of his generation and also for the gyfte of his education sithence he perseuered in vertue and honest behauiours euen to the laste day of his life and let this be your requitall to to take his death in suche sorte that you fall not into extremitie of passions Phalaris to Polydeuces THâ—… ARGVMENT The state of a Tyrant is in this Epistle plainely expressed wherein Phalaris complaining of his vnruly people chooseth rather to liue in solitarinesse then among suche subiectes whose delight is in disquietnesse YOu séeme to meruaile as it appeareth by your letters at the alteration and chaunge of my life in that I heretofore excéeding in courage and bouldnesse farre beyond the custome of Tyrants mistrusted no companye but put my life in all mens handes as doubting no daunger nowe contrariwise such a mutation to folowe that my very fréendes and néerest kinsfolkes may not haue accesse to my person As for mée selfe so fearefull am I and so attainted with timourousnesse that I am persuaded to liue in solitarines as an Hermite wandring in the wildernesse For we finde faith sound and assured faithe I meane and not such faith as being cloaked with dissimulation prooueth plaine treason not onely fainting in all men but failing also in suche as wée accounted our fréendes and fauourers In consideration of which premisses perceiuing my self wrapped in labyrinthes of troubles and hauing to the vttermost taken triall of all things tending to mine auaile I haue now at the last made mine election and choice preferring the inhabitable woodes and comfortlesse caues of the Libyans and the Numidians before a life led in companie and common concourse of people For as the present state of thinges is I sée muche more safety to insue a life led among Lions more swéetnesse to solow 〈◊〉 taken among serpents then among people of this age wherein we liue whose delight is chiefly in tumults and vpprores We haue taken triall euen til we be wearie by many and diuers alterations of fortune Phalaris to Polycleto THE ARGVMENT To Polycletus a famous Physician vnto whome hee did write often is this letter directed wherein he commendeth the mannes knowledge and honestie hauing good cause so to doe for hee dealt in suche sortâ—… with him when hee had him in cure that hee escaâ—…ed dauâ—…ger whereunto he was two wayes in subiection that his 〈◊〉 wâ—…s preserued to whom he sendeth large gyfts of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 supposing them insufficient to requite 〈◊〉 his desertes I Am in doubt Polycletus whether I should rather wonder at thy cunning in the practise of Physicke or merâ—… at thy 〈◊〉 and honestie in behauiours For by the vertue of thy Physicke thou didst restore the health of a 〈◊〉 that was muche empaired and thy manners ouercame the rewardes of a bloudy slaughter By the benefite of these two singular ornaments florishing in thée grounded vpon iâ—…stice thou sauâ—…dst mee from two shrewd shippewrackes namely from the violence of a disease incurable and from mine enimies whose conceiued malice is vnappeasable For it lay altogether in thy handes to haue dispatched a Tyraunt in his sicknesse But it séemed that thy meaning was not to play the manquilâ—…er sithence what medicines so euer thou ministredst vnto mée made much for the restitution of my healthe and safetie albeit thy faithfulnesse in fulfilling the office of a Physicyan for thy patientes aâ—…ayle empaired thine owne profite and commoditie which should haue béene very greate But suche was the goodnesse of thy nature that thou wouldest in no wise preferre an vniust reward before iustly deserued praise sâ—…thence peraduenture that occasion of time had fitt cause of due dispatche and working my deathe by reason of that sicknesse What commendation therfore can I giue thée that is counteruailable with the singularitie of thy vertue and 〈◊〉 considering thy vsage towardes me when my life lay in thy handes to â—…aue me or kil me at thy wil and pleasure so faith fully testified Of this one thing I am assured that thou haste attained to that ripenesse of vnderstandinge and perfection of skill in this thy facultie whiche may wel â—…eféeme that God by whome the Art of Physicke was first inuented and put in practise But I hauâ—… sent vnto thée together with the commendation of thy knowledge and the praise of thy faithfulnesse certaiâ—…e pledges of my good will towardes thée inclined namely a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made of pure Golde two standing cuppes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the fashion of this time tenne couples of 〈◊〉 cruses twentie young Maydens whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neuer stained and fiftie thousand peeces of Athâ—…men 〈◊〉 furthermore I haue written to Teucer that in the dispensation and ordering of mine affaires he should pay you the salarie and wages that is giuen to the gouernours of my fléete the guarde of my body and a Captaine euer hundrethes A small and â—…lender recompence I confesse for so singular a benefite but thinke vpon this that to my small signification of thankfulnesse this mine owne confession is to be added that I am vtterly ignoraunt howe or by what meanes I might bring to passe that my rewardes should counterpeise thy merites Phalaris to Perosthenes THE ARGVMENT He pardoneth of his â—…lemencie twoe women the wyues of two men that were rebels and Traitours vpon the viewe of their valiauntnesse wherein he quiteth himselfe of the name and propertie of a tyraunt for in a tyraunt what sparckle of pitie resteth aâ—…ter the apprehension of an offendour against his person YOu haue sent vnto me women prisoners condeÌ„ned wretches being the wiues of Eubolus and Ariphantus rebels against our person whome although I was determined to haue committed to the executioner that he might do with theÌ„ according to y definitiue sentence of iudgement I haue yet notwithstanding altering my former appointment pardoned them and vouchsafed them their liues you meruaile no doubt y I could quenche the coles of mine anger kindeled against them so extréemly but if you once heare the occasioÌ„ of this change in mée vpon such a souden issuing froÌ„ an incredible noblenes valiauncie of their mindes you shal haue greater cause to wonder For when I demaunded of them whether they were accessaries of counsel with their husbands to worke me mischiefe they answered with bolde affirmations that they did not onely giue their consentes but that they were fully inteÌ„ded also to take vp weapon against the tyrant in their owne persons to offer him violence Again when I asked theÌ„ what iniurie I had done them either litle or great wherby they should atteÌ„pt such an enterprise Their answer was that they knewe no priuate wrong that shold iâ—…cite them to such a déed but a publike vniuersal iniurie they anouched wherby they found theÌ„selues so stoung and pricked that they could not refraine from séeking remedie â–ª This publique or open iniurie this wrong that was vniuersall and touched the estate of euery man they said was this
sithence you may not read as much as you haue it is sufficient if you haue as much as you may read But mée thinkes I heare you say Due while I wil be dooing with this booke another while with that and thus I will frame mée selfe to choice and varietie of writers It is the point of a loathing stomach to tast diuersitie of dishes which are so farre from nourishing the body that they fil it with cruditie and rawe humours Wherefore if you reade read such authors as bee notable and approued if you be desirous of choice then haue backward recourse to those bookes which you did first peruse Bée not without some 〈◊〉 against pouertie and of remedie against death bée not â—…tterly 〈◊〉 neither would I haue you vnprouided it happly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 disperse their infecting properties And â–ª 〈◊〉 ouer many leaues and lines learne one gooâ—… 〈◊〉 for thiâ—… owne comoditie This is a practise of mine owne â—…omething to hold fast among many thinges that I haue read For I â—…m woâ—…t to enter intâ—… others tents not as one y wouâ—… ruâ—…e away but as a spie for aduauntage Merie 〈◊〉 â—…aith 〈◊〉 is a goodly treasure but â—…uch kind of 〈◊〉 â—…ay I is not pouertie howbeit merrie it is notwithstaÌ„ding For whosoeuer can agrée wel with pouertie y mâ—…n doubtlesse is rich wealthie Who is poore not he that hath little but he that coueteth more to that which he hath he is needie For what auaileth it him â–ª how he hoord vp in his coâ—…ers â–ª how he repâ—…enish his garners how much he raâ—…e together by extortion howe much he poll pill by vsuriâ—… and loaning if that which he yawneth after be another mas goods If he make reckâ—…ng of that which is to be gotten not oâ—… that which he hath alreadie in possession You aske me a queâ—…ion namely what measure there is in riches I aunswere you that the first is to haue no more thâ—…n is neceâ—…arie and the second is not to bée without that which is sufficient Seneca to Lucillio ¶ THE ARGVMENT He teacheth that it is an vndecent thing for an aged man to waxe childish and to growe againe into infancie moreouer that death is not to be feared sithence wee see very many that set light therby through the â—…orce of their perturbatioÌ„s as through the passion of timorousnesse or feare through the concupiscence of carnall pleasure Lastly hee setteth downe the common course of mannes nature together with the lawe whereunto wee are tyed euen in our byrth and natiuitie AS you haue begon so continue make spéede to the vttermost of your abilitie that you may enioy the benefites of a wel ordered and disposed minde which you shal tâ—…e longer enioy as you are lesse subiect to the infection of vice Incomparable is the pleasure which is purchased by the contemplation of a perfect and pure mind of a mind I say frée from all staynes blemishes You remember with what gladnes of heart you were surprised at such time as you hauing cast off your childes coate put on your long side gowâ—…e and were wayted vppon to the common place of plée looke to reape ioy in great plentie when you leaue your childish conditions â–ª and when Philosophie admitteth you into your manhoode Euen yet to this present day not onely childhoode but a thing somewhat greeuous childishnesse remaineth in vs and hath an abyding and surely it is so much the worse because wee beare the countenaunces of olde gray beardes and yet haue râ—…igning in vs the vices that bee proper to children and not proper to children onely but also to very infantes Children feare light toyes infantes feare counterfect follies wée feare both Consider I pray but a litle you shal soone vnderstand this matter â—…ome thinges are lesse feared because in other thinges greater occasâ—…on of terrour is offered It is say you a hard peece of worke to persuade the minde of man to coÌ„tempt of life Do you not sée vpon what trifling causes death of diuers is despised One hanges himselfe vnder his swéete hartes windowe with a twyned haulter another throweth himselfe headlong from the topp of an house breaketh his necke because he would no longer heare his angrie masters bralling One cutts his owne throat least he shold be brought back againe to seruice after he hath plaid the runnagate and another leapes into the water not to swim but to be drowned because he is piâ—…cht with pouertie c. Now thinke not you y the noblenesse of vertue will doe as much as too much timorousnesse hath done Let your daily coÌ„tinual meditation be to forsake this wretched life with a wel willing hart which many hold in as much assurance and certaintie as a running streame is stayed by wéedes and shallownesse Some wauer betwene the feare of death and the torments of life liue they would not die they cannot wherfore so rule your life that the same may be frée from such kind of carefulnâ—…sse so moderate and dispose it that you may bée able to shake â—…ff al combersome cogitations No good thing is a comfort to a man except his mind be prepared willingly to susteine the losse therof and nothing that is lost bréedeth lesse anguish theâ—… y losse of y thing which when it is lost cannot be recouered Wherfore arme yoâ—…r selfe with force sufficient to withstand all assaults of miserie whatsoeuer Trust not quietnes to farre and of prosperitie be not too bould through the baite of vainâ—… coÌ„fidence least you afterwards tast the bitter bane of repentance The sea is not alwayes calme in a moment of time it rageth with a storme Call to remembrance the examples of such as in their owne houses haue béene dispatched as with open violence haue béene murthered as by priuie deceiptes haue perished and you shal find that as many maisters haue béene slaine by the handes of their seruauntes as there haue béen offenders put to death at kings comaundements These and such like circumstances ought to occupie a place in oure braine vppon these things we ought to studie and deliberate if wée looke to liue till our last day and houre without troublesome thoughtes if we wish the approching of death not to be terrible the feare wherof filleth all our life with disquietnesse and vexatioÌ„ But to finish mine epistle take this poesie â–ª of floures gathered out of other mens gardeÌ„s Pouertie vsed according to the prescript lawes of nature is great riches and what limits nature hath assigned tyed vs vnto you are not ignorant namely to hunger to thyrst to sweate to ware chill against which infirmities she hath also appointed remedies It is a bootelesse toile to aduenture the seas it is lost labour to follow the campe that which nature requireth is easie to be gotten and is bought for a small price but things superfluous require tedious traueile Fare you well Seneca to Lucillio
noble men Princes and potentates may rather stande musing and maruelling at her maiestie as at a worldes wonder then set her hyghnesse before them as a president or an example to immitate and follow And as her Graces giftes be excéedingly commended in these quarters among forreigne people and straungers so likewise her passing prayse as well for the learning wherewith she is indued as for the sundrie languages also whereof she hath vnderstanding is spreade abroade and published by the report of such persons as in whome wisedome and iudgement is not wanting and this her prayse being noysed farre and neare is so farre from perishing that it is perpetuall and the flowre of her fame dothe neuer ceasse flourishing If you will be applyable to the like diligence and continuaunce in studie as this excellent Ladie and péerâ—…lesse prince accustomably vseth it can not be but you must néedes bée a communicate of the like renoune and in the chiefest commendations that can bée attained haue your deserued portion But whiles I call to remembraunce the noblenesse of your person I finde this my long exhortation to bée a néedelesse lesson bycause to loue learning commeth wholy to you by inheritaunce For your father although he him selfe was vnlearned yet he was a great fauourer and furtherer of suche men as were learned whiche to be no vntrueth by this proofe is most apparant and manifest bicause hée made so muche of me in consideration of that same vncertaine shadowe of learning whiche in me hée perceiued for the sounde substaâ—…uce of learning he could not sée in mée sythence thereof I was voyde and destitute Furthermore Iohn of Warwicke the elder brother was so inflamed with an earnest loue to learning that in comparifon thereof he had all thinges else in lesse account estimation next whome though your brother who euen nowe is aduauncâ—…d to his honour eniâ—…yeth the selfe same titles of dignitie and noblenes be not indued with the like abilities of knowledge yet is he affected with equall measure of loue and good liking towards learning in so much that he giueth none the hearing with more readinesse then he doth such whome he is persuaded to passe others in wisedome iudgement and vnderstanding Touching your person I will say nothing specially in presence onely thus much in conclusion shall be added that sithence God of his gracious goodnesse hath planted you in place of promotion farre aboue the degrée of other men necessarie it is and requisite also that you be circumspect and diligent first to pray vnto God with humblenesse of spirite and to do him seruice continually from whome all thinges flowe as from a full founteine secondly that you spare no labour but do the vttermost of your endeuour that with the knowledge of all sciences you may be absolutely furnished that through so precious and auailable a benefite you may haue in you â–ª abilitie sufficient both to perfourme to your prince that duetifull obedience which you owe to her highnesse and to discharge the seruice which is due to your countrie then which thing onely and alone I account nothing more pleasaunt and acceptable employing therein what so euer I can at this present or hereaster shall be able to compasse From Brugesse Fare you well Nothing is of me more wished and desired then the continuall health and prosperitie of my souereigne Ladie and gracious maistresse and next vnto her highnesse the welfare and good estate of your honour Wherefore in that you certified me of both you shewed a poynt of speciall courtesie and you did euen as muche as I was able to require Once againe Fare you well M. G. Haddon to Syr Thomas Smithe Knight c. THE ARGVMENT Hee beginneth with a testimonie of loue and a comparison of both their coÌ„ditions wherin he proueth to be great inequalitie by suÌ„dry circuÌ„stances he toucheth both their estates as well his owne being the writer of this letter as also his to whom it was writteÌ„ shewing that they can not long continue albeit they be contrarie hee toucheth the miseries of this life shewing by the example of a shippe gouernour to his purpose aptly applyed thaâ—… wee ought not to struggle with necessitie neyther yet to disalowe of what soeuer is appointed vs by Gods good prouidence Lastly hee concludeth with hope saying that death which is alwayes nigh at hand like aâ—… hauen to harbour vs wil make an alteration of this wretched life for a life happie and blessed BUt that I loue you muche I would beare you a grudge sythence betwéene your present fortune and myne there is suche difference aud inequalitie as to me it is a great griefe but to you an excéeding ioy For you haue gotten at one time the loue of your countrie the fauour of youre Prince a wife friendes leasure with pleasure and the honour of an Embassadour as for me suche is myne vnhappy fortune and matchlesse vnluckinesse that of al these consolations belonging to the life of man I am boyde and destitute yea I am so intangled and wrapped as it were in a certaine labyrinthe that not Dedalus him selfe if he were aliue coulde finde a way to get out againe after he is once entered But your happinesse can not be of long continuaunce nor yet myâ—…e vnluckinesse euerlasting and why bycause suche is the frailtie of our nature and the variablenesse of our condition euen from our byrth and generation that no part or parcell of our life is pitched vpon perpetuitie and stedfastnesse but shaken to shiuers with a thousande sundrie and vncertaine chaunces Wherefore euen as Gouernours of shippes kéepe that course in sayling which they can not that which they would and cut the waues as they are furthered with a merrie winde euen so let vs frame our studie and labour to that wherevnto we are constrained by necessitie and shewe our selues not discontent with that wherevnto we are appointed by Gods gratious prouidence bycause we must be ruled thereby there is no remedie howe so euer we séeme to wrestle and withstande Furthermore let vs fasten our selues vpon the sure anchor of this most certaine and infallible hope that although we be ouerwhelmed and as it were in manner sounke in seas of miseries though we be tossed too and fro with most outragious stormes and tempestes of troubles incident to this wretched life yet death being the port of peace and quietnesse is neuer farre from vs in these daungerous extremities by and through whose singular benefite we shall be remoued out of the ruinous cotage of this worlde fraught with vanities into heauenly houses and most blessed abidings where eternitie and euerlastingnesse reigneth where we shall liue in all pleasantnesse séeing féeling hearing nor tasting any thing whereat to be offended and grieued In the meane space God of his goodnesse blesse you with perfect health and long life to whome I commit you and all yours what soeuer From Brugesle M. G.
noble men perished Moreouer thus much was diminished from the state of the empyre finally al prouinces and places of guard were shaken and yet in the losse of one womans life are you so disquâ—…eted who if she had now escaped her dismall daye yet doubtlesse shée had not béene excused for within a fewe yeares her life would haue ended because Homo nata est By bearth she was but a woman Wherefore withdraw your museing minde from these matters and turne your studie rather vnto that which maketh for the renowne of your person persuade your self that she liued as long as néede required and that her vttermost houre passed ouer head that her continuaunce was in the coÌ„moÌ„ wealth that shée saw you her good father in the office oâ—… the Praetorship y shée was wedded to proper young gentlemen of good place and calling that she enioyed in a maner al the benefites that might be obteined that when the weale publique fainted her life also fayled What is there nowe remaining whereof either you or shée might meritoriously powre out your complaintes against the iniurious dealing of Fortune But to draw to an ende I would not haue you forget that you are Cicero and â—…hat you â—…e the selfe same man which was wont to giue preâ—…ptes vnto othâ—…rs and to aâ—…ist them with your holsome counsell and not to follow the example of Naughtie Physiâ—…ians who professe and vaunt that they haue vnderstanding and abilitie enoughe to cure the diseases of their patientes but to heale their owne maladies and to salue vpp their owne sores they wante wit and cunning but rather applie to your owne person y preceptes which you giue vnto others and as you would rule other mens minds so sée y your owne be gouerned Nullus dolor est quem non longinquitas temporis minuat atque molliat There is no sorrowe and anguishe so deadly but continuaunce of time may assuage the bitternes therof and consume the corsiue eating of the same But for you to awaite the comming of that time in hope to vse the aduauntage which it affoordeth redoundeth to your discommendation when as your wisedome and knowledge are remedies auailable to cut off the course of suche an infecting canckar And admit there were sense and perseueraunce in the dead ghostes yet thus much dare I affirme that the loue which shée oweth vnto you and the reuerâ—…nce which shée hath of her friends would so restraine her will and bridle her desire that shée would vtterly dissallow of this your doing and in no wise consent that you should so bitterly lament her death Denie not this to your daughter deceassed withstand not the wills of your friends who are touched with a mutual compassion and sufferaunce of your sorrowe and graunt thus much to your naturall countrie â–ª that in what thing soeuer your counsell and assistaunce are néedefull you be not wanting For end because wée are fallen into this fortune that oure seruice must not bee slacke in this matter I wishe you not to giue occasion vnto other thâ—…s to thinke that so much the death of your daughter is lamented as the troubles of the common-wealth and other mens 〈◊〉 are bewailed To write more touching this point I begin to blush and am ashamed least I should séeme to distrust of your wisedome Wherefore one 〈◊〉 more â—…dded I will end my letter Wée haue séene you sometimes in flourishing fortune commendablye dispoâ—…ed â—…nd thereby able to purchase the price of praise and noblenes Euen so bend the powers of your spirite and â—…he force of your mindâ—… that in this blustering blast of aduersitie wée may haue some triall of your constancie and let not the death of your daughter lay a heuier burdâ—…n of griefe vppon you then behooueth least among all other vertues which in you shine and glister this one be dasht and blemished As for mée selfe when I vnderstand that your minde is somwhat quieted what is done here with vs and in what state the prouince is at this present I wil giue you knowledge Fare you well Cicero to Sulpicio THE ARGVMENT Hee aunswereth to the consolatorie letter of S. Sulpicius saying that his sorrowe after hee had perused the epistle was somewhat afsuaged but yet adding this that hee hath more causes to be heâ—…uie and sad â–ª then any man beside assaulted with the like calamitie I Wish friend Seruius as you write it had béene your luck to be present with mée in my most heauie and grieuous chaunce For what a propp and â—…tay you had béene to mée both by comforting mée and also by like lamonting with me I am well inâ—…ourmed because I had no sooner perused the summe of your letter but I fealt mée selfe some what reâ—…ieded For you did write those thinges which could staunche the streames of my teares and to quenche mine anguishe you did discouer the passions of your owne heart Seruius your sonne gaue euident demonstrations of all friendly seruice and courtesie which might séeme pertinent and agréeable to this my infortunate time both that his good will towards mée wherein hée was not wanting might bee manifest and also that you therein for my sake might participate much pleasure whose courteous and friendly dueties exhibited with such humanitie were I must néedes say pouldered with pleasauntnesse but yet for al that neuer skarse acceptable Your words and phrasâ—… of speach doe reuiue my fainting heart ouerburthened with heauinesse your suffering of my sorrowe for companies sake doeth woorke the same effecte and your authoritie and countenaunce giueth mée against care great incouragement For I suppose it a beastly part not to abide the brunte of my chaunce in such sorte as you a man of excellent wisedome and iudgment thinke it to be susteined But yet my sorrowes sometimes rush vppon me with such forceable and violent power that I am beaten downe and kept vnder and therfore skant able to make resistence because I perceiue those consolations to forsake me quite which with others tossed in semblable tem pestes of aduersitie remaine vndiminished For Quintus Maximus who loste his sonne hauing borne the office of a Consul and counted when he was aliue â–ª a man of great worthines in matters of policie and of singular renowne in feates of cheualrie Besides him Lucius Paulus who in seuen dayes space lost two sonnes and your Gallus and M. Cato who also lost his sonne a man of profound knowledge and incomparable vertue they all liued in those dayes and times wherein their noblenesse and authoritie which they aspired vnto in the commonwealth quite quenched their calamitie with preseruatiue receiptes of comforte As for me miserable man after I had suffered shipwrack of all the ornaments whereof you make a recapitulation or rehearsall and saw me self spoiled of that which was my maintenance and amid all these miseries hauing but one onely comforte wherupon to stay as on
Abderitish citizens muche thankes is giuen you for this your embassage For I haue both seene also had conference with Democritus a man so furnished with knowledge and inriched with wisedomes wealth that he alone can make men sober moderate graue and continent These things had I to write touching Democritus déere fréende Damagetus which I giue you to vnderstand with towardnesse of will no doubte to the contrarie Fare you well Diogenes to Hipparcha ¶ THE ARGVMENT He writeth to Hipparcha a fauourer of his secte and profession willing her to continue vnuariable euen to the end in those preceptes of Philosophie which she had learned shewing her wayes and meanes to keepe her from doing the contrarie I am muche delighted in you and the ioy whiche you minister vnto mée excéedeth measure and why because you being a woman giue your selfe to the knowledge of Philophie mainteining our opinion with the precisenesse wherof the mindes of men are amased As therefore your beginning is praiseworthie so do your vttermost endeuour to make an answerable ending which vnto you shall not séeme so hard to compasse I am well assured if you frequent the companie of Crates a man indued with rare wisdome and swarue not from the documentes and preceptes of vs the authors of Philosophie Write often vnto vs for letters haue in theÌ„ muche force and vertue yea no lesse effectuall be they then present reasoning and conference Diogenes to Hipponi THE ARGVMENT He writeth his opinion briefly touching death sheweth that as a man is before he is begotten so is he when soule and body bee separated wherupon he exhorteth Hippo not to be touched with any terrour of thinges to come hereafter adioyning his reason lastly he concludeth with his owne phantasticall determination YOur will is that I write somewhat vnto you touching death and the graue after mine owne iudgement as if you should not proue a perfect Philosopher except we teach you as our scholer I am therefore of this opinion that it is enough for vs to leade our liues according to the prescripte rule of nature and vertue whiche thing is not beyonde our capacities to comprehend And as for thinges after deathe I thinke they are then euen as they were before their life For as a man is before his byrthe so is he after his death Let not the feare of any thing to come turne you to disquietuesse of minde sithence you shal be senselesse and quite voide of life and féeling As for mée selfe I haue determined when I am dead to haue my staffe lying close by my carkasse that what beast byrde or vermine so euer come to do me harme and annoyaunce I maye ehace them away Phalaris to Pythagoras THE ARGVMENT Writing to Pythagoras the Philosopher to come vnto him he beginnâ—…th first with the difference of bothe their estates shewing that daily keeping companie and vse of conference will make thinges that be contrarie to growe to agreement he seemeth also to excuse himselfe of suche reportes as were blased abroade touching his vnmercifull tyrannie and so wishing to be with 〈◊〉 concludeth THe principalitie of Phalaris differeth many degrées from the Philosophie of Pythagoras yet notwithstanding there is no cause to y contrarie but though things be in such case we may take triall experience of our selues For it may so fall out that conuersation and daily keeping companie may drawe those things into an vnitie wherein there is excéeding great contrarietie We according to the report that is noised abroade of your worthinesse take you to be a man of rare knowledge and in your facultie most excellent neither will we otherwise be persuaded I woulde not haue you giue iudgement of our dooings till you be further instructed For the false opinion whiche is conceiued of mée dooeth so moue mée that I am not a litle offended I cannot haue safe accesse vnto you because of the tyrannie whereof I am accused If I should come vnarmed without defence of Guarde I were easily taken of mine aduersaries if I should come furnished with harnesse and weapon and a band of souldiours attending on my person I shoulde be suspected As for you the case standeth in no doubt or daunger For you may haue passage vnto mée and suffer no annoyaunce you may leade your life in my companie with out occasion of terrour and of my dooinges you may take due trial no maner of inconuenieÌ„ce vnto you redounding If you beholde mée as I am a tyrant you shal rather finde mée a priuate commoner then one aduaunced to such a kinde of gouernement and if you consider of mée as of a priuate person yet so shal you finde mee as hauing somewhat incident of necessitie to a tyraunt For I can not by anâ—… meanes possesse this principalitie without crueltie And surely if humanitie and gentlenesse may without perill accompanie tyrannicall regiment then not onely in consideration of other circumstances but for this cause also do I wishe to bée with you For by your admonitions I shall attempt a way to rule with more clemencie if together with the preceptes of Pythagoras trueth be so vnited lincked as I may haue promise to lead my life in quietnes assuraunce of safetie Phalaris to Locrito THE ARGVMENT This letter of consolation is written to Locritus whose sonne waâ—… slaine in battell The comfort whiche Phalaris doth minister vnto him is drawne from three seuerall reasons The first from his valiantnesse the second because his death was honourable the third from the integritie of his life Finally he exhorteth Locritus not to be ouermuche grieued for the losse of his sonne IN that you take the death of your sonne so sorrowfully you are vndoubtedly to be pardoned Yea I my selfe pity your case as much as may be and considering the same am no lesse gréeued then any other of your fréendes what soeuer although I séeme in a muche harder condition for this cause y I knowe this to be true that with such as be ouerwhelmed in Seas of anguish and suffer extréeme torments of aduersitie bare wordes are not auailable Neuerthelesse you ought to be comforted and this should be a Souereigne consolation vnto you in this calamitie First because your Sonne died in the quarel of his countrie like a valiant Martialist secondly because in the very triumphe and victorie his death was moste honourable according to the appointment of his destinie and lastly because his life was so vpright y the same was blemished with no stain of filthinesse his death in soughten fielde finishing his noble vertues For it is a thing very vncertaine whether a good mans life may be chaunged to a woorse For in thinges belonging to man Fortune for the most part and not their owne willes hath Dominion Whosoeuer therefore dyeth without reprehension his estate is moste honourable moste glorious and triumphant Persuade your selfe so that you haue receiued of him recompence sufficient bothe for the benefite
him of his perpetuall renoune Fare you well Conradus Celtis to N. Patritio THE ARGVMENT He exhorteth N. Pat. a young Gentleman being in warrefare desirous to return home to his countrie to continue stil in battel and as he hath begunne so to perseuere To proue that there iâ—… no losse but gaine gotten by absence from ones natural countrie he vseth the example of Medea Lastly he concludeth with a short sentence out of Euripides IN all the Epistles that I sende to your Capteine and gouernour I see good and necessarie occasion offered not to pretermitte your commendation touching whiche I must say somewhat euen with an vpright iudgement and euident witnesse of my beneuolence towardes you alwayes inclined First I would wishe you to set aside all trifling affaires and vaine follies shake off that delightfull desire whiche you haue to be conuersaunt in the Citie and therevnto labour to aspire by continuance and vertue whereto you haue once giuen assayes to mount already Fye man miâ—…se not of your aduenture Let Medea be a patterne and example for you to followe who although she were a nycâ—… and delicate Ladie at what time she returned home to her countrie after a certaine time of absence expirâ—…d and béeing asked the question of Matrones and auncient Gentlewomen howe she liked thereof she made them this answer to their dâ—…maunde saith she to gette vertue and honour it is a goodly thing doubtlesse to be absent from ones countrie For many when they are farre distant from their natiue soyle â—…inde themselues thereby muche benefited and their dooinges and dealinges in suche a case are more allowable Contrariwise many that haue spent their yeares at home haue béene so farre from being thereforâ—… commended that they haue incurred rather a great mislikeing in the number of whome it had béene your lucke to haue béen reckoned had not we perforce thrust you out and vrged you to attempte that wherewith you were verie loathe to meddle But we will deferre these matters till another time intending to write of them largely when we are at more leasure And because I haue taken vpon 〈◊〉 to represent the person of â—…uéene Medea I thinke it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to put you in reâ—…embraunce of this sentence That wise mans wit is nought but vaine Who for himselfe no good can gaine Looke to your healthe and fare you well Conradus Celtis to Hasilina Eudemia ¶ THâ—… ARGVMâ—…NT In this epistle he setteth downe an example how one that is in loue should write to his beloued beginning firste with a certaine affection of minde somewhat 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 whereby â—…oe 〈◊〉 that men beeing bâ—…nded with loue must if they meane to get her fauour feede her with fâ—…re speecheâ—… tendâ—…ng 〈◊〉 thâ—… praise of her person for therin women conceiue a passing pride and are muche delighted then falling into a complaint of her crueltie and his miserie after that he falleth to intreating and to promising by which he doeth nothing else but set downe a president or an example as I saide howe he shoulde write that is in loue and woulde obteine goodwill for his kiâ—…dnesse I Can not but sighe and be sorrowful so often as thou commest to my remembraunce I can not but féele mee selfe much pricked with griefe whiles I thinâ—…e vpon thy golden glistering hairy lockes when I thinke vppon thy moste comfortable countenaunce when I thinke vpon thy crimson chéekes when I thinke vpon thy sugred lippes when I thinke vpon thy neate proportion when I thinke vpon thy swéete tounge finally when other heauenly ornaments wherewith thou art inriched beautified ofâ—…er themselues to my cogitations and memorie But Oh cruel and bloâ—…die woman thou regardeâ—…t not my waâ—…ling wordes thâ—… hast no compassion vpon mée in my perplexitiâ—…s thou sufferest mee to pine away in gréeuous agonies thou lettest death swallowe me vp thâ—… art art so full of vnkindenesse I wot not howe iâ—… commeth to paâ—…e whether by the frowardnesse of my fortune the vnhappinâ—…sse of my destinie the croâ—… of my lucke or the cursed houre of my birthe and natiuitie to which of these I may best ascribe it I am vncertaine that I louing thée so excéedingly can not obteine so muche as one louely looke not so muche as one wanton winke not so muche as one priuie token of goodwill wherby I may féele my selfe refreshed I sende thée a lamentable letter a letter written with teares Alas be not so sauage be not so cruell be not so mercilesse repaire vnto mée sitte by mée talke with me and let me inioy thy companie For what thing is more pleasaunt what thing is more â—…electable then that we two shoulde liue together shoulde loue together shoulde imbrace one another and minister long required recreation one to another Our age is not farre spent gyftes we want none to bestowe vpon thée thou hast our heart wholy in thy perpetuall possession Fare you well and haue mée in remembraunce Conradus Celtis to Paleologo Constantinopolitano THE ARGVMâ—…NT This Epistle â—…eacheth howe one shoulde indite a letter of consolation to his distressed freende The order whiche he vseth in his example is this First he beginneth with the person of himselfe shewing that his sorrow is such for his freends sakâ—… that he had no lesse neede himselfe to be succoured then his freend by his counsels exhortations to be comforted Then he proceedeth shewing that he ought not so muche to be greeued for his preâ—…ent losse because others in times past haue been partakers of the like Lastly he giueth him counsel to shake off sadnesse persuading him to hope and not to despaiâ—…e ALthoughe I haue more néede to be comforted then to minister consolation to suche as be grieued yet notwithstanding in consideration that nothing doeth so muche molest mée as the thought of your losse and ill lucke I can not chuse but earnestly exhort you and hartily beséech you for the speciall kindenesse whiche knitteth our two harteâ—… together that you would not be discouraged but shewe your selfe to be manful and valiant I would haue you to consider the condition whéreunto all men are subiect the maâ—…folde miseries wherein we be wrapped and the vnhappie times wherein we are borne and conceiued Your vertue Man your vertue hathe done you more honour then your fortune hathe wrought you disworship and though by the last your riches are diminished yet by the first your estate is aduaunced For you haue obâ—…eined that whiche many men haue not gotten and you haue lost that wherof many a Noble Gentleman in like manner hathe béene depriued Then sithence it is so let not greefe and heauines of heart bring you into suche thraldome as that you should forget the duetie of a couragious man You are not the first that haue suffred ship wrack you are not the first vpon whom fortune hath frowned you are not the firste whose floure of felicitie hath béene soudenly blasted then why should you so