A BRIEF DISCOURSE OF ROYAL MONARCHY, AS OF THE BEST COMMON WEAL: Wherein the subject may behold the Sacred Majesty of the Princes most Royal Estate.  
Written by CHARLES MERBURY Gentleman in dutiful Reverence of her majesties most Princely Highness.  
Whereunto is added by the same Gen. A Collection of Italian proverbs, In benefit of such as are studious of that language.  ANCHORA SPEI. 
Imprinted at London by Thomas Vautrollier dwelling in the Blackefrieres, by Ludgate. 1581.   

ALLA PRVDENTISSma ET VIRTVOSISSma SIGNORA, LA SERENISSma REINA ELISABETTA, Reina felicissma d'Inghilterra etc.  
CARLO MERBURY humil vassallo, & minimo servo desidera lunga vita, & perpetua felicità.  
SI COME il viandante riguarda all Sole, il nauigante alla tramontana, & la calamita all Polo: cosis (Serenissma Maestà) hauend'io à solcar con la mia debil barca nell'alto mare delle Republiche, & de glistati; hò preso ardire d'alzar gl'occhi alla divina, & chiara stella del suo felicissmo Regno; indrizzando il corso del mio viaggio, & gouernandolo tutto, secondo lo splendour, & la chiarezza di quello. Però con ogni humiltà supplico sua Sacra Maestà, che (quamtunque la mia Nauicella non habbia à pena toccate le prime sponde di quel profondo pelago) si degni pure con benigna front riguardarla; sgombrando con la serenità de'i suoi real occhi l'indegnità di quella, & del infelice nocchiere: Il quale priega divotament Iddio, che sua Maestà Serenissima, (Stella, Sole, Honour, & Gloria della natione Inghilese) splenda lungament, & ci scaldi sempre con i suoi vivi, & chiarissimi raggi.   

TO THE READER.  
I Had thought, when shortly after my coming from beyond the Seas, I first entered into this boldness of writing (provoked thereunto for not losing altogether the remembrance of those few studies which I had used in my late traveles: enforced also by the vacantnesse of my time (as then attending in Court upon her majesties service:) and not a little encouraged by the virtuous and learned company of my good friend master Henry Vnton, with whom I had both in the languages and in other good letters, wherein he is rarely endued, daily conference:) I had thought I say (when moved upon these good occasions I first took pen in hand) to have only, by calling some things to my remembrance and by imparting them after unto some few of my private Friends, the better established thereby my own understanding, and somewhat also enriched and confirmed theirs: little or nothing at all thinking that any such idle exercises of mine should ever come unto the open sight, and light of the world. Wherefore calling to mind how I had otherwhiles bestowed some time in Oxford (under the government of my learned Tutor master Doctor Humphrey) in the studies of humanity: and remembering also how I had lately taken some little pains in seeing of Cities, and Countries, and observing their customs, and sundry sorts of Government: I thought good to take such a kind of enterprise in hand, as might best minister unto me occasion to put those things in use and practise, which I had before time seen, and learned. Being minded therefore to reduce such my intent and purpose in Imitation of Aristotle's human Philosophy into three several parts, all tending unto the just consideration of a best and a most perfect common weal (The fittest field me thought wherein to run at large my pretended course:) I began first with a moral treatise; wherein after the manner of the said Aristotle in his Ethics, I showed what is the last End of a best Common weal, applying unto the same all such perfection of virtue, and human felicity, with all the complements and ornaments of external good things belonging thereunto, as he did in his morals unto his Summum, and civil bonum. A treaty, although not altogether to be despised (as none such of that matter being to my knowledge written in this our English tongue:) yet because I desired not as then to bring my name in question unto the world (having only showed such my endeavour unto some few private friends of mine) I laid the same a side, and proceeded unto the second part of my Institution, concerning the best form and fashion of a perfect Commonweal. Wherein, not following my former Guide in his books of Polletickes, but relying rather upon the riper judgement of later writers, and adding somewhat also of my own small experience, gathered of my late studies, and travails: I took just occasion to prefer Monarchy above all other kinds of Common weals, and under the Royal mantel of the same to discover a perfect shape of the best, and most happy state of government. This Treatise both for the worthiness of the matter, and for the good end, and dutiful intent of the same, as also for some other private causes of my own; I thought good to prefer unto a few honourable and worshipful of my special Favourers and friends; nothing at all desiring that the same should any otherwise be seen or laid open unto the variable speeches, and censures of the world. But being further encouraged since by some, whose judgement I ought not to despice, and requested also by others, whom I would be loath any thing to deny, I have now taken this boldness to publish, and impart it unto my Country: hoping, that though the handling thereof be but rude, and simple, yet forasmuch as the matter tendeth unto the honour, and dutiful reverence of our most gracious Maistrisse (her majesties Highness) you will be as well content to read it, as I am willing to recommend it unto you. I have added also for the benefit of such young gentlemen, as are studious of th' Italian tongue, a Collection of proverbs, and sentences, the which I gathered in divers places of Italy, and out of sundry approved authors: some part whereof also I borrowed of my friend master Henry Vnton; unto whom, if you reap any commodity thereof, I pray you, that what thanks you would bestow upon me, you will impart them unto him. Far you well.  
C. MEBURY.   

HENRY VNTON, to the virtuous Reader.  
JOUGHT not, can not, and therefore will not omit (provoked by the worthiness of the matter, compelled by the fast friendship of the Author (whom I have long, and much loved,) and encouraged by my own private knowledge of the Gentleman's Intent, and travails) to publish my private good liking, judgement, and commendation of this book: As, a testimonial of my thankful good will unto him: A Seal of our unfeigned friendship unto others: and lastly, a perfect discharge, and satisfaction for myself. Which duly considered I have burst out into these few rude lines, not to th'end I am able to purchasle praise unto th'Author, (Because the less can not authorize the greater) but that I may gain commendation to myself, only for show of a thankful, and well willing mind. Seeing therefore of necessity I must needs speak somewhat, this is my conceived opinion: that, in this book you shall feed your understanding with a most delicate and 〈◊〉 food, containing in it a sweet juice, and rare Quintessence of the best framed Monarchy: whereby the poor of understanding in matters of state may be enriched, and the rich of understanding somewhat therein the better confirmed: and all sorts of men with an admiration of her majesties most Royal person, and perfect government not a little ravished: whereunto th'author's whole intent only directeth itself. And albeit his Diseourse be but small in quantity, yet it exceedeth in quality. For that his writing is not obscure, but clear: not forced, but free: not rough or harsh, but smooth, and pleasant: not out of order, but well united, methodical, brief, fullfraited with vatietie of matter, and nothing at all affected: briefly it is not painted with any glorious colours, but naked, (like the truth,) and in all points it is like unto himself: who coveteth rather to be in this his Country as a tree in a garden to bear fruit, th●n as a tree to make a show and shadow only. Employ therefore (I beseech you) your leisure, to read with a purged judgement this his rare Enterprise, and by your good, and just commendation, rather seek to spur others to tread these his good steps: then by your discommendation to clip their wings, which else of themselves would make the like slight. Which if you do, (as if you pay yourselves with reason you must needs doc,) you may encourage both him and many others to be your Creditors hereafter for the like, or greater Enterprises, Far you well.   

A DISCOURSES OF MONARCHY AS OF THE BEST COMmon wealth: tending unto the duitifull consideration or rather admiration of a Royal Princes most high, and happy Estate.  
AS there is nothing more comfortable unto all living creatures, then to see the light, and shining of the gladsome Sun: So is there nothing more joyful unto all good subjects, then to behold the Glory, and Majesty of their sovereign Prince. If the Sun intercepted with clouds, and vapours, or by some other interposition prevented, sendeth not forth his lightsome beams: The whole face of the Earth is covered (as we see it is in the night season) with sadness, and black, and loathsome darkness. Birds keep in their bushes, snakes in their holes, men hide themselves in their houses. In like manner if the Prince's Power be in any point impaired, or the brightness of his Royal Majesty any whit eclipsed: the subject strait doth feel the smart, and want thereof. The travailer is less esteemed abroad: the Courtier less regarded at home: the Marchante less privileged in a far country: the Noble man less honoured in his own. For as the Moon, the Stars, and all inferior lights do fetch their light from that great light (the life, and light of the world:) Even so the prosperous estate of the subjects, is derived from the prosperity of the Prince: their honour from his honour: their estimation from his estimation. So long as the Roman Empire flourished, and retained his light, and brightness, a Senator of ROME was thought any kings companion: a Citizen, or soldier of ROME might have travailed over all the world without paying one penny of tax, or toll. And since the Dignity of th'Empire was translated into Germany: the Germans also in most places have like privileges. At BOLOGNA (a famous University of the Popes in Lombardie) they are not subject unto th'Inquisition: At FLORENCE, SIENNA, PISA, (chief cities of Tuscan) they have free liberty to carry their weapons, and in many places they pay no Impostes. So the Spagniard, because his Prince is of great Power, and pretendeth many Titles: he challengeth also many pre-eminences. If he may have his will, he will sit uppermost at the table wheresoever he cometh: and though he have neither money in his purse, nor good clothes on his back: yet because his master is king of Spain, he willbe SIGNIOR DIEGO CASTILIA: and starve rather, then work in any manner of way with his hands to get him a living. For truly I do not remember that I have seen any Spagniard, (and yet I have seen a great many both at MILAN, NAPLES, MESSINA, SYRACUSE, MALTA) ever to exercise out of his country any manual occupation. But I have found him, either in the Galleys a soldier, or in the Cities in manner of a Gentleman: whereas th'Italian having lost the light, and dignity of his nation: (the Roman Empire) is content on the Seas sometimes to play the Mariner, and other while in the Cities to sit dressing of silk: So the fleming because his country seemeth of late years to be over hadowed with a kind of darkness, (as wanting the foresaid brightness of Royal Majesty) he, as a man half in disgrace, hueth abroad with less reputation and for the most part upon some bare, and handycrafte occupation.  
Wherefore it is no small comfort unto an English Gentleman, finding himself in a far country, when he may boldly show his face, and his forehead unto any foreign Nation: sit side by side with the proudest Spagniard: cheek by cheek with the stoutest German: set foot to foot with the forwardest Frenchman: knowing that his most Royal Prince (her majesties highness) is no whit subject, nor inferior unto any of theirs. But that she may also (if she plaise) challenge the superiority both over some of them, and over many other kings, and Princes more. As master DEE hath very learnedly of late (in certain tables by him collected out of sundry ancient, and approved writers) showed unto her Majesty, that she may justly call herself LADY, and EMPERES of all the north Islands.  
The which kinds of titles, and dignities, although they be not altogether to be neglected, (For they may in convenient time minister just occasion unto the Prince to enlarge his dominions) yet because they are but as Lanterns without light, or lights without warmth, as flowers without fruit, and blossoms without substance, or certainty: they are neither so highly to be regarded, nor so tenderly to be cherished), as those Royalties, and dignities, which I intend (where occasion shallbe offered) to commend unto the excellency of ROYAL MONARCHY, as necessary unto the framing, and fashioning of a best, and a most perfect common weal: The scope, and mark whereunto tendeth the special purpose of this present discourse. For, as in a moral Treatise I have done my endeavour to show what is the principal, and last end of the best common weal: So do I desire in this civil discourse to declare, what is the best form, and fashion of the same. And thirdly (when time shall serve) to speak of the discipline, and manner of government wherewith she may best direct herself unto the obtaining of the said her last end and perfection.  
Discourses (I confess) more fit for them that are continually conversant in the school of good learning, or for such, as tredde the path of public affairs, then for him that followeth no such profession: Yet seeing that I proceed 
7. The manner of proceeding of the Author.  not therein by way of rules and precepts: As CICERO, ARISTOTLE, and PLATO did in their common weals, (Che non vanno si alte l'ale mie,) but by the way of reasoning, and of discourse, not presuming to teach any (thinking myself scant worthy to learn of those unto whose excellent hands these lines may happily come) but meaning only to put the learned reader in mind of that, which he already knoweth; and if by chance there shall be any thing new therein, and not in this our native language before time written, humbly to recommend the same unto his courteous correction: I hope, my modest meaning will help to excuse the boldness of my enterprise, and the courtesy of the reader will vouchsafe to regard more the good will, and th'endeavour: then the simple skill, and youngness of the writer.  
But for to come unto our present Institution: I will first (because there are divers kinds of 
The order observed by the author.  common weals, and divers opinions thereof according unto the diversity of men's affections:) before I speak of the manner, and form of the best common weal: show in general, what a common weal is: how many special kinds of common weals there are: and wherein they differre one from an other. A common weal therefore is, An order of government 
What a common weal is.  observed in a city, or in a country, as touching the Magistrates that bear rule therein: especially concerning that Magistrate, which hath highest authority, and is the principal. The supreme, or principal Magistrate we mean him, who ruleth all universally: from whom is derived, & upon whom dependeth the power, and authority of all inferior offices, and orders: As in a popular Estate, the people: In a kingdom, the Prince. Of common weals some 
How many kinds of common weals there are.  are good, and just, which tend only unto th'advancement of the public profit. Others are ill, and wicked, tending altogether unto their own private commodity, and not unto the benefit of their country. Of good common weals there be three kinds. The first is, whereas a number of good men, and men of reasonable wealth, do jointly bear rule together, 
What is Respublica.  procuring by all good means they can, the weal of their country: the which is called by the general name of common weal: (in Latin Respublica) such as was used in SPAR●●● and is now in GENOA, and in LUCCA.  
An other is, when the government of the whole is committed unto the hands of a few 
What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  of the best, and choiseste persons, such as endeavour to employ the same unto the benefit of those, which are under them: The which in the Greek tongue, is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: An Estate of the best, or a government of the states: whereof the common weal of VENICE is at 
What is Monarchy.  this day the only Phoenix. The third is that which we call a kingdom, the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: whereas one only ruleth, and hath sovereignty: directing such his government (next unto the glory of God,) unto the prosperous, and happy estate of his subjects. Examples whereof, though in these days of ours there seem to be many: (all nations of the world almost, having received this kind of government) yet we need not seek any farther than our own native country for a most lively, and perfect pattern of the same. And these be the three good common weals, devised for the maintenance of mankind, established for th'advancement of justice; and generally received, and embraced for the prosperity of cities, and countries.  
Now there are as many ill common weals, clean contrary unto these, being in deed nothing else, but the corruptions, and destructions, into the which the good common weals do fall: when they do alter from the manner, and form wherein they were first instituted. The 
What is Democratic.  first is, when the multitude of the common people, and of the base sort, (as of handicrafts men, and such other) have the maneging of public affairs: using, or rather abusing such their authority unto th'oppressing of the nobilitic, and advancing of the commonalty: favouring always those, that are of poorest, and meanest condition at their own foolish fancy, without all order, or discretion. This corrupt, and confufe kind of government is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, A state popular: such as was in ROME: when the Tribunes prevailed against the Consuls: and as was in FLORENCE after th'expulsing of PIERRO DE'MEDICI. The second is, where a few of the 
What is oligarchy.  richest, and of the mightiest, because of their great power, and possessions do carry all the sway, seeking only their own profit, and not the furtherance of the common weal. The which is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: such as was in FLORENCE in the year 1494: when CHARLES the eight of France overran Italy subduing NAPLES: and as was in SIENNA in time of the PETRUCCII: and in GENOA in time of the ADORNI, and FREGOSI. The 
What is Tyranny.  third is called TYRANNY, whereas one only ruleth at his own lust, and pleasure, and all for his own advantage: without having any regard unto the good, or ill estate of his subjects. As DIONYSIUS did in SIRACUSA: NERO, COMMODUS, CARRACALLA did in ROME: The great Signori doth in Turkey: and as king VORTIGERNE in the year 447. did here in England: who for to maintain his Tyranny called in the Saxons, and they to 'stablish their new power: oppressed the Britons: driving them into a corner of the llande, brenning, and spoiling their country: whereas WILLIAM the Conqueror (a Prince of more justice) forbade (at his first arrival here) his soldiers to hurt, or spoil any Englishman: saying that it should be a great sin, and folly for him to spoil that people: which ere many days after were like to be his subjects. Whereby we may see, that all good common weals have: always an especial care, and tenderness over the subjects, as good fathers have over their children: And the corrupted, and usurped governments (like unto unnatural mothers) have no regard, but of their own lusts, and licentiousness.  
But to speak more particularly of the differences between good and ill common weals: We find that a common weal commonly so called, (and taken in good part) is content with a mean estate, neither envying others, because she wanteth not herself, neither envy of any, because she doth not possess any great abundance of wealth. (I mean in private men's hands:) she is obedient unto the laws, not insolent in her magistrates: she is not of so vile, and base mind: as to suffer herself to be choked with bribes, or corrupted with covetousness. But the Signory of 
The difference between Respublica, & Democratia.  the mechanical people, (called DEMOCRATIA) is always in confusion: she envieth the rich, and malliceth the mighty, seeking how to betray the nobility: she is of so base, and vile condition: as she can not apply herself unto any kind of good government: she is ignorant of all things: and yet she thinketh to know every thing: In few words she is no better than an universal confusion, a horrible monster of many heads without reason, & a tempestuous Sea tossed with boisterous winds in every place & at every season. Between the government of the best, and that of the mightiest, there is this difference. Those of the best have no other end prefixed unto them, but virtue and honesty: They refuse no travalle, or pains 
The difference between aristocraty, and oligarchy.  for the benefit of such, as are committed unto their charge: they love and cherish the poor people, procuring to make them live in good, and plentiful estate, defending them also from being injured of mightier, and richer than they: and above all things they seek to train up their citizens, and subjects: as they would do their own proper children, under a continual discipline of virtue, and good education. These of the mightiest, study only how to pull from their subjects all the wealth unto themselves: by laying intolerable taxes, and tributes upon them: All profits, honours, pleasures, and commodities they think to be due unto them only: All charges, labours, troubles, and dangers posting over upon the people, whom nevertheless they hate deadly: inventing by all means how to entrap them, and that with all kind of insolency. Between a good King, and 
The difference between Monarchis, & Tyranny.  a Tyrant there is this difference. The one is courteous, merciful, endued with all virtue: the other is haughty, and cruel, defiled with all vice. The one embraceth equity, and justice: the other treadeth both God's law, and man's law under his feet. The one hath his mind, and all his care upon the health, and wealth of his subjects: th'other esteemeth his own pleasure more than their profit, his own wealth, more than their good wills. The good King taketh pleasure to be freely advertised, and wisely reprehended when he doth amiss: the Tyrant can abide nothing worse, than a grave, free spoken, and a virtuous man. The good King punisheth public injuries, and pardoneth those which are done unto himself: the Tyrant revengeth most cruelly his own injuries, neglecting those, which are done unto others. The good King hath an especial regard unto the honour, and good name of chaste matrons: the Tyranttriumpheth in abusing, and shaming of them. The good King delighteth to be seen, and other whiles hard of his subjects: the Tyrant Hideth himself from them, as from his enemies. The good King loveth his people and is beloved of them again: the Tyrant neither loveth them, that are like unto himself fearing lest they being as wicked as he, will be ready to betray him for every light cause, & he hateth, and pursueth all those that have any valour, or virtue in them: as men, whom he knoweth to be by nature contrary, and enemies unto his tyranny. Again the one chargeth his people as little as he can, and but upon public honourable and necessary occasions: the other gnaweth the bones, and sucketh out the very blood, and marrow of them with unlawful taxes, tolls, and confiscations: The one maketh choice of the best, and most sufficient persons about him to employ in the public affairs: the other employeth none but ruffianes, and cutthroats: such as he may best serve his own turn withal: The one useth the assured faith and forces of his own subjects, in time of war against his enemies: the other calleth in forreinc nations whom he can not safely trust: (as LONOVIKO SFORZA duke of MIDANE did) to war against his own contreymen: The one hath no guard, nor garrison but of his own natural people: the other but of strangers: The one liveth in assured hope, merry, void of suspicion, always enjoying the sweet reward of his upright conscience: the other hath the point of a sword hanging over his head: always languishing in continual fear: The one looketh for everlasting joy: the other can hardly escape everlasting pain: The one is honoured in his life time, and wished for after his death: the other is hated in his life time, and torn in pieces, after he is dead: so that living, and dying he is in a continual hell of all misery. Wherefore as the government of a Tyrant is of all other the most odious, and of 
Which is the best common weal.  the three ill common weals the worst: So is a Lawful kingdom of the three good the best, the happiest, and that which I desire to prefer in this my Treatise before all other: Not led thereunto only by bond of duty, as subject, and servant unto so worthy a Prince: Nor moved by affection only, as borne in so quiet, and prosperous estate of country: But moved, led, and drawn by force of good reason, grounded upon the natural excellenoie, and excellent properties thereof: as it shall at large appear: after that I have first showed of what especial kind and quality this best common weal of kingdom is.  

Sundry kinds of Monarchies.  For there are divers kinds of kingdoms, according unto the diversity of countries, and of their laws, and customs: though all good, & lawful, yet not all of like excellency: though all partakers of sovereignty, yet not all in equal proportion: though of like nature, and essence, 
Kingdoms by Gift.  yet differing accidentally. For some kingdoms go by gift, as JUBA was by OCTAVIUS, made of a slave: king of NUMIDIA (now called Barbary:) and as the kingdoms of NAPLES, and SICILY were given first unto CHARLES Earl of Provence in the year 1266, and after unto. LEWIS the first Duke of Anioue brother unto the french king CHARLES the fifth, (surnamed the wise:) and as some have written that WILLIAM the Conqueror by the gift of his Nephew king EDWARD son of king EGELRED pretended, and attained unto the 
Kingdoms by Testament.  Crown of England. Others are left by will of testament, as CHARLES Nephew, and heir unto RENALD Duke of Anioue bequeathed all his estates, and dominions unto the french 
Kingdoms by Customs.  king LEWIS the eleventh. Some descend by the virtue of a Law, as the Realm of France in practice of late descents doth by the Law which they call SALIC. Others go by adoption, as E●EVS king of ATHENES adopted 
Kingdoms by Adoption.  THESEUS: MICIPSA king of the Numidians adopted JUGURTHA: SCIPIO th'elder adopted the son of PAULUS AEMILIUS: CAESAR the dictator, his Nephew: AUGUSTUS' th'Emperor, adopted TIBERIUS: CLAVDIVS, NERO: NERVA, trajan: trajan, ADRIAN, who after adopted ANTONINVS (surnamed the Pitiful:) & so were AELIUS VERUS, and MARCUS AURELIUS also adopted unto th'Empire. Likewise of late years ANNE, and JANE Queens of NAPLES, and SICILY adopted LEWIS, and RENALTE Dukes of Anioue; and in the year 1408. MARGARIT Queen of Demnarke, and Swethlande adopted HENRY Duke of Pomerane for their heirs, and successors in all their dominitions. So in king HENRY the fifth of England beside the interest of his ancestors, and his own interest unto the Crown of France was added an adoption by his father in law the french king CHARLES the sixth. Some kingdoms are 
Kingdoms by Lot.  translated from one to an other by lot, or Province of fortune: as it happened unto DARIUS one of the seven Lords of PERSIA, who was made king, because his horse first neighed. 
Kingdoms by Policy.  Some estates are gotten by Policy, as in old time CECROPS', HIERON, GELON, PISISTRATUS got theirs: and as of later years COSMUS of MEDICI'S added the state of SIENNA unto his Dukedom of FLORENCE. 
Kingdoms by Conquest.  A number of kingdoms also are gotten by conquest: As FERDINAND of ARRAGON the first king of Spain got the kingdoms of NAPLES, NAVARRA, SICILY: and after him his daughter's son CHARLES the fift, got the kingdom of THUNES, the dukedom of MILAN, the sovereignty of Artois, and Flanders. 
Kingdoms by Election.  Others go by Election, as the kingdom of POLONIA doth. And of this kind there are divers sorts: For some are chosen kings for their Nobleness of birth: As CAMPSON king of Caramania, was by the Mammelucs chosen for their SULTAN: the viscounts of ANGLERIE were for their noble birth made Lords of MILANE: Some for their justice, as NUMA POMPILIUS was by the Romans: Some for their old age, as the ancient ARABIANS did choose always the eldest: Some for their great possessions, and mighty power AS HERALD (son to GOODWINNE Earl of Kente) was after the death of king EDWARD (surnamed the Saint because of the good, and wholesome laws, which he in this our country instituted) chosen the last SAXON king in England: Some for their strength of body: as MAXIMINUS: Others for their beauty, as HELIOGABALUS: Others for their greatness, and tallness of stature, As they were wont to do in AETHIOPIA. All which are kinds of kingdoms, and they may be good, and lawful, according as they are well and lawfully used: But they are not of that excellency which is required in our best kingdom. For there is yet an other kind far more excellent, than any of them, more commendable, more sure, less subject to corruption, more capable of perfection. Which is when a 
Which is the best kind of Kingdom.  kingdom descendeth by right of Succession unto the next of the blood royal. In the which point we are content to serve from him, whom hitherto in the way of Philosophy we have most followed: who was of opinion that kings were rather to be chosen, calling them people Barbarous, which did take their kings by way of Succession: preferring therefore the Carthaginians 
That Succession is to be preferred before Election.  before the Lacedæmonians, because these received their kings by Succession, those by Election. But perhaps ARISTOTLE would have differed herein from himself: if he had lived a little longer for to have seen how the MONARCHY of Macedon (having continued five hundredth years from the father unto the son in the right Line of HERCULES) was after for want of Royal and Lineal Succession brought unto utter confusion. Or if he had lived in these days of ours, to have seen how kingdoms go now, how they flourish, how amply they distend themselves, he would (doubtless) have changed his opinion, and never have called Barbarous so many goodly countries, and so divers sundry sorts of nations: both of ASIA (as the Persians, Medians, Parthenians, Turks, Tartarres, Arabians:) of AFRICA (the Aethiopians, Barbarians, Numidians:) of EUROPE, (England, Scotland, France, Spain, Naples, Sicily,) preferring before all th'aforesaid rich and flourishing Estates a few cold countries of Polonia, Demnarke, and Swethland: because these have their kings by Election, those by Succession. But he never needed for to have lived so long for this matter. For if he would but have looked back with an indifferent eye into his own country of Greece (the which he commended to be so civil) he should have found, that th'Athenians, Lacedæmonians, Sicyonians, Corinthians, Thebans, Epirotes, Macedonians, for the space of six hundredth years never had any other government, but of kings, and those by the right, and lawful way of Succession: until such time, as ambition, pride, and private Interest blinded their understanding, and made them change their kingdoms into DEMOCRATIES, and ARISTOCRATIES missterming the same by the false name of liberty. The like may be said of the ancient Toscanes, and of the old Latins, who many hundredth years before the building of ROME had their kings, and governors descending lineally one unto an other. As we read that AENEAS by the right of his wife succeeded unto LATINUS: TIBERIUS (of whom the river of Tever or Tiber which runneth by ROME was so named) unto AENEAS: and so forth until the kingdom came to ROMULUS by the way of his mother RHEA (daughter to NUMITOR. and Niece to AMULIUS kings of the Latins.) Whereby we may gather that in those days neither Election was used, nor yet any exception made of kind or Gender. But some man will say. O how happy is that country, where the estates of the people do make choice of a just, and righteous Prince, who feareth God above all things, honoureth virtue, oppresseth vice, giveth reward unto the good, and punishment unto the wicked, that hateth flatterers, keepeth his faith, and his promiss, banisheth out of his Court the inventors of new exactions, revengeth the injuries that are done unto others, & forgiveth those that are done unto himself. These are fair speeches, and they seem to carry with them great good apparences. Sed lates anguis in herba, they show not id manticae quod in tergo est. But as we are wont to carry always two sachelles about us, one before, to put other men's faults in, and an other behind, wherein to hide our own: So they make no mention of the dangers, and discommodities which are incident unto such kind of Elections. As what 
What Inconveniences do proceed from Elections.  a monstruous Inconvenience is that when Sede vacant, after the Prince is dead, and before a new can be chosen, the whole state remaineth in a very ANARCHY, without king, or any kind of government, like a ship without a Pilot in hazard to be cast away with every wind: Then may you see all lewdness, and licentiousness set at liberty: thieves rob by the high way side without punishment, Murderers commit their treasons without controlment. For the first thing that is done Sede vacant is to break open the prisons, kill the iâylors, revenge injuries, oppress the poor with all insolent, and unjust means. As we read that the MAMMELVCS were wont to do sacking, and spoiling the poor people of egypt whilst their SULTAN was a choosing. And this Impunity of vice for the most part lasteth until such time, as the ELECTORS do fall to agreement: which happeneth not some times in a year or twain, otherwhiles not in ten. The Empire of Germany lay void 18. years together after the death of th'Emperor WILLIAM Earl of Holande: The Sea of ROME after the death of CLEMENT the fift remained two years, and a half without any Pope: after NICHOLAS the third three years: after Pope JOHN five years: and sometimes the Sea hath been vacant ten years together. In all the which time a Roman could not stir out of his doors without danger: a stranger could not travail on the high ways without peril of his life. And at this day there are so many FVORUSCITI upon the borders, as that no man will ride between ROME, and NAPLES without the PROCACCIO, and 40. or 50. horse in his company: whereas in every other part of ITALY that I have been in (and I have been in the most part,) a man may ride safely with his purse in the palm of his hand. But you will say, that there may be therefore in time of vacation, A governor appointed to administer justice, and to punish vice: So shall all this tempestuous Sea be quieted, & all those mischiefs remedied. I grant well: but yet with a greater 
How dangerous a governor is, Seed vacant.  mischief. For if the government be committed unto one only with absolute power, and authority to rule, and command until the Prince be elected: let me ask you, who shall let such a one, as hath the law in his own hands to make himself if he list of a governor a king: as GOSTAWS father unto JOHN king of Swethlande did. If he have Legions of soldiers at his commandment, who shall let him from making himself of a Consul for a time, a Dictator for ever: as JULIUS CAESAR did. Again if the government be laid during th'Election upon sundry persons, as it is now used in POLONIA, and as it was wont to be some times in ROME: The danger is no less, lest the mightiest of them, that have such power lay not hands upon the Fortresses, and strongest holds of the Country: As POMPEIO COLONNA, and ANTONIO SAVELLA did, who in the like case seized upon the CAMPIDOLLE, crying unto the people of ROME, Liberty, Liberty. So we see that the wounds are well nigh incurable, which such countries receive at the death of their Princes: The pains are no less, and the dangers as great, or greater, which they sustain in choosing of their new kings. As what a world of trouble was that 
Troubles and dangers incident unto Elections.  of late years in the kingdom of POLONIA about th'Election, when the Pollackes were feign to send into France (so many miles, through so many countries) for the Duke of Anioue (now HENRY the third of France) to be their king: and what success all their pains, and travails had who knoweth it not? Did not the Duke so soon, as his brother CHARLES died, & that a greater kingdom fell unto him, leave them, and return into his own country: (as right and reason would, that a man should be more careful of his own Nation, then of strangers.) And the like did LODOVIKE king of Hungary before him, who being chosen, and crowned king of Polonia, returned strait after into his own country: leaving a Lieftenante behind him to govern the Polonians withal. A thing odious unto men of valour, and grievous unto all free people: when they can not see the face, and countenance of their Sovereign Prince: but must be controlled with the pride, and overlaid with the covetousness of inferior Magistrates. The which burden how unwillingly it is borne MILAN, NAPLES, SIENNA, SICILY, and FLANDERS to their cost, and pain have known.  
But let us imagine that a Prince, having two kingdoms, one by succession, an other by Election, and being loath to leave either of them, will make what shift he can to be personally resident upon them both: (the which he can hardly do, except they be very near adjoining one to the other:) who doubteth then, but that he will make (if he can) one kingdom of them both, or of both kingdoms one MONARCHY. AS CHARLES the fifth, would have done with the countries of Germany, having brought his son PHILIPPE, purposely into those parts, for to have made him king of the Germans, if the french king HENRY the first had not by aiding of them, distourned him from that his pretended and commenced course. But though th'emperor was of that his purpose so disappointed, and could not be suffered to unite the countries of Germany unto his other kingdoms: yet it is well known, that he lost not all the benefit of his Election, nor all his labour, and time in vain, which he bestowed in those parts. But so long as he lived, and sat in the seat of th'Empire, their are many that can yet remember, how he made his Harvest of them, and rept what commodities he could of the said countries, drawing forth of them from time to time, both men, money, and Munition to serve his other private purposes withal. As in his Italian wars against the French king FRANCES the first he had at one time under the conduct of CHARLES of BORBONE his Lieutenant 18. thousand at the lest of the Dutch Nation: By means of whom, and of a few Spagniardes more, he drove the French men out of all their possessions in Lombardie, he impatroned himself of the Dukedom of MILANE: he impropriated to his one uses the Cities of PARMA, and PIACENZA: he altered for his own advantage the states of FLORENCE, SIENNA, and of GENOVA: he sacked ROME: and in brief, by means of the Germans he subdued and brought all Italy under his yoke. In like manner when he went to ALGIERS (An enterprise which could no kind of way benefit the German Nation, no nor yet any whit the Estate of Christendom, but tending altogether unto the benefit, and advancement of his own countries of Spain) he used not only the bodies, but the goods, and substance also of the Germans: causing them by way of a Counsel or Diette (which he called purposely to the same end) to contribute unto the 
Glorious in the setting forth thereof, though not in the fequelle, & success of the same.  charges of that his glorious voyage. He was therefore a Prince, if you regard the greatness of his mind, the haughtiness of his Enterprises, the number of his victories, the hugeness of his possessions, his valour, his wisdom, and his temperance, he was (I say) a Prince most worthy, of that fame, and great name, which he carried in the mouth, and th'opinion of the world. But if you look into his doings, and whereto they tended, you shall find, (and I have heard an honourable parsonage that knew him well, and most of his proceedings, affirm the same) that he was the lest beneficial Emperor unto the common weal of Christendom, and the most hard, and heavy Prince unto the states of Germany, of a great many others, that went before him, and of any that as yet are come after him. For it appeareth that he directed all his actions unto the stablishing, and stengthning of those Estates only, which he knew should necessarily descend unto his lawful and lineal heirs after him, little or nothing regarding the succession of them, which were to be elected at the will and pleasure of others. Wherefore as he fetched both men▪ and money out of Germany, for to serve his other turns withal abroad: so took he from thence also (A thing which I myself have hard much lamented by the Germans) the best part of all their Munition: As out of WITTEMBOURGE (a city of the Duke of SAXON) he took two hundredth and twenty pieces of great Ordinance: a hundredth out of GOTTA: from the LANGRAVE also he had 200. pieces: and out of STRAUSBOURGH, he took all the best, that they had: Sending thereof 50. pieces unto NAPLES, other 50. to MILANE, and 400. into FLANDERS: he did the like also with many other their dutch Commodities, transporting them, either into SPAIN, or into his countries of OSTRICH, for to enlarge, and make rich his own house and posterity withal. And this is a thing common unto all elected Princes (that have Estate but for term of Life) carelessly to consume the Treasores of the country, dissipating the public domains, and converting them into private menshandes, either of their own favourites, or of their kinsfolks. 
How countries are impoverished by Princes elected.  As of the Cities, and Provinces belonging unto the Sea of ROME, the Popes have made away almost the one half for the advancement of their own private houses. Pope SIXTUS the fourth of that Name, after the death of GVIDIBALDO DE MONTEFELTRO Duke of VRBYNE, procured the dukedom unto his kinsman de ROVERE. The which dukedom (not long after) Pope LEO the tenth, translated from FRANCISCO MARIA DE ROVERE unto his Nephew LORENZO DE' MEDICI. Pope ALEXANDER the sixth gave REGIO, and MODENA (two good Towns in Italy) in dowry with his daughter unto ALFONSO Duke of FERRARA. CLEMENT the seventh, advanced his Nephew ALEXANDRO unto the Dukedom of Florence. And PAULUS tertius the Roman exalted his house of FARNESE unto the Dukedom of PARMA, and PIACENZA: All which Estates were either conveyed out of the Ecclesiastical Monarchy, or by the means, and charge thereof procured. As GVICCIARDINE in his story of the wars of ITALY reporteth that the forenamed LEO the tenth, what with warring against the duke of VRBYNE, and with maintaining the costliness of his sister MAGDALENA, and his own pride, and prodigality, he left the Church worse by 40. thousand Dueates a year, than he found it: besides the jewels, and ornaments of the pontifical treasure, which he engaged. In the like manner all Temporal Princes (I mean such as are elected) when they see that they can not leave their estates unto their Children, they seek by sale, or by gift to make the best commodity of them during their own lives. As RODULPHUS th'emperor for a sum of money exempted all the Cities of TOSCANE out of the subjection of th'Empire. And ROBERT OF BAVIER gave three Imperial cities at one time unto his son FREDRICK, he gave also the Liberties unto NURENBOURGE. As OTHO the third did unto ISNE. LODOWICK of BAVIER did the like unto the city of EGRE. HENRY the first sold what he could, whereby th'Empire was brought so low, as that CHARLES duke of Burgony was able to make war against the whole body of the same. If then an Italian will not stick to weaken the Popedom, (the pride and strength of his Nation:) nor a German to diminish the power of th'Empire, (a Dignity which the Germans pretend to be dew, and proper unto them only:) Much less may we think that a Hungarian will observe any more respect in Polonia, being chosen unto that kingdom: or a Spagniarde use any more courtesy in Italy, being elected unto the Popedom: But rather it is to be thought that they, seeing themselves called by this unorderly way of Election unto new governements, will seek for the better stablishing of the same, to alter in what they can the state, and course of the countries, whereunto they are so called: turning their laws, into theirs: their customs, into theirs: their Religion, into their own Religion. For commonly we see that all men are of that nature to think always their own religion best, their own customs commendablest, their own laws soundest: desiring to bring and induce all others unto the same laws, customs, & religion that they themselves are of. The Turk would have all his people to acknowledge MAHOMET: The king of Spain all his subjects to hold with the POPE: The Greeks thought all other nations barbarous in respect of themselves. The Italians likewise in these days are not ashamed to call all Oltramontani (us that are on this side the Alps) barbari, as though none knew what Civility mente but they. The Venetians will say, when they hear a man speak in a language which they understand not, More! parlate Christiano, as though no language were good or christian-like but theirs. So, WILLIAM the Conqueror sought to surpresse, and extinguish our English speech, commanding all our laws to be written in his own language, as it appeareth also by the terms of our pastimes (of hawking, hunting, karding, dicing, Tennis, and such like,) which for the most part do yet remain in the NORMANE tongue. Wherefore it is evident that all elected Princes, which come out of foreign Countries (in the manner as we here mean (to the end to rule, and reign only, and not for love, alliance, or friendship sake) will in what lieth in them, both for their greater glory, & for the better strength of their Estates, seek to change the Religion, laws, customs, and language of the places whereunto they are so elected. But you will say, that your meaning is not to fetch your Prince so far of, but to have him nearer home even of the same country, whereof he is to reign: because you will be sure that he shall neither change customs, not bring in any language. You say well, but let me ask then: who shall have the choosing of him there at home in his own country? If the common people choose him, you may look for nothing else, but factions, seditions (Tota capita, tot sententiae) so many men, so many kings. If he be chosen by the Soldiers, as the Emperors were otherwhiles of ROME, then shall he not be allowed of by the Senators: if elected by the Senators: then can he not be received of the Soldiers. Which inconveniences being of later years better weighed of by the wiser, It was thought expedient, that the Election of th'Empire should be reduced unto a certain number of seven Princes (who, because the Pope as then GREGORY the fifth, was a SAXON borne were all appointed of the German nation: Namely the duke of SAXON, the Count PALATINE, the Marchese of BRANDINBOURGE, the three Bishops of MAGANZA, COLLENE, and TREVERIE, and the seventh (to way down the balances) the king of BOEMIA.) And yet for all that the electors were never so few: the factions, and civil discords 
Difficulties and dissensions, in the choosing of Princes.  that ensued were never a whit the less. LEWIS of BAVIER, and ALBERT of AUSTRIKE were both chosen Emperors at one time: whereupon they continued 18. years in wars one against the other. In like manner the College of the Cardinals have been (as is before said) sometimes two, sometimes three years together in choosing of one Pope: And at an other time they have chosen three at a clap, and often times two together. Wherefore they are now feign to shut themselves into the CONCLAVE of Saint Peter's Palace: there to remain until the two thirds of them do fall to agreement. As it is also more straightly observed at MALTA (now called VALETTA) in the choosing of the great Master of the order of Saint JOHN. For there the 24. electors (appointed by the KNIGHTS of the great Cross) are walled into a strong place, where within a certain time limited unto them they must without all delay, choose one that is not of their number. So we see, that the difficulties, 
A number of Popes, & Emperor; murdered about their Election.  and dissensions which proceed from such Elections are infinite: The Murders also and massacres that do ensue of them are no less frequent both amongst th'ecclesiastical Prelates, and temporal Princes. Of Popes there have been at the least 22. beheaded about their Election (as the Registers of the VATTICANE do certify) besides a number of Cardinals, and of common people that for the like cause have gone the same way with them. We read that in the primative Church there were 600. Romans slain at one time about the choosing of DAMASUS, and VRSINUS. Of temporal Princes there have been within these 360. years (since th'Empire fell into the subjection of the lords electors) eight, or nine EMPERORS slain and poisoned. Of 15. SOULDANES that have been chosen kings of egypt seven of them died with the sword. Of Roman Emperors after the death of AUGUSTUS there were seven all in a row murdered, and three of them in one year. It would grieve me to rehearse, and weary you to hear all the piteous examples, which might be recited in this behalf: whereof both English, Latin, and Italian histories are every where full. These few may suffice to show what slaughters, Murders, Massacres have been committed about 
The benefit of Succession.  the choosing of Princes. Neither could there any order be found, either for the safety of a king, or for the quietness of a kingdom, until such time, as a lawful son, or son made by Adoption, succeeded unto his father without 
Kingdoms assured by means of Succession.  any further Election. As TIBERIUS, TITUS, trajan, ADRIAN, ANTONINVS PIUS, MARCUS AURELIUS, who all succeeded prosperously one unto th'other in the Roman Empire. The Germans also (for all their great Titles of Election) are feign at the last to fly unto this refuge and to fetch their safety, and quietness from Succession: Suffering the house of AUSTRIKE these hundredth, and three score years solely, and successively to possess th'Empire. As after SIGISMONDE, FREDRICK, than MAXIMILIAN, than CHARLES the fifth, than FERDINAND, than MAXIMILIAN the second, and so unto RADULPHE who now reigneth. In POLONIA likewise, BOHEMIA, HONGARIE & DENMARK, where the states stand so much upon their Privileges, they are glad, and feign (of later years) for the avoiding of civil wars, and other of the aforesaid inconveniences to acknowledge the benefit of this Succession: choosing for the most part him that is next of the blood Royal, and next of kin unto the predecessed king. So precious a thing it is, as they that hate it, are constrained to seek it: And they that have it, are glad to hold it. SPAIN, NAPLES, CICILLE, NAVARRA, SCOTLAND, and france also (whose Law SALIC for aught, that I can see is nothing else but a limited, or nice kind of Succession▪) have not for these many years known any other kind of government. But of all nations there is none that more amply 
How Succession is tendered in England.  hath enjoyed it, and which doth more willingly retain it then our own. Seeing therefore that Lineal Succession is so sure a foundation, as all good kingdoms both do, and may boldly build thereon: And contrarily ELECTION so weak a sand or rather so dangerous a Sea, as it is able to sink the tallest ship of City, or Country that saileth therein: it is good reason that in this our discourse of ROYAL MONARCHY (as we desire to frame the same the best, and the most perfect common weal) we embrace the one, as a sure ground, and shun the other as a most dangerous sand, preferring Succession before Election, and consequently before all the other forenamed kinds of kingdoms: the which all are either kinds of Election, or else they are of less importance, and such as are not to be esteemed for their own worthiness, but for some Necessity sake. As where Succession faileth, that there is none left of the blood Royal mall, nor female to inheritte the Crown, than men are feign to go to drawing of Lots, to Neyinge of horses, to choosing the Noblest, the wisest, the Eldest, the Mightiest, the Richest. But the best, and most Royal Prince is not to receive his Sceptre by any such hap, or hazard of fortune (as DARIUS did his:) Nor to come to his kingdom by the uncertainty of voices (as all chosen Princes do:) Nor yet by Gift, by Custom, by Policy, or by Conquest (as it hath been said that king JUBA, Duke COSIMUS, and many other Princes did come to theirs:) But he is to come unto his Crown, and kingdom first, and principally by the grace of GOD, and secondarily by the way of lawful, and Lineal SUCCESSION.  
It followeth that we speak of the manner of estate of this most ROYAL MONARCHY: and best kind of kingdom: (Come sta how, and in what case it standeth, as touching the Power, and authority appertaining thereunto.) For it is not sufficient that so ROYAL a Prince be descended Lineally, and lawfully into his kingdom: But he must also possess, and exercise such ROYAL, and princely Power therein, as is most fit for his worthiness, and for his subjects happiness: Neither in so extreme manner, as to make A god of himself (as ALEXANDER the great would have done,) and slaves of his vassals (as the Great TURK at this day doth:) Neither yet in so slender sort, as to have the sword carried after him (as the Duke of VENICE hath,) and to be but a little better, than a cipher, or shadow of a Prince.  

What power appertaineth unto a Royal Prince.  He is for to have therefore (by the grace, and Permission of Almighty God) that Power, which the Greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: the Latins MAIESTATEM: Th'Italians SIGNORIA: The Frenchmen SOWERAINETE: That is, Power full and perpetual over all his subjects in general, and over every one in particular. Not to rule for a year only, as the consuls of ROME did: Nor for two years, as the Dukes of GENOVA do: Nor for three, as the VICEROYS of NAPLES: or for nine, or ten years, as the great Archon of ATHENES did: Not to be DICTATOUR for a day only, as MAMERCUS 
A Royal Prince is to rule without limitation of time.  was: Nor for eight days, as SERVILIUS PRISCUS: or for fifteen, as CINCINNATUS: No nor yet for fifteen years, as SILLA had gotten it granted unto him by a Law to be dictator fourscore years (although he reigned but four:) and then after the term of years expired, to render up his government unto an other, perhaps unto a stranger, perhaps unto his enemy: But his Power shall last (by God's grace) perpetually: first during his own life in himself, and then after his death in his sons, and successors.  
Neither is he countable of such his government, 
A Royal Prince is not Countable unto Any.  (saving to God, and his Conscience) else not unto any other: in such fort, As LEGATES, LIEFTENANTES, PRESIDENTS, & REGENT'S are, who though they have authority sometimes during their lives, yet are they to render account unto those which gave them the same. The DOGES of VENICE, if they govern not well, are deposed by the SIGNORY of the gentlemen: as TEODATUS, and GALLA of MALOMOCCO were banished, and had their eyes put out, because they ruled to Lordly. the Governors of BOLOGNA LA GRASSA, when they go out of their office, are bound to render account unto two SYNDICI: The Dictator's of ROME were forced by the tribunes to render reason unto the People. The Regentes of scotland, the lords Protectors of ENGLAND, although they rule never so highly during the minority of their Princes: Yet we see that after they are out of their Offices, they are constrained to answer unto many oppositions. There was never greater, and more absolute Power granted unto any subject, than was by CHARLES the ninth, unto his brother HENRY Duke of ANIOVE, when he made him his Lieutenant General, and perpetual over all his dominions: And yet was there in th'end of his letters patents this Clause opposed Tant qu'il nous plaira, to signify that the Duke's authority was both countable, and revocable at the will and pleasure of the king the giver. Our Prince 
A Royal Prince is not to depend upon any.  therefore is not to receive his power from any (except from God the giver of all Power:) For if he receive it from any other higher Prince, then is he not the Principal, and supreme Magistrate, but there is an other higher, and greater than he. For as honour dependeth more of the giver, then of the receiver: So likewise that Power is greatest, from whence the others are derived. But our Prince, who is the Image of God on Earth, and as it were un minor essempio of his almighty Power, is not to acknowledge any greater than himself: nor any authority greater than his own. Wherefore as he is 
A Royal Prince is not subject unto any of his own Country.  not to receive his Power from any: so is he neither to be subject unto any higher Power, either at home, or abroad: Though some do maintain that a Prince ought to be subject unto the states and Pears of his Realm: as the kings of LACEDAEMON were to the EPHORI, An Opinion (if it be not well tempered, and conveniently limited) most prejudicial unto th'estate of a MONARCHY: perverting, and converting the same into a mere aristocraty: Much less is he subject in any thing unto the Multitude of the common people: who as they have more authority are for the most part more insolent, and more disposed unto rebellion. Wherefore in all well ordained kingdoms these have no other than a voice SUPPLICATIVE, those a voice DELIBERATIVE, and the Prince only a voice DEFINITIVE.  
But some will ask, if this great MONARCH of ours shall not be subject unto the Laws, Customs, and Privileges of the Country where he governeth: unto the oath which he taketh at his entrance: unto such covenants, and promises as he maketh unto his people. Unto whom we answer that our Prince is subject unto laws both civil, and common, 
How a Prince is subject unto the Laws.  to customs, privileges, covenants, and all kind of promises, So far forth as they are agreeable unto the law of God: Otherwise we think that he is not bound to observe them. Wherein we neither diminish the liberty of the subject, supposing all laws to be good, or aught to be good: Neither do we enlarge to much the Power of the Prince, as to make him lawless, subject neither to God his law, nor man's law. As some flatterers persuade the POPES, and EMPERORS that they are above all laws, and may use the bodies, and lives of their subjects at their lust and pleasure, taking from them their lands, goods, and liberties without right, or reason: a thing expressly contrary unto the word of God (Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house etc.) and a doctrine most pernicious unto Princes, who puffed up with such opinions should take their course unto a Tyrannical kind of puissance, making their covetousness confiscation, their love Adultery, their hatred Murder: and as the lightning goeth before the thunder, so they depraved with such corrupted counsellors should make the accusation to go before the fault, and the condemnation before the trial. From the which kinds of liberty, or rather licentiousness our ROYAL Prince shallbe as far of, as he is free from all kind of subjection both domestical, and foreign. For it is not 
An absolute Prince is not subject unto any stranger.  enough for so worthy a king to be obeyed of his own people at home, but he must be also well esteemed of strangers abroad: not only beloved of his friends, but honoured of his neighbours, and feared of his enemies. Wherefore, as we have said already that he is not subject, or inferior unto any of his own Nation: So is he neither to acknowledge any greater than himself abroad. King EUMENES, though he was but a poor Prince, and had but one only Castle of PERGAMON under his power: yet when he came to capitulating with ANTIGONUS the great king of ASIA, he would not yield one jot unto him in prerogative of honour: saying that, so long as he had his sword by his side, he knew no man greater than himself: and yet by his leave he fetched his fire from the Romans, who maintained him in all his quarrels both against ANTIGONUS, and against PHILLIPPE king 
A Royal Prince needeth no Protection.  of MACEDONES. But our ROYAL Prince is not to shrewd himself under the shadow of an other, as EUMENES did under the Romans: Nor to shield himself under any buckelar of Protection, as FERRARA doth under FRANCE: BOLOGNA under the POPE: FLORENCE and LUCCA under the king of 
A Royal Prince is not tributary unto any.  spain. Neither shall he pay tribute unto any foreign Prince, as the Common weal of CARTHAGE, after it was subdued by SCIPIO AFRICANUS, did unto the people of ROME. Neither yet any annual pension is he to pay, as some great Princes of Christendom have done unto the great Turk: The Common weals of VENICE, GENOVA, RAGUSA for the countries they have confining upon him do yet the like. And as not long since LEWIS th'eleven of FRANCE paid 50. thousand crowns a year unto king HENRY the eight (of noble memory) for to have peace with him, and with our Nation. Much less shall he be Liege Vassal unto any, as the kings of SCOTLAND were wont to be unto the kings of ENGLAND: The Dukes of BRITANNY unto the kings of FRANCE. Neither shall he 
The most Royal Prince holdeth not in Fee or in Fealty of any.  hold in Fee, or Fealty of any, as most of the Cities in ITALY do of th'Empire, and the kingdoms of NAPLES, and SICILY do of the Pope: The Knights of MALTA of the king of SPAIN: these giving yearly a Falcon, those a white ambling gelding, some one thing, some an other. Which all are certain kinds of subjections, and spices of Servitude, carrying with them a number of rights, duties, honours, and reverences, unworthy of the dignity of a ROYAL Prince. Who must be as the grammarians say a Noun Substantive able to stand of himself, without the help, or aid of an other, without paying Tributes, doing Homages, swearing Fealties, and 
Inconveniences proceeding from Subjections.  Loyalties unto any foreign Prince. COSMUS Duke of FLORENCE (of late remembrance) might not be made king of TOSKANE, although Pope PIUS the fourth, had a good will to make him, Because he held his Cities, and Towns of the Empire. Wherefore the Emperor hearing of his suit: said Italia non habet Regem, nisi Casarem. The French king FRANCES the first of that name, for to let CHARLES the fifth, as then Archeduke of AUSTRIA from being chosen Emperor, showed unto the electors, how that the Imperial Majesty should be to much embased, if they made of his vassal their chief, and sovereign. Which made the said CHARLES having after taken FRANCES prisoner (at the famous battle fought in the Park of PAVIA) that he would never condescend unto his deliverance, until he was first exempted by FRANCES from all kind of Services, and Subjections which he owed unto the Crown of FRANCE for the Countries he held of ARTOYS and FLANDERS. It seemeth so base a thing unto the Majesty of a ROYAL Prince, to become the Liege man of an other: to swear Faith, and Loyalty unto an other: joining his hands within the hands of an other: to fall down on 
Services annexed unto the foresaid Subjections.  his knees as TIRIDATES king of ARMENIA did before NERO: to kiss the Threshold of the door, as PRUSIAS' king of BITHYNIA did when he entered into the Senate house of ROME: to call himself the Servant of an other, as ASDRUBAL called himself the FACTOR, and PROCURATOR of the people of ROME: These (I say) and such like Indignities proceeding from Protections, Tributes, Fealties, Loyalties, and the other kinds of the forenamed Subjections, are so much abhorring unto the sovereignty of a ROYAL, and absolute Prince, as he will choose rather to part from whole Countries, then to incur, and endure such indignities. Wherefore quarrels were made against the kings of England (her majesties most ROYAL predecessors) touching the Dukedoms of GVYENNE, and NORMANDY, The Earldom of POITOV, and MUTTRELL, and many other goodly Possessions, which they held in FRANCE, because they vouchsafed not to be bound to do Honours, and Homages for the same. But no marvel though great kings can not abide Subjections when the Prince of ORANGE (this man's father) refused of the French king LEWIS th'eleventh ten times so much, as his principality was worth, because he would not be subject to Services, and Vassallties. CALISTHENES also the Nephew of ARISTOTLE, being but a private man, chose rather to die, than he would (according to the manner of the Persians) fall down prostrate and adore ALEXANDER, as a God above the estate of man. And I have hard how an ambassador for the VENETIANS at CONSTANTINOPLE, when he was to have audience of the Great TURK, unto whom he could not have access, but through a little low place made of purpose, because men should come stopping, and kneeling unto him: The VENETIAN ambassador, (supposing in himself the reverend highness of that estate,) creeped through the hole with his back forwards. A thing, which the GRAN SIGNIOR can in no manner of way abide to see a man's tail towards him.  
But for to return unto our most ROYAL Prince, we will conclude that he is not to do Homage, or Honour unto any, not to pay Tribute, or Pension unto any, not to be subject either at home, or abroad unto any, not to hold in Fealty, or in Loyalty, by Protection, or by Commission, nor for a short time or season: But to rule really, fully, and perpetually, 
Conclusion of the Treatise.  according as we have in a general manner hitherto discoursed. I could wish to speak more particularly of the ROYALTIES, and prerogatives belonging unto the Majesty of a Sovereign Prince: as of his power, and authority in allowing, and disallowing of matters propounded to be Laws: in proclaiming of wars, and concluding of Peace: in choosing, and refusing of Magistrates: in coining and rating of money: in erecting of Fortresses: in granting Pardons, Licences, Liberties, and Privileges: etc. But because they are matters of more weight, and therefore do require good advisement, and better authority: I think good to suspend them until a more convenient time, or else to commend them unto those, that are of more approved judgement, and better warranted to deal with them. In the mean while I hope, that these few lines of ours concerning the manner, and form of the best Common weal, shall not seem altogether impertinent to show the Excellency and Dignity, the Power, and Majesty of ROYAL MONARCHY. Whereby all good subjects seeing the greatness which God hath endued Princes withal, to be as it were his LIEFTENANTES to govern us here upon Earth, may respect, and reverence them with all humility: Serve, and obey them with all Loyalty: hear, and speak of them with all honour.   

PROVERBI WLGARI, RACCOLTI IN DIVERSI LVOGHI D'ITALIA, ET LA maggior part dalle proprie bocche de gl'italianis stessi.  
PER Carlo Merbury Gentil'huomo Inglilese.  
ILQVALE NE FA present DI COSÌ FATTA SVA INDUSTRIA à gl'amici, & patroni suoi honorati, della lingua Italiana studiosi.   

A I NOBILI, ET ILLUSTRI SIGNORI DI CORTE, ET ALtri gentil'huomini honorati, della lingua Italiana intendenti.  
IO non sò (Signori Illustri) che luogo habbia trovato ne' vostri cortesi concetti quel mio precedente discorso: se riguardando all'altezza del suo suggetto, voi desiderate in me maggior isperienza, e più gagliardo giudicio: ò se considerando la fine, & l'intentione di quello, vi contentiate della mia debita, quantunque debole industria. La mia isperienza io confesso veramente esser picciolissima, sì come di persona poco prattica nelle cose de gli stati: & quanto àl mio giudicio, non mene attribuisco punto; conoscendomis giouane di poche lettere, & di men che mezzano ingegno. Mà purè, poi ch'io mi son ingegnato d'ingagliardire, & quella, & questo, & tutte l'altre forze mie col desiderio di mostrar la mia debita divotione verso il felicissimo stato della nostra Serenissima Principessa: Io spero, che voi Signori di Corte (I quali vivete nella viva & continua contemplatione di quella sua Maestà, in honour & riverenza di cui tendono quelli pensieri, & & discorsi miei) spero dico, & quasi m'assicuro, che voi vi contentarete di favorir à così fatta mia impresa: non mirando già tanto alla dignità di quella (troppo alta per l'ale mie,) nè alla sua difficultà (troppo peasant per le spalle mie,) mà alla diligenza, study, industria, & all buon animo mio: di che se been altro effetto non ne segue, nè altro utile non risulta al lettore (& pure non tengo lo trattato sia con modestia detto, affatto inutile,) ch'vna nuda significatione della mia viva voglia: non è però, che la buona mente non sia da Dio attesa, & da voi tenuta in conto. Vi si presenta ancora vn' altro parto della mia industria, il quale poi che non è mio figlivolo naturale, ma adottivo, & d'altre lingue che della mia leccato, (se ben von d'altra mano, che dalla mia raccolto, vestito, & produtto in questa luce) più arditament velo raccommando: assicurandovi, che se vi degnate d'vsarlo, & d'adoperarlo, egli vi farà di molti, & molti segnalati seruitij. Egli vi mostrerà creanze & usanze forestiere: vi darà ammaestramenti all viuer utili, avertimenti all conuersar convenevoli: se v'occorre vsar ragionamento famigliare, egli vi sarà à canto: se pùr v'accade entrar in qualche discorso grave, egli sarà là anche present, sempre ministrandovi qualche bell motto, ò qualche bell detto per confirmar le vostre ragioni. Per conto poi di quella lingua, della quale voi (Signori, & gentil'huomini giovani, all cui seruitio l'ho spetialment indrizzato) vi delettate; non vi posso dire, quanto honoreuol aiuto (se lo trattenete been) vene potrà awenire. Voi sapete, ch' in ogni lingua non c' è più bella gratia, che l'vsar, & nel parlare, & nel scrivere, di bei, & spessi Proverbi: I quali, sì per le scelte, & purgate parole, che vi si trovano; si per le bell metafore, & allegory delle quali per lo più si compongono, per l'acutezza che vi si scuopre, recondita & non cosi nota, come quella favella che s'vsa ordinariament parlando; come ancora perch sono quasi voci divine ricewti, & per commun consenso da tutti approvati: par che portino seco (non sò come) una certa authorità, dignità, & Maestà à quel che si scriue, & si dice. Di così fatti Proverbi questo vostro Italico seruitore vi fornirà à pieno nella sua lingua volgare, prestandovene tanti, & tanti, che se degnate à mandarne solament la minore, ò lafoy migliore part alla vostra memoria (si come il suo primo patron alter volte n' ha mandato la maggiore, & non se n'è pentito, anzisen' è seruito pùr assai,) Vedrete, che vi correranno per ogni verso leggiadri & vaghi Proverbi, sentenze illustri & celebrate, bell parole & purgate, motti Toscani, modi Italiani: in maniera che di sì fatta so●●e in breve spatio vi s'auanzerà la lingua, si purgeranno le parole, vi si crescerà la creanza, s' arriccherà il giudicio, & tutti insieme sì realment in voi s'incorporeranno, che parerà ch' in un subito voi vi siate trasferiti in Italia, & d'Italia ritornati senza passar ò mare, ò monti. A me veramente Signori essendo in Italia, mi è riuscito tanto dà valent' huomo questo vostro seruitore (che più non lo chiamo mio, ma vostro hauendolo raccommandato à voi) & mi son tanto been seruito & sodisfatto dell'opera sua, che s' io ho may fatto qualche progresso nella lingua Toscana, lo debbo certò in gran part riconoscere da lui. Le cose sue sono brievi à ricordare: facili ad intendere, (sì l'ho facilitate io ancora, dove m' è parso bisogno:) argute & piacevoli per dilettare: sono vary, raccolte non in Sienna, ò in Fiorenza solò, ma in diversi & diversi altri luoghi d'Italia: sono anche Rare per non esser già tanto d'ogni scrittore frequentate, quanto solamente per le bocche de gl'huomini in commun parlar usate; non gia tutte fuor da libri cauate, ma la maggior part dalle proprie mani de gli Italiani stessi ricewte. Videbbono anche questi Proverbi esser via più grati, perch havendo essi fatti molti viaggi meco, & corsi per mare & per terra molti pericoli; par che siano stati da qualche gratia divina à posta riserbati, per farne present a i vostri honorati studi; a i quali mill volte li raccommando, basciandovi le mani.  

T.U.    

VARIA COLLETTIONE DI PROVERBI WLGARI, SENTENZE ILLUSTRI, DETTI BREVI, ET VAGHI MOTTI, che s'vsano nella lingua Italiana, copiosissima, & felicissima in così fat cose, massime nel Proverbiare.  

L'HVOMO propone, & Dio dispone.  
Quell ch' e disposto in Cielo, bisognache sia.  
Accasca in un punto quel, che non accasca in cent' anni.  
Bisogna quando altri è 
* An anuylo.  incudine, soffrire: quando 
* A hammer.  martello, percuotere.  
Egl'è mal boccone, quel ch' affoga.  
Beato colui, chi puo far beato altrui.  
La necessità non hà leg.  
Chi ser●e, & tace, assai dimanda.  
Che premio all been servire, pur viene all fin, se been tarda à venire.  
Il mal non stà sempre, dove si pone.  
Sono caduto dalla 
* Frying Pan.  padella (come dice il vulgo) nelle 
* Burning coals.  brag, cio è da mal in peggio.  
Facilment si truova il bastone per dare all cane.  
Bisogna legar l'asino, dove vuole il parrone.  
Le disgratie non vadano may scompagniate.  
I sogni non son veri, & i disegni non riescono.  
Chi mal pensa, mal dispensa.  
Chicerca * 
Trouble.  briga, àa trova à sua posta.  
Però non cercar quel che non ti tocca.  
Chi potendo stare, cade troth via, s'ei rompe il collo, suo danno.  
Il mondo è tondo, & dopo la not vien il giorno: & ogni tempo vien, à chi lo può aspettare.  
Più sa il matto in casa sua, ch' il savio in quella d'altri.  
Il ben non fumai tardi.  
Chi nasce matto, non guarisce may.  
Chi di gallina nasce conuien che * 
Scrape.  razzoli.  
Chi si contenta, good.  
Chi si loda, * 
Beraieth, or defileth himself.  s'imbroda.  
Tutto quello che riluce, non è oro.  
I profitta, ravedersi dopo il fatto, ò tardare à pentirsi al'* 
Pillow, or bolsterre.  capezzale.  
Se s'auesse à fare la cosa due volte, ciaseuno sarebbe savio.  
Chi hà tempo non aspetti tempo, ma pigli' il been, quando viene.  
Ch' il mondo è fatto à scale, chi le scende, chi le sale: & l'hore non tornano à dietro.  
In una vernata sola gli alberi mutano faccia, & ill giudicar il present per il passato non è sempre sieuro.  
Meglio è ravedersi una volta, che non may.  
Però chi non hà ceruello habbia gambe: si suol dire, quando un s'è scordato d'vna cosa, & gli bisogna tornar in dietro.  
Il peggior di tutti i peccati, è l'ostinatione.  
Gl'è un gittar il * 
The handle.  manico dietro alla palla.  
I gattucci hanno aperti gli occhi.  
All * 
Shroutyde.  carnovale si conosce chi hà la gallina grassa.  
Io conosco i miei polli al raspiare.  
All * 
To bay like an Ass.  ragghiare si vedrà, che non è Leone.  
Chi più hà, più s'imbratta.  
Chi Asino è, & ceruio esser si crede, all saltar di fossa se n'auede.  
Non è been sempre dir il tutto, anzi dicono, è meglio mangiar quel, ch' altri hà, che dir quel, che altri sà.  
In bocca serrata non entrò may moscha.  
Però si dice tien la lingua fra i denti.  
La lingua non hà osso, ma fá rompere il dosso.  
Le suni legano i buoi, & le parole gli huomini.  
Chi troppo parla, spesso falla.  
Si dice ancora che chi troppo parla è tenuto matto,  
Et chi non parla divien muto affatto.  
E sauiezza parlar poco, & ascoltar assai.  
un par d'orecchie seccano cento lingue.  
La lingua corre, dove il dente duole.  
Chi non parla, Dio non l'ode.  
Et però dì il fatto tuo, & lascia far all diavolo.  
Il vitio di contradire è proprio de gli insensati. 
Proverbio antico.   
Costui vuol toccare il cielo con un dito, cioè, è glorioso.  
Acader uà, chi troppo in alto sale.  
Non vanno si alte l'ale mie.  
Si lascia taluolta la carne per l'ombra.  
* 
As we say, Self do, self have.  Qual Astno dà in parete, tall riceue.  
Chi dorme co ' cani, si leva con le 
* Flease.  pulci.  
* 
To play, or touch wanton.  Stuzzicare il * 
A wasps nest.  vespaio, è cosa pericolosa.  
Chi schernisce il * 
A lame man.  Zoppo, dé esser diritto.  
Tutte le cose vbidiscono all danaio.  
Io veggo, che secondo il proverbio. Volete star lontan da Gioue & dal Folgore: cio è suor d'ogni pericolo all sicuro.  
OF i molini, & all donne sempre manca qualche cosa: cio è all donne troppo curiose.  
I panni rifanno le * 
Stakes, or posts.  stanghe.  
Vestì un bastone, & parrà un barrone.  
Può sostenere il Toro, chi haurà già portato il vitello.  
Chi non s'arrischia, non guadagna.  
Chi vuol del pesce, bisognache s'imbratti, & s'immolli le brach.  
Egl'è difficilissimo andar à veder macinare, senza imbiancarsi di farina.  
Non vien un male, che non vien per bene.  

Prou. Sanese.  Chi pecora si fa, il lupo selo mangia.  
Che si perde multo per esser stolto.  
Alla pruoua si * 
Is flayed.  scortica l'asino: & molte cose son meglias crederle, che provarle.  
Bisognatal volta pena patire, per bella parere.  
Se io hò delle corna in seno, non me le vaglio metter in capo.  
Perche è mala cosa esser cattivo, ma egl'è peggior l'esser conosciuto.  
E buona cosa esser lodato, ma è meglior il meritarlo.  
Chi há poca vergogna, tutt'il mondo è suo.  
Il can, che vuol mordere non * 
Barketh.  abbaia.  
Et dove bisognano i fatti, le parole sono d'auanzo.  
Dal detto all fatto v'e vn' gran tratto.  
Chi non fa, men falla.  
Mira la * 
Moat.  bruscha d'altri, & non vede la sua traue.  
Chi há bocca vuol mangiare.  
La commoditá fa l'huomo ladro.  
All'arca aperta il giusto pecca.  
Ogni's * 
Cricket.  grillo grilla à se.  
Ogni gallo * 
Scrapeth.  ruspa á se.  
Et ogni un tira l'aoqua al suo molino.  

Prou. Sanese.  La girlauda anchor che costi un quatrino, la non sta bene in capo ad ogni uno.  
Quell é tuo nimico, chi é del tuo officio.  
Fra Corsali, & Corsali non si perde che barili voti.  
Fra barcaivolo, & marinaio non si quadagna se non cose da ferro vecchio.  
Non fù may un si tristo, che si non trovasse un perggior di lui.  
Perche ogni diritto bà il suo roverscio.  
E mal sordo, quel che non vuol udire.  
Fallo celato è mezzo perdonato.  
Cagna frettolosa fá i cagnuoli ciechi.  
Non si sé may nulla been in fretta, se non il fuggir la pest.  
D'Eforo seat diuenuto Teopompo, de' quali quello haveua bisogno di sprone questo di freno.  
Chi guarda ad ogni penna, non fá may letto.  
Fà d'vna moscha, un Elefante.  
Tre donne fanno un mercato, cio è donne parlatrice.  
Egli è un sparger le pearl fra i porci.  
Si amo in Casa Talpa, & fuori Argo: cio è veggiamo molto di lontano, & nulla d'appresso.  
Mescolar zucche con lantern: come à dire parole Lombarde con Toscane.  
Troppo veramente s'arischia, chi del proprio giudicio s' assicura.  
Et è volgar detto, che àl been s'appiglia, chiben si consiglia.  
Dimmi con cui tù vai, & saprò quel che fai.  
Vi sono di quelli, che secondo il proverbio hanno il meal in bocca e ' il 
* A Raiser at his Girdle.  rasato à cintola.  
A can mansueto il lupo par feroce, & la virtù va à terra senza la confidenza.  
Si dice ch' il noble ama, e'l villain teme.  
Del rio servo peggior part è la lingua.  
Tanti nimici habbiamo, quanti seruitori: vero è, se non sono fideli.  
G'i par sempre di mangiar il cascio nella trapola: cio è à chi stà in prigione.  
Hà consumato più olio, che vino: si dice d'vn huomo studioso.  
La verità è nel vino.  
La fiamma è poco lontana dal fumo.  
Amor vuol fede, & fede vuole fermezza.  
Aqua lontana non spegne fuoco vicino: s'intende d'vn rimedio tardo.  
Grasso ventre non genera sottil ingegno.  
E mala cosa lisciar il pelo ál seruitore: cio è lodarlo, o adulardo.  
punge il villain, chi l'vnge: unge, ch' il punge.  
Tale è la cagnuola, quale è la Signora.  
Quale è il padre tal sono i figlivoli.  
Qual é il Rettore, tall sono i popoli.  
Il pesce commincia à putir dal capo: cio è I vitij de' seruitori hanno ad esser ascritti all patron.  
Buon cauallo, ò mal cauallo vuol sperone.  
Dal mattino si conosce il buon giorno.  
Si suole dire, che chi hà cavallo bianco, & bella moglie, non é may senza dogly.  
Non é bestia più pazza di quella del popolo, né acqua più grossa di quella del 
* A certain kind of past boiled, and made as it were in fritters to be eaten.  macheroni.  
Dio mi guardi da due cose: l'vna da' segnatis da Dio, l'altra dall' acque quiet.  
Dio mi guardi da host nuovo, & puttana vecchia.  
Ogni un conta della fiera, come egli andò con essa.  
Talhor per un brutto viso, si perde una buona compagnia.  
Porco pigro non mangiò mai pera mezza.  
Cinqu' hore dorme il viandante: set il studiante: & undeci ogni forfante.  
I dispettis, & irispetti guastano il mondo.  
Tanto é il bene che non giova, quanto il mal che non nuoce.  
Chi non vuol ballare, non vadi al ballo, perch poi che altrì é dentro, bisogna ballare.  
Contra due non la potrebbe Orlando.  
Chi la vorrà solo dunque contra due Orlandi?  
Vien l'asino di montagna, & caccia il caval di stalla.  
Al tutto é 
* Blind.  orbo, chi non vede il sole.  
La paura guarda la vigna.  
Siedi, & gambetta, & vedrai tua vendetta.  
Quell imboccarsi per man d'altri, é un non sattolarsi may.  
Chi ti fá più carezze, che non suole, ò t'hà ingannato, ò ingannar ti vuole: altri dicono, ò ingannar, ò tradir ti vuole.  
Le galline si pigliano con bell bell, non con scioia, scioia.  
Tal mano si bascia, che si vorrebbe veder 
* Cut of.  mozza.  
Non é ingannato, se non chi si fida.  
Ogni bel givoco, rincresce.  
Ben spesso si piglia della volpe.  
Non é miglior Rimedio che tener lungi dal 
* A Goat.  becco l'herba, & far dicostar le serve dal marito.  
Egli é meglio esser Martyr, che confessore.  
Picctola pioggia fá cessar gran vento: s'intende delle lagrime di donne.  
Il spensierato fa come il Magnano, che salta tanto con le 
* Budgets.  bolge, come senza le bolge.  
Onde dice il volgo: Il saper nulla, é una dolce vita.  
Per far buon giudicio del vino, bisogna dare prima colore à gli occhi, dapoi l'odore ál naso, & finalment il sapore alla bocca.  
Non si vuol tagliar il fuoco col ferro: cio è non contendere co ' contentiosi.  
Hà la fame più grand, che il ventre.  
Da ventre pieno esce miglior consiglio: cio è più fidele, & manco astuto.  
E meglio esser sol, che mal accompagnato.  
La compagnia nel male suole allegierir il male.  
Io non vorrei esser solo in paradiso.  
Le pietre, che vanno rotolando, non piglian rugine.  
Il seruitore dé ò seruir, come servo, ò fuggir come ceruo.  
Há talment dalla crapula ingrossato l'intelletto, che non conosce (secondo il Proverbio) lafoy traggea dalla 
* Hail, or ice.  Gragnuola: & gl'é giuditioso, come l'asmo che giudicò più Soaue il canto del cucco, che quello del 
* A nightingale.  Rosignuolo.  
Quando la Patrona sollegia, la sante dannegis.  
Non sipuò insieme bear, & 
* to whistle.  fischiare,  
Chi non fá quel che deue, quel che aspetta non riceue.  
Et altri dicono: Chi non sa quel che debbe, gli interuien quel che non crede.  
Quando il Marito sáterra, la moglie fácarne: s'intende della moglie cattiva, & disleale.  
Vá circando il pelo nel'ouo.  
La lettera non s'arrossisce, né sivergogna.  
La verità si può piegare, ma rompere non giá may.  
Chi é facile à credere, sitrona ingannato spesso.  
Sigrida poche volte ál lupo, che non sia in paese.  
Il villano vien sempre col disegno fatto.  
Tal ti guarda la cappa, che non ti vede la borsa.  
Non é peccato ál mondo simanifesto, che non si venga à manifestare.  
Però diceva la fornaia, se non vuoi, che si sappia, non lo fare, & se vuoi tenerlo secreto, non lo dire.  
Chi non sa tacere, non sa godere.  
Chi há intrigato ista oosa, la slrighi: chi há mangiato i 
* new beans.  baccelli, spazzi i gusci.  
Chi uá all nozze, & non é invitato, spesso se ne torna suergognato.  
Chi scriue à chi non respond, ò l'è matto, ò l'há di bisogno.  
Di promise non goàere, & di minaccie non temere.  
Amor, & Signoria non voglion compagnia.  
Chi biasima vuol comprare.  
Mangiati à tuo modo, ma vestiti à modo d'altri.  
Chiunque ad altrui inganni tesse, in se stesso non pocomal ordisce.  
Odi, vedi, & tac●, se vuoi vivere in pace.  
Carne fácarne, vino sá sangue: pan mantiene.  
Dio mi guardi dalle mattutine di Parigi, & l● vespri di Sicilia.  
Bologna la grassa, Padova la passa, ma Venetia la guasta.  
Chi vuole del fresco, non vadi à cercarlo.  
Tien coperta la testa nel giorno manco che puoi, & nella not quanto che vuoi.  
Conti spessi fanno amicity lunghe.  
Chi fá la sua vendetta, oltre che offend,  
Chi offeso l'há, da molti si defend.  
Chi più spend, manco spend.  
Spesso una molestia ne leva molte.  
Il fuoco arde la 
* Straw.  paglia facilment.  
Cosa, che voglia cadere, fá prima cenno.  
In un buon seruitore ci vuole il muso di Porco, la schiens d'Asino, & le gambe di Ceruo.  
Spesse volte il giorno d'oggi aggiugne qualche cosa á quello d'hieri.  
Chi simarita in sretta, se ne penned adagio.  
Pigliar vnadonna brutta, è mal di stomacho,  
Pigliarla bella è mal di testa.  
Questoè come 
* To stompe.  pestoiar acqua nel 
* mortar.  Mortaio, ò guitar le 
* beans.  fave all muro, & come perdere l'acqua, el'sapone.  
Chi havendo tempo, aspetta tempo, tempo perde.  
Con il tempo, & con la paglia si maturano le nespole.  
Il più delle volte aviene, che la maggior part vince la migliore.  
I vecchis, che sch●●zano con le donne fanno carezze alla morte.  
A buono Intendimento non bisogna molte parole.  
La scusa non richiesta, presuppone errore.  
D'vn errore sempre ne nascono altri maggiori.  
La fuga si fá tarda, per troppo spronare.  
Vien la vernata, che ne uà l'agnel prima, che la capra.  
Chi fá i fatti suoi, non s'imbrata le mani.  
Chi non sa fare i fatti suoi, peggio fa quei d'altri.  
Quell ch' è del patto, non è d'inganno.  
Imonti firmi stanno, mà gl'huomini à rincontrarsi si vanno.  
La facilità non impedisce l'elegantia.  
Chi lascia la via vecchia per la nuova, spesso ingannato si truova.  
caval donato non si guarda in bocca.  
Né femina, né tela non pigliar alla candela: s'intende delle donne che si lisciano.  
Assai sá, chi non sá, se tacer sá.  
Se non con la pelle del Leone, con la pelle della volpe.  
La conscienza è mill testimonij.  
La maraviglia è figlivola della ignoranza.  
un huomo val cento, & cento non val uno.  
Chi semina virtù, raccoglie fama.  
L'vna mano lava l'altra, & ambedue lauano il viso.  
Bocca larga: borsa stretta.  
Mentre che v' è acqua, bisogna molinare, & mentre è caldo, battere.  
Ciascuno Molino resta di molinare mancando l'acqua.  
Chi comporta un ingiuria vecchia invita altrui à fargli vn' altra nuova.  

Proverbio Bolognese.  Putto in vin, & donna in Latin, non fecer may buon fin.  
Frasepolto Tesoro, & occulta sapienza, non si conosce alcuna differenza.  
servo d'altrui si fá, chi dice il suo secreto, à chi no'l sá.  
L'adulatore è simile all beccaio, che grata il porco con la mano, per dargli poi della mazza su'l capo.  
Chi vuol entrare, piccy l'vscio.  
Il diavolo non è si brutto, come si depinge.  
Il diavolo sá, perch è vecchio.  
A cane, che lecca cenere, è mal fidarli la farina.  
All can che finta farina, si può ben fidar cenere.  
Quell sarebbe come porre il Lupo per 
* A shepherd.  pecoraio, & andar alla gatta per lardo.  
Né Christo ancora si potè guardare da man di traditore.  
Legalo bene, & lascialo andare.  
Piscia chiaro, & fá le fiche ál medico.  
Io levai la lepre, & vn' altro la press.  
Al'arborè che cade, ogniun grida taglia taglia, & all can che fugge dágli dágli.  
Ogn' un corre à far legna al arbore, ch' il vento in terra getta.  
Dio mi guardi da furia di populo, da cattiva giustitia, & da man di traditori.  
Non è in tutto savio, chi non sá bisognando esser pazzo.  
La gatta há pelata la coda.  
Chi altri tribola, se non posa.  
Andarono per sonare, & furono sonatis: come i piffari di 
Proverbio Lucchese.  Lucca.  
Chi tutto vuole, tutto perde.  
Chi been side, mal pensa.  
Tal biasima altrui, che tira à ' suoi colombi.  
Accennava à cop & dava bastoni.  
Non è peggior male, che quel della morte: nè peggior minestra, che quella che sa del fumo.  
L'amore, & lafoy toss non si ponno celare.  
Non si serra may una porta, che non si apra vn' altra.  
Loda, & comforta, & non t'obligare.  
Sempre de' cattivi partiti, piglia il migliore.  
Però si dice in Italia che per arte, & inganno sivive il mezzo anno: per inganno & arte si vive l'altra part.  
Alla buona di rata pensavi sú.  
Non sono tutti huomini, quelli che pisciano all muro.  
Bisogna gustar il meal con la punta delle dita: cio è vsar una cosa non per cibo ordinario, ma come per ristorativo.  
L'aquila non piglia le mosche.  
L'infelici figlivoli lodano i padri: volendo dire ch' essi stessi son d'ogni lode indegni.  
Questo non sarebbe altro, che voler torre il folgore à Gioue: ò entrare in altrui possessione.  
L'ingannar se stesso è la più facile cosa di tutte l'altre.  
I secondi pensieri son sempre migliori.  
Chi falla la seconda, tocca un cavallo.  
Par un Toscano di Monferrato: Si dice d'vno ch' è troppo curioso nel parlare.  
L'agnello humile succia le mamelle della propria madre, & l'altre ancora.  
Da mal Coruo, mal ovo.  
Le donne s'hanno à sposare prima con l'orecchie, che con gli occhi.  
Voi volete dire, ch' io imbocco (secondo il Proverbio) col 
* with an empty spoon  cucchiaio votò: cio è mostro di voler fare, & non fare.  
E meglio pascer febre, che pascer debolezza: volendo dire, che l'infermità, che vengono da repletione sono menò pericolose, che quelle, che procedono da estenuatione.  
Il vino non há * 
The Rudder of a boat.  timone.  
L'è un voler estinguer il fuoco con l'oglio,  
Picciol vento accende fuoco, ma un grand l'estingue.  
MY havete renduto pan per 
* Caakes.  foccacia.  
Più dolci sono le ferite del amico, ch' i baci del inimico.  
Le cose malament acquistate, malament se ne vanno.  
un belmorir tutta la vita honora.  
Freno indorato non migliora il cavallo.  
See l'occhio non mira, il cuor non sospira.  
Che quanto piace all mondo è breve sogno.  
Chi porta il torchio indietro há per costume, à se far ombra, àchi lo segue lume.  
Non shirzar che doglia, non motteggiar del vero.  
Gli huomini da bene sono si pochi, che si posson numerare col'Naso.  
Lodando il buono, è poi sempre migliore,  
Riprendi il tristo, ogn' hora ne vien peggiore.  
Chi dice tutto quel ch' egli sá, fá tutto quel ch' egli può, & mangia cio ch' egli hà, non gli resta più niente.  
Con l'ombra della virtù si depinge il vitio,  
Et s●tto il conio della bontà si spend la malitia.  
Egl'è formica di sorbo, che non esce per 
* to knock.  bussare.  
Bisogna esser tagliato a buona Luna.  
Ogni cosa ha principio.  
Muro bianco carta da matti.  
Per via s'acconciano le Some.  
Egli scorticarebbe il pedocchio per haver la pelle.  
Quanto uno ha' più roba, tanto più ne vorrebbe havere.  
Há fatto più che Carlo in Francia: cio è cose incredibili.  
Tristo è colui ch' aspetta la mercè d'altrui.  
L'auaro inanzi ch' egli scondesseil Tesoro, pierce se medesimo. 
Sent.   
Tanto gode l'auaro havendo nulla, quanto havendo ogni cosa.  
I danari non statiano l'auaro, ma gli fanno havere più sete di quelli.  
L'huomo virtuoso ama più d'essere, che d'esser tenuto.  
La spada d' tristi non taglia, ma il credito de' buoni amazza l'huomo.  
Chi si becca il ceruello in un modo, chi in un altro.  
S'io trovassi l'inimico à dormire, non gli torcerei un pelo.  
un pazzo ne fa cento.  
Il serluitor isciocco suol esser spesse volte nel rubare astuto.  
I bnoni costumi si debbono honorare non meno ch' i capei canuti.  
L'amore 
* Bemyreth.  infanga il giouane, & il vecch●o 
* Drouneth.  annega.  
Non desideri may nissuno d'esser il primo a portar cattiva novella.  
Quell che tu vuoi donare una volta, non lo prometter due.  
Non sa donare chi tarda à dare.  
La leg poche volte resist ál Oro.  
Il martell d'argento 
* Breaketh in pieces.  spezza le port di ferro.  
A far bene le facende, bisogna been pensare, meglio consigliare, ottimamente deliberare, & perfettamente fare.  
Il povero s'affattica incercar quello che gli manca, il ricco in conseruar quello ch' egl'ha, & il virtuoso nel domandar quel'che gli bisogna.  
Ei fu buon 
* A green goose.  Papero, & cattiva ocha: cio è fumiglior massaio in gioventù, che in vecchiezza, meglio comportana la povertà che la ricchezza.  
Virtù è, fuggir il vitio.  
Chi non fa le pazzie in gioventù le fa poi in vecchiezza.  
L'oro s'esperimenta col fuoca, con il martello si p●uoua l'argento, & con l'adoperare siconoscono gl'huomini.  
La più cattiva Ruota del carro è quella che 
* that kreakes  cigoli.  
Chi cerca i fatti d'altri non puo esser buono.  

Sent.  Ogni's ignorant è cattivo.  
L'arbor buono fa buon frutto.  
Tanto uà là gatta ál Lardo, che vi la scia la 
* Paw.  zampa.  
La padella dice all 
* Cauldron.  Paivolo, fatti in la che tu mi tingi: si puo vsar questo Proverbio, per ●assar i maledicenti.  
Ama è serai amato.  

Sent. di Platone.  Amore é il vero prezzo con che si compra l'Amore.  
Ogn' un s'il becca: si dice propriamente de' poeti.  
Tutto 
* Steel.  l'acciaio ch' egli hà adosso non potrebbe far una punta d'vn ago.  
Non si puo trar la 
* Frog.  ranòcchia dal 
* mire.  Pantano.  
Chi lava il capo all Asino perde ill 
* Lec.  ranno, el'sapone.  
Tal merito ha, chi ingrato serve.  
Di buon seem mal frutto.  
Il sapere ha' un piede in terra & uno in Nane, Perche Signoreggia l'acqua & la terra.  
Tu hai fatto d'vna lanza un 
* Spindle.  fuso. cio è pensando d'esser Gigante nel sapere, ti sei mostrato un Pigmeo.  
Impacciati co ' fanti,  
Et lascta stare i Santi.  
Tu sei fatto come la 
* A chestnut.  Castagna,  
Bella di fuori, & dentro è la 
* A magott.  magagna.  
Si vuol andar col pie del piombo.  
Non ti conosco, se non ti maneggio.  
Duro con duro non fece may buon Muro.  
Non si può distendersi, che quanto è lungo il 
* Sheet.  linzuolo.  
Chi ha moglie ha pena & doglie: s'intende della cattiva.  
Egli ha tolto un 
* A hawks bell.  sonaglio per un 
* bile.  anguinaia.  
Chi non può battere il cavallo, bat la sella.  
Io levai la lepre vn' altro laprese.  
Chi fa la roba non la good.  
Nido fatto 
* A bird called a Pye.  gazza morta.  

* Detto diCicerone.  L'huomo honora il luogo, & non il luogo l'huomo.  
Le parole son femine, & i fatti son maschi.  
Predica il Vangelo ad altri, & egli non crede nulla.  
Costui seen uà alla Carlona: cio è alla libera.  
Fà come il 
* A popinjay  Papagallo, che non leva may il piede, se non ha prima appiccato il 
* Bill.  becco: cio è non scriue ne serve se non sia prima premiato.  
Andò aggirando un pezzo, come moscha senza capo.  
Fa come le capre che saltan tutte dove ne salta una.  
Buone parole, & cattivi fatti ingannano i savij & i mattis.  
Ciascun Molino resta di molinare, mancando l'acqua.  
Vuol far d'vn 
* A Thorn.  Pruno un 
* An Orége.  Melarancio.  
La campana suona per altri, & non per se.  
Fa come la candela: è buono à gli altri & à se medissimo fa danno.  
Egli è meglio un tieni tieni, che cento piglia piglia.  
Il fauio be● spess●caeua'l 
* A Crabbe.  Grancio dalla 
* A Hole.  buca con la mano d'altri.  
Vuol pigliar la Lepre conil carro.  
Egli è favio dopo il fatto.  

Sent.  Non per passar il tempo ma per acquistar tempo si leggono i libri.  
Più tosto si dé guardare dell'inuidia del Amico, che dall'insidie del nimico.  
Non conosce la pace, & non la stima,  
Chi non hà provato la guerra prima.  
Il cane abbaia, dove si pasce.  
Ogni cane vuol pisciar all muro.  
Ogni tristo cane mena la coda.  
Il far il letto all cane è gran fatica.  
La fiamma è poco lontana dal fu●no.  
Nelle guerre d'Amore chi fugge, vince.  
Lo faremo credere ancha à San Thomaso.  
Quando l'oro parla, la lingua non ha forza alcuna.  
Chi hà Amore in seno, ha sempre le sprone all fianco.  
Chi scampa d'vn punto ne scifamille.  
Da un lato hò il precipitio, & dall altro i lupi.  
Si vuol amar amico col suo difetto.  
Dire villania all surdo, & scolparsi sopra la fortuna, sono cose d'huomini dappoco.  
E più facile cosa tener un carbonè ardente, che una secreta parola in bocca.  
Il perder fá mal sangue: Giocar & perder lo sá far ogni uno.  
La moscha ha la sua colera, & non è si picciol pelo che non habbia la sua ombra.  
Non bisogna stuzzicare, quando fumail naso del orso.  
Ogni mal fresco agevolment si leva.  
Non è buona madre quella, che fá il figlivolo, & non hà poi latte di poterlo nutrire.  
E meglio perdere dicendo il vero, che vincer con le bugie.  
Non può il vitello, & vuol che porti il bue.  
Costui vuol abbracciar l'ombra, & pigliar il vento con le reti.  
Fà come il gallo, che canta bene, ma crespa male: cio è ha buone parole ma cattivi fatti.  
Colui uà in 
* Slippers.  zoccoli per l'asciuto: cio è si dà fastidio senza cagione.  
Chi been dona, caro vend, see villain non è ch'il prende.  
L'huomo é dio all huomo, & Lupo.  
Non bisogna per gli uccelli restar di seminare il grano.  
Ogni 
* Every soul coif.  scuffia lorda serve per la not.  
Non si crede all bugiardo, anco che giuri.  
Ben si crede all verace, anchor che menta.  
Più scende, chi più sale.  
A sciascuno passo nasce un pensier nuovo.  
Il serpent troth fiori, & herb giace.  
E tempo à cenare à i ricchi quando vogliono, & a i poveri quando possono.  
La gola non ha orecchie.  
La Salimanda von è offesa dal fuoto.  
Il medico è grasso, e'l religioso è magro.  
Io chi sono di cera al fuoco torno.  
L'aquila non genera colombe.  
un tacer à tempo avanza ogni bel parlare.  
Si vuol saper con i più, & parlar can i manco.  
Merita ogni biasimo quel giouane che vuol parlar come vecchio, 
Sent.  & quella donna che vuol parlare come huomo.  
In giouenil fallire è men vergogna: dice il Poeta.  
Tre sort di person odiose al mondo. uz. Il povero superbo: Il ricco bugiardo: E'l vecchio stolto.  
L'esser canuto è segno di tempo, ma non di sapere.  
Dove è manco cuore, quivi è più lingua.  
Tanto più manifestasi il pèccato,  
Quanto più il peccator é in alto stato.  
Chi riceue beneficio per via di prieghi, lo compra caro.  
Chi vive per altrui, é morto in se stesso.  
Val più vn' uncia di fortuna, che cento pesi d'industria,  
E molto meglio meritar un honore che hauerlo.  
Perdonando troppo à chi falla, si fa ingiuria à chi non falla. del Cortegiano.  
E peggio non voler far been, che non saperlo fare.  
La misura del havere debb' esser il corpo del huomo: si come 
Sent.  il piede é la misura della scarpa.  
La pace non armata é debole.  
La diffidenza é la radice di sapienza.  
Il magistrato fa manifesto il valour di chi l'essercita. del Guicciardini.  
Chi si contenta, good.  
Chi fa la casa in piazza un dice ch' ella é alta, & l'altro ch' ella é bassa.  
La verità si può piegare, ma rompere non giamai.  
Senza oro & argento non s'entra dentro.  
Irasenza forza é cosa vana.  
Ad amor palese rare volte é conceduto felice fine. del Bocca.  
Tra felici, & infelici nel mezzo della lor vita non v é differenza alcuna.  
Donna basciata, & mezzo guadagnata.  
Sola la miseria é senza invidia nelle cose presenti.  
Per una percossa non cadde may arbore.  
Le puttane sono come il carbone, che, ò coee, ò tinge.  
Chi vuol esser ricco agevolment, hòr sia povero di desiderij. disse Cleante.  
Non é più tempo à dare 
* Hay.  fieno à 
* Geese.  oche.  
La vita fugge, & non s'arresta vn' hora. Et la morte vien dietro à gran giornate.  
La vita il fine, e'l di loda la sera.  
Trotto d'Asino dura poco.  
un fior non fa Primavera.  
Chi dona al indegno, due volte perde.  
Non é bell quel ch' é bello,  
Ma bello é quel che piace.  
Chi dà tosto dà due▪ volte.  
Al Bugiardo non é creduto la verità.  
Pensa & poi fa. Da & poi di.  
Chi uno ne castiga cento ne minaccia. 
Detto di Seneca.   
Sarebbe troppo per un cavallo, & poco per un carro.  
Ogni un chi stamale desidera ruina.  
Egli ha fatto il suo de 
* Things pilfered.  ruffola, * raffola.  
Dal detto àl fatto v' é un gran tratto.  
Ogni simile appetisce il suo simile.  
Se tu vuoi conoscer uno, fallo parlare.  
Ogni 
* Broome o● beessome.  granata nuona spazza been la casa.  
Io mi sono allevato la serpe in seno.  
La discretione é la madre delle virtù.  
Chi non sa fare i fatti suoi, peggio fá quei d'altri.  
L'auaro non fa may miglior opera, che quando tirale calze.  
Costui mi riesce meglio àpane ch' à farina.  
Fá come il can pauroso, che tira la coda frale gambe.  
Non crede al santo se non fá miracolo.  
Egli há troppo buon vino á sicattiva 
* A Butte, or hogshead.  botte.  
Se l'é rosa, la fiorira.  
Quando la Pera é matura, conuien che la caggia.  
Quando il villan é solo sopra il fico,  
Non há parent alcun, ne buon amico.  
Chi bá siel in bocca, non può sputar meal.  
E difficilissimo andár á veder macinare, senza imbiancarsi di farina.  
Ogni un chiama la gatta gatta.  
Il pazzo sa meglio i fatti suoi, ch' il savio quelli d'altri.  
Gli adulatori si lasciano pigliare all boccone come pesce.  
Non v'è maggior male che l'ignoranza.  
La gola, il sonno, & l'otiose piume,  
Hanno del mondo ogni virtù sbandita.  
E bruttissima cosa tollerar un huomo malitioso che ponga la bocca in cielo.  
Sempre dopo la gloria ne vien l'inuidia.  
Dio voglia che quel oro non riesca Orpello.  
Tutt' il nostro proceder non è altro ch' un aggirarsi intorno, come una 
* A Gnat.  far falla intorno all lume.  
Chi cosi vuol, cosi habbia.  
Il gallo canta con buona voce, ma non resta à 
* Skrape.  raspar con le unghie.  
Par ch' egli habbia questa ventura di cascar in piedi come le got.  
Si uà per più strade à Roma.  
Si tend un 
* A Snare.  laccio all lepri, una 
* A fowling Net.  ragna à gli Vccelli, una Rete à pesci, & à gli huomini si tendono l'Insidie.  
Chi non può pigliar uccelli, mangi la 
* An Owl.  civetta.  
Non si uà alla fama sot ' il coltrone, ne co'l dormire su la coltrice, & chi dorme in questo modo lascia di se un fumo in aria, & una schiuma nell'acqua.  
O been ò male tutt' è fava.  
Chi non sá adulare non sa conversare: ma si dice meglio che.  
L'adulatore é amico nel conversare con parole & inimico nel animo co ' fatti.  
Vi corre anchor un altro Proverbio più volgare che lodevole che.  
Chi non sa dissimulare non sa vivere.  
La fortuna non sá sedere: Colui è degno d'ogni male, che della sua fortuna si vergogna. Dicono gli ignoranti ventura Dio, poco senno basta: Et vorrei buona Fortuna, la sapienza chi la vuol la tolga: Chi non ha' ventura non vadi à pescare.  
Tanto è del avaro quel che possiede, quanto quel che non possiede.  
Sempre pioue, quando io fó bucato.  
Come iò uò in Chiesa, mi cade il Campanile in capo. 
Detto d'Homero diventato Proverbio.   
Amico fin ál Altar.  
Anche gli stolti conoscono la cosa poi ch' ella è fatta.  
Gli huomini grandi hanno à morire in piedi. 
Proverbi trattì dalle History.   
Il Romano vince sedendo.  
Egli hà fatto il figlivol Prodigo. 
Proverbi cavati da' sacri libri.   
Egli è venuto senza la vest nuptiale.  
Non si cognosce Errore, la dove regna Amore. 
Proverbi facti peruna Getildonnna Sanese.   
Chi vuol saluar honore, sdegno in front, & fuoco in cuore.  
Dove non è la speranza del bene, non è la paura del male.  
Il pianger i morti non rileva, & la vendetta sfoga l'odio assai.  
Se il lagrimar ne medicasse il male,  
Et piangendo il dolour finisse,  
Per le lagrime ogni un darebbe l'oro.  
Chi osserna quest tree cose non haurà may contesa aucuna.  
Cedere al maggiore, persuadere con modestia al minore, & consentire al uguale.  
Ad amor palese rare volte ò non may è conceduto felice fine. 
Del Boccacio.   
Fauciulla à tempo non maritata, spesso si marita suerginata,  
Tien la fortuna mentre che tu l'hai, Che si ti esce di man may più l'haurai.  
La Zingara ad altrui la sort dice, Et la sua non conosce l'infelice.  
Aspettare, & non venire, servire & non aggradire, Star in letto & non dormire, sono tree cose da morire.  
Il miser suole dare facile credenza à quel che vuole.  
Sempre che l'inimico è più possente,  
Più chi perde accettabile ha' la scusa.  
Ambasciator pena non porta.  

Del Ariosto.  L'huomo nè per star, nè per fuggire, All suo fisso destin puo contradire.  
Perch' il porro ha' il capo bianco, la coda è verde.  
Le cose quantunque molto piacciono, hauendone soperchia copia rincrescono.  
Ogn' un corre à far legna,  

Del Ariosto.  All arbore, ch' il vento in terra getta.  

Del Cortegiano.  La facilità non impedisce l'elegantia.  
La compagnia nel male suol allegierir il male.  
I giovani hanno copia di tempo, i vecchi n'han carestia.  
Ama, & sarai amato.  

* Di Platone.  L'amar altrui è il vero prezzo con che sicompra Amore.  
I diavoli non sono si negri come si dipingono.  
L'arbore che di continuo si trapianta non fàmai frutto.  
Vfficio pregato è mezzo pagato.  
Di novello ogni cosa è bella.  
Milano la grand, Venetia la ricca, Genova la superba, Fiorenza la bella, Napoli lafoy gentile.  

Proverbio Napolitano.  Balsant di quatro, ò vendre, ò barratre: Balsant di tree caval di Re: Balsant d'vno, non dare annissuno,  
Di tree cose il Fiorentino ne fa una frulla, A Dio, mi raccommando, vuoi tu nulla.  

Del Petrarcha.  Piaga antiueduta assai men duole.  
E meglio haver un buon porco, ch' una bella tosa.  
Non stuzzicar il can che dorme.  
Dall'vnghie si conosce il Leone.  
Chi muore in campo, muore in letto d'honore.  
Non si ponno coglier le rose senza punger le mani.   

Motti brievi ch'hanno del Proverbio.  

Costui ha del sale in zucca: cio è egl'è molto ingenioso.  
Donna 
* The forename used to be given to a Nun.  monna Zucca all vento: cio è di poco ceruello.  
Piaccia a Dio che la mia Zucca mandi fuori il suo seem.  
Io cavalco alla 
* A light horse man.  stradiotta, pochi arnesi mi fanno.  
Ha tanti libri di lettere in capo ch' un Asino ne sarebbe carico.  
La tua opera anderà in monte.  
Ma vegniamo a meza lama: Gli debt una buona 
* Knoke.  picchiata: Saltò di 
* Stake.  Palo in 
* A bough of a tree.  frasca.  
Gli ho dato con la sferza un buon cavallo.  
Ho serbato un colpo maestro.  
I poveri 
* Great heads.  capessoni han fatto il pane.  
Egl'ha posto il tetto. Succia su quello.  
Dice le cose si alte che non si puo pigliar la 
* The sight.  mira.  
De gli incorrigibili si dè mandar le radice all sole.  
Se voi uì lasciate l'ossa, vostro danno: La malitia ha fat profondissime radici: Sò che tu l'hai hau●ta buona á capello: Gli ignoranti sono pur cresciuti senza 
* To water  inaffarli.  
Come ha tocco dne volte in capo di messer Eccellente, egli gomfia, come una 
* A Toado.  botta. Si vantava d'amazzar l'aria: Star non si può a petto con lui: Dar la stretta ad uno.  
Hebbe nome mezzo forfante, mezzo marivolo, il rest poi era tutto poltrone.  
un certo mercantuzzo di stringhe: un Asinaccio da bastone: un bestionacchio sperticato da venderlo à can come i campi, ò à farui present á un lungo remo: un Asinaccio pezzo d'huomo: un bestivolo dá poco ceruello.  
Lo darà il Boia bello, & fritto all diavolo: Lo dò all forche: Mi ritirai con questo cocomero nel capo alla villa. SH' è cavata la maschera.  
Non pensate ch' io vocelli á presenti: un huomo alquanto di sale. Heveua il piede in due staff: cio è si poteva ò bene ò male interpretar i fatti ò i detti suoi.  
Gl'hauete tolto quello á torto, che non gli potete rendere á ragione, cio è la vita: Chi così vuol, così habbia:  
Io ti daró tanti, & tanti, ch' io ti cauer● il 
* Skoffinge, or jesting.  ruzzo del capo.  
Non me ne so né grado, né gratia.  
Pare che quella cosa cerchi il suo centro.  
Poi alla fine sono iti à monte con gli altri.  
Gl'é terreno da piantar carotte: Ha l'ali più grandi ch' il nido: Più sù sta mona Luna: Dà del buon per la pace: Hà la fede Greca, cio è egl'è disleale: Dorme con gli occhi aperti: A lui si cangiò il pelo: Che si dè far dunquc? Stringer le spalle: Dare il * 
Ouerwaight, or the shaking.  crollo alla bilancia: Colui fù il primo che ruppe il ghiaccio: Gli s' è portato il cappello rosso, cio è ha hauuto la buona nuova: Ha unto le mani ál guidice: Ha cattivi vicini: M'ha dato à credere 
* Gloowe worms.  lucciole per lantern: Costui brava à credenza: Ho dato nello scartato: Há preso un granchio: ha mangiato vn' osso: voi empiete la valigia come un zoccolante 
* Without paying any thing.  à scrocco. Dormite all par d'el piumaccio: Ei suda di bell Gennaio: Hà pisciato in più neve: Io ho reso l'arme à San Giorgio: Si messe in dozzena con le stringhe rot. Sono savi à credenza, & mattis á contanti. Di tal moneta l'hauete pagato, quali erano state le derrate vendute. Tu che non hai ancora rasciuti gl'occhi. Egli haveua á buona 
* A ring in a wall.  caviglia legato l'Asino: A madonna poco fila gli si tringevano i * 
The garters.  cintolini. Costei scent del scemo. E terreno da' ferri miei. Star con le Muse in Parnaso, far fascio d'ogni herba.  
Amioi di proferta assai si truova  
Anchor chi stanno con la borsa aperta,  
Quando si vien all fatto della pruoua,  
Borsa serrata, amici non si truova.  
Chi dá tosto, dá due volte.  
La gratia presta si radoppia, & la tarda suanisce.  
Le gratie non aspettate, soglion esser più grate.  
Ma non si può sforzare il Popone.  
In fine in fine i guai col pane sono buoni, & ogni cosa ha il suo rimedio, fuor che la morte.  
La morte anchora dá minor pena, che l'indugio della morte.  
E molto meglio tosto morire, che vivendo languire.  
La morte di se stessa non è misera, ma la via che conduce álla morte è misera.  
E meglio ritornar in dietrò, che andar errando inanzi.  
Meglio è godersi il poco, ch' il bramar assai contrauaglio.  
L'huomo risoluto non depend dalle cose a venire: l'aspetta, si bene: & good (ill meglio ch' egli può) le cose presenti: Del Autore.    
Se non contento, almen risoluto. C. M.  

T.U.