RAPTA TATIO.  
THE Mirror of his majesties present Government, tending to the Union of his whole Island of Brittonie  martial. Rumpatur quisquis rumpitur invidia. 
AT LONDON, Printed by W. W. for S. Waterson. 1604.   


Ignibus unionis arden S.    

To the Right Honourable and famous Cities London and Edinburgh, York in the way not unsaluted; and to their Inhabitants, and Friends of all conditions.  
BEcause in you (especially) be the newses of all commonwealths causes; I choose you, to whom to dedicate the Discourses upon the Union debated. Of other natures are other Records likewise interserted, as arguments modern in your daily uses. Be you all strong Friends to this great good of your estates, and no party shall be thought able to withstand you, and your followers. Myself beg nothing of you, nor seek to borrow upon credit; though I know you trust much; and in so doing, give it when you are not paid: But if I once see Bonfires in you for this new Conjunction, yours willbe the Chiefest benefit, mine a share of the Comfort. That if it happen to be concluded, burn my Books then, as part of joys Fuel: If that miss good event, and mine affection shall be suspected, or arguments neglected, a bad Birds ill Egg, I know, will not have worse fortune. Howsoever my Zeal is such to you, and to this Case, as I refer it and myself, humbly to your Censures: willing to make myself better known, then when I shallbe assured I can deserve well of you: till which time come, gladdest if it were quickly, I rest.  
Ever at your command, Your Countryman and a Britain.   

The explanation of the Title, and application thereof.  
WHEN the romans for continuance of their people and commonwealth, made Union with their Neighbours the Sabines and the rest, by taking their Daughters (though against their wills at first) to wives, whom afterwards proof showed, they could not better have bestowed: the chiefest of the rest was reserved for Tatius: The credit of whose name was of such authority, that not the very enemies would make resistance. That if they then yielded to, for a Noble man's fancy in his affection; let a general good now, be more powerful for a kings desire of a Commonweal.  

Hoc tantum inspice qui nobis paratur,  
An possit fieri vetus sodalis.    

The Title.  
RAPTA TATIO.  Haec facies testatur amorem. 
Anagram.  
AT AT PATIOR.  Nec facies placet cui gelasinus abest. 
Upon both.  Praeda datur Tatio: mea miles vulnera porto: ut verè dicam dum potior patior. Sed modicum patiar, quia nisus nomine tanto, et tanto fultus numine tutus ero.  

Rapta Tatio.  
Having (you great Cities and your friends and followers) since I saw all use of my poor endeavours spared, or rather found disability in them to afford use to the state, or person of my dread Sovereign, or of his royal Queen, or ishew; sequestered myself from either saucy intrusions or shameless suits; I thought I should so have been forgotten, and might also have been suffered without offence to forget: But so full are all things every where of his Majesty, as even in my retiredest privateness, by Subjects who could not judge of aught, but what the Subject enabled them to; neither take much joy in any thing, but in harvests, Marriages, and Holidays; nor speak for much more, than Nature and the Country's vocation gives direction for: I have been assaulted with their welcome, yet vehement endeavours, of expressing their joys for him; their comforts in him; their hopes from him, their duties to him; in deed their admiration, of not only what they see, but what they feel themselves even warmed and comforted by, not to all men in able judgement visible, but every where by some virtue or other sensible: no less than they profess his majesties Proclamations to their understandings notable; his carriage and manage of himself and his judgement in treasons so little deserved, by Subjects no whit justly aggrieved, taken to mercy besides all law, but that which his own heart and understanding inventes and affords; not a little rare, yet very royal. Above all it may be, (for being last in memory) they seem full of a speech his Highness made in the beginning of the Parliament: for place in such a session; for utterance, so delivered; upon further suit and need thereof so reitterated; the arguments, so gracious; for use, so necessary; seen even before proof so judicial; as when they of their kind could find understanding to commend, fullness to utter; it so far set on fire my spirit, to give myself satisfaction about; as whether scorn to be overmatched by those in that argument, or new desire inflamed to apprehend so glorious a world, gave the instigation I know not; up rose again those spirits which had faithfully borne zeal (and that without fault otherways) to his Highness, when community knew him not; in days when Nobility treated but sparingly of him; and the time had kept him in breeding in a country fit to make him wise and hardy, as any of his ancestors; less soft and delicate than many of his progenitors. Pardonable then (I hope) it shall be esteemed, if to join with the rest, or salute their gratulations to him first, what came from him, comes for him: the meditation of subjects wishes, the understanding of many their senses, directed to acknowledge how unworthy they are so gracious & so good a King, who publicly professeth to thank them for that, for which, God and he himself is to be thanked, in that he was borne, and refuseth not his end for which: who professeth peace; feareth no war; standeth stiffly to religion with a prudent discretion; seeks unions for unity; gives his own for the commonwealths cause the most, and yet accounts to it for what he gives: doth all things as doubting which upon trial are surely placed. And though myself be too unworthy to explain what his majesties hidden provisions are, of those which have open show for his kingdoms good; and know how near flattery and gross adulation plain delivery and truth comes: yet since they be good desires in others, none ill in myself, which have stirred me up to this presumption; and Virtue may be as confident to challenge her own, as Vice is apt to borrow of insinuation; I ask leave that I repress not my thoughts in silence, neither spare to lay them down so insufficiently, in so able an age. But yet daring no further, you may be pleased, as Dionysius made Aristippus believe, that his ears were in his feet, to hear with your heels: or if the work be not worthy to be taken up, it can not be vile enough, if it shall not be otherwise censured, having love & duty, zeal and care of country therein, to be trodden upon. And here in what I shall discourse, as I have caught it by vulgar relations, and remember it happily but unfittingly for the use should be made of it: so, if either I had had direction to write, instruction of occurrents, and privity to have made right use; my pains should have been employed to have given that satisfaction to this cause, which now I aim at: and but only for the gladness of the popular duty to so gracious a Sovereign, I could not have been thrust upon. And herein I will not deal with my love to them, as the Sleeper did with the conjuror, who having told him, that a dream of an Egg signified treasure, sent him only of silver and gold (whereof he had found some quantity) a portion of the silver, and put him to ask for news of the Yolk numquid de vitello: for even all the substance in my Shell, is wholly this arguments: and the more devoutly, since with Deiotarns our King is not building of Cities at the thirteenth hour of the day: nor with Crassus, at sixty years old, beginning to march against the Partheans: but even at his first entrance, doth so address himself to his government, as all are proud at this instant, who spoke well before, and they who see him now, find ability to speak for ever. It shall not be said of him, he bears his time well, as if somewhat were to be allowed to his new entrance; but he useth his time well. It was Damasippus fault to give Cicero so much advantage, having bidden him to supper, as by having kept his Wine forty years in his house, to be subject to his guests censnre, that it bore the age well. This kings time came when it should be used, and is used when it is come: England alured not him to it, till it sent to him for it. He hath taken a state Captive, by God's providence, and his majesties good usage of his gifts; was not taken prisoner, as Polycrates was by Eurotes: Therefore he partakes God's blessings not against the Fates, but by direction of the Heavens. Before his Highness is treasure, in his coming hither: some (I hope) will find it behind him, if God bless the golden Ours in Scotland.  
Cefellius Bassus applauded Nero for being dear unto the Gods, as in whose time only, Gold long time hid, came to light. There are (I cannot deny) who are so unhappy, as to conjecture, that some that hath seen light, is gone that way to be hid: But neither shall fail the use of this Kingdom, if God bless the one's finding, and grant means to the others returning, since now the King hath propounded, that an union may be confirmed▪ the only means to draw all uses from thence, to the good of us here, without our loss in any thing, which with the gain by this cause, will not be well requited; nor will it be long to the appearance thereof, when his majesties subjects shall be all conjoined, which are borne and inhabit within one continent, have, and long may they have the same sovereign, suffer no division, nor which ever did, other than what the Devil drew on for the punishment of both; and it seems Gods sacred ordinance, to move the King's Majesty to affect the amends of, for the good of either. They have reason to follow, where their King is; we cause to embrace them, who come with him. The Country beside is honoured in his Highness, which bred such a King, as lives to prove (hath not a bare testimony of a thing forgotten) more ability in himself, than Darius on his Tomb was commended for: I was a friend to my friends, an horseman and bowman excellent: I was best of Huntsmen, and in my person could do all things. And shall not Cirus his counsel to Cambyses his son, make us more assured, to have a Sceptre compacted of multitudes of Friends, then of quantity of Gold. And how can we compact them, but to make them like Niobees Tomb, being the Marble? This Tomhe hath no dead body; this dead body hath no Tomb: but the one is the other, and either is each. And if friendship be as Senica saith, Negotiatio quae ad comodum accedit: The King hath greatest cause (if their ingratitude shall not give him cause to be weary of both) to join them in strrct bands of all comfortable all entire & equal Loves betwixt them; since the greatest profit which ever can come to either of them, must be in seeing the welfare, and enjoying the life of him alone. Nor is it fit that his friends should not be united (I presume to call his Subjects his friends, as by a dear title, as well as humble); since better it is the King were not of agreeing harmony in himself, then where his friends were nought, the King himself were of good disposition. And if the difference were any, for the exchange: some have said Procul a love et a fulmine; the conversations of Kings have ever been held like the nature of the Flames, warm further of, and burning nearer. The King shall better repress further off in this form, by this means give greater scope to the Subject nearer hand: by that course, his further people shallbe made more civil (I speak of the privater of them), these not so great flatterers, (I speak not much of the publicker of these) whose so often kneelinges, his Majesty, it is said, hath so much forbidden, as if he had seen Tiberius the Emperor fall on his face, running away from a fellow, who hung upon him kneeling.  
A Woman did the like upon this our King at Royston, whose Husband, that he might live disorderly with his Greyhound, against the King's Proclamation, left to live orderly with his wife according to the institution of Marriage. Yet as for the one, I mean not altogether the men of the Lues; (part of whose Country I had hoped, that ere this time, the battered Garrison of Berwick should have had) so I fear not much the other, who can only allege, Offa me monet, the King having Subjects (of whom his majesties own note is, that they were borne to haunt, shame, and starve himself) of able means to reform them, by cutting off allowances.  
The condition of those, I profess, to be more dangerous, who can amend mistakinges: And to the question quid brachium can reply, illud dicere volui femur, who can either turn an Argument of strength into lasciviousness; or can alter with occasion, and flatter even vice, if they could here find it. But while ill things ought not to be commended, ill men can be allowed no fit praisers: Seneca in his Tractate of the honest life, saith: We ought to be as much ashamed to be commended of bad men, as if we were praised for ill conditions. Reverend and Worthy men hath the King to hear, as ever King was served withal, both grave and wise: and wise and stout: such as of whom it can not be said, that they have less of Eloquence then of Faith; being as excellent speakers, as careful doers: neither less Honour, then may command duty▪ being many by himself advanced, others better then always confirmed, or more than before increased. They are they to whom the Law can not be unpleasing, that Amasis' King of Egypt made uti singuli apud praesides provinciae ostenderent unde viverent. That is in England on capital head of many manifold vices, when men may live by what means they can, only answering unto public accusations; whereas how they get, what they spend; how they spend, what they get; how they outface meaner Magistracy; how they blind greater, in causes of danger how they find many, and the Commonwealth few friends; how they shift causes, and the judge never heats of them: for these, how much God is angry; their courses how easy it is in beginngs to prevent: if counsel of counsellors find other things more urgent to their wisdoms, I remember what I wish the Commonwealth should have cause to thank them for.  
These people will go as near justice and Laws, and scape them, as Domitian could shoot near through by a Boy's fingers, and miss them. This reverend counsel, for having lived in Coutts, may they be more honoured, then to be reviled in Woods? So let them know their services rewarded in living; that dead, they be not abused by the living: And if they may be amongst us, who would be wise like them, let us not put them from amongst us, who have more experience, and have had more privity than we.  
Zenophones' Colophonius, who was called Homeromastixe, in lamentation of his poverty, told a King of Cecely, that he was scarce able to keep two Servants: Yet quoth the King, he whom you rail upon, feedeth 10000 being dead: so are worthy men by mean ones defaced; so pratchantnesse knows not it is saucy; so come faulty humours to be unpunished, because not seen; and not seen, because not regarded.  
In Rome it is written, Rutilius and Scaurus had petition for a Consulship, and at last Rutilius gave way to Scaurus. Scaurus accused Rutilius of Canuace, because in Rutilius his Tables was written A. F. P. R. which Scaurus did interpret as signifying done by the faith of Publius Rutilius, actum fide Publij Rutilij, as if Rutilius had corrupted the voices, and Scaurus could not have been made Consul without Rutilius had renounced unto him: But Rutilius made this interpretation, ante factum postea relatum, that first it was had, afterwards restored: as if Scaurus had by his name framed his Office, and he had been but the pronouncer of his reputation. Caius Caninius a Roman Knight being on the part of Rufus, notwithstanding held, that neither interpretation was true upon those Letters, but that they imported Aemilius fecit plectitur Rutilius, Aemilius did it, and Rutilius suffered for it; that was, took the repulse. But I think both then: for neither are here now.  
In that time, where was the courtesy passed betwixt Largius and Caelius, when they two spent the day so in commending one another, either for others worth to be elected Dictator's, that scarce either of them could be appointed on the second day of their choice?  
Where was then that humanity which Pompey showed, who being appointed unto Metellus his charge, because Metellus was elder and more noble in glory, would not accept his preferment appointed unto him, unless Metellus would desire his company in taking share of his care?  
This case had much other pleading when it was, and howsoever Rutilius was stuck unto, yet Cicero gave not all to that speaker; but in decision of the cause, having judicially delivered, turned his countenance upon a worthy man of his favour, concluding directly in the behalf of Scaurus.  
More did not Tully in any day show himself master of his ears, nor better at any time command his tongue, to utter his judgement: Yet was that trial only brought in to take experience of duty, fully necessary for greater causes soon after to be propounded: This only being like Alcibiades Dog, sent through the City of Athens with his tail cut off upon purpose. That as it was to try what woonderors were there in that body, so this to discern whether free tongues were walking, or not walking in your free Cities?  
But howsoever, had Angustus his judgement, been held as good as Claudius his benefit, the decision had found authority, not the authority decision. Then might the Soldier have come to Caesar to ask his reward of pleasuring him, in a fitter time, then after he had lost one of his eyes at Munda.  
But it may be in times foregoing, it hath been thought, that clean observance was more worth, then holy duty, to be honoured rather skilfully, then devoutly coli scite quam sancte: Yet doubt I, that word Clean, had drunk too lately in the Low Countries, and signified rather little in the scite, then mannerly in the observance. Or else as it befell, martial would have his rule of loving accept Familiarity, but admit no reverence. Tu vis coli sext volebam amore, Sed si te colo sext non amabo. If otherwise, which I well believe, and you great Cities may happily hear of that not want of particular duty, but care of general good, makes refusal of that for the Country's cause, wherein a kings command had otherwise readily prevailed over his Subjects: while the event of the ones desire, the others refusal stood upon uncertain successes; and the father's care might be thought impartial touching his own lawful Children, though issued from divers ventures; what Vigil could not scite Virgil; what Watchman could not discern day then in view, then to follow his colours with Nil desperandum Teucro duce et auspice Teucro? Nor could it be said, O socij neque enim ignari sumus ante malorum, for of the contrary we have had experience lamentable, of this which would have yielded comfort, such hath been our unhappiness, though the Histories can tell you how sought, never occasion to any could we take.  
Better directions then happy directions, men can not receive, such as either are affected to be followed for love by hope, or men are won to embrace by reason upon ground. Him examine by his own, remember his life past so blessedly run through, so mischieffously attempted; take view of his estate present, of our hopes of blessedness by him; and thereby frame conjecture how fortunate his Highness may be in these his desires not withstood, but submitted to, by those who must lose liberties as dear as life thereby.  
And should you not take him Kingly, but Philosophically; the rule for his condition fits him, as his Sceptre, for a King, becomes him.  
A body strong, fortunes rich, the heart stout, and brains learned, Milesius thought to be the seat of happiness.  
Plato he plaited five kinds of Felicities: good Counsel, good Health, good Fortune, good Reputation, good and falsely esteemed, (but never before other lovers of Wisdom, loved them better than Philosophers) above all Goods, Goods.  
I might add to make these goods better, as greater for their quality, maketh not their price more than their quantity advanceth their reputation, even goods hanging upon Ropes.  
Of which kind, to leave the Kings Maritine riches, in like whereof no Prince in the world is known to equal him: I may truly say, as he is far from taking advantages upon those from whose indiscreet and unworthy usages, the heinousness of their crimes have given their states and safeties away, so might so much moderation in cause of just anger, have given true trial of none over great violence in matter of affection.  
And were it not for the good of either, since he hath charge of both, it would neither be the draft of the one to what they seek not, nor of the other to what they like not, that would make either Fancies seem Faces, or Reasons almost Treasons.  
Nor can I guess whence no better satisfaction groweth, unless Opinion may be held of the highest estate, to be as Pliny writeth of Fortune, that she is the Goddess who in the whole world in all places, at all hours, with all voices, alone is called out upon, alone is named, alone is accused: who hath the only guilt, the only estimation, the only praise, the only blame: and with invectives is worshipped, with slander cherished, in inconstancy thought constant: to whose charge is laid the maintaining the unworthiest, the account of all expenses, the catalogue of all receipt, and the filling up of each Leaves either part in the blots of all reckonings, and the setting upon all Audits.  
If not so, with reverence and love may I speak it to your Cittie-assemblies, Tables as you may think private and secure, be too little provident; no less was the Frenches confidence, who to show their not fearing Alexander, could instance in nothing to give them doubt, but in the heavens falling.  
Yet certainly as Abimelech being hurt by a Stone from the Castle, whereinto the Israelites fled, thrown down by a Woman's hand, desired rather that a Soldier would kill him, then that by so weak an hand he should perish: So is it ever to be feared, that greatness can no where suffer contradiction with content, where the cause is reasonable, and affection Royal, in the understanding.  
It may be nevertheless, that Pompilius thought a Circle scoared by a Rod, could give limits to consultation, as Intra hunc consul. The intendment of such Circles, were to combine men's seats and endeavours by freedoms to assist every one the most he could, not with liberties to forestall singular men peremprorily, those propositions which come but newly into consultation, being neither rashly, nor meanly commended. Those ends had no Celticke boldness appointed to them; they were not to be joined with contempt of safety. There was not intended that with the blood of Hannibal, should be made strong the league with Rome. There was no Privilege to engage that offence which no memory could ever remit, if the after successes should accuse the then resolved judgements. The Scottish in this age, nor in those to come, shall in this Kingdom get the best offices alone, fear ye not; nor let others affright you therewith. But as the kings Majesty contends to have the State general, and public weal of the whole Island, to which he is equally by God appointed in best order; so propounds he, that it may be free for the best man of those, who are his native Subjects, borne and inhabiting within the same continent, and none otherwise divided by Tweed, than others of his Subjects are by Trent, may have place for his goodness to serve the Commonwealth in.  
Such is his majesties royal disposition, to choose the best from the most, and to get it enacted, that the left hand, though not so much heretofore used, shall now be known to be a part of the same body, & receive the same nourishment by the same passages, and do natural services, as none artificial member. But why we should so much doubt them, see I not so much cause. In all men now living is not the appetite of Diogenes deceased: he being asked what kind of wine he would gladliest drink of; answered, of another man's: for of those there are many will not change their own settlings, & too many who have pensions elsewhere already, & some are going further for better profits: all of whom great offices in this kingdom do not expect, nor would they ever be suitors for them to sit about them. Yet do you think it better and less dangerous to admit too great hopes at home, then safe for a common wealth to permit too much certainty of engagement abroad.  
This was it of which Horace said, that the horns had hay upon them, fly those beasts, Foenum habet in cornu, longè fuge. This Frenchman is black, Hunc tu Britamne caveto. Nay, I may tell you that this nation is so well traveled, hath so much addiction to see further, as it will well join to draw your loser abroad, by increase of strength; your richer home, with support of wealth. And whether such dispositions are likely to hold, they who have travailed can best discern, who have seen us foraignly love & take part against all nations each with other, when we lived domestickly scarce friends, & daily occasions given why we should be more disjoined. Too much occasion hath been given why secret remembrances might hold; some in act, some in fact: but so blessing of us is God, so gracious to us is our King, so provident are they can foresee this, as the story modern may now be corrected as Marshal's epigrams might be amended, which when many interlineations, many scoring, could not perfect, una litura potest, spongia sola potest: many apologies, many perjuries, many simple denials, many beings out of the way, many face to the teeth, many accusations of his better subjects, many combinations of packs together, though all these should be & many more, can never or not always hold all in, or all men: only this asks pardon & says nothing, this takes revenge & doth good together. Now let us have none aliens, none attainders, be all free as we may be, noble as we should be. Let the same hand, which endeavoured hurt or was mistaken, heal & be rightly understood. If there be impediments outward, remove them; if imward, advise them. Lycurgus being demanded how the enemies forces might be abandoned; answered, if they would continue poor, which this age yields no disposition to: & if they would lay by civil dissensions; which is best done where singuralities are avoided, good only affected. But if the best should come, to the eagerest satisfaction: & yet it is less value to defend then assault: less ability to deny, then to prove: & that very to do good is more suspected, then ill doing deemed faulty: the wisdom of Pisistratus must yield to the wilfulness of his children, or else others must take advantage by their debate. The story saith that when as Pisistratus had given right advise unto his children, & could not get their consent unto it, & thereby was urged to stand in some question with them for their disobedience; finding his enemies rejoiced thereat, as hopeful that from that dissension some alteration might grow, having called his citizens together, he made them publicly know, that true it was he had been angry with his children, for that they had not agreed to their father's desires: but afterwards it seemed good to his fatherly piety to descend into their opinion; therefore he would have the city to take knowledge, that the issue of the king were accordant unto the will of the father. So was that good Pisistratus driven rather to give away his own interest, then to let others take advantage of their dissension. Touching whom if the father should have said as Diogenes answered the pothecary, how should he not believe that there were gods, when he knew him enemy to them. Why it should not be feared that opposition to greatness, in a cause indifferent, might teach greatness how great it is in a cause that were just, be you judges quo iure quaque iniuria. But it may be in your great cities and amongst your followers and friends, there are diversities of resolutions, though not quot capita tot sensus. For it may be some cannot find means of deliberation, unless their respites of judgement may be enlarged to quantum diutiùs cogito. Others happily may fulfil you with so many reasons, as upon some kind of indictment might hang a subject, had but half an one more been added; so fruitful they seem to be of conceits, though their revenues of reasons, in this cause to be spent, would hardly maintain an army, to fight with arguments an whole year in open battle against this union. But many had those need to be, could refuse a nation so welcome, at an embracement so necessary. Why should we stick upon needless fears? Degeneres animos timor arguit. Why should we, being grown into the peace of Ireland, say, that anguis latet inter herbas odoriferas? An wholesome country breeds no serpent: no fraud lurks in honest meaning. But these improvisions to this understanding are to be attributed to late times foregoing: wherein the sex could not by any endeavour meditate things so proper for the estate, as improper for their persons: neither were their opportunities alike, whose fortunes suffered enemies to their government, as are his who is offered friends for his own sake, for his Queen's blood, to his country nôw more respected. Yet let us admit the bounty of Semiramis tomb, on which was in a written direction expressed that those who wanted money might take there what they would: within notwithstanding was opposed, that unless men were ill & unsatiable of coin, they would never dig up the coffins of dead persons for it: So keen they were in those days to entice the world to take out this lesson, That affection should not always adventure the uttermost, that liberty gives show to have given allowance for. Yet let calumny be set apart in your cities, & the matter not reviled with the infamy of the word, S. George shall not go so long on foot upon this arraunt, that the most natural English man shall find him surbated in his journey. Be not deceived ye cities & your friends: for these are but slender aids offered to any, when their assistaunces makes only the furtherance, where the increase brought adds nothing to the strength settled. Who speaks in you, either find your applause, or leave their arguments helpelsse. Your pleasing countenances, having made the first speech seem sound, the rest increase, as Hydra's heads multiplied. He, who sits down amongst you, happily hath seriously thought upon what he delivers, & thereinto hath woven his affection and reason together: do not you approve it, till you have adjudged the one, dissevered the other. One man happily the good sound of his own words well placed, another the mirth of his jest well form, hath seduced in their judgements of their own discourses, by whose errors should your wisedones be undermined, it would be said happily you were either concordant by clamour or alured for fancies. Shall you who have bonfired & pageanted for a king, are the glories of his state, now scant him his honour in appointing your goods? Shall it be said of you, who have so well fashioned out this triumph hitherto, that you can not maintain yourselves out, as inconstant, or for disability must in extremo actu deficere? Then bring the honest young man, the modest young maid together, let them woo, & their friends for them; let them be made sure by a contract in form; let the cheer be made ready, the day appointed, friends invited, fiddlers called, give & take you parents & children on both sides; eat, drink, dance, court, & make more matches, till day & half night be spent: then refuse your bridegroon, for what marriage was instituted. There are many devices to blind good meaning in these ages; supposed catholics may be attempted to be supposed puritanes; a faction in alliance may make offer to arraign an honest man's argument. With these be not you deceived: but let your appetits be only your goods, your wills your weals. Think fit that Sovereigns in their welldoings should be pleased; and not in their good affections diseased. Know that a Monarch is but one as alone; the discourses and arguments brought into you, many.  
And will not you expect, that so many wisdoms, as inhabit and ride upon you, shall draw one proposition, framed for your good, to the content of him to whom the thanks is due? Shall not you like of a state framed to honour a King, who brings a King a true honour to a state? Tell them who dislike most, they shall have more ability, and be better defended, when you shall be all yourselves; then now, when a few prime men, either in parts or partaking, seem to nick up upon their opinions the judgements of so many grave and wise men as are said to hold consort with them in their voyage. Can any men fear the King of England's place hereafter to be lost; & not enough care for the King of Britain's love now to be retained? That, though for his constancy he cannot withdraw, for his place he may not; ought he not so to be regarded for it, as it may be retained in him with his comfort? Is it feared that by this appellative we shall be made fellows to the Britons the thieves; rather are we not doubly by this means instiled of France where dwell the canuascoats? I call you to witness, we put not Stangatehole out of Huntingdon shire, Shooters-hill out of Kent, nor other places of robberies out of English shires, nor ourselves leave to be called of that country if we had birth, or have lands in them, notwithstanding the robberies done upon them, as odious as are the robbers.  
They who have ability to speak against this Union that it may not be; cannot they (think you) defend it when it is? the inconueniency being all that is pretended, or disproportion of affection, the dishonesty nothing, the unlawfulness not otherwise discerned then known as little. The use of all things is all: the reason applied to any thing proves, the affection loves, the sight beholds, and offices perform their functions, not always as order leads, but sometimes best so used as occasion serves. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the greeks call Punctum temporis: which who so hits, if either he do it suddenly, O quantum est subitis casibus ingenium! or necessarily, sapit, necessitati qui probè se accommodat, et est rerum divinarum atque humanarum conscius. Can any persuade you who do the like honour to the King, how unlike soever this days garments are to yesterdays robes, that the difference of an enstilement shall make him lose the honour of his place, the reputation of his nation? True it is, where persons were unknown, & kingdoms unheard of, Titles should have reputations as their words could signify: but then they must so begin, as weapons were first found out, if you will believe Horace, which was when men went together by the ears, first, unguibus et pugnis, dein fustibus, atque it a porrò pugnabant armis quae post fabricaver at usus. In this case where the kingdoms account cannot be blemished, and almost the kings wonder hath been every where even adored, in that age let those who like not to give him his due in a session or otherwise, find then he knows what he is now: which god grant always to send, may increase upon him. Slightly as I hear of arguments tossed amongst you, so gladly desire I to settle you touching them: leaving with you my protestation of reverence humble, and love faithful, towards all such as with understanding affection stand under any burden for the good and honour of their mother earth, and her children. Against which, if for flattery to the Scotish I shall seem to have written, let my bribe be judged of; some of them having part of my living, others having torn in sunder my reputation: yet since my bane came from the English, they trespassed not in wisdom to take advantage thereof. And that mine hands may appear the cleaner, as yet my dread Sovereigns have not don aught for me, of much I dare boldly yet prostrately avow, I have well deserved, & both favour of laws of Court and Country would assist me in right to. Yet doubt I not their royal natures, nor misdoubt mine own patience, knowing it either well to become my duty to expect their princely pleasures, or otherwise ready to credit their judgements, touching me, rather than to give scope to mine own hopes of advancement, or good from my Sovereigns. But all else set apart, and freely to deliver mine impartiality in this cause, so safe I hold this for us to obey our King in; so comely to welcome the nation with; so politic to close at this enfolded embrace; as I suspect not but all will be best being best used: and of the rest, let them rather doubt, than we fear. Many men's turns have been already served, the Kings own comfort is yet in petition: he joys not so much to be a King for his pleasure, as to be a good King for the states weal. His Majesty takes now the first opportunity, the flies are now not so busy: wholesome counsel hath poured balm upon opportunity in ask, magnificence in granting. Yet are many the pretences may draw Kings to be bountiful: of which if you have not elsewhere taken good view, you may here judge of some, being part of many thousands. King's somtims are even forced to grant, not so much for their desire to bestow, as their shame to deny: Non tam studio quidem concedendi, quam verecundia negandi. Some have used this argument, you know what my need requires, Scis quid mihi opus sit: when there was more need of Hoc opus est subito fias ut sidere mutus, that they had waited as dumb as the stars do on the sun. Some said Regi hoc dare non convenit, a royal King must make his gift magnificent: When as Nec Cynios accipere de●ebat, Beggars should have been no choosers. More suitors fall on upon Kings: one who for his wisdom, quia rarissimè: another for his conceit, quia iucundisimè: a third who for his attendance, quia tum prandet et coenat cum Alexandro videtur, seek for gifts: certain Calisthenesses advised by Aristotle. Others can often remember their services, praying rewards to be bestowed for those causes, and for that in no fortune they had been from the King's person: Sylas from Agrippa. Some have asked, as more learned than their fellows, for having given causes of things: as why the lions devoured not Daniel. Some for limping if the king limped: haukers & hunters, the fashion of the Ethiopes. Some for sitting late up by him in the night, and praising his royal Children: Cato the younger from Diotarus. Some must take, lest they should be uncivil in refusing: Zenocrates from Alexander: And they must be given to, to try their good manners in accepting. Some for their softness must beg; having no fingers as may be supposed on their hands, & therefore driven to wear their rings in their ears: the servants of Penus in Penulus in Plaut. Some requited for their presents: Siloson with Samum from Darius. Some must buy, because they offer dear, multis precibus, with much suit. Some must be given to, though naughty people: Mores miseratus non hominem, for pity not of the man but of his manners. Some bountifully dealt with, though not from a king's heart, non homini sed humanitati, a gift bestowed upon courtesy not manhood.  
All must be granted by a king: for that he is as a god upon the earth. Dixi quòd dii estis, saith the Psalmist, I have said ye are gods. And that is to imitate god to be bountiful. Petitions were long since grown so usual, as Seraphion would not strike the bal to Alexander in the Tennis-court, unless he begged it himself: Non praebes saith Alexander; Immo non petis saith Seraphion. Yet in some times the gifts were but such as Lupus gave to martial, when as he writ that he had a whole country bestowed upon him, less than was one in the bowpots in a corner of your neater Citizens windows: such a country, as in which a Cabbage would make a whole wood, over which a Grasshoppers wings a tent, which to an Ant was but a days feeding, and might be crowned with a Rose bud; in which were two herbs only growing, wherein a Cucumber could not stand upright, nor a Snake lie at ease: which one Mole could dig up in a day, one Mouse destroy as fearfully as the Caledonian Boar; & hath many other descriptions in his epigram to Lupus expressed, concluding that he had rather have had a dinner than no denier, prandium quam praedium. Nam quo tempore mihi praedium dedisti, mallem mihi prandium dedisses. In others, gifts had good fortune: as when Aristippus said of Dyonisius the younger, That the king was safely bountiful and magnificent, because he saw Plato send him back his gifts again. In others they had good use: as when Fabius Maximus bestowed on Marsus, a valiant soldier, no very great gifts, to keep in very great spirits. The ancient boon of Levidense none begs: which was a warm but light, yet common garment Many now crave in many places; not so much for want of sufficient, as because though they know some have more then enough, yet they would be loath to have less than their fellows: striving as Otacilius did to equal Torquatus: of whom it is written that as the ox burst the toad, so the one of them would split in emulation of the other, ut bos ranam rumperat olim: sic puto Torquatus rumpet Otacilium. Milesius was wont to say, there was no such way to make a man quietly suffer adversity, as the knowledge that his enemy was in worse prosperity: and think you, that emulation, in this, works not as much, as, in the other, malice? For this cause did the brethren of joseph sell the son of jacob unto the Arabian merchants. For the other, did Casselius find out, that a Pine tree nut was an apple, if it were to be thrown at Vatinius his enemies head. Horace bestoweth much description upon those who would have none so great as themselves and tells the tale of the toad, vituli pede pressus, who told her dam, when she saw her swell to be as great as the calf, Non si te ruperis, inquit, Par eris. But though it were unfit in kings causes, Marshal's counsel to Flaccus was unhappy, which advised to keep that to himself which he had purposed amongst others; when as the offence of many, who should not get, was dangerous, the bestowing upon all burdensome. Demeruisse duos votum est: offendere plures vix tutum: Cunctis mittere dona grave. Our Sovereign, as his goodness is great; so his rewards, his gifts, his advancements have not been small. Tully had not so great cause to brag of his Quaestorship well discharged in Sicily, when he came home to Rome; as some give show of our sovereigns bounty, who pass from one of you to another. Howsoever, it may truly be said, it hath rather been a Royal king than an years Magistracy yet performed, hath advanced Tully to salute Room; so glorified from Sicily, so envy at home. Take it not ill then (Tully) if no body at Room would talk to thee of thy Quaestorship, of the news of thy carriage wherein thou thoughtst, to have found all men full. And why should not such gifts, as they carry, be bestowed by him, who having long stayed for power, ought now only to affect glory and good will? prius said Antigonus mihi opus erat potentia; nunc verò gloria et benevolentia. What other human endeavour hath this worthy king more seriously taken in hand, than the benifiting of his & the country's friends, the reconcilement & agreement of the enemies of both? whereof the one, as they were made up, partly by his love to his country, his desire to honour it, to advance her fallen nobility, to requite such as had deserved best of her, to give many more than their own, since the country had so gladly given him his own: partly by those he brought with him, who had some of them been rescuers of his life, some extraordinary assistants of his estate, others such as he could not but reward here, for services performed there, where memory was the reward he could properly give, & was all in their honours they would willingly take. So enemies to kings do oftenest grow, either by want of what ambition made them desire; or for lack of what expenses had drawn into waste: Else some sometimes affect what blind zeal makes them think fit, or falls judgement rather false hearts will not let them see pertinent & proper. But as his Majesty hath, no more than was fit, rewarded the first; unless they can say to him as the young man saith in Terence, Nescis quid mihi obtigerit, you cannot tell Sir what hath lighted upon me: So hath he mercifully spared the other; insomuch that he hath neither confiscated them, as Tiberius the Emperor did the kings of Spain, Sicily & Greece, ob leave impudensque calumniarum genus: for any light or shameful kind of slander: nor fined them as Cassius did Sylla, & Calphurnius: from one of whom he took quinquagies sestertium, & from the other sexagies, Himself, being for any riot he is addicted unto, as free from want either of aught belonging to himself, or for his covetousness from need of any thing others possess. But either at petitions of fair Ladies, none offenders; or for some respects laid before him by his wiser Nobility; either else for pure inclination unto mercy; hath benefited Sylla, been steward of his estate, kept others up, who would have kept others down. Thanks to so high discerning, which found that when Sovereignty could not repress liberty, benefits could more strictly than treason take it prisoner. Nor hath he yet inflicted so much as exile upon any of them, knowing it a banishment that they forsook his justice. And that he detaineth them, is out of his mercy: for boulder were they, and of better countenance could they be, when each had his discontent; then now when they have proof in themselves, & the world sees it apparently how unworthily they had placed it. Marcellus the Civilian, wrighting upon a book of the Digests, shows three kinds of banishment: either from certain places; or from all places, besides certain; either else a confining to some Island. And though all these be upon them, yet they had nothing of this punishment, did not one certain place restrain them: & may they be confined to an Island, if further mercy shall deliver, & further occasion shall not employ them, & that Island so prepared; the one by their Sovereign's grace, the other in his prudence; they are not only like to be enlarged to a country, but find their country enlarged to them. Touching whom pity is it they rather were not free for this argument, then bound by the other offence. There are of them, whose births, courages, bloods, experiences, and conditions, as they were noble before they lost them; so nobly could they have spoken of this argument, & I hope by this time have found much cause to be much forward hereabout. Yet is there one of them would bring much grief unto me, (though I wish him all good, in his well-doing) if he or his abettor, his Steward or Protector, or his faction, so many as are of the old haunce for his cause should be able to prejudice me more for compassion: then I could draw safeguard to myself, by refraining evil desert, labouring good merit. But howsoever these, some of them much unhappy before, in this estate at this time have all tried the King's majesties grace in their several particulars: in that notwithstanding they have been absent from the true joys of their Country, and from the affairs in hand, they may say as Demetrius Phalerius said, heu inquieta negotia actionesque nostras quorum causa hactenus tantum virum nosse non licuit. Well hath he spent his time in this time who ere he was, and worthily who wrote the tractate of the union, wherein he hath performed his task, and made his work prove his title. Many good laws hath he given us to tie the union by: For besides what he writes like a Philosopher learnedly, & of the King's goodness multipliciously, let the soul of his Commonwealth be tried, and you may easily discern whether judgement can, or ought recommend his work to a Parliament, to be made an Act of: yet since he will needs try his own inference by his own applications, we will likewise examine his whole work, by the rule of his own invention. And first what conscience can believe, that he who could not be drawn to meddle with clans in Scotland, would be content to abet a faction in England? These factions were of heat; and as they drew blood; so sooner tempted the blood made the motives more strong, the partakers more passionate; whereas in factions cold discretion can abide much pause, & the time given for respite gives itself a means for determination of uprightness. What conscience can believe that he who by the English blood in a Grand mother got three kingdoms, will not as much love the English as the Scottish, by whom he had but preferment to one? what conscience can persuade itself, that he who hath add vamced many here without desert towards himself, will not continue his honours for daily services for his own behoof performed? what reason can deny that the quiet we now enjoy, & riches by that quiet, may not both be increased, when our kingdom shall be abroad more fearful, & the more hands shall bring the greater profits into the land? what reason can pierce into that no reason hath dived into, to take God's providence away from continuing, what only by his providence he hath settled. To a work divine add not thoughts human▪ what reason can discern that men long combined, shall not rather hold together, than men near in opportunities held off far, for sleight seeming respects? And do any examples teach that richer subjects are not more fearful of offending laws? teach any examples, that men by nature, fight, language, condition, & occasion united, are ununited by union? Or teach any examples that Monarchies well settled, cannot repress any ills as they are growing? well hath he therefore taught you to settle prevention, where domestiquely ye govern not. France & Spain have their moments to be considered, further than into this our own is to be looked. The one he tells you hath a custom, the other a pretext against England: & shall England refuse aid against them & all others, when God ordinarily & extraordinarily offers it not obscurely? Then increase, none helps England; be thou my country unthankful; care not if Scotland stand as Ireland fell; disunite Wales, as not needing it; seek abroad for friends, though they be Turks; maintain others quarrels to preserve your own safeties; set up garrisons again; make new Lords of Marches; draw more from the rich, from the poor what they only have; act or exact, as if it were the last act: live as poor as Spain, yet have none Indies; as uncertain as Italy, but less friended and fruitful; desire help one day, who may give helps now; cry out then when your own have lost you, & they who are upon you, shall not know your language. Then may you war like the Swissers, when other Countries, who have embraced what you refused, shall enjoy with scorn of you, what you held, and might have held before them, and them to either in dearness, or at their dear rate. My native country, I crave pardon for my boldness, zeal having transported me as far into passion of after successes to be doubted, if this stand thus doubtful; as I hope it is to their surmises event, who deem that for want of issue in this King's loin, the two Countries may again be separated, though this now be embraced. But let me be tried whether I persuade honest things, & I hope my vehemency shall not be imputed faulty. Soon do they break upon fit occasion, who are too soon repelled for no known cause. Why should not we wish them so well as our Laws? why should we wish ourselves so ill, as their not being one with us? Many will be the marriages in time, to make our Nations fully one: as many are the houses, they bring in with them of our own. What was it made the Romans and the Sabines friends, but the Romans getting to wives the Sabines daughters? they took them by violence, these have opportunity for love: and think you we shall spare to go for marriages into Scotland, when their daughters shall be rich to maintain us in England? Think you many thousand occasions will not make us interchange, if this one occasion had but made the King's road to the rest. Be of courage therefore honourable Cities, and your friends of all qualities, and be what you are; such an Island as were a world to you, knew you no part of the world beside. Be what you are, and desire nothing rather to be Quod sis esse velis nihil que malis: Know this rather to be done, than entreaty, finished above, not imperfect beneath; all else howsoever seeming, more uncertain than this yet not appeared. Let the honesty of this cause entice you, the honour move you, the profit snatch you to it. Then gratitude know nothing better; the larger the Island, the nobler the Nation; and who knoweth not that Concordia res paruae crescunt, discordia maximae dilabuntur, leave not these faggot sticks out of your band, these arrows out of your sheaf. Better is that borne a great deal whereof men are ashamed, then that whereof they repent. If any should think it a shame to lose the name, let him know their help lost would make us more repent: The people to be called by the name of the Country is but Cognatum vocabulum rei.  
Now is this union on foot; much hath been said therein; much written thereupon; Our kings affection is settled thereto. All these will do hurt, if this now do not good. If any should▪ guess many the means which should debar inconveniences to come, are now already taken from our good: he may haply fall into their opinion, who have deemed either this should have begun with the unsettling of the rest; or with the settling of this only expedient, the other have been unsettled hand in hand. They were only the Fpicures sect, who would never enter into any other profeson of Philosophy: yet were the stoics, and the Academics both more learned and less vicious.  
It is written of Alexander, that when it was told him, that an handsome man had gotten his sister with child, he made answer, that it was to be granted him to enjoy his kingdom too. This sister of Alexander's, is not sought without leave; is not defiled without virtue; hath her lover no less comely in parts and features.  
In Egypt it is written were great store of Crocodiles, there the dogs for thirst driven to drink, did ever so lap in Nilus, as they were ever removing. This jest was broken upon Anthony, after the Mu tine flight that he carried himself like the dogs of Egypt. Shall we then have received this Nation with applause? honoured them in our high Counsel of the King's estate, and of the estate of the Kingdom? admitted them dignities? admitted them honours in titles, in possessions? received them with love into our houses? crept at their knees in the English Court? have put our money into their pockets? put them into our forts, strengths, & Castles, and shall we now make meum and tun, the Scottish & the English, ourselves & themselves? Nay, rather let us speak as heartily as the kind man did in Terence, Hos nisi mors nobis adimet nemo; Let us in name and virtue be the same: let the good of both join together, and the good of both put down the ill of either. Some who never judged aright what it was to live so united, may rashly say they had rather die then be united.  
He was but an young man in Terence, who used that persuasion for his affection only, emori malim: but an old man gave this counsel out of long experience, First learn what it is to live; if then that life displease, when thou knowest it, thou mayest bestow this on thyself which thou now choosest.  
Plato framed a definition of a man, that he was a living creature, going upon two feet, and without feathers: which definition was mocked by show of a Cock, his feathers pulled off: But the Author of the tractate of the union, hath given this man, if you will hence derive him, four legs to walk on.  
So strongly therefore underset, he adventured that discourse, knowing belike, that the persuasion of just things pleased the Gods; and that the people of Athens would not kill Photion, if they repented a little.  
Mildly they yet proceed, for they call his judgement his wit rather giving a backward commendation of his labour spent, than the cause, use of his arguments in behalf thereof. Sure he was some great Councillor who gave the King that advice, that he should not live out of his Country wherein he was borne, and from it (that was not to let his Numen be felt in it) together.  
What, though he hath pleasured many of that Nation: ought the well doing of a few be his only care? Is the rewarding of his servants, all that falls into a King's study? for his common wealths good? have we had so much benefit by their coming, and shall we deny them share of that we enjoy by them? They have bred us a King, they have brought him safe, they have brought him every way perfect; of nature, good; learning great, virtues many; of issue fruitful; and on his head a Crown, before he came here: Matched most royally for the quality of her blood; gallantly for her person; and above all for the goodness residing in her royal self, & her happiness in her sweet issue, descended from her: And shall we now use Scotland as an old scabbard, or a King's cradle. Vmditius a bond— slave in Rome, for preventing only by relation unto a Consul, the treasons of the sons of Trevitelij, and of Brutus, was not only made free; but a law made for the freedom of all bondslaves, called Lex vindicia: by which ever afterwards none of them could be taken by force, or have violence offered to them by allowance: How much rather ought we to enact some memorable record unto posterity, whereby this great blessing from that Nation may be acknowledged unto it? the rather they having demeaned themselves so honourably, as to give us just satisfaction of their valours: An excellent cause now God will have us friends, why we should love entirely.  
This is a course fitter for us to embrace, than our strengths refused by other adversities, to hope of our succours. But now rather to speak a little in behalf, and for use of our own commonwealth, then to persuade their particular good in it. As our laws are the best, or we must say so of them, who live under them, of all Nations, whereby our kingdom is governed; so the civil laws being no such strangers unto them, somewhat would soon be established; whereby we might get the benefit of theirs, by the assent of ours, to the consent of both. Which while it is in endeavour, they by precise looking into ours, will get reform some abuses crept in by time, custom, or misse-interpretation; such as my Lord Chancellor in his integrity showed daily, and divers of the grave judges, and chiefly the chiefest of them, as opportunities serve, for conscience sake, do amend as they apply them, and but by such an occasion as this, will hardly ever be moated upon.  
Of this argument, for agreement of both laws, (except I be deceived) a friend of mine; and worthy to be yours, hath very lately, very shortly written: comparing the Grandes, the Titles, the rules, and right use of both, (as his occasion led him) so learnedly, so fully, and so experiencedly together; as the two common Wealths may soon be taught, that there is nothing disagreeing in essence between them, nothing of the ones substance wanting to the other, (the terms and practices only having given the show of difference hitherto.) But I cannot judge whether he will be judged worthy any great employments, since Hanno was but unthankfully dealt withal, who first tamed a Lion. It were pity a commonwealths man should have more encouragement in his travel, than his conscience of well doing.  
To return to my purpose; if for many seen benefits, which we cannot choose but reap, besides the satisfaction of our Sovereign, no way were motive to a hearty Subject, there should ingrowe any inconveniences; the Kings desire standing in heed of the Act Trimolius the true Corinth, would take part against his own brother, for the good of the Commonwealth. But these doubts stands like the Mountains Anaxagoras was asked whether at the last they would not be water; whose answer was, in time they would, Tempus edax rerum, etc. Time doth work what no man knoweth in the faithful Turtle Dove.  
Martial was very angry with a fellow, who would needs know things upon supposalles, as how he would behave himself if he were rich; and shutting him off with this answer; if men can foretell how things shall succeed, how wilt thou behave thyself, if thou becomest a Lion? Quenquam posse putas, etc. Isocrates was troubled with the uncertainty of the time, how he might behave himself, when he might have a box on the ear; for then▪ and not else he would wear a Helmet. This cause great Cities, and your friends from Story writers flying away so wild, sits now as gently by us, as Tubero the praetors Pie did, which came strangely to his hand, and of which the Soothsayers foretold that much good would come with her, were she accepted; if otherwise, much ill to the Praetor: her he pulled in pieces, but not without his own mischief.  
In Phrigia and Silenus was a great earthquake, which consumed many houses and mortals; The Oracle said, some rich thing must be thrown into it: Death of a kings Son only stopped the gaping of the earth in those places. Here is no earthquake, but heavens shine: here is life and renown to our King's Son, our worthy Prince, ours and many more kingdoms hope. The Oracle says not, die son; but live all friendly together. Tully in the dream of Scipio saith, that all they who have saved their Country, have helped their Country, have increased their country, have in heaven a place appointed them, where everlastingly they shall joy. That was the cause why the Ambassadors of the Carthagenians and the Sirenenses were contented to make the condition of being buried quick, where they challengd their bounds: So great was their love to the enlargement of their Country; a desire ever prosecuted, and never but weakly by Darius in Quintus Curtius his time only gainsaid, that a kingdom might be too great. On the other side remember but how Themistocles dealt with Zerxes, for the overthrow of all Greece, because his country had ingratefully respected him. And had not Artaxerxes hung up my Hamon, Mardocheus had been betrayed in his own Country beyond the King's disposition, but that did I bear, though it cost me dear. As I forgive, so I forget, and return to this: If the English have not general peace, which they shall not till they be known generally strong (for yet foreigners may be suspected but to pry into our state, to break or hold, resolving neither but by the first instructions) they will ere long grow so unanswerable of Tasks and Subsidies, that the Collectors shall find them, as in another commonwealth was seen, playing in the streets, a shrewd sign, that they be no money keepers. But if they once see our fortune sitting, they will then think she will so find the benefit of her ease, as she will ever be known where to be found. Now is our ground ready, what seed we sow, we shall reap. This cause talks nothing of inconvenience, yet the man, though good, though just, though innocent, is feared, vir bonus, justus, innocens timetur, poverty is pretended, saith Martial. it is not poverty to have nothing. Non est paupertas Nestor habere nihil. The fault sure is this, the poor seeks friendship's unworthy affections, quòd colit ingratas pauper amicitias. Nay they have their peculiar riches where they are, in as large a manner as we make account of ours here. But this is to tennis freely, but not to device kindly. Many I see know how to counsel; few find I, who can tell how to make the Consul. The King should have long hands, as far reaching as Kent and Kentile; and would you have the King feed with one glove on, & another off? It would be said of him, Totus & in toto per totum totus & omnis, Esse omnis dum vis incipis esse tuus: that he than beginneth to be his own, when he will be all, and in all, and by all, and all every where. And though some pretend fables, how the Wolf, by at the first getting an house to breed in, at the last having many litters, held it by strength against the owner: Yet what can these things move in ordered common wealths, where no more interest is attained, than the laws admit right to: Tully in his pleading for Roscius, shows how many ways the laws punish those, whose demands are greater than the laws do allow. The like doth Crassus in Tully. Our laws will maintain us in our own well enough; though our conditions I hope will not make them pay so dear, as the English did when they went to fetch the King and Queen from Scotland.  
This may be given to the King for them; indeed, to them for us; the rest they shall enjoy, as the law will, for what they buy, by the law they may call their own. Demur then no longer my great and dear friends, upon this argument, but return this answer, that Neptune did by the Rainbow Terram esse communem. Which though he durst not defend against jupiter; yet you have jupiter on your side, against whom to contend were madness, as with an equal doubtful; with an inferior base. Seneca saith of power, that if it invite to any thing, nay, if it entreat aught, it compelles it. easy it is not to write against him in his government, who can score a man out of his government: Non facile est in eum scribere qui potest proscribere. Favorinus the Philosopher, admitteth Hadrian the better judgement, because he commanded thirty Legions. The matter then being even, let us not contend unequally, for had not nature seated this kingdom within you, you might well have held it, without you. Well had Scipio Emilian discharged this Censorship, had the Quirites given him a fellow Pretoorr not given him one. Think not upon what Cato saith, that it is not to be marveled at, if what a man thinks an excellent good, he be loath to share with another: But let Plutarch teach you to gain authority, and power with expedition: so neither smoke shall make the fire unpleasant in the kindling; nor envy lay snares to impeach glory by in the framing.  
If longer you stay upon further deliberation, this business having been determined by the Committee in heaven, Scipio Emilian must needs tell the Senate, that neither of the consuls is fit for the service of the Commonwealth: For Servius Sulpitius Galba was poor, and had nothing, and Valerius could never think he had enough▪ Yet since the men on both sides are serviceable, make their conditions as agreeing amongst themselves; so fit for the Commonwealth: let the one enjoy more, the other covet less; so shall both increase apace, and Rome be well served.  
If any object their affections be unlike ours, that comes not out of nature, but custom. As the Air is tempered, sayeth Tully in his Divination; so are the children spirited, their wits form, their manners, their minds, their bodies, and the actions of their life. Look in the English and Scotchmens' faces: see whether Caucasus have begot them upon hard rocks. Our climate is the same; our temperatures alike; if any thing within our government make us differ, it is but custom. They have not so many Cities as we; they follow feeds which we do not; yet find I not, but we are prickers as well as they, and if it be observed what store of Ritters we have got, it may be feared that two Chevallers, being not Castor and Pollux, may be driven to one Chival, to ride on besides the saddle. But let Herodotus write as much as he will of the kingdom of custom: for though Darius could not get the Grecians to eat their dead Fathers for any gold; nor the Indians to burn theirs for any iron; because of the contrarieties of their uses in both: yet assure I myself, this Nation honours the King with so much zeal; he is able to teach them, with so much skill; embrace us with so much affection, especially if we be once united in indissoluble bounds; as I know not any custom may be fit for them to leave, shall not be discontinued, nor any new law to be put in use, to which the first day shall not find them accordant. Si fingere me putas, istud salutemus. They do many of them understand what was Cyrus his counsel to leave those mountains Countries, and descend into the plains, there with the times to change the manners, as Tully writes to Atticus, where as the seeds are like the plants, the lives of men are like the countries. There shall they best learn to obey, where the King sits highest to rule: there shall they hear him clearly, where Ille regit dictis animos & pector a mulcet. For this deed done none shall need to look back into his conscience with affrightment. For this name taken, none shall need to understand the Nation to be embased: For this kingdom enlarged, none shall find their own states impaired. As touching union with others and their abbetments, ye may there judge of your advices, among those who have learnedly and gravely refuted that fourth question of the book entitled Vindictae contra tyrannos: Wherein is discoursed, whether one Prince may join with the subjects of an other, who take upon them arms for defence of defending religion. My purpose being to be short, shall rather insinuate my zealous wish of home-combining then foreign uses, the one natural and politic; the other politic alone if so much; I ask your body but within your girdle; your head covered only with your hat; your garment to be graver than particoloured: and offer you France and Spain for examples, limited by those bounds, nature herself hath appointed unto them, the Montes, Perrenaei, the Sea, the Alps, with the rest. Nor is it constantly held, that our name of Britan's should be derived of Brutus, rather some hold we are called Prittons, of a word which signifies a Mart or Fair; of stuff for which, this whole Island, as well all parts as any one part, Wales and Cornwall, as England and Scotland, is in one kind or other replenished. Nor ought that word of Mart seem to have less bounds than Civitas; which (as Aristotle writeth) signifieth a whole Common- wealth. As for our private goods, though I could answer Publica privatis sunt anteponenda; yet let the stories be but searched, how our foreign conquests have been hindered by the opportunities the Scots have taken in our absences; and how jealousies have only made us diversely combine ourselves; they with France; we with the house of Burgundy, they shall find how likely it is, that private men's merchandise may be lost in the wrack of the general fleet. Other objections should I go about to frame, such as pride or curiosity might suggest unto me; as much as I have heard should I endeavour to answer, the necessary themes of some men's seeming wise; I doubt much how I could swim from out their deluge. Noah's Ark, or Chawcers Trough being unbuilt against such an inundation. Steeples stand not up here as in the drowned countries of our low neighbours. There are no sea-marks appearing to direct; no castles, no forts, no cities to protect; hills and mountains are here overwhelmed, and the solutions of these following, would be the dissolution of the time spent about them, and no resolution of any thing for the applying of God's blessings to our uses; Animo volenti nihil difficile: while we say all will be subverted, the laws overthrown, men's states taken away, the nations honour lost, and our dish well served in, sliced into a gallimaufry, overpeppered and salt buttered: we spread fears, doubts, (God grant not hatreds largely) but discuss upon inconveniences slowly. If to forward accords the debate of this question happen, you will find that neither the number of the Scottishmen, foreigners from their country; nor the ambition of the Nobles, though by some thought to challenge antiquity before ours; neither the customs of the Nation differing from ours in whatsoever, will debar this proceeding, or not admit time and will for fitness. The like said of our ancient statutes, of the stories ancient, of us, of our reasonable affections as we now stand for our goods, and I dare boldly say, either their intendments less needful, or their applications more profitable, or alterations more beneficial, will make us more enjoy this morning's breakfast, than all last weeks diet. For neither doth the King affect other than our goods; or is himself unable to judge of them; nor doubteth but that there ought much deliberation to be taken in a cause so important, much circumspection touching the proportioning out the particulars. These reasons have moved me seeing that the King is to be defended in his desire as a good father of the Commonwealth; hath spared the blood of our good countrymen, turned ill; hath encouraged the services of the well deserving, shows himself wise in his government; loving in his affection, and industriously careful of the weal public; to take upon me this licence in writing, this zeal to my country in persuading. Which if it happen to minds affected to let Lucilii pecus esse liberum & qua velit pasci, I hope with them mine endeavour shall find favour: for the rest, as it no ways becomes me to be uncivil, as Democrates was to Philip: so if they shall think it rather an impotency in me, not to spare mine affection to this argument; then in themselves to afflict me by whatsoever means: their wisdoms are of force to give themselves content; and this being out and passed from me, and disliked, shall make me not like to pass out more to be submitted to censure. To conclude, long live ye right honourable Cities, keeping peace in you, fires from you, and traffic with you; so may you build your houses fair, keep them neat, have good store of money and bonds in your chests; your Prentices grow free, your liveries Aldermand, your wives Ladies, your children made Gentlefolks, and your City commodities be exchanged into the Courtier's revenues; as at this marriage if you will dance, you make the contract sure, and till death depart: For though they and you lie in one an other of your houses; nay should they and you lie with one an other of your wives and daughters; believe me non concubitus sed consensus facit Matrimonium, say the Civilians; Mary them and make the bond holy and unviolable, or expect no security that the grandchildren in time to come, shall always prove comfortable to the old folks.  Catullus. Hymen o Hymenaee Hymen adest ô Hymenaee. Sir Philip Sidney. God Hymen long your coupled joys maintain. 
FINIS.