A COPY OF THE SPEECH: MADE by the Mathematical Lecturer, unto the Worshipful Company present.  
At the house of the Worshipful M. Thomas Smith, dwelling in Gracious Street: the 4. of November, 1588.  
T. Hood  
¶ Imprinted at London by Edward Allde.   

Auspicante Deo, 4. Novembris 1588.  
I Know not Right worshipful, and Gentlemen of singular expectation, whether this present exercise which now we have in hand doth breed in me a greater cause of joy, or fear. When I consider with myself the malicious mind of ill disposed men, who think no boat well rowed wherein they want an oar, I cannot be but touched with fear. Again, when as I call to mind the great commodity that will henceforth arise unto our Realm in that this day there is a platform laid for the better increase of the Mathematical science, a science never worthily to be commended, then do I begin to be somewhat glad, yea openly to confess what secretly I do: I triumph in deed and leap for joy. But when I see the burden of the thing to lie in my neck, and myself to sit in so envied a place, then doth my former fear return, and every joint well nigh begin to shake. Again when sitting in this seat although envied, I cast mine eye about to every corner of this Room, and see as yet none other here, but either such as do desire to learn, and therefore cannot but wish me well, whom they have chosen their instructor, or such as are already learned, and therefore needs must love the thing whose worthiness they know, and also the professors of the same, I feel my joy renewed a fresh. The which my joy, Right worshipful that it may continue still, till you yourselves here present, shall minister occasion otherwise (which your years, discretion, constancy, and wisdom persuade me you will never do) I humbly request such favourable attention and good will to the end of my speech, as you have given the beginning. The which because I will not have it over long, I will set myself certain limmets and bounds which I will not pass, dividing it into 2. several parts. The one shall concearne the occasion of this exercise begun, the other the commodity of the same: of these in as short a manner as I may. It is no secret Right worshipful to any of you all, for we have seen them on our coast, and heard the thunder of their shot, in how cruel manner the proud disdainful insolent Spaniard of late days hath threatened our Country, Queen and City, with fire and sword, and whatsoever outrageous torment else their villainous mind could worse invent. The Citizens of London dutiful to their Prince, to their Country loving, and careful of the City: made ready presently for their defence a band of men, in number not great, yet for the time sufficient, till farther danger called for a fresh supply. The men thus levied required Captains, for what is the body without an head, or the Scholars without a Master, or soldiers wanting such as might instruct them in feats of war? The Citizens, chiefly those, who both for their wisdom, and experience were best able to judge, and for their fatherly care they have most provident to foresee what kind of government is best for this City, those Citizens I say did think it good to choose out Captains among themselves, to whom they might commit this military care. Yet lest they should presume too much upon their own devise, or rashly seem to contemn the warlike policy of other men, they acquaint her Majesty with the thing. Her Majesty as she is always glad to gratify her subjects in their honest petitions, so in this she showed herself willing to satisfy their minds, being induced thereto by the grave advise of her honourable Council. hereupon, these and divers other worshipful Gentlemen, were chosen Captains, their Soldiers were trained, and trained in such sort as few indeed or none were better, so the event ensuing did declare. For this we see, Right worshipful, that envy never followeth the worse sort. Summa petit livor saith the Poet, Perflantquae altissima venti, and what needeth disgrace where the thing is bad? Our Captains were sought to be disgraced, I need say no more, judge you yourselves now what men they were, seeing envies blast doth always beat the highest hills. But be it so to avoid contention, & because comparisons are always odious, our Captains themselves are willing to deny their desert. They acknowledge that, which their ill willers object, they have not encamped in open field, nor besieged towns, nor raised sconces, nor battered walls, nor burnt and spoiled Cities as they have done, for why? neither their years, nor calling, nor trade of life hath so required: Yet have they virtuous and valiant minds, they love their Country, they honour their Prince, they care for this City, and they have knowledge not to be contemned, till tract of time affordeth experience. Now that these their virtues may increase, and also their learning be enlarged, and they more fit for experience to come, it pleased them (divers grave, wise and politic men, giving encouragement thereunto) for their private instruction to erect a lecture for the mathematical science, a knowledge most convenient for military men. But here some men perhaps will say, what needeth this cost? what? those famous Captains of ours now in the low countries, or those of ancient time before, whose notable prowese is left in writing, were they trained up in this kind of learning which you have named, and highly commend? In truth Right worshipful it is hard to avouch this of all them that are and have been entitled with this warlike name, yet am I not ignorant what to answer. I acknowledge, and confess, that there have been many of noble virtue and excellent minds, who without learning by their divine & heavenly nature alone have showed themselves worthy & valiant men yea also I condescend to this, the oftentimes nature without learning, is more available to virtue and renown, then learning without nature, yet notwithstanding this I must needs affirm, that when to a notable and excellent inclination of nature there is joined the devise and help which learning breedeth, then springeth up that singular and peerless man, whom you and I may better in mind concieue, then utter in words. Such was Scipio Affrycanus the Roman Captain, a mortal God, such was Cato that valiant and learned old man, and many more, who questionless if they could have received no help by learning, either in attaining to virtue, or enlarging their name: they would never have followed the study thereof. Thus have you briefly heard the cause why this lecture was ordained and for whom, with the answer made to an objection concerning the same. It followeth now Right worshipful and courteous auditors, to display the commodities of our profession namely of Astronomy, Arithmetic, and Geometry: contained under the title of the mathematical arts, which thing I presently would enter into, were it not that I had a few words to utter concerning myself, for it may be peradventure that some of you do wonder with yourselves considering your universities abound and swarm with learned doctors, why I especially by degree but a Master of art, should occupy this place, who neither for years, nor learning, nor experience, seem any way comparable unto them. What then? am I bolder than they all? no forsooth. What am I more officious than the rest? no neither, I am not so desirous of that praise, that I would withdraw it from other men. But thus it is: other men though indeed better learned than I and of higher degree, yet seeing the envy of the place, and not being called thereunto: withhold themselves. I not like to be so much envied, as being inferior in degree: have ventured on the thing, moreover those parties have requested it at my hands who both for acquaintance and great good will, and worshipful countenance might have commanded a greater thing, whose pleasure for so much as I would not withstand it, nor neglect their request, nor refuse their good turn, I have submitted my neck to the burden. Which though it seem too heavy for me to bear, yet shall you not see me shrink thereat, whilst you yourselves are willing to learn, which so long you ought to be willing to do, until it repent you of the profit.  
This profit the better to understand what it will be, I will now hasten to the last part of my speech, requesting herein also your attentive ear, although I think it a needless request, in that you have so favourably heard me hitherto. Wherein Right worshipful I will labour to be brief, I say I will labour to be brief, for that I know the worthiness of these arts to be such, that it is an harder matter to find an end in commending the same, than a beginning to their praise. For what soever several commendations there are in other things in this profession: they all concur and meet together. If either antiquity of any art may magnify the same, or the professors thereof bring credit thereto, or the wonderful effects and strange devices extol the thing, or the subject matter set forth the praise, then shall the mathematics surpass them all: they were invented before all other, embraced by Kings and wisest men, strange in devices and effects, and for the subject matter they have the world. Their antiquity is fet from our creation.  
Nam cum prona spectent animalia caetera terram  
Os homini sublime dedit, caelumque videre  
jussit, et erectos ad sidera tolle re vultus.  
To this intent were our eyes, and bodies framed as you see, that not looking groveling on the ground as senseless beasts, but lifting up our face to heaven we might behold, and in beholding learn the wonderful mysteries contained therein. For Right Worshipful: there is more required of us men concerning heaven, them the only view of the outward frame: the beasts themselves can view the thing, they can behold it as well as we, but we must tread the footsteps of Adam and Seth his Son, whose study was continual in these things, yea they had such a care thereof, that knowing the profit exceeding great and foreseeing both the flood to come, and also the consuming of the world by fire, they left the secrets of their arts engraven curiously in two Pillars, one of Brick, the other of brass, that if the world were burnt the brick might last, if it were drowned, the brass might continue the perpetual memory of that which they knew. It is too long to run through all those men, whose affection was singular to these kind of studies  
Abraham is renowned for his knowledge therein, and jacob also, whose staff we use. The Egyptians learning these arts of Abraham, found afterward such singularity therein, that it was a decree for ever with them, that none should govern among them as King, that had no insight in this learning, whose Law the Persians also followed. From Egypt: it flowed over Africa like Nilus' flood, and after went over sea into Greece, from Greece it was translated to Rome, from Rome to Germany, France, and Spain, and now at length after many years England doth lend it a listening ear, and as I hope will yield it also a loving heart. At Rome julius Caesar made the Calendar which we use, in Greece Plato by that art did stay the plague in doubling the altar of Apollo. In Africa King Atlas did so toil therein. that the Poets laid the heaven in his neck, and made him as a pillar to hold it up. Archimedes played the Devil thereby in the Roman host, and kept them all at such a bay, that they durst not come near Syracuse, neither by Land nor yet by Sea, Dionysius the King he sent for Plato to be his Master in this science, and made bonfires for joy of his coming, Alfonsus' King of Arragon spent a mighty sum of money herein, and maketh us beholding to him still and shall be for ever. Ptolomiè took such pains herein, that the whole world enjoys his travel. If then Right worshipful, the students in this science were such famous men, imagine the excellency of the study, which also they commended unto us by singular works. I mean not your Cathedral Churches, or place of Exchange, or other stately buildings whatsoever, whose stillest stone is the sounding Trumpet of this profession, but they left behind them manifold other rare devices, to sight wonderful, incredible to the ear, yet to ear and sight exceeding pleasant. Suppose, for what cannot the mind devise? suppose I say, that over your head there flew a Dove, not such a feathered fowl as commonly we keep, but a Dove of wood, such a one as Archytas made. Put case you saw here Vulcan's trivets, which made of Iron could fight alone: and set themselves in battle ray, retiring and marching orderly. What if you saw Daedalus in the air? or Archimedes Sphere turning alone? would you not wonder at these things? Yes no doubt, and wondering, thirst after the knowledge of that art, which daily affords such strange conceits.  
These be no fables that I tell, our present age affirmeth them true. Who hath not heard of the brazen Cock in Strasborowe town, as I remember, which croweth aloud 3. times a day: wherein the heavenly Orbs do move alone? Who hath not seen our Clock in Paul's, or such small pieces of work as this? which being but small in regard of the rest, bring great commendations to these arts. Here again me think, I hear one say, indeed these toys delight men's eyes, but I desire to see some use, or some commodity fit for a common weal: this question Right worshipful, I could answer with an other, altogether as foolish as it. What profit hath the Diamond on your finger, for which you gave an hundred pound? you can not answer me at a blush, except you allege your pleasure alone. But I will not cross this objection thus, I will answer directly thereunto, although the pleasure might suffice, as being a study pleasant in youth, delightful to age, beautiful in prosperity, relieving our adversity, and yielding us comfort, it pleasureth at home, it hindereth not abroad, it watcheth with us, and traveleth with us up and down, and doth us service every where. The mind is able Right worshipful, to conceive that which the bodily eye cannot see, the eye can behold more than the tongue can express, yet devise with your mind, and cast your sight about, and try if you can either spy with your eye, or think in your mind what thing is free from the use of these arts. Look up if you please to the heaven above, or turn your eye down to earth beneath, or round about to the wandering Sea, think on your wars, and traffic abroad, or other your private affairs at home, your business at home, your wares abroad, your traffic beyond sea, the earth beneath you, the Sea about you, the heaven above you is fully fraught with the praise hereof. In heaven astronomy doth reign as Queen, commanding all the secrets thereof, and laying them open to our eyes. Yet astronomy is but a part of this science, whose profit notwithstanding is wonderful great. What can be compared to the knowledge of God, which is the butt and end of our creation? next to the ordinary means of our instruction, I mean his word, the art of astronomy doth chiefly breed the knowledge of him. First in considering the number of the heavens, which being 10. are so cunningly wrought and knit together, that the hand of man is not able to counterfeit the worst of them all, without some blemish, either swelling outward, or dented in, their rowndnesse is such, so precise, so perfect, so correspondent to itself. If then the fashion be so strange, and broedeth this profit, what may we conceive of the wonderful course, which rolling about without any rest, is an higher step to the foresaid knowledge. Of these 10. Spheres or Orbs, there are not two whose natural course precizelye bendeth one manner of way. Some run from East to West, and others again from West to East, an other in trembling manner from North to South, reversed back from South to North. The Nethermost 7. from west to East in such a sundry and manifold course, that neither the one is like the other, nor in many years scarce like themselves, yet all so certain in their race, that neither the time doth breed an error, nor yet their number a confusion. Which constancy of course being well known to Dionysius Areopagita an heathen man, it made him cry out when our Saviour Christ was nailed to the Cross, (though he himself were then in Egypt) that then, either the God of nature did suffer, or the frame of this world did break a sunder: because against the order and time of natural course, he saw the Moon eclipse the Sun. Seeing then astronomy leadeth us to the knowledge of God, that were profit enough if it had no more: but this commodity is not alone, for as this is the welfare of the soul: so doth it work our bodies good: as physic can witness sufficiently, which taking care of this our body, can warrant us nothing without this art. For if it doth not diligently observe the face of heaven in ministering potions or opening veins, it may serve us as Paris did Achilles at Troy, whose prick in the heel did pierce his heart. What shall I say of Navigation the chiefest pillar of your gain? how much doth Astronomy help therein? whose launching forth and haling in, and restless course both too and fro is surely guided by this heavenly art, though Sea doth roar, and winds do rage, and heaven and earth should meet together. As for the tilling of the ground or whatsoever else the Country doth, it is as much for it to want this Art, as Vulcan's forge to lack his fire, or Apelles shop his colours and oil: I would not have you measure each thing by the price, for commonly scholars are not covetous men. There is among you a little book, the Almanac I mean usually bought for a penny or two, if it were wanting but a time, I guess it would be worth a pound. Right worshipful I will use your patience a little longer, because I see you give such attentive ear: You have heard what great commodity Astronomy yieldeth, being but a part of the Mathematical science, there are other two as good as it, hearken also what profit they bring, Arithmetic namely teaching the art of number, and Geometry the knowledge of measuring well. Believe me, for why I speak the thing I know, being daily conversant in those parts, and having conference with many men, there is no calling whatsoever that can want the aid of one of these. Perhaps you will except Astronomy, because the heaven seemeth very high beyond the reach of rule and compass. Our Globes and Spheres and celestial draughts, which here we have, will witness the falsehood of that exception, wherein each several star is so truly pricked that they miss not an hair of their natural place. Then if Geometry reach so high that it can justly measure the Cope of heaven: no doubt on earth it performeth most excellent things. Let geography witness in universal Maps, let topography witness in several Cards, let hydrography witness in the Mariner's plat, you yourselves may witness in Martial affairs, let the Gunner witness in planting his shot, witness the Surveior in measuring land, witness all those, that labour in mines, and those that practise conveying of water, whose skill being told us, we would scarcely believe it, were it not lying at our doors. The Lawyer thinketh himself cunning enough to handle his case, and therefore would laugh, if he should here, that he standeth in need of our profession, yet have I known his sentence reclaimed by one of my coat. Divinity containeth matter of salvation, and nothing is superfluous in the word of God, yet can it not be expounded without these arts, else let them describe the feast of Easter, or justify the history of the three wise men. If you yourselves were not Merchant men, I would tell you what profit you reap hereby, but your daily experience saveth me that labour. The Scholar in reading of his Poet must have this help, or else perhaps he may quickly be posed. The Historiographer must not want these arts, nor he that readeth the history penned, or else their labour and light may be lost. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It was the sentence Right worshipful auditors of Plato the wise set over his School, whereby he forbade them the entrance in, that were nont capable of this learning, for as it is prettily, so it is truly said by one  ignis aurum, ita Mathemataeca ingenium, The Mathematics are unto the wit, as fire is to the gold, and he that in some measure is not capable thereof, is fit for a sty, then for a study. Persuade yourselves Captains of excellent hope, for now I turn my speech to you, for whose commodity this thing is intended, persuade yourselves I say, that there is some notable thing in this kind of study, that is not common to other arts, else could it not breed such exceeding joy in the lovers thereof, as we see it doth. Thales the Philosopher offered up an Ox for joy, and Plato an hundred having found out certain Geometrical conclusions. Archimedes sifting out the goldsmith's deceit in making of King Hiero his Crown, could not contain himself for joy, but ran as he was stark naked through the street Aristippus suffering shipwreck on the coast of Rhodes found described in the sand Geometrical figures, wherein he took such singular comfort, that forgetting his loss, and cause of sorrow: he cried out thus unto his fellows, be of good cheer my mates quoth he, for lo I see the footsteps of men. If then noble Captains and loving Scholars, (for now I am bold to use that name) If the commodities of our profession be so great as nothing more, if the pleasure be without comparison, if these be the footsteps of men wherein you must tread, whose very sight may countervail your sorrow, if you have a care of your honourable name, if you think it a fowl disgrace for want of knowledge to be circumvented, as Hannibal was by Fabius Maximus, or as Cyrus the King by Tomiris the Queen: If it be the hazard of your life and name in scaling a fort to bring a Ladder too short by the half, as King Philip did, whereby he cast away all his men: if you loath to have your inferior soldiers triumph over you for want of art, as Palamedes did over Agamemnon the King, begin better seen in marshalling his men: to be short, If you think it a blessed thing, to compass the world, and return again enriched with gold, or if you tender your credit in any respect which ought to be more dear than gold, now have an especial care unto the same. Let not the thing begun to your honour be intermitted to your disgrace, so many worshipful men bearing witness thereof, but buckle yourselves to purchase knowledge, that by your endeavour out of this place, as out of the Greekish Horse at Troy, many worthy, wise, and learned Captains may proceed. Your cost is small, your pains as little, for all the labour shall be mine, your profit great: your comfort more, there wants but will, which if you bring, upon my credit, God going before whom I beseech to bless our studies, you shall not think your time 〈…〉 but be beholding as to this Gentlem●● 〈…〉 place, so unto me for taking pains.  
Dixi.