vnto you and I sufficiently perceiuing his faithfulnesse and beneuolence towardes you would in no wise let him passe without any letter Wherefore I thinking it not impertinent to your present estate aduertise you nowe as I haue done heretofore not to neglect your owne commoditie but to wil and to do your best in that common welth howsoeuer it be inclined to be conuersant from the which you are now absent You shal peraduenture sée many things which gladly you would not but yet not more then you do dayly heare Furthermore it is not for you to be moued with the sense of the sight only for so much as you heare the very same things with your eares which are séene with your eyes wherein greater force appeareth to consist But peraduenture your feare and suspicion créepeth somewhat further least you should say somewhat which you meane not or else doe that whiche you can not like In these restraintes lift vp your eares to my iudgement First To yeelde to time that is Not to struggle with necessitie is alwayes counted a point of wisedome Besides that The matter is otherwise as the case nowe standeth It is not lawful perhaps to speake what you thinke but lawfull no doubt to be still and silent for all thinges are at the commaundement of one who followeth the counsel and aduise not of his friendes but of him selfe which thing would not come to passe much otherwise if the raynes of the common wealth were committed and gyuen in charge vnto him whose part we haue taken Thinke we that he who in time of warre aâ—…d battell when he sawe the perill of vs all lincked and laced to the daunger of hym selfe woulde not vse the counsell of some men both prudent and politique that he will in tryumphe and victorie take more vpon him then he hath in matters of small affiaunce lesse assuraâ—…nce and greater vncertaintie and that he who regarded not the benefite of your aduise being leauened with singular wisedome when you were in the office and place of an honourable Consul nor allowed the counsell of your brother bearing the office of the Consulship by your authoritie that he will now hauing al things in his subiection and possession desire our opinions Omnia sunt misera in bellis ciuilibus In ciuil commotions all thinges are miserable which to be true our auncestours haue not seldome times fealt but this our present age also hath oftentimes tasted and nothing is more miserable then the victorie it selfe which although it fall to the lot of the better yet it maketh them the more fâ—…erce and violent that notwithstanding they be not so inclined by nature yet to be such they are constrained by necessitie For the Uictor or Conquerour must doe many thinges to the expectation and contentment of them by whose helpe he obteined the victorie yea against his owne will. Did not you as well as I sée what crueltie was like to insue that victorie and woulde you for all that euen then be destitute of the companie of your countrie least your eyes should peraduenture beholde those thinges which your will â—…an in no wise be wonne vnto No you will say for I my selfe woulde defende myne owne interest and kéepe my â—…ignitie and worthinesse vnblemished But it is a speciall point of your vertue and puisaunce to reckon your owne state among things of least estimation and to be touched with a more vehement care of the common wealthes preseruation Finally what is y end of your determinatioÌ„ and meaning for as yet your deede is commended and your state also as the case standeth is not dispraised your déede bicause you did followe the beginning of Battell necessarily and yet did reuoke your selfe from coÌ„tinuing to the end not vnaduisedly your state bicause you possesse peace quietnesse and suffer no defection of your renoune nor ecclipse of dignitie And now ought no place to sauour more sweetly in your nose then your natural contrie neither is it your part to empaire cut short your loue towards it bicause it is growen out of fauor and is waxen deformed but rather to be touched with the greater compassion and to pitie her present perplexities besides that to gratifie and recreate her hedged in with heauines and not to absent your selfe because you woulde not sée her in this miserie for shée is depriued of many Noble men and excellent personages so that the want of you also doth agrauate her griefe For end if it was the poynt of a stoute and manful minde not as suppliant to yelde to the Conquerour take héede that it be not the part of a proude and hautie hart to contemne and set light by his liberalitie and if it be the point of a wise man to be loâ—…h to lacke the libertie of his lande surely it is the part of a flintie fellowe and a hard head not to be in loue with such a benefitâ—… and if you can not inioy the common wealth yet thinke that it is double follie to neglect priuate profite The summe of all is this if the life whiche at this time you leade liketh you so well that you doe so loue it as that you are loth to leaue it that it is more coÌ„uenâ—…ent fit for you then otherwise yet let your cogitations and studies be conuersaunt herein that it is lesse sâ—…fe and more daungerous Great is the lawlesse laying on of the sword and warlike weapon but in foreigne places is more impudence to offende and lesse shamefastnesse and honestie to doe violence So déere and precious is your safetie and life vnto me that I am equally matched with your brother Marcellus or at least to tell the trueth as neare to him as may be It is your part to haue regard of these tumultuous times to cast an eye towardes your owne health and finally of your life and landes to haue good consideration Fare you well Marcellus to Cicero ¶ THE ARGVMENT He signifieth of his returne into his countrie being throughly moued with the counsell and countenance of Cicero WEll may you thinke that your countenance and authoritie preuailed muche with me as well in all matters as principally chiefly in this When as C. Marcellus my brother whose loue and goodwil towards me was excéeding great did not only giue me couÌ„sel but besought me with earnest letters he could not winne me to subscribe to his desire nor perceiue me persuaded in that point before that your letters had made a gap and entraunce vnto me the rather to vse the soundnesse of your counsell â–ª Howe the matter goeth and what hath béene done in my behalfe your letters giue sufficient knowledge Your reioycing for my sake although I could not but best allow thereof bycause it springeth from the cleare fountaine of a well disposed mynde yet is it so much the more swéete pleasaunt and acceptable as I haue growne to the vnderstanding
readie to suppresse them in their infanciâ—… and vtterly to extinguish and quench them whiles they were in kindling Wherfore in the victorie and triumph of a Gentleman whom I liked and loued the swéetnesse of honour did not allure mée the gréedines of monie did not insnare me neither was I be witched with brauerie of promotion which pensions rewards other that were not so déepely as I was in his highnes fauour excessiuely w eout al regard of moderation abused Furthermore my goodes possessions maintenance of mine house was diminished and impaired by the force of a Lawe which Caesar enacted ratified and proclaimed by the benefite wherof the greatest number of them that reioyce in the ouer throwe and deathe of Caesar haue made their continuance in the Citie After that the Citizens were vanquished ouercome to the intent that they might taste the swéetnesse of parcialitie and not be dealt withall rigorously I ioyned my minde my might together as precisely for their supportation as for safegard of mine own life These circumstances considered I may thus conclude Is it possible that I whose wil was to haue all liue and none goe to wracke should not be muche moued in hart and pinched with perturbations for his death of whom that incomparable and moste gracious déede was obteined sâ—…thence these men did not onely swel with the poison of enuie against him but also sought his destruction and ouerthrowe Punishment therfore is thy pension say they sitheÌ„ce thou wast so saucie as to finde fault with our doings O vnspeakeable arrogancie O pride incoÌ„parable the like report wherof neuer pearced into the eares of any people that some in practising foule offences should be so vainglorious and other againe contrariwise may not be suffered to shewe themselues gréeued but must be pinched therefore extréemely molested Those things wherin they would haue me restrained are not denied to theÌ„ that liue in a seruile condition they may be feareful they may be ioyful they may be gréeued they may be comfor ted they may hope they may despaire all with libertie of will as not hauing their mindes in any mans subiection all which priuileges of a curteous nature those same authors captaines of liberty as they terme themselues do what they can to wrest and wring from vs by the torments of terrour But lost is their labour and their toyle to none effecte the feare of no daunger shal at any time so possesse my hart that there vpon should insue a diminution and empairing to duetiful courtesie neither wil I yeald so farre to the inuasions of feare as to reuolt start back froÌ„ my professed humanitie For honest death I neuer thought to be auoided but often earnestly to be desired But why shold they spue against me their spiteful stomaches if I wishe but this that they might repent theÌ„selues of their déed For I desire that the death of Caesar may disburse vnto al a bait of bitternesse But I ought of dutie sithence the part of a Citizen so requireth wish wel to the common estate and to be touched with regard for the safe tie of the same which thing for so much as my former trade of life and my hope whiche remaineth are sufficient confirmations that I earnestly â—…esire it is not for me to craue libertie of spéeche and with wordes to ouercome the matter Wherefore I beséech you most hartily to preferre the thing it self before bare talke to make more account of the very purpose then of report by tounge credite me there can be no felowship betweene me and them that bee of corrupt conuersation and stained manners Should I to touche suche thinges as I haue aduentured in my lustie youth when I might swarue with sufferaunce offend and yet be pardâ—…ned doe amisse and be counted excusable should I I say recant now in mine aged years shold I make a mutation or change of that which is past and as it were begin a new webbe I will not do so neither will I commit any thing which might séeme scrupulous and offensiue the gréeuous chaunce onely of a man whom I loued excéedingly of a man I say in superioritie and highest place of honour doth moue me to mourning And if so be that I had béen otherwise affected I would not haue â—…loode in contradiction and deniall of that whiche I haue done least I should be iudged a naughtie lewd felow in offending a timorous vain varlot in dissembling But those plaies pageants shewes of victorie which Caesar procured to be made and published fel into my charge and ordering What then that pertained to the office of a priuate per sâ—…n and not to the state of thâ—… weale publique whiche duesie notwithstanding I was bound to sée performed as wel for a memorial of our perfect frendship as also for the exhibiting of deserued honor vnto him after he was intumbed finally to so passing a young Gentleman in whom especiall hope was reposed what could I else doe then conforme and fashion my will to the satisfying of his requestes Moreouer I repaired oftentimes to the house of Consul Anthonie for saâ—…utation courteous gréeting sake vnto whome suche as 〈◊〉 me to be an aduersarie to my countrie naturall had â—…ten recourse I will not say but seldome either to aske that whâ—…ch was another mans right or else to pray vpoÌ„ that which was none of their owne But what arrogancie is this Caesar gaue me leaue to deale with whom I would yea although he bare them little loue and affection yet notwithstanding he did not restraine me from vsing their companie and why then should they that haue taken away my freende iarringe and snarring at me like dogs labour with tooth naâ—…le to inclose me within certaine limites to the intent that my loue might not haue libertie to lodge where it liketh But I am sufficiently warranted that the modestie of my life shal be of great force to suppresse their false rumors also that they which are at defiance with mée for my constancie towardes Caesar wil find in the end that it is more auailable for them to prouide such freÌ„ds as are like me namely officious in the vtter most point of â—…urtesie requirable then like them selues inconstant vaine lightheaded and variable As for me if I may enioy the fulnesse of my desyres the residue of my lyfe will I lead in Rhodes where I may possesse peace quietnes But if I be intercepted with some finister chaunce I wil so be resident in Rome as I may wishe and will to be free from annoyance To our trustie friend Trebatius I giue great thanks in that he hath not concealed from vs your kindenes but reuealed the faithfulnesse of your loue vnto vs in séemely maner for that also by his procurement it is brought about that to him whom I always loued from my very hart
they haue always béene counted Martiall and Warlike Fare you well Cicero to Seruilio Jsaurico THE ARGVMENT He signifieth how delectable a thing it was to him to vnderstand the course of Seruilius his Nauigation or trauaile by Sea whome hee also desireth to certifie and sende him worde in writing of the state of the Prouince whiche he had in gouernement together with the trade of his doinges and affaires finally hee promiseth his seruice in al thinges whatsoeuer requireable MErueilous pleasant and ioyfull were your letters vnto mee whereby I vnderstoode the course of your nauigations and voyages for you set downe a testimoniall of your remembraunce concerning our auncient societie and felowship then which nothing in the world could minister vnto mée more delectation It remaineth that my ioy shal be the more augmented if you applie your penne to write vnto mée familiarly of the state of the common wealth that is to say the condition of your Prouince and also of the trade of your dealing as your ordinances and other affaires whereof although I am infourmed by the reports of many to your high honour and renoune yet notwithstanding I would very willingly by your letters as more welcome messingers be certified I will nâ—…t write vnto you oftentimes what I thinke toucheing the weale publique in generall because the intercourse of suche letters are daungerous But what is done heere shal be reuealed vnto you by mine Epistles whiche shall not be your sealdome visitoures I am in hope that Caesar our felowe officer his care hereafter and regarde presently will so prouide that wée may recouer some one state of a common wealthe at whose counselles that you bee present it seemeth to no small purpose But if in your iudgement it appeare more profitable that is to say more honourable to be President and Gouernour in Asia and to haue the tuition of that parte of the weale publique whiche is in an yll case and to be redressed then the selfe same thing whiche maketh best for the profite of your person and is moste auayleable for your commendation ought of me also to be desired Touching your dignitie and what so euer else belonging to the same I will take vppon mée the whole charge and therein shewe my loue and diligence and to your Father I will haue a principall respect as he is a right noble Gentleman yâ—…eloing vnto him my helpe with all humilitie and reuerence vnto the perfourmaunce whereof as to the requitall of due debt I owe the vttermoste of my power bothe for the auncientnesse of our acquaintaunce and for your singular benefites besides that also for his owne honour and renoune Fare you well Trebonius to Cicero ¶ THâ—… ARGVMâ—…NT He declareth how ioyful and glad he is for the good and laudable disposition of Cicero the yonger meaning the Sonne towardes vertue he sendeth ceâ—…taine verses which he wrote in the dâ—…praise and repâ—…oche of an euill Citizen to Cicero the elder supposeing the Father desiring him to 〈◊〉 and place them among his owne discourses written vppon the destruction and ouerthrowe of Caesar. IF â—…ou be in healthe it is well I came to Athens the 〈◊〉 of the Calendes of Iune and there 〈◊〉 was my chance a thing answerable to my desire to sée your sonne a yong man addicted to y best kinde of studiâ—… and of a passing good reporte of modesty which thing what pleasure it ministred vnto me you may wel vnderstaÌ„d albeit I kéepe silence For you are not ignorant howe much I doe account of your person and howe greatly in respect of the loue wherwith we are linâ—…ked not grounded vpon auncient nesse onely but also vpon faithfulnesse a moste firme and vnshaken foundation I reioyce for your sake bothe for this so singular and precious a treasure as likewise for all other small commodities redounding to your aduantage I would not haue you suppose my fréend Cicero that I fâ—…ll your eares with these rumors touching your sonne but it is a common voice abroade howe hee is disposed There is nothing in the worlde vniuersal of them whiche are in Athens more belâ—…ued then is this your and also our young Gentleman Cicero for what thing can there be within the compasse of heauen betwixt vs twaine seueral and not commune there is I say none more desirous to attain y knowledge of those artes sciences whiche you haue in highest estimation I meane those that be of moste excellencie and perfection Wherfore I am glad with al my hart on your behalfe I speake vnfeignedly and no lesse ioyfull for our owne sake to tell the trueth with simplieitie because â—…ée whome of necessitie we ought to loue howesoeuer his nature were inclined is of so vertuous disposition and commendable behauiour that me must of force iudge him woorthie of our loue and kindenesse continually This your Sonne and yong Gentleman Cicero when among other communication betwixte him and mée interchanged he had said that he would sée Asia I did not onely desire him but also earnesâ—…ly besâ—…ught him to accomplishe that his purpose at suche tyme principally as the state of the Prouince fell into mine â–ª authoritie gouernment vnto whom doubt you not such seruice shal be exhibited on ouâ—… parts as both 〈◊〉 â—…th and courtesie challengetâ—… â–ª Moreoâ—…r we will haue a 〈◊〉 regâ—…d namely that Câ—…tippus kéepâ—… him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 leaâ—…t peraduenture you might imagine that he intermitteth ceasseth â–ª from those notable exercises of learning whiles he maketh his abode in Asia wherunto you incited him by your fatheuly precoptes â—…hortations whiles he continued in Athens for we wil not be slack to incourage him by our couÌ„sels who is alreadie as I sée furnished to the purpose and as it were with a full steppe marching forwarde that he may dayly procéede further and further bothe in the instructing of himselfe to be the more skilful and also in practising himselfe to be the more cunning Of your estate and affaires in the common wealth I did knowe nothing at the inditing and insealing of these letters Certaine reportes I heard of hurlie burlies abroade wherin I haue so litle delight that I wishe with all my harte they were but méere fables and vaâ—…e forgeries to the intent that the time may once come wherein libertie and quietnesse may be recouered and enioyed of whiche benefite I haue hitherto béene depriued Neuerthelesse hauing obteined a litle leasure and opportutunitie through the meanes of our nauigation I haue perfourmed a present to the renoune of your person aunswerable to mine owne minde and manner in the conclusion and end whereof I haue set downe a worde whiche you to our high honour haue fréely vttered and I haue also not denied mine assent to you but subscribed accordingly In the inuention and conueyance of whiche verses if I shall séeme in your iudgement somwhat liberall in language the vilenesse of the person against whom we inueihe shall dispense with
¶ A Panoplie of Epistles Or a looking Glasse for the vnlearned Conteyning a perfecte plattforme of inditing letters of all sorts to persons of al estates and degrées as well our superiours as also our equalls and inferiours vsed of the best and the eloquentest Rhetoricians that haue liued in all ages and haue beene famous in that facultie ¶ Gathered and translated out of Latine into English by Abraham Flemming Armat spina rosas mella tegunt apes Imprinted at London for Ralph Newberie dwelling in Fletestrete a litle aboue the great Conduite Anno à Umgineo partu 1576. ¶ A Catalogue of such Authours as haue written in this Panoplie of epistles with the number of the page where they are mencioned A. ANacharsis Scythieus 203. Anaximenes Milesius 205 Archytas Tarentinus 207 Antigonê° Macedonicus â–ª 209 Alexander Macedo 216 Aristoteles Stagirites â–ª 217 Apollonius Tyanaeus 219 Agesilaus Lacedaemonius 222. Arcesilaus Prytannaeus 208 C. Chilo Lacedaemonius 199 Cleobulus Lindius 201 Cato Vticensis 220 Cyrus Persicus 233 Chr. Hegendorphinus 381 Chr. Longolius 403 Caius Plinius Nouocomensis 241 Conradus Celtis 391 D. Darius Persicus 213 Diogenes Cynicus 293 Dionysius Antiochenus 301 D. Erasmus Roterodamus 337. E. Epimenides Cretensis 204 Epicurus Atheniensis 229 Epistoliographus Anonymus 232 G. Georgius Macropedius 359 Gualterus Haddonus 413 H. Heraclitus Ephesius 214 Hippocrates Cous. 265 I. Isocrates Atheniensis 154 Ioan. Rauisius Textor 349 Ioan. Ludouicus viues 397 L. Lucianus Dialogographus 229 Libanius Sophista 305 Lucius Anneus Seneca â–ª 307 M. Marcus Tullius Cicero 1. 2. 3 c. Menecrates Syracusanus 231 Marcus Brutus â—…61 N. Nucilli Laconiâ—…a â–ª 237 P. Pisistratus Atheniensis 198 Pittacus Mitylenaeus 200 Periander Corinthus 201 Pherecydes Syrius 204 Pythagoras Samius 211 Plato Atheniensis 212 Philostratus Tyanaeus 232 Philippus Macedo 215 Peregrinus Anonymus 217 Panaetius Rhodius 218 Phalaris Agrigentinus 296 Paulus Manutius 314 R. Rogerus Aschamus 428 S. Solon Salaminius 191 Socrates Atheniensiâ—… â–ª â—…18 Synesius Pentapoli tanus â–ª 301 T. Thales Milesius 19â—… Thrasibulus Atheniensis 201 Z. Zeno Citicus 210 ¶ In Abrahami Flemingi Londin epistolarum Panoplian Th. Sp. Ebor. Octastichon Quisquis in vmbrosis Musarum militat oris Huc veniat capiat spicula scuta manu Siuè velit gladiis duro certâre duello Eminus aut hastis hîc via tuta satis NaÌ„ liberiste nouus scribeÌ„tib arma ministrat In quo est laeuis ferreus atquè stylus Utilis ergo tibi si miscellanea lexis Haec fuerit dicas docte Fleminge Vale. TO THE RIGHT VVORshipful syr VVilliam Cordell knight Maister of the Queenes Maiesties Rolles c. health wealth and happinesse euerlasting PAssing of late right worshipfull thorough many a peece of land pleasaunt in view and profitable â–ª in vse it was my happie chance to haue entrance into a goodly Gardene plott which as it was large and of an exceding great compasse so was â—…t beautified with flowers of all sortes both delightsome to the eye in considerâ—…tion of their variable colours and comfortable to the nose in respecte of their excellent sweetenesse And no mâ—…uaile though this Garden plott were so goodly and so great for as in number they were in manner infinite which had recourse thereunto â–ª so the multitude of cunning and skilfull Gardeners whose most luckie handes â—…owed the singular feedes of which these fine flowers tooke roote in the ground sprouÌ„g spread with leaues and blossoms of glorious hewe was innumerable After I had sett my foote within the fenâ—…es of this riche and coastly Garden passing for pleasantnesse excelling for largenesse all the Gardens that are to be seene in this our age albeit the heades of people were neuer so inâ—…entiue and curious their hands at no tâ—…me so artificiall and 〈◊〉 â–ª I sawe a footepathe before mee not verie plaine to perceiue because it was not much vsed and troden yet not so ouergrowne with greene grasse but that it might easily enough be seene then pausing a space as being in doubt to goe forward considering the greatnesse of the Garden the manifold corners the crooked turnings and the compassing arbours of the same least by presuming to farre â–ª I should loose my selfe as it were in a Labyrinthe and museing thus in minde as burthened with vncertaintie what were most auaylable for me to attempt a soudeine cogitation concerning the present vse and benefite of this pleasant plott ouercame me as it were with inchantmentes insomuch that I feeling in mee selfe no abilitie to withstand so forceable an assault as one amased leasurly began to foote it forward anon haueing gone a litle ground mine eyes were fead with most delectable appearaunces my nostrells with most comfortable sauours so that there began to kindle in mee a certaine affection of ioy and gladnesse and therewithal sprang to the increase of my courage a hope of good happ after to insue whereuppon I waxed venturous and like a confident fellowe amended my pase persuading my selfe that in so heauenly a paradise there was no daunger and alwayes as I did proceede so new and fresh delights were plentifully offered Then hauing called home my wandering witts I weighed the worthines of the soile which lay open and manifest in sight and falling into an vn measurable loue liking of the same for my further solace I walked too and fro taking a viewe of the goodly woorke which was there to be seene marking the great choice of flowers as wel for their kinds as also their colours whiles I was thus occupied a soudeine desire bred in mee to take a tryal of those delights though not of all yet at least of some that my labour my longing might not be frustrate which were before and round about mee on euery side in this desire there was such efficacie and force that I was not able to resist the woorking of the same whereuppon for I perceiued the nature of it and sawe wherewith it was to bee satisfied I buckled my selfe to a newe kinde of buisinesse For whereas before the sense of seeing was delighted and thâ—… sense of smelling comforted now the sense of feeling beginnes to put in execution his office and thus pleasure vpon pleasure most plentifully is reaped For that whereon at first I fixed myne eye and the sweetenesse whereof pierced into my nose the same I am nowe bold to touch to handle to gather and to beare away Among many and sundrie sortes of flowres thereforâ—… the very woorst of all beeing of great vertue and value such as in my fancie bare the brauest hewe and gallantest glosse I gathered with a certaine greedinesse esteeming highly of the opportunitie of the time which was then presently ministred and fearing least another should take my labour out of my hande whiche caused me with so much the more speed though hast as the olde prouerb sayth makes waste to finish that which I had begunne And 〈◊〉 right worshipfull these fewe flowers which I haue
diligence although you for affeâ—…ions sake â—…stéeme them of greater value yet not withstanding in the iudgmeÌ„t of my most enimie they are set at such a high price of praise that nothing séemeth desireable saue the iewel of honest report Be resolued in minde and in thought thus established that what I can encounter by power foresée by counsell procure by authoritie al and euery portion thereof shal be referred to the profite of the commonwealth Your meaning is manifest vnto mée and as for your admonitions they shal be the rule of my doings â–ª neither will I at any time so farre ouershoote mée selfe that any thing of mée attempted shal deserue reprehension I am in expectation of all thinges as desirous to know what is done in Gallia prouince as also to vnderstand the state of such matters as haue béene in hand this moneth of Ianuarie in the Citie In the meane season very great is my care which I suffer where I doe remaine least these countries and people amonge the faultes of others should suppose our harmes their occasion To be briefe if my successe be such as I deserue then certainly I will satisfie the mindes both of you whom I wishe specially to content and of all good men least I make their affiaunce frustrate Regard your health loue mée as I loue you Fare you wel Cicero to Planco ¶ THE ARGVMENT In this Epistle hee pricketh Plancus forward with the spurres of praise not onely to take vppon him â–ª the charge of the common wealth but also the defence and preseruation of the same I Receyued two seuerall letters from you tendinge to one effect which was a manifest argument of your dilligence For I perceiued that you were touched with a certaine desire to haue your letters which I long looked for deliuered to my hands Out of which after I had perused them I reaped double commoditie and vauntage very hard for mée in conference to decide by iudgement whether I should thinke your loue towards my person or your true hart to the body of the common wealth of greater accompte and estimation The loue and affection of oure countrie in my iudgement is the greatest without exception but yet not withstanding the knitting together of our wills conteyneth more swéetnesse wherefore the commemoration of that beneuolence and reuerence which you exhiâ—…ited vnto mée as vnto a father euen from your young yeares and the rehearsall of such thinges as serued to a semblable purpose increased in my hart incredible delectation Againe the declaring of your mind and studie to the commonwealths aduauntage which you haue alreadie conceiued and hereafter meane also to sée continued appeared vnto me passing pleasaunt And so much the greater was this delight how much the néerer it approched to the aboue recited circumstances Wherefore my Plancus I doe not onely exhort but also beséech you as I haue done in that my letter whereunto you sent mée an answeare that with all your heart wil and desâ—…re with al your body streÌ„gth and courage you regard the estate of the weale publique There is nothing in the world whereby your commoditiâ—… may be more inlarged your glorie amplifâ—…ed and praise published Neither is any thing of such excellencie in the world vniuersall or of equal worthinesse then for a man to behaue himselfe in such order as that hee may deserue well of the common wealth For such is your singular courtesie and such is your wisedome that I am not restrained to vtter vnto you with libertie of speache whatsoeuer I thincke necessarie Fortune hath so fauoured and furthered you that the passage to verie great things hath béen opened wyde to you And though the attainement of such countenaunce without the assistaunce of vertue were impossible yet notwithstanding what soeuer you haue aspired vnto y same is referred for the most part to the goodnes of Fortune and ascribed to the state of time What benefite soeuer the common-wealth receiueth through you in these troublesome seasons and hard world it shall whoalie and solie redounde to your owne dignitie and be reputed proper to your owne person The hatred of al Citizens those villans onely of whom you wott excepted is incredible against Anthonie In you is great conâ—…idence reposed and on your armie no smal expectation dependeth Now take héede in any case for the honour of all the Gods that you loosâ—… no time for your owne adâ—…auncement and renowne I counsell you as a sonne I fauour you as mée selfe and I exhort you in our countries behalfe as a very friend Fare you well Cicero to Planco THE ARGVMENT Hee commendeth Plancus for his readines and willing hart in succoâ—…ring the common wealth and incourageth him to hope for most ample and honourable rewards froÌ„ the Senate for his labour wherin he promiseth to take diligent paines himself and exhorteth him that as he hath begonne notably so hee would procâ—…ede and continue manfully ALthough I vnderstand by y mouth of Furnius what your will was concerning the common wealth and what was your counsell yet notwithstanding after I had viewed and examined your letters the matter lay more open and manifest to my iudgemeÌ„t so that I was throughly instructed in your meaning Wherefore although the whoale state of the common wealth standeth or falleth in one conflicte or battell which as I supposed was decided vppon when you were reading this letter yet notwithstanding the verie reporte of your wil and toward minde was so blased abroad that therby you atchieued great coÌ„mendation If we had had a Consul at Rome it should haue béene declared and testified to your speciall praise and worthinesse by the assent of the Senate how approueable your enterprises were how acceptable your preparation The time of which thing is not only not paste but is scarcely come in mine opinion For end That seemeth vnto mee to bee true and not counterfect honour which is bestowed and employed vppon noble men not for hope of preferment hereafter but for present merits and desertes past Wherfore let there be any coÌ„mon wealth at all wherein honour may haue power and abilitie to flourish and trust mée it shal be your lot and lucke to be aduaunced to the best the chiefest and the greatest And That honour to say trueth may of right be reputed honour which is not a temporall reward for further incouragement but a perpetuall recompence of vertue and honestie â–ª Wherfore my Plancus lay too all the might you can make to purchasâ—… praise and to winne worship support your natiue countrie be an assistant to your fellowe in oâ—…fice and refuse not to consent to the incredible conspiracie of al nations in so doing you shall both know and trie that I am a furtherer of your counsells a â—…auourer of your dignitie an assured friend in all assayes and a most faithfull companion For vnto those causes wherewith we are lincked in loue one to another as
highest degrée of 〈◊〉 prince also of your honorable order But in so much as each 〈◊〉 â—…s were at one time and for one cause subiect to semblable lucke I do both promise you those things which in writing I haue aboue mentioned remaining vnto me as mine own by vse and possession those things also which I séeme otherwise besides to reteine as fragments and portions of mine auncient dignitie For Caesar himselfe as I coniecture and gather by many circumstances hath not against vs conceiued displeasure as his aduersaries and al those Gentlemen who with his person are moste familiar being by a certaine chance bound vnto mée through the great duties of courtesie which of olde I exhibited to their contentation fauour me greatly and vse me very reuerently Wherefore if I can do any thing touching your estate that is in the behalfe of your safetie wherin al things else do cousist as I grow in hope day by day through sundrie reportes whiche I heare I will take a proofe of mine owâ—…e power what mine abilitie can coÌ„prehend I wil boldly put in aduenture It shall not néede to stuffe my letter with particularities take this for a general conclusion All my studie all my beneuolence all the meanes that I can make is as your owne to gratifie you at your pleasure to doe you seruice But I am very desirous I take it to be a thing much touching my person that all your fréendes vnderstand mine intent purpose which by your letters as a moste conuenient fit instrument may be accoÌ„plished namely that what soeuer is said and thought to be Ciceroes the same also is due to Trebianus fréely and at will to vse Thus muche haue I signified to the end that they might be well assured nothing to be wrapped in such difficulties but the same being for your sake attempted shall appeare vnto you most pleasaunt and comfortable Fare you well Uatinius to Cicero ¶ THE ARGVMENT Vatinius being sent into Illyricum at the commaundement of â—…aesar Dictator commendeth his dignitie and honourâ—…ble estate to his friend Cicero that he might defend the same from the slaunderous impeachementes of â—…alicious and spiteful persons IF you are in health it is well I am in health If you kéepe your accustomed order in prosequuting â—…he parte of a patronâ—… P. Vatimus your client coÌ„meth vnto you as standing in néed of your present defence and desirous to committee the handling of his cause vnto your wisedome you wil not I thinke reiecte him in honour whom you receiued in danger As for me vnto whom shold I make accesse vnto whoÌ„ should I appeal but vnto him through whose tuitioÌ„ I haue learned the attainement of victorie What should I feare I waxe faint y hée which for the tendering of my safetie passed not a point for the conspiracie of such as were of most power puisance wil not now in the maintenance of mine honour beat down the spiteful spéeches of vile abiects tread vnder féete their enuious slaunders Wherfore if as you were wont you loue mée then take vpon you the whole charge of mine estate and thinke with your selfe that this burthen what soeuer it be must néedes be laid vpon your shoulders least my renoune runne against rockes and so suffer shipwracke You are not ignoraunt that my fortune I can not tell by what meanes doeth hardly escape the baytes of backebiters my behauiour hathe not deserued any such doggishe dealing but makes it any great matter sithence it commeth to passe I know not by what destenie If there be any that peraduenture wil be quarelling at our dignitie to blemishe and empaire it I beséeche you to continue your accustomed courtesie and liberall nature in defending me whiles I am absent The letters whiche I sent vnto the Senate concerning our affaires I haue exemplified and hereunder set downe point by point that you might not be vncertified It is reported to me that your clearke or Secretarie hath plaide the fugitiue or runnagate and is among the Vardeies Touching whoÌ„ I had froÌ„ you no speciall precept Neuerthelesse I haue out coÌ„maundement before hand that inquisition should be made after him both by Land and Sea and vndoubtedly I will finde him out that you may be at quiet except he hath taken flight into Dalmatia from whence notwithstanding he lurk for a season we intend to hunt him out at one time or another It shal be your part to loue vs still Fare you well Dated the. 5. of the Ides of Iulie from Narona where I am incamped Cicero to Uatinio THE ARGVMENT â—…e giueth signification of his good will as wel towardes the wife of Vatinius as also towards Vatinius his owne person Moreouer he requesteth him in no wise to faile but to sende home againe his runnagate seruaunt Dionysius THat my dueties of courtesie are wel accepted of you I do not wâ—…nder For of al men aliue I haue known you most thankefull whiche report I neuer ceassed to blase abroad for the increase of your commendation For you haue not onely giuen a testmonie of your good disposition in that case vnto me by motions of minde and vtterance of wordes but your déedes also haue in moste ample and large manner confirmed the very same Wherfore you shal hâ—…ue knowledge experience that in all your affaires whatsoeuer my desire is semblable vnto yours and my wil al one in euery respect Whereas you commend vnto mée Pompeia your wife and partener a woman of great noblenes and excellencie I had communication with â—…ur fréend Suca immediatly vpon the perusing of your Epistle whom I willed to say thus muche vnto her in my name that in what thing soeuer shee stoode in néede of my seruice it would please her to send me certificate and it should be done with singular care and speciall regarde to the satisfaction of her owne desire I will therefore do no lesse then I haue said and I wil conferre with her personally if the matter depend vpon necessitie Howbeit thus much I would haue you infourme her by writing y there is nothing be it litle â–ª or be it great which may séeme vnto mée either too hard to accomplish or too baâ—…e and vile for a man of â—…ny calling and countenance to attempt All thinges whiche I shall do touching your businesse shall vnto mee be bothe easie and honest Concerning my seruant Dionysius that runnagate let not your labour be lacking if I am in your loue and fauour what promise soeuer you make vnto him I mée selfe will sée it perfourmet If he be intractable stuâ—…burne and naughtily disposed as he is you shall leade him in triumph as a captiue and prisoner The GODS sénde a plague of confusion among the Dalmatians by whose meanes you are muche molested But according to the tenure of your writing they shal be taken shortly and by them shall your prowesse be made famous for
Lastly he counselleth him not to refuse the friendship of the Atheniens and to be bountifull to the Graecians in generall OF truth right renouned Roy I am not to be taught the humour of al men to be so infected with philauty and self loue that vaine praysers are accepted and had in estimation when wise counselers and recounters of honestie and vertue are reiected put by as people of no price and counted contemptible especially if any man voluntarily and of his owne accorde take vpon him the office of giuing prâ—…cepts to to amende thinges amisse not being therevnto wonne by others requestes nor yet warranted by commaundement As for mine owne person if I had not heretofore euen in those pointes which were pertinent to your high estate of a right good meaning and purpose put you in remembraunce I would not at this instant haue bewrayed my secrete meaning in open and apparant speach concerning those thinges which are to your highnesse allotted But forasmuch as it is my determination of conscience to be careful in affaires touchiâ—…g your person being a puisant prince both for the affection of loue wherewith in my countries cause I am inflamed and also for the duties sake where with all for the benefite of the Graecians I acknowledge my selfe to be burthened I would suspect in heart that I had committâ—…d a heinous and filthy offence to offer then to your maiestie in matters not so necessarie and vrgent the vse of my counsel and nowe in cases of great importaunce and which require for their weightinesse no small circumspection not once to mutter nay rather to be still and silent Then was the gem of your glory only in hassard to be blemished Nowe the saâ—…tie of your life is in feare to be indaungered wherin you séemed to all those that hearde termes of contumely thundred against your grace very secure and negligent For what maÌ„ is there but knoweth that in perilous attemptes and desperate aduentures you are carried away with more temeritie then by the ensignes of your royaltie is sufferable and that you are stoung with more loue to heare your selfe for valiauntnesse aduauÌ„ced then touched with tendernesse to sée y who le body of the land politiquely preserued It is altogether aâ—… discommendable and infamous for a man being inuirâ—…ned with his enimies though he fight valiauntly yet with the rest of his fellowe souldiers to be in equalitie as it is to throw him self in dungeons of daungers and to plunge in pittes of perils when necessitie offreth no such constraint which being avoyded ouercome he hath done nothing wher by he shuld be renouned and yet looâ—…ng his life immediately followeth shipwracke of all things that he is worth and an vtter ouerthrowe of his whole estate It is not out of doubt alwayes to be counted worthinesse in a warriour to bee hackt and hewen in the fielde with the edged weapons But then is praise the pension of puisance when for the defence of his naturall countrie the safetie of his parentes and the weale of his children he pusheth vpon the sharpe pikes as not terrified with the sight of any bloudie aduenture But when the aboue named shall receiue annoyaunce when they shall be damnified by such a kinde of death and when the successes of aduentures in times passed shall be blemished stayned and ingloriously defaced such a death is so far from being commended that it is vtterly condemned so farre from being imbraced that it is to be abandoned as an enimie to honour and a procurer of shame and infamie Good it were and conuenient in myne opinion that you followe the same order in battell and warfare which cities vse and exercise For all and euery of them when they send their armies and bandes of harnessed souldiers to any place so prudent and prouident that hauing a regard first to the weale publique and the Senate they leaue them at such stay and set them in such conuenient order as they may consult and deliberate without interruption vpon suche matters as tende to their estate where vpon this commeth to passe that if any wound be inferred with force of foreigne weapon yet doth not the strength of them all decay neither is their power generally suppressed but they are of abilitie to suffer many slaughters and of sufficiencie to recouer their riches as not subiect to perpetuall impouerishment Which thing most mightie Prince you ought to haue in contemplation and perfect viewe persuading your self in iudgement that to life and safetie nothing though most prâ—…cious is comparable besides that this ought to be a principall part of your meditation namely the well vsing and commendable ordering of obteined victories Doe you not sée in what great carefulnesse of their kings good estate the Lacedemonians labour insomuch that the best citizens and the chiefest among them in worship and countenance disdaine not to stande in their defence nay rather conforme their harts hands to haâ—…e them supported to whome greater shame doth redounde controulments of discommendation inforce fouler blemishes of infamie in not protecting the life of their Prince and preseruing him from deadly daunger then in casting downe their targets as fâ—…aughted with fearefulnesse You are not ignorant what fortuned to Xerxes busying him selfe to oppresse the Graecians with â—…eruitude and what chaunced to Cyrus endeuouring to challenge possession of the Persian dominion For the one of them being vanquished in so many conflictes discomfited in so many skyrmishes and sorely assaulted afflicted and dismayd with so many slaughters bloudsheds that it pâ—…sseth y memorie of any man to rip vp a semblable example neuerthelesse in so much as his life escaped shipwracke his kingdome was not only to his owne contentation restored â–ª but the same also â—…as left to his sonnes by succession as theirs by interest of inheritaunce to be possessed Yea he so fortified Asia that it is no lesse to be feared then in former times it hath bene accustomed As for Cyrus after al the kings armies were ouerthrowne when all things fell to the lot of his iurisdiction through his temeritie it came to passe so preposterously y of so large a kingdome he not onely sustaine the depriuation but brought al his souldiers into vtter hassarde and extreme inconueniences I coulde make a recapitulation of an infinite number who when they were gouernours of lands captaines generall ouer huge hoasts bicause they them selues suffered an vntimely discomfiture and perished contrarie to â—…xpectation they drewe after them innumerable multitudes into destruction These examples ought you to consider and as presidentes not vnmeete for a prince prudently to ponder that the praises of valiaunâ—…nesse and magnanimitie which is yoaked with temeritie inordinate ambition should not be hunted after of your maiestie sithence they are annoyances to true nobilitie neither wold I wish you in so manifold mischiefes of mightie monarchies to intrude your selfe into other daungers of battel
musician two thinges are required the first is cunning in his profession the seconde nimblenesse of the fingers in handling his instrument these twaine must goe together like inseparable yoke felowes for the one with out the other is lame and maymed So often as I take a viewe of your picture which I haue hanging in my house painted in a table the remembraunce of your person ingendreth my heauinesse I haue many times and oft marueiled at your familiaritie and no lesse wondered at your iniurious vsage and contumelie Nowe when I had perceiued by triall taking that your friendshippe was leauened with lightnesse and inconstancie yea that it did wholy incline to slaunder and reproche I forsooke your fréendshippe as vnwilling to suffer such ignominious and wrongful vsage any longer What with your legerdemaine your iuggling and your lying you haue gathered together suche mountaines of monie impudently and without regard of honesty that in wealth opulencie and richesse you are in manner equall with Princes No maruel then ought it to be vnto a great number to sée what benefites are obteined by the sweate of other mennes labours and also by the fatte crumbes of other mennes trenchers Our Coniurer hath cast out a deuil not with exorcismies or practises of art magical but with the filthines of a foule mouth whiles his tounge ranne at randon and founde none ende when to be silent of this I thought you shoulde not be ignorant We sée and are sorie that the comfortable science of musicke whereby olde auncientes did sing and sound the martial exploites and noble aduentures of valiaunt Capteines whiche was the meane and instrument whereby the mindes of men were inflamed to goe on warrefare and to attempte enterprises moste hard honest and honourable is nowe so degenerated and growne out of so singular a vse yea that it is made a seruaunt to effeminacie to wantonnesse and all sensualitie beeing turned wholye into a tuneable sounde vpon twangling stringes or a noise running vppon numbers onely to fill vppe the measure of vaine delight At what time you were a priuate man you were somewhat well but after you mounted vppe to more worshippe you waxed woorse In former times heauenly thinges were your vsuall meditation but that being abandoned couetousnesse of coyne hathe wrought an alteration of your behauiours I eate but once in a day but to day I dyned at your table and after that at our comming home wee did eate againe wherefore prouide your selfe hereafter of other guestes For from this time forwarde I will take héede howe I come at your table Beware of the Regulus a monstrous and venomous Serpent a beaste of the wildernesse least you be deuoured I cannot but account your dooinges moste woorthie of commendation in that you refused profered honours and dignities preferring the inheritaunce whiche by your fathers deceasse you haue in possession and a quiet life before suche thinges that are but vaine and transitorie I wishe with all my heart that many would followe your example Praise woorthie you are in déede for the loue that is in you bothe to learne and practise Vertue sythence This is the thing that is onely called by the name of good this is the iewell whiche too man is a beautifying this is the precious pearle that hee ought properly to possesse all other thinges are vncertaine vaine shadowes dreames and fansies Understande you that the richesse of the minde are the true richesse knowe this also that hee deserueth rightly to bee called a wealthie man who is not ignorant of the true vse of his substance I send vnto you for a present the skul of a putrified carkasse the sight whereof dooeth put vs in remembraunce that we ought not to hang vpon the hope of thinges vaine and tran sitorie â–ª but taking a view of our selues by this looking glasse to make full and iust account that into the same fourme wherof this is a figure we shal be changed In the dispen sing or laying out of your goods you must be touched with a due consideration of death which is so certaine that it can not be auoyded and with the litle assurance or rather none at all of life to be prolonged lest you be carefull in keeping those things that you must leaue behinde you or to prodigall and lauash in wasting them whereon dependeth your maintenance I heard say y you are translating the most excellent Poesiâ—…s of Pindarus into Latiue Nowe surely they are rather to be soung to the melodious Citerne then to â—…ee turned into another language For as it is in hangings of tapistrie that when they be turned loase a good portion of their brauest beautie euen so it may be said of his verses that in turning theÌ„ in a foreigne tonge much of their worthinesse and trimnesse is diminished For in them is conteined an excéeding pleasauntnesse excellent inimitable and not able to be folowed My counsell aduise vnto you for your auaile is that you would giue ouer the trade of a Mariner and acquaint your selfe to play the husbandman For in plowing the lande there is muche more safetie then in sayling on the Sea whiche all men knowe to bee daungerous Howe can you be a good man hauing in possession riches in such plentie considering that your father left you nothing either by déede of gift testament or any other conueyance Couet not to be ful of monie to growe in wealth and substance but labour rather to be riche in vertue For he gathereth goodes together all in waste whose minde is naked and not armed with vertuous furniture Thus farre out of Isocrates Philosophers Princes and other writers of Epistles ¶ The Extract of Epistles out of C. Plinius and others C. Plinius to Arrio Clementi THE ARGVMENT He writeth to Arrius of Euphratas the Philosopher whom he commendeth toucheth other specialties here and there as the order of his Epistle required IF at any time our citie flourished in the knowledge of the sciences liberal if in any age it glistered in the glorie of learning Philosophical then now is it in the top of all renoune and triumpheth more then euer it did in the floure of felicitie Of that which I haue aâ—…irmed there be many examples and especiall presidents not a fewe but among al the rest Euphratas the wiseman shall be sufficient In my youthfull yeares when I did weare and vse my weapon I sawe him in Syria soyle I was in his house and I enioyed his companie with whome to growe in fauour I both desired laboured although there was no néede why I shuld greatly trauell towards the attainement of the same For he is a man full of affabilitie milde of nature and easie to be intreated his humanitie is singular his gentlenesse is rare and the curtesie which he professeth is incomparable I wold my lucke were so blessed and fortunate to reape
best beséemeth your grauitie or rather so kéepe it that you lose it not sithence it is your good and gracious luck therin to haue interest The miserie of the tiâ—…e hath wéeded out all woonted well deseruing which if it shall please you to plant a new and to sée that restored which you haue alreadie attempted and wil I hope also accomplishe you shall mount vp to the heauenly Olympus euen by the selfe same steps that your predecessours before you haue ascended leauing behinde you such a monument of honour and worthinesse as no age no succession of yeares shall wast and confume And as touching mine owne person thus much I am to say that if it bée my happie chaunce to obteine that by your meanes which doth wholy rest in you or wherein at least you may doe much to the purpose namely that I may liue at Rome to the coÌ„tentment of my minde for what man would willingly leade his life in such a place where thinges are so preposterous and ouerthwart that disquietnesse and a worse inconuenience followeth I will doe the vttermost of mine endeuour yea I will peraduenture bring to passâ—… that such a singular benefite shal be throughly acknowledged and though for lacke of abilitie answerable to my will I might sâ—…eme accusable of ingratitude yet daily continual remembraunce of your goodnesse from which I will neuer reuolt shall pleade mée excusable of vnthanckfulnesse Dated at Rome the 4. of the kalends of Nouember Fare you well D. Erasmus Roterodamus to â—…lermo Burbanco Secretarie to the right reuerend the B. of Yorke and Cardinall ¶ THE ARGVMâ—…NT Hee beginneth his epistle with a sentence touching friendship coÌ„mending Ilermo Burbanco for his courtesie and kindnesse which â—…ee professeth on his behalfe to bee vndeserued Reckoneth vpp by name diuerse Gentlemen with whome he was in fauâ—…ur where by the way he calleth him selfe happie and riche becausâ—… he hath the goodwilles and freendeship of such as he 〈◊〉 commendeth by the way the Lord Cardinall in thâ—…t he vouchsafeth to make wise men of his counsel Then toward his conclusion he saith that as he hathe welwillers so he hath aduersaries noting also that he had rather haue a very fewe so they beâ—…â—…ertuously disposed to be his freendes then to haue the hearts of many being viciously inclined For end he wisheth malicious and enuious persons a better spirit then they 〈◊〉 to possessâ—… and so wrappeth vp all with commendations TRue is his loue and vnfeigned that measureth not his good willâ—… with rewardes but loueth freely not looking for recompence but you haue loued Erasmus whose desartes are not to make any challenge to kindenesse with suche constancie with suche zeale and earnestnesse that it is not possible to picke out one man from among a great multitude that loueth him more sincerely more hartily or more faithfully whose merites might make iust claime to suche excéeding kindenesse Howe singularly did you loue mée when I was resident in Rome giuing you no occasion of exhibiting suche courtesie and therefore béeing so muche the more bounde vnto you in speciall dutifulnesse I haue not suffered your vndeserued humanitie to waxe colde in mée no not a litle to languishe sithence betwéene vs there haue béene these many yeares often and sundrie reâ—…ses of fréendely seruices whiche once ceassing fréendshippe must néedes be in daunger of a consumption O hearâ—… appointed euen from thy creation to harbour kindenesse towaâ—…des whome if I should not shewe some 〈◊〉 of goodwil againe then doe not I desire that men shoulde say of me howe I beare my frâ—…d and beloued about me in my body And here by the way the olde aâ—…ge or prouerbe must not bee vnremembred whiâ—…e sayeth that one good turne requireth another My fréende Montioy hathe made you priuie what good will he doeth beare me and the desire of you bothe inclined to doe mée good hathe procured mée many fréendes and fauourers in oâ—…e familie For what shoulde I else coniecture to be the occasion of so gracious a benefite and what is there in mée that 〈◊〉 haâ—…e in it suche force and effectuall woorkinge thâ—…t it 〈◊〉 kindle the affection of M. T. Louell the moâ—…e wise and learned Ciuilian towardes mine vnwortâ—…ie person Or that M. R. Tonicio a man of rare 〈◊〉 should proâ—…esse and put in practise suche apparaunt tokens of conceiued kiâ—…enesse Or that M. F. Philâ—…ppo a young Gentleman of great hope and towardnesse shoulde affoorde mée suche singular fauour What shoulde I stand â—…eckoning vppe in the number M. Francisco the Physician whose courtesie is not newely kindeled but hathe béene long a burning What shoulde I make mention of M. D. Samsono a man of incomparable knowledge then whome a faithfuller and fréer heart can not be wished What néede I repeate M. Gonello hâ—…m whome I account not as a fréende but estéeme euen as the halfe of my life Among the rest what shoulde I 〈◊〉 to name M. Clemens to whome S. T. Moore hathe discouered a fewe sparckles of his beneuolence towardes 〈◊〉 What shoulde I stande adding further to tâ—…ese whome I haue recited M. R. Pacaeo who both in promiâ—…ng and also in perfourming proueth himselfe a moste trustie faithfull Pylades â–ª What should I setdowne in this râ—…gister the Right Reuerend C. Tonstallo whom I may compare with the best of them that in auncient time haue beene highly commended for the synceritie and vnfeignednesse of their fréendshippe O happie man that I am blessed with aboundaunce of richesse O moste honourable familie throughe whom I am made a communicant of such speciall benâ—…fites O right Noble and renoumed Cardinall whose wisedome admitteth suche men to bee of his counsell whose table is furnished with suche starres that cast so glorious a brightnesse But good God howe entierly doe they loue Erasmus in what account and repâ—…tation they haue the man considering that his meriâ—…es haue not beene suche as that they shoulde purchase this vnmeasurable good will. Howbeit as these men are my fauourers and loue mée I thanke them excéedingly so Erasâ—…us is not without many an open and a secrete enimie althoughe his vsage hathe not deserued suche doggishe dealing and I pray God these séedes of enuie bâ—… not further scattered and so taking roote increase to greater inconuenience I am at this point for so I thinke it best to please a fewe and let the multitude alone and these fewe whome I woulde gladly please and so enioy the aduantage of their fauour I wishe them to be suche as are vertuous This done I rather desire as I say to haue the fauour and goodwill of a fewe so that they be commendably disposed then to haue the fréendshippe of an infinite number whose malice is infected with many a foule and ougly disease as for example with grudging hatred the very canckar and Caterpiller of all kindenesse with frowardnesse and wilfull follie
roaring outrage it giueth increase of fishe for the foode and sustenaunce of man without intermission The earth lying barren and fruitelesse in the comfortelesse time of Winter maketh a large amendes of that ydlenesse with yéelding a goodly and gallant 〈◊〉 in the pleasaunt season of Summer Trees and plantes so soone as they féele the time of the yeare approcheing whiche serueth to bring foorth fruite they conforme themselues to the nature of the time and yéelde their increase accordingly they receiue sappe through out all and euery parte of them they â—…hoote foorthe their blossomes and buddes their Peares their Apples thâ—…ir Cytrons their Pomegranats their clusters of Grapes and euery trée in his peculiar kinde their seuerall fruite in due and conuenient order The Oake yéeldeth akehornes the fylâ—…ert yéeldeth Nuttes the Hawthorne the Iuie the Baytrée and the Oliue yéelde berries the Seruice trée the Medler trée yéelde their fruite accordingly Not so muche as the pricking Blackthorne the hedge bushe the Bryer the bramble whiche are wilde but giue their increase as nature hathe ordeined But among all other trées Plantes and Hearbes let vs busie our braines aboute the marking and considering of the spreading Uine let vs occupie our cogitations and witte in the weighing of the precious Pearles whiche it dooeth yéelde to the singular comforte and delectation of mannes heart Let vs prudently ponder with what faithfulnesse and trustie seruice the earthe béeing the moother of all thinges imbraceth the séede caste into her bosome nourisheth it with the milke of her owne pappes ministreth conuenient fustenance vnto it that it springeth vppe and groweth gaily whereby it turneth to the succour of man in due season haueing receyued ripenesse and thus doeth the earthe applie her selfe to the maintenaunce of all creatures for without it where shal the créeping things of the ground vermine and suche like that we may beginne with those creatures whiche in our estimation aâ—…d thinking are most vile and yrksome haue 〈◊〉 where shall the birdes of the Ayre finde their necessarie nourishment â–ª where shal the fishes of the Sea be succoured Or what should become of the water if it were not imbancked with the earth should not all kinde of cattell that liue by the benefite of the ground perishe and be hungerstarued Finally shoulde not a creature moste excellent for whose commoditie all these forecited graces were giueÌ„ consume with famishment Howe bountifull a seruitour is the earthe to the husbandeman what vsurie doeth it pay for that which it borroweth Howe doeth it inriche the husbandman with all manner of increase with Wheate with Rie with Dates with Barlie with Beanes with Pease with Lupines with Lintelles with Uetchesse with Millette all other kinde of pulse in great plentie and aboundance What shall we say of the yeare it selfe and the foure quarters of the same whiche we knowe to be the measurer and meater of our life and all our dooinges when hathe it reuoulted from the qualities wherewith naturally it is indued what man is able to affirme that he euer sawe the Spring tide without Marche Uiolettes Primeroses and other pleasant floures What man can say that euer he sawe Summer without Graine Berries and quickening heate ful of comfort what man hathe so impudent and shamelesse a countenaunce as to affirme that euer he saw a haruest vnfurnished of fruite what man can say that euer he sawe a Winter season with out ysickles without hoare frostes without snowe and such like colde meteors Do not the very Monethes throughout the yeare successiuely and in due order perfourme their seueral offices who at any time can proue the contrarie and dares say that this inuielable ordinaunce and euerlasting appointment hath béene broken wherefore if so be that al these creatures some béeing of most excellencie other some of basenesse and some againe of indifferencie shewe suche obedience and dutifulnesse in accomplishing the lawes and statutes whiche nature not with out singular prouidence hathe made and from all beginnings enacted ratified and established all euery one of them in their kinde some to yéelde increase and some againe to other seruices not vnnecessarie were it not an intollerable shame that Man whoÌ„ God hathe made Lorde and Owner of all these speciall benesites should lye tumbling vpon the bedde of ease and shrowde himselfe head and eares in 〈◊〉 that hée should as it were putrifie and â—…ott in ydlenesse and teare out the tearme of his yeares till bée enter into olde and crooked age in occupying himselfe about nothing that is profitable to runne ouâ—… his race not reaping any aduauntage because labour is too hard meate for his nyce stomach to digest Finally that hée aloâ—…e among the rest whome hée should so farre excell as God surpasseth him should dye like a beast in dishonour not leauing behinde him of his former life orderly lead any commendable testimonie What man is there that will thinke this allowable who can like of it but such béetell headed lubbers as neither haue in them discretion reason wysedome iudgement nor any other propertie praiseworthieâ—… sythence brâ—…te beastes that bée estranged from reason and other creatures indued with life leaue vnto vs certaine testimonies of their susteined labours which are in our sight as it were looking glasses wherein to vewe and behold the fowlenesse of our slouthfulnesse Some beastes there are which vnto vs are most profitable by yéelding the increase of their bodies for our succour and maintenaunce and as they are vnto man principall benefites so to themselues and to their kind they are most louing and tender very fewe or none at all are there to bée found so barren and fruitlesse which yéeld not some commoditie or other for our behoofe If wée séeke a proofe hereof in fishes that liue by water wée shal sée a manifest example The fishe called Balena nourisheth her younge with milke the fishe called Cephalus bringeth forth egges the Dolphine féedeth her young with milke in like maner and that abundantly when the Springtide approcheth they couple and they bring foorth in the Summer season the fishe called Echinus bringeth foorth egges the fishe called Hippocampus is a present and souereigne remedie against the byting of a madde dogge and as all these loue their owne kinde tenderly so they are by one meanes or another seruiceable to man Now let vs sée the kindnesse which resteth in the fowles of the ayre which is wonderfull and let vs marke their qualities for they are straunge The Eagle â—…ryeth her young oues against the bright sunne shine which cleare light and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if they cannot abide shée forsaketh them and accompteth them no better then of bastard byrds Pigeons bring foorth two egges the first a cocke the second a henne in fortie dayes they conceiue and bréede The cocke bringeth forth lâ—…ng egges the henne round egges the cocke also bewrayeth the breaking of the day by his crowing and awaketh the 〈◊〉 headed lubber to his
I sée iust cause of further dutifulnesse reuerence to be perfourmed Fare you well Cicero to Allieno ¶ THE ARGVMâ—…NT This Epistle is petitorie for he craueth courtesie of Allienns deâ—…iring him to receiue Democritus Sicyonius into â—…is fauour and protection DEmocritus Sicyonius is not only my friendly interteiner but also a thing seldome and straunge among many the Graecians specially a man ful of familiarite and courteous acquaintance For there is in him singular honestie excellent vertue passing liberalitie towardes straungers and plentiâ—… of reuerend behauiour Moreouer he preferreth me before all other in dueties of humanitie gentlenesse amitie kindnesse You shall vnderstand that he hath principall rule not only ouer his owne people but that the whole Prouince of Achaia also is in his iurisdiction I am bould to make an entraunce for this Gentleman to your honour that he might knowe you and that you with him might be acquainted I am assured that wheÌ„ you vnderstand of his person and vsage throughly you will of your owne accord without suggestion of others such is the goodnes of your nature iudge him a man worthie of your fauour friendship and entertainment My petition and request therfore vnto you is that this letter being read and considered it would please you to receiue him in to your protection and make promise vnto me in his behalfe to do what may be done for my sake To conclude if you once perfectly knowe as I hope it is like none otherwise to come to passe that his worthinesse deserueth your courtesie I beséeche you to make muche of him to loue and like him and to reckon him in the number of your fréendes Thus if you do you shall gratifie me highly and do him an excéeding great pseasure Fare you wel Cicero to Planco THE ARGVMENT He writeth of the determination of the Senate not disagreâ—…ing from owne sentence that the dignitie of Planeus might be augmented his honour inlarged Finally he addeth an exhortation of valiauntnesse willing Plancus to perseuer in resistence against Anthonie till such time as all the sparkles of his furie in battell be extinguished and vtterly quenched I Had no sooner gotten opportunitie to inlarge your honour but I pretermitted nothing which might make for your aduauncement either in consideration of the recompence of vertuâ—… or in respecte of the worship that might be ministred by wordes This to be no vntruth you may vnderstand by the determination of the Senate For so was it enacted and by authoritie confirmed as I in writing gaue information and in woordes vttered mine owne sentence which the full court and aâ—…emblie of Senatours were so farre from dissalowinge that thereunto with earnest desire large graunts they condescended And although I perceiued by your letters which you sent mée that the iudgment of good men was to your greater delectation then the ensignes and ornameÌ„ts of renowne in your expectation yet I thought that it was our dueties to ponder and weighe how déepely the common wealth is growne in your debte for your meritorious and wel deseruing behauiour albeit you required nothing in the way of reward Procéede you still as you haue begonne and let your last assaults be answerable to your first attempts For hée that shall giue Anthonie the ouerthrowe and fell his force flat vnder foote shall in like manner bring that battel to an end Wherefore Homere named not Aâ—…ax nor Achilles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say a conquerour of cities but assigned that title to venturous Vlysses Fare you well Cicero to Planco THE ARGVMENT He commendeth Plancus for his assistaunce and speedie succour in the behalfe of the common wealth employed giueth him counsell to pursue Anthonie to Mutina and by all meanes 〈◊〉 to procure â—…is destruction O Ioyfull report and most acceptable rumour which was scatered abroade two dayes before the victorie was obteined concerning your assistaunce your fortifications your earnestnesse your expedition your spéedinesse and the courage of your souldiers So that now our enemies being vanquished and vtterly put to flight al hope in you is harboured all confidence and assurance in your dealing reposed For it is noysed abroad that the most notable and principall ringleaders of those rebellious robbers and trayterous varlots haue forsaken the foughten field and being vnable any longer to encounter haue taken flight from Mutina Therefore it is no lesse coÌ„modious to digge vp the rootes then to cut off the small sprigs and as commendable to pearce to the bone as to pare the skinne and as great puisaunce and prowesse to take triall of the vttermost hazard as of the formost aduenture and as much praise due to constancie to wounde him to the death as to draw out a weapon I looked for your letters and the letters of many more besides I was in hope also that Lepidus would remember in these tumultes and stormes of the weale publique to ioyne his power with your strength whereby hée might satisfie the expectation of the coÌ„mon wealth Labour to the vttermost friend Plancus and thinke no kinde of trauel too tedious that not so much as one litle sparckle of that outragious cruel and most mischiefous warre remaine vnquenched Which thing if your wisedome and manhoode may compasse you shall bestowe vppon the common wealth a heauenly benefite and you shall purchase to your owne person euerlasting renowne The third of the Ides of Maie Fare you well Plancus to Cicero ¶ THE ARGVMâ—…NT This Epistle maketh mencion of the preparation which hee made to ouerthrowe Aâ—…honie I Thought that it was not impertinent to your personne nor to the common estate by these letters which I haue written to vnderstand such thinges as in processe of time haue chaunced * My diâ—…igence and circumspect dealing hath as I hope beene to my selfe a commoditie and to the weale publique an aduauntage For I ceased not to send poastes to Lepidus daily that all contention cancelled and cut in sunder and* a recoÌ„ciliation of both our willes obteined his helpe ioyned to mine and mine aide lincked vnto his hée with mee and I with him might defend the common wealth from the inuasâ—…on of aduersaries and that hée should not so much thinke vppon one vile rascall and contemptible outcaste as on his priuate reputation his children affinitie frendes and naturall countrie Wherein if hée condescended to doe so as hée was desired hee might turne my seruice to his owne aduauntage in all thinges whatsoeuer My request was not voide in this case for by Laterensis oure messinger passing betwene vs too and fro I preuailed in my purpose insomuch that the matter growing to this perfection hée gaue mée his faith trueth and honestie that hée would pursue and resist Anthonie in battel if hée could not kéepe him out of his prouince besides this hée besought mée to come ioyne the aide of both our armies together wherof hée was somuch y more desâ—…rous