loue had I in learning spent Oh what a ioy had we arie age enioyed Had I foreseene the wastfull course of time I then had made my haruest in my prime But now when feeble footsteps are allied Vnto the graue this sinfull bodies hould I cannot practise though I haue espyed The way of worth the grace exceeding gould What only rests sweete young men that shall follow I know the sourse and now will teach the shallow Preuent the time the dayes are full of danger Whilst youthfull vigor yeelds you furtherance Make reason guide let follie be a straunger Vertue is perfected by art and vsance Enritch your mindes with skill for why they must Remaine eterne when boddie is but dust Let not your eyes infeebled be by sinne Cut short presumption for it will aspire Who takes aduice amendment dooth begin Sub due your wils and maister your desirâ—… A modest coate chast thoughts and studious artes A dorne the boddie minde and inward partes These lines are lines like Ariadnes clewe To leade thee through the Laborinth of greefe Who so thou be that vertue wilt ensew More sweete in sooth then show in true releefe Good Countrimen still prone what I haue tould Least you repent with me when you are ould In this sort Anthenor councelled his countrey meu warning them by his experience to preuent their youthlie negligence but Philamis not perceiuing that the rotten wood which glistereth in the night is gray and drye in the day time that delights which are faire in showe are foule in substance that things which are best in apparance are woorst in proofe followed his â—…uld course and defaulted in his youthfull inconstancie thinking that the tide would haue no ebbe the time would haue no ende Among all such as conuersed with him there was a young Gentleman of the same yeares and no lesse substance called Philamour who cyther for that he agreed in nature with Philamis or for that necessitie would haue it so entered an inuiolable league of amitie with the braue Rauennois these couple counited by vowes and vnited by loue lyued together in such manner that if Philamis sighed Philamour was sorrie if Philamour was pleasant Philamis was not pensiue if Phllamis would mourne Philamour was melancholie if Philamour passionate for loue Philamis was loues patient what Philamis said Philamour would sooth what Philamour intended Philamis ended so that neither Eurialus was more deere to his Nisus nor Caesar to Cicero nor Ephestion to Alexander nor Lucilius to Seneca then Philâ—…mour to Philamis In this sort passed they theyr time in Passan so that there seemed to bee one soule in two bodyes one heart in two harboures neither seperated at boorde nor seuered at bed but as idle mindes haue yeelding motions and such as are intangled with libertie are soonest thrauled by loue so Philamour like the light Fether in the strong winde the slender skiffe in the greatest storme the weake Willowe in the wastefull ouer ouerfloâ—…e traâ—…ersing the streetes with his frâ—…nds and seeking how to satisfie his fantasse at last beheld the daughter of Nicrosion a Noble man of that Cittye wâ—…â—…d no other heyre but Harpaste nor other hope but hit good â—…ortune this Ladye was beautifull beyond woonder ' and more wittie then wealthie hir bodye was adorned with the guiftes of nature hauing eyes as faire as the Carbuncle but more cleerer Cheekes more crimson then the Rose but sweeter Lippes Cherrieripe limmes choicely framed her minde with staied iudgement reddy thoughts pleasant conceits perfect constancie treasure enough to intangle the eye riches sufficient to rauishe the soule These perfections had so much power ouer Philamour that he tooke no other comfort but in hir company her eye was his Idol her wordes were his Oracles so that he seemed to confesse with Alexis that loue was the infallible mistresse of men killing all former pleasures in them planting theyr delight on one onely obiect which the more a man seeth the more he seeketh neither was young Philamis vnattainted But in contrarie sort for Harpaste behoulding his hautye lookes his honourable learning his braue discourse his boulde demeanour his Socraticall questions his Iudiciall aunswers began to catche houlde where there was no handle to kindle Fuell where there was no Fier and to beginne hir loue where there was no lyking This entrance made Fortune to manifest troubles making this her induction to most tyrannicall cruelties for the more Philamour courted Harpaste the more she contemned him the more Harpaste laboured to allure Philamis the more Philamis neglected the loue of Harpaste Manye were the presents on both sides many the perswations many the priuie sighes to importe fancie manye the apparant shewes of vnfayned fauour if Philamour complayned hee found no comforte if Harpaste bemooned hir shee foâ—…e no medicine But Fortune which is accustomed with great Arte as Garimbert wrighteth to take feare from those ouer whom she most meaneth to tyranise in midst of Philamis security shewed hir greatest seuerity for he chaunsed oh vnfortunate chance to behould Eurinome the disdainefâ—…ll the paragon of comlinesse but the patterne of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 a Circes 〈◊〉 to enchaunt Phillis beautie but Amarillis pride Oh too faire 〈◊〉 she was eloquent to 〈◊〉 learned 〈◊〉 contempue shee was wilye to 〈◊〉 men wretched shee 〈◊〉 smile to see men sighe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eurinome this the aime of his conceit this the ende of his comfort Amidst the passionate estate of these louers Philamour that was first caught in the 〈◊〉 was most of all tormented in his loue confessing with Aristotle that onely beauties eyes were eloquent protesting with Plato that loue was a sage Poet and made other 〈◊〉 for his onely comforte was to contemplate one Harpaste and his minde altogether before time addicted to pleasure was wholy giuen ouer to painte out her prayses in Poetrie One especiall day among the rest Harpaste desirous to discouer 〈◊〉 discontents perswaded her father Nicrotion to make a solemne feast wherevnto among the rest Philamis for loue and Philamour for fashion sake were inuited Thether also repaired Eurimòne the 〈◊〉 bearing a browe of Iuorie a brest of Adamant Great was the assembly on that day sumptuous the Banquet These louers obserued Ouids obseruations at the Table making such prittye combates with their longing eyes that theyr hearts through impatience were well nye consumed with pashion The Dinner 〈◊〉 and Table taken vp according to the custome of Austria the Gentlemen first daunced theyr Courranto some 〈◊〉 their Temples with wreaths of Mirtill other with Garlands of Roses each one presenting theyr 〈◊〉 with a seuerall Flower Philamis among the rest with due reuerence gaue Eurinome a Marigoulde Philamour bestowed a 〈◊〉 on Harpaste hearing their Corronets of 〈◊〉 in their handes when being desired by the Ladyes and Gentlemen to discouer the secret of theyr presents Philamis being most forwarde commaunded the Cornets to sounde this Barginet when taking Eurinome by the hande he began the
toongues to open secrecie many that bare 〈◊〉 in their harts to abuse his 〈◊〉 but the young Raueâ—…noes hauing his hand on his halfepenny had day lookes for quaint ladyes cunning delayes for craftie deceiuers he had a finger to couer his scar with Alexander a faire woord to coulont his suspect with Antimachus yeelding such lips such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that as Acteon was deâ—…oured by his owne Dogges whom he nourished so credulous manners are ouet throwne by those 〈◊〉 whome they haue cherrished and surely not without occasion was he prouident hâ—…erein for flatterers are like rich tombes on which the only name of amity is written or worse then rauenous Crowes who as Antisenes was wont to say do 〈◊〉 feed on dead bodyes whâ—…re flatterers corrupt the liuing 〈◊〉 they are Summer Birdes who endure no storme 〈◊〉 about young Princes in their glorye flying from them in their disgrace in breefe like the Partridge they steale others egges and with the Birde 〈◊〉 hatch other Chickins so that the wordes of Virgil may bee applyed to theyr 〈◊〉 Sic vos non vobis veller a fertis oues Sic vos non vobis 〈◊〉 atis aues But leauing this returâ—…e we to Philamis who liuing in Passan and louing his pleasure was commended of the most for his pleasant discourse of the wisest for his ripe wit and knowledge among the rest Anthenor a man â—…uergrowne with yeares but graue in discourse knowing that as the horne of Cerastes purgeth venom the hearbe Rew preuaileth against the poison of serpents as Abrotamum 〈◊〉 out thorâ—…es Mirtus healeth deadly maladies so counsalles molifie youthlie courage giumg reason the raine when will hath the spurre called young Philamis a part where with fatherly regard and friendly reasons he thus scholed him Gentleman since a man may better perswade by counsaile then disswade by correctioÌ„ since discipline reformeth manners and aduice suppressâ—…th youthlie motions I will though a stranger rather be presumptuous to draw thee â—…rom mischiefs then in forbearing to show thy maimes I should be an agent in thy miserie Oh Philamis thy behauiour showeth thy bringing vp which if it were lâ—…sse courtly more constant the flatterer should be further of the friend neerer at hand thou hast learnd to show outward courtesie but art lame in true courtesie which rather thanketh the better sort for a iust reproofe then commendeth the worser sort for an vnde serued praise is not he a poore Uintner and not so poore as foâ—…d that setteth out a ritch Iuie bush where there is no wine Is not he a vaine man who praiseth the person whâ—…re there is no vertue â—… Is not hee most ignorant that 〈◊〉 to knowe all things yet is ignorant of himselfe If thou confesse the Uintner fonde my Philamis howe more fond art thou who hast beautified the outwarde parts with silkes and blemished the inward with great sinnes shutting thy 〈◊〉 body in strange coulors but shunning to inritch thy hâ—…auenlye minde and soule with good counsailes if thou blame 〈◊〉 that commendeth the person not the vertue howe blamâ—… 〈◊〉 is Philamis who choosest the flatterer for thy 〈◊〉 the taunter for thy Table guest the incontinent for thy 〈◊〉 the inconstant for thy counsauers If his ignorance be great who presumeth the notice of all things but knoweth not himselfe oh how haplesse is Philamis whose presumption is his imperfection and who is only miserable in this that he knoweth not his miserie If thou pâ—…ce thy felicitie in goods euen the felicitie thou seekâ—…st is gale which is fel my Philamis if in pompe oh vaine pompe where the opinion glorieth ouer his trueth prodigalitie ouer frugalitie the shadow ouer his shape and the imperfections of the flesh ouer the perfection of the soule what art thou young man wherein thou art not poore what hast thou young man wherein thou maist not be ritch thou art fashioned like thy maker but mortall thou art wealthy but maist want thou art strong but maist be weake thou art faire but shalt haue furrowes and as the bud perisheth in the flower so shalt thou finish in thy fulnesse what is then thy ritches that of the mind Philamis which is plentifull when the body is poore thou hast a reason to discerne error a will to followe vertue a soule to contemplate heauen a thought to imagine happinesse But why wade I so farre where the black Oxe hath not troden on the foote Why wrest I to teach experience where the thoughts are peremptorie Thou art here in Passan a straunger a Lambe among Woolues a weakling among wicked ones so that eyther thou must learne Pithagorus silence or Socrates fiftie yeares subtiltie yet was Pithagoras taunted houlding his peace and Socrates poisoned for all his science Heare are they that makes their guts their Genius theyr gorge their God their perfumes their perfection their dalliance their deuotion either liuing as though there were no God or loathing as if it were not lawfull to know God and among these liueth Philamis and with these 〈◊〉 Philamis liue without follie To speake liberallie Gentleman but how without lament may I speake it our Catoes nowe a dayes wante moderation our Ciceroes conscience Fooles are held ritch because riche poore ignorant because poore a worldly reason a wretched reason heere our quadrati homines are become rotundi wearing so much of the world on their heads that they forget God in their hearts there are Ladies that haue maskes to couer maimes who are fayre by Esculapius sirrups and haue been foule by Bacchus surfâ—…its heere are Epicures which counterfeit fast when they most feast carrying the Userâ—…rs decipe in their possessions and the Apothecaries recipe in their pursses heere glosing is glorye and Thraso held for Thesene in breefe in this countrie Irix an ordinarie beast liueth many yeares without sicknesse and few men are there amongst vs that passe one yeare without their feauour through beastlines among these caâ—…st thou liue without loosnes I but thou wilte saye that as the cleâ—…rest Christall hath his crack the fairest day his clowde the tallest Cedar his worme the greenest Cicuta his poysen so Câ—…ttyes cannot be without sinnes nor monarchies without mischiefes many spots in the Leopard maketh the white more purer so many defaults in anie estate make the vertues more famous Oh that vertue might want his shadowe in seeing all like hir selfe none loser then he should bee I but Alexander had a finger to couer his scar I but had Alexander no scâ—…rre what need he so vse his finger I but Cicero had eloquence to couer his vaine glorye I but had Cicero no vaine glorie howe sweet were his cloquence O Philamis who so liueth in Passan must beare the stone Smaragdus with the Griphon against the stinging of Serpents carrie Garlike to conquere the Leopard learne of the bird Laurus to flie like an Egle and floate like a fish he must be fit for all times and haue foresight against all treason for heare
their promise whom after he had freendly entertayned he so wrought with them that they vouch safed to draw him in this Chariot the next day to my fathers grange where onely I Celidonia and some small retinew of houshold seruants being informed of his forwardnes expected his comming when entering the place onely couered with a 〈◊〉 hee presented his presents surrendred his prisoners inforcing though no mercie yet admiration in me At last when I required the third dutieâ—… oh dutie full of domage with a stearne countenance and a stoute courage hee thus began O cruell Claetia oh my recurelesse discontents since my domage is thy delight and my martyrdome thy melodie as thou 〈◊〉 satisfied in two thingsâ—… so now surfet on the third I haue serued long with great loyaltie aduenturing mine owne preiudice to inlarge thy praise behould the scarres of my many woundes which are the signes of my truth but the seales of thy tyraunie behould Rabinus growne oulde with much griefe giuen ouer to too much disgrace oh tokens of my truth oh titles of thy tyrannie behould Rabinus who hath made thee famous in his life and will satisfie thy fancies in his death see heere my third vowe performed behould the death of him thou hatest the date of all my horror ah Claetia 〈◊〉 Claetia my heart 〈◊〉 shall giue thee hearts 〈◊〉 my lyfes terme shall yeeld thee 〈◊〉 eternitie and though I please thee not in my lyfe oh let me pacifie thee in my death â—…erevpon with a sharpe Raser he soddainly cut all his vaines leauing no vaine vntoucht that might protract life and whilst lyfe and death combated together and his toong had liberty of speeche to prosecute hir lamentable purpose he thus renewed his complaints Ah Claetia thy fauour is too high prised that for the kisse of thy hand crauest the bloud of my heart yet let me kisse it Claetia that I may spend my last breath on thy least beutie Oh you Nobles now gan I bow but without benefit my minde was to pitty when I had no meanes the behoulders exclaimed I cryed and approching the chariot sought all meanes possible to recouer his comfort now bestowed I kisses on his wan cheekes now imployed I wishes to restore his lost life But ah the fruites of my folly I pyned to see him perrish who perrished thorow my peremptorines But he oh kinde Rabinus sealing his loue with sweete sighes opening his conceits with amiable kisses since libertie of speech was reft him bestowed that was left him kinde lookes for my vnkinde loosenesse and when I was most tyred with loue he expired his last The Knights behoulding his mishap fled for horror leauing me to lament him whom my pride had lost Lord how comfortlesse laye I on hys course how imbraced I him whom I had imbaced and hauing killed him with vnkindnesse in loue how gladly would I with kindnesse haue kissed him aliue But oh we weakelings of nature but too waspish not so waspish as wretched nor so wretched as wicked we melt not in desire tyll men merrit by death and are kinde when we cannot possesse and cruell when we should pleasure hys woorst was past my wickednesse was apparant To be breefe for my breuity is now my benefit who must heryte nothing but myne owne shame I caused hys dead body to be conuayed into my Chamber wherein I inclosed my selfe acknowledging and vnworthy of comfort still seeking counsell of the gods how I might satisfie his ghost tyll at last this later night in my deepest sleepes I beheld this vision Me thought my Rabinus bearing new bloudie woundes stood by my bed side and soddainly awaking cryed out in this manner Haste thee Claetia bloud requireth bloud my ghost will be satisfied when thy lyfe is finished as thou hast wronged me in the sight of the world so satisfie me in the presence of many witnesses This sayd he vanished and I arose where taking the Sworde wherewith he was guirded and this Lampe whereby I was watched I caused my traine of Damsels to draw forth his Coache and hearing of your solemne assembly this day I thought good to make you eye witnesses of my penitence this sayd she caused the damsels to draw in the chariot driuing all the assistance into a maze when extinguishing hit lampe and casting hir selfe vpon the dead body of Rabinus she pierced hir brest with his sword and finished hir life with this answer Ah kind friend since I may not satisfie thee with my life I wil sacrifice vnto thee in my death 〈◊〉 Rabinus though thou art bloudlesse yet art thou beautifull receiue sweet friend with the warme vigor of my bloud that with the riuers of thine eyes thou maist rid me of the rigors of thine enuic My speech â—…yleth Rabinus I will follow thee ladyes learne learncladies by my death to auoid lewdnes by my crosse to flie cruelty thus said she gaue vp the ghost hir handmaids drew both him and hir out of presence conuaying both the bodyes according as Nicrosian commanded into a priuate chamber inuiting al the assistance to these haples louers funerals Eurinomes hart throbbed to consider on their thraldom and Harpaste taking Philamis by the hand asked if the chaunce were not pittifull But this noueltye and the night parted the whole companie so that Philamis had no meanes to sollicite his mistresse nor Philamour to bâ—…ay his misery for euery one in steede of opening loue was inforced to take leaue but among al the rest Harpasâ—… was most mooued who behoulding the haples death of Claetia was so discomforted that no speech can discouer the halfe of hir sorrowe Philamour as a body without soule seeing his mistresse without sollace departed to his lodging and fell a languishing Philamis both comforted him and sought to content hir and taking pen in hand presented hir with this letter consolatorie Philamis to Harpaste MIght I prooue as fortunate to confirme thee my Harpaste as I am forwarde to counsaile thee beleeue me thy affections should not warre against fortune and this accident should not mooue melancholie in that all things are mortall Thou art sorrie that Claetia is dead but remembrest not shâ—…e was borne to dye and art sick for that which happened to hir which will happen to thee and all men knowst thou not that things sodainely growne great are soonest in the graue that sprouting ripenes is a signe of speedy rottennesse why then greeueth Harpaste to loose hir Claetia who was too faire beyond expectation and cruell aboue conceit too ruthlesse in hir life to retchlesse in hir loue thou art sorrie she is dead but why sighest thou not for that shee dyed not better werâ—… thou greeued to see hir liue badlie and wilt not suffer hir to die beastâ—…e what is more certaine then that a lose life will haue a lucklesse end and that those that liue in impietie sildome die with repentance oh Harpaste as in all things enough is as good as a feast so in the
my ioy as I deuine your iudgement I would in good wordes witnesse my great thankes Sooth it is I am miserable Philamour the abiâ—…ct of fortune the obiect of Harpastes crueltie Tis I O my seule thou knoâ—…st I sorrow it that haue iniured my friend wounded my friend and lost my frâ—…nd whome might I see to breath out my repentance in his bosome to sigh at mine owne shame to finde that with my heart blâ—…ud which I haue defaulted in by my hairebrayne heedlessenes I were satisfied in soule and 〈◊〉 should see I was sorrowfull Philamis not able to indure any longer to see the yoâ—…g Gentleman so pâ—…nsiue and passionate cutte off his continued discourse with this short answere Philamour greeue no more euen for Philamis sake art thou welcome I imbrace thee as if I were himselfe and wil loue no lesse than Philamis Cast off therefore this disâ—…onted heauines and frolike it in this solitary seat for if thou carie beleefe which is a helpe at maw as the Phisition sayth to such as wil be cured assure thy selfe the day is thine and the daunger is past Hereupon taking Philamour by the hand this disguised Climachus brought him into his solitary Cel where from a faire windowe he shewed him all the vallyes smilingly beholding Laite said thus Heere is some of your pennance 〈◊〉 Laite must be beholding to you for an ouerflow I beleeue Harpaste knew she should driue you hither she inioyned you so happily Philamour sighed to heare her named but see a wonder Philamis altered this sorrow for taking a booke in hand and turning towards the East there sodainly fel a thunder-clappe the heauens were disturbed and the waters came down with such vehemencie from the mountaines that Laite sadainly of a little Riuer began to exceed Danuby â—…eere might you see the poore shepheards leading theyr flocks to the higher places and the 〈◊〉 that fled in the plaines were driuen into the mountaines many streetes in Passan were troubled with thiâ—… inundation and Harpaste hearing of these waters with blushing modesty diuined in hir heart that she must shortly haue a husband All this while Philamour lay looking of the window weeping for ioy and oftentimes imbraced he the barre of the window as if it had beene the dead body of his Harpaste till sodainly Philamis smiling made him surfet at another wonder for enioyning him by no meanes to mooue at whatsoeuer hee sawe he caused him to sit downe by him when sodainly there entered two in rich attire resembling Harpaste and Philamis the one proffering him kindnesse the other courting him with amiable lookes good Lord howe faine would Philamour haue moued But feare with-held him and care of his friends content yet kneeled hee to Philamis crying oâ—…t in great agony Ah deare friend I haue offended But to draw him from this passion Philamis practised an other secret for dainly they vanished when as hee sawe in a mirrour which stood opposite against him the whole course of his trauels his daungers Clorius comfort and Celios friendly trauel with him whereon while hee meditated him thought the Tables were spread with great delicates the musicke and melodie reuiued his spirites the Eunuches serued him in bowles of Saphir and his entertainment was so sumptuous that although hee had a good stomacke to his meate yet fedde â—…ee onely on admyration tyll Philamis cheared him after this manner Behold said he Gentleman the one halfe of your danger past Laite is increased your Philamis is liuing Harpaste will be kinde now â—…all to feed and welcome assure your selfe that hee who found out your friend will bring him you eate therefore and reioyce yoong men must not fast which are towards marriage Philamour inuited thus kindly fell to his victuals wel fauoredly and both of them tooke the repast more pleasantly in that the one beheld and the other hoped to see his friend At last the tables were taken vp the attendants vanished and the night beeing farre spent Climachus conueyed his Philamour into a sumptuous chamber where he was entertained with such delicates musicke and delightes as the lyke was neuerimagined by Cleopatra for her Anthony In briefe after long discourse and Philamours many vowes his secret sighes his repentant hearts griefe his humble suite to see Philamis his prayers to enioy Harpaste the graue scholler left him fully resolued promising him the next day so to further his desires that he should not onely enioy her whom hee sought but see him whome hee wished for and thus with a friendly Adios he left him to his rest No soâ—…ner did the fayre morrow with blushing beautie incite the sun to enter his chariot golden Phoebus with radiant beauties guilded the mountaine toppes with his fiery beames but Philamis arose now gan the sparke of affection long smothered in cinders to discouer it self the coles became quicke fire Philamis forgetting all 〈◊〉 defaults began to reuiue the image of his Philamour which absence and vnkindneâ—… had defaced in his heart so that hee resolued sodainly to seeke his discouery For â—…s many 〈◊〉 showers and infinite liuing springs as the force of many mediterranean fountaine and the furie of raging riuers alter not the saltnes of the sea Soneyther destruction of bodyes alteration of place or any casualtie of vnkindnes can chaunge hys affections in whom perfect amitie is placed whereupon attyring himselfe after his courtly manner trimming his locks and â—…eard after their accustomed beauty he prouided althings necessary for the iourney causing a seruant to present Philamour with rich raâ—…nents and all other necessaries who newly awaked wondered very much at this straâ—…ngers curtesie and the rather in that whatsoeuer was sent him the messenger was wont to say that Philamis presented it At last when Philamis had ordered all things by his Art and prouided horses for their iourney he sodainly entered the chamber of Philamour who beholding the olde countenance and auncient courtly habite of his friend was rauished with ioy and falling downe before the feete of Philamis he thus expostulated Ah deare friend Philamis what ayre hath diuided our bodies or country hath detained my â—…riend whom I haue iniuriously wronged and cannot but vnworthily speake vnto Ah gentle heart thou mirrour of vertue my soules peace my minds content my courtâ—…ous Philamis beholde my teares the testimonies of my sorrowes and accept my vowes the tokens of my true deuotion who repent my rashnesse and if I may merit reconcilement promise such affectionate loue as neyther time nor the tyronny of fortune neyther many daungers nor mortall detriment shall euer alter Philamis not able to indure further delayes casting his armes about the necke of his Philamour began thus My deare friend though Venus had a moule it was no mayme and Alexander a scarre it was no sâ—…ath Ciceroes wen was no disgrace and Philips crooked lymme lamed not his fortune The Rose is not to be contemned for one canker the Cambricke for one staine the
lyes in the estimate of worldly eye they are onely wretched in being happy in worldly iudgement Dionisius a tyrant let him speake there is no princely happynes sayth hee but in death Phi. What deemest thou of nobilitie Ce. As of the â—…nowes of the body they are the linkes of the state yet haue they flatterers to seduce them ambition to depriue them desires is corrupt them in breefe they do dayly but begin to liue in that they feare to dye Phi. What of Lawyers Celio They are miserable for they get with care they thriue by contention they are all in the quantity not in qualitie you know the predicaments Philamis I may not preach further they are good members of a weake bodye who if they spend as much sâ—…uddie in learning God as they do in the liues of the kings thou would amend some qualities and leaue some quidities Philamis What of Merchants Celio They are studious to loose theyr wealth and weepe when they haue lost it carefull to get good but ready to forget God It is easier for a Camell to passe through a needles eye then for a ritche man to enter the kingdome of God if this be true as it is most true what is theyr life miserie what is theyr felicitâ—…e miserie what is their end miserie Is it not strange that these men should be miserable liuers yet hate miserie all is vanity saith the wiseman and Solons words are true Ante obitum nemo foelix Phi. Haue they not charitie Celio Yes charity painted in theyr walles not in theyr hearts Quilibet quippe euery Dog his loafe though we may be liberall at his funerals Phi. I see you then make no life but ful of languishing as there is no night without darkenes what deeme you of Poets Celio To run on the letter they are pennilesse studious to make all men learned and themselues beggars and whilst they lament al mens want of science they are supplanted by all men in substance they wright good tales and reape much taunts and are answered with oh it is a proper man but neuer a rag of money Philamis And why is that is it not for theyr corrupt life Celio Seest thou that pad in the straw truly Philamis thou sayst well some are excellent of good capicitie of great learning whose paster all pleasance includeth much wit and merits much reward but for the rest I would they might shift more and shifâ—…t lesse Philam. How meane you this shift me thinks it needs some syfting Celio I would they had more shift in shirts and lesse shift in subtiltiâ—… in briefe Philamis their liues is miserable looke on euery mans way it is eyther wickednes or wretchednes Phila. What thinke you of the deuine Celio Why this is Husteron Proteron the Cart before the horse this figure was not appoynted by Susenbrotus in this place this is a â—…euerend profession wherein the infirmities of lyfe are most healed a happye course in this worldlye wildernesse where mens thoughts are thornes to wounde theyr conscience these seeke theyr benefits in Gods booke yet haue they theyr maimes in lyfe theyr dayes and yeares are but miserie for in that they long after a further ioye theyr comfort is imperfect leaue we to discend to perticulars Philamis the end is there is no content in earth but this worlde is the onely pageant of inconstancie neyther hath man any thing whereof he may truly boast or wherein onely he dâ—…oth excell if he haue gnifts of the body they are blemished by sicknesse they are determined by death if of the minde they are weakened by the wantonnes of the flesh discend we in to those perticulars which are in our selues and rippe we vp our originals ground wee not vppon the benefite of reason the beautie of our soule whereâ—…y we learne to know God and discerne good from euell what goods haue we that beasts pertake not with vs We haue health so haue Lyons we are faire so are Peacocks we are swyft so are Horsses yea and in all these well nye are we ouercome by vnreasonable creatures Let vs now see what is greatest in vs we haue boddyes so haue trees we haue forces and voluntary motions so haue beasts and woormes we haue voyces but how shriller haue Dogges how sharper Eagles how deeper Bulles howe sweeter and delyuer Nightingales why boaste we then of that wherin we are ouercome and is not this misery of lyfe to be by them in these things ouercome Philamis But by your patience Celio heere is confusion growne in this discourse els are many learned men deceyued I haue read in Epictetus that a lyfe ioyned with vertue is felicitie so all lyfe by this meanes cannot be miserable Celio I wyl rid thee of all these doubtes cleere thee of al these clowdes confirme thee in all these controuersies There is good in apparance and good in deed felicitie in shadow and felicitie in substancâ—… the onely intermedium of which is death which kylleth the corruption of the one and furthereth vs to the fruiâ—…ion of the other hee onely good is God for hee is onely good as the Scripture teastifieth the good in shelve is this vertuous vniting of life and â—…arning which taken by it selfe is a sollace and compared with GOD is but a shadowe the true felicitie is to know God the fained is that which was Platoes Idea Aristotles summum bonum the 〈◊〉 Virtus the Epicures sensuall telicitie the one the inuention of man the other an inspiration from God As touching a lyfe led in vertue if it bee taken morrally according to the meaning of the E thnicks it may be termed felicitie who had not light in the darkenesse that doore that vine we haue to illuminate let vs in and refresh vs in our worldly trauell Cicero dâ—…emed Catoes 〈◊〉 lyfe Uertue his end happie so did Seneca so Caesar his enimie yet knew we it was myserie his life irreligious his end desperate Seneca himselfe talking grauely in his life time wrighting constantlye of death and touched somewhat with the thought of immortalitle made a sicknesse of a sigh and in his end shewed some ouer stoic all resolution but we that haue attayned the cleere day and are in the sunny lyght of the Gospell what shall we terme this vertuous life naught els my Philamis but a combate of the flesh with the spirite our time of temptation where we warre to haue victorye and by fayth attaine the crowne of immortalitie This is the path our flesh the hinderance Dâ—…ath the hauen where wearied wee rest vs and being dissolued attaine the direct fulnesse of our ioye Oh ioye without compare oh little daunger oh great crowne or waye to true lyfe Now seest thou Philamis what thou soughtest these doubtes are decided and the conclusion that followeth of all thys controuersie is that lyfe is miserable euery wayes but most miserable to them that lyue ill whose hope is dead whose faith is falsified who haue forsaken the
true Sheapheard to followe Sathan betrayed theyr soule to serue theyr bodyes who are become the bondeslaues of sinne and the seruauntes of vnrighteousnesse who serue 〈◊〉 and refuse God whose portion after death is the bottomlesse pitte where in steede of laughing they shall lament insteed of solacing they shall sigh and whilst the righteous shall clap theyr hands for ioy in heauen they shall foulde theyr armes for sorrowe in hell oh theyr horror oh theyr miserie oh that men can be so peruerse and God so propitious who calleth all and will succour sinners who wil ease the heauy laden comfort the comfortlesse giue 〈◊〉 euen to the murmurers oh whither am I carryed with these contemplations into what Oceans of delight wherein I behold as it were in a mirrour the indignitie of man the mercies of God the miseries of this life and the fruits of death of which when I begin to to thinke my Philamis I beholde these writhen lims as saylers doe theyr brused barke at the entrance of the hauen reioycing that I haue past my perils to enioy my paradise Oh happy death of those saith Cicero who being borne mortall haue so well liued as to enioy eternitie This is the last medicine of all euils saith Sophocles the way that leadeth vs to al beatitude as witnesseth Leonidas This bringeth vs through the stony way to the pleasant path this healeth vs in all infirmities to this were wee borne being by nature sent abroad to learne experience lyke yong sonnes to the ende we may with iudgement entertayne happy death as our best heritage Phil. Why pauseth Celio or what holdeth thee in suspence Ce. Oh Philamis I contemplate the true life and as trauellers by the beauty of the coast coniecture the benefits of the country so in describing the commodities of death and weighing the fruit thereof I gather the happines of heauen to which the spirit would flye were it not hindered by fleshly infirmities Phi. Leaue these contemplations good Celio and prosecute your discourse It were pittle your studies should preuent mine instructions I pray you let vs know why som men since death is so sweet account it so sower and why other men take that for pleasure which some esteeme to be their vtter perdition Ce. Truly Philamis thou hast propounded a quaint question which auayleth much to knowledge of death and causeth the better sort to reioyce thereat the worser to prepare them in worthines to receiue it That sort of men which feare death are they that liâ—…e in darknesse whose liues are worldly who consider not the iudgementes of God but are like Oxe and Mule in whom there is no vnderstanding these are not touched with 〈◊〉 â—…owledge of God but are very hypocrites in his church these proceed from euil to worse and their practises are often frustrate these seize vpon the widows gleanings and perseuer in their wickednes these are happy in seruing the deuill and hardened against the seruice of GOD these are they that thinke their sinnes are vnseene and who perseuering in their wickednes shall perish these are they against whome Micah crieth out whose iust condemnatioÌ„ is death these shal sigh in the day of iudgement whose blindnes is more thaÌ„ Cimarâ—…an wâ—…o shall haue portion with Sodom these are they whose company is to be eschewed who make teares dwell on the widowes cheeks and deuoure the fatherlesse desolate these are they who in stead of prayers make purchases whose indentures are their deuotions whose priuy seales bee theyr prayer bookes these are they that spende in wast what poore men want and bestow that on hounds they should giue to the hungry and imploy that on brauery they should vouchsafe the begger these are they as Bernard saith that are made riche by poore mens farms whose sin shall be reuenged in hell fire these feare death because they hope no better life and flie the graue in that they are fallen from grace And this sort of sinners haue many swarmes of attendants some more vehement some more desperate all damnable as are they who incounter violent death after their wicked liues and such as being adiudged for offence make the separation of soule and body adesperate laughing game These are they of whome Ezechiel speaketh the soule that sinneth shall die Examples of these sorts of men are infinite among which Saul may first exemplifie who being rent from his kingdome reft himselfe of lyfe Iudas who hauing betrayed his Sauiour hung him selfe in despayre Brutus who hauing murthered Caesar slew himselfe miserably with his owne sword Carundius Tirius wâ—…o hauing made a Bedlam lawe endured a bloudie end Oh too many too maruellous are the examples of suche men who in theyr desperatenes haue made death damnable and in theyr dissolutenes fearefull Wâ—…at are they that take pleasure in death oh blessed men oh happy pleasure Such as shine lyke the Sunne in theyr sinceritie such as ackâ—…wledge their deliuerance from God such as are fâ—…ythfull in afflictions and humble them in persecutions such as aâ—…e godly in patience and patient in godlinesse such as are obedient in dutie and stedfast in doctrine such as haue faith with the leaper confidence with the blind-men zeale with the woman of Canaan acknowledge them â—…infull with the sicke of the palsie prouing rather Cornelius a souldiour to beleeue than Simon Magus an inchaunter to lye such as looke for the promises of God and thirst after righteousnesse such whom the zeale of the Lordes house swalloweth vp such as suffer for persecution sake such whose faith is not wauering and whose vowes are in heauen though the body be on the earth such as are faithful and not fearful that trust in â—…od and mistrust not his promises such as are persecuted with Paul and beleue with Paul such as desire to indure for the truth not to be indurate against the truth the number is too many to tell them yet wold my numbring might breed more so that with Moâ—…s I might pray O blot me out of the book of life so they may liue so they may increase so they may florish these also haue folowers who thoe they deserue not to sit on the throne with the elders may wait vpon the lamb as their shepheard for my fathers house hath many dwelling places But let vs now consider of death for he craues constructioÌ„ ther is a diffeâ—…ence to die with Socrates in innocence and Ouid in exile there is a death to dy for euer there is a deâ—…th to liue for euer the one pertaineth to the nocent the other to the innocent the one to the impugner the other to the penitent the one to the merciles the other to the merciful the one to the blasphemer the other to the righteous among the righteous sort some may fal to arise for the righteous sinneth seuen times a day some fal to perish the examples are manifest let the learned dilate them Among the wicked some from Saul becommeth
possesse riches and vertue together 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 threw his wealth from 〈◊〉 and sayd thus O vaine riches 〈◊〉 me the Gods graunt me that I may euer loose you Thus did Ethnickes seeking but theyr chiefest good and shall not we leaue worldly trash to liue with our good 〈◊〉 Who had not rather be a blessed Nathan than a cursed Nabal though the wicked liue and growe in wealth it is his forbearance for what hope hath the Hypocrite saith Toby if when 〈◊〉 hath 〈◊〉 vp his riches 〈◊〉 take away hys Soule Chrysostome sayth God giueth benefites both to the worthie and vnworthy thou mayest then be rich in vnworthinesse and tryumph in thyne owne wretchednes Draw neare my 〈◊〉 sayth Athanatos I wil make your 〈◊〉 kingly though you bee caytiues I gouerne both the royal Crowne and the humble Cradle Come vnto me sayth Athanatos I wil with drawing one sigh end al thy sorrows with one grone end al griese make your soules fit I wil sette you forward Phila. Here stay good Celio thou hast long time discoursed heere of the benefits of life euerlasting but giuest no assurance of the same Saith not the Philosopher Post mortem nulla voluptas how can then this life be eternal wherin there is no pleasure If it be true that Apollonius Tianeus aledgeth and the Pythagorists perswade that the soules haue passage from one body to another me thinks this separation should be rather cause of molest than myrth to the spirit Homer besides a great Poet sayth that death is ful of horrour satissie me heerein good Celio that euery way thou mayest say sufficient Celio If it bee true Philamis as Tully testifieth that there is no nation so 〈◊〉 that standeth not in some religious awe of God whose seate is the heauen whose footestoole is the earth If it be vndoubted in thee that Christ his Sonne is the propitiation for our sinnes as each true Christian must confesse thou needs not doubt the scripture shal satisfy thee hark what Iohn the Apostle saith of our sauior nay 〈◊〉 himselfe speaketh of himselfe Jesus said to Thomas I 〈◊〉 the way the truth and the life no man commeth vnto the 〈◊〉 but by mee wilâ—… thou haue life euerlasting keâ—…pe the commandements Christ hath swalowed vp death that we might be heires of euerlasting life Christ is the bread of lyse the life eternal is to know God and Christ whom he hath sent his son Beleeuest thou Gods booke why art thou then besotted why bringst thou in this blind instance of the Epicurt Doth not Seneca the graue Philosopher condemne hiâ—… prouing by assured reasons that there is no felicitie but in death If there be no pleasure after the soule is departed what becommeth of the righteous deemest thou who hath runne hys race hath not his garland and that hee who hath finished hys course hath not his quiet For Apollonius Tianeus since the Fathers condemn him commend him not for as one swallow maketh not a sommer so a fewe instances subuert not an vniuersal certaintie Eusebius with other learned examining the cause of feare especially in death reasoneth thus If there be any euill in death it is the feare of the same that increaseth it and if there be no euill the feare it selfe is a great euil fond then is he that feareth death for that he augmenteth his euill or rather causeth it himselfe Base is the spirit of euery man saith Sabellicus which feareth deth for fearing it in his own respect in that he is in soule immortall he ought not to fear if he lose his body for what folly is it to be afraid of that which is at enmitie with vs If desire of gaine hath made death but a trifle among the men of no heauenly capacitie If it hath incouraged some to stop a swallowing gulfe with y e Romane to die for their maister as the slaue of Anthony what should death be to vs which expect not a momentary but an immortal glory nor raised among men but registred in immortality The sweetnes of death was manifest in the persecutions of the Primitiue Church where infantes with great constancie endured much crueltie sweete is the payne in expectation of the 〈◊〉 Beleeue mee Philamis there is nothing so accordant â—…o nature as death and nothing more enemie to the soule than mortall life which is a Sea so tempestuous that none but a constant mind 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 grace 〈◊〉 auoyd the shipwrack marke the hard penance of 〈◊〉 is life assigned to our grandsire Adam Bicause saith the Lord thou hast obeyed the voyce of thy wife and hast 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 whereof I commaunded thee saying Thou shalt not eat of it cursed is the earth for thy sake in sorrowe shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy life Thornes also and thiâ—…les shall it bring foorth vnto thee and thou shalt eate the herbe of the field 〈◊〉 the sweate of thy face shalt thou eate bread till you returne to the earth c. 〈◊〉 how Iob cursseth that lyfe which thou commendest Let the day perrish wherein I was borne and the night when it was sayd there is a man childe conceiued heere haue we no continuing citty saith Paul to the Hebrewes I am wearied with speaking Philamis and the sunne inclineth to the West Thus time passeth like a shadowe and life as Barnard sayth consumeth away like a bubble scorne therefore to be in prison when thou maist haue libertie to be a bondman when thou maist be freâ—… â—…o â—…e captiue in the flesh when thou maist liue in the spirit cast of thy ould wayes and thy wonted vanities forsake vnprofitable studdies and search out the Scriptures there is the liuing fountaine the other are muddy puddles there the truth the other mens traditions there the strong anchor y â— other but a weake grapple oh looke on Gods booke leuel at Gods blessings his words are perfection the others the fruites of earthly opinion caâ—…t of vaine loues and put on the loue of vertue learne of Octauius to be continent trust nothing that sauoreth not to righteousnes beleeue not euery fable for follie hath many fine shadowes beware flatterers they are the snares of the innocent be warie like Esops Mowse for there be many cats stirring who will clawe thee where it doth not itch and catch thee in their gripe if thou haue no good regard in breefe liue thou well and thou art wealthie Senecat ather liked learned Senetios slaue Dipaostes then his obliuious master the Senator choose thy friends not by their coate but by knowledge and among all things loose no time it is thy best treasure in thy writings ascribe all good things to God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to thy wit in thy reading mediâ—…ate often it is Senicaes lesson Nulla dies 〈◊〉 if thou be passionate 〈◊〉 thee of thy 〈◊〉 if mery 〈◊〉 the meane the humble cot hath quiet when lofty towers haue greatest assaults finally 〈◊〉 all earthly things in comparison of heauenly ioyes