¶ A narracion historicall vpon kyng Ri-
chard the third, the cruell tiraunt[.]
The persone[.]
R
Ichard duke of Glocester, after the death of Ed-
ward the fowerth his brother king of England,
vsurped the croune, moste traiterouslie and wic-
kedlie: this kyng Richard was small of stature,
deformed, and ill shaped, his shoulders beared
not equalitee, a pulyng face, yet of countenaunce and looke
cruell, malicious, deceiptfull, bityng and chawing his nether
lippe: of minde vnquiet, pregnaunt of witte, quicke and liue-
ly, a worde and a blowe, wilie, deceiptfull, proude, arrogant
The tyme.
The place.
in life and cogitacion bloodie. The fowerth daie of Iulie, he
entered the tower of London, with Anne his wife, doughter
to Richard Erle of Warwick: and there in created Edward
his onely soonne, a child of ten yeres of age, Prince of Wa-
les. At thesame tyme, in thesame place, he created many no-
ble peres, to high prefermente of honour and estate, and im-
mediatly with feare and faint harte, bothe in himself, and his
The horrible
murther of
king Richard[.]
nobles and commons, was created king, alwaies a vnfortu-
nate and vnluckie creacion, the harts of the nobles and com-
mons thereto lackyng or faintyng, and no maruaile, he was
a cruell murtherer, a wretched caitiffe, a moste tragicall ty-
raunt, and blood succour, bothe of his nephewes, and brother
George Duke of Clarence, whom he caused to bee drouned
in a Butte of Malmsie, the staires sodainlie remoued, wher-
The facte.
on he stepped, the death of the lorde Riuers, with many other
nobles, compassed and wrought at the young Princes com-
myng out of Wales, the .xix. daie of Iuly, in the yere of our
lorde .1483. openly he toke vpon him to be king, who sekyng
hastely to clime, fell according to his desart, sodainly and in-
gloriously, whose Embassage for peace, Lewes the Frenche
king, for his mischeuous & bloodie slaughter, so moche abhor-
red, that he would neither sée the Embassador, nor heare the
Embassage: for he murthered his .ij. nephues, by the handes
The tyme.
The maner
how.
of one Iames Tirrell, & .ij. vilaines more associate with him
the Lieutenaunt refusyng so horrible a fact. This was doen
he takyng his waie & progresse to Glocester, whereof he was
before tymes Duke: the murther perpetrated, he doubed the
good squire knight. Yet to kepe close this horrible murther,
he caused a fame and rumour to be spread abrode, in all par-
tes of the realme, that these twoo childrē died sodainly, there-
The cause.
by thinkyng the hartes of all people, to bee quietlie setteled,
no heire male lefte a liue of kyng Edwardes children. His
mischief was soche, that God shortened his vsurped raigne:
he was al together in feare and dread, for he being feared and
dreaded of other, did also feare & dread, neuer quiete of minde
faint harted, his bloodie conscience by outward signes, condē-
pned hym: his iyes in euery place whirlyng and caste about,
The state of
a wicked mā.
his hand moche on his Dagger, the infernall furies tormen-
ted him by night, visions and horrible dreames, drawed him
from his bedde, his vnquiet life shewed the state of his consci-
ence, his close murther was vttered, frō the hartes of the sub-
iectes: thei called hym openlie, with horrible titles and na-
mes, a horrible murtherer, and excecrable tiraunt. The peo-
A dolefull
state of a
quene.
ple sorowed the death of these twoo babes, the Queene, kyng
Edwardes wife, beeyng in Sanctuarie, was bestraught of
witte and sences, sounyng and falling doune to the grounde
as dedde, the Quéene after reuiued, knéeled doune, and cal-
led on God, to take vengaunce on this murtherer. The con-
science of the people was so wounded, of the tolleracion of the
The wicked
facte of kyng
Richard, a
horror and
dread to the
commons.
facte, that when any blustryng winde, or perilous thonder, or
dreadfull tempest happened: with one voice thei cried out and
quaked, least God would take vengauce of them, for it is al-
waies séen the horrible life of wicked gouernors, bringeth to
ruin their kyngdom and people, & also wicked people, the like
daungers to the kyngdome and Prince: well he and his sup-
porters with the Duke of Buckyngham, died shamefullie.
God permit
meanes, to
pull doune
tyrauntes.
The knotte of mariage promised, betwene Henrie Erle of
Richemonde, and Elizabeth doughter to kyng Edward the
fowerth: caused diuerse nobles to aide and associate this erle,
fledde out of this lande with all power, to the attainmente of
the kyngdome by his wife. At Nottyngham newes came to
kyng Richard, that the Erle of Richmonde, with a small cō-
paignie of nobles and other, was arriued in Wales, forthe-
with exploratours and spies were sent, who shewed the Erle
Lichefelde.
Leicester.
to be encamped, at the toune of Litchfield, forthwith all pre-
paracion of warre, was set forthe to Leicester on euery side,
the Nobles and commons shranke from kyng Richarde, his
Bosworthe[.]
power more and more weakened. By a village called Bos-
worthe, in a greate plaine, méete for twoo battailes: by Lei-
cester this field was pitched, wherin king Richard manfully
fightyng hande to hande, with the Erle of Richmonde, was
Kyng Ri-
chard killed
in Bosworth
fielde.
slaine, his bodie caried shamefullie, to the toune of Leicester
naked, without honor, as he deserued, trussed on a horse, be-
hinde a Purseuaunte of Armes, like a hogge or a Calfe, his
hedde and his armes hangyng on the one side, and his legges
on the other side: caried through mire and durte, to the graie
Friers churche, to all men a spectacle, and oprobrie of tiran-
nie this was the cruell tirauntes ende.
¶ A narracion historicall, of the commyng
of Iulius Cesar into Britaine.
The tyme.
The persone.
W
Hen Iulius Cesar had ended his mightie and huge
battailes, about the flood Rhene, he marched into the
regiō of Fraunce: at thesame time repairing with a
freshe multitude, his Legiōs, but the chief cause of his warre
in Fraunce was, that of long time, he was moued in minde,
The cause.
The fame
and glorie of
Britaine.
to see this noble Islande of Britain, whose fame for nobilitée
was knowen and bruted, not onelie in Rome, but also in the
vttermoste lādes. Iulius Cesar was wroth with thē, because
in his warre sturred in Fraunce, the fearce Britaines aided
the Fenche men, and did mightilie encounter battaill with
the Romaines: whose prowes and valiaunt fight, slaked the
proude and loftie stomackes of the Romaines, and droue thē
The prowes
of Iulius
Cesar.
to diuerse hasardes of battaill. But Cesar as a noble warrier
preferryng nobilitee, and worthinesse of fame, before money
or cowardly quietnes: ceased not to enter on ye fearce Britai-
nes, and thereto prepared his Shippes, the Winter tyme fo-
lowyng, that assone as oportunitee of the yere serued, to passe
The maner
how.
Cesars com-
municacion
with the mar[-]
chauntes, as
concernyng
the lande of
Britaine.
with all power against them. In the meane tyme, Cesar in-
quired of the Marchauntes, who with marchaundise had ac-
cesse to the Islande: as concernyng the quātitée and bignes of
it, the fashion and maner of the people, their lawes, their or-
der, and kinde of gouernmente. As these thynges were in all
poinctes, vnknowen to Cesar, so also the Marchaūtes knewe
The ware &
politike go-
uernement of
ye Britaines.
Aliaunce in
tyme traite-
rous.
no more thā the places bordring on the sea side. For, the Bri-
taines fearing the traiterous and dissembled hartes of aliaū-
ces, politikelie repelled them: for, no straunger was suffered
to enter from his Shippe, on the lande, but their marchaun-
dice were sold at the sea side. All nacions sought to this land,
the felicitee of it was so greate, whereupon the Grekes kno-
wyng and tastyng the commoditée of this Islande, called it by
Britain som-
tyme called of
the Grekes
Olbion, not
Albion.
a Greke name Olbion, whiche signifieth a happie and fortu-
nate countrie, though of some called Albion, tyme chaunged
the firste letter, as at this daie, London is called for the toune
of kyng Lud. Cesar thereupon before he would marche with
Caius Uo-
lusenus, Em[-]
bassadour to
Britaine.
his armie, to the people of Britain, he sent Caius Uolusenus
a noble man of Rome, a valiaunte and hardie Capitaine, as
Embassadour to the Britaines, who as he thoughte by his
Embassage, should knowe the fashion of the Island, the ma-
ner of the people, their gouernemente. But as it seemeth, the
Embassadour was not welcome. For, he durste not enter frō
his Ship, to dooe his maisters Embassage, Cesar knewe no-
Comas A-
trebas, secōde
Embassador
from Cesar.
thing by him. Yet Cesar was not so contented, but sent an o-
ther Embassadour, a man of more power, stomack, and more
hardie, Comas Atrebas by name, who would enter as an
Embassadour, to accomplish the will & expectacion of Cesar,
Comas Atrebas was so welcome, that the Britains cast him
in prison: Embassages was not common emong theim, nor
the curteous vsage of Embassadours knowen. Al these thin-
Cassibelane
king of Lon-
don, at the a-
riue of Cesar[.]
Cassibelane
a worthie
Prince.
ges, made Cesar more wrothe, to assaie the vncourtous Bris[-]
taines. In those daies Cassibelan was kyng of London, this
Cassibelan was a prince of high wisedom, of manly stomacke
and valiaunt in fight: and for power and valiauntnesse, was
chosen of the Britaines, chief gouernour and kyng. Dissen-
cion and cruell warre was emong thē, through the diuersitie
of diuers kinges in the lande. The Troinouaūtes enuied the
Imanuēcius[.]
state of Cassibelan, bicause Immanuencius, who was kyng
of London, before Cassibelan, was put to death, by the coun-
sail of Cassibelan. The sonne of Immanuencius, hearing of
the commyng of Cesar, did flie traiterouslie to Cesar: The
Troinouauntes fauoured Immanuēcius part, & thereupon
The Troy-
nouauntes by
treason let in
Cesar.
promised, as moste vile traitours to their countrie, an ente-
ryng to Cesar, seruice and homage, who through a self will,
and priuate fauour of one, sought the ruine of their countrie,
and in the ende, their own destruccion. But Cassibelan gaue
many ouerthrowes to Cesar, and so mightelie encountred
with hym, so inuincible was the parte of Cassibelane: but by
treason of the Troinouauntes, not by manhod of Cesars po-
wer, enteryng was giuen. What house can stande, where-
Treason a
confusion to
the mightiest
dominions.
in discord broile? What small power, is not able to enter the
mightiest dominions or regions: to ouercome the strongeste
fortresse, treason open the gate, treason giuyng passage. Al-
though Cesar by treason entered, so Cesar writeth. Yet the
fame of Cesar was more commended, for his enterprise into
Britain, and victorie: then of all his Conquest, either against
A sentēce gra[-]
uen of Bri-
taine, in the
commendaci-
on of Cesar.
Pompey, or with any other nacion. For in a Piller at Rome
this sentence was engrauen: Of all the dominions, Citees,
and Regions, subdued by Cesar, his warre attēpted against
the fearce Britaines, passeth all other. After this sort Cesar
entred our Islande of Britaine by treason.
¶ A narracion iudiciall, out of Theusidides,
vpon the facte of Themistocles.
T
He Athenians brought vnder the thraldome of
the Lacedemonians, soughte meanes to growe
mightie, and to pull them from the yoke, vnder
the Lacedemonians. Lacedemonia was a citee
enuironed with walles. Athenes at thesame
tyme without walles: whereby their state was more feeble,
and power weakened. Themistocles a noble Sage, and a
worthie pere of Athens: gaue the Atheniās counsaile to wall
their citée strōgly, and so forthwith to be lordes and rulers by
them selues, after their owne facion gouerning. In finishing
this enterprise, in all poinctes, policie, and wittie conuei-
aunce wanted not. The Lacedemonians harde of the pur-
pose of the Athenians, & sent Embassadours, to knowe their
doynges, and so to hinder them. Themistocles gaue counsaill
to the Athenians, to kepe in safe custodie, the Embassadours
of Lacedemonia, vntill soche tyme, as he from the Embas-
sage was retourned frō Lacedemonia. The Lacedemonians
hearyng of the commyng of Themistocles, thought little of
the walle buildyng at Athens. Themistocles was long loo-
ked for of thē, because Themistocles lingered in his Embas-
sage, that or the matter were throughly knowen: the walle
of Athens should be builded. The slowe commyng of The-
mistocles, was blamed of the Lacedemonians: but Themi-
stocles excused hymself, partly infirmitie of bodie, lettyng
his commyng, and the expectacion of other, accompaignied
with hym in this Embassage. The walle ended, necessitie
not artificiall workemanship finishing it, with al hast it was
ended: then Themistocles entered the Senate of Lacedemo-
nia, and saied: the walle whom ye sought to let, is builded at
Athens, ye Lacedemonians, that wee maie be more strong.
Then the Lacedemonians could saie nothyng to it, though
thei enuied the Athenians state, the walle was builded, and
leste thei should shewe violence or crueltie on Themistocles,
their Embassabours were at Athens in custodie, whereby
Themistocles came safe from his Embassage, and the Athe-
nians made strong by their walle: this was politikely dooen
of Themistocles.
¶ A narracion Poeticall vpon a Rose.
W
Ho so doeth maruaile at the beautée and good-
ly colour of the redde Rose, he must consider the
blood, that came out of Uenus the Goddes foot.
The Goddes Uenus, as foolishe Poetes dooe
feigne, beyng the aucthour of Loue: loued Ado-
nis the soonne of Cynara kyng of Cypres. But Mars called
the God of battaile, loued Uenus, beyng nothyng loued of
Uenus: but Mars loued Uenus as feruently, as Uenus lo-
ued Adonis. Mars beyng a God, loued Uenus a goddes, but
Uenus onely was inflamed with the loue of Adonis, a mor-
tall man. Their loue was feruent, and exremely set on fire
in bothe, but their kinde and nature were contrary, wherev-
pon Mars beyng in gelousie, sought meanes to destroie, faire
amiable, and beautifull Adonis, thinkyng by his death, the
loue of Uenus to be slaked: Adonis and Mars fell to fighting
Uenus as a louer, ranne to helpe Adonis her louer, and by
chaunce she fell into a Rose bushe, and pricked with it her
foote, the blood then ran out of her tender foote, did colour the
Rose redde: wherevpon the Rose beyng white before, is v-
pon that cause chaunged into redde.
[¶] Chria.
C
Hria, this profitable exercise of Rhetorike, is for the
porfite of it so called: it is a rehersall in fewe wordes,
of any ones fact, or of the saiyng of any man, vpō the
whiche an oracion maie be made. As for example, Isocrates
did say, that the roote of learnng was bitter, but the fruictes
pleasaunt: and vpon this one sentence, you maie dilate a am-
ple and great oracion, obseruyng these notes folowyng. The
saiyng dooeth containe so greate matter, and minister soche
plentie of argumente.
Aucthors intreatyng of this exercise, doe note three sortes
to bee of theim, one of theim a Chria verball, that is to saie, a
profitable exercise, vpon the saiyng of any man, onely con-
teinyng the wordes of the aucthour, as the sentence before.
The seconde is, conteinyng the facte or deede of the per-
sone: As Diogines beyng asked of Alexander the Greate, if
he lacked any thyng, that he was able to giue hym, thinkyng
his demaūde vnder his power, for Diogenes was at thesame
tyme warmyng hymself in the beames of the Sunne: Dio-
genes aunswered, ye take awaie that, that ye are not able to
giue, meanyng that Alexander by his bodie, shadowed hym,
and tooke awaie that, whiche was not in his power to giue,
Alexander tourned hymself to his men, and saied, if I were
not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.
The thirde is a Chria mixt, bothe verball and notyng the
facte, as Diogenes seyng a boie wanton & dissolute, did strike
his teacher with a staffe, vtteryng these woordes: why dooest
thou teache thy scholer so dissolutlie.
You shall learne to make this exercise, obseruyng these
notes.
Firste, you shall praise the aucthour, who wrote the sen-
tence, waighing his life, if his life be vnknowen, and not easie
to finde his sentence or sentences: for godlie preceptes will
minister matter of praise, as if these saiynges bee recited, thei
are sufficient of them selues, to praise the aucthour.
Then in the seconde place, expounde the meanyng of the
aucthour in that saiyng.
Then shewe the cause, why he spake this sentence.
Then compare the matter, by a contrary.
Then frame a similitude of thesame.
Shewe the like example of some, that spake the like, or
did the like.
Then gather the testimonies of more writers of thesame[.]
Then knit the conclusion.
ISocrates did saie, that the roote of learnyng is was bit-
ter, but the fruictes were pleasaunt.
¶ The praise.
T
His Oratour Isocrates, was an Athenian borne,
Lusimachus[.]
who florished in the time of Lusimachus the chief
gouernor of Athens: this Isocrates was brought
vp in all excellēcie of learning, with the moste fa-
Prodicus.
Gorgias Le-
ontinus.
mous and excellent Oratour Prodicus, Gorgias Leontinus
indued him with all singularitie of learnyng and eloquence.
The eloquēce of Isocrates was so famous, that Aristotle the
Demosthe-
nes learned
eloquence of
Isocrates.
chief Pholosopher, enuied his vertue & praise therin: Demo-
sthenes also, who emong the Grecians chieflie excelled, lear-
ned his eloquence, of the Oracions whiche Isocrates wrote,
to many mightie and puisaunt princes and kinges, do shewe
his wisedome, & copious eloquēce, as to Demonicus the king
to Nicocles, Euagoras, against Philip the king of the Mace-
doniās, by his wisedome and counsaill, the Senate and vni-
uersal state of Athens was ruled, & the commons and multi-
tude thereby in euery part florished: chieflie what counsaill,
what wisedome, what learnyng might bee required, in any
man of high fame and excellencie: that fame was aboundant[-]
ly in Isocrates, as in all his Oratiōs he is to be praised, so in
this sentence, his fame importeth like commendacion.
¶ The exposicion.
I
N that he saieth, the roote of learnyng is bitter, and
the fruictes pleasaunt: he signifieth no excellent qua-
All excellen-
cie with labor
is attained.
litie or gift, vertue, arte or science can bee attained,
except paine, labour, diligence, doe plant and sette thesame:
but when that noble gift, either learnyng, or any excellente
qualitee, is lodged and reposed in vs, then we gather by pain-
full labours, greate profite, comforte, delectable pleasures,
wealth, glorie, riches, whiche be the fruictes of it.
¶ The cause.
A
ND seyng that of our owne nature, all men are en-
clined from their tender yeres and infancie, to the ex-
tirpacion of vertue, folowyng with all earnest studie
and gréedie, the free passage to vice, and specially children,
whose iudgementes and reason, are not of that strengthe, to
rule their weake mindes and bodies, therefore, in them chief-
lie, the roote of learning is bitter, because not onely many ye-
res thei runne their race, in studie of arte and science. With
care and paine also, with greuous chastisment and correcciō,
thei are compelled by their teachers and Maisters, to appre-
hende thesame: the parentes no lesse dreaded, in the educaciō
of their children, in chastisement and correction, so that by all
The roote of
learnyng bit-
ter.
meanes, the foundacion and roote of all learnyng, in what
sort so euer it is, is at the firste vnpleasaunte, sower, and vn-
sauerie. To folowe the times and seasons, appoincted for the
same, is moste painfull, and in these painfull yeres: other
greate pleasures, as the frailtie of youth, and the imbecilitie
of nature iudgeth, dooeth passe by, but in miserable state is
Who is a vn-
fortunate
childe.
that childe, and vnfortunate, that passeth the flower of his
youth and tender yeres, instructed with no arte or Science,
whiche in tyme to come, shalbe the onelie staie, helpe, the pil-
ler to beare of the sore brent, necessitie, and calamities of life.
Good educa-
cion the foun-
dacion of the
Romaine
Empire.
Herein the noble Romaines, laied the sure foundacion of
their mightie dominion, in the descrite prouidente, and poli-
tike educacion of children: to whom the Grecians gaue, that
necessarie bulwarke and faundacion, to set vp all vertue, all
arte and science. In Grece no man was knowen, to liue in
that common wealth, but that his arte and science, gaue ma-
nifest probacion and testimonie, how and after what sorte he
liued. The Romaines in like sorte, the sworde and aucthori-
tie of the Magistrate, executyng thesame, did put forthe, and
draw to the attainment of learnyng, art or science, all youth
hauyng maturitie and ripenesse to it, and why, because that
in a common wealth, where the parentes are vndescrete and
foolishe, as in all common wealthes, there are not a fewe,
but many, thei not ponderyng the state of the tyme to come,
bringing vp their children without all ciuilitie, vnframed to
vertue, ignoraunt of all arte and science: the children of their
owne nature, vnbrideled, vntaught, wilfull, and heddie, doe
run with free passage to all wickednes, thei fall into al kinde
of follie, oppressed with all kinde of calamitie, miserie, and
Euill educa-
cion bringeth
to ruine migh[-]
tie kingdoms[.]
vnfortunate chaunces, whiche happen in this life. Nothyng
doeth soner pulle doune a kyngdome, or common wealthe,
then the euill and leude educacion of youth, to whom neither
substaunce, wealth, riches, nor possessions doe descende, from
their auncestours and parentes, who also of them selues wāt
all art, science and meanes, to maintain them to liue, who of
them selues are not able to get relief, for onely by this mea-
nes, life is maintained, wealth and riches ar possessed to ma-
ny greate siegniories, landes, and ample possessions, left by
their parentes, and line of auncetours, haue by lacke of ver-
tuous educacion, been brought to naught, thei fell into ex-
treme miserie, pouertie, and wantyng learnyng, or wealth,
to maintaine their state and delicate life, thei haue robbed,
spoiled, murthered, to liue at their owne will. But then as
rotten, dedde, and putride members frō the common wealth
thei are cutte of by the sworde, and aucthoritie of the Magi-
strate. What kyngdome was more mightie and strong, then
Lydia.
the kyngdome of Lidia, whiche by no other meanes was
brought to ruine and destruccion, but by idlenes: in that thei
were kepte from all vertuous exercise, from the studie of ar-
tes and sciences, so longe as thei meditated and liued in the
schoole of vertuous life: no nacion was hable to ouerthrowe
them, of them selues thei were prone and readie, to practise all
Cyrus.
excellencie. But Cyrus the kyng of Persians, by no other
meanes was able to bring them weaker. He toke from thē al
furtherance to artes, destroied all occupaciōs of vertue wher-
vpon by commaundemēt aud terrour, wer driuen to practise
The decay of
a kyngdome.
the vaine and pestiferous practise, of Cardes and Dice. Har-
lottes then schooled them, and all vnhoneste pastyme nurte-
red them, Tauernes an quaffyng houses, was their accusto-
med and moste frequented vse of occupacion: by this meanes
their nobilitie and strengthe was decaied, and kyngdome
made thrall. Ill educacion or idlenes, is no small vice or euill
when so mightie a prince, hauyng so large dominions, whō
all the Easte serued and obaied. Whose regimente and go-
uernemente was so infinite, that as Zenophon saieth, tyme
The mightie
dominions of
Cyrus.
would rather want, then matter to speake of his mightie and
large gouernement, how many nacions, how diuerse people
and valiaunte nacions were in subieccion to hym. If this
mightie Prince, with all his power and populous nacions,
was not hable to giue the ouerthrowe, to the kyngdome of
Euill educa-
cion.
Lidia, but by ill educacion, not by marciall attēptes, sworde
or battaill: but by giuyng them scope and libertie, to dooe as
he would. No doubt but that Cyrus sawe, by the like exam-
ple of other kyngdomes, this onelie pollicie to bee a ruine
Pithagoras.
of that kyngdome. Pythagoras the famous and godlie Phi-
losopher, saued the kyngdome and people of Crotona, thei
leauyng all studie of arte, vertue and science. This people of
Catona.
Crotona, was ouercome of the people of Locrus, thei left all
exercise of vertue, neclectyng the feates of chiualrie, whervpō
Pythagoras hauyng the profitable and godlie lawes of Ly-
curgus, which he brought from Lacedemonia: and the lawes
of Minos kyng of Creta, came to the people of Crotona, and
by his godlie teachyng and Philosophie, reuoked & brought
backe the people, giuen ouer to the neglectyng of all vertue,
declaryng to them the nobilitie and excellencie thereof, he li-
uely set foorthe the beastlinesse of vice. Pithagoras recited to
them, the fall and ruine of many regions, and mightie king-
domes, whiche tooke after those vices. Idlenes beyng forsa-
ken, vertue embrased, and good occupacions practised, the
kyngdome and people grewe mightie.
Lycurgus.
Emong the godlie lawes of Lycurgus, Lycurgus omit-
ted not to ordaine Lawes, for the educacion of youthe: in the
whiche he cutte of all pamperyng of them, because in tender
yeres, in whose bodies pleasure harboreth, their vertue, sci-
ence, cunnyng rooteth not: labour, diligence, and industrie
Uertue.
Uice.
onelie rooteth vertue, and excellencie. Uices as vnprofitable
weedes, without labour, diligence and industrie growe vp,
and thereby infecteth the minde and bodie, poisoneth all the
mocions, incensed to vertue and singularitie. Who euer at-
tained cunnyng, in any excellent arte or science, where idle-
nes or pleasure helde the swaie. Philosophie sheweth, plea-
Pleasure.
Idlenes.
Ignoraunce.
sure to bée vnmete for any man of singularitie, for pleasure,
idlenes, and ignoraunce, are so linked together, that the pos-
session of the one, induceth the other. So many godlie monu-
mētes of learning, had not remained to this posteritie of ours
and of all ages: if famous men in those ages and tymes, had
hūted after immoderate pleasure. Thindustrie of soche, who
left to the posteritie of all ages, the knowlege of Astronomie
is knowen: the monumentes of all learnyng of lawes, and
of all other woorkes of antiquitie, by vertue, noble, by indu-
strie, labour, and moderacion of life in studie, not by plea-
sure and wantones, was celebraied to all ages. The migh-
tie volumes of Philosophers, bothe in morall preceptes, and
in naturall causes, knewe not the delicate and dissolute life
of these our daies. Palingenius enueighyng against the pā-
pered, and lasciuious life of man, vttereth a singulare sentēce
Qui facere et qui nosce, cupit quam plurima et altum,
In terris virtute aliqua sibi querere nomen:
Hunc vigilare opus est, nam non preclara geruntur,
Stertendo, et molles detrectat gloria plumas.
Who so coueteth to purchase fame by actes, or whose
minde hunteth for aboundaunte knowledge, or by vertue in
this life, to purchause good fame. He had not nede to slugge
and slepe in his doynges: for good fame is not vpholded by
gaie Pecockes feathers. Of this, Demosthenes the famous
Oratour of Athens, vttereth a worthie saiyng to the Athe-
nians in his Epistle: if any will iudge Alexander the greate,
to be famous and happie, in that he had successe in all his do-
Alexander
the great, cō-
mended for
diligence.
ynges, let this be his cogitacion, that Alexander the greate,
alwaies did inure hymself to doe thynges, and manfullie to
assaie that he enterprised. The felicitie of his successe came
to hym not slepyng, or not cogitatyng thereof: Alexander the
greate now dedde, Fortune seketh with whom she maie ac-
companie, and associate her self.
Thusidides comparyng the Lacedemonians, and the A-
thenians together, shewed a rare moderacion, and tempera-
ture of life, to be in the Athenians: wherupon thei are moste
commended, and celebrated to the posteritie.
¶ The contrarie.
E
Uen as idlenes and a sluggishe life, is moste pleasant
to all soche, as neglecte vertuous exercises, and god-
lie life. So paine, labour, and studie, bestowed and
emploied, in the sekyng out of vertue, arte, or science is moste
pleasaunt to well affected mindes: for no godlie thyng can be
attained to, without diligence and labour.
¶ The similitude.
E
Uen as housbandmen, with labour and trauaile,
dooe labour in plantyng and tillyng the grounde,
before thei receiue any fruicte of thesame. Euen so
no vertue, arte, or science, or any other thyng of ex-
cellencie is attained, without diligence and labour bestowed
thereto.
¶ The example.
L
Et Demosthenes, the famous Oratour of Athenes,
bee an example of diligence to vs, who to auoide all
let from studie, vsed a meanes to kepe hymself ther-
to: preuentyng also the industrie of artificers. Thesame De-
mosthenes, wrote seuen tymes out the storie of Thusidides,
to learne thereby his eloquence and wisedome.
¶ The testimonie.
P
Linie, Plato, and Aristotle, with many other mo, are
like examples for diligence to vs: who wrote vpon
vertue and learnyng like sentences.
¶ The conclusion.
T
Herefore, Isocrates dooeth pronounce worthelie, the
roote of learning and vertue to be bitter, and the fru-
tes pleasaunte.
T
He Oracion, whiche must be made by a sentēce
is in al partes like to Chria, the profitable exer-
cise, onelie that the Oracion made vpon a sen-
tence, as aucthours do saie: hath not alwaie the
name of the aucthour prefixed in the praise, a
small matter of difference, who so can make the one, is ex-
pert and exquisite in the other, aucthours doe define a sentēce
in this maner. A sentence is an Oracion, in fewe woordes,
shewyng a godlie precept of life, exhorting or diswadyng: the
Gnome.
Grekes dooe call godly preceptes, by the name of Gnome, or
Gnomon, whiche is asmoche to saie, a rule or square, to direct
any thyng by, for by them, the life of manne is framed to all
singularitie. Thei are diuers sortes of sentences, one exhor-
teth, an other diswadeth, some onely sheweth: there is a sen-
tence simple, compounde, profitable, true, & soche like. Frame
your Oracion vpon a sentence, as in the Oracion before.
|
{ 1. The praise of the aucthour. { 2. The exposicion of the sentence. { 3. A confirmacion in the strength of the cause. { 4. A conference, of the contrarie. { 5. A similitude. { 6. The example. { 7. The testimonie of aucthors, shewing ye like. { 8. Then adde the conclusion. |
¶ An Oracion vpon a sentence.
¶ The sentence.
In a common wealthe or kyngdome, many kynges to
beare rule, is verie euill, let there be but one kyng.
¶ The praise of the aucthour.
H
Omere, who of all the Poetes chiefly excelled, spake
this sentence in the persone of Ulisses, vpon the king
Agamemnon, kyng of Grece. This Homere intrea-
ting of all princely affaires, and greate enterprices of the
Grecians: and of the mightie warre againste the Troians,
emong whom soche discorde rose, that not onely the warre,
for lacke of vnitie and concorde, continued the space of tenne
yeres. But also moche blood shed, hauocke, and destruccion,
came vpon the Grecians, vttered this sentēce. This Homere
for his learnyng and wisedome remaineth, intteled in many
monumentes of learnyng: with greate fame and commen-
The praise of
Homere.
dacion to all ages. What Region, Isle, or nacion is not, by
his inuencion set foorthe: who although he were blinde, his
minde sawe all wisedome, the states of all good kyngdomes
The content
of Homers
bookes.
and common wealthes. The verie liuely Image of a Prince
or gouernour, the faithfull and humble obediēce of a subiect,
toward the prince, the state of a capitaine, the vertue and no-
ble qualities, that are requisite, in soche a personage, be there
set forthe. The perfite state of a wiseman, and politike, is in-
treated of by hym. The Iustice, and equitie of a Prince, the
strength of the bodie, all heroicall vertues: also are set forthe
his eloquence and verse, floweth in soche sorte, with soche
pleasauntnes: so copious, so aboundaunt, so graue and sen-
tencious, that his singularitie therein excelleth, and passeth.
Alexander.
The mightie prince Alexander, in all his marciall enter-
prices, and great conquestes, did continually night by night,
The Ilias
of Homere,
mete for prin-
ces to looke
vpon.
reade somewhat of the Ilias of the Poete Homere, before he
slepte, and askyng for the booke, saied: giue me my pillowe.
Alexander as it semeth, learned many heroical vertues, poli-
cie, wisedome, & counsaill thereof, els he occupied in so migh-
tie and greate warres, would not emploied studie therein.
Iulius Cesar the Emperour, commendeth this Poete,
for his singularitie, his commendacion giueth, ample argu-
ment, in this singulare sentence, whiche preferreth a Monar-
chie aboue all states of common wealthes or kyngdome.
¶ The exposicion.
H
Omere the Poete, signified by this one sentence, no
kyngdome or common wealthe can prospere, or flo-
rishe to continue, where many holde gouernement
as kynges. For, the mindes of many rulers and princes, doe
moste affecte a priuate wealthe, commoditie and glorie: and
where, many doe beare soche swaie and dominion, the com-
mon wealth can not be good. For, thei priuatly to theim sel-
ues, doe beare that regiment, and alwaie with the slaughter
of many, do seke to attain and clime, to the whole gouermēt[.]
¶ The cause.
The state of
many kinges
in one lande.
M
Any occasions dooe rise, whereby many princes, and
gouernours in a common wealth, be diuerslie affec-
ted, so that the gouernmēt of many, can not prosper.
For, bothe in quiete state, their counsailes must bee diuerse,
and vncertaine: and where thei so differ, the kyngdome stan-
deth in great ieopardy and daunger. Isocrates intreatyng of
Athenes.
a Monarchie, sheweth that the common wealth of Athenes,
whiche detested and refused, that forme and state, after the
ruine and fall of their citee: beyng vnder the thraldome of the
Lacedemoniās, bothe in their externall chiualrie and feates,
bothe by sea and by lande, and also in regimente otherwise,
their citee grewe mightie, and state stedfast.
Carthage in
a monarchie.
The Carthagineans also, gouerned by one, had their go-
uernment stedfaste, and kyngdome roiall: who in puisaunte
actes, might compare with the noble Romaines. As the obe-
dience to one ruler and chief gouernour, sekyng a common
wealth, is in the hartes of the subiectes: feruent and maruei-
lous with loue embraced, so the Maiestie of hym is dreade,
with loue serued, and with sincere harte, and fidelitie obeied,
The state of
many kinges
in one lande.
his maners folowed, his lawes imitated. Many gouernours
bearyng regiment, as their maners be diuers, and fashion of
life: euen so the people bee like affected, to the diuersitie of di-
uers princes. And if we weigh the reuolucion of the heauens
and the marueiles of God therein, the maker of thesame, who
A monarchie
in heauen.
beyng one God, ruleth heauen and yearth, and all thynges
cōtained in thesame. The heauen also adorned with many a
One Sunne[.]
starre, and cleare light, haue but one Sunne to gouerne thē:
who being of a singulare vertue aboue the rest, by his vertue
and power, giueth vertue to the reste. Also in small thynges
The Ante.
The Bee.
the Ante and the Bee, who for prouidence and wisedome, ar
moche commended: haue as it were a common wealth, and a
king to gouerne thē, so in all thinges as a confusion, the state
of many kings is abhorred in gouernmēt. After the death of
Constancius[.]
Licinius[.]
Marabodius[.]
Constantinus the greate, Constancius his sonne was made
Emperour, and Licinius with him, partaker in felowship of
the Empire. But forthwith, what blood was shed in Italie,
with all crueltie, vntill Constancius had slaine Licinius,
partaker of the Empire, and Marabodius was slaine also,
whom Licinius did associate with hym in the gouernment.
So moche princes and chief gouernours, doe hate equalitie,
Pompey.
Cesar.
Marius.
Silla.
or felowship in kingdomes. After thesame sort, in this migh-
tie Monarchie of Rome, diuerse haue attempted at one and
sondrie tymes, to beare the scepter and regiment therein, but
that mightie Monarchie, could not suffer but one gouernor.
The kyngdome of Thebes, was in miserable state, the twoo
sonnes of Oedipus, Eteocles, and Polunices: striuing bothe
Assiria the
first monar-
chie.
to be Monarche, and onely kyng. The kyngdome of Assiria,
whiche was the golden kyngdome, and the first Monarchie:
hauyng .36. kynges by succession, continued .1239. yeres, this
kyngdome for all nobilitie and roialnes excelled, and all in
a Monarchie. The kyngdome of the Medes, in a Monarchie
florished in wealthe and glorie and all felicitie: who in domi-
nion had gouernmente .300. lackyng .8. yeres. After that, the
The monar-
chie of the
Medes.
The Persiā.
Macedonia.
monarchie of the Medes ceased, the Persiā people rose migh-
tie, bothe in people and Princes, and continued in that state
236 and 7 monethes. Macedonia rose from a base and meane
people, to beare the whole regiment, and power ouer all king[-]
domes. So God disposeth the state and seate of princes, ouer-
throwyng often tymes mightier kyngdomes at his will: the
continuaunce of this Monarchie was .157. and eight mone-
Asia[.]
Siria[.]
thes, ten kynges linealie descendyng. Asia and Siria, was
gouerned by one succedyng in a sole gouernement. Nicanor
gouerned Siria .32. yeres. In the other Antigonus raigned,
Demetrius Poliorchetes one yere, Antiochus Soter also, the
scepter of gouernment, left to the succession of an other, then
Antiochus Soter, ruled all Asia and Siria, hauyng .16. kin-
Egipte in a
Monarchie[.]
ges whiche in a monarchie, cōtinued 189 yeres. The Egipci-
ans, had famous, wise, and noble princes, whose kyngdome
and large dominion, in all felicitée prospered: whiche was in
the tyme of Ninus, the first king of the Assiriās, who hauing
10. princes, one by one succedyng, Cleopatra their Quéene,
gouerning, stoode in a monarchie .288. This one thyng she-
weth, that kinde of gouernmente to bee roiall, and moste fa-
mous, not onely for the felicitée and glory therof: but also for
the permanent and stedfast state thereof. Aristotle and Plato
setteth forthe, thother formes of gouernmēt. But in all those,
no long cōtinuaunce of felicitee, nor of happy state can appere
Tirannis[.]
Nero[.]
Domicianus[.]
Caligula.
in them, as for the contrarie to a Monarchie, is tirannis, pe-
stiferous, and to be detested, where one man gouerneth to his
priuate gaine, pillyng and polyng his subiectes, murderyng
with all crueltie, neither Lawe nor reason, leadyng thereto:
but will bearyng regiment ouer lawe, Iustice and equitee,
whiche princes often tymes see not. How the wilfull rashe-
nes, or tirannicall minde doeth abase them, and make them,
though in vtter porte thesame princes, yet in verie déede, thei
What doeth
beautifie the
throne of a
Prince[.]
bee thrall and slaue to beastlie affeccion. Nothyng dooeth so
moche adorne and beautifie, the seate and throne of a prince,
as not onely to beare dominion, ouer mightie people and re-
Aristocratia.
gions, then to be lorde ouer hymself. The state of a fewe pée-
res or nobles, to holde the chief and whole gouernment, who
bothe in vertue, learnyng, and experience dooe excelle, is a
goodlie state of common wealth. But the profe of that com-
mon wealthe and ende sheweth, and the maner of Princes:
who, although thei be, of life godlie, wise, graue, expert and
politike. For, these vertues or ornamentes, ought to be repo-
sed in soche noble personages, thei doe marueilously chaunge
and alter: So honour and preeminente state, puffeth theim
vp, and blindeth theim, that euery one in the ende, seeketh to
climbe ouer all, as hed and gouernour. Shewe me one kinde
of this state, and forme of gouernmente, whiche either longe
prospered, or without bloodshed, and destruccion of the rest of
the nobles and peres, haue not caught the whole regimente.
Seyng that in all common wealthes and kingdomes, equa-
litée or felowshippe, will not be suffred in gouernmente: for,
it can not bee, that this forme of common wealthe maie bée
The ende of
Aristocratia.
good, as Aristotle and Plato sheweth: The ende of this go-
uernemente, fell euer to one, with a ruine of the kingdome
Politcia.
and people. The multitude to beare dominion, and though a
publike wealth bée sought for a tyme, moche lesse thei conti-
nue in any good state: for in the ende, their rule and gouerne-
ment, will be without rule, order, reason, modestie, and their
lawe must bee will. The other three states, are the refuse of
good common wealthes, not to bée tollerated in any region.
Tirannis.
The one of them is a tyraunte, to bée gouernour onely to his
owne glorie, with crueltie tormented his subiectes, onelie to
Oligarthia.
haue his will and lust, ouer all lawe, order, and reason. The
nobilitée rulyng to them selues, euery one for his owne time[.]
Democratia.
The third, the base and rude multitude, euery one for hym-
self, and at his will. This troublous state, all Regions and
common wealthes, haue felte in open sedicions and tumul-
tes, raised by theim, it is a plagued and pestiferous kinde of
gouernemente. The example of a good Monarchie, is of
greate force, to confounde the state of al other common weal-
thes, and formes of Regimente.
A monarchie
preferred of
the Persians[.]
The nobilitée of Persia hauyng no kyng, linially des-
cendyng, to rule that mightie dominion of Persia, Cambises
beyng dedde, the vsurper murthered, thei tooke counsaill in
their assemble, what state of gouernment was beste, thei ha-
uyng the profe of a Monarchie: in their longe counsaill, thei
knewe the felicitie of that state, thei knewe as it seemed, the
perilous state of the other gouernmentes. If these noble and
peres had been ambicious, and that eche of them would haue
had felowshippe, or participacion in kyngdomes: thei would
not haue preferred a Monarchie aboue the reste. The anti-
quitie of that tyme sheweth, their personages, wisedome,
grauitie, and maiestie was soche, that eche one of theim was
mete for his vertues, to haue a whole kyngdome. If Aristo-
cratia would haue contented them, then was tyme and occa-
sion offered, no kyng remainyng to haue preferred that state.
The duetie of
al noble peres[.]
But thei as vpright nobles, sincere and faithfull, hauyng al-
together respecte to a publique wealthe: to a permanent state
and felicitie of kingdome, sought no participacion by priuate
wealthe, to dissolue this Monarchie. But thei beyng moste
godlie, eche were content to proue, whose chaunce might be,
to set vp againe that Monarchie. The kyngdome at the laste
Darius.
came to the handes of Darius, who was after kyng of the
Persians. This is a goodly example, to shewe the worthines
of a Monarchie, the Persian kingdome after many yeres de-
clinyng, from his power and state, not for any faulte of go-
Kyngdomes
rise and fall.
uernment, but God as he seeth tyme, raiseth vp kyngdomes
and plucketh them doune. Afterward Darius the kyng, not
able to make his parte good with Alexander the Greate: of-
fered to hym the greatest parte of his kyngdome, euen to the
flood of Euphrates, and offred his daughter to wife: Alexan-
der was content to take the offer of Darius, so that he would
bee seconde to hym, and not equall with hym in kyngdome.
The answer
of Alexander
to Darius,
as cōcernyng
a monarchie.
For, Alexander saied, that as the worlde can not bee gouer-
ned with twoo Sunnes, neither the worlde can suffer twoo
mightie kingdomes: wherupon it is manifest, that no king-
dome will suffer equalitie or felowship, but that if the will &
minde of Princes might brust out, the state of all the worlde,
would bee in one mightie gouernours handes. For, alwaies
Alexāder the
great prefar-
red a Mo-
narchie.
Princes dooe seke to a sole regimente. Alexander the greate
cōquerour also, preferring for worthines a Monarchie, at the
tyme of his death, demaunded whō he would haue to succede
him in his mightie dominiōs, he by one signifiyng a Monar-
chie, saiyng: Dignissimus, that is to saie, the worthiest. After
Alexanders
monarchie fel
by many kin-
ges.
Antipater.
Crates.
Meliagrus.
Perdiccas.
Ptolomeus.
Learcus.
Cassander.
Menander.
Leonatus.
Lusimacus.
Eumenes[.]
Seleucus.
the death of Alexander, Antipater caught the gouernmente
of Macedonia and Grece, and Crates was Treasurer. Me-
leagrus and Perdiccas caught other of his dominions, then
Ptolemeus possessed Egipte, Africa and a parte of Arabia,
Learcus, Cassander, Menāder, Leonatus, Lusimachus, Eu-
menes, Seleucus and manie other, who were for their wor-
thines in honor and estimacion with Alexander, caught in-
to their handes other partes of his dominions, euerie one se-
kyng for his time, his owne priuate glorie, dignitie, and ad-
uauncemente, but not a publike wealthe, and so in fine, am-
bicion broiled in their loftie stomackes, eche to attaine to o-
thers honor. Whereupon bloodshed, destruction of the peo-
ple and countries, the fall of these Princes ensued. So moche
kingdomes hate equalitie or felowship: let vs laie before our
Fraunce.
Spaine.
Germanie.
Britaine.
iyes, the kyngdomes nere at hand. Fraunce, from the tymes
of Faramundus vntill this daie haue stoode, and did florishe
in a Monarchie. The state of Spaine, from the tyme of the
firste kyng, vntill this daie, hath florished continually in a
Monarchie. The great seigniories of Germanie, by one suc-
cedyng in gouernment, haue been permanent in that good-
lie state. Our noble Isle of Britain from Brutus, hath stoode
by a Monarchie: onely in those daies, the state of gouernmēt
chaunged, at the commyng of Iulius Cesar, Emperour of
Rome. The lande beyng at diuision, and discorde, through
the diuersitie of diuerse kynges: so moche the state of diuerse
kynges in one lande, is to be expelled, or the gouernment of
the base multitude, to haue vniuersally power of dominion,
or the state of peres, to bee chief in regiment, no kyng lefte to
commaunde ouer the people, and nobles, or els there can not
be but discorde in thende, whiche pulleth doune moste migh-
tie Regions and dominions, so that the beste state, the moste
stedfaste and fortunate, is in all tymes, in all ages, in all la-
wes, and common wealthes, where one king sekyng the ad-
uauncement, wealthe, glorie, of hym and his people.
¶ The contrarie.
T
Hat housholde or familie, can not be well gouerned,
where many and diuerse beareth gouernment, nec-
lectyng the state prosperous vniuersallie: for where
obedience is drawen to diuers and many, there can not bee
good gouernment, nor faithfull obedience. And so in a king-
dome where one chiefly gouerneth, and to a common wealth
there the hartes of the subiectes, be moste knitte to obaie.
¶ The similitude.
E
Uen as thei, whiche serue one maister, shall soneste
with labour please, and with fidelitie, accomplishe
his will and pleasure. For, the maners of many mē
be diuerse, and variable, so in a Monarchie, the state of one is
sone obaied, the minde and lawe of one Prince sone folowed,
his Maiestie dreaded and loued.
¶ The example.
L
ET the fower chief Monarchies of the Assirian, the
Persian, Grecian, and the Romaine, whiche haue
continued from the beginnyng mightie, moste hap-
pie, bee an example herein. If that state of gouernement, had
not been chiefe of all other, those mightie kyngdomes would
not haue preferred, that kinde of gouernment.
¶ The testimonie of auncient writers.
T
Herefore, Aristotle, Plato, and all the chief Philoso-
phers, intreatyng of the administracion of a common
wealthe: doe preferre before all states of gouernment
a Monarchie, bothe for the felicitie of it, and stedfaste state.
¶ The conclusion.
HOmere therefore deserueth greate commendacion,
for this one sentence, whiche preferreth a Monarchie
before all states.
¶ The destruccion.
T
His exercise of Rhetotike, is called destruccion, or
subuersion, because it is in a oracion, a certain re-
prehension of any thyng declaimed, or dilated, in
the whiche by order of art, the declaimer shall pro-
cede to caste doune by force, and strengthe of reason, the con-
trarie induced.
In this exercise of Rhetorike, those proposicions are to be
subuerted, whiche are not manifeste true, neither it so repu-
gnaunt from reason, as that there can appere no holde, to in-
duce a probable reason to confounde thesame. But soche pro-
posicions are meete for this parte, as are probable in both si-
des, to induce probabilitie of argument, to reason therupon.
1.It shall behoue you firste, for the entryng of this matter,
to adde a reprehension there against those, whiche haue con-
firmed as a truthe, that, whiche you will confute.
2.In thesame place, adde the exposion, and meanyng of his
sentence.
3.Thirdly, shew the matter to be obsure, that is vncertain[.]
4.Incrediblie.
5.Impossible.
6.Not agreyng to any likelihode of truthe.
7.Uncomlie to be talked of.
8.Unprofitable.
This exercise of Rhetorike doeth contain in it al strength
of arte, as who should saie, all partes of Rhetorike, maie co-
piouslie be handled in this parte, called confutacion, so am-
ple a matter Tullie doeth note this parte to be.
¶ The theme or proposicion of this Oracion.
It is not like to be true, that is said of the battaill of Troie.
¶ The reprehension of the auc-
thor, and of all Poetes.
N
Ot without a cause, the vanities of Poetes are
to bee reproued, and their forged inuencions to
bee reiected: in whose writynges, so manifestlie
are set forthe as a truthe, and Chronicled to the
posteritie of ages and times, soche forged mat-
The vanities
of Poetes.
ters of their Poeticall and vain wittes. Who hath not heard
of their monsterous lies against God, thei inuentyng a gene-
alogie of many Goddes procreated, where as there is but
one God. This vanitie also thei haue set forthe, in their mo-
numentes and woorkes. How a conspiracie was sometyme
emong the Goddes and Goddes, to binde the great God Iu-
piter. How impudentlie doe thei set forthe the Goddes, to bee
louers of women, and their adulterous luste: and how thei
haue transformed theim selues, into diuers shapes of beastes
and foules, to followe after beastly luste. The malice and en-
uie of the Goddes, one to an other: The feigne also the heauē
to haue one God, the sea an other, helle an other, whiche are
mere vanities, and false imaginaciōs of their Poeticall wit-
tes. The like forged inuencion haue thei wrote, of the migh-
The battaill
of Troie .x.
yeres for a
herlotte.
tie and terrible battaill bruted of Troie, for a beautifull har-
lot susteined ten yeres. In the whiche, not onely men and no-
ble péeres, gaue the combate of battaile, but the Goddes toke
partes against Goddes, and men wounded Goddes: as their
The vain in-
uention of
Poetes.
lies exceade all nomber, because thei bee infinite, so also thei
passe all truthe, reason, and iudgemente. These fewe exam-
ples of their vanities and lies, doe shewe the feigned ground
and aucthoritie of the reste. Accordyng to the folie and super-
sticiousnes of those tymes, thei inuented and forged folie vp-
pon folie, lye vpon lye, as in the battaill of Troie, thei aggra-
uate the dolour of the battaill, by pitifull and lamentable in-
Plato reie-
cteth Poetes
from the com[-]
mon wealth.
uencion. As for the Poetes them selues, Plato in his booke,
made vpon the administracion of a common wealth, maketh
theim in the nomber of those, whiche are to bee banished out
of all common wealthes.
¶ The exposicion.
H
Omere dooeth saie, and many other Poetes, that
the warres of the Grecians against the Troians,
was for beautifull Helena, and continued tenne
yeres. The Goddes and Goddis toke partes, and
all the people of Grece, aided Menelaus, and the kyng Aga-
memnon, to bryng home again Helena, neclecting their own
countrie, their wife and chidrē, for one womā. The Grekes
inuentyng a huge and mightie horse made of Firre trée, and
couered with brasse, as huge as a moūtain, out of the whiche
the Grecians by treason issuyng, brought Troie to ruine.
¶ The obscuritie of the matter.
I
T semeth a matter of folie, that so many people, so
mightie nacions should bee bewitched, to raise so
mightie a armie, hassardyng their liues, leauyng
their countrie, their wiues, their children, for one
Helena.
woman: Be it so, that Helena passed all creatures, and that
Nature with beautie had indued her with all vertue, and sin-
gularitie: yet the Grecians would not be so foolishe, that vni-
uersallie thei would seke to caste doune their owne wealthe,
and moche more the common wealthe of Grece, and kyng-
dome to stande in perill. Neither is it to be thought, the Gre-
cians, sekyng to aduaūce the beautie of Helena: would leaue
The cause of
the forged in-
uencion.
their owne state. But it is like, the wittes of Poetes did im-
magine so forged a Chronicle, that the posteritie of ages fol-
lowyng, should rather wounder at their forged inuencion,
then to beleue any soche warre truly mencioned. There was
no soche cause, seyng that the kyngdome of Grece, fell by no
title of succession to Helena, for them to moue warre, for, the
bringyng backe of that beutifull harlotte Helena. Neither in
Helena was there vertue, or honestie of life, to moue and ex-
asperate the Grecians, to spende so greate treasures, to raise
No commen-
dacion in vp-
holdyng and
maintainyng
of harlottes.
so mightie an armie on euery side. What commēdacion had
the Troians to aduaunce Helena, and with all roialnesse to
entreate her, she beyng a harlotte: the folie of the Grecians
and the Troians, is so on euery side so greate, that it can not
be thought, soche a warre truely chronicled. If violence and
power, had taken Helena from her housebande, and not her
Helena follo-
wed Paris.
owne will and luste, caught with the adulterous loue of Pa-
ris, beyng a straunger. If her moderacion of life had been so
rare, as that the like facte for her chastitie, had not been in a-
ny age or common wealthe, her vertues would haue giuen
occasion: The Princes and nobles of Grece to stomacke the
matter. The example of the facte, would with all praise and
Uertuous
life, worthie
commendaci-
on in al ages.
Lucrecia.
Tarquinius
the kyng ba-
nished for ra-
uishyng Lu-
crecia, and all
of his name
banished.
commendacion be mencioned, and celebrated to al ages. Lu-
cretia for her chastite, is perpetuallie to be aduanunced, wher-
vpon the Romaines banished Tarquinius their kyng, his
stocke and name from Rome. The rare chastite of Penelope,
is remainyng as a example herein: So many snares laied to
caste doune her vertuous loue towarde her housebande U-
lisses. But Ulisses made hauocke by murder, on these gaie
and gallante Ruffins, who in his absence sought to alienate
and withdrawe, the chaste harte of Penelope, consumyng
Penelopes
chastitie.
his substance. A greater example remaineth in no age, of the
like chastite. As for the battaile of Troie, raised for Helena,
could wise men, and the moste famous nobles of Grece: So
occupie their heddes, and in thesame, bothe to hasarde their
liues for a beautifull strumpet or harlot. The sage and wise
Nestor.
Ulisses.
Nestor, whom Agamemnon for wisedome preferred, before
the moste of the péeres of Grece, neither it Ulisses wanted at
thesame tyme, hauyng a politike and subtill hedde, to with-
drawe theim from so leude and foolishe a enterprise. Grece
Grece the
lande of faire
women.
wanted not beautifull creatures, Nature in other had besto-
wed amiable faces, personage, and comelie behauiour. For,
at those daies, Grece thei called Achaida calligunaica, that is,
Grece the lande of faire women. The dolorous lamentacion
of the Ladies and Matrons in Grece, would haue hindered
soche a foolishe enterprise, seyng their owne beautie neclec-
ted, their honestie of life caste vp to perilles, one harlot of in-
Uncomelie.
numerable people followed and hunted after, in whom neither
honestie, vertue, nor chastite was harbored.
¶ Uncredible.
A
Lthough the folie of men is greate, and the will of
princes and gouernours beastlie and rashe, yet by
no meanes it can be so many yeres, so greate folie
to take roote in their hartes, and that the wisedom
Beautie
without ver-
tue, nothyng
of valour.
of the Greciās, should not rather caste of as naught, the beau-
tie of Helena: rather then the whole multitude, the state of
the Prince, the welfare of the subiecte, to stande in perill for
Beautie a
poison, in a
adulterous
mynde.
the beautie of one. What is beautie, when a beastlie and ad-
ulterous minde is possessed: Beautie without chastitie, har-
boreth a monsterous rabelmente of vices, a snare and baite,
Beautie sone
fadeth.
to poison other. Beautie in fewe yeres, is not onely blemi-
shed, but decaied, and wholie extinguished: it is vncredible,
that the Grecians would seeke to bryng home Helena, who
had loste the chaste loue toward her housband, beyng caught
Paris Hele-
nas louer.
Phrigia.
with the adulterous loue of Paris, soonne to Priamus kyng
of Troie. The lande of Phrigia was a mightie Region, the
people noble, puissaunte in warre: the kyng for nobilitie of
actes famous. The Citee of Troie, wherein the kyng helde
his Scepter of gouernement, was riche, mightie, and popu-
lous: ruled and gouerned, by the wisedome and policie of fa-
mous counsailours, so that by all meanes it is vncredible,
Uncomelie.
without any possibilitie. Thei neclectyng their owne state
and kyngdō, so to preferre the beautie of one, that the whole
multitude of Grece thereby to perishe. It is a matter vncre-
Grece the
fountain of al
learnyng.
dible in all Grece, whiche for the fame of wisedome, is moste
celebrated emong all nacions, not one wiseman at thesame
tyme to be therein: whose coūsaile and politike heddes, might
ponder a better purpose. Grece, whiche was the mother and
fountaine of all artes and sciences, all Eloquence, Philoso-
phie, wisedome flowyng from theim, and yet wisedome to
want in their breastes. Reason can not make any perswasion
that any probabilitie can rise, of any soche matter enterpri-
sed, what could the intent be of the Grecians, as concerning
Menelaus
housbande to
Helena.
Menelaus. In Menelaus there was no wisedom, to seke and
hunte after Helena, or by any meanes to possesse her, she be-
yng a harlotte, her loue alienated, her hart possessed with the
loue of an other manne: foolishlie he hopeth to possesse loue,
Harlottes
loue dissem-
bled.
that seeketh to enioye the cloked, poisoned, and dissembled
harte of a harlotte, Grece was well ridde of a harlotte, Troie
Troians.
harbouryng Helena. In the Troians it is not to be thought,
that either the kyng, or nobles, for a harlotte, would see the
the people murthered, their owne state, the king to be in dan-
Grecians.
ger of ruine. In the Grecians there was neither wisedome,
neither commendacion, to pursue with a maine hoste, with a
greate Nauie of Shippes, to bryng backe againe a harlotte,
whose enterprise rather might better bee borne, to banishe &
exile soche a beastlie disposed persone. The Troians mighte
Absurditie.
well scorne the Grecians, if that the possession of a beautifull
moste amiable, and minsyng harlotte, was of soche valour,
estimacion, and price with theim, not onely the beautie of all
other to bee reiected. But moste of all the vertuous life, and
chastitie of all their matrons and honourable Ladies, to bee
caste of as naught. Grece that had the name of all wisedome,
The defence
of Helena.
of all learnyng and singularitie, might rather worthelie bee
called, a harbouryng place of harlottes: a Stewe and vphol-
der of whoredome, and all vncleanes. Wherefore, these ab-
surdities ought to bee remoued, from the minde and cogita-
cion of all menne, that should worthelie ponder the state of
Troie a king[-]
dome of whor[-]
dome.
Grece. Troie of like sorte to bee a kyngdome and common
wealthe of all vice: whoredome in soche price with the kyng,
and people, that moste fortunate should the harlotte bee, and
the adulterour in soche a common wealthe, that for adulte-
rous loue, putteth rather all their state to hasarde and perill,
for the maintenaunce of beastlie loue, brutishe societie moste
in price with soche a nacion, chastitie, and moderaciou of life,
abandoned and caste of.