Any vertue maie be praised, as wisedome, rightuousnes[,]
fortitude, magnanimitée, temperaunce, liberalitée, with all
other.

These are to be celebrated with praise.

The persone, as Iulius Cesar, Octauius Augustus,
Hieremie, Tullie, Cato, Demosthenes.

Thynges, as rightuousnes, temperaunce.

Tymes, as the Spryng tyme of the yere, Sommer, Har-
uest, Winter.

Places, as Hauens, Orchardes, Gardeins, Toures,
Castles, Temples, Islandes.

Beastes wantyng reason, as Horse, Shepe, Oxen[,] Plā-
ntes, as Uines, Oliues.

In the praise of vertue, this maie be saied.

THe excellencies of it, the antiquitee and originalle be-
ginnyng thereof, the profite that riseth to any region
by it, as no kyngdome can consiste without vertue,
and to extoll the same, in makyng a comparison, with other
giftes of nature, or with other giftes of fortune, more infe-
riour or base.

Wherein the
praise of a ci-
tie consisteth[.] Upon a citée, praise maie be recited, consideryng the good-
lie situacion of it, as of Paris, Uenice, London, Yorke: con-
sideryng the fertilitie of the lande, the wealthe and aboun-
daunce, the noble and famous goueruours, whiche haue go-
uerned thesame. The first aucthors and builders of thesame,
the politike lawes, and godlie statutes therein mainteined:
The felicitée of the people, their maners, their valeaunt pro-
wes and hardines. The buildyng and ornatures of thesame,
with Castles, Toures, Hauens, Floodes, Temples: as if a
manne would celebrate with praise. The olde, famous, and
The praise of
London.
Brutus buil[-]
ded Londō in
the .x. yeare of
his raine. aunciente Citée of London, shewyng the auncient buildyng
of thesame: the commyng of Brutus, who was the firste au-
cthor and erector of thesame. As Romulus was of the migh-
tie Citée Rome, what kyngs haue frō tyme to tyme, lineal-
ly descended, and succeded, bearing croune and scepter there-
in: the valiauntnes of the people, what terror thei haue been
to all forraine nacions. What victories thei haue in battaile
obteined, how diuers nacions haue sought their amitée and
Fraunce and
Scotlande
vpholded by
ye gouernors
of this lande. league. The false Scottes, and Frenche menne truce brea-
kers: many and sonderie tymes, losyng their honour in the
field, and yet thei, through the puissaunt harte of the kynges
of this lande, vpholdyd and saued, from the mighte and force
Cambridge.
Oxforde. of other enemies inuadyng theim. The twoo famous Uni-
uersitées of this lande, from the whiche, no small nomber of
greate learned men and famous, haue in the cōmon wealthe
sprong, with all other thynges to it.

The praise of a Kyng, Prince, Duke, Erle, Lorde, Ba-
ron, Squire, or of any other man be maie declaimed of obser[-]
uing the order of this parte of Rhetorike.

This parte of Rhetorike called praise, is either a particu-
ler praise of one, as of kyng Henry the fifte, Plato, Tullie,
Demosthenes, Cyrus, Darius, Alexander the greate.

Or a generalle and vniuersalle praise, as the praise of all
the Britaines: or of all the citezeins of London.

¶ The order to make this Oracion, is thus declared.

Firste, for the enteryng of the matter, you shall place a
exordium, or beginnyng.

The seconde place, you shall bryng to his praise, Genus
eius, that is to saie: Of what kinde he came of, whiche dooeth
consiste in fower poinctes.

After that you shall declare, his educacion: the educacion
is conteined in thrée poinctes.

Then put there to that, whiche is the chief grounde of al
praise: his actes doen, whiche doe procede out of the giftes,
and excellencies of the minde, as the fortitude of the mynde,
wisedome, and magnanimitée.

Of the bodie, as a beautifull face, amiable countenaunce[,]
swiftnesse, the might and strength of thesame.

The excellencies of fortune, as his dignitée, power, au-
cthoritee, riches, substaunce, frendes.

In the fifte place vse a comparison, wherein that whiche
you praise, maie be aduaunced to the vttermoste.

Laste of all, vse the Epilogus, or conclusion.

¶ The example of the Oracion.
¶ The praise of Epaminundas.

I N whom nature hath powred singuler giftes,
in whom vertue, & singularitée, in famous en-
terprises aboundeth: whose glorie & renoume,
rooteth to the posteritée, immortall commen-
dacion. In the graue, their vertues and godlie
Obliuion. life, tasteth not of Obliuion, whiche at the length ouerthro-
weth all creatures, Citées, and regions. Thei liue onelie in
all ages, whose vertues spreadeth fame and noble enterpri-
Who liue in
all ages. ses, by vertue rooteth immortalitée. Who so liueth, as that
his good fame after death ceaseth not, nor death with the bo-
die cutteth of their memorie of life: Soche not onely in life,
but also in death are moste fortunate. In death all honor, di-
Good fame
chieflie rou-
teth after
death. gnitée, glorie, wealthe, riches, are taken from vs: The fame
and glorie of singulare life is then, chieflie takyng his holde
and roote, wise men and godlie, in life, knowen famous, af-
ter death, remain moste worthie & glorious. Who knoweth
Tullie.
Demosthe-
nes.
Iulius Ce-
sar.
Octauius
Augustus.
Uespasianus[.]
Theodosius.
Traianns.
Adrianus. not of Tullie, the famous Oratour of Rome. Doeth De-
mosthenes lieth hidden, that noble Oratour of Athenes. Is
not ye fame of Iulius Cesar, Octauius Augustus remainyng
of Uespasianus: of Theodosius, of Traianus, of Adrianus,
who by praise minded, be left to the ende of al ages. Soche a
one was this Epaminundas, the famous Duke of Thebe,
whose vertues gaue hym honour in life, and famous enter-
prises, immortalitée of fame after death. What can bee saied
more, in the praise and commendacion, of any peere of estate,
then was saied in the praise of Epaminundas, for his ver-
tues were so singulare, that it was doubted, he beyng so good
a manne, and so good a Magistrate, whether he were better
manne, or better Magistrate: whose vertues were so vnited,
that vertue alwaies tempered his enterprises, his loftie state
as fortune oftentymes blindeth, did not make hym vnmind-
full of his state. No doubt, but that in all common wealthes,
famous gouernours haue been, but in all those, the moste
parte haue not been soche, that all so good men, and so good
magistrates: that it is doubted, whether thei were better mē,
Good man,
good magi-
strate, boothe
a good man
and a good
magistrate. or better magistrates. It is a rare thyng to be a good manne,
but a more difficult matter, to bee a good Magistrate: and
moste of all, to be bothe a good man, and a good Magistrate.
Honour and preeminent state, doeth sometyme induce obli-
uion, whereupon thei ought the more vigilantlie to wade:
in all causes, and with all moderacion, to temper their pree-
The saiynge
of the Philo-
sophers. minent state. The Philosophers ponderyng the brickle and
slippere state of fortune, did pronounce this sentence: Diffici-
lius est res aduersas pati, quam fortunam eflantem ferre, it is
more easie to beare sharpe and extreme pouertie, then to rule
and moderate fortune, because that the wisest menne of all
Obliuion. haue as Chronicles doe shewe, felte this obliuion, that their
maners haue been so chaunged, as that natures molde in thē
had ben altered or nuelie framed, in the life of Epaminūdas
moderacion and vertue, so gouerned his state, that he was a
honor and renowne to his state, nothing can be more ample
in his praise, then that which is lefte Chronicled of him.

[¶] Of his countrie.

E Paminundas was borne in Thebe a famous citie in
Cadmus.
Amphion.
Hercules. Beotia, the which Cadmus the sone of Agenor buil-
ded, whiche Amphion did close & enuiron with wal-
les, in the whiche the mightie and valiaunt Hercules was
borne, & manie noble Princes helde therin scepter, the which
Citie is tituled famous to the posterity by the noble gouern-
ment of Epaminundas.

¶ Of his auncetours.

E Paminundas came not of anie highe nobilitie or
blood, but his parentes were honeste and verteous
who as it semed were verie well affected to vertue,
instructyng their soonne in all singulare and good
qualities, for by good and vertuous life and famous enter-
prises from a meane state, manie haue bene extolled to beare
scepter, or to attaine greate honour, for as there is a begyn-
Nobility rose
by vertue. nyng of nobilitie, so there is an ende, by vertue and famous
actes towarde the common wealthe, nobilite first rose. The
Cesar.
Scipio. stock of Cesar and Cesars was exalted from a meaner state,
by vertue onelie to nobilitie. Scipios stocke was not alwais
noble, but his vertues graffed nobilitie to the posteritie of
his line and ofspryng followynge. And euen so as their fa-
mous enterprices excelled, nobilite in theim also increased.
Catilina. Catilina wicked, was of a noble house, but he degenerated
from the nobilitie of his auncestours, the vertues that graf-
fed nobilitie in his auncestors, were first extinguished in Ca-
Marcus
Antonius. iline. Marcus Antonius was a noble Emperour, a Prince
indued with all wisedome and Godlie gouernmēt, who was
of a noble parētage, it what a wicked sonne succeded him, the
Commodus. father was not so godlie, wise, and vertuous, as Commo-
dus was wickedlie disposed and pestiferous. There was no
vertue or excellence, méete for suche a personage, but that
Marcus attained to. Who for wisedome was called Marcus
Philosophus, in his sonne what vice was thē that he practi-
sed not, belie chier, druncknes and harlottes, was his delite,
his crueltie and bluddie life was suche that he murthered all
the godlie and wise Senatours, had in price with Marcus
Seuerus. his father. Seuerus in like maner, was a noble and famous
Emperor, in the Senate moste graue, politike, and in his
Marcus
Antonius
Caracalla. warres moste fortunate, but in his sonne Marcus Antoni-
nus Caracalla, what wickednes wanted, whose beastlie life
is rather to be put in silence, then spoken of. In the assemble
of the Grecians, gathered to consulte vpon the contencion of
Aiax.
Ulisses. Achilles armour, Aiax gloriouslie aduaunceth hymself of his
auncestrie, from many kinges descended, whom Ulisses his
aduersarie aunswered: makyng a long and eloquente Ora-
cion, before the noble péeres of Grece, concernyng Aiax his
auncetours. These are his woordes.

Nam genus et proauos et que non fecimus ipsi,
Vix ea nostra voco, sed enim quia retulit Aiax,
esse Iouis pronepos.

As for our parentage, and line of auncetours, long before
vs, and noble actes of theirs: as we our selues haue not doen
the like, how can we call, and title their actes to be ours. Let
them therefore, whiche haue descended from noble blood, and
famous auncetours: bee like affected to all nobilitée of their
auncetours, what can thei glory in the nobilitée of their aun-
cetours. Well, their auncetours haue laied the foundacion,
Nobilitee. and renoume of nobilitee to their ofspryng. What nobilitee
is founde in them, when thei builde nothyng, to their aunce-
tours woorke of nobilitée. Euen as their auncetours, noblie
endeuoured them selues, to purchase and obtain, by famous
actes their nobilitée) for, nobilitée and vertue, descendeth al-
waies to the like) so thei contrary retire and giue backe, frō
all the nobiliée of their auncestours, where as thei ought,
A beginnyng
of nobilitee. with like nobilitée to imitate them. Many haue been, whiche
through their wisedome, and famous enterprises, in the af-
faires of their Prince, worthelie to honour haue been extol-
led and aduaunced: who also were the firste aucthours and
founders of nobiliée, to their name and ofspring. Whose of-
spring indued with like nobilitée of vertues, and noble actes
haue increased their auncestors glorie: the childrē or ofspring
lineally descendyng, hauyng no part of the auncestours glo-
rie, how can thei vaunte them selues of nobiliée, whiche thei
lacke, and dooe nothyng possesse thereof, Euen from lowe
Galerius a
Shepherds
sonne Empe-
ror of Rome.
Probus a
Gardeiners
sonne, Em-
perour. birthe and degrée. Galerius Armentarius was aduaunced,
euen from a Shepherdes sonne, to sit in the Imperiall seat of
Roome. Galerius Maximinus whom all the Easte obaied,
his vertues and noble acts huffed hym to beare scepter in the
Empire of Roome. Probus a Gardiners soonne, to the like
throne and glorie ascēded, so God disposeth the state of euery
man, placyng and bestowing dignitée, where it pleaseth him
as he setteth vp, so he pulleth doune, his prouidence & might
is bounde to no state, stocke, or kindred.

¶ Of his educacion.

E Paminūdas beyng borne of soche parentes, was
brought vp in all excellente learnyng, for, vnder
hym Philippe the kyng of the Macedonians, the
soonne of Amintas, was brought vp. This Epa-
minundas, the Histories note hym to be a chief Philosopher,
and a capitaine moste valiaunte. In Musike, in plaiyng, and
singyng finelie to his Instrumente, notable and famous, no
kinde of learnyng, arte, or science, wanted in his breaste: So
greate and aboundante were his vertues, that aboue all go-
uernours, whiche haue been in Thebe, his name and fame
is chieflie aduaunced.

¶ The praise of his actes.

The dutie of
good gouer-
nors. E Paminundas beyng moste valiaunte and no-
ble, leauing all priuate commoditée, glory, and
riches a side: sought the renoume of his coun-
tree, as all rulers and gouernours ought to do.
Howe a king[-]
dome riseth to
all felicitie. For, a kyngdome or common wealth, can not
rise to any high nobilitée or Roialnesse, where gouernours,
rulers, and magistrates, neclecting the vniuersall, and whole
body of the common wealthe, doe cogitate and vigilantly en-
deuour them selues, to stablish to them and theirs, a priuate,
peculiar, and domesticall profite, glorie, or renoume. Couei-
teousnes, whiche is in all ambicious Magistrates the poison,
plague, destruccion, and ruine of the beste and florishing cō-
mon wealthes, of al wickednes and mischief the roote: a vice,
Couetousnes
a great euill. whereupon all vice is grounded, from whom all mischiefe
floweth, all execrable purposes issueth. That wanted in
Epaminundas, for in the ende of his life, his coffers were so
thin and poore, that euen to his Funerall, money wanted to
solempnise thesame. Priuate glorie nor excesse, was hunted
after of hym, yet his vertues were of soche excellencie, that
honour, dignitée, and preeminent state, was offered and gi-
uen to hym vnwillinglie. This Epaminundas was in go-
uernement so famous, and so vertuouslie and politikelie ru-
led thesame, that he was a glorie, renoume, honour, and fe-
licitée to his kingdome, by his state. Before the time of Epa-
Beotia.
Thebes. minundas, the countree of Beotia was nothyng so famous
in their enterprises: neither the citee of Thebe so roiall, puis-
saunt or noble, the antiquitee of that tyme sheweth, that E-
paminundas wantyng the power of Thebes, their glorie,
strength, and felicitee fell and decaied. The learning of Epa-
minundas and knowlege, was so aboundant and profounde
bothe in Philosophie, and in all other artes and sciences, that
it was wounderfull. In chiualrie and in feates of warre, no
péere was more couragious and bolde, or hardie, neither in
that, whiche he enterprised, any could be of greater counsaile
in hedde more pollitike, of minde more sage and wittie: his
gouernement so good, that beyng so good a Magistrate, it is
doubted, whether he be better man, or better Magistrate, E-
paminundas died in the defence of his countrée. The Athe-
nians were enemies to the Thebanes, and many greate bat-
tailes were assaied of theim and foughten: and often tymes
the Athenians felt many bitter stormes, and fortune loured
of them, he beyng so valiaunt a capitain. Epaminundas be-
yng dedde, the Athenians ceased to practise, any one parte of
chiualrie, their prowesse and dexteritée decaied: thei hauyng
no aliaunte, and forraine enemie to moleste theim, or whom
A valiant ca-
pitain, to his
countrie a pil[-]
lar[,] to his ene[-]
mie, a occasiō
to dexteritie. thei feared. So that a famous, wise, pollitike, and valiaunte
capitaine, is not onely a staie, a pillar and strong bulwarke
to his countrée. But also forraine nacions, hauyng one, whō
for his valiauntnes thei dreade, doe practise and inure them
selues, to all dexteritee, counsaile, wisedome, and pollicie:
soche a one was Epaminundas, to his enemies and coūtrée.

¶ The comparison.

Hector.
Achilles.
Numa Pom[-]
peius.
Adrianus. N Either Hector of Troie, nor Achilles of Grece, might
bee compared with Epaminundas, Numa Pompili-
us was not more godlie, Adriane the Emperour of
Roome, no better learned, nor Galba the Emperour more
valiaunte, Nerua no more temperate, nor Traianus more
noble, neither Cocles nor Decius, Scipio nor Marcus Regu[-]
lus, did more valianntly in the defence of their countrie, soche
a one was this Epaminundas.

¶ The conclusion.

O F many thynges, these fewe are recited, but if his
whole life and vertues, wer worthely handeled: fewe
would beleue, soche a rare gouernour, so vertuous a
Prince, so hardie and valiaunte a capitaine, to haue remai-
ned in no age.

¶ The parte of Rhetorike, called dispraise.

THis parte of Rhetorike, which is called dispraise, is a in-
uectiue Oracion, made againste the life of any man.

This part of Rhetorike, is contrary to that, whiche is be-
fore set, called laus, that is to saie, praise: and by contrary no-
tes procedeth, for the Oratour or declaimer to entreate vpō.

This parte of Rhetorike, is called of the Grekes Psogos.

In praise, we extoll the persone: First by his countrée.

Then by his auncestours and parentes.

In the third place, by his educacion and institucion.

Then in the fowerth place, of his actes in life.

In the fifte place vse a comparison, comparyng the per-
sone with other, whiche are more inferiour.

Then the conclusion.

Now in dispraise, contrarily we doe procede.

Firste, in the dispraise of his countrée.

Of his auncetours and parentes.

His educacion is dispraised.

Then his actes and deedes of life.

Also in your comparison with other, dispraise hym.

Then in the laste place, adde the conclusion.

All thynges that maie be praised, maie be dispraised.

¶ The dispraise of Nero.

Uertue. A S vertue meriteth commendacion and immor-
tall renoume, for the nobilitée and excellencie
reposed in it: so ougle vices for the deformitée of
them, are in mynd to be abhorred and detested,
and with all diligence, counsaile, and wisedome
Uice. auoided. As pestiferous poison extinguisheth with his cor-
rupcion and nautinesse, the good and absolute nature of all
thinges: so vice for his pestiferous nature putteth out vertue
and rooteth out with his force all singularitée. For, vice and
vertue are so of nature contrary, as fire and water, the vio-
lence of the one expelleth the other: for, in the mansion of ver-
tue, vice at one tyme harboreth not, neither vertue with vice
What is ver-
tue. can be consociate or vnited, for, vertue is a singuler meane,
or Mediocrite in any good enterprise or facte, with order and
reason finished. Whose acte in life, doeth repugne order and
reason, disseuered from all Mediocrite, soche do leaue iustice,
equitée, wisedome, temperaunce, fortitude, magnanimitée,
and al other vertues, bothe of minde and body: onely by ver-
tues life men shewe theim selues, as chief creatures of God,
with reason, as a moste principall gifte, beautified and deco-
rated: In other giftes, man is farre inferiour to beastes, both
in strength of bodie, in celeritée and swiftnesse of foote, in la-
bour, in industrie, in sense, nothyng to bee compared to bea-
stes, with beastes as a peculier and proper thyng, wee haue
our bodie of the yearth: but our minde, whiche for his diuini-
tée, passeth all thynges immortall, maketh vs as gods emōg
other creatures. The bodie therefore, as a aliaunt and forain
enemie, beyng made of a moste base, moste vile and corrup-
tible nature, repugneth the mynde. This is the cause, that
wickednesse taketh soche a hedde, and that the horrible facte
and enterprise of the wicked burste out, in that, reason exiled
and remoued from the minde, the ougle perturbacions of the
minde, haue their regiment, power, and dominiō: and where
soche state of gouernemente is in any one bodie, in priuate
and domesticalle causes, in forraine and publike affaires, in
kyngdome and cōmon wealthe. Uertue fadeth and decaieth,
and vice onely beareth the swaie. Lawe is ordered by luste,
and their order is will, soche was the tyme and gouernment
of this wicked Nero.

¶ Of his countree.

N Ero was a Romaine borne, though in gouerne-
ment he was wicked, yet his coūtrée was famous,
and noble: for, the Romaines wer lordes and hed-
des ouer all the worlde. The vttermoste Indians,
the Ethiopes, the Persians, feared the maiestie and auctho-
Rome. ritée of the Romaines. From Romulus, who was the firste
founder, and builder of that Citee: the Romaines bothe had
their name of hym, and grew afterward to marueilous pui-
saunt roialnes. There was no nacion vnder the Sunne, but
it dreaded their Maiestie, or felte their inuincible handes:
there hath been many mightie kyngdomes, on the face of the
yearth, but no kyngdome was able, with like successe and fe-
licitée in their enterprise, or for like famous gouernors, and
continuance of their state, to compare with them. This was,
and is, the laste mightée Monarchie in the worlde. Roome a
olde aunciente citée, inhabited firste of the Aborigines, which
Carthage. came from Troie. The prouidence of God, so disposeth the
tymes and ages of the world, the state of kyngdomes, by the
fall of mightier kyngdomes, meaner grewe to power and
glorie. The Carthagineans, contended by prowes, and ma-
gnanimitee, to be lordes ouer the Romaines. Carthage was
a greate, mightie, olde, auncient & famous citée, in the whiche
valiaunte, wise, and pollitike gouernours, helde therein re-
giment, long warres was susteined betwene the Romaines
and Carthagineans, emong whom infinite people, and ma-
ny noble péeres fell in the duste. Fortune and happie successe
fell to the Romaines: the people of Carthage vāquished, and
prostrate to the grounde. Scipio the noble Consull, beyng at
the destruccion of it, seeyng with his iye, Carthage by fire
brunte to ashes, saied: Talis exitus aliquando erit Rome: euē
Destruction
of Rome to
ashes in time. as of Carthage, like shall the destruccion of Rome bee, as for
continuaunce of the Romaine state, of their glorie, power,
and worthie successe, no nacion vnder the Sunne, can com-
pare with theim: soche was the state of Rome, wherein wic-
ked Nero raigned.

¶ Of his anncestours.

D Omitianus Nero, the sonne of Domitius Enobar-
bus, Agrippina was his mothers name: this Agrip-
pina, was Empresse of Rome, wife to Claudius Ti-
Agrippina. berius, the daughter of his brother Germanicus. This A-
grippina, the Chronicle noteth her, to be indued with al mis-
chief and crueltée: For, Tiberius her housbande, hauyng by
his firste wife children, thei were murthered by her, because
she might, thei beyng murthered, with more facilitée, fur-
ther the Empire, to her soonnes handes, many treasons con-
spired against them oftentimes, Agrippina poisoned her hus-
bande, then Nero succeded.

¶ Of his educacion.

Seneca schol
maister to
Nero. S Eneca the famous Poete & Philosopher, was schole-
maister to Nero, who brought hym vp in all nobili-
tie of learnyng, mete for his state: though that Nero
was wickedlie of nature disposed, as his beastlie gouerne-
ment sheweth, yet wickednes in him, was by the seueritie of
Seneca, and his castigacion depressed: for Traianus Empe-
rour of Rome, would saie, as concernyng Nero, for the space
of fiue yeres, no Prince was like to hym, for good gouerne-
ment, after fiue yeres, losely and dissolutly he gouerned.

¶ Of his actes.

The dreame
of Agrippina
mother to
Nero, in his
concepcion. T His Nero, at what tyme as his mother was con-
ceiued of him, she dreamed that she was conceiued
of a Uiper: for, the young Uiper alwaies killeth
his dame. He was not onely a Uiper to his mo-
ther whom he killed, but also to his kyngdome and common
wealthe a destroier, whiche afterward shalbe shewed, what
Nero a viper[.] a tyraunte and bloodie gouernour he was. This Nero made
in the Citee of Rome, the rounde seates and scaffoldes, to be-
holde spectacles and sightes, and also the bathes. He subdued
Pontus.
Colchis.
Cappadocia.
Armenia. Pontus a greate countrée, whiche ioineth to the sea Pontus:
whiche countrée containeth these realmes, Colchis, Cappa-
docia, Armenia, and many other countrées, and made it as a
Prouince, by the suffraunce of Polemon Regulus, by whose
name it was called Pontus Polemoniacus. He ouer came
the Alpes, of the king Cotteius, Cottius the king being dedde[.]
Nero vnwor[-]
thie to be chron[-]
icled.
Seneca. The life followyng of Nero was so abhominable, that the
shame of his life, will make any man a fraied, to leaue any
memorie of hym. This Domitius Nero, caused his Schole-
maister Seneca to be put to death, Seneca chosing his owne
death, his veines beyng cutte in a hotte bathe died, bicause he
corrected wicked Nero, to traine hym to vertue. He was out-
ragious wicked, that he had cōsideracion, neither to his own
honestie, nor to other, but in continuaunce, he tired hymself
as virgines doe when thei marie, callyng a Senate, the dou-
rie assigned, and as the maner of that solemnitée is, many re-
sortyng and frequentyng, in maidens tire and apparell. He
The shamful
life of Nero. went beyng a man, to be maried as a woman: beside this, at
other tymes he cladde hymself with the skin of a wilde beast,
and beastlie did handle that, whiche Nature remoueth from
the sight. He defiled hymself with his owne mother, whom
he killed immediatlie. He maried twoo wiues, Octauia, and
Sabina, otherwise called Poppea, firste murtheryng their
Galba.
Caius Iu-
lius. housbandes. In that tyme Galba vsurped the Empire, and
Caius Iulius: as sone as Nero heard that Galba came nere
towardes Rome, euen then the Senate of Rome had deter-
mined, that Nero should bee whipped to death with roddes,
accordyng to the old vsage of their auncestours, his necke yo-
ked with a forke. This wicked Nero, seyng himself forsaken
of all his friendes, at midnight he departed out of the Citée,
Ephaon, and Epaphroditus waityng on hym, Neophitus
and Sporus his Eunuche: whiche Sporus before tyme, had
The death of
Nero. Nero assaied to frame and fashion out of kinde. In the ende,
Nero thruste himself through, with the poinct of his sworde,
his wicked man Sporus, thrustyng foreward his trembling
hande: this wicked Nero before that, hauyng none to mur-
ther hym, he made a exclamacion, in these woordes. Is there
neither friende nor enemie to kill me, shamefullie haue I li-
ued, and with more shame shall I die, in the .xxxij. yere of his
age he died. The Persians so entirely loued hym, that after
his death thei sente Ambassadours, desiryng licence to erecte
to hym a monumente, all countrées and Prouinces, and the
whole Citée of Rome, did so moche reioyce of his death, that
thei all wearyng the Toppintant hattes, whiche bonde men
doe vse to ware, when thei bée sette at libertie, and so thei tri-
umphed of his death, deliuered from so cruell a tyraunte.

¶ A comparison.

Nero.
Caligula.
Domitianus[.]
Antoninus. A S for wicked gouernement, Nero doeth make Ca-
ligula like to Comodus, Domitianus, Antoninus
Caracalla, thei were all so wicked, that the Senate
of Rome thought it méete, to obliterate their name, from all
memorie and Chronicle, because of their wickednesse.

¶ The conclusion.

M Oche more the life and gouernement of wicked Ne-
ro, might be intreated of, but this shall be sufficient:
to shewe how tyrannically and beastly, he gouerned
vnmete of that throne.

¶ A comparison.

A Comparison, is a certain Oracion, shewyng by a
collacion the worthines, or excellēcie of any thing:
or the naughtines of thesame, compared with any
other thyng or thynges, either equalle, or more in-
feriour.

In a comparison good thynges, are compared with good
as one vertue with an other: as wisedome & strength, whiche
of them moste auaileth in peace and warre.

Euill thynges maie bee compared with good, as Iustice,
with iniustice, wisedome with foolishnes.

Euill thynges maie be compared, with euill thynges, as
wicked Nero, compared to Domitianus, or Caligula to Cō-
modus, theft to homicide, drunkenes with adulterie.

Small thynges maie be compared with greate: the king
with his subiect, the Elephant or Camell to the Flie, a Cro-
codile to the Scarabe.

In a comparison, where argumente is supputated on
bothe the sides, worthelie to praise, or dispraise.

Where a comparison is made, betwene a thyng excel-
lente, and a thyng more inferiour: the comparison shall pro-
cede with like facilitee.

All thynges that maie bee celebrated with praise, or that
meriteth dispraise: al soche thynges maie be in a comparison.

The persone, as Cato being a wise man, maie be compa-
red with Nestor, the sage péere of Grece: Pompei with Ce-
sar, as Lucane compareth them, and so of all other men.

Thynges maie bee compared, as golde with siluer: one
mettall with an other.

Tymes maie be compared, as the Spryng with Som-
mer: Harueste with Winter.

Places maie be compared, as London with Yorke, Ox-
forde with Cambridge.

Beastes without reason, as the Bée with the Ante, the
Oxe with the Shepe.

Plantes, as the Uine, and the Oliue.

First, make a proemium or beginnyng to your cōparison[.]

Then compare them of their countrée.

Of their parentes.

Of their auncestours.

Of their educacion.

Of their actes.

Of their death.

Then adde the conclusion.

¶ A comparison betwene De-
mosthenes and Tullie.

T O speake moche in the praise of famous men,
no argument can wante, nor plentie of matter
to make of them, a copious and excellent Ora-
cion. Their actes in life through nobilitée,
will craue worthelie more, then the witte and
penne of the learned, can by Eloquence expresse. Who can
worthelie expresse and sette foorthe, the noble Philosopher
Plato.
Aristotle. Plato, or Aristotle, as matter worthelie forceth to commend,
when as of them, all learnyng, and singularitée of artes hath
flowen. All ages hath by their monuments of learning, par-
ticipated of their wisedome. Grece hath fostered many noble
wittes, from whom all light of knowlege, hath been deriued
by whose excellencie Rome in tyme florishyng, did seeke by
nobilitée of learnyng, to mate the noble Grecians. So moche
Italie was adorned, and beautified with the cunnyng of the
Grecians. Emong the Romaines many famous Oratours
and other noble men hath spronge vp, who for their worthi-
nesse, might haue contended with any nacion: either for their
Tullie. glorie of learnyng, or noble regiment. Emong whom Tul-
lie by learning, aboue the rest, rose to high fame, that he was
a renoume to his countree: to learnyng a light, of all singuler
Eloquence a fountaine. Whom Demosthenes the famous
Oratour of Athenes, as a worthie mate is compared with,
whom not onely the nobilitée, and renoume of their Coun-
trée shall decorate, but thē selues their owne worthines & no-
bilitée of fame. No age hath had twoo more famous for lear-
nyng, no common wealthe hath tasted, twoo more profitable
to their countrée, and common wealthe: for grauitée and coū-
saile, nor the posteritée of ages, twoo more worthie celebra-
Thusidides. cion. Thusidides speakyng, in the commendacion of famous
men sheweth: as concernyng the fame of noble men, whose
The enuious
manne. vertue farre surmounteth thē, and passeth al other. Thenui-
ous man seketh to depraue, the worthinesse of fame in other,
The igno-
raunte. his bragging nature with fame of praise, not decorated. The
ignoraunte and simple nature, accordyng to his knowlege,
iudgeth all singularitée, and tempereth by his owne actes the
praise of other. But the fame of these twoo Oratours, nei-
ther the enuious nature can diminishe their praise, nor the
ignoraunt be of them a arbitrator or iudge, so worthely hath
all ages raised fame, and commendacion of their vertues.

¶ Of their countree.

I N Grece Demosthenes, the famous Oratour of A-
thenes was borne, whose Countrée or Citee, lacketh
no cōmendacion: either for the nobilitée of the lande,
or glorie of the people. What nacion vnder the Sunne, hath
not heard of that mightie Monarchie of Grece: of their migh-
tie citees, and pollitike gouernaunce. What famous Poetes
how many noble Philosophers and Oratours, hath Grece
brede. What science and arte, hath not flowne from Grece,
so that for the worthinesse of it, it maie bee called the mother
of all learnyng. Roome also, in whom Tullie was brought
vp, maie contende in all nobilitée, whose power and puisant
glorie, by nobilitée of actes, rose to that mightie hed. In bothe
soche excellencie is founde, as that no nacion might better
contende, of their singularitée and honour of countrée, then
Grece and Rome: yet first from the Grekes, the light of Phi-
losophie, and the aboundant knowledge of all artes, sprange
to the Romaines, from the Grecians. The Godlie Lawes,
wherewith the Romaine Empire was decorated and gouer-
ned, was brought from the Grecians. If the citee maie bee a
honour and glorie, to these twoo Oratours, or their Citees a
singuler commendacion, there wanteth in bothe, neither ho-
nour, or nobilitée.

¶ Of their auncestours, and parentes.

B Othe Demosthenes and Tullie were borne, of ve-
rie meane parentes and auncestours: yet thei tho-
rowe their learnyng and vertues, became famous,
ascendyng to all nobilitée. Of their vertues and
learnyng, not of their auncestours, nobilitée rose to them.

¶ Of the educacion.

T HE singuler vertues of theim bothe, appered euen
in their tender youth: wherupon thei being brought
vp, in all godlie learnyng and noble Sciences, thei
became moste noble Oratours, and by their copious Elo-
quence, counsaile, and wisedom, aspired to nobilitée & honor.

¶ Of their scholyng.

B Othe were taught of the mouthe of the best learned,
Demosthenes of Iseus, a man moste Eloquent: Ci-
cero of Philo and Milo, famous in wisedome and
Eloquence.

¶ Of their exercise.

C Icero did exercise hymself verie moche, to declaime,
bothe in Greke and Latine, with Marcus Piso, and
with Quintus Pampeius. Demosthenes wanted
not industrie and labour, to attain to that singularitée, whi-
che he had, bothe in Eloquence, and pronounciacion.

¶ Of the giftes of their minde.

I N bothe, integritee, humanitee, magnanimitee,
and all vertue flowed: at what time as Demosthe-
nes was commaunded of the Athenians, to frame
a accusacion, againste a certaine man, Demosthe-
nes refused the acte. But when the people, and the whole
multitude, were wrothe with hym, and made a exclamacion
against hym, as their maner was. Then Demosthenes rose,
and saied: O ye men of Athenes, againste my will, you haue
me a counsailer, or pleater of causes before you: but as for a
accuser, & calumniator, no, not although ye would. Of this
sorte Tullie was affected, excepte it were onely in the saue-
gard of his conutrée: as against Catiline, bothe were of god-
lie, and of vpright conuersacion, altogether in Mediocrite,
and a newe leadyng their life.

¶ Of their actes.

D Emosthenes and Tullie bothe, gaue them selues
to trauail, in the causes and affaires of their com-
mon wealthe, to the preseruacion of it. How ve-
hemently did Demosthenes pleate, and ingeni-
ouslie handle the cause of all his countrée, against Philip, for
the defence of their libertee: whereupon he gatte fame, and
greate glory. Whereby not onely, he was coumpted a great
wise counsailour: but one of a valiaunte stomacke, at whose
Darius.
Philip.
Demosthe-
nes. wisedome, all Grece stode in admiracion. The kyng of Per-
sia, laboured to enter fauour with him. Philip the king of the
Macedonians, would saie often tymes, he had to doe against
a famous man, notyng Demosthenes. Tullie also by his E-
loquence and wisedome, saued Roome and all partes of that
dominion, from greate daungers.

¶ Of their aucthoritee.

T Heir aucthoritee and dignitee was equalle, in the
common wealthe: For, at their twoo mouthes,
Roome and Athenes was vpholed. Demosthenes
was chief in fauour with Caretes, Diophetes, Le[-]
ostines, Cicero with Pompei: Iulius Cesar, ascending to the
chief seate and dignitée of the Consulship.

¶ Of a like fall that happened to
them, before their death.

Y Ou can not finde soche twoo Orators, who borne
of meane & poore parentes, that attained so greate
honour, who also did obiecte themselues to tyran-
tes a like, thei had losse of their children a like,
bothe were out of their countree banished men, their returne
was with honour, bothe also fliyng, happened into the han-
des of their enemies.

¶ Of their death.

Antipater.
Demosthe-
nes.
Archias.
Marcus
Antonius.
Tullie. B Othe a like, Demosthenes and Tully wer put to
death, Demosthenes died, Antipater gouernyng
by the handes of Archias. Cicero died by the com-
maundement of Marcus Antonius: by Herenius
his hedde was cutte of, and sette in Marcus Antonius halle.
His handes also were cutte of, with the whiche he wrote the
vehement Oracions against Marcus Antonius.

¶ The conclusion.

T O speake as moche as maie bee saied, in the praise of
theim: their praise would rise to a mightie volume,
but this is sufficiente.

¶ Ethopœia.

Ethopœia is a certaine Oracion made by voice, and la-
mentable imitacion, vpon the state of any one.

This imitacion is in iij. sortes, either it is.	{	Eidolopœia.	}
	{	Prosopopœia.	}
	{	Ethopœia.	}

That parte, whiche is called Ethopœia is that, whiche
hath the persone knowne: but onely it doeth faigne the ma-
ners of thesame, and imitate in a Oracion thesame.

Ethopœia is called of Priscianus, a certaine talkyng to
of any one, or a imitaciō of talke referred to the maners, apt-
ly of any certaine knowen persone.

Quintilianus saieth, that Ethopœia is a imitacion of o-
ther meane maners: whom the Grekes dooe calle, not onelie
Ethopœia, but mimesis, & this is in the maners, and the fact.

This parte is as it were, a liuely expression of the maner
and affeccion of any thyng, whereupon it hath his name.

The Ethopœia is in three sortes.

The firste, a imitacion passiue, whiche expresseth the af-
fection, to whom it parteineth: whiche altogether expresseth
the mocion of the mynde, as what patheticall and dolefull o-
racion, Hecuba the quene made, the citee of Troie destroied,
her housbande, her children slaine.

The second is called a morall imitaciō, the whiche doeth
set forthe onely, the maners of any one.

The thirde is a mixt, the whiche setteth forthe, bothe the
maners and the affection, as how, and after what sorte, A-
chilles spake vpon Patroclus, he beyng dedde, when for his
sake, he determined to fight: the determinacion of hym she-
weth the maner. The frende slaine, the affection.

In the makyng of Ethopœia, lette it be plaine, and with-
out any large circumstaunce.

In the makyng of it, ye shall diuide it thus, to make the
Oracion more plaine, into three tymes.