haue done but that you so earnestly desiered me did after suche a sort geue eare vnto hit as though you wolde not that any parcell of that communication should be left out Which though I haue doone sumwhat briefely yet coulde I not chuse but rehearse it for the iudgement of theÌ„ which wheÌ„ they had improued and disallowed my sayinges yet incontinent hearinge the Cardinall allowe them dyd themselfes also approue y â— same so impuâ—eÌ„â—ly flattering him y â— they were nothinge ashamed to admit yea almost in good earnest his iesters folish inuentions bicause that he him selfe by smylynge at them did seme not to disproue theÌ„ So that hereby you may right well perceaue how litle y â— courtiers wold regard esteme me my sayinges I ensure you maister Raphael quod I I toke great delectation in hearing you all thinges that yow sayde were spoken so wittily and so pleasauÌ„tly And me thought my self to be in the meane time not only at home in my couÌ„trey but also throughe the pleasaunt remeÌ„braunce of the Cardinall in whose housse I was brought vp of a child to waxe a childe agayne And freÌ„d Raphaell though I did beare verye greate loue towardes you before yet seynge yow do so earnestly fauour thys man yow wyll not beleue howe muche my loue towardes yow is nowe increased But yet all this notwithstanding I can by no meanes chaunge my mind but that I must needys beleue y â— you if you be disposed and can find in youre harte to followe some prynces courte shall with your good cownselles greatly healpe further the commeÌ„ wealthe Wherefore there is nothynge more apperteynynge to your dewty y â— is to say to y â— dewty of a good maÌ„ For where as youre Plato Iudgethe that weale publyques shall by this meaâ—es attayne perfecte felicitie other if phylosophers be kynges or els if kynges giue them seâ—fes to the study of Philosophie how farre I praye yowe shall commen wealthes then be from thys felicitie if phylosophers wyll vouchesaufe to instructe kynges w t their good counsell They be not so vnkind quod he but they would gladlye do it yea manye haue done it all readie in bookes that they haue putfurth iâ— kynges and princes would be wyllyng readie to â—olowe good counsell But Plato doubteles dyd well forsee oneles kynges themselfes would applye their myndes to the studye of philosophie that elles they would neuer thoroughlye allowe the counsell of philosophers beyng themselfes before euen from their teÌ„der age infectyd and corrupt with peruerse and euyll opinioÌ„s Whiche thynge Plato hymselfe prouyd trewe in kynge Dionise If I should propose to any kynge holsome decrees doinge my endeuour to pluck out of hys mynde the pernitious originall causes of vice and noughtenes thynke you not that I shoulde furthâ— with other be dryuen awaye or elles made a laâ—ghyâ—ge stocke Goo to suppose that I were with the Frenche kynge and there syttynge in hys counsell whyles that in that moste secrete consultation the kyng hym self there beynge present in hys owne pâ—â—sonâ— they beat their braynes and serche the verye bottomes of theyr wyttes to discusse by what crafte and meanes the kyng maye styll kepe Myllayne and drawe to hym agayne â—ugatyue Naples And then howe to conquere the Venetians and howe to bryng vnder his Iurisdiction all Italye then howe to wynne the dominion of Flaâ—Ì„ ders Brabant and of all Burgundie with dyuers other landes whole kyngdomes he hath longe a goo in mynde and purpose inuaded Here whyles oâ—e counselleth to conclude a leage of peace with the Venetians whiche sâ—al so loÌ„ge endure as shal be thought 〈◊〉 and expedient for theire purpose and to make them also of their couÌ„sell yea and besydes that to gyue them parte of the praye whyche afterwarde when they haue brought theyâ— purpose abowte after theyr owne myndes they maye requyre and claym agayne An other thynketh beste to hyere the Germaneynes An other woulde haue the fauoure of the Swychers wonne with money An others aduyse is to appease the puyssaunte powre of the emperours maiestie with golde as with a moste pleasaunt and accepâ—able sacrifice Whyles an other gyueth counsell to make peace wyth the kynge of Arragone and to restore vnto hym hys owne kyngdome of Nauarra as a full assuraunce of peace An other cummeth in wyth hys .v. egges and aduyseth to howke in the kynge of Castell with somme hope of affynytie or allyaunce and to brynge to theyr parte certeyne peers of hys courte for greate pensions Whyles they all staye at the chyefeste dowte of all what to doo in the meane tyme with England and yet agree al in this to make peace w t the englishmeÌ„ with moste suere and strong bondes to bind that weake and feable frendshyppe so that they must be called frendes and hadde in suspicion as enemies And that therfore the skottes must be hadde in a reddines as it were in a standing reddie at all occasions in auâ—ters the Englyshe men should sturre neuer so litle incoâ—tineÌ„t to set vpon them And moreouer preuiâ—ie and secretly for opeÌ„ly it maye not be doone by the truce that is taken prâ—â—elye therfore I faye to make muche of some peere of Englande that is bannyshed his countrey whiche must cleyme title to the crown of the realme and affirme hym selfe iuste inheritoure therof that by thys subtyll meanes they maye holde to them the kynge in whom elles they haue but small truste and affiaunce Here I saye where so greate and high matters be in consultation where so manye noble and wyse men counsell their kyng only to warre here if I sely man should ryse vp and wylle them to tâ—rne ouer the leafe and learne a newe lesson sayng that my counsell is not to medle with Italy but to tarrye styll at home and that the kyngdome of fraunce alone is all moste greater then that it maye wellâ— be gouerned of one man so that the kyng shoulde not â—ede to studye howe to gett more And then shoulde propose vnto them the decrees of the people that be called the Achoriens whiche be situate ouer agaynst the Ilande of Vtopia on the sowthealte syde Thies Achorienâ— ones made warre in their kinges quaâ—â—el for to gette him an other kyngdom whiche he layde clayne vnto auaunced hymself righte inheritoure to thâ— crowne therof by the title of an olde aliaunce At the last wheÌ„ they had gotten it an sawe that they hadde euen as muche vexation and trouble in keping it as they had in gettyng it and that other there newe conquered subiectes by sondrye occasions were makynge dayly insurrections to rebell agaynste them or els that other countreys were contynually with diuers inrodes and forraginges inuadinge them so that they were euer fyghtinge other for theÌ„ or agaynste them and neuer coulde breke vp â–ª their campes Seynge them selfes in the meane season pylled and impoueryshed their money carryed owt of the Realme theyr owne meâ— kyâ—led to mayntayne the glory
brute beastes be immortall and euerlasting But nothiâ—ge to be compared with owers in dignitie nother ordeyned and predestinate to like felicitie For all they beleue certeinly and sewerly that mans blesse shall be so greate that they doo morne and lamente euerye mans sicknes but no mans death oneles it be one whom they see depart from his liffe carfully and agaynst his will For this they take for a very euell token as though the sowle beinge in dyspayre and vexed in conscience through some preuy secret forefeilyng of the punnishment now at hande were afâ—rde to â–ª depart And they thinke he shall not be welcome to God whyche when he ys called runneth not to hym gladly but ys drawen by force and sore agaynste hys wyll They therfore that see thys kynde of deathe doo adhorre it and them that so die they buye wyth sorrow and silence And wheÌ„ they haue prayed God to be mercifull to the sowle and mercifully to pardon the â—nfirmities therof they couer y e dead coorse with earthe Contrarye wise all that depart merely and ful of good hoope for theÌ„ no man moâ—rnethe but followethe the heerse with ioyfull synging coÌ„mending the soules to god with great affectioÌ„ And at the last not with mourning sorrow but with a great â—â—uereÌ„ce they bourne y â— bodies And in y e same place they set vp a piller of stone with the deade mans titles therin graued When they be coÌ„me home they reherse his vertuouse maâ—ers his good dedes But no parte of his liffe is soooft or gladly talked of as his mery deathe They thinke that this remeÌ„braunce of their vertue goodnes doth vehemeÌ„tely prouoke and enforce the quicke to vertue And y â— nothing caÌ„ be more pleasaunt acceptable to the dead Whom they suppose to be present emong them when they talke of them though to the dull and feoble eyesight of mortall meÌ„ they be inuisibly For it were an vnconâ—enient thinge that the blessed shoulde not be at libertye to goo whether they wold And it were a poynte of greate vnkyndnes in theÌ„ to haue vtterly caste awaye the desyer of vysytynge and seynge their frindes to whome they were in theyr lyfe tyme ioyned by mutuall loue and charytye Whych in goodmeÌ„ after they re deathe they cownte to be ratâ—â— encreasede then dymynyshede They beleue therefore that the deade be presentlye conuersaunte emong y â— quicke as beholders and witnesses of all their woordes and deedes Therefore they go more corragiously to their busines as haâ—ing a trust and affiaunce in such ouerseers And this same belefe of y â— present coÌ„uersacioÌ„ of their forefathers and auncetours emonge them fearethe them from all secrete dishonesty They vtterly â—espise and mocke sothe sayinges and diuinacions of thinges to come by the flighte or voyces of birdes and all other diuinations of vayne superstition which in other countreys be in great obseruation But they highly esteame and worshippe miracles that come by no helpe of nature as workes and witnesses of the presente powrâ— of God And such they saye doo chaunce there very often And suÌ„times in great and dowtefull matters by commen intercession and prayers they procure and obteyne them with a suer hoope confidence and a stedfast beleffe They thinke that the contemplacion of nature and the prayse thereof cumminge is to God a very acceptable honour Yet there be many so earnestly bent and affectioned to religion that they passe no thinge for learning nor giue their mindes to no knowledge of thinges But ydelnes they vtterly forsake eschâ—e thinkinge felicitie after this liffe to be gotten and obteined by busy labors and good exercises Some therfore of them attende vpon the sicke some amend highe waies clense ditches repaire bridges digge turfes grauell and stones fell and cleaue woode bring wood corâ—e and other thinges into the cities in cartes and serue not onlye in commen woorkes but also in pryuate laboures as seruanntes yea more then bondmeÌ„ For what so euer vnpleasaunte harde and vile worke is any where from the which labour lothsuÌ„â—es and desperâ—tion doth fraye other all that they take vpon them willingly and gladly procuring quyete and rest to other remayning in continuall woorke and labour themfelfes not embrayding others there wyth They nother reproue other mens liues nor glorye in theire owne Thies meÌ„ the more seruiseable they behaue them selfes the moore they be honoured of all men Yet they be diuided into .ij. sectes The one is of them that liue single and chast absteining not only from the company of women but also from the eating of flesh and some of them from al maner of beastes Which vtterly reiectynge the pleasures of this present lyffe as hurtefull be all hollye set vpon the dessire of the lyffe to come by watchynge and sweatynge hoping shortely to obtaine it beyng in the meane season meerye and lustye The other sect is no lesse desyerous of labour but they eÌ„brace matrimony not despising the solace therof thinking that they caÌ„ not be discharged of theire bonâ—den duetyes towardes nature withoute labour and tiole nor towardes their natiâ—e countreye wythowte procreacion of chyldren They abstayne from no pleasure that dothe nothynge hynder them from laboure They loue the fleshe of fourefoted beastes bycause they beleue that by that meate they be made hardier and stronger to woorke The Vtopians count this secte the wiser but y â— other the hollier Which in that they preferre single liffe before matrimony and that sharpe liffe before an easier liffe if herin they grounded vpon reasoÌ„ they wold mock them But now forasmuch as they say they be ledde to it by religion they honour and worship theÌ„ And thies be they whome in their language by a peculyare name they call Buthrescaâ— the whyche woorde by interpretation signifieth to vs men of religâ—on or religious men They haue pryestes of exceding hollines and therefore very few For there be but .xiij. in euery city according to the number of theire churches sauynge when they go furth to battell For than .vij. of them goo furthe wyth the armye in whose steades so manye newe be made at home But the other at they re retourne home agayn reentre euery one into his own place they that be aboue the numbre vâ—tyll suche tyme as they succede into the places of the other at they re dyiâ—ge be in the meane season continuallye in companye wyth the bishoppe For he ys the chyeffe heade of theÌ„ all They be chosen of the people as the other magistrates be by secrete voices for y â— auoyâ— they be consecrate of their owne company They be ouerseers of all deuyne matters orderers of religious and as it were Iugers and maisters of maners And it is a great dishonestye and shame to be rebuked or spoken to by anny of theÌ„ for dissolute and incontineÌ„t liuing But as it is their offyce to gyue good exhortations and cowâ—sell so it is y â— deâ—ty of the prince and y â— other
A fruteful and pleasaunt worke of the beste state of a publyque weale and of the newe yle called Vtopia written in Latine by Syr Thomas More knyght and translated into Englyshe by Raphe Robynson Citizein and Goldsmythe of London at the procurement and earnest request of George Tadlowe Citezein Haberdassher of the same Citie ¶ Imprinted at London by Abraham Vele dwelling in Pauls churcheyarde at the sygne of the Lambe Anno. 1551. To the right honourable and his verie singuler good maister maister William Cecylle esquiere one of the twoo principal secretaries to the kyng his moâ—â—e excellent maiestie Raphe Robynsoâ— wissheth coÌ„tinuaunce of health with dayly increase of vertue and honoure VPon a tyme when tidynges came too the citie of Corinthe that kyng Philippe father to Alexander surnamed y â— Great was comming thetherwarde with an armie royall to lay siege to the citie The CorinthiaÌ„s being forth with stryken with greate feare beganne busilie and earnestly to looke aboute them and to falle to worke of all handes Some to â—â—owre trymmâ— vp harneis some to carry stones some to amende and buylde hygher the walles some to rampiere and fortyfie the bulwarkes and fortresses some one thynge and some an other for the defendinge and strengthenynge of the citie The whiche busie labour and toyle of theires when Diogenes the phylosopher sawe hauing no profitable busiâ—es wherupoÌ„ to sette himself on worke neither any man required his labour and helpe as expedient for the commeÌ„ wealth in that necessitie immediatly girded about him his phylosophicall cloke began to rolle and tumble vp and downe hether thether vpon the hille syde that lieth adioyninge to the citie his great barrel or tunne wherein he dwelled for other dwellynge place wold he haue noâ—e This seing one of his frendes and not a litell musynge therat came to hym And I praye the Diogenes quod he whie doest thou thus or what meanest thou hereby Forsothe I am tumblyng my tubbe to quod he bycause it were no reason y â— I only should be ydell where so many be workiÌ„g In semblable maner right honorable sir though I be as I am in dede of muche lesse habilitie then Diogenes was to do any thinge that shall or may be for the auauncement commoditie of the publique wealth of my natiue countrey yet I seing euery sort and kynde of people in theire vocatioÌ„ degree busilie occupied about the coÌ„moÌ„ wealthes affaires especially learned meÌ„ dayly putting forth in writing newe inuentions deuises to the furtherauÌ„ce of thesame thought it my boâ—Ì„den duetie to God to my countrey so to tuÌ„ble my tubbe I meane so to occupie exercise me self in bestowing such spare houres as I beinge at y â— becke coÌ„maundement of others cold conueniently winne to me â—elf y â— though no coÌ„moditie of that my labour trauaile to the publique weale should arise yet it myght by this appeare y t myâ—e endeuoire good wille hereunto was not lacking To the accoÌ„plishemeÌ„t therfore fulfyllyng of this my mynde purpose I toke vpoÌ„ me to tourne and translate out of Latine into oure Englishe tonge the frutefull profitable boke which sir Thomas more knight compiled made of the new yle Vtopia coÌ„â—eining setting forth y â— best 〈◊〉 and fourme of a publique weale â— worke as it appeareth writteÌ„ almost fourtie yeres ago by thesaid sir Thomas More y e authour therof â–ª The whiche maÌ„ forasmuche as he was a maÌ„ of 〈◊〉 tyme yea almost of thies our dayes for y â— excellent qualities where 〈◊〉 the great goodnes of God had pleÌ„tyfully endowed hiÌ„ for y â— high place â—owme wherunto his prince had moâ—â— graciously called hiÌ„ notably wel knowen not only amoÌ„g vs his couÌ„tremeÌ„ â–ª but also in forrein couÌ„treis nations â–ª therfore I haue not much to speake of him This only I sayeâ— y â— it is much to be lameÌ„ted of al not only of vs English men y â— a man of so incomparable witte of so profounde knowlege of so absolute learning of so fine eloqueÌ„ce was yet neuerthelesse so much blinded rather to obstinacie then w t ignorauÌ„ce y â— he could not or rather would not see the shining light of godes holy truthe in certein principal pointes of ChristiaÌ„ religion but did rather cheâ—se to perseuer continue in his wilfull stubbourne obstinacie eueÌ„ to y â— very death â–ª this I say is a thing much to be lameÌ„ted But letting this matter passe I retourne again to vtopia Which as I said befor is a work not only for y â— matter y â— it coÌ„teineth fruteful profitable but also for y â— writers eloqueÌ„t latine stiele pleasaunt delectable Which he y â— readeth in latine as y â— authour himself wrote it perfectly vnderstanding y â— same doubtles he shal take great pleasure delite both in y â— swete eloqueÌ„ce of y â— writer also in y â— wittie inueÌ„cion fine coÌ„â—eiauÌ„ce or dispositioÌ„ of y â— matter but most of all in the good holsome lessons which be there in great pleÌ„ty abouÌ„dauÌ„ce But nowe I feare greatly y â— in this my simple translatioÌ„ through my rudenes ignorauÌ„ce in our english tonge all the grace pleasure of y â— eloquence wherwith y â— matter in latine is finely set forth may seme to be vtterly excluded lost therfore the frutefulnes of the matter it selfe muche peraduenture diminished appâ—yred For who knoweth not whiche knoweth aâ—y thyng that an eloqent styele setteth forth highly coÌ„mendeth a meane â—â—â—ter Where as on the other side rude vnlearned speche defaceth and disgraceth a very good matter According as I harde ones a wise man say A good tale euel tolde were better vntold â–ª an euell tale well tolde nedeth none other sollicitour This thing I well pondering wayinge w t me self also knowing knowledging the barbarous rudenes of my translatioÌ„ was fully determined neuer to haue put it forth in printe had it not bene for certein frendes of myne especially one whom aboue al other I regarded a maÌ„ of sage â–ª discret witte in wordly matters by long vse well experieÌ„ced whoe 's name is George Tadlowe an honest citiâ—ein of London in thesame citie well accepted of good reputatioÌ„ at whoe 's request instauÌ„ce I first toke vpoÌ„ my weake feble sholders y â— heauie and weightie bourdein of this great enterprice This man w t diuers other but this maÌ„ chiefely for he was able to do more w t me theÌ„ many other after that I had ones rudely brought y â— worke to an ende ceassed not by al meanes possible coÌ„tinualy to assault me vntil he had at y e â—aste what by y â— force of his pitthie argumentes strong reasons what by hys authority so persuaded me that he caused me to agree consente to the impryntynge herof He therfore as the chiefe
persuadour must take vpon him the daunger whyche vpon this bolde and rashe enterpryse shall ensue I as I suppose am herin clerely acquytte and discharged of all blame Yet honorable Syr for the better auoyding of enuyous and malycyous tonges I knowynge you to be a man not onlye profoundely learned and well affected towardes all suche as eyther canne or wyll take paynes in y â— well bestowing of that poore talente whyche GOD hath endued them wyth but also for youre godlye dysposytyon and vertuous qualytyes not vnworthelye nowe placed in aucthorytye and called to honoure am the bolder humblye to offer and dedycate vnto youre good maystâ—rshyppe thys my symple woorke Partly that vnder the sauffe conducte of your protection it may the better be defended froÌ„ the obloqâ—ie of theÌ„ which can say well by nothing that pleaseth not their fond aâ—d corrupt iudgementes though it be els both frutefull and godly partlye that by the meanes of this homely preâ—eâ—t I may the better renewe and reuiue which of late as you know I haue already begonne to do y â— old acquayntaunce that was betwene you and me in the time of our childhode being then â—colefellowes togethers â–ª Notdoubting that you for your natiâ—e goodnes and gentelnes will accept in good parte this poore gift as an argument or token that mine old good wil and hartye affection towardes you is not by reason of long tract of time and separrtion of our bodies any thinge at all quayled and diminished but rather â— I assuer yoâ— much augmented and increased This verely is y â— chieffe cause y â— hath incouraged me to be so bolde with youre maistershippe Els truelye this my poore present is of such simple and meane sort that it is neyther able to recompense the least portion of your great gentelnes to me of my part vnâ—eserued both in the time of our olde acquayntance and also now lately again bountifully shewed neither yet fitte mete for the very basenes of it to be offered to one so worthy as you be But al mighty god who therfore euer be thaÌ„ked hath auauÌ„ced you to such fortune dignity that yoâ— be of hability to accept thankefully aswell a mans good-will as his gift The same god graunte you and all yours long and ioyfully â–ª to contynue in all godlynes and prosperytye ¶ Thomas More to Peter Giles seÌ„deth gretynge I Am almoste ashamed right welbeloued Peter Giles to seÌ„de vnto you this boke of y â— vtopian commen wealth welnigh after a yeares space which I am suer you loked forwithin a moneth a half And no marueil For you knewe welenough that I was already disbourdened of all y â— labour study beloÌ„ging to the inuention in this work and that I had no nede at all to trouble my braynes about the dispositioÌ„ or coÌ„ueyaunce of the matter therfore had her in nothing els to do but only to rehearse those thinges which you aâ—d I togethers hard maister Raphaell tel and declare Wherefore there was no cause whie I shold study to setforth y â— matter with eloqueÌ„ce for asmuch as his talke cold not be fine eloquent being firste not studied for but sodein and vnpremeditate and then as you know of a mâ—Ì„ better sene in the greke language then in the latine tong And my writing the nigher it shold approche to his homely playne and simple speche somuch the â—igher shold it go to the trueth whiche is the only marke wherunto I do and ought to direct all my trauail and study herin I graunt and confesse frende Peter meself discharged of somuch labour hauing all thies thinges redy done to my hand that almoost there was nothing lefte for me to do Elles other the inuention or the disposition of this matter might haue requyred of a witte nother base nother at all vnlearned bothe some time leasure and also some studye But yf yt were requysyte and necessary that the matter shoulde also haue bene wryten eloquentelye and not alone truelye of a suerty that thynge coulde I haue perfourmed by no tyme nor studye But nowe seynge all thyes cares stayes and lettes were taken awaye wherin elles somuche laboure and studye shoulde haue bene employed and that there remayned no other thynge for me to doo but onelye to wryte playnlye the matter as I hard it spoken that in dede was a thynge lyghte and easye to be done Howe beit to the dyspatchynge of thys so lytell bâ—synes my other cares and troubles did leaue almooste lesse then no leasure Whyles I doo daylye bestowe my tyme abowte lawe matters some to pleade some to heare some as an arbytratour wyth myne awarde to determyne â–ª some as an vmpier or a iudge with my sentence finallye to discusse Whiles I go one way to see and visite my frend an other way about mine owne priuat affaires Whiles I spend almost al the day abrode emonges other and the residue at home among mine own I leaue to meselfe I meane to my boke no time For when I am come home I muste commen with my wife chatte with my chyldren and talke wyth my seruauntes All the whyche thynges I rekeâ— and accompte emonge busynes forasmuche as they muste of necessytye be done and done muste they nedes be oneles a man wyll be a straunger in hys owne howse And in any wyse a man muste so fassyon and order hys condytyons and so appoynte and dyspose hym selfe that he be merye iocunde and pleasaunte amonge them whome eyther nature hath prouyded or chaunce hathe made or he hymselfe hathe chosen to be the fellowes and companyons of hys lyfe so â–ª that wyth to muche gentle be hauyoure and famylyaryte he doo not marre them and by tomuche sufferaunce of hys seruauntes make them hys maysters Emonge thyes thinges nowe rehearsed stealethe awaye the daye the moneth the yeare Wheâ— doo I wryte then And all thys whyle haue I spoken no woorde of slepe nother yet of meate whyche emonge a greate number doth waste no lesse tyme then dothe slepe wherin almooste halfe the lyfe tyme of maâ— crepethe awaye I therefore doo wynne and gette onelye that tyme whyche I steale from slepe and meate Whyche tyme bycause yt ys verye littell and yet somwhat it is therfore haue I ones at the last thoughe it be longe first finished Vtopia and haue sent it to you frende Peter to reade and peruse to the intent that if anye thynge haue escaped me you might putte me in remembraunce of it For though in this behalf I do not greatly mistruste meself whiche woulde God I were somewhat in witte and learnyng as I am not all of the worâ—â—e and dullest memory yet haue I not so great trust and confidence in it that I thinke nothing could fall out of my mynde For Iohn Clement my boye who as you knowe was there present with vs whome I suffer to be awaye from no talke wherin may be anye profit or goodnes for out of this yong bladed
¶ The fyrste boke of the communycacion of Raphaell hythlodaye concernynge the best state of a commen wealthe THe moste vyctoryous and tryumphante Kynge of Englande Henry the ight of that name in all royal vertues Prince moste peerlesse hadde of late in contraâ—ersie with the right hyghe aâ—d myghtie king of Castell weightye matters aâ—d of greate importaunce for the debatement final determinatioÌ„ wherof y â— kinges Maiest seÌ„t me Ambassadour into flauÌ„ders ioined in coÌ„missioÌ„ w t cuthebert TuÌ„stall a man doubteles owte of comparison and whom the kinges maiestie of late to the greate reioysyng of all men did preferre to y â— office of maister of y â— Rolles but of thys mans prayses I will saye nothynge not bycause I do feare that small credence shal be geuen to the testymoâ—y that commyth owt of a frindes mouthe but bicause hys vertue and lernyng be greater and of more excellencye than that I am able to prayse them and also in all places so famous and so perfectlye well knowne that they nede not nor ought not of me to be praysed onles I wolde seme to shew and set furth the brightenes of the sonne wyth a candell as the Prouerbe sayth There met vs at Bruges for thus yt was before agreed they whome theire prince hadde for that matter appoynted commyssyoners excellente men all The chiefe and the head of theÌ„ was the Marcgraue as they cal him of Bruges a right honorable man but the wisest and the best spoken of them was George Temsice proâ—oste of Casselles a man not onlye by lernyng but also by nature of singuler eloquence and in the lawes profoundelye leâ—ned but in reasonynge and debatynge of matters what by his naturall witte what by daylye exercise suerlye he hadde fewe fellowes After that we hadde ones oâ— twise mette and vpon certeyne poyntes or artycles could not fully and throughlye agre they for a certeyne space toke their leaue of vs departed to Bruxelle there to knowe theire princes pleasure I in the meane tyme for so my busynes laye wente streyghte thens to Antwerpe Whyles I was there abydinge often tymes amonge other but whyche to me was more welcome then annye other â–ª dyd vysite me oâ—e Peter Gyles a Citisien of Antwerpe a man there in hys contrâ—y of hoâ—est reputatyon and also preferred to hyghe promotyons worthye truelye of the highest For it is harde to saye whether the yong man be in lernyâ—ge or in honestye more excellent For he is bothe of wonderfull vertuous condytyons and also singulerlye wellâ—lerned and towardes all sortes of people excedynge gentyl But towardes hys fryndes so kynde harted so louynge so faythfull so trustye and of so earneste affectyon that yt were verye harde in any place to fynd a man that wyth hym in all poyntes of frendshyppe maye be compared No man can be more lowlye or courteys Noman vsithe lesse symulatyon or dyssymulatyon in no man ys more prudente symplycytye Besydes this he is in his talke and commuâ—ycatyon so merye and pleasaunte Yea and that wythout harme that throughe hys gentyll intertaynement and hys swete and delectable communycatyon in me was greatlye abated and dymynyshed the feruent desyre that I hadde to see my natyue contreye my wyffe and my chyldren whome then I dyd muche longe and coâ—ett to see bicause that at that tyme I hadde byn more then .iiij. monythes froÌ„ them Vpon a certeyne daye as I was herynge the deuyne seruyce in our ladies churche whyche is the fayrest the moste gorgious and curyous churche of buyldynge in all the cytye and also moste frequented of people and when the deuyne was done was readye to goo home to my lodgyng I chaunced to espie thys forsayde Peter talkynge wyth a certeyne straunger a man well stryken in age wyth a blake sonne burned face a longe bearde and a cloke caste homely aboute hys shoulders whom by hys fauour apparrel forthwythe I iudged to be a maryner But wheÌ„ thys Peter sawe me he cummythe to me and saluteth me And as I was abowte to answere hym see you thys man sayeth he and therwyth he poynted to the man that I sawe hym talkynge wyth before I was mynded quod he to brynge hym streyghte home to you He should haue beâ—e verye welcome to me sayd I for your sake Naye quod he for hys owne sake if you knewe hym for there ys no man this daye lyuynge that can tell you of so manye strange and vnknowne peoples and coâ—treis as this man can And I know well that you be verye desyrous to heare of suche newes Than I coniectured not farre a mysse quod I for eueÌ„ at the fyrste syghte I iudged hym to be a maryner Naye quod he there ye were greatlye deceaued he hayth sayled indede not as the maryner Palynure but as the experte and prudent prince Vlisses Yea rather as the auncyent and sage Philosopher Plato For thys same Raphaell Hythlodaye for thys ys hys name is verye will lerned in the Latyne tonge but profounde and excellent in the greke tonge Wherein he euer bestowed more studye than in the lattyne because he had geuen hym selfe holye to the studye of Phylosphy Wherof he knowe that there ys nothynge extante in the lattyne tonge that is to anâ—y purpose sauynge a few of Senecaes Ciceroes doinges His patrymonye that he was borne vnto he lefte to his bretherne for he is a Portugalle borne and for the deâ—yre that he hadde to see and kâ—owe the farre contreys of the worlde he ioyned him selfe 〈◊〉 companye wyth Amerike vespuce and in the .iij. laste voyages of thoes iiij that be nowe in prynte and abrode in euerye mans handes he contynued styll in hys companye sauynge that in te laste voyage he came not home again wyth hym For he made suche meanes and shyfte what by intreataunce and what by importune sute y â— he gotte lyâ—ence of mayster Amerycke thoughe it were sore agaynst his will to be one of the .xxiiij. whyche in the ende of the last voyage were lette in the contrye of Gulike He was therfore lefte behynde for hys miâ—des sake as one that toke more thoughte and care for trauaylyng then dyinge hauynge customablye in hys mouthe theis sayiâ—ges He that hathe no graue ys couered wyth the skie and The way to heauen owte of all places is of like lenghth and distance Which faÌ„tasye of his if God had not bene his betterfrende he hadde suerlye bought full deere But after the departynge of Mayster â—espuce when he hadde trauayled thoroughe and abowte manye contreis with v. of his companyoâ—s Gulykyans at the laste by maruelous chaunce he arryued in Taprobane froÌ„ whens he wente to Calyquit where he chaunced to fynde certeyne of hys contrey shyppes wherin he retorned again into hys countreye nothynge lesse theÌ„ lokyd for All thys when Peter hadde tolde me I thankyd hym for his gentyll kyndnes that he hadde vouchesaufed to brynge me to the speche of that man whose commuâ—ication he thought sholde be to
in euery place so ryffe and ranke Naye Syr quod I for I durst boldely speake my mind before the Cardynall maruell nothing herat for thys punyshement of theues passeth of the lymytes Iustyce and is also very hurtefull to the weale publyque For it is to extreame and crewell a punishement for thefte aâ—d yet not sufficient to refrayne men from theft For simple thefte is not so greate an offence that it owght to be punished wâ—th death Nother there is any punishmente so horrible that it can kepe them from stealynge whych haue no other crafte wherby to get their liuing Therefore in this poynte not yow only but also the moste part of the wordle be lyke euyll scholemasters whych be ready are to beate then to teache their scholers For great and horryble punyshemeÌ„tes be appoynted for theues whereas muche rather prouysyon should haue bene made that there were some meanes wherby they might gett theyr lyuynge so that no man should be dreuen to thys extreame necessitie fyrst to steale then to dye Yes quod he this matter is well ynoughe prouyded for all ready There be haÌ„dy craftes there is husbandry to gett their liuinge by if they wolde not wyllingely be nowghâ— Nay quod I you shall not skape so for fyrste of all I wyll speake nothynge of them that come home owte of warre may mede and lame as not longe ago owte of blacke heath filde and a lityll before that owt of the warres in FrauÌ„ce suche I say as put their lyues in ieopardy for the weale publiques or the kinges sake and by the reason of weakenes and â—amenes be not able to occâ—py their olde craftes and be to aged to lerne newe of them I wyll speake nothinge because warre lyke the tyde ebbeth and floweth But let vs consydere those thinges that chauÌ„ce dayly before our eyes Fyrste there is a great numbre of gentilmen which can not be content to lyue ydle them selfes like dorres of that whiche other haue laboryd for their tenauntes I meane whoÌ„ they polle and shaue to y â— quycke by reysing their rentes for this only poynte of frugalitye do they vse men els thoroughe their lauasse and prodigall spendynge able to bringe them selfes to very beggery thies gentilmen I say do not only liue in ydilnes them selfes but also carry about with them at their tayles a greate flocke or trayne of ydell and loytrynge seruynge men whyche neuer learned any crafte wherby to get their liuinges Thies men as sone as theyr maister is dead or be sicke them selfes be incontinent thruste owte of doores For geÌ„â—lemen had rather kepe ydil persoâ—es then sycke men and many times the dâ—ad mans heyr is not able to mainteyne so great a howse and kepe so many seruinge men as his father dydde Then in the mâ—ane season they that be thus destytute of seruice other starue for honger or manfully playe the theaues For what wolde yow haue them to do When they haue wandred abrode so loâ—ge vntyll they haue worne threde bare their apparell and also appayred their health then gentlemen because of their pale and sicke faces and patched coâ—es wyll not take them into seruyce And husbandmen dare not sett them a worke Knowyng well ynough that he is nothynge mete to doo trewe and faythfull seruice to a poore man wyth a spade and a mattoke for small wages and harde fare whyche beynge deyâ—â—ely and tenderly pampered vp in ydilnes and pleasure was wont with a sworde and a buckeler by hys syde to iette through the strete with a bragging looke and to thynke hym selfe to good to be any mans mate Naye by saynt Marie seâ— quod the lawier not so for this kinde of men muste we make most of For in them as men of stowter stomackes bolder spyrytes and manlyer currages then handy craftes men and plowe men be doth consyste the hole powre strengthe and puisaunce of oure hoste when we muste fight in battaill Forsothe ser aswel yowe myghte saye quod I that for warres sake you must cheryshe theues For sewerly yow shal neuer lacke theues whyles yowe haue theÌ„ No nor theues be not the most false and faynt harted soldiers nor souldiours be not the cowardlâ—ste theues so well thees .ij. craftes agree together But this fawte though it be muche vsed among yow yet is it not peculiar to yow only but commen also almost to all natyons Yet Fraunce besydes thys is troubled and infected wyth a muche sorer plage The hole realme is fylled and besieged wyth hierede soldiours in peace tyme yf that be peace whyche be brought in vnder the same coloure and pretence that haith persuaded yow to kype thies ydell seruynge men For thies wisefooles and very archedoltes thought the wealth of the hole contrey herin to conâ—ist yf there were euer in a readynes a stronge and a sewer garrisoÌ„ specyallye of olde practysed soldyours for they put no truste at all in men vnexercysed And therfore they must be fayne to seke for warre to th ende they maye euer haue practysed souldyours and cunnynge mansleers leaste that as it is pretilie sayde of Salâ—ste their haâ—des and their myndes thoroughe ydylnes or lacke of exercyse â—houlde waxe dull â–ª But howe pernycyous and pestylente a thynge it is to maynteyne suche beastes the Frenche men by there owne harmes haue learned and the examples of the Romaynes Carthaginieâ—s Siriens and of many other contreys do manyfestly declare For not only the empire but also the fieldys aâ—d cityes of all thies by diâ—ers occasyons haue bene ouerruÌ„ned and destroyed of their owne armies before hand had in a reddines Now how vnnecessary a thynge thys is hereby it maye appere that the Frenche souldiours whyche from their youthe haue byâ—e practysed aâ—d vrede in feates of armes doo not cracke nor auaunce theÌ„ selfes to haue verye often gotte the vpperhande and masterye of your newe made and vnpractysed soldiours But in thys poynte I wyll not vse manye wordes leaste perchaunce I maye seme to flatter yow No nor those same haÌ„dy craft men of yours in cities nor yet the rude vplandishe ploughemen of the coÌ„trey are not supposed to be greatly affraid of your gentilmens ydill seruing men onles it be suche as be not of body or stature correspondent to theyr strenghte and currage orels whose bolde stomackes be dyscourraged thoroughe pouertye Thus yowe maye see that yt ys not to be feared leaste they shoulde be effeâ—yâ—atede they yf were broughte vppe in good craftes aâ—d laborsome wourkes whereby to gett they re lyuynge whose stowte and sturdye bodyes for gentlemen vouchesauffe to corrupte and spill none but picked and chosen men nowe other by reason of râ—st and ydilâ—es be brought to weakenes orels by to easy and womanlye exercises be made feble and vnable to endure hardenes Trewly howe soeuer the case stondeth thys me thinketh is nothyng a veyleable to the weale publique for warre sacke whyche yowe neuer haue but when yow wyll your selfes to kepe and mainteyn an vnnumerable flocke