyued vppon his owne bodie diuers and sundrie wounds, and doe what they could, no one could pull or remooue him from thence, till fretting rage kindeled in these mercilesse creatures, made them kill the Boy vppon his maister, and his Maister vnder the Boy, both at one instant togithers.
The memorie of this acte, as it is most pitifull in rehearsall, so will it of a number bee thought verie strange. If anie Fidelitie, haue by feruencie beene accounted off, this you will iudge of anie others ought chieflie to be embraced. But yet not this, nor anie of the residue of those partes of Fidelitie by mee alreadie deliuered are such, as in this place I hold meete to be pursued. For howbeit the seruice of our Secretorie is properlie by it selfe with all assurance to be caried, yet doe wee not place him in so meane a degree as that by corruption of coine, he might be held for distrusted nor on the other side would we haue him of iudgement so disfurnished, but that touching the difference of counsels, or tender of his life, he should make a decernment.
In this Boy voluntarilie as hee did, in the verie weakenesse of his yeares, to seeke by death his Maisters safegarde, was no doubt, a thing woorthie to bee admired. But in manifestation of so great loue, and testimonie of so loyall affection, had hee beene by yeares more enabled, it would haue beene thought verie fondlie of to haue done it, without thereby his Masters death might haue beene reuenged, or his life preserued: Els to what end is Fidelitie applied, or what vse at all in reckoning, remaineth there of it?
By discretion to discerne, by vertue to iudge, and by wisdome to resolue, how and which way the efficacie and assurance of all trust and fidelitie ought to be caried, is a thing meetest in all reputation principallie to be obserued. How can there otherwise appeare anie worthinesse, if affections sort to bee equall, or what distinguishment may there be of spirits when mens iudgementes are common.
George Castrioth, surnamed Scanderbeg, the terrour while hee liued, and onlie man able to confound the Turkish forces, during his infancie, hauing bin trained vp with Amurath father to Mahomet the second Emperour of the Turkes (for that in the conquest of Epirus by the same Amurath, the father of Scanderbeg being slaine, and his Signory subdued vnto the Turke, hee was then with others led awaie into Turky a captiue.) When hee arriued to manlie yeares, and serued with great fortune and valour the saide Amurath in his warres: it happened that being in one great battell as generall of the Turkish Armie against the Christians, and fighting against Hungarie, a remorse of conscience tooke him, in that hee being the sonne of a Christian Prince, professed in Christianitie, and vowed to God, should so wickedlie become the confusion of his brethren, and warre against Christ and his kingdome.
And albeit he was neuer vnfortunate in anie fight, and at that time likeliest of al other to attaine the victory, yet regarding the state and maner of the conquest, he faintinglie withdrew, & with great discouragement vnto his people, gaue power vnto the enemy to be at that time a conquerour. Which done, himselfe with a few chiefe and principall persons his associates, tooke themselues together in flight.
In this company, was a noble Gentleman, wise in behauiour, faithfull in counsell, and secret in trust, at that time Secretorie and of counsell to the great Turke. The place of their residence seruing well to the purpose, him Scanderbeg (being of the others assured) tooke onlie in hand to acquaint with his enterprize. And forasmuch as his credence with the saide Amurath was such, as in the repose of his troth, rested both Signet, and warrant sufficient, to put forwarde whatsoeuer direction or commaund in anie the Turkish signories, vpon paine of death to be obeyed, Scanderbeg declaring his wearisomnesse of captiuitie and seruage, desire to visite his kingdome, and liking after that to liue at liberty a christian, and therewithall howe often the Turke had promised to restore him, and yet still brake with him, enioyned the Secretorie to write letters of command in the Turkes name, to the Deputie or rulers of his fathers kingdome, that as their lawfull Prince and gouernour they shoulde then at that instant without more delaie receiue him, and thenceforth renounce and put from them their wonted charge and authoritie.
And albeit the power of Scanderbeg was in that place great, and the Secretorie nothing misdoubted at all his resolution, and therefore feared too much to contradict him in the same, knowing also that if he assented to that demaund, hauing yet libertie to depart, he might timely inough aduertize the Turk to the preuention: yet vsed he neuerthelesse so manie effectuall speeches as for the present he could, to disswade him: which not preuailing, hee assented at last for feare, and wrote as he required him.
The Letters orderlie signed and sealed, as to the importance belonged, Scanderbeg knowing the great wisedome, fidelitie and counsell of the Secretorie, thought it nowe a matter of no small worth, if by any facility he could win him also vnto his companie, to passe in the same iourny, or otherwise if he refused, then déemed he fit that he should not returne aliue, to carrie newes to the Turk of his determined iourney. And therefore first with as manie kinde entreaties and offers of all honour, fauour, estimate, and aduauncement that could be, he assailed him, he proposed also the expectation of his own fortune, valour, power and strength of the euerliuing God whom he serued, that was able to defende them, and all possible meanes that otherwise could bee deuised to mooue him. But none of these in fine preuailing, he lastlie set before his eies, that vpon such refusall, hee for his owne best assurance must be enforced to kill him.
Which maner of spéech, albeit mooued in the Secretorie diuers alterations, yet chose he as the most honestest part, no wayes to defraude the trust in him reposed, especiallie by assistance in his owne person thereunto giuen. And seeing he could by no meanes escape with life, aduised suddenlie rather to die in the handes of Scanderbeg for that he had alreadie done, then in so manifest an action of disloyaltie, to be found a principall actor of treason against his Lord and maister.
Great is the linke of Vertue whereby the mindes of men singular are manie wayes bound, neither falleth it out in those of weake spirite and capacitie to become partakers of the praise due vnto so high and honored excellencie. To men baselie conceyted, there is neither respect of troth, loue, honor, duty, or other matter whatsoeuer, whereby to drawe them from a sensuall appetite or carnall desire of their owne liuing, safetie and commoditie: But to those who are the sworne schollers of vertue, to whom true glory is of price, who solie haue in estimate to make choyce of things worthie: In these it sorteth to be a shame, what others reckon for laud: to them a preiudice, what many hold for gaine, they contemning by a sole vertue and discréete choice of the minde, what is besides or lesse then that which accordeth to the true honor and reputation of well deseruing, cannot content themselues to liue where their credite dieth, despise wealth, where honour is to be pursued, neglect reputation, where loyaltie is not entertained, and expect no fidelitie, where consequently the effects of an honest and woorthie mind, are not principallie to be caried.
As then, by what vse soeuer applied, I do in al things commend Fidelitie and Trust to be performed where by districtnesse it is chalenged: so nowe doe I in the carriage of this our Secretorie, sort him forth properlie from the residue by a difference, for where in persons of lesse conceite, and lower respect, some vsages are commendable, in him they are to bee presumed, as no wayes to bee doubted of: neither is it to be expected, that the mould of such a one should be so subiect to imperfections, as that in common & mean actions he should thinke to be praised: séeing that where any breach of those parts in men lower conceyted might be found, it woulde in them be helde as in comparison a thing no more then might be doubted, but in him would it turne to a most vituperable basenes with such intendments to be spotted.
And as I thus sequester him from the ordinarie vsage of what held to be liked, so doe I againe drawe in him a speciall choice, of things high, and worthie beseeming, aboue others (lesse considerate) in all things to bee carried, and wherein the summe of his fidelitie shall onelie be required. For seeing that by reason of the place wherein hee standeth of imployment, by reason of his supposed education, birth, qualitie, or other decernment, by reason of the waight, more then of common trust, in him diuersly imposed, he séemeth to be a man euerie way proportionate to a farre other end & purpose, then of euerie ordinarie attendant is commonlie required, it must néeds thē be of such a one coniectured, that by far greater skill & measure he be in euery of his actions demeaned, yᵉ with much greater modestie, care, respect, consideration and integritie he doe by such meanes temper all his outward and inward behauiours, and iudgements, as beeing himselfe in reputation a Gentleman, and conuersing among such as haue discretion to deeme of a Gentleman, hee may least of all be touched with anie thing, that lesseneth or il beséemeth anie part of that, which principallie may appertaine to a Gentleman.
And whereas in any other attendant it is a matter praise worthie, to be beautified or aduanced by some one or other speciall vertue or qualitie, in him it is of necessitie, who by how much the more néerer he is in frequentation of any honorable place or calling, by so much the more néedefull is it, that he be accordinglie furnished wherewith in séemelie and laudable sort, to enter and approch the same. And as in the seruice of euery one whatsoeuer, it is specially required, to be endued with all parts of dutifull attendance & loyaltie: so is it for him to excell, and bee different, because in his imployment, trust and otherwise, there is exacted at his hands a far greater scope and efficacie, then wherewith anie other seemeth to be charged by anie proportion or qualitie.
By this measure nowe of Fidelitie, trust or loyall credit of a seruant, in which place our Secretorie, as you see standeth bounden by the first degrée of his seruice, it maie secondlie be coniectured, in what respectiue estate, he ought for the residue of that which to his attendance appertaineth, bee accounted a Friend. The limits of Friendship (as it might bee obiected) are streight, and there can bee no Friend where an inequalitie remaineth. Twixt the partie commaunded and him that commaundeth, there is no societie, and therefore no Friendship where resteth a Superioritie. But I say and affirme, that if it bee true, that the summe of all Friendship taketh his originall of loue, and that the true demonstration of loue groweth by a simpathie of affections, of which affections Vertue is said to be the whole & simple ground, then may this simpathie of affectiōs so groūded on vertue as aforesaid, be turned into loue, notwithstanding yᵉ inequality of estate or condition whereby a man vertuouslie disposed, being seruant to such a one who is honourablie inclined, may in that place of seruice in which he continueth, be reputed in processe of time to become as a friend.
But if we shall goe to the true definition of friendship, you will then saie, that this friendshippe so called and reputed among men, as it is a simpathie of affections firmlie vnited togithers, so is it such a vniting, as wherein what the one coueteth, the other desireth, in respect whereof worlds and life, and all are not desirable, but despised, I would not here be taken, that of any sorts of people that run into all or a number of these like effects, without exception of qualitie, I intend, that they therfore were also to beare the name of friends, for so men vtterly vicious and lewdly giuen, consorting in wickednes, and other base exercises, in which each spendeth his life, or desperatlie dieth one for another, might be reputed as friends, I haue no such meaning, nor is my intent herein to so generall a purpose. But speaking of friendship, I only deale with such, whose actions and sincere desires haue in vertue highest preheminence, for these, not by aduenture, but by a deliberate counsell and choise regard speciallie had, of things valuable and worthy, do accomplish their effects by a most honourable purpose.
To this then I answer, that if the weight of friendship, so consisteth in a simpathie of affection, vniting of hearts, coueting anothers good, and despising all that maie be gained, in respect of the partie befriended: whie yet maie not our Secretorie as well as any other, merit neuerthelesse in this place of seruice at the handes of his L. or master, the name of a Friend? Why should he not therein aswell as anie other haue that power in him planted, whereby to become a Friend? Touching the equalitie of affections, though it is still laid down that therein ought to be no difference, & the commander and the commanded, do yet alwaies make a discordance: I maie neuerthelesse thus much deliuer thereof, that by all common likelihood it is assuredlie to be coniectured, that no one personage of estate, laieth choice vpon such a one to serue so néer about him, and to be in place of so great trust as appertaineth to a man of that reckoning, but ere he long haue vsed him, he bindeth vnto him at least some good part of his affection. For how can it otherwise be thought, but that our Secretorie being one euerie waie so waightilie to be imployed as he is, partaking as he doeth with so manie causes of importance, and vndiscouered secrets and counsels, standing as he must vpon so neere attendance, as hee that is almost (as occasion serueth) euerie minute of an houre to be vsed, but that to his L. or Master, he must of necessitie bee verie charie, and at the leastwise more particularlie then manie others, by a great deale to be beloued.
He then thus finding in so noble a place, so honourable an account, our Secretorie being as he ought to be, a man of vertue, and worth, cannot chose on yᵉ other side, but frame his vtmost thoughts correspondent in all things to those particular fauours, his conuersing, his neerenesse and attendance, turneth then to an affection, and this, heated by the dailie encrease of his Lord or maisters liking towardes him, groweth thence to a feruencie, and so each vertue kindled by the others Grace, maketh at last a coniunction, which by the multitude of fauors rising from the one, and a thankfull compensation alwayes procured in the other, groweth in the end to a simpathie vnseparable, and therby by all intendment concludeth a most perfect vniting.
Panutius, the faithfull Secretorie and counsellour to the great Emperour and Philosopher surnamed Aurelius, for the high wisdome, fidelitie, and counsell by him in all his seruices continued towards the Prince during his life time, and euen to the verie entrance of his graue, deserued before manie others, (secrete also in aduice to the said Emperour) to be termed and called by the name of a friend. Insomuch as he onelie daring to speake plainlie, what in others iudgements might séeme to be offensiue, & to perswade faithfullie, what he saw most agreeing to the present extremitie, made the Emperour pronounce himselfe fortunate, to haue nourished one so discreet in his Pallace, and most blessed of all, in that when each failed him in his dying, he onely was found assured vnto him, among all that were liuing.
In this friendlie knot of loue, and that of seruile commaund, remaineth a most notable difference, especiallie for this matter of trust and fidelitie, required in seruice, for, quem metuunt odiunt, whom men feare they hate: well may they for fashions sake please, but this sound kinde of affection is often far from their thought. And yet that there may bee an awed reuerence, aswel in loue as in feare, who doubteth it, yea and that rather far more assured and effectuall then the other. For where this grounded Loue by vertue once staieth confirmed, the humilitie and gentlenesse of the mind is it immediatlie that afterwards directeth the thoughtes, we then doe gladlie honour the more, by how much the willinger we desire to serue, and more firmlie obeie, by how much the more entirelie we stand to be fauored. This friendlie Fidelitie, not vrged or constrained by soueraign command, but of a zeale to weldoing voluntarily embraced; leadeth the reputation and estimate of our Secretory to be receiued as a friend.
As of Fidelity, besides Credit of counsell and riches, there are sundrie other branches, and diuers deserued partes that seriouslie may bee commended, so are there of Friendship. The association of both twaine, combineth and knitteth together all other perfections. Which granted, vndoubtedlie must the partie frequenting so great a place of seruice, proue then to be a person of right speciall commendation, of answerable vertue, nd of noted discretion. For that in doing seruice to his Lorde or maister, it séemeth a matter incident to his accompt, and to the better effecting the name of a friend, that in causes vrgent and néedfull, he be not vnpurueyed in his owne person, wherewith discreetlie, as occasion serueth, both to aduise & counsell (the very efficient matter wherin his enabled discretion may with greatest singularitie be performed) the assurance whereof, by credit of most memorable antiquities, hath not onlie framed that of loyall seruantes, such haue bin entertained as faithfull friendes, but also hath not beene slender occasion manie times, to the preuention of sundrie vehement and dangerous mischiefes.
To accompanie the troubles, miseries, calamities and infortunities of him to whom we are this waies, or that waies in our seruice linked or beholding, or to beare willinglie, and with a sufferable mind for his sake, whatsoeuer in declaration of our vertue seemeth to an honest disposition, to be either incident or appertaining, no man verely denieth, but that they are assured & notable demonstrations of a verie exquisite performance. But what of that? the propertie and excellencie of this vertue is not therefore alwaies in that one only sort to bee caried, neither with the greatest estimate and commendation that thereunto is appropriate, is the worthinesse hereof whollie to be commended.
To preuent mischiefs sometimes, and by a warie foresight and care had of the honor and reputation of our commander, to fence (if need be) the same by a politicke deuise, without preiudice, from any touch of disgrace or dishonour, to disswade or dehort faithfully, from things impeaching or offensiue to their estates or nobility to reueale the hurt they know not, or causes important wherunto they are nothing priuy, to counsaile deuoid of flatterie, and to oppose the good that least harmeth, and the euill that hath neerest remedy: these things as in their seueral considerations, they can as sufficientlie as anie others declare a man to be endued, both with rare knowledge, and right excellent vertue, so who doubteth, but that the most slender of them all, weigheth as déeply as any other in cause of Fidelity. And yet if anie more speciall liking in one thing then other be to be attributed, where comonly men do seem to haue generallie well deserued, then of necessitie must the same greatlie rather insue where euils most preiudicing are foreseene and auoided by politick wisdome, then where vnskilfullie they are entred into, carying in their bosomes, either extreame hazard or ineuitable vndoing.
Much is the felicitie that the maister or Lord receiueth euermore of such a seruant, in the chary affection and regard of whom affying himselfe assuredlie, he findeth he is not alone a commander of his outward actions, but the disposer of his verie thoughts, yea he is the Soueraigne of all his desires, in whose bosome hee holdeth the repose of his safety to be far more precious, then either estate, liuing, or aduancement, whereof men earthly minded are for the most part desirous.
Of all the abuses that haue beene or at this daie remaineth in the attendance of honorable personages, there is no euil so secret or pernitious, as is the venome of flatterie, the couert seating whereof, in men of all ages, humors, qualities and complexions, hath for the most part taken so vehement and deep impression, as it seemeth almost irrecuperable in the greatest sortes and numbers of persons to be auoided. The daliance of this daintie clawback is smooth, the entrance pleasing, the progression subtill, the continuance forcible, but the ende falleth out euermore to bee deceitfull.
Men infected with this kinde of scurrilitie, and basenesse of condition, being in proper designments Curri-fauels of the world, it is no maruell if hauing in common request, all shewes possible of graffed and sound demeanours, they slide manie times into the opinions of the most notable and worthiest, for they haue learned by art to acquaint themselues at the first with all sorts of humors and fashions, and being of their owne dispositions so placable as they be in all things, it is with them a maner of sacriledge, to bee found slacke or contrarious in anie thing, Dicunt? saie they, Dico, aiunt? aio. Finallie, resoluing trustilie to deale no waie, they deuise how it may be possible to frame themselues euery way.
These and such as these impugning the plaine and simple drifts of honest meaning, haue alwayes a face of brasse, wherwith to shooue forward, and to forestall what by the shamefast entendment of anie other, seemeth bashfully to bee pursued, they are still pressing on, and euermore sliding, but if they once get handfast, or happilie be after strained from the hope of that they would, their loue then and attendance immediatlie thereuppon die at one instant togithers.
Iniurious me séemeth, and too perillous is the approaching of these priuate whisperers, whose inward conuersation, as in the verie first conceit and discouerie thereof, it appeareth vnto a man vertuously giuen, to be altogither odious, so vnto him that intendeth purely of himselfe, they are in the seruices of Noblemen euermore most thwarting and malicious, insomuch as if such a one staied with honestie, woulde neuer so faithfullie, simplie and trulie endeuour himselfe by all parts of dutifull care and loialtie, hee shall yet neuer want of those peruerse créepers, that by one cautelous suppose or other, will still be before hand, wherwith if it be possible to disgrace him vtterlie.
That these and such other actions of vilitie, commonlie handled, as they are in honorable places, do become oftentimes barres to good meaning, and stumbling blockes to plaine dealing, there needeth (as I thinke) at this present verie small question. Neither would I be so misled, as to déeme that there wanteth either insight or iudgment in many noble personages to discerne them, for they are discerned &, oftentimes spurned at, I know it right well, but what of that? This beeing also a common practise and occupation of the worlde, smoothlie to slide through all thinges, and to meane trulie in nothing, it is no maruell if by the too double diligence of such men, some one or other happen now and then to be deceiued.
But forsomuch as it is of necessitie; that euerie honorable estate must and ought to bee serued, and that where a multitude good are in attendance, there ensueth cōmonly to be among them some few that are euill, either of an annexed propinquitie or opposition of good and bad, vertue and vice, emulating or rather enuieng as we see the daily progression each of the other, or else for that the world something addicted to peruerse manners, sendeth forth often times such imps of her substance, as become monstrous disturbers of euery honest endeuor. It shall notwithstanding behooue him whatsoeuer, whose end & expectation stretcheth to yᵉ sole desert, that of euerie laudable purpose is rightly to be attained, either in abstaining from anie occasion of blemish to his vertue that may happen, to resolue with himselfe neuer to serue at all, or seruing, at the least wise so to arme his conceiptes for all maner of such like disgraces as that he maie content himselfe in that being but trulie censured as he ought, the ende of his determinations are certainlie to be adiudged honest, albeit his ill hap perchance such, as therby he attain neither liking nor preferment or if either he stand in present, or be in possibilitie to attain fauor, then not to be discouraged in the honest prosequution thereof, by anie practis or enuie whatsoeuer, resting in himselfe firmly assured, that time or the true discernment of him whome hee serueth, shall at length yéeld scope to that, whereunto by true degrees of vertue he sought to haue aspired.
And séeing that in all causes of zeale and loue, where the mind is tied by an entire desire and care of weldoing, to him whom once in conceipt it seemeth to growe chary ouer, the force thereof seldom or neuer passeth lightlie at the first, without some blocke or other laid before it, whereby to hinder or discourage the proceedings alreadie determined, and that so farre forth as one while a man supposing the fidelitie of his seruice might at a time be fully effected and discharged in the requisite deliuerie of some present aduise & counsell, yet terrified perchance, or otherwise disswaded with the resolution, mightinesse, or nobility of his L. or Maister, or fearing to be argued of presumption, or else in setting downe the desire he hath of safegard vnkindlie to be mistaken. It shall not therefore be consonant to this our Secretories place of seruice thereupon immediatly to become silent, or so to suffer the euill which himself clearly séeth, to passe vnregarded, especiallie when the case is either weightie, or neerelie otherwise concerneth his nobilitie whom he serueth, for so should he by a kind of Pusillanimitie, become guiltie of the verie occasion, how great soeuer the same should happen, which somtimes lying in his credit or counsell, to haue impugned, he of a weak disposition abstained neuerthelesse to see preuented. And yet is it not (néeds must I saie and confesse) a matter altogether vntried, that men vaingloriouslie minded, or arrogantlie otherwise intending of their owne proper seruices, notoriouslie oftentimes do fal into this vain of presumption, who pricked on with the credit and fauour to them giuen by their L. or Maister, and foolishly conceiuing thereof to lead their thoughts in a string, do ignorantly or péeuishlie thereupon, take in hande manie times to direct them in their serious affaires or counsels, and controlling in their inward thoughts whatsoeuer is besides or contrarying to their own opinions, do of seruants become sawcie: of men modest, malapert: of aduisers, arrogant: and consequentlie, running into euerie misprision of others, and what else appertaining to a regarde of other mens actions, appeare at length so imperious, as by the sole default of their owne misdemeanours, they are turned at the last quite forth by the elbowes.
The defect hereof, so far discrepant as it is, from the steadie kind of gouernment hereby throughout concluded vpon, needeth not I thinke in the framing of this our Secretory, to be anie further forewarned, who by shaking from his own person anie part of the vilities that in others may seeme chieflie to be discommended, is herein to be ascertained, that in nothing so greatly can the excellent vertue or condition of any man shine, then in not first committing anie action that may appeare vile, or hardlie to bee borne withall, and next in suppressing so much as in him is, whatsoeuer commendation or liking dulie to bee annexed to his owne proper deseruing, wherein humility fréede from all maner of base and seruile purposes, shall then sufficientlie instruct him, that curtesie is a vertue, lowlinesse a thing annexed vnto gentility, to bee proud is a vice, to be contemptuous a filthines, simplicity is found, deceipt to be abhorred, Loyalty a matter in estimation, Flattery to be held abhominable. I will not here dispute how much excellent and néedfull it were vnto their estates, that the neerest attendance of honourable personages, were with men of such vertue and knowledge in this sort frequented, neither carping at sundry enormities, would I therby deuise, to draw forth vnto you a man vnmatchable in qualitie, and whereof the worlde or anie heauen besides, scarce yéeldeth either shadow or propertie, but proposing the worthiest partes which of euerie one absolutelie are fittest to be acquired, I do only endeuour to laie down no other matter or ground, then wherewith men that be speciall are at this date helde to be endued, and such as in all ages heretofore haue been thought meetest to be followed.
What should I lade this discourse with numbred examples vnto you of the great estimate and regard of those, who to kéep their faiths inuiolable to their Lordes, haue some of them beene so iealous of their honours, as for the safegard thereof, haue by great aduisement made a voluntarie aduenture of their dearest liues: some againe with great loue and fauour, entertained and reputed of by their Lordes, and not able in their seruices as they thought, during their life times sufficiently to compense the loue and especiall zeale they beare vnto their Honours, haue afterwards vnto their children beeing in great disgrace with the state present, so fully effected the fruits of their welwishing, as that by the tender accompt, reuerance and loialty to them proposed, they haue right well declared that not vnto times alone of estate & fortune, when little regard of such things might be at their hands expected, their vertues haue been limitted, but chieflie in extremity and times of want, wherin their sundry fruitions, haue bin in most aboundant maner supplied. Others likewise charged on the death bed with the secret affaires of their L. to be kept in speciall care and reckoning from the knowledge of other men, could not by multitudes of fauors, by threatnings, or other large offers whatsoeuer, bee so far seduced, (as when the dead was quite passed and gone out of the world, whereby they néeded not at all to haue doubted) they would yet be led in the least iote of al, to defraud the trust in them reposed, but haue kept the same inuiolable to their vndoubted commendation, and further increase afterward of good liking to a far greater credit.
Infinite are the remembrances that of these, and suchlike occasions are and haue béen dailie recorded, the multitude whereof for breuity I do omit. Contenting my selfe that of these two chief and principall matters of seruice, I haue thus far forth alreadie in generalitie debated, leauing therefore what els to bee considered therein to the known ability of others, I procéed vnto the next part that in the continuance of this discourse was at the first intended. And forsomuch as the exercise of these and such like peculiar vertues and qualities, appertaineth not, as I haue partly before deliuered, vnto men that are of meane spirit, to such as bee naturallie touched with anie bad or vile coercement, capacities that be insensible or ignorant, such as haue want of education, or whose demeanors are to vertue wholie insufficient. Let vs then more particularlie if ye will see what maner a one he ought to be touching his person, habilitie, and condition, that to the worthines and reputation hereof séemeth a man méetest and most allowable to be chosen a Secretory.
For the deliuerie whereof, and the better to finde our Secretory, as neere as either may bee gessed, or framed, such and none other indeed as in true and perfect meaning hee ought to be reputed, we will distinguish the seuerall considerations and respectes of such a one, in three special points sorting to his office, solie and fullie in this place to be considered.
The first shalbe of the person, touching his education or being: the second of his conuersation and order of liuing: the thirde of his sufficiencie, by skill, knowledge, and abilitie wherewith to discharge the place of his calling. Formerlie then touching the regard of his person, it is requisite, that hee be descended of honest familie or parents, the efficacie whereof conduceth not a little to the coniecture of a sound and honest condition: that he haue also had good education, whereby the minde well disposed is often times framed to verie good purpose. That he be of shape & countenance proportianable to those required vertues, forsomuch as commonly ensueth, that Nature in producing of all her creatures maketh in them effects answerable to their seuerall constitutions, as to flowers of most exquisit proportion, she giueth the most excellent fauour; the dog is not shaped like the lion, nor the curre as the Spaniell: the Rennet tree is not as the Crabbe stocke, the one bearing an Apple, wholsome, delicate and pleasing, when it commeth to be tasted: the other putting forth of the knures, no other then the sappe of Vertuyes, when the best of it is inioyed.
By the countenance we doe further also iudge of the qualities and disposition of men, insomuch as the verie markes of fauour haue not too many iudgements proued weak discouerers of some peoples good or vntoward conditions, wee haue likewise in euident testimonie, that ill disposed nature confirmed by custom, seldome degenerates from the kind either whence it is sprung, or wherein it hath long time beene nourished.
To mankinde there happeneth in the bodie manie deformities, which arising not by the defect of Nature, so much as by ill vsage of those, who haue had charge ouer them, cannot be amended, but being produced by Nature, doe portend some one or other notable inconuenience: To beautifie such a shape with vertuous and honoured actions, is vndoubtedlie praise worthie, but to accord vnto faire lineaments, portraied with requisite and daintie fauour, a mind corrupt, base, wretched and vile, that of all others is the most greatest and noted deformitie.
Diogenes being of one passing by, rebuked of his preposterous shape, and hard kinde of fauour, aunswered, I with my vertues doe ornifie my shape, but thou with thy lewdnesse disgracest thy fauour.
Touching the iudgement of nature by the outward face, many things might be alledged that diuerslie haue beene decerned, the matter wherof néeding small proofe, more then our owne common experience, I surcease to debate vpon, seeing my meaning is, but out of sundrie apparances to drawe forth the greatest likelihoode, and thence to repose a foundation consonant to yᵉ module or compasse of this my present intendment. Onely let this be laid down for a certaine, that the finest ware receiueth the fairest figure, and purest mettall the brightest colour, the damaske Rose carieth the swéetest fauour, and the most pliable part of vertue, is by greatest obseruance planted in the most proportionate feature.
This being then sufficiently spoken of the person, let vs now go to the Conuersation. This Conuersation séemeth vnto me in three points, or speciall notes to be considered: that is, in the Qualitie, Disposition and order of companie. Touching his Qualitie, it is requisite, that first and aboue all other, he be a man sequestred from all kind of pride, arrogancie or vaine conceiuing of himselfe, for that the infection of these, are steppes vnto all maner of disorder, contempt, malice, and presumption whatsoeuer: that he be not litigious in argument, as one vainlie giuen to contend: that hee bee no ordinarie scoffer, or friuolous deluder of other mens speeches, gestures, reasons, or conditions: that he be no quareler, lewd speaker, priuy carper, slanderer, or sinister backbiter of other mens actions, or laudable indeuours: but contrarie hereunto, that he be in spéech gentle, in gesture friendlie, in lookes familiar, in talke courteous, in argument not obstinate, but giuing place to better opinions, that gladlie of euerie one he do suppose the best, be readie to excuse infirmities, and to salue imperfections, that in ieasting hee become not another Democritus,or in carping a Zoilus, that his tongue, eie, and thoughts, be indifferentlie framed to iudge trulie and impartiallie of euerie one: that of all thinges hee abhorre priuate quarels, and open contentions, and as the rocks of Scylla, doe eschue of anie one absente sinisterlie to speake, or otherwise to enforme against them, for that in these qualities and conditions properlie, each one carieth a decernment of that which néerest appertaineth to a Gentleman.
Now touching his disposition, it is exacted at his hands, that hee bee not a man gluttonous, or that he bee not ouer much subiect to drinking, for drunkennes ouercommeth the mind, dulleth the memorie, enfeebleth the wits, maketh a man forgetfull of himself, the reputation he beareth, and the company wherein he sitteth. Wine saith Ouid, is the discouerer of secrets, & maketh a man often commit, yᵉ which afterwardes turneth to his great preiudice: in wine the regard of a mans selfe, and likewise all others vanisheth, the respect of his credite also and place wherein he serueth: a man giuen much to wine, hath no maisterie ouer himselfe, and is not to be trusted with matters that be important: a man talkatiue and one giuen to wine are both likened togither in disposition, for in the one the strength of the liquor inforceth to speake what he ought not, and in the other the volubility of the tongue, giueth vtterance many times to what it should not: Speech, saith the wise man, is a thing naturally giuen to euery man, but he that ordreth his words by discretion, seeth the way to wisdome.
This vertue of ordring and kéeping the tongue, is vnto our Secretorie not the least of manie other points wherewith he ought especiallie to be charged, in him that is disposed to speake much, it cannot but ensue that his often babbling must néedes at one time or other, giue proofe that hee hath in himselfe as little secrecie as silence. To preuent this inconuenience, wise men haue obserued in nature a most notable and singular prouidence, who to the intent that men by her verie instigation, might be commended to silence, hath giuen vs two eares to heare, and an attentiue conceyte, whereby generallie to debate and consider of all things, and but one mouth to speake, giuing vs in testimonie thereby, that we ought to heare much, to know much, to vnderstand much, and to speake but a little. Besides, that the tongue whereby deliuerance is made, she hath first closed in with our téeth, and them couered againe with our lippes, forewarning still thereby, that nothing ought thence to be discouered in hast, not without especiall regard and district obseruance. For in this case also discréete Nature, after we haue once receyued into our eares the sound of anie thing, she thence preferreth it immediatelie vnto the minde, and thence to the heart to be censured or considered vpon: and last of all vnto the tongue, to whose lot, as last of these it befalleth to bee partaker of it, so ought it from thence carefullie, and not without especiall cause to be deliuered.
The diuine Philosopher foreséeing in man, the manifolde discommodities oftentimes ensuing by loosenes of the tongue, where all others were teachers to speake wel, he only taught his scholers to vse silence, iudging therby, that the vertue of the toung consisted not soly in speking, but how or by what occasion to vse yᵉ same, and vnderstanding first how to restraine the thing, that of it selfe was plyable ynough to bee vsed without measure, they might easilier find mean afterward to speake oftentimes to good purpose, and not to accustome themselues as they did before, to prattle without order or anie good or reasonable parte belonging to discretion.
For this cause Silence, as the first gard of all affaires, beeing either secrete or important, is (vnto men seriouslie occupied or imployed in the same) directly to be commended. Which maner of Silence, as it fullie instructeth in causes serious and of waight, to speake nothing more than néedeth, so conueieth it also into the residue of our behauiours, a modest and choice kind of gouernment, in all actions whatsoeuer, either of question or argument, to bee with discretion pursued.
How much it importeth vnto our Secretorie, to haue notice of the true and perfect vse hereof, who aboue al others ought rightlie to know and discerne, how, where, when, what, and to whom hee ought to speak, and when, and wherein, to be likewise silent: it may by the reasons aforesaid be sufficientlie collected. For ought his speech in troth to be so ordinarie as other mens, who for the moste part limit themselues neither to time, place, occasion, or company, the which in our Secretorie is, and ought to be farre otherwise. And as touching the affaires, secrets or counsels committed to his charge: It is in him principallie to aduert and consider that he is but the closet, wherof another hath both the key, vse and commandement, that he ought therein to be as a thicke plated doore, where through, without extraordinarie violence no man may enter, but by the locke which is the tongue, and that to be of such efficacie, as whereof no counterfeit key shoulde bee able to make a breach, without the selfe same instrument that by the director thereof is alwayes to be caried. By reason whereof, he is of méere trust and fidelitie in him reposed, to become warie of his wayes, and to take the course néedfull, whereby the least occasion of breach thereof may preciselie be auoided.
Ouer and besides all this, it shall further appertaine to the disposition of this our Secretorie, that in shewing himselfe affable to all, he doe not either by reason of his birth, qualitie or estimate that he hath of his L. or maister, goe about to abuse or wrest the simplicitie of any one to a bad end or purpose, but rather enforce himselfe gladlie to vnderstande the sutes of the meanest, and to giue them aide and furtherance to his vttermost: herein shall hee not a little aduance the honor of his L. or maister in preferring the iust and lawfull petitions or complaints of the poore, & in helping them to yᵉ spéedie dispatch of that, wherwith by reason of their simplicitie, they oftentimes are greatlie incumbred. It behooueth also so much as in him is, that he auoid all kind of intemperancie, eyther of choler or too much furie, that hee dispose not himselfe to vile or vnbeseeming tearmes of basenes or surquedrie, that hee with the two extreames of couetousnes or prodigality be not touched, that naturallie he do incline to good, and hate the badnes of any, that he abhorre flatterie as a Toad, and giue himselfe of anie particular action, either to be vtterlie silent, or els to speake trulie.
Lastlie now, touching the third point of these thrée, consisting in order, appertaining to companie: Néedfull it is that our Secretorie haue in speciall remembrance the auncient saying, that common experience giueth to all men for approoued, which is, that Such as a man of himselfe is, such alwayes are they with whome he conuerseth.
If therefore of his owne mind and disposition a man endeuoureth to bee good, and so to liue and be accounted of, him then beseemeth chieflie to haue respect to the companie hee holdeth. For which occasion, the Philosopher aduiseth, that men being good, doe choose to haue familiaritie with men that are best, to the intent that by the societie of them, their Vertue may haue encrease, and themselues learne to become better. The corruption of young men, by nothing so much accrueth, as by the slender respect they haue of those with whome they do accompanie, for that it resteth assuredlie out of doubt, that the euill example and encouragement of one vile and ill disposed person, hurteth more a great deale oftentymes in one dayes companie kéeping, then seuen yeares endeuour afterwards, maie release by anie good instruction. Herein also the rather resteth vnto our Secretorie, a most principall regard thereof to be had, forsomuch as not the conuersation alone, wherein he is choiselie to be affected, dependeth therupon, but the matter also of his ouerthrow and discredit, for who séeth not in often apparance, that men simply conceited, and of their owne proper instinct verie well giuen, are more discredited and condemned many times, by occasion of the company wherinto they haue aduentured, then of anie apparant euill that in their owne persons rested publiquelie to be decerned.
Hereunto accordeth the proofe of all common societie, wherein men onely of those that know them are iudged as they be, but in generall reckoning, are euer censured according to the goodnesse or badnesse of those, with whom they liue familiarlie. It followeth therefore, that Who so will no euill doe, must doe nought that longs thereto, for in good men it is not alwayes inough of themselues wittinglie not to haue committed anie euill, but hee that desireth to be good indeed, ought not so much as to become an occasion or slander of euill. If men would but throughlie enter into the weight of their estates, and trulie consider with themselues what of dutie appertaineth to verie reputation indéede, they would not then think it ynough to be in this credite, or that place, or thus countenanced, or that waie enriched, arming themselues onelie thereby with vainglorious titles, but therewith would also deepelie imprint, that them likewise behooued by certaine especiall insight had into their owne wayes, so to order and direct themselues, as therby deseruedlie they might beare the selfe same account whole and vnblemished, which in opinion they haue caried, the which cannot anie wayes bee, without in all their outward and inward actions, they doe beare an especialleie to the matter of their owne credite. And what one thing is there in the world (to him that by true degrées of vertue endeuoureth to be aduaunced) more charie then the account and estimate had of his name and fame? What one good more excéeding, nay what life can be more precious? Much therefore ought the regarde hereof be in choice vnto our Secretorie, as that which as an action most singular I haue iudged fit to be exposed in this place vnto him.
Hitherto haue we endeuoured in person and behauiour to find a man méet and conuenient to the purpose hereof, wherein my intent hath béene not to omit anie thing which to that place and calling might anie wayes be adiudged necessarie. Now the circumstance of these procéedings leadeth vs next to consider of our Secretories abilitie.
In this consideration, it falleth out, that for asmuch as his Office and place, calleth him altogither, or for the most part to the handling of deepe and weightie affaires, wherin his capacitie shall sundrie wayes be exercised, and his wits throughlie tryed, it behooueth he therefore be furnished with Skill and knowledge accordinglie, whereby the better to be adapted, vnto the ordinarie vsage and employment thereof. To this end it befitteth that he bee well studied, especiallie in the Latine tongue. It is likewise conuenient that herewithall he haue a ripe and quicke conceit, aptlie to receiue, what on a sudden shall be to him deliuered, and that he retaine with himselfe a sound and good memorie, for the conseruation of those things that vnto his charge shall daylie bee committed. He ought for his owne furniture and instruction to bee a man not altogither vnexperienced, to be well languaged, to bee sufficientlie read in Histories and antiquities of times passed, to haue notice both by reading and conference, of the situations, customs, maners & conditions of men, cities, countries, & common weals, to haue familiaritie with strangers, and men of diuers nations, whereby the better to bee ascertained of their humours, behauiours, and dispositions: and wiselie to worke vnto himselfe a peculiar insight into their estates, counsels and iurisdictions, béeing there withall warie that this association with such kind of people, worke not vnto himselfe, or the affaires wherewith he shall bee credited anie matter of preiudice.
Now is it a matter often séene, and in common vse almost to be found, that a great many of men otherwise discréete, learned, experienced, and for their seueral callings questionlesse of very good deliuerie, and euery way to be deemed sufficient, some also that in the Greeke and Latine tongues are verie well studied, and are also with the vse of forraine languages laudablie indued, that notwithstanding haue not in themselues the facultie and vse of well writing, nor can orderly, & vpon a sudden lay down without much adoe, and that many times also in very preposterous maner when it is done, what to anie extraordinarie purpose seemeth to bee thought meete and conuenient. Some againe in whome there is lesse Skill, greater Ignorance of learned knowledge, and farre meaner application euerie waie, wherewith to bee enabled with sufficiency, haue neuerthelesse a Conceipt so rife, and are in wit so prompt and capable of any thing laide before them, as by and by there wanteth not (though in truth when they haue done, they cannot learnedly answere for it) neither inuention nor imitation, wherewith in very commendable sort to performe what them seemeth good, on a sodaine to deliuer in writing.
What shoulde be the cause hereof, I cannot else déeme, but onlie a méere instinct of Nature, who seuerallie poureth her giftes in their creation vnto euerie one, whereunto others (exempted from that proportion) doe seldome by anie Art or Studie reach vnto, yet is Exercise no doubt in those that haue any fauour of learning, hereunto a great furtherance: But he that in this place must bee applyed, how learned so euer he bee, must a little giue place vnto his Schooles, and frame his penne and order of practise to pursue that forme of writing, which plainest meaning and aptest speech, hath in common deliuerie, the indeuour whereof howe difficult the same will bee to one beeing rife in discourse, my selfe haue had some priuate testimonie, notwithstanding Vse and continuall Practise I knowe, is that which in time ouermaistreth all things.
To the beautifying then of this part of our Secretorie, it is néedfull that he be somewhat therein ayded and furthered by Nature, to the intent his inuention to euery seueral occasion, may be the more easie and proper, and that without any often blurring or enterlining which commonlie happeneth to those, in whom long studie seemeth so hardly to hew out their labours, as if by a manner or kinde of inforcement, the same from a hard rock were violently to be drawne forth and caried, which Bluntnesse, as I maie tearme it, of Conceite, is not in this part of seruice in anie wise to be admitted. Neither am I for all this ignorant, how manifoldlie it often befalleth vnto diuerse the readiest wittes, that at some one time more then at another, they haue lesse abilitie, and much harder is their deliuerie a great deale, in matters exquisite to be performed, then vsuallie otherwise is by ordinarie triall vnto them accustomed: the occasions whereof may be diuers, whereby the sences are manie wayes dulled, as by too much replexion of meates and drinkes excessiuelie taken, by too great studie and often musing, driuing therby into a melancholie passion, by motions too intemperat, happening vnto the mind: and finally, vpon sundrie other instincts and occasions, which I cease to remember, all which being offensiue as they are, vnto the necessarie regarde of this our Secretories attendance, it standeth him greatly vpon by all possible meanes to represse them, to the end that his wittes being as néere as by endeuour can be compassed, alwaies in one self state and readinesse, he maie not in times suddenlie requiring effectual and present dispatch, appeare any waies disfurnished, of that which at his handes, is and must of necessitie in this place bee required.
It is not then learning alone (as you see) that is able to make a man meet to this kind of practice and study, but naturallie to be besides indued both with wit, vnderstanding, and memory whereby to lead and conueie those necessarie euents, that in this place are dailie to be frequented, and therewith to haue likewise care and regard, with modest and discreet maners and behauiours to preserue and keepe the same forces, whereby he may be the more readilie prouided (as I said before) for all times and purposes. Neuerthelesse, how much needful it is to that place more then ordinarilie to bee learned, yea with the greatest abilitie and perfection (if it were possible) to bee also euerie waie adorned, I haue alreadie sufficientlie laid downe before hande, and still do propose the waight thereof, as a respect amongst others to be most especiallie imbraced.
In this maner haue we by sundrie degrees endeuoured to lead along our Secretory vnto his appointed Place and Office, wherein we haue first discoursed largelie of the function hee beareth, respectiuelie touching his seruice: next to frame him both in Person, Birth, Education, Qualitie, Disposition, Conuersation, and Abilitie, a man meete for that purpose. It now resteth, that as the finall determination of this labour we deliuer vnto him his office. Of this then the parte especiall and intendment most principall, consisteth, (as by experience is found) in the vse and exercise of the Pen, the Wit and Inuention togethers. The abilitie so exactlie before required, and discoursed vpon, is herein nowe to be put in practise. To the execution of this office, it is requisite the Secretory, be for the perfection of his hand, in the varietie and neat deliuerie of his letters in writing, singularlie to be commended, that he haue with himselfe also therein a verie readie vse, quicke, and speedie conueyance for dispatch, that warilie he giue heede to obserue the order, methode and forme to him from his Lord or master deliuered: forasmuch as in discharge hereof he is vtterlie to relinquish anie affectation to his own doings, or leaning herein to anie priuate iudgement or fantasie. His pen in this action is not his owne, but anothers, and for this cause the matter to him committed are to depend vpon the humor of his commander, and not vpon his own or any others directions.
Hereof is he excéedingly to becom studious, and a zealous imitator in all thinges, to the intent that knowing the effects of his Lord, with what ends and purposes they are caried, & vnto what forme and maner of writing he is speciallie addicted, he may the more easilie and with better contentment discharge that part of his seruice, wherein by continuall occurrents he shall haue occasion daily to be imploied.
He is in performance of this charge, to bee a man watchfull, diligent, carefull, industrious, not giuen to ease, to auoid all occasions of slouth, to the end, (as I said before) by continuall exercise of his wits, to retain his spirits apt, & his memory fresh. For Idlenes of it selfe is the proper nourishment of manie other euils, the hinderer of each good purpose, and the deformed monster of al humaine exercises. Whilest Idlenesse attacheth the bodie, it giueth scope to ill thoughts, occasioneth distemper, maketh vnweldie to labour, breedeth wearisomnes of vertuous exercises, entiseth to vanities, corrupteth with pleasures, and feedeth a man with trifles. If therefore there shall bee anie time vacant of affaires vnto our Secretory, (as all seasons are not alike wherein still to be occupied) the same shall he deuise, either in pleasant recreation to bee spent or in some other honest exercise or studie, wherein whatsoeuer is not improper vnto a gentleman, shall be to him in speciall choise and as an action fittest of all others to be receiued.
His office is likewise to entertaine all maner of suters vnto his Lord, to conceiue and vnderstand of their seuerall occasions, and how much or how little, they or anie of them do import, to answer the dispatch of the greatest with as much facilitie as he may, and those of lesse moment with discretion to remooue, and put backe, to the ende the walkes and passages of his Lorde be not with the vaine and friuolous demeanors of fond people too often encumbred.
He ought also to haue regard to times and places conuenient wherein to mooue his Lord vpon anie speciall or vrgent occasion, or in which he is to prefer vnto his presence or hearing, the person or cause of any one. To see that the same returne not offensiue vnto his priuate liking, that the furtherance thereof bee not in times when hee is soly disposed to particular studies, or that he is otherwise busied in matters of estate or counsell. To consider first of the qualitie of euerie sute, and condition of the partie as neere as he maie be informed, ere he take vpon him to acquaint his Lord with the parts thereof, and accordinglie, if he see cause, in his owne person to answere the same: for it is not seemelie he should trouble his Lord vpon euerie light or ill beséeming suggestion. To be circumspect in the dispatch of euerie thing to him deliuered, and in matters of weight and charge, to be also prouident and wary, heedfully intending to the safe disposing of whatsoeuer requisite, from the eyes or knowledge of anie other, whereunto none so much as himselfe ought to become priuy.
He is likewise to auoid all maner of delaies, and not to accustome himselfe in any wise vnto negligence, for that the vse hereof in ouerslipping of small trifles, induceth manie times, to pretermit things of larger circumstance, and of farre greater moment. It standeth him vpon in the exercise of his office to bee alwaies as neere and as readie as may bee, in his ordinarie attendance, for so much as being vpon a sudden to bee vsed, it is needfull he be alwaies at hand, and is intended that his absence cannot therefore anie long time be spared. In conclusion, it is meetest in all things, that so far forth he bee addicted vnto his present seruice, as that in respect thereof hee become vtterlie sequestred from all priuate regarde or affection of anie thing, sounding to his owne appetite. Finallie, being a man fauored or entirelie reputed of in his office, hee may not for anie friendship, corruption or gaine whatsoeuer, by anie sinister practise, colour, or meanes, go about to abuse the countenance and credite to him giuen, by his Lord or maister, nor couertlie thereby suggest, or informe any thing, wherewith the good opinion of himselfe may afterwards be hazarded, or by the graunt or assent of his Lorde thereunto giuen, there maie iust cause acrue, whereby thereafter a great deale lesse he may deserue to be trusted.
In these particularities haue I at last concluded, & brought to ende the sum of all my former trauell. The Secretory is nowe accomplished & by all respectes, circumstances, and inducements that maie bee, confirmed both in person and office: much haue I to require of the generall perusers hereof, that I bee not anie wayes therein mistaken, for that passing immediatelie to the publique notice of all, there is no doubt but the verie particularities there of, shall speedilie be therewith censured of all. My request is, that the skilfull and best experienced, will of their owne good conditions, not otherwise misdeeme thereof then what in equall trueth maie bee vnto them tendered, nor that the wise and discreetlie minded will haue other conceipt of me, then as my weake abilitie sought herein at their hands to haue at the first deserued.
Touching any others lesse able to speake or giue sentence in the cause, as my will and desire is, fauourablie to be regarded of the whole in generall, so if anie one more of selfe-liking then of Skill, will either carpe at, or peremptorilie reiect the labour by me vndertaken, let him first consider with himselfe, how much easier it is to finde fault with a thing by another alreadie finished and done, then for himselfe by priuate endeuour to accomplish the like: so shall he find, that men at all times see not into all things at once: and in proofe hereof become assured, that hee, as I shall sooner in the performance of anie labor, make our selues obiects of euery common opinion, then with such account to deliuer our trauels, as that we may stand ascertained of their own deserts, that they may be pleasing to all men.
And forasmuch as it resteth yet a thing doubtfull, how well or euill, till the perusing this slender trifle of mine may of all sortes be measured, I will in the meane time (as manie others before me haue done) affie my selfe in the hope and expectation of the best Glad if in the conueiance hereof, there may by my willing endeuour, arise anie pleasure or profite to anie, which being the intention of me solie desired, I passe foorth this (as the residue) of the best and aptest fauourers thereof, to be entertained.
FINIS. A. D.
A Table shewing the principal mat-
ters contained in the first part of
this Booke.
- Of Epistles, the commodities, and vse thereof [pag. 1]
- What is chiefly to be respected in framing of an Epistle. [2]
- Of the habit and parts of an epistle. [8]
- Of certain contēts generally incident to al maner of Epistles. [11]
- Diuers orders of Greetinges, farewels and subscriptions. [13]
- Of Superscriptions and Directions. [17]
- The Diuisions of Letters, and vnder what titles all sorts of epistles are contained. [20]
- Of epistles meerly Descriptory, & the parts thereof. [23]
- An example of a Letter Descriptorie, wherein is particularly described an ancient Citie. [24]
- An other example wherein the State of a countrey is solie described. [26]
- An example wherein the death of a noble man is only described [27]
- Of Epistles Laudatory and vituperatory. [33]
- An example of a Laudatory epistle solie touching the person. [35]
- An example of an Epistle Vituperatorie concerning also the person. [42]
- Of epistles Deliberatiue. [46]
- An example of an Epistle exhortatory to the attaining of vertue. [50]
- Of Epistles Responsory. [53]
- An example Responsory to the last epistle before remēbred. [54]
- An example of an Epistle Hortatorie to the studie of learning. [55]
- An other example Hortatorie wherein an honourable Gentleman is egged forwardes to the profession of armes. [58]
- An example Swasory, wherein a Gentlewoman is counselled to mariage. [62]
- Another example of an epistle Swasorie, perswading the carefull acceptance and regarde of one brother to another. [65]
- Of Epistles Dehortatory, and disswasory. [67]
- An example of an Epistle Dehortatorie, wherein a Noble gentleman is dehorted from infidelitie or rebellion. [71]
- An example of a Disswasorie Epistle wherein one is disswaded from fruitlesse vanities, to more learned and profitable studies. [76]
- An other example Disswasory wherin the party is by diuers reasons disswaded from entring into an action in apparance daungerous. [79]
- Of Epistles conciliatory. [83]
- An Epistle conciliatory, written from one of good accompt to his inferiour. [84]
- An example Conciliatory frō one equall to another. ead.
- An Epistle Responsory, answering the first of these letters. [86]
- A Letter Responsory answering the latter Epistle. ead.
- Of epistles Reconciliatory. [87]
- An example Reconciliatorie, from one friend to another. ead.
- An Epistle Reconciliatory frō an inferiour person to his better. [89]
- Of epistles Petitory. [90]
- An example of an Epistle Petitory, in a cause indifferent. [93]
- An example Petitory, in the nature of a reconciliatory from a son to his displeased father. [94]
- An Epistle Petitorie, wherein is craued trauell and counsell to be assistant vpon vrgent occasion. [96]
- Another of the same. [97]
- A Letter Responsorie to the same. ead.
- An example Petitorie, concluding a briefe request, and curteous remembrance of a thing before promised. [99]
- An other example of the like effect. ead.
- Of Epistles Commendatory. [100]
- An example Commendatorie, wherein is recommended to a noble man from his inferiour, the conditions and behauiours of a person. [102]
- A Letter Responsorie to the same. ead.
- Another epistle Commendatorie of the sort before deliuered. [103]
- An example Commendatory from a noble man to his inferior, wherein one is recommended to an office. [104]
- An Epistle Commendatorie, from a noble man in referment of his seruant. [105]
- Another example wherein is recommended the cause & speedie furtherance of iustice. [106]
- An example Responsory, wherin is denied, what in the formost directions was recōmended. [107]
- Another Letter Responsorie, wherin consent and allowance is giuē to the matter required. [108]
- The third Epistle Responsorie, wherein is doubfullie allowed, what to the same was recommended. [109]
- A letter Commendatorie pleasantly conceited in preferring an vnprofitable seruant. [110]
- Of Epistles Consolatorie. [112]
- An example Consolatorie of the first sort, wherein a Gentlewoman is comforted of the death of her sonne. [114]
- An Epistle Consolatorie of the same, wherein one is comforted in case of hard extremitie. [117]
- A Consolatorie epistle of the third sort, wherein a Gentlewoman is comforted of the death of her husbād slain in the wars. [119]
- An example consolatory pleasauntly written to one who had buried his old wife. [125]
- A Letter responsorie to be conferred to an Epistle consolatorie. [127]
- Of Epistles Monitorie and Reprehensorie.
- An example Monitorie concerning a staied and well gouerned life. [131]
- An other Epistle Monitorie, touching the reformation of a couetous life. [134]
- An Epistle Reprehensorie to a father, touching the lewde and ill demeanour of his sonne. [136]
- An example Reprehensorie, wherein a man of wealth sufficient is reprehended, for marriage of his daughter to the riches of an old wealthie miser. [138]
- An epistle Reprehensorie, to a young Gentleman. [141]
- Of Epistles Amatorie, [143]
- An example of an Epistle for the entreatie of the first good wil. [145]
- An other example to that purpose. [146]
- An answere to the first of these Epistles. eadem
- A replie to the same answere. [147]
- An answere vnto the second letter. [148]
- The Table of the second part of this Booke.
- Of Epistles Iudiciall. [pag. 1]
- An example of an epistle Accusatorie in the state coniecturall. [4]
- An example Excusatorie returned to the effects of this Coniecturall Epistle. [6]
- An example Purgatorie, from the partie chalenged, in answere of the Epistle accusatorie before
- An example of an Epistle accusatorie in the state Iuridiciall and Coniecturall. [9]
- A Letter Defensorie, aunswering by confutation al the obiections in this former Epistle surmised. [14]
- Of Epistles expostulatorie. [19]
- An example of an Epistle Expostulatorie, touching certain iniuries betweene two friends. [19]
- An answere Defensorie, vnto the effects of the same epistle. [20]
- A replie to the saide answere Defensorie, wherein the matter of the Epistle is more firmelie maintained. [22]
- A seconde answere to the like reasons of the Replie in further defence of the partie. [24]
- An example of an epistle Expostulatorie touching vnkindnes receiued. [25]
- An example of an epistle Expostulatory for breach of promise. [26]
- An example of an Epistle expostulatorie from an inferiour Gentleman, to his farre better in degree, authoritie and calling. [27]
- An example of an epistle exprobratorie touching ingratitude receiued. [30]
- An epistle exprobatorie more largelie exampled. [31]
- Of letters inuectiue. [34]
- An example of an Epistle inuectiue from a father to his sonne. eadem
- An answere purgatorie of the sonne touching the matters Inuectiue of the former epistle. [37]
- A reply of the father confuting the allegations of the sonne, and maintayning the causes of the former Inuectiue alledged. [42]
- An example of another epistle Inuectiue pleasantlie written against the humors and conditions of a vainglorious person. [45]
- An example of another epistle Inuectiue, written in cause of great desert agaynst two seuerall parties. [48]
- Of epistles Comminatorie. [61]
- An example of an epistle Cōminatorie. [52]
- Another example Comminatorie containing a greater vehemencie in the deliuerie. ead.
- Of epistles Deprecatorie. [54]
- An example of an epistle Deprecatorie, where the partie is charged in good opinion. [55]
- An example of an epistle Deprecatorie, in cause of wrong supposed to be committed. [57]
- An example of an epistle Deprecatorie, pleasantlie written to answer a former letter. [58]
- Of Epistles familiar. [59]
- A Letter Nunciatorie from a sonne to his father or friends, touching his being in seruice. ead.
- A Letter Nunciatorie in another sort of the same matter. ead.
- An Epistle Narratorie, contayning aduertisements from one friend to another. [60]
- A letter of aduertisements from a sonne to his father. [61]
- A Letter from a seruant or factor to his master. [62]
- Of epistles Remuneratorie. [63]
- An example of an epistle Remuneratorie from an inferiour to one farre his better, in reputation and calling. ead.
- A Letter Remuneratorie from a Gentlewoman of good sort, to a nobleman her kinsman. [64]
- A Letter Remuneratorie from one friend to another. [65]
- A Letter Remuneratorie from a better to his inferiour. ead.
- Of epistles Iocatorie. [66]
- An epistle Gratulatorie, from one friend to another. ead.
- A Letter Gratulatorie from a wife to her husband. [67]
- A letter Gratulatorie from one to his Kinsman seruing in London. ead.
- Of epistles obiurgatorie. [68]
- A Letter Obiurgatorie from a maister to his seruant. [69]
- Of epistles Mandatorie. ead.
- A Letter Mandatorie from a Maister to his seruant, or Factor being beyond the seas. [70]
- An other Letter Mandatorie from a maister to his seruant. [71]
- A Letter Mandatorie from a man to his wife. ead.
- A letter Mandatory from one friend to another. [72]
- Of Figures, Tropes and Schemes. [77]
- Of the parts, place, and office of a Secretorie. [101]
FINIS.
Transcriber’s Notes:
- Blank pages have been removed.
- Table of contents added.
- Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Examples:
- upside down letters (n for u)
- missing letters (theunto -> therunto)
- reversed letters(hwoe -> howe, sel,f -> self,)
- otherwise there were no spelling corrections.
- Spacing was tight and inconsistent, many spaced or unspaced words were a judgement call (‘beholding’ or ‘be holding’?).
- There were many capital first letters that were italicized, I assumed these were only due to typesetter convenience as there was no contextual reason.
- There is frequent use of vowels with macron, per Wikipedia: “In
Old English texts a macron above a letter indicates the omission of
an m or n that would normally follow that letter.”
Example: iudgmēt = iudgment. - Part 2 chapters are misnumbered, there is no chapter 3.
- Special font used: ‘Old English Text MT’