A New Letter of NOTABLE CONTENTS.  
With a strange Sonnet, entitled GORGON, Or the wonderful year.  
LONDON Printed by john Wolf, 1593.   

TO MY LOVING FRIEND, JOHN Wolf, Printer to the City.  
Mr. Wolf, Good News was ever a welcome guest unto me: and you do well in the current of your business, to remember the Italian Proverb; Good Tidings would be dispatched to ride post, as Ill Tidings may have good leave to be a footman. The nimblest be is a slowworme in expeditions of importance, or congratulation: & the dullest Snail the meetest Ambassador to be employed in messages of damage, or condolement. You have lately, (as appeareth by your Indices of the sickness, and so many other Novels) very tidely played the Bees part: and so continue, as you love me, or yourself: unto whom I wish a rich hive, and many hony-moones. Since I received Parthenophil, Shore's wife, and the Articles of accord, or truce in France, (for which I render you as many thanks, as there be Articles): I have now also this instant of September, perused your quaint, and cunning Discourse of Remonstrances to the Duke de Maine: with that other new-new Pamflet of the late Turkish assiege of Sysseck in Croatia, the old Liburnia, famous for serviceable Ships. And take no less pleasure in the sound Declaration of the plain German, a credible Historicgrapher, than delight in the sly Information of the fine French, a glicking Remembrancer. It is not the external, but the internal form, (call it the Pith, or the marrow, or the lifeblood, or what you list) that edifieth: and undoubtedly the Christian world hath pregnant cause to prostrate the feruentest Zeal of their devotions to his almighty majesty, that hath brought France, and Croatia to those terms of Truce, and Triumph. A happy Truce, if a happy truce: and an honourable Triumph, if durable. I say, If, and If, because I have known many a Truce, like Scammony, that weakeneth the liver; or Cassia, that enfeebleth the rains; or Agarick, that overthroweth the stomach; the stomach, that must work the feat. And who hath not either by Experience, or by hearsay, or by reading, known many a Triumph, like Sena, that breedeth wind; or Rhubarb; that drieth overmuch; or Euforbium, that inflameth the whole body; the body, that must strike the stroke? Takeaway that overthrowing, or weakening property from Truce: and Truce may be a divine Scammony, Cassia, or Agaricke, to purge noisome, and rebellious humours. Oh that it might be such a Purge in France. Correct that ventosity, or inflammation, that accompanieth Triumph: and Lo the gallantest physic, that nature hath afforded, wit devised, or magnanimity practised, to abate the pride of the enemy, and to redouble the courage of the friend. No Tobacco, or Panacea so mightily virtuous, as that Physic. Oh that it might be such a Physic in Croatia, in Hungary, in Almany, in the whole Christian world. Immensum calcar Gloria: the golden spur of the brave Grecian, & the worthy Roman. Policy is Politic: & will not easily be coosened with the musk of the Perfumer, though musk be a sweet Courtesan; or alured with the sugar, & honey of the Cook, though sugar, & honey be dainty hypocrites; or inveigled with the gold-leaves of the Goldsmith, though gold-leaves be eloquent & bewitching Orators; or deluded, that is, betrayed with any coolerable counterfesance, howsoever smoothly enticing, or gloriously pretending. Private medicines are often adulterate: but public medicines will admit no sophistication: and Policy must be well-aduised, before it swallow-downe the gilded pills of flattering pretext. France hath been taught to be cautelous in Truce; which hath eftsoons sucked the sweetness of a judas kiss: and Croatia may learn to be provident in Triumph; which hath often felt the joyfulness of a Sampsons' post. Neither France can be too jealous; nor Croatia too priest; nor Hungary too fierce; nor Almany too hardy; nor any nation too circumspect, that is beleaguered with such puissant, and obstinate foes. The house of Guise hath long hawked and practised for a great Crown: the Duke de Maine hath chopped upon a main-chance: Opportunity is a marvelous warrior: The king of Spain a mighty enemy: the Pope, an unreconcilable adversary to a Protestant Prince: the Turk a horrible foe to Christian states; and not to be daunted, or dismayed with two, or three petty foils. Petty foils incense choler, & enrage fury; not allay courage, or disarm power. Were not man a man in himself, and God above all; alas, what security in a fallible Truce: or what repose in a momentany Triumph? Yet every Truce is respectively welcome: and every Triumph a Pageant of manful valour, & a jubilee of divine favour. For my poor part, (a single Interest in so great affairs) I am as affectionately glad to find Victory on the better side, as I have often been compassionately sorry, (or shall I say? stomachously angry), to read how piteously the Christian host hath been beaten by the Turkish Army, a brave Army, but Turkish. Whose puissance hath long been, and still is the dishonour of Christendom; and whose Empire cannot wax, according to their aspiring design, but Christ's kingdom must wane, according to some lamentable Examples. Surely the Onely-wise (for whosoever is comparatively wise, He is absolutely wise) ordaineth all for the best: and they perish for, or through their own Folly, that perish. Homer in humanity hath affirmed it: and the Bible in divinity hath confirmed it. Howbeit true Wisdom is valiant in adversity: and right Valiancy wise in prosperity: both ever like themselves, and unlike the puffs, or bubbles of the world; that know how to disguise, or afflict, but not how to redress, or solace themselves. Hope never dispaireth: and no such resolution, as the resolution of Faith: a virtue of more wonderful emproovement by thousands, than the most miraculous grain of mustard-seed; or whatsoever Nature engendereth, Art frameth, or Exercise atcheiueth most powerable. Zeal hath been, & may be a marvelous Conqueror, even beyond the bravest Confidence, or fiercest Fury: and Faith was ever the wonder of wonders, where it was. Christ favoureth a stout, and invincible Constancy in any good cause: and in his own cause, (maugre the mainest forces, or suttlelest Policies of Mahomet, or the Devil,) he will finally make them victorious, with Triumphs of joy, and Trophies of honour, that fight his battles with the heart of Zeal, and the hand of Courage. Who honoureth not the glorious memory, and the very name of the renowned Lepanto: the monument of Don john of Austria, the security of the Venetian state, the Halleluia of Christendom, & the Wellaway of Turkey? Christ bless his standard-bearers, with many Lepantos', and Syssecks: and make his militant Church, an host triumphant. It hath often been the meditation of One, that with a politic, and divine Analysis, hath looked into the successive proceed, and fatal overthrows of Tyrannies: if Mahomet, and his Alcoran cannot stand, but Christ, & his evangely must fall: when the Great Turk, continually encroaching, (according to his grand intendiments, and ambitious design,) is busiest in his hottest harvest of engrossing and coheaping kingdoms, and with a most greedy appetite runneth-headlong to devour the Christian world at a bit; Lord have mercy upon thee, o little-little Turk. Pride may exalt his haughty presumptions, and Prowess advance his terrible bravery: but there is a God in heaven: and they cannot laugh long, that make the Devil laugh, and Christ weep. Meanwhile it were pity, Sysseck should want the glory of such an immortal Memorial, as some noble, and royal wits have bestowed upon the ever-renowned Lepanto. Excellent Virtue, for a due reward, deserveth excellent Honour: and brave Valour, for worthy imitation, would be bravely extolled: as Orpheus glorified jason; Homer, Achilles; Virgil, Aeneas; Ariosto, Charlemagne; Tasso, Godfrey of Bollen; and so forth. Especially at such an encountering, and surprising Time, as must either flourish, like the Palm of the mountain; or fade, like the Lily of the valley.  
You know, I am not very prodigal of my discourse with every one: but I know, unto whom I writ: & he that hath read, and heard so many gallant Florentine Discourses, as you have done, may the better discern, what is what: and he that publisheth so many books to the world, as you do, may frame unto himself a private, & public use of such conference. Few they are, that are qualified to surpass, or equal those singular Precedents: but they few would be retained with a golden fee, or entertained with silver Courtesy. Some I know in Cambridge; some in Oxford; some in London; some elsewhere, died in the purest grain of Art, & Exercise: but a few in either, and not many in all: that undoubtedly can do excellently well, exceedingly well. And were they thorowghly employed according to the possibility of their Learning, & Industry, who can tell, what comparison this tongue might wage with the most-floorishing Languages of Europe: or what an inestimable crop of mostnoble and sovereign fruit, the hand of Art, and the spirit of Emulation might reap in a rich, and honourable field? Is not the Prose of Sir Philip Sidney in his sweet Arcadia, the embroidery of finest Art, and daintiest wit? Or is not the Verse of M. Spencer in his brave Fairy Queen, the Virginal of the divinest Muses, and gentlest Graces? Both delicate Writers: always gallant, often brave, continually delectable, sometimes admirable. What sweeter taste of Suada, than the Prose of the One: or what pleasanter relish of the Muses, than the Verse of the Other? Sir john Cheeks style was the honeybee of Plato: and M. Aschams Period the Siren of Isocrates. His, and his breath, the balm and spicknard of the delightfullest Tempe. You may guess, whose metre I would entitle the harp of Orpheus, or the dulcimers of Sapph. And which of the Golden Rivers floweth more currently, than the silver stream of the English Ariosto? Oh that we had such an English Tasso: and oh that the worthy du Bartas were so endenisoned. The sky-coloured Muse best commendeth her own heavenly harmony: and who hath sufficiently praised the hyacinthine & azure die, but itself? What colours of astonishing Rhetoric, or ravishing Poetry, more deeply engrained, than some of his amazing devices; the fine dittyes of an other Petrarch, or the sweet charms of pure enchantment? What Did-margariton, or Dia-ambre, so comfortative, or cordial, as Her Electuary of Gems, (for though the furious Tragedy Antonius, be a bloody chair of estate, yet the divine Discourse of life, and Death, is a restorative Electuary of Gems) whom I do not expressly name, not because I do not honour Her with my heart, but because I would not dishonour Her with my pen, whom I admire, and cannot blazon enough. Some other Paragons of bewtifullest Eloquence, and Mirrors of brightest wit, not so much for brevities sake, as for like Honour's sake I overskip: whose only imperfection is, that they are touched with no imperfection. Yet Hope is a Transcendent, & will not easily be imprisoned, or impounded in any Predicament of ancient, or modern Perfection: which it may honour with due reverence, but will not serve with base homage. Excellency hath in all ages affected singularity: & Ambition how impetuously buckled for the mastery? And albeit wit have a quick sent, that will not be coosened, and judgement a sharp eye, that cannot be bleared: (the Morning Star of Discretion, and the Evening Star of Experience have a deep insight in the merits of every cause): yet still Hope hath reason to continue Hope, and is a white Angel sent from heaven, aswell to enkindle Vigorous Zeal, as to awaken lazy Slougth. A wan, or windy Hope, is a notable breake-necke unto itself: but the grounded, and winged Hope, which I someway perceive in a few other, no way conceive in miselfe, is the ascending scale, and Milk-way to heavenly excellency. When I bethink me of any singular, or important effect, I am presently drawn into a consideration of the Cause; and deem it a childish vanity, to dream of the End, without Means. The prompt and pliant Nature, is the dawning of the Crimson morning: the right Art as fine a workman, as Daedalus, & as nimble a Planet, as Mercury inspiring Imitation may climb high: how oft hath fiery E●●●tion won the golden spurs, and run his Victorious race, like the shining Sun in his resplendishing Chariot? Pregnant and incestant Exercise hatcheth miracles. Practice was ever a curious platformer of rare and quaint Theorickes: and is it not still possible for Practise, to devise as exquisite patterns, as ever were invented, and even to contrive new Idees of singularity? The encounter of Virtue, is honourable: & what more commendable, than the Conflict of Art? It is only that divine Hope, embellished with those Ornaments of skill, and inspired with those blessings of heaven, that must excel itself; & advance the worthiest Valour, that ever atcheiued Heroical Exploits, or levied argonautical Prizes, by land, or sea. Peerless wits may hourd-up the precious treasure of their Invention, and store-up the gorgeous furniture of their Eloquence, till Prowess hath accomplished mightier wonders upon Earth. At this present what can Admiration find, either more resolute for courage, or more puissant for valour, or more honourable for success, or more wonderful for imitation, than the small bands of the brave Rupertus against the Turk; or the little troops of the braver French King against his domestical, and foreign enemies?  
I might say more, were the place fit: but what written Token shall I return for so many Printed Tokens? One hand washeth an other: and it appertaineth unto him, that taketh something, to give something. I am reasonably furnished with choice of other store at this instant: but I will not accloy you attonce: and my least; but Newest Trifle (for that is the meetest name) shall serve in supply of a small requital for your greater News. I term it a Trifle for the manner: though the matter be in my conceit, superexcellent; in the opinion of the world, most admirable; for private consideration, very notable; for public use, passing memorable; for a point, or two, exceeping monstrous. And that is the very disgrace of the Sonnet, that the Style nothing countervaileth the Subject, but debaseth a strange body with vulgar attire, and disguiseth a superlative Text with a positive Gloss. As it is, it is your own to dispose, or cancel at pleasure: and albeit the writer promise nothing, (for promise he accounteth an Obligation), yet if he fortune to surprise you with a sorry amends, let it not be unwellcome, that cometh in the name of goodwill; and such a goodwill, as is less afraid of the Plague, then of unthankfulness. He that is desirous with the first, to be continually made acquainted with your public Intelligences, from, or of whatsoever kingdoms, or States; will have a mutual regard of friendly correspondence, by some return of private Novels, or other recompense; as any his vacation yieldeth leisure, or any his opportunity presenteth occasion.  
Touching his present Exercises, or other actions, you know enough, that know why the Ass sleepeth, & the Fox winketh. Or recall to mind our sweet Table-philosophy of the for dead Libbard, a very gentle, and silent creature; and you need no other inkling. Peradventure somebody may find, that the roughest, & awkest things are not so cumbersome to other, as they may prove irksome to themselves. There is a learned kind of Fear, that preventeth many mischiefs: and they are judiciously wise, (howsoever valiant, rich, or powerable,) that dare not use other otherwise, than themselves would be used. Men may stand upon braving terms, and puffe-up their own swelling veins: but when wilfulness is in the tide, Discretion is in the ebb. Some have repent them no less, than four and twenty hovers in a day, and a night, for one froward word. surely a man were better shift his footing, then stand stiffly in his own light: and who would not rather say to his Tongue, Tongue thou art a liar; or to his pen, Pen thou art a fool; then undooe himself utterly, and shame himself everlastingly? You might hear of the new Treaty, or motive: and it is not the first time that I have discovered a brood of wits, like the famous well in Idumea; whose water one quarter of the year, was as muddy, as the mddiest kennel: an other quarter, as bloody, as the bloodiest slaughter-house; the third, as green, as the greenest grass: the fourth, as clear, as the clearest conduct. Every exchange for the better, doth well: and it is a good sign, when puddled waters grow clear, if they grow clear; and disordered wits become tractable, if they become tractable. Have they not cause to doubt, that know the variable nature of that Syrian well: and have seen so many dogged things return to their vomit? A good bargain, and a gentle Offer would not be refused: but he that considereth the fits of April, and the pangs of September, hath reason for a demurrer: and he that hath seen as lunatic creatures, as the Moon, must be pardoned, though he suffer not himself to be coosened with the legerdemain of a juggling Convert. Did I never tell you of a graver man, that wore a privy coat of interchangeable colours; and for the Art of Revolting, or recanting, might read a Lecture to any retrograde Planet in Heaven, or Earth? Is it not possible for a wild Ass of a fugitive and renegade disposition, in such a point to resemble the tamest Fox? Or are not Books with unstaid readers, and running heads, like unto those wondrous waters, that being drunk of birds, as Theophrastus reporteth, or of sheep, as Seneca writeth, changed them from white to black, and from black to white? After a stern and ruthful Tragedy, solemnly acted, who deeplyer plunged in sober, and melancholy dumps, than some good fellows; that from a pleasant, and wanton Comedy, finely played, return as merry as a cricket, and as light as a feather? When the sweet Youth haunted Aretine, and Rabelays, the two monstrous wits of their languages, who so shaken, with the furious fevers of the One: or so attainted with the French Pocks of the other? Now he hath a little mused upon the Funeral Tears of Mary Magdalen; and is egged-on to try the suppleness of his Pathetical vein, in weeping the compassionatest and divinest Tears, that ever heavenly Eye reigned upon Earth; jesus, what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Supererogation have they achieved? Riots 〈◊〉 was wont to root so deeply, that it could hardly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: and where reckless Impudence taketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not very hastily to be dispossessed. I was say●●● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, to a Spring of rankest Villainy in February 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divinity in May? May they not sur●●● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that wonder how Machiavelli can teach a Pri●●● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be religious? another question, or two 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, were at my tongues end. But what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 talk anymore of Paradoxes, or impossibilities, when He, that penned the most desperate and abominable Pamflet of Strange News, and disgorged his stomach of as poisonous rancour, as ever was vomited in Print within few months is won, or charmed, or enchanted, (or what Metamorphosis should I term it?) to astonish carnal minds with spiritual meditations, upon one of the most sacred and godfull arguments, that the holiest devotion could admire, in the profoundest trance of rapt and Seraphical Zeal? I will not stay to marvel at the miracles of predominant Causes: the Holy-ghost is an omnipotent Spirit, that can mollify the flyntyest mind, and breathe a soul of Heaven into a heart of Hell. If unfeignedly he hath stripped-of the snakes skin, and put-on the new man, as he devoutly pretendeth; let him be constant, and not blaspheme his mostreverend Saviour with counterfeit Tears: if he playeth at fast, and lose, (as is vehemently suspected, by strong presumptions) whom shall he cunnycatch, or crossbite, but his Castaway self, as holly, as a hollyhock? But I thank God, I have something else to dispute: and if young Apuleius be not still the son of old Apuleius, and Pierce still as divine, as a wild Vine, I have said nothing: but commend the sweet art of relenting Humanity, and embrace the good nature of a good Nature, that sheddeth the pure Tears of Repentance. The more notorious the offence, and the more unsatisfiable the Injury was; the more favourable, and liberal he is, that with honest terms, and reasonable conditions may easily be entreated to pardon the same; that is, to bestow a great benefit instead of a great revenge, and to lose the exercise of many weeks, to gain the recovery of one lost son. The best is, I am not yet a Fly in the cobweb of the Spider: and in a mating age, none are free from the check, bu●kinges. Or if kings peradventure find themselves somewhat shrewdly mated, alas we poor subjects must be content to be checked: & may daily learn of our betters, to smother with patience, that we cannot quench with order, and will not extinguish with disorder. Socrates professed nothing: and I profess less than Socrates: yet this I profess. He that neither cockereth himself, nor loveth to be lulled, or smoothed-up of friends, can lightly put-up the heaviest load of an enemy: and he can hardly be daunted with nipping words, that is not easily dismayed with pinching deeds. An unguilty minae knoweth not what the trembling of the Hart meaneth: and a sound Conscience is a brazen wall against the mainest battery of Spite, or Feud. Were there no other Philosophy, but Experience, and a settled resolution to proceed according to Reason in general, and Occasion in special: every guiltless eye that seeth any thing, seeth his own Confirmation in the Confutation of his guilty adversary: whose Vain railings are sib to other Vanities, that cannot endure, but either Vanish like smoke in the Air; or mealt-away like snow in the Sun; or grow stolen like disguised fashions; or dissolve themselves into their materiam primam, that is, into Vanity, & shame. Had I found any one material article, or substantial point against me, I must have imputed some part of the blame to miselfe: but finding nothing in all those pestilent & Virulent sheets of wast-paper, but meere-meere forgeryes, and the Devil in the horologe; might I not justly say? I have cause to use, as I am used: or have I not reason to stand upon terms of consideration? Did I not intend to deal a bountiful alms of Courtesy, who in my case would give ear to the Law of Oblivion, that hath the Law of Talion in his hands; or accept of a silly recantation, as it were a sorry plaster to a broken shin, that could knock Malice on the head, and cut the windpipe of the railing throat? Pierces Supererogation, (that was an arrow in my hand, a clog in your,) is least beholding to the penknife: Nashes S. Fame hath somewhat more of the launcelet: the Reply of the excellent Gentlewoman is the fine razor, that must shave-away every rank hair of his great courage, and little wit. I was long-since weary with beating the Air; and take small pleasure in washing the Ass' head: or what should I term that bootless, and irksome business? But it is that heavenly Creature (for so she will approve herself) that can coniure-downe the mouth of Villainy into hell-mouth; & will do it as resolutely, as she can do it peremptorily, Unless a competent satisfaction be speedily tendered to my contentment. It were pity, that divine handiwork should be employed but to a divine piece of service, either to gain a relenting soul, or to castaway an obstinate body. If she be prevented by a voluntary submission of the offender; to do a thing done, were a superfluous labour; and to undo a man undone, an unmerciful cruelty. A thing as contrary to the shining loveliness of her mild disposition, as the bitterest bitter seemeth repugnant to the sweetest sweet. The bravest man is such a parsonage, as I have elsewhere described: A Lion in the field, A Lamme in the town: A Ioues Eagle in feud, an Apollo's Swan in society: A Serpent in wit, A Dove in life: A Fury in execution, an Angel in conversation. What hath the bravest man, that she hath not: excepting the Lion in the field of Mars, which she hath in the field of Minerva: whose war she wageth with a courageous mind, an invincible hand, and the cunning array of the worthy Old-man in Homer. His talk was sweet; his Order fine; and his whole menage brave: and so is hers: but for a dainty wit, and a divine humanity, she is such a Paragon, as may compare with the excellentest of Homer's women, and pledge the honourablest of his Goddesses. She is a right bird of Mercury's winged chariot: and teacheth the livelyest cocks of the game, to bestir them early, to crow gallantly, to march comely, to fight valiantly, to consort kindly, and to live in any estate honourably. No flower more flourishing, than her wit: no fruit more mature than her judgement. All her conceits are illuminate with the light of Reason: all her speeches beautified with the grace of Affability: all her writings seasoned with the salt of Discretion: all her sentences spiced with wittiness, presumed with delight, tempered with profit: no leaven of Experience more savoury, than all her platforms, & actions: nothing more mellow, than the whole course of her life. In her mind there appeareth a certain heavenly Logic: in her tongue, & pen, a divine Rhetoric: in her behaviour, a refined Moral Philosophy: in her government, a sovereign Policy: in every part of her proceeding a singular dexterity: & what pattern of skill, or Practise, more admirable than the whole? Let it not seem incredible, that shall enact & accomplish more, than is signified. The manner of her wrath, or disdain, (yet I believe, she was never froward with any, nor ever angry but with One; whom only she scorneth, & before whom she never contemned any,) is somewhat like the countertenor of an offended Siren; or not much unlike the progress of the resplendent Sun in the Scorpion. Her favour is liker treacle for the heart, them ypocrase for the mouth: her disfavour like the Moon withdrawing the cheerly beams of her bounteous light in a cloud: her hatred (if she can hate, for I verily think she never hated, but One) like the flashing weapon of the fiery Air. She is not lightly moved: but what she resembleth, or representeth, when she is moved, could I as visibly declare, as she can vigorously utter, I would deem myself a piece of an Orator. And I were more than Tullyes' perfect Orator, if I could display her excellent perfections, whose mind is as full of rich gifts, and precious jewels, as Newyeares-day. Yet her goodliest ornament, and greatest wonder, is the sweet humility of that brave courage. But in remembering her, I forget myself: & what a tedious Letter is here for him that maintaineth a chargeable family by following his business: Had I not found you desirous of some particularities touching Nashes S. Fame, & the Gentlewoman's Reply, when you delivered unto me Pierces Supererogation in Print: I had dispatched ere now. But now you must lend me patience, until I have disbalased my mind. Concerning her endighting, whereof I have already given you a taste, or smack in Pierces Supererogation: as in the harmony of her mind, so in the melody of her Verse, I seldom or never descry any note out-off tune: and it is not the first time I have termed her Prose, the tinsel of finest Art, and sweetest nature. What notes I find above Ela in the One: & what counterpoints of exquisite workmanship I admire in the other: it shall elsewhere appear, in a Dialogue, entitled Pandora, or the Mirror of singularity. Might I see the finest Art, and the sweetest nature in person, I would report me to the Censure of their own sovereign mouths; the best judges in their own peerless faculty. There falleth not a sentence from her quill, without sap, and pith: and every Period of her style carrieth marmalade and sucket in the mouth: and every argument of her invention, savoureth of most savoury reason. No chain so linked, as her Conclusions: nor any Crystal so conspicuous, as her Method. Her whole discourse, is the cream of the milk; the comb of the honey; the juice of the grape: & the marrow of the bone. The bestowing of her perfections at occasion, a dainty choice, & fine, marshalling of every excellency, curiously sorted in their proper places: like the gorgeous wardrobe of Helena, or the precious jewellhouse of Cleopatra, or the cunning stillhouse of Maedea, or the comely distributing of the neatest and gallantest furniture in the richest economy. What needeth more? Her beginning, like the purest Oil in the crown of the midst of the rondelet: her proceeding, like the soverainest wine in the butt: her ending, like the sweetest hoony in the bottom of the hoony-pot. Her intention was defensive, not offensive: and had any thing been tolerable in that scurrilous and villainous declamation, assuredly she would a thousand times rather have excused the matter, than accused the maker. Humanity, is ever willinger to love, then to hate, & so is she: Courtesy, much forwarder to commend, then to dispraise; and so is she: Clemency, infinitely proner to absolve, then to condemn, and so is she. For she is a personal Humanity, a mere Courtesy, and a Clemency incorporate. But when she saw the fowl mouth so shamefully runne-over, without all respect of manners, or regard of honesty, or pretence of Truth, or colour of Reason: Gentlemen, quoth She, though I lack that you have, the Art of Confuting; yet I have some suds of my mother wit, to souse such a Dish clout in: and if sousing will not serve the turn, I may hap find a pair of pinson's, as sharply conceited, as S. Dunston's tongues, that led the Devil by the nose Autem, up and down the house, till the roaring beast bellowedout like a bullbeggar. And as for his terrible cracks of Gunpowder terms, never lend credit to the word of A Gentlewoman, if I make not old mother-Gunpowder of the newest of those rattling babies. And if steeping in Aqua fortis, will infuse courage into his goose-quill; why man, I will dowse thee over head, and ears in such a doughty Collyrium, as will inspire the Picture of snuff, and Fury, into the Image of S. Patience. I have not been squattering at my papers for nothing: and albeit I cannot paint with my pen, like fine Sapph, yet I can daub with my ink, like none of the Muses: and am prettily provided to entertain S. Fame with a homely gallimaufry of little Art, to requite her dainty slaumpaump of little wit. A poor kitchen may be as good an Artist for the stomach, as a poor dairy: (alas, that ever S. Fame should be so whittled): and it shall go hard in my Cookery, but the syllabub of his stolen Invention shallbe wellcommed with a supping of a new fashion, & some strange syrup in commendam of his meritorious works. Though a railer hath more learning, than a shrew: yet Experience hath a fillip for a Scholar: Discretion a tuck for a fool: Honesty a bob for a K: & my mortar, a pestle for Assa fetida. Let him be the Falanta downe-didle of Rhymes; the Hayhohalliday of Prose; the Welladay of new writers; the kutthroate of his adversaries; the gallows of his companions; the only broker of Pamflets; or what he can for his sweltering heart: my battering instrument is resolute, and hath vowed to bray the braying creature to powder. We must have at least three Peccautes of Pierce penniless; and three Misereres of the Confuting Toss-pot: or Lord have mercy upon thee, three thousand times-wofull wight. I am loath to struggle for the Moonshine in the puddled water: but if we must needs buckle for nifles, & grapple for noughts; though I cannot tell, whither I can bounce him, like a barn door, or thump him, like a drum of Flushing: yet I may chance rattle him, like a baby of parchment, or kneade him like a cake of dough, or chearne him like a dish of butter, or girke him like a hobbling gig, or tatter him like a thing forspoken, or someway have my Penny-worthes of his penniless wit. Nay, if the Princock must be playing upon them, that can play upon his warped sconce, as upon a tabor, or a fiddle: let himself thank himself, if he be kindly thummed. Sirrah, I will stamp an unknown grape, that shall put the mighty Bordeaux grape to bed: & may peradventure broach a new Tun of such nippitaty, as with the very steam of the nappy liquor will lullaby thy five wits, like the senses of the drunkenest sot, when his brains are sweetliest perfumed. I fit thee with a Similitude for thy capacity: or belch a new Confutation against the long tongues of the Stilliarde, and some twenty Taverns in London. I could be content, a drunken Prose, and a mad Rhyme, were thy deadlyest sins. But they are sweet youths, that tipple their wits with quaffing of knavery, and carousing of Atheism. If there be no other iollityes at home, or braveries abroad; it is happy for them, that were borne with those prizes in their throats.  
And welfare a srolicke Courage, that will needs be the Tower of Babylonian Conceit, and with a mighty Bulwark of Supererogation gloriously confound itself.  
The rest of her speeches, and writings; are to be recorded, or suppressed, as it pleaseth the Horn of these pelting stirs: who may haply find the Trumpet of Peace, as sure a Soldier in case of necessary defence, as the Drum of War, or the Swash of Feud. Some that have perused eloquent books and researched most curious writings, have not seen goodliest variety of varnished phrases, and burnished sentences, then in her style: which was not so gorgeously decked, and so fairly limned for nought. Howbeit as in some public causes, better a mischief, than an inconvenience: so in many private cases better an inconvenience, than a mischief. Though an Orient Gem be precious, and worthy to be gazed-upon with the eye of Admiration, yet better an Orient Gem sleep, than a Penitent man perish: and better a delicate piece of Art should be layd-aside, or unwoven like Penelope's web, than an immortal piece of Nature be castaway. She loveth not to confute, that confuteth itself: & I hate to confound, that confoundeth himself. She in the Court of Civility hath learned, to embrace amendment with the arms of Courtesy: and I in the school of Divinity am taught, to kiss repentance with the lips of Charity. I affect not any colourable insinuation, in glozing or smoothing terms of formal accord: but misery accompany my actions, and the mercy of heaven be my unmerciful enemy, if I desire not with a longing heart, to wreak my teen upon wild undiscretion by requiting good for bad, & converting the wormwood of just offence into the angelica of pure atonement. The only reason of my demurrer, is my assurance: which consisteth rather in diffidence, then in credulity, and cannot warrantise itself what will be done, until it is done. He were very simple, that having so heavy causes of diffidence, and so light causes of credulity, would run hastily into the trapp, or suffer himself to be presently entangled in the snare. Parley is a subtle Sophister: Flattery a tickling solicitor: and Persuasion an enchanting witch. I cannot but listen unto them with an itching ear, and conceive as it were a tang of pleasure in mine own displeasure: but without Legempone, words are wind, and without actual performance, all nothing. Had I not more Premises of distrust, then promises of trust; or were he not ever to be presumed a bad fellow, that hath once played the bad fellow with a witness, (nothing but contrary proof can reverse that judgement): yet Lawyers love real cautions: and they that would be loath to be enticed by white, and defeated by black, are curious of their security. Truce was ever a redoubtable friend: & Suspicion hath cause to look upon Reconciliation with a jealous eye. Reconciliation is a sweet word: but entire Reconciliation a rare thing, & a strange restorative: whose sweetness lieth not in the tip of the tongue, or in the neb of the pen, but in the bottom of the heart, & in the bowels of the mind; the mind that daily emproueth itself, the only deep Politician, & inscrutable hypocrite. Whose inwardest secrets notwithstanding, are not so profound, or close, especially in the shallow breast of inconsiderate youth, but they may in sort be sounded, & discovered by a cunning observation of Circumstances. Some essential points I reserve to miselfe: burr M. Wolf knoweth, & who knoweth not? great Penmen, and Pamflet-marchants play much upon the advantage of the time, and care not who be their enemy, so the Term be their friend. Which of us can tell, but there may lie the drift, & great Policy of the new motion? I have earnestly, and instantly craved personal conference: but that should seem to make little for his purpose; or might have been granted with less suit. All must be done by the mediation of a third, and a fourth; and such an intercourse, as I may probably have in some jealousy, though I conceive well of the interposed persons. There hath already been a large expense of time: & charges continually run: & matters of more importance lie dead in the nest: & the burned finger hath reason to startle from the fire: and he that hath been once abused, would not willingly be abused twice: and Security cannot be too precise, or scrupulous: and I would there were no Coney catchers in London. Till a public injury be publicly confessed, and Print confuted in Print, I am one of S. Thomas disciples: not overpress to believe, but as cause causeth: and very ready to forgive, as effect effecteth. They that know the danger of Truces, and the coven of Treatyes, ut supra, must beg leave to ground their repose upon more cautels, than one; and to proceed in terms of suspense, or Pause, till they may be resolved with infallible assurance. For mine own determination, I see no credible hope of Peace, but in War: and could I not command, that I desire; I am persuaded, I should hardly obtain, that I wish. I love Osculum Pacis; but hate Osculum judae: and reverence the Tears of Christ; but fear the Tears of the Crocodile. Shall I be a little plain? Methinks the ranging Eyes under that long hair, (which some would call ruffianly hair) should scarcely yet be bathed in the heavenly Tears of Christ, or washed in the divine Tears of Penitence. Irish hair, and weeping Irish are no white Crows in these countries: and although there be no Wolves in England, yet there be Foxes in the hole. I would be loath to aggravate the least, or greatest particular against a Penitential soul: but still to haunt infamous, or suspected houses, taverns, lewd company, and riotous fashions, as before, (for to this day his behaviour is no turnecoate, though his style be a changeling) is a greater liberty in my small divinity, then accordeth with that devout, and most holy-holy profession. Lord, how curious was the wiser sort even of the heathen Philosophers, in the neat, & exquisite choice of their pure diet, undefiled society, Virgin manners, Unstained discourses, and unspotted actions? What so clarified, as their wit: so purified, as their mind: so sweetened, as their conference: so virtuous, as their instruction: so powerful, as their experiments: so exemplary, as their life: so unblemished, as their fame? I know not, who weeped the Funeral Tears of Mary Magdalene: I would he that sheddeth the Pathetical Tears of Christ, & trickleth the liquid Tears of Repentance, were no worse affected in pure devotion, than those Philosophers in moral Conversation. Were I not content, in some little hope of his final recovery either in deed, or in show; to do him a meritotious savour by concealing his utter discredit: I could easily, and would notoriously, make him ashamed of some his late Say, and doings: o Lord, how Unbeseeming the Tears of Christ: & Alas, how likely to forerun a miserable destiny? Let him reform his public, & redress his private enormities, & with a sincere vow I swear him friendship: or let him rest quiet, & I am quiet. Otherwise I may possibly be induced, to pay him home with an immortal revenge, that hath plagued his own tongue with desperate blasphemies in jest: o Christ, of how horrible consequence, without Tears in earnest? There is a great distance betwixt Hell, and Heaven: the Devil, and God: Rakehells, and Saints: the Supplication to the Devil, and the Tears of Christ: the Strange News of Villainy, and the miraculous News of Repentance: the Herald of War, and the Ambassador of Peace: the public Notary of Lies, and the Register of Truth: the devils Orator, and Christ's Chancellor. Though green were a julian, and Marlowe a Lucian: yet I would be loath, He should be an Aretin: that Paraphrased the inestimable books of Moses, and discoursed the Capricious Dialogues of rankest Bawdry: that penned one Apology of the divinity of Christ, and another of Pederastice, a kind of harlotry, not to be recited: that published the Life of the blessed Virgin, and the legend of the Errand Putana: that recorded the history of S. Thomas of Aquin, and forged the most detestable Blacke-booke, de tribus Impostoribus mundi. O monster of extremities; and o abomination of outrageous wit. It was his glory, to be a hellhounde incarnate, and to spoil Origen of his egregious praise: Vbi benè, nemo meliùs: ubi malè, nemo peiùs. Some surmounting spirits love to arrear a huge opinion of their excessive validity pro, or contra. Hyperbolical Virtues (it is Aristotle's Epithet) are heavenly miracles: and hideous Excellency an heroical wonder, like the Labours of Hercules, and the Bounties of Errand Knights: but superlative knavery is a rank Villain; and Ugly Blasphemy, a foul Devil, tormented with his own damnable mouth. It is not puffing, or blustering in bombasted terms, or Babylonian Phrases: but the fine and sweet course of Virtue, of industry, of Beaudesert, of Valour, of true bravery, that performeth worthy actions, and purchaseth the honour of the world. If Humanity will needs grow miraculous, it must fly with the wing of Divinity, not flutter with the plume of Atheism, or hoist the sail of Presumption. Whosoever despiseth the Majesty of heaven, or playeth the Democritus in God's cause; be his wit never so capon-crammed in Vanity, or his heart never so toade-swolne in surquidry: is the abiectest vermin, and Vilest pad, that creepeth on the Earth. If there be no such matter in the world, all the better: if there be, woe be to the authors of their own Confusion: and blessed they, that take-forth a good lesson from other men's miscarriage. Happy, and ten thousand times happy that inspired Heraclitus, that powreth-out the most-tender affectionate Tears of Christ, with the flowing eyes of Zeal, and the melting eloquence of his bowels. Other Oratory would be feeid, as it persuadeth; or thanked, as it edifieth; or honoured, as it ravisheth hearts with a powerful impression; or admired, as it stealeth souls with a divine sacrilege. He is the perfect Orator, that figureth and representeth every thing in Art, as it is in Nature: that dispatcheth light points roundly; handleth weightier matters more substantially; in the gravest subject proceedeth with due reverence; and of faith discourseth faithfully, of heaven heavenvly, of divinity divinely, of Christ like Christ. Dalliance in the sagest, and highest causes, is an absurdity, and like a ridiculous Vice in a Tragedy, or a poisonous Serpent in Paradise. Non est bonum, ludere cum Sanctis: cum Christo ludere, execrabile. Aretin was a reprobate ruffian: but even Castilio, and Macchiavel, that were not greatly religious in conscience, yet were religious in policy: & there is no kingdom, or Commonwealth upon Earth, so profane, or barbarous, but either in conscience is, or in Policy seemeth religious, or cannot possibly maintain any durable state. I would every Autour, that hath done no better, had done no worse: and it were to be wished, that some desperate wits were not so forward, to disbowell the entrails of their own impious minds. Plinyes, and Lucian's religion may ruffle, and scoff awhile: but extreme Vanity is the best beginning of that bravery, and extreme Misery the best end of that felicity. green, and Marlowe might admonish other to advise themselves: and I pray God, the promised Tears of Repentance, prove not the Tears of the Onion upon the Theatre. If I knew no more, than I utter; I would hope no less, than I wish: but hearing what I hear, & conceiving what I conceive, I would be unfeignedly glad, he should exceed my expectation: and when he hath resolved my incredulity with a little actual performance, I will not fail to render him right, with extensive favour. For my particular, let his professed Paenitet appear, by any reasonable, or tolerable satisfaction, without fraud, or collusion: and I am no way rigorous in revenge, or obstinate in displeasure. Meanwhile it is haply not amiss, to consider by the way, that Truth begetteth hatred; Virtue Envy; Familiarity cotempt; Favour pride; Pardon recklesnesse; and Credulity damage, or danger. A strange case, that so good mothers should bring-forth so bad daughters: but improbity, or Iniquity, (or what should I term that naughty humour?) is the fift Element of the world: and Consultation were better to sit safely between Yea, and No, then to fall suddenly with a hasty No, or to stand weakly with a simple Yea. My Affection is ready to subscribe to any indifferent articles of accord: (for bona fide I affect agreement) but my Reason hath reason to pause awhile; and a scruple, or two of some dependence, may seem to say No. But even those two Negatives, (upon a firm, & Vndefeasible security, sine dolo malo,) would be conformable enough, to conclude an Affirmative; and will not stick at any Transaction, or Composition, that is not Unreasonable. To make short, (for no jet, or Loadstone so attractive, as Lines, that draw unto them so many selfe-offering sentences: and I have already unmeasurably exceeded my stint) he that longeth to enjoy the fruit of private amity, and public favour, hasteth not to embrace the blossom, or to dote upon the shadow. His only final request, and affectionate prayer is, that howsoever poor men be used, the dear Tears of Christ, and the cheap Tears of Repentance, be not abused. All is well, that endeth effectually well: & so in some hast he endeth, that wisheth you entirely well: and for your instruction can assure you, he needeth not send to Athens for honey, or to Spain for sugar, or to Italy for Anniseedes, or to the Orient for sanders, or pearls; that may find as fine, and dainty choice, nearer hand. I can say nothing for miselfe, whose date is expired: but I dare ascertain you, three drops of the Oil of roses, or three drops of the Mercury of bugloss, will enstrengthen the brain, or comfort the heart more, than six, and six ounces of their common syrups. A greater difference betwixt artificial, and rude styles; refined, and drossy wits; skilful, and ignorant judgements; available, and unprofitable works; I commend to the consideration of the Press, with a right h●●●ty Farewell. This 16. of September. 1593. Your assur●●● wherein he may pleasure you, Gabriel Harvey.   


Sonnet. Gorgon, or the wonderful year.  

St Fame disposed to cunnycatch the world,  
Vproared a wonderment of Eighty Eight:  
The Earth addreading to be overwhurld,  
What now avails, quoth She, my balance weight?  
The Circle smiled to see the Centre fear:  
The wonder was, no wonder fell that year.   

Wonders enhaunse their power in numbers odd:  
The fat all year of years is Ninety Three:  
Parma hath kissed; De-maine entreats the rod:  
War wondereth, Peace and Spain in France to see  
Brave Fickenberg, the doughty Bassa shames:  
The Christian Neptune, Turkish Vulcan tames.   

Navarre woos Room: Charlmaine gives Guise the P●●●  
Weep Paul's, thy Tamburlaine voutsafes to die.    

L'enuoy.  

The hugest miracle remains behind,  
The second Shakerley Rash-Swash to bind.  
A Stanza declarative: to the Lovers of admirable Works.   

Pleased it hath a Gentlewoman rare,  
With Phoenix quill in diamond hand of Art,  
To muzzle the redoubtable Bull-bare,  
And play the galliard Championesses part.  
Though miracles surcease, yet Wonder see  
The mightiest miracle of Ninety Three.   
Vis consilij expers, mole ruit sua.  
The Writers Postscript: or a friendly Caveat to the Second Shakerley of Paul's.   

Sonnet.  

Slumbering I lay in melancholy bed,  
Before the dawning of the sanguine light:  
When Echo shrill, or some Familiar sprite  
Buzzed an Epitaph into my head.   

Magnific Minds, bred of Gargantuas' race,  
In grisly weeds His Obsequies waiment,  
Whose Corts on Paul's, whose mind triumphed on Kent,  
Scorning to bate Sir Rodomont an ace.   

I mused a while: and having mused a while,  
jesus, (quoth I) is that Gargantua mind  
Conquered, and left no Scanderbag behind?  
Vowed he not to Paul's A Second bile?   

What bile, or kibe? (quoth that same early sprite)  
Have you forgot the Scanderbegging wight?    

Gloss.  

Is it a Dream? or is the Highest mind,  
That ever haunted Paul's, or hunted wind,  
Bereast of that same sky-surmounting breath,  
That breath, that taught the Timpany to swell?   

He, and the Plague contended for the game:  
The haughty man extols his hideous thoughts,  
And gloriously insults upon poor souls,  
That plague themselves: for faint hearts plague themselves.  
The tyrant Sickness of base-minded slaves  
Oh how it dominer's in Coward Lane?  
So Surquidry rang-out his alarm bell,  
When he had girned at many a doleful knell.   

The grand Disease disdained his to ade Conceit,  
And smiling at his tamberlaine contempt,  
Sternly struck-home the peremptory stroke.  
He that nor feared God, nor dreaded devil,  
Nor aught admired, but his wondrous self:  
Like junos' gaudy Bird, that proudly stars  
On glittering sand of his triumphant tail:  
Or like the ugly Bugg, that scorned to die,  
And mounts of Glory reared in towering wit:  
Alas: but Babel Pride must kiss the pit.    

L'enuoy.  

Paul's steeple, and a hugyer thing is down:  
Beware the next Bullbeggar of the town.   
— Fata immatura vagantur.   
FINIS.   

Errata.  
'Slight faults are soon corrected, as that of, fine marshalling, without a come, in the leaf C. or any the like: but in the same leaf there escaped a gross error, to be corrected thus:  
Her beginning, like the purest Oil in the crown of the rondelet: Her proceeding, like the soverainest wine in the midst of the Butt: Her ending, like the sweetest hoony in the bottom of the hoony-pot.