Raven adjudged that the Serpent should eat the man hoping that he and his son should get a share also But the man said How shall he that is a robber and lives by blood judge this cause it must not be one but divers and such as know both Law and equity that must judge this contention the Raven is neither just nor indifferent Then they travelled till they met the Bear and the Wolfe unto whom also they told the matter and they adjudged against the man likewise Then the Serpent began to cast his venom at the man but the man leaped away and said You do me wrong thus to attempt to kill me and the Serpent said Hath not Iudgment gone twice on my side Yes said the Man by such as are murtherers themselves and such as never kept promise but I appeale to the Court let mee be tryed by your King and what judgment he giveth I will willingly abide To this all consented So they came to the Court before your Majesty and the Wolfes two children came with their Father the one was call Empty-Belly the other Navel-full because they sought to devour the Man So the full processe of the matter was declared to your Majestie But the Mans kindnesse and covenant the Serpents danger and Faith-breach occasioned through the extremitie of hunger Remember how much your Highnes was perplexed with their difference and all your Counsell also For the Mans sorrow the Serpents hunger the Mans goodnes and the Serpents ingratitude equally raiseth much pitty in your bosome But in the end such doubts rose that not any in your Court was able to judge it At the last when no helpe could be found then you commanded my kinsman Reynard to decide the businesse the a was he Oracle of the Court nor was any thing received but what he propounded But he told your Maiesty it was impossïble to give true Iudgment according to their relations but if he might sée the Serpent in what manner he was fettered and the greatnesse of his danger then he knew wel how to give Iudgment therein Then you commended him and called him by the the title of Lord Reynard aproving that to be done which he had spoken Then said the Queen to Rukenaw Thus much I told into his Majestie yesterday but his anger was so great hee would not give ear to me Also the Libero said Sir you must iudge according to witness for to be governed by will is tyrannous and ignoble Then aâ—swered the King It is true you inform me but the disgrace done to my particular self in Kywards death and others informations robb'd me of patience that I had no leisure to look back either to Law or reason Therefore now let the Fox speak bold'y and if he can â—ustly acquit himself of the crime laid against him I shall gladly restore him his liberty and the rather for you his dear friends sake whom I have ever found faithful and loyal O how infinitely glad was the Fox when hée heard thâ—se words and said in himself Thanks my noble Aunt a thousand times thou hast put me new blossoms on my dry'd Roses and set me in a fair path to libertie I have one good fâ—â—t to dance on and I doubt not but to use my Art of diâ—â—imâ—lation so bravely that this day shall be remembred for my renown and victory The Morall By the shee Apes answering for the Fox is shewed how apt weak women are to be flattered into any beliefs in which they may either expresse their pitty or gain glory Also it shews the verifying of the old proverb That a Friend in Court is ever wâ—rth a pound in a mans puâ—se By the violence of her defence is shewed the true nature of a woman that evermore turns into extreames and so shee may doe the good or evill she in tends will not keep any thing concealed with may any way work for her purpose nor yet any thing unurged which may disgrace those that are â—f the contrary faction as may appear by the taâ—e of the Man and the Serpent in which she sheweth the wisedom of the Fox and the folly and disability of the Bear the Wolf and the rest of the Foxes enemies CHAP. 21. How Reynard excused himself of Kaywards death and all other imputations got the Kings favour and made relation of certain Jewels This combe is polished like unto fine silver and the téeth of it be smal and streight and between the great teeth and the small in a large field or space there is graven many an Image subtilly made and eunningly enamelled about with fine gold the field is checked with Sables and Silver and enamelled with Eybor and Azure and therein is contained the story how Venus Juno and Pallas strove for the golden Ball in the mountain Ida and how it was put to Paris to give it to the fairest of them Paris at that time was a Shpherd and kept his Flocks with Oenon on that hill and as soon as he had receiv'd the Ball Juno promis'd if he would bestow it on her she would make him the richest man in the world Pallas said That she might have it to make him the wisest man in the world and the most fortunate against his enemies But when Venus said What needst thou wealth wisdom or valour Art thou not Priamus son and Hectors brother which have all Afia under their power Art thou not one of the heirs of mighty Troy come give me the Ball and I will give thee the goodliest treasure of the world and that shall be the fairest Lady breathing she whose like no Sun shall ever again behold so shalt thou be richer then riches and climbe above all in glory that 's the wealth none can praise too much since beauty is that heavenly Elixar which turns all things in man to joy and contentment When Paris heard this he desired to know the Ladie and Venus said It is Hellen of Greece the wife of King Menelaus she that is the Iem of the world the treasure of beauty and the glory of all eies which did be hold her then presently Paris gave her the Ball and confirm'd her fairer then the other Goddesses Then another place was figured how he won Hellen brougt her to Troy the solemnitie at the marriage the honour at the triumphs and all things else contein'd in that large story Of this wood the Glasse-case was made being larger then the Glasse by half a foot and more square upon which verge was decyphred divers many strange Histories in Gold in Silver in Sables Yellow Azure and Cynope and these colours were very curiously wrought and interlaid together and under each History the words so engraven and enamelled that any man might read the whole Story believe it the world never produced a thing of a greater worth lustre or pleasure In the upper part thereof stood a Horse in his naturall glory fat fair and fiery which braved a stately Hart which ran before him but
The most delectable HISTORY OF Reynard the Fox Newly Corrected and purged from all grossenesse in Phrase and matter As also augmented and inlarged with sundry excellent Moralls and Expositions upon every severall Chapter London Printed by J. Bell at the East-End of Chrst-Church 1656. The Epistle to the Reader THou hast here courteous and friendly Reader the Pleasant and delightfull History of Reynard the Fox which in an humble and low stile couched to the natures of the Beasts it treateth on beareth in it much excellent Morality and hidden wisdom worthy both thy regard in reading and thine application in the course and commercement of thy life and actions for the aime at which it bendeth is the overthrow of vice and the advancement of the good and vertuous Now forasmuch as hitherto it hath flowne into the World like Sibilla's loose papers covered with much obscurity and darknesse I have for thy more ease and contentment to every severall Chapter annexed the Moralls and Expositions of such darke places as may hold thy judgement in seeking to winde out a labyrinth so dark and curious A labour which I doubt not but will prove both pleasant and wholesome since as a friendly guid it will keep thy meditations from wandring astray and as a pleasant companion hold thee with such delightfull discourse that thy Journey therein will neither bee long nor irkesome at which end if it arrive with a faire safety as it is faithfully and truly intended I have the sum of my wishes and thy self the prosperity both of this and other mens indeavours Farewell The Pleasant HISTORY OF Reynard the Fox CHAP. 1. How the Lion Proclaimed a solemn Feast at his Court and how Isegrim the Wolfe and his Wife and Curtise the Hound made their first complaints of Reynard the Fox ABOVT the Feast of Pentecost which is commonly called Whitsontide when the woods are in their lusty hood and gallantry and every Trée cloathed in the gréen and white livery of glorious leaves and swéet smelling blossomes and the earth covered in her fairest mantle of Flowers which the Birds with much â—oy entertain with the delight of their harmonious songs Even at this time and enterance of the lusty Spring the Lyon the Royall King of beasts to celebrate this holy Feast-time with all triumphant cerimonie he intended to keep open Court at his great Palace of Sanden and to that end by solemn Proclamation makes knowne over all his Kingdome to all Beasts whatsoever that upon paine to be held contemptuous every one should resort to that great celebration so that within few daies after at the time prefixed all Beasts both great and small came in infinite multitudes to the Court only Reynard the Fox excepted who knew himself guilty in so many trespasses against many Beasts that his comming thither must néeds have put his life in great hazard and danger Now when the King had assembled all his Court together there were few Beasts found but made their several Complaints against the Fox but especially Isegrim the Wolfe who being the first and principallest complaint came with all his Lineage and kindred and standing before the King said in this manner When the Wolfe had spoken these words there stood by him a little Hound whose name was 〈…〉 made likewise a grievoâ—us complaint 〈…〉 â—nst the Fox saying that in the extreâ—m 〈…〉 inter when the frost was most violent he being half 〈◊〉 and detained from all manner of â—râ—y had no more 〈◊〉 left him to sustain his life then one poore Pudding which Pudding he said Reynard had most uniustly taken away from him But the Hound could hardly let these words â—ie from his lips when with a fiery and angry countenance in sprang Tibert the Cat amongst them and falling downe before the King said My Lord the King I must confesse the Fox is here grievously complained upon yet were other Beasts 〈…〉 searched each would have enough to do for his own clearing Touching the complaint of Curtise the Hound it was an offence committed many years ago and though I my selfe complain of no injury yet was the Pudding mine and not his for I got it by night out of a Mill when the Miller lay asleep so that if Curtise could challenge any share thereof it must be from mine interest When Panther heard these words of the Cat he stood forth and said Do you imagine Tibert that it were a just or a good course that Reynard should not be complained upon why the whole world knows he is a murtherer a ravisher and a thief and that indeed he loveth not truly any creature no not his Majesty himselfe but would suffer his Highnesse to lose both Honour and renowne so that he might thereby attaine to himself but so much as the legge of a fatte Hen I shall tell you what I saw him do yesterday to Kyward the Hare that now standeth in the Kings protection he promised unto Kyward that he would teach him his Credo and make him a good Chaplaine he made him come sit between his leggs and sing and cry aloud Credo Credo my way lay thereby and I heard the song then coming nearer I found that Mr. Reynard had left his first note and song and began to play his old deceit for he had caught Kyward by the throat and had I not at that time come he had taken his life also as you may see by the fresh wound no Kyward at this present O my Lord the King if you suffer this unpunished and let him go quit that hath thus broke your peace and prophaned your dignity and doing no right according to the judgment of your Laws your Princely children many yeares hereafter shal bear the slander of his evill Certainly Panther said Isegrim you say true and it is fit they receive the benefit of Iustice that desire to live in peace The Morall Howsoever a vicious man perswades himself to escape â—unishment by absenting himself from the presence of the Magistrate yet he deceivâ— himself and by his contempt animaâ—s his enemies to be more bold in their complaints against him as appears here by the Wolfe who although worse then the Fox yet doth he with his absence the seasonableness of the time for free liberty of speech â—ake opportunity to say the worst he can against him and by his example makes others of fear full nature to do the like And therefore let no wise man shrinke from his just triall but either defend his owne innocence or else submit to mercye for dead men and absent find slack Advocate CHAP. 2. How Grimbard the Brock spake for Reynard before the King Have you forgot how you cheated him with the Plaise which he threw downe from the Cart when you followed aloofe for fear yet you devoured the good Plaise alone and gave him no more but the great boanes which you could not eat your self the like you did with the fat flitch of Bacon whose taste was so
of all which none is so powerful as the shew of Religion for that working upon the easie beliefe of the simple makes them many times shippe themselves into the rough Seas whence there is no help but shipwrack as the foolish Cock did to believe the subtle Fox Also in this a man may see that though an evill man may be now and then excused of some faults yet still his sinnes will so dog him at the heels that in the end he shall be discovered and lie to open Law and punishment as now it hapened to the Fox notwithstanding the Brocks excuse and maintenance CHAP. 4. The Kings answer to the Cocks complaint and how they sung the Dirge TPen spake the King Sir Grimbard hear you this of your uncle the Recluse he hath fasted and prayed well well believe it if I live a year he shall dearely abide it as for you Chantecleere your complaint is heard and shall be cured to your daughter that is dead we wil give her the right of burial and with solemn Dirges bring her to the earth with worship which finished we will consult with our Lords how to do you right and Iustice against the murther Then began the Placedo Domine with all the verses belonging to it which are too many to recite and as soon as the Dirge was done the body was entered and upon it a fair Marble stone laid being polished as bright as glasse in which was ingraven in great letters this inscription following Coppell Chanticleers daughter whom Reynard the Fox hath slain lieth here buried mourn thou that reâ—â—est it for her death was unjust and lamentable After 〈◊〉 the King sent for his Lords and wisest Counsellore to 〈◊〉 how this foul murther of Reynards might be punished In the end it was concluded that Reynard should be sent for and without all excuse to appear before the King to answer these trespasses should be objected against him and that this message should be delivered by Bruine the Bear to all this the King gave consent calling him before him said sir Bâ—uiâ—â— it is our pleasure that you deliver this message yet in the delivery thereof have great regard to your self for Reynard is full of policie and knoweth how to dissemble flatter and betray he hath a world of snares to intangle you withall and without great exercise of judgment will make a scorn and mock of the best wisdom breathing My Lord answered sir Bruine let me alone with Reynard I am not such a truant in discretion to become a mock to his knavery and thus full of jollitie the Bear departed if his return be as jovial there is no fear in his well-spéeding The Morall Here those that excuse bad actions may see how such offences returne to disgrace because evil mens vices being disclosed the excuse are their shames that make them as it hapned now to the Brock Also in the Lyon may be seen the effects of a good disposition which is exprest in the honours and rights of Burial done to the Hen which is a 〈◊〉 of satisfaction for the grief her kin indured In the Bears willingnesse to fetch the Fox is exprest how apt a malicious nature is to be imploi'd in any thing that may offend his adversary and how commonly such imploiments miscarry CHAP. 5. How Bruine the Bear sped with Reynard the Fox THe next morning away went Bruine the Bear in quest of the Fox armed against all plots of deceit whatsoever and as he came through a dark Forrest in which Reynard had a by-path which he used when he was hunted he saw a high mountain over which he must passe to go to Malepardus for though Reynard have many houses yet Malepardus is his chiefest and most antient Castle and in it he lay both for defence and ease Now at last when Bruine was come to Malepardus he found the gates close shut at which after he had knocked sitting on his tail he called aloud Sir Reynard are you at home I am Bruine your kinsman whom the King hath sent to summon you to the Court to answer many foul accusations exhibited against you and hath taken a great vow that if you fail to appear to this summon that your life shall answer your contempt and your goods and honors shall lie confiscate at his Highness mercie Therefore fair kinsman be advised by your friend and go with me to the Court to shun the danger that else will fall upon you Reynard lying close by the gate as his custome was for the warme Suâ—ne sake hearing those words departed into one of his holes for Malepardus is full of many intricate and curious Rooms which labyrinth-wise hee could passe thorow when either his danger or the benefit of any prey required the same where meditating a while with himself how he might counterplot and bring the Bear to disgrace whom he knew loved him not and himself to honour at last he came forth and said Dear Vncle Bruine you are exceeding welcome pardon my slownesse in coming for at your first speech I was saying my Even-song and devotion must not be neglected believe me he hath done you no good service nor do I think him which hath sent you this weary and long journey in which your much sweat and toil far exceeds the worth of the labour certainly had you not come I had to morrow been at the Court of mine own accord yet at this time my sorrow is much lessened in as much as your counsel at this present may return mee double benefit Alas Cousin could his Majestie finde no meaner a messenger then your noble self to imploy in these trivial affairs truly it appears strange to me especially since next his royal self you are of greatest renowne both in Blood and Riches for my part I would we were both at Court for I fear our journey will be exceeding troublesome for to speak troth since I made my abstinence from Flesh I have eaten such strange new meats that my bodie is very much distempered and swelleth as if it would break Alas dear Cousin said the Bear what meat is that which maketh you so ill Vncle answered he what will it profit you to know the meat was simple and mean we poor men are no Lords you know but eat that for necessity which others eat for wantonnesse yet not to delay you that which I eat was honey-combs great full and most pleasant which compelled by hunger I eat too unmeasurably and am thereby infinitely distempered Ha quoth Bruine honey-combs do you make such slight respect of them Nephew why it is meat for the greatest Emperour in the world Fair Nephew help me but to some of that honey and command me whilst I live for one little part thereof I will be your servant everlastingly Sure said the Fox Vncle you but jest with me but just with you replied Bruine beshrew my heart then for I am in that serious earnest that for one lick thereat you shall make
I will ever stand by your side and wheresoever you go no danger shall come neâ—r you you are strong and I am subtil we two joined together what force can prevail against us Again wee are so near in blood that nature forbids there should be any enmitie between us I would not have fought against you had I been sure of victory but that you first appealed me and then you know of necessity I must do my uttermost I have also in this battel been courteous to you and not shews my worst violence as I would on a stranger for I know it is the dutie of a Nephew to spare his Vncle and this you might well perceive by my running from you I tell you it was an acion much contrary to my nature for I might often have hurt you when I refused nor are you worse for me by any thing more then the blemish of your eie for which I am sorrie and with it had not hapned yet thereby know that you shal reap rather benefit then lose thereby for when other Beasts in their sleep shut two windows you shall shut but oâ—â— As for my wife children and lineage they shall fall down at your feet before you in any presence therefore I humbly desire you that you will suffer poor Reynard to live I know you will kill me but what will that avail you when you shall never live in safety for fear of revergment of my kindred Therefore temperance many man's wrath is excellent whereas reshnesse is ever the mother of repentance but Vncle I know you to be valiant wise and discreet and you rather seek honor peace and good same then blood and revenge Isegrim the Wolf said Infinite dissembler how fain wouldst thou be free'd of my servitude Too well I understand thee and know that if thou were safe on thy féet thou wouldst forswear this submission but know all the wealth in the world shall not buy out thy ransome for thee and thy friends I esteem them not nor believe any thing thou hast uttered too well I know thee and am no bird for thy Lime-bush chaffe cannot deceive me O how wouldst thou triumph if I should believe thee and say I wanted wit to understand thee but thou shalt know I can look both on this side and beyond thee thy many deceits used upon me have â—ow armed me against thée Thou saist thou hast spared me in the battel but look upon me and my wounds will spew how falsely thou liest thou never gavest me a time to breath in nor will I now give thée a minute to repent in and the rather when I think of the dishonour thou didst to my bed and how inhumanely thou didst ravish my dear wife Dame Arsewinde Now whilst Isegrim was thus talking the Fox be thought himself how he might best get free and thrusting his other hand down between his leggs he caught the Wolf fast by the stones and he wrung him so extreamly and hard thereby that he made him shrink and howl out with the anguish then the Fox drew his other hand out of his mouth for the Wolf was in such wondrous torment that he had much ado to contein himself from swounding for this torment exceeded above the pain of his â—ie and in the end he fell over and over in a swound then presently Reynard leapt upon and drew him about thè Lists and dragg'd him by the legs and struck wounded and bit him in many places so that all the whole field might take notice thereof At this all Isegrims friends were full of sorrow and with great weeping and lamenting went to the King and praied him to be pleased to appease the combat and take it into his own hands which suit the King granted and then the Lybard and the Lesson being marshals entered the Lists and told the Fox and the Wolf that the King would speak with them and that the battel should there end for he would take it into his own hands and determine thereof as for themselves they had done sufficiently neither would the Kinglose either of them and to the Fox they said the whole field gave him the victory The Fox said I humbly thank them and what pleaseth my Lord the King to command I am ready to obey for mine ambition is no further then to be victor therefore I beséech you let my friends come to attend me that I may procéed by their advice They answered it was reason so presently came forth dame Slopecard and Grimbart her husband dame Rukenaw with her two sisters Bitelus and Fulrumpe her two sons and Malice her daughter the field Mouse the Weasel and above an hundred which would not have come if the Fox had lost the conquest for to him that hath honour will over flock attendants but to him that is in losse will nothing but contempt follow Alas the Fox came to the Bever the Otter both their wives Pauntcerrote and Ordâ—gale and the Oltâ—oâ—e the Marâ—in the Fiâ—chews the Firriâ— the Squirril and a world more then I can name and all because hée was the victor nay divers which before had complained of him were now of nearest kindred and ready to do him all service This is the fashion of the world he that is rich and in favour can never be poor or hungry for friendship every one will seem to love him every one will imitate his fashions Then was a solemne feast held Trumpets were sounded Cornets winded shawms and all instruments warbled and every one cried Praised be heaven for this glorious conquest Reynard thanked them all kindely and received them with great joy and gladnesse then asked their opinions whether he should yield the victory to the King or no and Dame Slopard said yea by all meanes Cousin for it stands with your honour nor may you deny it And so the Marshalls going before they went all to the King garding the Fox on every side all the Trumpets Pipes and Minstrills sounding before him When Reynard came before the King he fell on his knées and the King bade him stand up and said to him Reynard you may well rejoice for you have wen much honour our this day therefore here I discharge you and set you frée to go whither your own will leads you for all contestations I taâ—e upon my self and will have it discust by the wisest of the Kingdom as soon as Isegrims wounds shal be cured at what time I wil send for you and so procéed to judgment My worthie and dread Lord said the Fox I am well appaid with any thing that shall please you yet when I came first to your Highnesse Court there were many malicious persons which sought my life whom I never injured but they thought to overcome me by joining with mine enemies against me and thinking the Wolf had greater favour then I with your Majesty this was the ground of their indignation wherein they shewed their simplicitie not to alter the end which followed These
men my Lord are like a great kennel of Hounds which once I saw standing at a Lords house on a dunghill where they waited for such as should bring them meat anon they saw a Hound come out of the Kitchen which had thence brought a goodly rib of Beef but the Cook pursuing him threw hot scalding water after him and scalded all his hinder parts but notwithstanding away he went with his booty but when his fellows perceived him they called to him and said O how much art thou bound to the good Cook which hath given thee that goodly bone so well furnished with flesh but the Dog replied You speak according to your knowledg and praise me in such sort as you see me before with the bone in my mouth but if you please to look upon me behinde on my buttocks you shall finde how dearly I paid for it and they beholding how he was scalded and all the hair and skin flayed from his hinder loins they began to be agast and amazed at his torment neither would they any more of his fellowship but fled and ran away from him In the same sort my Lord these faise and unworthie Beasts when they are made Lords possesse their desires and are mighty and renowned then do they extort pill and pell the poor and needy and cat them up like so many hungry starved Hounds for they are the dogs with bones in their mouths no man dare to meddle with them but praise all their actions no man dare offend them nay many assist and help them in their unlawful actions onely that they may lick their fingers and be partakers of their extortions O my dear Lord how can those men go safely which go thus blind-fould Or how can they expect but a shameful fall whose steps are so uncertain neither can any man pity them when their works are disclosed but continual curses and upbraidings follow them to the grave with destruction many of these have lost their hair which is their friends as the Hound did and have none left to cover their mischiefs but all forsake them as the Hounds did the dog which was scalded My gracious Lord I beséech you remember this moral example and it will nothing impair the greatnesse of your virtue for doubtlesse mary of these evil exrorting creatures are under your subjection both in Towns Cities and great Lords houses who out-face the poor and sell away their freedoms and privileges and threaten things upon them which they never knew thought or imagined and all to make up the Common-wealths of their own particular profits but the ends of such are vile and heaven hath for them a judgement but of these errors I hope none shall justly accuse me nor any of my kindred but we shall acquite us nobly from the same I fear no creatures accusations For I will ever be the Fox though all my foes swear to the contrary My Lord you I adore above all mortal creatures living nor can any wisdom divert me from you but I will abide by you to the last gasp and though malice have told your Highnesse to the contrary yet I have ever disproved them and so will do to the last moment The Morall By the Wâ—lfs 〈◊〉 assaulâ—ing the Fox and the Foxes watching and pursuing of advantages is shewed the â—olly of â—age passion and the discretion of temperance and wisdome the first never bringing any thing 〈◊〉 loâ—â— the other commonly accompanied with honour and safetie By the pistâ—â—il is exprest the sharp afflictions with which wisdom ever punish as rashness and by the losse of the Wolfs eie is â—hewed that madnesse and rage is evermore but â—lindnesse The Wolfs catching the Fox and holding him in 〈◊〉 power shews that so sure somtime â—avour fools but never gives them grace to enjoy the benefit The Foxes flattâ—â—ing of the Wolf shâ—ws That whensoever wisdom is oppressed it hath yet still one temperate means or other to gain his own liberty and that fair words do ever either vanquish or astonish Lastly by the weak Foxes conquering the strong Wolf is shewed that in all these accidents of change neither force rage nor violence do prevail so much as wisdome discretion and temperate and wary carriage CHAP. 25. How the King forgave the Fox all things and made him the greatest in his Land and of his noble return home with all his kindred All Reynards friends and kindred humbly thanked the King but he told them it was much short of that he intended to do for their sakes and advised them all to admonish him to be careful of his faith and loialty This said Dame Rukenaw Believe it my Lord we will not fail in that point neither fear you the contrary for should he prove otherwise we would renounce him Then the Fox also thanked the King with fair and courteous words saying My gracious Lord I am not worthie of these high honours you do me yet will ever studie with my service how to deserve them nor shal my best counsel at any time be wanting And this said he took his humble leave of the King and so departed with the rest of his friends and kindred Amongst the rest Reynard the Fox took his leave of the King and Quéen they desired him not to be long absent from them To whom he answered that he would be ever ready at their service as was his bounden duty and not himself alone but all his friends and kindred also And so begging licence of his Majestie in all solemne manner and with fair spéech he departed the Court. Was never creature that ever flatterd braver or to better purpose for he that could do the like might be a Master of the eight liberall Sciences And no Lord whether Spirituall or Temporall but would have an eare open for all his language Nor dyed he without issue for he hath Children almost in all places And indéed he that hath no alliance to him in the Art of dissimulation shall hardly prosper as the world goeth Though he want his heir yet if he have his heart it is enough to make him accepted Plain dealing is now an exile and Coveteousness and fraud have taken possession of his Tenements not the Popes Palace the Court of Emperours Kings and Princes cannot be excepted of this error Money is now grown the onely Favorite of the times the very Church-Idol and the Countrey worship it can purchase all things defend all things and confound all things And mad men travell over the world to gain this folly this fashion Who is not a true Fox is but a beast of base estimation This is the worlds custome and what will become of the use the wise man can hardly judge or imagine Onely that these hainous sins of falshood Theft Murther and Ambition can never walk but hand in hand with Iudgment From which I heartily pray that the hand of the Highest will defend us and make us walk in those paths which shall be sutable to vertue