Ariosto's satires, IN SEVEN FAMOUS DIScourses, showing the State,  

1 Of the Court, and Courtiers.  
2 Of Liberty, and the Clergy in general.  
3 Of the Roman Clergy.  
4 Of Marriage.  
5 Of Soldiers, musicans, and Lovers.  
6 Of Schoolmastrs and Scholars.  
7 Of Honour, and the happiest Life.   
In English, by Garuis Markham.  
LABOUR ET CONSTANTIA  
LONDON Printed by Nicholas Okes, for Roger jackson, dwelling in Fleetstreet, near the great Conduit. 1608.   

To the Reader.  
GEntle Reader, the virtuous, with their own, having always regard to an others good, do painfully bestow hours, days, and years, to make that easy to others, which they with great labour have obtained; in their places, using all means, to reclaim all persons, from all manner vices, and to furnish them with such gifts of grace, as make the possessors all jointly happy. From the man of experience, which hath learning and wisdom, thou mayest be sure to receive good instruction. I know myself unable to give the Author of this book, his due commendation: if I were, and did, yet should I seem to some, to flatter, to others not to have said enough: wherefore for thy contentment, let this suffice thee, the author had his education with the learned, his living among the greatest concourse of people, and his life unreprovable. For his gifts, the world hath already had sufficient experience, in that famous work of Orlando Furioso. Whosoever thou art, I dare assure thee, thou mayest in this discourse (as in a glass) see thy present estate, and so not miss to judge rightly of thy end. In reading thou shalt find pleasure, both in the matter and form; by considerng thou shalt be able to instruct thyself and others; but by practising as thou ought, thou shalt find settled happiness. Let the example of others be thy instruction, to fly that evil which hath been their overthrow, and to embrace that good which was their advancement. Be thankful first to God, then to the author, and lastly to thy Countryman, who for thy sake, without any other recompense, hath taken the pains in most exquisite manner, to be thy interpreter.  
Vale.   

The argument of the whole work, and the reasons why Lodovico Ariosto writ these Seven satires.  
THE reasons why Master Lodovico Ariosto writ these seven satires, so much renowned and esteemed amongst all the Italians, were grounded upon these five principles or discontentments.  
First, the Poet being given wholly unto his book and study, was in the twentieth year of his age (at what time he began to write his Oriando Furioso) entertained into the service of Don Hippolito, Cardinal of Esta, a great favourer of learning and good wits; where he continued certain years at his study, being employed by his Lord in many matters of great importance, until this strange accident happened, which was the first occasion why he fell into disgrace with his Lord and master; and this it was.  
The Cardinal Hippolito Master unto Ariosto, falling in love with a young Lady his kinswoman (who for her own part was no less in amored of Don julio the natural brother unto the Cardinal) she confessed unto him, that the only thing which occasioned her (above all other) to affect his brother, was the sweet aspect and beauty of his eyes; upon which the Cardinal grew into so great a hatred against his own brother, that by jealousy turning his love into too violent fury, he set espials over Don julio when he should go out of the town on hunting, and set upon him with a company of villains, whom the Cardinal commanded in his own presence to thrust out the eyes of his brother, because they only were the choice companions of his love; an act no less infamous to the Cardinal, then intolerable to all human government. Whereupon the Cardinal to escape all punishment that might happen to be inflicted upon him, he presently fled to Agria a City in Hungary, whereof he was Archbishop, & lived there until the death of julio the second than Pope of Rome, to avoid his fury, who was much incensed against him. And because Ariosto would not follow him thither, as other of his servants in his rank did, he took it marvelously ill at his hands, and casting him from favour upon so slight an occasion, gave the Poet a ground for his invention.  
The second cause of his discontentment was, that he being of very familiar and inward acquaintance with the Medici's of Florence, of which family two were Popes in his time, the one Leo the tenth, the other Clement the seventh, both which he followed in good will, and stood them in great stead as well when they were banished their country, as when they lived as private men in their own city: but when he saw his expectation was deceived, and that he found them not so ready to requite his service as himself imagined he had (and that rightly) deserved, he gave them over quickly, and left the Roman Court, retiring himself to live privately in Florence. For above all things he loved not to dance long attendance at the Court for any preferment, neither would he be bound (longer than he pleased) unto any man, although he might have had never so much, he prising his liberty at so high a rate, as he esteemed the same more than the best Cardinals hat in Rome, as himself in his second Satire affirmeth more plainly.  
The third cause which made him passionate, was this: his father dying, left him a great charge and very little living, there being five brothers of them, and as many sisters (besides his old mother) all which lay upon his hands to provide for them; which was no small corsive unto him, to be troubled with so many worldly businesses, he being given by nature to ease and to sit quietly at his book; and this grieved him so much, as oftentimes he was giving over his study clean, meaning to follow the world another while, had it not been that he was persuaded to the contrary by a gentleman a d●…are friend and kinsman of his, whom he dearly loved, called Pandolfo Ariosto, whose death afterward he very much lamented.  
The fourth cause of discontentment was, he was much galled with the love of women, whereunto he was a little too much given, it being a venial sin amongst the Italians; yet is he the rather to be pardoned, in that he often confesseth his fault, and showeth himself to be sorry for the same, wishing that he could have amended it: and also because he devoted himself unto the service of such as were honourable, as was that most fair and virtuous widow descended of the noble family of the Lapi in Florence, as he himself testifieth in one of his Canzons, in which he celebrateth the beauties and honours of his Mistress, setting down therein the time when, and the place where he first was enamoured of her; which was in Florence, in the year 1513. upon Saint john Baptist day in june: at what time the Florentines under the conduct of their chief Captains, julian and Peter di Medici's did solemnize many great feasts, and presented divers rich shows and plays before the people, in honour of their brother Leo the tenth, who then was newly chosen Pope. But after Cardinal Hippolito died, Alfonzo Duke of Ferrara alured Ariosto by all the means he could unto his Court, offering him great offices and preferments to have served him in ordinary, but he loving his liberty more than any treasure refused his proffer, & yet not altogether in such sort, but that in some fashion he was content to retain unto him. Again, had he been given to have sought wealth and to have heaped riches together, he could no way have been without them for divers great Princes being willing to have had him live in their Courts with them, made tender of many great pensions unto him, but he accepted of none: only he was content to offer his service (as I said before) to the aforesaid Duke Alfonso, whom he chose rather for country sake, and of mere love to the place wherein he was borne, then for any great gain or promotion which he expected.  
Fiftly and lestly to conclude, he wrote these satires in Cardinal Hypolytoes' time, and whilst he continued with Alfonso Duke of Ferrara; who amongst other favours done unto him, made him precedent or lieutenant of acountry called Grassignana (subject unto his Dukedom) but because the people were very facticus and the country rebellious, and therefore he troubled over much with them, he took small pleasure in that government, but rather mightily complaineth thereof, as is to be seen in the fourth and seventh Satire:  
He was borne in Anno 1474: in the Castle of Reggio, which standeth in Lombary, his father at that time being governor thereof: He died of a pain he had in his stomach, and was buried in Saint Bennets Church in Ferrara, having a fair monument of marble with his statue placed thereupon, and an Epytaph which a gentleman a friend of his bestowed upon him.   

The first Satire.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
He showeth what qualities such men ought to have, who go about to purchase credit and wealth in the Courts of Princes: and that both his service and his writings have been most ungratefully required by his Lord and Master.  

BRother, both of yourself and of my friend 
To his Brother Mr. A. A. and his friend L. B.   
I fain would know this doubts uncertain end:  
Whether the Court thinks of us as we be,  
Or in oblivion drownesour memory.  
Whether my Lord accuse my staying here,  
Or if I have a friend so nobly dear,  
As in mine absence will excuse my blame,  
And 'gainst mine imputations, reasons frame:  
That albe others follow him, yet I,  
May stay behind with ample honesty.  
Or whether all of you most learnedly,  
Read in the wealthy rules of flattery.  
(That Goddess of great Courtiers) rather augment  
By your soft smoothe, his high discontent:  
And so lift up the fury of his heart,  
Beyond both reason, sense, and my desert.  
Well, if you do so, you are then most wise,  
For so in these days Courtiers only rise:  
He is a fool that strives to live by loss,  
And 'tis wit's madness when our prince we cross:  
Not though he said he saw the midday bright,  
Covered with stars as in the dark of night;  
No, he that will by great men's favours live,  
To sooth and flatter, must by no means grieve.  
Let greatness either praise or discommend,  
Do we not see how his attendants send,  
Their verdicts forth, to jump with what he says  
Like Echoes, or the Actors of stage plays,  
And from their lips send volleys of consent,  
As if 'twere done by Act of Parliament:  
And if by chance, any amongst them be,  
(As 'twere most strange in such a company)  
That dares not speak so much for bashfulness,  
Yet shall his look applaud it nearthelesse:  
And his old shining countenance tell, that he  
In silence doth commend their flattery:  
Though this in others you do discomend,  
Yet me it doth much reputation lend:  
Because what ever my resolves have moulded,  
I plainly without flattery have unfolded,  
And uttered forth my reasons in such sort,  
That no disgrace would to my fame retort,  
The least of which in this extremity,  
I hold of worthy strong validity.  
As first my life, which nature bids me prize,  
Above all wealth that's underneath the skies,  
Nor will I it by folly shorter make,  
Then fortune or the heavens predestinate.  
If I should spend in travail my best times,  
And suck th'infectious air of foreign climes,  
Being already sickly, I should die,  

a Two famous Physicians belonging to Alphonzo Duke of Ferara, the second of that name, the last of which is said to have been borne with a green palm in his hand, and therefore was thought he would prove an excellent Physician, as afterward he did.  Else Valentine and Post●… do lie.  
Again, men say I know my body's state,  
Better than any other can relate.  
Can judge what for myself is good or ill,  
And therefore am referred to mine own skill,  
Which being so, I know my nature's strength  
Can not endure your cold climes: as at length,  
Yourselves have proved and found that Italy,  
Doth far exceed the North in dignity.  
Besides, the cold doth not offend me more,  
Then doth their stoves, whose heat I much abhor;  
My nature being such, that even the sent  
I loath as 'twere a plague malevolent.  
Nor the winter's breaths with you a man,  
Without his hot house, bath, or warming pan;  
Where here with us, nature doth order keep,  
We drink until we sweat, sweat till we sleep:  
Eat till our jaws ache, game till our bones are weary,  
Kiss till our lips smart: all things make us merry.  
Then who that comes from us, with you can live  
In health, or to himself contentment give?  

b He compareth that part of Hungary where the Cardinal was unto the cold Ryphean mountains in Scythia, which are ever covered over wit snow.  When like Riphaean, snowy mountains hie,  
Many through sharpness of the air do die.  
As for myself, the vapours which exhale,  
And from my queasy stomach rise and fall,  
Breeding Catharres, and my sick brains unrest,  
Which soon from thence fall down into my breast,  
Would quickly rid me, in one night I know,  
Both of my life and sickness at a blow.  
Add unto this the strength of fuming wine,  
Which boils like poison in these veins of mine,  
Which custom makes them quaff & to carouse,  
Who doth refuse is sacrilegious:  
Their me●…t with pepper, and with spices hot,  
Is mixed to make them relish more the pot:  
Which diet Re●…son my Physician saith,  
Will make my sorrow long, and short my breath.  
But you will answer me, that if I please,  
Myself may be the Steward of mine ease.  
And both provid warm lodgings and sound friends  
Who will not tie me those drunken ends.  
Which custom and the country's liberty,  
Hath knit to men of place and quality.  
You'll say I may provide myself a Cook;  
Whose care might over my provisions look.  
And that myself according to my pleasure  
Might with my coin, my conduit water measure,  
Whilst you and your associates with delight,  
Should make of one just length both day and night:  
And I like to a Charterhouse close Friar,  
Sat in my chamber, and attend my fire,  
Eat mine own breath, and most impatiently,  
Like Timon live without man's company.  
And yet this is not all, behind is worse,  
I must have household stuff to plague my purse:  
Both for my kitchen, and my chambers grace,  
As fathers furnish brides in such a case.  

c This was Cardinal Hyp●…oes Cook, whom he had with him into Hungary.  Besides, if master Pasquin, from his love,  
For once or twice, should dain●… but to approve,  
To dress my meat alone, yet in the end,  
He would my severe humour discommend,  
And say, if such particulars I hold,  
I must provide a Cook of mine own mould.  
And truly were my wealth strong as my will,  
Such counsel I would earnestly fulfil.  

d This was one of the greatest landed men in Ferara, whose father married the base daughter of Borzo, sometime Duke of that City, by whom he had a mighty Mass of treasure,  Or if I had Francisco ste●…iars wealth,  
No Prince should be more followed then myself:  
But this great charge, I can no way support,  
My means doth yield my mind so little comfort.  
Besides, if to my Steward I should say,  
(What best these waterish humours doth allay)  
That buy and buy (what ere thou payest) the best,  
Because such things my stomach doth digest.  
If once or twice to please me he do frame,  
Four times at least, he will forget the same.  
Not daring sometimes buy them from this fear,  
Lest I should it cause the price is dear.  
Hence comes it, oft I feed on bread alone,  
Which breeds in me the colic and the stone.  
Hence I live private, hence I am subject much,  

e Ariosto by nature was very choleric, & be moved for any small trifle, as may appear by the breaking of the Potter's pots, which is spoken of in the story of his life.  To choler, and to every peevish tuch:  
Fretting and fuming with such peevishness,  
That in my best friends, I leave doubtfulness.  
Apollo thee I thank, it is thy will,  
And you fair Muses of the learned hill:  
I find that for your sakes I not possess,  
Apparel that will clothe my nakedness.  
But say my Lord doth (as it is most true)  
Each several year make me apparel new.  
Yet for your sakes that he perform the same,  
'tis most untrue, or so to think a blame.  
Himself avows as much, as well I may  
With reputation write what he doth say,  
Yet am no nearer my cares to rehearse,  
Sith he respects straws better than my verse.  
All creatures can commend sweet poesy,  
But none respects the Poet's poverty  

f He meaneth Orlando Farioso, about which work Ariosto spent almost 18 years, taking his subject out of Count Boyardo, Earl of Scandiane in Lombary, who finished 3. books of Orlando, 〈◊〉.  That famous work which I in painful wise  
Composed to raise his glories to the skies  
He doth deny the merit of all fame,  
Learning must beg; but rich men are to blame,  
To gallop up and down, and post it hard:  
My Lord avows 'tis he deserves reward,  
Who keeps his banquet-house and banco sweet  
And like a Spaniel waits upon his feet.  
That nicely plays the secret Chamberlain,  
And watches every hour with great pain:  
Or he that to his bottles cleanly looks.  
And cools his ale or wine in running brooks:  
Or else his Page that dares not close an eye,  
Until the Bergamiskes industriously,  
Beat on their anuils, whose very sound  
Brings the poor sleepy boy into a swoon.  
To these he gives his great benevolence,  
And doth approve their worths by recompense:  
He saith if in my books he praised be,  
'tis nothing or to him, or unto me.  
And that it was the seed of Idle time,  
Nourished by vanity and foolish rhyme,  
And from my service he might more have gained,  
If I in other sort to him retained.  

g This was a certain office of no great value in Milan, which the Cardinal bestowed upon him.  What if within the Milan chancery,  
Under the show of some authority,  
He hath bestowed not fully out a third,  
Of that true gain the place might well afford  
Unto my labour, yet what was done therein?  
Was that my travel might his profit bring,  
And that mine endless travel and my cares,  
Might bring an end unto his great affairs?  
Well Virgil if thou wilt be worldly wise,  
Let my too dear bought counsel thee advise,  
Thy h●…rp, thy books, thy verse with darkness shade,  
And in thine old age learn some handy trade:  
Or if thou hopest in this world to gain,  
Some office get, or to some Prince retain:  
For worse plague I near wish mine enemy,  
Then to be famous for sweet Poetry.  
Yet this be sure, thy liberty is lost,  
Uncertainty of place so dear doth cost:  
Nor think although thou livest until thy hair  
Like flakes of snowy Apenius appear,  
Or that thy Lord as many old days have,  
As aged Nestor bore unto his grave.  
Think not, I say, that thou shalt ever come,  
By him or by his means to hire Rome:  
Or if once tired with servitude thou please  
But to look back or turn unto thine ease.  
Blessed mayst thou be if he vouchsafe to take,  
But from thee what he gave for virtues sake,  
And so without more thought of injury,  
Send thee away with thred-bate charity.  
As for myself what ever he hath given,  
If he back take and make my fortunes even,  

h Two famous cities in Hungary, whereof the first now called Osen, hath under the walls towards the north west side, two fountains or springs running out of a main hill, the one of which is passing cold, and yet savoureth of brimstone, & the other so hot that one cannot suffer his finger in it. The other city celled Agria was an Archbishopprick, and the Cardinal Lord thereof, where he stayed during the papacy of julio the second, whose fury he seated, because he had dealt so unnaturally & barbarously, with his own brother, as is showed before in the general argument. Both these towns now are subject to the Turk.  Because that Buda neither Agria I  
Would see or follow him in Hungary:  
Yet I mislike not, force makes me content,  
And shall do, since against me he is bend;  
Although away those prosperous plumes he bring,  
Which even himself did fix unto my wing;  

i The Cardinal Hypolite was much incensed against Ariosto, because he would not follow him into Hungary, as the rest of his men did.  Although he do exclude me from all grace,  
And will not smile on me with cheerful face:  
Although he say I am disloyal proved,  
Respectless, base, unworthy to be loved;  
And that his public speeches do declaim,  
How much he hates my memory and name:  
Yet patience shall within my bosom sit,  
And think that I was borne to suffer it.  
This was the reason that I have removed  
My best observance, since I was not loved:  
Knowing it was effectles to approve,  
To bring incensed greatness back to love.  

k The house of Esta is said to have descended from Rogero that famous Palladine which belonged unto Charles the great. This Rogero is reported to come from the stock of Alexander the great, his father was King of Riza not far from the mountain of Carena, and his mother was called fair Galacuella, who was sister unto Agramant King of afric, whose chief city was Bizerta quite razed & destroyed by Charles the great, & his Palladines. Rogero afterwards lost his life through the treason of that notable arch-traitor Gano, falling into a wonderful deep pit, wherein he with Gradasso king of Sericano, who had married Rogero's sister Marsyza, were most pitifully famished to death: for which, with other horrible treasons more, Gano being after taken, was torn in pe●…es with wild horses.  Rogero, if thy royal progeny,  
From their disdain blast me with obloquy,  
And I from them have nothing got, although  
Their worthy valours and brave deeds I shoe,  
Spending my time and wit most studiously,  
To raise them tombs unto eternity,  
Then what should I do with them? 'tis well known  

l Ariosto neither loved hunting, hawking, nor much riding, for growing in years he became very corpulent, gross and unwieldy.  I am no falkconer, all my art is flown.  
From such light vanities, I have not the skill,  
To make my spaniels noses please my will:  
Nor was I ever brought up to the same,  
Or can there to my worst endeavours frame:  
For I am big, unwieldy, gross and fat,  
And such strong motions 'gree not with my state.  
I have no curious taste, or eye of fire  
To please the tongue or the unchaste desire.  
Steward nor Cater to a noble man,  
I was not borne to be, I nothing can  
In those low offices. It had been good,  
I then had lived when men eat homely food.  

m This was the Cardinal's Steward, meaning he would not if he might have his place, although he fared very daintily, for he was given by nature to feed meanly and grossly.  Gismundt accounts, I will not on me take,  

n Pope julio the second, intending to make warts upon the Duke of Ferara, (whose brother the Cardinal Hippolito was) Ariosto was chosen as a most fit man to go in ambassage unto him, to pacify his wrath, which business he managed so well, that he won great reputation upon his return home again, yet the aforesaid Pope, afterward falling out again with the Duke, and every man shunning the office of ambassador, unto him, knowing his furious & angry nature, Ariosto once more for the service of his Prince, and the safety of his country, did adventure to take this hard enterprise in hand, where he had like to have lost his life, but that he secretly got away. This Pope julio was fitter to have been a Soldier then a Priest, of whom it is said, that hearing he had lost certain of his army in the battle, appareled himself in complete armour, & marching on the way as he came over Tiber, he in a great rage threw the keys of Peter therein, saying, he would see if the sword of Paul would stand him in better steed.  Nor unto Rome an idle journey make,  
Posting with all my reasons to assuage  
The fiery heat of great Secundus rage.  
But say my fortune at such odds should run,  
That needs by me such service must be done:  
I fear me in the business would be found,  
Dangers more great, and able to confound.  
Besides, if such hard services must be,  
And that men must attend with slavery,  

o He alludeth a certain sign in Rome, where a man is painted, waiting and attending on a Bear.  As doth Arctophylax upon the Bear:  
He that desires to purchase gold so dear  
Let him enjoy it freely; for myself  
I will not at so high rate buy my wealth.  
Before advancement in such sort shall please,  
I'll only study how to gain mine ease:  
Rather than cares shall compass me about  
And from my mind thrust contemplation out:  
Which though my body it every not right,  
Yet to my mind it adds such rare delight,  
That it deserveth in immortal stories,  
To be enrolled with all admired glories.  
And hence it comes my poverty I bear,  
As it on earth my best of best things were.  
This makes that brothel wealth I do not love,  
Or that great name or titles do me move:  
Or any State allurements so adore,  
That I will sell my liberty therefore.  
This makes me never to desire or crave,  
What I not hope for, nor am like to have.  
Nor choler nor disdain doth me assail,  
Nor inward envy shows my countenance pale;  
Sith M●…ron or C●…lio are Lords created,  
Or from low baseness into greatness stated.  
Nor do I care for sitting at great tables,  
Soothing the humours of these pufpast babbles;  
But hold them as the scum of foolery,  
Whom rymers tax in idle balladry:  
That I without attendants am content,  
To walk a foot, and make myself consent  
To follow mine affairs; and when I ride,  
To knit my cloak-bag to my horse's side,  
As much doth please me, as at my command,  
A world of mercenary knaves did stand.  
And sure I think my sin is less each way,  
In this (for I respect not what men say.)  
Then when in court I am enforced to bribe,  
And every scornful proud delay abide,  
Ere our most lawful suits unto the Prince,  
We can prefer and be dispatched from thence,  
Or slander honest titles, or subvert,  
Right without reason, conscience or desert,  
Only to show our malice, or what's worse,  
(Because thereon doth hang a heavy curse)  
To make poor parsons buy their tenths so dear,  
That they are double forced their flocks to shear.  
Besides, it makes me with a pure devotion,  
Thank my good God for my low safe promotion,  
And that where ere I come I this have proved,  
I live amongst the best and am beloved.  
'tis known though I no service had, I have  

p Ariosto being of nature desirous to be quiet, and to be his own man, had rather have a small thing of his own, then to serve others & enjoy much: for indeed his living was but small, although he set a good face on the matter.  Goods to maintain me, and to buy a grave.  
That which to me from birth and fortune came,  
Is such as I may boast without my shame:  
But for I will not work your too much pain,  
To my first song I will return again,  
That I no true occasion have to grieve,  
Because in your commercement I not live.  
I have already strength of reasons shown,  
And yet if more should be unto you known,  
It would be to no end, sith I do see,  
That our opinious wars will not agree.  
Yet with one other more I will contest,  
Because I hold it stronger than the rest:  
If I from my poor house should start away,  
All would to wrack, I being all their stay.  

q Although Ariosto were his father's eldest son, yet he had 4 brethren more, and five sisters, & therefore his l●…uing could not be but small, considering his charge. The names of his brethren were Charles, Alexander, Galasso and Gabriel. cha●…es was a soldier, & was then in Hungary with a friend of Ariostos, a captain called Cleanth●…, who having the keeping of a castle there, was driven from it by the Turks. Alexander was secretary to the Cardinal Hippolito, & followed him into Hungary: but Gabriel although he were borne ●…ame, yet Ariosto brought him up so well, as he became a reasonable good scholar, and followed his book hard, yet much inferior to his brother.  Of five of us (all which now living are)  
Three are removed into Regions far.  
As Charles, who in that kingdom means to stay,  
From whence the Turks Cleanthus drive away:  
G●…llasso for a Bishopric in Rome,  
Doth daily gape and looks when it should come.  
Thou Alexander dost with my Lord remain,  
Making thy service purchase of thy gain.  
Only poor Gabriels here: but what wouldst thou  
That he should do hereafter? or what now?  
He as thou knowst, of hands and feet is lame,  
And so into this wretched world first came.  
Abroad he hath not gone, which cannot go,  
Little hath seen, and le●…ethen than that doth know:  
Only at home he doth securely bide.  
Now he that takes upon him for to guide  
A house, as I have done, must have respect,  
That they do not the impotent neglect.  
My maiden sister is with me beside,  
Whose dowry I am bound I shall provide:  
Till which I have effected honestly,  
I can nor say nor think that I am free.  

r He was a most dutiful and charitable man to all his poor kindred, especially unto his old mother who lived in the house with him many years, of whom he had a most reverend care and respect.  Lastly, th'unwieldy age of mine old mother,  
Doth all my other cogitations cover:  
She must not be forsaken of us all,  
Unless to ruin we will headlong fall.  
Of ten I am the eldest, and am grown  
An old man full offortie four years known,  
My head is bald, and for I sickness fear,  
My brains to comfort, I a night cap wear.  
The small remainder of my life behind,  
To keep it curiously is all my mind.  
But thou whose issue from my mother's womb,  
After me fully eighteen years didst come,  
Go thou and serve my Lord, and spend thy breath  
In heat, in cold, in danger and to death.  
Go view the world, high Dutch and Hungary,  
Attending on him most obsequiously.  
Serve for us both, and where my zeal doth lack,  
Make thou amends and bring my favours back.  
Who if he truly please of me to think,  
The service I can do him is with ink  
To give his fame large wings, not in the field,  
To prove my force, in such assaults I yield.  
Say unto him, Great Lord at thy command,  
My brother's services do humbly stand,  
Whilst I at home with a shrill trumpets sound,  
Will spread his worthy name upon the ground:  
That it shall go as far as Sea or land,  
Yea and beyond the Gadean pillars stand.  

s Two cities standing in the furthermost parts of the duke of Feraras' dominions.  To Ariano and Filo it shall fly,  
But not so far as flows swift Danuby:  
For my weak muse can hardly jump so far,  
So wet (alas) my feet and body are.  
But could the glass of time to me restore,  
Those fifteen years which I have spent before,  
Then would I never doubt but that the fire  
Of my quick brain through all worlds should aspire.  
But if he thinks because he gives to me,  
Each four months twenty five crowns for a fee:  
Which pension is not always duly paid,  
But many times by many humours stayed:  
I therefore shall such bondage to him owe,  
As if I were his villain, and not know  
Ought but his will, my health and life neglect,  
Enter all dangers without all respect:  
If so he think, his greatness is mistaken,  
Nor shall he find my liberty forsaken.  
Tell him ere i'll live in such slavery,  
I'll entertain most loathsome poverty.   

Once there an Ass was, of his skin and bone 
A tale.   
So lean, that under them he flesh had none,  
Who stealing through a hole that broken was,  
Into a barn well stuffed with corn did pass,  
Where he so cloyed his stomach and his heart,  
That he grew fat and full in every part;  
His body grown to such a shapeless mass,  
That like a tun his huge proportion was.  
But in the end fearing if he should stay,  
His bones too dearly for his meat should pay,  
Intends to issue forth where he came in,  
But is deceived, for why his bellies skin,  
Hath made his bulk so great with that he stole,  
His head can hardly now peep through the hole:  
Nearth'lesse he strives and struggles much in vain,  
Lost is his labour and his bootless pain.  
A little mouse which spied him, thus did say,  
Ass if from hence thou wilt thyself convey:  
Thy body thou must bring to such poor case,  
As when thou first didst come into this place,  
Lean and like carrion must thy carcase be,  
Else near expect safe harmless liberty.  
Hence I conclude, and boldly dare impart,  
That if my Princely master from his heart,  
Think with his gifts that he hath purchased me,  
It shall not to myself ought grievous be,  
That I restore them back to him again,  
So I my former liberty may gain.  
Freedom I only love, since I did hear,  
That men do many times buy gold too dear.    

The second Satire.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
He showeth in his own person that nature is contented with little, and how much a man should esteem of his liberty. The troublesome life of Churchmen, and the great miseries wherein those of the Court of Rome live.  

Sigh mine affairs, not my desires become, 
To his reverend Brother G. A.   
The causes why I go to visit Rome:  

a At the election of new Cardinals, and at the death of the old, the other Cardinal's use (through friendship) to exchange their first livings for others that are better.  When Cardinals change their skins like to the Snake,  
And for their God do better choices make:  
Now when no dangerous sicknesses abound,  
To infect men's bodies that are weak or sound,  
Although a greater plague afflicts their minds,  

b This is one of the greatest offices belonging to the Apostolieal sea, it is not much different from the Rolls here with us in England.  Whilst that same wheel or Ruota turns and winds:  
O not that wheel, which doth Ixion scourge,  
But that which doth in Rome so shrewdly purge  
men's purses; whilst through long & vile delays,  
Lawyers on them (As foul on carrion) prays:  

c This was his third brother, of whom he spoke in his first Satire, he was a Churchman, and lay in Rome to get some benefice or Church living.  Gallasse pray thee take for me (not far  
From that same place where thy commercements are,  
I mean near to that sumptuous Temple brave,  
Which ancient Fathers that stout Priest's name gave,  
Who Malchas ear from off his head did cleave,  
And more had done, might he have had but leave)  
A lodging for four beasts: by which I mean,  

d This was his man he kept, & one that had served him long his name was john de pascia, to whom when he died, he left half of all the moucables les he had, because he had been an honest & faithful servant unto him  Account me with my man (old john) for twain.  
The other two a Moil and Gelding is,  
A tired jade, that all his teeth doth miss.  
Let it be lightsome, but not mounting high,  
I cannot brook this climbing to the sky.  
A chimney let it have that will not smoke,  
For such perfumes do both me blind & choke.  
Of our poor jades, thou likewise must take care,  
For should their provender be scant or bare,  
Little the stables warmt'h would them avail,  
And in my journey I should hap to fail.  
My bed and bedding of the best I crave,  
That so my rest might sweeter quiet have.  
The matter cotton of fine wool and thin,  
By no means let it be within an Inn.  
My wood to burn, I would have old and dry,  
That it might dress my meat conveniently.  
A bit of Mutton, Beef, or Lamb, or Veal,  
For me and for my man doth full avail.  

e Although the Poet was very careful of his health, & very precise in small matters yet in his diet he was very plain & gross, & not over dainty in feeding at all, as himself affirmeth in the first satire.  No curious Kitchen cook I do desire,  
With sauce to set mine appetite on fire:  
Making me have a stomach 'gainst my will,  
Or being full have still desire to fill.  
Let those proud curious Artists use their brain,  
To keep their pots and vessels silver clean,  
And tend on Ladies, or for recompense  

f This was a noble man of Mantu, a who delighted so much in gluttony as he had choice and change of all sauces for all kinds of meats, he used to ea●…e the more to increase his appetite. He was surnamed by some, Lucuilus of Mantua.  Strive to content Varranos glutton sense:  
Whilst I with a poor scullion am content,  
And being cleanly, think him excellent.  
He that by eating, seeks still how to eat,  
And makes not hunger sauce unto his meat,  
Let him go cast his vomit far from me,  
I'll neither hold his rule nor company.  
Cook's now on every upstart fellow wait,  
Who but erewhile did cheese and onions eat,  
And in a russet frock was glad to keep,  
On barren hills his master's flocks of sheep;  
But now (this bore) grown rich by fortune's grace,  
Sh●…mes even to hear of his first fortune's place.  
His Pheasants, Larks, & Blackbirds have he must,  
Who erst was glad to leap even at a crust:  
Always to feed upon one dish of meat,  
Doth cloy his stomach, and he cannot eat.  
He now the wild bores taste doth truly know,  
Which up and down the drier mountains go,  
From th'other which rich Elysian fields,  
(Fattened) unto the Roman market yields.  
I seek no water from the fountains clear,  
But that which come from Tiber, and is near,  
So it be settled well and very pure;  
For troubled waters hardly I endure:  
For wine it skills not, yet good wine I love,  
And mixed with water many times do prove,  
(Though very little) and the tavern still,  
Will yield as much or little as I will.  
The wines which grow upon the marish brink,  
Unless delayed much I never drink.  
The stronger wine, my brain doth make the worse  
Offends my stomach, & my voice makes hoarse.  
What then will these do, which are drunk with you '  
I doubt the proof I shall but find too true.  

g The wines of the Island of Corfica, are so excellent good and strong, as there is a ptoverb in Italy of them, which is An Corso, un Greco, un Romanesco.  The Corsic wines, and those of faithless Greece,  
Nor the Lygurian, though all of one price,  
Are not so vile as these: these are so strong,  
That to the best conceits they do much wrong.  
The Friar that in his study private sits,  
Is with this liqu or thrust out of his wits,  
The whilst with expectation and much doubt,  
The wondering people gaze and look about.  
When he the Gospel's blessed truth should show,  
Who comes no sooner forth, but up doth go  
Into the pulpit with a fiery grace,  
A red-rose cheek, and a dislemperd face:  
Making a noise with violence of passion,  
And swearing out the scriptures in strange fashino,  
Threatening such judgements, & such damned fate,  
That all his audience he makes desperate.  

h A notable drunkard, ●…ut otherwise a man that had good parts in him, being Steward or Bailiff unto the Monastery of Sta. Maria, Ara Coeli, a house of Franciscan Friars in Rome of which couét also Friar Gnaling was, a good scholar, but over much given to drinking.  This also troubleth M●…sier Moskins head,  
Whilst he is carried drunk unto his bed,  
And F●…ier Gnaling with his company,  
Feigning to hate Vennachia mightily,  
Who once but got out of their cloister door,  

i Two of the chiefest Taverns in Rome, where most commonly the best wine and best victuals were, & where most Dutchmés resort, when they come to the City.  Tooth Gorgon or the Aeihiopian More  
They go, and there Pigeons and Capons fat,  
They eat until they breath and sweat thereat:  
So likewise use they, when as all alone,  
They forth from their refectory are gone.  
Provide me books to paste those hours away,  
In which Rome's prelate's, only feed and play.  
Who once abroad, they give a straight command,  
None enter at their gates in any hand:  
As Friars do use, who 'bout the mid of day,  

k It is a fashion in religious houses, when they are once set at dinner or supper never to open their door unto any man, knock they never so much, until they are ris●…n from the table, which order the jesuits observe more strictly than any other.  (Although you ring the bell, cry loud or pray)  
Yet once set at the table, they'll not move,  
Were it to gain more than a Prince's love.  
My Lord I'll say (for brother is too base,  
Since Spanish complement took plainness place,  
And Sr. is sent to every bawdy house,  
'tis now so common and ridiculous:  
signor I'll term the basest Rascal now,  
And making curtsy low unto him bow)  
For God's sake pray your reverend Lord to deign  
To lend his ear whilst I of wrongs complain.  

l He setteth down the proud humour of the Spaniard when he is at his table, in his own language.  Agora non sepuede, will he say,  
Es megiore, (good sir) to go your way.  
Evo●… torneis a la magnana. Then  
If you reply upon him fresh again,  
And say; yet let me trouble you once more,  
Tell him I do attend him at the door.  
Then surely Cerberus grows peacock proud,  
And this rough answer thunders forth aloud.  
I tell thee friend, my Lord is at repose,  
And will not troubled be with suitors woes:  
He will not speak with Peter, Paul nor john,  
Nor hear the embassy of any one:  

m This speech is reported to come from Cardinal S. George, who being high Chamberlain unto the Apostolic sea, & a man of might, tie wealth and authority, it happened that the Pope (that then was) sent one of his chief officers to speak with him about some matter of importance: he being then set at dinner, whereupon one of the Cardinal's Gentlemen told his Lord in his care, that there was one very desirous to speak with him from his holiness: but he not noting any thing, made show as if he did not hear his man: whereupon the party returned back unto him that was at the door, certifying him that he had delivered his message, but his Lord Seenied to give no care unto him. Notwithstanding this the messenger told him, he must needs speak with him, and with all, used such persuasions unto him, that the young Gentleman (although very loath) knowing his Lords choleric nature, returned back unto the Cardinal, certifying him once more that the aforesaid party desired very earnestly to speak with him but one word from the Pope, and that it was Mr. Paul Archdeacon of Saint Anastalens one of the Masters of the Chancery: to whom Saint George (raising himself up a little in his ch●…, and looking very angrily upon his man) burst out into these blasphemous speeches. Tell him I will not speak with Paul nor Peter, no nor with their master the Nazaret himself now I am set at dinner. The Gentleman hearing such a terrible shot discharged at his care made haste to report the same to the Archdeacon, who was walking up and down before the door to cool himself, who hearing the Cardinal's answer, made the sign of the cross and blessed himself, saying, it may well be that Saint George who is a Soldiers rough companion, and one that wanteth good manners might send such 〈◊〉 answer: But I am sure, Christ himself would never have sent so plain a message unto his holiness, and thereupon he de●…ed.  No though his master Narzareth were here,  
He would not deign to move out of his chair.  
And therefore thou nor manners haste nor shame,  
Thy suits at such unfitting times to frame.  
But had I Linx his eyes on them to pry,  
As with my minds eyes I them full espy,  
Or were they but transparent like to glass,  
That through their inmost thoughts my sight might pass:  
Such deeds I then (perhaps) should see them act  
Within their privy chambers: that the fact  
Would give them juster cause themselves to hide,  
From heavens sun, than any man beside.  
But they in time I hope will quite forsake  
This loathed life, and better virtues take.  
This as an Item is to their transgression,  
To show I wish and pray for their conversion.  
But sure I am, thou longest to know why I  
Desire to visit Rome thus speedily.  

u This office I spoke of before, was given him by the Car dinal, which he sought to get during his own life by patent from the Pope, the same being one of the chief occasions why he would lie a while in Rome.  Well, I will tell thee: 'tis because I seek  
A living small by patent safe to keep:  
An office 'tis, which I in Milan hold,  
(Although but small) yet more then lose I would:  

o St. Agaps is a Church in Rome, not far from the Piscaria or Fishmarket, the reversion of which benefice, Ariosto was offered, although he would not accept thereof, as you may read a little after.  And to provide St. Agaps parsonage,  
I might possess if th'old Priest worn with age,  
And much expense of time, should hap to die,  
During the time, my fortunes there should lie.  
Thou wilt suppose I run into the net.  
Which I was wont to say, the devil did set  
To catch those fools, whose over burning hearts  
Swallows their maker's blood without deserts:  
But 'tis not so, my thoughts did ne'er agree,  
To love this cure or callings soveraginty:  
My meaning is, the living to bestow,  
On such a one as mine own thoughts do know  
Fit for the same, for his lives gravity,  
His learning, manners, virtue, honesty.  

p Two things our Poet reverenced, and would often commend them, the one was Priesthood, & the other Marriage, and yet he liked neither of them both.  To be a sacred Priest I will not prove,  
Cope, Rochet, Surplice, nor a Stole I love:  
Nor will I have a shaved anointed crown,  
Or wear the ring which Bishops do renown.  
In vain I go about to take a wife,  
If I should aim at a religious life:  
Or having taken one but to suppose,  
That for the Church 'twere fit my wife to lose:  
But both these callings are of such desert,  
That albe I adore them in my heart:  
Yet when I think how full they are of care,  
Of neither (with resolve) I venture dare.  
Priesthood and marriage, who so doth obtain,  
Save but by death, no freedom can attain.  
But here (perhaps) thou mayest demand of me,  
My reason's fault and insufficiency:  
Wherefore so great a burden I do take,  
And instantly the same away do shake,  
Seeking to give mine honours to another.  
Well though thyself, my friends & every other,  
Shall blame, nay hate me, sith I do let go,  
And will not take my fortunes when they flow;  
Yea since at bounties hands I'll not accept  
The gifts of greatness, but do all neglect,  
To shrive my soul to thee, and show the cause,  
Which me to such a course of folly draws:  

q Ariosto was a man of so good a conscience, That a certain old Priest, having a fat benefice, called S. Angelo, in the Piscaria in Rome, of which we but now spoke, and being in doubt to be poisoned, for greediness of the same, by some of his nearest kindred who thought to have had the next Aduowson thereof, had so good an opinion of the honesty of Ariosto, as he offered to resign the same unto him, during his life, & to sojourn with him rather than with any of his own friends. Ariosto in some sort accepted of his kind pro●…, pe●…ading him to resign it unto one of his brethren, because he liked not (as I●…old ●…old you before) to be a 〈◊〉, which when he could not by any means bring the old P●…est unto, he then got him ●…o bestow it upon another honest man fit for the place.  'tis thus. The old priest having understood,  
By the best friend both to his age and blood:  
That underhand his death was closely wrought,  
By one that for his holy living sought,  
Fearing by poison to be made away,  
He sends for me, and humbly doth me pray:  
That I into the open court would come,  
And there take resignation of his room:  
Thinking this means to be the only best,  
By which his life might in most safety rest.  
I thanked him for it, yet did all I could,  
That he to thee or Alexander would,  
(Whose nature in no opposition stands,  
With holy orders or with holy hands)  
His right and interest pass, but 'twould not be,  
Nor to my motions would his sense agree.  
Nor you, nor his own kindred would he trust,  
But (like himself) thought all men were unjust:  
Only myself above a world he chose,  
And on my faith did all his trust repose:  
But when I saw from him I could not have it  
To do you good; unto a third I gave it.  
Many I know will me condemn therein,  
Sith (careless) I refuse such good to win.  
The rather, sith preferment in it is,  
Whose paths who treads can never honour miss.  

r He taxeth religious men, who under the colour of humility are grown so proud, as the greatest monarches are glad to humble thē●… selves unto them.  Those poor religious worms scarce profitable,  
Simple, unlearned, weak unfit, unable,  
Base and despised, contemned of greatest part,  
Have got on best deserts so much the start,  
As greatest kings are glad they may adore them,  
And blest is he that most may fall before them.  
But who so holy or so wise hath been,  
As in his life no fortune hath over seen?  
Either in little or in much I know,  
There's none that can himself so perfect shoe.  
Each man his humour hath, and this is mine,  

s He prizeth his liberty at a higher rate then to be the wealthiest Cardinal in all Rome.  Before I will my liberty resign,  
The richest hat in Rome I would refuse,  
Though King or Cardinal they should me choose.  
What good to me is got by highest place,  
Or at the Table to receive most grace?  
If thence I rise no better satisfied,  
Then he which in the meanest room doth bide:  
So though my head with weight down burdened be,  
Of mitres stored with precious jewelrie,  
What doth it me avail, if for all this  
True joy and quietness of mind I miss?  
Let others think it a beatitude,  
That they are sought unto, observed and sued,  
That armies of attendants do them grace,  
Treading their steps through every public place,  
Whilst all the people with astonished eyes,  
Stare to behold their flattered majesties.  
Yet I suppose them idle vanities.  
Yea worse, even worst of earthly miseries.  
I am so foolish mad, that oft I say,  
In brothel Rome the Lord is every way,  
More slave than is his slave man to his man;  
And 'tis most true, deny it who so can.  
The bondage wherein servingmen do stand,  
Is barehead to obey each sleight command,  
To run or ride with him, which once expired,  
There nothing else is at his hands required.  
This being done, he may go where he please,  
Frolic or game, revel or rest at ease.  

t In Rome every base fellow hath his mistress, which he keepeth Ala po●…ta, as they term it.  Only his care is, that at every leisure,  
He cannot see his wench, or have that pleasure.  
Else as he list, he may go sport about,  
Either with company or else without.  
On foot or horseback (if he money have)  
Be civil, or else swagger like a knave.  
In market, in the Tavern, in Th'exchange,  
Or in the brothel if he list to range.  
clothes he may wear, of colours light or dark,  
Go as he please; he is not envies mark,  
None take exception 'gainst him, he may go  
Naked, if naked he himself will show;  
Whereas his Lord (because he will have place,  
To suit his rank, and give his glories grace)  
Doth leave the safer seat, and though he gain  
More honour, yet doth lesser wealth retain.  
With profit less, and yet with greater charge,  
He steers the helm in vain expenses barge.  
Many he feeds, sith many on him tend,  
Though his revenues are but small to spend:  
For count his first fruits with his bribes and all,  
Many years profits do to ruin fall.  
Add unto this, how he in debt doth stand,  
For furnishing his house at second hand.  
His gifts to courtiers (but in courtesy)  
Chiefly to that great patron Simony,  
Who is his chiefest saint and advocate,  
Because he best doth know his purses state.  
But all the sport is, when his holiness  
Sends to employ him in some seriousness.  
O then, if any of his followers miss,  
He cannot go, the way forbidden is.  
If that his coach be not in sight at hand,  
Or if his moils do not most ready stand,  
If any thing be orderless displaced,  
He rages strait, his honour is disgraced:  
If one rude wrinkle in his gown be found,  
'tis to his place more than a deadly wound:  
His servants must in comely equipage,  
March two and two according to their age:  
When if the basest groom in all his train,  
His very scullion but behind remain,  
He swears as though he gave the world this tuch,  
That he's divine, he nameth God so much.  
Out doth he cry he is discredited,  
If by such slaves he be not followed.  
On no Evangelist he now doth look,  
(Good man) his age cannot endure his book.  
Only he doth devise how he may spend  
Little; and how his living he may mend,  
To draw the bow too far, breaks it in twain,  
And thrifty sparing is the Lord of gain.  
I will not say but divers there may be,  
That have both offices and lands in fee.  
Who live at heart's ease far b●…yond the best,  
Free from disturbance, tumult or unrest:  
Nor horse, nor beast, nor man he scarcely keeps,  
Whilst with a full purse he securely sleeps:  
But there are few of t●…ose, for in these days,  
He's blest that lives content with his own case;  
Now he that's plumed with stern ambitious wings,  
And up to heaven his cogitations flings,  
He never with his own estate is pleased,  
But shapes new scales by which he will be raised;  
From Bishop strait he hath a wishful hope  
To climb to be the second next the Pope:  
When he hath that go●… will he then be quiet?  
No; for his stomach must have choicer diet.  
He now aims at the sea●…e Pontifical,  
To tread on kings on ●…mperours and all;  
But when he hath obtained this blessed chair,  
Will he be pleased then and free from care?  
Neither: for now his children and his friends  
To places of great honour he co●…nds;  
When he was poor he sca●…e was known to any,  
Now being Pope he is a kin to many:  
Yet from the Epyrots, nor from the Greek,  
To give them kingdoms doth he ever seek,  
Neither of afric nor of Barbary  
Plotteth to give them any 〈◊〉  
Nor will he strive to pull the Pagans down,  
And to empale his kinsmen with their crown,  
To purchase which all Europe is at hand,  
Furnished with men and money at command,  
Whilst he but acts what doth to him belong?  
Weakningthe Turks, making the Christians strong.  
He rather seeks by treachery and art,  
The noble Colonessi to subvert,  
Or to extirp Ursinos princely name,  

x The names of the two chiefest and most ancient houses of the Colonessi & the ●…sini  To gain all Talliacorzoes worthy fame;  
As from the other he got Palestine,  
By royal policy surnamd divine:  
Whilst in the mean time drunk with Christian blood,  
He sits and triumphs in his ample good,  
Some he sees strangled, some their heads do lose,  
And every thing quite topsy-turvy goes.  
Nor will he stick to give all Italy,  
A pray to France, to Spain or Germany;  
And making a confusion of each thing,  

y Here Ari●…to is very plain with the Popes & their kindred.  It shall go hard but one half he will bring  
Unto his bastard blood, nor doth he care  
though th'other part fall to the devils share.  
Then flies abroad excommunications,  
Like volleys of great shot, in strangest fashion:  
Then roars the bulls worse than the Basan host,  
Whilst Bells and books and candles curses boast.  
Hence Indulgence and pardons have been found,  
To be of wars the instruments and ground.  

z The gentlemen of Italy for the most part keep no table for their followers as they do here in England, but hire them by the months, giving them so many crowns every four weeks as they agree upon, & every morning they come into their master's hall, where they have certain equal allowance of bread and wine, which (God knows) is but course and small, every one severally to him●…lfe, and that is all he shall have for that day.  From hence with gold the bearded muff is priest.  
Of all his valour's power to show the best.  
Sons the drunken Dutchman who for pay,  
Is hired in right or wrong or any way,  
These must have gold (without which they'll not fight,  
And all this charge doth on the subject light.  
Oft have I heard (and do believe the same)  
By those which know the truth of every fame:  
That neither Bishop, no nor Cardinal,  
Nor yet the Pope, who is the head of all,  
Had ever money to supply their want,  
But that the end grew niggardly and scant.  
But let this go, times now are at such pass,  
That though one be a fool, a dolt, an ass,  
Base of conditions, and (if't may be) worse,  
Yet if he have a well filled heavy purse  
He may do what he list, nor need he care  
What others of his actions shall declare:  
Yet those which hoard most, and have most to give,  
Most commonly most wretchedly do live.  
Witness the starved household, who with grief  
Complain their ruins, yet find no relief.  
The more the wealthy witty courtier holds,  
The less unto the world's eye he unfolds.  
Of four parts of his living, three he will  
Be sure (all charges borne) to coffer still.  

a Some great estates there are in Italy, as Barons and Bishops that keep a table for their followers, but their cheer with their bread and wine, is so bad as it doth them little good, and the rather because they can never eat their bellies full, for the steward sitting at the table, assoon as ever he holdeth up his white staff, (which is the sign of his office) strait the cloth is taken up, & they are forced to rise from the board, when oftentimes they have not half eaten what would satisfy nature, & this is the cause instead of saying grace, that they fall a cursing when they leave the ●…able.  A man's allowance or of bread or beef,  
Is half a pound of either for relief:  
And that (God knows) is either tough or crusty,  
Or hardly man's meat, being old and musty.  
Now as his bread and flesh is of worst sort,  
So think his drink deserves as vile report,  
Either it is like vinegar most tart,  
Or Rasor-like it makes the palate smart:  
Either in taste or relish 'tis so small,  
That it hath lost both colour strength and all.  
Or to be brief, in illness 'tis beyond  
The Puddle water or the stinking pond:  

b The Swissers or Muffs are those people which the ancient Historiographers (as Cesar & others) call Heluetians, they have their habitations in the most high hills of ●…ura, named S. claud, they are a race of men naturally warlike & rude, & for the sterrillitie of their country more given to grazing then to tillage. They are free of themselves, sometimes they were under the Duke of Austria, & now are subject unto no Prince, but live of themselves. They are divided into thirteen commonalties, called Cautons, & will be hired of any Prince for money to fight in their wars, be it right or wrong they never respect the same, so they be well paid, and have their pay truly.  Yet had a man sufficiency offoode,  
And at his pleasure drink to do him good:  
Though they were homely and indifferent,  
His grief were less, and time much better spent:  
But both being bad, and of that bad no store,  
Needs must the heart break or else covet more.  
But thou wilt say, a servant that is wise,  
Will bear with this and smoothly temporize,  
Because that scale which raiseth up his Lord,  
Doth some advancement to himself afford,  
And as the master mounts the man shall rise,  
If with discretion he his wrongs disguise.  
But such like fortunes are not general,  
For they like blazing comets seldom fall.  
" Honours change manners, new Lords makes new laws  
" And all their servants to their purpose draws.  
" Old servants like old garments are cast by,  
" When new adorn them with more majesty.  
" Service is no inheritance we know,  
" For he and beggary in one base rank do go.  
" A chamberlain, a steward and a caiter,  
A secretary, a carver, and a waiter,  
Thy Lord must have to beautify his days,  
When thine age can supply not one of these.  
Then mayst thou think that thou art highly loved,  
Iffrom his service thou art not removed:  
'tis well for thee if thou canst find that grace,  
To live as thou hast done still in one place.  
A livery once a year, and nobles four,  
Is a brave price for serving till four score:  
And then 'tis ten to one that beg thou must,  
Therefore unto thyself, not others trust.  
How rightly spoke that honest Mulitar,  
When coming into Rome from regions far,  
He in the evening heard as he did pass,  
That his own Lord for Pope elected was.  
Ah (quoth the slave) to speak unpartial,  
'twas best with me when he was Cardinal,  
My labour then was little or else none,  
Having but two poor moils to look upon.  
Now shall my toil be double or else more,  
And yet my wages paid worse than before.  
If any think because my Lord is Pope,  
That I on great advancements ground my hope,  
Let him but give me one chicken or less,  
And all my rasures he shall full possess.  
No no, the wealthier that the Master proves,  
So much the less his oldest slaves he loves.   

In Naples where Nobility doth flow, 
The Tale.   
(Though little wealth doth with their greatness go)  
There was of good descent a pretty Lad,  
That from his tender years still followed had  
A Lordly cavalier, who promised him  
(As courtiers breath●… can smoothly speak & trim)  
That he no sooner should advanced be,  
To any place of worth or dignity,  
But that his page should rise as he did mount.  
And for the youth had spent the first account  
Of his lives glory, sith since he presumed  
Upon this hope full thirty years consumed.  
His Lord now bids him be of merry cheer,  
For nothing that he held should be too dear.  
The honest servant thinking all was gold  
Shined in such words, him●… content doth hold.  
Now whilst the hungry master and the man,  
Gazed to behold which way preferments ran;  
It happed the Naples king (through some request)  
Him of his privy chamber did muest.  
No sooner was he in his wished for room,  
But he forgot his ancient tru●…ty groom,  
And prided with his fate now entertains,  
New gallants with brave clothes and better m●…anes.  
His old true page was in oblivion thrown,  
And nought save novelty was to him known.  
Which he perceiving, taking time and place,  
Unto his Lord he breaks his heavy case,  
Humbly entreats him that he would remember  
His honest service, and some merit render  
To his expense of time, and wasted store,  
As he with earnestness had vowed before.  
To whom the surly Neop●…stan,  
Taking him sharply up, thus brief began:  
Fellow, the world is changed from that it was,  
When I was scarce myself, them thou mightst pass  
And rank with my dependents: but as now  
Thou canst not do it, nor may I allow  
Thy baseness so high place, s●…h it is fit,  
My men be of more means, more doom & wit.  
Yet ne'ertheless since thou hast served me long,  
And that I will not do thy labours wrong.  
Countenance, but no reward thou shalt possess,  
Sith thou art old, and even seruicelesse.  
The honest man being galled thus impiously,  
Returns his Lord (with grief) this short reply.  
Could I your best employments serve before,  
When (save myself) you kept no creature more?  
And now that you have many, may not I  
My place with as great diligence supply?  
Hath all my practice and experience  
Brought me no wit, but ta'en away my senfe.  
Now when my pains expected their advance,  
Must my reward be nought but countenance?  
Have I consumed my lives best flowers with you,  
My youth and manhood, to reap this poor due?  
But you'll abandon me I do perceive.  
Well, me you shall not, for 'tis you i'll leave.  
Nor you, nor others, nor no time shall say,  
You me discharged. Lo I put you away.  
No greater plague can hang on servitude,  
" Then to be chained, to base ingratitude.  
And here withal away poor soul he went,  
Mourning his service, and his time misspent.  
By this true story wit may plainly see,  
What servants are, and what these Courtiers be.  
" Youth spent in Court, oft brings age to poor state  
" Past service, past reward, that's servants fate.  
I rather would be king of mine own grave,  
Then unto greatest greatness be a slave.  
" To live of others lend is most base,  
" In Court to dance attendance is disgrace.  
I like not prison music, nor such mirth,  
Free was I borne, free will I live on earth.  
" He is truly rich that hath sufficient,  
" And hating envy liveth with content.  
Yet liberty exceeds the gain of wealth,  
And therefore I will only serve myself.    

The third Satire.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
In this Satire (as in the other before) he condemneth the service of the Pope's Court, grieveth that the promises made unto him by Leo (the tenth of that name) were not performed: showeth the discontentments that arise by gathering together of riches. And la●…ly enueigheth against the covetousue and wicked lines of the Roman Courtiers.  

SInce (
a This Hannibal Mallaguzo was a noble man of Regio, a City in Lombary, belonging unto the Dukedom of F●…rara, and kinsman unto Ariosto, whose mother was of that house.  noble Hannibal) thou whilst me write, 
Written to the Lord Hannibal. M.   

b After the death of Cardinal Hippolito, Alphonso Duke of Fera●…a, alured Ariosto by all the means he could, unto his court, using him more like a companion then a servant, offering him divers offices of preferme●… to allure him to serve in ordinary, which with much ado he was content to do, & which he did rather for his country's sake, & by reason of the love he bore unto the place where he was borne, then for any great gain he got by following of him, as he himself setteth down in his Satire.  How I of Duke Alphonso's service like:  
Or whether having laid old burdens by,  
New weights press on my back as heavily:  
Or if they lighter be, for I do know,  
If you shall hear creations of new woe,  
Proceed from my complaints, you will conceive,  
That I am barbarous, and unto me cleave  
Ulcers which will not heal, or like a jade,  
That I am dull, though near so much of made)  
Then to speak freely with enfranchised mind,  

c Meaning that he is discontented as much with following the Duke as he was with belonging unto the Cardinal his first Lord & master  Both of my burdens, I like heavy find,  
And think I had been blest, if unto neither  
I had been subject, sith I lose by either.  
Say then (since I have broke my back with all,  
Like a good Ass, that's laden till he fall)  
Say that my spirits heavy dull and ill,  
Say both in jest and earnest what you will:  
Yet when you have said what you list or can,  
I will speak truth, and be an honest man.  
But had I played the parricide or slave,  
And brought my father to an early grave,  

d Regio is a City (as I said before) subject unto Ferara, it was first built by Marcus Lepi●…us one of the Triumuerats of Rome.  In wealthy REgio, or but that have thought,  
Which jupiter against great Saturn wrought:  
Only that I alone within my hand,  
Might hold his wealth, his living and his land:  
Which now 'mongst brothers & 'mongst sisters be  
Divided into ten parts equally:  
I near had played the fool as did the frog,  
That for the Stork, did change his kingly clog:  
Nor had I wandered to seek forth my fate,  
Or crept for favour to each great estate.  
I had not learned the Ape's duck with my head,  
Nor crooked cringging curtsy should me stead.  
But since I was not borne heir to my sire,  
Nor that his lands fell unto me entire.  

e Meaning he was but poor, considering the great charge he had, for the Astronomers hold opinion, that he which is borne under that ●…aner, shall be very rich and wealthy.  Since I perceive that subtle Mercury,  
Was near my friend, but rather enemy:  
And that (against my will) I am nereth'lesse  
Compelled to live on others bounteousness:  
I think it better, that I do retain  
Unto the Duke, and be of his great train:  
Then to a lower fortune make my moan  
Although my means and risings are all one,  
Hardly so much, as his who is most poor,  
And asks the miser's alms from door to door.  
Few I do know are of my thoughts or mind  
And fewer of mine humours I do find.  
Most think to be a Courtier is most brave,  
I say a Courtier is a glorious slave.  
Let such be Courtiers, as by Courts can rise,  
To me they are bright suns, and blind mine eyes,  
far will I live aloof from these great fires,  
" If strength of fortune strengthen my desires.  
" Never one saddle one each horse we place,  
" Nor doth one garment every body grace.  
Beasts are not for one use in general,  
" For some we see bear much, some nought at all.  
The cage is to the Nightinglale a hell,  
The Thrush and Blackbird both do love it well  
The Robin redbreast robbed of liberty,  
Grows sad and dies with inward melancholy.  
Who seeks to be a Cardinal or Knight,  
And that great honours on his house may light,  
Let him go serve the Pope or some great King,  
Whilst I live safe, and hunt no such vain thing.  
I am as well contented with the meat,  
Which (though but gross) in mine own house I eat:  
And think a carrot root doth taste as well,  
Which doth of vinegar or pepper smell:  
As if of foul or fish, or other babbles,  
I had even glued myself to graet mens tables.  
And I as well can rest my drowsy head,  
Upon a quilke, as on a downy bed:  
And under rugs, as much safe quiet hold,  
As under Turkey works, Arras or gold.  
Rather had I at home stay with my rest,  
Save my poor skin from scars, & know me blest,  
Then vaunt that I had seen the India land,  
Or frozen Scythia, or the Aethiop strand.  
So many men, so many minds we say,  
Each one delighting in his several way,  
Some will religious be, some marshal bent,  
Some travel, some at home live with content,  
Yet he that's pleased to be a traveler,  
Let him behold each country far and near:  
Rich France, sweet England, fruitful Germany,  
Proud Spain, Greece spoiled with Turkish tyranny.  
As for myself, at home ●…le live alone,  
And like no country better than mine own.  
Yet have I seen how Lombary doth stand,  
And all Romania, and the Tuscan land.  
Besides, that mountain mighty huge & tall,  
Which locks up Italy as in a wall,  
And both those Ocean's beating on each side,  
I have beheld, and yet no danger tried.  
And this contents me well, for other cost,  
Or greater travels whence mine ease is lost.  
I can with Ptolemy behold them all,  
In every sort, unile or several.  
All seas I likewise can behold and see,  
(Without vow making in extremity,  
When heaven threats, with speaking thunder claps)  
More safely in our modern painted maps,  
Then when I shall a rotten vessel enter,  
And my poor life to certain danger venture,  
The Duke's service, I take it as it is,  
Which if't be good, 'tis better much by this.  
In that he seldom from his Court doth part,  
And so is friend to study and to art.  
Nor doth he seek to draw me from that place,  
Where my lodge heart doth live in its best grace  
But now me thinks I see you all this while,  
How at my words and reasons you do smile.  
Saying, that it is neither country's love  
Nor study, which incites me not to move.  
But 'tis my Mrs. eye that only blinds me,  
And in these everlasting love-knots binds me.  
Well, I confess the truth, 'tis so indeed,  
(And then confession, better proofs not need)  
'tis most true, I list not to contend,  
Or any falsehood with my sword defend,  
What ere the reason be, I stir not out,  
Or like a pilgrim walk the world about.  
It is sufficient that it doth me please,  
Nor would I other have themselves disease  
About mine actions, since myself knows best,  
Why I do here with homely quiet rest.  
Some will object, and in their wisdom say,  
That if to Rome I had kept on my way:  
And aimed at Church promotions, I might then  
Have far exceeded many other men:  
So much the rather, as I was approved,  

f This was Le●… the 〈◊〉 a Horentine born of the house of Medici's, and was of familiar acquaintance with Ariosto.  To love the Pope, and was of him beloved:  
As having of his first acquaintance been,  
Long ere he had his days of glory seen:  
Which came to him for virtue, or through chance  
And therefore reason he should me advance.  
Yea long before the Florentines set open,  
Their gates to entertain him, or that hope.  

g julian di Me●…dices, and Peter were breth●…en to Pope Leo the 10. who made the for●…aid julian Duke of Nemours, & married him to the Lady Philibert of Savoy, aunt to Francis the French King, the first of that name. This man before his brother was Pope, being banished with the rest of their family, out of Flor●…ce were entertained with great kindness by Francisco Maria, duke of Vebin, who in their exile did them all the honours that might be, notwithstanding all which courtesies, Leo coning to be Pope most vnki●…dly drove the aforesaid duke out of his country at the persuasions of Alphonsina, mother to his Nephew Laurence, on whom he bestowed the dukedom, who did continued in the same until Adrian the 6. that succeeded Leo, expulsed him, & restored Prancesco Maria the true owner to the estate again, who enjoyed it until he died, being the space of 〈◊〉 years, in so great reputation, that all the Princes of Italy both loved & honoured him to many of which he was entertained as General in their wars, but he was so great a builder, & so liberal to his Soldiers, that when he died he left no money behind him.  Moved worthy julian his ennobled brother,  
In Urbin's Court, his losses to recover.  

h ●…embo was borne in a castle in Lombary, called Arralano, he was an excellent Poet & Orator, he was Secretary to Pope Leo the 10. and at last was created Cardinal, he died in Pad●…a, his monument being in S. Francisses Church, in the City where he lieth buried by Castilian, he meaneth Count Balthasar Castilian who made that excellent piece of work called the Courtier.  Where with learned Bembo, and Castilian sage,  
Apollo's hair, flowers of that formal age,  
He spent the days of his first banishment,  
In great delight of thought and hearts content.  
And after when this subtle Medicy  
Over their Country vs●… his tyranny.  

i The Medicy having gotten the emperors army, (who then was in Italy) to repose them in Florence, and to call them home into their City again, divers of the Citizens were against it, especially Peter S●…derine, who wa●… then Gon●…er, which (was the chief officer of that City) but in the end they were enforced to admit them, and the aforesaid Peter glad to leave his authority, and hardly escaped with life from out the palace, at what time. (not long after) what by fair means of Leo the tenth their kinsman, and afterwards by favour of Charles the fifth. they seized upon the whole estate, and after got to be absolute Princes thereof, as at this day they are.  When the Gonfalconer forsook the Court,  
Leaving his place, his honours and his port,  
Till Leo unto Rome did make repair,  
And was installed in St. Peter's chair.  
In all which time, to none he showed such grace  
As unto me, whom he did ever place  
Next to himself, affir●…ing I and none  
Was else his friend and best companion:  
So that in rank of favour, I alone,  
Stood still unseconded of any one.  
B●…sides, when he as Legat first did pass  
To Florence, this his protestation was:  
That I as dearly in his favour stood,  
As did his brother, or his best of blood.  
These circumstances well considered,  
And every favour rightly ordered,  
Though some of little value will esteem them,  
Yet others of more better price may deem them.  
And think if I would deign to Rome to go,  
And to his holiness my fortune's shoe:  
Doubtless I might obtain for recompense,  
Any fair suit of worthy consequence.  
And that at my first motion or request,  
A Bishopric were granted at the least.  
But they which think, such great things so soon got,  
With judgement nor with knowledge reckon not.  
And therefore with a pretty history,  
I will to such men give a short reply:  
Which hath in writing put me to more pain,  
Then any man in reading shall attain.   

Long since, there was a scorch Summer seen, 
A tale.   
Which burned the parched earth with his beams so keen:  
That it was thought Phoebus once more had given  
His Chariot to his bastard to be driven.  
For every plant and herb was dead and dried,  
Nor any greene's on the ground was spied.  
No fountain, spring nor pool, or low or high,  
But had his veins stopped up and now stood dry:  
So that through rivers, channels and great lakes,  
Men their long journeys safely dry-shod takes.  
In this hot time a wealthy swain did live,  
(Or ra●…her style of poor I may him give)  
Who had great store of cattle and of sheep,  
But wanted moisture them alive to keep,  
Who having long searched every hopeful ground.  
(Although in vain) where moisture might be found:  
He now invokes that God omnipotent.  
(Whose ears on faithful orisons are bend)  
And he by inspiration in a dream,  
Grants ease unto his griefs that were extreme:  
Telling him that not far from that dry land  
Within a certain valley near at hand,  
He should such store of wholesome water find,  
As should give ease and comfort to his mind.  
The swain at this, takes children and his wife,  
And all his wealth (the second to his life)  
Leaves neither slave, nor household stuff behind,  
But hasts the blessed valleys help to find;  
Where he no sooner came, but in the ground  
He caused to dig, and water did abound.  
But now he wants wherewith to take it up,  
And therefore is enforced to use a cup,  
A little cup, whose little quantity,  
Hardly did serve one draft sufficiently.  
Which as he held, he said, now my hot thirst  
I'll cool, sith it is reason I be first.  
The next draft doth unto my wife belong,  
Next to my children (if I do not wrong:)  
When they have done, my servants shall begin,  
Each as his merit and desert doth win.  
And as they have bestirred themselves with pain,  
To make this well, from whence this good we gain.  
This said, he then upon his cattle thought,  
The best whereof, he means shall take first draft:  
And those which leanest were should be the last,  
He thus his damage and his profit cast)  
When every thing was ordered in this fashion,  
He tastes the water first and cools his passion,  
Next him his wife, his children followed than,  
(As he had made the law) man after man.  
Now every one fearing the water's loss,  
Began to press about him, and to cross.  
His fellows merit where most worth was cast,  
All would be first, none willingly the last.  
When this a little parrot had surveyed,  
With whom this wealthy shepherd often played,  
And had in times past made it all his joy,  
Taking delight only with it to toy.  
And when it well had understood their strife,  
It clamord forth, ah woe is my poor life.  
I nor his son, nor of his servants am,  
Nor for to dig this well I hither came:  
Nor can I either profit to him bring,  
Then foolish mirth, and idle wantoning.  
And therefore must be quite forgot of all,  
And made the last on whom last lot must fall.  
My thirst is great as theirs, my death as ni●…,  
Unless I can to better safety fly,  
Therefore I must elsewhere seekemy relief,  
And so away he flies with all his grief.   

My Lord I do beseech you, with this story,  
Pack from your ears, those fools that fr●… vain glory.  
Think that his holiness will me raise before,  

k These are noble families in Florence, which were great friends to the Medici's.  The Neri, Vanni, Lotti, and some more.  
His bastards, Nephews, kin and other such,  
Shall quench their thirsts ere I the water touch.  
Nay there shall step betwixt me and my hope,  
All those whose helping hands did make him Pope.  
When these have drunk, their steps forth to be served,  
Whole bands of martialists half pined and starved.  
That 'gainst stout Sodernie did weapons bear,  
Making his passage into Florence clear.  

l The country of Cassentine amidst the which ●…eth the river Arno, it is a territory narrow, barren and full of hills seated at the foot of the Apennine mountains, of which Bib●…na is the chief town, this the Medici went about to surprise when they were Banditi & banished from their country, but being repulsed by the Florentines army, which then kept them out, they escaped from ●…hence not without great danger of losing their lives. The chief captain of this company, was this Peter brother to Pope Leo, who afterward was most unfortunately drowned as he was going towards Cai●…a not far from Naples, He was elder brother to Pope Le●… and julian di Medici's, which three were sons to that famous Laurence di Medici's, of whom Guychardine in the beginning of his history maketh most honourable mention of, Cosimo the great being their great grandfather, who was a citizen of fingular wisdom and of infinite wealth.  One boasts that he in Casentino was  
With Peter, when he scarce from thence could pass  

m Brandine is the surname of a rich fam●…lie in Florence, whose chief wealth consisteth in money, and who lent great store of coin unto the Medici's when they were in want.  With his life's safety whilst Brandino cries,  
I lent the money which his honours buys.  
An other doth approve, 'twas only he  
Maintained his brother with a yearly fee:  
And at his proper charges did provide,  
Both horse and armour, and what else beside.  
Now if whilst these drink I stand gazing by,  
Either of force the well must be drawnedrie:  
Or else my thirst my body's health must slay,  
Sith still such violence brooks no delay.  
Well, 'tis much better to live as I do,  
Then to approve if this be true or no.  
Or whether fortunes fools which wait upon her,  
Do drink of Lethe when they rise to honour.  
Which though it be most true that few do climb,  
But they forget the days of former time,  
Yet can I hardly say his holiness,  
Hath drunk much water of forgetfulness.  
No I may well protest the contrary,  
Since I did find that in his memory.  
I held my place, and when his foot I kissed,  
He with a smiling countenance priest my wrist,  
Bowed down his forehead from his holy chair,  
And gave me words of grace, and speeches fair,  
He gently stroked my cheeks and did me bliss,  
And on them both bestowed a sacred kiss.   


n Ariosto showeth himself to be of a good nature, which took so thankfully so small a reward, considering how much he had deserved at the Medici's hands.  Besides he did bestow that Bull on me,  
Which Bibie●… after seriously  
Dispatched, and got, although I yet did pay  
Some bribes before I was dismissed away:  
But being done, and I joyed therewithal,  
(All wet through rain & storms which them did fall.  
Unto Montano fast I road that night,  
Where I reposed with merry heart and light.  
Thus courteous words and speeches I had many,  
But other favours I possessed not any.  
But say 'twere true the Pope should keep his word  
And to me all his promises afford,  
That I might reap the fruits which I did sow,  
Both now and elsewhere many years ago:  
Imagine with more Mitres and read hats  
He would adorn me, and with greater states,  
Then ever at the Pope's great solemn mass,  
Hath or been seen or ever given was.  
Nay say he filled up all my bags with gold,  
And crammed my chests as full as they could hold:  
Shall yet th'ambition of my greedy mind,  
Enough contentments for her humours find?  
Or shall this quench my thirsts consuming fire?  
Or will my thoughts take truce with her desire?  
No; I from Barb'rie to Catay will go,  
From Dacia, where seven headed Nile doth flow:  
Not Rome alone must hold my soueraign●…y,  
So of my affections I might master be;  
And so I might have power and both be able,  
To tame my thoughts, and hopes unsatiable.  
But when I shall a Cardinal be installed,  
Or what is more, servant of servants called,  
Nay when I shall above the Pope be spied,  
And yet my mind rest still unsatisfied.  
To what end then should I so much disease me,  
Or toil myself for that which will not please me?  
'tis better privately to live, then thus  
To vex and grieve for titles frivolous.  
I speak not this as though myself were he,  
Whose nature could with no content agree:  
But to this end, that sith all greatness ever,  
Doth in this endless Avarice persever,  
(Who though they all possess, yet more do crave.  
As if they would employ them in the grave.)  
I think its better live a private life,  
Then wealth to hold with unabated strife.   

Then when this world was in her infancy, 
A tale.   
And men knew neither sin nor treachery;  
When cheators did not use to live by wit,  
Nor flattery could each great man's humour fit,  
A certain nation (which I knew not well)  
Did at the foot of an high mountain dwell,  
Whose top the heavens counsels sent to know,  
(As it appeared to them that lived below)  
These men observing how the moon did rise,  
And keep her monthly progress through the skies:  
And yet how with her horned forehead she  
Altered her shape, her face and quantity,  
They strait imagined if they were so high,  
As the hills top, they easily might espy,  
And come where she did dwell to see most plain,  
How she grew in the full, how in the wain.  
Resolved thereon, they mount the hill right soon,  
With bask●…ts and with sacks to catch the moon,  
Striving who first unto the top should rise,  
And make himself the master of the prize,  
But mounted up, and seeing that they were  
As far off as before, and near the near,  
Weary and feeble on the ground they fall,  
Wishing (though wishes are no help at all)  
That they had in the humble valley stayed,  
And not like fools themselves so much dismayed.  
Th●…rest of them which did remain below,  
Thinking the others which so high did show,  
Had touched the Moon, came running after then  
By troops and flocks, by twenties and by ten:  
But when the senseless misconceit they found,  
Like to the rest they weary fell to ground.   

This lofty mountain is the Wheel of fate,  
Upon whose top sits roializd in state,  
(As ignorance and folly doth suppose)  
All quietness, all peace, and sweet repose.  
But they (alas) do all mistake the ground,  
For there nor joy is, nor contentment found.  
Now if with riches or with honours went  
(Like loving twins) the minds desired content:  
Then had I reason to commend that wit,  
Which were employed and spent to purchase it.  
But when I see both Popes and mighty Kings,  
(Who for the sovereigns' are of earthly things,  
As gods within this world esteemed are)  
That they of griefs and troubles have their share,  
I needs must say, content they do not hold,  
As long as they have sorrows manifold.  
Should I in wealth the mighty Turk ou●…oe,  
Or boast more glories then the Pope doth know,  
And yet still covet higher to aspire,  
I am but poor, through that my more desire.  
Well 'tis most reason and our best best wit,  
To live of things are competent and fit,  
Whereby we may not pine away with want,  
Nor of our needfulst needements to be scant.  
For every one all strength of reasons have,  
To nourish life, and not live as a slave:  
But if a man be so sufficient rich,  
That he too little hath not, nor too much,  
That hath enough his nature to content,  
And in desire is not o'er vehement:  
He that can ease his hunger at his pleasure,  
And give each appetite his equal measure:  
He that hath fire to warm him when he's cold,  
A house to shelter him when he is old:  
That when he should ride forth is not compelled,  
To lackey spaniel-like through every field,  
But to command a horse is always able,  
And keeps a man to wait upon his table.  
Besides a cleanly housewife that will keep  
His house in comely order neat and sweet:  
If this I have, what need I more request?  
For having thus much, I have all the rest.  
Enough is never then abundance less,  
He that all covets, nothing doth possess.  
Besides this duty, reason doth demand,  
That on strict terms of honour we do stand,  
Yet in such sort that we be never found,  
T'exceed the golden mean in any bound;  
For nothing is on earth more dangerous,  
Then to be noted as ambitious.  
This is true honour when the world doth cry  
Thou art an honest man and so dost die:  
Which if thou be'st not, it will soon be known,  
And as thy faults are so thy fame is blown.  
Hypocrisy is woven of fine third,  
Yet few in these days can in nets be hid.  
Because each one right reverend doth thee call,  
Or Earl or Baron, Knight or General,  
I would not have thee think they honour thee,  
Unless more in thyself then titles be.  
But when I see thy merits worth doth move  
From virtue, than thou shalt enjoy my love.  
What glory ist to thee when I behold,  
How thou apparelled art in silks and gold?  
Or that the wondering people with amaze,  
As up and down thou walkest, upon thee gaze?  
If afterward, assoon as thou art gone,  
And thy back turned, they sing this hateful song.  
See there the man who for a bribe in gold,  
The gates of Rome unto the Frenchmen sold:  
Which gates to keep, he had of special trust,  
Yet sold the same, an art base and unjust.  
Fie, fie, how many knighthoods here are bought,  
How many bishoprics desertless caught?  
Which after being known abroad become,  
The foul disgrace and scandal unto Rome.  
To be an honest man in word and deed,  
Though on my back I wear a course plain weed,  
As much doth please me as if I did go,  
Royally clad in robes which kingly shoe.  
Let him that will or gold or velvet buy,  
For I will not with spots of infamy.  

o Under this name he taxeth some notorious & wicked man that grew rich through villainy.  But now me thinks base Bomba doth reply,  
And unto mine assertions gives the lie:  
Saying, let me have riches, I not care,  
Or how they come, or how they purchased are:  
Come they by villainy, by drabs or dice,  
Riches are ever of most worthy price.  
Virtue is riches bastard, nor do I  
Respect, against me what the vulgar cry.  
" All men of no man speaketh reverently,  
" And some have railed against the deity.  
Hushed Bomba hushed, do not fly all so fast,  
But flag thy wanton peacocks train at last,  
I tell thee none blaspheme the deity,  
But such as are more damned in villainy,  
Then those who nailed their maker to the Cross,  
Whose woes eternally do mourn their loss:  
Mean space the good and honest sort one word,  
Will not of goodness to thy fame afford.  
They say false cards, false dice, and falser queans,  
Purchased thy livings and thy large demeans.  
And thou administrest to every tongue,  
Matter to talk of, as thou walkest along:  
Wearing and tearing out more cloth of gold,  
More silks and Tissus from Arabia sold,  
Then all the worthy gallants Rome doth breed,  
So much thy pride and riot doth exceed.  
Those thefts and cozenages thou shouldst conceal,  
Unto the world and me thou dost reveal.  
Making even fools and silly Infants know,  
That cottages where hardly thatch did grow,  
Thou in these few years palaces hast made,  
By thy smooth cheating and thy cozening trade:  
The world doth see thy banquets and thy feast,  
Where in thou surfet'st like an over fed beast.  
Yet thou conceivest that thou a gallant art,  
And all that smile on thee do take thy part.  
Fool, those same smiles are like the serpent's hisle,  
And they would kill thee fain which do thee kiss.  

p This is also a shadowed name, whereby he biteth at some others of as bad faults as may be.  Bor●…o (so no man tell him to his face,  
How vile he is) believes it no disgrace:  
Although behind his back he hear men cry,  
He hath nor faith, nor love nor piety:  
And how that worse than bloudy-handed Cain,  
He his own brother tyrantlike hath slain:  
Although an exiles life he hath endured,  
Yet all agreed, all evils now are cured:  
And he the whole inheritance hath got,  
Without vexation of a partners lot.  
Therefore let all men say what all men can,  
Hee●…e walk the streets (sith rich) an honest man.  
Another that's as vile as is the best,  
Tiers out his days with labour and unrest:  
Till he have got a Mitre in such fashion,  
As shames himself, his kin and all his nation:  
When he no worthier is to bear the load,  
Then a base ass is of a Purple robe.  
But knew the world how to this height he came  
The very stink would poison them with shame.  
O times corrupt, O manners worse than nought,  
Where nothing but what's vile is sold and bought!  
Too true it is, which all the world hath told,  
All things at Rome, even heaven for coin is sold.   

William surnamed Rufus, when in hand, 
A ta●…e.   
He swayed the English Sceptre at command,  
It chanced a wealthy Abbey void did fall,  
Whose great demeans being rich in general,  
Many came to the king the same to buy,  
(For he did money love exceedingly)  
Now when Church chapmen all were comed unto him  
And with their utmost sums did amply woe him,  
He spied a Monk stood half behind the door,  
Whom strait he called, and bade him come before:  
Imagining he came as did the rest,  
With full filled bags, to make his offer best,  
And therefore thus the king most graciously  
Speaks to the Monk; Tell me man willingly,  
What thou wilt give; great the revenues are,  
And thou free leave to offer for thy share.  
My gracious Lord (the old man did reply)  
I came not hither this rich place to buy:  
For I am poor: or had I wealth at will,  
I would not load my conscience with such ill:  
As to engross Church livings above other,  
Making me rich by robbing of my brother.  
Besides, I were an ass to undertake,  
To lay too great a burden on my back:  
Which to support, I know I am unfit,  
Both for my learning, industry and wit.  
Only I hither came in humble wise,  
To beg of him which to this place should rise,  
That I this pe●…ty favour might but have,  
To be his Priest, his beadsman or his slave.  
The King who heard this old man graciously,  
And finding in him true humility,  
Whence his rare virtues sprang so curioufly,  
That they excelled his rank in dignity:  
Freely and frankly without recompense,  
Gave him this Abbey and dispatched him thence.  
Saying he it deserved most worthily,  
Sith he so well could brook his poverty.  
Neither such gift nor King I ere shall know,  
Yet such a mind and thoughts within me grow.  
I have a mind which harbours calm content,  
Void of all lucre, and from malice bend.  
And would I fish for livings, there's no doubt,  
But I should easily bring my wish about.  

q Ari●…o was somewhat variable in his desires and a little humourous withal, and therefore would hardly be bound or tied to any thing longer than himself listed. " But home is homely, I am best at ease,  
" When I have none but mine own self to please.  
" Riches are still the children of much care,  
" Who covets nothing, only rich men are.  
" Great is the labour which doth purchase gain,  
" Greater the sorrow which doth it maintain●….  
" But once to lose it, even death doth bring:  
I'll no such bees which have so sharp a sting.  
Sufficient for myself is my small store,  
And greatest monarchs do enjoy no more.    

The fourth Satire.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
He showeth that it is good and necessary to marry, and yet by the way glanceth merrily at that state of life, showing how hard a matter it is for a man to keep his wife honest and chaste.  

I Hear 
a Ariosto being not given to marry, his kinsman the Lord Hannibal was loath to make him privy to his wedding; which he taketh very unkindly in this Satire.  by strangers, friends the world and all, 
Written to the Lord Hannibal Malaguzzo.   
(Except thyself, thrice noble Hannibal)  
That thou art now about to take a wife,  
Knitting these world's cares to a better life.  
I not mislike that so your fancy stands,  
Only I take unkindly at your hands,  
That unto me you would not tell your mind,  
Since in my counsels you might comfort find.  
Perhaps thou hast concealed it, from this fear,  
Lest I should hap t'oppose what thou hold'st dear,  
Thinking because myself unmarried am,  
Therefore I marriage will in others blame.  
If so thou censur'st me, thou dost me wrong:  
For though I never knew what did belong,  
To wedlock: yet I never have withstood,  
Those which choose marriage as their chiefest good,  

b He excuseth himself in that he lived a bachelor so long, which he saith was his hard fortune, and not his fault: although there is no doubt, but if he had listed, he might h●… matched very well, and every way to his contentment.  Oft have I grieved, and yet I sadly mourn,  
That then to marry, I have chose to burn.  
Myself excusing that I still was crossed,  
By hand of Fate, and so my fortunes lost:  
For though unto it I was fully bend,  
Occasion still my meaning did prevent.  
But this hath ever mine opinion been,  
Nor ever shall there change in me be seen:  
That men cannot in perfect goodness stand,  
Unless he live within the marriage band.  
Nor without women can live free from sin,  
For he which thrusts such guests out of his Inn,  
Is either forced to borrow of another,  
Or theese-like without conscience robs his brother.  

c He could give good counsel himself, but could not follow it, as Medea saith in 〈◊〉.— Video me●…ra proboque deteri●…ra sequer—  Besides, who unto stranger sheets doth cleave,  
Turns Cormorant, and temperance doth leave.  
For if to day he seed on lark or quail,  
Next morn, he'll have the Pnesant or the Rail.  
And which is worst, he looseth sense of love,  
And that sweet touch which charity should move.  

d He enueigheth against some Priests, who lived too much incontinently.  Hence comes it, priests of all men are the worst,  
Biting like dogs with madness made accursed.  
The whilst no common Palliard, bawd nor slave,  
Carries more viler surfeits to his grave.  
Borrow of all they do, but none they pay,  
Base are their deeds, how well so ere they say.  
Again, in public carriage and in shoe,  
They are so void of judgement, and do go  
So far from virtue, that I wonder much,  
Women will deign but to be touched by such.  
You know 'tis true, who do in Regio dwell,  
But that all truths, for fear you dare not tell.  
Bugbear confession whispering in your ear,  
I●…is damnation to tell all you hear.  
Well, though you nothing say, yet from your eyes,  
I read the depth of all these mysteries,  

e Modena is a City in Lombary, subject unto the Dukedom of Ferara (now the Popes) where the Churchmen bore themselves over licentiously and more vnc●… than becomeed them. In this town Sadolet●… and Molza, two learned Italians of their time were borne.  Ofstubborne Modena I speak nought at all,  
Who though this great plague did upon it fall,  
Yet it deserveth to be punished worse,  
May on her and her priests light heavens curse.  
But now to you. Elect betimes your mate,  
Better too soon to marry then too late.  
And since perforce thou needs this life wilt try,  
Adventure on it most courageously.  

f A famous Physi●…on of Ferara, who married not till he was all 80. years old, & then (doting) took a marvelous fair maid unto his wife, and presently after died.  Do not as did doctor B●…on Leo old,  
Who took a wife when all his blood was cold:  
When age had made him for a grave more fit,  
Then or for wife or youthful appetit.  
Defer not thou till age come creeping on,  
Lest strength consumed, thy body suffer wrong.  
" Old ages Harbingers and snow-white hairs,  
" Warm drinks & clothes are good for many years:  
A cup of wine in withered Hermons head,  
Is better than a fair maid in his bed:  
Age with such liquors often is well eased,  
Venus with gouts and palsies is not pleased.  
Fair Hym●… is not painted old,  
But youthful, fresh, with saffron hair like gold:  
The old man feeling but some sparks of fire,  
Which with much labour doth but warm desire,  
Begins to rouse his Icy spirits up,  
As if he had caroused on Aesons cup:  
Much he imagines he can do, when lo,  
Strength doth forsake him, ere his strength he know:  
And he poor soul even in his height of pride,  
Is conquered ere th'encounter he have tried.  
Yet so he must not think his wife will yield,  
Her better spirit better joys the field.  
" Fire with water, never will agree,  
" Nor nature will not lose her sovereignty.  
But say it were not so; yet in these days,  
The world being rather given to dispraise,  
Then to speak well of any, who are they,  
Will marry Winter unto youthful May?  
But they will wish Saint Luke's badge on his head,  
And that in hornbooks he be deeply read.  
And thus although they merit not this blame,  
Yet can they not escape all poisoning fame,  
Who for the most part doth of falsehoods prate,  
But be it false or true 'tis then too late  
To call i●… home again, if once the vent,  
About the bussing busy world be sent:  
And who his honour or good name doth love,  
Must patient be for he this cross must prove.  
Yet this bad p●…n nothing is at all,  
But that which we damned iealo●…sie do call:  
Although 'tis ill enough when we behold,  
An Infant whom the cr●…le doth enfold:  
And two or three crope newly from the shell,  
Who in their clamours do their grievance tell.  
Add unto these a pretty girl or twain,  
Whom thou in virtues manners seekest to train:  
Yet hast not any whom thy soul can trust,  
Will honest be to them, or to thee just.  
But rather will allure them by all means,  
To vicious living, and to shameless strains.  
Choose wisely then, since thou dost know this curse,  

g He findeth fault with divers Gentlemen of Ferara, that were younger brothers, who because their wealth was little, would not marry when they were young, & yet coming to be old, they made their choice worse, when getting their own maids and drudges with child, they were after glad to marry them because the children which they had got by them should not be counted bastards.  And like our Gentlemen be not found worse.  
Many of which buried in cloisters low,  
Lie hid, while'st grass doth over their grave stones grow,  
On marriage their minds did never set,  
Because they meant not children to beget,  
And so be forced that little to disseaver,  
Which scarce would serve, when 'twas unite together  
That which in strength of youth they did refuse,  
Now grown in years most shamefully they choose,  
Showing themselves to be so base of mind,  
That even in Boorish villages they find:  
And in the Kitchens greasy scullery,  
With whom to sport themselves lasciviously,  
Boys are begot, which as in years they grow,  
Such abject vile behaviours from them flow,  
That they are forced to marry them perforce,  
Unto Clowns daughters, or to creatures worse,  
Even to cracked Chambermaids broke up of late,  
Because they would not have their sons in state  
Of bastardy, and here hence doth proceed,  
That noblest houses in Ferara bleed,  
With wounds of tainted honour and with shame,  
As all eyes do behold which view the same.  
This is the cause the worthies of this town,  
Are seldom seen to flourish in renown  
Of virtue, or of valour, or of arts,  
And hence it is their ancestors best parts,  
I mean those of the worthy mother's side,  
Are of their generous qualities so wide.   

My Lord, to marry you do passing well,  
And yet attend these precepts I shall tell.  
First think thereof, lest when you would retire,  
You cannot, being slaved unto desire:  

h This Poet giveth his friend better counsel than he himself could follow, for although he would never marry, yet is he noted to have kept at his own proper charges one Alexandra, a proper woman a long time, although his friend say that he was married unto her privily, and durst not be known of it, for fear of losing some s●…all spiritual livings which he had, and which were not lawful for any married man to enjoy.  In this important matter, most, most great,  
Although my counsel you do not entreat.  
Yet I will show you how a wife to choose,  
And which 'mongst women wisemen should refuse:  
But you perhaps, will wondering smile at me,  
And place it with impossibility,  
That I this weighty charge should undertake,  
Yet never knew what meant the married state.  
I pray you tell me; hath not your Lordship seen,  
When as two gamesters have at tables been:  
The third man which (as lookers on) stood by,  
More to have seen in play then they could spy:  
If you do find I shoot near to the white,  
Follow my rules and hold my judgement right:  
But if you see I rove far off and wide,  
Then both my counsels and myself deride:  
And yet before I further do proceed,  
'tis meet, that first this caution I do reed.  
If you to take a wife have strong pretence,  
Yet build your ground on nought but lustful sense,  
'twere madness to persuade you from her love,  
Though reasons 'gainst her honour I could prove.  
If she do please you, than she virtuous is,  
Nor any gift of goodness can she miss:  
No Rhetoric, reason, nor no strength of wit,  
Can make thee loath when lust rules appetit:  
So much thou art besotted on her face,  
That reason must to pleasure yield her place.  
I for a wilful blind man am no guide,  
But if in lists of wisdom thou wilt bide,  
Then scholarlike examine what I say,  
And I shall merit thanks another day.   

Who so thou art that meanest a wife to take,  
(If of thine honour thou account dost make)  
Learn what her mother is, that step begin,  
And how her sisters live, how free from sin:  
If we in horses, kine, and such like creatures,  
Desire to know their lineal race and natures,  
What ought we then to do in these, who are  
Then other cattle, more deceitful far?  
A Hare you never saw bring forth a Hart,  
Nor do from Doves nests Eglats ever part.  
Even so a mother that is infamous,  
Hardly can bear a daughter virtuous.  
From trotting races, amblers seldom breed,  
From self like natures, self like things proceed.  
Besides the branch is like unto the tree,  
And children keep what first they learned be.  
" Ill education spoileth manners good,  
" Corrupts best natures, and infects the blood.  
" Homebred examples and domestic ills,  
Grafts errors in cleannest breasts, & good thoughts kills.  
If she perceives her mother to possess,  
Many saire servants she will have no less:  
Nay she will more have, or her better skill,  
Shall leave to be the agent of her will:  
And this she doth to show in courtliness,  
That (than her mother) she is nothing less,  
And that heaven did with equal bounty place,  
Within them both one beauty and one grace,  
To know her nurse, and how her life she leads,  
What her commercements are, and how she treads:  
Whether her father brought her up or no,  
If she can play the cook, weave, work or sow,  

i Here Ariosto is a little malicious against the court for many gentlewoman, yea & those sort are as well brought up, & as virtuously given, living in the court, as if they had all the days of their youth been trained & 〈◊〉 up in their fathers own houses, music and a sweet voice, being two as commendable qualities as can adorn any Lady, only the liberty of courts to diseased minds, is the ground to these inventions.  Orifinidle courts she have remained,  
And there in song and music hath been trained.  
To judge the better of her virtues this,  
And all the rest to know, most needful is.  
Seek not a wife whose style and nobleness  
Shall fill thy veins with much vaingloriousnes:  
Such oft their husbands unto wrath provoke,  
Whilst they to him are nothing else but smoke.  
'tis good to match with one that's nobly borne,  
So she her husband's birth hold not in scorn.  
Such one take thou great Lord as fit shall be,  
Both for thy living and thy pedigre:  
For hardly thou thy better shalt content,  
Unless on her dependence much be spent.  
A brace of pages, serving gentlemen,  
And for her state a flock of gentlewomen,  
To keep their Lady from all faults offence,  
Without the which there is no patience.  
Nor so content, a dwarse she needs must have,  
A fool, a pander, and a jesting knave,  
With dogs and monkeys, parrots and such toys,  
Whose idle service, idle time destroys:  
With other company for cards and dice,  
Whose wits can sort with courtiers that are nice;  
Nor when she takes the air, will she forth tread,  
Without her rich caroche well furnished.  
But this last charge is nothing to that cost,  
Must on more private toys be vainly lost.  
Now if thou no such prodigal fond part,  
(Who for of birth and living chief thou art  
Within thy native home) shalt prove, then know,  
The poorer sort such glories dare not show.  
If hackneymen do round about the town,  
Run for to let their coach horse up and down,  
What then will he do? who at his command  
Hath of his own, which ever ready stand?  
If others two horse keep, the rich will still  
Have four at least, yet think the draft but ill.  
With such an one thou shalt possess more care,  

k Meaning that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wife will make a man 〈◊〉 Oriando became through the vn●…nes of Angelica.  Then mine Or●…do in his madness bare.  

l Here the Poet setteth down many excellent rules how a man should choose a wife, and having chosen one, how he should b●…haue himself towards her.  If she shall brawl with thee maliciously,  
Govern with patience her extremity,  
And as Ulysses 'gainst the Sirens song,  
Made himself deaf to shelter him from wrong,  
So her expostulating do not hear,  
But 'gainst such clamorous noise glue up thine ear.  
" When she speaks most do thou least speech afford,  
" For silence cuts a shrew worse than a sword.  
" A froward wife for very spite will cry,  
" When thy neglect doth scorn her tyranny.  
Have special care that with no foule-mouthd speech,  
Thou mak'st into her fury any breach:  
For than thou all confound'st, and one small shower,  
Will on thy head a world of new storms power,  
Which with such bitterne●…e she will declare,  
That stings of wasps not half so noisome are.   

Let her as near as 〈◊〉 or wit can find,  
Agree with every humour in thy mind,  
That ancient customs in thy house remain.  
And that no danger lurk within her train,  
In being greater than thou canst support,  
For things do fall to ruin in that sort.  
I do not like that beauty whose rare merit  
Will praise beyond all excellence inherit  
Nor such a one whose court audacity,  
Bears her beyond all comely modesty.  
Twixt fair and foul there is a golden mean,  
Unto which path I fain would have you lean.  
A loving maid, not lovely strive to choose  
The faces beauty; for the minds refuse.  
Please thy best judgement, 'tis no matter then,  
Though she seem foul or black to other men.  

m 
The Italian hath a praire of such a wife.  

Chi ha b●…anco canello, et bella moglie,  
Non 〈◊〉 may senza doglie.  
Whose horse is white, and wife is fair,  
His head is never void of care.    Her to possess whose beauty doth exceed,  
Doth to all curious eyes much sorrow breed:  
For she even frozen hearts doth set on fire,  
Making them languish in unchaste desire.  
A world will venture her fair fort to spoil,  
Wherein albe she give some few the foil:  
Yet at the last comes one with bribes and prays,  
Who so in pieces all her forces tears,  
That at the last having no more delay,  
She yields, and he her honour bears away.  
A wife that's more than fair is like a stale,  
Or chanting whistle which brings birds to thrall.  

n 
He alludeth to the common saying in Italic.  

Fa peccat●… nisieme col penitenza,  
Chi piglia bruta m●…glie a credenza.  
Who takes a woman foul unto his wife,  
Doth penance ever, yet sins all his life.    Yet of no sluttish foulness fix thy mind,  

〈◊〉 There's no ill quality so vile in a woman, as to be a fool, for I have oft heard a wise man say, he had rather have a willy wanton, a witty shrew, or a foul slut to his wife, than one that was so●… or foolish, affirming that the first if she did a fault would with discretion hide it. The second with her wit would now and then delight him. The third because of her deformity, study and endeavour always to please him, but the last which was the fool, would shame both herself, her husband and her friends.  For so perpetual penance thou shalt find.  
Beauties which are indifferent most me move,  
Fair which is still most fair I do not love.  
Pure of complexion let her be and good,  
And in her cheeks fair circled crimson blood.  
High colours argue choler and distaste,  
And such hot bloods are seldom made to waste.  
Let her be mild and witty, but not cursed,  
Nor foolish, for of all breeds that s the worst.  
None so deformed are, or ugly foul,  
As fools which more are gazed at then the Owl:  
For if she any fault abroad commit,  
Her long to●…gd gossip strait must know ofit:  
Nothing so pr●…ate can be done or said,  
Which through the whole world shall not be conveyed.  
Thus she her husband and herself doth bring,  
To be a scorn to every abject thing:  
Where as the witty wench so careful is,  
There's none shall know albe she do amiss.  
Like to the Cat who buries under ground  
Her ordure, le●…t by men it should be found.   

Let her be pleasing, full of courtesy,  
Lowly of mind, pride's deadly enemy:  
Pleasant of speech, seldom sad or never,  
And let her countenance cheerful be for ever,  
A vinegar tart look or cloudy brow,  
Furroud with wrinkles I do not allow,  
And so to pout or lower through sullenness,  
Is a strong sign of dogged peevishness.  
Let her be bashful and of modest grace,  
Hear, but not answer for thee, wherein place  
Thou art: for 'tis extremest oblo quie,  
When she doth prate and thou must silent be,  
No idle housewife let her ever be,  
But always doing some thing seriously.  

p sluttishness in women was so much detested with the ancient Romans, that one of the chief noble men of the city put his wife f●…om him by divorce, as if she had been incontinent & unchaste of her body, yea only for that fault.  Let her well loved self, herself preserve,  
And from all goatish scents he skin conserve.  
Women do oft like golden tombs appear,  
Worthy without when nought within is fair.   

Some ten or twelve years younger than thou art,  
Elect thy wife, for that's a wise man's part:  
Because a woman's glories ever fail,  
Long ere the man's strength do begin to quail,  
And so within thine eye will breed dislike,  
Ere mutual years thee in like weakness strike,  
Therefore I wish the husband's age should be  
Thirty at least, for then th'impatiency  
Of youthful heat beginneth to assuage,  
And with more moderation rules his rage.  
Let her be such a one as feareth God,  
Lest she approve the sting of heavens rod,  
Religious, not scrupulous, and 'bove all,  
Let her know none whom puritans we call:  
To run from Church to Church through all the town,  
To wear a thin small ruff, a bare black gown,  
To feign to speak like chickens when they peep,  
Or leer like cats when they do seem to sleep.  
To make long prayers and goggle up their eyes,  
As if their zeals would tear God from the skies.  
To chide if any thing we say is good,  
(Excepting God) as Prince or alms, or food,  
Christmas to name but Christ tide, as it were  
Damnation, but the bare word mass to hear,  
To speak to none that walketh in the street,  
Or with these words God save you, any greet:  
Not to look up, but fix on earth the eye,  
Apparent signs are of hypocrisy.  
God pleased is with plainness of the heart,  
And not with dumb shoes of the outward part,  
Such as her life, such her religion is,  
Where arts and words agree not, als amiss.  

q Many good gentlewomen especially old widows are abused by counterfeit Pryers in Italy, they making a show of more holiness than the rest of their coat, when it is nothing else but mere knavery and dissimulation.  I would not that acquaintance she should have,  
With a precission Fri●… for he's a knave,  
They under colour of confession frame,  
Mischief and many matrons do defame,  
Nor shall she feast them with delicious fare,  
For they but counterfeits and cheaters are,  
To widows, wives and maids they do remain,  
Vild, as in harvest are great showers of rain.  

r These be such women as the Poet speaketh of, Meruit formosa videri, that is, she deserved with the pains she took, to seem handsom●… though indeed she was not.  Let her own beauty be her own delight,  
Without adulterate painting, read or white,  
Nature hath fixed best colours to the face,  
No art hath power to give so sweet a grace.  
Great pains to little purpose and much shame,  
They spend, who to adorn their body's frame,  
Do profitless consume whole days away,  
Let such a one not in thy favour stay.  
A golden time, a glorious world it was,  
When women had no other looking glass  
Then the clear fountain, and no painting knew,  
But what they from the simple sleikstone drew.  
Complexion now in every place is sold,  
And plaster wise daubed upon young and old.  
Old jades must have read bridles, and the hag,  
Will not in toys behind the youngest lag.  

s An Italian gentleman, whose mistress face was like a painter's table.  Knew Herculan but where those lips of his,  
He layeth when his Lid●…a he doth kiss.  
He would disdain and loathe himself as much,  
As if the loathsom'st ordure he did touch.  

t It is most true that the jews make the best colours, either Rosa or 〈◊〉, as may be seen in Famag●…sta in Cyprus, and it is also credibly reported that they make it after this filthy manner as the Poet here setteth down.  He knows not, did he know it he would spew,  
That paintings made with 〈◊〉 of a jew,  
(For they the best fell) n●… that loathsome smell,  
(Though mixed with musk and amber near so well,  
Can they with all their cunning take away  
The phlegm and snot so rank in it doth stay.  
Little thinks he that with the filthy dung,  
Of their small circumcised infants young,  
The fat of hideous serpents, spawn of snakes,  
Which slaves from out their poisonous bodies takes.  
All which they do preserve most curiously,  
And mix them in one body cunningly,  
Making that unguent, which who buys to use,  
Buys hell withal, and heaven doth refuse.  
Fie how my queasy stomach up doth rise,  
To think with what gross stuff in beastly wife,  
They make this hateful vomit of the face,  
With which fond women seek themselves to grace,  
Daubing their cheeks in dark holes with the same,  
Lest the days eye should tell the world their shame:  
But knew men which do kiss them, what I know,  
They would so far in detestation grow,  
That ere they would touch masks so foul as this,  
Mensis proflwium they would gladly kiss.  
Nay knew but women how they are abused  
By these plague salves (so generally used  
Of them) and by those drugs where with they fill  
Their closerts, cabinets and coffers still:  
They soon would find their errors and confess,  
'tis they alone which makes them beautilesse.  

n Although this doctrine be as true as true may be, yet will not many gen●…lewomen believe it, but hold it to be mere heresy and no truth.  This curious painting when they undertake,  
True nature's beauty doth the cheek forsake:  
All that is excellent away is fled,  
Hating to live with hell being heaven bred.  
Likewise those waters which they use with care,  
To make the pearl teeth orient and more fare,  
Turns them to rottenness, or black like hell,  
Whilst from their breaths doth issue forth a smell,  
More noisome than the vilest jakes can yield,  
Or carrion that corrupts within the field.  
Well, let thy wife to none of these sins cleave,  
But to the Court these rarer cunnings leave.   




The virtues that in women praise do win,  
Are sober shows without, chaste thoughts within:  
True faith and due obedience to their make,  
And of their children honest care to take.    Let her apparel be in comely fashion,  
And not stragnized after every nation.  
Head-tires in shape like to a coronet,  
With pearl, with stone, and jewels richly set,  
Befits a Princesle right; a velvet hood,  
With golden border, for thy wife's as good.  
The Loom, the Needle and fine Cookery,  
Doth not disparaged true gentility.  
Nor shall it be amiss, if when thou art,  
Within thy country home, thy wife impart,  
Her huswifely condition, and survey,  
Her Dairy and her milk-pans once a day.  
The greatest states in these days will respect  
Their profits, when their honours they neglect.  

x The bringing up of children in good sort, is one of the chiefest parts which belongs to an honest wo●… as the Poet saith in his Orlando Furio●…  But her cheese care shall on thy Children be,  
To bring them up in each good quality.  
And thus, if such a wife thou canst attain,  
I see no reason why thou shouldst refrain.  
For say that afterward her mind should change,  
And from corrupter thoughts desire to range:  
Or that she seeks to scandalise her house,  
With black disdain, or shame most impious,  
When in her harvest years thou comest to mow,  
And findest where corn was, nought but weeds dohgrow:  
Yet thou thyself as faulty, ●…nst not blame,  
But spiteful Fate, the author of defame:  
And that her infancy was misgoverned,  
And not in virtue truly nurtered.  
Thou canst but sorry be for her offence,  
When want of grace doth draw on impudence.  
But he that like a blind man doth run on,  
And takes the first his fortunes fall upon,  
Or he that worse doth (as doth basest he)  
Who though he know her most unchaste to be:  
Yet he will have her in despite of all,  
Even though the world him hateful wittal call.  
If after sad repentance him importune,  
Let him accuse himself for his misfortune:  
Nor let him think any will moan his case,  
Since his own folly bred his own disgrace.   

But now since I have taught thee how to get,  
Thy best of choice, and thee on horseback set.  
I'll learn thee how to ride her: wild or tame,  
To curb her when, and when to rain the same:   

No sooner thou shalt take to thee a wife,  
But thou shalt leave the old haunts of thy life,  
Keep thine own nest, lest some strange bird lie hid,  
And do by thee as thou by others did.  

y Good counsel to all such young men who have long war●…d themselves by other men's fires.  Like a true Turtle with thine own dove stay,  
Else others betwixt thy sheets may falsely play.  
Esteem her dear, and love her as thy life,  
No matchless tr●…sure like a loyal wife.  
If thou wilt have her like and honour thee,  
First let her thine affections amply see:  
What she doth for thee, kindly that respect,  
And show how thy love doth her love affect.  
If by omission she do aught amiss,  
In any thing that 'gainst thy nature is:  
With love and not with fury let her know,  
Her errors ground, for thence amendments grow.  
A gentle hand, A Colt doth sooner ●…ame  
Than chains or fetters which do make him lame.  
Spaniels with stroking we do gentle find,  
Sooner than when they coupled are or pined.  
These kind of cattle gentler than the rest,  
Without the use of rigour do the best.  
Good natures by good usage best do prove,  
Disdain breeds hate, 'tis love engenders love,  
But that like asses they should beaten be,  
Neither with sense nor reason doth agree:  
For where loves art avails not, there I fear,  
Strokes will more bootless and more vile appear.  
Many will boast what wonders they have wrought  
By blows, and how their wishes they have cau●….  
How they have tamed their shrews & pulled them down,  
Making them vail even to the smallest frown.  
But let those Giants which such boastings love,  
Tell me what they have got and it will prove,  
Their wives their blows, on hands & face do bear,  
And they their wives marks on their foreheads wear.  

z These braggants are like that honest man whose wife having broke his pate, and he wearing a nightcap, being asked why he ware it, answered that his wife falling on the sudden sick, he took such thought for the same, that he became himself ill also, & so was glad to excuse the matter.  Besides who lest a wicked wife can tame,  
Doth oftest brag that he can do the same.  
Remember she is neighbour to thy heart,  
And not thy slave, she is thy better part.  
Think 'tis enough that her thou mayst command,  
And that she doth in love-knots loyal stand:  
Although thy power thou never do approve,  
〈◊〉 that's the way to make her leave to love.  
Give her all wishes whilst she doth desire,  
Nothing but that which reason doth acquire.  
And when thou hast confirmed thee in her love,  
Preserve it safe, let nothing it remove.  
And yet to suffer her, do all she will,  
Without thy knowledge, may much virtue kill.  
So likewise to instruct without all reason,  
To perfect love is more than open treason.  
To go to feasts and weddings 'mongst the best,  
Is not amiss: for there suspect is least.  
Nor is it meet, that she the Church refrain,  
Sith there is virtue, and her noble train.  
In public markets and in company,  
Is never found adulterous villainy.  
But in thy gossips or thy neighbour's house,  
And therefore hold such places dangerous.  

a By this trick Ariosto showeth himself to be a right Italian: for so do many Italians use to dog their wives when they go abroad, the poor women not thinking that their husbands do watch them as they do.  Yet as devotion to the Church her leads,  
Thou shalt do well to mark which way she treads:  
For often times the goodly prey is still  
The cause why men do steal against their will.  
Chiefly take heed, what consort she lives in,  
Beware of Wolves that wear the Wether's skin.  
Mark what resort within thy house doth move,  
Many kiss children for the nurse's love.  

b There was in a certain University either here or else where a certain Malt man, who having a very sweet & lovely brown woman to his wife, many Gentlemen Students and others, would be his kinsmen, in so much that a familiar of his demanded one day of him merrily, which way it came that so many gallants were allied unto him: who replied laughing (like a good companion) by my truth sir I know not, except this kindred come by my wives side: for before I was married unto her, there was not one scholar in this University that was acquainted with me. This fellow though he was plain, yet had he a shrewd pate, and altough he said little, yet did he think more, and many dry blows he would give these lusty youths which resort unto his house, whereof I will give you a taste and so away: One day a gentleman of a good house came to visit him (or rather if I should say truly his wife) who meeting him at his door saluted him, call him kinsman, and withal asked how his cozen his wife did, saying he would be so bold as to go in and see her. I pray you do, said the goodman, and yet before you go a word with you. With all my heart, replied the scholar: then said the maltman, since I came acquainted with you and other kind gentlemen my kindred, I have learned two Latin verses, and I would know the meaning of them. Let me hear them said the young student: that you shall said the townsman, and these be they. 
Tuta frequensque via est, per amici fallere nomen:  
Tuta frequensque licèt sit via, crimen habet.  Now, said he, I pray you tell me them in English, I am not so good a scholar at the first sight to explain them, replied the studdent. Then I am said the married man, and this it is: 
Friendship with greatest safety doth deceive,  
And yet though safe, 'tis knavish by your leave.  Hereupon he fell a laughing, saying, I think I have now paid you home, and so away he went, leaving the student to go visit his wife.  Some for thy wives sake much will honour thee;  
Do not with such men hold society.  
When she's abroad, thy fear is of small worth,  
The danger's in the house when thou art forth.  
Yet wisely watch her, lest she do espy  
Thy politic and waking jealousy.  
Which if she do, then is her reason strong,  
Thee to accuse, that dost her causeless wrong.  
Remove all causes what so ere they be,  
Which to her name may couple infamy.  
And if she needs will cast away all shame,  
Yet let the world know thou art not to blame.  
I know no other rules to set thee down,  
How thou mayest keep unstained thy wives renown.  
Nor how thou mayst keep men from having power,  
Thy wives chaste honours basely to devour.  

c Many hold of opinion that to be a cuckold is destiny and not their wives dishonesties, as a good fellow in the world said to a friend of his, who telling him he was sorry that so honest a man as he should be abused as he was, seeing the fault was his wives and not his. I thank you neighbour (replied he) for your good conceit of me: but I assure you I think it was not her fault, but rather mine own fortune that made me a cuckold: for I verily believe whosoe'er I had married would have been n●…ught as well as she. Nay then (quoth his neighbour) if you think so, God forbid I should dissuade you from an opinion you hold so confidently, and so left him.  And yet I'll tell thee this, if she have will  
To tread awry, thou must not think through skill  
To mend her, for she is past all recure,  
And what she will do thou must needs endure.  
Do what thou canst by art or observation,  
She will create thee of a forked fashion.  
All's one if thou do use her ill or well,  
When women are resolved spite heaven or hell  
They will strike sail, and with lascivious breath,  
Bid all men welcome though it be their death.  
And for you shall not justly think I lie,  
Lend but your ear to this true history.   

There was a Painter whom I cannot name, 
A tale.   
That used much to picture out the Devil,  
With face and eyes fit for a lovely dame:  
Nor cloven feet, nor horns, nor any evil,  
So fair he made him, and so formally,  
As whitest snow, or purest ivory.   

The devil who thought it very great disgrace,  
The Painter should o'ercome in courtesy:  
Appeared unto him face to face,  
Declared what he was in brevity:  
And that he came but only to requite,  
His pains in painting him so fair and white.   

And therefore willed him ask what so he would,  
Asluring him to have his whole request.  
The wretch who had a wife of heavenly mould,  
Whose beauty brought his jealous brains unrest:  
Entreated for the ending of that strife,  
Some means to be assured of his wife.   

Then seemed the devil to take a goodly ring,  
An put it on his finger, saying this;  
So long as thou shalt wear this pretty thing,  
Thou mayest be sure she cannot do amiss.  
But if thou use to leave this ring unworn,  
Nor man nor devil can keep thee from the horn.   

Glad was this man, and with his gladness waked,  
But scarce had he opened both his eyes,  
Before he felt his wife stark belly naked:  
And found his finger hid between her thighs.  
Remembering then his dream how it concluded,  
He thought the Devil had him in sleep deluded.   

And yet not so (quoth he) for it is tr●…e  
If so we mean our wives shall be no flingers,  
There is no such devise, nor old nor n●…w,  
As still to wear such rings upon our fingers:  
For else though all our hairs were watchful eyes,  
We should not see their subtle treacheries.   

Nor can this policy scarce us avail,  
For if she meaneth Cha●…cers jest to try,  
She to another will her love entail,  
Although she knew she for the same should die.  

d Antony Siluis a noble man of Venice, having a marvelous fair woman unto his wife, and being sent ambassador into Germany unto the Emperor then living, the Signori of Venice, was so jealous over her, as he devised a most wonderful, strange and artificial lock & key per la Fico sua, which the good Lady took unkindly (being mistrusted without cause) that he no sooner was gone onward on his journey, but that she by the counsel & persuasion of her amorous servant (assisted by the cunning devise of a most ingenious & excellent workman, a Dutchman) got a false key for the lock, & so enjoyed her loving friend all the absence of her husband, who returning home again never perceived the fraud But after the death of this Lady, the knowledge whereof coming to the Signori of Venice, they for the strangeness of the matter, caused the lock & chain to be amongst their other chief monuments in Grand Sala in S. Marks palace, it is made of silver plate, very thin, & in proportion not much unlike a horse-shoe, with small little holes in the midst, and is as smooth at the one end as at the other, having two little small chains which came round about her middle, and were shut close on each side with a lock, it is at this day with other antiquities to be seen there.  The sly Venetian locked his Lady's ware,  
Yet through her wit Actaeon's badge he bore.   

My Lord, few married men do live content,  
Their wives as crosses unto them are sent:  
So must I say the single life is ill,  
Sith in the same dwells many troubles still.  

e The Poet compareth marriage to Purgatory, whereas they say they continue in pain but for a certain time. But the bachelors life he termeth hell, because in respect of the comforts in marriage, it may be termed a hellish life, or else he termeth the bachelors life hell, because he thinks that none perhaps live honest until they be married: & therefore in the greater danger if they die not maids.  Yet better 'tis in purgatory dwell  
A little space, than always live in hell.  
What my best strength of reasons are you see,  
And therefore your own carver you may be.  

f Our Poet here is very merry with his kinsman, especially being an Italian, who of all sports cannot abide any jest that savoureth of the horn, for if he say 
No doubt,  
joco di ma●●, joco di villano  
Pigliata nell ●ran scorno  
Il joco dello corno.  But in the end he maketh him amends, wishing him as good a wife as good may be, even the best amongst women.  'tis all but one resolve, who ere is borne  
To marry, likewise must possess the horn.  
Yet I but merrily do write and jest,  
The married man's estate of all is best:  
And they who cannot chastened lead their li●…es,  
May in the world find many worthy wives.  
One of the best of which I wish to you,  
One that is loving, loyal, wise and true.    

The fifth Satire.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
He showeth by occasion of a certain kind of government or Livetenancie over a country which the Duke of Ferrara bestowed upon him, hor●… unfit he was for any thing but only for the Muses. And that to be a lover is the greatest fault and greatest absurdity that anyman can commit.  

THis day hath fully summed an even year, 
To Master Sigismond Malag●…zzo.   
Since hither first I made my sad repair:  
(Leaving Ferrara, where I first drew breath,  
By endless toil to hasten speedy death).  

a Two rivers so called, not far from the Apennine mountains.  Hither where swift T●…rrita, Serchio meets,  
Betwixt two bridges whence their billows fleets.  
Making continual noise through divers springs,  
Which their own flowing waters to them brings.  
To govern as the Duke did me assign,  

b A little town upon the borders of the Dukedom of Ferrara, & in these days somewhat dangerous by reason of the woods and mountains there about, where a number of Bandity kept.  His poor distressed flock of Graffanine,  

c Leo the 10. was no sooner dead but Alphonso Duke of Ferrara, entered into the field with an hundred men at arms, two thousand foot, & three hundred light horsemen, & so went to encamp before Cento, after he had recovered by the will of the Italians Bondena, Finale, the mountain of Moden●…, and Gra●…gnana, and other towns about Romagna which Leo had taken from him, although he challenged them to be his.  Which craved his aid asloone as Leo died,  
Because the Romish yoke they would not bide.  
Even Leo who with much stern cruelty,  
Had brought them to the gate of misery,  
And worse had done, but that the mighty hand  
Of heaven, did all his tyrannies with stand.  
And this the first time is in all this while,  
That ever I did write or ought compile:  
Or to the learned Muses have made suit,  
But dumbly lived, tongue-tied and sadly mute,  
The strangeness of this place hath so dismayed me,  
That like a fearful bird I durst not play me,  
Who having changed her cage, flutters her wing,  
And through amazement scared, doth fear to sing.  
(Kind kinsman) that my case is in this sort,  
And that from me thou hast not heard report.  
Wonder thou not, but rather do admire,  
That in this space my breath did not expire,  
Seeing I am an exiled man, at least,  
An hundred miles from that I fancy best,  
Since rivers, rocks, and mountains 'bove the skies,  

d Ariosto had no fault, but only that he loved Venery, which was a venial sin amongst the Italians.  Keeps me from her is dearer than mine eyes.  
All other businesses which me concern.  
I can excuse, and from mine ease do learn,  
To make my friends conceive in general,  
That all my greatest faults are venial.  
But to thyself I will in plain phrase speak,  
And all mine inward cogitations break.  
To thee I'll shrive myself, for thou shalt know,  
Both how my wisdom and my follies grow,  
Where as to others should I so much tell,  
My folly would be made my passing bell,  
To ring my death of wit, whilst with stern look,  
The world would hardly my confession brook:  
Saying no question he is mighty wise,  
Which can see nothing, yet hath both his eyes,  
And is most fit to be a fool to other,  
When his affects he can nor rule nor smother.  
Fie to be fifty years and yet to glow,  
As ifI did fully fifteen know,  
And then he tells the scriptures strictest laws,  
Both scriu'ners' ordages, and old men's saws.  
Well though I err, I am not fully blind,  
But can my bloods fault in large measure find:  
And which is more, I do condemn the same,  
And not as others do, defend my shame.  

e He is the rather to be pitied in that he confesseth his fault, being sorry for it, & willingly would he have amended it, but that he could not.  But what auai●…es my penance, when nearelesse  
I know my faults, yet make my faults no less,  
Or since no precious Antidote I find,  
To heal the rankling v●…cer of my mind:  
But thou art wiser, since when thou dost please,  
Thou canst affectious sicknesses appease,  
Which being hid in man, Nature doth mix,  
And to man's inward soul the same doth fix.  
This is the worst the world of me can say,  
Whose ill perhaps may have a worse display  
Then it deserves, although some verbal care  
They have of me, when great their sorrows are,  
(And would have more) if I could this redress,  
And these my fleshly motions quite suppress.  
Those which in this world speak most curiously,  
Close in their hearts the deepest injury.  
Thou know'st I know the world hath many a slave  
That will blaspheme, swear, curse, be mad and rave,  
Accusing others that they cuckolds be,  
When his weak judgement hath no power to see,  
How goodly, large and spreading is that horn,  
Which his own forehead many years hath borne:  
Other diseases every one can spy,  
But none will mend his own deformity.  
We can reprove in strangers what's amiss,  
And see not in ourselves what vilder is,  
We take delight that we can reprehend,  
When 'twere mo●… generous ourselves to mend.  
The wallet which behind hangs with sins store,  
We never see, our eyes are both before.  
I neither kill, nor strike, nor do contend,  
Nor am I hurtful, but the whole world's friend,  
The worst I do, is that I only grieve,  
Because I cannot with my mistress live,  
And think it torment more than torments be,  
To live from her which only lives in me,  
And yet I not forget t'acknowledge this,  
That herein only I do still amiss:  
Yet not so ill but that by intercession  
I may be pardoned through mine own confession.  
The vulgar sort with water oftentimes,  
(Not only greater faults than my small crimes)  
Wash clean away, but (which breeds greater shame  
baptizeth vice with noble virtues name.  

f By Hermilian Rainard and others, he showeth how many in the world commit grosse●… faults by far than he did, & yet what they do passeth for currant, and are not condemned of the world.  Hermilian that is grown so covetous,  
(As to behold the same 'tis monstrous)  
Nor rests by day nor slumbers in the night,  
But makes his gold his God and his delight,  
No love of friend or brother will he hold,  
Hates his own self, loves nothing but his gold,  
Yet is esteemed a man of industry,  
Of perfect wisdom and great policy.  
Rainard swells big and doth disdain his state,  
Looks as the world would tremble at his hate.  
He thinks himself what he can never be,  
And feeds his hopes with idle imagery,  
He will surpass in spending ill got wealth,  
And in apparel goes beyond himself.  
A steward he will have, a huntsman, faulkoner,  
A cook, a chamberlain, and a curious carver.  
Lordships he sells, and makes them fly away,  
A manor or a park goes every day.  
What his old auncestry had many years  
Gathered together, and left unto their heirs,  
That with immoderate lavishness he spends,  
And through the world in all disorders sends.  
But what for this? none murmurs at his will,  
Nor doth demand why he consumes thus ill:  
But rather calls him most Magnanimus,  
Most bountiful, gallant and virtuous.  
The common sort the Hydra multitude,  
Thus with their flattery do him delude.   

Solonio so much business takes in hand,  
And meddles so with all things in the land,  
That even the weight is able to confound  
The strongest horse that ever trod on ground.  
Within the custom house he hath a charge,  
And in the Chancery, a patent large,  
To Ports and Keys immediately he flies,  
Where both his profit and commandment lies.  

g One of the strongest and richest places in Rome belonging to the Pope, which Pope Clement the eight bestowed upon his nephew Don Pietro, it being worth better than 12000 crowns by the year.  To Castle Angelo then will he scour,  
And all this done in minute of an hour,  
The very quintescense of all his brains,  
He doth distill to bring the Pope new gains,  
Nor doth his cares or painful studies end  
To any thing save profit only tend,  
It joys his heart when he hears Rumour say,  
That with his toils he wastes his life away,  
And so that to his Lord he crowns may bring,  
He nor respects acquaintance, friend nor kin.  
The people hate him, and they have good cause,  
Since it is true, 'tis he which only draws  
The Pope to plague the City, and still jades  
Her with new customs, taxes and intrudes.  
Yet a Magnifico this fellow is,  
High stated and can nothing do amiss.  
Whilst like to peassants noblemen not dare  
To come to him and their great suits declare:  
But they must cap and crouch and bare head stand,  
As if he were the Monarch of the land.   

Laurino takes upon him (of pure zeal)  
In upright justice, chief affairs to deal,  
His country he'll defend through his deserts,  
Whilst public good to private he convarts,  
Three he exiles, but six to death he sends,  
Begins a Fox but like a Lion ends.  
From tyranny his strength he doth create,  
Whilst gifts and bribes do even damn up his gate:  
The wicked he doth raise, the good keeps down,  
And yet this man is rich in all renown,  
He is renowned to be both just and good,  
When he is full of whoredom, theft and blood:  
Where he should honour give, he gives disgrace,  
Malice with pride, & pride with wealth doth place,  
Whom he should most relieve, he most offends,  
His ope-eied sustice, loves none but his friends,  
Crows oft for Swans & Swans he takes for Crows,  
Now knew this justice but my lovesick woes,  
What sour faces from him would appear,  
Like him that on a close-stool straining were.  
Well let him speak his pleasure with the rest,  
I care not for their speeches, that's the best,  
Only thee which art mine only friend,  
I do confess my pleasures are at end,  
Since I first hither ('gainst my will) was tossed,  
My joys are gone and my delights are lost.  
This of my reasons I have chiefest tried,  
Though others more I could allege beside,  
Why I have left Parnassus learned mount,  
Nor with the Muses talked as I was wont,  
Then when with thee in Reggio I did stay,  
(My native soil) and past the time away,  
In all best jovial solace and delight,  
Priding myself in weighty verse to write,  
Those glorious places did me ample good,  
reviv'd my spirits and inflamed my blood.  

h He describeth a marvelous dainty banqueting house in Reggio, beloaging to the Mallaguzzi, & called so because it is built after the manner of the buildings in Barbary, full of great & wide windows for coolness in summer, and beautified with many excellent and admirable pictures, & statues of great price & worth.  Thy Mauritanian lodge for banqueting,  
Withal the worthiest pictures flourishing,  
And call my Rodan●… not far from thence,  
Of water nymphs the choicest residence,  
Thy crystal fishponds, and thy garden, which  
A silver spring with moisture doth enrich,  
Watering by Aite those chequered flowers still,  
And in the end falls down into a Mill.  
O how I wish for that and for the rest,  
Which whilst I did enjoy my sense was blest.  
Nor can my memory forego the thought,  
Of those brave vines from fertile Luco brought;  
Those valleys, nor those hills, nor that high Tower  
Can I forget, where I have many an hour  
Reposed, and searched out every shadowy place,  
The Fresco cool I loved to embrace:  
Whilst I one book or other would translate,  
Which foreign Authors did communicate.  
O than I youthful was and in my prime,  
My years even April, or the springs best time,  
Which now are like October somewhat cold:  
For I begin, and shall ere long be old.  
But neither can the fountain Helicon,  
Nor Ascras valleys, no nor any one  
Be of the power to make my verses sing,  
Unless my heart be free from sorrowing:  
Which being so, than this place where I dwell,  
Is not for study, sith it is my hell,  
When here no pleasure is, nor any joy,  
More than dissension, horror and annoy.  
This soil I barren and unwholesome find,  
Subject to storms, to tempests and to wind.  
One part is hilly, th'other low and plain,  
Wherein there doth no pleasantness remain.  
The place wherein I live is like a cell,  
Deep and descending downward as to hell.  
From hence theirs none can come at any time,  
Unless he pass the River Appenine.  
I tell thee gentle Cousin, ill is my taking,  
Since thus of all my friends I am forsaken.  
For stay I in my house or to the air,  
Seek to disburden some part of my care  
Nothing I hear but spiteful accusations,  
Brawl brabbles or more shameful acclamations,  
Murders and thefts and such like villainy,  
To which I must attend most patiently.  
This is the cause s●…one while am compelled  
With mildest reasons to make some men yield,  
Others to threaten, and by force to draw,  
Others to punish by strict penal law,  
Some I absolve, to some I pardon give,  
In hope hereafter they will better live.  
Then to the Duke I strait do packets write,  
For counsel or for soldiers which must fight,  

i Leo the Pope used the people of this country so hardly, that they took up arms amongst themselves and became rebels.  To th'end those outlaws which about me stay,  
May or be slain, or driven quite away:  
For one thing I must let thee understand,  
That in most wretched state abides this land.  

k Some think by the Panther he meant julius the second, not long before Pope, and by the Lion Les the tenth.  Since the wild Panther first, the lie on then,  
Did in this woeful country make their den.  
So many lurking thieves do here abide,  
And in such numbers flock on every side,  
As not the best commanders which we have,  
(Whose charge is to pursue them to the grave:  
Dares with his ensigns spread their strengths invade  
Such proofs the slaves have of their valours made:  
So that he wisest is which safe doth stand,  
And stirs not to take danger by the hand.  
Still I do write, and write to him again,  
Whom it concerns, but all my labours vain:  
For though he send (as reason is he should)  
Yet he not sends that answer which I would,  

l Fourscore and three Castles or small villages were there in all, which were risen up in arms by reason they were so mightily oppressed by Pope Leo.  Each castle arms (within itself) doth take,  
And fourscore three in number they do make  
Of perjured rebels, who maliciously  
Spoil their own country with hostility.  
judge then if great Apollo when I call,  
Will come or show himself to me at all,  
Leaving his Cynthien or his Delphian shore,  
To hear these brabbles which he doth abhor,  
Both he and all his sacred sisters nine,  
To look upon such places do repine:  
But here thou mayst demand of me the cause  
Which me to this vexation headlong draws,  
Leaving my study with obscure neglect,  
And my dear mistress without all respect.   

O Cousin, thou know'●… I near was covetous,  
Nor from ambition have been envious.  
With a poor pension I have been content,  
Which in Ferrara got I there have spent.  
But thou perhaps this chance didst never know,  
That when the wars began with us to grow.  

m When Ariosto first followed the Duke of F●…ara, he of his own voluntary mind bestowed a yearly pension of him, but afterwards having waries with the Pope and the Venetians, both at one time, he withdrew his fo●…mer lib●…tie, nor when they were ended did he restore the same unto him again, which Ariost●… took very unkindly.  The Duke but slowly did my pension pay,  
And at the last did take it quite away.  
During the wars I grieved not to be bard  
Of my best due, but when as afterward,  
All things was quiet and the world at peace,  
It troubled me to see my payment cease.  

n Aliud ex ●…io malum, here is one 〈◊〉 upon an 〈◊〉 ●…eck, he no sooner lost his pen●…ō in F●…rara, but his offi●… 〈◊〉 the Cardinal Hippolito had bestowed upon him in Milla●…, was taken from him by reason of the civil wars in Italy also.  And so much more, since by ill boding fate,  
I then had lost an office in the state.  
In Milan, through this unexpected war,  
Hoping in vain, short time would end the jar,  
Horses do starve (they say) whilst grass doth spring,  
And I found he said true that so did sing.  
At last unto the Court I weary came,  
And thus my suit unto the Duke did frame●…  
My gracious Lord (said I) vouchsafe some gain  
Unto the elder merits of my pain.  
Or suffer me that I may else pursue  
My fortunes some where else, and not with you.  
The Grass●… at that time by chance,  
Began themselves with courage to advance,  

o This was the chief captain of the rebels, who did persuade his companions to leave the Pope, and yield unto the Duke of Ferrara, which upon the conditions aforesaid, they did-Whereupon the Duke sent Ariosto th●…her thither as governor (to make him amends for his late unkindness) where he behaved himself so w●…sely, that he broug●… the country into great 〈◊〉, in such w●…e as when he came from them he left them in a manner in g●…od peace and concord, although whilst he remained there, he was much 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and disquieted in mind.  Being persuaded by Marzoccus song,  
To leave the Pope who then had done them wrong.  
And thereupon sent many embasies,  
Unto our Duke their minds to specify.  
Th'effect was this, they humbly crave,  
They might their ancient privileges have.  
With their old customs whereto he's content,  
And they forthwith yield to his government.  
And hence it came out of some sudden grace,  
I chosen was to govern in that place.  
Either because the time so short did grow,  
That well he knew not where he might bestow  
The office but on me, or for I best,  
Might spared be as one of merit lost,  
For which I count myself with humbleness  
Bound by this grace unto his mightiness.  
It is his love which binds me to his grace,  
For which I thank him more than for this place.  
Which though beyond my spirits it aspire,  
Yet doth it not accord with my desire.  
Now if about these rebels you demand,  
What mine opinion is: it thus doth stand.  
They rather did deserve severity,  
Then any touch of gentle lenity:  
For when I do but call into my mind,  
How perjured and perfidious I them find,  
Although what ere I did was still to ease them,  
Yet there's no doubt but I did still displease them.  
They nor like me, nor I their country love,  
And therefore daily pray for my remove.  
In this I do resemble Aesop's Cock,  
Who having found a pearl, the same did mock.  
A place I have obtained of gain and fame,  
And yet (in sooth) I care not for the same.   

As with the sea Venetian, so with me 
A tale.   
It fares, to whom a swift-foot barbarie,  
(A gallant horse) was given by the king,  
A Portugal for some great meriting,  
Who for he would show that he did accept,  
His royal gift, and not the same reject,  
(Forgetful how the difference to discern,  
T'ixt use of bridles, and the the tall ships stern,  
Mounts on his back, and therewith taketh hold,  
Upon the panel, like a horseman bold,  
That done he strikes his spurs into his side,  
Saying softly to himself, for all thy pride,  
Thou shalt not fling me down do what thou can,  
If the girths hold, I'll show myself a man.  
The fiery jade, feeling the wounding spur,  
Began to plunge, to bound and keep a stir:  
Which when the good old Seaman felt, he more,  
Draws in his bridle than he did before:  
And spurs him worse, both on the flanks and side,  
Till with his blood his rider's heels were died.  
The horse not used to be ridden so,  
Nor can his rider's doubtful meaning know,  
The bridle holding back, and bidding stand,  
The spur to go on forward doth command.  
But in the end, madly resolved thereon,  
Flat on the ground he flings sir Pantalon.  
Our great Magnifieo lies on his back,  
And cries as he were tortured on a rack.  
With thighs all sore, and shoulders out ofjoint,  
His head sore bruised, his heart at deaths last point,  
All pale with grief and fear in piteous wise,  
Be smeared with dirt, at last he up doth rise:  
Right malcontented that he was so mad,  
To deal in that where he no judgement had.   

far better had he done, and so had I,  
He with his horse, I with this country,  
T'have said my Liege, or Lord, I am not fit  
For this high place, nor do I merit it.  
This bounty doth exceed what I deserve,  
Let it some better worths and not mine serve,  
If either I or he had been thus plain,  
I had had much more ease; he 〈◊〉 pain.    

The sixth Satire.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
He showeth what qualities a good Schoolmaster ought to have, and how hardly any is found honest of that coat, and in the end setteth down certain grievous losses which he endured in his youth time.  

BEmbo, 
a He wrote this Satire before Bembo was Cardinal, who as I said before was Secretary to Leo the 10. who advanced him to that degree,  I nothing covet or require,  
(though 'tis the careful parents strong desire) 
To Mr. Peter Bembo.   

b Although he were never married yet had he two sons by a very fair woman called Alessandra, whereof this Virginio whom he loved best was one. The other was called Gran Baptista, but the Lady to who●… he was d●…ed 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 called Geneu●…a, a●… he himself confesseth in his seventh Canzon or 〈◊〉, where he doth figuratively set it down in a most scholarlike manner.  So much as I might my Virginio see,  
Rarely instructed in Philosophy,  
Which who so hath he then is in request,  
And may take up his rank amongst the best.  
Now since I know that thou most learned art,  
And of each liberal science hold'st best part:  
Even from my best of love, I humbly crave  
That of this youth, some watchful care thou have  
And yet I would not have thee to conceive,  
That with thee any trouble I would leave:  
Or that I would thou shouldst his Pedant be,  
To teach him Grammar rules industriously:  
'tis not my mind: for I would have thee know,  
Better good manners doth within me grow,  
Such men of worth as thou, and of thy place,  
With these disparagements we do not disgrace:  
Only my meaning is that at thy leisure,  
Thou wouldst vouchsafe to do me that high pleasure.  
As to bethink thee, if unto this end,  
Thou know'st in Venice any worthy friend,  
Or else in Padua 'mongst the learned throng,  
Who speaks the Grecian & the Chaldean tongue,  
Skilful in knowledge, just in deed and word,  
With whom he may have learning, and his board.  
If such a one thou know'st of worth and skill,  
He shall (with reason) have what ere he will:  
Let him be learned, but especially  
Look that his life be fixed to honesty:  
For if in virtue he do not surmount,  
Of th'other qualities I make no accoun●…  
'tis easy to find learned, but we can  
Hardly find out a learned honest man.  
For in this age, who most of art doth brave,  
Hath oft most vice (reading makes him a knave)  

c This is a common speech in Italy when any hath committed any notable or horrible sin, they term it Ironice, or a small Peccadillo of Spain: which grew first from this occasion. A certain Cavalier of Spain came to his Confessor to be shriven of his 〈◊〉, to whom the Friar giving ●…are, he began to tell him that he had mightily offended in pride. His Ghostly father told him, that it was the root of all evil, and the chief precedent of all the other deadly fins: but said he, despair not, and believe faithfully, and thou mayest be forgiven, and the rather because all Spaniards by nature are proud and surly. Secondly he told him he was given to be very wrathful and full of choler: and this, answered the Friar, is another deadly sin, and yet pardonable, in that you being a Soldier and a brave man at arms, ought not to pocket up any indignity or abuse: especially if it were to the disparagement of your honour. Thirdly he said, he was given to lust and lechery: and that repl●…d the Confessor, is a heavy fin: yet may prove to be light through grace, and may well be forgiven as venial, because thou art a lusty young man, and in the prime of heat and youth, and no doubt but age will tame it in you. Fourthly he said he was given much to gluttony, & that (said his Ghostly father) may be pardoned, in that when you live at home at your own house, you live with little, not surfeiting in meat or drink, as you do when you are abroad. To conclude, the spani●…rd told the Friar, he was guilty of the other three sins, which were Sloth, Envy and Covetousness: the more is the pity (answered the Priest) yet for your slo●…h, take more pains hereafter: In stead of being envious, be loving & charitable: And for your covetousness, entertain liberality & bounty, which will bring you soon to heaven, and so God forgive you & I do. And having so said, he rose to go his way, when the Spaniard staying him with his hand, told him, he had one little thing more to tell him of. The Friar asked him what it was. He replied, that it was a matter of no moment, & a me●…e 〈◊〉. Yet (quoth the other) clear your conscience of all, now you have begun. But said the Span●…ard it is not worth the speaking of, it is nothing, Nadoes, nadoes, Peccadilloes, peccadillos. The Friar hearing him make so small account of the same, & yet not willing to disclose it, was the more earnest with him to tell it. Whereupon on the sudden, the Spaniard burst out into these words. Non credo in Deos: I do not believe in God. The Friar hearing him say so, blest himself with the sign of the cross, as if he had been some devil, & away he got from him as fast as ever he could trudge. And ever since that time any famous or notorious villa●…y, is termed Peccadillos di Spagna, by the contrary.  Besides, the Peccadillos' small of Spain,  
They say he in his speeches doth maintain.  
Of Atheism they him challenge and approve,  
The faith Apostolic he doth not love:  
Nor of that Unity (admired most)  
Betwixt the Father, Son and holy Ghost.  
He cannot think how th'one from th'other goes,  
Like divers springs which from one sountaine flows.  
Nor can he in his sense conceive how one,  
Should or be three, or that three still be one.  
He rather thinketh that if hold he shall,  
An argument quite opposite to all.  
Contesting with all sacred verity,  
Alleging for sound reason Sophistry.  
That then his wit is excellent and rare,  
And his conceir beyond the best compare.  
Making the world believe he climbs the air,  
And reaches to 〈◊〉 sacred chair.  

d Two famous Friars, the first of the order of S. August●…, the other of S. Francis, & now of late days, Lupo Panigarola & Aqua penden●…e have been counted very learned Preachers in the court of Rome, insomuch that the Pope would say Lupus monet, 〈◊〉 sua●…, & Aquapendente ●…cet.  If Nicoletto preaching holy writ,  
Or famous Martin with his learned wit:  
Suspected be of infidelity,  
Or if they chance to hold strong heresy:  
Their too much knowledge, I accuse thereof,  
Nor will I angry bethereat or scoff,  
Sith their ambitious spirits mounting high,  
To search Gods deep forbidden secrecy.  
No marvel 'tis though they confounded are,  
When they beyond their strengths will wade so far.   

But thou whose study is humanity,  
Wherein no such depth lies confusedly:  
Whose subjects are the woods and shadowing hills,  
Or crystal springs whence water cleansed distills:  
Whilst thou old martial stories dost rehearse,  
And blaze abroad in proud Heroic verse:  
Or with the rhetoric of sweet words dostmove,  
And turnest harsh thought unto pliant love.  
Or else with pleasing flattery too too base,  
Princes dost praise when they deserve difgrace.  
Tell me what thou in thy conceit dost find,  
That thou with madness shouldst perturb thy mind?  
Or what doth with thy knowledge disagree,  
That thou as others shouldst not honest be.  

e Many Italians both men and women will choose rather to be called after the old Romans then as Christians are, as Peter they will be called P●…rio, for john, jano, for Luke, Lucio, for Mark, Marco & such like.  The name thou didst receive when thou wert borne  
Of Saint or of Apostle, thou dost scorn:  
When they thy sureties do Christian make,  
And so into th' e holy Ch●…ch do take,  
In Cosnico or in Pomponio,  
Thou changest Peter to Pierio,  
john into jano or jovinian:  
Turning the cat Reureso in the pan,  
As if the worse thou shouldst be for the name,  
Or thou thereby shouldst purchase greater fame,  
To be a better Poet, then ifseriously,  
Thou plid'st thy book with lesser vanity.  
Such fools as these are such as Plato did,  
From every civil commonwealth forbid.  
By his grave discreet laws, Since he well knew,  
Nor good nor profit would from them accrue.  
Yet Phoebus' music nor Amphion's art,  
Shall not compare with these in any part.  
Nor those which first did holy verse devise,  
Whose sacred tunes persuaded Angel wise,  
Men for to live with men, and to give over  
To feed like beasts on acorns (as before)  
Whilst in the woods and thickets woefully,  
They savage like did range confusedly.   

Most true it is, such as were strongest of all,  
(Whose lawless force the weakest did enthrall  
Taking from them their flocks, their food, their wives,  
And often times (without all cause) their lives)  
At last became obedient to that law,  
Which to be needful for themselves they saw,  
Whilst following ploughs and ●…ling of the land,  
They justly got by labour of their hand,  
And through the sweat which issued from their pains,  
The worthy harvest of their honest gains.  
Hence did the learned persuade the ignorant,  
And simple people, who did judgement want:  
That Phoebus' buil●… up ●…oy with musics sound,  
And Amphion's harp rai●…d 〈◊〉 out of the ground:  
That music could make mountains to obey,  
And stones to dance about when they did play:  
As Orpheus did, who with his holy song,  
Lions and Tigers drew with him along.  
Yet think not though 'gainst these of mine own coat,  
I thus enueigh with loud and open throat:  
But that (besides us Poets) I do see,  
In other schoolmen as much vanity,  
Who do deserve worse punishment than speech,  
If to the world I durst their crimes appeach.  

f Quintilian was the first famous Grammarian that ever read openly in Rome.  'tis not Quintilian, 'tis not he alone,  
That doth his scholars villainies bemoan,  
But others, whom if here I should display,  
And tell their vices, thou wouldst quickly say,  

g This was an excellent Orator called Gi●…nan di Pistoia: He wrote divers epistles in Italian, but very wanton which are much in request amongst his countrymen the Italians.  That from Pistoius closet (not from mine)  

h 
He meaneth from some of Aretynes lascivious works, which are of great account in his country. Ar●…yne was borne in Arezzo, a town subject to the duke of Florence, and where excellent dishes are made of fine earth for banquering stuff. At first he studied diu●…tie: But when he saw the Court of Rome to make no account of virtuous learning, he gave over that course, and writ most villainous books, as Villa dill 〈◊〉, del●…e Maritale, & delle Courtesan. He was such a severe taxer of Prince's faults, which lived in his time, that he was called ●…lagello delli Principi, the scourge of Princes. He died in Venice, and lieth buried in Sebastian's Church, with this ●…tathe.  

Qui jacet l 〈◊〉 Amara Tosco,  
Del s●…men humani lacia lingua tra●…e,  
Et vive, & morti 〈◊〉 Idnio mal disse:  
Et si scuso con dio I nol conosco.  
Here biting Aretyn lies buried,  
With gall more bi●…er never man was fed.  
The living nor the dead to carp he spared,  
Nor he for any King or Keysar cared.  
Only on God to rail he had forgot,  
His excuse was this (quoth he) I know him not.    They stolen have, and from Peter Aretine.  
From others studies, honour oft and shame  
I reap, and so with pleasure mix defame:  
Yet not in such wise as when I do spy;  
That Poets praise as well do live as die.  
More I do grieve and inwardly lament,  

i By this covert name be bewaileth the disgrace of Poetry that is in this age.  To hear how fair Aonio by consent,  
Is senseless held without all brain or wit,  
And that the wind so wavering doth not flit:  
Then if from some most foolish Doctor's voice,  
His near Ally in folly and in choice.  
I should have heard the same, to whom some fool  
(Like to himself) in his unlettred school,  
The self same honour on his same should clap,  
With a scarlet gown, and formal corner cap.  

k Under these feigned names of Placidian & others which follow after, as Andronoco, Pandarus, Curio, Ponticus, Flavius, Cu●…tro and the rest, he taxeth some great men that have lived, of grievous faults.  It grieves me more that weak Placidian still  
With feasts and surfeits should his old age fill,  
As when he did his youths first heat enjoy,  
And that from man he should become a boy:  
Then for to know how that the same disease,  
Andronico my neighbour doth displease,  
Who hath possessed it full this seven year,  
And yet (as at the first) is nothing clear.  
If it be told me, greedy Pandarus  
Is over much griping, Curio jealous,  
That Ponticus affects Idolatry,  
And Flanius sweareth most egregiously:  
It doth with spite go to my heart more near,  
Then when, for small gains I Cusatr●… hear  
False judgements upon any one to fix,  
Or that Mass Baptist doth strong poison mix  
Amongst his Physic, whilst (through treachery)  
His spanish figs kills us unnaturally.  
Or, sith that Master in theology,  
(The counterfeit of deep Divinity)  
Who (for the nonce) to do his country wrong,  
Mixeth his Burgamasks with the Tuscan tongue,  
Keepeth in pay a snivelling dirty whore,  
Who at one birth two bastards to him bore:  
Whilst for to please her greedy nere-fild gut,  
He spends. God's cope upon that brothel slut,  
Though his own starved mother 'mongst the poor  
Goes up and down, and begs from door to door:  
Yet afterward I hear him blushless cry,  
As if he were nought else but sanctity.  
Saying I am the man doth pray and fast,  
Gives alms, and leads my life pure virgin chaste,  
And which is more, thou know'st, o God above,  
Dear as myself I do my neighbour love.  
But neither this dissembling nor the rest,  
Brings to my thoughts or trouble or unrest,  
So that it shall nor break my quiet sleep,  
Nor me from food or other pleasures keep.  
It is not me, it is themselves they wound,  
The sores whereof will on their souls be found.  
But to return from whence this speech me drove,  

l He meaneth Virginio of whom we spoke of before, who afterward became a Church man, & had very good ecclesiastical livings, but his other son Gian Battista was a soldier, & became Captain of a band of men of the Duke of Feraras', of whom he was well accounted, & lived in good esteem with him.  I for my son would such a Master have,  
As by my good will with these ugly crimes,  
Should nor be stained, nor challenged by the times:  
One that would truly make him understand,  
From the great language (so loved in our Land)  

m He meaneth Homer that famous Greek Poet.  What politic Ulysses did at Troy,  
Both of his travels and his sad annoy,  

n Appolonius of the sect of Pythagorians, wrote an excellent discourse of his travels in greek, which is extant.  Or all that ever Appolonius writ,  
Or what Euripides (that fount of wit)  
With tragedies of stately Sophocles,  
And the Astrean Poets works of praise.  
To them add Pindarus whose famous books,  
Called Galatea from the water-brookes:  
With all those other writers which so long  
Have been renowned for the Greekish tongue,  
Already hath myself taught him to know,  
Virgil and Ovid, and Horace long ago.  
Plautus and 〈◊〉 he doth understand,  
And oft have seen them acted in our land.  
Thus (without me) by this his Latin aid,  

o His meaning was when his son had gotten the Latin tongue pe●…sitly, than he should learn the Greek, and not before.  He may hereafter safe to Delphos traide,  
Nor can he misle the way to Helicon,  
But safely to his journeys end pas●…e on,  
Yet that his journey may the safer be,  
And he more strengthened by his industry.  

p Ariostos care is to be commended, in that he is so desirous to have a good schoolmaster for his son.  I fain would have for him a trusty guide,  
Whose knowledge in these countries hath been tried,  
My slothfulness, or rather destiny,  

q He was for●…e he could not teach his son Greek as well as he did Latin.  Forbids myself to keep him company.  
From Phoebus' Temple unto Delos I'll,  
As Roman gates I opened him erewhile,  
My meaning is, that I am far to seek,  
Though Latin I him taught, to teach him Greek.  
Alas, when first I was by nature given  
To verse, and not thereto by strong hand driven:  
My bloom of youth being in the first appear,  
As having on my chin not one soft heir,  
My father with all rigour of his wit,  
Quickly compels me to abandon it,  
To study glosses and the ci●…ll Law,  
In which five years I spent, but no good saw.  
But when he from his wisdom did perceive  
That I an endless web began to weave,  
And that against my nature I did climb,  
The scale I loved not, and so lost my time,  
With much ado he gave me liberty,  
And made his will my will accompany.  
Now was I twenty years of age and more,  
Nor had I any schoolmaster before,  
So as (to tell you true) I scarce was able  
To understand in Asope any fable,  
Till smiling fortune brought me to converse,  

r This was an excellent Latinist, and a good Grecian, and the best schoolmaster that ever Ariosto had.  With Gregory of Spoleto whose commerce,  
I shall renown and ever love his name,  
Because what skill I have, from him it came.  
In Roman language he was excellent,  
And in the Grecian tongue as eloquent;  
So that he well could judge from skill profound,  
Whose trumpet had the shrill or better sound,  
Or Venus' son, or Thetis lovely boy:  
But I in those deep judgements took no joy,  
Nor sought to know the wrath of Hecuba,  
Nor how Ulysses slily stole away  
From valiant Rhesus, both his life and horse,  
By art of wit, and not by manly force.  
For I desirous was to know at first,  
Why to Aeneas, juno was so cursed,  
Or why her malice with prolixity,  
Held him from being king of Italy.  
Besides me thought no glory would arise,  
From the Greek tongue, to me in any wise,  
If first I did not Latin understand,  
It being once the tongue of our own Land.  
Whilst thus the one with industry I sought,  
Hoping the other would with ease be caught:  
Angry occasion fled me, for because,  
Offering her forelock, I did seem to pause:  

s He meaneth Isabel daughter to Alphonso, king of Naples, whose husband john Galbazzo Sforza was duke of Milan, over which state his uncle Lodowick (surnamed the More, because he was of a tawny complexion) did usurp, & in the end poisoned his foresaid nephew, who died at Pania, after whose death his son called Francis Sforza, who married Beaterice the daughter of Hercules Duke of Ferrara, being very young, succeeded his father in the Dukedom, but his foresaid great uncle Lodowick ruled all. To this young Duke Francis Sforza, was Gregory di Sp●…lete rutor, by the means of Isabella his mother.  That hapless duchess took my Gregory  
From me, to fix in her sons company,  
Whose Uncle did usurp his sovereignty,  
For which she saw revenge sufficiently.  
(Though to her cost) alas why was't not meant,  
That he which wrongs should have the punishment●…  

t After jodowick had a while usurped upon the duchy of Milan, which belonged unto his Nephew, both he and his Nephew were betrayed by the Switzers, & sold unto Lewis the 12. then King of France, who sent them prisoners to the castle of Loches, wherein they remained as long as they lived. The aforesaid Lod●…wick was a Prince most excellent for his eloquence and industry, & for many good gifts of nature and spirit, a creature of very rate perfection, had he not been of a too ambitious and aspiring mind. others report that there was no commendable quality in him, but given to be busy headed and troublesome, ●…ing his neighbour Princes together by the ears: he was the first which brought Lewis the 12. King of France into Italy, being one of the chief occasions of all the troubles that happened unto high country: others say he began an usurper, lived a dissembler, and died a beggar, and which is worse, a wretched prisoner.  The uncle and the nephew, such was fate,  
Lost at one instant, kingdom, goods, and state:  
Both being conveyed close prisoners into France,  
One instant giving date to each mischance.  
But Gregory at the suit of Isabel,  
Followed his scholar whom he loved so well,  

u Gregory of Spoleto following the young Duke Francis Sforza into France, within a while after died there.  To France he followed, where he lived, till death  
took from his best of friends their best of breath.  
This loss so great, with other losses more,  
Which (unexpected) I with patience bore,  
Made me forget the Muses, and my song,  
And all that to my study did belong.  

x When Ariosto was 24. years of age, his father died (who in his youth had been a companion of Duke Borzo, & after that an officer to Duke Hercules) leaving his mother called Maria to live with him, & another of his sisters called Maria also, for whom he was to provide a dowry.  Then died my father: from Maria now,  
My mind I to Maria needs must bow,  
I now must find a husband who must take  
One of my sister to his loving make.  
Then for another I must strait provide,  
That to a lesser charge I might be tie:  

y Although Ariosto was the eldest son, yet was he not left rich, because his father's living stood most upon offices and fees which died with him.  For though the Land came unto me as hair,  
Yet others held in it with me a share.  
Then to my younger brothers was I bound,  
Who me a father in my love have found,  
Doing that office which most dutiously  
I ought perform to sacred piety.  
Some of them unto study did attain,  
Some in the Court did covet to remain:  
Each one to such good courses so well bend,  
That to my conscience they gave good content,  
Whereby I saw their virtuous infancy,  
Would save their age from all indignity:  
Nor was this all the care which from my book,  
Kept my long thirsty and desiring look:  
But many more, (though these sufficient be)  
That I was forced in this extremity,  
To tie my Bark unto the safe calm shore,  
Lest it should sail at random as before,  
And so unwares upon the quicksands run,  
Whereby the rest and I might be undone.  

z He w●…s so much perplexed with the cha●…ge of so great a family as he had, and with bestowing his sisters, and providing for his brothers, that he was in a manner ready to give over his study, had not the emulation which he had with a gentleman of his own name & kin, called Pandolpho Ariosto, still renewed his former disposition.  But I as then so many crosses had,  
And in so many folds of griefs was clad:  
That I desired nothing but my death,  
As weary only of a weary breath.  

a Pandolph●… his chief fréd and cousin dying: he took his death so heavily, as for a while he gave over his book and study.  Ay me! as than my chiefest pleasure died,  
The column whereon all my hopes relied,  
He whose commerce did only joy my heart,  
Gave life unto my study, bred mine art:  
Whose sweetest emulation made me run,  
That from the world I might the goal have won.  
My kinsman, friend, my brother most, most, dear  
My heart, my soul, nay then my soul more near,  
My best Pandolpho died, o that my death  
Had been the happy ransom of his breath.  
O hard mishap, o cruel overthrow,  
That to the Ariostian house could grow,  
To lese their choicest branch, their garlands grace,  
Whose like shall never grow in any place.  
In so great honour living didst thou live,  
That I but rightly said, when I did give  
Thee first pre-eminence to virtues crown,  
In all Ferrara, or Bologna town;  
From whence thy noble ancestors first came,  
And at this day do flourish in the same.  
If virtue honour gives, as vice disgrace,  
Then never was there any of his place,  
More likelier to obtain in each degree,  
All honour, worth, and famous dignity.  
Now to my father's death, and next to his,  
(Two images my soul can never miss,)  

b This was Hippolito the Ca●…dinall, of whom we spoke so much in the first Satire, having received but small kindness for his great pains in service.  Add how I was oppressed with the thrall,  
Of servitude unto the Cardinal:  

c The honest disposition of the Poet, who commendeth the Cardinal, although he had no cause thereto.  And yet no Prince with him may be compared  
For bounty, though to me perpetual hard.  
For f●…om the time Pope Iu●…o was create,  
Even till his breath of life did consummate,  
Andafterward, of Leo seven year,  
He did not suffer me stay any where,  
And so my wits about his works applied,  
That in no certain place I could bide:  
That from a Poet I was strait transuerted,  
And to a worthless Cavalier converted.  

d This was above 18, years in all, all which time he followed the Cardinal's service with exceeding great pains, yet received little or no benefit.  Note then if posting always up and down,  
Through Cities, Courts, & every country town,  
I could the Greek or Chaldean tongue obtain,  
Whilst to myself my self did not remain.  
Now I assure thee I do much admire,  
That such a fate my fate did not acquire,  

e Aulus Gellius mak●…th mention of a certain philosopher in Athens, who through a blow he had upon the head with the fall of a great stone, fell into such a strange ifinrmity, that after he was recovered he lost his memory, 〈◊〉 such wise, that he forgot that ever he was scholar, nor unto his death could rem●…mber that ever he knew or had any learning at all.  As did to that Philosopher befall,  
Upon whose head a stone fell from the wall,  
Whose very stroke did from his brain dissever  
All former thoughts and motions whatsoever.  
But to be brief good Bembo I thee pray,  
(Ere I too late should wish) elect the way,  
To choose for my Virgini●… such a friend,  
As thy best judgement may with worth commend,  
That right might guide him to Parnassus' hill,  
Since I thereto have neither fate nor skill:  
Yet no such Pedagogue I crave as this,  
Whose story I'll relate, and this it is.   

There was an youth in Spain, of ill-bred blood, 
A Tale.   
In learning poor, but rich in worldly good,  
Whose friends when he was young put him to school,  
But all in vain, the fool proved still more fool.  
At last a living of the Church there fell,  
In that same town where this rich fool did dwell:  
And to the same a free school joined was,  
Whither the townsmen's children all might pass  
Gratis, and teaching have, sith stypends great,  
Allotted was to th'one and th'others seat.  
Now when his kin of this had heard the fame,  
They thought with coin to plant him in the same:  
Meaning for school an usher he should have,  
And for his Church some Deacon, sober, grave,  
To both of which, small pensions he should give,  
And on the surplusage himself would live:  
For this was in the days of ignorance,  
When men did wealth, not worthy arts advance,  
Besides they thought, by this devise to make  
The world this fool for some wise Solon take:  
When they should hear what livings he possessed,  
In which they none but men of note invest.  
Hence from the King of Spain by coin they got  
His royal letters, to commend this sot  
Unto the Pope himself, for it was he,  
That held this gift in his own charity.  
Besides a privy item in them was,  
His holiness should suffer this rich ass  
To be installed, and not examined,  
As one whose art was only famozed.  
Only three words of latin he was taught,  
When with his letters first he should be brought  
Before the Pope: which spoken artfully,  
He should have his dispatch with brevity.  
The first was this, making a reverence,  
He only should say, Salue sancte parens.  
The Pope then, unde venisti, would reply,  
De Spania must he say, then by and by.  
Vbi sunt litterae (last) the Pope would say,  
He then must answer, In mantica mea:  
And take them forth, and kissing them he should,  
Forthwith dispatched be, with his bribing gold.  
Thus being taught his le●…on by his friends,  
Towards Rome he h●…, for there his journey tends.  
But half the way he hardly had discerned,  
Ere he had lost the Latin he had learned.  
Now as he beat his brains again to find,  
What he had lost, though 'twas out of his mind:  
It fortuned as he did amuse thereon,  
To see come by a great Procession.  
One of the Priests whereof did loudly sing,  
Sal●…e sancte parens, that the streets did ring.  
When as this dunce no sooner heard the same,  
But into his dull brain forthwith it came:  
Those were the words he only had forgot,  
And therefore ouerioyed at his lot:  
Great hast he makes to have a swift access,  
(By means of friends) unto his Holiness.  
Where falling down low, Salue sancte parens,  
Says this fool Scholar, in an open audience.  
The Pope not knowing what he meant by this,  
Says, Non sum matter Christi, you your mark do miss.  
The other senseless (Parakeet like)  
Not knowing what he spoke or wrong or right,  
De Spania, did reply with countenance bold,  
The Pope, that with a frown did him behold,  
Mumbled, Demonium habe adolescen t●…;  
In mantica mea, he replied, and drew  
His bag, to give his letters to the Pope:  
Who thinking with the Devil he should cope,  
Cried out, and for to run was ready priest,  
Till oneofsome more wit than all the rest,  
Found that an Ass was in a Lions hide,  
Whose base ambition all men did deride.  
But when the Pope the Spanish King did see,  
So earnest in this fools behalf to be:  
And likewise did consider how much gain,  
His coffers by such Idiots did retain:  
Accipiamus pecuniam then he said,  
Et admittamus Asinum in his stead.  
Thus was the Spaniard lightened of his gold,  
And both these livings undeserved did hold.   

Bembo, no such like Pedant do I crave,  
We and the world too many of them have.  
Let him be learned, and an honest man,  
Let him have both these virtues if you can.  
" Where virtue reigneth most, least vice is still:  
" Thy judgement's good, I ask but thy good will.    

The seventh and last Satire.  
THE ARGUMENT.  
He showeth that honours change manners, and that many men increasing in fortune and riches, change their first good virtues and qualities, being e●…her unmivafull or unthankful towards such f●… whom they have received former courtesies, & how his desire always was to live at his study and book quietly, and with a small living.  

NOble 
a Arioste writ this Satire a little before he got leave to give over his Liu●…nancie of Grassanana, which he so much misliked: and this Pistofil●… being Secretary to the Duke of Ferrara, obtained licence for him to come away, not long before which time he offered him to go Ambassador to Pope Clement, but he would not in any wise accept it.  Pistofile, thou dost write to me,  
IfI the Duke's Ambassador would be, 
Written to the honourable Bonauenter, 〈◊〉, Secretary to Alphonso Duke of Ferrara.   

b Clement the seventh, was base son to julio (Leo the tenths brother) he was called julio before, & was first made knight of the Rhodes, by the afore named Leo his kinsman, and after that, Cardinal and Legate of Bologna. He was so mighty when he was Cardinal, as making his entry into two Conclaves, he was absolute commander of 16. voices. He was at last made Pope within two years after the death of Leo, notwithstanding the many obtrusions and emulations of the most ancient Cardinals. This man married Catherine di Medici's, his Niece, unto the second son of Francis the French king: and in his time was Rome sacked by the Imperial army (whereof the Duke of Bourbon was General, & was slain before the walls) and the Pope himself, with certain Cardinals, taken prisoners. He died hated of all his Court, suspected of most Princes, & for the order of his life, he left behind him a renown, rather hateful then acceptable: for he was accounted covetous, of little fidelity, and naturally far of from doing pleasure to any man, insomuch that he was in a manner unwilling his own house of Medici should be advanced.  Unto Pope Clement, and for three years space,  
In Rome live Ledger, with all port and grace:  
To give thee notice, and thou wilt with pain,  
To my request this suit and glory gain.  
Besides, with reasons thou dost me persuade,  
That I would in this noble motion wade:  
As first that all men have esteemed me,  
A perfect friend unto the Medici:  
That we acquaintance most familiarly,  
Have had together, and most inwardly:  
As well when they at first were banished men,  
As when their C●…y called them home again.  

c Although our Poet was well acquainted with Pope Leo and all the house of Medici, when they were but private Citizens, and after when they obtained greater dignities: yet he like a wise man, looking into the world, and perceiving the fashion of countries, how they would give fair words, but do few kind deeds, considering how well he deserved at their hands, he very cunningly drew his neck out of the collar, and gave over the Court. But to come to Leo the tenth again, he was chosen Pope, the seventh day after the Cardinals went into the Conclave, being then bu●… 〈◊〉. years old, the young Cardinals being the occasion of his election, by their great industry, having long time before secretly agreed amongst themselves, to create the first Pope of their number: his name was john before. He was a mighty Prince in his time for he possessed in peace, and great obedience, the large estate of the Church of Rome, and his whole court flourished wonderfully under him, in plentiful happiness and felicity. He had full authority over the sta●…e of Florence, which in those da●…es, was a common wealth mighty in people, policy, and riches. He was naturally inclined to pleasures, & therefore took no great delight in hearing of suits and busying himself about such a●…faires as concerned the Apostolical sea: his custom was to consume the day in hearing of music, in seeing of stageplays, and trifling with scoffers and ●…esters, and was so ●…nate, a●… he was altogether estranged from wars, giving himself so much to ease, that he grew so corpulent and fat, as though he was but a young man, yet was he scarce able to go upon his legs. Besides, he was over liberal & m●…gnificall, insomuch that he not only wasted the treasures that julio the 2. his Predecessor left him, but also was ever poor & needy. He had no great care to raise or make great his house or kindred, after his 2. brethren julio & Peter were dead, being greatly unfortunate in this, that he lived to see in himself the end of his own house, excepting one young maiden, who was called Katherine de Medici's, of whom we spoke before. He died in ●…ome of a fever But as some say, he was poisoned by B●…rniby Malespina, his Chamberlain, whose office was always to give him drink, & it was thought he was hired thereunto by the French king then li●….  That I knew Leo after and before  
On crimson shoe the golden cross he bore.  
Next (that beside thou thinkst, I profit should  
The Duke's estate) unto myself it would  
Exceeding gain, and mighty profit bring,  
Besides the steps of honour I should win.  
That in a river great, more fish are caught,  
Then in a little brook of easy draft:  
That Prince's services have no compare,  
And where we profit find, all pleasures are.  
But now that you have to my minds best eye,  
Explained your wisdom, hearken my reply.  
First to thy noble virtues thanks I give,  
That thus in thy remembrance I do live:  
And that I find thou always didst contend,  
How me unto advauncements to commend:  
Seeking to make me worthy as the best,  
When my dull spirit with no fire was blest.  
Next, I assure thee, willingly I would,  
Pass fire, or flood, or any, freezing cold,  
To serve the Duke: nor shalt thou me command,  
To Rome alone, but every other land  
I'll post through willingly, and try the fate  
Of France, of Spain, or of the Indian state.  
But where thou sayest, that I shall honours gain,  
And to myself a world of wealth attain,  
If that thou thinkest will move, then pardon me,  
For in that point I cannot jump with thee:  

d Vultes annosahaud capitur laqueo. Ariosto had tried the Court so often, where he found only words & no deeds.  Other devices must allure my mind,  
Ambition in my thoughts I never find,  
Honour I have too much, I none do lack,  
And fain I would discharge some from my back.  
It shall suffice, as through Ferrara I  
Walk, to dispatch my business seriously:  
Each one that meets me, gives me courtesy,  
Vaileth his hat, and speaketh thankfully:  

e ●…lphonso duke of Ferrara used him very kindly, making him in some sort his companion, though otherwise he got little in his service.  For all men know it oft hath pleased his grace,  
That I at his own table should take place.  
Nor when or for myself, or for my friend,  
I do the weight of any suit commend,  
Am I repulsed: but what I wish to draw,  
(So it agree with reason or the Law)  
And (if although my mind be satisfied,  
With all that doth in honour's power abide)  
I had so much of wealth that my desire,  
Unto a greater height could not aspire:  
I than should quiet be, where now my mind,  
To keep a compass right, I never find.  
I for myself but this wish and and no more,  
That I might live, not beg of others store.  
Which henceforth i'll not hope for, since I prove,  
So many mighty men have vowed my love,  
As might have made me rich, and yet refused,  
(For little I have had, and less have used)  
Whence grows the cause that thus I poorly serve,  
Although I might say, better I deserve.  

f Fortune is feigned by the Poets, to be slow in escaping from the vessel of Epimetheus: that is, an after w●… is better than a fore-wit, a good luck cometh not so soon as an ill. Of this Epimetheus, you may read more in Plato.  I will not that the power which once was slow,  
From careless Epimethius crew to go:  
Shall draw me like a Buffone by the nose,  
Nor will I more delight in flattering shoes.  
Much doth the painted turning wheel me fear,  
Which after one self manner every where  
Is drawn by painters: true 'tis like to be,  
When as so many in one thing agree.  

g Alluding to the common saying, Fortuna favet fatuis: for commonly it is seen, who deserveth best, findeth least favour at he hands.  He that sits on the top thereof's an Ass,  
All know this riddle, and may let it passed  
Without a Sphynx which may the same expound,  
The meaning with such easiness is found.  

h He saith that every one that is lifted up upon the wheel of Fortune looketh high, for-getting his old friends, & becometh a new man as it were, not remembering his old poor acquaintance, with whom he so familiarly conversed before.  Besides, these seen that all which mount on high,  
E●…soones refine their members curiously.  

i Meaning honours changeth manners: Affirming that a mean man raised to dignity, and then humbling himself, as he did before, shall be rather hindered then advanced thereby, and therefore he must keep state still.  And what of earth behind doth heavy stay,  
That keeps him back in all things as it may.  
The very hope itself to mind I call,  
Which with the leaves and flowers came first of all,  
But after fled away: nor did September,  
Expect all this, and more I can remember,  

k He mean th' Leo the tenth of whom we spoke before.  The day the Church was unto Leo given,  
For spouse, and (for her dowry) endless living:  
When at that marriage, I so many saw,  
Of my best friends, who then to Rome did draw,  
On whom fair, scarlet honours were bestowed:  
Whilst I lived still with my poor needy load,  
The Calends came, the Id●…s were past and gone,  
Yet I of any was not thought upon.  
I could not be remembered, and yet I  
Remember this, and shall do till I die.  

l An excellent saying of Ariosto, and a worthy precept to know the inconstancy of common friendship.  O 'tis most vain, for man on man to trust,  
I'll none believe, they all are most unjust.  
That day came down from heaven fond foolish hope  
And went to sorraine soils, when first the Pope  
Embraced and kissed me (though it was unmeet)  
Whilst prostrate I fell down before his feet.  
But afterwards, when I perceived that nought,  
(Save air●… of words) his favours to me brought:  
And that experience taught me how to know,  
That only shadows from such grace did flow:  
I than began to give despair my hand,  
And plainly saw, I fished on the dry land:  
And since that time I vowed, none to believe,  
Nor more (for what I cannot have) to grieve.   


m He applieth his hasty posting to Rome, to be advanced by Leo when he was made Pope (of which he was deceived) and the sudden rising of Leo and the Medici, & his chief friends, to the sprouting of this Gourd, which as it ro●…e hastily, so did it 〈◊〉 suddenly, and so did they all, Ariosto of his expect●…on, the Pope and 〈◊〉 his follower's 〈◊〉 their glove.  There was a Gourd or Melon, long ago,  
That (in a while shot up) so high did grow,  
As it a Peartree (neighbour by) so covered,  
That with her leaves, his boughs were welny smothered.  
Now this same Peartree on a morning chanced  
To open his eyes, and round about him glanced:  
For he had slept a mighty sleep and long,  
And seeing how this new fruit did h●…m wrong,  
Said unto it: What art thou, and what chance,  
Makes thee so soon thy proud head to adu●…unce?  
Where wert thou hid, when I fell first asleep,  
That o'er my head, thus proudly thou dost peep?  
The Gourd told him her name, & show'd the Place,  
Where on the ground below she planted was:  
And that in three months' space, it did attain,  
Unto that height in which it did remain.  
And I (replied the tree) with migh●…ie fear,  
Have hardly got this tallness which I bear:  
Although this thirty years I here have grown,  
And have all seasons and all weathers known.  
But thou which in the twinkling of an eye,  
Hast raised thy fair head even into the sky.  
Assure thyself as thou art grown in haste,  
With self like speed, thy glories all shall waste.  
Even so my hopes which made me posting come,  
My vain fond hopes, which brought me first to Rome,  
Might well have said, I came in fitter time,  

n Although the chief of the house of Medici, had but ill fortune, which were Pope Leos brethren, yet Clement his kinsman, who within two years after succeeded him in the Papacy, aised up again (although in a manner constrained thereunto) his family in Florence; for he sent for his nephew Alexandre, out of Flaunders, where he followed the Emperor Char●…es the fifth, who coming to Florence, proclai●…ed himself absolute Duke of that City. He married the emperors base daughter, and carried himself very stoutly towards the people, insomuch as in the end he was slain by a kinsman of his own, called Laurence di Medici's; who thereupon ●…ed to Venice, & was afterward slain by certain men, in hope of a reward which was proclaimed to be given to him that could take the 〈◊〉 either alive or dead. Alexander being thus dispatched, Cosmo the son of john di Medici's, was chosen Duke of the Florentines, who lived some 23-yeares after his election. He married Don Diego di Tolledoes daughter, Viceroy of Naples, & had divers children by her, of which Francisco succeeded him, & after his death then Ferdinando his brother who was called Ferdinando di Medici's, gran Du●…a di Tuscano. This Ferdinando married the daughter of the Duke of Lorraine, grandchild & executrix to Katherine di Medici's, late Queen mother of France.  Even when the Medici were in their prime.  
That I did help them when they did remain  
Exiles, and sought to bring them home again:  
And that to make the Lamb like Leo prove,  
A Princely Lion I did thither move.  

o This So●…na was a noble man of Romagna in Italy, allied to the Strozzi of Florence, and therefore one that could not brook the greatness of the Medici.  He that had held Gharles So●…nas brave sprite,  
Would then perhaps have said in open sight,  

p When Leo the tenth was Pope (as I said before) he unjustly expulsed the Duke of Urbin out of his lawful estate, & placed his nephew Laurence in that Dukedo●…e, who had to wife through the favour of Francis the French King, Lady Magdalena, nobly descended of the Duke of ●…on, with a yearly re●…enewe of ten thousand crowns, during her life. But this marriage proved but fatal unto them both, for after he had been a while in France where he consummated his wedding, his wife died, and he within a while after followed her, leaving none other heir of his body lawfully begotten, then one young daughter called Katherine who as I said before, was married to the French King Henry the second: she died in Anno 1588., about the same time that the Duke of Guise was slain in the castle of Bloise by her son Henry the third, king of France and Poland. In this foresaid Katherine ended the direct and right line (speaking of those which were lawfully begotten) of Cosmo di Medici's, surnamed the great. The aforenamed Laurence, was a man of great hope for his years, for his valour and learning, and was a great Maecenas and favourer of the learned: he left a base son behind him called Alexander first Duke of Florence, who, as I said but even now, was afterward sla●…ne by his own kin●…man.  When he had heard Lorenzo to be named  
By style of Duke, and with that title famed:  

q He meaneth Don julian, Pope Leo brother, who died of a consuming and languishing disease in Florence, whose w●…fe Philib●…rta of Savoy, although she was but young, and with all passing 〈◊〉, when her husband left her widow, notwithstanding she had many great offers of diverse Priaces which then lived: yet did she (to the wondering of every one) give over the world voluntarily, retiring herself into a Nunnery, which she herself had built, where she lived in devotion unto her dying day.  He to Duke Nemours would as much have said,  
And not of scornful eyes have stood afraid  

r This was a noble man of Florence, a follower of the Medici's, and by Leo made Cardinal.  Unto the Cardinal of Rosi, and  

s He meaneth Barnard Di●…itio of Bibiena, who was a mighty man of wealth, and a true friend unto the Medici's in all their troubles, aiding them continually with men and money. A man of that good conscience, that Don julio Duke of Nemours made him his executor when he died, although as then he had two brethren alive, which were Pope Leo, and Peter the eldest of the three.  To Bibiena (mighty rich in land)  
Who had been better much if he had stayed  

t Torsy was Bibienas chief house or place, not far from Casentino. The Poet saith, he had been better to have lived quietly at home, then to have been Cardinal, because it cost him so much in assisting the Medici's in their troubles, and again●…, because he did not long enjoy that honour, but died.  At Torsy, than a red hat to have swayed.  

u Contesina is the name of Leo the tenths mother.  He would have said unto Contesina,  

x This was the King of France kinswoman, & wife to Laurence the Pope's nephew, of whom we spoke before.  To Magdalena (beauteous at that day)  

y This was Alfonzina the Pope●… sister, & mother unto Laurence di Medici's, unto whom Leo granted a donation of the profits, and exactions of the indulgences in many places in Germany, upon which occasion Martin Luther began first to take exception against the Pope for the same, and so consequently against the popish religion.  Unto the daughter and the Mother in law,  

z The Co●…onation of Leo was so sumptuous and costly, that many took exceptions against the same, as in Guychardine more at large appeareth.  And all that house which every one than saw  
O'ercome with joy, even thus I say, he would  
Talk to the world with courage strong and bold,  
Thy simile most properly applied,  
May be to them which do with greatness bide:  
For as their joys above all joys did run,  
So shall they quickly fade and be undone.  

a All that were at the coronation of Leo in their jollity (I mean the greatest persons) died within a while after, first Peter the elder brother was drowned, ●…ulian the second consumed to death shortly after, Laurence their ●…ephew died of a languishing disease in France, and his wife a li●…le before him, left her life there also, so likewise Contesina the Pope's mother, Alfonzina his sister, the Cardinals of Rossi and Bib●…na, yea and the Pope Leo himself, all these I say died one after another in a short space, as namely in the space of eight years and less.  All men must die, their time endures not ever,  
And this strong fate can be eschewed never:  
That Leo also shall his life resigue  
E'er Troy's first founder shall into the sign  
Turn eight times: this as gospel is most true,  
For so each thing did afterwards ensue.  
But to spend much idle talk herein,  
I say, I first of all did then begin,  
To give o'er all my more than foolish hope,  
When I got nothing of my best known Pope.  
If Leo gave my fortunes nothing, then  
'tis vain to hope for gain from other men.  
(Dear Lord) thou must with other hooks and draft  
Fish for me, if thou look I shall be caught:  
But if perforce thou wilt have me to go,  
Thy will be done, and I am priest thereto:  
Yet honour shall not move me, Riches less,  
For neither of them both I would possess:  
Honour I scorn, for 'tis mere vanity,  
And riches mix not with my destiny.  

b He entreateth (rather the to be troubled any more) to be rid first of his livetenancy of Graffignana, the country being so full of factions and divisions, & such a number of rebels & Banditi swarming every where, as he was in a manner weary of his life.  Say rather I shall leave this p●…ace I keep,  
Nor longer with these barbarous people sleep,  
More rude than are the rocks wherein they dwell,  
So rude their manners are, and wratl●… so fell,  
Say, I shall not be troubled, some to fine,  
Some to exile to kill or to confine:  
Whilst I complain that force doth oversway  
All reason, yet that force I must obey.  
Tell me I shall have leisure and fit time  
To talk unto the Muses in sweet rhyme,  
And midst fair groaves and arbours to devise  
The strength of verse and rarely poetize.  

c These are the names of certain learned men, then abiding in Rome, and familiar friends and acquaintances with our Poet.  Tell me, with Sadolet, with Bembo, jovio,  
With Molza, Vida and with Blosio;  
With Tibaldo and Pontanus, and the rest,  
I may live at mine ease, most happy blest,  
Taking for guide, which of them best doth please me:  
Or altogether jointly fit and case me,  
Whilst they to me old Rome's antiquity,  
Describe at large with grave authority:  

d Circus was a place like our tik-yards, where the ancient Romans used to run with Chariots and horses for certain games or prizes.  Saying here Circus was, and here did stand  
Forum Romanum, and here on this hand  

e 
Saburra was a street most of all frequented in Rome, by reason there dwelled many Courtesans, for Vbi cadaver ibi Coru●… and therefore like enough to give occasion of much quarrel and misrule amongst youths, as appeareth by Iuue●…all and Mortiall in these verses.  

Fame, non nimium bone puelle,  
Quales in media sedent Saburra.    Saburra stood, this Sacer 〈◊〉 was,  
And now by Vesta's Temple you do pass:  
Tell me, I cannot any thing indite,  
(Nor of what subject best shall please me write)  
But I may counsel have and take advise,  
If any doubt doth in the Author rise:  
That out of Latin, Tuscan, or of Greek,  
I may translate, or any pleasure seek.  
Besides the number great thou mayst me tell,  
Of worthy ancient books which do excel:  

f One of the rarest libraries in the world, built in the Pope's palace of Saint Peter in Rome by Sistus Quartus, and much augmented by Sistus Quintus, it is thought there are not so few as ten thousand books little & great within the same.  All which Pope Sistus through the world of late,  
Did gather for the good of public state,  
Whilst this rare library each one may use,  
And what him list may from it cull and choose.  
Now when such proffers thou shalt make to me,  
Of noble worth, account and dignity,  
And yet this journey I refuse nere-lesse,  
Thou then mayst say that frenzy doth possess,  
My troubled brain, and melancholy fits,  
Hath brought distemperature unto my wits.  
But I, instead of answering thee, will play  

g This Emiliut was a noble Roman, who having married a ma●…ailous fair & beautiful young Lady, put her away, and being blamed of his frie●…ds for so doing, held out his foot unto them, saying, see you this my shoe how fine it is made, how well it sits upon my foot, and how handsome it is for me, and yet none of you all knoweth in what part of my foot it wringeth and pincheth m●… eu●…n so my wife, although as you say, she is fair, courteous, witty and well spoken, yet none of you know in what sort she offendeth me.  As did Emillius once, who forth did lay  
His foot unto his friend, saying you see  
How clean my shoe is made, how neat, how curiously,  
And yet for all this, little dost thou know,  
Where it doth wring me, or doth gall my toe.  
He takes me from myself that doth remove  
My body from the native soil I love:  
For being absent thence, I cannot live,  
Yea, lay I in Ioues lap, I yet should grieve:  
And should I not be daily one of those,  
Who for their morning walks wi●…h pleasure goes  

h He meaneth the two statues in the market place of Ferrara as you go to the Domo, (which is the Cathedral Church of the same City) the one of Lionel, and the other of Bozre, two Princes of the house of Esta.  Between the Domo of Ferrara, and  
Those famous statues which richly stand,  
Of my two noble Marquesses, than I  
Should die with grief, to want that liberty,  
And leaner would my visage be then his,  
Whose lips the water and the fruit doth kiss:  
Yet hath no power either of both to taste,  
But pines with hunger, and away doth waste.   

Francis the first French king that bore that name,  
One day by fortune unto Paris came,  
And by a wealthy Burgess feasted was,  
Whose sumptuous cheer and bounty did surpass.  
Now whilst the King amongst his minions sat,  
And merrily discoursed of every state:  
Each one began to tell some wondrous thing,  
And 'mongst the rest one told unto the king,  
That at that time within the City was  
An old man living who by guess did pass  
The age of fourscore years, yet near was seen,  
Out of the walls of Paris to have been.  
The King admiring at this tale, strait sent  
For this old man to come incontinent,  
And of him did demand if true it was,  
That he beyond those walls did never pass:  
Or whether fear or love became the cause,  
Which his affections to such straightness draws?  
The old man thus replied, So please your grace,  
I was borne, bred, and brought up in this place,  
And now I am fourscore and ten above,  
In all which time my foot did never move  
Out of the cities gates, though men of worth,  
Have by entreaty sought to get me forth:  
So that was not command, but mine own will,  
Which in this town hath thus confined me still:  
Besides no motion in my mind hath moved,  
From whence the country's sight should be beloved.  
Well then replied the King, since this long space  
Thou freely with thy friends hast held this place,  
Henceforth I charge thee on the pain of death,  
Thou not presum'st so long as thou hast breath,  
To look beyond these walls, for I intent,  
As thou hast lived, so thou shalt make an end.  
The poor old man, who never longed before  
To go out of the town or out of door,  
As long as it was in his liberty:  
Now that he saw he to the contrary  
Commanded was, with a most strange desire,  
To see the country he is set on fire:  
But seeing by constraint he thus was tie  
Against his will, for very grief he died.  
Noble Pistophilo, no such mind I hold  
At this old man did, but I rather would  
Live in Ferrara ever from my birth,  
Then any foreign nation of the earth:  
Yet should I be compelled to leave that place,  
And go to Rome it would be less disgrace,  
Then to continue in this hellish soil,  
Where nothing is but trouble and turmoil:  
But if my Lord intent me any favour,  
O let him call me home, or send me rather  

i Argento & Bondend are Cities belonging to the Dukedom of Ferrara, to which Ariosto was often sent by the Duke, & many times up and down about his business, which he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ry much.  Unto Argento, Bondena, or where  
He can devise, so I may not live here.  
If needs I must be made a toiling beast,  
I fain would have my burden with the least:  
No packhorse, but a foot cloth would I be,  
For they but one man carry easily.  
To serve the Duke my soul did never grudge,  
Only I grieve to be a common drudge.  
But now if you demand the reason why,  
I love mine own home thus exceedingly,  
I will as willingly the same confess,  
As I my grievous sins do more or less,  
Plainly discharge to my Confessors ears,  
When at the shrift he all mine errors hears.  
And yet I know, that thus reply you can,  
And say: lo here a perfect well staid man,  
Of fourscore nine years at the least, and yet,  
Of youth's worst looseness he must have a fit.  

k He frankly confesseth that he cannot live except he enjoy the company of his Mistress.  So much to pleasure he his mind doth give,  
That without wantonness he cannot live:  
But it is well for me, that I can hide  
Myself within this valley where I bide,  
And that an hundred miles thy purer eye,  
Cannot extend to see my vanity:  
Or whether pale or red, I chance to look,  
When with escapes I suddenly am took.  
For than thou shouldst perceive, I blushed for shame,  
Although my letter do not show the same:  

l The f●…rst a notable old mother bawd, and the other a fam●…us Courtesan of Ferrara, in those days.  And thou wouldst think that neither old dame Amber,  
Nor her young daughter (good stuff in a chamber)  
For all their varnish, looked half so red:  
Or that old father Canon lately dead,  
When he let fall amidst the market place,  
A bottle full of wine (with foul disgrace)  
Which from a Frie●… he had but stolen before.  
Besides (which were about him found) two more.  
Were I but with thee now a while, I doubt  
Thy love would with my folly have about:  
And with a cudgel, thou wouldst beat me well,  
To hear these frantic reasons which I tell,  
And do allege to live where as thou art,  
For were I with thee, I would never part:  
But nature and my duty bids me serve  
My Prince and country, as they do deserve,  

m He meaneth his Mistress, whom he saith he had rather attendon, then upon any Prince in the worl●…  Although there is another whom I would  
Rather attend on, if get leave I could.  
Great Lord, thou art a Courtier by thy place,  
And mayest command for thou hast special grace:  
The Duke's chieefe Secretary thou only art,  
And mak'st him blest that lives within thy heart.  

n This Pistofilo, Secretary to Alphonso, Duke of Ferrara, was a man low of stature, and little in body, but of so excellent a wit, and happy memory, that none lived in those daias like unto him. Besides he was of a sweet conversation, and an humble carriage towards all men, inso much as being of the Duke's 〈◊〉 Counsel, he was greatly favoured and beloved, as well of his Prince as of the people. Duke Alphonso, would merrily say, that what through his little Pi●…ce, the Bo●…re and his strong Castle Barletto (alluding to the name of his, Secretary, which was Bon●…enter Po●… and his chief General of all his forces, called Galeazo Barletto, a famous Soldier) he thought himself st●…ong enough to encounter with any of his neighbour Princes. This Secretary was an inward friend and of great acquaintance with Nicholas 〈◊〉, and Peter A●…tine who 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 of Henry the eight, of famous memory King of England. He died in Ferrara 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 with solemn pomp was convaicd to be buried at Modena, where he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being interred in the Monastery of S. Francis, there where his monument is at this day to be ●…eene.  Although thou little in thy stature be,  
The great'st in Court are glad to crouch to thee:  
And truly worthy art thou of thy place,  
Since to all virtues thou dost give all grace.  
Wisely thou dost, for better 'tis the love  
Of people, than their hatred to approve:  
Chiefly where Princes as their fancies range,  
Their favourites do often chop and change.  
But yet for all these caps and bended knees,  
Which done unto thee of all sorts thou see's:  
Sir (by your leave) for all your gallant glory,  
You sometimes feel what makes you sad and sorry.  
Oft do you wish, deny it if you can,  
That you might live like to a private man.  
Courts have their crosses, kingly crowns their cares  
Who merriest lives, best of all men fares.  
Unto no Embassy do me prefer,  
But to my Mistress, I would go to her.  

o Pisto●…lo performed this request of A●…iosto, for within a while after, he had liberty to come to Ferrara, where he lived quietly, and in great credit, until his dying day.  Entreat the Duke I may come home again,  
And that's the boon I crave of all thy pain:  
Let him but me unto Ferrara call,  
And thou shalt have my thanks, life, soul and all.   
FINIS.