THE Second Tome of the Travails and adventures of Don Simonides, interlaced with variety of History, wherein the courteous and not curious Reader, may find matters so leveled, as may suffice to please all humours.  
For melancholy men, they shall not need to sail to Anticera, for here they shall find pleasant expulsives. For merry minds, sober discourses to prevent excess. For devout, wholesome lessons to confirm their contemplation. For all sorts, such delights as neither allow of dalliance, nor discommend honest pleasure. Written by Barnaby rich, Gentleman.  Malui me divitem esse quam vocari. 
¶ Imprinted at London for Robert Walley, dwelling in Paul's Churchyard. 1584.,   

To the Right honourable my very good Master Sir Christopher Hatton Knight, Captain of her majesties Guard, Vicechamberlaine to her Highness, and one of her majesties most honourable privy Counsel.  
NOw at length (Right honourable) our Simonides hath finished his Journey, he hath visited Rome, seen Naples, beheld Athens, sailed into England, over viewed both Court and Country, and in conclusion returned into Civil.  
Amongst his chiefest friends, I as one privy to his conceits, have determined the publishing of his travails, and dedicated them under your honourable protection: May it please you to shadow them from contempt, since they are not altogether unnecessary, for in this cause (with Marcus Cato) I would not stick to stand to the judgement of my most depraver Titus Gracchius. I have avoided lasciviousness, yet interlaced pleasure, discoursed of serious matters not pretermitting measurable mirth, and like a cunning Painter, affording every shape his shadow, I have finished this counterfeit of a Lover, in all proportions, of a travailer and his success: wishing every dram of pleasure an ounce, and every light motion that fitteth your honourable fantasy, a continued dilatation of rhetorical eloquence. Thus leaving myself and that I present to your honour's censure, I rest.  
Your Honour's servant and Soldier always at command, Barnaby rich.   

To the Gentlemen Readers, Barnaby rich Soldier sendeth greeting.  
GEntlemen, under rhese Clouds of feigned Histories (if it please you to pry with advised insight) you may find the Anatomy of wanton youth, seasoned with over late repentance: And amongst you that be stayed, good lessons to confirm your experience. For other that are now entering the world, may find wholesome counsel to prevent inconvenience.  
Simonides hath now imitated Sophocles the Tragedian, who accused before the Magistrates of dotage, repeated before them his Tragedy of Oedipus Coloneus (which at that instant he had made) so that his accusers confounded in their own overweening, departed with a shameful repulse: So our Spaniard amongst our curious Precizians condemned of lasciviousness, now concludeth their opinions to be corrupt, which accuse him by only reporting this his true intent, which urged him to publish his own follies.  
It was first his will to warn the unstaid by his fall, and to instruct the inconstant, to gather up the fruits of experience, so as the after repentance might not make them loathsome. He was counseled by the advise of aged Aristo, yet refused it. He was admonished by the fall of Porcia, yet he continued unpleasant. What women were, Lamia taught him. What Love was, Tityrus made trial: and neither the persuasion of a gallant Soldier, nor the advise of an ancient Father, neither yet the sharp invectives of his traveling companion Anthonio, were ever able to withhold him, but he would needs prosecute his folly to the end.  
These medicines opportunity offered him in his first travail, now what succeed in this volume, let the advised Reader be judge. The end is Simonides found women inconstant, the world unstable, pleasure still vading, hope uncertain, expense remediless, lost time unrecoverable, and with a tear concluded thus. Good Gentlemen, let my Cantharus laid in Balm, that is, my youthly follies seasoned with repentance call you home. And since at Civil Ladies have been stained, I beseech you remember this, that as the Climate can not alter the effect, so this mischief may as well reign in England as in Spain, and therefore my counsel is, that you rather content yourselves with Clarindas' first repulse, then in the end to become partaker of Simonides too late repentance.  
But now Gentlemen, for that I know very well, that my lines shall assoon find a Scipio Nascica to reprehend, as a Vitellius to commend, a disdainful judgement to mislike, as a favourable opinion to allow, I have concluded with myself to laugh at Naevius when he finds fault, and to jest at Boldunus when he cavilleth: so turning the fury of their reports on my person, I doubt not but to find shoulders to bear the burden of reproof. For you courteous Gentlemen, I doubt not but you will wink at that you would not see, and laugh at that you best allow of. And thus leaving my Book under the benefit of some blessed aspect, and to the censure of your friendly reports I take my leave.  
Barnaby rich.   

The second part of the Adventures of Simonides, and first of his being at Rome.  
SIMONIDES (our amorous Pilgrim) according to his purposed travel having attained Rome, the only noted place of renown (once for exceeding virtue, now for abundant vice) betook himself to consider the situation of the place, and the disposition of the people: to note the zeal of the religious, and the forwardness of the Citizens, in whose progeniturs, not only the mirror of Military profession, but also the image of true nobility was resident. And according to the subject that served his contemplation, he began with himself to compare Rome that is, to that which was: those Monuments that are, to those which were: those men that be, with their progeniturs which have been, to the end he might gather a conclusion of the world, by the comparison of both ages: which observation assuredly (in the judgement of the wisest) is the most confirmer of a confused opinion, not yet persuaded with probable authority: And to the better accomplishing of his purpose, he conveyed himself to his lodging, whereunto accustomarily, many and sundry Gentlemen did resort: partly to take their repast, partly to meet good company, which maketh the Bankett more accounted of, although the Caates be not so costly: And finding it Noon tide, and the company ready to sit down to their dinners, he incited by hunger (which is the companion of travailers) and desire of satisfaction of that he mused upon, sat down by good fortune in the company of a religious Father, a learned Lawyer, and a industrious Soldier: our Votive called Friar Sebastian, our Civilian signor Sandalio, and our Martialist Don Pirro de feragosa: at first sitting they served their appetites, afterwards betaking themselves to table talk, and espying out our religious travailer Simonides by good fortune, yet most convenient serving to the gain of our Pilgrim, they fell into discourse of the excellency of their professions, and for that they would more honour our passionate stranger, they concluded that he should be the judge and decider of their controvercie, upon which conclusion, Father Sebastian having taken counsel of his cup, and leaning on his elbow extending out his two fingers oritoriously discoursed thus.  

The Objection of Friar Sebastian against the Lawyer and Soldier.  
WE have undertaken at this present so great a task (Honourable stranger and religious Pilgrim) yea we have attempted such a controversy, as neither memory can furnish us with sufficient discourse, nor our method any ways be answerable to the dignity of the subject: Suum cuique pulchrum, yet neither this nor that nor a third opinion can conclude a certainty: for what so ever is certain in itself needeth no demonstration: For my profession, I can allege no more sufficient commendations as touching the dignity than this, that it hath relation to a high contemplation, that it perfecteth the soul, subdueth the earthly part, yea, and extreminateth all worldly pleasure out of memory: our object is God, whom while we consider of, our soul is as it were reared up and in such divine contemplation are we at that instant resident, as we do but labour with Paul to be dissolved and to be with Christ. These considered, what may the Civilian admit of himself or discourse of in his Science: if he reason of comparisons, he can not continue: if of the effect, what worketh he but a transitory peace, where divinity maketh both peace with God and man.  
Nay, the greatest dignity that may be gathered by divinity is this, that the ground work is infallible, still permanent and irrevocable: where amongst our Lawyers, this Cannon may be anichilated by this learned Doctor, this distinction frustrated by that Expositor, yea, and what not turned topsy-turvy to serve the season for the civilians commodity.  
The first disposer of Civil policy was your justinian, the first informer of him was God, he concluded equum & bonum, the highest taught him equum & bonum: Numa Pompilius & man not privy to the true knowledge of God, yet chiefest of all, referred his endeavours to the service of the Gods, acompting that state unhappy, where the Gods have not received due reverence: all States have reverenced the profession I am of, each one hath honoured the dignity I am called unto, yea even amongst the enemies of Christ, the power of the highest hath broken out by the mouth of the Christian: whereas law is but leveled by derection, administered by appointment, yea, and referred all to reformation, the confirmation whereof, need to be sought for in no other place, then in your own Cannons and Decreetalles, in which you should find such corrections, such frustrations, such anticipations and cautels, as the student had every day need of a new memory, to consider of his new coated clause. If we reason of antiquity, and mean thereby to make a superiority, no sooner was the world made but divinity was known, yea, the word was before world: for it was God, and where Religion was most honoured, there was peace most plentiful.  
Than Justinians radices were not known, but the law of the Tables were taught, than the law was not in the Civil Magistrate to dispose, but the Priest had it to propound, that law was delivered by succession, and confirmed by the presence of the Lawgiver, and while that law was continued, Israel was partaker of the promise, and benefited by the plenty, the Heathen fell before them, for the Lord of hosts was amongst them. In falling from the law, they were delivered into the hands of their enemies, where in continuing in the law, they were the Lords of all Nations: so that we ought to note this, divinity is a heavenly law, confirmed by antiquity, sealed by God the Lawgiver, Clergy men sanctified and appointed, who not only instruct our Civilians touching their souls, but also how to dispose their Civil conclusions. Our habit is answerable to our profession, our life correspondent to them both: where Lawyers are sumptuous in apparel, though his profession is virtuous, and concluded in Mediocrity: yet his life so far from his learning, that they be pugnantia inter se, they condemn Covetousness, yet themselves are never satisfied: They excomunicat the Incestuous, yet who more dissolute than they: They make their Plea according to the peney, and not to the truth: They coin delays for private advantage: they make strait crooked, and crooked strait: Men they are fed with vainglory, led by fond opinion, counseled by uncertain Cannons, reverenced rather for their authority then virtue: yea, Room were happy if either they were not or were better, by the one she should be rid of contention, by the other benefited in their amendment. Good Lord, how many Athenian Orators have we that counterfeit Squinancy for a little coin, yet are to open mouthed against the poor man's Process, such delays from Court to Court, such dilatory Pleas, such judgement with Proviso, that the poor suitor finds his purse sooner emptied, than his cause ended, they affectat eloquence to maintain bad causes, they are studiously affable to procure new Clientes, they are devilishly subtle to cloak inconveniences, so that though the precepts they study be never so perfect, yet the professors are still so untoward, that seeming to be the ministers of light, they hunt after continual darkness, concluding the truth within a golden Cloud, making black white, and white black, darkening all things with their distinctions that should give light: so that though in all things they seem civil, yet in all things they are most incivil.  
But it may be (signor Sandalio) you imagine these words to be spoken of spite, and that they are concluded by no proof: certainly if you do so you are deceived, for what soever is here spoken by me, I will not only confirm it by written authority, but also conclude it by your own profession: nay, I will find out that your expositors of Law wrote many things pugnantia inter se, and agreeing no ways: one thing confirmed this day, and frustrated the next day, yea, if I should gather up all inconveniences in heap, I should not be satisfied with a sedull, but writ a whole volume: which if no otherwise, yet even by Protulus the son of Nerua, may be confirmed, who by his injurious cavillations, was the destroyer of Otho's cause, a man singularly familiar with him, and whom by his own profession to Vitellius he wickedly betrayed: For contrarieties, who doth not accuse Baldus Perusinus, who although for his exceeding learning he was honoured amongst the famous Writers of our time, yet amongst the learnedest is accused for inconstancy in his writing and contrarious opinions, in that wherein he should have been most firm.  
Christopher of Castille, he to show the variety of his wit did innovate: so that to conclude, the most part of you bind yourselves prentese to variety, not bend to any stability, but according to the vanity of the time, do you fasten all your conclusion. Some of you will seem to be: yet are not, as Eneius Popilius, who being cited as witness in a cause, blockishly made answer, that he knew nothing.  
Saturius, an other of your sect, hath this praise waiting of him, that he was never the reporter or admitter of any profitable sentence in law.  
For covetousness, who more commonly noted than Demosthenes amongst the Athenians? or Hortensius amongst the Romans? whom Tully very prettily nippeth of his nearness, by opening in covert how he had received a silver Spinx of Verris for pleading his cause: so Angelius Rais among the Neopolitans, who for that his Client denied him change of a piece of base money, concluded with his Adversary, none suited the cause neither afterward supplied the place of an advocate.  
Now signor Sandalio, you may see that I am led by example, not fed by opinion, I take not hold fast of any report: but am confirmed by mine own knowledge, for resorting to our common place of justice, I hear many execrations powered out: some openly exclaim against injurious delays, few or none live by getting, all spend, so that Lawyers are only made rich, the poor Client miserably poor.  
But you may well say that this toucheth nothing the profession itself, and admit I think so, notwithstanding this I must and may conclude touching the controversy that we have now in hand, that where as the ground works of law, are at the disposition and invention of man, they are by far odds more base than our precepts which are written and set down with the finger of God, delivered by those that were inspired by God, yea, and so they take efecte, as not only they are the ground work of all other professions, but also the maintainers of all both Divine and Civil policies.  
But you may (perhaps) think to touch me near, admitting what I speak of divinity itself, but reprehending the professors of the same, yet herein if you bethink yourself, of the surest holdfast, you shall be the farthest of from your purpose. Then the religious who more devout? as Apolonius the Abbot, who an hundred times day and night with great contrition and compunction of spirit called upon the highest, in his often prayer who wondereth not at his diligence, in his bending of his knees, who praiseth not his humility. Pastwius an other of our profession, was so intentively bend to prayer (as Sabellicus reporteth) that in health he was never found unoccupied, in sickness when weakness constrained him to keep his bed sat still devout, having the use of his tongue taken from him, yet continued religious, yea, no sooner ceased he meditation than his soul was separated from his body.  
Isace Sirus in the City of Spoletum, prayed continually three days and three nights upon his knees without ceasing, which some of the City admitting for an hypocritical attempt struck him, reviling him with ungracious and bad language: which notwithstanding, such was the zeal that accompanied him, and the judgement of God that awaited on the wicked, that the unhappy mocker and striker of this holy man, was possessed with a Devil, wherein this virtuous Votive not respecting the injury offered, but the zeal of a true Christian, by prayer succoured and restored for an injurious wrong a gracious benefit.  
Many other could I repeat unto you: who not only for their assidious prayer, but also for their integrity of life, the world hath had and doth hold, in wonderful admiration. But signor Pierro de feragosa, think you in these actions to scape scotfree, assuredly sir that may not be, for well I wot you are as studiously bend to take hold of the poor Divine, as any, yea, and as erreligious as the best: for your profession the more I look into it, the more I looth it, preferring with Tully the iniustist Peace before the iustist War: accounting Soldiers the most unnecessary members that may be in a State: For that by experience, their practice, their honour, nay all actions whatsoever they attempt, are begun, continued, and ended in blood.  
These Soldiers the best sort of them, what be they, perhaps noble in birth, yet lascivious in behaviour, constant in nothing but in cruelty, wise in few things but in Stratagems, in revenging to cruel, in unchaste love to dissolute, the Captain in fear of the Soldier, the Soldier cozoned by the Captain, and both of them commonly the consumers of the Citizens. Let War once take hold of a plenteous land, the Citizen is made subject in his own house, his wife deflowered, his daughters defamed, his riches not his own, yet all this while the Soldier will be counted commodious: And were they to be admitted in a State, the Country Husbandman is forced by fear to forsake his labour, and what he travaileth for in sorrow, the Soldier consumeth in riot. But neither the beginning of War, neither the effect, neither the action, nor the agent are virtuous, and therefore not commendable. The beginning of Dissension was desire and covetousness of others Possessions. The effect of War, is the destruction of Countries, the desolation of noble Houses, and the sacking of opulent Cities: the action dependeth upon fortune or misfortune: upon opportunities, delays, forwardness and untowardness of a number of vain headed followers, whose behaviour and life, being never leveled nor ordered by derection, how may it be thought that any of their actions should be either praise worthy or virtuous. They are the hirelings of ambitious Princes, whom though the subject allow of for fear, yet would they gainsay them if they durst.  
Naturally the Soldier is borne Martialist, bloody minded, subject to rage and anger upon sleight or no cause, which hath following her always revenge: Now, if the Soldier grow into fury on so light occasion, think you the revenge to be ordered by discretion. What Prince can escape the soldiers fury? nay, are not they naturally mutinous in themselves? How injuriously left the Egyptians their King Psammetricus in his War against the Ethiopians, when as two thousand of them at one instant revolted to the Enemy, neither having respect to the honour of their Prince, nor the safeguard of their Country.  
Nay when the Roman Horsemen were sent out to encounter the power of their enemies, when at pleasure they might have destroyed them, yet remembering the delay, their consul Fabius made in passing the law Agraria, they pretermited to their great shame, the offered opportunity.  
The like mischiefs by their means fell on Apias Claudias, who for that they would dispossess him of his Triumph, they admitted rather of a dishonourable flight.  
I would note also the defect of the Frenchmen, under the government of Quintilius Varus, the horrible murder committed on Anthony Bassianus Carracalla emperor by his sworn Soldier Martialis, and the destruction of Adoaldus King of Goths, by one of his own retinue called Zilla Gepida. Truly truly, the memory of the notable disasters, ungracious and bloody Murders, Incestuous and ungodly Rapes committed by the Soldiers, enforceth me almost into a horror to call them to remembrance.  
But let us but have an eye towards themselves, & behold how beastly they be, the bruit beast by natural instinct do daily eschew the inconvenience that follow them: and have an eye to that which may profit them. Contrariwise, these Soldiers like to Hircan Tigers, revenge themselves on their own bowels, some Parricides, some Fratricides, all Homicedes.  
Alexander the great the only noted man for a Soldier, how injuriously & cruelly used he Calistines the Philosopher, who for that according to the precepts of Philosophy, he refused the deifying of a mortal Prince, whereupon (as a traitorous and rebellious subject) he caused him to be dismembered and torn in pieces, his ears cut from his head, his lips and nose deformed, and by these unacostomed and most horrible torments miserably to make end of his life.  
It irketh me to remember the horrible and murderous mischiefs that befortuned unhappy Room in the time of the seditious Warrior Caius Marius, how many notable Citizens, renowned Orators, aged Fathers, sucking Children, and sorrowful Mothers were devoured by this Monster, who was not only satisfied to martyr them by his Tormentors, but also endeavoured to be an actor in ministering the torment, where neither eloquence, neither desert towards the common weal, neither the tears of the Roman Matrons, nor the submission of the Cities in league could stay the fury of so great a bloodsucker, but that Marcus Anthoni that sweet tongued Orrator (who in time by his eloquent persuasion assuaged the fury of the Soldier, and kept his sword in sheath) must sacrifice with his blood to the unjust fury of Marius: the father and the son both Crassis, in each others sight were cruelly murdered. Yea, alas what will not be attempted if the Soldier once break out into fury. Pontanus maketh report of a most execrable and cursed murder, as me thinketh (signor Pierro) no time may wine out the stain from your profession, certain quarrelsome Soldiers having fallen out amongst themselves, and often times skirmished togethers, be fortuned at an infortunate meeting to kill one of the contrary faction, whose dead body when they had gotten into their hands (truly I am abashed to speak of it) with bloody hands they cut in small pieces, afterward taking out his liver and heart, they broiled it on the coals, distributed it in small gobbets to every one a little amongst the copsemates at a Breakfast, afterward with great joy and gladness they satisfied their insatiate thirst of revenge, with the very taste of the murdered wretches blood, not leaving to drink to the Goods themselves, the very revengers of so detestable injuries. I may therefore religious Gentleman, leave all now to your consideration, who have heard the dignity of my calling, with the great innornitie of the profession of these two Gentlemen, that is to say, the covetousness of the Lawyer with the cruelty of the Soldier, and will conclude with the humility of the Divine, and according to veretie, report your judgement: for I now leave farther to discourse, and doubt not but signor Sandalio will supply the place.  
The Lawyer and Soldier both touched with the hard objection of this Oratorious Divine, after they had a while gnawn on the bit, and digested their choler, Sandalio, as his place served him began his reply in this sort.   

The reply of Sandalio the Lawyer.  
AMidst the desert of Scythia, a renowned Abbot called Moses was resident, who being desired to give his censure upon a Friar of the brotherhood that had offended, he came in presence with a great sack of sand at his back, and being demanded what he brought with him, he made answer they were his sins, which scarcely he was able to bear they were so burdensome, much less to correct an others. Saint Frances traviling in company with one of his fraternity, and they meeting with a poor man, the Friar his companion said unto him: Father, although this man be poor touching the riches of the world, it may be yet, in desire to enjoy much, he is rich: which speeches being well weighed of this Godly father, he forced this conjecturing Divine to disrobe himself and to cover the poor man, thinking him worthy to make recompense by a benefit, who with lewd language had injuriously slandered the poor man.  
The actions of these holy men well considered, be sufficient to condemn your presumption Father Sebastian, I fear me you have more cause to carry the sack than had Moses, and to be disrobed then the other Friar, who not only have taken upon you to slander others but also to dyfie yourself, feeding your own fancy with the copiousness of your sweet set words, and imagine that your colours be of continuance enough to shadow your injurious counterfeit, but by that time you have heard but a little what you have mistaken, and consider of that I can report, you shall find how greatly your own self have need of reformation, and how vainly you vaunt before the victory. Your first arguments you brought touching the dignity of your profession, as I remember was this, that it was Divine, inscrutable, still parmenent, prescribed by God, imitated by you of the Clergy, opened to us of the laity, and all this I admit, nay I honour, I acknowledge what so is religious is Honourable, and if better title might be I would minister it. Yet thus far (master Doctor) I must wade, that our Laws although they were the dispositions of mortal men, yet are they the inspiration of the highest, and what so is set down by the finger of God for offensive and not to be followed, is neither admitted of the Lawyer, nor let slip without correction. Where the Lord was not known, law ministered equity, and where God is known, the contempt of some is such, that if no corporal punishment did terrify, the bare commandment of the law ministered by the hand of Moses, would little or nothing prevail: And truly touching law in itself I find thus much, that having passed through so many interpreters handling, it can not be but the method should be exquisite, and looked into by so many Religions, it can not be disordered: And certainly being (as it were) leveled and proportioned according to the true meaning of the Scriptures it can not far miscarry.  
The end whereto Law hath relation is to profit the good, perfect the common weal, relieve the oppressed, and minister justice according to the equity of the cause, not the dignity of the person. There is no vice but Law bridleth it, yea, whatsoever passed from the very Ethnycke, did always abate the power of excess. Dionisious of Siracusa, though otherwise a Tyrant, yet in this made a wise Law, that those which excessively gave themselves to banqueting should be punished very asperly. Lycurgus, made Laws against Drunkenness, the Romans against wicked and ungodly Whorehunting, the Grecians, against incest, the Lacedæmonians against excess in apparel. Augustus Caesar, against pompious buildings, the Lucan's, against prodigality, the Egyptians, against Usury, the Thebans, against injurious Parents, the Romans, against cruel and hard hearted Masters.  
In my reading this find I Sir Sebastian, yea, and further more dare assure you, that what so you cry out on in the Pulpit, we condemn in place of justice, and what so you find neglected in religion, we correct with great severeness.  
I see not moreover how you are to touch the person of the Lawyer, more than yourself, either with contrarious opinions, or unnecessary positions, or injurious delays, or avaricious desires. In general, the men be very studious (for the art requires no less) and where the mind is occupied with wise precepts, the actions of the life can hardly be unconstant, if at any time contrarieties pass, unless in a particular man's opinion, this toucheth not the Law itself with any variety, but the misdeaming man: yea, you know well in art, this matter is undoubtedly true, that by contraries the truth is soonest found out, and without controverting (in mine opinion) the groundworkes of all arts should be left but nakedly bare, but for the science in itself, it is still the same never altering. What the Cannon Law is and of what authority, you can as well as I bear witness, which hath his original from the mouth of our holy Father the Pope, and from the counsels, from the decrees of the ancient Fathers, and positions of learned divines, the which (I believe) you admit nothing more holy, since by the Church, the disanullers of the same are excommunicated with Bell Book and Candle.  
Yet for all this if it might be spoken, non idem semper est canon, I must not say contrarious, but if liberty were granted me to touch what I know true, Lord what squaring could I find amongst your general Counsels, what dalliance with Scriptures: should I say wresting of them, no, mum budget, you are of the holy house, and therefore far be it from me to reprove you, when I like not the look of a faggot: But this I dare say for the Divine, as he for the Lawyer hath already avowed, he hath as humble a Habit as the best, yet as lascivious is he as the most, which point although you can hardly fasten upon the Lawyer, yet the most part of you, can not but in your conscience confess you culpable: yea, and Master Divine is covetous too, and can as well skill of a Peter peney, as the Lawyer of his Clientes fee. But it may be that what so is viscious in the Lawyer, shall be virtuous in the Divine, and so in deed you may match me: Yet for examples sake I will open the lives of some of our romish Prelattes, whom though you have preferred worthily for their humility, yet some I may touch for their approved follies: so that with you I will turn all upon the Clergy men, and leave the Scripture, as it is perfect in itself, except it be perverted by his Interpreter.  
Amongst you Prelattes some are Heretics, some to much learning doth make them mad: Some blind buzzards that will not see: Some so well learned that they list to err. So that you shall confess (except of purpose you will prove obstinate) that more Clergy men have erred touching the interpretation of Scriptures, than civilians ever doted in the Cannons of the Law.  
For Covetousness, who laugheth not at the Bishop of trevers, James of Sirke Prince elector, who so importunately begged of the Emperor, that he was forced to cast him of thus, if thou make not an end quickly of asking, I will quickly find out the way to denay.  
Antiochus the Bishop of Phoenissa (honoured for his eloquence, yet disdained for his covetousness) at Constantinople, gathered up a great mass of money by preaching, and yet he himself wrote a Book against covetous hordyng up of riches. The like did Severranus Bishop in Syria, who by indirect means sought to dispossess S. chrysostom of his Sea, yet according to his desert, he finished his purpose with unhappy death.  
For ignorance in the Clergy men, we need not seek out antiquities, whereas the present time ministereth matter enough to write on.  
livings now are sold, not given by desert, corruption is the Bell-wether in leading of Beneficed men, and a man may assoon step up to place of dignity by riches, as by righteousness.  
In revenge, who more cruel than the Ecclesiastic, he covereth all things under Clouds, yet is as highly incensed with rancour and disdain as the best.  
Marcus Placentias Priest, hating with habominable envy the Bishop Adrian, and attending long time at the door of his Chamber, to execute his pretended and murderous villainy, not able longer to suffer the delay, turned the fury of his revenge on himself, and died on his own sword.  
Sixtus Bishop of Rome, being enviously accused by Marianus and Bassus two Priests, that he had deflowered Crisogomita a Virgin, having acquitted himself before the general Counsel, excommunicated his accusers, refusing upon their humble and penitent submission to reconcile himself to them.  
How horrible was the hatred of the Bishop of Rome Boniface the 8. whose enure extended so far, as to open his conceived rancour, he neither regarded the place, for he was in the Church, nor the action, for he was at Prayer, neither the day, for it was Ashwednesdaie, but only bend to vomit out his venom, when he came to besprinkle the Bishops and Abbots with Ashes, he turned the dust into Porcetus Spinalas eyes, saying: Remember thou, thou art of the faction of the Gebelins, and that thou shalt turn to dust (threatening him farther with the faggot) who rather expected his Asperge. I can not well think but that these matters are odious, yea, and so notably to be detested, as no religious ear may well brook them. Furthermore, I can not but wonder at the hypocrisy of some of you of the Clergy, who committing all these errors in open sight of the world, yet blind all men's eyes with power, that they may not see: compel those by threats whom vain persuasions can not allure: entice some with gifts which otherwise would mislike your faction: and excommunicate those with curses, which will not dissemble your injurious follies. Totquotes, Pluralities, they are but common Fees from the whole Fleece: the richest of you be non residentes, and if a man had your finger in a hole to make you sing your Cofiteor, I fear me (Sir Sebastian) we should have you confess that your holiest Saints have some what loved lasciviousness, and some religious feminine Votaries, to carry some impression of a Friar on their belly, though the Picture of our Lady be the Saint they sue to.  
And whereas you object how injuriously the Lawyer dealeth in delaying the Processes of poor men, in eating them out of their own, I fear me the Pardoner is as near a sickpeney of the poor man's good as the Lawyer, and where we only feed them with delay for a time, you persuade them to that which is to be doubted of, if it will ever fall out at all. Not otherwise then according to the liberality of the giver, you bestow your prayers, as for the oppressed (I believe) you approve the Proverb, no peney, no Pater noster: So that I must necessarily conclude this, that since you be men more swallowed up in sin then the Lawyer, you are more unworthy, and for that your talon is the greater, you are to answer the more: You play bo péepe with us of the laity, reproving us for that which yourselves daily commit, and will be still correcting our misdeeds, yet confirm us in error by your misdemeanours. We if we pervert any man's cause, hinder but his worldly honour: You in inverting any thing in your profession, are the destroyers of the soul. We if we use contrarieties, may be ordered by the judge: You though never so unjust in your positions, will yet be judges on your own causes: Our humility whatsoever, with you is hypocrisy: You though the proudest Prelattes of the world for one knee bending, will be counted humble. If you will be more worthy, then in offending, you are the more to be misliked of. If you will be heads, why govern you not discreetly. If you will have superiority, why are you so negligent: Humility despiseth honour, yet you hunt after them: Those that saver of the world are not of God, yet are you worldly: The high minded often err, yet can not the Clergy man vary: for what so is perpetrated or attempted by any of you, though it pass the limits of virtue, it can not be but vice: though it be irreligious, it can not be without religion: though it be black it must be white, and why, you that make all colours, will dispose of them as you list. Your eyes be penetrated to look on all men, yet all men must be blind lest they look into you: so that I must even conclude of you thus, you are of that making, that only you are exempted from the judgement of the world by your own power, and the world must of force allow of you for Correctors, where as in sooth yourselves are most worthy to be corrected. Yet in truth (Sir Sebastian) I misdeem not of your opinion in the Soldier: for in that I do agree so well with you, as I utterly forbidden him a place in a well governed State: and herein I allow your learned positions, examples and conclusions. For what is there to be allowed of in Warlike bloodsuckers: not their policy, for that it hath relation to an ill end: not their diligence, for that it respecteth nought but murder: not their obedience, for that it is for fear: not their judgements, for that they are severe: not their orders, because they are uncertain to command: not their life, because it is lewd.  
Their imagination is revenge, their minds bloody, their dispositions wrathful, their attempt unpleasant: yea, and such they be as will sell God for gold, and their Country for commodity.  
But because Father Sebastian hath touched this clause near enough, I will be the breefer only adding this anticipation to Don Pierros apology, that the Soldier is not so nobly accounted of amongst Princes as the Lawyer, for that which in our memory a most renounced Emperor Sigismunde, of exquisite value, yea, and a brave Soldier confirmed it to one George Ficellas a learned Lawyer, on whom he not only bestowed the order of Knyghthoode, but in all causes he also preferred him as a Counsellor, which being obicted against him by some of his noble Soldiers, he made answer, that it was easy for him to make an hundred Soldiers in one day, but to make a Doctor, required a thousand years.  
Herein may our Soldier perceive (if he please) how light their profession is when it is learned in a day, and how far to be unworthy in respect of the Lawyer, when a Prince of such memory concluded of it so slenderly.  
I could report unto you father, the estimation that Alexander had of the Civilian Vlpianus, whom in all his secret attempts and serious businesses, he took counsel of him, and would admit nothing to pass, which were not confirmed by him.  
Yea, the Princes of our time have so honoured Lawyers, as that they by special authority enjoined them, that if aught did pass their hands (yea, though under privy signet) they should not allow, were it repugnant or contrary to Law.  
My conclusion is therefore noble judge, that since the Lawyer is less vicious than the Divine, and of greater dignity than is the Soldier, he should have place above them both, whereas the one is excessively sinful, the other exceedingly perverse and cruel. The determination whereof I leave to your correction, and now yield successively the room to Don Piero de Feragosa to speak for himself.  
Our Soldier having attentively bend his ear to either of the invectives, and concluded with himself how to answer, began to discourse thus.   

The Apology of the Soldier in his own defence  
ALthough I have no School Rhetoric (Gentlemen) or fine phrases to make my cause more commendable, yet as the naked truth leadeth me, & mine own experience hath taught me, I will make you privy to my little skill.  
In my youth when I was bookish, I remember I red a Pretty Story of Saint Barnade, who if by chance he fortuned to spy out a poor man meanly apparelled, he would always say to himself thus: truly Barnade this man with more patience beareth his cross than thou. If one richly appareled, it may be that this man under his delicate clothing, hath a better soul than thou hast (Barnnde) under thy religious habit. In which action of his this I bluntly imagine of (master Divine) that the Godly Father had his eye never partial, but always condemning himself, and not reproving others.  
This lesson if you and the Lawyer had learned, and you especially sir Sebastian had followed, you would not have been so busy in bewraiing other men's errors, but endeavoured to be industrious, in amending your own imperfections.  
Aesopes crow and our Clergy men are now adays of one condition, the bird cared not how many feathers she borrowed to make herself brave, nor they how many vices they correct, so they cloak their own, the bird in aspiring to be King had a reproachful fall, and disrobed of her plumes proved but a black Crow, the Clergy men, in endeavouring to seem holy prove vicious, and but severed from the dignity of their profession, are in the end as black in vices as the bird in colours.  
Think you (good Sir Sebastian) that as nature hath made us Soldiers reasonable, so she hath not allowed us the fruits of reason, both to look into other men's actions and to order our own, yes sir yes, though the clerk be never so subtle the Soldier can compass him, and the Lawyer never so crafty simplicity may discover him: and in that you make Soldiers altogether vicious, it must needs fall out that some of your sins & theirs are of acquaintance, or else yours are so proud that they disdain ours. But because you must not err, you are with out sin, yet notwithstanding, give me leave to say somewhat in mine own cause. The Soldier say (Master Divine) is an unnecessary member, the only maintainer of the aspiring Prince's pleasure, the foe of Citizens, the distroier of country men, the sacker of Cities, the deflowerer of Maidens, a light headed revenger, a harebrained attempter, a bloody performer, constant in nothing but in cruelty, yea, to conclude worthy of nothing but not to be.  
Now I by my experience can show, and by your profession will persuade either of you, that a Soldier in living is more continent than you both, and for a Commonwealth as profitable as the best. War is a minister of God's justice, for either contempt of Religion, or wicked life in civil Magistrates, so that it is your sins that draweth the soldiers sword: which if you lived well should be sheathed perpetually. God is not the author of ill, but the chafticer of abuse, he ordereth the will of Princes to revenge, and we as obedient subjects, are the ministers to perform. If power were not to maintain Princes proceedings, the Prince should be dispossessed of his state, cruel hands would be laid on the Ministry, yea, the Lawyer pulled from place of justice: so that in peace, the name of a Soldier restraineth the rebillious, in war makes subject the proudest resister.  
We refer our actions to the Princes will, the Prince by the direction of God, who since he is the governor of both actions, I dare avow they are not vicious.  
But you may object that in proud attempts of Princes, the Soldier is still present, not respcting the cause, but his own profit. Truly in injurious causes I know that for certain, the Soldier is as contrary to the War as the best, who by proof (and not by guess) conclude of the event of the battle, when the cause proceedeth of a wrongful ground, not like the eDuine who will continue his errors without controlment, nor like the Lawyer, who of purpose will take a wrongful cause, to cousin his Client of his coin.  
If then wars be lawful, warriors are not illegitimate: if in general, the profession is to be liked of, then can you but find fault with particular men, and if so you mind to nip me, neither Master Divine shall scape scotfree with his smooth looks, nor Master Lawyer with his glozes: for this I dare avow, that if each of our lives be looked into, the Soldier is as surely tied to all virtuous actions as any one profession what so ever. In the choice of a Soldier, we do not only regard the ability of his body, but the quality of the mind, for if Religion, circumspection, prevention, counsel, experience by long practise, zeal, faithful performance of promise, resolutnesse in attempts, continency in life, carefulness to satisfy be not in him that would enter the profession, truly the charge will be ill looked into, neither is such a one to be admitted in choice, then if a Soldier of judgement be had, when he is employed, how lives he in the field, in the fear of God, not assured of his life from one hour to an other, abstinent in diet, hard lodging, diligent to please, careful to correct, both hands, thoughts, and all are occupied: so that neither leisure serves him to be idly occupied, nor the severity of the Captain admits him to run astray. Well then, since it so falleth out that such they should be, and thus they are employed, you must confess that some there are or else the name and title should be hardly bestead: For the bad, it may be they borrow some of their errors from you, you are so privy to their escapes.  
But me thinks your judgement in disposition of Nature, whereas you make the whole sort of Soldiers rash, rebellious, bloody minded, and murderous is but very bad: truly if they should be rash, it is nothing but in venturing their lives for you that hate them: for if they were not governed, their success should be more infortunate than it is. If rebellious, truly Alexander the great had not conquered so many Countries, subdued so many Kingdoms, and overcome so many Nations, and as it were but with a handful of his Macedonians and Grecians. If bloody minded, why then spared Ceasar those Senators and Citizens of Rome, whom both by their own hand writings and often attempts, he well knew to be the followers of Pompey and his capital enemies. If murderous, how often might the Venetian Armies have worthily spoiled the whole Island of Create, which not only had murdered many of their Families with the sword, but also rebelled against them more than five times. If Incontinent, what caused Scipio to redeliver that noble young Virgin, who for her passing beauty and great admiration of person, was presented unto him as a rare gift, Scipio himself amazed at the sight, would yet deliver her to Luceius, to whom she was espoused, and gave him also for a Dowry the gold that her Parents had brought to redeem her. If covetous, how fell it out that after L. Mummius had taken Corinthe, and adorned all Italy with the riches of that Spoil, keeping so little to his own use, that the Senate was feign for very need, to give Dowry to his Daughter of the common Treasure. There is no reason that either you can object against us of your own knowledge, or allege by your reading, but I have salved it up, either by reasonable demonstration, or sufficient instance. And to speak my conscience, I know not the best of you, if War should wait on you, that would not crouch to have a soldiers countenance, and bend if he beckoned.  
But why is he not liked of with the Religious, because he can not find in his heart to colour an error: and wherefore is he discommodious to the Lawyer, for that he abridgeth him of convenient time, to practise his corruption. Thus the poor Soldier standeth in hard terms you may see (Religious Gentleman) when he shall be backbited of those, who most lewdly govern themselves: and be condemned by such as have greatest need of amendment.  
But what is he (I pray you) that is spoiled by the Soldier but the Enemy: whom if he should suffer to prosper in his wealth, the continuance of trouble would decay our own state, and we might suffer others to be rich to make ourselves poor, ministering our enemy's fuel, to set ourselves on fire, and like innocent babes, bring our Master a rod to beat our own tails.  
But this let I willingly slip, giving the ignorant rather leave to correct what they know not, then opening those experiments that time hath driven into me by many occasions, I might make them note that which if they knew, they would never well employ. But for that I have learned some one point of Rhetoric of you both, I will now approve it if I can, opening a little the escapes of both your two professions: so that in finding many errors in you, I may the better colour mine own.  
And first for you Master Clergy man, thus much must I crave, that as liberal I may speak what I think, as you what you please, so doubt I not, but to prove you as erreligious as the best, and the Lawyer as lawless as the most. Incontinency is the badge of your profession, or else Pope jone could not have a young Monk in her belly, nor so many Clergy men cumbered with young Maidens first children.  
The Libertines as you call them, the Protestants I mean (for amongst those in my time I have been conversant) although they may perhaps in points of divinity be far from you as you think, and though the errors wherewith you charge them be above my reach, yet truly as touching their life, I have not found them so lewd, and yet having sinned are so little corrected.  
Nay, this error is not only perpetrated by yourselves, but also winked at in others, where if a man be never so incestuous, he may be assoiled for silver, and a double Ducat (amongst you) will release more Sins in a moment, than the wickedest man may commit in his whole life: so that you who should restrain, grant liberty: and for a private gain undo many, which led by fond lusts have small regard of themselves.  
If I were as privy to your Books as yourselves, and could report unto you the most notable misdeeds of other ages, as I can make open some of our time, neither would you sit to hear my long discourse, nor my voice able to serve me to finish out my tale. But touching your lives this I find, who despiseth sin most, followeth it a little, and though in open face of the world some of you can not brook to be accounted covetous, yet if a private commodity lighten in your laps, you will be as ready to catch as the best, and with as fair speeches to flatter for commodity as the most. You are lime fingered for livings to catch them ere they fall: yet if a Lay man be but a little covetous, he were best to amend for fear of condemnation: Nay, not only are you covetous but blood suckers, not satisfied with the blood of the father, but working revenge upon the very harmless infants his children, as did Rogerius Vbaldinus, Bishop of Pisanum, toward Vgolinus, whom when with his three children he had long time kept in prison, and fed him with hope of present liberty, if so he would make the said Archbishop privy, to certain treasure which he had hidden: which when he had confessed, and the Bishop having got the money, he not only broke his promise, but also starved him and his three children most miserably to death: which fact, the world doth not only wonder at, but also abhor the wicked practices of such villainy.  
Some of you are Apostates, falling from the faith, as Theophilus a Priest in Cilicia in my memory, who for that he was wrongfully deprived of his Archdeaconry, bound himself to the Devil, that if he would restore him to his former dignity, he would become his body and soul: afterward being again in his present place of honour, he began vehemently to be perplexed in mind, with the cumbrance of his own conscience, and with tears seeking the favour of the Almighty, he was mercifully saved and delivered. These and such like sort of men are you, and yet men must be tongue tied in reproving you, and you liberal in speaking what you please: but as plainness is my profession, so plainly have I opened my mind, meaning a little to quite the speeches of signor Sandalio: he is a Lawyer, and I would be loath to die in his debt, because mine heirs might not be troubled after my decease. Of himself I account thus, he may be good, but for the greatest number of his profession, they are stark nought in that they are covetous: for if corruption were not in the law, his profession were not gainful: For if so be the law be certain in itself, why should judgement be delayed: If bent to do right, why are so many poor men wronged: If grounded on conscience, why is it partial. But if the use of the thing be only ill employed, the fault is in the Lawyer: Then thus it falleth out, that he who knoweth the will of his Master and doth it not, should be beaten with many stripes, how like you this Cannon Master Doctor?  
I remember as I travailed to Athens, and being desirous to see the Monuments there, it was my hap by a good companion of mine (that smelled something out of your dealings) to bring me to the Altar of Minerva, by which oftentimes Pleas were maintained on both parties: in which place, we found two silver Cells, having on each of them, their several inscriptions: on the one was written, The Pulpit of reproach, on the other, The Cell of Impudency. A strange thing it is to see, that so many ages past since the setting up of these, yet the vices are not ceased, since in all whatsoever you reason of, either you are reproachful or impudent: reproachful, in accusing only on report: Impudent, in maintaining nought but hearesays. For us Soldiers, admit our sword fasten on the Enemy, yet venture we our lives for the safeguard of our friends: you neither have respect of friend nor familiar, but so you may profit yourselves, you spare not to eat your Clientes out of house and home.  
But where as you would persuade me by the favour that the Emperor Sigismond showed to a Lawyer, if by that it were to be concluded, that the Lawyer is more excellent, if favour be that you take holdfast on, neither you can be admitted before a Soldier, nor the Divine take place before a Warrior: For you, one Emperor serves your turn, but look but from the first foundation of this famous City, and you shall find that the Soldier was he that defended the State: the Soldier was he that made Rome notable: yea, the Soldier was only he that had the creation of the Emperors. In the loss of a Soldier, how mourned julius Caesar, whom not only he buried with bitter tears being dead, but also alive benefited with great honours.  
Pompey the great, built the City of Nicopolis, to no other end but to harbour Soldiers, yea, our most notable governors of this Empire, accounted of a Soldier as of his fellow in misfortunes, and in attempts: of you, but as his flatterers, to confirm but what he please. Perhaps for maintaining of a good Plea, the Lawyer may get a little popular praise, but we for subduing of an Enemy to Rome, had the benefit of a triumph.  
Some of your Orators for their presumptions have been cut of, most of our Soldiers for their deserts, have had their statues set up in the marked place.  
When Hannibal knocked at Rome gates, why prevailed you not by eloquence, why confounded you not by Religion: Alas the while, your Cake was dough, and had not the Soldier given the enemy the repulse, your actions had been scarce sailable. While the Soldier governed, peace was as plentiful as now it is: the revenues of Rome greater than now they be: the excess of Rome lesser than now they are.  
In our time of government, Rome was renowned for her justice and faithful laws: Now, when the sword is in the hand of the Religious and civil magistrate, Rome is noted for exceeding vice.  
In the days of trajan, other Countries sought their Laws from Rome: In these latter times Rome is accounted lawless of all the world.  
Now for the Clergy man, what may he vaunt of, when he only defendeth Religion but with his tongue, but the Soldier in danger and hazard of his life. For the Lawyer, you can not bring him to speak at the Bar but with a great fee, where the poor Soldier his hire is but eight pence for the very day service he looseth his life: And whether is he more worthy that if he be employed, it is but prouling with his pen for private pence, or he that oposeth himself with his Pike for public profit. So that for the sake, both of Divine and Lawyer, yea, for the maintenance of the whole State we venture our lives: and yet for all this let Peace smile on Rome a little, and Soldiers be unnecessary.  
And seeing it now comes in question, what profession is most worthy, of sundry men I have heard sundry opinions.  
King Dridanias' was wont to say to the Sicilians, that to the sacrificing Priests of the Temple most honour was due. Bryas King of Argives, gave most honour to the Philosophers that read in Schools. Numa Pompilius amongst the Romans, was of opinion that he was worthy of most reputation, to whom had happened the victory of any famous Battle. But Anaxarchus the Philosopher, ordained amongst the Phinetiens, that in a Commonweal, such should be honoured, who in the time of Peace entertained the State in tranquility, and in the fury of War, was found a valiant Protecter, of the limits and liberties of his Country. And I pray (Master Divine) what wants he in worthiness, who defendeth Religion with the loss of his life as the Soldier, of him who doth but coat it down in his quiet Study as the Divine. And good Master Lawyer, whether is he most beneficial to the Citizen, that defendeth him in rest upon the frontier of his enemies as the Warrior, or he that cousin's him of his coin within the City walls as the Lawyer.  
But to conclude, both to the Divine and Lawyer, this I add, that since they be so perfect in life and exquisite in living, I would I were such a one as they think themselves to be, and not as they are.  
So that noble Gentleman to whom the judgement of this controversy belongeth, I am to refer all to your derection: assuring you this, that although my tale be more blunt than these Oratorious divines, yet it might please you to gather of my conclusions as you please, and to give your judgement as the equity of the cause requireth.  
Simonides, having heard the sundry and several discources of each of these Signiors, and perceiving that it fell to his turn to conclude, bespoke him thus.   

❧ The censure of Simonides upon the Divine, the Lawyer, and the Soldier.  
GEntlemen, my ignorance in each of your professions, my want of knowledge of the fashions of this State, the unstable contemplations which now govern my mind, were reasons enough (if you knew them) to mislike of my judgement: yet since it pleased you to pick me out as an Arbiterer in so ambiguous a cause, as my little skill will serve me, I will make recapitulation of your Objections, and make you briefly privy to my conclusion.  
This Religious Gentleman (in mine opinion) very eloquently, both by Profane and ecclesiastical examples, hath maintained the dignity of his profession, and condemned many imperfections both of Soldier and Lawyer.  
The learned Civilian hath both answered the Objections were laid against him, and inverted them against his Adversary, both of you conclude against the Soldier, who though in bare terms he maintained a sufficient cause, yet certainly he hath painted out both the divines and Lawyers imperfections in approved colours. Generally I find this, Covetousness is both in the Clergy man, Lawyer, and Soldier: Excess in Divine, Lawyer, and Soldier: yea, and affectation of honour, both in Divine, Lawyer, and Soldier. I account the Divine the very only man to be honoured if he live well: The Lawyer to be wondered at if he judge well: And yet the Soldier not to be inferior for he defendeth well.  
I can not tell what Soldiers be in Rome, neither am I privy to their abuse: but what they are in Genova well I wots, where as not only excess by a soldiers means was banished, but also the whole State worthily counseled by an honourable Captain. If therefore, I should resolve with myself, to give judgement on either party, either the Divine might correct me in displacing him, or the Lawyer condemn me in preferring the Soldier, or the Soldier mislike me in admitting you both. Whereupon, sith unperfectly from my youth up hitherto I have always judged of colours, I would if I might so order myself now (having seen somewhat) that in pleasing you all I might yet prefer the truth. Your virtues in each profession are few, your vices too many, but sith your errors are more in number then your good qualities, your good is simple bad in that it conquereth not the worse.  
When first I attempted journey towards this famous City of Rome, noted and renowned through all the world, I thought verily that neither the Clergy man should be contentious he was so divine, nor the Lawyer covetous he was so looked into, nor the Soldeour dissolute, where is or should be so much discipline. But now when I fall in company amongst Citizens, I find reported Rome for virtues, is now the very Rome that is vicious, for great must the errors be in the state, where both Divine Lawyer and Soldier are altogether dissolute.  
I remember in our Chronicles of Spain, when covetous Presidents sent from this City did govern us, oppressing us with exactions, and sucking the marrow of our wealth from the body of our Commanweale, we had always redress here: this place was the nurse of reformed justice throughout the whole world, but sith the members now are so far gone from themselves, as that they slander the head, and the Citizen's in general by their particular errors note out the ennormities of Rome. I see well old justice is banished, and those that once gave Laws to others, ought now to be restrained and bridled themselves, whereupon briefly thus I conclude, that since the controversy betwixt you is for the superiority of the person, and not the dignity of the subject, that the Divine is unworthy, squaring from his profession, the Lawyer not allowed of, being inconstant in his own decrees, and the Soldier less to be discommended than you both.  
And that you may see I ground not upon light opinion, give but ear a little to my tomparison, and I doubt not but to resolve none although you meant to doubt.  
It befortuned that three Scythian Brothers after the decease of the King their father, fell in controversy for the Kingdom, each of them aleadgyng his own worthiness both in virtue, value, and nobilttie: the cause being doubtful, the Counsel of the State referred it to a King, a neighbour of theirs, that he might decide the controversy, he concluded thus, that each of them armed with Crossbow and arrow, should be set in a convenient place, and he of the three brethren which could most nearest strike the heart of the dead King, (whose body to that purpose was taken out of the Sepulchre and fastened to a Tree) should succeed him in the Empire: Upon this conclusion, the eldest Brother taking level, struck his father in the breast, yet missing the heart: The middlemost in the throat: But now the time serving for the younger Brother to try his mastery, he detesting to perpetrate so great impiety, cast away his Bow and Arrow, despising rather the authority of a Prince, then willing to commit such notable and unnatural ennormitie: The which the barbarous King noting, he not only preferred him to the Kingdom, but also worthily recompensed him with condign honours.  
So fareth it at this present with you three Gentlemen, your father (I mean your Country whereof you be children and members, I mean Rome that now is) is dead to that it hath been, having buried his manifold titles of renown in the errors of his sundry ungracious Citizens: you his children striving for succession, that is, endeavouring for superiority in the State, are to hear the award of me a barbarous judge, the whole fortune of Rome hath been laid for you to level at: the eldest (I mean the Divine) hath pierced the breast, having fallen into many errors, as Covetousness, Incontinency, misconstruing of the Scriptures and what not, displaced one of the Pillars of the State, I mean Military profession: Your second brother the Lawyer hath stricken both neck and breast, not only being corrupt in himself, but also corrupting his Science, and with the eldest consented to the banishing of all warlike defence: The younger brother, though willing to possess, yet loath to wound his father's corpse, reproveth but the Divine and Lawyers several vices, not altogether banishing them from any title in the State, that is not vouchsaving to lay bloody hands on his father, and therefore a comparatis I conclude, he is at this time to have the pre-eminence in the cause, until the Divine live better, and the Lawyer amend his misdemeanour.  
Thus Gentlemen, you may perceive my conclusion, if I have erred in aught, bear with my Imperfections, I meant well, and as I thought so I speak: If my judgement please not you, I am to refer it to a better learned than myself: and Gentleman Soldier, you are preferred but with a Proviso.  
These three admitting very well of Simonides discourse, according to their several affairs, only the Soldier delighted in the variety of his wit, discoursed thus.  
Gentleman stranger, your plausible judgement of late thoroughly persuades me of your bringing up, and your well ordered behaviour assureth me of your worthy and noble birth, and makes me the willynger, either in courtesy to do you pleasure, or if my service may any ways stand you in stead, I am readily willing to answer your expectation. Wherefore, if it shall please you in aught to employ me, you shall not be more earnest to require, than I willing to perform.  
Truly sir (answered Simonides) neither will I let slip your proffered courtesy, nor be unthankful for your courtlike affability: If therefore it shall please you to accompany a stranger, to oversee the Monuments of this City, I shall in this courtesy be greatly beholding unto you. In brief being both agreed, Don Pierro de faragosa, conveyed him to the most ancient and renowned Monuments that were to be seen: at the last attaining the Market place, they espied a great assembly of Doctors, Prelattes, and divers other Citizens: some pleasantly disposed amongst themselves: some others, grievously complaining upon some injury, and to the end they might know the cause of this turmoil, the Soldier demanded what might be the cause: to whom it was answered, that if it pleased him to look on Pasquius Pillar, he should perceive the whole matter. Whereupon, taking Simonides by the hand, he drew near to the column, on which he found this Inscription.  

Pasquius invective, against the lascivious Pope and his lecherous Clergy.  
Mendacem dicere verum quis vetat.  
WHence grows it that, with coloured charms, you blear the Commons eyes  
O Celestine, 'tis but in vain, by craft for to surprise  
The simple sort, 'twas never seen, that ever Paul was proud,  
Or Peter such, a pompious train, to Prelate once aloud  
Who was content, with simple troop, no Kings his stirrup held  
No triple Crown, no Crosier staff, his holy hand did wield  
But continence, the badge of truth, did rule his holy mind  
How comes it then, succeeding him, thou sweruest from his kind  
He never bore, the bloody sword, was bathed in Christians blood  
But mildly suffered, martyrdom, to do the faithful good  
Nay rather Nero's, offspring thou, thy mother's womb dost rend  
With wreakful tortures, on her limbs, thou torments dost frequent  
Ye Pasquine sees, thy privy 'scapes, Popes now in nets do dance  
Their dalliance, is a holy right, they are but chaste by chance  
A Courtesan, with holy Lamp, the Chamberlain lets in  
Whom holy Pope, with holy Oil, anointeth free from sin  
Each Cardinal, may have his trull, yet may not married be  
And why once married, cloyed with one, not else with two or three  
chaste Wedlock hurts, devotion now, and Lechery makes devout  
O wicked time, when such vain men, do guide the common rout  
But yet in time, proud Celestine, I wish thee mend thy miss  
Or Rome shall fall, where now thy pomp, and greatest glory is  
Thy Sodomites, thy Baales Priests, shall be consumed with fire  
Thy foul escapes, shall opened be, and Princes hateful ire  
Shall turn the walls, of Sodom down, lo this is Pasquius prophesy  
Of thee proud Pope, and hateful Rome, unless you cease iniquity   
Our Soldier and Simonides over reading this invective, and wondering at the Writer, being both in a maze departed, but especially the Soldier who of long time holding his peace, at the last was thus interrupted by our amorous Pilgrim, who said as followeth.  
Sir, if it be not displeasant to the manifold courtesies that hitherto you have showed me, ad this one more, resolve me of this doubt which wonderfully busieth my mind, I read here very strange invectives against our holy Father the Pope, blasphemous exprobrations against the Clergy, all Rome detected of unconstauncie, which makes me astonished, considering that all Nations fetch their precepts of true Religion from hence, where this libel reporteth vice to be most rife. Don piero answered him thus. Truly gentleman if it should please you by faithful promise to bind yourself that you will be secret in what I say, though it be unaccostomable to find such courtesy in this City, I will open you my mind. Semonides faithfully vowing service the Soldier bespoke him thus.  
Rome now adays (Gentleman) is not Rome which should be, our Pope's rule by fear not by love, they are honoured for their power not pure life, yea, they are the heads of dissolation and the very pillars of all lascivious life, they are all devilishly politic of unexplicable revenge: Religious in show, hell hounds in their deeds: they claim of Peter, yet disclaim virtue: they will be called just, yet invert all right: they will be of God, yet are worldly minded: they will be Christ's Vicars, yet be the only destroyers of his flock: they are inverters, not faithful expositors of the Scriptures: hear is not that chaste life which was left in the Apostles time, but foul incestuous living, with filthy and loathsome buggery: here is no regard of civil magistrate, but blindness cloaketh all things, and from hence the vail of errors spreadeth throughout the whole world.  
Assure yourself (good Sir) all this report is true, which many men would set open if they durst: I know the escapes of some and lament it, only my conscience is free before God of their habomination, though necessity perforce constrains me upon urgent affairs to be here resident.  
The truth is (Sir) these men are not of God, they are Phariseis fair spoken Simones Magi blind guides and such like.  
Forsake therefore this habit good sir, leave this place if you desire to be virtuous, for here the ill are made worse, the good are made by torments to abjure the true profession.  
Simonides wondering at the liberal discourse of this Godly Soldier, and detesting the abominable hypocrisy of romish Prelates (according to Don Piero's good counsel) refusing the habit of so loathsome a profession, and betaking him Garments beseeming his degree, having abode ten days in the City, he bethought him to journey towards the noble City of Naples, a place noted for Courtlike courtesy and brave behaviour: and thus taking leave of the courteous Soldier he followed his travail.   

Simonides journeying towards Naples, missing his way happened into a Desert, where a strange adventure befortuned him.  
SIMONIDES having journeyed long, yet incounteryng with very few, by reason whereof himself altogether ignorant of the way, he strayed into a Desert and wild Wilderness, overgrown with sundry sorts of unaccostomable brambles and briars, and the further he traveled, the more the way seemed uncouth, so that it might be thought, the place was only the resceptacle of despair, or the Bower which untoward Suspicion had builded, the air seemed as it were with scolding Clouds to answer the desertnesse of the place: no melody was hard there, but only such as fed the mind melancholy, their Progne lamented in more than accostomable sorrows, the whistling Winds yielded forth such whirling reports, as that a man might no otherwise imagine, but that despair did sing the plain song to those unaccostomable and sad mourning descantes.  
Simonides overcome with these solitary asspectes, began to bethink himself of former sorrows, of his Mistress unjust refusal: so that what so ever sorrow he could imagine by reason of any event overpassed, was doubled and redubbled again, by those unacquainted and sour objects, that at that very instant solicitad his senses.  
Maniging himself thus with doleful contemplation, and pacing on softly altogether solitary, he espied at length a huge Rock, from the top whereof into the valies round about a silver Stream descended, compassing it on every side, save that the wave, as it were, refusing to shape his course that way, in fear to behold what there was to be seen, declined backward, yielding a full stream into the Channel, which made way by customable revolutions towards the Ocean, within which Rock, Nature herself hath made a solemn habitation: For by casting his eyes on every side, Simonides at the last found an entrance: into which being desirous to hear of company, and willing to see some novelty, he suddenly entered: when as behold a woeful Lady, as it seemed by her mournful habit, macerated and made lean with overwearing sorrows, cumbered with millions of misfortunes was resident: not attired in fashions of Courtlike Damosels, neither did gorgeous Covertures compass in her golden bush of heir, but declinyngly it hanged down along her shoulders and shadowed her face, her eyes made red with restless tears began to forsake the benefit of light: her often reverberation of her breasts, make a mournful reply from the very heart. So that it was to be thought Despair being dead, had made this poor Lady the Anatomy of herself, her habit was so mournful, her behaviour was so melancholy: who no sooner spying our amorous Spaniard, but rousing herself from her cursed Couch, she angrily inveighed thus.  
What hateful Fury hath sent thee hither to be the beholder of my misfortunes, whose unaccustomable calamities requires no mortal aspect, neither may be finished but with miserable death: depart I say from beholding my secrets, who loathes the sight of thee, since thou renewest my sorrows: and conjure thee to depart from her, that hath sworn to be comfortless.  
Simonides hearing so uncomfortable a discourse, uttered with such bitter asperity, at the first could hardly conclude with himself what to say: At the last considering that unless by her means, he might not conceive a conclusion to light on his right way, he soberly replied thus.  
Madame, although your misfortunes drive you into such extremities, as that not only company is loathsome unto you but also hateful, yet if it shall please you to consider of me as one enforced by necessity, not come hither of set purpose, you will the rather bear with my fortune and pardon my escape.  
The journey I pretended was towards Naples, neither at my passage from Rome imagined I of this place, but Fortune hath either sent me hither (I think Lady) to be partaker of your sorrows, or else to persuade you from solitariness. Wherefore Madam though your affections be such, as humane society seemeth loathsome unto you, yet I beseech you give place to an extremity, and as Fortune hath proffered me to your presence by unacquainted hap, so graciously I request you, counsel me towards the accomplishing of my journey towards Naples having lost my way, and to the satisfying of my hunger, being overwearied with penury and painful travail.  
The Lady seeing the gentle and courteous demeanour of the young Gentleman, greatly commending in her mind the natural affability of the man, answered him thus.  
Seeing by casualty and not of purpose you are come hither to be an overseer of my Purgatory, though hereto for I have disdained any intercourse or enterparle, yet to answer your extremities with my ready provision and simple counsel, you shall not find me negligent. Whereupon, taking him by the hand, and conveying him through the wandles of the Cave, she brought him to the place of her provision, and courteously placing the Gentleman on her right hand, with such Caates as she had she entertained Simonides.  
He rather at Meal time feeding on the courtlike behaviour of this Votive, then on the provision set before him, forgot his diet by falling into a secret contemplation of her estate: which the Lady perceiving, recovering herself somewhat, making her speeches like to the invincible magnanimity of her mind, interrupted him thus.  
signor, it should seem that you rather feed on some amorous imagination at this instant, then on that is set before you: if that way you be perplexed, doubt not but either the extremity of the passion will lightly vade, being slightly conceived, or grounded on assurance grow to some effect.  
Madam (quoth Simonides) although I must confess I am bondslave to Beauty, yet at this present it is neither the memory of any misfortune causeth me to be sad, nor the remembrance of my Mistress maketh me melancholy, but only the view of you makes me altogether astonished, in whom beauty being resident, sorrow overcometh, with whom although all the signs of a noble and invincible mind are conversant, yet see I a transmutation of yourself in yourself, and were it not (good Madam) to molest you, I would not only to accompany my sorrows, have some acquaintance with yours, but also to confirm my unable mind to bear delays, learn by your renowned value, how in extremities I might master my affections.  
The noble and renowned Lady, conceiving the issue and purpose whereat the young Spaniard shot, and considering by uttered request the inward desire of his mind, willing (though to her own sorrow) to satisfy the travailer with courtlike humanity, she answered him thus.  
Noble signor (for your behaviour purposes no less) where as I seek by every means discomfort, and opening of sorrows is some means whereby for a space to lessen them, I shall seem contrary in myself, and in not answering your expectation uncourteous to a Stranger: Whereupon, rather to the pleasuring of you, then in the decreasing of mine own sorrow, I will satisfy your expectation so much as in me lieth. Whereupon, after our repast was ended, and courteous thanks given and taken on both parties, she brought him into a solitary out place of this desolate Cave, wherein not without great foysen of tears, she discovered two dead bodies of exquisite proportion, each one (as it were with austere looks) menacing the other, and both of them having each others Rapier sheathed in his enemy's breast: The sudden sight whereof so amazed Simonides, that what with pity to behold, and sorrow to see the Lady's calamity, he was not able to govern his manly passions, but that he vehemently burst into tears, which the Lady perceiving comforted him thus.  
Gentleman, these tears of yours declare an inward remorse of a noble mind, and prognosticate unto you that you are to hear of such a report, as might well move the cruel Tigress to compassion, may it please you therefore to rest yourself a space here by me, then briefly shall you hear the whole report of mine and these two murdered gentlemen's Tragical misfortunes.  
Simonides accepting the courtesy, and seated by her, they both having dried up their brinish tears, the Lady discoursed thus.  
I doubt not noble Gentleman, but that the renown of the noble House of Medici hath been brought to your ears, whose power and authority in this Country, hath not only been long famous by descent, but also in every man's mouth, from thence took I mine offspring, being only Daughter and heir of Lodovico Gonsasy, who in my prime of youth, at such time as my young years were mellowed with the chiefest perfections of Nature, was sought to in way of Marriage by two young Italian Princes: the one the Prince of Aucona, called Vascalio, the other Saluanio, Son to the Duke of Venice: each of these with many amorous intercessions, incessantly lay upon me for Marriage, and continually solicited my father for his favour: who tenderly loving me his young Daughter called Priseilla, and unwilling not to march me contrary to mine own liking, made me free to take my choice, and to answer the expectation of these two young Princes according to mine own fancy. Both these young Princes I fed with delays, neither preferring the one, nor refusing the other. Whereupon, Vascalio wearied with my overburdensome delay, began to wax sickly: which opportunity serving Saluanio very well, he ceased not with continual courtings to coast my affections, not pretermitting any opportunity, either to entice by present, or win favour by service. notwithstanding, considering how serious the cause was I had in hand, and how dangerous it were to repulse either the one or the other, I thought it most convenient to make a stay for a space, in which time, either the fancy of the one might be lessened, or the serious affection of the other extinguished: But alas the while, as they that are stung with Scorpions, are wont from the harmer to seek their recure, so these two noble Novices, having their faithful affections fixed on the glistering gleams of my youthful beauty, thought no other means might be had to remedy their miss, but only by the attainment of my especial favour.  
Alas that simple feminine beauty, should so bewitch reasonable Nobility, or such misfortunes should befall, by beholding my declining favour.  
These young Gentlemen, desisted not their attempt: for what the one in person preferred with humble submisson, the other proffered in papers with a faithful assurance of loyalty. In brief the coals of fancy were kindled, and such unacquainted humours at last began to govern mine actions, that the fire which feign I would have raked up in the embers of discretion, broke out with fury to mine own confusion: For being altogether affectionate towards Saluanio, who (as ill fortune served) was always present with fuel to increase my fire, helped by opportunity, and overcome by his importunity, at the last I yielded to the assault, promising him the full possession of my heart, if he would so moderate himself by a twelve months space, as no one token of accordance, should frustrate my private intent: and to the end that our undoubted assurance should never be separated, I imparted unto him a Gem of approved value, assuring him that the possession of me, belongeth to him and no other, who continued the custody of my committed jewel. Saluanio, ravished with the contemplation of his good fortune, and glorying in the plausible favour I had bestowed upon him, returned to his father's Court, where with such great royalty he demeaned himself, that the renown of his toward proceedings, was common Table talk amongst our Italian Princes.  
But at last, the other noble young Gentleman, having considered with himself, that absence breedeth forgetfulness, and delay was unnecessary in causes of Love, betook himself to walk abroad, and watching still for some convenience to utter his mind, especially incited thereunto by the absence of his rival foe Saluanio, he unfortunately on a time found me alone in a private meditation of my constant Lover, utterly void of minding him, and being helped by this opportunity, he boldly encountered me thus.  
Madame, the long sorrows I have conceived by your delays, and the earnest zeal that attendeth on my heart, the true loyalty wherewith I honour you, and the fervent affects of Love which altogether enforce my thraldom, bind me to beseech your favour, that either by your grant of grace I may be revived now almost dead with despair: or if your displeasure be such as no favour will be had, I may be adjudged, the most infortunate Lover that liveth: Good Lady, those your glorious eyes, these your exquisite lineaments, that your seemly behaviour have applied such an impression to my heart, as neither Art can eat out the corrosive by counsel, nor life continue if you contemn: For how can the Moon glad the darksome night, if her borrowed light of the Sun be extinguished, or the heart continue in good estate, if the vital powers be determined. Can I living by your gracious look, otherwise but die by your frown. Alas, that heart which easily yieldeth to like, can hardly brook to neglect, and that Arrow which hath wounded mine eye with reflection, will never be losened but by the aspect of beauty: So that in your repulse, I am tied to such extremity, either to live a dying creature, being menaced by your cruel contempt, or else die on mine own sword, to avoid the fury of an everlasting Purgatory. Whereupon good Lady, make an end of my torments, or increase it to the uttermost: My deserts, my faith, my true affection crave a gracious acceptance: my birth not the basest: my rival signor Saluanio, satisfied but with a look is flidge and away: I continue constant, rest yours, serve for you, live by you, and without your favour shall die forsaken through your repulse.  
I having given him scope to discourse, not forgetting the Idol of mine own fancy, and replying upon the continuance of his faith, answered my Lord Vascalio thus.  
My noble Lord, I am sorry that aught should be in me, whereby either your health should be impaired by my delay, or your passion remediless in my repulse, for that the faate that waiteth on me, hath prefixed me a companion, where though your worthiness deserveth to enjoy one more to be esteemed then myself: yet my fortune is such, that until my appointed hour fall out, I may not be fortunate in Marriage noble Vascalio: Therefore, since it is not in myself to appoint the limits, but that I am bound to the direction of time, and chiefly to a private affection that governeth me, I must crave your pardon, beseeching you to learn that one lesson of Sandalio, which he practiseth, that in unnecessare sorrows, and woman's repulses, you never trouble yourself with heart breaking, when as the chiefest commodity once gotten it is scarcely beneficial. And thus not respecting his reply, I left the solitary Gentleman in his solemn aspects, who altogether amazed at my confused speeches and sudden departure, being desperate of his attempt, and out of all hope to attain my favour, betook himself contrary to the nobility of his name, to such unacquainted and melancholy sorrows, that he refused company, and like Timon of Athens, he became the only Misauthropos of the world: His delight in nought but in sour discourses: his muse w●ityng nothing but lamentable lays, and for that he desired a place several to himself, and agreeable to the agonies that overwearied him, he by long travail did light upon this Desert: Here with woeful remembrance of my repulse, and with lamentable record of his misfortune, he abode for the space of four months, in which time all these records which you see here of his cursed mishap, he affixed within this his and my Purgatory, which to the more satisfaction of your mind, before you pass any further you may overlook. Whereupon, discovering a Table of Alabaster, in cyphers as it seemed written with his own blood, was registered his misfortune in these terms.  

NOT noble birth, alas unhappy man  
Can conquer beauty, neither by desert  
Doth Cupid level, why repinst thou than  
Vain wretch, from Cradle's rock turmoiled thou art  
To bide these woes: then since thy froward fate  
Prefixed thy torment, glory in thy state.   

Faith was the first, that linked this lasting love,  
Death is the last, thy sorrow must allay  
Beauty's repulse, enforced me to remove  
From stately Court, into this desert way  
Here lead I on, my life that love may see  
My zeal was such, as scarce the like may be.   

Here leave I lines, of unacquainted style  
Set down with Ink, of unaccustomde hew  
What here my Pencil wrote, my thoughter while  
Engraved within, my heart for love to view  
Mine inward woes, the Povers may look on  
For outward lines, they serve when I am gone.   

Infortunatus' miser & quid non.   
Upon the Testern of his bed, as it seemed made of Cyprus, and squared with even proportions, was left this Monument.  
THou witnisse of my woe, my careful bed  
Tell forth my nights repose, if ought it be  
Unto the world, speak is thy master dead  
What freed from thrall, tell truth how resteth he  
Alas my couch, thou knowest as well as I  
My sleapes are sighs, and from my waking eyes  
My lukewarm tears, be wet me as I lie  
And if by chance, a slender sleep surprise  
My lustless looks, in sighing dreams I say  
Repulsed wretch, disdain this hateful light  
Since beauty deigns, to daunt thee with denay  
Thus with a sigh, I break forth out of sleep  
Condemning that, repose I never had  
Thou knowest those hours, I pointed have to weep  
Compare the times, and cipher out my glad  
But figure forth my woes, not one nor three  
Make every moan, a million if thou please  
Thou shalt not err, the count shall pass from me  
Keep thou thy tale, so if that fortune please  
When I am dead, to send a second slave  
For to succeed, Vascalios vowed vain  
Report to him, the nights I passed have  
And in comparing mine, his proves no pain.  
Infortunatus' miser & quid non.  
Simonides, having over read these sonnets, the Lady began again to continue her discourse thus.  
These tokens and monuments of this poor Gentleman, Noble signor, are sufficient to open you the Jtalians martyrdom, whose mishapes (as it seemeth) the powers pitying, by misfortune drove a Noble gentleman of Italy (a very singular favourer of Vascalios) into this Desert, who lighting by adventure on this cave, encountered with our Duke of Ancova, and aggrieved with the sight of his miserable estate, persuaded him with such and so probable demonstrations, as at last the able youth began to recover himself, yet altogether resolute to continue in his vowed mansion, nevertheless, replenished with a lingering hope which by his friends persuasion was trained on, and thus it was concluded between them, that according to the necessity of the cause (seeing no other means would be wrought for the Prince's safety) by subtle conveyance from my father's house to steal me away into this inaccessible Desert, whereas force perforce persisting in my proud contempt, they might compel me to mercy, or punish my contumacy. Whereupon, Polybius (for so the Gentleman called) having taken his leave of the Prince of Ancova, and being determined upon his plighted promise to practise the conveyance of me, came unluckily into my father's Court, at that very instant, when as inpacient of delays, and repentant of my years conditions, I had compact with certain of the court to have stolen away towards Venice.  
Polybius very circumspect in that he went about, had learned out the certainty of my escape, and which way I pretended to travail, by one of my private Handmaids, whom only in that cause I faithfully trusted, and loath to let slip the opportunity, with certain of his retinue (whom he had armed to the purpose) about two leagues from my father's house, unhorsing, and putting to flight all those that were in company and of my conspiracy, which done, he violently by the help of his associates, mounted me behind himself, and without knowledge of any what he pretended, in post hast he galloped towards this Desert, by such unacquainted ways, as unless the Desert groves, no one mortal creature resounded an Echo to my exclamations.  
But now knowing himself to be free from pursuit, and that the time required to open unto me the effect of his pretence, he softly pacing his hackney, courtiously spoke unto me thus.  
Madame, your injurious exclamations, grounded on no Noble demeanour, in unnecessary occasions, argue small staidness. Think not that I either have attempted a ravishment of Nobility, for I detest it, or a matter contrarious to Honour for I am noble, but moved by the piteous martyrdom of a noble Gentleman my friend, & disdaining your rude refusal, I have determined to make an end of his sorrows, and to counsel you to make your mercy answerable to the excellency of your renowned beauty: what gracious mind affected with the least benefit of nature, unless swallowed up in the unjust gulf of disdain, but would pity the passions of poor tormented Vascalio, who only for your love Madam Priscilla, hath abandoned his pompious train, his accostomable Glory, and only acquainted himself with the solitariness of this unaccessable Desert. Whereupon, if ever mercy prevailed with chaste beauty, finish up his martyrdom, and conclude a peace between both your fancies, for to this only end have I practised this attempt, and for his rocoverie (Madam) do you accompany me here to this Desert. I hearing his fair and smooth delivered speeches, though altogether confounded with susspition, yet now resolved of the occasion, incensed with hateful disdain against both him, his friend, and his attempt, bitterly invaied against him thus.  
Ungracious Ravisher, it is neither thy painted glozes shall make me lavish of mine Honour, neither thy sugared persuasions withdraw me from my resolutions: mine affections fetcheth not their limits from smiling similitudes, neither enforced will I make sail of mine Honour, wretched caitiff as thou art, thinkest thou the blood of the Medici's, is either terrified with a simple threat, or confirmed with a courteous request, the only limits of thy revenge is my destruction, thy unreasonable demand is more odious unto me then death, resolve the of thy exigent, for I am determined of my purpose.  
Nay then replied Polybius, what fair words will not persuade, force shall bring to end, thou art not to look in this Desert (disdainful Lady) for flocks of friends, but in contempt of Nobility that reverenceth the revenging foes, and to conclude in brief, unless your actions savour out better of lenity then pure words, you shall find quickly what the difference is between aspeare speeches and austeare execution. In these and like terms we overpassed the tediousness of our travail, it was Vascalios hap to espy us a far of, who (poor Gentleman) ravished but with the imagination of my beauty, and doubtful of the event was to follow, sounded breathless, so that at our arrival, Polybius espying him for dead, overwronge with intolerable impatience, laying violent hands upon me, unsheathed his Rapier, brandishing the blade over my head, gave me this cold comfort.  
Thou ingrateful Tigress, sprung of the loins of Magera, not from the offspring of the Noble house of Medici, receive the guerdon of thy contempt, who gloriest in the fall of so noble a Prince as Vascalio: whereupon ready to execute his fury, unfortunately the poor Lover recovered, who spying the intention of Polybius, casting himself prostrate at his friends feet, besought him thus.  
Oh Polybius, by the Honour of the noble name thou bearest, by that inviolate Nobility as is in thee, by that constant promise thou hast kept towards me, I beseech thee vouchsafe to stay thy hands from practising so horrible impiety, and let me (by whom the error first sprounge, and whose fond affections have procured these extremities) make only this action tragical by my proper fall, alas seest thou not (sweet friend) how consumed already with sorrow, I stay but the summons of the Sisters, yield therefore the unhappiest man that liveth the rest he seeketh for, and live thou sweet Priscilla, to see the faithful end of constant Vascalio.  
Polybius watering his cheeks with tears, as the true tokens of his woeful heart broke, replied thus.  
Nay noble Duke unhappy were I, if to lessen thy sorrows I would not make satisfaction with my own blood, for whose only cause I have attempted this action, the which the heavenly powers bring to a good end. Whereupon, turning himself once more towards me his eyes altogether bleared with wailing, he entreated me thus.  
Lady, if ever gracious suppliants suit prevailed in your merciful mind, disdain not to accept the submission of such a petition as for his constancy, deserveth the noblest Paragon in the world, you see how interchaunable sobs interrupt his speeches, and what the tongue in terms should utter, the heart abundantly persuadeth by the evacuation of tears: see how on bended knees he beseecheth: behold him here that with gentle persuasions entreat, that his love is constant: Consider but this, you are here at his own power, where neither your feminine weakness could resist, nor any reasons hinder your Rape: yet see the noble Gentleman, who not only reliing in your favour where he might command, requesteth: where he might enforce, prayeth: Pity therefore (good Lady) his passion, and make an end of these Tragical discoursings with a Comical conclusion. Vascalio, to these persuasions added this humble exortatorie.  
Oh thou the Mistress of my life, if my unmeasurable torments, were an eyes object, I doubt not but to accompany this Rock, you would yield to ruth, who were they not senseless, I know could not be silent dear sweet, my passions are so vehement, as I am at this instant, to require your conclusion but in these two things: the one, either to grant me your gracious and favourable acceptance, or else with this sword to finish my sorrows.  
I overwearied with these woeful exhortations, submissions and lamentations, conclusively answered him thus.  
signor Vascalio, I had thought Nobility would have so wrought with you, as that considering my reasonable conclusion, you would not thus have attempted my voyolation perforce, nor your cruel Polybius in choleric opinion vouchsafed to have sheathed your sword in a Virgin's entrails, but sith the unconstauncie of lust blindeth one, and cruelty overgoverneth the other, I will make way to both your affections: whereupon, my final conclusion is this, that it may please you both to determine my death and to save mine Honour: and for myself, I am resolved, never to love nor like any other than he that hath my heart, which is signor Saluanio, who having title to me, shall receive this honourable report of my constancy, that death rather liked Priscilla, then faithflesse breach of promise.  
These two Gentlemen hearing my unhappy resolution, having privately discoursed together, Polybius taking his horse and leaving me to the mercy of my captivate servant, betook himself by a contrary way to his own Castle, Vascalio, with his naked Rapier in his hand, accompanied only with me his disdainful Mistress, and millions of imaginations compassing in himself which ways to mitigate my fury. Alas the while, how inscrutable be the revolutions of the planets, at this very instant, Saluanio severed from his train, and having lost his way between Naples and the next City Rome, infortunately came in place, whom no sooner I espied, but with often exclamations, I brought him to the finishing of his own life: for having spied me clasped in the arms of his rival foe, incensed with great fury, with naked weapon he assailed Vascalio, who ready to withstand his force, at one instant, each of them unfortunately sheathed their weapons in either others body, wallowing together in their own blood, and several reporting this one speech successively, Priscilla Vascalio was constauntest, Priscilla Saluanio was constauntest: and in these and such like exclamations, yielded up the ghost.  
I pale and wan for fear not knowing whom to secure nor what to attempt, fell stark dead in a trance at both their feet for a long time, till at the last recovering myself, after I had bathed both their bodies with floods of my tears, and sacrificed to their ghosts with the offals of my hear, vowed here to finish my life, and conveying their bodies (as you see) into this cabin, here have I kept them these five years, minding in recompense of both their honourable affections and my unjust foresight, to recompense with some service to their dead bodies, and finish my life with them here, whose lives was but death being refused by me.  
Thus have I briefly reported unto you (noble Gentleman) the whole discourse of my misfortune, whose mishaps are so manifold, as neither death can determine them, nor life led in misery, in part satisfy the perfection of these two noble Gentlemen here dead.  
Simonides astonished at this tragical discourse, which seemed to abridge the fame of those of more ancient memory, began in this sort to open his opinion.  
Truly Madam, the misfortunes of these two worthy personages, together with your resolution, makes me presuppose, that all honourable affection, is here only in Italy, and constant retribution, in the ladies of this country, I find myself benefited in this my misfortune, that seeing feminine perfection so much, I may valiantly continue the assault, though hitherto by repulse I have been still afflicted, and though the breach be already made, and the assaylaunt entered, yet to keep one sconce sure against the sowers of disdain.  
Happy is signor Vascalio, (in my fancy noble Lady) who hath determined his Tragedy, and left a singular confirmation of his constancy, even before his eyes who only was the sole mistress of his heart, leaving that person here being dead, to blazon out his renown, whom living he honoured with loyal and constant service.  
Strange is it to see, the stratagems of this life, how one death aswell devoureth the surest constant, as most disloyal, one mould vouchsafeth both noble and in noble, whereas the desert of the one required diefiing, the escape of the other shameful reproach, and scarce worthy the benefit of sepulture.  
And wonderful are these effects, when nature shall vouchsafe to admit, that is unnatural towards nature. The contrarieties of your affections (I mean Vascalio and yours) altogether contrarious, yet were they one, for what you wished, your poor suppliant desired, yea, what you imagined to dispossess him, he turned to the honouring of you.  
But I see, the opening of green wounds is dangerous, and the remembrance of misfortunes newly passed, procure a bitter digestion of anticendentes: whereupon (Madam) I had rather be silent to slake your sorrow, then taulkative to augment mine own grief: yet I beseech you, bear with my presumption, and vouchsafe humble thanks at my hands for your doleful discourse, and farther if it please you, let me not want your direction, toward the accomplishing of my journey.  
Madamisella Priscilla, allowing of Simonides discourse, yet altogether unwilling he should long abide with her, after she had with honourable seemliness conveyed him to a path way toward Naples, and directed him in what she might, toward the accomplishing of his desire, not forgetting to learn out his name, birth, cause of travail, and such like wherein she stood in doubt, she courteously gave him this farewell at parting.  
Sith Fortune (amorous Spaniard) hath with like repulse afflicted thee as it hath Vascalio, she hath to this end sent thee hither to learn of Vascalio, and if thy Mistress contumacy disdain thy courtesy, doubt thou not but she may be made partaker of my hard hap: Persever thou therefore (noble Simonides) in faithful affection, so in the end thou shalt reap renown for thy labour. This said, she courteously betook her to her vowed Mansion, and after some reverent salutations presented by Simonides, he passed forward on his journey, and not pretermitting the cautions the courteous Lady had prefixed him, he at last overcame the tediousness of the solitary Desert, and came into the high way toward Naples. In journeying he met with divers, who upon sundry affairs were travelling to that City, and as diligence overcometh all tediousness, so with the good company he met withal, and the expedition they altogether made, they might behold the Town which so long they had wished for.   

¶ How Simonides arriving at Naples, was entertained by his Country man Frederick de Cicuta, sometimes a gallant Courtier, but now a Carthusian Friar.  
SIMONIDES being thus arrived at Naples, a famous City and Town of Garrison, was no sooner entered the Port, but he was stayed by the court of Guard, and was presented before the Viceroy of the City, who finding out by his reports, that he was a traveling Stranger, caused him courteously to be conveyed to a convenient lodging in the City, where he might employ himself as he pleased.  
Simonides reposing himself for that night, on the morrow questioning with his Host what Strangers were habitaunt in the City, he reported unto him, that amongst the Carthusians (a Sect of Friars instituted by Bembo of Paris) there was at that instant invested a Gentleman of Nobility, a Spaniard once renowned for his holy life, though heretofore he had been a Courtier of singular bravery within that City, and having learned his name, which was Frederick de Cicuta, he likewise sought the mean to find him out, and being preferred to his speech by the licence of the superintendant or Provost, he saluted him thus.  
signor, being arrived a Stranger in this City, and understanding by report of your being here, who are (as I am informed) my Country man, I thought it a point of wisdom, to acquaint myself with one of mine own Nation, and a part of civility, to visit a Gentleman of such renown as I understand you to be of, willing, if you have any service wherein to command me, if it be your pleasure at any time to employ me, you shall find me more willing to perform, than you ready to command.  
Friar Frederick having given him the Baseles manes (after the fashion of our Napolitan Courtiers) answered him thus. It can not be courteous Gentleman, that my Country man a stranger, should want any service I may accomplish, especially, perceiving you to be a Gentleman, and willing to grow into the high way of experience, wherefore if you please to walk with me, into my private Cell, you shall according to mine ability be welcomed, and if in the City I can do you any courtesy, doubt not but you shall command me.  
Whereupon, they both passing to the forenamed place, and having discoursed of the causualties of their Country, they recommended each unto other, the original cause of their travail, of their birth, abode, and such like: in the end, Friar Frederick, demanded of Simonides, the cause of his departing from Civil, and why he travailed towards Naples, whom Simonides satisfied thus.  
Religious Father, your reverent ears should hardly deign (considering the subject) to vouchsafe the hearing of a discourse so unnecessary, especially, since my cause of travail standeth on such nice points, as ere I had resolved to depart Civil, I was almost at Rome. My young years (as you see) subject to sundry impressions, at last took holdfast on unstaid Love, and mine eyes being curious in regarding Beauty, fixed them at last unremovably on the blaze of a fair damosel called Clarinda, whom (according to custom) when I had eft courted, yet never conquered, impatient of delays, I desperately left Civil, traveling to unknown Cities, led by this resolution, that by sight of many things, I should learn something, and in returning home constant in love, and accompanied with many good qualities, I should be better welcomed to my Clarinda. On this ground I have seen Ferrara, visited Venice, passed through Genova, attained Rome, where enticed by the general report of the nobility and courtlike behaviour of Naples, I am come hither to weet if the bravery be correspondent to that I have heard, the demeanour so commendable as it is esteemed of. These briefly are the causes of my travail, somewhat I have seen else where, and now what I look for here, if by your means I might, (good Country man) I would gladly accomplish.  
And was it Love (noble Simonides said Frederick) that made you leave Civil, truly an unjust cause to adventure tedious travail, for small or no commodity: It is a great error (Country man) that made you amorous: it was not the garish beauty of your Mistress, the alluring rays of her eyes, ●he exquisite feature of her body that captivated your senses, but an idle mind of yours, inclining to no good exercise, and disdaining orderly advertisements, which vouchsafed to follow such inconstant grounds as these be: for it never falleth out but where Idleness is predominaunt, that Love prevaileth: for where heavenly contemplation occupieth the mind, and orderly functions employ the body, the soul disdaineth to like of dust and ashes, the body subdued by discretion, becometh not desolute. If we keep as dutiful dispositions of our times, as the limitations of Nature hath prescribed us, our errors should be finished in an instant, our virtues increased every hour: for as all things may be recovered but loss of time, so unlawful pleasures should be no reasonable man's companions.  
I have known of many Lovers thus much, that for a little pleasure in their youth, they have proved unwieldy men in their age: but for those that in youth have been Studientes in Philosophi, in their declining years they have proved Philosophical, and not troubled with distempreture of bodies. If you knew therefore Simonides, what it is to compass the time, neither love should prevail though it assault you, nor vain pleasures conquer you when you are well armed with happy exercise. For he that distinguisheth times well, and compares the commodity of his hours reading to his days lotering, would wish his days spent in Love, reading hours: and repent every minute let slip, with a thousand sighings. For by how much we overpass our days in idle exercise, by so much we abridge the limits of our happiness: & by how much we aply our mind to blind and amorous actions, by so much we dispossess our mind of the most blessed benefits of reason. In studying to attain Love, we are recompensed with small reward: In studying to possess Virtues, what one thing may be compared to our blessedness. In possessing such transitory pleasures, as Love is, a man is envied at by his Rival: In attaining the inscrutable benefit of virtuous & sacred knowledge, a man is reverenced even by his Enviers. So that you see, the slothful amorous man, is tamed and made less than a man by his folly and negligence, where contrary, he is most happy and blessed, that fearing to be idle, is not content to be a man, and endeavouring in honest exercises, is a demi God by his virtues.  
Oh Simonides, I speak all this to this end, that thou shouldest see thy follies, and in seeing them subdue them in thyself: for in those only actions, we prove ourselves reasonable, wherein we subdue such contrary affects, as withstand advisement, and master those fleshly passions, as altogether dispossesseth our happiness: For it is a point of reason, to distinguish good from ill, so is it the part of a reasonable man to follow the better and fly the worse. These considered (good Country man) for your first part of travail you can not but confess it to be grounded on small reason: yet notwithstanding, I will with you confirm this, that by it you have gotten experience: and whereas here you are arrived to learn the fashions of Court, whatsoever by eye sight yourself shall perceive, I by my experience can already lay open: and not only describe you a Courtier in all his colours, but also open unto you the imperfections that proceed from their profusednesse: whereupon, if it please you to yield attentive ear, I am determined to begin my Narration.  
The Court of Naples here renowned by the excellency of this signor that now governeth it, hath incited many young men (having the rain in their own necks) to resort hither, where both by the serenity of the air, they may have assurance of their health, and by the bravery of the Court, satisfy their youthly humours. Othersome, by their father's appointment (in hope of preferment) are sent hither to be attendant on the Viceroy, who by their good deservings, either are to grow in favour, or by their value and force of Arms, are to be confirmed with Martial honour. These intentions, makes the Court here so ample as it is, and so accounted as it seems to be: For the first sort of noble Courtiers, as their humours are, such their retinue is: vain heads are attended on by seducing Flatterers: Follies work altogether masters with them: Fashions make them of comely Personages disguised Maskers. Idleness, of able Gentlemen lascivious Mecocks: Their feats of Arms, are turned to a Sinquipace: They had rather tread a trick of one and twenty follies, then perform an action that might increase honour.  
Such are the dispositions of these sort of Gentlemen, that if they err in aught, they are soothed in the same: if they delight to be praised, the Flatterer will prevail: if to be reverenced, they shall have cap and courtesy: if for title of credit, they shall be worshipped and reworshipped: if lascivious and wanton, they shall want no privy Brokers: if riotous, who doubts but Spendthriftes will haunt them: if dainty in diet, they must have a French Cook: if fashionative, the Town shall be sought for an inventing Tailor: So that at the last some pleads purse empty, and very many are none suited of all their costly attire: and the Farmer in discharging the merchants books, hath either his Lease renewed or continued for ever.  
It is a strange thing to see, how in Court our dainty Nobles brave it, desiring rather to feed their Mistress eye with delicate aspect, then maintain the distressed Soldier with necessary provision: yet in this, I altogether blame not the Gentleman, whereas (perhaps as Court fashion is) pleasing of humours is most profitable: he desiring to be a Penifather will venture his stake amongst the rest, but where one speedeth a hundred fail, who over run with arrearages, are feign themselves to pull down their bristles, and to settle their sails lower to avoid the Perrie of perdition.  
Truly now adays (signor Simonides) the fashion of Naples is such, as favour prevaileth with many by occasion, not by desert: by opinion, not by worthiness: And now since peace makes all plenteous, Gentlemen will be delicate: Ladies amorous: the Prince perhaps studious. And though not seeing all ennormities, yet compassed about with many that be enormous.  
Our Courtiers now adays, from the practice of the Lance, have learned to love: perhaps in remembrance of their former endeavours, they will tourney a course or two to please their Mistress: but for old daily experience, which inureth the body to assaults, alas, they are to cumbersome, we must none of them, but if our Mistress like of a codpiece Doublet, it shall cost them the setting on but it shall be had: If short Breeches, all Padua shall be searched for them. So that now from the Englishman, our Italians have stolen their portraiture, and they must now be pictured naked, with a pair of shears in his hand, they are so cumbered with new fashions and inventions. In the Court of Naples, now Aristides for his plainness shall be thrust out, and Aristippus for his niceness preferred. Chrysippus with his sweet eloquence shall prevail, where Cato with his sour censures shall be misliked. When Damocles flattereth fastest he shall be preferred soonest, where if any severe Calistines reprehended he should be punished.  
Although in this Court we have sundry wise men, yet something may slip they can not see all, and where so many matters are so often debated, no marvel though reason be something abated.  
Pythagoras with his own hand, wrote this Inscription on his School door.  
Who so knoweth not what he ought to know, is a beast amongst men,  
He that knoweth no more than he hath need of, is a man amongst beasts,  
He that knoweth that may be, is a God amongst men.  
It may well be a just Prince might prescribe this before the Court of Naples, but should he enter into the examination of the Premises, I fear me he might worthily condemn the most, who ought to know that excess is unnecessary, and yet our Courtiers do commonly use it, and therefore brutish: Many we have that know no more than they need of, and yet but men amongst brute beasts: but for those that know all things, they are but Pauci quos equus amavit Jupiter atque ardens evexit ad athera virtus.  
Let trajan prescribe good laws for eternal memory, and yet where are they sooner broken then in the Court of trajan. Let Marcus aurelius' store his Court with wisemen, yet even there they wax dissolute. And our Court guise here is such, that in short space we learn to know what is ill, but for that is good, we can hardly compass it in a long season. And how can it otherwise be, that where all things are ministered to please the appetite, that reason should prevail: where all studies are to invent vices, we should admit virtue: where all our exercises are amorous, any one endeavour should be Philosophical: Custom inverteth all things: Error destroyeth all things, where only similitudes serveth the Court, what shall become of substance.  
Truly if Cato's censer, had as great authority in our Napolitan Court as he had in Rome, and if the Animadversions of Idleness, were as austere here as they were in his government it was then, I fear me some of our nice Courtiers should kiss the Marmotive, and bear those corrections, which be fitted their follies.  
In his government, all Rome banished Idleness: in our government, noted vices grow and increase Idleness: whereupon, it proveth that the bravest Soldier, is become the commonest Courtier, and the fury of the sword is supplied, with the fame of the tongue: the mediocrity in diet and attire, to banqueting in diet and bravery in attire. Thus our whole Court by Idleness is made dissolute: by custom corrupt: where fashions fix folly, folly breeds vanity, both inconstant.  
This Court in elder age, was accounted the Mother of Wisemen, the stepdame of Fools: where now, a Fool shall glory of more favour, than the Wiseman of acceptance: And no marvel since the world as now runneth at this rate, that as Moths eat the cloth, and the Cankerworm pierceth the Tree, so flattering sycophants beguileth all the world. But for those sorts that depend on their deserts, alas the while, I pity their misfortunes, they wanting power and ability to maintain a part, are put back from compassing benefit, and if in striving to arise they have but one faun of fortune, those eyes that look into all procedings, and are watchful only to their own profits, will prevent them, turning them of with a little preferment, not suffering them to rise to high, for licking the fat from their fingers, so that now adays Promotion is determined in such sort, as fancy rather confirmeth the election than discretion, in so much that desert may now go a begging when all the world is guided by opinion.  
But whereas we have but looked a little into the private actions, attire, and external practices of their life and found so much error, if we but now consider the inward disposition of the mind, of troth you may wonder. The whole state of them tooth and nail, by all possible means from their first rising up affectate honour, not by those means that are required in men of liberal mind, but altogether according to the nature of those they depend of. If Phaleris will torment, Perillus will invent: If Aemilius will martyr, Paterculus will minister: If Alexander will be stately, Photion will be humble: If Domitius foolish, Hipodamus will be frantic, every great man's vain shall have a follower, and by these steps of soothing Governors fantasies now adays, our Courtiers seek to climb, rather than by any other action that is commendable: So though the honour they attain make them renowned in the face of the world, yet the means wherewith they attain are odious in the opinion of the wisest. For what can be more discommendable, then for a noble mind to apply itself to servile functions? What booteth Nobility, where the man makes himself abject? If glory amidst the universal benefits of fortune be chiefest, (for that it is the only record of virtue, and virtue by no other means is to be achieved but by honest endeavours) I count him infortunate that by contrarious steps would climb to it, and seeking by unjust means to attain being unmeet for it.  
As for those honours that dependeth upon the opinion of Princes, as it is conceived so feareth it in an instant: Those titles of renown in true glory pass by desert: in feigned preferment are committed by casualty: the proud borroweth the state and title of the humble: the humble of the proud: For where the judgement is in an undiscreet eye, how can it otherwise be, but that all things must pass by opinion. It was true honour grounded on desert, that preferred Fabius to the title of Maximus: It was the austere actions of Marilius, that made him to be termed Jmperiosus in undoubted renown. Therefore we see Simonides, the preferment without counterfeit, but in feigned and momentany glory (which beareth no small sway in this Court) all runs by hearesays.  
But this I dare boldly affirm, that if honours were to be compassed by vices, as in old Rome they were by virtues, there would more prove honourable (in our Court of Naples) in one year, than Rome had of good men in a whole age.  
How many Democriti should we have, that would deride all men accounting them mad, when he himself was out of his wit? How many Epicuri that are led altogether with sensual lust, yet disdain the strict life of others.  
Truly if our Napolitans, had every part of their bodies, according to the number of fashions they wear, they should have flemish heads to their dutch hats: French faces to their marquisotted cut: Parisian necks to their Paris ruffs: Italian bodies to their big bellies: Millian buttocks to their mincing Breeches: Spanish legs to their Spanish Stockynges: English feet to their English Pantoffies: And if every Country for his fashion might crave a member, I think it were more wisdom in equal distribution of each Country is part, than wit to acquaint our members with so many Country fashions.  
Truly it were better for a Courtier with the Atlantibae, rather to want his name, then good nurture: for unnamed his honour shall not grow in question, but spoken of, his vices shall be noted.  
But to let slip our men Courtiers, with their affectation of honour, with their unorderly means to attain renown, let us now turn to our Courtlike Ladies, and we shall find there was not so much variety in the one, but there is twice as much vanity in the other: the Gentleman is not so foolish, but the Gentlewoman is even as fond: so that both of them are coupled in a lease of agreeable follies: the one to follow, the other to entice. These damsels can make Emperors idle as Authony: Valiant men effeminate as Hercules: wisemen dissolute as Solomon: Eloquent men lascivious as Aurelius: their eyes have power attractive: they never pry but they pierce: never glance but they conquer, so that none but Mercury, can abridge their sleights to entrap: nor ought but wisdom, prevail against their sugared enticements. I have known the bravest Courtier in Naples, to day bravely mounted travesing the Streets, richly demeined, bravely attired, and being overcome but by a glancing passion, the next day in mind melancholy: in habit mournful: in gate inconstant: nay, in all actions not himself, such pierce have these Lady's eyes, and they bestow them so cunningly, that making out their choice on the Idelest, they always become conquerors. No Novice may scape their hands, but from Heaven with Prometheus he brings away some flame: So that in the Prince's Court (I dare avow) there are more at this instant enamoured, then of continent habitude.  
Madamisella herself what practiseth she not, this youth must be her servant and wear her colours, that Gentleman her Partner and wear her sleeve, a third her Lover and possess unchaste bed pleasures: And though the two first be as lavish in their gifts as the last, yet they both are forced to hold the Candle, while the other offers to our Lady. Such be these Gentlewomen, that they have tongues to train, eyes to allure, bodies to perform: no opportunity with them shall be let slip for a pleasure: nothing pretermitted to make themselves finish.  
In their youthly beauties, they procure many favourers, who led by colours not substance, thinks that the old painted face of Proserpina, is the same it was when she first became Pluto's wife. They have colours to be ruby tallow faces, medicine to allay gross humours, Masks to cover deformed visages, Periwigs to countenance their black bushes, strong busks to straighten crooked bodies, great Ruffs to abate their fulsome cheeks, small Rusfes to seem big their pretty faces, French Vardingalles' to set out and bolster their bums, high Pantofles to make them to seem tall, lose Gaberdines to shadow their wrong shapen bodies, strait Gowns to set forth their proper proportions: Yea, such sweet souls be these, as neither fashion shall fail them that they favour, nor pleasure unsought for that may delight them.  
These makes our youths to be dissolute, not studious: amorous, not venturous: wanton, not wise: curious, not constant. In so much that you may see here as much riot, as in Rome suspected Religion.  
This is the demeanour of the Court of Naples, this have I seen and learned by mine own experience. And for this Simonides, as thou sayest thou art come to Naples, if to eschew by seeing, and not to practise by beholding, I think no man better welcome than my Country man, but if to follow that which I have passed over with repentance, no man sooner wished from hence thence Simonides.  
Lucius Malius a formal Painter, yet having deformed sons, was partly touched at a Supper by a friend of his in this manner.  
Malius, thou paintest well, but fashionest ill, to whom the Painter answered thus. Sir, I beget and fashion children in the night, and never paint but by day.  
As it fared with Malius in painting, so it falleth out with advised men in their actions, for what they enterprise, is narrowly examined before it be put in proof: yet what so by them is form in silent, that is past their heads unawares, these as framed in the dark, they mar in the fashion: but what experience persuades thee too, paint that by day, as a sweet impression in the soul: If ought suddenly overstippe thee by error, count it a bastard thought and refuse it, it came not of thy reason. Whatsoever is here to be seen in Court, I have told in word, and if thou doubt of it, or that my reports fail me, I will briefly show you in deed. A more convenient travail for you (in my conceit Country man) were this, to go to Athens, where in studying you may confirm your experience with reading, acquaint yourself with learned Writers the fathers of the world, and delight yourself with heavenly contemplation which beseemeth your person.  
In Athens you shall find Weapons to subdue vice, rains to keep in reason, yea, in Athens thou shalt read the good persuasions of Demosthenes, the eloquence of Tully: there mayst thou meet, if for feature, with comely: if for knowledge, with learned: if for good counsel, with the hoar headed.  
And amongst the whole catalogue of comely scholars, there shalt thou meet with a Gentleman of such experience, as may confirm thee in thy travail, counsel thee in thy Love, commend thee into strange Countries, comfort thee in all thy sorrows, teach thee how thou oughtest to walk, yea, with so sweet a tongued Orator shalt thou meet, as Aeschives should be scoffed at if he discommended him, and Anthony the Orator derided at if he did imitate him.  
All these perfections there, shalt thou find in one man, who as the Bee sucketh Honey findeth virtue, as the Chameleon feedeth on the Air followeth contemplation, who can Court it with the best, and Scholar it with the most, in whom I know not whether I should more commend his manners or his learning, the one is so exquisite, the other so general. Happy shalt thou be in thy travail to meet with this Euphues, who is curious in describing the Anatomy of wit, and constant in reprehending vanities in love. Him seek thou out in Athens, for Athens is renowned by him, with whose acquaintance thou shalt return to Civil so well counseled, as that Clarinda shall either sue to be partaker of thy perfections, or thou allowing a continent life, desist from thy follies.  
Thus hast thou heard my cautions against Love, the customs of this Court, my counsel in thy travail, and the commendation of a noble Gentleman whom I would acquaint thee with, to whom I will not only commend thee by L●●●ers, but also with earnest entreaty desire him to entertains thee as my Country man and a courteous strange 〈…〉  
Thou seest well what my will is and what thy wish should be, what thy wants are, and how to amend thy wreak, I pray thee as thankfully esteem of my counsels, as I do willingly bestow them on thee my Country man: which since they be the fruits of my experience, I wish them to prevail effectually with thee.  
As this holy Friar was thus discoursing with our Simonides, the report came that the Viceroy himself with his whole train, would at that very instant, visit the Relics of the Carthusians: whereupon Frederick de Cicuta, taking Simonides by the hand, conveyed him into the Church, where conveniently he might behold the majesty of the Regent, and the royalty of the Courtiers: and according to his expectation, each thing fell out, so that our Spaniard was glutted with shows, both of manly seemliness, and womanly comeliness.  
The Evensong being finished, he was driven out of his dumps with the return of our religious Votive, who questioning with Simonides, how he allowed of the bravery of Naples, was satisfied with this answer.  
Truly Don Frederick, I see here the report and the thing itself answerable in themselves: notwithstanding, I account with you all these but painted sepulchres: whose bodies, though clad with bravery, yet are their inward dispositions stored with vices: and even at this instant, I was bethinking myself of Athens. Here the Friar interrupting him, said thus.  
Continue that opinion Simonides, for it is virtuous, I will further thee in this, and furnish thee with Shipping. Whereupon, conveying Simonides towards his Lodging, at the Key he encountered with an Athenian Scholar called Periander, of whom learning out that a Ship was ready to departed with the next Wind, he said to Simonides.  
Lo Country man, all opertunities bless thee with good fortune, and the Floods seem to favour thy proceedings. Wherefore, let us to thy Lodging where thou mayest repose thyself, and I will presently to my pen to dispatch my Letters. Whereupon, agreeing with the Master for Simonides passage, and vesiring him to call for him, when wind and tide might serve, they went both to Simonides Lodging: and having first served their appetites, Simonides betook himself to sleep, but Friar Frederick to his pen, saluting Euphues in this sort.  
The Letter of Frederick to Euphues.  
ON that very 16. of April, on which the Priests of the mother of the Gods, with mournful howlings (presaging some ill fortune) began to weep, on that very day Frederick de Cicuta, sendeth Greeting, and wisheth good success to Euphues of Athens: The report runneth here in Naples, that your Grecian eloquence is sauced with a little suspicion of flattery, which makes me to use plainness in report, least in eloquence I might borrow a little of your error. Our affairs here (for I know you look for news) is after the old state, our Court is amorous as it was, and the state as Peace able as it should be, so that if old news be news, I have sent you some news: yet if novelties be the news that you look for, I have both novelties to acquaint you with, and a new friend to present you with. Don Frederick the Courtier, is become Friar Frederick the Carthusian, having left of his Courtly costliness, he hath bound himself to a Religious habit, and as a man both altered in habit and behaviour, so is he changed both in style and study, yet wishing thee the favour of the heavens in extremity, and the gracious aspect of the Muses in thy studies. There came of late into these quarters, a Gentleman of my Country, who hath left his Native soil for Love, and tried such like path ways as once did Euphues of Athens, him in these Letters I commend unto thee, whom if thou wisely look into, thou shalt find him like to the Willow, the more thou subduest his affections by reason, the better will he grow to the attainment of wisdom, and whom if thou counsel according to thy knowledge, he shall not only learn by thy living to avoid the fire, but also recarrie into Ciulll, a certain testimony of thy Athenian wisdom, him counsel according as he erreth, so mayst thou confirm thyself, and in seeing him tread awry, both underlay thine own unleveled fantasies, and teach him how to bridle his. If in like courtesies I may satisfy thee in Naples, use me: mean while, I commit thee to the benefit of good fortune, my friend to thy tuition, & myself to my prayers, desiring the powers to make thy actions as prosperous, as my Orisons shall be fervent.  
From Naples 16. kalends Aprilis. Yours assured, Frederick de Cicuta.  
No sooner had the Friar ended his Letters, but that the Master gave warning that Wind and Tide served to set forward to Athens. Whereupon he awaking Simonides, with these terms took his last Vale of him.  
Country man, since the opportunity of your travail calleth you away, and now (as it should seem) I am to commit you to the mercy of the Flood, and to the courteous entertainment of my friend Euphues, I am thus much to entreat you in my name to salute him and deliver him these Letters: And for that acquaintance hath fallen between us by such good fortune, let not (good Simonides) but that I may hear from thee by Letters, and for every line, I will return twain, with a thousand thanks beside.  
Simonides regarding the gracious behaviour of his Religious Country man, answered thus.  
Although heretofore, the fury of the Waves hath bin such, as I partly vowed no more to trust it, yet led by the benefit of good fortune and your counsel, I will once again venture my carcase on the merciless Floods, and if Fortune allot me happy arrival at Athens, I will not only perform what you have given me in charge, but also think myself happy, that my rude lines shall be requited with such fatherly counsels.  
With these and such like talk pacing to the Key, they both in friendly manner gave the other a courteous farewell.   

¶ How Simonides being on the Sea between Naples and Athens, was entertained with a very pleasant discourse by one of the Passengers.  
SIMONIDES seeking out a Cabin in the Ship, after he had given Friar Frederick his last farewell by wagging his hand, the other being on the Shore, their Ankers weighed, and the South-west wind blowing up a pleasant Gale, with merry cheer, the Mariners toss the Cans. Simonides with divers other Passengers, setting themselves close togethers, wished themselves at the end of their Voyage, before they had in manner begun their passage: Amongst the rest a merry companion, willing to pass the time with pleasure, began to cheer his Compheres thus.  
Currage my friends, methinks our delights are not answerable to the clearness of the Wether, what do we droop? Let us either with pleasant discourse beguile the tediousness of our Passage, or else the Welkin may over cast and lower, to see us all so sourly disposed.  
Simonides replied, and surely sir you say sooth, me thinks each of our hands is on our halfpeney, we are not frolic, and where in disposition we be sullen in ourselves, there may little mirth pass from us, but if it please you to make your discourse answerable to your pleasant humour, you shall no doubt make of all us melancholy folks, to become merry Greeks.  
And is it so said Corubus (for so the Gentleman was named) than your word shall stand, and if it shall please you to hear a pretty discourse that is as true as it is pleasant, give ear for now I begin my tale.  
In the City of Sierra (a pleasant & commodious town, renowned aswell for the bravery of the noble, as the wealth of the Merchant, and stored with great foison of beautiful Damosels) there dwelled a six years ago an honourable and renowned Magnifico called Sertorius, who having large sums of money in most of our banks of Italy; grown at last to the greatest estimation in the City, and blest every way with the best supplies of fortune, was only deprived of this comfort, that he was wifeless: to the remedy whereof, he endeavoured to cast his eyes abroad, minding to fix his fancy on some fair young damosel, by whose company in his declining years, he might perhaps be beautified with issue and heirs to possess his inheritance. At the last by long travel, having attained the sight of a delicate young Maiden, by birth noble, and of passing beauty, one of the Daughters of the Signiors of the City called Brunellus, the Virgin's name Orienta, he sought by all means possible, how he might best employ himself to the attainment of his purpose. In the end, he solicited the Father, questioned with the Mother, visited the Daughter, he clothed himself in unaccustomed colours, maquisiting his Munch●ches to look youthly, stretching out his stark limbs almost writhe with age after the fashion of a Monarko: so that without all peradventures, he persuaded himself he should speed he was so frolic. Whereupon (after the Italian guise) he concluded with the father and friends, who more allowing of his wealth then of his goodly parsonage, they brought him in the end to the speech of the Daughter.  
She being young, tender, fair, amiable, and full of all graces, and seeing herself sued too by such an old crust, began even with a smiling regard to pretend what was to follow, and being courteously saluted by Sertorius, she returned him a requital. Whereupon the old Magnifico began to woe thus.  
Mistress Orienta, that sweet beauty of yours, which is able to subdue the most indurat affection of the wisest, and conquer the greatest resist of the strongest, hath made me your prisoner, not otherwise able to be delivered from the martyrdom of Love, but only by the possession of your favour, whereupon my poor heart feedeth all his sweetest contemplation. And though my years perhaps may make breach between your tender delicacy and m● forworn age, yet persuade yourself thus, that although I am not the only to be liked, yet know I thoroughly, I have not in me utterly to be loathed, what every year shall dissuade in mine age, I can recompense it with a cask of Crowns: and for wealth, Italy shall not afford you a better husband, though for youth it may allow you more to be accounted of. This writhe body (sweet damosel) may perhaps afford you as much honest pleasure, as one more nice: other supplies much more and far better. Wherefore gentle Orienta vouchsafe me favour: for if you shoul● once martyr me with repulse (alas the while) my life would prove but death, and my happy and blessed days should be determined.  
The young Gentlewoman, having heard her lusty Wooers suit, replied thus.  
Me thinks signor Sertorius, your years being almost grown to their date, you should not be given to dote, and the heirs of experience beautifying your head, you should with good advertisement call yourself home.  
To shape an Ox and an Ass in one Plough, were but a mockery: to place hot and cold in one consert, were as great folly: to join age and youth in vowed Wedlock, were very noisome: how can there be agreement, where all things are contrary: or love, where the parties be loathsome.  
'tTwere better to be buried honestly chaste, then to be a Bride in an old man's bed.  
One of your feet signor Sertorius, is in the grave, the other declinyngly bending, can not brook long to uphold so crooked a corpse.  
I in my prime of youth, native heat, chief beauty, like to maintain combat against the fates a long tyme.  
You if perhaps (as I doubt me) you speed of that you speak for, when your small heat is satisfied, will type up your heels, and leave poor Orienta, a sorrowful Widow, and having mourned a little for manners sake, finding myself uncombered from such a loathsome burden, might disport myself at my pleasure, and make myself blessed in my new choice.  
Noble Magnifico, think you of your Beads, not of your bed: of your Matins, not of your Marriage: It is now time to finish your account of pleasure, since your principal performance is extinguished. As for me, let me alone silly maid as I am, there be more fit in Sierra for you to wed then myself, and more meeter for me to match then with you.  
Thus desiring signor Sertorius to bear with Orientas rudeness, she takes her leave minded to follow her business.  
This old amorous Gentleman, having been galled so nearly, as scarce he could bridle his choler, yet yielding to the repulse for the present, not doubting but in time the humour would overpass, and that by her friends persuasion, his Mistress would be pacified. This notwithstanding, he continued his wont port, feasting the Father, flattering the Mother, presenting the Daughter, who delighted not in such stolen youths, so that opportunity (or the importunity of the fates) served, that to frustrate his enterprise, Love began to wring the heart of a young Gentleman, one of the same City, who finding his passion no otherwise recurable, but by the favour of Orienta, practised in what he might to compass his purpose, toward the attainment of her good grace, in so much, that as occasions were proffered, if Orienta would be holy, Fuluius would go to Church: if disposed to walk for recreation, her suppliant must take the air.  
Thus presenting fire to the flax, the uncurable heat of the torment inflamed the yielding affects of the young damosel to receive the impression, that being both touched with equal desire, the young man perplexed by reason of the match the father pretended with Sertorius, she holding back by maidenlike shamefastness, because she was unproffered, and both of them otherwise detained than they wished for. The noble courage of the young Gentleman, led by a smiling hope of heavenly reward for a small adventure, compassing in his cogitations many matters: At last he be thought himself of his acquaintance with Sertorius, whose wanton wooing was known very well through all Sierra, by him only in his mind, he concluded the attainment of his purpose, though in deed his only enemy in this attempt.  
Fuluius having sought him out, with subtle information, he saluted him thus.  
signor Sertorius, the old familiarity between my father and you, and the report of your courteous and honest dealings in Sierra, hath made me (being forced thereunto by necessity) to come and crave your favour.  
Thus it is, that being greatly indebted in Sierra, by reason of continual suits between the House of the Coruasij and me, for a certain Castle between this and Aranthum, I am forced now by the judicial decree, to buy their part, and to this issue altogether unfurnished of money, I am to sell or mortgage certain Revenues, to the accomplishing of my purpose. Whereupon (good signor) if either upon mortgage or sale, it please you to furnish me with one thousand Ducats, I shall by this means, not only be greatly bound unto you for your favour, but also if in any service I may stand in stead, priest at your command.  
The old Fox though his lips did water, dissembling to love no Grapes, answered Fuluius thus.  
Good Fuluius, the nobility of the House you come of, the faithful friendship between your father and me, with the toward and honourable behaviour of yourself, were sufficient to enforce a stranger, much more a friend to pleasure you. But when I look into my present estate, and see the occasions I have to employ my money, truly I am loath to set foot in the cause: notwithstanding, to pleasure so honest a Gentleman as you, if you be minded to sell any Signory, I will strain myself you shall have money, Fuluius shall find a friend of Sertorius.  
The Gentleman seeming very desirous, gave our Magnifico hearty thanks, assuring him that to the adventure of his life, he would requite the favour showed him. Hereupon he makes price of a most pleasant and beautiful Manner house with the demeans, situate out of Sierra five or six Leagues, the bargain is beaten out and accordingly agreed upon, that Sertorius shall have the Fee simple of the Signory of Brentio, Fuluius for his title twelve thousand Crowns, and for that livery and season was requisite the day is now to be prefixed to perform it. At this time Sertorius bethinking himself of Brunellus with his fair Orienta, began to say thus in his own imagination.  
Oh happy bargain for me, this is a passing present for my Orienta, I doubt not but if gifts will please the Gods, rewards may entice women: And on this he concluded in himself to delay the livery and season for one month, at which time, he besought Fuluius to make honourable preparation for him and his company: adding this moreover, that the only Gem he desired in the world, should be there at the banquet.  
Fuluius perceiving how the game would go, promised to perform what he required, and being assured by Sertorius to receive his ready money he departed, and labouring by sundry means to come to the speech of Orienta, he fell in acquaintance with an old Gentlewoman, who had often recourse to the house of Brunellus, and privy familiarity with Orienta, to whom Fuluius opened the bitter assaults of his passion, and between fair speeches and liberal rewards he so compassed this woman, that she promised not only to prefer his suit, but also to apply what persuasion she thought necessary, toward the attainment of the Maiden's favour.  
Briefly it was thus concluded, that Fuluius should wright and Esp●raunce would deliver, who taking pen he thus opened his passion.  
The Letter of Fuluius to fair Orienta.  
IT must needs be some divine fury, not earthly folly (sweet Mysteries) that maketh a mortal creature constantly to love, and unmovably to persever, and heavenly must that subject be, that by one only radiant aspect, can knit two souls in one, and make uncertain dust and ashes, partaker of the constancy of the Gods. If they led by a sacred custom swearing by Styx errevocably punish, the Lover enchained by affection will undoubtedly persever. Whereupon (sweet Orienta) having been in this one benefit, made partaker with the Gods in constancy, by one only aspect of your beauty, I am now (being altogether inclined to heavenly pleasures) to beseech you to empleat more pleasure, to the end, poor Fuluius may be more constant, I saw thy beauty (sweet Mistress) and seeing it wondered, and wondering, am enforced to woe, that either I may by your means be blessed with the possession of your beautiful favour, or be bereft of mine eye sight lest I see to my confusion, Madamisella, I beseech thee by the sweet beauty of thy locks, by the amorous delicacy of thine eyes, by the power attractive of thy celestial beauty, to ease his harms who only rests thy poor tormented.  
Fuluius.  
This Letter sealed up, esperance, according to her name, so applying her nature, putting Fuluius in good hope of the benefit of good fortune, pretermitted no time, but with conveniency opened his affection to Orienta in these terms.  
My good Mistress, the great and passionate affection of my friend, his humble and incessant suit, have made me incline to pity, and to take in hand to present you the submission of a most loving Gentleman, and although it may be thought by you, that this office is uncomely for my years, yet assure you this, that where in chaste love you are sued unto, and by a noble Gentleman, I dare avow the action is not discommendable.  
And with this, taking Fuluius Letters in her hands, she delivered them to her, desiring her to be favourable in the cause, and to regard the Gentleman's humble suit.  
Orienta blushing with bashful redness replied thus. Good esperance, the honest opinion I conceive of your staidness, confirmeth me now in that, which otherwise no modest maid durst once to attempt: but since it can not infect to read, & to an unreasonable request I have a tongue to denay, I will be bold to over read his question, and for your sake shape him an answer. Whereupon, opening the Letters, and over reading them again and again, the old embers unraked discovered quick coals, and the fire sent out the flame with a scalding sigh, whereupon, after a little pause she bespoke her thus.  
esperance, if these fair promises made by Fuluius, will be answered with the perfection of his person, if as he writeth well he will do well, perhaps I know a friend as good as myself may either prefer him, or so near kinsfolk shall fall out, as none but death can dissever.  
Tut sweet heart (said esperance) doubt not of the Gentleman's honour, I know him well, and stick not to account of his courteous demand, when he desires not to strain you to the breach of your honour.  
And if it be so (said Orienta) then in the stead of his written Letters, deliver him this token of my honourable favour, that he may see I esteem his suit. And that (if he be so affectionate as he seemeth) he may in person prefer his cause tomorrow in the evening, for that his Mistress this next day, must be at signor Sinatos Wedding, as a bidden guest, where if he want no will to achieve, he may find season both to speak and speed, and so commend me to him.  
esperance, with her answer at tongues end, quickly encounters with Fuluius, who honourably rewarding her endeavour, wonderfully rejoiced in his happy and good fortune, and bethinking with himself how with least suspicion he might visit his Mistress, he concluded on a Mask. Whereupon, calling a sort of his courteous Companions together, it was agreed they would make the Bridegroom privy to their coming, who accepting of their courtesy in most friendly manner, promised them a hearty welcome.  
All things prepared for this purpose, the next day came Orienta with her father and mother to the solemnising of this Wedding.  
Our snudge Magnifico, is there in his best colours to court it: Night being come, the Maskers being mounted on great Horses, appareled after the Turkey fashion all in cloth of Tissue entered the great Court, where dismounting themselves, they orderly marched into the great Chamber, the company attentively beholding the bravery of the Maskers, Fuluius had given his compartners a lesson, whereby Orienta was left for his own choice, whom softly taking by the hand, and with a coy regard, she seemed at the first to strain courtesy, but easily persuaded to that she most desired: after they had paced the first measure, each Masker falling to the courting of his Lady, Fuluius began his discourse in this sort.  
The occasion (sweet Mistress) that you allowed me, is even now happily achieved, and he that was bold to sue in paper, is now here ready to perform in person, here is your loyal sworn servant Fuluius, who without your gracious aspect, must finish his life with unmerciful martyrdom.  
Here interrupted by the Musicians, and having traced on neatly the other Coranto, Orienta answered.  
I am not so injurious signor Fuluius, but I will add one benefit to him that preferreth all occasions: and if in chaste love, so good a Gentleman as you hath vowed your service, it may be his chance to find as constant a friend to yield him his reward.  
Here interrupted again, at the third pause Fuluius spoke thus.  
For benefits that shall pass from Beauty, Fuluius will be thankful, and if it shall please Orienta, to fit all occasions so well as she framed this, Fuluius shall no doubt find a remedy, and his Mistress shall not repent her.  
Here the instant that interrupted the Lover, shortly served the Lady, who discoursed thus.  
My sweet friend, if the Mistress of thy heart, will be persuaded by my means, fear not, but ere long she will make either time serve affection, or both satisfy thy expectation. Whereupon, desiring him to be circumspect, for fear of suspicion (for the Magnificoes eyes were watchful over her) the Gentleman refrained until the Mask being ended, and each Gentleman accompanied with his Mistress went to banquet, he choosing a convenient corner to discover himself to Orienta, in these terms persuaded with her.  
Since the equal powers have vouchsafed an unity between our affections (good Mistress) I pray you let neither circumspection be wanting to avoid danger, nor prevention be sought for to disburden us of all hindrance.  
All Sierra can well report of the love Sertorius beareth you, of the importunate suits wherewith he soliciteth earnestly your father and you, and it may be for his exceeding wealth, he may wipe the fat from my fingers, unless policy prevent that which injurious resist hath proffered: so that now (good Mistress) you must stand to your tackling, or else the Market is like to be marred.  
And lieth it in me sweet friend (said Orienta) to perform, truly then give me instructions, and I will quickly have them without book.  
Then gracious Orienta (said Fuluius) thus it standeth, I seeing no means to attain the discovery of mine affections towards you, of late colourably went and compassed with the old Magnifico your Wooer, to sell a piece of Land, by that means thinking to wring out somewhat, by growing in familiarity with him, but the Fox being wily, set me beside the Coshin, yet greedily gaping after my Revenues, was contented to employ twelve thousand Crowns for a Manner of mine lying six Leagues from out this City, desiring me to make honourable provision for his coming that day month, for that the sweetest Gem in the world should be there with him. I smelling out his drift, briefly concluded on it, and by good fortune meeting with courteous esperance, by whom this good hap hath been furnished, now having taken counsel of my seven nights pillow, if it shall please Orienta, Fuluius at that season shall be her married fere, and perhaps, make the Magnifico bestow a good child's part on Orienta.  
The quick wit of the young Maiden, conceiving at the first the conveyance of all, smilingly thus interrupted him.  
Fuluius, I must take your tale before it fall, I smell out the drift of your pretence, to the furthering of which, Sertorius shall neither want fair promises, nor sweet regards: be thou as careful in the rest as I will be in this, and the Goal is won, the mastery is our own.  
Thus giving him a gentle Basele bouche, they thrust themselves amongst the company, where Orienta, to call away suspicion, said thus.  
I had thought (Gentleman) that so many and sundry entreaties, might have been sufficient to have made you discover, but since I see you are so resolute, you will admit no persuasion, though you denay us the benefit of that, yet vouchsafe us the courtesy in this, that though you eat none of our junkets, yet it will please you keep some in store for your friends.  
It may be (replied Fuluius) my humours be such now (fair damosel) that if I should discover, I might bar myself of a supposed benefit, but for these delicates, I had rather they should lie uneaten, than my fancy want to prosecute an occasion.  
Why sir (said she) look about you, perhaps even amongst these junkets, there will be found somewhat to feed your humour.  
For Comfectes Mistress (replied Fuluius) some be costive, and that fits not my complexion: some comfortable to the stomach, where I desire quiet in mind: all formed to please the sense, where I desire medicine to confirm the soul. So that seeing there seems no equality, neither in their operation, neither in my imagination, I think it better to let them lie for those that list, for they fit not the humour of them that love.  
In these discoursings the night over past, and the time drew on that the Bride would to bed, their Mask therefore now ready to depart, Orienta, briefly took her leave in this sort.  
Be thou as careful as thy friend will be constant, and as faithful, as she will be firm, and no doubt but good fortune in thine own house shall present thee with the greatest pleasure thou desirest, and so till then farewell.  
Fuluius satisfied with these sweet words, straining her softly by the finger said thus.  
I beseech the just heavens, so to further my proceedings, as I am fed with thy delicacy, and so to hasten on the accomplishment of thy desires, that Fuluius may enjoy that sweet, for which this long time he hath tasted many sowers.  
This said, with his company he marched away, leaving Orienta devising on the constancy of her servant, and Fuluius admiring at the beauty of his Mistress.  
The Marriage thus finished, Brunellus with his fair daughter accompanied with Sertorius drew homeward, and in the way, who takes occasion to court it but our Magnifico.  
Mistress Orienta (says he) how like you these sports that are past, were they not pleasant. Truly signor (replied she) I never saw better sport, nor any pleasure that more delighted me. And I Madam (said he) never received less contentation. And why so (qd Orienta) alas my sweet (answered he) your repulse hath so overgrown my heart with sorrows, as unless your grace, my griefs must rest uncurable.  
Well well (said Orienta) it may be if your fit hold till to morrow, I will stand so much your friend as to be speak you an Asculapius, to lenify your Fever.  
Sertorius revived with her sweet words, giving her hearty thanks for her cordial comfort, for that night took his leave, devising highly upon the favour, his Gods had so graciously granted him, and on the morrow being ready to departed his house, Fuluius mindful of his business, came to know his resolution touching the former bargain, Sertorius triumphing before the victory, made Fuluius privy to all his pretence, and in respect that he thought himself assured of Orienta for his wife, he was contented to bestow that Patrimony that then he was to take possession of, upon her, frankly and freely as a testimony of his love, desiring Fuluius the rather, with as much honour as he might to receive both himself and his retinue, not doubting but in the end thoroughly to recompense such favour as he could or would bestow.  
Fuluius feeding him with fair words, took his leave, compacting with a Priest to be in readiness, for the better accomplishing of his purpose, sparing no cost for all the dainties that might be gotten, and what Sertorius wished for the receiving of him and his company royally, Fuluius employed to the solemnising of his Marriage secretly. He busy about his affairs, our Magnifico resorted to his Mistress, whom finding at her morning Matins, as pliable as at her Evensong she was gracious, he attempted her thus.  
This only suppose of your experience to subdue my passion (sweet Orienta) hath made this nights sleep more pleasant than it would have been: and this morning so solitary as I know I should have found it, so that comforted by your fair promise I desire to be confirmed in your favour, and that no let nor hindrance may intercept our proceedings, if you make stay for dower, thinking me more in love with your coffers then with your beauty, to ease you of that doubt, if it please you to take the air for a day or two in your fathes' company, you shall see by evident proof what proviso I have prepared for the matter: if for any thing else, that my silly understanding can not conceive, the least rebuke you can use should make a mends, for Sertorius will only be addect to do you service.  
The courteous damosel smiling at the unnecessary kindness of this old libidinous dotterel, knowing well how to bestow all colours, drew exquisitely out this counterfite.  
As the Marble is at last with many drops made to yield, the Iron by many fires is made fluxible, the Tigress by man's industry made gentle, so my tender heart won by the evident tokens of your goodwill begins now to discover those conceits, which willingly I would have kept close and in silent.  
Those strange regards I have bestowed on you signor Sertorius) was not in disdain, of your person but in trial of your loyalty, if at your first repulse you had given over, I should by that means have found your lack of love, where now persevering in your constancy, I follow you, in brief, Orienta is at your command in safeguard of her honour, to accompany you where you please, and in honost Matrimony, will be willing to fulfil your desires.  
The old Gentleman, finding all things to sort out so currently on his side, runes to the Father, embraceth the Mother, prasing their daughter's wisdom, glorying in her favour and disiryng altogether, to acompanie him to see a purchase that he hath made, promising Brunellus, his daughter's pains should not be ill employed.  
The day long desired by Fuluius, and as often wished for by Orienta is come, our Magnifico with his supposed Father and Mother in law with his sweet Mistress are mounted, and approaching near to Fuluius castle (who attended their coming) he thus entertained Signiori and mes Dames, you are all heartily welcome, you Signior Sertoruis, to receive the possession of your own, these to be partakers of such pleasures as at this instant I can acquaint them withal, as the person whom I most honour in Sierra, wherefore if it shall please you to enter, you shall try that in deed which I report in promise.  
They yielding him very courteous thanks, but especially Orienta zealously honouring his humanity, with soft speeches uttered these words.  
The powers I think in thy affability, hath concluded such force, as maugre all effects the bravest must bow: this said, they altogether entered. It were in vain to recount the bounty of their repast, the seemliness of their lodgings, the variety of their pleasures, for these would but set Seafaring men's lips on water, let us but look into the success to make us merry.  
Truly Gentleman so it was, that the first night over past, Sertorius willing to conclude what he had in mind, accompanied with Brunellus his wife and daughter, began thus to break with them.  
In respect of the bounty of your sweet Daughter (good Brunellus) who setting aside all nicety and coyness, hath at the last vouchsafed me her favour, to the end I may in something make evident my zealous good will, I will at this instant, frankly and freely impart that unto her, which by the payment of twelve thousand Crowns I am to enjoy: then calling unto him a Notary, whom for that purpose he had brought thither with him, he made a faithful conveyance to Orienta, of the whole Purchase, in as full title and proportion, as he bought it of Fuluius, and in presence paying the ready money, he caused the livery and season, with all coveyauntes, conveyances, specialties what so ever (in the presence of the whole company) to be delivered to Orienta, who bashfully receiving them, spoke thus to Sertorius.  
I do not bestow my fancy for peney favour (liberal Magnifico) but for love, neither mean I by gifts to be tied to inconvenience, it may therefore please you with my favour to receive them again as my gift, for what in love shall pass from me, shall be bound to no conditions.  
Sertorius altogether inflamed with her courteous and wise demeanour, began to protest before the assembly, that without respect of any thing what so ever he bestowed the benefit, who vouchsafed very well, to employ so small a purchase on her, who was the only continuer of his decaiing life.  
The friends of Orienta seeing his noble and liberal affection thanked him highly, each one praised his bounty, but especially Fuluius whom it best behoved, who seeing now that all opertunities did hasten on his happiness, all that day plied his guests with bountiful cheer and store of good wines. Night drawing on, they were by their retinue conveyed to their lodgings, Orienta, desirous to see the issue of her delights, and being altogether impatient of delays, whispering Fuluius in his ear she spoke thus.  
Oh Fuluius, the fates allowing thee all things as thou list, why loyterest thou, is thy hot love so suddenly cooled, Oh make an end of the Comedy begun, and let our fastings be finished with a happy Wedding.  
Content yourself my dear (said Fuluius) for this night Himeneus shall dance at our Wedding. Your father's Chamber (where you lie) hath in the corner extending to the East, a Trap door, by the which when your father sleepeth sound, if it please you to convey yourself, I and my friends will attend you, to finish up the long desired pleasure: they both being thus privy to each other intent, and replenished with mutual joys, took their leave, he to keep sentinel, she to watch opportunity, the company and season both served, and Fuluius attending with some of his honourable friends for the coming of Orienta: at last with great joy, in the presence of sundry Gentlemen, they solemnised the Nuptials, and having a long time feasted themselves, at last they were conveyed to their bed pleasures, our Magnifico snorting very sound, our Brunellus and his wife sleeping as profoundly, little suspecting what had passed, till on the morrow Brunellus waking, and finding his Daughter conveyed away, with open exclamations both he and his wife ran upon Sertorius, buffeting the old fool on the face, who wondering at their outrage, beseeched them to be more wise than they seemed, who for his good will, had not deserved such a requitaunce, but Brunellus overcome with choler, fell thus a railing.  
Thou old Palliard, it is neither thy painted speeches shall dissuade, nor thy fair gloss may diminish the fury of mine ire, who like a subtle wetch, hast ravished me of my only pleasure, and brought me hither to the abandoning of mine own Daughter, is this the love that with solemn vows and open protestations thou wast wont to make, is this thy loyal friendship, be these the fruits of thy liberality. O that I had buried my poor Orienta, or preserved her from a Lecherous bed, but this wrong shall be revenged.  
And now and then in this discoursing, he intermeddled his speeches with a buffet, he on the one side, his wife on the other side flying with her nails to the face of Sertorius, the noise whereof brought in the assistants of Fuluius, who laughing merrily at this mad conceit, after they had first parted the fray, they began to question with Sertorius, what might be the cause of this broil, who poor man, altogether ignorant of the meaning, exclaimed thus.  
Unhappy man that I am, who in mine old years, and in the time I looked for rest, should be thus afflicted with sorrows. But Brunellus, if thou knewest how thou hast done me wrong. I know shame would constrain thee to be heartily sorry. The Heavens know, and my deeds might well witness, that neither was I willing to defraud Brunellus in any thing, nor to have voyolated Orienta whom I love as mine own life, but if misfortune hath befallen us, it is by other men's lewdness not by mine, whose practice if I might learn out, I would so avenge myself, as well should acquit me of all suspicion, and make mine innocency well known to the world. With this, interrupted by the forseu of his tears, he fell down dead with very grief of mind. The whole company, pitying the distress of the old man, relieved him as they might, till Brunellus persuaded somewhat by the sorrows he made, said thus.  
Well Sertorius, although many and sundry occasions might persuade me to suspect, yet truly, thy bitter bewaileth do somewhat induce me to believe thou art injuried, but seeing impatience can not now serve to medicine our grief, let us find the means to find out the practiser.  
An aged and noble Gentleman, a dear friend to Fuluius, and privy to all the premises, seeing it now season to break of all suspicions, said thus.  
Sertorius, and Brunellus, you have seen many years, and (as it should seem) learned but little modesty, that in your friend's house who useth you so courteously, you demean yourselves so dishonourably.  
Your Daughter sir, is without any stain of good name, yea and worthily fitting her degree (before myself and sundry other Gentlemen) she is solemnie married to Fuluius, and is now accompanied with her noble husband, so that Brunellus, you have no cause to mislike, nor Sertorius, it is now no time for you to sorrow, Love made them in one unity to conclude friendship, and we as willing to prefer chaste Love, have vouchsafed the joining of them together, so that satisfy you yourself as a Father, for your Daughter hath made a good choice, and you Sertorius, altogether unmeet for such a match, praise fortune who hath better provided for the Gentlewoman, & for yourself, I would wish you to live in Sierra according to your years in devotion, let these be admitted to the Marriage bed that may live in the world with blessed increase. Hereupon, Lodovico de villa nova (for so this Gentleman was called) taking Brunellus and his wife, the one in one hand, the other on the other, he conveyed them to Fuluius bed Chamber, where Brunellus not knowing in what passion to enter his speech said as followeth.  
And have I brought thee up (Orienta) to follow thine own desires, and not to be leveled by my derection. Is thy haughty courage such as thou disdainest my persuasions in thy proceedings. Alas, unhappy was I in departing from Sierra, unlucky thy Mother, but Sertorius most infortunate, who for his benefits thou hast rewarded with so foul disloyalty: but since the mischief is remediless, I beseech thee Fuluius, by the nobility of thine Ancestors, so tender my Daughter, that I may have cause to bless thy Wedding bed, and not occasion to curse thy conveyance.  
Orienta, overcome with sorrow could not answer, whereupon Fuluius comforting her, and the better to confirm both father and mother, said thus.  
Father (for now Marriage makes me acquainted with that name) if you knew the zeal wherewith I reverence your Daughter my wife, you would turn your woe to gladness, and rejoice in this success, being ascertained of your proceedings. That we loved one the other, Marriage may persuade you, for unchaste Love always shunneth such conclusions, that I am noble you doubt not, for my Revenues I am a signor in Italy, so that neither is this match to be contemned, nor Parents to be aggrieved. For your Daughter, on mine honour here I assure you, that what so in reason you shall request in Dower I will allow, and so desiring you to cease your needless sorrows, I beseech you withdraw yourselves till we may prepare us in readiness to come forth amongst you.  
Both father and mother ravished with exceeding joy to hear the reasonable persuasion of Fuluius, ran unto him embracing him with mutual love, and in open terms blessing their new unlooked for son in law. And having satisfied their expectation, and leaving the new Married couple to their private pleasures, they resorted to Sertorius, who Bedlam mad with anger, stamping and staring with doughty Duggion in his unwieldy fist, swears by no Beggars he would be revenged, calling Heaven, Earth, and all to witness what injuries he had sustained: whom when by no means he could be persuaded, Brunellus attempted in this fort.  
My good friend Sertorius, although my persuasions may not work with thee, for that I know I have wronged thee, yet let reason induce thee to be patient since the cure is remediless, thou mayest neither blame the fates, nor accuse me, but thine own folly who laid the Trap to catch the Mouse, and poisoned the bait to beguile the fish, it was thou brought us hither to encounter with these troubles, and therefore since by thine own endeavours the remedies are uncurable, cease to follow fury which is unnecessary.  
The angry Magnifico, when he had a while stormed, replied thus.  
Now thou hast buffeted me Brunellus, thou wouldst give me a plaster, but the wrong shall not be endured though hitherto I have been silent, In mine own house, at mine own suit, to be cozoned of mine own love. Oh wicked Fuluius, millions of plagues light on such Purchases. Oh cruel Orienta, is this the reward of my constancy, is this the effect of thy beauty, ay me that have lived to see these miseries. But Brunellus, what I promised Orienta I revoke it, and I doubt not but to cry quittance with Fuluius. Whereupon (like a mad man) he runs about the house seeking for Fuluius, who laughing very heartily to see our Magnifico in such choler, caused him forth with to be shut out of doors, who exclaiming a long time yet without remedy, bethought him in the end to take his Horse, and so forthwith to post to Sierra to seek justice. Mean while, all occasions of strife were shut up, between Fuluius, his new married wife, her father and friends, the father prefixed a proportion, the Gentleman made a liberal Dowry, each party being thus pleased, with great jollity (being accompanied with their chief friends) they all resorted to Sierra, which being once bruited in the City, Sertorius feed his Advocates, he exclaims on Fuluius before the judges, they ready to redress wrongs perfixt a day of hearing, Fulvia's and Orienta were summoned, and at the appointed day they appeared, the judges being set, Sertorius becan thus to accuse.  
Noble Magistrates, being sought to by this subtle Gentleman for a supply of money, there passed a bargain between us both, the sail of a Manner of his called Brentio, the price was set 120000. Crowns and accordingly the money paid, I took seizure of the Land, and being in possession, I bestowed it on a Gentlewoman whom I thought to make my wife, her this crafty seducer so hath compassed, that having gotten her in Marriage, I am by that means cut of not only from my wife, but also from my Land: moreover cozoned of my Crowns I disbursed in the Purchase. Whereupon, in cause of justice may it please you to do me right, that either I may have my money which I paid for the Purchase, or the Manner I have by my silver purchased.  
Fuluius willed to make answer for himself, said thus. Sertorius (noble Signiors) complaineth before your honours of me for no unlawful act, and therefore unjustly: if I sold him my Patrimony, I was worthy the money: if he bestowed his Purchase liberally, it was not in me to hinder it, and being his own dead, he is to condemn none but himself: for the Marriage of Orienta; she is here let her confess if I used any mean of enforcement, but was concluded in chaste and loyal Love, so that now I am to leave the whole to the consideration of your judgements, willing if I have offended to be punished, if I be faultless to be dismissed.  
The judges when they had well considered on the cause, could conceive no occasion to condemn Fuluius, adjudged thus.  
Sertorius, so far as we can find, you must bear the burden of your own folly, for Fuluius having made no breach of law, we have no punishment for him that is faultless: whereupon, we counsel you in your after dealings to be more circomspect, and for Fuluius, we discharge him from further trouble.  
The whole assembly praised the equity of the judges, the policy of Fuluius, with the constancy of Orienta, and thus departed giving at our Magnifico for his dear bought pleasures.  
Thus to drive away dumphes (Gentlemen) I have told you a pretty Novelty, which me thinks hath passed our way th●t we are within kenning of Land.  
And truly your Novelty is such (said Simonides) as might well make a Comedy for the mirth, I wots well it hath made some of our eyes to water.  
In these and such like talks passing the time, at last, the gorgeous buildings appeared in sight, and the merry Gale had blown them within compass of the Haven, where the Master merrily receiving his due, wills the Mariners to launch out their Cockboat, to set the Passengers on Land.   

How Simonides coming to Athens, was welcomed by Euphues, and of a strange adventure that befell.  
SIMONIDES having recovered the Shore, entered the City, lodging himself so conveniently as he might, till such time as he could find out Euphues, and because he would not pretermit any occasion, either by enquiry or otherwise, he questioned with his Host and inquired of many, in the end lighting of a Scholar, he learned how at that very instant, Euphues was come from the Mount Silexsedra into the City, and was lodged hard by the Market place. With these instructions, he went to find out our Athenian, and according to direction, delivered him Friar Frederick'S Letters, who having overread the same and considered of the contents, he gave Simonides a courteous and friendly welcome to the City, then bringing him to his own Chamber, he made his provision one dish more than ordinary: their dinner being ended, for that he would not fail in any one courtesy he proffered Simonides, to accompany him into the City, where (if it so pleased him) he might see those Monuments, which best be fitted a travailers fancy. Simonides accepting his proffered courtesy, was conducted by Euphues to the several Schools of the learned Philosophers, showing him their convenient walks, their prospect into the Sea, the amenity of the Land, and with as much delight, described him the situation of the City. These Novelties were pleasant to the eyes of Simonides, but as they were wandering up and down the Streets, they fortuned on the Key to see a great number of the Citizens, beholding (as it should seem) some strange accident, which made them the willinger to draw near and the more serious to behold, and in truth this fortuned, a company of poor Fisher men, intending their fishing at the Sea, haling up their Nets in hope of good fortune, their hap was to draw up a Coffin of Lead, wherein they esteeming some high hid treasure, they conveyed this purchase to the City, presenting it before the Governors as the benefit of their good fortune, who at that instant gathering together in clusters, to behold some rich present derived from the fleeting Wave, but in stead of great treasure, they found the corpse of an aged man (as it seemed) altogether consumed to dust, amongst the remainaunt of whose ashes was found a long written Scroll, the effect whereof was this.  

FOrsaking flood, to which with bootless hope,  
I whilom did, my body recommend,  
I come to Athens, for to claim my due,  
Who here deserved, a royal Tomb to have.  
Ne boots it not, mine ashes to revive,  
Since in these lifeless lines, mine Image is,  
Erst in this state, by doom of power divine,  
Lycurgus pointed, was by deep conceit,  
To fashion rains, unto your wandering wills,  
Whose tongue inspired, with secret rules of right,  
Made Athens Greece, and Grecia Athens Town,  
And as from Delphos, Phoebus did inspire,  
So placed I truth, the loadstone of your lives.  
But as amidst, a swarm of sundry sins,  
A little good, is shadowed by the bad,  
So in so many, years of flowering wealth,  
A proud contempt, hath banished continence  
And glut of gold, hath gorgd you full of vice.  
So I who banished, myself from Greece,  
And bound th' athenian, Lords by solemn oath.  
Without infringing, of my sacred laws,  
To tread the path, that I had wisely wrought.  
Till back again, Lycurgus should retire,  
And forced from wave, the cinders of myself  
For breach of troth, to Athens to return:  
Wherein upbraiding, terms they may rebuke,  
The fickle faith, th' athenian Princes held.  
How runs the world, when where should wisdoms reign,  
A flattering tongue, prefers to royal throne,  
And honour's pace, by bribes not common voice,  
Contempt of Gods, attempt of that is ill.  
My Country soil, hath late seduced thee,  
And what of old, my painful pen set down,  
Like Sibiles books, by Numa are refused,  
Yet hath not that, mine old acquainted love.  
Be buried with, the masters lively form,  
But that mine ashes, shall restore such fruit,  
As walking long, amidst the Lesian fields,  
It gathered hath, by term of many years,  
And in this Scroll, O Athens what so is,  
Believe me well, myself did not devise,  
But in the secret, adites of the Gods,  
The lines are left, for everlasting days,  
This second lesson, lent me by the powers,  
I mean to leave, behind in Athens Town,  
For these poor relics, of decayed dust,  
Return them thence, from whence the Gods them sent.  
But for the precepts, that I leave behind,  
Coat them in books, of everlasting fame,  
This wish I done, and these my censures be,  
In choice of Prince, compare not flocks of friends,  
But store of virtues, for the Kingly throne,  
Breeds many sweets, or else to many sours.  
For as the Prince, such will the Subject be,  
To whom admit, such counsel for to guide.  
As rather seek succeeding styles of fame,  
Then pompious wealth, to leave their wanton hires.  
Whose eyes may see, and follow that is just,  
Not forming Justice, like a nose of wax,  
Which quickly leaves, th'impression it had once.  
Whom thus I wish, in studying still for peace,  
To work the feat, by no unlawful means,  
Lest happy end, be spoiled by lewd attempt.  
By such vain means, King Phirrus would not win,  
Then such vain means, let noble minds refrain,  
In peace adore, the secrets of the Gods,  
By whom your peace, her chiefest of spring had,  
And if aspiring, thirst of others rain,  
Thy naybour King, do force thy sword unsheath,  
Appease the powers, at first with holy vows,  
Next with the Grecian Prince a Nester choose,  
Who may consult, when ajax would attempt,  
so train your youth, that idle rest may not  
Enforce them fall, upon their enemy's sword,  
But teach in peace, how to prevent in war,  
To take occasions, groweth from the Gods,  
And blest is he, that can prevent in tyme.  
Give warrior wealth, in quiet calm to live,  
That in distress, he may the better fight,  
By this it fortunes, that not nipped by want,  
He will not bend, his ears to rich rewards.  
Believe me Athens, this is certain true,  
Desire of gain, hath power on powers and men.  
And needy men, will soonest bend to bow,  
Prevent this error, with advised eye,  
From foreign wars, unto thy Court in peace,  
Thou Prince that in, my Country loves to reign.  
Beware of Pride, 'mongst those amidst the train,  
For vain opinions, makes men to aspire,  
And as disposed, so feed thou humours to  
Yet make a medley, of the sweet and sour,  
For though some bend, by words some force not blows,  
Turn them the edge, let others have the blunt,  
And if they like, the shows of Kingly state,  
Hang sharpened sword, upheld by horses hire,  
o'er flatterer's heads, to make them know the cares,  
That wait on those, whom honour doth advance.  
As for the choice, of Judges in the state:  
Whose errors cause, the King to bear the blame,  
Choose such as measure, not their private gain,  
But Prince's glory, and the subjects good,  
With whom let right, so overmaster wrong,  
As tyrants taunts, may never them affright,  
Whom neither favour, may by Letters win:  
Nor Midas compass, with a Maze of gold  
In ruling thus, the good perceiving then,  
That honour shall, betide them doing well,  
Will labour more, and more in countries cause,  
The bad confirmed, that favour will not yield,  
And breach of law, shall stoop to justice sword,  
Will rain their wills, from working wicked wiles,  
Thus each estate, by wisdom leveled out,  
Prevent thou then, such means as may corrupt,  
Restrain the greedy, mind of neighbours good,  
Who pills the poor, to make his fleeces fat.  
And cast a collar, on the headstrong Jade,  
Lest loath to yield, he break the Rider's neck,  
Excess is that, which only Athens spoils  
In that the rich, to honours are preferred,  
Each plies it now, by hook and crook to gain,  
In hope by wealth, to climb the steps of state,  
Prevent the means, the matter than must fail  
Prefix reward, to that which profit brings,  
And punish that, which only fostereth vice,  
So idle arts, will soon be laid aside,  
And each will follow, that which may prefer,  
In choice of Citizens, conserve these rules,  
As Romans did, as records do recite,  
If hand be hardined by assidious toil,  
That man is meet, to have a subjects room,  
In softined fists, small profit doth consist:  
Who labours well, doth scarce imagine ill,  
All only factions, first from idle spring,  
Who only serve, to serve usurpers turn,  
Who when they find, no means to maintain war  
Will fear attempt, or climbing catch a fall:  
Believe me what, so Prince prefers these rules,  
He shall conceive, the profit they do bring,  
But for those weals, wherein the wealth consist,  
Of Athens good, keep thou unto thyself,  
Let not thine enemy, know thy private power,  
For while thou hold'st, him in suspicious thought.  
Thy little power, will make him think it great,  
Thy great supplies, will make him fear to war.  
Cut of suspicion, to thy foe of fear,  
Make him believe, thy sword is ready drawn,  
With Mass of gold, supply not neighbours need,  
Lest he refraining, till his fist be full:  
Assail thee then, with those thy gold maintained,  
And make thee glad, to stoop to servile yoke,  
In each defence, suppose there is offence,  
Put not thy power, into a traitors fist:  
For flattering shows, Imbassads may prefer,  
See and not see, and search by questions strange  
What hidden venom, is in flattering guile,  
Thou mayst in this, full soon find out the false,  
In plighted league, prevent all cause of breach,  
Yet if allies, first fail in fixed faith,  
Take thou revenge, as though thou knewst it not.  
deceit is well rewarded by deceit:  
By this those ills, which once by breach of law,  
Which your Lycurgus, leveled for your weal:  
You overslip, you shall in time prevent.  
And I shall rest in peace amongst the Saints,  
Rejoicing in, my countries happy state:  
This leave I witness, of my tried zeal,  
This crave I last, before both Gods and men,  
That thou O Athens, for Lycurgus sake,  
Will not accept, this precept of renown:  
Which as in brief, thou hast presented here,  
So let no age, extinguish proof thereof.  
This wish I done, and this my last adieu,  
In fear of Gods, O Athens still proceed,  
And fly excess, and thus I bid farewell.   
This sedull over read by one of the chiefest Magistrates of the City, the whole assembly continued mute along space, in the end, an ancient Philosopher (as he seemed) bespoke him thus.  
Unsearchable (O ye Athenians) is the power of the Gods, by whose benefits, since this Town hath been a long time maintained, yet cease they not by their everlasting wisdoms, to continue it, to whose beneficence, if we compare our ingratitude, we shall justly conclude, that the Gods created us to many virtues, and we have bound ourselves bondslaves to monstrous vices: If therefore we look into our own states, and compare our ancestors good, with our ill, we shall confirm Lycurgus dead testimony, and pointing to our best Athenian Philosophers, we shall touch this one with the blot of avarice, and note that other with the blemish of vain glory.  
If by the hidden working of the Gods we are put in memory of our escapes, let us mend them. And since with more favour than to other Cities, they have blessed us with more circomspection, in reverence of their bounty let us become more circomspecte.  
This scedull presenteth unto our Prince policy: to our Religious sanctimony: to our laity continency. By excess only we are found to have fallen, having gathered in so many years over passed, many errors, recovered no virtues. Oh happy Athens, when Agis not respecting the fury of his comparte nor King, began to pull down the pride of Athens. Oh unfortunate City when by the diligence of Pericles, Gold brought pride into Athens. We stand amazed now confounded in ourselves by our seldom asspectes, imparting the guiltiness of our consciences, neither having that confirmity of mind in us that befitteth Philosophers, nor that value to attempt as in the days of the Law maker Lycurgus we once had. If we will be wise, why are our attempts sauced with repentance: if learned, why are we blind in discipline. If we remember ourselves of our former estates, how we have been glorified in our well doing, contemned in our ill, how accounted of for our expeditions, how disdained for our flatteries, we shall find all our goods to proceed from good counsel, as our bads from contempt of the Gods.  
So that now thus it standeth, since the floods, the fates, yea the Flisian fields are so favourable, that the one casteth up, the other blesseth, the last greeteth us with heavenly documents and necessary forewarnings, let the head rule the feet, each member follow the superior, all conclude in a mediocrity, and not only leave those memories engrafted in table of record, but also imprint them in our hearts, to the satisfaction whereof, O you Athenian Senators, I conjure you to apply all your studies.  
The grave old father having thus finished his oration, each allowed his counsel, and the Magistrates of the City having according to the direction of the sedull, redelivered the coffin unto the floods, with many solemn ceremonies performed unto Neptune, they upon advised deliberation, did commit the scroll unto the common treasure, as an everlasting and memorable miracle.  
Fuphues and Simonides beholding all these things with incredible admiration, departed toward their lodging, where after they had a while rested themselves, Euphues broke of their unnecessary silence thus.  
It is neither occasion (noble Spaniard) that preferreth, nor policy which procureth but the Gods which favour these actions.  
Thou art come to Athens to see but blind guides, yea, blind are we in colors that should know all proportions.  
Frederick my friend, hath presented thee with a flower without scent, with a bare shadow and no substance, with a virtuous town in name, but bad in nature. So that unless thou canst make of venomous confections, wholesome Treacles, of poisonable Mummi comfortable Mithridate, in seeking here for Sibyl thou shalt encounter a Siren, and for the image of Alexandre the protrature of Jrus.  
I have seen much (Simonides) and marked somewhat, yet in Athens never knew I more fools less Philosophers. The Rose savoureth sweetly yet hath his prickell, Mercury is snow white yet deadly poison, the Peacock fair plumed yet black footed, the Athenians sweet tongued yet ill manired.  
If as Demosthenes traviled to Corinth, to enjoy Lays, Simonides be come to Athens to learn fashions, as the Philosopher disdained to be lavish for a little pleasure, Simonides will be as curious to imitat so vain presidents.  
In Athens it fareth now, as in Rome it did once, here plenty maketh us proud, their high honours made them haughtei.  
As these errors I note are incident to these Cities, so are the virtues the nominated in sedull, practised far of from this City, which when better opportunity serveth, I will not only utter to thy pleasure, but also open to thy profit. Mean time, if it please thee to take part of a Scholars repast, thou shalt have the benefit perhaps of a moral discourse, which may make recompense for the slenderness of thy diet.  
Simonides, comparing all Euphues courtesies together, knit up his answer in this form.  
The benefit that is reaped by good counsel (gentle Euphues) as it profiteth him that by experience uttereth, so confirmeth it the other who as yet was ignorant.  
So fareth it with me, that hearing those sage precepts that pass from thee: I am not only persuaded of the singularity of thy wisdom, but also enured to the imitation of thy virtues. Many casualties happen, which although they be beneficial univarsallie, yet confirm they some one particular more than the rest, and I think that these casualties as now hath happened in Athens, when as such a one at the instant is resident, who with eloquence may blazen out the myraculousnesse of the accident, and by good admonition subdue the errors of this City.  
As I came to Athens to see it, so sailed I hither to hear thee, and though the delight of the one be somewhat answerable to my travel, yet thy eloquence is that which only exceedeth the report.  
For this City, I find it more faughtie than famous, for thee, more learned than I have yet hard spoken.  
As for the novelty that lately happined, if so the state be ruled any where as there it is set down, I doubt not but peace hath there seated herself in security, & that either the Climate is so gracious that all are wise from their cradle, and all fortunate by the benefit of the place. For thy repast, I accept it: for thy moral discourse I wish for it, and desire in as short space I might be made copartner of thy conformity, as I shall with thankful heart be partaker of thy diet. This said, they sat down, and having satisfied themselves with such provision as then was prepared for them, Euphues at length began thus.  
Simonides, though the coarseness of thy diet be not according to the bounty of the court, yet here amongst us students, we rather esteem of a Socraticum conuivium, than the excessive dainties of the banquets of Cleopatra, thinking that no more than necessary repast is requisite for the professors of sciences, especially to satisfy nature, whereas in respect of the soul it can not be sufficiently confirmed with the sweet precepts of philosophy.  
Truly qd Simonides (interrupting Euphues,) such as the complexions of the body and the disposition of the soul is, such esteem I the external actions, and the internal delight, as for this meal we have made, we have I confess sufficiently served our appetites, but for the soul, it hath sundry operations, and what one likes, another loathes.  
Truth it is, said Euphues, that Venus delighteth herself in dalliance, where Diana alonely alloweth chastity, Democritus soliciteth himself in laughter, but wise Cato in gravity and sadness: each nature as it is disposed foe worketh it, which maketh appearance even now in myself, who though whilom I liked love, now loathe I lust, though once I counted Cupid for a God, now I account vain love godless.  
But it may be Simonides in this my nature, and your constitution we disagree, you fire, I frost, you amorous, I studious, which if it be so, I doubt not but to sit such occasions, as touching that most nearest which hitteth you most featly, I may in this imitate Phirne the harlot, who being presented by Praxetiles the Painter with that picture which soever that best wiihin his whole story should please her fantasy, she very careful to make a wary choice of so pleasant a giste, caused one suddenly to inform the Painter that his shop was on fire, who amongst the rest of his tables, demanding if the picture of Cupid was unviolated, was cunningly compassed by Phirne in this, who satisfied her expectation by the opinion of tie workmaster himself. So shall Euphues in searching out of dispositions work with Simonides, if thou give me but an inkling, I will take an Item, if thou bewray by a wink, I will compass by a wile, and having the rain in hand restrain thy affection, and knowing the size of thy foot, fit thee with a pantofie.  
O Simonides, Frederick of Naples knows well, and Euphues of Athens hath tried well, that the she bear can know her whelps, the Turtle her true love, the shape his shadow, the Cripple his crutch, the Mathematician his compass, who hath tried love can des●●e love, who hath felt the fire can shun the flame, who hath offered at Ephesus knows Venus chief temple. I myself do gather by thy conclusion of dispositions, and by my friends opinion of thy travel, that Simonides for all hos experience hath his colts tooth, that Simonides in serving our Lord forgets not our Lady, and that Simonides is he that only hath trod the path of repentance, and is yet to learn what it is to shun errors.  
Charilaus of Lacedaemon, being demanded why all the statutes of the Gods were armed, made answer, that by it was prefigured to the Lacedæmonians, that in being assuredly fenced in their souls from vain affections, they should imitate the Gods, who had armed bodies not affectionate deities.  
As Charilaus to his countrymen, so Fuphues to Simonides, if thou wilt be accounted fruitful in travel, be not lavish in affection, if a man led by reason, eschew lasciviousness, if love be unprofitable persever not.  
Every chaste eye judgeth not by colours, and every wise affection passeth not by likelihoods, and when as I promised thee a moral discourse to amend thy fare, it shall be no other than a cooling card to allay thy fancy: Simonides interrupteting his attempted purpose said thus: O Euphues, beware lest in bewraying my errors, thou open thine own escapes, I confess thou haste touched mine opinions, and yet perhaps canst hardly persuade by thy propositions.  
An inveterate evil having taken deep root is hardly invested from his holdfast: I have seen several cities, gathered many experiences, forsaken sundry opinions, but in that only which thou wouldst reprove, I have persevered most constant, and herein do I distinguish my love from lightness, for vain, affection, making but a light impression, is soon displaced where the love I bear to my Clarinda of Civil, was neither a first sights fancy, neither can be extinguished before my last minutes sighing.  
But for that Euphues hath attempted to dissuade, Simonides will be attentive to hear, and if there grow a Metamorphosis by Athenian persuasion, it may be I will return my fancies again to my country Civil.  
Fuphues pausing a while of thief speeches at the last broke into these terms.  
As Zopirus the Persian for the love of Darius, so Euphues of Athens for the love of Simondes: he spared not to deform his members to subdue the babylonians, I not to disclose mine errors to confirm thy unsteadinesse.  
In my prime youth I was amorous in Naples, and therefore unfortunate, I loved Lucilla, and therefore unlucky, my serious services were requited with light mislikes, and therefore vainly attempted, my confirmity grew by experience, and herein was I happy.  
Simonides is now he whom Euphues was once, he loveth, but whom, a woman, and she sliding, he serveth, what saint, Clarinda, and is he sure she is constant?  
I fear me unless Tirpandrus lenify by Music, Clytaemnestra will not be chaste, and though our Spaniard bides torture for his Mistress, yet may it be doubted that she vouchsafeth a minion.  
Every clear morrow maketh not a fair day, neither every swallow a summer, all hook nosed men are not Cicero's, nor every blemished face the Image of Alexander, every beautiful is not virtuous, ne every sweet face of sound behaviour: Helena cornuted Menelaus, yet was she comely, Dalida bewrayed, Samson, yet was she lovely.  
Each sweet shape is not perfit, a stain will be seen on the picture of Venus herself.  
O Simonides, when I compare mine hours studying to my days loving, I find no one attempt in love so commendable, that mine hours reading confirms not to be corrupt.  
Truly, as the tears of the heart are bitter, so are the attempts in love balesome, as the tears of the boar are sweet, so are the refraining from beauty most necessary.  
Alas sweet friend, little wottest thou the venom the serpent covereth under sweet shadows, the poison she presenteth under pleasant aspects. As it fareth with Ligus the woman, foe falleth it out with beauty the seducer, Ligus, rather than to bewray her hidden son, esteemeth not the renting of her bowels, beauty rather than to open her imperfections, careth not with how many blemishes thou stainest her.  
Zeno Citicus beholding a proud precise fellow passing over a quagmire, very daintily reproved his error thus, he doth worthily suspect the quagmire, in that he cannot behold his proportion in it as in a glass, women in their own opinions, in aught that suspiciously toucheth their honours, pass it over slightly, and by this means unto the wise bewray their vanity, who demying with their daintiness to dance in anet, are by the circumspect found guilty of those errors, which by their mincing overslips they would have pretermitted.  
I never saw in beauty that which was not sauced with sour, in love, that which savoured not of folly, in blind affection, that which was not repent with many hearte-breaking.  
The pompous glory of the world may entice, for they bear a show hf continuance, promotions may persuade for why they are the benefits of good fortune.  
Love may never by any assumptions allure, when as neither the body is affected with certain honour, nor the soul recompensed with the least perfection whatsoever.  
With like happiness possess lovers their Maistresses, as Vatinius his Consulship, whose honour neither frost nor spring, winter or summer did ever behold, as Tully prettily jested, and whose continuance of favour depending on instants, hath but a days breeding, and a months ending.  
In love what seethe the eye, lasciviousness, what heareth the ear, lasciviousness, what uttereth the tongue, lasciviousness, what thinketh the heart, lasciviousness, what inureth the body, lasciviousness.  
Truly Simonides, the folly of affection is wonderful, yet are the errors of beauty more admirable, when as in herself she is but a painted sepulchre, and in her actions, the deminisher of all natural and moral reason.  
What need I repeat former examples, to confirm later attempts? O Simonides, I had a friend, who now being separated from me, abideth in a delectable Island with the Mistress of his pleasures, in whose love I found war, and straight truce, now truce, and then war, as the Comedian saith: ye when the agony of love governed his proceed, neither was the league of friendship accounted of, nor serious persuasions allowed of.  
I have heard of many that were mad for love, yet never heard I of any that were wise in love, I have read of conquerors that by love have become esfeminate, I never found any (though never so great a Monarch, that was not seduced by love, I have known the wise have been besotted by fancy, yet never knew I fancy that made a wise man.  
If as the Chameleon by the air men live by love, as the best is in a moment transformed to as many colours as it beholdeth, so is the lover afflicted with as many cogitations as he imagineth of, now happy, strait hapless, now fortunate, strait froward, now blessed, strait cursed.  
Now Simonides, since thou seest the sour, choose the sweet, admit persuasion as a Cullis to comfort, or a sword to destroy as an Antidotum to confirm, or an Aconitum to confound.  
Refuse love for it will harm thee, the green grass shrowdeth the black serpent, the painted pot the devouring poison, the fair woman the wanton mind? hath thy Mistress repulsed thee, than art thou happy, for, if her fortune were to prove lascivious, then how blessed art thou to lose her, if too wise, she would be too busy, if foolish, she would be too cumbersome: so that he might be counted to be over frantic, that for a bed pleasure, would be troubled with the nursing of so unwieldy a babe.  
If men would dispose their eyes as warily, as women display their beauties, garishly they should borrow birdlime from the fouler. and bind the birder by compass in his own briers.  
Atatus Pbilometor, was wont in his princely gardens, to set Aconitum, and to weed out the blessed thistle, and women in the promptest and readiest wits that be, engraff follies, and dispossess virtues. As if Euripides from laughter, Simonides could refrain from love, the Poet should not so much be recommended for his tragedies, as Simonides for his virtues.  
If men were as thoroughly armed with persuasions as Dionysius with bad clothing, they would aswell scape the lewers of fancy, as the tyrant the fury of the soldier.  
But for that night calleth away, and thy drooping eyes persuade me thou wouldst be a sleep, Simonides, let this suffice, that since love is unnecessary, thou refuse it, and since the pleasure is not permanent, build not thou thy opinions on it, and since I persuade with reason persever thou not in error, so shalt thou think thy travail well employed to Athens, and thy return shall be more fortunate to Civil. Simonides with his eyes full of sleep, began dreamingly to determine thus.  
Although thy eloquence should make me Argus, yet the matter thou talkest of inforctth me to be Endemon, what is subdued in thee, is rooted in me, so that, though persuasion may confirm for a while, yet if fancy do but a little kindle the coals, we shall soon have fire: but for that night calleth on, and I desire to be more ready to morrow, to hear the accomplishment of thy promise touching the Island thou talkest of, I beseech thee let us use the advice of our pillows, whether this night's discourse be available.  
And do Simonides (qd Euphues) so perchance at Sun rising, thou wilt either repent thee of a folly, or remember thee of a good lesson.  
This said, Euphues conveyed Simonides to his Lodging, and after betook himself to his own couch, where reposing themselves a convenient space, at last the messenger of the Sun with pleasant redness be coloured Euphues face: who being very studious betook himself to his books: And after some deliberation, thinking it good time to go visit his new guest, he came unto him whom he found ready, and after a gentle Bon ioure past between them, they determined to take the air: And walking out into a pleasant Grove, having a goodly prospect into both Sea and Champion: for it was eminent, Simonides began thus.  
Feeend Euphues, beholding now the wave, which presented Athens yesterday with Lycurgus good counsel, I am brought in memory of a certain report of yours, wherein you specified an Island, whereas those documents were practised which the sedull presented, may it please you now, from your bitter invectives against Love, to fall to your worthy declaration of this Island, whereupon perhaps I may be persuaded, that having passed over a great part of the world co see fashions, I may make a few months sail thither to learn virtue.  
Euphues having paused a little space, in the end broke out into these speeches.  
Truly Simonides, thou at this instant persuadest me to the remembravece of that in which once, having placed my chiefest felicity, I now am almost ravished with the remembrance only of the place.  
Thou desirest a report of that noble Spaniard, which with out wonder I did not see, nor without pleasure thou canst not hear.  
And hereupon I can not imagine, whether with more admiration I may speak of the situation of the place, or the disposition of the people, the one is so worthily fenced by nature, the other so nobly nurtured by virtue.  
For the Island itself, in old time it hath been called Albion, and after by the arrival of the Trojan travailer Brutus, it was called Brittany, afterward brought under the government of Engustus, it was called Engustland, and die succession as now continueth the name of England.  
The Governors hereof by their manifold virtues, have not only filled Europe, but also replenished Asia, the Climate very beneficial for provision to maintain a State, neither wanting Wool for clothing, nor Corn and Cattle for food: So that if any one Country in the world be blessed with benefits, I think this Island happy, being fenced by the Ocean against foreign Invasions, and governed by good laws to avoid popular Mutinies.  
The Princes have ever been ruled by discrete governors, they have conquered and subdued many Nations, the Jrishe are under their subjection, from the French by Conquest they bore a title: yea, so happy this Nation is, as in their peace all Prince's wonder, and in their favour each Country glorieth.  
So that it can hardly be said, whether they be more feared for their power, or honoured for their prowess. Generally, they are all valiant not fearing Warlike attempts, but with as great wisdom prevent, as with value they perform.  
Of parsonage they are seemly, of behaviour comely, of apparel costly, in entertaining strangers none more ready: religious they be without hypocrisy: serious in preferring their Country: to their friends Lambs: to their enemy's Lions.  
The men being thus, what more to be wondered at then their women: Beauty in them hath bestowed her sweetest colours: Nature hath benefited them with all seemly proportion: Art finished them with science and affability.  
They are sweet in behaviour, without lightness, steadfast in loving, yet not lascivious, constant in religion, not superstitious, brave in attire, yet are not proud.  
Thus Simonides, country, laws, men, women of all sorts are thus good by nature, and of this behaviour through wise government: now seeing all these perfections do thus concur in one, of what exquisiteness should the prince be, whose subjects are so perfect.  
Truly the English regiment (to each man's admiration Simonides) at this day is so governed, as neither Solomon in jury for justice, nor Alfonsus of Arragon, for affability, nor Vespasian of Rome, for correction, are to be compared to her that wildeth the kingly sceptre there, who being a virgin, and making her virtue answerable to her renowned father's victories, she hath as much to glory in her pe●ce, as he in his conquests: sprung she is out of two the renowned houses of Lancaster and York,, in whose birth (as it seemeth) the cruel mutinies forepast (by reason of affectation of dignity) between those noble families, is even determined.  
She, as report runneth, these xxv. years hath so governed her dominions, as neither conspiracy could either escape the circumspection of the governor, nor mercy be pretermitted, if submission were preferred: This blessed Princess Elizabeth, hath now dominion over this bountiful Island, whose benefits of nature being so great, as none can match them: yet such affinity have the perfections of the mind with the proportion of the body, as neither art can cipher out the person in approved colours, nor wisdom conceive the inward virtues since they exceed imagination.  
I have read of many, that for their wisdom, excellency, and other their virtues were worthy of sovereignty, yet neither Helerna, for wisdom, nor Zoe for policy may match her: Hermodica she is for her proportion, Aspasia for her knowledge in philosophy, fit to govern a kingdom than Zenobia, & meeter than Arete to teach Aristippus, for chastity she matcheth Adesia, for eloquence Cornelia, for religion Fabiola, my tongue faileth me to declare, not her virtues, to supply matter: her princely majesty is mixed with natural clemency as the rose amidst the brambles, so her virtues amongst many women, I must with Politianus as of his Cassandra, so of this Elizabeth end thus: 
O decus Anglorum virgo quas dicere grates quasué refer, parem  
quod etiam honore me tuarum literarum non dedignaris, etc.   
For her counsel they are sage, prudent in all things, negligent in nothing, for their laws, they have relation, first to religion, next to determination, thirdly, prescription and custom, they avow titles, all courts whatsoever, and pleas what so they be having passed the afperite of the law, may yet be ordered by conscience, so that if aught be neglected by error in pleading, may be relieved by equity of conscience.  
Their ministery is ruled by discreet pastors, their preachers reprehend sin liberally, the common sort zealously amend, great is the love of the subject towards their Prince, hearty the love of the prince towards the subject: but who that but looketh into the Prince's court, shall find, not only cause to praise, but to wonder. The Nobility be so valiant, the Ladies so continent, their trains so well ordered: beautiful maidens be there yet not too amorous, bountiful Nobles be there yet not too prodigal: all courtlike actions are so sauced with discretion, as neither excess make aught to be misliked of, nor niggardliness cause any thing to be exclaimed on.  
Truth it is, Elizabeth's mansion is an Academy, no court where men are so eloquent, women so prudent, all so continent.  
There is not the pomp of Seleucus, yet is the state magnicent, there is not the train of Darius, yet such are they there, as be gallant: the end is, the English court excelleth all prince's palaces for virtues, and matcheth them for unstained glory, for the practice of moral precepts what country so fortu-tunate, as equity ruleth at home, so injuries are not preferred abroad: yea, but look into one years action there, and it will follow, that whatsoever Lycurgus left here in paper, thou mayest behold there in practice.  
The country being so fortunate as it is, the countrymen so blessed as they be, the laws so upright as they are, O Simonides it seemeth me, that to an unbridled mind it were best there to fit a rain, for an unruly colt there to get a snaffle, for an unwieldy heifer there to provide a yoke. And if in aught thou allow my counsel: I wish thee make one journey thither, where by my courteous friends thou shalt not fail of entertainment, nor by the abundance of all wisdom want to learn some wit.  
I will recommend thee by my letters, pray for thee in thy travail, and all the time I shall there hear of thy abode, better thee if I can with my counsels.  
If thou art delighted by this discourse I am glad of it, if it please thee to shape this journey, I will rejoice in it, I had rather thou shouldest sail into England to learn wisdom, then stay in Athens to continue errors: This said, Euphues ceased, and Simonides, sighingly said thus:  
O Euphues, I think them blessed from above that by their painful travail, have attained understanding, and by good advisement, restrained their former follies.  
The v●rietie of thy discourse makeh me loath, the vanity of my days misspent, and desire earnestly as well to be partaker of thy experience, as of thy travails.  
My dear friend, though thou hadst not counseled me to seek England, I would have changed Athens, but since the commendation of it is so rare, my travel thither shall be more hasty, on which I both request thy counsels, and refuse not thy letters: only this I wish, that thou return my cause of travel to Naples, and commend unto Frederick his countryman traveling towards England.  
In these and such like exhortations, demonstrations, counsels, and conferences, they passed over the forenoon, the midday called them to the remembrance of their noon diet, whereupon taking their way homeward, they set them down to dinner, whereas Simonides only fed himself with the remembrance of his travel, and on the sudden, unlooked for, a Pilot arrived out of England with letters directed to Euphues, and came to his lodging at that instant when they were repasting themselves, who friendly received by our Athenian, was presented with lines from Phylautus, whereupon breaking the seals, and over reading the substance, he gave it Simonides to overlook, who reported it to follow in this form:  
Phylautus to his friend Euphues.  
IF thy musing in Silexsedra (friend Euphues) hath made thee mute, or forgetfulness of thy friends altered thy wont customs, Phylautus in England lamenteth thy misfortune, and bewaileth thy imperfections: though my pen be not acquainteh with sweet phrases as thine is, yet continueth my heart his old remembrance of thee as it ought to do, and though Euphues be musing on his intricate studies, yet is Phylautus mindful of his old acquaintance, if thou compare thy friends in England to thy families in Athens. thou shalt find some here thou wouldst accept of, though thou were a Timon: since thy departure from us, and thy last letters to me, there hath nothing happened here worthy the report, nor nothing more wished for than thy presence: my violet continueth her savour still, wishing her scent would either pierce to Athens to draw thee by delight hither, or that thy person (severed from his melancholy aspects) were with us present to pass the time and be merry. Surius thinketh thee so wedded io thy books, that thou forgettest thy friends: Camilla imagineth the change of air hath altered thy good customs: so that, if now we had thee here, we should either account the place new for thee, or thou new for the place, or both too new for rhy friends: Good Euphues if Phylautus may persuade, vouchsafe thou either with many letters to satisfy our desires, or by one travel, put end to all misdeeming by the one thou shalt content us with thy courtesies, by the other, confirm us in our chiefest pleasures: as we all salute thee, so we would all see thee: This messenger having occasion to traffic in Naples, is sent of purpose to visit thee, who having haste to return, I pray thee dispatch with expedition, and either help to furnish him with thy presence, or fraught him with thy letters.  
Thine, or not his own, Phylautus.  
This accident wonderfully delighted both these Gentlemen, Euphues in hearing from his friends, Simonides to see all things so happily to sort out for the conveniency of his travail. Whereupon, learning of the Master what time he might be ready to set sail, and understanding that on the morrow he would be readily prepared, Simonides bargained with him for his passage, and making all things ready against the next day, he besought Euphues not to forget him in his Letters: who taking himself to his studies, and leaving the Master and Simonides to their affairs, shaped this friendly answer to Phylautus friendly lines.  
Euphues to Phylautus.  
IF I muse in Silexsedra (Phylautus) on my studies, yet am I not unmindful of my friends, and if forgetfulness in aught prevail with me, it is rather by committing my errors to oblivion, then by overslipping the manifold courtesies of my dearest friends: If thou art mindful of Euphues and constant in friendship, thy friend rejoiceth at thy staidness, and concludeth, that Marriage hath wrought wonders. Upon the very delivery of thy Letters, I was recounting thy happiness, and so gloried in the benefit of thy good fortune. And though in person I can not myself satisfy thy expectation by reason of my business, yet have I sent thee my second self to be befrended by thy acquaintance. I commend this Gentleman as myself to Surius, whom I pray thee salute from me, assuring him that my last lesson was to avoid ingratitude, so that my book teach me that, which he altogether suspecteth to be far from my study. If thy violet smell sweet to thee, she delighteth me, assuring her this, that she can not more zealously wish for me, than I wish well to her. For Camilla, since she knows change of soil can not alter manners, I doubt not but she will account Euphues as constant in loyal affection, as she beautiful in her wifely modesty. Though I may not satisfy thee with my presence, I pray thee content thee with my present, in these Letters thou shalt read the lines of tried zeal, in this Gentleman, thou shalt see the person of amorous Euphues. I have helped your messenger fraught and furnished him with Letters, and so cease as I was wont.  
Thine own if marriage change not manners Euphues.  
These Letters dispatched and sealed up were delivered to Simonides, who having furnished himself of all things, and Supper time now being come, Euphues for that night (considering it was Simonides farewell) kept more than ordinary, and accompanied him with sundry Athenian Gentlemen, where neither wanted Music nor dainties.  
And as time suddenly overpasseth, so wind and tide serving, Simonides was quickly called for, who being conducted to the Waterside by Euphues, gave him this for a farewell.  
Simonides, since time delivereth me of the benefit of thy presence, I can not tell whether with more sorrow I might bemoan thy departure, or with delight I might rejoice at thy travail: for by the one I am severed from a friend, by the other I am satisfied in that I wish: But how soever it standeth now we must part: so that Euphues recommends him to Simonides, desiring Simonides to remember Euphues. Salute my friends in England, and think of thy friend in Athens, so shall they bid thee more welcome, and I writ oftener unto thee.  
Simonides with water in his eyes, prevented with the multude of his sorrows, embracing Euphues fast in his arms, and giving him a solemn farewell, he took shipping, when Euphues impatient of his friends departure returned to his Lodging.   

How Simonides departing from Athens towards England, was entertained with a Philosophical discourse.  
IT blewe a merry gale at Sea, and Simonides slept sweetly a long season, overpassing with sound sleapes his former sorrows. For this benefit hath Nature lent to mortal men, that though never so many mishaps overburden by day, yet one quiet nap alaieth all the sorrows at night. But having yielded Nature her due, and raised from his cabin he mounted the Hatches beholding the wide Sea on every side, and cheered by the passengers Master and Mariners, he sat down to dinner, where being satisfied with such provision as was to be found on Shipboard, he began to pluck up his spirits, and according to the counsel of the masters mate, each took themselves to their pleasure.  
Only one amongst the rest, who by his Habit seemed to be some Philosopher, stood still sometime beholding the Welkin, other sometime he would look down to the Wave. Whose contemplation Simonides perceiving, and willing to be made partaker of his studies, interrupted him thus.  
Sir, if it shall stand with your liking, to make a poor travailer partaker of your studies, you may in so doing both satisfy yourself, and also pleasure me, for that I much desire to look in Sciences.  
Truly answered Philesius (for so the Philosopher's name was called) I am silent more than I would be (good sir) in that perhaps some here (as the most part of the world) disdain Arts, accounting the professors thereof to be either foolish or frantic. Whereupon, I thought it more meet to contemplate in silence, then to be contemned for my Philosophy.  
What other men's dispositions are I know not (quoth Simonides) but for myself, I not only delight in Science, but also desire to know it, please it you therefore (the rather to abridge our travail) to vary on some proposition, whereby either some hidden secrets of Nature may be opened, or some celestial working of the superior heavens in these inferior creatures may be denotated.  
Philesius, as willing to perform as Simonides to require, said thus: Gentle sir, my present musing at this time, is not to be included in few terms, neither may a reasonable volume comprehend my imaginations, for why, the soul passeth through more in a moment, than in many years may be effectually set down.  
Whilom I was comparing the world, which is spherical and round (which of all proportions is the best) next of the government of so miraculous a firmament: thirdly, of the operation the superior powers have in these inferior subjects: four, what affinity may be between Art and Nature: fifthly, how Art came first to light, and was continued by succession.  
All these propositions have I compared in thought, and now orderly will I speak of them for your pleasure.  
For the world (according to the form) what is more excellent, whose orderly revolutions, distinguishing times, and prefixing events to every casualty, give occasion (to a considerate judgement) to wonder at the motion, and reverence the mover: the beauty whereof is such, as in old time it hath not only been diefied for the glory it possessed, but also accounted of by some of no small judgement in Philosophy for a GOD: which reason contemned of those of some judgement in that it was created, causeth that more honour is attributed to the workmaster than the work.  
But for the opinion of the Philosophers touching this subject, truly we of late judgement, and grown more nearer to the knowledge of God, reprove all for passed positions as frivolous, and confirm with Pythagoras, that God only is wise: Men but lovers of wisdom.  
But that we may measure former imaginations of Philosophers, with our latter experiences in this cause, let us consider what our Ancestors have imagined, both of the creation of the World, and the beginning of the Creature.  
Thales Milesius, one of the wisemen of Greece, beginning to look into the generation of all things. For the soul he imagined it immortal, for the world he concluded it to have his beginning by water.  
Anaxagoras trusting to his own opinion fabled thus, that the Sun was composed of bright Iron, that the Heavens were of stone wonderfully knit together lest they should fall.  
Euripides his scholar, he feigns that the Moon had vallei● and mountains in her, and that the mind was the beginning of all motion: concluding, that all creatures had their creation of Water, Fire, and Earth: whereunto had he added the other Eliment of Air, I think it could neither have been dissonant from reason, nor repugnant to true Philosophy.  
For the creation of the Earth, Archelaus will have it of liquid water inflamed by the heat of fire, and by resolution turned into dust.  
Heraclitus, he thinks all things to have their original of fire, concluding with Aristotle, that the generation of one thing is the corruption of an other.  
Democritus and Leucippus with the residue of their coherents, imagining somewhat, yet concluding nothing, they refer the original of the world to a little nothing, and making up a something of this Chaos, conclude it to be subject to corruption, wherein they harped on a truth in their error, confirming the vanity of our Metaphysics, who wading passed their reach, conclude somewhat, they know not what.  
In these opinions our old philosophers being conversant, the farther they looked into the beginning of all things, the more they lost themselves: so that one of them a most profound clerk called Simonides, desired by Hiero, the tyrant to inquire what God was, and demanding but one days respite, was in his deepest imaginations so confounded, that seeing the farther he sought the more he failed, he was enforced to cease the attempt, and subject his opinion to the inscrutable essence of the highest.  
In leaving therefore these opinions of philosophers to their Masters, we must conclude, that the world of nothing was made wonderful, finished in a trivall dignity which is most absolute, for though in six days work the whole Mass was finished, yet in three persons the fabricature was composed, and the fabricated redeemed: so that in unequal numbers an unexplicable wonder was wrought, when as by the omnipotency of trivall dignity the world was made, man created, man sanctified, and man redeemed, by the operation of three persons in one godhead.  
Some philosophers (and not unaptly) by serious insight in this beautiful firmament have distinguished places, appointing first a place of residence to the Majesty, which is they say Celum Emperium, next place they Cristalinum, the heaven of Crystal: next in seven circular motions distinguish they the planets, appointing Saturn for the first, and so by descent to Luna, in these unperfect numbers, and circular motions, placing all the beauty of the heavens, and the glory of the firmament.  
Plato in his book of common wealth, will needs make a common wealth of devils in the skies: thus each hath his error, and every one a several fantasy, but since we certainly know how the World was made, and by the beholding of the same, wonder at the workmaster, since we see the imperfection of our Philosophers, that would enclose the divinity within limits, let us now wade further, and consider of the operation of the celestial bodies in our terrestial subjects: and herein the vanity of many are to be wondered at, attributing many things to destiny & fortune, whereas nothing passeth without the providence of the highest: but for the working of the higher powers: there is some similitude in this, that according to the operation of the planet, the creature is disposed, and if oppositions fall contrarious in the heavens, the contrariety takes effect here on earth: for in truth, man is that table, wherein is included all the secrets of nature, and so are his members disposed by providence, that if by all circumspection he can conceive his own constitution: neither can the operation of the planets be hiden from him, nor the novelties of the earth pass his understanding, in the the whole mass of nature, neither is hidden Art concluded so secret, that is not included in man, neither any effect in things without life, that hath not relation to the lively substance, according as the heavens are round, so is man's head spherical, as the understanding and intellective part, hath congruence with the higher heavens, in which reason as in inscrutable power disposeth all things, and ruleth all things, the senses which are the organs whereby reason worketh, though in number they differ, yet in effect they vary not, ministering with equal compass to every member, at the spheres with one Sumphonia environ the centre.  
But to pass from generalities to particulars, we conclude a Jovist to be liberal minded, bounteous, fair borne to honours: a Martist quarrelsome, red haired, austere looked, bloody minded, inconstant: a Mercurialist a liar, a thief, borne eloquent, subtle, and such like: a Saturnist, melancholy, of deep insight, steadfast to persever, commonly wise, concluding according to the constitution with Aristotle, that melancholy men are most witty, and in like sort of all the planets.  
Thus see we a certain hidden working, and agreement passing our reach, which fleightly we may imagine of but inwardly we cannot comprehend, wherein we must condemn these vain heads, who climbing too high beyond their reach, confound themselves in their own deeming, taking upon them to know other men's fortunes, when they be ignorant of their own mishaps. Such sky gessers have we nowadays, that can see Jupiter in his ascendant, and cannot know themselves till they come to the discendant. But overslipping these, I muse with what fate it falleth out, that in notable and rare blessing and cursing, we have some foreknowledge of good or bad.  
A Comet pretended the birth of Christ Jesus, a Comet prefigured the destruction of jerusalem, a universal darkness covered the face of the earth, at such time as our saviour was crucified: at the creation of Eugenius the third of that name, fire from heaven devoured Church steeples in Rome: Romulus the founder of that ancient city, was devoured by fire from heaven.  
So that we see both the heavens work toward the disposition of the creature, and menace toward the dissolution of the creature, and yet but as instruments of their divine governor, who by the mysteries of his glory, prefigureth his future power.  
But leaving this, let us come to the affinity between Art and Nature, where we are to consider with the Philosophers what Nature is: Tully in his Offices, hath this saying: If we follow nature as guide we shall never err, esteeming nature for a God, by whom our chiefest good fortunes hap.  
Aristotle's interpreters divide nature into two forms, calling the one Natura Naturans, and the other Natura Naturata, that nature that naturateth, is that which Tully accounteth for a God: that nature that is naturated, is man.  
If Art be compared to that which perfiteth all things, it should strive with his founder, but compared with his equal, it perfiteth it, so that Nature is it which presenteth the subject, Art, it which perfecteth the subject: for many naturally are borne with inclinations both to good and bad, Art searching narrowly into the secrets of all things, confiyrmeth according to the disposition, either cleansing that which was corrupt, or confounding the evil disposed in their own enormity.  
The inclination of some by nature is to be lascivious, the correction of the natural error by Art, is to be continent: some by nature are borne cowards, the same by Art are made constant.  
Zopirus by exterior signs, adjudged Socrates to be wanton and vain headed, who, though he confessed his natural infirmity, yet thus he disannulled the former proposition, Essem ita si me philosophia non correxisset, I had been so, had not philosophy mended me.  
But as Art profiteth Nature in some things, so Nature excelleth Art in many things, and yet have these two so strived together, that in Protogenes table were as fair grapes in colours, as in Nature's gardens, they were in substance: for Nature indeed not only affecteth the sight, but also the senses, where Art in setting out of colours presenteth a shape without a substance.  
But so are these two knit together, that if Nature allow no fennel, Art can make no fire, if Nature bestow no colours, we can have no painting, and he that will strive to make an Ass eloquent, will, invita Minerva, work great wonders, and yet a Crow could cry Caesar, although Nature allowed her no limits.  
Betwixt both Nature and Art then, let us put an intermedium, which is Use: Nature first frameth, Art teacheth, Use maketh perfect.  
Art was sought out first by natural man, and Art at first confirmed natural man, yet was there a framer of the one and an inspirer of the other.  
Some are borne eloquent, yet Art confirmeth them in their eloquence. Some valiant, yet Art compasseth their exploits. What secret soever Art found out Nature ministereth it, and what soever Nature hath in her bowels included, Art hath sought it out.  
So that in striving to exceed, they so agree in confirming, that in a learned man it is hard to say, whether Nature or Art prevail or profit most. But for that Nature was before Art, we will in this prefer her: yet if Art and Wisdom be Relativa, I fear me Nature must lose the stirropes, and Art set in the saddle.  
But as touching our last proposition of the invention and continuation of Arts, truth it is that the opinions of the Philosophers are ambiguous in these points: notwithstanding, according to my remembrance, I will briefly pass through so many as on this sudden my memory will afford me, touching that in a Letter for brevity which else would ask a volume.  
The first foundation of Letters is attributed by some to Mercury, by other some to Cadmas, other some Palamedes, who by the crying of Cranes added four letters to the Crosrowe: some to Simonides Melicus, other to Anticlides of Egypt, but those of latter memory as Crinitus report, that in a certain Library this Monument was left for memory.  
Wise Moses first the Hebrew letters found,  
And wise Phaenices first prefixed the Greek:  
Nicostrata the Latin letters made,  
And Abraham Syras the chaldean taught,  
And Isis she the Egyptian letters should,  
The Crosrowe of the Getes Gulfila wrote.  
Logic had his first original of Zeno: Polihimnia invented Rhetoric: Thalia Poetry, Alcmenon Crotomates natural Philosophy: John of Egypt Physic: Tubal Music, yet some father it on Apollo, Theuth Arethmeticke, Erato Geomitrie: Abraham Astronomy, Zoroaster King of the Bactrians the Metaphysics. As for the Manuel arts as they are not of such excellency as the other, so labour I leaf about their original, yet to touch them somewhat and their founders, Noah invented Tillage, Proteus & Acrisius Warlike Instruments, Bellecophon Horseriding, Danaus by Ship first shaped course into Greece: The Carthagians invented traffic of Merchandise, Phidon chariots, Gyges' Painting.  
Thus Arts had their original by diligent investigation of the insight into Nature, and are continued unto these times, wherein we find that as the age changeth, so the fashion altereth, and that Nature and Art are at such an atonement, that what so, either in the centre of the earth may be found out to work upon shall be ministered: and what so, either memory may allow Art shall perfect: and what is obscured by time, shall be made new being again renewed.  
But for that (good Gentleman) the task I prefixed is finished, the Sun already settled in the West persuades us to sleeping, if it please you we will here make an end, beseeching you to bear with a Scholars rudeness, who according to the Talon his studies have afforded him, hath discoursed thus long to do you pleasure.  
Simonides greatly pleased with this clerkly discourse, concluded thus: truly Philesius, I know not whether I should more praise thee for thy learning, or commend thee for thine eloquence, the one is so singular, the other so sufficient: but my conclusion is (for that I would be loath to be troublesome) that thou hast deserved the name of a Philosopher, wishing after thy repose, to be made still partaker of thy purposes. In such like commendations, Simonides discoursing with Philesius was finally interrupted thus:  
To apply praise to those that allow it not, is to minister water to increase flame, I had rather be in deed, than to be praised in word, but let us slip over these unnecessary praises, and to morrow we will fall to some other such discourse.  
They both being agreed, betook themselves to their cabins, where I leave them to their rest, till on the morrow at the Sun, Philesius not accustomed to sleep excessively took the hatches, and calling Simonides up, whom he found fast a sleep, he merrily in this sort jested with him.  
It seemeth by your wakefulness, that you have studied Astronomy too little, or affected slothfulness too much, that you can suffer the goodliest comforter of the world to shine upon you, and you sleeping sound, scarce to salute him.  
I cannot tell by what benefit it falleth out Philesius qd Simonides, but so sweet this night's sleep hath been to me, as all my hours forepast (in comparison of this) seemeth but a dream.  
And good reason (said Philesius) for seeing your days exercise was not vain, it must needs follow you should sleep sound, for the fantasy is never troubled with dreaming, but when the body and mind by day have employed themselves, in practive exercise, or excessive diet.  
Yes by your leave (said Simonides) some Dreams there be that not only be fortune in the temperatest bodies, but also be foretokens of some fortune to come.  
Herein I agree with you (said Philesius) but these are in an other kind than those Dreams we talk of: for although they may borrow the name of a Dream, yet in nature they are revelations: For in Dreams there are distinctions both aloted by the poets, and allowed by the Philosophers, attributing one to men, the other to beasts: for the fantasy, it worketh on insensible things, and in dreaming, not only by the power of the highest a certain inward knowledge of the immortality of the soul is gathered, but also certain forewarnings either of good or ill are prefigured. For such Dreams as have their original only of the disposition of fantasy, and the complexion and operation of humours, they as incident to bruit beasts need little discourse. For such as proceed of the affects of the mind, which troubled with that it wrought upon by day, now hath operation and working of it by night, that I leave to thy consideration, wishing thee but to observe the quality of the cause and the order of the working.  
For those Dreams that in deed have divinity in them, in which hidden secret mysteries be presented, of them I will (for pleasures sake) prefix thee some example, and afterward I will betake myself to my private contemplation.  
Genadius of Carthage, a man deeply seen in the Art of medicine, doubting of the immortality of the soul, esteeming it to perish with the body, beholding in his sleep at two several times, a young man standing before him, who presented him with the portraiture of a fair city, and the next night returning unto him, he demanded of the physician if he knew him, who answered, that he knew him, and forgot not his dream, and demanded by the same young man again, where his body was, he answered in his bed, yet confounded with the strangeness of his knowledge, that sleeping very sound, he could yet make relation of the state of his body, by these means gathering it was the working of his soul, he revoked his error, and what by long study he could not compass, by a little dream he found out, and was thoroughly confirmed, that the soul was immortal.  
ciril reporteth this dream to have fortuned to himself, being in his bed, and after he had finished his prayers, that he was fallen asleep, it seemed unto him, that he felt an unmeasurable and horrible stench, which the sense not admitting, at last, the dead body of his own kinsman called Rufus appeared unto him loaden and chained with great iron shackles, vomiting out of his mouth, fiery flames, and sending from out all parts of his body innumerable sparkles, and tokens of the inward fire that was kindled within his breast, whom thus beholding with intolerable fear and compassion of mind, he at last with trembling voice as minister of his fearful heart, demanded of him thus: O Rufus, how falleth it out that thou living as thou didst in most blessed behaviour accounted of for the integrity of thy life of all men, and shouldest be thus tormented.  
Alas Cirillus answered Rufus, thou art deceived, for these plagues are laid upon me only for the looseness of my life, for my lewd living, my dying and unlawful Gaming, hath brought me to be punished with so many horrible plagues.  
With these words the Vision avoided, and Cirillus with fear awaking, reports this wonder.  
Thus you may see (Gentleman) that the mind is affected when the body sleepeth, and wonders are opened in dreams, to confirm waking men in virtues.  
Some in dreams receive inspirations of knowledge as Aeschilus did, who tending his father's vines being a child, in a dream was warned by Bacchus, to write tragedies, who making proof of his cunning being waked, found his ability to perform indeed, that which before he had imagined but in dream.  
And for that I have private studies to apply, I am forced to end abruptly, whereupon, leaving you to your pleasures good Gentleman) I take my leave, and thus with a Philosophical beck Philesius departed to his cabin, and Simonides continued his musing of the accidents forepast, and wondering at the effects of learning, he broke into these terms.  
O unsearchable secret of Philosophy, by which Art first was known, Nature sought into, Weals public begun, common Weals governed. How happy are they that have the possession of thee? How blinded in error are those that are without thee? O blessed Euphues, who seeing the sweet of studies, hast refrained to be worldly and attained to be happy. How fortunate is that soul which is partaker of the secrets of the Gods, and by learning and serious study hath comprehended the divinity of itself? What booteth perfections of the body, when the mind is unperfect. For beauty, who doubteth but that other creatures excel men: but it is wisdom only that beautifieth.  
Oh unhappy Simonides that left Civil for Love and not for Learning. From this time forth during the time they were on the Sea, Simonides only solicited himself in the company of Philesius, till the Master of the Ship comforting his Passengers told them that they were upon the Coast, and that he doubted not but shortly he should see Sandwiche: These news made the company frolic, and as time bringeth all things to end, so after eight weeks sailing they attained the harbour: whereupon Simonides being set a Shore with Philesius in his company, he feasted himself and the Philosopher (being both overwearied at the Sea) with such dainties as the Town could presently afford them.  
Philesius perceiving the haste Simonides made on his journey, he himself not yet prepared to bear him company, gave him this friendly farewell.  
Noble Spaniard, as thy affection is great to learning, so I pray thee make thy knowledge answerable to thy desire, and when opportunity shall serve thee to fall to thy studies, I beseech thee forget not to search Philosophy: for finding her she will feed thee. The Gods prosper thee in thy travails and me in my studies, and for that I see thou hast haste on thy way, I will no longer trouble thee, but bid thee heartily farewell.  
Simonides giving him friendly thanks, presently took order for the conveying of his necessaries to London, and being mounted on Horseback, by convenient journeys he came to the City.   

¶ How Simonides coming to London, was friendly entertained by Phylautus.  
SIMONIDES having recovered London (after some inquiry) he found out the house of Phylautus, to whom when he had delivered his Letters, was entertained by the Italian in these friendly terms.  
Gentleman, if my friends recommendations were not, your own want of familiarity should persuade me to pleasure you in what I could, but when Euphues presents you as a friend to Phylautus, doubt not but the best courtesy in England (that lieth in my poor) shall be at your command if it please you to employ me: mean while, you shall if you please take a poor lodging with me, which though not so decently furnished as beseemeth your honour, yet so friendly welcome are you, as that by it only, I doubt not but of courtesy you will bear with the coarseness.  
After Simonides had given him hearty thanks, he was conducted by Phylautus to his wife, recommending the stranger unto her in these terms.  
My violet, see how favourable our friend Euphues is to us, who though he can not in person come and see us, yet hath presented us with a courteous young Gentleman to bear us company.  
And he may assure himself of his welcome into England (said Mistress Frances) wherefore, the hearty affections the Ladies bear our Athenian friend, he shall not be long without a Mistress.  
Madam (answered Simonides) neither know I how to recompense your favour, nor how to requite your courtesies, only this well I wots, that if for Euphues sake Simonides find favourable Ladies in England, he shall. Nay forth said Madam Frances, for I fear me I have wrong where it biteth.  
And it may be so my violet (said Phylautus) for this is young Euphues, or Euphues Letters are faulty.  
Would God sir (said Simonides) I were Euphues in deed, or partaker of Euphues virtues, and as for the passion which you Madam seem to catch hold on, if I seem a Saint, I doubt not I shall scape the Devil, and if I continue constant to that Shrine which so often I have sacrificed to, my hope is in the end, to gain the high Priesthood for my good devotion. As for the fair Ladies in England, I will do them honour, but for my service, as it was vowed before, so shall it continue hereafter.  
And if your perfection be such as you make show of (said Mistress Frances) I will not doubt but to cannonise you for your constancy, and also prefer you as one that is praise worthy, but I fear me there will such Suns shine here in England, that your Moon will be extinguished else where.  
It may be your Suns want light here in England, or mine shines to fair in Civil (said Simonides) or it may be I am either blind in judging colours, or beetle headed in beholding beauty.  
And blind you may be if a Lover (said Lady Frances) or else Love stains in other colours in Spain then in England.  
If I be blind I would not see (said Simonides) and with these words Phylautus broke of their purpose, and pressing Simonides hand in his, said thus.  
Gentle sir, you may see the ready wits of our Ladies, who can take a tale at rebound, and fit fancies as they please.  
Herein are they more to be wondered at for their wisdom (said Simonides) who with quick capacity can comprehend every thing, and with witty conclusions can finish as they please.  
In these and such like devices they passed the time till supper was served in, where neither delicates were wanting, neither variety of Music, nor delectable discourse, so that Simonides astonished at the brave behaviour of the Ladies, the sundry dainties of their repast, and the sweet harmony of the Music, was revived by Lady Frances thus.  
It seemeth courteous Gentleman, that you have certain ceremonies to perform you sit so sadly, I am sorry amongst so many of our poor pleasures, no one of them will wring one smile from your heavy countenance.  
Truly (said Simonides) you are mistaken, for neither am I so holy as to meditate to much, nor in so pleasant mood, to laugh at every conceit, if ought amaze me, it is rather the excellency of that I behold, than the cogitation of that which I thought not of.  
My thought is the less sir (said she) and your welcome the more, but how like you England said Madam Frances.  
As I should do Lady (said Simonides) it is pleasant in Climate, populus in Cities, plenteous in dainties, stored with brave personages, and full of fair women. Not so fair as in Civil, said Lady Frances, it may be in mine opinion (said Simonides) not having as yet seen but little, but if hereafter I light of a more fair prospect, I will not doubt Madam to make you privy to my opinion, mean while, I conceive this, if all be as fair as the Mistress of this house, no marvel though Italians leave Naples to dwell at London.  
By this time the Table was taken away, and every Gentleman stranger had his welcome, and as the custom of the Country is after Supper, they betook themselves to disport each as fitted his own fancy. Amongst the rest, the Mistress of the house taking Simonides by the hand, and joining unto him other Gentlemen and Ladies of the company, said thus. Noble Simonides, as this Country guise of disport is after their repast to reason, so will I acquaint you now with the orders, because that finding your capacity to be so execellent as it is, I may employ you to be a moderator, amongst such unexperienced reasons as we poor Ladies be.  
If you reason no worse Madam (said Simonides) then hitherto yet you have discoursed, I think I shall have greater reason to give ear and be silent, then enterrupting a sweet tale with a sour censure, shall rather shame myself then delight the company.  
You say well sir (said the Lady) yet you may not wring out with this wile, wherefore Gentlemen, I pray let me entreat you, to enterprise a discourse, for on my word I have fitted you with a convenient moderator.  
At her request they all condescended, among the which acomely young Gentleman called silvius began thus.  
Since you have begun (Madam) to enterprise, and to appoint him that shall dispose, may it please you to order how the disputation shall pass, and then with more conformity we may go forward.  
Be it so silvius (said Madam Frances) and according as you intimat you shall first reason with Mistress Claudia, Favellus with Secrobia, and Furnelius with me.  
As for him that shall conclude, you know who is enjoined signor Simonides, upon this conclusion, we all are attentive signor silvius: And I will not be long silent, said he, whereupon turning himself with a courteous regard toward Mistress Claudia, he began thus:  
There is a punishment (fair Mistress Claudia) amongst the Indians, that by the drinking of a bitter poison, the body in sleep, is so tormented with horrible visions, that waking it doth destroy and subvert itself, as in those tortures, so in these attempts, it is not only a punishment prefixed to talk against love, for commonly the most contemners are subject to this mischief, that tasting their fill of fancy, they not only in night's dreams behold their days sorrow, but also by day discontinu●●●● their waking happiness, which makes me now, so to prefix limits to my arguing, that being loath to commit an error, yet am not I willing to commend too much, whereupon, if it please you, we will reason whether beauty be more commendable in a base borne creature, than in her that is sprung of noble parentage: and for that I will leave you that which belongeth to yourself, being descended of honourable parents: I mean to maintain this, that the excellency of beauty is more commendable in her that is sprung by progeny of small regard, than in her that is beautiful and enriched with many titles of honour.  
My reasons be these, first nature is employed more strangely than mind can conceive, when on thistles she grafteth roses, or on the hurtful hemlock, the hurtless hearbgrace, in the deformed womb, a perfect substance, when gross humours, homely feeding, and disordered diet, work both in active and passive substances, if there were not more than a supernatural working, we must conclude, that the female should be subject to many defaults, and humours either abandoning or defaulting in Nature, the babe should be either a monster or changeling in proportion: so that, by how much the more the rare effects of Nature are to be wondered at, by so much the wonderful benefits of beauty are to be commended.  
And with some hidden reason, the powers bestow these benefits on poverty, that where they have not ministered to it in worldly honours, they forget not to recompense in seemly similitudes: so that it must be concluded, that Nature more strangely worketh in unnoble than in noble, when from so base substances, so sweet a perfection is gathered. So that I fear me, if there were the like custom in England, as was at Elida, that she that was the beautifullest, should be crowned in regard of honour, I doubt not but our base borne beautiful, might sacrifice a target to Minerva, when our bravest courtiers, and Ladies of greatest honour, should be but ministrs to accomplish the sacrifice.  
And it would so fall out, that the fair maidens of Tenidos, should carry away the bucklers, when our beautiful damosels of Troy were to be deprived of their honour they so strive for.  
But to make my reasons more forcible, I must infer this, what so a noble mind beautified with all titles of honour desireth, must be concluded to be both rare and wonderful, but the beauty of her that is borne but of unnoble parents, hath subdued mighty Emperors, and therefore more to be marveled at.  
For you fair damosels, the abundance of your wealth, the promotions of your fathers, the expectation of worldly pleasure makes you to be sought after, and to be sued to, when as they having none of these possibilities to prefer them, are as courteously entreated as yourselves, and more accounted of, than many of you.  
It was a law amongst the Lacedæmonians, that who in battle had gained victory, should in the presence of the king be crowned with garlands of honour, whereupon noble judge, I must now request you, that seeing I have concluded so undoubtedly, I may be rewarded with honour accordingly.  
Mistress Claudia conceiving his conclusion, chopped him this answer, who triumphs before the victory, may sooner carry a faggot for his penance than wear a garland for his honour. Stichicus might strive with Hercules in sleight matter of pleasure, but if he challenge the combat, he might have a cold comfort in his proceedings.  
So signor silvius it will far with you, who in matters of pleasure like the Lamb may play with the Lion, but if you stretch past your compass, you may hap to have a clindge for your labour, neither ought you to claim the reward of victory, since with most certain demonstration I will defend, and with more probability I will conclude, that beauty in the Noble is more commendable, then in those of obscure name it is praise worthy. In good sooth tell me (signor silvius) is not the Sun more beautiful in the Firmament, when the obscurity of the clouds defaceth it not, than when it is overshadowed with darkness: is not the delectable sent of the Rose more commendable, when it is mixed with his companions in Nature, than overpressed with unsavoury smells, I see not but that the moon is more fair amidst the glimpsing stars, than amongst the shrouds of darkness, and affects the eye sight with more pleasure, and the travailer with greater comfort.  
Place beauty in an honourable parsonage, and it hath affinity with an honourable mind, which maketh it so much the more to be wondered at: As for the matching beauty in a base parsonage, it is to put pearls in a swine's nostrils, to prick flowers in a filthy dunghill, or to dress an Ass in a lions skin.  
I can bring you many that were nobly borne, that were exquisite in all professions, but for them that are obscure in birth, never found I any, neither if I did would I believe it.  
A beautiful noble woman brought up in virtuous demeanour is a precedent to those that follow after, who with emulation will contend to exceed or match her at the least. But when a beautiful in noble shall fortune by wonderful destinies to grow to great perfection, what imitation shall we find or succession amongst these obscure maidens.  
No signor silvius. I conclude, and you must confess, that my reasons are the stronger, and for that I will not be tedious, I leave the rest to the discretion of the judge.  
The whole company allowing this methodical contention, after some pause, were attentive to hear the second disputation, when as Favellus a noble Gentleman, and one well nurtured, turned to Secr●bia, and said thus:  
Madam, since we two must enter disputation, I would so fit you, that each might be partaker of the pleasure of the subject, and the eloquent delivery of your discourse, whereupon, if you please, we will argue thus: if in choice of husbands, you were to be limited between two personages, whether would you allow of the Soldier for your bedfellow, or the Courtier for your husband?  
Truly Favellus (said Secrobia) I allow well of the Soldier, but I must yield the prize to the Courtier.  
And I Madam (said Favellus) will prove the Soldier more worthy to be allowed of, and a more meet man to be beloved, and this not without reason: first, for parsonage most commonly he is as perfect as the best, for bed pleasures, Idoubte not as active as the most, in discourse, as delectable, in love as stedefast, his affections are not so various as the Courtiers, for that his life is not so lascivious, if thine honour be depraved, he will revenge it, if thou be subject to any imperfection, he will bear with it, for it must needs follow, that he who winketh at so many outrages in his Soldier, will not be much incensed with a woman's natural fragility: their eyes are chaste in all places. But where they love, their actions more honourable when they remember them of their beloved.  
Alexander that noble Macedon, though he had in his subjection the wife of Darius and his beautiful daughters, he would not violate them, whereas I fear me if a Courtier were so fair offered, he would have made one of them, sing a fa burden while he were descanting a fit.  
A soldier perhaps may be accounted bloody minded, and therefore not meet for a delicate damosels bed, but in my opinion it were better to marry a man than a meacock, for the Soldier offereth no rigour but to his enemy, if he be displeased, it is with such as envy the felicity of his Mistress: the Courtier perhaps shoots it out in better colours, but the Soldier having no fine phrases to please humours, layeth it on with plain truth, which is the plea of him that in love will prove most constant.  
Whereupon I must conclude (mistress Secrobia) that either you must prove affectionate in your choice, or perverse in resolution, making election of the worse and leaving the better, and on this conclusion I refer myself to judgement.  
And to this conclusion I shape this answer (said Secrobia) though you have tied me within limits of election (signor Favellus) yet I will susspend my resolute judgement, and for that you shall not think by your reason thus to win the goole, thus much for the courtier.  
Who so in all actions most fitteth wonens fantasies. is most convenient to be allowed, but Courtiers are they that most con: veniently satisfy fair Ladies likings, and therefore meetest to be had in wedlock.  
For the truth is so, that whereas fair demoseles are delighted with seamlinesse, modest pleasure, with like courtly behaviours: such things are most agreeable to their delicate humours, and therefore it cannot be but that a Courtier must be admitted who is the only man for this purpose to furnish them in that they look for.  
The Courtier with seamly parsonage, with honourable behaviour, with philed phrases, with sweet music, and with twenty amorous devices will delude the time so prettily, that we Laidies can not imagine them, but to be the only ministers to procure our pleasure.  
In the Soldier, what resteth there either to be wondereth at or wished for that the Courtier wanteth, in the Courtier, is there any thing missing in which he exceedeth not the Soldier, the Courtier is as good a horseman, as practised a man at arms, as valiant to defend his mistress, yea more resolute in beauty's cause, they stand on every light term of honour, not suffering the least stain to take hold of their gentry.  
The Soldier is fed with murders, delighted in bloodshed, the memory of whose massacres, would make the memory of his pleasures most loothsome. And signor Favellus, that contenencie which you impute to Soldiers, alleging the example of Alexander that would not regard the beauty of Darius' wife & daughters, imagiying thereby the chastity of soldiers minds, I can not by this excuse your gross imagination, but do rather think Soldiers to be so beetle-blinded that they are not able to distreye the perfection of beauty: or else composed of so base a substance not to estem of so rare a benefit, as hath mad the wisest to stoop.  
The Courtier continueth in one comp●sse, that is always constant, ready at a beck for all service: the Soldier when his mistress should have most need of him, is wandering I know not where, and returneth I can not tell when.  
The Courtier pretermitteth not a day without variety of delight, liberal he is in expense, bountiful to her he honoureth, he respecteth not either this occasion of conquest, or that booty to enrich him, but acountes his chiefest felicity in the attainment of beauty, and to do fair Lady's service, and should not they (think you) be to unkind, that would forget the diligence of so loving Gentlemen.  
Truly Favellus I must conclude my fancy with fair Laidies opinions (for I take myself sometimes to be one of their privy counsel) that Soldiers are more fit for the field, then for the field bed: more metre for a massacre, then for a marriage: And the Courtier to be the only necessary man, that fitteth to work a fair Lady's pleasure. If this be not true, I refer me to the just determination of this gentleman our judge.  
All the company laughed heartily at this merry conclusion, till such time as madame Eraunces discoursed thus.  
Sith the matter is sorted out thus far (gentle Furnelius) I will now strain courtesy with you and invert the order, and because my memory is but brittle, I will begin the sooner lest I forget the latter.  
Your profession (I doubt not) is such good sir, as you which have practised the profit thereof so long, are not now to seek how to praise it, whereupon at this present, I mean to argue thus. Whether the Lawyer or the Physician be more commendable in a state, I will defend the Lawyer, for you as being a Physician by profession, you may the better defend since you are the more practised.  
The professor of the law, if he had nought else to commend him, the very name itself would make it praise worthy, for by the laws good disciplines are prescribed, the state governed, and all policies to the maintenance of peace, both begun, continued and ended.  
The Lawyer, knowing the punishment of all errors, and finding himself to be a precedent in all good demeanour, so ordereth himself as when he but passeth the streets as Cato Censer did, all Rome refraineth idleness and becometh well occupied, he purgeth the state of suspicious inconveniences, he prescribeth in the Commenwealth such preventions as that an error now sprung up can neither take head nor be contenued, no not in those of great countenance the professor of the law hath relation to lead him, conscience to direct him, justice to counsel him, honour to reward him. In his life he is virtuous, in his counsels constant, in his judgements upright, in his pleadings uncorrupt, in conclusion, he is the only necessary member in a state, by whom the Noble are counseled, the subject kept in awe, and the truth is, that the Common wealth is unhappy, whereas the Lawyer hath not both preferment by his practice, and pour to reprove what he misliketh.  
It was a Lawyer (yea and a learned practiser of the science Apias Claudius) who when the whole senate and state hung in susspence by the approach of the enemy, not only counseled that which was profitable, but also preferred those precepts which were honourable for his country: neither yet knew I any regiment fortunate, where either the Prince was self opinionative not respecting law or the subject so dissolute that he regarded not the Lawyer. As for you Doctor Furnelias, if your potions be wholesome, they are as perlions to the Soul as they are profitable for the body, for your patient being once restored to health, he is made prone to put in practise every kind of enormity: again, your medicine is commodious but to one particular person, but where one good Axiom passeth from a Lawyer, it is not a sole pleasure, but in truth it is publicly commodions  
If then, by the dignity practise and profit, the law as most commendable, the professor of force must not fail of pre-eminence, whom since I have concluded for a more necessary person, I doubt not but the judge will determine, that in the ●●ate he is most profitable.  
Here ceased Lady France's when thus the grave Doctor began his discourse.  
Madam perhaps (as commonly amongst Ladies it falleth out) your Ladishipe rather deameth upon affection then judgement, which maketh you so partially to think of the Lawyer, and so judicially to condemn the Physician, but if a burning feevour as now had handfast of your body, I fear me you would rather sacrifice to Asculapius, then shake hands with justinian, persuaded by proof & experience in this that a medicine can allay that in the body which moral precepts can never assuage, and that the Physician in extremity of sickness is your Gods good, where now in your discourse he is smally accounted of.  
As man is made but of Soul and body, so next the Soul the health of the body is to be preserved before worldly pelf, and as richesses are but slaves to minister to the bodies want, so the greatest commendation that may be given to a Lawyer is but in justice to give every one his own, yet this far uncomperable to the Physician, that giveth every one his health. But admit what you have said to be true, that the Lawyer is to be thought worthy the commendation you have given him, yet the Physician is he that continueth him his health, and then I doubt not but you will conclude, that the perfecter is more worthy than the perfited, and that he that ministereth perfection to the Lawyer, is of more excellency than the Lawyer. If sickness should take hold on your most upright justicer, by whom (as you conclude) the whole state is relieved by, I pray you then who is sent for, is not the Physician sued unto, then runs this Lady for that preservative, now for that preparative, again for this purgation, and should not the humour by Physic be expelled, our Lawyer might bid goodnight to his friends, is it not then true that the Physician is to be preferred when he not only is a good member in a Commonwealth, but also continueth in good health the stays and upholders of the state. If the memory be ill, physic will recover it: if the body be consumed, a medicine will help it: if beauty be decayed, physic will restore it: and madame, can you find in heart to speak ill of so necessary members. He that must be a Physician & a master in his science, must be able to search into the nature of the Heavens, the course of the Planets, the distintion of times, the operations of complextions whereas to be a sufficient Lawyer requireth no great art, but a discrete judgement, a good memory, with a few principles, so that the conclusions of law may be comprehended in 20 years limet, where to be a good Physician requireth Nestor's years.  
Yea, madam, for that you shall know the Physician is as profitable and as expert in state as any others, do but mark this, that in the time of Eugenus the third, at a general counsel, a Physician interteining the whole rabblement of profound Philosophers of Asia, and at that sitting, not only answered them to their deepest opositions, but also confounded them in their own grounds, and not without reason, whereas he that perfiteth the memories of others can be, without the same perfection by which he worketh.  
Truly fair Ladies if you were examined upon your consciences, how many of you would prove kind pacientes to your Physicians, and confess that unless our medicines had sharply allayed some humours would have proved over lawless, neither able to be corrected with a common Lawyer's cautions, although in your ladyship's opinion, now they must have the pre-eminence.  
But good madame since we have referred all to an arbiter and judge, I request you suspend your judgement and leave it to his discretion, who being a stranger and having in travel gathered many experiences, will not fail to conclude according to discretion, and prefer the person according as his deserts enable him.  
Why said madam Frances, signor Simonides, the whole resteth in you, who to conclude this our nights disport, are only to furnish us of a judgement touching all our doubts.  
And I madame according to the tenuite of my judgement, will fulfil what you have enjoined me, although I am bound in these causes to some extreamyties.  
Since you signor silvius confirm a wonder, Mistress Claudia a marvel, beauty as I esteem (fair Ladies) as it was first made incomprehensible by reason of excellency, so is it not bestowed but upon rare personages: for nature in the first composition of all creatures, proportioned the beautiful in such form, as if Ethinick poets may prevail to persuade, it not only bewitcheth the Gods, but also entangleth the creatures, so that where the benefit of beauty is employed, there because the person is to be wondered at the powers, by hidden secrecy adequat the delight of the one, with the perfection of honour, not vouchsafing beautiful brightness but on the sun, nor fair face but on an honourable personag, willing on this to contenue their wont equality, who bestow all graces alike, not suffering beauty to drowned honour, nor honour to exceed beauty, so that when nature bendeth at my time to the base, it is but to show that she can of infamous make noble, and of base borne beautiful yet notwithstanding, as the Painter generally bestoweth all his best colours on the sweetest simulytudes, so nature most commonly bestoweth her rarest perfections on the roiallest substance, imitating herein the course of the world, where there is abundance, there more shall be bestowed, and he that is pressed with penury, must still be contented to bide the penance.  
So that signor silvius, herein I must deprive you of that you wish for, in that you commend that which only is but probably true, where this Gentlewoman having experience in these dispositions, hath judicially concluded, leaving me a bad scipher to finish up her sentence.  
But for you signor Favellus, who hath entered into the nature of divine creatures, binding women's likings within limits, I must use you and your resolutions as the anthropophagy use their enemies, who fat them then most excessively, when they intend to murder them cruelly, so allowing you a little scope to confirm the plausibility of your wit, I must with the same reasons dissuade by which you confirm, so beating you with your own rod, and mastering you in your own conclusions, Mistress Se●robia must have the day and you the disaster.  
You grow in commendation of Soldiers, in whom what note you but constancy (and that is a virtue) in whom what allow you but value, (and that placed as it ought to be is a black swain) yet who fitteth the fair Cambric with a black stain, and the sweet Amber with the rank Mandrake, shall find he hath but acquainted an Ass with eloquence, & a Blow man with Philosophy.  
Are Soldiers constant (Favellus) it is then in unconstancy? Are Soldiers valiant (Favellus) it is then in extremities, and I think who never doth well before he be urged, his well doing is not praise worthy, for where the action is not freely enterprised, though the success be never so fortunate, the unwilling attempt concludes an unworthy exigent.  
It is a Soldier that you would make a Lady's master, and fair damsels vouchsafe not to accept so base fellows to be their servants, so then in mine opinion we must conclude, that he that will prefix rains to women's fantasies, and would prescribe them limits to keep them within compass, must both bid the repulse of his unjust comparison, and be displaced of judgement when he seeks to conclude that which is infinite.  
A Courtier is a collop of pleasure, which was first bred to feed Ladies with variety, and to suck the Marrow of the youth, and to determine the pleasures of their age.  
A Soldier is no doubt of it reserved to an end, yet that exigent so sequesters them from any liberty of liking, that he who but carries the name for his after commodity, must be glad of the repulse for his unjust title.  
So that now Favellus, I must conclude in beauty's cause, as unjust tyrants in their own overweening, Stat pro ratione voluntas, Beauty's allowance stands for reason: And if I have not concluded well fair Ladies be you judge.  
But Madem Frunces, as you invented the order, so now must I alter my sentence, and as your conclusions were most serious. so will I more severely conclude of your censure.  
You as naturally inclined to maintain a Commonwealth (in that you are a necessary member to multiply) give pheminence to the law maker, and not without reason.  
First he contenueth and increaseth peace, prescribeth and performeth good laws, ye so ordereth all things, that no things can be lawless that is within his reach, nor any thing unlooked to where he may have liberty. But Doctor Furnelius, who can descant on all natures, in colouring the errors of the Lawyer, ciphereth out his own perfections, he will not tell how the Lawyer is a penny Father, how a maintainer of contentions, how like to Aesop's Rite, who while the mouse and the Froge strove together for suprimecie in the Marsh, he denoured them both, and made the sour of their contention the sweat of his pray,  
But he wisely reputes him praise, by that means to employ the excellency of his practice, for (saith he) if the Lawyer be commodious than he that contenueth this commodity must of force be accounted more profitable.  
But if Doctor Furnelius, should remember, that by the operation of his potions, the evil are enabled to more unlawful practices, and the Lawyer being by him recovered, is left to follow his wont exercise, to maintain strife and contention in a state, for the very brabbles and quarrelsome debates that are had amongst fools, is the only credit, reputation, and maintenance of the Lawyer: And therefore (Madam Frances, not to dissemble with you, who hath said so well for them, and not to flatter Master Doctor, who hath alleged so much in his own behalf, I must conclude the Physician to be the most profitable member in a common wealth, for that he many times with his medicines killeth the Lawyer, who, while he lived in health, cousins the poor commonalty of their coin, with his craft.  
So now my fair Ladies, and good Gentlemen the debate may cease: and if it shall please you to sleep upon my verdict, if to morrow you shall not like it, you may reverse it with a writ of error, so you put in good sureties: And we will not trouble the judge with common bail (said Madam Frances) in so serious a cause: yea but Madam (said Simonides) I must put you to your book oath before I admit you: As for that conclusion (said Lady Fraunccs) since it lieth on your courtesy to esteem, I doubt not but you will forbear if you carry a good opinion signor Simonides,  
With these merry greetings, the assembly being broken up, each betook themselves to their lodging, leaving Simonides to the courtesy of Phylautus and his violet, who conducted him to his chamber, and left him to his nights rest after his long travail.  
He thus in a strange soil, and amongst strange people, was troubled with as strange imaginations, first with the felicity of the Island, next of the opulency of the inhabitants, then of the bounty of their repast, thinking in himself, that Euphues praise might well persuade so far, and that England was only fortunate, being so fruitful in all blessings.  
And sleeping on these imaginations, on the morrow at convenient time, he was conducted by Phylautus unto the English court, where he not only received a friendly Bein Venu of Surius, but also a courteous salutation of Madam Camilla.  
And here it were a wonder to write, how his imaginations wrought, comparing Euphues reports, with his own proofs, there saw he as great bravery as might be, as much beauty as was requisite, each subject so sumptuous, that ravished with the imagination of the inferior, he began even then to meditate what might be in the superior, but when the Princess Elizabeth presented herself, in whom finding austere seemliness befitting a Princess, courteous affability to entertain friends, incomparable beauty to allure an enemy: admirable chastity against all assaults of fancies, constant resolutions in wortthy attempts, inestimable dowers of learning without any blemish of arrogancy: he concluded as the Painter did of Venus' proportion, that since these very Principia of her virtues were unspeakable, it were not possible to cipher out the true similitudes of her perfections, nor resemble that by shadows, which relied upon a more than heavenly constellation.  
Thus fared it with Simonides at that instant, as that altogether confounded in his imaginations, he here set up his rest confirming, that if England were as happy for subjects as it was blessed in a Prince, that it might be reported of, as it was of Rome in the time of Cato, that the government was happy by reasons of virtues, but especially blessed in so gracious a governess.  
Hereupon he posted over his wanderpng eyes to more base, yet seemly objects, and taking the view of the beautiful Ladies in Court, in whom beholding such strange and sundry fashions, such imitating of all excess, that was used through Europe, he concluded in his imagination, that either the Ladies bore these patterns in scorn of the abuse, or loath to yield to any country in curiosity, vouchsafed the fashion though they admitted not the vice.  
When he looked into the whole state of Gentlemen, and finding some of the younger sort to be more than half effeminate, light in attire, imitating such newfangles, as are unseamly for men. He varied in his opinion thus much, that either Euphues sought to confirm him by contraries, or English bravery was Napolitan excess, and that both Napolitan and English riot was to be lamented, not commended.  
This befell on Simonides in the overview of the English Court, and thus fared it in his fantasies, so that in himself he began to conclude an opinion, when at the very instant noble Surius with Madamosilla Camilla, with Phylautus in the company, all at one instant came unto him, conducting him unto their mansion house, where Simonides beheld such new bravery as wrought in his mind a new wonder.: The music was so delicate, the meat so dainty, the entertainment so hearty, the service so stately, the servitors so seamly, to conclude every thing was so sumptious, as the glory of the Spanish Court seamed preposterous in comparison.  
Camilla willing to delight the stranger with as great variety as she could, leaving the rest of the company, betook herself to entertain him, began in these terms to commence her discourse.  
Courteous Gentleman, it seemeth me that either you are fed with disdain, or led with some mislike, your behaviour is so melancholic, and your demeanour so miscontent: if ought be here therefore that mislikes you, forbidden it, if any thing that might delight you command, and it shall be had.  
Madam said Simonides, if wonder bread malencholie, I confess myself subject to the humour, the pleasures here be so infinite, as one drowneth an other, & all have relation to one beauty on which they attend, which amongst all the delights that wait on your Court, on mine Honour most contenteth me.  
And if beauty please your affects so much (said Camilla) truly this house is unfortunate only in that pleasure, notwithstanding, such lovely brown as our Courtiers are acostomd to, you may be acquainted with: and your Ladyship may do me great favour in this (said Simonides) whereupon the Lady calling out three of the most beautiefull Damoseles of her train, began to discourse again thus with Simonides.  
Since (noble Spaniard) it is beauty that delighteth you, I have brought you three patturns to employ your cunning on, which shall attend both on your cup and trencher, and supply such simple discourse as their young heads will afford them  
And I madame (answered Simonides) graciously accept your honourable courtesy and their singular favour: whereupon straining each of them gently by the hand he began to discourse with them thus.  
Fair Ladies if all perfection of your minds, be answerable to the habitudes of your bodies, I fear me that neither any climate in Europe, can afford more beautiful nor overlook more wise. Mistress Elida, a Gentlewoman of very quick capacity, and incomparable beauty, answered him thus.  
Gentleman, since so prejudicially you condemn all Eur●pe, and admit of three silly offals of beauty, leaving a whole catalogue of Courtiers unlooked, yet seemeth either you count us meet subjects to work upon, since our imperfections be so many, and the only brown which furthereth your whit in your secret imagenation: which if it be so, you may if it please you go forward in your purpose, and we silly siphers will sit still, while you figure forth your fantisie,  
My fair Maidens (said Simonides) I am neither so corrupt in nature, neither so alinated from good nurture, to say one thing and think an other, nor so sequestered from all good government, as not to conclude with judgement and determine with discretion, if therefore you doubt I alter in any thing, I crave you to yield a reason before repulse, and condemn not without a cause. Thucida the second returned him this answer.  
signor Simonides, if your opinion and thoughts work a like, the end must thus follow, that where you allow so precisely you must love a little, else in contemning that you commend, we shall condemn you in that you plead not guilty.  
And will you bind me (Mistress) to that extremity (said Simonides) truly than the case will go hard, for if it must be concluded, that I must love there where I commend, I should love the white Mercury though deadly poison, I should feed on the glorious Diamond though rank Aconitum, yea, I should by the deeming of mine eye, be domed to mine own destruction: but because it is wisdom to avoid such an error, fair Ladies I must conclude this, that I love you all being beautiful, I honour you being virtuous, and reverence you being wise.  
I but (said Mistress Philida) these colours are not half well shadowed, I must tey you within shorter limits, you love us all you say, sir and we like you, but well I wots three such flees would cumber one bed, and one such Gentleman, would be shrewdly cloyed to manage such a leash of merlines, you must therefore grow to an equality, and allowing one the superiority in beauty, shroud yourself under her favour, so we shall be left to them that list, you aloted to her you love, and the Gentlewoman won by your good like, love him faithfully which esteemeth of her so nobly.  
Simonides, upon the sudden thus tropmed upon, was almost past all help how to recover himself: notwithstanding, trusting unto the plausabilitie of his wit, he concluded all their circumuentions by this pretty delay. It was a custom (fair Ladies) amongst the most renowned Cities both of Asia and Europe, in matters of importance, not to conclude upon the opinion of the Citizens, but to refer the censure to the Oracle of Apollo, whose imitations since I know them necessary, I will now allow of, beseeching you (Mes dames) to give me leave to take counsel of my pillow, and to morrow you shall both hear my resolution, and I doubt not but allow of my choice.  
No sooner had he ended, but Madam Camilla broke up the assembly, so the night drawing on, and the company ready to depart, Phylautus and Simonides, both taking their leave, withdrew them to their Lodging, where Simonides, counselling with his pillow, of that he had seen by day, and remembering himself of his Mistress Clarinda, he broke out into this discourse.  
I see now that the state of the world is strange, and opinions of men uncertain, the pleasures of this life but shadows, and no happiness to a contented mind.  
Have I travailed from Athens to England to be acquainted with virtue? Have I left Athens and sought England to find continent staidness, and neither in Athens nor in England, can I find what I looked for. The sumptuous Buildings of stately Palaces, the gorgeous attire of the Ladies, the noble entertainment of the Gentlemen is to be accounted of, yet the virtue Simonides looked for, being resident in continence, not in excess, I think it more convenient to give England, a worldly commendation, than such great titles of virtue as I can not find here.  
Thou mayest see now Simonides what trust is in uncertain praise, what difference between the name and nature, and since thou hast gathered up all these experiences together, confirm now thyself, return all these benefits to Civil, where acquainted with thy Mistress Clarinda, thou mayst practise the experiments of all places in Civil, and having attained the love thou hast long looked for, satisfy thyself with the remembrance of thy forepast travails: and confirmed by experience cease to dote upon this wicked world to much.  
Upon these resolutions, all delight of over viewing England was ceased, and now at last our travailer bethinks himself of home, and willing to make end of all his sorrows, on the morrow he began to hearken out shipping for Spain, which because it is frequent about London, he was not long a seeking, and pretending presently to be packing, he sent his necessaries aboard, and willing with some honourable adieu, to satisfy all his English friends, he invited them all to a noble Spaniards house within the City, where entertaining them all very royally, and acquainting them with his departure, he gave them all this friendly farewell.  
Noble Surius and courteous Camilla, worthy Phylautus and gracious Madam Frances, Gentlemen and Gentlewomen in general, if for my many courtesies with thankful acceptance, if for noble entertainment with humble requital, Simonides may be answerable to his English friends in any thing, no doubt but his departure would be both pleasant and his return short, but since the English Nobility exceed so much in courtesy that none may come near them, I think it requisite for me only to build upon thanks, assuring you all of this, that if the poor Spaniard, may meet any his English friends in Civil, he will not be ingrate for great humanity. In these and such like terms, giving them his Vltimum vale, they all took their leave, yet very loath of his departure, only Phylautus and his violet accompanied him to the Rial Exchange, where bestowing no small store of Crowns on presents for his Mistress Clarinda, they conducted him to Blackwall, where leaving him to the mercy of the Flood, Phylautus took his leave in these terms.  
Noble Simonides, since thy occasions be such that they make thy departure thus sudden, I can not but be sorry, yet hoping all shall turn to thy avail, I am somewhat satisfied: notwithstanding, this I request thee, that my violet and I may sometimes hear from thee, and if a merry gale blow for England, if thou make a cut over, we will not be unthankful for thy courtesy.  
Simonides overpressed with sorrows, gave Phylautus this short reply.  
Noble Italian, these tears I shed may witness what I mean, many words I can not use for you see what interrupteth me, Simonides is and will be yours: Hereupon embracing Phylautus and his wife, he left them to their pleasures and betook himself to his journey.   

❧ How Simonides shipping for Spain arrived at Civil, and with what fruits his Love concluded.  
LIttle knew the poor Lover how cold his entertainment should be in Civil, for Clarinda both forgetting Simonides himself, and also her own protestation of vowed chastity, after his departure for all her simpering civility, became the married wife of an old doting Citizen called Baldio, a man neither of equality in years to fit her liking, nor shape of person to procure her pleasure, but the only cullis the Miser had to comfort her, were a few rusty Crowns, sealed up in an old bag, which in reason, should not so much prevail to bewitch a fair Lady, but such are the dispositions of women, that like the Weathercock they turn at their pleasures, and like a feather in the wind, they are moved with every breath of persuasion.  
But Simonides ignorant of the sequel, arrived at Civil, the rumour of whose return, was brought to the ears of his father, but Lord how pleasant were these news to the old man, how jocund was the mother, the whole City gave him a friendly welcome: But as every sweet is quickly overlaid with a little sour, and the Sun darkened with a black Cloud, so these delights were as soon crossed, by the unjust disaster of Clarinda the uncourteous. For, Simonides enquiring for his Mistress, was answered how she was married to an old Merchant called Baldio her neighbour, how comfortable these news might be to Simonides, Lovers, I report me to you, do you think he did not take it grievously, yes assure your selves: He forsook all pleasures of the City, and renting in pieces that trash which he had provided for her, he envied thus bitterly against womankind.  
Is this the fruits of Love, O you Heavens, are these the rewards of loyal service, are women's fantasies so fickle, and Ladies troths so uncertain. Oh wicked sex, that under fair white, shrowdest black venom, that under seemly substances, concludest unstable perfections. Cursed Clarinda, thinketh thou thy injustice is not such, as the very blemish staineth all womenhood? Was age more seemly for thy bed then youth? Was loathsomeness in better liking then tried love? Didst thou vow to be chaste, and hast proved dissolute. Canst thou promise fair, and perform so ill. wouldst thou show to be a Saint, and prove a Devil. wouldst thou look demurely, and like dishonestly. Couldst thou simper it with civility, and be bereft of all humanity. Woe is me that gave trust to inconstancy, learned Love on unworthy, showed favour to falsehood, and continued constant to a carrion.  
far was thy nature (Clarinda) from Nobility, that madest no better choice, but it was in despite of Simonides, who in despite of thee will conclude thus, 
Foemina blanditur laqueos parat arma ministrat  
Foemina Cerberum dignè fovere canem.   
In these detestations Simonides finished his love, betaking himself wholly to inveigh against feminine inconstancy, and framing himself to more orderly studies, he concluded the Catastrophe of love with this cautile, beauty is unjust, women inconstant, lovers fools, he most fortunate that can forbear, and blessed that is not burnt.   

The Authors conclusion to the Ladies and Gentlewomen.  
LAdies and Gentlewomen, having brought Simonides to Civil, & hearing his invective against the femine in general, because he found Clarinda only slipper: I altogether displeased with his prejudicial exclamations, began in hot terms to disallow of his unseemly upbraid, he (poor Gentleman) nothing at all discountenaunced by the memory of his misfortunes, gave this answer: It is not the fair damoiselles of England, my friend, nor the glory of that nation, which I comprehend within these limits of reproof, but only our changelings of Civil, for such of your country, would God I had either loved there, or never travailed hither: O blessed England, where Ladies are so learned, Gentlewomen so constant, Virgins so modest, nay all the feminine sex so honourable: they never offend in breach of faith, they never look with unchaste eyes, they never burn in unlawful lust, they never use to commit abuse: Their beauty hath no stain but of nature, their minds are not alinated with pride, their passions grow not on light love, they are not carried with every light persuasion, they are not subject to flattering allurements, they are not faulty in any thing that is licentious or light: they are religious not lose, they are comely, yet constant, they are modest, yet merciful: yea such they be as their honourable actions do only make me allow of their sex, and wish, that either I might be partaker of their graces or the offals of their good qualities, were bestowed on our bravest Spanish Ladies, within this country.  
I being thus persuaded (good Ladies) by this unfeigned report of Simonides, was unwilling to let slip any one jot of praise that tendeth to your preferment, and what Simonides said in Civil, I am ready to avouch it here in London, and if he or I have erred in any thing, I refer me to your own judgements, and conclude with Simonides, that you are the only blessings of this life, the only sweets of the world, and the only paragones', both of Asia, Africa and Europe, and this I set down as an article of my belief, and so Mes dames I commend me to your good graces.   
FINIS.