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The Glaſſe of Gouernment. A tragicall Comedie ſo entituled, bycauſe therein are handled aſwell the rewardes for Vertues, as alſo the puniſhment for Vices. Done by George Gaſcoigne Eſquier. 1575. Bleſſed are they that feare the Lorde, their children ſhalbe as the branches of Oliue trees rounde about their table. Seen and allowed, according to the order appointed in the Queenes maieſties Iniunctions. IMPRINTED at London for C. Barker

The names of the Actors.

Phylopæs and Philocalus

Two parents being nigh neyghbours.

Gnomaticus a Scholemaſter.

Phylautus

Phylomuſus

Sonnes to Phylopæs.

Phyloſarchus

Phylotimus 

Sonnes to Phylocalus.

Seuerus the Markgraue.

Eccho the Paraſyte.

Lamia the Harlot.

Pandarina Aunt to Lamia.

Dick Drumme the Royſter.

Nuntij two Meſſengers.

Onaticus ſeruant to the Schoolemaſter.

Fidus ſeruant to Phylopæs.

Ambidexter ſeruant to Phylocalus.

Chorus four graue Burghers.

The Comedie to be preſented as it were in Antwerpe.

The Argument.

Two riche Citizens of Andwerpe (beeing nighe neighboures, & hauing eche of them two ſonnes of like age) do place them togither with one godly teacher. The ſcholemaſter doth briefly inſtruct them their duetie towardes God, their Prince, their Parents, their cuntrie, and all magiſtrates in the ſame. The eldeſt being yong men of quicke capacitie, do (Parrotte like) very quickly learne the rules without booke: the yonger beeing ſomewhat more dull of vnderſtanding, do yet engraue the ſame within their memories. The elder by allurement of Paraſites and lewde company, beginne to incline themſelues to concupiſcence. The parents (to preuent it) ſende them all togither to the Vniuerſitie of Dowaye, whereas the yonger in ſhort ſpace be (by painefull ſtudie) preferred, that one to be Secretarie vnto the Palſegraue, that other becommeth a famous preacher in Geneua. The eldest (turning to their vomit) take their cariage with them, and trauaile the worlde. That one is apprehended and executed for a robbery (euen in ſight of his brother) in the Palſgraues courte: that other whipped and baniſhed Geneua for fornication: notwithſtanding the earneſt ſute of his brother for his pardon.

The whole Comedie a figure of the rewardes and puniſhmentes of vertues and vices.

The Prologue.

What man hath minde to heare a worthie Ieſt,
Or ſeekes to feede his eye with vayne delight:
That man is much vnmeete to be a gueſt,
At ſuch a feaſte as I prepare this night.
Who liſt laye out ſome pence in ſuch a Marte,
Bellſauage fayre were fitteſt for his purſe,
I lyſt not ſo to misbeſtowe mine arte,
I haue beſt wares, what neede I then ſhewe woorſe?
An Enterlude may make you laugh your fill,
Italian toyes are full of pleaſaunt ſporte:
Playne ſpeache to vſe, if wanton be your wyll,
You may be gone, wyde open ſtandes the porte.
But if you can contented be to heare,
In true diſcourſe howe hygh the vertuous clyme,
Howe low they fall which lyue withouten feare
Of God or man, and much miſpende theyr tyme:
What ryght rewardes a truſtie ſeruaunt earnes,
What ſubtile ſnares theſe Sycophantes can vſe,
Howe ſoone the wiſe ſuch crooked guyles diſcernes,
Then ſtay a whyle: gyue eare vnto my Muſe.
A Comedie, I meane for to preſent,
No Terence phraſe: his tyme and myne are twaine:
The verſe that pleaſde a Romaine raſhe intent,
Myght well offend the godly Preachers vayne.
Deformed ſhewes were then eſteemed muche,
Reformed ſpeeche doth now become vs beſt,
Mens wordes muſte weye and tryed be by touche
Of Gods owne worde, wherein the truth doth reſt.
Content you then (my Lordes) with good intent,
Graue Citizens, you people greate and ſmall,
To ſee your ſelues in Glaſſe of Gouernement:
Beholde raſhe youth, which daungerouſly doth fall
On craggy rockes of ſorrowes nothing ſofte,
When ſober wittes by Vertue clymes alofte.

This worke is compiled vpon theſe ſentences following, ſet downe by mee C. B.

¹Feare God, for he is iuſt.

Loue God, for hee is mercifull.

Truſte in God, for he is faythfull.

²Obey the King, for his aucthoritie is from aboue.

Honor the King, for he is in earth the liuetenant of the moſte hygh God.

Loue the King, for he is thy protector.

³Aduenture thy life in defence and honor of thy cuntrie, for the quarrell is g∞d.

Be not vnthankfull to the ſoyle that hath nuriſhed thée, for it is a damnable thing.

Studie to profite the common wealth, for it is commendable with God and man.

⁴Reuerence the miniſter of God, for his office ſake.

Loue the miniſter that preacheth the Goſpell, for it is the power of God to ſaue thée.

Speake g∞d of the miniſter, for the Goſpelles ſake.

⁵Thinke wel of the magiſtrates, for it pleaſeth god wel.

Be not diſobedient to the magiſtrates, for they are the eies of the King.

Loue the magiſtrates, for they are the bones & ſinowes of the Common wealth.

⁶Honor thy parents, for God hath commaunded it.

Loue thy parents, for they haue care ouer thée.

Be aſſiſting vnto thy parentes with any benefite that God hath indued thée, for it is thy duetie.

⁷Giue place to thine elder, for it is thy prayſe.

Let not a gray head paſſe by thée without a ſalutation.

Take counſell of an elder, for his experience ſake.

⁸Be holie, for thou art the Temple of God.

It is an horrible ſinne to pollute Gods Temple.

The buyers and ſellers were driuen out of the Temple with violence.

In Comœdiam Gaſcoigni, carmen B. C.

Hæc noua, non vetus eſt, Angli comœdia Vatis,
  Christus adest, ſanctos nil niſi ſancta decent.
Græcia vaniloquos genuit, turpesq́ Poetas,
  Vix qui ſyncerè ſcriberet vnus erat.
Id vereor nostro ne poβit dicier æuo,
  Vana precor valeant, vera precor placeant.

A Barker if ye will:
In name, but not in ſkill.

The Glaſſe of Gouernment.

Actus primi Scæna prima.

Phylopaes and Phylocalvs Parentes, Fidvs ſeruaunt to Philopaes. they come in talkinge.

Phylopæs. Svrely Phylocalus I thinke my ſelfe indebted vnto you for this fréendly diſcourſe, and I do not onely agrée with you in opinion, but I moſt earneſtly deſire, that wee may with one aſſente deuiſe which way the ſame may be put in execution, for I delight in your louing neighbourh∞d, and I take ſingular comfort in your graue aduiſe.

Phylocalus. It were not reaſon Phylopæs that hauing ſo many yeares contineued ſo neare neighboures, hauing traffiqued (in maner) one ſelfe ſame trade, hauing ſuſteyned like aduentures, and being bleſſed with like ſucceſſes, we ſhould now in the ende of our time become any leſſe then entiere frendes: and as it is the nature and propertie of frendſhippe to ſéeke alwaies for perpetuity, ſo let vs ſéeke to bring vp our Children in ſuch mutuall ſocietie in their youth, that in age they may no leſſe delight in theyr former felowship, then wée theyr parentes haue taken comfort in our continuall cohabitation. It hath pleaſed Almighty God to bleſſe vs both with competent wealth, and though we haue atteyned therevnto by continuall payns and trauayle, riſing (as it were) from meane eſtate, vnto dignity, yet doe I thinke that it were not amiſſe to bring vp our children with ſuch education as they may excell in knowledge of liberall ſciences, for if we being vnlearned haue by induſtrie heaped vp ſufficient ſtore, not only to ſerue our owne vſe, but further to prouide for our poſterity, then may they by learning aſpire vnto greater promotion, and builde greater matters vppon a better foundation. Neither yet would I haue you conceiue hereby that I am ambicious. But if I be not deceyued, Al deſire of promotion (by vertue) is godly and Lawfull, where as ambition is commonly neſtled in the breſtes of the enuious.

Phylopæs. I am of your opinion Phylocalus, and ſince we haue ech of vs two Sonnes of equall age and ſtature, I would we could be ſo happie as to finde ſome honeſt and carefull ſch∞lemaiſter, who might enſtruct them togither: I ſay honeſt, becauſe in the houſe of the vertuous there is ſeldome any vice permitted, and carefull, becauſe the care of the teacher is of no leſſe conſideration then his ſkill: then do I wiſh him both honeſt and carefull, becauſe the coniunction of two ſuch qualities, may both cauſe the accompliſhment of his dutie, & the contentations of our deſires. Our eldeſt Sonnes are neare the age of xxi. yeares, & our younger Sonnes not much more then one yeare behinde them. So that as they haue hitherto bene thought toward enough at ſuch common ſch∞les as they haue frequented, and therefore wil ſhortly be ready for the vniuerſity, yet would I thinke conuenient that they ſpent ſome time together, with ſome ſuch honeſt and careful Sch∞lemaiſter, who might before theyr departure lay a ſure foundation to their vnderſtanding.

Fidus. Although it becommeth not a ſeruaunt to come vnto his maſters counſell before he be called, yet for that I am no way ignoraunt of your tender cares, which both of you haue alwaies had ouer your children, and alſo for that I do now perceiue the continuaunce of the ſame by this your fatherly conference, I preſume to put my ſelfe forward vpon a dutifull deſire to further ſo godly an enterpriſe. I am a ſeruant, and ſhall ſometimes heare of thinges before my Maiſter, the which I ſpeake, becauſe I can preſently enforme you of ſuch a ſch∞lemaiſter as you both do deſire to finde.

Phylocalus. And who is that, gentle fellowe Fidus?

Fidus. Sir his name is Gnomaticus, he dwelleth in Saint Antlines, a man famous for his learning, of w∞nderfull temperance, and highly eſtéemed for the diligence and carefull payne which he taketh with his Schollers.

Phylopæs. Then can he not be long without entertainment, ſince now a dayes the g∞d wyne néedeth none Iuye garland, and more parentes there are that lacke ſuch Sch∞lemaiſters for their children, then there are to be founde ſuch Sch∞lemayſters which ſéeke and lacke entertainment.

Fidus. Sir you haue reaſon, and therefore (if I were worthy to counſell you, I would entertain him with ſpéed, ſince he came but this other day from the Lord of Barlemontes houſe, whoſe children he hath in ſmall time made excellent Schollers, and now hath diſpatched them to the Vniuerſitie of Doway.

Phylocalus. Doeſt thou know him Fidus? or canſt thou tell where to finde him?

Fidus. Yea Sir, and if it ſo pleaſe my Maiſter and you, I doubt not but to bring him hyther immediatly.

Phylocalus. Surely Phylopæs you ſhall doe well to ſend for him.

Phylopæs. There is no man more deſirous then I, and ſince it ſo lyketh you I am redy to diſpatch it, go thy waies Fidus, and tell Maiſter Gnomaticus, that my neighbour Phylocalus and I deſire to ſpeake with him, and make as much haſt as thou canſt.

Fidus. It ſhalbe done Sir.

Fidus departeth.

Phylopæs. I am not the worſt furniſhed of a ſeruaunt with this g∞d fellow, for though his capacity be not great, yet do I finde him truſtie, and towardes my children he is both louing and carefull.

Philocalus. Then haue you a iewell of him, for I haue one in whom I finde contrary conditions, I am ſeldome out of the dores but at my returne I finde him playing with my Sonnes at ſome vain paſtimes.

Phylopæs. Beware of him then, for ſuch a ſeruant were better payed double wages in your traffique abrode, then allowed barley breade in your ſhoppe at home, ſince nothing is more perillous to ſeduce children or young men, then the conſorte and councell of a lewde ſeruaunt. But is not this my Fidus which returneth ſo quickely? It is, and he bringeth with him a graue perſonage, I hope hée hath found Gnomaticus by the waye.

Fidus commeth in with Gnomaticus and his ſeruant.

Actus primi, Scena ſecunda.

Fidvs, Phylopaes, Phylocalvs, Gnomaticvs, and Onaticvs his Seruaunt.

Fidus. Sir it is to be thought that Almighty God doth loue you, and meaneth to helpe your holly deſire in the g∞d education of your children, for it was my chaunce to méete Maiſter Gnomaticus by the way, who was going towardes the Bowrce to harken of entertainement, and it is not like that he ſhould haue returned from thence vnplaced, wherfore I would wiſh that you let not ſlippe this happie occaſion.

They adreſſe their talke to the Schoolemaiſter.

Phylopæs. Sir we haue ben ſo bolde as to ſend this bearer for you, the cauſe hath procéeded of an earneſt deſire which this worthy man my neighbour and I haue to ſée our children placed with a vertuous enſtructer, and hearing great fame aſwell of your integritie, as alſo of the diligence you haue vſed with the Lord of Barlemontes Children, we are deſirous to entreate you that you will take the like paines with ours, all which ſhalbe recompenſed according to our own demaund: For as there is no iewell ſo deare vnto man, as the ofſpring wherewith it pleaſeth God to bleſſe him, ſo is there no money ſo well ſpent as that which is giuen to a g∞d Sch∞lemaiſter.

Phylocalus. You ſhal vnderſtand ſir that my neighbour here and I haue foure Sonnes, of equall age and ſtature, the eldeſt excéedeth not twenty yeares, and the youngeſt is about ninetéene yeares olde, they haue ben already entred in grammer at ſuch ſch∞les as we haue héere in the City, and if, we be not abuſed by reportes they haue ſhewed themſelues forward enough to take enſtructions: ſo that we are partely perſwaded to ſend them vnto some vniuerſity, and mine opinion is (as I lately declared vnto my neighbour here) that we ſhould do very wel yet to retain them a while longer, vntill they may be perfectly enſtructed by ſome godly teacher, the ſumme of their duty firſt towardes God, then to their Prince, next to their parents, and conſequently aſwell towardes the benefite of their countrey, as alſo how to behaue themſelues to all magiſtrates, and officers in the ſame. In concluſion wherof they may alſo learne what they are of themſelues, and how they may be moſt acceptable both to God and man, and for that we haue hard very g∞d report of your ſkill and alſo of your zeale, we thought g∞d to require that (if you be not otherwiſe already entertained) you would take ſome paynes to enſtructe them in theſe pointes, and the ſame ſhalbe recompenſed and deſerued by meaſure of your owne contentation, as my neighbour Phylopæs hath before profered.

Gnomaticus. Worthy Gentlemen I yéelde you moſte humble thankes for your curteous profers, and I render infinite thankes vnto almighty God that my name hath ben ſo reported vnto you, truly I would be lothe to deſerue any leſſe, then the name of a faithful and diligent teacher, ſo farre forth as it hath pleaſed GOD to endue me with knowledge. Touching your proffer and requeſt, I do moſt willingly embrace the ſame, confeſſing euen ſimply, that it was mine errand to ſéeke ſuch entertainement, hauing of late diſpatched out of my handes, the ſonnes of the Lord of Barlemont towardes the Vniuerſitie of Doway, and if the touch of your zeale be not contrary to the fame which is ſpred of your eſtates, I ſhall thinke my ſelfe wel occupied, in teaching or reading to the children of ſuch worthy men as you are.

Phylopæs. Well then ſir, we will be bold to ſend for the youngmen, to the end that no time be loſt or deferred in beſtowing of them. Fidus, go your waies to our houſes, and bring hether our Sonnes.

Fidus. Moſte willingly ſir I ſhal accompliſh your commaundement.

Gnomati. If it pleaſe you ſir, my ſeruant ſhall aſiſt him.

Phylocalus. It will not be amiſſe to acquaint hym wyth them.

Gnomaticus. Sirha, go with this gentlemans ſeruant, and helpe him to conduct their children hyther.

Onaticus. Well Sir it ſhalbe done.

Actus primi, Scæna tertia.

Phylopaes, Phylocalvs, Gnomaticvs, Phylavtvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylosarcvs, Phylotimvs, Fidvs, and Onaticvs.

Phylopæs. IT ſhall nowe bée our partes to vnderſtand what ſtipend may content you for your paines

Gnomaticus. Sir in that reſpecte take you no care, but let me pray vnto almighty God, that he giue me grace ſo to enſtruct your children, as you may hereafter take comfort in my trauayle, that done, I can no wayes doubt of your beneuolence, ſithens your inward deſire doth already manyfeſtly appeare: and furthermore, I would be lothe to make bargaines in this reſpect, as men do at the market or in other places, for graſing of Oxen or féeding of Cattle, eſpecially ſince I haue to deale with ſuch worthy perſonages as you ſéeme and are reported to be.

Phylocalus. Well, yet Sir we would be glad to recompence you according to your owne demaund, but in token of our ready will to pleaſe you, we ſhall deſire you to take at my handes theſe twenty angels as an earneſt or pledge of our further meaninge, & as I am the firſt that preſume to open my purſe in this occaſion, ſo I beſéech the Father of Heauen that I may not be the laſt which may reioyce to ſée his children proſper, thou knoweſt (O Lord) I meane not hereby my neighbours detriment, but alas, the ſhadow of a mans ſelfe is euer neareſt to him, and as I deſire to be the firſt that may heare of their well doinge, ſo yet if they hearken not diligently vnto your enſtruction, but obſtinately reiect your precepts, then I deſire you, and on Gods behalfe I charge you, that I may yet be the firſt that ſhall thereof be aduertiſed: but behold where they come, theſe two (I thanke the Father of Heauen,) are the tokens of his mercifull bleſſing towardes me, the Eldeſt is named Phyloſarchus, and this younger Phylotimus.

Phylopæs. And theſe t∞ ſir are mine onely children, and God for his mercy graunt that they may be mine onely comfort, the Eldeſt is called Phylautus, and the younger Phylomuſus.

Phylautus. Sir according to your commaundement expreſſed by Fidus I am come hither to know your pleaſure, and haue by warrant of the ſame commiſſion brought with me my Brother Phylomuſus.

Phyloſarchus. And I in like maner Sir haue brought with me my Brother Phylotimus deſiring to knowe your pleaſure, and being ready to obey your commaundement.

Gnomaticus. Surely theſe young men giue none euill hope of their towardnes, and declare by their ſéemely geſture and modeſt boldneſſe to be both of g∞d capacitie, and to haue bene well enſtructed hytherto in humanity.

The Fathers adreſſe their talke to their children.

Phylocalus. The cauſe that we haue ſent for you is to committe you vnto the gouernement of this godly man, whom we haue entreated to take paynes with you and to enſtruct you in some principall poyntes of neceſſary doctrine, to the ende that after you haue ripely diſgeſted the ſame, you may be the more able to go boldely into ſome Vniuerſity, and I for my part do here commit you vnto him, charging you in Gods name (and by the authority which he hath giuen mée ouer you,) to hearken vnto him wyth all attentiueneſſe, and to obey him with all humillity.

Phylopæs. The ſame charge that my neighbour Phylocalus hath here giuen to his children, the ſame I do pronounce vnto you, and furthermore do charge you that you become gentle and curteouſe to each other, humble to your betters, and affable to your inferiours in all reſpectes.

Phylautus. Sir I truſt we ſhall deſerue your fatherly fauour.

Phyloſarchus. And I truſt to deſerue the continuance of your g∞dneſſe.

Phylotus, & Phylomuſus. We hope alſo to immitate the g∞d in all moral examples of vertuous behauiour.

Phylopæs. The Father of Heauen bleſſe you with the bleſſing which it pleaſed him to pronounce vnto Abraham, Iſaac, and Iacob.

Phylocalus. Amen, and now let vs depart, leauing here in your cuſtody the choyce lambes of our flocke, defend them then (for Gods loue) from the rauening, and raging luſtes of the fleſh, and vanities of the world.

Gnomaticus. Sir by Gods power I ſhall do my beſt diligence.

Fidus. My louely Gentlemen, GOD guide you by his grace, and though I be ſomwhat romoued from your dayly company, yet ſpare not to commaund my ſeruice, if at any time it may ſtand you in ſtéede to vſe it.

Phylotus. Gramercy gentle Fidus.

Actus primi, Scena quarta.

Gnomaticvs, Phylavtvs, Phylosarcvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylotimvs, and Onaticvs.

Gnomaticus MY dearely beloued ſchollers, ſince it hath pleaſed your Parentes (as you haue heard) to put mée in truſt with you for a time, it ſhall not be amiſſe before I enter further in enſtruction, to knowe how farre you haue already procéeded in learning, that therevpon I may the better determine what trade or Methode ſhalbe moſt conuenient to vſe in teaching of you: tell me therefore what you haue redde, and in what maner the ſame hath bene deliuered vnto you?

Phylautus. Sir, my Brother here, and I haue bene taught firſt the rules of the grammer, after that wée had read vnto vs the familiar comunications called the Colloquia of Eraſmus, and next to that the offices of Cicero, that was our laſt exerciſe.

Gnomaticus. It hath bene well done, & haue you not alſo ben taught to verſify?

Phylautus. Yes truly ſir, we haue therein bene (in maner) dayly enſtructed.

Gnomaticus. And you Phyloſarchus: how haue you paſſed your time?

Phyloſarchus. Sir: my Brother and I haue alſo bene taught our grammer and to make a verſe, we haue redde certaine Comedies of Terence, certaine Epiſtles of Tully, and ſome parte of Virgill, we were alſo entred into our gréeke grammer,

Gnomaticus. Surely it ſéemeth you haue not hytherto loſt your time, and the order of your enſtruction hath bene ſuch, that you might preſently be able to take further procéedinges in an Vniuerſity, ſo that it ſhould be (vnto me) but labour loſt to ſtand ſtill vpon thoſe pointes, ſince it ſéemeth that you haue bin therein perfectly grounded: neuertheleſſe wée will continue the exerciſe of the ſame, and wée will therevnto ioyne ſuch holeſome preceptes, as may become a rule and Squire, wherby the reſt of your lyfe and actions may be guyded. For although Tully in his b∞ke of dewtyes doth teach ſundry vertuouſe preceptes, and out of Terence may alſo be gathered many morall enſtructions amongſt the reſt of his wanton diſcourſes, yet the true chriſtian muſt direct his ſteppes by the infallible rule of Gods w∞rd, from whence as from the hedde ſpring, he is to drawe the whole courſe of his lyfe. I would not haue you thinke hereby that I do holde in contempt the b∞kes which you haue redde heretofore, but wée will (by Gods grace) take in aſſiſtance ſuch and ſo many of them as may ſéeme conſonant to the holy ſcriptures, and ſo ioyning the one with the other, we ſhalbe the better able to bring our worke vnto perfection. ⁹Sirha go you to my lodging, & cauſe (in the meane tyme) both bedding, and dyet to be prouided for theſe young men, that I may ſée them vſed according to my charge in euery reſpect.

Onaticus. Well Sir it ſhalbe done with diligence.

Gnomaticus. Now let vs in the holy name of God begin, and he for his mercy geue me grace to vtter, and you to diſgeſt ſuch holeſome leſſons as may be for the ſaluation of your ſoules, the comfort of your lyfe, and the profitte of your Countrey.

   You ſhall well vnderſtand my well beloued ſchollers, that as God is the author of all g∞dneſſe, ſo is it requiſite that in all traditions and Morall preceptes we begin firſte to conſider of him, to regard his maieſtie, and ſearch the ſoueraigne poyntes of his Godhead. The Heathen Philoſophers (although they had not the light to vnderſtand perfect trueth) were yet all of them aſtonyed at the incomprehenſible maieſty and power of God, ſome of them thought the ayre to be God, ſome other the earth, ſome the infiniteneſſe of things, ſome one thing, ſome another, whoſe opinions I ſhall paſſe ouer as thinges vnméete to be much thought of, but by the way, the opinion of Plato is not vnworthy here to bee recited vnto you, who taught plainely that god was omnipotent, by whom the world was made, and al thinges therein created and brought vnto ſuch perfection as they be in. Xenophon affirmed that the true God was inuiſible, and that therefore we ought not enquire what or what maner of thing God is. Ariſto the Stoicke, affirmed lykewyſe that God was incomprehenſible. To conclude, Simonides being demaunded what God was, required one dayes reſpect to anſwer, and then being again demaunded the ſame queſtion, he required two dayes reſpet, at the third apointment of his anſwere, he came & required thrée dayes, and being demaunded wherefore he did ſo breake his apointments, and require alwayes further time, he aunſwered, that the more déepely that he did conſider the matter, the more infinite he found it, and therefore remained alwaies aſtonyed what to anſwere, and always craued further time. Truly to leaue y^e heathen opinions and to come vnto the very toucheſtone I thinke it not amiſſe if we content our ſelues to thinke that God is omnipotent, and yet his power vnſearchable, and his g∞dnes vnſpeakable. And to be briefe, I wil deliuer vnto you the ſumme of your dutyes in foure Chapters, the firſt chapiter ſhalbe of God and his miniſters, the ſecond of the King and his Officers, the third ſhall conteyne the duties that you owe vnto your Countrey and the Elders thereof, and laſtly you ſhalbe put in remembraunce of your dutyes towardes your Parentes, and what you ought to be of your ſelues. In theſe foure chapters I truſt (by Gods help) to enclude as much as ſhalbe neceſſary for the perfect gouernment of a true Chriſtian.

Phylomus. Sir wée beſeech you that for as much as this order of teaching is both very compendious, & alſo much different from the lectures which haue bene redde vnto vs, you will therefore vouchſafe to ſtand ſomwhat the more vppon euery point, to the end, that aſwell your meaning may be perſpicuous, as alſo that we may the better beare away the ſame, and not onely learne it without the b∞ke, but alſo engraue it in our mindes.

Gnomaticus. Your requeſt is reaſonable, and it ſhalbe by mée as readyly graunted, as it hath bene by you neceſſarily required. Your firſt chapter and leſſon ſhall then be, that in all your actions you haue an eſpeciall eye and regard to almighty God, and in that conſideration I commend vnto your memory, firſt God himſelfe, and ſecondarily his miniſters. As touching your duties vnto God him ſelf, although they be infinite, yet ſhall we ſufficiently conteine them in thrée eſpeciall poynts to be perfourmed: that is to ſay, Feare, Loue, & Truſt. And firſt to begin with feare, it ſhalbe neceſſary and aboue all thinges your bounden duty, to feare God and his omnipoten power. Linus that auncient Poet wryteth, that with God all thinges are eaſie to be accompliſhed, and nothing is vnpoſſible. Tully in his Oration Pro Roſcio amerino ſaith, that the commodityes which wée vſe, the light which we enioy, and the breath which we haue and drawe, are giuen and beſtowed vppon vs by God: then if with God all thinges be poſſible (according to Linus) he is to be feared, ſithens the leaſt part of his diſpleaſure being prouoked, the greateſt part of his will is to him right eaſie to accompliſh: and if we haue our light, our lyfe, and all commodities of his gift (as Cicero affirmeth) then is hée to be feared, leaſt with the facillity of his omnipotency he take away as faſt as he gaue, or turne light into darknes, life into death, and commodities into diſcommodities. I might recite you many heathen authorities, but it is moſt néedleſſe, ſince y^e very word of God himſelf, is moſt plaine in this behalfe, and yet I haue here ſet downe theſe fewe, becauſe they are not repugnant to holy Scriptures. Wée finde written in the xx. chapter of Exodus, that God is a Ielous God, and doth viſit the ſinnes of the Fathers vppon the children vnto the third and fourth generation. Feare him then for he is moſt mightie. Againe: who ſhall defend me (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) vntill thine anger be paſt? Feare God then, ſince againſt his power no defence preuayleth. Again, both the heauens and the earth obay the voice of his mouth. Feare him then for al thinges are ſubiect vnto his mighty power.

  And yet with this feare you muſt alſo ioyne loue, for it is not with God as it is with Princes of the worlde, which to make themſelues feared do become Tyrantes, but ¹⁰the g∞dnes of almighty God is ſuch, that he deſireth no leſſe to be loued, then he deſerueth to be feared, and though his might and power be vniuerſall, and therewithall his Ielouſie great, and his diſpleaſure ſ∞n prouoked, yet delighteth he not in the diſtruction of mankind, but rather that a ſinner ſhould turne from his wickednes and liue. Tully in his ſecond b∞ke de legibus ſaith, that God being Lord of al things doth deſerue beſt of mankind, bicauſe he beholdeth what euery man is, and with what deuotion he worſhippeth the Gods, and kéepeth an accompt aſwell of the g∞d as the badde: whereby appeareth that the heathen confeſſed yet that the Gods were to be loued, bycauſe they cared for mankind, and truly that opinion is neither contrary to Gods word, nor diſſonant to naturall reaſon. For wée ſée by common experience that we loue them beſt of whom we are moſt fauoured, & haue receiued greateſt benefits. I meane hereby thoſe that rule their doinges by reaſon, for otherwyſe wée ſée dayly wicked men, which (forgetting their duty) do leaſt loue wher they haue moſt cauſe. When I my ſelfe was a ſcholler in the Vniuerſity, I remember that I did often tymes defend in Sch∞les this propoſition. Ingratitudo (tam verſus Deos immortales quam apud homines) peccatum maximum. Ingratitude is the greateſt faulte that may be either towards god or man. Let vs conſider the g∞dnes of almighty God, who firſt created vs to his owne Image and ſimilitude, indued vs with reaſon and knowledge, preſerued vs from innumerable perilles, and prouided thinges neceſſary for our ſuſtentation, and to conſider more inwardly the excéeding loue which he bare towardes mankinde, he ſpared not his onely begotten Sonne, but gaue him (euen vnto the death of the croſſe) for our redemption. Oh what minde were able to conceaue, or what tongue able to vtter the loue and g∞dnes of almighty God towardes mankinde? And ſince his loue towardes vs, hath bene and yet doth continue infinite, our loue ſhould alſo be infinite, to render him thanks for his g∞dnes. But though the cauſes be infinite which might bind vs to loue GOD, yet is there no cauſe greater then the manifolde mercyes which he hath ſhewed alwayes to mankind. In the firſt age when iniquity kindled his wrath to deſtroy the whole world, he yet vouchſafed to preſerue Noe and his family, Loue him then ſince he preſerueth the g∞d, though it be but for his mercyes ſake. When the people of Iſraell prouoked him at ſundry times, he did yet at euery ſubmiſſion ſtay his hand from puniſhment, Loue God then ſince he is ready to forgiue, and though he pronounceth his Ielouſie in the twentith of Exodus ſaying, that he viſiteth the ſinns of the Fathers vppon the children, vnto the third and fourth generation, yet ther withal he addeth, that he ſheweth mercy vnto thouſandes in them that loue him and kéepe his commaundementes. Loue him then ſince his mercy is ouer all his works. To conclude, when his vnſearchable Maieſtie by his diuine foreſight did perceyue, that by the very ſentence of the Lawe we ſt∞de all in ſtate of condemnation, he ſent down his owne and only Sonne, to be ſlaundered, buffeted, and crucified for our ſinnes, to the ende that all which beléeue in him, ſhould not periſh but haue lfie euerlaſting. Loue God then ſince mercy is aboundant with him, and he ſhall redéeme Iſraell from all his iniquities.

 And héere vnto this feare and loue you muſt ioyne a ſure truſt and confidence.¹¹ The promiſes of mortall men are often times vncertaine, and do fayle, but the promiſes of the Almighty are vnfallible. For the wordes of his mouth returne not voyd and without effect. Tully in his offices doth vſe great arte in declaration what ſortes of promiſes are to be obſerued, and which may be broken. But the diuine prouidence and foreſight doth promiſe nothing but that which he will moſt aſſuredly performe. ¹²When he promiſed vnto Abraham that Sara his wyfe ſhould beare him a childe, Sara laughed bycauſe ſhe was then foure ſcore & ten yeres olde, but the almighty remembred his couenant. Truſt in him then for his w∞rds ſhall neuer fayle. When he promiſed Moyſes to conduct his people through the deſertes, they began to doubt and murmure, ſaying: would God that we had dyed in the land of Ægypt or in this wilderneſſe &c.¹³ and the lord was angry, but yet remembring his promiſe, at the humble petition of Moyſes he perfourmed it. Truſt in God therefore, ſince no diſpleaſure can make him alter his determination, he perfourmed his holy promyſe in Iſmaell,¹⁴ although we read not that he praied vnto God therefore. I would not haue you think hereby that I condemne or contemne prayer, ſince it is the very meane to talke with God, but I meane thereby to proue, that God is moſt iuſt and faithfull in all his promiſes, and by repeticion I ſay, Feare God for he is mighty, loue God for he is mercifull, and truſt in God for he is faithfull & iuſt. Herewithall you muſt alſo learne to performe duty towardes the ſeruaunts and miniſters of God.¹⁵ For as you ſhall onely be ſaued by hym, and by cleauing to him in all your actions, ſo yet are hys miniſters the meane & inſtruments of your ſaluation, and do (as it were) leade you by the hand through the waues of this world vnto eternall felicity, vnto whom you ſhall owe thrée ſeueral duties, that is to ſay, Audience, Reuerence, and Loue. The Children of Iſraell by harkening to Moyſes, and Aaron, were not only enſtructed and taught their dutyes, but were (as it were) made at one with God when they had at any time purchaſed his heauy diſpleaſure. ¹⁶By harkning vnto Phyllip the Apoſtle, the Enuch was conuerted. By harkning vnto Peter, Cornelius y^e captain was confirmed & ſtrengthned in the faith. By harkning vnto Paule and Sylas, Lidia, and the gaylour of Phylippos were baptiſed,¹⁷ the holy ſcriptures are full of examples to proue this propoſition. ¹⁸Harken you therfore vnto the miniſters of God, for they are ſent to enſtruct you, ſo ſhall it alſo become you to do them reuerence in al places, remembring that as he which ſent them is in all thinges to be honoured, ſo are they to be had in reuerence for their office ſake. Such was the zeale of Cornelius the Captaine, that he fell downe proſtrate at ¹⁹Peters féete when he entered into his houſe, the which though Peter refuſed ſaying that he was alſo mortall, yet did it ſignifie vnto vs, that the miniſters of God cannot bée t∞ much reuerenced. The Prieſtes in the olde Teſtament were exempt from tributes and impoſitions, they were not conſtrained to go into the battaile, they were prouided for ſuſtenance and all thinges conuenient, and the people were commaunded to do them reuerence. ²⁰Do you likewiſe reuerence vnto Gods miniſters in al places, for it ſhal become you well. So ſhall you alſo loue them bycauſe they preach the goſpel of him which hath power to ſaue you. If the ſenſual apetite of man be ſuch as engendreth affection towards the handmaide bicauſe ſhe is of familiar conuerſation with the Miſtris: or bréedeth loue towards them which are in office with Princes, bycauſe they may alſo procure vs fauour: how much more ought the mindes of men to be kindled with loue towardes the miniſters of God, which enſtructe vs diligently, miniſter vnto vs painfully, and pray for vs faithfully? yea how much are we bound to loue them,²¹ which by their holſome preceptes do make vs worthy (through Gods mercy) of his holy loue and fauour. To conclude this chapter, you ſhall feare God for his might, loue him for his mercyes, and truſt in him for he is faithfull. You ſhall alſo harken vnto his miniſters bycauſe they are ſent of God, you ſhall do them reuerence becauſe it becometh you, and for their office ſake, and you ſhal loue them bycauſe they feede you with the breade of lyfe. And this I thinke ſufficient for explanation of this firſt chapter at this time.

Onaticus. Sir I haue done as you commaunded, and there is meate redy for your dinner, if it pleaſe you that it be ſette on the table.

Gnomaticus. Well we wil then defer the reſt of our labour vntill dinner be paſt, go we togither, for I thinke it tyme.

Phyloſarcus. We followe when it pleaſeth you.

They depart.

Actus primi, Scœna quinta.

Lamia, Eccho, Pandarina, and Dick Droom.

Lamia. Come on my g∞d friendes, for were not your frendly help, I could rather content my ſelf to be buryed in my flowing yeares, then to liue in ſuch a miſerable and preciſe world as this is, Oh what Superfineſſe are we now grown vnto? a gentlewoman may not now adaies ſéeme to ſpeak to her frende at the dore paſſing by, ſhe may not l∞ke at him in the window, ſhe may not kiſſe him if ſhe méete him as a ſtraunger, nor receyue his letters or preſentes, but euery pratling miniſter will record it in the pulpit.

Eccho. In déed faire Lady Lamia, they are both t∞ curious and t∞ much ſuſpicious, for if they do but ſée two in bedde togyther, they will ſay that it was for to committe ſome wickedneſſe, fye fye vpon ſuch tongues.

Lamia. Ha ha, by my troth Eccho wel ſaid, but by your leaue, let maſter miniſter tattle what he will, for I will take my frendes preſent when it commeth, and ſhall I tell you? if I could haue bene contented to be ſo ſhutte vp from ſight and ſpéech of ſuch as like me, I might haue liued gallantly and well prouided with my mother, who (though I ſay it) is a g∞d old Lady in Valentia, but when I ſawe that I muſt weare my g∞d apparell alwayes within d∞res, and that I muſt paſſe ouer my meales without company, I truſſed vp my Iewelles in a caſket, and (being accompanyed with my g∞d Aunte here) I bad Valentia farewell, for I had rather make hard ſhifte to liue at lyberty, then enioy great riches in ſuch a kind of empriſonment.

Eccho. A g∞d Aunt in déede, I would I had ſuch an Vncle.

Pandarina. Content your ſelfe niece, it were now but folly to ſpend time in b∞teleſſe complaints, nor to lament the thing which may not be remedied, you muſt rather learne the way that may maintaine your eſtate, for beauty will not alwayes laſt, and if you prouide not in youth, you may be aſſured to begge in age, take example at me, I tell you I thought my halfepeny g∞d ſiluer within theſe few yeares paſt, and now no man eſtéemeth me vnleſſe it be for counſell.

Dicke. Counſell quoth you? mary ſir and g∞d counſell is much worth now adayes.

Lamia. I pray you Aunt ſince you are ſo g∞d a councellour, giue me ſome aduiſe how to behaue my ſelfe.

Pandarina. As for that another time ſhall ſerue betwéen you and mée.

Eccho. Why, and ſhall I be caſt vp for a hobler then? I am ſure I was neuer yet vntruſty to any of you both.

Dicke. Well Ladyes, and if you l∞ke well vppon the matter, I think that I am as worthy as one to be of counſell, well I wot if any gentleman offer you the leaſt parte of iniury, then Dicke muſt be ſent for to ſweare out the matter, Dicke muſt byde all brontes, and therfore it were not amiſſe that he were of counſel in all your conferences.

Lamia. By myne honeſty Aunt to confeſſe a troth, both theſe are our very approued fréendes, & therfore you may be bolde to ſpeake your minde before them.

Pandarina. Well content then, I will tell you mine opinion, you take not the way to liue, you are t∞ much ſubiect to your paſſion, for if you chance to be acquainted with a gentleman that is in déed courtlike and of g∞d deſertes, you become ſtraight way more deſirous of him, then he is of you, and ſo farre you dote vpon him, that you do not only ſequeſter your ſelfe from all other company, but alſo you become ſo franke harted, that you ſuffer him not to beſtow vpon you any more then is neceſſary for preſent vſe, yea haſſilw∞d, I pray you learne theſe thrée pointes of me to gouerne your ſteppes by. Firſt Truſt noman how faire ſo euer he ſpeake, next Reiect no man (that hath ought) how euil fauored ſo euer he be. ²²And laſtely Loue no man longer then he geueth, ſince lyberall gyfts are the glewe of euerduring loue.

Eccho. O noble Dame, why were not you mother of the maydes vnto the Quéene of Hungary? by the fayth of a true Burgondyan you had wrong, for you well deſerued the place.

Dyck. I warrant you if the King our maſter had ſtore of daughters, ſuch a matrone could not liue vnknowen, but was it not therfore (thinke you) that ambaſſadours were ſent this other day to the old Ducheſſe?

Lamia. Well Aunt, I were worthy of great reprehenſion, if I would reiect the good documents of ſuch a frende, and if I haue heretofore done contrary, impute it to my youth, but be you ſure that hereafter I will endeuour my ſelfe to follow your precepts.

Eccho. And I fayre Lady will ſtande you in ſome ſtead, to driue byrdes to the Net. If I be not much deceyued, I ſaw a froſty bearded ſcholemaſter inſtructing of four luſty young men erewhyle as we came in, but if my iudgement do not fayle me, I may chaunce to read ſome of them another lecture.

Dyck. Tuſh, what needeth ſuch open talke here in the ſtreate? let vs go to the Lady Pandarinaes houſe, and there we may deuiſe at better commodity vpon theſe cauſes.

Lamia. He ſpeaketh reaſon, let vs go Aunt, for it is not meete that euery dancer heare our muſike before the maſkers be ready.

Pandarina. Well, I ſayde ſo at the firſt, but when you wyll, let vs departe.

They depart to their howſes.

The first Chorus.

When God ordeynd the reſtleſſe life of man,
And made him thrall to ſundry greeuous cares:
The firſt borne griefe or Sorow that began,
To ſhew it ſelf, was this: to ſaue from ſnares
The pleaſant pledge, which God for vs prepares.
I meane the ſéede, and ofſpring that he giues,
To any wight which in this world here lyues.

   Few ſee themſelues, but each man ſéeth his chylde,
Such care for them, as care not for themſelfe,
We care for them, in youth when witte is wilde,
We care for them, in age to gather pelf:
We care for them, to kéepe them from the ſhelf
Of ſuch quicke ſands, as we our ſelues firſt founde,
When headdy will, dyd ſett our ſhippes on grounde.

   The care which Chriſt dyd take to ſaue his ſheepe,
Hath bene compard, to fathers care on child,
And as the hen, her harmles chicks can keepe
From cruell kyte: ſo muſt the father ſhylde
His youthfull Sonnes, that they be not beguylde.
By wicked world, by fleſhly foule deſire,
Which ſerue the deuill, with Fewell for his fire.

   Fyrſt parentes care, to bring their children forth,
To breede them then, to bring them vp in youth,
To match them eke, with wightes of greateſt worth,
To ſee them taught, the truſty tracks of trueth:
To barre exceſſe, from whence all ſin enſueth.
And yet to geue, enough for common néede,
Leaſt lothſome lacke make vice for vertue breede.

   Let ſhame of ſinne, thy Childrens bridle be,
And ſpurre them f∞rth, with bounty wyſely vſed:
That difference, each man may plainly ſée,
Twéene parentes care, and maiſters bodes abuſed:
So Terence taught, whoſe lore is not refuſed.
But yet where youth is prone to follow ill,
There ſpare the ſpurre, and vſe the brydell ſtill.

Thus infinite, the cares of Parentes are.
Some care to ſaue their children from myſhappe,
Some care for welth, and ſome for honours care,
Whereby their Sonnes may ſitte in fortunes lappe:
Yet they which cram them ſo with worldly pappe,
And neuer care, to geue them heauenly crommes,
Shall ſee them ſterue, when happe of hunger comes.

Said Socrates: that man which careth more
To leaue his chyld, much good and rych of rent:
Then he forſeeth, to furniſh him with ſtore
Of vertues welth, which neuer can be ſpent:
Shall make him lyke, the ſteed that ſtyll is pent
In ſtable cloſe: which may be fayre in ſight.
But ſeldome ſerues, ſuch horſe in field to fight.

So Xenophon, his fréend Dan Tully told,
And ſo do here, Phylopæs and his pheare
Phylocalus, that ſelfe ſame leſſon hold:
They rather loue to leaue their ſonnes in feare
Of God aboue: then wealth to wallow heare.
Which godly care, (O God) ſo deigne to bliſſe,
That men may ſée how great thy glory is.

Finis, Actus primus.

Actus ſecundi. Scœna prima.

Gnomaticvs, Phylavtvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylosarcvs, and Phylotimvs.

Gnomaticus. MY well beloued, as tyme is the greateſt treaſure which man may here on earth receiue, ſo let vs not leeſe time, but rather ſéeke ſo to beſtowe the ſame, that profitte may thereof be gathered. I will nowe return to enſtruct you what dutyes you owe vnto the King, whoſe place is next vnto Gods place in conſideration of your duty. And as I haue taught you thrée principall poyntes in ſeruice of God almighty, ſo will I alſo conuey into thrée pointes, as much as ſhalbe neceſſary for this tradition: for I feare leaſt I haue bene ouer longe in my firſt deuiſion, but I was drawne thervnto by the requeſt which you made of your ſelues, and therefore beare with me.

Phylotus. Sir our deſire is ſuch, to beare away perfectly your enſtruction, that your prolixity ſéemeth vnto vs very compendious.

Gnomaticus. Well then to return vnto the matter, you ſhall performe vnto the King thrée eſpecial dutyes, that is to ſay: Honour, Obedience, and Loue. Hypodamus in his b∞ke of a common welth, ſaith that a kingdome is a thing compared to the imitation of gods power. Diotogenes the ſcholler of Pytagoras in his b∞ke of gouernment, ſaith that a king repreſenteth the figure of God amongſt men. Lykewiſe he ſayth, that as god excelleth the moſt perfect things of nature, ſo the king excelleth amongſt men and worldly matters: ſo that he is to bee honored as the lieutenant of God here vpon earth, both becauſe he hath power of commaundement, and chiefly becauſe he repreſenteth that heauenly King, who is king of kinges, and aboue all Kynges to be honoured: Euen ſo is hee alſo to bee obayed in all ſeculer conſtitutions and pollitike prouiſions. This obedience doth conſequently follow honoure, as the ſhadow folowes the body, for whatſoeuer he be that gyueth vnto his king that honor which to him apperteineth, will (no doubt) lykewiſe obay him with all humilitie. Eraſmus teacheth in his Apothegmes, that obedience expelleth al ſedition & maynteyneth concorde: the which may alſo appeare by naturall reaſon and common experience, neyther ſhall they euer become able to beare rule them ſelues, whiche cannot bee content to obay the aucthoritie of others. Wherfore it ſhal be moſt conuenient that you obay the King, ſynce his aucthoritie is from god, & as this obedience dependeth vpon the honour wherewith ye ſhall reuerence the King as Gods lieutenant, ſo muſt you alſo ioyne therunto an vnfayned loue, for as almightye God is to be loued becauſe hee is mercifull: ſo the King beeing apoynted by God muſte be loued bycauſe he is thy pretector heere on earth. Salamon ſayth, that the kings indignation is the meſſenger of death, whereby I would frame myne argument from the contrarye, that hee is to be loued, leaſt his indignation being iuſtly kindled, thou bee not able to beare it. Next vnto the king we are to conſider the Magiſtrates which are appoynted for adminiſtration of iuſtice, and pollityke gouerment: theſe Magiſtrates muſt alſo bee honoured, obeyed, & loued: honored becauſe they are y^e ſubſtituts of y^e king vnto whom all honour (on earth) apperteyneth, obeyed becauſe theyr office is appointed by the Kings aucthoritie, and loued becauſe they are the graue and expert perſonages, which deuiſe lawes and conſtitutions for continuaunce of peace and tranquillitie. The apoſtle Paule in his xiii. chapter of his Epiſtle to the Romaines, teacheth playnely, that Rulers beare not the ſworde in vaine, ſaying: Let euerie ſoule be ſubiect vnto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God. Againe, the ruler (ſayth he) doth not beare the ſworde in vayne. Wherefore you muſt néedes be ſubiect, not onelye for feare, but alſo for conſcience. And Sanct Peter in hys fyrſt Epiſtle and the ſeconde chapiter, doth ſufficientlie teach vs this point, ſaying: Submit your ſelfe vnto all manner ordinaunce of man for the Lordes ſake, whether it bee vnto the king as hauing the preheminence, or vnto the rulers as vnto them that are ſent of him for the puniſhment of euill dooers, but for the laude of them that do well. Whereby appeareth, that the magiſtrates are not onely to be feared, becauſe they punyſh offenders, but alſo to be loued becauſe they cheriſh the verteous: and for concluſion of this poynt, if you deſire to be good men, then learne to performe duety towardes all magiſtrates. As Sophocles, well ſayde, it becommeth a good man to haue due reſpect vnto all magiſtrates. I might nowe take your Parentes in hande, for the next pointe of your enſtruction but I will firſt touch the duety which you owe vnto your countrye, and that is conteyned alſo in three eſpecial pointes: that is to ſaye, in Thankefulneſſe, Defence, and Proffit. And as ingratitude is the moſt heinous offence againſt God, ſo haue I taught you that it is the greateſt faulte in humayne actions, amongſt the which it ſheweth it ſelfe no way more vntollerable, then if you ſhoulde happen to bee vnthankefull vnto your country. Tully in his offices ſayth, that wee are not borne onely for our owne perticuler cauſe or profit, but parte (ſayth he) our cuntrey challengeth, parte our Parentes think due vnto them, and our friendes ought lykewiſe to enioye ſome parte of our trauailes. There are dyuers Philoſophers, whiche maynteyne in argument that all cuntryes are frée for a noble mynde, and I agrée thereunto, but yet thereby they conclude not, that a noble minde by chuſing a new cuntrey to enhabit, maye lawfully forgett the cuntrey wherein hee was natiue. Zopirus is condempned in all hiſtories, for the vnthankefulnes he vſed in betraying his cuntrey. The truth of the Troyan hiſtorie accuſeth Aeneas, Antenor, & certeyne others, as moſt vnthankefull traytors to theyr cuntrey. Cillicon for betraying of Miletus, Laſthenes for deliuering of Olinthus, Nilo for ſelling of Epirus, and Apollonius for neglecting of his charge in Samos, are generally noted with the names of vnthankeful and vntruſtie traytors to theyr cuntreyes: ſo that you muſt alwayes remember to become thankefull to your cuntrey, and myndefull to maynteyne the honor of the ſame, leaſt neglecting your dueties in that behalfe, you deſerue the oprobrious names of traytors, which are odius to God and man. You muſte alſo ſpare no peril or trauaile to defende the ſame, for your countrey challengeth not onely that you be thankfull vnto the ſoyle which hath bredde you, but furder alſo, that you defende the ſtate, wherein you haue béene nouriſhed. Tully, in his Tuſculanes queſtions recyteth one Laſcæna, who when he receiued tydings of his ſonnes death, whom he had ſent into the warres in defence of hys countrey, anſwered: therefore did I beget him (quoth hee) that hee might be ſuch an one, as woulde not doubt to dye for hys countrey. In his b∞ke entytuled the dreame of Sipio, he affirmeth that there is a certaine place appointed and ordeined in heauen, for all ſuch as defende their countrey. Euripides warneth that we ſhoulde neuer bee wearye in thoſe trauailes, which tende to the reſtitution or defence of our countrey. Platoes opinion was, that wee are more bound to defend our countrey, then our own Parents. Like argumentes haue béene defended by many Phyloſophers, ſaying, that although thy Parentes and proper family be ouerthrowne, yet (the common welth of thy cuntrey ſtanding) thou mayſt floriſhe and ryſe againe: but the ſtate of thy countrey being ouerthrowne, both thou and thy Parentes muſt lykewiſe come to vtter ſubuertion. Then as thou ſhalt fynde it thy bounden duety to honor thy country with all gratitude, and to defende it with all thy power, ſo muſt thou likewiſe endeuor thy ſelfe to be profitable to the ſame: whereof many notable examples might be reherſed. Lycurgus, when he had by extréeme dilligence and trauayle reduced the Spartanes vnto cyuillytie, by ſundrie holſome lawes and pollityke conſtitutions, and that they began to murmure, ſaying: that his lawes were vntollerable, hée feyned that he woulde go to Delphos, to conſulte with the God Apollo, whether his lawes were to be obſerued or not promiſing to abide his ſentence, & requiring no more of the Lacedemonianes, but to ſweare y^t they would obſerue thoſe lawes vntill his retourne: which when they had ſolemly ſworne, t∞ke his iurney without entente to returne home againe, and ordeyned before his death, to be encloſed in a great cheeſt of Lead, and ſo to be throwen into the ſea, to the ende that hée neuer retourning, the Laucedemonians might be bound by theyr othe to continue the exerciſe of his profitable lawes, ſuche care he had to become profitable vnto his countrey. Curtius the Romayne, when there apeared a greate gulfe in the market place, whiche could by no meanes be ſtopped, and anſwere was géeuen from the Oracle, that it was onely to bee ſtopped by that which was of moſte worth vnto the citye of Roome, he déeming that the cittie had nothing ſo precious, as ſtoute & valyant men, armed him ſelfe, and leapte into the Gulfe, which ſtopped immediatly: declaring thereby, howe lyght men ought to eſtéeme theire life, when as the ſame maye yelde profitte or commoditie to theyr countrey. Menecius, the Sonne of Cræon, refuſed not voluntary death, when he vnderſt∞de that the ſame might redéeme the citye of Thebes from vtter ſubuerſion. I might trouble you with infinite ſtories to proue this propoſition, but let theſe few ſuffice, and in your countrie haue allways eſpeciall reſpecte to the elders, to whom you muſt alſo performe thrée ſeuerall deuties: that is, Reverence, Loue, and Defence. Lycurgus, ordeyned, that no young man ſhould paſſe by an elder without reuerence fyrſte doone vnto him, namelie if he were ſet, he roſe to do reuerence vnto the elders, and if they were alone, he was bound to proffer them the comfort of his company. Plato, in his nynth dyalogue of lawes and conſtitucions doth thus propound: al men muſt grant (ſayth he) that age is much to be preferred before youth, aſwell in the ſight of God, as alſo in the ſight of men, which will lyue orderly: for it is abhominable (ſayth he) that an olde man ſhoulde geue place vnto an young man, and the Gods them ſelues do hate it, ſince youth ought with paciente mynde to beare euen the ſtrypes of their elders. You ſhal alſo loue them, becauſe of them you may learne good preceptes, and of them you may be bolde to aſke councell: for as Euripides, in his tragedy called Phæniſſæ, doth teache, prudence will not be gotten with fewe dayes seeking for, and the apoſtles teach vs our deuty dyrectly in that behalf, who ordeyned amongſt them elders in euery congregation, to decyde all matters in controuerſie, of whome they were reſolued of all doubtes in conſcience. It ſhal alſo becom you to defend the elders from al vyolence and outrage, ſince it is a thing as comly and comendable to defende the weake, as it is glorious and tryumphant to ouercome the mightie: whereof I myght recite many famous examples out of the Romain hiſtories, but I will partlie include the ſame in the dueties which you owe vnto your Parentes, which are alſo, Honor, Loue, and Reliefe. And of the firſt parte, although I might bring in ſundry worthy examples, yet becauſe the caſe is of it ſelf familiar, I wil be briefe, and vſe no other perſuation then the expreſſe commaundement of God, who biddeth you to honor your Father and Mother, that your dayes maye bée long in the land which the Lord your god hath giuen you. And Sainct Paule, in the ſixt chapiter of his Epiſtle to the Epheſians, ſayth: Chyldren obay your Parents in the Lord, for that is right and wellpleaſing to the Lorde. As he teſtifieth in the thirde chapiter to the Coloſſianes, you ſhall loue them alſo becauſe you are engendred of their owne fleſhe & bloud, as alſo you may not forget your Mothers paines in bearing of you, you muſte alwaies meditate in your minde, fyrſt the cares which they haue had to preſerue you from bodily perils in the cradell, from daunger of dampnation by Godly education, from néede and hunger by adminiſtring things neceſſarie, and from vtter deſtruction by vigillant foreſight & Godly care: all theſe with infinit other things conſidered, you ſhall finde your ſelues bounden by manyfolde occaſions to loue your Parentes, and to be aſſiſtant vnto them in the neceſſities of their age. For well ſayd that Poet, which affirmed that children were tenderly ſwadled in their cradels, to the ende they mighte ſuſteyne their aged Parentes and ſupplie their wantes. Meruelous is the nature of the Storke, which féedeth the damme in age, of whom it ſelfe receiued nouriture béeing young in the neaſt. Tully in his b∞ke of the anſwers of ſothſayers ſayth, that nature in the beginning hath made an accord betwéene vs and our Parents, ſo that it were damnable not to cheriſh them. And to conclude, ther is nothing that can worſe become a comon welth, then to ſée y^e youth floriſh in proſperity which ſuffer their parents to periſh for lack of any commodity. Now that I haue rehearſed vnto you aſmuche as I thinke requiſit, for the enſtruction of your dueties, fyrſt towardes god, and his miniſters, next to the Kyng and his Magiſtrates, thirdely to your countrey and the Elders thereof and laſtly towardes your Parentes: it ſhall not be amiſſe that you remenber of your ſelfe how you are the Temple of God, kéepe your ſelues holy therefore in your conuerſation, and vndefiled, for if our ſauiour Chriſt did rigorouſly rebuke and expell the buyers & ſellers out of the outward Temple, how muche more will hée puniſhe them which pollute and defile the inwarde Temple of their bodies, and geue ouer their delight to concupiſcence and vanities? thus may you for breuitie remember that you.

²³1 Feare God becauſe he is mightie,
2 Loue God becauſe he is mercifull,
3 Truſt in God becauſe he is iuſt.

1 Heare his miniſters becauſe they are ſent to enſtrust you,
2 Do reuerence vnto them becauſe of their office,
3 Loue them becauſe they feede you with heuenly bread,

²⁴1 Honor the King becauſe he is Gods lieutenant,
2 Obay him becauſe his power is from aboue,
3 Loue him becauſe he is thy protector.

1 Honor hys Magiſtrates becauſe they repreſent his perſon,
2 Obay them becauſe they haue their aucthoritie from him,
3 Loue them becauſe they mainteine peace.

²⁵1 Be thankefull to thy countrey that hath bredde thee,
2 Defende it becauſe thou art borne to that ende, and
3 Profytte it becauſe thou ſhalt thereby gayne honour.

1 Reuerence thy elders for their grey heares,
2 Loue them becauſe they councell thee and
3 Defend them becauſe they are feeble.

1 Honor your Parentes becauſe God commaundeth ſo,
2 Loue them bycauſe they tendred you, and
3 Releeue them becauſe it is your duety.

    Laſtly forget not your ſelues, neyther make any leſſe account of your ſelues then to be the Temple of God, whiche you ought to keepe holy and vndefiled. I myghte ſtand in dilatacion hereof with many moe examples and aucthorities, but I truſt theſe (being well remembred) ſhall ſuffyce, and now I will leaue you for a time, beſéeching allmyghty God to guyde and kéepe you now & euer. So be it.

Gnomaticus goeth out

Actus ſecundi, Scæna ſecunda.

Phylavtvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylosarcvs, Phylotimvs, and Onaticvs.

Phylautus. AH ſirha, I ſée wel the olde prouerbe is true, which ſaith: ſo many men ſo many mindes, this order of teaching is farre contrary to all other y^t euer I haue heard, & ſhal I tell you? it hath in it neither head nor f∞te.

Phylomuſus. Truly brother it hath in it great reaſon & vertue, and though it be at y^e firſt vnpleaſant in compariſon to Terences Commedies and ſuch like, yet ought we to haue g∞d regarde therunto, ſince it teacheth in effect the ſumme of our duties.

Phylotimus. Yea, and that very compendiouſly.

Phyloſarchus. Surely I am of Phylautus opinion, for who is ignorant that God is to be feared aboue all things? or who knoweth not that the Kinge is appointed of God to rule here on earth?

Phylautus. Is there any man ſo dull of vnderſtanding, that he knoweth not that in all countreys elders muſt (or will) be reuerenced? and ſée we not daily, that all parents challenge obedience and loue?

Phyloſarchus. Yes, and more to, for ſome parentes are neuer contented what dutie ſoeuer the childe performeth, they forget what they once were themſelues: But to the purpoſe, I l∞ked for ſome excellent matter at this newe Sch∞lemaſters handes, if this be all that he can ſay to vs, I would for my part that we were in ſome Vniuerſitie, for here we ſhall but l∞ſe our time, I haue (in effect) all this geare without b∞ke already.

Phylautus. And I lacke not much of it.

Onaticus commeth in.

Onaticus. Well ſayd young gentlemen, it is a g∞d hearing when young men are ſo toward, and much eaſe is it for the teacher when he findeth ſcollers of quicke capacity.

Philotimus. Surely I am not yet ſo forwarde, neither can I vaunt that eyther I haue it without b∞ke, or do ſufficiently beare away the ſame in ſuch order as I woulde.

Phylomuſus. For my parte, I beſéech God that I may with all my whole vnderſtanding bee able to beare away that which our Maſter hath deliuered vnto vs, and that I may ſo emprinte the ſame in my memorie, that in all my lyfe I maye make it a glaſſe wherein I may beholde my duetie: wherefore Phylotimus, (if you ſo thinke g∞d, you and I will go aparte, and medytate the ſame to our ſelues, to the end we may be the perfecter therein when our enſtructer ſhall examine vs.

Phylotimus. Contented, let vs go where you will.

They go apart.

Phyloſarchus. Let them go like a couple of blockheads, I would we two were at ſome Vniuerſitie, and then let them do what they liſt.

Phylautus. Euen ſo would I, for at the Vniuerſitie we ſhould heare other manner of teaching: There be lectures daily read of all the liberall ſciences, of all languages, and of all morall diſcourſes. Furthermore, at the Vniuerſitie we ſhould haue choyſe company of gallant young gentlemen, with whom we might acquaint our ſelues, and paſſe ſome times in recreation: yea, ſhall I tell you? if a man liſt to play the g∞d fellow and be mery ſometymes, hée ſhall not want there (as I haue heard) that wyll accompanie him.

Phyloſarchus. And what Vniuerſitie (do you ſuppoſe) we ſhall be ſent vnto.

Phylautus. I thinke vnto Doway, for that is néereſt.

Phyloſarchus. Haue you béene in Doway at any time?

Phylautus. No ſurely, but I haue harde it prayſed for a proper citie, and wel repleniſhed with curteous people and fayre women.

Phyloſarchus. Marry Sir ther would I be then. Oh what a pleaſure it is to behold a fayre woman? ſurelie they were created of God for the comfort of man, but beholde, I ſée a paſſing fayre woman come downe the ſtréete, and if I be not much deceiued, Eccho is her gentleman vſher: it is ſo in déede.

Phylautus. What is that Eccho?

Philoſarchus. Know you not Eccho? why then you know no man, the beſt fellow in all this towne, and readie to do for all men: I will bring you acquaynted with him.

Actus ſecundi, Scæna tertia.

Phylavtvs, Phylosarchvs, Eccho, Lamia, Dick Drom, and Pandarina.

Eccho. You ſhall ſée (Lady Lamia,) how I will worke this geare lyke wax, but is not this Phyloſarchus? it is euen hée, in g∞d time I haue eſpied him, kéepe your countenance in any wiſe.

Pandarina. Eccho doth geue you g∞d councell, kéepe your countenance.

Lamia. As though I were to learne that at theſe years.

Eccho. Maſter Phyloſarchus, God ſaue you.

Phyloſarchus. And thée alſo gentle felow Eccho. whether walkeſt thou?

Eccho. Hereby Sir with this gentlewoman.

Phyloſarchus. Abide I pray thée, here is a young gentleman a friend of myne, which deſireth to bée acquaynted with thée.

Eccho. Sir I am at your commandement and his alſo, I will be so bold as to kiſſe his hands, Dyck go thou on with theſe gentlewomen before, I will ouertake you immediatly.

The Ladies paſſe by, with a reuerence to the gentlemen.

Phyloſarchus. And I pray thée tell mée Eccho, what gentlewoman is this?

Eccho. Sir ſhe is of Valentia, and hath preſently ſome buſineſſe in this citie with her Aunt which accompanieth her.

Phyloſarchus. Ha, ha, buſineſſe in déede, tell mée Eccho, here are none but God & g∞d friendes, is ſhée of the right ſtampe?

Eccho. Sir, beléeue mée I know no ſuch thing by her, I haue not béene long acquaynted with her, and (to tell you what likely h∞des I haue hitherto ſéene) ſhée is very demure and modeſt, neyther is there any company reſorteth to her lodging, but what for that? all thinges haue a beginning, ſhée is a woman, and nothing is vnpoſſible.

Phyloſarchus. Truſt mée truely ſhe is a gallant wench, & but yong, that Fryer which would not caſt off his cowle to catch such a ſowle, ſhal neuer be my confeſſor, but I pray thee deale playnly with me: might not a man entreat maſter Eccho to carry her a preſent if néede were?

Eccho. Sir there is neuer a gentleman in this citie, ſhall make Eccho ſtretch a ſtringe ſ∞ner then your ſelfe, but of a very truth, hetherto I haue ſéene no ſuch likelyh∞d, but Sir, you are a gallant yong man, me thinkes you myght do well to walke ſomtimes by her lodging, and geue her the Albade, or the Bezo las manos, and by that meane you may acquaint your ſelfe with her: afterwardes if any thing may be furthered by Eccho, commaund him.

Philoſarchus. Gramercie gentle Eccho, but where aboutes is ſhe lodged?

Eccho. Not farre from S. Myghels Sir, at a red houſe, I will take leaue of you for this time, leaſt ſhe thinke me verie ſlacke in attendance.

Philoſarchus. Fare well friend Eccho. Did I not tell you what he was? there is not ſuch a felow in a world againe, ſurely it ſhall go hard but I will haue a fling at this damſell: but let vs goe in, for our companions are departed long ſithens, and we ſhal perchance giue some cauſe of ſuſpecte, if we tarie long here.

Philautus. Go we.

Actus ſecundi, Scæna quarta.

Gnomaticvs, Onaticvs, Eccho.

Gnomaticus. Svrely theſe yong men are not hitherto to be miſlyked, and I truſt in God they will proue toward ſcholers.

Onaticus. Yea ſyr out of dout, & eſpecially the two elder, but the other two are nothing ſo quicke ſprited, I came by them earewhile, ſ∞ne after ye had done reading vnto them, and the two. eldeſt could euen then (in maner) record without b∞ke as much as you had taught them.

Gnomaticus. Yea but what is that to the purpoſe? the quickeſt wits proue not alwayes beſt, for as they are readie to conceiue, ſo do they quickly forget, & therewithall, the fineneſſe of their capacitie doth carie ſuch oftentimes to delight in vanities, ſince mans nature is ſuch, that with eaſe it inclyneth to pleaſure, and vnwilling it is to indure pain or trauell, without the which no vertue is obteyned.

Eccho commeth in.

Eccho. This geare goeth well, for whereas I was caſting with my ſelfe howe to entrap this yonker, he is falne into the nette of his owne accorde, and deſireth that of me whiche I was carefull howe to profer cleanely vnto him. But is not this the old ſcholemaſter? euen the ſame, wel, we muſt find ſome deuice to bleare his eye for a while: let me alone, I knowe howe to bring it to paſſe.

Gnomaticus. Doth this felow come to me thinkeſt thou?

Onaticus. It may be ſyr, but I know him not.

Eccho. I will ſalute him. God ſaue you maiſter ſcholemaiſter.

Gnomaticus. Welcome gentle brother.

Eccho. Syr, I am ſente vnto you by the Markgraue, who vnderſtanding that two of his kinſemen are lately placed vnder your gouernement, hath a deſire to ſée them, and therefore ſent me to intreate you that you would gyue them lybertie this aftern∞ne, to the end that he may common with them.

Gnomaticus. Surely I did not know that they were the Markgraues kinſemen, and they haue yet bene but verie ſmall time with me, but ſince it so pleaſeth him, I am content to graunt them libertie, and I will ſend them out vnto you preſently to go where it liketh him.

Gnomaticus goeth in.

Eccho. So ſo, they are as much a kynne to the Markegraue, as Robyn Fletcher and the ſwéet R∞de of Cheſter, but yet this was a cleanely ſhifte vpon the ſodeyne, for by this meanes ſhal I take occaſion to bring this yonker and the Ladie Lamia better acquainted, & much g∞d do it him, for out of doubt ſhe shall be his, as long as his purſe maye be myne. But behold where they come altogither, now let me beſtirre me and vſe my best wittes.

Actus ſecundi, Scæna, quinta.

Philavtvs, Philosarchvs, Philomvsvs, Philotimvs, and Eccho.

Philautus. I Am glad that we haue libertie this aftern∞ne to take recreation, not for that I lacked time to meditate that which hath bene read vnto vs, but bycauſe I take pleaſure in walking abroad.

Philoſarchus. And I hope by this meanes to haue further communication with my friende Eccho, and beholde where he is.

Philomuſus. Amongſt all that our inſtructer hath rehearſed vnto vs, there is nothing ſticketh better in my remembrance, than that which he ſayde of time: for ſurely as it is the greateſt treaſure which God hath giuen vnto man, ſo ought he to be verie curious and warie how he beſtoweth the ſame, wherefore Philotimus I thinke we can not better do, than to ſpende ſome time by the way in meditating & rehearſing theſe wholſome precepts, which our inſtructer hath to vs deliuered, for I aſſure you, although he hath bene therein verie compendious and ſentencious, yet in my iudgement euery ſentence is ſuch as requireth a rype deliberation, and weightie conſideration of the ſame.

Philotimus. Surely Philomuſus I am of your opinion, and therefore let vs beſtowe the time therein, althoughe percaſe our brethren here will vſe this aftern∞ne in ſome other exerciſe.

Philoſarchus beckneth Eccho, Philomuſus and Philotimus go together.

Eccho. Sir it is vnto you that I addreſſe my ſelfe, for although I be not the redieſt man on liue to deale in ſuch affayres, yet ſuch is the great g∞d liking which I haue alwayes had in you, that ſince I ſpake with you earewhile, I haue not béen vnmindful of you, & ſurely I ſuppoſe that God doth fauour your deſires, for euen now when I departed from you, and as ſ∞ne as I ouert∞ke the gentlewoman, I caſt in my braines how to pleaſure you, and meaning to haue deuiſed ſome ſubtilty wherby the thing might be brought into communication, the gentlewoman of her ſelfe proffred the occaſion, for ſhee demaunded of me what yong gentlemen thoſe were with whom I ſtayed, I tolde her that ye were Sonnes to two of the welthieſt burghers in this citie, and be you ſure I left out no commendation which might aduaunce you, whereat ſhe ſéemed to bite on the bridle, and commended you for your curteſies, in that yée ſaluted her ſo gently as ſhee paſſed by, but eſpecially ſhee marked you by ſundry thinges and geſtures, and coulde deſcribe you vnto me by your apparell. Short tale to make, I neuer ſaw her ſhew ſo much lykelyhoode of affection, ſince I firſt ſaw her, as ſhée bewrayed preſently, and ſhall I tell you in your eare? if Eccho be any better then a foole, ſhe hath a monethes minde vnto Phyloſarchus, wherfore play you now the wiſe man, & ſtrike the Iron whiles it is hot, ſhe returneth this way preſently, and thereupon I haue aduentured to come vnto your Sc∞lemaſter, to craue you a libertie in the name of the Markegraue, ſaying that you were his kynſemen, and this haue I done, to the ende that you might take occaſion to ſalute her eftſ∞nes as ſhe returneth: and if you vſe the matter wiſely (as I know you can) you may take oportunity alſo to talke with her, yea and to conduct her to her lodging.

Phyloſarchus. Surelie Eccho thou ſheweſt playnlie what good will thou beareſt me, but what ſhall we do with the Markgraue?

Eccho. Tuſh, folow you your buſines now that you haue libertie, and let me alone with that matter, if euer hereafter the thing come in queſtion, lay all vppon me, and I will ſay, that I miſt∞ke both the Sc∞lemaſter and the Skollers vnto whom I was ſent.

Phyloſarchus. Well friend Eccho I know not how to deſerue thy gentlenes, but in token of gratefull mind, holde, receiue theſe twentie gildres vntil I haue greater abillity, and be ſure that if euer I liue to enherit Phylocalus, then Eccho ſhall not be vnprouided for.

Eccho. What meane you ſir? ſtay your purſe vntill another time, well if you will néedes enforce me, I will neuer refuſe the curteſie of a gentleman, but behold where the Ladie Lamia commeth. Sir me recomandez, I will not be ſéene to talke with you, for I ſtale from her to pleaſure you priuilie.

Eccho departeth.

Actus primi, Scœna ſexta.

Philavtvs, Philosarchvs, Eccho, Lamia, Dyck Drom, and Pandarina.

Phyloſarchus. OH my friend Phylautus, behold here a péereleſſe péece, doth it not delight your eyes to gaze vppon ſuch a ſhyning ſtarre? on myne honor ſhe hath a ſwéet face, & by al likelih∞d ſhe is much to young to haue béen hetherto comonly abuſed, but wherfore am I abaſhed? I wil go and ſalute her. Fayr lady God ſaue you, and ſend you that your hart moſt deſireth.

Lamia. Worthie gentleman, I thanke you moſt heartely for your g∞d wil, and if God hear your prayer, he ſhal do more than he did for me a g∞d whyle, but it is no matter, when he hath taken his pleaſure of puniſhing, he will at laſt haue pitie on the p∞re.

Philoſarchus. Surely myſtreſſe, it were great pitie that ſuch a one as you, ſhould indure any puniſhment without great cauſe, and hardly can I thinke that any heart is ſo hard as to ſée you ſorowfull, if remedie maye be therefore obteyned.

Lamia. Syr, I coulde be content that all men were of your mynde, but I finde curteſie verie colde nowe adayes, and many there be which woulde rather depryue a p∞re gentlewoman of her right, then rue vpon her piteous plyght: the g∞d king Amadis is dead long ſythens, whoſe Knightes vndert∞ke alwayes the defence of Dames and Damſelles.

She whyneth.

Phylautus. Alas what ayleth the yong gentlewoman to complayne?

Pandarina. Syr and not without cauſe, ſince ſhe is by great wrong diſpoſſeſſed of riche Signiories which belong to her by right and inheritance, and complayning herevnto the magistrates, ſhe receyueth ſmall comforte, but is rather hindered by malice and detraction.

Philoſarchus taketh her by the hand to comfort her.

Phyloſarchus. Fayre gentlewoman: although I haue hitherto had no great acquaintance with you, yet if I might craue but to knowe the cauſe of your griefe, be you ſure I woulde vſe my beſt indeuer to redreſſe it, and therefore I coniure you by your curteſie, that you change your opinion, for all Amadis Knightes are not yet deade, onely bewray your griefe, and prayſe thereafter as you finde.

She beginneth to tell a tale.

Lamia. Syr I haue not power to reiecte your curteſie, you ſhall vnderstand then, that being. &c.

Pandarina interrupteth her.

Pandarina. Neyce it ſéemeth that you haue not your honour in ſuch comendation as I would wiſh you ſhould, I pray you let vs begon homewardes.

Phyloſarchus. Why Miſtres, are you offended that ſhée ſhould herken vnto ſuch, as ſéeke to reléeue her eſtate.

Pandarina. Sir you are a gentleman well nurtured, and you know this is no place to talke in, without diſcredyt.

Phyloſarchus. Well Miſtres, if it pleaſe you we will waite vppon you vnto your lodging, and there you ſhall ſée what deſire I haue to comfort this fayre Ladie.

Pandarina. As for that ſir at your pleaſure, I pray God ſende her g∞d friendes in her right, for God knoweth ſhe hath neede of ſuch at this preſent.

They follow the ladies.

The ſecond Chorus.

Behold behold, O mortall men behold,
Behold and ſée, how ſ∞ne deceipt is wrought:
How ſ∞ne mens mindes, of harmefull thinges take hold,
How ſ∞ne the g∞d, corrupted is with nought.
Beholde the cares²⁶ whereof our ſauiour ſpake,
As Mathew telles, in thirtéenth chapter playne,
Such wicked means, malitious men can make,
The frutfull ſeede, with worthles wéedes to ſtayne.
Beholde the deuill, whoſe miniſters are preſt:
To ſtir an ore, in euery forward boate:
Beholde blynd youth, which holdeth pleaſure beſt,
And ſkornes the payne, which might their ſtate promote.
Great is the care, which grauest men endure,
To ſée their Sonnes, brought vp in Godly wiſe:
And greate the paines, which teachers put in vre,
To trade then²⁷ ſtill, in verteous qualities:
But oh how great, is gréedie luſt in youth?
How much miſchiefe, it ſwalloweth vp vnſéene?
With reckles mind, it caſtes aſide all truth,
And féedeth ſtill, on that which is vncléene.
Theſe paraſites, and bawdes haue quickly caught,
The careles byrds, who ſée not their deceyptes:
with ſuch vile wares, the worlde ſo full is fraught,
As fewe can ſcape, their ſubtilties and ſleights:
Yet mighty God, vouchſafe to guyde the reſt,
That they may ſhun the bad, & ſew the beſt.

Finis, Actus ſecundi.

Actus tertij, Scœna prima.

Dick Droom alone.

There there there, this geare goeth round as it ſhuld go, theſe young gallants are caught without a net, & ſhall I tell you one thing? no man gladder then I, for as long as that chimney ſmoketh, I am ſure I ſhall not go hungrie to bed. An Inheritrix quoth you? marie that ſhe is a Meritrix I warrant her, of great burdens, birthrightes I would ſay, no doubt of it, he that marieth her ſhalbe ſure of great ecclamation, and that g∞d olde gentlewoman her Aunte. Why though the young woman had neuer a groat in the worlde, yet a man might be glad that coulde match his Sonne in ſuch an abhominable (honorable) ſtocke: theſe are Auntes of Antwerpe, which can make twentie mariages in one wéeke for their kinſwoman,²⁸ O noble olde gyrles, I lyke them yet when they be wiſe, for it is an olde ſaying, one ſhrew is worth two ſhéep. Wel, let me l∞ke about me how I prate, and let me eſpie what is become of their brothers according to their commaundement, but are not theſe two they which come debating of the matter in ſuch earneſt? it is euen they, and wot you what? their brethren are otherwiſe occupied, but yet ſurely they argue as faſt as they, when God knoweth a ſmall entreatye might ſerue, but I will ſtep aſide and herken to theſe yonkers.

Actus tertij, Scæna ſecunda.

Phylomvsvs, phylotimvs, Dick.

Phylomuſus Svrely Phylotimus, I wonder what is become of our brethren, I pray god they be not entiſed to ſome vanitie by ſome lewde companie.

Dick. You might haue geſſed twiſe & haue geſſed worſe, I beſhrew your braynes for your buſie coniecture.

Phylotimus. Truely it may be, but I truſt they will beare in mind the laſt precept which your²⁹ Maſter gaue vs, at y^e leaſt I would we had their companie, that we might meditat the matter together.

Dyck. I perceiue it is time to call them, I wilbe gone.

Phylotimus. If our enſtructor ſhuld examine vs, and finde them to ſéeke, it would gréeue me aſmuch for my brother as if the fault were myne owne.

Phylomuſus. Surely and I would alſo be very ſorie if my brother ſhuld be found ſlack in his duetie, but in my iudgement we neede not to caſt theſe doubtes, for our brethren ſéemed vnto me to be very perfect and redy in the eſpecial poyntes of our enſtruction, and could (in maner) make reherſall therof immediatly after we had receiued the ſame.

Phylotimus. Yea marie, but I wil tel you one thing I know by experience in my brother, he wil as ſ∞ne conceyue or beare away a thing as any that euer I ſawe, and ſurely to confeſſe a trueth, he hath an excelent ready wit, but doubtles he will ſometimes forget as faſt, as he learneth redily, and yet for myne owne part, I would to God that my memorie were as capable as his is, for then I would not doubt but to reteyne ſufficiently.

Phylomuſus. It may be that his minde is much geuen to other pleſures and delights, which do ſo continuallie poſſeſſe his brayns, as they ſuffer not any other conception to be emprinted in his memorie: for my brother Phylautus doth in a manner meditat nothing els but ſetting forth of him ſelfe, and in what ſoeuer he be occupied or conuerſaunt, yet ſhall you perceiue him to haue a ſinguler regard to his owne prayſe, the which doth ſometimes carrie him as farre beyond all reaſon, as his deſertes might ſéeme to aduaunce him.

Phylotimus. To bee opinionate of him ſelfe is vitious, but ſurely I am of opinnion, that it is commendable for a young man in all his actions to regard his owne aduauncement, and with all to haue (reſonably) a g∞d opinion of him ſelfe, in exempting of ſuch thinges as he vndertaketh, for if he which coueteth in the latyne tung to be eloquent, ſhoulde ſo farre embaſe his thoughts as to conceiue that he ſpake or wrot like olde Duns or Scotus, ſurely (in my iudgement) it would bée verie hard for him to excell or to become a perfect Rethoritian, or if hee which employeth his time in the exerciſe of ryding, ſhould imagine with himſelfe that he ſat not comely on his horſe backe, it would be long before hee ſhoulde become a gallant horſeman: for in all humaine actions we delight ſo much the more, and ſooner attayne vnto theyr perfections, whenas wée thinke in our mindes that in deede the exerciſe therof doth become vs: but behold now wher our brethren do come.

Actus tertij Scæna tertia.

Philavtvs, Philosarcvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylotimvs and Gnomaticvs.

Phylautus. This was a proper meſſanger in déede, hée myght haue mocked others though he mocked not vs.

Philoſarchus. O ſyr you do him wrong, for it ſéemeth vnto me that the p∞re fellow is as ſorie for it as we are miſcontented, and that he rather faulted through ignorance, than of any ſet purpoſe, but l∞ke where our brethren are. Brother wher haue you bin whileſt we were at the Markgraues houſe?

Phylotimus. Truely brother I walked on with my companion here, hoping that we ſhould haue followed you to the Markgraues houſe: and we were so earneſt in meditating ſuch matter as our inſtructer deliuered vnto vs, that miſtaking the way, & not marking which way you went, we were conſtreyned to returne hether, and to attend your returne, to the ende we might go altogither.

Phylomuſus. And you (brother) where haue you bene?

Phylautus. Where haue we bene quoth you? why we haue bene with that g∞d olde gentleman the Markgraue, vnto whome we were as welcome as water into the ſhip, the olde froward frowner would ſcarce vouchſafe to ſpeak vnto vs, or to l∞ke vpon vs, but he ſhall ſit vntill his héeles ake before I come at him againe.

Phylomuſus. O brother, vſe reuerent ſpeach of him, principally bycauſe he is a Magiſtrate, and therwithal for his greye haires, for that is one eſpeciall poynt of our maſters traditions.

Phylautus. Tuſhe what tell you me of our maſters traditions? if a Magiſtrate, or an elder would challendge reuerence of a yong gentleman, it were g∞d reaſon alſo that they ſhould render affabilitie, and chearefull countenance to all ſuch as preſent them ſelues before them with g∞d will. When we came to him he knewe vs not, neyther would he knowe vs by any meanes, but with a grim countenance turned his backe, and deſyred vs to goe ere we dranke: a Markgraue quoth you?

Phylotimus. That is ſtrange, that hauing ſent for vs, he would ſeeme to vſe ſuch enterteynment when we came.

Phyloſarchus. I will tell you brother, it ſéemeth vnto me that it was rather the faulte of the meſſanger,³⁰ and yet hee did but ignorantly miſtake it neyther: For he was (as it ſhould ſéeme) ſent by the Markgraue, but he did eyther miſtake the ſcholemaiſter, or the ſcholers, or both, and therevpon I thinke that the Markgraue was partly offended.

Phylotimus. Truely and not without cauſe, but beholde where our maiſter commeth.

Phylautus. Let vs ſay then that we were together, leaſt he be offended.

Gnomaticus. Nowe my welbeloued, and what ſayth the honorable & reuerende Markgraue vnto you? or howe doth he like the maner of your enſtruction? haue you recyted or declared any part thereof vnto him ſince your going?

Phyloſarchus. Syr no, for it ſeemeth that the meſſanger did miſtake his errande, and was ſent to ſome other ſcholers, and not vnto vs.

Gnomaticus. Is it euen ſo? well then let vs not altogether loſe the golden treaſure of the time: but tell me, haue you perfectly diſgeſted and committed vnto memory the articles which I deliuered vnto you, for eſpeciall conſideration of your duetie?

Phyloſarchus. Syr I thinke that I can perfectly rehearſe them.

Phylautus. And I ſyr do hope alſo that I ſhal not greatly fayle.

Philomuſus & Philotimus. Syr this yong man and I do partly beare them in mynde, although not ſo perfectly and readily as we deſire.

Gnomaticus. Well, to the ende that you ſhall the better imprint them in your memorie, beholde, I haue put them briefly in wryting as a memoriall, and here I deliuer the ſame vnto you, to be put in verſe euerie one by himſelf and in ſundrie deuice, that you may therein take the greater delight, for of all other Artes Poetrie giueth greateſt aſſiſtaunce vnto memorie, ſince the verie terminations and ceaſures doe (as it were) ſerue for places of memorie, and helpe the mynde with delight to carie burthens, which elſe would ſéeme more grieuous: and though it might percaſe ſéeme vnto you, that I do in maner ouerlode you with leſſons and enterpriſes, yet ſhall you herein rather find comforte or recreation, than any encomberance: let me nowe ſée who can ſhewe himſelfe the pleaſanteſt Poet, in handeling therof, and yet you muſt alſo therein obſerue decorum, for tryfling allegories or pleaſant fygures in ſerious cauſes are not moſt comely. God guide you nowe and euer.

Gnomaticus goeth out.

Actus tertij, Scæna quarta.

Pylosarcvs, Phylavtvs, Phylotimvs, Phylomvsvs, Ambidexter.

Philoſarchus. OH that I had now the vayne which Virgill had in writing of a delectable verſe.

Philomuſus. God is g∞d and bountifull, yelding vnto euery man that is induſtrious the open way to knowledge and ſcience, & though at firſt it ſéeme difficile, yet with trauell euerie thing is obteyned, we ſee the hardeſt ſtones are pearced with ſoft droppes of water, whereby the minde of man may be encouraged to truſt, that vnto a willing hart, nothing is impoſſible, but to performe the charge which is giuen vs, we muſt withdrawe our ſelues from each other, ſince we are enioyned euerie of vs to deuiſe it in ſundrie ſortes of poemes, wherefore I will leaue you for a time.

Phylotimus. And I will alſo aſſay what I can do.

Phyloſarchus. God be with them, ſhall I tell you Phylautus, wherfore I deſired the excellencie of Virgil, in compounding of a verſe? not as they thinke God knoweth, to conuert our tedious traditions there into: for a ſmall grace in a verſe wil ſerue for ſuch vnpleaſant matter, but it was to furniſh me with eloquence, for the better obteyning of this heauenly dame, whoſe remembrance is ſwéet vnto me, neyther yet am I able to expreſſe ſuch prayſes as ſhe doth deſerue. Oh how it delighteth me to behold in myne imagination the counterfeyt of her excellent face, me thinkes the glimſing of her eyes haue in it a reflexion, farre more vehement than the beames of the Sunne it ſelfe, and the ſwéetneſſe of her heauenly breath, ſurpaſſeth the ſpiceries of Arabia. Oh that I had ſkill to write ſome worthy matter in commendation of her rare perfections, ſurely I wil tell you Philautus, I doe both reioyce in your doings, and much wonder at your inclination, I wonder bicauſe I can not perceyue that you are any thing moued with affection of mynde towards her, and yet I reioyce therein, leaſt the ſame might haue become an hinderance to my deſires, oh, howe only loue will admit no companion.

Phylautus. Phyloſarchus, you may happely be deceyued in me, and therefore I would not wiſh you hereafter to affye your ſelfe in any man at the firſt acquaintance, but in déede to confeſſe a truth vnto you, although this gentlewoman be beautifull, yet, haue I refreyned hitherto to become affectionate on her, as well bycauſe I would therein giue place vnto your deſire, as alſo bycauſe I haue not perceyued that euer ſhe lent any glaunce or liking l∞ke towardes me, and as I can be content to loue where I finde my ſelfe eſtéemed, ſo be you ſure that I thinke my halfepeny as g∞d ſiluer as another doth, and ſhe that ſéemeth not with gréedie eye to beholde me, it is verie likely that I wil not be ouerhaſtie to gaze at her. But to returne vnto the purpoſe, as you do nowe earneſtly deſire to get victorie ouer her affection: ſo doe I euery day beſeeche of God, that our parentes may at laſt determine to ſende vs vnto ſome Vniuerſitie, that there the varietie of all delightes maye yelde vnto each of vs his contentation.

Phyloſarchus. Alas, and I am of another mynde, for though I deſire no leſſe than you to be at ſome vniuerſitie, yet to loſe the ſight of my Lamia ſéemeth no leſſe griefe vnto me, than if my heart were torne out of my bodie. But behold where Ambidexter commeth, my minde giueth me that I ſhall heare ſome newes by him. Howe nowe Ambidexter? what newes?

Ambidexter. G∞d ſyr, and ſuch as I dare ſay you will be glad of.

Phyloſarchus. And what are thoſe? tell me quickly I pray thée.

Ambidexter. Syr I will tell you, there came a tatling fellowe to your father erewhile, and told him a tale in his eare which ſéemed to like him but a little, what ſo euer it was, where vpon your Father mumbled a while as the Cade which cheweth the Cudde, and in the ende with a great ſigh he ſayde. Well, then (quoth he) there is no remedie but ſende them with ſpéede to the Vniuerſitie: which words when I ouerheard, I ſmyled to my ſelf and thought, (by God, and ſo you may dreſſe them) for I dare well ſay, they will be the moſt ioyfull newes that they heard this halfe yeare, and to gratifie you with the ſame, I came immediately to ſéeke you out, but where is your brother?

Phyloſarchus. He is gone that way walking, I pray thée followe him, and make him pertaker of theſe newes.

Ambidexter goeth out.

Oh howe much is Ambidexter deceyued in me at this preſent? No no, I can not ſo content my ſelfe to forget the ſwéete face of that worthy Lady Lamia, neither can I euer hope to reioyce, vnleſſe I might be ſo happy, as to enioy the continuall ſight of her heauenly countenance, the vniuerſitie is in déede the place where I haue of long time bene deſirous to be placed, eſpecially for the varietie of delights and pleaſures which there are dayly exerciſed: but alas, what néedeth the riche man to become a théefe? or what néede I to wander vnto the vniuerſitie for to ſéeke paſtime and pleaſurs, when I may euen here in Antwerp without further trauel, enioy the dayly comfort of ſuch conſolation? and if I be not alſo much deceyued, ſhe loueth and lyketh me no leſſe than I deſire her, I pray you tell me Phylautus, do you not playnely perceyue that ſhe hath an affection towardes me?

Phylautus. Surely Phyloſarchus, I dare not ſweare it, although in déede the frankneſſe of her entertaynement was much, but when I conſider that it was at the verie firſt ſight, it maketh me thinke that her curteſie is common, and may be quickly obteyned.

Phyloſarchus. Why did ſhe not then make as fayre ſemblant vnto you?

Phylautus. Marie, bycauſe ſhe perceyued you to adreſſe your ſelfe moſt directly vnto her, and there is no woman ſo kynde, that ſhe can deale with mo than one at once, but be you ſure if I had bene there alone, ſhe would haue lent me as fauourable regard as ſhe ſéemed nowe to giue you, it is the tricke of them all, and therefore neuer ſet your mynde ſo much thereon, I warrant you, when we come to the Vniuerſiti, we ſhall haue ſtore of ſuch there, and I am glad to vnderſtande that your father determineth to ſende you thether, for I am ſure that my brother and I ſhall accompanie you, ſince our fathers haue alwayes bene deſirous that we ſhould ſpend our youthes together. But beholde where our fathers come both together, let vs go in, leaſt they eſpie vs, and thinke that we loyter here.

Actus tertij, Scæna, quinta.

Philopaes, Phylocalvs, Fidvs, Gnomaticvs

Phylopæs. Svrely neyghbor Phylocalus, I can not blame you though you be moued at theſe tidings, but in things which come contrarie to expectation or deſire, the wiſedome of men is beſt ſeen, & therefore I would aduiſe you to forecaſt in time howe you may preuent ſuch a miſchief, for greateſt wounds are at the firſte more eaſily cured, than if they continue vntill ſome aboundance of humour or other accident doe hinder the benefite of nature, and ſurely it grieueth me in maner as much, as if the like had bene found in myne own ſonne.

Phylocalus. So haue you great reaſon to ſay, for your ſonne Phylautus was there with him alſo, and though the Harlot ſéemed not to lende liking vnto any but my ſonne, yet be you out of doubt that being in ſuch companie, he ſhal hardly eſcape the ſnares of temptation.

Phylopæs. Well, howe ſo euer it be, we ſhall beſt doe to conſult with their teacher herevpon, and beholde where he commeth. Syr we were about to ſende for you, being aduertiſed that my neighbors ſonne Phyloſarchus doth haunt a very diſhoneſt houſe in this towne, and my ſonne Phylautus hath alſo ben there in company with him, the which giueth vs iuſt occaſion to lament, & moſt glad we would be to deuiſe ſome comfort in tyme, ſince the thing hath (as yet) bene of no long continuance. Wherefore we beſéech you to deale faithfully with vs, and to declare if you haue ſéene any ſuch behauiour, or likelyh∞d in them, and furthermore to aduiſe vs, which way we might beſt redreſſe this miſhappe betimes.

Gnomaticus. Sir to declare of your ſonnes behauiour, trewly I haue neuer ſéene any thing to miſſelyke of them, neyther could I euer perceiue that they were ſlowe in apprehending myne enſtructions, but rather more forward then their brethren, true it is that here came one to me in name of the Markgraue, ſaying that he was theyr kinſeman and very deſirous to ſée them, wherevpon I did willingly giue them leaue, and when they came ther they ſay that the meſſenger miſſe t∞ke the matter, and ſhould haue gone to ſome other ſchollers. But doubtles my mind giueth me, that if they haue bene allured to any euill company, it hath bene by that ſame fellow which came to mée on that meſſage.

Phylopæs. Do you not know him, or what his name is?

Gnomaticus. I do not knowe him, but he ſaid that hys name was Eccho.

Phylocalus. Eccho? Nay then you haue not iudged amiſſe, for it is one of the lewdeſt fellowes in this towne, a common Paraſite and a ſeducer of youth.

Gnomaticus. Surely my harte did not greately like him at the firſt ſight, but ſince thinges done cannot be vndone, I lyke well that you ſhould (according to your owne deuiſe) prouide in time before they wade déeper in ſuch enterpriſes, and to ſpeake mine opinion, you may doe wel to ſend them vnto some Vniuerſity, before they haue further acquaintance or haunt in ſuch company, for whether it be loue, or luſt that hath infected them, there can be no preſenter remedy then to abſent them from the thinges which they deſire, and therewithall I promiſe you (not to flatter) they are already very ſufficiently able for the Vniuerſity, and the enſtructions which I haue giuen them, may ſerue rather for precepts of their perfect duty to God and man, then for any exerciſe of the liberall ſciences, wherein they are ſo wel entred, and haue bene ſo throughly traded, as there lacketh nothing but conuenient place where they might procéede in Logike and ſuch lyke.

Phylopæs. And me thinkes we might better doe to enfourme the Markgraue. Who vppon ſuch meanes as we ſhall make, may baniſh the harlot with her traine out of the City, and may alſo puniſh the paraſite for so entyſing the younge men.

Gnomaticus. I graunt you that all this maye be done very well but then you are to conſider, that the hartes of young men, are oftentimes ſo ſtout, that they can not abid publiquely to heare of a faulte, the which (being priuatlie and gentlely admoniſhed) they woulde peraduenture willingly amend: and great difference there is betwéene children and young men, for in childh∞de all puniſhment is terrible, but in floriſhing youth euery puniſhment may not be vſed, but diſcretion muſt foreſée what kynde of puniſhment wil moſt preuaile and beſt gayne reformation in the mind of the offender. Wherefore myne aduice ſhoud be that you ſend them to ſome Vniuerſitie, and as neare as you can forſée to place them with ſuch a Tutor as may alwaies haue an eye to their exerciſes, and may haue eſpeciall care how they ſhall beſtow their vacant tymes. For idleneſſe is the cauſe of many euils in youth, whereas beeing occupied or exerciſed in any thing that is verteous or commendable, they ſhall not haue ſo great occaſion to thinke of vanities.

Phylocalus. All that is true, but what Vniuerſitie do you thinke meeteſt?

Gnomaticus. For mine owne opinion I lyke Doway very well, bothe for that it is neare, and from thence you maye allwayes within ſhorte tyme be aduertiſed, and alſo becauſe I do knowe very learned and faythfull men there, and herewithall it is but a lyttle Towne, and the Vniuerſytie but lately erected, wherby the r∞te of euill hath hetherto had leaſt ſkope, and exerciſe hath béene (and is) the more ſtreightly obſerued.

Phylopæs. And could you dyrect vs vnto any ſuch faithfull Tutor, that we myght be bolde to thinke our ſelues ſure of their well doing? and that they ſhould not be ſuffred to run at large about wanton toyes and lewdnes?

Gnomaticus. Truely I can tell you of two or three which are both faythful and carefull of their charge, but to aſſure you in ſuch ſort as you require were verie hard to do, ſythens no Tutor can vſe ſuch vygilant induſtrie, but that ſometimes he may be deceiued, neuertheleſſe I know them to be carefull.

Phylocalus. Well for my part I can be content to follow your aduiſe, & what thinke you neighbour Phylopæs.

Phylopæs. I do lykwiſe agrée to as much as hath beene ſayd.

Gnomaticus. Well then marke yet a little furder myne entent, I would thinke good that the yong men themſelues ſhould not knowe therof vntyll the Iorney were prepared and they redye to depart, and my meaning is this, in ſo doing you ſhall antycypate all occaſions that they might haue to conferre with lewde company, who paraduenture would not ſpare to follow and accompany them whereſoeuer they go.

Phylocalus. Surelie that is well conſidered, and therefore neighbour. I pray you geue ſtreight charge vnto your ſeruant leaſt he do bewray our entent herein.

Phylopæs. Sirha do you heare not one worde for your lyfe of that which we haue here communed together.

Fidus. Sir I truſt you haue neuer hetherto found me ſlacke to do that which I haue ben commaunded, nor raſh to dyſcloſe any thing which I thought might dyſpleaſe you.

Phylocalus. Well I pray you let vs go together vnto my houſe, and there let vs more at large debate this matter.

Phylopæs. Go we where beſt liketh you.

Actus tertij, Scæna Sexta.

Phylomvsvs, Phylotimvs,

Phylomuſus. Would God now that I could mete with Phylotimus that vnto him I might recount what I haue done in the theame which our Maſter gaue vs earwhile, for conference is comfortable vnto ſchollers, were it no more but to vſe eache others aduiſe and opinion in ſuch thinges as they ſhall vndertake: and though in compiling of verſes, all company is comberſome, yet when the ſame are made and finiſhed, then is it a ſinguler comfort to haue a companion with whom (as with thy ſelfe, (thou maiſt be bold to confer for iudgement. And behold wher Phylotimus commeth in g∞d time.

Phylotymus. Phylomuſus I haue finiſhed the charge which our enſtructer gaue vs in verſe, & I would be glad to haue your opinion therein.

Phylomuſus. Hée telles the tale that I ſhould haue told.

Phylotimus. I pray you giue eare a while, and I will reade vnto you what I haue done therin.

Phylomuſus. With right g∞d will Phylotimus, reade them I pray you.

Phylomuſus. Giue eare then, but firſt I muſt thus much declare vnto you. I haue no more but conueied in to verſe the verie briefe which our Maſter deliuered vs in proſe, adding neither dilatations, allegories, nor examples: and thus it is.

Feare God alwais whoſe might is moſt, & ioyn thy feare with loue
Since ouer all his worthy workes, his mercie ſtandes aboue:
In him thou mayſt likewiſe be bold, to put thy truſt alwaie,
Since he is iuſt and promyſe kéepes, his truth cannot decay.

Giue eare vnto his Miniſters, which do his worde profeſſe,
Diſdayne them not due reuerence, their place deſerues no leſſe.
And loue them eke with hartie loue, bicauſe they féede thee ſtill,
With heauenly f∞de, wheron thy ſoule, his hungrie hart may fill.

Then next to God true honor giue, to Gods anoynted king,
For he is Gods lieutenant here, in euerie earthly thing:
his power comes from heauen aboue, the which thou muſt obay,
And loue him ſince he doth protect, thy life in peace alway.

To Magiſtrates in their degrées, thou muſt like duties beare,
Loue, honor, and obedience, ſince they betoken heare,
The maieſtie: and repreſent the king him ſelfe in place,
And beare his ſword, & maintayn peace, and déeme ech doutfull caſe.

Be thankefull to the countrey ſoyle, wherein thou haſt béene bred,
Defend it alwaies to the death, therefore thy life is led:
And ſeeke by all thy ſkill and powre, to do ſuch deedes therin,
As may therto ſome profit yeld, ſo ſhalt thou honor win.

To elders for their hoarie heares, thou ſhalt do reuerence,
And loue them ſince they councell thée, in euery g∞d pretence:
Defend them eke bicauſe they be, as féeble (for their might)
As ſtout and ſtrong in good aduice, againſt the fleſh to fight.

Thy father and thy mother both, with other parents mo,
Thou ſhalt in honor ſtill eſteme, for God commandeth ſo:
And loue them as they tendred thee, in cradle and in kind,
Releiue their age (if it haue néede) for duety ſo doth bind.

Thus ſhalt thou beare thy ſelf alwaies, if y^u wilt proſper wel
And from thy ſelfe if thou deſire, all miſchiefe to expell:
Then kepe thy ſelf both chaſt & cléen, in déed & eke in thought,
Embrace the g∞d, & leaue y^e bad, for thou art dearely bought.
Thou art the Temple of the Lord, which muſt be vndefilde,
More dere to him then Temples are, which mortal men do build.
And ſince he caſt from Temple once, which was but lime & ſtone
The biers and the ſellers both, & bad them thence be gon,
How much more then wil he require, y^t y^u ſhuldſt kepe thy ſelfe
Both cleane & pure from fylthy ſin, much worſe then worldly pelf
Be holy then, & kepe theſe words, in mind both night & day
For ſo be ſure that god himſelf, thy ſtagring ſteppes wil ſtay.

Finis quoth Philotimus.

Thus haue you now ſéene Philomuſus, my ſimple ſkill in poetry, and I pray you tell me your opinion therein.

Phylomuſus. Surely Phylotimus. I like your verſes verie well, for they are compendious: and to be playne with you, I haue lykewiſe framed a verſe or poeme vpon y^e ſame matter, marie I haue ſome what more dilated and enlarged euerie point, but ſuch as it is, I will likewiſe craue your opinion therein.

Phylotimus. With right g∞d will: I pray you reade them.

Phylomuſus. The man that meanes, by grace him ſelfe to guyde,
And ſo to lyue, as God may leaſt offende:
Theſe leſſons learne, and let them neuer ſlide,
from out his mynde, what euer he pretende.

³¹Since God is greate, and ſo omnipotent,
as nothing can withſtand his mighty powre,
he muſt be fearde, leaſt if his wrath be bent:
we periſhe all, and wither lyke a flowre.

³²Yet with ſuch feare, we muſt him loue lykewiſe,
Synce he hath ſtore, of mercyes in his hand:
And more delights, that Sinners ſhuld aryſe,
then ſtill to fall, and neuermore to ſtand.

³³In him alſo, we maye be bolde to truſt,
In him we may, put all our confidence:
For he is true, and of his promiſe iuſt,
He neuer fayles, the pyth of his pretence.

³⁴His Miniſters, and ſuch as prech his word,
Becauſe they be, from him (to teach vs) ſent:
³⁵We ſhuld to them, giue eare with one accord,
And learne their lore, which leads vs to repent.

³⁶All reuerence, to them ſhalbe but due,
As well becauſe, their office ſo requires:
As there with all, becauſe there doth enſue,
A iuſt rewarde, to humble mennes deſires.

³⁷And loue them eke, with faſt and faithfull loue,
Becauſe they féed, thy ſoule with heauenlie bread:
Which cannot moulde, nor from thy mouth remoue,
Vntill thou haue, thy fill there on yfed.

³⁸Next God the king, doth challeng ſecond place,
And him we muſt, both honor and obay:
³⁹Becauſe he hath, (from God aboue) his grace,
⁴⁰And is viceroy, on earth to beare the ſway.

Yet as with hart, we ſhall him honor yeld,
And muſt obay, what he commaunds with feare:
⁴¹So loue him eke, bicauſe he is our ſhield,
And doth protect, our life in quiet here.

Lyke duties do, to Magiſtrates belong,⁴²
Becauſe they beare, the ſworde, and repreſent⁴³
The king him ſelfe, & righten euerie wrong,⁴⁴
And mainteine peace, with all their whole entent.⁴⁵

Vnto the ſoyle, wherin we foſtred were,⁴⁶
We muſt alwaies, be thankeful children found:⁴⁷
And in defence therof we muſt not feare,⁴⁸
To venture life, as we by birth be bound.

For to that ende, our life to vs was lent,
And therewith all, we ought the ſame t’aduaunce,
And do ſuch déedes, as may be pertinent,⁴⁹
To profit it, and eke our ſelues enhance.

The ſiluer heares, of Elders euery where,⁵⁰
Clayme reuerence, as due therto by right:⁵¹
Their graue aduiſe, and precepts which we leare,
Doth challeng loue, the ſame for to requit.⁵²

Their weake eſtate, when force is gon and paſt,⁵³
Doth craue defence, of ſuch as yet be ſtrong:
Since they defend, the force of fortunes blaſt,
From weakeſt wytts, which harken to their ſong.

The parents they, which brought vs vp in youth,⁵⁴
Must honord be, ſince God commaundeth ſo:⁵⁵
And ſynce therby, a gratious gyfte enſewth,
Euen longe to lyue, in earth whereon we go.

They ought lykewiſe, our harty loues to haue,
⁵⁶As they loued vs, in cradle when we laye:
And brake their ſleepes, our ſely lyfe to ſaue,
When of our ſelues, we had no kind of ſtay.

⁵⁷And if they néede, in age when ſtrength is gone,
We ought reléeue, the ſame with all our powre:
We ſhould be gréeud, when as wee heare them grone,
And wayle their wantes, and helpe them euerie howre.

⁵⁸And he that thus, can well direct his wayes,
And kéepe himſefe, in chaſt and holy life:
Shall pleaſe the Lord, & ſhall prolong his days,
In quiet ſtate, protected ſtill from ſtryfe.
Be holie thus, and liue in g∞d accord,
⁵⁹Since men one earth, are Temples to the Lord

Thus may you ſée Phylotimus, that one ſelfe ſame thing may be handled ſundrie wayes, and now I pray you tell me your opinion, as I haue told you myne.

Phylotimus. Surely Phylomuſus your verſes do pleaſe mee much better then mine owne, and verie glad I am that wée haue eche of vs ſo well accompliſhed our dueties, nothyng doubting but that our enſtructer will alſo like the ſame accordingly: & now if you thinke g∞d, let vs go in and preſent the ſame, when ſoeuer hée shall thynke g∞d to demaund it.

Phylomuſus. With right g∞d will, go you on & I wil follow.

The third Chorus.

The Shed is great, and greater then the ſhow,
Which ſéemes to be, betwéene the good and bad:
For euen as wéedes, which faſt by flowres do growe,
(Although they be with comely collors clad:)
Yet are they found, but ſeldome ſwéete of ſmell,
So vices brag, but vertue beares the Bell.

The prauncing ſtéede, can ſeldome hold his fleſh,
The hotteſt greyhound leaues the courſe at length:
The fineſt Silkes, do ſéeld continue freſhe,
The fatteſt men, may fayle ſometymes of ſtrength:
Such déepe deceiptes, in faire pretence are founde,
That vices lurke, where vertue ſéemes t’abound.

A Spaniſh tricke, it hath ben counted oft,
To ſéeme a thing, yet not deſire to be:
Like humble bées, which fly all dayes aloft,
And taſt the flowers, that faireſt are to ſée:
But yet at euen, when all thinges go to reſt,
A foule cowe ſharde, ſhall then content them beſt.

Well yet ſuch bées, bycauſe they make great noiſe,
And are withall, of ſundry pleaſaunt hewes:
Bee moſt eſtéemd, alwayes by common voyce,
And honourd more, then Bées of better thewes:
So men likewiſe, which beare the braueſt Showe,
Are held for beſt, and crowched to full lowe.

But vertue ſhe, which dwelles in ſecret thought,
Makes g∞d the ſéede, what euer be the ſmell:
Though outward gloſe, ſometimes do ſéeme but nought,
Yet inward ſtuffe, (of vertue) doth excell:
For like a ſtone, moſt worthy to eſtéeme,
It loues to be, much better then to ſéeme.

Phylautus héere, and Phyloſarchus eke,
Did ſéeme at firſt, more forward then the reſt:
But come to pr∞fe, and nowe they be to ſéeke,
Their brethren nowe, perfourme their duty beſt:
Thus g∞d from badde, appeares as day from night,
That one takes paine, that other loues delight.

Finis, Actus Tertij.

Actus quarti, Scæna prima.

Phylopaes, Phylocalvs, gnomaticvs.

Phylopæs. I Haue for my parte ſet al thinges in redyneſſe for my Sonnes departure, and if my neighbour haue done the lyke, they ſhall departe immediatly: but behold where he commeth, how now ſir? What haue you done or diſpatched?

Phylocalus. Al thinges neceſſary for my Sonnes are in readyneſſe, and you, what haue you done?

Phylopæs. Doubt you not of my diligence, I am ready were it within this houre, but I would be glad to talke with Maiſter Gnomaticus, as well to vſe his aduiſe, as alſo to haue his letters of commendation vnto ſome faithfull Tutor at the Vniuerſity: and l∞ke where he commeth in haſte.

Gnomaticus. Gentlemen I haue founde you both in g∞d houre, and I would wiſh you to diſpatch the younge men your ſonnes with all conuenient ſpeede, for the thing which you ſuſpected is doubtleſſe t∞ true.

Phylocalus. And how knowe you?

Gnomaticus. I will tell you ſir, eare while aſſ∞ne as I departed from you, I examined them al concerning a taſke which I had giuen them, and that was to put in verſe a briefe memoriall of the chiefe poyntes wherein I did enſtruct them, and I found that Phylomuſus and Phylotimus (whom I thought not ſo quicke of capacity as the other) had done the ſame very well: on that other ſide, I founde Phylautus and Phyloſarchus to haue done there in nothing at all, and marueyling at their ſtraunge and vnaccuſtomed ſlackeneſſe, I ſearched them vppon ſuch ſuſpicion as I had conceyued, and founde that Phyloſarchus had ſpent the time in wryting of louing ſonets, and Phylautus had alſo made verſes in praiſe of Marſhiall feates and pollycies.

Phylocalus. O God, and haue you not puniſhed them accordingly?

Gnomaticus. As for that ſir be you contented, there is time for all thinges, and preſently in my iudgement you could deuiſe no puniſhment which would ſo much gréeue them as to departe from this Citie, hereafter I doubt not but to deuiſe the meanes that both they ſhalbe rebuked as appertaineth (though they be out of my handes) and the cauſers of theſe miſchieues may alſo chaunce to heare thereof when they thinke it quite forgotten, but at thys point wée will hold no longer diſcourſe therein, onely prepare for your Sonnes departure to the Vniuerſity.

Phylopæs. The chiefe thing wherevpon wée ſtay, hath bene both to vſe your aduiſe, and to deſire you that you will take paines to wryte your letters vnto ſome faithful Tutor there, who may both rebuke them for that which is paſt, and haue care to gouerne them better in tyme to come.

Gnomaticus. Mine aduiſe you haue heard already, and touching the letters which you require, they are in maner ready, for I had ſo determined before you required me, and now if it pleaſe you to walke vnto my lodging, wée will from thence diſpatch them before they heare any further newes of the matter.

Phylocalus. Go we with g∞d will.

Actus quarti, Scæna ſecunda.

Eccho alone.

IT is a wonderous matter to ſée the force of loue, ſauing your reuerence. I dare ſay the Lady Lamia ſince ſhe saw this young gentleman, could neuer ſléepe vntill her eyes were ſhut, and therewithall ſhe taketh ſuch thought, that aſſone as euer ſhée is laid ſhe falleth on ſnorting: and God knoweth, her chéekes are become as leane as a peſtill of porke, and her face as pale as a carnation gilofloure. Fye fie, what meaneth ſhée? Will ſhe caſt away her ſelfe on this faſhion for his ſake? She beareth but euill in remembraunce the g∞d documentes of that vertuous olde Lady her Aunte. I warrant you it would be long before that Meſſalina would dye for loue. Tuſh tuſh ſhall I tell you? It is folly to ſtand meditating of theſe matters, euery man for him ſelfe and I for one, theſe yonkers ſhall pay for the roſt, and Eccho by your leaue will take part of the coſte, but behold where commeth doughty Dicke. Howe now Richard what newes?

Dicke Drom commeth in.

Actus quarti, Scæna tertia.

Dicke, Drom, Eccho.

What newes? mary Phyloſarchus hath ſent a fat breſt of veale, a capon, a doſen of pigeons, a couple of rabets, and a ſtoupe of wine vnto the lady Pandarinæs houſe, and promiſeth to be there at ſupper to talke more of the matter which you wot of.

Eccho. And hath he ſent no more?

Dicke. Why is not that well for a f∞teman? By our lady ſir, it doth me g∞d to thinke what cheare I wil make with the leauinges, and wotte you what? Be you ſure hée ſhall lacke no cleane trenchers, for aſſone as he hath laide a g∞d morſell before him, Dicke wilbe at an inche with a cleane plate to proffer him.

Eccho. Well ſaid Dicke, and I trowe that I will ſkinke in his cuppes as faſt on the other ſide, but heare me Dicke, as for theſe matters neyther of vs both will bee to ſeeke, but there are other thinges to be remembred which are of more weighty conſideration.

Dicke. And what I pray thee?

Eccho. Marie thou muſt marke whenſoeuer he caſteth a glaunce at the Lady Lamia, and round him in the eare, ſaying: beware ſir how you l∞k, leaſt her Aunt eſpie you. And again, if he ſpeake a word wherein he ſéemeth himſelf to take pleasure, extoll him ſtreight with praiſe, and ſay that Brabant hath to fewe ſuch bl∞des as hee. Lykewiſe ſéeme to whet Lamia forward, as though ſhee ſhewed not curteſie enough. Theſe and a thouſand ſuch other knackes muſt be deuyſed and practiſed, to make him come off, and whatſoeuer he giueth thee let vs ſhare betweene vs, for I promiſe thee Dicke by the faith of a true Burgondyane, I will be as true to thee as thy coate is to thy backe.

Dicke. By the maſſe Eccho and that is true enough, for it hath cleft ſo long to my ſhoulders, that a lowſe can not well clyme the clyffes thereof without a pitchforke in her hand. But I truſt maiſter Phyloſarchus fees will be ſufficient to ſet both thée and me a floate, and make vs as braue as the beſt.

Eccho. Tuſhe, as for that matter, if he do not another ſhall: hee were wyſe enough that would leane altogether vnto one bough in theſe days, no no Dicke, be ruled by Eccho, and I warrant thee wée two will liue howe ſoeuer the world wagge, haſt thou not often heard, that change of paſture maketh fatte calues?

Dicke. Ha ha ha, by God and well ſayde, but who commeth yonder?

Eccho. Ha? mary it is the olde Phylopæs and his neighbour Phylocalus, what is the matter trow we? let vs ſtand aſide and heare their talke a while.

Dycke. Beſt of all, ſtand cloſe.

Actus quarti, Scæna quarta.

Phylopaes, Phylocalvs, Phylavtvs, Phylomvsvs, Phylosarcvs, Phylotimvs, Gnomaticvs, Ambidexter.

Phylopæs. Since tyme is the greateſt treaſure which God lendeth vs, and yet he doth but lend vs the ſame to the end that we ſhould well employe it, it ſhalbe therefore the bounden duty of euery man ſo to beſtowe the ſame, as may returne to moſt commodity and profitte. And ſince your enſtructer héere doth commend your towardnes much more, (I feare) then you deſerue, it ſéemeth that wée ſhould haue loſt time in longer deteyning you from the Vniuerſity, & therfore we haue prepared (as you ſée) to ſend you thither, truſting that you will there vſe ſuch diligence, as may be to the profit of your Countrey and for your own aduancementes. The which to perfourme, I beſéech the Father of Heauen that he will alwayes giue you the ſpirit of wiſedome, and powre his grace vppon you continually.

Phylautus. Sir it ſhall become vs to obey whatſoeuer you commaunde, although in very déed the ſodaine of our departure ſéemeth ſomewhat ſtraunge vnto me, but it becommeth me not to be enquiſitiue thereof, and in déed for mine owne part, there is nothing which could better content me then to go vnto the Vniuerſity.

Phylocalus. Phyloſarchus, you and your Brother ſhall alſo accompany my neighboures Sonnes here to Doway, for ſince you haue hitherto bene brought vp togither, I thinke not méete now to parte you. Wherefore I charge you that you ſo behaue your ſelf, as I may alwayes heare that you be diligent and ſtudious, ſince that is the meane to bring you vnto eſtimation.

⁶⁰Phyloſarchus. As touching my diligence, I truſt that I haue neuer yet bene behinde any of my companions, but this ſodaine of our departure ſéemeth to procéede of ſome alteration in your minde, the which I haue not deſerued. It had bene a ſmal matter to haue had thrée or foure daies reſpitte and leaſure to prepare our ſelues, and to haue bidden our friendes farewell, I thinke no mens children are thus ſet out.

Phylocalus. As for your preparation, all thinges are made ready for you, and your friendes ſhalbe gladder to ſée your retourn home again learned, then they would haue bene penſiue to departe with you.

Gnomaticus. My welbeloued, ſince it pleaſeth your parentes thus to diſpoſe your iourney, I cannot otherwyſe doe but commend you to the tuition of almighty GOD, whom I beſéech nowe and euer to guide you by his grace, and I exhorte you for Gods ſake, that you beare well in minde the preceptes which I haue giuen you, aſſuring my ſelfe that ruling your actions by that meaſure, you ſhalbe acceptable to GOD, pleaſing to the world, profitable to your ſelues, and comfortable to your parentes.

Phylomuſus, and Phylotimus. Sir it is no ſmall griefe vnto vs to depart from ſuch a louing enſtructer, but ſince it becommeth vs to obey our parentes, we contend not contrary to their commaundementes, hoping by Gods grace ſo to employ our tyme, and ſo to contynue in the tracke which you haue trodden vnto vs, that you ſhall alwayes commend our diligence and g∞d will.

Phylocalus. Sirha? are the wagons ready? And is their cariage therein placed with all thinges conuenient?

Ambidexter. Yea ſir all thinges are diſpatched.

Phylocalus. Then go your wayes with them, and the Father of Heauen be their guide and yours now & euer.

Gnomaticus. Fellow mine, you muſt deliuer me this letter when you come to Doway according to the ſuperſcription thereof.

Ambidexter. It ſhalbe done ſir God willing.

The youngmen kneele down.

Phylopæs. The God of peace vouchſafe to bleſſe you now and euer.

Phylocalus. And giue you grace to become his faithfull ſeruauntes. Amen.

Gnomaticus. My well beloued, I beſéech the Heauenly Father to graunt you a proſperous iourney, and well to beſtowe your time nowe and euer.

Phylautus, Phylomuſus, Phyloſarchus, Phylotimus and Fidus departe.

Did you not perceiue that onely the two elder ſéemed to grudge and repugne? it is a meruelouſe matter, they two are of an excellent capacitie, and able to beare away (in manner) more then can be layd to their charge, but an old ſaying hath béene Chi tropo abraccia niente tiene. Well now, it ſhal not be amiſſe if wée conſult of our affayrs here at home, for as for them take you no doubt, they ſhal vnderstand at Dowaye, wherefore they were ſent ſo ſoone from Antwerpe, & becauſe in all thinges Secreſie is a great furderaunce, it ſhalbe beſt that we draw our ſelues apart vnto one of your houſes, where we may more commodiouſly confer vpon that which is to be done here.

Phylocalus. I lyke your counſell well, & when it pleaſeth you let vs go to my houſe.

Phylopæs. With g∞d will, I will accompanie you.

They depart.

Actus quarti, Scæna quinta.

Eccho and Dyck Droom.

Eccho. Fellow Rychard, how like you this geare?

Dick. Marie friend Eccho, I lyke it but a little.

Eccho. And why I pray you?

Dyck. Why quoth you? marie becauſe I am ſorie that ſuch a ſwéete morſell is plucked out of my mouth.

Eccho. And I am glad that I ſhal féede my fill on ſuch a ſwéete morſell, for ſince there is now no remedie, but theſe younkers muſte néeds bee gone, God bee with them. Dyck and Eccho, with the Ladies will eate & drinke as fréelie for their ſake, as if they were here preſent, and heare me Dyck, if they had béene here, wee ſhould haue béene fayne to wayte on the table, and to bee contented with their leauings after ſupper, whereas now wé wilbe ſo bold as to ſit downe with the reſt, ſince we be (as thou well knoweſt) of houſholde with that g∞d gentlewoman, and by our Ladye, I was neuer ſo deintyly brought vp but I could eat a hote Capon, aſwell and as ſauorly as a cold meſſe of porage, eſpeciallie where the bread & drinke is g∞d.

Dyck All this I confeſſe alſo to be g∞d & ſound doctrine, but yet it greeueth me to thinke that wee haue loſt ſo g∞d cuſtomers which might haue continued ſuch banquits often times.

Eccho. Tuſh Dyck hold thy peace, if we haue not them, we ſhall haue others as g∞d as they, thou mayſt bee ſure that as long as Lamia continueth bewtifull, ſhe ſhall neuer be without Sutors, and when the Crowes féete groweth vnder her eye, why then no more adoe but enſineuate thy ſelfe with ſuch another. Yea and in the meane time alſo, it ſhould be no bad councell, if a man had foure or fiue ſuch hauntes in ſtore, that euermore when one houſe is on ſweeping, another ſpytte may cry creake at the fire: ſtore is no ſtore⁶¹ as the prouerbe ſaith, and now adayes the broker which hath but one bargaine in hand, may chaunce to weare a thred bare coate.

Dyck. Sayſt thou ſo Eccho? and I promyſe thée I had ſuch a lyking to this young man, that I was partly in mynd to haue followed him to Doway.

Eccho. To Doway? nay get me further from Antwarpe, then I may ſée the ſmoke of the chymnies, and they haue g∞d lucke. Tuſh tuſh, Doway is a pelting towne packed full of poore Skollers, who thinke a payre of caſt hoſen a greate reward, but Antwarp for my money. I tell yée trueth, there are not many townes in Europe that mainteyne more iollytie then Antwarpe, but behold where the Markgraue and his officers come. I wilbe gone, I like not the ſmell of them.

Dick. By the maſſe neither I, they are going to caſt off ſome bl∞dhound to ſéeke a vagabond or ſome like chaſe, and let them hunt tyll theyr hartes ake, ſo I bee once out of their ſight firſt.

They run a ſide.

Actus quarti, Scæna ſexta.

Severvs the Markgrave, with the officers.

Mvch is the mind of man deceiued, which thinketh that rulers & officers haue the merieſt liues, for although it ſéeme vnto ſome men a ſwéete thing to commaunde, yet whoſoeuer compareth the burden of ſuch cares as are inſident vnto his office, vnto the lightnes of the pleaſure which commeth by commaundement, he ſhal find, that much greater is the payne of that one, then the profit of that other. For what pleaſure redoundeth vnto an honeſt minde, to pronounce ſentence of death vpon an offendor? or what profit ariſeth by puniſhing of malefactors? but on that other ſide, what griefe wanteth where a quiet mynde is encombred with gouernment? what howre of the day is exempt from toyle? in the morning the preaſe of Suters at the chamber dore do breake the ſweeteſt ſleepe, the reſt of the foren∞ne is lyttle enough for the ordynarie howres of courtes and decydyng of contentions, at diner you ſhall hardly dyſgeſt your meate without ſome ſauce of complaynts or informations, wherin lykewyſe the reſt of the day muſt be occupied: and the night ſuffyzeth not to forecaſt what polityke conſtitucions are needful to be deuiſed or renewed, for to meete with the dayly practiſes and inuentiones of lewde perſones: So that in fine thyne office will neither ſuffer thee to ſléep, nor yeld thee contentment when thou art awake, neither geue thée leaue to eate in quiet, nor permit thee to follow thine owne profitte when thou art faſting. I ſet a ſide to declare what trade of other priuat gaynes a man muſt omit when he is in aucthority: but well sayd the phyloſopher, which concluded that we are not borne onely for our ſelues, but parte our contrey alſo doth chalenge. Well goodfellowes, one of you ſhal go to Saincte Mighells, and there at a howſe with a red lattyce you ſhall finde an old baude called Pandarina, and a yong damſell called Lamia, take them both and carie them to the coupe, geuing charge that they be ſafely kept vntill my further dyrection be known, and another of you ſhall ſéek out Eccho the paraſite, al men know him wel enough, take him and bring him to mée.

He departeth, as the Skoolemaſter cometh in.

Actus quarti, Scæna ſeptima.

Gnomaticvs, Nvntivs.

Gnomaticus. IF none other thing were required in a faythfull enſtructor but onely that he ſhould teach his ſchollers grammer or ſuch other ſciences, then with leſſer trauaile might wée attayne vnto perfection, ſythens Gammer⁶² and all the liberal Sciences are by traditions left vnto vs in ſuch ſort, that without any greate difficultie the doubt thereof may be reſolued: but the Sch∞le Maſter which careth for none other thing but onely to make his ſchollers lerned, may in ſome reſpect be compared to the horſecourſer, which onelie careth to féede his horſe fat, and neuer delighteth to ryde him, manage him, or make him handſome: and when ſuch palfryes come to iorneyng, they are comonly ſo prouander proude, that they praunce at the fyrſt exceedingly, but being put to a long iourney or ſeruice, they melt their owne greace and are not able to endure trauaile. Euen ſo y^e mindes of yong men, being onely trained in knowledge of artes, and neuer perſwaded in points of moral reformation, become often times ſo prowde & ſo headie, that they are caried rather away with a vaine imagination of their owne excellency, then ſetled in y^e reſolutions which might prom∞te them vnto dignitie: and wandring ſo in a vayne glorious oppinion of their owne wit, they do (as it were) founder and caſt them ſelues in their own halter. Such haue ſundrie philoſophers bin in time paſt, who haue ſo far gone on pilgrimage in their owne péeuiſh conceits, y^t they haue not ſhamed, by a vaine ſhew of learning to defend ſuch propoſitions, as ſéeme moſt rediculous & eſtranged from reaſon. Anaxagoras defended that ſnow was black and yet was accompted a philoſopher of greate grauitie & iudgement. Pherecydes, prognoſticated y^t an earthquake was at hand, becauſe he ſaw the water drawen out of a fountayne, and yet was he the Maſter of Pythagoras, & accompted a profound phyloſopher. Protagoras, alſo affirmed that men might well affirme all that to bee true, which vnto them ſeemed true. And infinite others might bee reherſed, whoſe opinionate iudgementes did eclipſe the reſt of their comendable capacitie: wherupon alſo hath ſprong the damnable opinion of Atheyſts. For the mind of man is ſo heauenlie a thing and of ſuch rare excellencie, that it alwaies worketh and can not be idle. And if with the quicknes of conceyt it be tempred by a modeſt moderation, to haue regard vnto vertue, and moralitie, then proueth it both g∞dly & godly: wheras if it run on hedlong, only led by natural conſiderations of cauſes, it may proue admirable for ſome paſſing quallitie, but it ſeldome is ſéene commendable or allowed for perfection. The conſideration wherof hath often moued me rather to enſtruct youth by a preſcribed order out of gods own word, then to nuzzle them ouer déepely in philoſophicall opinions. And yet is the mind of young men ſo prone and prompt to vanitie & delight, that all proueth not as I would haue it. For example behold my late ſchollers, who forgetting their duetie and neclecting my precepts, are fallen into the ſnares which I leaſt of al miſtruſted: But ſurely to confeſſe a trueth, I iudge that it rather procéeded by the entiſements of others, then by their own default. Oh how perillous is lewde company vnto youngmen? Well, I haue deuiſed yet a meane wherby both the Paraſites here may bee puniſhed, and the youngmen may alſo be rebuked at Doway: In ſuch ſort, that their ſodain ſeperation may preuent all meanes to eſcape it, and yet that one being ignorant of that others puniſhment, ſhall neuer grudge or ſnuffe at the ſame. And Phylopæs with his neighbour Phylocalus promiſed me eare while to put my deuiſe in execution, I long to heare what may be done therin, for ſtill I feare me leaſt the crafty Paraſite ſhould get knowledge thereof, and ſo both eſcape himself and further enfect ſome other with newe deuiſes. But who is this that commeth héere in ſuch haſte?

Nuntius. Good lord what a world is this? Iuſtice quoth he? mary this is Iuſtyce in deed of the new faſhion.

Gnomaticus. And what Iuſtice good fellow I pray thée.

Nuntius Naye none at all Sir, but rather open wronge, an honeſt old gentlewoman with her kinſwoman are commaunded to the coupe, onely becauſe they ſuffered an honeſt youngman (and Sonne to a welthy Burgher) to ſuppe with them yeſternight, and a g∞d fellowe which is well knowen here in the City, and hath dwelt here theſe ſeuen yeares paſt, is alſo caſt in priſon bicauſe he ſerued them at ſupper, I haue ſeldome heard of ſuch rigor vſed, eſpecially ſince they proffer g∞d ſuretyes to bée alwayes forth comming vntill their behauiour be tryed.

Gnomaticus. Well g∞d fellow ſpeake reuerently of the Magiſtrates, peraduenture there was ſome further matter therein then thou art aware of, but when was it done?

Nuntius. Euen now ſir, I doe but come from thence.

Gnomaticus. This geare hath bene pollitiquely vſed, and I will go ſée how it is come to paſſe, for theſe are euen thoſe lewd companions which ſeduced my ſchollers. G∞d fellow gramercy for thy tydinges.

exit.

Nuntius. Why? Do they lyke him ſo well? I holde a grote the parties are not halfe ſo well pleaſed therewyth, but I wil go further vntil I may declare them vnto ſome pitifull minde, which moued with compaſſion, may ſpeak vnto the Markgraue in their behalfe.

Finis Actus Quarti.

The fourth Chorus.

The toiling man which tilles, his ground with greateſt paine,
Hath not alway ſuch crops theron, as yéeld him greateſt gain.
Nor he the faireſt houſe, which laies thereon moſt coſt,
Since many chips of chance may fall, to proue ſuch labours loſt.
In vaine men build their fortes, with ſtone with lyme and ſand,
Vnleſſe the ſame be founded firſt, with Gods owne mighty hand.
Though Paule himſelf did plant, whoſe trauelles did not ceaſe,
And then Apollo watred eake, yet God did giue encreaſe:
The grace of God it is, whereon g∞d gyftes must growe,
And lacke of God his grace it is, which makes them lye full lowe.
How often haue bene ſéene, both watch and ward well kept,
And yet into the ſtrongeſt holdes, hath treaſon lightly lept?
The héedieſt hen that is, the puttocke oft beguiles,
Such wolues do walke in wethers felles, y^t Lambes miſtruſt no wiles.
The fox can preach ſomtimes, but then beware the géeſe,
For ſeldome failes a théeuish hand, but that it takes a fléeſe.
The deuill hath many men, to gather in his rentes,
And euery man hath ſundrie meanes, to bring vs to their bents.
Some puffe vs vp with pride, and ſome ſet men aloft ,
Whereby the moſt by princely pompe, forget themſelues full oft.
Some giue vs worldly g∞d, and ſome giue beauties grace,
That one bréedes care, y^t other luſt, which train vs to their trace.
In fine and to conclude, what minde of man deſires,
That ſame the deuil can ſet to ſale, which ſtil maintains his fires
Beholde Gnomaticus, which learnedly had taught:
His ſchollers here ſuch g∞d preceptes, as were with wiſedome fraught:
And therewithall did care, to ſée them spend their time,
In exerciſe that might be g∞d, and cleane deuoide of crime.
But then behold ſelfe loue, and ſparkes of filthy luſt,
Which made them ſtreight deſpiſe his wordes, & caſt them down in duſt.
And now beholde he cares, to cure it if he might,
But all t∞ late the water comes, when houſe is burned quite.
Wherefore who liſt to learne: Obsta principijs.
Since vertue ſeldome can preuaile, where vice ſo r∞ted is.

Finis Chori & Actus quarti.

Actus quinti, Scæna prima.

Dick Droom alone.

Nay if you play ſuch play fare well altogyther, of all weapons I can not abyde theſe ſiluer daggers, I, with a mace quoth you? I will not ſtand one blowe with a mace, they haue caught my fellow Eccho, but I promiſe them they ſhall haue g∞d lucke if they catch me, you will ſay that I ought not ſo to leaue Eccho in the bryers, in deed we were ſworne brethren, but what for that? I know not now how I was aduiſed when I t∞ke that oth, but ſurely as I am now aduiſed my Brother ſhall daunce alone in priſon, it is no biding heere for me, but to be plaine I will trudge after theſe yonkers to Doway, and trye howe the ale taſteth in thoſe Coaſtes, for I like not the drinke in Antwerpe, now a dayes it is vengeable bitter, this was a ſupper in déed, no maruel though Eccho and I were ſo glad of it, but we triumphed before the victory, for whiles we were preparing the banquet, came in an officer and laide hold of the women and Eccho all at once: that ſawe I, and to go. Whether nowe ſirha quod one of the ſargeantes to me? To buy oliues for my Miſtres quod I. The knaue catchpole replied nothing but laughed, as who ſhould ſay, the Supper might be eaten without ſauſe well enough, but how madde am I to ſtand prating here ſo long? I will be gone, to Doway, to Doway, on mine honeſtie behold wher the old men come, I meane the Fathers of theſe yonkers, adue my maiſters, and ſay you ſawe not me.

Actus quinti, Scæna ſecunda.

Philopaes, Phylocalvs, Nvntivs, Fidvs.

Even now neighbour Phylocalus I finde what it is to be a Father, a Father? Nay a carefull father, for I muſt confeſſe vnto you, that ſince the departure of my Sonnes I haue found no quiet in my thoughtes: one whyle I ſéeme to doubt leaſt they haue been diſtreſſed by the way, another whyle I ſéeme to doubt leaſt they be eftſ∞nes entiſed vnto vanities by euill company, and how much the more I think hereon, ſo much the more I am perplexed with dout. God for his mercy ſend vs comfortable newes, to recomfort my ſorowfull and doubtfull harte.

Phylocalus. Truly neighbour, and I am not altogither frée from ſuch imaginations, but whiles I recomfort my ſelfe by the hope which I haue in thoſe letters that maiſter Gnomaticus did wryte, I am ſtraight wayes tormented againe with another doute, the which is ſuch, that I may be aſhamed to vtter it conſidering mine owne folly.

Phylopæs. O neighbour kéepe nothing from me for Gods ſake.

Phylocalus. I will tell you then, I condemne my ſelfe of exceeding folly, in that I haue committed the cariage of thoſe letters to my ſeruaunt Ambidexter, whoſe doubleneſſe I haue often tryed, and therefore my ſimplicity was the greater: and bicauſe he is not (long ſithens) retourned, my minde conceyueth ſome doubt of his fidellity.

Phylopæs. Truely and not without cauſe, for he might haue retourned long ſithens. O what a dolte was I that I ſent not Fidus (here) with them alſo? Surely Phylocalus my mynde giueth me that he hath abuſed vs.

Nuntius. Letters, letters, letters.

Phylocalus. What cryeth this g∞d fellow?

Nuntius. Letters from Doway letters from Doway. Hey

Phylopæs. Mary this ſéemeth to be some Carier which commeth from Doway. Commeſt thou from Doway g∞d fellow?

Nuntius. Yea ſir doutleſſe.

Phylopæs. And what letters haſt thou?

Nuntius. Nay that can not I tell, there are to many ſtrange names for me to remember, but here is my regiſter, and ſo may you knowe better then I what letters I haue in my packe.

Phylopæs. Is that the faſhion to write in a role a note of their names to whom thy letters are directed?

Nuntius. Yea Sir that is a cuſtome which I and ſuch ignorant fellowes muſt vſe, for I cannot read my ſelfe, & to ſhew all my letters were folly, but I do alwaies beare ſuch a role in my hand, wherin are written the names of thoſe vnto whom my letters (for that tyme) are directed, & then when I ſhew it, euerie man can ſoone tell whether I be for him or not.

Phylocalus. A g∞d order ſurely, and I pray thée let vs ſée thy role of names.

Nuntius. Here it is Sir.

Phylocalus. To begin with all here is a letter for you neighbour, I truſt I ſhall alſo finde another for my ſelfe.

Phylopæs. Oh how this comforteth my hart, thys letter commeth from my younger Sonne, I will breake it vp.

He goeth a ſide with it.

Phylocalus. Lo now I haue lykewiſe found one that is directed to me, & it is alſo y^e orthographie of my Sonne Phylotimus, let vs ſée what it conteyneth in Gods name.

He readeth alſo.

Nuntius. Who ſhall pay me for the bringing of them?

Fidus. Stay a while g∞d fellowe, thy paines ſhalbe conſidered well I warrant thée.

Nuntius. Yea but I may not long tary, for I muſt go about and deliuer the reſt of theſe letters this night.

Fidus. All that maiſt thou doe well enough, they will not be long before they haue done, but I pray thée tell me, doeſt thou not knowe my Maiſters Sonnes?

Nuntius. What ſhould I cal them by their names?

Fidus. The eldeſt is named Phylautus, and the younger called Phylomuſus.

Nuntius. I thinke I know maiſter Flautus, a tall yong gentleman, ſmall in the middle, is he not?

Fidus. Yes ſurely he is but ſlender.

Nuntius. Mary and I ſawe him in déed at Doway, braue (by the maſſe) and luſty, there was another gaye young gentleman in his company, and a ſeruing man, wotte you who? olde Ambidexter the beſt fellowe in all Antwerpe, I promiſe you they are mery and well.

Phylopæs. What newes neighbour?

Phylocalus. G∞d and badde.

Phylopæs. Euen ſo haue I in my letter, hold g∞d fellowe ther is a reward for bringing of theſe letters, & gramercy.

Nuntius. I thanke you ſir, I retourne to Doway wyth in theſe two dayes, and if it pleaſe you to commaund me any thing thither I will repayre to your houſe.

Phylopæs. I pray thée do, for peraduenture I wil wryte by thée.

Nuntius exit.

O God neighbour, how vnhappie were wée to ſend your lewd ſeruaunt Ambidexter with our Sonnes? My Sonne writeth vnto me that his brother Phylautus & your Sonne Phyloſarchus are ſeldome from the Bordelles or Tauerns, and that Ambidexter is their companion, and meaneth to tary there with them and to retourn no more.

Phylocalus. My Sonne wryteth ſo in effect, but hée séemeth to dout leaſt they prepare themſelues to abandon the Vniuerſity, and to go gadding about the world a little, for he writeth that they ſtay on hope that Eccho & certaine other of his companions will ſhortly be with them, otherwyſe they had bene gone long ſithens. Of himſelfe I haue g∞d newes, for he wryteth vnto me that the Palſegraue hath written vnto the chauncellour of the vniuerſity for a ſecretary, and that he ſtandeth in election.

Phylopæs. And my Sonne Phylomuſus is entered into the miniſtrie, and hath preached in the Vniuerſity, and meaneth ſhortly to go vnto Geneua, ſuch comfort we haue yet vnto our calamity. But as euery miſchief is moſt eaſely cured and redreſſed in the beginning, ſo if you will followe my counſell, we will immediatly diſpatch Fidus vnto them, who ſhall both apprehend Ambidexter and cauſe him to be punniſhed, and ſhall alſo ſtaye our two wandring Sonnes and bring them home vnto vs.

Phylocalus. I like your councell well, and for the loue of God let it be put in execution immediatly, for in ſuch caſes nothing is ſo requiſite as expedition.

Phylopæs. Holde Fidus take theſe twenty crownes, and get thée away with all ſpéede poſſible, take poſt horſes from place to place, and if they ſhould chaunce to be gone from Doway before thou come, yet followe them, and neuer ceaſe vntill thou haue founde them, and bring them home vnto vs.

Phylocalus. Fidus ſpare for no coſt, and holde thée there are twenty crownes more if néede require.

Fidus. Well Sir you ſhall ſée that no diligence ſhall want in me to recouer them. Will it pleaſe you to commaund me any other ſeruice?

Phylopæs. No, but God ſend thée g∞d succeſſe.

Fidus departeth.

In the meane time neighbour let vs go ſee what is done for the ſtaying of Eccho, that we may yet preuent all miſchiefe as much as in vs lyeth.

Phylocalus. I lyke you well, your witte is very g∞d vppon a ſodaine, but beholde where maiſter Gnomaticus commeth, by him we ſhall partly vnderſtand what is done.

Actus quinti, Scæna tertia.

Gnomaticvs, Philopaes, Phylocalvs.

Gnomaticus. Gentlemen, I haue ſought you round about the Town, this geare is in maner diſpatched, Eccho is apprehended with his traine and all.

Phylopæs. Wel, that is ſome comfort yet to our heauy hartes.

Gnomaticus. Why haue you any cauſe of heauineſſe? Tell me I pray you Sir, what meane you to ſtand thus amaſed?

Phylocalus. My neighbour and I haue receyued newes which are both ſorowful and comfortable. Our two elder Sonnes (by the lewde aſſiſtance of my ſeruaunt whom I ſent with them) do beſtowe their time very wantonly in Doway, and do determine (as ſéemeth) to be gone from thence very ſhortly.

Gnomaticus. To be gon? whether in Gods name?

Phylocalus. Nay that hee knoweth, to ſéeke aduentures abrode in the world by all lykelyh∞de, and they ſtay but for the comming of Eccho and his companyons.

Gnomaticus. Wel as for their coming thanked be god it is preuented wel enough, but I pray you Sir tell me how know you this to be certeynly ſo?

Phylocalus. Why we haue receiued letters from our other two Sonnes, holde you here is mine, you may read it.

He deliuereth him the letter.

How now neighbour? what muſe you? your wittes were g∞d (erewhile) vpon the ſodayne, plucke vp your ſpirits, you ſhall ſee by Gods grace Fidus will bring vs good newes.

Phylopæs. Oh neighbour I am not able to expreſſe the ſorowes which my heart conceiueth, alas the g∞ds of the world (although they be gotten with great trauaile, and kept with great care) yet the loſſe of them doth neuer torment a wiſe man: ſince the ſame deuice or brayne that coulde contriue the gathering of them, is able againe to renew the like: but the miſgouernment of a mans children, or to ſée them caſt away by lacke of grace or for lacke of vigilant foreſight, that onely is vnto the wyſeſt mynde an vnmedicinable wounde. Oh that my harte is not able to beare nor to abide the furious aſſaults of this miſfortune.

He ſowneth.

Phylocalus. What man ſtand vp and take a mans harte vnto you.

Gnomaticus. What Sir for the loue of God do not take the matter thus heauily, by his grace you ſhall haue no ſuch cauſe, your neighbour here hath cauſe of comfort: for I perceiue that his Sonne hath ſo well ſpent his time, and ſo well profited at his booke, that he ſtandeth in election to bee Secretarie vnto Palſegraue.⁶³

Phylocalus. Yea and his Sonne Phylomuſus is alſo become a famous preacher, & meaneth ſhortly to go vnto Geneua.

Gnomaticus. Wel then ech of you hath ſome cauſe of comfort yet, and by the grace of God you ſhall ſee that the reſt will fal out better then you l∞ke for, but if it ſhould not, you muſt yet arme your ſelfe with pacience, and giue god thankes in all thinges, ſince he can ſend tribulations and vexations when pleaſeth him, and can alſo ſend comfort when ſeemeth mete to his deuine maieſtie, but what haue you done for the preuenting hereof?

Philocalus. Mary we haue diſpatched my neighbours ſeruant Fidus to ſtay both them and Ambidexter, that the one may be puniſhed in example of all others, and that the other may alſo be brydled from their hedſtrong race which they meane to run.

Gnomaticus. Ambidexter? Why what hath hée doone?

Phylocalus. Do you not marke the letter? it ſéemeth that his onelie leudenes hath miniſtred matter vnto their miſbehauiour, for he is their lodes mate & companion in all places, and hath ſetled himſelfe with them, meaning neuer more to turne vnto me.

Gnomaticus. Surely Phylocalus you were not well aduiſed to ſend ſuch a fellow with your Sonnes, I pray god he haue deliuered my letters faythfullie, for I dyd yet neuer receaue anſwere of them. By whome receaued you theſe letters?

Phylocalus. By a carrier which trauayleth wéekely to Doway.

Gnomaticus. And had hee no letters for me?

Phylocalus. Surely I cannot tell, for I was ſo glad when I founde in his role, letters to mee and my neighbour, that I ſought no furder for any other, but you ſhall ſoone finde hym out if you aſke for the Carryer of Doway.

Gnomaticus. Well by your leaue then I will goe ſéeke hym, for I long ſore to haue anſwere of my letters.

Philocalus. You ſhall do well, and in meane tyme my neighbour and I will go vnto his houſe, for I perceiue he is not well.

Actus quinti, Scæna quarta.

Severvs the Margrave with his officers, and Eccho.

Seuerus. Come on ſirha, what acquaintance haue you with theſe Ladyes?

Eccho. Sir I haue but ſmall acquaintance with them.

Seuerus. No? What did you there then?

Eccho. Sir I had wayted vppon them into the Town that day (as I doe vppon diuers other for my lyuing) and they prayed me to ſuppe with them in part of recompence for my trauaile.

Seuerus. Mary ſir your fare was g∞d as I vnderſtand, and méete for much better perſonages then eyther of you. Tell me who prouided it? And who paid for it?

Eccho. I knowe not Sir, it was enough for me that I knew where it was, I neuer aſked from whence it came for conſcience ſake.

Seuerus. Well ieſted fellow Eccho, but I muſt make you ſing another note before you and I part. Tell me how came you acquainted with Phyloſarchus?

Eccho. I haue knowen him long ſince ſir, as I knowe diuers other young gentlemen in this Towne.

Seuerus. Yea but howe came it to paſſe that he ſhould haue bene there at ſupper that night?

Eccho. That cannot I tell, neyther do I knowe whether he ſhould haue bin there that night or no.

Seuerus. Yes that you can, did you neuer ſée him there before?

Eccho. I ſaw him there once, in other honeſt company, but what is that to me? Had I any thing to do with his being there? or doth it followe of neceſſity that béecauſe he was there once before, therfore he ſhould haue béen there that night alſo?

Seuerus. No, but you know well enough if you lyſt that he ſhould haue béen there, and that the banquet was prepared for him. You were beſt to confeſſe a trueth.

Eccho. Sir I will not confeſſe that which I knowe not, neither for you nor for neuer a man on liue. He might haue béene there for all mee, & he might haue béene away alſo if he liſt, for any thing that I know.

Seuerus. Well, it were but loſt labour to talke anie longer with you, go take him, and carrie him to the mill, and there let him be whipped euerie day thryſe, vntill he confeſſe the cyrcumſtances of al theſe matters, wee may not ſuffer the Sonnes of honeſt and welthy Burghers to bée ſeduced by ſuch lewde fellowes, and they to ſkape ſkotfrée.

Actus quinti, Scæna quinta.

Gnomaticvs. alone.

O God how a man may bee deceiued (at the firſt) in a youngman? the capacitie of this Phyloſarcus and hys yokefellow Phylautus was ſo quick and ſo ſufficient to receiue any charge, that a man would haue beléeued them to haue béene two of the beſt and towardeſt yongmen in thys citie, and yet behold how concupicence and vayne delight hath caried them to run another race. I haue receyued letters here from my frind Maſter *** in Doway, who declareth vnto me thereby, that they are ſufficyently able to conceiue any tradicion or Science, but therwithall that they are ſo geuen ouer to pleaſures & light paſtimes, y^t it is in maner vnpoſſible to bridle their wandring deſires. On that other ſide he prayſeth the other two for the ſobreſt yong men that euer came vnder his charge, & confirmeth in effect aſmuch as they had written for newes vnto their parentes, whereof I haue greately to reioyce, that (hauing paſſed through my handes) they are ſo lykely to come vnto promotion. And as I reioyce in them, ſo am I moſt hartely ſory for the two elder, that their miſgouernment may become not onely a great grief to their parents, but alſo a hinderance to ſuch commendation as I might elſe haue gayned by the others: but thus wée may ſée, that in euery comfort there may growe ſome diſquiet, and no herbe ſo cleane but may be hindred by ſtinking wéeds that grow by it. Well I will go talke with their parentes, and if they wilbe ruled by my councell, they ſhall giue them leaue a little to ſée the world, and to followe any exerciſe that be not repugnant vnto vertue, for vnto ſome wittes neyther correction, nor frendly admonition, nor any other perſwaſion will ſerue, vntil their owne rodde haue beaten them, and then they proue oftentymes (though late) men of excellent qualities. But beholde where they come to diſcharge me of this trauaile.

Actus quinti, Scæna ſexta.

Phylocalvs, Gnomaticvs, and Phylopaes.

Phylocalus. How nowe maiſter Gnomaticus, haue you receiued any letters from Doway?

Gnomaticus. Yea ſir I haue receiued letters from thence.

Phylocalus. And what newes I pray you?

Gnomaticus. Euen the ſame in effecte that you haue receyued.

Phylocalus. Why then I perceiue that our two younger ſonnes haue not deceiued vs, nor boaſted more in their letters then is true in effect.

Gnomaticus. No ſurely, for my frend aduertiſeth me that they are two of the towardeſt young men that euer came in that Vniuerſity, and that he hath great hope to ſée them in the end become famous through all the lowe countreys.

Phylocalus. Well that is ſome comfort yet, and what wryteth he of the two elder?

Gnomaticus. Surely he writeth as much commendation as may be of their capacity, mary therewithal he ſaith that they bée marueilouſly bent vnto concupiſcence, therefore I wil tell you mine aduiſe. As ſ∞ne as they come home, firſt rebuke them ſharpely for the miſſe beſtowing of their excellent wittes, and it ſhall not be amiſſe if you adde therevnto alſo ſome correction, that being done, I would wiſh you to put in their choyce what kinde of lyfe they will followe, ſo that it be vertuous, and not contrary to Gods worde, and let them ſée the worlde a while: for ſuch fine wittes haue ſuch an vniuerſall deſire commonly, that they neuer proue ſtayed vntill the blacke oxe hath troden on their toes.

Phylopæs. Yea mary but how are we ſure to recouer them againe? When as I feare much that they are gone from the Vniuerſity already?

Gnomaticus. Why doubt you of that?

Phylopæs. Becauſe my neighbours Sonne Phylotimus wrote vnto him that he much douted they would abandon the vniuerſity, and that they taried but onely to heare from Eccho and his complices.

Gnomaticus. Yea, but Eccho and the reſt are ſafe enough for comming at them, and beholde where commeth the honourable Markgraue with his Officers, you were beſt to go vnto him, and to giue him thankes for hys greate care and diligence.

Actus quinti, Scæna ſeptima.

Phylopaes, Severvs, Phylocalvs, Gnomaticvs.

Phylopæs. Right Honourable, we are bound to yéelde you humble and harty thanks, for that (as we vnderſtand) you haue vſed great paine and diligence in apprehending of a lewde company, who haue (as wée ſée now) ſeduced our children, and made them to neglecte the holſome preceptes which their faithfull enſtructer had giuen them.

Seuerus. Surely I haue done my beſt (in diſcharge of my duty) to apprehend them, and I haue examined them alſo, but truly I can not finde hitherto any pr∞fe againſt them, whereby they ought to be puniſhed: and though I deſire (as much as you) to ſée them condingly corrected, yet with out pr∞fe of ſome offence I ſhould therin commit a wrong. True it is that Eccho is knowen commonly in this Town for a Paraſite and a flattering fellow, and the young woman alſo doth not ſéeme to be of the honeſteſt, but yet there is no body which will come in and ſay this or that I haue ſéene or knowen by her. Shée confeſſeth that Phyloſarchus and Phylautus were there one night at a banquet, and that Phyloſarchus ſhould haue ſupped there the ſame night that they were taken, and when I aſke her to what end, ſhe anſwereth that he was a ſuter to her for mariage, and for witneſſe bringeth in her Aunt as g∞d as her ſelfe, in the meane time I haue no pr∞fe of euill wherwith to burthen her. And then maiſter Eccho (on that other ſid) he ſtandeth as ſtiffe as may be, and ſaith that he knoweth not whether Phyloſarchus ſhould haue ſupped there or not, and for lack of pr∞fe I am able to go no furder.

Phylocalus. Yea Sir but doubtles that Eccho was the firſt cauſe of their acquayntaunce, for the firſt tyme that my Sonne was there, was one aftern∞ne, at which tyme Eccho came to their Sch∞le Maſter in your name, and craued liberty for them to come and ſpeake wyth you.

Seuerus. With me?

Gnomaticus. Yea Sir doubtleſſe, and when I gaue them leaue to come vnto you, they returned (after two or thrée howers reſpyte) and ſayde that you knew them not when they came there, and that Eccho ſaid he had miſtaken the Scholemaſter and the ſchollers.

Seuerus. Sayd they thus of me?

Gnomaticus. Yea truely ſir.

Seuerus. And ſayd they that they had béen with me?

Gnomaticus. Sir I woulde bée lothe to ſay ſo if it were otherwiſe, and furthermore they ſéemed angry.

Seuerus. And wherefore I pray you?

Gnomaticus. For that you gaue them no better countenaunce.

Seuerus. Before God they neuer came at mée, but thys is ſomewhat yet, for by this meanes I haue good cauſe to puniſh Maſter Eccho, and I pray you Maſter Gnomaticus go with me vnto him, and you ſhal heare what anſwer he is able to make vnto theſe matters.

Gnomaticus. With right good will ſir I wil wayte vpon you. Worthy gentlemen, you ſhal do wel to conſider in the meane time vpon that which I laſt tolde you as myne oppinion.

Actus quinti, Scœna octaua.

Phylopaes, Phylocalvs.

Phylopæs. The aduice which maſter Gnomaticus hath geuen vs, doth not miſlike mee altogether, but ſtill my minde is more and more vexed with doubt, leaſt in the meane time (and before Fidus can come at them) they fall into ſome notable miſhap by theyr miſgouernment.

Phylocalus. You do well to doubt the worſt, but if it were ſo, what remidie but patience? and geue god thanks that hath ſent to eche of vs ſuch a Sonne as may become the comfort of our age.

Phylopæs. Truely it is in deede a great comfort that eyther of vs may take in our yonger Sonnes, but if wée haue loſt the elder (as I feare it much) what a corroſiue will that be vnto vs? Oh how I feele my fearefull harte panting in my reſtles breſt? the Father of heauen voucheſafe to ſend mee ioyfull newes of Phylautus. O wretched Phylopaes thou are like vnto a couetous man, which hauing aboundance is yet neuer contented, thou art alreadie ſure of ſuch ofſpring as may giue thee cauſe to reioyce, and yet thy minde is not ſatiſfied, vnleſſe all thinges might fall out vnto thine owne deſire, and thou maiſt be compared to the patient which crieth out before the Chirurgions inſtrument do touch him, becauſe thou conceiueſt in thy imagynation, the dread which tormenteth all thy thoughts. But alas why do I not prepare this wretched corpes of mine, to be a preſent witnes what is become of my Phylautus? I will ſurely, go prouide all thinges neceſſarie for my iourney, and neuer giue reſt vnto theſe bones vntill I may ſée him. I will do ſo.

Phylocalus. What abide Phylopaes, I am a ſhamed to ſée you ſo impacient, what man, I am as ſorie to heare of my Sonnes lewd behauiour as you are of yours, and to tel a truth, I thinke he wilbe fownde more faultie then yours, but be it as God pleaſeth, I haue one eſpeciall comfort, and that is, that I performed my duetie in carefulnes and in foreſight (as much as in me laye) to guide him vnto promotion, it is comendable in a parent to haue a care for his children, but this womanlike tendernes in you deſerueth reprehention.

Phylopæs Se how euerye man can geue good councell, and few can followe it, well I praye you let vs withdraw oureſelues to our houſes, to ſee if change of place may alſo change my melancholike paſſion.

Phylocalus Go we, I will go to your houſe for companie.

Actus quinti, Scæna nona.

Severvs, Gnomaticvs, Fidvs. Ambidexter.

Seuerus. Well ſince he is found culpable of thus much, I would but talke with theſe neighbours of mine (I meane Phylopæs and Phylocalus) and wee will deuiſe ſuch puniſhement for the malefactors, as may be a terror hereafter to all paraſites how they abuſe the name of an officer, or entyſe the children of any burghers.

Gnomaticus. Sir I dare ſay they will be pleaſed what ſoeuer you do therein, and if it so pleaſe you I will go vnto their houſes and call them vnto you, for mée thinkes they are departed ſynce we went. But what is hee that commeth here in ſuch haſte?

Fidus. Oh that I coulde tell where to fynde my Maſter.

Gnomaticus. It is Fidus, God graunt he bring good tidings.

Fidus. I would rather fynd him in any place then at hys howſe, that he might haue ſome company (yet) which might comforte him, for I dare ſay theſe tidings will break his harte with Sorowe.

Gnomaticus. I will go to him. How now Fidus, what newes?

Fidus. O maſter Gnomaticus I knowe no man whom I wuld rather haue preſently then you, O Sir I am vnhappy, for I am the meſſenger of the moſt wofull newes that euer my maſter receyued, for gods loue accompanie me vnto him that you might yet by your wiſedom aſwage the extremitie of his grief.

Gnomaticus. I will willingly beare thée companie gentle Fidus, and ſurely thou deſerueſt greate commendation and thankes, aſwell for thy fidelitie, as alſo for the excéeding greate ſpéede which thou haſt made, but I pray thée tell vs firſt (in the preſence of the right honorable Markegraue) the whole circumſtance & effect of theſe thy newes, which thou ſayeſt are ſo ſorowfull.

Fidus Sir ſince you will néedes haue it, my maſter hath loſt his eldeſt Sonne, and Maſter Phylocalus hath little better then loſt his alſo.

Gnomaticus. Alas theſe are heauie newes in deed, and muſt needes afflict the poore parents with extréeme grief, for they are vnto me (almoſt) vntollerable: but ſince it becommeth a chriſtian to beare pacientely what ſoeuer God doth prouide, I pray thee tell on the whole circumſtance of euerie thing as it fell.

Fidus. I will tell you Sir, I vſed all the dilligence poſſible on my way, and yet before I coulde come at Doway, they were from thence departed.

Gnomaticus. What all togithers?

Fidus, No ſir, but Phylomuſus was ſent by the whole conſent of the vniuerſity vnto the Palſgraue to be his ſecretary, whereas he yet remaineth in g∞d eſtimation, and Phylotimus was gone vnto Geneua, moued with an earneſt zeale and ſpirit, and there he is in ſinguler commendation and much followed.

Gnomaticus. and what was become (the meane while) of Phylautus and Phyloſarchus? They were ſtill at Doway were they not?

Fidus. No ſir they were gone alſo, but no man could tell me whether they were gone, and they were gone ſomewhat before their brethren.

Gnomaticus Why then they taryed not for Eccho, as the letters emported that they would haue done.

Fidus. O Sir they had aduertiſement that Eccho was apprehended, and that haſtened their departure.

Gnomaticus. And by what meanes knew they of it?

Fidus. There was one Dicke Droom a companion of Ecchoes, which came vnto them and tolde them the whole diſcourſe, wherevppon they fledde with him immediately.

Seuerus. Such a one was preſente in déede when Eccho was taken, and becauſe mine officers knew him not, nor had any commiſſion to ſearch for him, therefore they ſuffered him to departe.

Fidus. Out vppon him, I would to God they had made him ſafe alſo, for he hath bin the caſting away of Phylautus. Phylautus, Phyloſarcus, Dick Droom with my frend Ambidexter here, went out of Doway together, and bicauſe my maiſters charge was that I ſhould followe where ſo euer they went, I followed as faſt as I could by enquiry, and with in thrée or foure dayes iourney, I heard that Phyloſarcus by the helpe of this g∞d companion Ambidexter had gotten a fair minion forſ∞th, and ſtayed with her at Bruſſelles, from whence Phylautus and Dycke Droom departed, and t∞ke their way togither vp towardes Germany, now Phyloſarchus and his cariage held their way (as it was ſaide) towards Fraunce. When I ſawe that they were ſo parted, and that I could not followe both companies at once, I thought beſt to holde on my way towardes the Palſgraues Court, & hoped that by the way I might yet chance to heare of Phylautus, and in very déede I heard of ſuch a one at ſundrie places, and at laſt I heard of him expreſſedly, for the day before I came to the Palſgraues Court, he was there executed for a robbery with Dicke Droom, yea euen in ſight of his Brother, and notwithſtanding the fauour that hée is in there, ſuch ſeuere execution of iuſtice is there adminiſtred.

Seuerus. It is a happy common wealth where Iuſtice may be miniſtred with ſeueritie, and where no mediacions or ſutes may wreſt the ſentence of the Lawe.

Fidus. When I had there receyued theſe heauy newes, I t∞ke letters of diſpatch and aduertiſement from Philomuſus to his Father, & croſſed ouer the Countrey towards Geneua. And long before I came thether Phyloſarchus had bin there (for fornication) whipped openly thrée ſeuerall dayes in the market, and was baniſhed the Towne with great infamie, notwithſtanding that his Brother Phylotimus was an earneſt ſuter vnto the congregation for him. When I perceyued that none other iſſue could be had of my trauaile, I t∞ke letters from Phylotimus, and ſought no further after Phyloſarchus, but thought my duty firſt to aduertiſe my maiſter of the certainty, and by my way homewardes I ouert∞ke this g∞d fellowe Ambidexter in ſuch aray as you ſée, and haue brought him with me to abide ſuch puniſhment as the worthy Markgraue here and other magiſtrates ſhall thinke meete for him.

Ambidexter. Oh Sir be g∞d vnto me and pardon this offence.

Seuerus. Pardon? Nay ſurely thou rather deſerueſt death, for it ſéemeth vnto me, that theſe young men had not ſo lightly gone aſtray, had it not bin through the helpe of thée and ſuch as thou art, ſuch lewde ſeruauntes as thou art, are the caſting away of many toward young perſonages, and therefore ſince thy g∞d happe hath retourned thée hether, thou ſhalt with the reſt ſerue as an example to all ſeruaunts. But thou canſt tell what is become of Phyloſarchus?

Ambidexter. He was ſo ſore whipped that I feare hée be dead. I lefte him in a village fyue leagues diſtant from Geneua, ſo ſore that he was not able to ſtir either hande or f∞te.

Seuerus. Well Maſter Gnomaticus, ſince onley this fellow is recouered, I think méete to hold this courſe of iuſtice, he together with Maſter Eccho ſhall bee whyped aboute the Towne three ſeuerall market dayes, with papers declaring their faults ſet vpon their heds, and afterwards they ſhalbe baniſhed the Citie, vppon payne of death neuer to returne, & Miſtreſſe Lamia with her Aunt ſhall likewyſe be ſet on the Cucking ſt∞le in publique thrée market daies, & then to be baniſhed the Towne alſo.

Gnomaticus. Surely you haue well deuiſed, and I beſech you Sir vouchſafe to aſſiſt mee in comforting the wofull Parents Phylopæs and Phylocalus, who I dare ſay will be ſo ſorowfull for theſe tidinges, that it ſhall bee harde to perſwade them to patience.

Seuerus. It is but a reaſonable requeſt, & I will moſte gladly accompany you, go we togethers, and thou Fidus haſt well deſerued thy freedome, with a better turne for thy faythfull ſeruice in this behalfe, and I wilbe a meane vnto thy Maiſter that thou maiſt bee conſidered accordingly.

Fidus. I thanke you Sir. My Maſters, the common ſaying is clap your handes, but the circumſtance of this wofull tragicall comedie conſidered, I may ſay iuſtly vnto you wring your handes, neuertheleſſe I leaue it to your diſcretion.

Finis.

Epilogus.

⁶⁴WE liue to learne, for ſo Sainct Paule doth teach,
and all that is, is doone for our auaile:
Both good and bad, may be the wiſemans leach,
The g∞d may ſerue, to make him beare like ſayle,
The bad to ſhun, the faults wherin they fayle.
Good wyndes and bad, may ſerue in ſundry ſorte,
To bring our barkes, into ſome pleaſant porte.

Who liſte to learne, what dilligence may do,
what humble minds, by ſtudies may attayne,
Let him behold, theſe younger brethren two,
Whoſe wits at firſt, did ſéeme to bee but playne,
Yet as you ſee, at laſt they got with payne,
The golden fléeſe, of grace and cunning Skyll,
Before the reſt which folowed wanton will.

And ſuch as brag, of quicke capacitie,
Or thinke the field, is w∞ne withouten blowes,
Let them behold, the youthfull vanitie:
Of th’elder twayne, whoſe fancies lightly choſe,
To ſéeke delight, in gariſh grounde that growes.
Yet had by hart, their maſters wordes in haſt:
But thinges ſone got, are loſt againe as faſt.

For pr∞fe whereof, behold how ſoone they fell,
From vertues path, to treade in vices tracks,

And therwithall, (I pray you marke it well)
Their falles were foule, they fell vpon their backs.
Which gaue their bones, ſo many bruſing craks:
That afterwardes, they neuer roſe againe,
Till ſhamefull death, did ende their greuous payne.

Who falles on face, hath elbowes hands and all,
To ſaue himſelfe, and therwith eke to riſe:
To fall on backe, betokens ſuch a fall
As cannot riſe againe in any wiſe:
For when he falls, his face wide open lies.
To euery blowe: and cannot fend the ſame,
Such falles found they, which brought them ſone to ſhame

And in meane while, their Brethren roſe as faſt,
Much like the ſnaile, which clymes the Caſtle wall,
With eaſie ſteppes, when ſouldiers downe be caſt,
With furious force, and many a hedlong fall.
Aſſaultes are hotte, but yet if there withall,
Some temperance, and polycye be vſed,
They winne thoſe fortes, which hotter heades refuſed.

I meane but this: you ſée the younger twaine,
(Bycauſe they did in vertue take delight)
They clombe at laſt (and that with pleaſaunt paine,)
To honours Court, wherin their place was pight.
You ſée againe, their Brethren (by delight,
In filthy luſt, ſelfe loue, and ſuch like mo)
Did fall as faſt, to ſhamefull death and wo.

You ſée the bond, for faithfulneſſe made frée
You ſée the frée, for doubleneſſe diſdaind:
You ſée the whippe, the cuke ſt∞le, and the trée,
Are thought rewardes, for ſuch as vice hath ſtainde:
You ſée that right, which euer more hath raigned,
And iuſtice both: do kéepe their places ſtill,
To cheriſh g∞d, and eke to puniſh ill.

Theſe thinges my muſe, did meane to make you knowe,
By pr∞fe in acte of that which you haue ſéene
Theſe thinges my muſe, thought méete to ſet in ſhowe,
But otherwyſe, then common wont hath bene.
This chriſtall glaſſe I poliſht fayre and cléene,
For euery man, that liſt his faultes to mend,
This was my mind, and thus I make an end.

FINIS.

IMPRINTED AT London By H M for Chriſtopher Barker at the ſigne of the Graſſhopper in Paules Churchyarde, Anno Domini. 1575.